When you sign up for internet service, the provider will hook you up with an email address, too. Your internet service provider (ISP) wants to keep you connected to them. But this convenient email address isn’t always the best long-term solution for you.

That “yourname@ispprovider.com" email address may work fine. You use it to keep in touch with your family and friends, you get bills to that address, and you’ve used it to login to your social media and online news and shopping sites. But relying on your ISP for your email address may not be the best strategy for you. Here are some drawbacks to consider.

#1 If you rely on your @isprovider.com address, you could end up locked in with poor service or high prices. You feel stuck because you can’t take your email address with you if you want to switch providers.

#2 Internet service providers are not in the email business, whereas email providers such as Gmail and Outlook are always working to improve. Your ISP may not have updated its email offerings for a decade.

#3 Most ISPs have very limited storage space for email, which can make your service less reliable and convenient.

#4 Also, ISPs don’t make the same effort to keep your email secure and your inbox spam free. A provider more focused on email services offers more sophisticated filtering. ISP emails usually have primitive spam filtering that is easy to bypass.

#5 With an ISP email, your email is often accessible only on the provider’s mail servers, and you need to be able to access those servers to get to your emails. A cloud-based email provider lets you access your inbox via a Web browser. So, it doesn’t matter where in the world you are; you can still get access.

#6 You might be supporting a local ISP with your business. If that smaller provider goes belly up, however, your email address is gone forever, too.

Making the Switch to a Dedicated Email Provider
You may feel compelled to remain loyal to your ISP because changing your email address is a headache. Yet migrating to a Web-based email provider on your terms will help.
You'll have a smoother transition if your ISP allows you to download your current address book.
Fortunately, once you make the switch to a Web/cloud-based email provider, you can move ISPs without it making any difference to your email communications.
You could even pay a small fee to upgrade your email with a custom domain name. Maybe you’ve always wanted to have your email come from @yourlastname.com, because it looks cool.
If you are a business owner, you should have your email come from @yourbusiness.com. This not only looks more professional, but reinforces your branding, and gives you full control over your business communications. Relying on free, personal email services may be convenient, but it creates more problems (and expenses) than it solves.

Whether you’re using an ISP or Web/cloud-based email provider, it’s also a good idea to back up your emails. By downloading and backing up your email, you gain more control and peace of mind.
 
We can help you find the right email provider or ISP for your needs. We’ll help you migrate your email, and we can set up a backup too. Let us help you, visit our new office at 219 N Washington St, Thorp today!

Fresh-baked cookies are yummy, but you may not have the same positive associations with cookies on your computer. Here’s what you need to know about cookies and what they mean for your internet browsing.
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Cookies have been around for a long time, but new laws now require websites to ask for your permission to use them. You’ve likely noticed more sites informing you that “this website uses cookies,” and they’ll ask you to click to accept the use of cookies. But what exactly are you agreeing to?
A website cookie is a small piece of text the website you are visiting stores on your computer.
Cookies are equivalent to your ticket to get onto the website. Website owners track your individualized code to gather information.
Cookies tell the website that the user has been to the site before. The website can recall personal login information and other preferences. A shopping site will remember your cart and let you continue shopping or suggest other goods you might like.

Viewing and Controlling Cookies 
So, why are sites asking for permission to store their cookies on your computer? Users are more concerned now about the digital footprint they are leaving on the Web: they want to protect their Web history.
Let’s be clear. When you accept a cookie, you are not allowing access to your computer or any of your personal data, unless you have knowingly provided it as you do when online shopping, that is.
Also, it’s not possible to execute code from a cookie. That means a bad actor can’t use a cookie to deliver a virus or malware.
Overall, cookies on their own are safe. Agreeing to first-party cookies from the website simplifies session management, personalization, and tracking.
The danger comes from third-party cookies generated by advertisers or analytics companies. Say, for instance, you surf to a webpage that has 10 ads on it. You don’t even have to click on any of those ads to generate 10 cookies. These cookies track your browsing history across the Web on any site carrying their ads. That’s why people are becoming more wary of the privacy implications.
 
