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"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward
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4 Reasons Your WiFi May Be Slow
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Wireless Internet access is a luxury that seems commonplace, but there are many who experience trouble with their connections on a daily basis. Sometimes the problem stems from familiar issues that could happen at any minute, but other times the issues might not be so obvious. Either way, you should be aware of the most common disruptions to your WiFi signal, even those that you might not consider problems.
Outdated Technology
The router you're currently using could have a lot to do with the quality of your wireless network, especially if you've been using it since you first installed WiFi. Older routers might have trouble keeping up with the increasing traffic and strain that you place on your wireless network.
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Sorry, Windows XP Users: No More Google Chrome Updates for You
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It's been quite some time since Microsoft cut the cord on Windows XP support, rendering it insecure and incredibly risky to run in a professional setting. This was quite a blow to both PC users and business professionals, but it's about to get even worse for the antiquated operating system. Now, even Google is cutting support for their web browser, Google Chrome, for older operating systems from both Microsoft and Apple.
Just like how Microsoft ceased updating Windows XP with security patches and updates, Google will stop providing patches and security updates for their Chrome web browser if it's used on older operating systems. This doesn't mean that you won't still be able to use Chrome on your outdated devices; rather, users won't receive any new security updates that come from finding holes in the security of the operating systems. In other words, if you're still using these operating systems, using Google Chrome will only add to your risk. This change will supposedly take place next year: April 2016, with no specific day in mind.
The following operating systems will be affected by Google ending support for their Chrome web browser:
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
- Mac OS 10.7 (Lion)
- Mac OS 10.8 (Mountain Lion)
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Alert: Malware Locks Up Your PC and Offers Fake Tech Support Phone Number
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There's an intrusive malware on the Internet that locks a user out of their PC and directs them to a fake IT support phone number. In addition to being inconvenient, it can lead to the theft of sensitive information. If this happens to you, whatever you do, don't call the fake phone number.
This attack is a classic phishing scam tactic; scare a user into contacting the hacker for the purpose of turning over their sensitive information. Typically, phishing scams involve spam emails and the information is transferred via an attachment, like a form. While this email tactic has tricked plenty of users, it's not very effective because the scam is fairly easy to spot, and once the email is determined to be a phishing scam, it then gets deleted or ignored.
When activated, this particular malware is a virtually impossible to ignore. It will hit your PC without warning and even while you're visiting a secure site (like Facebook or Google search). Once the malware is executed, the browser will display an image similar to the Windows blue screen of death. A fake technical support message will then be displayed, informing the user of the nature of the problem and directing them to call a bogus phone number.
Unfortunately, this blue screen can't be closed out and easily ignored. The malware will completely freeze up your browser, meaning that the only way to get rid of this annoyance is to either manually close the browser via task manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete), or reboot the computer entirely.
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| Your Professional Business Needs a Professional Communications Strategy |
It's not always easy for businesses to keep up with the latest communications technology. Some organizations are  still stuck in the days of using antiquated communication mediums that are specific to the individual, rather than to an organization. In order to optimize the way your business communicates both internally and externally, it's critical that you address the following two opportunities for unified communications.
Unified Email
What email clients are your users working with to communicate with external parties? Is it from an email server specific to your business? Believe it or not, some organizations still rely on employees using their personal email accounts to communicate. This isn't the way your organization should be functioning, as it can create unnecessary complications in the event you lose a team member; not to mention how unprofessional it looks to be using free email addresses from Gmail or Yahoo for your professional business associations.
Instead, you should have an email setup that's consistent throughout your business's staff, and separate from their personal email addresses. This means that your organization would be in control of all accounts, so you can promptly shut down addresses upon resignation, or archive messages for later viewing. Plus, a unified email solution can help your business retain a professional image. Emerge can host your email server for you, so you don't have to handle all of the grunt work, like upkeep and maintenance.
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