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How to Prevent Data Breaches

How to Prevent Data Breaches

Data breaches are an ongoing issue in today’s world. This year, large companies such as Equifax and Uber have suffered from data breaches, the latter even attempting to cover it up to avoid public scrutiny.Data breaches are an ongoing issue in today’s world. This year, large companies such as Equifax and Uber have suffered from data breaches, the latter even attempting to cover it up to avoid public scrutiny. A data breach can compromise, not only the information of you and your employees but the credit/debit card information and other sensitive information of your customers. Because of the weight of the consequences of a data breach, data security must be one of your business’ main priorities. Here are a few tips on how you can protect your company from a data breach.

There are numerous ways for malicious software to invade your data system. Spam email, attachments, and malicious links and websites are just a few ways that this can happen. This is why it’s so important for you to train your employees. They need to always be up to date with the latest scams so that they can avoid them at all costs. You can create links or emails in order to test your employees in a real-world setting. Hiring a third party to audit your business’ security policy would also be beneficial.

Require your employees to change their passwords consistently. Many hacks occur because hackers are able to bypass logins due to weak passwords. Require passwords that include uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and more than eight characters. Then, set them to be changed at a maximum 90 days. It may feel like an inconvenience each time you need to change your password, however, a security hack is a much bigger inconvenience.

Use cloud service. Not only is the cloud more secure than an on-site server, it is much more affordable. The risk of a breach is decreased when you have 24/7 access to it. With the price, security, accessibility, and low maintenance of the cloud, it is a must-have for any business.

PCI Compliance is very important for any business that accepts credit or debit cards. Being PCI compliant doesn’t necessarily mean that your company will be 100% safe from data breaches, but it does minimize the risks. By being PCI certified, your company can continue to be up to date with security trends.

Use a trusted IT company to help your company protect its data. Small business owners shouldn’t work alone in keeping data secure. Nevada IT Solutions, for example, provides 24/7 network monitoring, security software administration and maintenance, and more. With a trusted IT partner, you will have a plan at the ready, should a data breach occur. In addition, IT companies know what to look for when there is a security breach. Sometimes security breaches take a while to find, especially when you don’t know what to look for. An IT partner can spot these things for you with their network monitoring.

Do you need help protecting your business’ data? Nevada IT Solutions can help monitor and store your data and help to avoid a data breach. Contact [email protected] for more information!

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6 Ways to keep your computer virus free

6 Ways to keep your computer virus free

Viruses can negatively impact your entire computer. A virus can slow down your computer to the point of it becoming unusable. Its connection to the internet can get slowed down, files can be damaged, and your activity and sensitive information can be monitored and stolen. With all of this in mind, keeping your computer virus free is important. Here are a few tips that can help you do that!

Be wary of email
SPAM mail is a very common way of picking up a virus. Stay away from emails from sources that are not known and never ever engage with links from these untrustworthy sources. If you are using a private email host, make sure to have an above average filter for spam. In doing so, you will be able to scan every attachment that you get. Never open an attachment without it being scanned first!

Virus scan USB drives
Always scan everything you put into your computer in general. Any file that you have can contain a virus, so it is important to make sure that you scan files before they are copied onto your computer. It’s also important to know that double-clicking the thumb drive is unsafe. The safe way to open one is to right click then choose “open”. After the virus scan, this is the safest method in opening the files.

Use your best judgment on the internet
The internet is the number one source of computer viruses and other programs that will attack your computer. Never click on pop up windows. Windows that tell you that you have won something are an example of some of the windows you should avoid. To aid in this, you can use a pop-up blocker which will make pop-ups a non-issue. Be sure to also stay away from websites that you do not trust!

Have good antivirus software installed
If you have a computer, you need good antivirus software. You will need to set this software to update automatically and to scan your computer on a consistent basis. There are many free antivirus programs, but it is recommended that you go with a shareware antivirus program. You will often hear that you get what you pay for. As far as computer security is concerned, this is absolutely true!

Be vigilant about search engine results
It’s not entirely uncommon to find a malicious website on your search results. To help you avoid these websites, there is software that can help you stay away from them. AVG Linkscanner, for example, verifies website links before you click on them. This can be a huge help when surfing the internet and/or browsing search results!

Always have a backup
It is always important to have a safety net. In the case of your computer, that safety net is a backup of your computer’s hard drive. The best way to do this is to have an external hard drive with all of your computer’s data.

Contact us if you need any assistance.

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The Importance of Managed IT Services

The Importance of Managed IT Services

Managed IT Services should be a product that your business uses. Nevada IT Solutions offers 24/7 server and network monitoring, infrastructure management, tech support, PC, Mac, and mobile device support, and more. So why do any of this matter to you and your business? It matters because your business’ IT infrastructure is of the utmost importance and Nevada IT Solutions can make it better. Below are a few reasons why managed IT services are important for your company.

