Top 12 Tech Gifts 2017: SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C

by Felicien | Dec 15, 2017 | Education

We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out.

This USB drive has connectors for both USB-A and USB-C, to make it simpler for transferring data between computers and even some newer Android phones with USB-C. Laptops, Android phones, Macs, and PCs are all utilizing the USB-C connection. With this, there’s no need to worry which type of flash drive you have.
The Dual Drive comes in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB sizes. The 32GB can be found for less than $30, while the bigger sizes will run you a bit more money.
Happy Holidays and good luck on the tech hunt from all of us here at {company}!

Why Do I Need Antivirus Software?

by Felicien | Dec 15, 2017 | Education

You may be thinking to yourself, “I don’t need antivirus software. I don’t go to any sketchy websites or click on shady pop-ups.” While that does help cut down your risk of getting a virus that doesn’t mean you are 100% safe. Many viruses now are found on legitimate websites that have been corrupted, and you could unknowingly be putting yourself and your computer at risk. The adage “it’s better to be safe than sorry” holds true in this case.  Think about all the valuable data on your computer that you use every day; wouldn’t it be a huge inconvenience if you lost access to it all because of an entirely preventable virus?
Types of Attacks
There are several types of viruses and attacks that your computer may be vulnerable to. The first of course is the typical computer virus. You could end up with this by clicking on the content of unknown or questionable origin. Computer worms are another type of attack that usually attacks the network as a whole, but may still deposit malware onto your device to spread it throughout the network. Trojan horses are when the user thinks that a download is legitimate, but is a virus in disguise. Some viruses appear to be updates or downloads from reputable websites so it can be difficult at times to know what is fake and what is real. Antivirus software can warn a user when a virus is within the download, but can’t stop the user from downloading the file if they so desire. Spyware is a virus that doesn’t actively change anything on your computer, but instead steals data and information for use by a cybercriminal. Messaging applications are common carriers of viruses, so it is essential to have an antivirus software that will warm you when your emails or IMs are carrying fake links or attachments. Bots are also a standard way for cybercriminals to drop viruses and malware onto your computer, by remotely hacking into your computer. Antivirus software will warn you when someone is trying to hack into your computer. And finally, beware of rootkits that are buried deep in your computer hiding other viruses and malware from your immediate view.
Safe Surfing
Using common sense on the internet and browsing carefully will get you far, but it can’t protect you forever. Not every type of virus or malware attack is easy to spot and therefore having antivirus software is necessary for the times when you couldn’t tell if something was corrupted or that someone was hacking into your device. Often, companies will set up your computer with an antivirus before it reaches you and when you first start it up, it will get you to sign up for the antivirus already pre-installed. This is how some companies make extra money. However, you don’t need to use the antivirus software that is preloaded. You can choose another service if you want. There are many good antivirus software on the market to fit any budget.
Some of the Best Antivirus Softwares
All Windows 10 PCs come with Windows Defender. This is an excellent all-around software that fights off the most run of the mill viruses and threats. The benefit of using Windows Defender is that it already comes on your computer and offers a proficient level of protection. It is comparable to other software available from third parties. It also has a user-friendly dashboard where you can check on things like the overall health of your device, parental controls, antivirus settings, and scan results.
Norton Security is an antivirus software that has been around for a very long time. It is a trusted name with an excellent reputation for antivirus protection. The basic package starts at $49.99 per year, and the premium package is $109.99 per year. All their packages are a great value, and the one best for you depends on things like how many devices need protection and if there are children that will be using said devices.
McAfee is another popular option. They have a basic package that starts at $59.99, and they go up to $99.99. This software offers excellent protection while managing to stay more affordable than some of the more dominant antivirus software.
Avast has a good basic free option that consumers often take advantage of. Their 1-year subscription is $59.99 and includes a two-way firewall so that viruses already on your PC can’t get back out onto the internet and spread to another network or device. It also comes with parental controls and several other features.
Conclusion
Antivirus software is an essential tool when using the internet. There are people out there wanting to steal your information, wreck your computer, or just cause general chaos. Don’t give them the opportunity to do so; protect your computer.

iPhone Users Can Feel More Secure with New Safety Feature

by Felicien | Dec 14, 2017 | Education

Personal safety is something we all take very seriously. No one likes to be in a situation where they feel threatened or unsafe, no matter how pertinent the fear may seem. This is something many of us deal with. Walking alone late at night, in a parking garage with just one or two other people, situations such as these can make you feel unsafe and hyper-aware of your surroundings. This is especially true for women of all ages, as more and more stories of kidnapping and missing girls are seen in the news. Apple has decided to address their users concerns about personal safety by adding a new emergency feature in the iOS 11 update.

