​Merry Christmas Everyone!
The end of the year is upon us, and I wanted to take a few minutes to reach out to express our gratitude. This past year has challenged us, and me personally in many ways. We’ve had some staff changes, I was ill for over a month, we’ve been in the process of upgrading and enhancing our infrastructure behind the scenes, and we’re still working through the ongoing supply challenges. While these things have stretched us on many fronts, God has been faithful to provide for every need.
​
Looking forward to the coming year, you’ll see a few changes. We want to extend a warm welcome to Wyatt LeCloux, our newest service technician. Wyatt is from Thorp and is a great addition to our team. You’ll be seeing him a lot in the coming months, whether at our store or onsite at your location. Don’t worry, I’ll still be around plenty!

In October our new sign was installed on the building. It’s a bit high, but it can be seen farther away. I’ve also been able to squeeze in some time to decorate the new store. Last year all my focus was on getting up and running so it’s nice to be able to add some special details to the space.

We also have a new website launching soon. Our current site has served us well but it’s long overdue for a facelift. That’s also one of the reasons I haven’t been posting our articles as regularly recently; they’ll soon be back and better than ever, along with our monthly newsletter!

I know that this year has been challenging for all of you as well and at times we have struggled to be able to respond to your needs as quickly as we have in the past. Our gratitude to you for your patience with us during these trying times has been appreciated more than I can adequately convey, and I want you to know that it hasn’t gone unnoticed. On behalf of myself, my family, and the rest of our team, we thank you for your patronage and we look forward to serving you in the coming year!
 

 Part 2 of a guest series by Sai Kit Chu | Business2Community

Safe Computing Tip #3 – Beware of Phishing Emails & Social Engineering
These phishing safe computing tips are absolutely essential for any employee with internet access. According to the Verizon report a vast majority of malware is delivered via email. Business email compromise (BEC) is a pervasive threat that you need to be aware of to use computers safely.
A report from Tessian found that a staggering 1 in 4 employees have admitted to clicking on a phishing email at work. According to a report from PhishMe employees who have opened a phishing email in the past are 67% more likely to fall for a future phishing attempt.

Phishing is a type of fraud that uses fake emails, text messages, or social media messages to convince you to click a link, fill out a form, provide sensitive information, transfer funds, or take other actions that benefit the attacker. Phishing is a constant threat to data security. It is responsible for 22% of the data breaches studied in the Verizon report. Cybercriminals use phishing attacks to compromise accounts, steal company funds and breach sensitive data.

Social Engineering is an advanced form of social manipulation where an attacker convinces an employee to provide confidential information or unauthorized access to corporate systems.
Social engineering can be as simple as pretending to be a contractor in order to gain physical access to the office or as advanced as impersonating an executive to trick you into providing them with confidential information.

Phishing cybersecurity tips for employees:

1. Learn about anti-phishing best practices and follow them. Your employer should provide you with anti-phishing training that includes phishing simulations, examples of phishing emails, and procedures for reporting phishing attempts to your IT department.
2. Treat every email that demands non-public information, files, or unexpected requests with suspicion – especially if it tries to force you to rush the request. If a request sounds dubious, take the time to call the requester and verify that their demands are legitimate.
3. If you receive a suspected phishing email, report it to your IT department so they can investigate. Your employer may even be performing a phishing simulation that tracks how well employees respond to phishing attacks.
   
   

Safe Computing Tip #4 – Use Strong, Unique and Confidential Passwords
Following these password hygiene computing tips are essential for protecting data. Unfortunately, poor password hygiene is far too prevalent – a shocking 59% of users surveyed in the LastPass Psychology of Passwords Report admit to reusing passwords!
Your passwords must be unique, private, and easy for you to remember without being easy for an attacker to guess. Along with a strong password, you should use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible; this forces a would-be attacker to bypass multiple authentication measures (a password + biometrics, a PIN number, etc.) before they can breach an account.
​
Password Security Tips for Employees:

1. Do not reuse passwords. If a data breach ever leaks one of your accounts the attacker could gain access to other accounts using your reused passwords.
2. Use company-provided authentication measures such as a password manager or Identity Access Management (IAM) solution.
3. Do not leave passwords in an insecure location such as a post-it note, journal or unencrypted text file.
4. Do not share your passwords or accounts with coworkers. Every employee must have their own unique login credentials so that their activity can be accurately monitored and managed by the IT department.
5. Make long and simple passwords. Think of your password as more of a passphrase. Use a series of unrelated words to create long, simple passwords rather than short and complex ones. Passphrases are easier for you to remember and harder for attackers to brute force or guess.

