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19/07/2025

Still using an old router? You could be inviting cyber criminals through the front door 😬

The FBI has issued a warning.

⚠️ Outdated routers are being actively hacked and pulled into criminal networks ⚠️

And if your business is still relying on tech from a decade ago, you could be at risk without even knowing it.

Here’s what’s happening 👇

Hackers are targeting old routers. Specifically ones that are no longer supported or patched by the manufacturer.

Devices from brands like Linksys and Cisco (even including popular models) are being exploited using known vulnerabilities that haven’t been fixed. Because updates stopped years ago.

Once compromised, these routers are turned into part of global “botnets”. Which are networks of infected devices. Criminals use them to launch attacks or sell as anonymous proxy services to others.

That means your network could be helping cyber criminals hide their tracks while they attack someone else. Or worse. It could be the entry point to your own data being stolen.

❌ This isn’t just a “router problem.” It’s a tech debt problem.

Old equipment, whether it’s routers, PCs, or unpatched software, creates serious holes in your security.

And unlike ransomware attacks, these kinds of threats are quiet.

They sit in the background, watching, listening, and leaking data until it’s too late 🕵️‍♂️

🔐 The FBI says if you can’t replace outdated routers immediately, at least disable remote access and reboot them regularly to disrupt potential malware.

But ideally? Replace them. Yesterday.

Your router is the gateway to your business’s data. Treat it like the front door to your office. You wouldn’t leave it unlocked with a broken lock, would you?

🤔 When was the last time you checked what tech in your office is still getting security updates?

18/07/2025

Is your IT support service helping your business grow?

Or just fixing things when they break?

If your current approach is all panic, invoices, and short-term fixes, it’s time for a rethink.

Our latest guide explains how a strategic IT advisor becomes a true partner in business growth. Helping you plan ahead, spend smarter, and turn tech into a competitive advantage.

Less stress. Fewer surprises. And a clear roadmap to success.

Download your free copy now.

16/07/2025

Still treating IT like a fire extinguisher?

Only calling for help when something breaks?

That “break/fix” approach could be costing your business more than you realise. In downtime, wasted money, and missed growth.

Our latest video shows you there’s a better way…

15/07/2025

🔍 If you’ve ever fumbled around Windows 11 trying to find a setting buried in a maze of menus, good news: Microsoft’s fixing that.

In a new update (rolling out first to Insider builds on Copilot+ PCs), the Windows Search bar is getting smarter. And more human.

Now, instead of trying to remember the exact name of a menu, you can just type what you mean.

Things like:

💬 “Change my theme”

💬 “Adjust screen brightness”

💬 “About my PC”

Even if it’s not perfectly phrased, Windows will understand what you’re after and take you straight to the right place in Settings.

Like magic 🪄

This works offline too, thanks to the powerful on-device AI hardware built into Copilot+ PCs (specifically, the new NPU chips that handle 40+ TOPS – trillions of operations per second - for the techy among us).

It’s all part of Microsoft’s mission to make Windows feel less like a user manual and more like a helpful assistant that just gets you. No hunting, no guessing. Simply type what you’re thinking and go.

🧠 This kind of natural language support makes a huge difference. Especially for busy business owners and teams who don’t have time to click through endless menus to change a default setting.

Right now, the new search update is live in Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds for Copilot+ PCs. But a wider rollout is expected soon.

It’s another little reason to keep an eye on Copilot+.

What’s one setting you always forget how to find in Windows? (Be honest, we all have one).

14/07/2025

The HP 250 G9 Laptop is your go-to device for both work and play.
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HP 250 G9 Laptop, 15.6" FHD, i5-1235U, 16GB, 512GB SSD, No Optical, USB-C, Windows 11 Home Powered for business The HP 250 G9 Laptop provides essential business-ready features in a thin and light design that’s easy to take everywhere you go. The 15.6-inch diagonal display with big screen-to-body r...