Convenience
Outsourcing IT gives you and your team the ability to focus on different aspects of your business. When technical issues arise, we are here to resolve those issues for you. This way, you won’t have to dedicate any member of your staff to fixing such problems. You also won’t have to hire an employee! With Nevada IT Solutions by your side, you don’t have to worry about any IT issues that may arise.

Strategy
Working with Nevada IT Solutions will simplify your network and its operations. By working with us, you will gain all of the advantages of having an IT executive without having to spend the money on hiring a new employee. Through having these IT services outsourced, your business will be provided with risk analysis and business impact, project planning and management, budgeting, and research and trends of current trends in technology. Having managed services is a great strategy in itself and helps to prepare you for the worst while stopping the worst from happening.

Infrastructure
Your business suffers when you do not have a reliable Infrastructure plan. Nevada IT Solutions can help your business create an infrastructure plan that decreases technological disruptions and downtime. This will contribute to better productivity amongst your employees.

Support
Nevada IT Solutions comes packaged with a ticketing and help desk system that is here for you and your business 24/7. This means that a full, credentialed team is here to help your business at any time. In addition, we monitor your servers and networks and can find issues in a timely manner.  We can help with any technological issue!

Cost
You will be saving a lot of money by working with a Managed IT Service. Your business can plan to pay for IT services for an entire year and not have to worry about any other costly expenses that may arise. Without working with Nevada IT Solutions, you potentially would have to pay for some rather expensive issues that could have been prevented. Having Managed IT Services will keep your wallet full while keeping you relaxed.

Nevada IT Solutions offers a friendly and flexible service that can help you and your business at any time. We will take the time to understand you and your business and will recommend the best technology available to ensure that your infrastructure is the best it can be.  

Still on the fence about working with Nevada IT Solutions or curious about the specially tailored packages we offer? Send us an email at [email protected] for more information.

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Your IT Relocation Checklist

Your IT Relocation Checklist

Relocating technology, if prepared for in advance, should not be a huge problem for your business. Even if you are adequately prepared, relocation can be tiring and very stressful. Nevada IT Solutions has got your back in situations like this as we provide services to help you and your business with a seamless office transition. Regardless of how you go about this IT transition, a plan is always a must. To do this, we have drafted a checklist of 7 steps to make sure that your move goes as smoothly as possible!

Step 1: Strategize your relocation as far in advance as possible.
Chances are if you are reading this article, step one is already being worked on. In addition to the research you conduct on your own, it is important to contact all of your ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and any other technology vendors that you use to notify them of the date you will be moving. You will want to do this approximately 2 months in advance of the move. In addition, you should schedule an appointment with your IT provider to look over the new location’s network logistics.

Step 2: Age check all of your equipment.
Relocation is the perfect time for you to switch out your older equipment for newer versions. Inventory all of your equipment to determine what needs to be and what does not need to be replaced. The advantage of updated equipment cannot be overstated. Also be sure to get rid of any unnecessary equipment to remove any clutter at the new office. If step two is completed in a timely and efficient manner, you can get everything into the new office before you move in!

Stage 3: Evaluate the new office’s cable infrastructure.
It is very important that your new office has the correct number of cables that you need in the places that you need them. Phone lines, power outlets, and AC adapters are all necessary things to have in your office. Determine how many of these things your business needs. It’s very important to know what you need to have a smooth IT transition.

Step 4: Make a checklist for your office visit.
Having completed the first three steps, it is now time to visit your new office. A thorough investigation of the new site should include your IT provider. Together, you will be able to best plan for the location of routers, printers, scanners, workstations, and numerous other things.

Step 5: Secure your information.
With every office transition comes the risk of your business losing its data. It is critical for your data to be backed up in more than one place. Be sure to backup all of your company’s systems. This includes things like firewalls and servers. It’s very important to ensure that a full recovery can occur should something go very wrong.

Step 6: Prepare for move day.
The next thing you have to consider is the transportation of your tech equipment. Many of the devices your business uses need to be handled with care. Sometimes even the smallest of collisions can severely affect your tech. If you decide to use a moving company, it is very important for you to make sure that they know how to handle your electronic equipment. It is also very important that you make sure that everything is labeled and organized.

Step 7: Test the tech in your new office.
Once the move is complete and everything is set up, have your IT provider test everything out. It’s important to do this on the day of the move so that everything is ready as soon as possible. Your IT provider can help you with your printers, cables, routers, phones, computers, networks, and other tech. After all of that is complete, have your provider walk you through everything to double check that everything is working as it should!

That’s our checklist! Be sure to follow up with your employees to make sure that everything is working properly and if anything can be improved. Planning for a seamless office transition? Contact us to start planning today.