 Part 1 of a guest series by Sai Kit Chu | Business2Community
As an employee, you are a valuable target for attackers. Follow these safe computing tips to protect your workplace against some of the most common cybersecurity risks.

Safe Computing Tip #1 – Understand Your Role in Corporate Cybersecurity
As an employee, you are your company's first line of defense against cybersecurity threats. While IT administrators will do everything they can to make your day-to-day work experience as secure as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to practice safe computing in the workplace.
The 2020 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that 30% of all data breaches involved internal actors. 37% of these breaches were caused by stolen or compromised credentials, 22% by errors, and 8% by misuse of authorized users. By learning all you can, following corporate security policies, and following our safe computing tips you can help protect your organization against IT security vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity Culture Tips for Employees:

1. Understand and follow all company policies regarding data security and confidentiality.
2. Be an advocate for safe computing in your workplace by explaining the purpose of your organization's cybersecurity practices to your coworkers and demonstrating the best practices.
3. Help bridge the gap between IT security and employee productivity by informing your manager about any security-related frustrations your coworkers have.
   
   

Safe Computing Tip #2 – Avoid Using Shadow IT in The Workplace
Shadow IT – also known as Stealth IT, Client IT, or Fake IT – is any system, solution, or software you use for work without the knowledge and approval of your IT department.
Shadow IT poses a unique threat to cybersecurity as the technologies are not under the control of the IT department. These applications, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products, and other shadow technologies put corporate data at risk because they are not being appropriately secured.

Examples of Shadow IT:

• Transferring corporate data to personally managed cloud storage accounts and USB storage devices
• Signing up for corporate SaaS accounts without approval of the IT department
• Using personal devices for work purposes without a formal Bring Your Own Device policy
• Using unofficial communication tools for work (Slack, Discord, etc)

These shadow IT safe computing tips do not just apply to software with viruses and other malware, either. The shadow technologies themselves may not even be inherently insecure. Platforms, services, and applications that are widely used in business settings may simply become insecure due to the lack of visibility and control the corporate IT department has over them.

A personal cloud storage account, for example, could be used to transfer work-related files to a coworker. However, if that data falls under a protected class such as personally identifiable information (PII), then your ability to access that data outside of work would be a violation of corporate and regulatory data security compliance standards.
​
Shadow IT Cybersecurity Tips for Employees:

1. Do not use unapproved technology in the workplace.
2. Encourage your coworkers to use officially supported solutions.
3. If a particular shadow technology fulfills a highly desired need in the workplace, advocate for its official adoption.
4. Report suspected shadow IT usage to your IT admin or manager.

An old-time radio show used to start with the promise “The Shadow knows!” Yet when it comes to shadow IT, the problem is the exact opposite. Shadow IT is the stuff employees download onto a business system that IT doesn’t know about, and it can be a big problem.

You may have an IT policy telling employees not to download unsanctioned applications, but they want to boost their productivity, or perhaps they prefer to work with an app they already know and love. So, they get a tool or service that meets their needs without telling IT. The employee may have the best of intentions. They want to work better for your business. They don’t see the harm in adding that convenient app to their computer. Or they don’t think it’s a big deal to use their own device to complete their work (even if unsanctioned). Maybe they want to be efficient, so they use a personal email account to conduct your business.