That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles
Users can make their own cookie choices. Those who allow cookies will enjoy a more streamlined Web surfing experience. Those who don't want cookies tracking their browsing history will opt out. Without cookies these users have to re-enter their data every time they visit a website.
Often you can control your cookies in your browser settings. In Google Chrome, for example, you’d select “Settings” from the menu drop down in the upper-right corner, then “show advanced settings” and then “content settings.” In the Cookies section you might choose “Keep local data only until you quit your browser” and “block third-party cookies and site data.”
If you’re really annoyed by the pop-ups asking you about cookie use, you can install a browser add-on, too. The “Incognito” mode on your browser can be used to save cookies for the current session, but when you close the browser the cookies will be deleted.

We can help you minimize the extent to which you are being tracked on the internet. Contact our IT experts today at 715-669-6136!

If you’re in the mood for some real cookies, we serve home-baked cookies on the first Thursday of every month for Coffee and Cookie Thursday at our offices in downtown Thorp. Stop by and join us for the next one!

​Your computer is down for the count. You’ve tried the perennial favorite – turning it off and back on again – but somehow, your tech magic has not worked this time! You need help, and you want it fast. The question is whether to take it to a local computer business or big-box store for repair.
 
Many big-box stores offer depot computer repair. Why are we calling it depot repair? Because just like at a bus or train depot, that store is only one stop on your computer’s repair journey. Typically, the store does not have the facilities to repair your laptop or desktop on-site. Also, their employees lack the skills to do the work right there.
 
Instead, that computer, along with all your important files, is shipped on to another location. This presents some problems:
 

• Computers can get damaged in shipping/handling.
• Accountability is lost when the device is passing through a chain of people.
• You don’t know where your computer is at any given time.
• It’s return to you slowed by shipping times.

 
That’s why we recommend getting your computers repaired at a local business with the skills and facilities to do the work on-site.
 
Benefits of Small Business Repair 
When you take your device to a locally owned small business, you know at all times who is handling your computer. You often hand over your laptop or desktop to the person fixing it, or at least to someone who is in direct contact with the person doing the repair.
 
Fewer people are going to have their hands on your device. You’re not dropping it off at one location to travel to another location via a major shipping company’s trucks, which means there’s greater accountability.
 
Another advantage is that should something come up while your computer is in for repair, you could actually get to your device, because it’s not on a loading dock or in some pile of laptops in a manufacturer’s centralized computer repair shop. You can simply take your thumb drive down the road and ask to power the computer on and retrieve what you need, assuming that the device still turns on, that is.
 
Selecting the Small Business for Your Repair 
When selecting a local computer business to do the repair, do your research first. It’s a good idea to ask about the following:

• Qualifications - Do they have experience with devices like yours, and licenses and credentials?
• Services - You don’t want to be looking to fix a cracked screen and go to someone who focuses on retrieving lost data.
• Customer service record - Look for testimonials – you can also check this with business monitoring groups in your area and on community website boards.
• Savings - If you don’t want to have to buy a new computer, work with a business that is in the habit of reviving old devices.
• Flexibility - When you’re anxious to get your computer back, you’re going to want someone available right away. Don’t let this cloud your judgment, though.

 
Some local computer experts will be able to fix your problems without you needing to go to them. Depending on the issue, they may be able to resolve the situation using remote access software, or they could be willing to come to you.
 
If you’re looking for a partner with a proven track record of giving quality computer service, stop by and visit us today!