14/07/2025

Think fraud is only a problem for big corporations? Think again. Small and medium sized businesses are huge targets. And it’s costing a fortune.

This is what you need to watch out for, and how to stay safe…

13/07/2025

I have some news for all the Canva fans among us…

🎨 It just got a serious upgrade.

And it’s not just for pretty graphics anymore.

If your business uses Canva for quick designs, social posts, or presentations, this one’s worth a closer look.

Canva – yes, the same drag-and-drop tool that made design easy for non-designers – has just rolled out what it calls its biggest product launch yet: Visual Suite 2.0.

And this time, it’s going beyond design. Way beyond.

Here’s what’s new:

🧠 Canva AI AssistantThink of this as your creative sidekick. It helps you generate copy, images, design ideas, even full mock-ups or presentations. Great for kicking off a new project without the usual blank-page panic.

📊 Canva SheetsNot your average spreadsheet. This new tool blends data and project management, with built-in AI tools like Magic Insights and Magic Formulas. These crunch the numbers and highlight what matters, all without you needing to wrangle formulas.

🧪 Canva CodeThis is a big one. Thanks to a partnership with Anthropic (makers of Claude), you can now build mini-apps like calculators and interactive maps just by describing them in plain English. No coding needed. Just type what you want, and Canva builds it.

🪄 Magic Studio UpgradesCanva’s AI toolkit now includes better image resizing for social media, smarter copywriting, and even the ability to auto-fill content based on context.

Why does this matter for your business?

Because Canva isn’t only a design tool anymore. It’s becoming a fully-fledged productivity platform.

Whether you're putting together a pitch deck, creating social posts, or analysing data. Or building a calculator for your website. Canva’s trying to make it faster, easier, and more accessible for teams that don’t have a full design or dev department.

The best part? It’s built to feel as simple and friendly as Canva always has. No steep learning curve. No software bloat 👌

Have you tried any of Canva’s new AI features yet? What would you create if design and code weren’t a barrier?

12/07/2025

🤖💀 What if your AI assistant accidentally helped a cyber criminal?

That’s the risk behind a new type of threat researchers are warning about.

And yes, it is relevant to your business. Here’s the deal 👇

Developers are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to help them write software faster.

And that’s great. Until the AI “hallucinates”.

In other words, it makes something up. And in this case, it might suggest a fake software package that doesn’t exist… until a cyber criminal makes it exist.

Criminals spot which fake package names AI tools are repeatedly suggesting. Then they create real software with those fake names.

Only it’s malware in disguise ☠️

So, when a developer sees the suggestion, visits GitHub or another code library, and thinks “yep, looks legit,” they download it…

… and unknowingly invite malware into the software your business is about to use.

😬 Even worse, many of these AI “hallucinations” are predictable and repeatable. Meaning attackers can systematically exploit them.

No confirmed attacks yet - but let’s be honest, it’s only a matter of time. And when this hits the real world, it could quietly sneak into the tools you use every day.

What’s your business takeaway?

✅ Don’t blindly trust AI suggestions. Especially when it comes to software, automation, or even file downloads.

✅ Work with IT support partners who understand how AI is changing the cyber threat landscape. Because the threats aren’t just louder, they’re smarter too.

This is one of those situations where the tech is clever… but the criminals are catching up fast.

Have you started using AI tools in your business? What checks do you have in place to make sure they don’t lead you into trouble?

11/07/2025

Ever found yourself staring at a screenshot? Or a photo? Or a slide? Just trying to figure out how to copy the text?

Well, Microsoft is about to make that a whole lot easier.

The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 has been quietly getting smarter. And the latest update (currently rolling out to Insiders) adds a fantastic upgrade: Text Extractor is now built right into the capture bar.

That means no more taking a screenshot first and then pulling out the text. You can now copy text straight from any part of your screen, live, without the extra steps.