The update features emergency SOS activation that is simpler to use and provides a quicker response in the case of an emergency. To activate the feature there are two possible methods depending on which iPhone you have. For the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, and other older models the emergency feature is activated by rapidly pressing the lock button 5 times in a row. For those with the iPhone 8, 8 Plus or iPhone X this feature can be accessed by pressing and holding the side button along with one of the volume buttons at the same time. Performing either of these actions based on your iPhone model will bring you to the power down screen, where the option of Medical ID and Emergency SOS are displayed. This screen displays these options in a manner which allows the user to choose what they would like to do. This is in place so that you do not accidently call emergency services by leaving your phone in your pocket or by giving your phone to a small child. This iPhone update also has an Auto Call option which you can enable to call as soon as you do the required action.
To enable Auto Call you first must go into the setting application on your phone. From here you scroll down the list until you reach the “Emergency SOS” option. Select this option and then swipe the Auto Call toggle to be on. It should be all the way to the right. To turn the Auto Call off simple slide the switch back to the left. When Auto Call is enabled your phone will automatically dial 911 or other emergency services if you are in another country. This feature would be useful if you are in a situation that would stop you from sliding the appropriate option on your screen. Don’t worry though, if you enable and make an auto call accidentally, there is an option to set a three second timer that would allow you to stop the call before it is made.
The iOS 11 emergency setting also has a feature which allows users to list emergency contacts in the case that one is needed. Emergency contacts are set up in the health app. You must choose the medical ID option and then select edit which is located in the top right corner. Scroll down to the emergency contacts section and select the “+” button to add a contact. You can add multiple contacts and even choose what relation they are to you. It can be useful to add an emergency contact in case you find yourself in a situation where you are unconscious or incoherent and are unable to make decisions for yourself. The emergency contact feature further takes iPhone users safety into consideration, and can be a comfort to individuals.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to help another person, you can use their iPhone to not only alert authorities and the correct personnel, but to also let their listed emergency contact know what has happened to them. This is useful so that you may gain any important information on the person such as health or medical concerns and risks. This makes the Medical ID tool useful in more ways than one.
One side effect from enabling the emergency SOS or Medical ID services is that your phone will be temporarily locked. This means that you will not be able to unlock your phone with your finger print or facial scanners, and instead you must input your passcode. This keeps the information you have on your phone safe, even if you may not be in a very safe situation or location.
Something that makes this feature notable is that it is compatible with emergency services you may not even know exist. This means that with the new iOS 11 software update iPhone users can remain safe while traveling at home or abroad. With the ability to place emergency calls so quickly, iPhone users can rest assured in knowing that they will be able to reach the right people in a timely fashion. This new development in personal safety shows people that they are cared for, and they can rely on Apple products even more.

When’s the Last Time You Tested your Business Back-Ups?

by Felicien | Dec 14, 2017 | Education

Exploring business continuity best practices for testing data and application back-ups

Data protection is a central element of the data management strategy for all modern business owners. A proactive and well-thought-out business continuity plan is something that all system and data administrators must embrace. A layered and proactive data protection strategy really can mean the difference between disaster and recovery.
When it comes to creating a strategic business continuity plan, data and application backups are one of the most important elements. The reasons for implementing reliable backup solutions are endless – software bugs, failed hardware and user mistakes are just some of the ways business data can be unintentionally altered or deleted. Furthermore, there’s also the persistent risk of malicious activity and attempts to destroy, steal or encrypt business data by cybercriminals or disgruntled former employees.
Data Protection Insurance: Don’t Just Backup, Test!
Here’s the thing when it comes to backups for business: if you don’t test them regularly to ensure their working in all the ways they’re supposed to, you’re only doing half the job. The last thing any business owner wants is to implement backups and wait until there’s an actual data disaster to see if they work. That’s why regular testing of backups for software, hardware and everything in between is absolutely critical.
When a data disaster hits, it can be overwhelming and stressful for business owners. Worrying about whether or not backups are going to work should be the last thing that professionals have to worry about in a crisis situation. Backups are designed to offer peace of mind, and – if implemented correctly and tested regularly – they can make all the difference in a data crisis.
Server vs. Virtualization: The Evolution of Backup Testing
The key to testing backups is to run a sort of drill and see if the backups successfully restore data. For a long time, this process was limited, tedious and time-consuming. When there was a physical server for each application a business used, data restoration had to occur on additional hardware. Furthermore, the environment could only be restored in a very limited way, meaning a full restore of an entire business network rarely happened.
However, as virtualization continues to dominate the business technology market, backup testing and restore processes have become much easier to deploy. Virtualization allows for company data and applications to be centralized and organized in a more streamlined way. For the many businesses who operate using this kind of centralized, virtual machine (VM), recovery from backup is easier to execute.
Why Test Your Back-Ups?
Here are the top three reasons for testing your backups:

You’ll validate that the restore processes you’ve put in place work – peace of mind is priceless.
You’ll create a benchmark to ensure that the recovery process can be completed as intended – this will help you develop recovery time objectives (RTO) for future reference.
Regular testing process and results can be shared with business teams to show that application recovery targets can be met, or perhaps reviewed if the process uncovered imperfections.