Any of these examples are part of Shadow IT, and it's running rampant. In Frost & Sullivan research, 80% of employees admitted they had used non-approved software. Even 83% of IT workers were using non-vetted Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. So, what’s the big deal? We’ll cover that next.
 The Potential Pitfalls with Shadow IT First, if your business is in a regulated industry, Shadow IT could put you at risk of noncompliance. That unsanctioned device may not be encrypted. Sharing business data over a personal email would be a big no-no in a healthcare or banking space. Shadow IT certainly undermines audit accountability.
It can also drive-up IT costs. Say accounting doesn’t know that the business has already paid to use certain software. So, they pay for it again out of their own budget.
If IT is unaware of the Shadow applications or devices, they can’t manage the vulnerabilities. The business doesn’t know customer data or personal identification information about employees is at risk.
And there is greater threat of a data breach or ransomware attack. Employees downloading a third-party app could inadvertently give a hacker access to your network.
Additionally, the business risks losing productivity. The work someone does on a shadow app, for example, could be lost to the company if that employee moves on. IT wouldn’t have access to that account to retrieve the information or files. They don’t even know it is out there on that unknown app or device.

Shine a Light on Shadow IT
Because this IT lingers in the shadows, it can be challenging to corral. Still, there are several steps you can take.

1.Educate Employees About Cyber Policies.
Create and communicate acceptable use guidelines, and make sure your workers know what your policies are regarding:

• SaaS downloads
• use of personal devices (e.g. mobile phones, laptops, USB flash drives, portable data storage devices)
• emailing from personal accounts or using messaging apps
• online document sharing
• online voice or meeting technology

Establish clear information classifications distinguishing between public, private, and confidential data. This can help employees recognize they are putting important data at risk when they disregard use policies.

2.Do A Dive to Discover Shadow IT.
IT needs to get to know what technology is in use at the business (both on- and off-site). This is more challenging now with people working from home due to COVID-19. Still, a survey of employees and their devices can help gather information about unknowns.

3.Determine The Value of IT Discovered.
Don’t overreact. You don’t want to necessarily ban all Shadow IT that you discover. Some of the services could have value. Vet the applications or devices found or reported. Review their connection to private or confidential data or essential network systems. If several employees use an unsanctioned app, you may want to invest in it. With a professional version, your IT team can safely manage the app.

4.Deliver the IT Your People Need.
Why are people circumventing your IT policies? Are they under pressure? Are they are looking to meet an unmet need? Are they more comfortable with a familiar app or device? It’s important to understand what the employee is aiming to accomplish or why they’ve turned to shadow IT. This can help you identify IT needs and areas where you need to improve.

A laptop can hold your life. If you’re working from home, it’s essential to your income. For students, it’s where you keep all your notes and essays. Plus, there are the personal photos and videos. And you sometimes use it to stream your TV shows, or to video chat with friends and family. You may even make music, create art, or be writing the next bestselling novel on your laptop. So, you want to keep it in great shape. Here are five tips to protect your laptop.

#1 Don’t Drop It
Or throw it, or stand on it, or expect it to withstand any serious impact. OK, that’s pretty obvious. You also don’t want to use your laptop in the bathtub or at the pool. Even a simple water spill on a laptop can damage the circuitry. If you do get your laptop wet, immediately turn it off and unplug everything attached to it.

#2 Open Carefully
Laptops are getting thinner in every iteration. Some now even have foldable screens. The thinner and more flexible screen may look sleek and cool, but it’s also less rigid, which makes it more prone to damage. Especially on lower-cost laptops, the screen can flex if you open the computer up from just one side. Yet, many of us hold a laptop in one hand and open the lid with the other. This can cause the screen to twist. Use both hands to open the laptop. Or get into the habit of opening your laptop from the center to avoid flex.

#3 Don’t Bedazzle Your Keyboard Or Screen
Alright, maybe you weren’t planning on putting faux rhinestones on the screen or keyboard. Still, reconsider any decorations you have thought of adding. Even a keyboard protector (to prevent dust or spills getting into the circuitry) or camera privacy sticker could damage some of the new super-thin laptops. It’s just that there is now so little clearance between the keyboard and the screen.
If you really must have your stickers, put them on the protective sleeve that you get for your laptop.

