The Right Technology Keeps Your Business’ Remote Employees Engaged

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We like to espouse the value of a trained and engaged remote workforce, but there is a lot that goes into ensuring that your remote team has the tools and resources they need to be successful. Let’s discuss some of the ways your business can build a remote workforce and company culture that not only encourages remote employees, but helps them thrive as well.

The Idea of Remote Work and Disconnection

It’s one thing to go to the office and see your coworkers every day, but it’s another thing entirely when you spend the day on the other side of a screen. Employees can become disengaged when they feel like they are not connected to their workplace or coworkers. A study from December 2021 indicated that only a quarter of hybrid or remote employees felt connected to the mission of their company, and another study conducted in 2023 indicated that nearly half of the employees found that the greatest challenge of remote work came from the loss of workplace community.

How Do You Address This Issue?

First, You Need to Strategize with Your Remote Team

Company culture is something that is built in the office, typically, making bridging the gap for your remote workers somewhat of a challenge. How do you keep your remote workers actively engaged and involved with your business, even if they aren’t in the office?

If you take some time to identify opportunities for them to get involved, you can make better efforts to do so. Take a moment to ask your team members what it would take to get them involved, and ensure they know and feel like they are valued employees of your organization. If you don’t do this, there is a very real chance they will take their skills elsewhere.

Second, You Build a Better Remote Work Infrastructure

There are many tools you can use to help bridge the gap between in-house employees and your remote team, and it just so happens that these technology solutions are also quite effective at improving productivity and efficiency. The cloud allows your team to collaborate on projects while also helping them stay connected to others, even while out of the office.

To learn more about how the right technology can make an impact on your business’ company culture (especially for your remote team), reach out to us at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/the-right-technology-keeps-your-business-remote-employees-engaged/

Data Replication and Failover Protocols Demystified

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Ensuring data availability and continuous service delivery is of paramount importance for businesses across industries. The reliability and durability of digital systems heavily relies on the implementation of robust data replication and failover protocols.  

These protocols play a vital role in safeguarding against potential disasters, such as hardware failures or natural disasters, by enabling seamless transition to backup systems without any disruption in operations.  

We aim to explore the complex concepts behind data replication and failover protocols by providing a comprehensive understanding of their functionalities, benefits, and various implementation strategies employed by organizations worldwide.  

Discover how these essential components not only enhance system resiliency but also contribute significantly to overall business continuity and customer satisfaction. 

Why Do Businesses Need Business Continuity Today 

To thrive in the business market, businesses need to have a solid business continuity strategy in place. This is where data replication and failover protocols come into play. These protocols ensure that critical data is replicated and stored across multiple systems or sites, reducing the risk of data loss and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. 
 
One major reason why businesses need business continuity is the ever-increasing reliance on technology for day-to-day operations. Any downtime or disruption in services can result in financial losses, reputational damage, and customer dissatisfaction.  
 
Another important factor driving the need for business continuity is the evolving threat landscape. Cyberattacks and natural disasters pose significant risks to digital infrastructure nowadays. With well-defined failover protocols in place, businesses can mitigate potential threats by seamlessly transitioning from affected systems to unaffected ones without any interruptions. 
 
Having reliable data replication and failover protocols is essential for modern businesses as they strive to provide uninterrupted services to their customers while also safeguarding against unpredictable events that may disrupt their operations. 

The Essentials of Replication and Failover 

To ensure the availability and protection of data, businesses need to implement strong replication and failover protocols. These protocols act as a safety net, providing a backup plan for when disaster strikes.  

Data replication essentially involves creating duplicate copies of data and distributing them across different systems. This ensures that if one system fails, there are still other copies available for access.  

Failover protocols come into play when a primary system experiences an outage. In such cases, the failover mechanism automatically switches operations to a secondary or standby system without any interruption in service delivery. 

The key essentials of effective data replication and failover lie in their speed and reliability. The replication process should happen in real-time so that the duplicates stay updated with the latest changes made to the primary system. It’s imperative to regularly test failover mechanisms to guarantee their effectiveness during critical situations. 

 Safeguarding Data with Failover Protocols 

Data replication and failover protocols are crucial in maintaining the availability and reliability of digital systems for businesses. With the constantly changing technological landscape, it’s necessary to implement these robust protocols to safeguard against potential disasters that could disrupt operations. 
 
By replicating data across multiple systems, companies can ensure that there is always a backup available in case of hardware failures or natural disasters. This redundancy allows for a seamless transition to backup systems without any disruption in service delivery.  