A few months ago we thought working from home would be temporary: a couple of weeks of remote work was going to help corral this coronavirus thing, and we’d get back to usual. Now we know better, and the things we could put up with in the short-term loom as bigger challenges. Poor internet connectivity is one of those.
Many home internet connections were fine before. Someone in the family could be streaming Netflix, and another person could be checking email or paying bills – no biggie. Yet the demands on the internet connection have grown exponentially. People still want to do all those things, but students are also connecting to online learning platforms. Employees are logging in to video conferences, too.
Many businesses and their employees have seen the benefits of working from home during the pandemic. However, as remote work becomes a long-term solution, people can’t continue making do with subpar internet connectivity. What can be done?
 
Improving Internet Connectivity
Internet connections vary widely depending on where you are. You could enjoy blazing fast internet that allows you to upload large files in minutes even while someone else blasts zombies in a multi-player video game. Yet a few streets away, a user lacks the bandwidth to participate in a conference call without connectivity issues.
Home office internet connectivity depends on several factors, one of which is your internet service provider (ISP). Some ISPs simply aren’t as good. They may be cheaper, but they could be overselling their capabilities, which results in slowdowns. Higher-priced ISPs are less likely to have this problem. You may gain speed by simply switching to a different provider.
The kind of network connectivity available is also a consideration. Perhaps your network provider’s signal is carried over copper wiring. If that’s the case, the internet signal degrades with distance. Those physically further away from the exchange will have slower internet than someone closer in. Unless you want to move houses, there’s not a lot you can do about this one.
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Still, fiber-optic cables are increasingly available in different areas. The ISPs charge more for these connections, but reliability benefits. Fiber loses only 3% of its signal over distances greater than 100 meters, whereas copper can lose up to 94%! At the same time, fiber is more durable and lacks the conductivity issues of copper, which can be vulnerable to power lines, lightning, and signal-scrambling.
Another factor may be the plan you’re on. The ISP may have a 100+ Mbps plan, and you’re only on the 12 Mbps plan. That was enough before, but you may want to upgrade now that so many devices are connecting to the internet at the same time.
Find out also if your plan is subject to a data cap. Some ISPs set up a data threshold limiting the amount of data you can use in a month or at particular times of the day.
 
Get Expert Insight into Your Internet
You might also benefit from upgrading your home internet connections. An IT expert can come in and take a look at the hardware you’re using to get online. There could be some quick connectivity gains with an upgraded router or gateway, or moving your wireless access points.
 
Our IT gurus can also determine whether a Wi-Fi booster or mesh solution would help. In your area, you may have a 4G or 5G wireless option. It’s more expensive but can be another way to get the speed you need. Point-to-point Wi-Fi might also be an option. If you’re within range of a location providing business-grade internet, it may work to set up a dish on your roof. Of course, geography matters in this case, as you need a line-of-sight connection to the signal source.
Now that work from home is stretching long term, consider how you can upgrade your internet connection at home. Support remote work, student online learning, and other ways you use your bandwidth by getting the best you can. Visit our offices at 219 N Washington St, downtown Thorp today!

Technology is the lifeblood of business today, and you likely have a lot of it. But you may have accumulated software and hardware as you grew. Now, you have a hodgepodge of technologies never designed to work together. Consolidation can help.
Large corporations can afford an in-house IT team to keep track of all the hardware and software, but small- to medium-sized businesses often need help. Managing computers and mobile devices, and telephony print and fax systems can be overwhelming. Then, there’s all the software you need to secure, not to mention setting up data recovery in case of a disaster or emergency.
Consolidating your technology offers several benefits to companies of all sizes. A managed service provider can help.

#1 Increased Efficiency
If there’s a problem with your printers, phones, or Internet connection, you call your provider. When many vendors offer each of these services, you make several calls, which means waiting on the phone with a printer tech, phone company, or internet service provider (ISP).
When you connect with customer support, they can address only issues in one area of concern. The ISP isn’t going to know anything about your phone service, and the phone company knows zilch about printers. This disjointedness can waste a lot of time.
With an MSP, you need to make one call only. The support person will know and understand your entire system. They offer input based on how different technology interacts.