#4 Disconnect Carefully
Your laptop needs a consistent power source. If you damage the power cord connection, you’re done. So, make sure you pull the power cord out straight. Yanking it out sideways could damage the port. Never transport your laptop with the power cord attached, even if it is in a case!
Also be aware of where your power cord is connecting to the wall outlet. If you leave the cord trailing along the floor, someone could trip over it, or it could get caught on a rolling chair. This could not only damage the charging port but even pull the entire laptop onto the floor. That brings us back to #1, don’t drop the laptop!

#5 Keep It Cool
No, you don’t have to store it into a refrigerator (please don’t!), but heat isn’t good for your laptop. You’ll want to keep your computer away from external sources of heat.
Again, as the laptops get thinner, they are more vulnerable to internal overheating. Ensure that the laptop’s intake ports are unblocked so that air can flow through and cool the circuitry. You might also blow dust out of the vents using canned air.
 
Also, avoid placing your laptop on very soft surfaces. A soft, uneven surface is more likely to block the internal fans. This leaves your device unable to regulate its temperature. You could even buy a laptop cooling stand, which provides extra fans to improve air circulation.
Average laptop lifespan will vary between two to five years. Keep your laptop on the longer side of that by taking these tips to heart.
​
If something does happen to your laptop, give us a call at 715-669-6136. Our IT experts are here to help you find the best laptop for you, upgrade and secure your laptop, or fix your laptop when you need it.
​

Buying a printer can be overwhelming. There are so many options available from different brands and buying guides galore. Yet we still often see people with printers that aren’t the best ones for their needs. That said, we’re offering five tips to help you find the right one for you.

#1 Identify Your Needs
What are you going to use that printer for? Is it for family use? Home office use? Just as a backup for occasional documents you need to print and sign? For printing photos? For printing graphic designs? Your needs for quality, efficiency, speed, and color or black-and-white prints will influence your choice.
Different printers offer distinct perks. You may want one that prints quickly or one that is compact. Or perhaps you want one that holds a lot of paper. If your priority is photos, you may need a printer that can handle many types and sizes of paper.
If you are running your office from home, you may want to invest in a multi-function printer. These not only print but also scan and copy.
You may not even need a home printer. If you’re using your printer for photographs, you’re better off going to an actual photo printer. It’s about five times cheaper to get photos professionally printed than to color print at home. Plus, you’ll get top-quality copy every time.

#2 Don’t Settle for Cheap
Yes, it’s usually very cheap to buy an inkjet printer from the local big-box store. You may even get a free or dramatically reduced price on a printer with the purchase of your computer. That’s because they’re getting you to buy the printer so that you’ll need to take on the high cost of ink. You’ll also need high-quality printing paper if you want to avoid the ink bleed that can happen on normal office paper.
Another issue with inkjet printers? If you don’t use the color cartridges for a long while, they can dry up, which will leave partial lines on your prints, or the printer won’t work at all until you pay for a fresh, more expensive color cartridge.

#3 Consider Laser Printers
If you’ve decided you do need a home printer, consider a laser printer. Whether you want a printer that works fast or you plan to use it all the time, a laser printer is quick to start up and print. Plus, it offers high-quality results. There is a higher cost upfront, but in the long-term you could save on ink. These printers use a fine powder that doesn’t dry out due to inactivity.
Color laser printing is expensive, yes, but black-and-white printing on a laser printer can be quite cheap and effective.

#4 Read the Specifications
The manufacturer specifications will help you learn:
·        Monthly page volume;
·        Estimated annual print costs;
·        Printing speed;
·        Maximum resolution;
·        Wi-fi functionality;
·        Card reader and media plug-in capability;
 
·        Added benefits (e.g. Automation features such as collating or stapling).
​
#5 Let Us Help
Inkjet, laser, all-in-one, and photo printers each have their pros and cons, and there is a lot to consider. We can help you choose the right model, set it up in your home, and help you keep it going strong for the long term. Contact us today by calling us at 715-669-6136.