Testing Backups: What Programs and Hardware Should I be Testing?
Now that we understand the importance of testing business backups, let’s dive into the specifics. When it comes to testing backups, there are a variety of different levels of recovery to consider. Let’s explore the key areas where your business should be implementing and testing backup and recovery processes:

File Recovery

This is likely the most common concern for business owners – will I be able to recover individual files from my backup? The reality is, file backup processes are easy to deploy on both physical and virtual servers in addition to backups of file servers. It really just comes down to recovering data by file type. There are plenty of tools to automate this process, which we’ll explore in more detail later on.

VM Recovery

For businesses who rely on virtual machines, implementing and testing backups is critical. This one is obviously specific to virtual environments as opposed to physical ones. Recovering a virtual machine is relatively easy because everything is centralized. However, there must be consideration made for where the VM will be powered back on to be recovered.
Attempting to recover the VM in the same production environment creates technical issues like network IP conflicts and SID conflicts in Windows systems. The best strategy is to restart the VM in an isolated environment using the subnet on the hypervisor. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that recovering VMs with new IDs can have impacts on applications and licensing – be proactive and consult with your software providers for terms and conditions.

Physical Recovery 

As noted, physical server recovery is more complex and testing will vary based on the how different platforms are configured. Furthermore, recovering applications to the running hardware requires an outage – meaning businesses carry out these tests less frequently. Though daunting, if you’re on a physical set up, it’s critical to schedule the time for testing to ensure hardware can be recovered effectively in the case of a disaster.

Data Recovery

Depending on the backup tools that business owner deploy, specific data recovery can be an option and should be tested for efficiency as well. For example, if a user has data backed up at the application level (rather than the entire VM), that data can be restored and accessed in an isolated environment as well.

Application Recovery

Software applications are the core of a company’s digital operations. However, testing application backups can be challenging – especially for larger business teams. Application backup testing requires an understanding of the relationships between individual VMs and physical servers. However, it can be done, and as with some of the previous recovery types, it’s best done in an isolated environment and on a separate network.
It’s no secret that the more extensive the testing, the higher level of risk – however, testing data backups can be an amazing tool for providing reassuring, measurable results. Determining the right test scenario depends on the backup and restore tools that have been put in place. Having a strong understanding of what you want your backups to do in the case of an emergency will make the testing process more efficient.
Setting a Schedule: How Often Should You Test Your Business Backups?
We get this question from our clients all the time – now that we have backup solutions in place, how often should we be testing them? If we’re being honest, in an ideal world, testing should occur after every backup to ensure that the latest data has been successfully secured.
However, we know for busy professionals like our clients, this isn’t the most time-effective or reasonable option. So, business owners must strike a balance between the potential impacts of losing data and the effort required to feel consistently confident in their backups.
At the very least, here are some really important times to test backups:

As part of a regular routine – say monthly or bimonthly. Choose a frequency, set a schedule and deploy backup tests for all hardware and applications on a regular interval.
Whenever there are a major application or hardware changes. This includes any kind of software update or patch as well as new or different devices. These tests should be more complex to account for a major application or device changes. Use updates and patches as reminders for strategic backup testing.
Whenever there is a significant change to application data. If any business application has a regularly scheduled import of data from an external source, schedule a test restore to occur after the data has been transmitted.
Whenever you’ve restored data. It may seem excessive or redundant to run a backup test on a VM, device or application that you’ve just recovered, but it will ensure that the newly restored program is properly backed up moving forward.

How to Test: Utilizing Automation to Improve Backup Testing
Restore testing can be made much easier using automation tools. At a base level, this can include scripting the restore for individual files. However, there are software tools available that aid in more complex and comprehensive testing procedures. Many of these tools are built directly into backup & disaster recovery software.
Many of these tools completely automate the testing process and allow restores to occur without affecting the production environment. There are countless ways for business owners to take advantage of backup and data recovery tools – the key is researching the best tools to suit the individual backup needs of each business. Taking the time to understand the backup needs for the entire business network is the first step – then businesses can invest in applications or support to optimize backup testing procedures.
The Ongoing Evolution of Data Backup & Recovery Testing
In an increasingly Cloud-based business environment, with more and more companies making use of containers, backup testing will continue to evolve. Using the public Cloud to backup, test and recover applications is a huge plus when it comes to cutting on-premise costs. This represents an entirely new domain for backup testing that will no doubt reveal new challenges and opportunities.
However, no matter what the future brings the premise remains the same. Setting up backups and testing them regularly should be understood as a responsibility, not an option. Ensuring that recovery processes are implemented correctly and run according to a schedule will always be your secret weapon against unexpected data disasters.