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Could you imagine what it must have been like doing business 30 years ago, before you had a decent laptop? It’s a horrible thought. And one that you only need to consider now and then, when you have an hour’s worth of work to do… but only 30 mins left on your laptop battery. Nightmare. No one wants to be caught in the dreaded low battery limbo during a crucial meeting or presentation. But with a little know-how, you can extend your laptop battery's lifespan and keep it running optimally for years to come. Understanding your battery is key. Most laptops today rely on lithium-ion batteries, which have a finite number of charge cycles. A charge cycle equals a full discharge from 0% to 100%, and each cycle diminishes the battery's capacity.&nbsp; The golden rule? Avoid full discharges whenever possible… which means, don’t let the battery run out completely. Let’s dive into your laptop's power settings to customize your battery preferences. Hibernation mode is your friend – it kicks in before your battery hits rock bottom. And don't forget to activate Battery Saver mode, a godsend for preserving power when your battery is running on fumes. Next, it's time to declutter. Close background apps and say goodbye to unnecessary power drains. Toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when they're not in use and dim screen brightness to conserve energy. But what about charging etiquette? Contrary to popular belief, keeping your laptop plugged in won't harm your battery – modern devices are smarter than you think. Just steer clear of extreme temperatures and never let your battery dip below 20% if you can help it. When it comes to storing your laptop for a little longer than usual, put it away with around 50% charge. And if you’re ever in doubt, some battery apps offer real-time insights into your battery's health. Lastly, stay on top of software updates. New patches and upgrades can optimize performance and minimize energy consumption, giving your battery a new lease of life. We help businesses round here get the most from their devices for as long as possible. If we can do the same for you, get in touch.

The secrets to make your laptop battery live longer

Are you tired of juggling a multitude of passwords like a circus act? You’re not alone. According to a recent report, around 1 in 4 of us feel the same. But it’s not just the sheer number of passwords that’s causing headaches – it’s the security risks they pose.Let’s face it, when it comes to setting passwords, most people aren’t cyber security experts. From weak and easily guessable passwords to the cardinal sin of reusing passwords across multiple accounts, human error is everywhere.Another study revealed that, on average, people use the same password for five different accounts. And don’t get us started on classics like ‘123456’… used on a mind-boggling 23 million breached accounts.But here’s the thing: Cyber criminals don’t need any extra help. They’re already pros at cracking passwords, and our lax habits are like an open invitation to wreak havoc. And let’s not forget the staggering stats – a projected $434 billion loss to online payment fraud globally between 2024 and 2027, with 90% of data leaks attributed to stolen login details.So, what’s the solution?Password managers.These are essential software tools that take the hassle out of password management by generating and storing complex, unique passwords for each account. No more ‘123456’ disasters. Just robust security.And the best part? Password managers not only beef up your security defenses but they also streamline your digital life. With one-click logins and autofill features, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one. And with the right password manager, you can rest easy knowing your sensitive data is under lock and key.A password manager makes your life easier and business safer at the same time. Want to know which one we recommend? Get in touch.

1 in 4 people struggle with password overload. Here’s the answer

If you're all about doing everything you can to help your team max their productivity (who wouldn’t want that, right?), then you're going to love what Microsoft Teams has in store for us with its latest Copilot upgrades. Imagine, you're mid-Teams meeting, brainstorming like there's no tomorrow. Ideas are flying all over the place! Even the quickest note-taker among you isn’t going to remember it all.&nbsp; Never mind. Copilot's got it. It can transcribe your conversation and understand your live chat, then summarize the most valuable insights.&nbsp; It doesn’t stop there. Ever wish you could hit "undo" on a chat message and reword your response? Copilot can help with that too. In fact, it can come up with a fresh message suggestion right there in the chat. That could save you lots of time – and brain power. Copilot's call recap tool can help with normal phone calls too. Teams Premium subscribers will benefit from handy recaps. It's like having that personal assistant you always wished for (but you still have to make your own coffee). Microsoft's also made IntelliFrame the default setting for video calls. What’s that, you ask? It uses AI to identify the individual video feeds of all participants so that everyone gets their moment in the spotlight during Teams Rooms calls. It also means no more awkwardly cropped faces or disappearing attendees. Smoother team collaboration, more insightful meetings, and video calls that look like they're straight out of Hollywood… who doesn’t want that?!&nbsp; If you’re not already maxing Teams in your business, we can help. Get in touch.