Failover protocols enhance this resilience by automatically redirecting traffic and workload to the backup system when the primary system fails. 
 
Understanding and implementing data replication and failover protocols is essential for businesses looking to protect their data and ensure continuous operations.  

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/data-replication-and-failover-protocols-demystified/

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Are Treasure Troves for Hackers

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It should come as no surprise that one of the biggest online retail days of the year also incites a lot of scams and threats targeting not just consumers, but online businesses as well. Let’s go over some of the major statistics surrounding online retail scams and what you should know as you navigate the post-holiday chaos.

Black Friday is Not the Only Shopping Holiday

Historically, Black Friday—the Friday after Thanksgiving—has been the best day to get some great deals and to get a head start on your holiday shopping. As the years have gone by, though, this is less and less the case. This year, Cyber Monday’s traffic levels exceeded Black Friday’s sales by 42%, which is no small feat.

Retailers have tried to extend the shopping season, which is good news for attackers and online threats. The more sales, the more opportunities for people to spend their money online, and the more chances a hacker has to steal financial data.

Cyber Monday: 11 Days of Discounts

COVID-19 has led to many online retailers starting their sales the weekend just before Thanksgiving, thus providing shoppers with more chances to leverage discounts to their advantage. Hackers can take advantage of this extended time to scam people out of their hard-earned money. Cyber Monday is the culmination of these “Black Friday” sales, and it is the single most profitable day for online shopping, resulting in tens of billions of dollars across more than a billion transactions.

Phishing statistics related to Black Friday Week are nothing to scoff at. Multiple sources indicate that in the days leading up to November’s sales, phishing attacks skyrocketed to 300 percent of their normal levels. Combine this with the fact that security is a challenge for many people—especially those who are not technology-savvy—and you have a recipe for disaster.

Let’s go over some notable strategies to identify and prevent potential phishing attacks.

Be Careful of Emails and Messages

First, you’ll want to take the stance that any email that seems even remotely suspicious is a scammer. Make sure the email address is legitimate, and especially be wary if it looks like the message has been altered. Phishing emails tend to originate outside of the United States, so messages generally won’t have picture-perfect grammar and syntax.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication

Another way to stay safe is to utilize multi-factor authentication, or MFA. It creates an additional layer of security for your accounts that can keep hackers from slipping in with a stolen password and username.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

If you don’t want to suffer from a phishing attack, you’ll have to know what to do and what to avoid. Phishing attacks are known for evolving in various different ways, and you’ll have to be on the lookout for potential new methods and trends. Take the time to educate yourself and your team so that they know what to do about potential hacking attacks.

Verify the Sender

Communication can be a major reason for a successful phishing attack. Most phishing attacks will try to urge you into immediate action, so if you have reason to believe that any message you have is a bit too urgent or suspicious, think twice before doing what the email suggests. You can always contact the individual through alternative methods, especially if the email appears to be from someone in your office or a client/vendor.

We hope these tips help you remain vigilant against the threats posed by phishing and online shopping scams. To learn more, be sure to call Reciprocal Technologies at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/black-friday-and-cyber-monday-are-treasure-troves-for-hackers/

Technology is Making Holidays Happier

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In our rapidly evolving society, very few things are as they once were. One thing that feels a lot similar to the past is the Christmas holiday. Sure, it’s more commercialized than ever, but by-in-large many of our holiday traditions stay the same. People make a point to get together and exchange gifts and eat too much; and they tend to do this every year. 

For many people it is the only time they will be able to see their families during the whole year. If it isn’t possible, whether it be the increased demands on people’s time with everything going on, or distance to travel, technology has allowed those traditions to carry on, if only over the Internet. Let’s look at some of the technologies we use to do just that.

Video Chat

In business, we all have had to adjust to the new normal of communicating over the Internet more than we had to in the past. Video chat tools have become a great way for families and friends to communicate when they can’t see each other around the holidays. Tools like Zoom, Skype, Facetime, and Facebook Messenger all have one-touch video chat options. Nothing is better than seeing your loved ones’ faces, even if it is just on a screen.

Digital Wallets/Gift Cards

Gift giving has never been easier. You don’t have to meet in person to give the people that mean a lot to you a gift. Today, there are digital gift cards that can be sent through email or in a message. Most businesses today understand that people want to give gifts and aren’t always able to meet up so they’ve made it pretty easy to relay a gift over the Internet.

eCommerce

Of course, being able to buy anything you need online is a way of life nowadays. Most people do at least some of their normal shopping online, and around the holidays it can be a great way to avoid the mobs of people out picking up last-minute gifts for people. More often than not, shoppers can get everything they need shipped directly to them (or to others; and often gift wrapped) taking a little bit of stress off in what is always the most stressful time of year.