#2 Cost Savings
Lacking a holistic view of your technology and its interactions, you can end up wasting money. You might invest in a new feature for voice over IP, duplicating a capability you already have online.
Consolidating your technology with a single provider can also streamline costs. The first thing an MSP will do is to map out how your technology works together. Armed with an understanding of business needs and goals, they’ll make recommendations. You may be able to cut back on services in one area with a simple upgrade in another. Perhaps you’re paying for software licenses you no longer need. Plus, the MSP identifies opportunities for cost savings gained from bundling services.
The MSP typically charges a monthly, consolidated fee. Instead of managing several bills for every technology, you pay a single, consistent fee, which also makes budgeting much easier.

#3 Business Agility
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that business needs to be nimble. Yet your ability to react can be slower working with many different vendors. Simplifying your processes can streamline your response times.
An MSP will take a proactive approach to overseeing your technology needs. They want you to avoid disruptions in the first place. Partner with an MSP to keep technology current, security up to date, and systems upgraded. This frees up what IT staff you have on-site to do more business- and revenue-generating work.

#4 Supportive Partner
Individual vendors focus on selling you their particular services or systems. The overall interplay of your technology isn’t their primary concern. Yet ensuring all your technology interacts effectively and efficiently is what the MSP does best.
 
Working with an MSP you gain a business partner that cares about your success. The MSP’s job is to determine whether:
·         your business could be performing better;
·         your team could be collaborating more;
·         your processes could be more efficient;
·         you have the right answers to cybersecurity risks and issues;
·         your business has the best technological tools to meet its needs.
 
An MSP offers a single point of contact. That contact will understand your entire setup and how it works together. The MSP will help you make better purchasing decisions. Plus, as a true business partner, an MSP supports your agility and success. Find out more about what we can do for you today! Visit our offices at 219 N Washington St, downtown Thorp.

You love your technology and probably have a lot of it at home. You might not think of computers, smartphones, printers, or routers as a fire risk, but they can do real damage.
Microwaves, laundry machines, and air conditioners are the top sources of residential fires, but computer equipment is also responsible for fires that injure and kill homeowners.

So, what should you do? Keep in mind that your technology generates heat when it’s switched on; that’s why it’s designed with venting. But desktops, laptops, routers, modems, and printers can all overheat.
Desktop computers have fans to push out the air, but they can get clogged with dust or blocked. Often, we’ll see computers pushed up again a wall, covered with papers, or kept in a small alcove that gets no airflow.

Laptops can also overheat. People often sit with their laptops literally on their lap, or on a blanket or pillow. If you’re blocking the device’s exhaust port, the laptop can’t cool down.
Air also needs to get into the device to cool it, but that won't happen properly if dust or pet hair clogs the vents. Your precious technology could overheat and cause a fire or stop functioning effectively because it has to work harder all the time.
 
Other Tech-Related Fire Threats
A rat’s nest of cables represents a fire risk. You should always try to avoid overloading your circuits with too much electrical load. You can also upgrade your electrical wiring and go with heavy-duty extension cords.

Charging cords and overheated batteries are another issue. You’ve probably heard of airlines banning certain smartphones because they have been known to spontaneously combust.
You can prevent charger and battery damage by choosing brand-name items. Third-party chargers for phones, tablets, and laptops can save money, but they are often cheaper because they lack safety features. If your charger sets your room on fire, your cost savings go up in flames.
You might also think about getting an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This battery backup supplies power if your regular power source fails. It can also prevent power surges and allow for safe shutdown of connected equipment.

Finally, plan to get your computer cleaned annually. You might do this yourself, but many people prefer to hire a computer tech for help. While we’re at it, we can also perform a Tune Up on your device to make sure it’s ready for all you need to do.

Whether its computer cleaning, or setting up safe wiring or a UPS, we can help protect your home. Visit us today at 219 N Washington St, Downtown Thorp!

