FocusTech Insider April 2024 – Technologist
It’s time to fix your RISKY password habits!
We all know how important it is to keep our data safe, but sometimes our best intentions fall short. And when you have employees, you’re at an increased risk of security threats and bad habits creeping in.
Here’s the deal: Even if you invest in cyber security training, changing long held password habits can be a tough nut to crack. People love convenience, and remembering a ton of complex passwords just isn’t their idea of a good time.
Your employees are juggling dozens of passwords for work and personal use. It’s a lot to handle, and sometimes they slip up and reuse passwords across different accounts. It’s a familiar story, right? And it’s where the trouble starts.
When passwords are reused, it’s like leaving the front door wide open for cyber criminals. If the password is breached on one site, they will try it to access other sites.
Here’s how you can make sure your team stays on top of their password game.
1
Password audit: Ask your IT partner to do an audit of passwords and look for weak ones that should be changed.
2
Block weak passwords: Ask your IT partner to implement a password policy that stops common passwords from being used.
3
Scan for compromised passwords: Even strong passwords can be compromised. Stay one step ahead by scanning for breached passwords and prompting employees to change them.
4
Use password managers: Password managers securely generate then store a unique password for every different account… and fill them into the login box so your team don’t have to.
5
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security with MFA, where you get a code on a separate device. It’s like putting a deadbolt on your front door – double the protection, double the peace of mind.
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What is Cyber Insurance (and is it worth it)?
DID YOU KNOW…..
you can snooze your emails?
Our inboxes can be relentless. Sometimes an email pings through that you don’t have time to deal with, but you don’t want to forget about either.
Instead of marking it as unread and leaving it to get lost amongst the scores of junk, if you use Outlook you can snooze it instead. That means it pops back to the top of your inbox at a time that’s more convenient.
Simply right click the email, click Snooze, and set a time. Done!
Celebrating 4 Years of Success! 
We escaped reality in an escape room, indulged at local markets, and raised our glasses to celebrate our company’s 4th anniversary. It was a day full of laughter, teamwork, and reflection on our journey.
TechFacts
1
At the end of 2023, there were 1.13 billion websites on the internet.
2
More than 90% of the mobile phones sold in Japan are waterproof. It’s said to be because of the tendency of Japanese women to use their phones in the bath.
3
As of January 2024, there were 5.35 billion internet users worldwide. Of this total, 5.04 billion were using social media.
Technology Update
Update Windows 11 without a reboot? Yes please!
It’s important to run updates as soon as they become available, but when you’re in the middle of something, they can be a big disruption.
Microsoft has good news. It’s testing a new update method for Windows 11 that lets it install critical updates without a reboot. It’s called ‘hot patching’ and will hopefully roll out later this year.
New to Microsoft
Say hello to perfect photos with Windows
Microsoft is bringing the best feature from the Google Pixel phone to Windows 10 and 11. The AI-powered ‘generative erase’ tool removes imperfections and unwanted features. It can even replace them with AI-generated images, such as removing people from backgrounds or replacing the background entirely.
It promises a user-friendly, impressive editing experience that will improve your website images, presentations, and loads more.
To read more on what’s new to Microsoft – Click Here!
Are you ready to ditch
the break/fix headache?
When it comes to your IT support, have you ever found yourself wondering whether having a contracted partnership beats the old break/fix model?
Let’s rewind a little first. What’s break/fix?
Well, imagine this: Your computer crashes, your server goes kaput, or your network decides to take an unexpected break. What do you do? You call up your IT person, who swoops in to save the day – for a hefty fee, of course.
Something breaks, IT fixes it. That’s the extent of the relationship.
In the moment, it might feel like a lifesaver. But let’s be real here – relying on a break/fix model is like playing a never-ending game of tech whack-a-mole. You’re constantly putting out fires, and each time it happens, it’s costing you time and money. Not to mention the stress it puts on you and your team.
So instead, let’s talk about the benefits of a contracted partnership with an IT support provider.
First off, predictability. With a contract in place, you know exactly what you’re getting and how much it’ll cost you each month. No more surprises or budget-busting bills.
And there’s more. With a contracted partner, you’re not just getting reactive support when things go wrong. You’re getting proactive maintenance and monitoring to prevent issues before they even happen. Think of it as having your own IT guard, watching over your systems 24/7.
And let’s not forget about the expertise. When you partner with an IT support provider, you’re tapping into a wealth of knowledge and experience. We eat, sleep, and breathe technology, and we’re always staying ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest trends and best practices.
Plus, we will map out and document your exact setup when we start working with you, speeding up any fault finding.
But perhaps the biggest benefit of all? Your peace of mind.
Knowing that your IT systems are in good hands allows you to focus on what you do best – running your business. No more late-night panic attacks over server crashes or network outages. With a contracted partner by your side, you can rest easy knowing that your tech is taken care of.
If you’re in a break/fix cycle perhaps it’s time you said hello to the benefits of a contracted IT support partnership instead? And if that’s something we can help you with, get in touch.
This is how you can get in touch with us:
CALL: 01942 835 912
EMAIL: help@focustechs.co.uk
WEBSITE: www.focustechs.co.uk
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About The Author
admin
Azeem Rajpoot, the author behind Technolo Gist, is a passionate tech enthusiast with a keen interest in exploring and sharing insights about the rapidly evolving world of technology. With a background in Technologist, Azeem brings a unique perspective to the blog, offering in-depth analyses, reviews, and thought-provoking articles. Committed to making technology accessible to all, Azeem strives to deliver content that not only keeps readers informed about the latest trends but also sparks curiosity and discussions. Follow Azeem on this exciting tech journey to stay updated and inspired.