Social Media

In many ways social media is exactly the antithesis of what you want around the holidays, but if you look beyond the inherent negativity you find on these outlets, you would see some very special things. Additionally, social media is a great way to invite people to events and successfully coordinate with your loved ones over the holidays. It also is good for a couple really good Christmas-themed videos like this one. 

Technology is changing our world in ways that surprise us every day. At Reciprocal Technologies, we want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/technology-is-making-holidays-happier/

Four Major Benefits of Cloud Solutions for SMBs

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The cloud is a remarkable innovation that can enable businesses of all industries and sizes to revolutionize their operations. Have you considered the cloud for some of your business’ infrastructure? If not, you could be missing out on serious operational benefits that could push your company even further. Here are four of the best benefits of cloud computing that we can think of for a modern business.

Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness

The cloud is incredibly cost-effective, particularly public cloud solutions. Cloud solutions tend to operate on a pay-as-you-go scale, so you pay for resources that you consume rather than investing up-front in new hardware or software. This all leads your organization to be more flexible with its investments, as you can scale cloud solutions according to your specific needs.

Resource Consolidation

If your business uses a lot of legacy software or has several servers that are underutilized (as tends to happen with small businesses), you can consolidate your infrastructure with virtual servers that are hosted in the cloud. You can even partition your servers so that they use different operating systems, allowing for experimentation or a safe, secure, and controlled environment even for legacy software.

Remote Accessibility

The cloud is basically an online environment where your solutions or files are stored, so you can access them at any time as long as you have an Internet connection. It’s one of the best features of any cloud-based offering, and it opens up countless opportunities for remote work or hybrid office setups that can make your business more competitive for job seekers.

Better Collaboration

Since your cloud solutions are hosted in an online environment, that same online environment is also where collaboration can occur, either in real-time or asynchronously. You can host a productivity suite or project management solution in the cloud to keep tasks on everyone’s schedule and to ensure access to important software like your word processor or presentation builder. You can even implement cloud-based communication tools like Voice over Internet Protocol or video conferencing solutions to work together even if your team is not in the same physical location.

Let Us Help You with Your Cloud

Want to implement more cloud-based solutions for your business? Let us help! To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/four-major-benefits-of-cloud-solutions-for-smbs/

What is Hardware as a Service?

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In the technological landscape, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to stay ahead of the game and remain competitive. One emerging concept that has gained significant attention is Hardware as a Service (HaaS). This unique business model offers companies the opportunity to lease or rent hardware equipment on a subscription basis, rather than making large upfront investments in infrastructure.  

With HaaS, organizations can access top-of-the-line technology without shouldering the burden of ownership. We will delve into what exactly HaaS entails and how it can revolutionize the way businesses approach their IT needs.  

Defining Hardware as a Service 

HaaS is a business model that allows companies to lease or rent hardware equipment instead of purchasing it outright. With HaaS, businesses can access the latest technology without having to invest heavily in infrastructure. This arrangement offers several benefits for organizations, including lower upfront costs and the ability to easily upgrade or scale their hardware as needed. 
 
One of the key advantages of HaaS is its cost-effectiveness. Instead of making a large capital expenditure on hardware equipment, businesses can allocate their resources more efficiently by paying monthly subscription fees for the use of the equipment. This reduces financial strain and frees up capital for other critical aspects of operations. 
 
HaaS provides flexibility and scalability. Companies often find themselves needing to upgrade their hardware frequently. If an organization needs additional hardware due to growth or new projects, they can quickly scale up by adding more devices through their service provider.  

The Shift to Service-Based Models 

The shift to service-based models, such as HaaS, is driven by the need for businesses to adapt and innovate. With HaaS, companies can access cutting-edge hardware technology without the high upfront costs associated with purchasing and maintaining their own infrastructure. This model allows organizations to focus on their core competencies while leaving the hardware management and updates to the service provider. 
 
HaaS shifts the responsibility of maintenance and upgrades onto the service provider, reducing downtime and ensuring that businesses always have access to reliable hardware solutions. 

 By outsourcing these tasks, organizations can redirect their resources towards strategic initiatives instead of allocating them towards routine IT management. 