Cybercrooks are disturbing people. Consider job-search scams. With the world economy reeling, bad actors are capitalizing on people’s desperation. They’re targeting those looking for work. There are steps you can take to filter out illegitimate opportunities.
Cybercriminals like to be timely. Plus, appealing to people’s emotions improves their success rate, so it’s not that surprising that there’s been an uptick in job-listing scams in 2020. The bad guys are betting people will be less cautious when they see an attractive job offer. Don’t be their victim. Take these steps instead.

Read the Job Description Carefully
This means:
·         Looking for grammatical or spelling errors. As with other cyberscams, someone who is not a native speaker of the posting’s language may write the listing.
·         Being wary of phrases designed to communicate urgency or a too-good-to-be-true offer. You wouldn't expect to see “quick earning potential” or “unlimited money” in a legit posting.
·         Search for specificity. A legitimate listing will list job responsibilities and industry credentials. Someone faking it is less likely to be able to use the industry vocabulary.

Be Wary of Instant Hiring
No matter the industry, few positions are filled immediately. You should expect the recruiting process to take time. If you are being pressured to take hiring steps urgently, that should be a red flag. Get an email congratulating you on earning the position before you’ve met with anyone? Proceed with caution.

Question Modes of Communication
Job scammers will rely on online chat interviews and email. If you don't speak in person with someone, it will be more difficult for you to confirm legitimacy. With emails, read the return address carefully. A scam job might use a close approximation to a big brand to add credibility. (You have to look closely to distinguish between nationalbank.com and nationlbank.com.)
A good strategy is to search the company’s website for a job listing. If you don’t see the role you’re interested in posted, investigate further.

Don’t Pay for A Job Opportunity
Don't pay an upfront fee for a background check, uniform, or some other testing or training. Don't provide any of your private personal information at the outset either. Don’t send tax or banking details before a formal offer of employment. Even then, be aware that some scammers take it from start to finish, including interview and job offer.
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Trust Your Instincts
If the job sounds amazing, and you can’t believe how perfect it is, scrutinize the posting. A listing posting an exorbitant fee for easy work or telling you about the stupendous success of another candidate is likely a fraud. Confirm standard job expectations and salary with an online search of career listings.
Falling prey to a job or other cyberfraud can leave you vulnerable to more than disappointment. Victims report loss of money, identity theft, or computer hacking, and more. An IT expert can help with security patches and system upgrades to keep your devices and network safe.

 By Anderson De Paiva Gabriel | UWire
Facial recognition, drones, heat maps, massive data processing and cellphone monitoring: Decades ago, they appeared only in science fiction movies, but in recent years, they have been increasingly applied for security purposes. With the world combating the coronavirus, the integrated use of such technologies has become a global phenomenon.

Although such measures are aimed at the public health emergency, how can we guarantee that the databases and applications developed for protecting the population‘s health will not be directed toward not-so-noble purposes and prioritize privacy? It is imperative to deepen the debate about the use of these tools, expanding the understanding of where, how and when to apply them in an ethical, fair way to communities worldwide.

In Israel, the security service Shin Bet has started to employ a powerful surveillance program used to fight terrorism to monitor patients with COVID-19 and possible carriers in order to retrace their movements. Despite having identified 500 infected individuals, Israel‘s highest court ruled that without special legislation authorizing the program and drawing specific limits, the Shin Bet has no authority to track civilians in its efforts to contain the crisis. The risk of a dangerous invasion of privacy that would undermine democracy was the primary concern, and it is a valid one.

In Brazil, COVID-19 has concentrated efforts around heat maps. In this way, states were able to consult aggregated and non-individualized information on population displacement in real time and in different locations to assess the efficiency of social isolation measures and facilitate decision-making. There are also companies monitoring 60 million cellphones using GPS data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, under the claim that data collection occurred with the permission of the applications’ users, negating possible privacy concerns.