Here’s how it will work:

👉 Press Win + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool

👉 Click the new Text Extractor button in the toolbar

👉 Drag to select the area with text

👉 Copy the text you want, or hit "Copy all text" and grab everything in one go

There’s even a “More options” menu where you can remove line breaks or set it to automatically copy text to your clipboard.

It’s quicker, cleaner, and requires way less faffing around.

🎨 Oh, and if you missed the last update, there’s also a cool Draw & Hold feature now. Use the pen tool to draw a line, box, arrow, or oval… then pause for a second, and BOOM - your sketch turns into a perfectly formed shape.

Nice touch for anyone who lives in screenshots and annotations (guilty 🙋‍♂️).

Honestly, these feel like small changes, but they make everyday tasks just that bit faster. And when you’re juggling a dozen things, that time adds up. Right?

Will you try the new Text Extractor when it arrives? What little feature in Windows saves you the most time each week?

10/07/2025

Looking for a powerful gaming laptop? Check out the Acer Nitro V 16! With its AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS processor, 16GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, this machine is built to handle all your gaming needs. The 16-inch WUXGA IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals. Plus, it comes with a 512GB SSD and runs on Windows 11. Perfect for gamers who want top-notch performance and stunning graphics!

09/07/2025

From phishing scams to ransomware attacks, the risks to your business are real.

And the consequences can be devastating.

If you think your business is too small to be a target, think again.

Acting today could save you time, money, and stress tomorrow.

These are the biggest threats your business is facing right now...

08/07/2025

If you’ve got one of the new Copilot+ PCs, this is for you. There’s a powerful new AI feature tucked inside Windows 11.

It’s called Click to Do. And while it might sound like a To Do list app, it’s here to make your screen work smarter 🧠

Here’s how it works…

Click to Do takes a quick snapshot of what’s on your screen. Then uses AI to help you take action based on what you’re looking at.

And before you worry, all the processing happens on your device. Which means your data stays private unless you choose to do something that needs the cloud (like searching the web).

Let’s say you highlight a chunk of text. Click to Do might offer to:

✏️ Summarise it
🗒️ Turn it into a bullet list
📬 Draft a reply with Copilot
🔍 Search for more info
🎤 Or even read it out loud with Reading Coach

You can also select images or objects and get actions like:

🎨 Remove background with Paint
🖼️ Blur or erase parts with Photos
📤 Share or save it

And this is just the beginning.

Microsoft’s building more options like scheduling meetings, creating tables, and working directly with Excel or Word.

To open Click to Do, you can:

🔹 Press Windows key + left-click
🔹 Or Windows key + Q
🔹 Or launch it via the Snipping Tool

It’s also baked into Windows Recall. There you can browse snapshots of past activity and right-click on anything to launch Click to Do. It’s handy for pulling quick insights from stuff you looked at hours (or days) ago.

⚠️ Quick heads-up: This feature only works on Copilot+ PCs. Those new laptops with AI chips like the Snapdragon X Series or newer AMD/Intel processors. That’s what powers the on-device intelligence behind the scenes.

Have you tried this yet? What would you love it to help you with?

06/07/2025

👓 “Show me how”. That’s all it takes now to get help on your computer.

Because Microsoft’s Copilot just got smarter and more visual.

With the latest update to Copilot Vision in Windows 11, you can now share an app window and get guided, step-by-step help to complete a task. Right there on your screen. Boom!

It’s like having a tech expert looking over your shoulder… minus the awkward hovering 😬

Need to switch on Night Light in the Settings app?

Add text in Clipchamp?

Tweak a report in Excel while comparing it to a source in your browser?

Just open Copilot, click the little glasses icon, share your app window, and say, “Show me how.”

Copilot will literally highlight where to click and guide you through the process.

💡 You can even share two apps side by side, and Copilot will help across both. Perfect for comparing lists, reviewing content, or juggling your daily multitasking chaos.

And yes, Copilot can now offer suggestions, answer questions, and even coach you through tasks using visual cues. No more guessing which menu to open or where that hidden setting lives. It’s right there on screen.