Potential Drawbacks of Hardware as a Service 

HaaS offers numerous benefits, there are also potential drawbacks that businesses should consider before adopting this model. One major drawback is the lack of ownership and control over the hardware equipment. By leasing or renting hardware, companies do not have complete ownership of the assets and may be bound by restrictions set by the service provider. This can limit their ability to customize or tailor the equipment to specific needs, potentially hindering productivity and efficiency. 
 
HaaS subscriptions often come with long-term contracts that can be difficult to terminate without financial penalties. If a business no longer requires certain hardware or wants to upgrade to newer versions, they may still be obligated to continue paying for unused or outdated equipment until the contract expires. 
 
Another potential drawback is dependence on the service provider’s reliability and technical support. If there are any disruptions in service or if technical issues arise with leased hardware, businesses may rely heavily on prompt resolution from their service provider. Any delays in resolving these issues could impact operations and lead to costly downtime. 
 

Choosing the Right HaaS Provider – Factors to Consider 

Choosing the right HaaS provider is crucial for businesses looking to leverage this innovative model. There are several factors that organizations should consider when selecting an HaaS provider. 
 
First and foremost, reliability is key. Businesses need to ensure that their chosen provider can deliver consistent and uninterrupted access to hardware equipment. Downtime or technical issues can be detrimental to productivity and customer satisfaction. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the track record of potential providers, including their uptime statistics and response time in resolving any problems. 
 
Secondly, scalability should also be taken into account. As businesses grow and evolve, their hardware needs may change. It is important for the HaaS provider to offer flexibility in terms of upgrading or downsizing equipment as required. This ensures that organizations can easily adapt without being locked into unnecessary long-term commitments or additional costs. 
 
Lastly, security considerations must not be overlooked when choosing an HaaS provider. Organizations entrust their data and sensitive information with these providers; therefore, robust security protocols must be in place such as encryption methods, user authentication processes, regular system updates, and backup systems. 

Is HaaS Right for You? 

Deciding HaaS is right for your business depends on various factors. HaaS can be particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have limited budgets or do not want to make large upfront investments in hardware infrastructure. By subscribing to HaaS, these companies can access top-tier technology without the financial strain of ownership. 
 
HaaS offers flexibility and scalability that traditional purchasing models cannot provide. As businesses grow and their needs change, they can easily upgrade or downgrade their hardware subscriptions accordingly. This allows for better resource allocation and cost management. 
 
However, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks of HaaS.  
 
Ultimately, the decision to adopt HaaS should be made after careful consideration of your company’s unique needs and circumstances. It may be worth consulting with IT professionals or conducting a cost-benefit analysis before making a final decision on whether HaaS is the right fit for your organization. 

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/what-is-hardware-as-a-service/

Five Steps Your Organization Must Take to Keep Your Data Safe

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Keeping your data safe is extremely important. More precedence has been put on data privacy and security in recent times as phishing and ransomware litter the landscape. Unauthorized access to data can lead to severe consequences. The methods employed by cybercriminals today are more sophisticated than ever; and it quite often allows them to breach organizational data security. Today, we thought we would take a look at a few strategies people are using to protect their data. 

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication

One of the first lines of defense against unauthorized access is the implementation of more robust authentication protocols. Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security beyond traditional usernames and passwords is a good practice. MFA typically involves a combination of something you know (password), something you have (security token or mobile device), and something you are (biometric data).

Train and Educate Personnel

Human error is a significant factor in data breaches. Provide comprehensive training to your personnel on security best practices, including how to recognize phishing attempts and the importance of strong password management. Educated employees are more likely to be vigilant against potential security threats.

Regularly Update and Patch Systems

Outdated software and systems are vulnerable to exploitation by hackers. To keep this from being a problem, regularly update and patch your operating systems, applications, and security software. Automated updates can streamline this process, as long as they themselves are current.

Encrypt Sensitive Data

Encrypting sensitive data adds an extra layer of protection, even if unauthorized users manage to gain access to the system. Encryption converts data into a coded format that can only be deciphered with the appropriate decryption key. This is particularly crucial for data in transit (such as emails) but also useful for data while at rest (stored on servers or devices).

Conduct Regular Security Audits

Regular security audits are essential for identifying vulnerabilities in your system. Conduct thorough assessments of your network, applications, and infrastructure to discover potential weak points. Regular audits help you stay proactive and address security issues before they can be exploited.

Limit User Access and Permissions

Adopt the principle of least privilege (PoLP) by restricting user access and permissions to the minimum necessary for their roles. This limits the potential damage that can occur if an unauthorized user gains access to an account. Regularly review and update user access permissions to fit the needs of the organization.

