By Sergiu Gatlan - Microsoft: May Windows updates cause AD authentication failures (bleepingcomputer.com) Microsoft is investigating a known issue causing authentication failures for some Windows services after installing updates released during the May 2022 Patch Tuesday. This comes after Windows admins started sharing reports of some policies failing after installing this month's security updates with "Authentication failed due to a user credentials mismatch. Either the user name provided does not map to an existing account or the password was incorrect." errors. The issue impacts client and server Windows platforms and systems running all Windows versions, including the latest available releases (Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022). Microsoft says the known issue is only triggered after installing the updates on servers used as domain controllers. The updates will not negatively impact when deployed on client Windows devices and non-domain controller Windows Servers. "After installing updates released May 10, 2022 on your domain controllers, you might see authentication failures on the server or client for services such as Network Policy Server…
Nicholas SalemMay 12, 2022
The global damage of cybercrime has risen to an average of $11 million USD per minute, which is a cost of $190,000 each second.60% of small and mid-sized companies that have a data breach end up closing their doors within six months because they can’t afford the costs. The costs of falling victim to a cyberattack can include loss of business, downtime/productivity losses, reparation costs for customers that have had data stolen, and more.You may think that this means investing more in cybersecurity, and it is true that you need to have appropriate IT security safeguards in place (anti-malware, firewall, etc.). However, many of the most damaging breaches are due to common cybersecurity mistakes that companies and their employees make.The 2021 Sophos Threat Report, which looked at thousands of global data breaches, found that what it termed “everyday threats” were some of the most dangerous. The report stated, “A lack of attention to one or more aspects of basic security hygiene has been found to…
Nicholas SalemMay 10, 2022
Windows 11 has been out for a few months now, beginning rollout in October of 2021. It has been largely well-received and seen as stable with very few bugs noted.One of the reasons that Windows 11 has been welcomed with open arms for both home and business computer upgrades is that it isn’t a dramatic experience difference from Windows 10. This upgrade is mainly focused on helping users do tasks faster and find things more easily.If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to upgrade to Windows 11, we’ll go through several of the most helpful features below that might make you want to upgrade sooner rather than later.And if you have already upgraded your machine to Windows 11 or purchased a new PC with the OS installed, you’ll want to look over these features to make sure you haven’t been missing out on some productivity enhancers.Snap LayoutsImage CreditOne challenge that tends to be universal across multiple users is the struggle with trying…
Nicholas SalemMay 5, 2022
Unified communications are a go-to solution for business owners looking to streamline their businesses and increase employee productivity in the long term. See how it benefits your business.Providing high-quality communication channels is crucial for any company. After all, it promotes cross-department collaboration and faster exchange of ideas. Since phones often don’t suffice for this, many business owners turn to unified communications. But what exactly is unified communication?This article explains just that. Read on to discover the main concepts of this approach and how you can use it to help your business achieve success. What Is Unified Communications?Image CreditUnified communications is an all-in-one platform that unifies phone, video, screen sharing, chat, and file management into a single space. It’s a ready-to-use system that allows for seamless communication in numerous ways. The system operates as a cloud, making it easily accessible to all team members with access to the internet. But why should anyone consider switching to unified communications?There are several reasons, but this is the most crucial: Business leaders who adopt it…
Nicholas SalemApril 30, 2022
Hardly any phone call system in a business beats VoIP when it comes to efficiency and flexibility. However, it’s not immune to cyberattacks. Discover how you can secure your VoIP ASAP.What kind of communication system are you using for your business?I asked because many modern-day businesses have now switched to the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This technology allows employees to perform voice calls using only their internet connection. It’s often a wise choice considering that using VoIP comes with several benefits to a business.Among its benefits include lower operating costs, greater convenience than traditional services, increased accessibility, higher scalability, and the ability to multitask. VoIP also comes with advanced features for teams of all sizes, is completely portable, and offers superior voice quality. However, VoIP systems also have limitations, with cyberattacks being their number one downside. The good news is that it’s possible to protect a business’s VoIP system from hackers. And if you already implemented this in your business, it’s not too late to secure it.Read…
Nicholas SalemApril 25, 2022
A torn-down virtual infrastructure creates risks for any business. And it can have a significant impact on how quickly you can retrieve your data and resume operations following an attack.These days, many businesses use virtualized infrastructure for more straightforward data storage. It’s because this approach is superior to physical solutions due to enhanced flexibility, straightforward provisioning, and affordable pricing. However, this model also requires a comprehensive approach to security. There’s a much greater risk of data loss, as many tools and practices for physical data protection are nearly useless in the virtual setting. Virtual threats are different, that’s why you need to think beyond traditional perimeter protection. So, if you’re using a virtualized infrastructure for data storage, keep reading. This article discusses the risks of improper virtualized infrastructure security and talks about ways you can improve it. Don’t Leave Your Virtualized Infrastructure to ChanceVirtualization security is crucial for every business’s security strategy. After all, we now live in a world of virtualized environments and need to apply security to all…
Nicholas SalemApril 20, 2022
OneNote is a digital note-taking tool that comes with plenty of benefits for users. But what you may not have realized yet is how powerful this app can be for enhancing team collaboration. Note-taking.This is an essential part of day-to-day operations for many business owners, managers, and teams. After all, people can’t rely on their memory alone to recall everything that gets talked about each day. Especially when it concerns important matters. When it comes to note-taking, traditional methods such as pen and paper are effective but take too long. But modern-day businesses need something that allows them to work faster. That’s why they opt for digital solutions like OneNote.OneNote is a productivity tool that leverages cloud and Microsoft technologies to make information capturing, storage, and sharing a breeze. Think of OneNote as a hub for all notes that allows you to organize them in many ways. It even allows pinning multimedia documents next to simple text. So, if you’re looking for a robust digital note-taking tool, OneNote may…
Nicholas SalemApril 15, 2022
Google Drive is more than a file-sharing platform. It allows you to streamline your work in ways you never thought were possible. Learn how it can help boost workplace productivity. Did you know that something as simple as organizing your business is crucial to success?The truth is that dealing with messy files and folders is of no help to you or your colleagues and clients. Instead, it keeps you unproductive and negatively impacts your business in so many ways. Fortunately, Google Drive can be of great help in this area. Especially when it comes to improving workflow in a business. This suite of apps has tons of features that can help the whole team be more effective at handling their workload. For example, you can organize your folders on a cloud platform starting with 15GB worth of space, do file backups, share files, etc. You can also share your PDFs, audio, photos, slides, and important work files in one place. Overall, you can maximize your productivity on Google Drive…
Nicholas SalemApril 10, 2022
Printing devices are often overlooked when it comes to security. But the reality is, cybercriminals can hack your printer to get confidential information. Your printer is probably the last piece of computer equipment you thought needed protection from cybercriminals. But the truth is very different. Attackers actively try to locate the weakest links in security to gain access to and exploit valuable data. And among the weakest links is the printer.The thing with printers nowadays is that they have access to your devices, network, and the internet. This new open-access functionality makes them an ideal target for cyberattacks. Unfortunately, many business owners overlook the importance of securing their printers and mainly focus on computers and mobile phones. Most people still perceive printers as internal devices that serve basic functions. For this very reason, they are an easy target for cybercriminals.Other than performing unauthorized print jobs, hackers can access confidential information as well as all connected computers and networks all through a printer. You may also not be aware of the…
Nicholas SalemApril 5, 2022