Computerware Blog

Most people today spend a lot of time on the Internet, which means that most people spend a lot of time using a browser. Little do they know, selecting the wrong one could easily put their cybersecurity at risk, along with dozens of other actions. For this week’s tip, we’ll go over how to make your Internet browser as secure as possible.

Some people believe so much in something that they’ll commit their lives to make it better for everyone. The Internet, as one of the most impressive advancements of civilization, has a fair amount of people who take the time (or make a living) advocating on the various issues that face Internet users. These Internet rights advocates have begun to make a big difference on the way that businesses, especially those businesses that only exist on the Internet, can act. Today, we’ll take a look at Internet advocacy.

The Internet is incredibly important to the success of not only businesses, but countless users all over the world. In terms of the actual strength of the Internet though, people might not know just how many options there are out there that can provide access to this dynamic and feature-filled network. Thanks to the Internet, businesses all over the world have access to plenty of great services that enable them to accomplish as much as possible.

Professionals who work in an office naturally have varying degrees of Internet use, but one thing remains the same: in an age where mobile devices are commonplace, what a website looks like on a smartphone screen is extremely important from a user’s perspective. This is called responsive web design, and this week’s tech term will provide an overview of what it is and why it’s helpful.

Would it surprise you if you were to find out that over 99% of the Internet is not accessible through search engines? The truth is that the Internet you know, the one with what is seemingly all of history’s information on it, makes up around .03% of the entirety of the world wide web. Today, we’ll burrow through the surface web and take a look at what is beneath.

Blockchain has been an especially hot topic as of late, especially with the recent meteoric rise in the value of most cryptocurrencies. With all the focus directed to Bitcoin, it is easy to forget that the blockchain has other uses - uses that are geared toward increased cybersecurity, transparency, and privacy.

With businesses relying more and more on portability and mobility, it should come as no surprise that businesses also have to devote more time to the proper management of their wireless network. A considerable portion of this management is reliant on the router the business uses, as without the router, the business simply couldn’t have a wireless connection.

Most businesses utilize the Internet in some fashion, and a slow connection can be a major annoyance and inconvenience. Thankfully, there are several ways that you can improve or troubleshoot your connection in the event that it’s suffering. Here are some of the ways you can make sure your Internet connection remains as consistent as possible.

The Internet is often taken for granted, in both a professional and a personal capacity. You’d be hard-pressed to get anything done without it nowadays. This doesn’t mean it’s always safe to do so, however. There are many threats that lurk in the darkness of the Internet, and if you’re not careful, you could find yourself on the receiving end of them. We’ve put together some tips that can help you keep both yourself and your business safe while browsing the web.

Social media has an interesting place in the business world, sitting somewhere between incredibly helpful and downright dangerous for your organization. It’s important that you consider how your business is affected by social media so that you can both leverage it to your advantage and minimize the risks associated with it.

The Internet is prone to change. We all know this and have experienced it firsthand. Even though we may understand this reality, it can still be rather shocking when we’re confronted with it. The latest statistics show us how the current changes of the Internet have huge implications about how we’ll all interact with the web moving forward, which may spell doom for doing “online business as usual.”

Getting rid of unnecessary expenses is one of the best ways for businesses to save money. While it’s often unavoidable that you have to invest in solutions that serve a singular purpose, it’s more cost-effective to find solutions that have variable functions or that make life easier. One of the best ways to save money for your business is by performing a revamp of your telephone system.

Do you have a traditional telephone system in your office? A voice communication tool, like Voice over Internet Protocol, is much easier and more efficient to handle in the long run than a traditional system. We’ll discuss three ways in which VoIP improves the way your business runs.

Cost Savings
One of the most immediate ways that VoIP helps your business is by eliminating all other telephone bills. Since VoIP is using the Internet, which you already pay for, you save money by eliminating a large, unnecessary cost with traditional telephone service. In the long run, you’ll continue to save money every month that you don’t have a traditional telephone system.

VoIP doesn’t necessarily require specialized hardware either, so it’s not like you’ll be paying an arm and a leg to make the switch. In fact, many VoIP solutions can work through the cloud, or via an app that can be installed on your own smartphone, and in some cases, you might not need to replace your existing equipment at all.

Collaborate and Record in Real Time
Cooperation between departments and documentation of important meetings are important for any business, and VoIP makes it easier to accomplish both. Through your VoIP solution, meetings can be held in real time and can be recorded so you don’t have to worry about missing any key details. VoIP allows your staff to transcend the barriers of the workplace, since any employee with an Internet connection can access your company’s phone system anytime, anywhere.