🎯 It’s early days, and this rollout is still limited to Insider builds. But it’s a big glimpse of what’s coming.

AI that doesn’t only answer questions… but shows you how to do stuff. This is what AI looks like when it’s useful.

Simple. Clear. Right when you need it.

What’s the one Windows task you always forget how to do and wish someone would just show you?

05/07/2025

I used to tell people to look out for spelling mistakes and bad grammar to spot a scam email ⚠️

🚩 But those red flags? They’re disappearing fast.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, phishing emails are now clean, polished, and convincing.

They can mimic your financial director’s tone of voice. Join an existing email thread. Or look like they’re coming from a genuine domain.

And they’re working.

New data shows phishing attacks have jumped 70% year-over-year. And some are so sophisticated they slip past traditional email filters entirely.

One security firm found a malicious email is detected every 42 seconds. That’s how fast this is moving.

💥 These aren’t your garden-variety scams anymore. They’re part of highly targeted “business email compromise” attacks, where a single click could lead to malware, stolen data, or bank fraud.

Worse still?

AI is helping these attacks evolve in real time. It’s called polymorphic phishing. Where subject lines, sender names, and message content shift constantly to stay ahead of detection tools.

So, what do you do when even a flawless email could be fake?

✅ Slow down. Trust your gut. If something feels off, even if it looks perfect, double-check.
✅ Verify requests. Especially anything involving money, passwords, or urgency.
✅ Use smarter tools. Security that only checks for known threats won’t cut it anymore. You need solutions that look at behaviour, not just keywords.

AI’s changing the game. But it doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With the right awareness and tools, you can stay ahead of the bad guys.

🎣 What’s the most convincing phishing email you’ve seen recently? Did you catch it in time?

04/07/2025

🔒 Taking screenshots in Microsoft Teams meetings?

Yep, that’s a thing. But not for long.

Starting this month, Microsoft is rolling out a new feature for Teams that blocks people from taking screen captures during meetings.

If someone tries, their screen will just go black 🖥️

Why?

To stop sensitive information from being snapped and shared when it shouldn’t be.

It’s called Prevent Screen Capture. And it’s coming to Teams on desktop, mobile, and web.

If someone joins the meeting from a platform that doesn’t support this feature? They’ll be put into audio-only mode to keep your visuals protected.

Smart move 🤓

This is part of a broader push from Microsoft to give people more control over their privacy. And let’s be honest… it’s long overdue.

Screenshots are one of those things we rarely think about, but they can cause real problems.

😱 That finance doc you accidentally left open?
😱 The HR presentation with private staff info?
😱 A client’s confidential roadmap?

One screenshot is all it takes.

🛡️ Will this solve everything? Not quite.

People can still snap photos with their phone (yes, really). But it’s a big step in the right direction. Especially for businesses that deal with sensitive data.

What we don’t know yet is whether this feature will be switched on by default, or if meeting organisers will need to enable it manually. Either way, it’s worth watching for.

And while I’m on the subject, when was the last time you reviewed your Teams meeting settings? You might be surprised by what’s still open by default…

👀 Microsoft Teams now has more than 320 million monthly users. That’s a lot of potential eyes on your shared content. A few simple settings could make all the difference.

Do you think screen capture blocking will help keep your business’s data safer? Or is it just another nice sounding feature most people will forget to use?

02/07/2025

Thinking of recycling or donating an old PC, phone, or tablet?

Hold on a minute.

That “wiped” device might still be packed with sensitive business data. Even after a factory reset.

Here’s how to make sure your old tech doesn’t become a massive security risk…

01/07/2025

🚨 There’s a new phishing scam doing the rounds, and this one’s smart.

Very smart.

Researchers recently discovered cyber criminals using real Microsoft tools (like Dynamics 365 Customer Voice) to launch fake email campaigns designed to steal your login details.

At first glance, the emails look legit 🧐

They come from real (but compromised) email accounts and talk about things like settlement statements or EFT payment info. Perfect bait for business owners.