Keeping your data safe is a major consideration for the modern business, and the modern computer user. If you would like to talk to one of our IT professionals about getting access to the security tools and strategies they use to protect other Indiana businesses, give us a call today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/five-steps-your-organization-must-take-to-keep-your-data-safe/

Choose a Managed Services Provider Over a Typical Computer Repair Company

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If your business needs to revisit its technology management model, look no further than a managed service provider. Let’s discuss some of the notable benefits of working with a managed service provider—benefits that are demonstrable and impactful enough to shift the trajectory of your business moving forward.

But first, a quick look at what a managed service provider actually does and the value they provide.

Why Are Managed Services All the Rage?

Managed services consist of a business model in which your organization outsources IT management to a third-party provider. This provider has expert technicians on hand who can work to proactively address issues and prevent them from escalating into major problems. Managed services also help your business optimize for efficiency and productivity by preventing issues from interfering with workflow and assisting employees as needed.

Managed services were considered a niche category of business, but these days, there are providers who build their entire business model around supporting other businesses—and it works, providing win-win solutions for both parties involved.

How to Identify an MSP

If you’re looking in the Indiana community, well, look no further; we’re the go-to managed services provider around. If you’re not convinced, consider looking for the following traits:

• MSPs tend to operate remotely for the most part, only scheduling an on-site visit for work that requires such hands-on attention. This keeps distractions to a minimum so your team can focus on their work.
• MSPs can offer subscription-based models to give companies more options for their services. This keeps IT maintenance costs lower than they typically would be, and the lower cost makes for a better budget management tool.
• MSPs can customize their solutions to fit specific needs and price points. This means that companies will not overinvest their resources into solutions they don’t want or need.
• MSPs offer support 24/7/365, meaning that there is always an option to get in touch with your provider thanks to remote capabilities.

Furthermore, MSPs can help you radically improve your existing IT infrastructure to address challenges present for legacy systems and inefficiencies. MSPs have staff dedicated to helping teams strategize in this way.

In some cases, your existing IT employees might be able to handle maintenance of existing systems, but they don’t have the time to address some of the more future-minded planning that is necessary in today’s highly competitive business environment. MSPs can help to pick up the slack in whichever part of operations your business needs.

And, finally, MSPs have existing relationships with vendors that businesses can leverage to their advantage. From procurement to support, MSPs can assist with any vendor relationship management.

Are You Convinced of the Value of Managed Services?

Are you ready to commit to an MSP’s services? Reciprocal Technologies is here to assist you. To learn more, reach out to us at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/choose-a-managed-services-provider-over-a-typical-computer-repair-company/

Technology Management Can Be Beneficial for SMBs

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Technology is one of the most important elements to consider when growing your business, and while it might seem like it can magically solve all of your operational problems, it takes a lot more than a simple implementation to address your company’s pain points. In fact, failing to integrate technology properly can lead to even more problems.

First, you’ll need to consider how complex your IT infrastructure is, as it’s not worth investing in more technology if you cannot manage your own the way it currently is. You need technology that yields a return on your investment, and you can ensure that this happens by working with a consultant who can aid your organization in getting a bird’s eye view of your IT infrastructure.

Security is also a main factor to consider for any technology deployment process. There are countless threats out there with new and emerging ones being particularly dangerous. You need to invest time, effort, and resources into shoring up vulnerabilities to these problems before they sink your business altogether. Security doesn’t turn a profit, but it does prevent you from throwing it all down the drain due to negligence.

Additionally, you’ll want to consider whether or not it’s worth hosting your own hardware or using cloud-based tools. If you invest in hardware, you’ll likely spend somewhere in the realm of five figures, leading to a costly and complicated solution to your problems. These days, the cloud can alleviate these challenges through as-a-service offerings for processing, storage, and application hosting.

Lastly, we want to highlight that mobility is something that all businesses should be taking seriously. It enables your organization to do some astounding things, but you also need to make sure that it’s managed appropriately. Productivity suites like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace aid in mobility while also offering collaboration tools, and since they can be controlled from one centralized location in the cloud, your organization will always have access to the resources it needs to stay mobile.

Let’s Build a Better Technology Infrastructure, Together

Thankfully, managing your IT can be made much easier by working with experts like us at Reciprocal Technologies. Our professional expertise in technology management and maintenance is an asset to any organization. To learn more, reach out to us at (317) 759-3972

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/technology-management-can-be-beneficial-for-smbs/

Don’t Let Fake Browser Updates Fool You

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Ensuring that your computer’s software stays up to date is always crucial for security and for the performance of the software. Outdated operating systems, web browsers, or other essential applications can result in malfunctions and expose you to potential threats. It’s important to be aware that hackers can disguise malware as critical web browser updates.