Copilot is bringing another productivity boost to Teams

Here’s something not-so-fun but incredibly important to talk about: Malware attacks.And it’s bad news. These scary cyber threats are hitting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) harder than ever before. That means you need to know how you can defend your business.First things first, what exactly is malware?Think of it as the digital equivalent of the germs that make you sick. Malware, short for malicious software, is like the flu virus of the cyber world. It’s designed to sneak into your computer systems or network and wreak havoc in all sorts of ways.So, what kinds of malware are we talking about here?Well, according to a recent report, there are a few major troublemakers: Information-stealing malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC).You might be wondering why you should care about malware. Let me set the scene. You’re running your business smoothly, minding your own business, when BAM! A malware attack hits.Suddenly, your files are encrypted, your systems are locked down, and you’re being held hostage for ransom.Sounds like a nightmare, right?That’s the reality for many SMBs facing malware attacks. It’s not just about losing money – it’s about the potential damage to your reputation, your operations, and your customers’ trust.But there are plenty of ways to fight back against malware and keep your business safe and sound:Educate your teamTeach your employees to spot phishing emails (an email pretending to be from someone you trust), suspicious links, and other sneaky tactics used by cyber criminals. A little awareness goes a long way.Armor up your devicesMake sure all your computers and devices are equipped with the best software to prevent attacks.Back up, back up, back upRegularly back up your data to secure offsite locations. That way, if you are attacked, you’ll have a backup plan (literally) to restore your files.Fortify your networkImprove your network security with firewalls, encryption, and other powerful weapons. We can help with all of that.Stay skepticalBe cautious of suspicious emails or requests for sensitive information. When in doubt, double-check the sender’s identity and never click on risky links or attachments.Have a planPrepare an incident response plan for dealing with malware attacks. Think of it as your emergency playbook, complete with steps for containing the threat, recovering your data, and reporting the incident.That’s a lot to take in, but remember, knowledge is power. These are all things we help our clients with, so they don’t have to worry about it. If we can help you too, get in touch.

Uh oh! You’re at greater risk of malware than ever before

Improving productivity is a never-ending mission for most business owners and managers.Whether it’s speeding up tasks or improving communication, every little helps. So it’s crucial to make the most of the tools you already have.And while you might think of your web browser as just a means to access the internet, it can be so much more than that. Especially if you use Microsoft Edge in Windows 11. It has loads of features that can help supercharge your productivity.Here are five of our favorites.1. Split Screen for multitaskingMultitasking is a skill every business owner needs, and Microsoft Edge’s split screen feature makes it easier than ever. Whether you’re comparing web pages, researching multiple topics, or simply keeping an eye on different sites simultaneously, split screen lets you view two pages side-by-side within the same tab. It’s like having two windows open at once, but without the clutter.2. Vertical Tabs for streamlined navigationToo many tabs? Yeah… we understand that. Microsoft Edge’s vertical tabs offer a fresh perspective on tab management. By stacking tabs vertically along the side of the browser window, you can easily navigate between open tabs and access essential controls like close and mute.3. Workspaces for seamless collaborationCollaboration is key in any business, and Microsoft Edge’s Workspaces feature makes it easier than ever to work well with colleagues or clients. Create a workspace with a collection of open tabs, then share it with others via a simple link. It means they can open multiple tabs with one click. It’s perfect for brainstorming sessions, project management, or team presentations.4. Collections for organized researchGathering information from the web is a common task. Microsoft Edge’s Collections feature makes this easier, allowing you to easily save and organize text, images, and videos from web pages into custom collections. Stay organized, focused, and productive.5: Immersive Reader for distraction-free readingWhen you need to focus on reading an article or document online, distractions on the page can be a pain. Microsoft Edge’s Immersive Reader feature provides a clutter-free reading experience by removing ads, links, and other interruptions. Customize the text size, spacing, and color scheme to suit your preferences, and even have the content read aloud for hands-free reading.If your business doesn’t already use Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, this could be the perfect time to switch. Can we help you move over? Get in touch.

Be more productive with these Microsoft Edge features

Picture this: You're going about your day, checking your emails, when suddenly you see a message from a company you trust. You think, "Great! That’s safe to read”. But hold on just one minute… this email is not what it seems.&nbsp; It’s part of yet another scam created by cyber criminals to trick you into clicking malicious links or giving up sensitive info. It's called "SubdoMailing," and it's as dangerous as it sounds. What's the deal?&nbsp; Just like regular phishing attacks, cyber criminals pretend to be trusted brands.&nbsp; But here's how it works: These cyber criminals scour the internet for subdomains of reputable companies. You know those extra bits in a web address that come before the main domain? Such as experience.trustedbrand.com. That ‘experience’ bit is the subdomain. They find a subdomain that the brand is no longer using and is still pointing to an external domain that’s no longer registered. Then they buy the domain and set up the scam website. So, you believe you’re clicking on experience.trustedbrand.com… but you have no idea it automatically redirects to scamwebsite.com. The criminals are sending out five million emails a day targeting people in businesses just like yours. And because these emails are coming from what seems like a legit source, they often sail right past usual security checks and land in your inbox. Here’s our advice to keep you and your data safe and sound: · &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Be wary of any emails that seem even remotely suspicious. If something looks fishy, it probably is. · &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Before clicking on any links or downloading any attachments, take a moment to verify the sender. Look for red flags like spelling mistakes or unusual email addresses. · &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Make sure your employees understand the latest phishing tactics and know how to spot a scam. A little knowledge goes a long way in keeping your company safe. · &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Consider investing in top-notch security software to keep the cyber criminals at bay. It might seem like an extra expense, but trust us, it's worth it. As always, if you need help with this or any other aspect of your email security, get in touch.

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The secrets to make your laptop battery live longer

1 in 4 people struggle with password overload. Here’s the...

Copilot is bringing another productivity boost to Teams

Uh oh! You’re at greater risk of malware than ever before

Be more productive with these Microsoft Edge features

Is this the most dangerous phishing scam yet?