Video gaming is an entertainment for all ages. The main demographic is 18–34 years, but those 34–54 are another big segment – even larger than the under-18 group – although the youngest group may spend the most hours gaming, especially during a pandemic. Regardless, PC gamers of any age want the most powerful, fastest computer they can get.
It’s difficult to beat the Boss Level of that favorite game if your computer is lagging. The horror! If you’re serious about gaming, consider the ideas in this article to achieve your next personal best.
The gaming industry is moving to Triple-A titles. Think Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty. These AAA video games are the equivalent of blockbuster movies. They take months to years for massive teams of people to develop, everything about such games is ambitious (even the price!). The graphics and animation are more immersive, the storylines offer hours of content and encourage open exploration, and the games have a grander scale and improved sound design, too.
All that requires more from your computer. Depending on the age of your computer, you may not need to replace it to power the latest, greatest games. Or you could upgrade to a more powerful video card. Adding more random access memory (RAM) might also take a computer up to the Triple-A level.
 
Troubleshooting the Home-Gaming PC
Whether you're trying the Triple A game or not, you may run into other problems. A screen locks up, a system crashes, or you see weird graphics or wonky textures in a game. You shoot an opponent with a direct hit, and he takes the win. Any of these problems can ruin your gaming experience.
Various issues cause these headaches for home gamers. Regrettably, they can be difficult to diagnose. The problems might be tied to:
·        Overheating – modify your power settings, and make sure the computer is getting enough air flow;
·        Driver issues – games crashing could mean the latest video drivers aren't installed;
·        File corruption – reinstalling the game could help;
·        An unstable internet connection – consider moving to a wired ethernet connection.
Running too many programs on your PC can also cause games to run less smoothly. Close out other programs. Free up disk space if you can. Also, putting the game’s graphics on a lower setting can make them less resource-intensive.
 
Build Your Own Gaming PC
If you decide it’s time to get a new gaming PC, a popular option now is to custom-build your own. Our experts can do that for you! When you customize your own gaming PC, you get a computer that matches exactly what you’re trying to do.
Don’t settle for a sale computer using lower-quality parts and offering limited upgradability. Avoid buying a brand-name computer pre-loaded with bloatware. Instead, our technician can help you pick the processing and other parts to personalize your system, even down to the color of the fans or console lights.
Our IT experts can bring your PC up to speed, get you back in the game at full power, and build you the perfect customized PC. Contact us today at 715-669-6136!

School has always been challenging for students – and that was before they had to attempt learning from home. Over the past year, many school-related challenges have been amplified, especially for children with disabilities and low-income learners. Districts looking to close the gap are turning to edtech to equalize education for all. Let's look at how school-provided 1:1 device programs are democratizing learning.

What Is 1:1 Learning?
Under a 1:1 learning program, all students have an institution-issued electronic device, such as a laptop or tablet, which they use to access online coursework, digital content, the internet, or eBooks.
One-to-one devices are usually owned by schools and provided to students over the course of the school year. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, more and more schools are reaching a 1:1 computing environment years ahead of schedule.

Students Learn at Their Own Pace
Students have always learned at different paces. However, in the classroom setting, educators had to teach to the middle, leaving some behind and others disengaged.
In a 1:1 environment, learners at different levels can complete coursework at their own cadence. Students who have mastered certain concepts can then concentrate on subjects that present more of a challenge. Those who need a little extra time with certain concepts can reread or re-watch lessons as many times as they need to really grasp the material.
Digital lessons can also be condensed into shorter time frames for summer school or stretched out over longer trimesters to accommodate a variety of learning schedules. This makes it possible to guide students through the material at a faster or slower pace, depending on the situation.

Accessibility for All
Schools are also using edtech to standardize education so knowledge is more accessible to everyone.
Increasing access to learning content is simplified through a variety of online applications, platforms, and cloud technologies. These new learning formats also ensure students have continuous access to quality content that’s always up-to-date.
Think about what that could mean for students who live in low socio-economic areas or who live in low-income districts. Instead of waiting until these institutions can afford the latest version of an expensive textbook, or find funds to issue each student a book of their own, 1:1 learners can turn to their online learning platforms to access the same content as students attending private schools.
That same digital content also gives developing nations the opportunity to implement the same educational standards as wealthier countries around the globe.