The Proliferation of Fake/Malicious Updates, with a Significant Surge Among Apple Users

We’ve moved beyond the era where Apple users believed their Macs were impervious to viruses and malware. Specifically addressing Apple users, a strain of malware is widespread on MacOS devices, although it targets both Windows and Mac systems. This represents one of the initial social engineering campaigns affecting both operating systems through deceptive browser updates.

Here’s how it operates:

A seemingly legitimate window or popup prompts you to download the latest version of Google Chrome or Safari. It claims there are security fixes or updates available and encourages you to download or click a button to update your browser.

The appearance is so authentic that it can deceive almost anyone.

Instead of installing a genuine update, your computer becomes infected with a malware called Atomic Stealer. This malicious software is designed to pilfer your credentials, cookies, browser history, capture your screen, and record keystrokes, making it highly perilous. Although Atomic Stealer is not a new threat, this method adds another layer to its ability to propagate by tricking users.

Preventing Deceptive Browser Updates

You’ll want to ensure that your computer or laptop has updated antivirus software at all times. You should always implement multi-factor authentication on accounts that support it, providing an additional safeguard in case your passwords are compromised. Another tip is to exercise caution and refrain from clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments—an elementary yet effective practice to avoid malware infections. Finally, you will want to install updates and software solely from reputable sources.

Guidelines for Updating Google Chrome

Open your Chrome Browser, click on the three-dot icon at the top right, then navigate to Help > About Google Chrome. A new tab will appear, checking if you have the latest version and enabling an update if available.

Instructions for Updating Safari

Access the Apple menu > System Settings, then click Software Update. If updates are available, they will run, prompting a restart to complete the process.

In the event you encounter any unusual warnings or notifications, it’s advisable to consult with Reciprocal Technologies IT professionals. Reach out to us today at (317) 759-3972 for any assistance you may need.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/dont-let-fake-browser-updates-fool-you/

Managed IT Services Improve Organizational Security

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In response to today’s threat landscape, safeguarding technology and data has become a pivotal concern for everyone; and every business. Ensuring the protection of essential assets and customer data within your infrastructure demands a strategic approach. Collaborating with a proficient managed service provider (MSP) is the key to prioritizing security effectively. Here are some critical services they can provide.

Around-the-Clock Infrastructure Monitoring

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily business activities, keeping a vigilant eye on your network can be challenging. One of the best ways an MSP can provide value to your organization is to entrust them with the task of continuous monitoring to detect any suspicious activities. Given the prevalence of sophisticated phishing threats, maintaining a secure network necessitates constant oversight. By letting an MSP handle security monitoring, you can focus on your work with confidence and peace of mind.

Updates, Patches, and Maintenance

Businesses often struggle to allocate time for essential tasks such as patching, maintenance, and equipment upgrades. Delaying these crucial activities until a major incident occurs can lead to catastrophic consequences like hacking attacks or hardware failures. MSPs excel at remotely deploying patches, updates, and maintenance, minimizing disruptions to your day-to-day operations.

Maintaining Compliance

Different industries grapple with specific compliance regulations governing technology. Failure to address these regulations, especially when securing sensitive data, can result in substantial fines. Collaborating with an MSP helps you navigate the intricate landscape of compliance. They assist in determining applicable regulations for your business and establishing a secure infrastructure to protect regulated data.

Dynamic Security Features

MSPs empower your organization with a suite of powerful security solutions, including firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, antimalware tools, virtual private networks, and content filtering. These features contribute to fortifying your network against potential threats. Moreover, MSPs can manage, maintain, and update these security measures remotely, ensuring you always have the latest threat definitions at your disposal.

We Can Help!

The complexities of technology and security can be tough to manage, but with Reciprocal Technologies as your partner, the process becomes more of a straight line than a curvy road. Instead of grappling with security concerns, focus on what matters most—delivering value to your customers and clients. To learn more contact us today at (317) 759-3972. 

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/managed-it-services-improve-organizational-security/

New Malware Sets Sights on Stealing Your Facebook Business Account

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With so many businesses putting time and effort to cultivate an active following on social media, it only makes sense that cybercriminals try to get a piece of the pie.

A new malware strain particularly targets Facebook business accounts to run malicious advertising campaigns on your dime.

