March 2021 Newsletter: Monthly Tech Update
Your monthly newsletter, written for humans, not geeks. Brought to you by Wired for the Future.
Would you know if you were being smished?
Smishing is the text message version of phishing. It’s where criminals send you a text, pretending to be a recognized business (like your bank or network provider), to try and get sensitive information from you.
They’ll ask you to click a link to check a bill or update account info. But if you click that link, you’ve potentially given them access to your device, passwords, and data. Terrifying!
How to protect yourself:
- Never click on links unless you’re 100% certain the sender is who they say they are.
- Verify independently: If unsure, contact the company on their official number to check.
- Too good to be true? It usually is. You didn’t really win that competition you never entered.
Latest Tech Alert: Block 99% of Hacks
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is now a vital part of your security. Microsoft says using it can block 99.9% of unauthorized access attempts. MFA requires a one-time code on a separate device to prove it’s really you logging in.
Make Your IT Budget Stretch Further
Cutting back on IT support is a bad idea that costs more in the long run. However, you should evaluate your devices. If a laptop is at the end of its lifespan, replacing it is often cheaper than trying to squeeze another year out of it through constant repairs.
Let us run a device health check to help you make long-term savings. Visit www.wiredforthefuture.com/contact to book a 15-minute video call.
Quick Tech Facts & Tips
“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” — Carl Sagan
- Samsung was founded in 1938 as a grocery store!
- Nintendo started as a playing card company in 1889.
- Only 40% of the planet is currently online.
Microsoft 365 Tip: Mute Teams Notifications
Sick of constant pings? Select the conversation, click ‘More options’, then ‘Turn off notifications’. You can turn them back on whenever you’re ready.
Is Your Data Truly Safe?
Backups: Do you back up off-site every day? With ransomware on the rise, an off-site backup is the only way to ensure your business survives a critical attack.
Encryption: Microsoft 365 encrypts data by default, but you need a documented standard for all your files. Stolen laptops put your data at risk every 53 seconds—encryption ensures that data remains unusable to thieves.
Common Tech Questions
How should we dispose of old devices?
Never just throw them away. Ensure they are fully wiped of all data, then recycle them.
Can I retrieve a deleted email in Outlook?
If it’s not in your deleted folder, click ‘Recover deleted items’ to find recently permanently deleted emails.
Why does my router keep prompting a reset?
It’s usually due to overheating, outdated firmware, or being overloaded. It may be time for a quality replacement with better coverage.
Get in Touch
CALL: 416.572.3805 | EMAIL: info@wiredforthefuture.com
WEBSITE: wiredforthefuture.com