Differentiated Instruction
“Differentiated instruction” allows an educator to teach to the student, not the test. By tailoring their instruction, teachers can more effectively meet individual students where they are, ensuring they don’t get left behind. Technology makes it possible for educators to conduct virtual classrooms while differentiating their teaching and providing supplemental resources as needed without ever leaving their learning management system.
Teachers might encourage learners struggling with a particular concept to preview a set of curated content before the day’s lesson. Or they may direct advanced learners to more advanced material to keep them feeling challenged. Differentiated projects are another popular method for instructors. It allows students to use diverse programs and mediums to showcase their work, even as teachers personalize content.

Assisting Students with Disability
Assistive Technology, defined in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, is “any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
For students with disabilities, assistive technology often comes in the form of their school-issued devices. Many arrive standard with a host of assistive learning tools like screen readers, interactive displays, touch screens, and text-to-speech tools. More advanced apps and specialized communication tools (think: braille keyboards, smart pens, headsets for hearing aids) can help students with a disability excel by creating a more inclusive classroom experience.
In truth, there’s no faster way to level the scholastic playing field than implementing a 1:1 learning program. Edtech devices help students of all abilities and backgrounds achieve their personal best, while staying connected to classmates and learning lifelong skills.

Office equipment has a limited lifespan. How limited? The average computer maxes out after just over four years. For other machines, it’s even shorter. Some businesses incorrectly assume it’s smarter to save up and wait until there’s a problem to replace important equipment. In reality, dated devices cost more than just capital and can actually make your organization vulnerable to serious security threats.
Investing in quality equipment now is the best course of action for companies who want to future proof. Here’s what that ROI looks like in reality.

Buying Better Saves You Money
Anyone who’s ever replaced a laptop’s motherboard knows: Aging equipment requires significant, costly upkeep. Over time, outdated products can end up costing far more than their market value in maintenance fees alone. By contrast, newer, top-rated office equipment acts as more of a one-time purchase, giving you peace of mind in your investment. That assurance extends to security, too. Newer machines and equipment provide a critical layer of protection between your company’s sensitive data and disastrous cyber events. If your company can’t afford to pay $3.68 million – the average cost of a data breach in 2020 – then it's time to make the switch.

Quality Equipment Increases Efficiency
While the price tag of a mid-level machine may seem appealing at first, it’s important to look beyond the numbers. The efficiency and reliability of your office equipment is a far better indicator of its lifetime value.
Upmarket products typically experience far less downtime and have the processing power to handle your most data-intensive tasks. When your company equipment is running optimally, employee productivity is likely to rise, increasing your profit margins as a result.
Though actual costs depend on how much you charge per hour and the number of employees you have, in one Small Business UK example, a one-minute computer delay can cost upwards of $2,600 USD worth of business hours over the year. These are funds that could easily be spent on newer, more effective machinery.

Higher Safety Ratings Lead to Lower Health Risks
You can’t put a dollar amount on the health of your employees. If you want to improve their well-being, start by assessing the equipment they use each day. Ergonomically speaking, that might call for increased investment in inexpensive equipment like adjustable screens, proper seating, elevated keyboards or even standing desks. When shopping for updated equipment, consider making purchases that align with health and safety standards like those outlined in this computer workstation checklist.

You Can Enhance Employee Morale
Office equipment directly impacts the employee experience. The more a machine crashes or a piece of legacy equipment delays their deadline, the more frustration that builds. Is it any wonder that “93% of millennials cite modern and up-to-date technology as one of the most important aspects of a workplace”?
Instead of testing an employee’s patience, try providing reliable office equipment. Not only will it help them take pride in their work, but it’s also a tangible way to show you’re invested in their overall experience.
This cycle of positive reinforcement is one that leads to a solid company culture built on mutual respect.

It Gives You A Competitive Edge
Better equipment often signals a better product, at least in the minds of your customers. Meaning, updated technology can actually give your business a more competitive edge. However, the inverse is also true. Cheap equipment can subtly communicate subpar services. Play it smart and take advantage of any opportunity that sets your brand apart and sends a message of quality. Top-of-the-line tech does just that.
There are no two ways about it. Premium businesses invest in premium equipment – and for good reason. Not only is it better for their bottom line, but it’s also a direct investment in their most important asset of all: their employees. Give our expert team a call at 715-669-6136 to enhance your company’s performance today!