“Professional” Budget Tracking Templates Spread Social Media Malware

The cybercriminals behind this one definitely understand their audience. They’ve created malware that poses as a free budgeting spreadsheet that users can open up in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. So far, most of the cases reported involve the cybercriminals offering the tool via Facebook, specifically to business page admins, through Facebook Messenger. It’s likely that these “resources” can be shared in plenty of other ways as well.

Once opening the file, the malware “NodeStealer” is installed (although in some cases, it came with additional malware that could steal cryptocurrency, disable Microsoft Defender, and more). It then steals your social media credentials, in particular, your Facebook business credentials, and compromises your accounts so criminals can quickly deploy ads using your financial information to spread more malware.

If you’ve ever had any experience trying to work with Facebook to reclaim an account (or get any kind of professional support as a small business on the social network) you probably can guess how painful this can become if your organization values its social media presence.

How to Avoid this Cyberthreat

Like most threats, it comes down to thinking before you click. If someone you don’t know is randomly offering you a free resource, do a little research before you just click on it and download it. If something seems suspicious, it probably is.

Also, make sure you have multi-factor authentication set up for your Google, Facebook, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X accounts, as well as any other accounts that offer it. This is a huge additional layer of security that will keep most bad guys out of your stuff even if your passwords become compromised.

Of course, if you think something has been compromised, you should also update all of your passwords.

Looking to avoid cyberthreats and secure your business? Give us a call at (317) 759-3972 to talk about how we can keep your organization safe.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/new-malware-sets-sights-on-stealing-your-facebook-business-account/

5 Common Technology Issues That Must Be Addressed by SMBs

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There’s no getting around the fact that technology is critical for business operations, but with technology come various challenges that need to be addressed. If you’re not careful, issues with your IT can distract you from other technology problems that could develop even further if left unchecked. Let’s look at five of the most common technology issues that modern businesses face.

Cybersecurity

If you’re not ready to tackle cybersecurity issues, then you’re in for a rude awakening. With malware, ransomware, phishing threats, and so much more out there, you need to take measures to protect your sensitive data.

Data Privacy and Compliance

On a similar note, data privacy regulations have only grown more stringent with time, so you need to take measures to ensure you are adhering to compliance laws and regulations. Failing to do so could result in legal action and fines levied against you.

Legacy Systems and Integrations

If your business is using out-of-date systems and software, you’re likely struggling with incompatibility issues. Newer software isn’t always going to play nice with legacy systems, so you need to invest in new platforms and modern solutions that are compatible 

Digital Transformation

When businesses adopt new technologies, there is often the potential for digital transformation to cause disruption, whether it’s because of employee resistance, skills gaps, or restructuring. How a business navigates this disruption will be pivotal to ensuring that the customer experience is not impacted.

Scaling and Business Agility

Your infrastructure will need to scale according to its needs, and implementing systems that are not capable of this scalability could hinder your company’s ability to grow. Make sure that you deploy solutions that can handle a change in increased workload and performance. One way you can do this is through cloud-based tools that can be used either short-term or long-term, depending on your needs.

If you want your business’ technology to work for you rather than against you, we recommend implementing managed IT services from Reciprocal Technologies. Our tried and true business model of scalable and affordable managed services will help your business overcome any technology challenges out there. Get started with a phone call to (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/5-common-technology-issues-that-must-be-addressed-by-smbs/

How to Make Smarter Decisions About Your Servers

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Servers contribute a significant effort toward your computing infrastructure, so it makes sense that you want devices that can fulfill your needs with performance, reliability, and security. To get the most out of your server units, we like to recommend you consider the following six tips when choosing new server hardware.

What Does Your Business Need?

To start off, you’ll have to consider your organization’s specific requirements and needs based on the number of users, the applications you’re running, and your data storage. Through assessing these details, you’ll be able to increase the odds of purchasing the right hardware for the right tasks.

Are You Prepared for Scalability?

Ideally, your business will grow, and your infrastructure should be able to support that growth. You’ll want to have scalable options that can add more CPUs, memory, or storage capacity as your organization thrives. Using cloud-based servers can make this process even easier and more cost-effective.

Have You Considered Virtualization?

Virtual technology provides your organization with opportunities to replace physical server infrastructures with digital ones in the cloud. It’s a great way to make better use of the resources at your disposal and reduce hardware costs. While it might cost more up-front, new server unit costs are actually larger, making virtualization a valid alternative for small businesses.

Are You Prioritizing Security?

You need to protect your servers, too, with features like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. Furthermore, you need to update your server software and firmware with patches and security updates to ensure you’re addressing potential threats or vulnerabilities. You should also implement strong password practices and access control measures, including password management.