Great Convenience
VoIP is capable of being run on a multitude of devices, depending on the specific needs of your business. This includes softphones for desktops or laptops, mobile apps for smartphones and even the traditional handsets that you might currently find in your office. Furthermore, you can use a combination of these technologies to maximize your availability, both in and out of the office. Since a single number can be set to ring multiple devices, you don’t have to carry around multiple devices so that you can be reached outside of the office. Furthermore, these devices can be configured to forward a call based on the time of day. This way, you won’t have to worry about receiving calls while you’re home - that is, unless you want to.

VoIP is a great way to get the most out of your phone system, especially when you consider the cost benefits of doing so. To learn more about VoIP, reach out to us at (703) 821-8200.

While many, many people use the Internet daily, for work, leisure, and communication, very few of them actually know how their devices are able to access the Internet in the first place. How does information from miles away make its way to your device? The answer is something called a web server. Let’s take a moment and examine how they do it.

The Internet of Things is well under way, and it’s all around you. Just take a look around your office and take note of any connected gadgetry that you see. All kinds of connected devices are entering the market, many of which you might never consider connecting to the Internet. However, it’s your responsibility to take these devices into consideration, especially if you want to keep your business--and its users--safe.

Throughout your journey through the business world, you may have heard rumors, hushed whispers of a deep, dark world beneath the surface of the Internet. Well, it’s real, and it’s known as a hotbed of corruption, where hackers can sell stolen credentials and personal records. However, contrary to popular belief, the Dark Web isn’t as mysterious as it’s made out to be.

The Internet is a great tool to use for business, but it’s also full of threats that could undermine your security if you’re careless. The main issue with cyber security is that it’s extraordinarily difficult to cover all of your bases, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. We’ll go over, in detail, some of the many security best practices that you can implement to keep your sensitive information and account credentials safe from hackers.

Having an Internet connection is an important part of your business’s operations. Why are we stating something so obvious? Sometimes you might be experiencing network issues that could be caused by heavy or unexpected traffic, technical difficulties, or worse. Depending on the problem, it could be as simple as restarting your modem. We’re here to help you figure out why your Internet connection is less than optimal, and what you can do about it.

For the purposes of your business, you can consider the Internet of Things to be a group consisting mostly of consumer-based devices that wouldn’t normally connect to the Internet. These devices have both the ability to connect to an online environment, and communicate with others in their vicinity. Gartner predicts that there will be approximately 26 billion Internet of Things devices by 2020, with other aggregates claiming as many as 30 billion. While these numbers may seem astounding, it’s important to remember that many of these devices are likely to be small and relatively inconsequential. For example, fitness-related wearables that monitor heart rate or physical health are common IoT devices, and this is just the tip of the connected iceberg.

Some of the more complicated Internet of Things devices include security cameras, small household appliances, smart vehicles, thermostats, refrigerators, and so much more; many of which can be controlled or monitored via a smartphone app. In some industries, the Internet of Things is an invaluable tool, allowing for organizations to improve their operations considerably. Take, for instance, these examples of how the IoT has been applied to specific industries:

• Manufacturing: Manufacturing plants take advantage of IoT devices that monitor progress and product assembly, mostly for automating process controls, safety features, and security measures. Basically, many manufacturing plants rely on IoT devices to ensure proper functionality.
• Energy management: Manufacturers are using IoT devices to monitor energy inputs and outputs. This helps them to control the maximum amount of energy that can be used at any given time, allowing for optimal savings. Many of these devices allow for remote control or cloud-based access.
• Medical and healthcare: For medical purposes, IoT devices can remotely monitor medical equipment for specific information. For example, pacemakers and insulin pumps can be remotely monitored to ensure that vital bodily functions and equipment are working like they’re supposed to.
• Building and home automation: There are plenty of great IoT devices that make home automation and building control much easier. For example, thermostats, garage doors, security cameras, light fixtures, air conditioning, and so on, can all be controlled remotely via a smartphone.

Security Issues and Concerns
By definition, Internet of Things devices focus on gathering information and connecting with others. This makes them potential security problems if left unchecked. IoT devices should be kept off of your office network as often as possible in order to minimize the risk of your organization's data being unexpectedly shared. If any one device is compromised and connects to your sensitive information, you could be looking at a full-fledged data breach. This is why it’s so important to both enforce a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in the workplace, as well as manage the permissions and restrictions of devices on your network.

To learn more about how your company can protect itself from the Internet of Things devices, give us a call at (703) 821-8200.