A guest post from our friends at Emsisoft.

3. Take Control of Your Mobile Devices
Why: Some apps play fast and loose with device permissions and may collect more data than they need to function correctly. Meanwhile, failing to secure your mobile device could result in an unauthorized user gaining access to your online accounts and personal data stored both locally on the device and in cloud-based services.

How: Hope for the best, plan for the worst. The following best practices can help you secure your mobile devices and prevent your personal data from falling into the wrong hands.

• Only install reputable apps: Every app you install requires certain permissions to function. Some are reasonable, like a navigation app that requires access to your location; others less so, like a flashlight app that wants access to your contacts. Check app permissions in your phone’s settings, disable any permissions that seem excessive and consider uninstalling any apps that look overly intrusive.
• Use remote erase: In the unfortunate event that your phone is lost or stolen, use remote erase to ensure that nobody will be able to access the data. Both iPhone and Android devices can be remotely erased provided certain functions are enabled. 
• Enable device encryption: Enabling encryption ensures that your data can only be read when your device is unlocked, meaning that even if someone gains physical access to your device, they won’t be able to see what’s on it. Most modern Apple and Android devices have encryption enabled by default, while Windows 10 devices can be encrypted via Start > Settings > Update & Security > Device encryption.

4. Protect Your Digital Social Life
Why: One of the biggest threats to your online privacy is… you. The amount of personal information we willingly divulge on social media poses a serious privacy threat as it gives attackers an easy way to collect sensitive information that could be used to commit identity theft or fraud. A motivated attacker could potentially use the information you share online to open new accounts in your name, hack your accounts or send highly personalized phishing scams to your friends and work colleagues.

How: A combination of smart privacy settings and limiting what you share online can help protect your privacy on social media. Start with the following practices:

• Change your social media settings: Every social media platform offers a range of privacy settings that enable you to configure who can see your posts, online activity and contact information. How you tweak these settings will vary depending on your needs, but as a bare minimum we recommend deselecting location tracking, restricting who can find you online and disabling targeted ads where possible.
• Limit what you share: Protect your digital identity by limiting what you share online. Avoid filling out “About Me” fields in your social media profiles and avoid sharing personally identifiable information such as your full birthday, place of birth, address and phone number.
• Encrypt your messages: Encryption keeps your communications secure and ensures that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages – even if they’re intercepted. Signal, an open-source secure message service is a good option. WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, but requires access to your contacts list if you wish to see your contact’s names. Apple’s iMessage also provides end-to-end encryption, but only for messages sent between iPhones. Facebook Messenger is not encrypted, although its “Secret Conversations” feature is (available on iOS and Android, but not on the regular web domain)

5. Set Up Guest Accounts
Why: As a hospitable host, you probably don’t think twice before giving out your Wi-Fi password to guests. What you may not realize is that connecting new users to your home network could pose a serious privacy and security risk. While your guests probably aren’t going to intentionally be snooping around your files, there’s a chance they could accidentally stumble upon your personal documents or inadvertently spread malware to your network.

How: Setting up guest accounts allows you to restrict access to your network and your devices. It’s free and easier than it sounds.

• Set up a guest network: A guest network allows your visitors to connect to your Wi-Fi but prevents them from accessing the rest of your network and the devices connected to it. To create a guest network, open up your router settings and dig around in the Wi-Fi section for a setting called something like ‘Allow guest access’ or ‘Guest network’ and follow the setup instructions to completion.
• Create a standard user account: Similarly, you can create a standard user account to allow your visitors to use your devices without giving them access to your private files or your system’s settings.
  ​
  

Everyone has the right to privacy. While intrusive data collection practices have made it more challenging to protect your digital identity, it’s still possible to maintain a good level of privacy online. Utilizing privacy-conscious tools, avoiding overly intrusive software and being mindful of how you communicate online can go a long way toward keeping your private life just that – private.
We know that some of these suggestions appear daunting but don’t worry, Yellowstone Computing is here to help! Give our experts a call at 715-669-6136 or stop by our office located at 219 N Washington St, Thorp today!