Have You Asked for Professional Help?

Server technology can be complicated, and if you’re not an IT professional in your own right, chances are that you’ll be better served by working with one to manage, maintain, and acquire your server units. We can offer consultations that help you make the best decisions possible for your organization’s needs.

Your business can overcome the challenges of server unit complexity by working with Reciprocal Technologies. To learn more, call us today at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/how-to-make-smarter-decisions-about-your-servers/

How to Avoid Amazon Scammers

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Scams using online retail giant Amazon have become more frequent around the holidays as online purchases tick up. Most of these scams come in the way of impersonation scams. With the holidays upon us, we thought we’d go through what kind of Amazon scams you should look for and how to avoid being a victim.

Types of Amazon Scams

There are two major types of scams that people use when trying to use your Amazon account as leverage. It’s important to remember that these are probably the same with any major online retailer or company that you interact with a lot. 

Phishing scams

Always the predominant type of Internet scam, phishing is pervasive. Literally billions of phishing scams get sent out everyday. In this case, scammers send emails posing as Amazon and include PDFs attached stating that the user’s account will be suspended or on hold. This scam seems pretty simple, but it snags a lot of people. 

Membership Scams

A membership scam is a type of scam where a scammer will contact you and tell you you need to pay for some Amazon service. If you are a heavy Amazon user—which based on its company valuation, is a lot of us—this could cover any number of services or individual transactions. These scammers try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information in order to reinstate your membership. 

Stay Secure on Amazon

Here are some tips to help you avoid being the victim of a cyberattack:

Use Secured Channels 

In this case, the Amazon mobile app or official website are the only places users should seek out customer service or support. Going through a third party or even giving information to unknown organizations can cause trouble.

Don’t Give In to False Urgency

Internet scammers love to stir up emotional situations that make people act impulsively. As important as your Amazon account is, moving too quickly before taking control of the situation could result in you being scammed. 

Don’t Give Financial Data Out Over the Phone

This one is a good rule of thumb no matter the situation, but there is no way Amazon, one of the largest and most successful Internet companies, is ever going to ask you to pay for anything over the phone. 

Verify, Verify, Verify

Don’t rush, make sure that any correspondence from Amazon comes from an Amazon address.  Don’t be fooled by well-built scams that come from off-site “support”. You’ll also want to make sure that all emails regarding your Amazon account come from amazon.com. Craftier scammers may make this more challenging than it sounds, but verifying every transactional correspondence is the best way to avoid falling for crafty scams online.

Keeping yourself safe online is an ongoing process. For more great security tips and technology information, return to our blog regularly.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/how-to-avoid-amazon-scammers/

In-Office Work is Losing Steam

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Remote work has changed the way that businesses approach normal operations. Due in large part to the disruptions of the past couple of years, remote work has become a staple of the business environment, and while you might hear stories of businesses pushing hard to return to the workplace, the reality is that they are the exception rather than the norm.

In fact, statistics show that a hybrid workplace is becoming more and more popular with businesses, and they are adopting policies that will help them offer these scheduling practices to their employees.

Most Companies Aren’t Pushing Super Hard for a Return to the Office

You might see companies like Goldman Sachs or Tesla claim that these efforts are a way to force out employees who are not working hard enough, but really, this issue is not as large as it might seem to be.

The opposite of this is true; companies are looking for ways to make hybrid work a reality for their employees, and they are succeeding. In a report by Prithwiraj Choudhury, one of the associate professors at Harvard Business School, approximately 30 percent of United States workdays are completed remotely and office occupancy has hovered at half.

This does not look like a requirement of in-office work.

Use Hybrid Operations to Your Business’ Benefit

Hybrid presents several great opportunities and benefits for businesses. Employees also find it helpful; it turns out that having more flexibility than your traditional office environment is a powerful recruitment motivator. This is assuming that hybrid work fits into your workplace’s established operational workflow, and regardless, you’ll have to figure out who is working in the office and on what days.

The biggest benefit of hybrid work for most employees is going to be flexibility, so you’ll need technology to ensure that everyone can follow through on their workplace responsibilities as easily as possible. Therefore, the flexibility and technology you need to allow for this flexibility will be a major bargaining chip to get the most highly qualified candidates.

We’ll Help You Improve Your Business Technology

Reciprocal Technologies can help your business implement the best technology for a hybrid office environment. To learn more, call us at (317) 759-3972.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/in-office-work-is-losing-steam/