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Why Your Business Needs a Password Vault 


Introduction to IT Security

To understand and peel back the layers of the IT security onion, we must start with education. The more you know, the more you can protect your network and business. 

Understanding the Password Vault

Let’s look inside the “Password Vault.” Like the vault we envision in a bank, the password vault protects the goods. The difference is that you can’t physically walk into a password vault on foot, but you can digitally access it. While there aren’t loads of cash and gold bars like in the movies, the data stored in a password vault is worth a lot. 

The Cost of a Data Breach

A data breach can cost your business a pretty penny. The U.S. has the highest data breach cost for the 12th year. It’s not something to brag about, especially with numbers like 5.09 million more than the global average, according to the report, “Cost of a data breach 2022:A million-dollar race to detect and respond,” commissioned by IBM. That is terrifying.

Why Use a Password Vault

Do we have your attention? The software program of your choice that creates your password vault will store and protect all the passwords your employees use while encrypting the data. There is one single master password to then access multiple passwords, which means no one else knows that password, not even the company hosting you. 

The Danger of Weak Passwords

We’ve all been taught not to use the same passwords across various websites or create something too simple like 12345, but people continue to do so. The reasoning may be the ease of remembering one password across multiple platforms, but that’s what’s helpful about password vaults. Weak passwords, or those not well thought out, allow hackers to enter your system. 

The Benefits of Using a Password Vault

Password vaults, (which some call password managers), are the best method of protecting your passwords. There is no method that is 100% foolproof. That’s different from what you want to hear, but using a password vault paired with added security steps significantly decreases your risk of a data breach. 

Look out for our next article, naming some added security steps, coming your way soon. 

Have questions about protecting your IT services? Learn more at SandraNetwork.com or Contact Us.

What to do when a File is Potentially Corrupted

Sometimes while sitting at your computer, drinking your tea and minding your own business, a file SUDDENLY goes rogue.

  • It runs amok
  • It will not open
  • It throws an error
  • There is a hitch in the giddyup
  • It takes the sunshine in your day and blocks it with a dark cloud

There are things that may be done before crying, throwing that tea cup against the wall or well… running around the room with your arms flailing over your head in a fit of panic.

Inform you to restart your system

Because you were preemptive, and you already have worked with setting up backup with Sandra Network and have Mozy in your pocket, all you need to do is give us a call, or email us at [email protected]

Or, in the case you have not yet set up a backup plan with us, we may be able to repair this file for you, if you are not comfortable doing so yourself. Generally, it is best to have someone with this experience help you out so more damage is not done. Again, you can give us a call at 978-535-0202 #3 or email and we will be glad to help you out.

If you are feeling adventurous, there is an option you may take.

Boot in “Troubleshooting tools by rebooting and continuously hitting you <F8> key until you are given the option.

Select Troubleshoot Option

Select Troubleshoot

select Advanced Options

Here you will want to select Advanced Options and Startup Repair

Now… if this does not repair, and you have not set up a restore point in the past… THIS is when you will want to call Sandra Network! We have ALL sorts of tricks up our sleeves for you!!!

What is Coming This Holiday? A Computer Maybe?

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With the Holidays Coming… is a Computer in Your Future?

This is a charged question, leading to MANY other computer questions.

  • How much memory do you need?
  • What is it going to be used for?
  • Do you also need a monitor?
  • Do you need a printer?
  • Do you want to bring it with you?
  • Do you think you just want a tablet?

The list goes on and on. The main things that may be answered by “someone in the know” is how much memory is going to be needed and what applications are you planning on using in its daily use? There are lots of deals out there and lots of brands and LOTS of misinformation out there.

 

Sometimes going to that “big box” store is not the best option, and can be antiseptic, leaving you with a frustrated or misinformed state at the end of a large purchase.

One way to prevent this is to sit down with highlighter, notebook, cell phone, millennial and as much online research as you can find, prior to your purchase.

The OTHER and far more efficient way is to give us a call at Sandra Network for hardware services where we determine what the best tool is for your needs, without the techno-geek-speak. Not only will you not be wasting money, but you will have the tools you need at a reasonable price. Click here to discover an exciting deal from Sandra Network.

Make those holidays happy!

Give us a call at Sandra Network 978-535-0202 #3 or email us at [email protected]

 

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In case of emergency… Troubleshooting…

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 TROUBLESHOOTING!

This month we, at Sandra Network are going to give some basic troubleshooting skills to get you through… just in case of emergency.. If these do not help.. .PLEASE call us at 978-535-0202 #3 or email: [email protected]


My computer/printer/monitor will not come on

Reboot Troubleshooting

Are you able to see the power button lit up?
Is it plugged in?
Is the monitor on?
Is the power strip on?
Is the power strip plugged in?

If none of these help, call Sandra Network 978-535-0202 #3 or [email protected]

Windows is showing the wrong name for the login, where is mine?

Windows 10       Windows 10 Login

Select one of the other users to the left

Windows 7

Troubleshoot Windows 7 Login

Select “Switch User” under the Username and Password fields

My password is not working, it did this morning…

Troubleshooting Passwords

Is CAP lock on?
If it consists of numbers, and you are using the number keypad, is “Num Lock” off?
(In the day and age of millions of passwords) Did you put in the correct password for that computer?
Could someone with access have changed the password? Check around your office/home
Is it your computer (just kidding … I try to get into everyone else’s car, but my own. who knows)

If you are STILL having issues, give us a call at Sandra Network 978-535-0202 #3 or [email protected]

 

No sound coming out of my computer – How to TroubleshootVolume Troubleshooting

Is the volume up? Or has “mute” been selected? (Icon in the bottom right corner of your desktop
Do you have connected external speakers? Are they turned on?