Click the link, and you’re taken to a CAPTCHA page that seems normal.

BUT… what comes next is a fake Microsoft 365 login page… designed to steal your username, password, and even your multi-factor authentication (MFA) code.

😬 Wait… MFA can be bypassed?

Sadly, yes.

While MFA is still an essential layer of protection, it’s not bulletproof. In this case, attackers trick people into entering their MFA codes in real time. They’re quick enough to use those codes before they expire.

What makes this scam worse is that it uses Microsoft’s own platforms to add credibility. Dynamics 365 Customer Voice is a legit tool used by half a million businesses, including most of the Fortune 500. So it’s no wonder people fall for it.

💡 What can you do?

This is a good moment to remind your team:

👉 Don’t trust links in emails, even if they look professional
👉 Check the sender’s email address carefully
👉 Always double-check with a colleague or provider before logging in to anything sensitive

And if you’re not sure your business is properly protected from scams like this, it might be time for a quick security review.

🔐 I help businesses like yours put the right safeguards in place. And you don’t need a degree in cyber security to understand them.

🤔 Have you ever had a suspicious email land in your inbox and almost clicked it? What stopped you?

30/06/2025

Searching for files in Windows isn’t always a smooth experience, is it? Sometimes it’s slow or frustrating. And often it’ll show you web results rather than the file you need.

But Microsoft is making things much simpler… for some people. Here’s how you can benefit from this.

29/06/2025

There’s a worrying new piece of malware doing the rounds. And it’s got Windows PCs in its sights 🎯

It’s called Neptune RAT. The RAT part is an acronym. It stands for Remote Access Trojan, which basically means it lets cyber criminals sneak into your computer and take control without you knowing.

Trust me, this one’s not your run-of-the-mill virus.

Once it gets in, it can spy on EVERYTHING you do. It can steal your passwords and banking info. And it can hijack your social media accounts 😬

Oh, and if the hacker’s feeling especially mean? They can lock your files and demand money to get them back. Or worse, just wipe your entire system.

Gone 💨

Here’s where it gets even trickier: Neptune RAT is good at hiding. It’s so advanced, even the best security tools might not spot it straight away.

Right now, it’s being spread through popular platforms like GitHub, Telegram, and even YouTube. Someone on your team clicks the wrong link, downloads a file, and BOOM, the door is wide open.

This kind of malware used to be the work of sophisticated criminals. But now? It’s sold as a subscription. Yep, like Netflix for cyber criminals.

Anyone with bad intentions (and a credit card) can start launching attacks.

Scary, I know. But this is where staying calm and clued up makes all the difference.

If your team knows what to look out for, and your devices are properly protected and regularly updated, you’re already ahead of the curve. It’s when you think “that won’t happen to us” that things get risky.

If you’re not sure whether your current setup is up to scratch, that’s OK. You don’t have to figure it out alone. This is exactly the kind of thing my team and I help businesses with every day. Simple steps. Big impact.

Cyber security isn’t just about firewalls and tech jargon. It’s about keeping your business running, your people safe, and your data right where it belongs 🔐

When was the last time you reviewed your cyber security setup? Honestly?

28/06/2025

If you rely on Microsoft Teams, here’s a MASSIVE heads up on something… if you don’t keep it updated, it’s going to stop working altogether 😬

Microsoft recently announced that Teams desktop apps which haven’t been updated in 90 days or longer will be blocked from use.

Let that sink in.

This isn’t just a friendly nudge to install an update. It’s a hard stop.

If the app is out of date…

🔔 You’ll see a warning banner at the 60-day mark (30 days if you’re on a virtual desktop).

🚫 Once you hit 90 days, the app will stop working until it’s updated.

🗓️ And this has already rolled out for everyone.

Why is Microsoft doing this?

🔒 Security, plain and simple.

Today, even small delays in patching can leave doors open to attackers. Microsoft’s stance is clear: If you want to use Teams, you need to keep it secure.