In Russia, even phone and credit card data have been used to map those who made contact with infected people and must be quarantined, in addition to the robust system of 170,000 cameras and facial recognition. At the end of March, Moscow police reportedly identified and fined more than 200 people who allegedly violated quarantine and self-isolation orders. A Russian media report pointed out that some of the alleged offenders had been away from home less than half a minute before they were caught by a camera, displaying the cutting effectiveness of this technology that disregards the privacy of those it monitors.
But on top of these privacy worries, there are doubts about the effectiveness of such methods. Smartphone use is far from ubiquitous, even in affluent countries. It is also essential for the device to constantly be on, with the app installed, as well as with GPS and Bluetooth activated. Moreover, users, once infected, must register it on the app in order for the program to function.

Other countries have implemented similar contact tracing applications, generally supported by GPS or Bluetooth smartphones, which seek to catalog all personal interactions that their carriers have had over the past 14 days. The moment that one of these individuals tests positive for COVID-19, messages are sent to the entire network of people who have been in contact with the infected person, warning them to quarantine. But GPS data raises special concern regarding privacy violations. If analyzed over time, this information can easily reveal not only the identity of each “anonymized point” on the map, but also tastes, routines and has even exposed marital infidelities.

In some situations, the public’s concerns regarding privacy have come to fruition. A security breach in Qatar of one of these applications exposed sensitive data from more than 1 million people. In North Dakota, it was discovered that a similar application was passing data to Google and Foursquare, further revealing that the widespread privacy concerns are not without foundation or reason.
In the United States, San Francisco banned the police from using facial recognition technologies on the grounds that the use of technology would jeopardize civil rights and freedoms. Data capture has increasingly sought to reach sensitive human information. Images taken in public places can, for example, lead to biometric data drawn on faces and possible inferences about the individual‘s religion and racial or ethnic origin.

Do you remember that free and harmless app you downloaded that asked for enduring access to your GPS and Bluetooth? Such information was requested to be collected and passed on to “partner applications” after being properly monetized, for treatment on different purposes. The next time you encounter these permits, it’d be wise not to click “accept” without further reflection.
Technological mechanisms can be essential for human development and, immediately, to overcome this unfortunate pandemic. Far from defending the abolition of these technological tools, foster public debate in order to promote their improvement and adequacy. We must keep in mind that such mechanisms should aim to maximize human well-being and dignity, true foundations of democracies worldwide.
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This article was written by Anderson De Paiva Gabriel from UWire and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

Your business has the OK to go ahead and get back to work on-site. You want to return to your office, but you don’t want to risk people’s health by doing so. After all, some say it’s too soon to go back. Plus, others predict a second wave of COVID-19 is likely. These suggestions can help you return to work while prioritizing safety.

Not everyone will welcome the call back to the corporate environment. Some employees may still be in a population vulnerable to the virus. They may want to take leave instead of returning to the work environment. Others may simply not show up. Have your HR team send out a written notice informing employees of the timeline for returning to the office. Educate them about precautions you’re taking to provide a safe work environment. Ask for a written response of people’s intentions. Then, IT can start establishing procedures for getting everyone back to work.

You may have had great success with remote working during the quarantine. This could position you to allow workers to stay home if they are at risk or oppose the idea of returning “too soon.” For those coming back, support social distancing by phasing in people's return. Your business could also use a hybrid IT solution to allow people to come in just three days a week, and they could continue to work two days at home. This allows staggered re-entry and reduces the numbers of people on-site at the same time.