If it is still not working, give us a call at Sandra Network 978-535-0202 #3 or [email protected]

 

Read More about In case of emergency… Troubleshooting…

To be USB 2.0 or USB 3.0… That is the Question

What may be one of the most frustrating things when connecting new “Plug-n-Play” equipment with USB cables, is the difficulties faced upon connecting them… and they neither Plug… nor play (Insert primal scream here). Frustration tends to mount while moving a file from one drive to another and it is doing so, seemingly at a snail’s pace.

We at Sandra Network would like to help with this BEFORE you are forwarded from phone extension to phone extension, continent to continent, waiting on hold for the answer that may be right there in the clear blue! (You will see what I did there… in a moment, and laugh… just wait)

One common issue is the age of the equipment, be it a keyboard/mouse/ flash drive, external drive or printer, they all may cause the same frustrations. It is all about speed, and the simple way to tell (if you no longer have the box with the description, or the “Read me” file) is the color of the connector or the icon next to the connector on the computer.

USB 3.0 is the third major version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard for connecting computers and electronic devices. USB 3.0 is usually distinguishable from USB 2.0 by blue color-coding of the ports and plugs, and by the initials “SS”.

USB 2.0 and 3.0 Ports

USB 2.0

USB 3.0

480 Mbps (Megabits per second) 4.8 Gbps (Giga bits per second)
Can either send or receive data, i.e. copy or paste Can simultaneously send and receive data, i.e. copy and paste

Overall:

  • If you want seamless speed as an option in transferring data,
  • If something you plugged in as a new device is not properly connecting or is giving USB errors
  • If there is the option of USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 on the computer.
  • check to see what color the port is, that choice can make all of the difference in speed or connectivity

If you are still unsure PLEASE give Sandra Network a call at 978-535-0202 or email [email protected] and we will help you out!

What Are The Benefits of Anti-Virus Software?

One of the most important things is to stay ahead of the attacks with updates and real time protection. Without this, there is very little that may be done once the malware assaults, other than rebuilding the machine or hiring an IT company to clean the virus from the machine and THEN install an anti-virus application.

Yet another form of Ransom-ware!

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Your screen just went to this:
What do you do?

It could be a Ransomware – Just look at that color!!!

Ohh NOOOOO!!!!
Do you call the phone number?
Do you click on the page and find as many links as you can?

NO! STOP! SLOW DOWN! IT’S REALLY A DOOR TO RANSOMWARE

This is the doorway for ransomware that will only bring you sadness and destruction.
There are a couple of tell-tale signs that will only bring you sadness and destruction. There are a couple of tell-tale signs:

The URL. In most cases, it is something that should throw red flags. In THIS case, it is virus.com…
Windows Security Essentials does not send a phone number to their help desk and that hints towards a potential ransomware attack. Many times, ransomware attacks can also come through email viruses too.
You may not even have Windows Defender turned on, but it will never blank out your screen with an error, it might send a “notification”.

What should you do?

  1. You will want to start the Task Manager. There are two ways to get to it:
    <Ctrl><Alt><Del> at the same time
  2. Right click on your taskbar
  3. Select the browser you are in (Chrome, IE, Firefox)
  4. Select “End Task”. (this will close out the application
  5. Download an Anti-Malware app for example:
  6. Call Sandra Network: 978-535-0202 #3 or email: [email protected]

Sandra Definition

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LogMeIn is the Right Thing Baby! Call Us.

Think about the Summer and LogMeIn

Though Sandra Bullock in The Net could do it without a thought, very few (if any) could work remotely from a beach in 1995, let alone use VI shell to program on a Macintosh Laptop. Sorry, I was speaking geek… I digress… Now add LogMeIn into the plot.

The Net - LogMeIn

Scene: The Net (1995)

It is 2017 and you have the option to work anywhere you want to You can WAH (Work At Home) or WAB (Work At Beach) or just about anything. How do you do this you ask?

  1. Call Sandra Network at 978-535-0202 #3 or [email protected]
  2. Ask about setting up LogMeIn for your business, or personal use
  3. Log into the new account
  4. Roll over in the sun and enjoy that margarita on the beach, while working on your computer in the stuffy old office.

There are many options, and you can get in touch with us to discuss some of them and break the leash of the office and get out and enjoy the sun while being productive.

Do you wanna cry? Call Sandra Network!

There is a new form of Ransomware out there, once again, Called WannaCry.

WannaCry

WannaCry Man

It encrypts the files on your machine, THEN demands an average of $300 in bitcoin. If payment is not received within three days, the demand doubles. Should, no action be taken after seven days, the affected files will be deleted.

What if I do not want to run my Windows updates, because some software will no longer run properly?

What can you do to prevent the WannaCry ransomware? There are steps that may be taken, should you not want to update Windows presently. The entry of the virus to your device, which is dependent on a gap in the Windows system and the gap is present in all types of Windows is that the feature is open. If you did not update your windows, turn off SMP . following are the steps.

  • Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features.
    • Select the Turn Windows features on or off option on the left
      Control Panel WannaCry

 

 

 

  • Remove check box SMB1.0/CIF File Sharing Support
    • File Sharing Support WannaCry

 

 

 

 

 

  • You must restart your computer to complete this change.
    • Once this is completed,  you are safe from this specific ransomware.

Keeping updates in order is usually the best option to prevent the introduction of WannaCry ransomware, but it is always good to STILL follow these guidelines:

  • If you receive a message from your friend with a link, ask him before opening the link to confirm, (infected machines send random messages with links).
  • Keep your files backed up regularly and periodically.
  • Be aware of fraudulent e-mail messages that use names similar to popular services such as ‘PayePal’ instead of ‘PayPal’ or use popular service names without commas or excessive characters.
  • Use anti virus and Always make have the last update.

If you still run into any issues, or it is too late, please contact our Support at Sandra Network