To be fair, Teams is designed to update automatically. And in most businesses, it does. But not all systems are managed the same way.

⚠️ If your company has devices that don’t get regular updates…

⚠️ Or if you’re using Teams in a virtual desktop environment…

You might run into this issue.

Here’s what I recommend:

✅ Make sure Teams auto-updates are enabled across all devices.

✅ Run a quick audit to check for out-of-date clients.

✅ Let your staff know what the warning banners mean. And what to do if they see one.

✅ Have a plan in place for manual updates if needed.

The last thing you want is your people locked out of Teams during a busy week because of an update that slipped through the cracks.

Need help checking your Teams update policy or making sure everything’s covered? That’s the kind of thing my team and I help businesses with – before it becomes a fire to put out 🔥

Have you seen the warning banners in Teams yet?

27/06/2025

Want to save money? Of course you do. Lots of businesses (like yours) waste hundreds each month on unused software.

Here’s how you fix that…

25/06/2025

How do you know it’s time to upgrade your cyber security?

Let me put it this way… if your business hasn’t made any changes in the last couple of years, you might already be behind.

Cyber attacks are faster, smarter, and more targeted than ever.

And unfortunately, many small and medium sized businesses are relying on digital defences that just aren’t built for today’s threats.

Here are a few telltale signs your cyber security might be due for an overhaul 👇

🔐 1. You haven’t updated your security tools in years

Cyber security isn’t something you set and forget. If you’re still using the same security software, firewall, or network setup from 2–3 years ago with no major upgrades… that’s a red flag.

Threats evolve constantly. Your defences should too.

📉 2. You’ve had “a few” small security incidents

A strange login attempt here, a bit of malware there… it might not seem like much. But in many cases, those are just early warning signs.

Attackers often probe systems before launching something bigger. If these minor issues are popping up more often, it’s time to take them seriously.

👨‍💻 3. Your team isn’t trained in cyber hygiene

If staff don’t know how to spot a phishing email or are using weak passwords, you’ve got a human-sized hole in your defences.

You can have the best tech in the world. But if your people aren’t part of the solution, they’ll end up being the vulnerability.

🌐 4. You’ve grown or moved to the cloud. But security hasn’t kept up

More employees. More devices. Remote work. Cloud apps everywhere. That’s fantastic for productivity. But it also widens your attack surface.

Security that was fine for 10 people in one office probably isn’t cutting it anymore.

🧯 5. Your IT team is constantly firefighting

If your tech team (or provider) spends more time reacting to issues than preventing them, that’s a sign your security systems are stretched too thin.

Cyber security shouldn’t be all about putting out fires. It should be about spotting smoke before anything catches.

🔍 So what’s the fix?

Start with a security assessment. Look at your tools, your people, your policies, and your real-world risk.

We help businesses do exactly that. And then build a plan to strengthen what’s weak, streamline what’s messy, and bring your defences up to date.

Has your business noticed any of these signs lately? If we can help you bring things up to date, get in touch.

24/06/2025

Need to change a file from one format to another? Easy, just Google a file converter, right?

Stop! Not so fast. That may not be as safe as it seems…

23/06/2025

Enhance your home security with the TP-LINK TAPO D235 Smart Video Doorbell. This advanced doorbell offers both battery and wired options, delivering unparalleled flexibility. With 2K 5MP clarity, it captures every detail in stunning quality, even at night, thanks to full-color night vision.

The D235's 180° ultra-wide field of view ensures nothing goes unnoticed. Smart AI detection alerts you to people, pets, vehicles, and packages, while two-way audio allows for direct communication with visitors. The anti-theft alarm and IP66 weatherproof design provide peace of mind in any situation.

Store your footage locally with a microSD card or opt for Tapo Care cloud services. Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, you can easily integrate it with your smart home ecosystem. Stay secure and connected with the TAPO D235, your all-in-one solution for smart home monitoring.

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