Back-to-Work Technology
You may be thinking you already have all the tech you need to go back to the office. C’mon, you were already working from there before this whole thing started. Plus, now you have all the new tools you added to support remote-employee productivity.
Still, you may not have invested in a long-term remote-work solution that will now support a hybrid model. Or perhaps the on-site technology you’ve long relied on isn’t meant to handle remote working for the long haul.
To achieve a flexible hybrid model, go with cloud solutions or expand on-site IT. Do you need to add infrastructure to handle remote employees using virtual private networks (VPNs)? Both on-site staff and off-site workers might need to securely access systems at the same time.
Adopting cloud collaboration software allows co-workers to access network resources simultaneously, regardless of location. Or with virtual desktops, employees can access the same files and business applications on their work machine or on a personal device.
Bringing people back to the office, you’ll want to rethink the physical setup. Support social distancing by spreading employees’ seating arrangements out more. This will require moving around computer hardware, too.
If you were previously sharing technology, you’ll also need to add more desktops. Or you might invest instead in more laptops or portable devices. This could mean securing more software, too.

Added IT Precautions
Finally, cybercriminals are opportunistic. They’re already exploiting people with malware promising vaccines or cheap masks. These bad actors are also looking to exploit the tech demands on businesses. Many businesses adapted to a new way of doing things: they moved files to the cloud, and they allowed employee access from personal devices, but they did so quickly.
 
Explore any new vulnerabilities from your transitions. This is a good time to double-check permissions. Ensure that accountant Jane can access staff wage data but that receptionist Jenny can’t. Also, confirm that all virus protection and security patches are current.
Active planning is the answer to a smooth return to work. While offering protective coverings and ramping up cleaning in the office is important, make sure that you don’t overlook your technology needs.
Stop by our new offices located at 219 N Washington St, downtown Thorp!

Many families today have a shared home computer to help with day-to-day activities. A teen can search for a job and stream shows. A parent can check work emails, pay household bills, and shop online. A youngster can play an educational game to buy Mom or Dad a few minutes of peace. Yet with COVID-19 sending so many people home to work, the shared computer is getting a lot more use.

Not every employee was lucky enough to get sent home with a business laptop. Some employers ask you to use your own computer. At the same time, you may also be accommodating kids doing online learning, and those little ones still want to go online and point and click to help Elmo plan a birthday party.

But sharing the computer can now present a security risk. You may have important work documents on the home computer. You could log in to the business network unaware of malware downloaded onto your home device, and, of course, that malicious software isn’t doing your home computer any favors either.
With so many people using the computer, make sure to set up virus protection on your home device. Additionally, you may set security patching and software upgrades to happen automatically. One of your young users could be seeing the message requiring an update and ignoring it. That leaves you unaware the software is vulnerable to bugs or threats.

Setting Up Personal Profiles
With everyone sharing the desktop, your work is at risk. You could have downloaded a spreadsheet containing employee personal identification information. That represents a compliance risk if another user inadvertently accesses the document. Or you could lose hours of work. Someone else might drag that project you’ve been working on to the trash with a school assignment rubric.
Our IT experts can set up different account profiles for each user. Doing this not only helps to secure your work from home but can also add protection for your kids.

The immediate appeal is personalizing the desktop for the individual user. Your kids can pick their own home screen backdrops and menu bars. You might not need access to Netflix, but your teen is thrilled to have it right there on the desktop. For smaller children, you can make icons and text bigger. Set up narration to give yourself a break from the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon.
For parents, security advantages of the profiles include being able to set up the following:

·        Web filtering enables you to set rules to screen incoming Web pages. This can help avoid children seeing explicit content or accessing a malicious site. You might also limit Web browsing to particular sites.
·        App limitations can ban kids from buying and downloading certain apps or making in-app purchases. For older kids you could require parental permission first.
·        You can set up Screentime limits for particular sites (e.g. Netflix or YouTube) or allow young people to access online content only at certain hours of the day.
·        Age restrictions allow you to filter mature content from search results. These also filter what apps, games, and media the young user can view or buy.
Individual profiles also make it easier for parents to track online activity and computer use. We can even set it up for you to receive reports on Web browsing and application use.
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Secure your work from home and protect your family of users. Get help setting up the right controls for your home computer needs. Visit us online at www.YellowstoneComputing.com or visit our new store at 219 N Washington St, downtown Thorp. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.