Newsletter
June Newsletter
- Upcoming Teams Webinar
- June Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
- Connect with Our CEO: Connecting Women-Owned Businesses with Women-Run Tech
- We Won A Clutch and MSP501 Award
- Free Resources: Essential Information For Choosing The Right Line Of Business Application For Your Organization
- Tech News: Internet Explorer Retires
- Tech Tip: Avoid Spear Phishing Emails
Upcoming Microsoft Teams Webinar
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Please join MXOtech for a Free Webinar...
8 Advanced Features of Microsoft Teams Everyone Should Be Using in 2022
Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 11:00am CT
We had such great feedback and success with our Teams 101 Webinar and Teams 201 Webinar that we are bringing you an advanced lesson on features you should be using in 2022.
During this webinar, you’ll discover how to use Teams to:
- Build customizations that allow you to work more efficiently with your team
- Communicate using various Channels to better organize your department and projects
- Host more productive webinars, meetings, and calls
- Boost company morale by creating an employee recognition program
- Create polls and surveys for customer and employee feedback
June Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
There's been a sharp rise in cyberattacks this month, often disrupting services and products that are essential to everyday lives.
In May, the ransomware attack that forced a six-day shutdown of Colonial Pipeline — a key East Coast line that delivers gas to millions of people — brought the scary situation to the forefront of people's minds. The uneasy trend continued in June, with several high-profile companies like McDonald's and Peloton revealing they, too, were targeted by hackers.
These incidents highlight the growing need for cybersecurity professionals.
Contact us to learn how we can help with your IT concerns.
Connect with Our CEO
We Want to Connect Women-Owned Businesses with Women- Run Tech
Today, women are still underrepresented in almost every aspect of business. Attending business events for women is a great way for female entrepreneurs to gain further support and knowledge.
Our events for women-led businesses have proven to be an innovative way for women entrepreneurs and professionals to connect during a fun, casual forum that isn’t commonly available to them.
If you know any women entrepreneurs, CEOs, presidents, etc., invite them to connect with MXOtech’s Founder and CEO, Joanna Mirov.
We Won A Clutch and MSP501 Award
We are thrilled to announce that we have been chosen as one of Clutch's top B2B companies in Illinois. We were also recently recognized as a top managed service provider by Channel Futures MSP 501!
Here's what our Founder and CEO, Joanna Mirov, had to say about being recognized as one of the leading MSPs in the world.
"We are delighted to be recognized again this year as tech leaders by the MSP501 & Clutch for our dedication to customer service, determination to find creative solutions, and our history of project success,” said Joanna Mirov, Founder and CEO of MXOtech. "It is important to us to continually evolve and expand to bring our clients innovative technology that will solve their business challenges today and prepare them for tomorrow.”
Free Resources
Choosing a business application can be quite a headache, yet necessary to boost your efficiency and profits.
This ebook will guide you through exactly what you need to do to find the right solution for your organization. You’ll learn why some custom business applications are better than others, how you’ll know which is best for you, and how to make the most out of your software.
A sample RFP template is included to help you when selecting a custom provider. Save time and money by working smarter, not harder.
Tech News
So Long, Internet Explorer
It's official! Microsoft will no longer support the once-dominant browser that legions of web surfers loved to hate — and a few still claim to adore.
IE’s demise was not a surprise. A year ago, Microsoft said that it was putting an end to Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, pushing users to its Edge browser, which was launched in 2015.
Microsoft released the first version of Internet Explorer in 1995. Its launch signaled the beginning of the end of Navigator: Microsoft went on to tie IE and its Windows operating system together so tightly that many people simply used it by default instead of Navigator.
Today, the Chrome browser dominates with roughly a 65% share of the worldwide browser market, followed by Apple’s Safari with 19%, according to internet analytics company Statcounter. IE’s heir, Edge, lags with about about 4%, just ahead of Firefox.
Knowing What Breaches You Have Been Involved In Will Help You Spot And Avoid Spear Phishing Emails
The Connection Between Mental Health and Cybersecurity
May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Given that mental illness is so prevalent and closely linked to overall health and well-being, it is important to take the time to promote awareness of prevention, resources, support and treatment.
So you may be wondering, what does this have to do with cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity burnout is real and more prevalent now than anytime in history. Cybersecurityprofessionals are not the only individuals suffering from the burnout, business owners, employees, and every day people can fear a possible hacking. Cyber risks should be taken seriously but not at the cost of your mental health.
Contact us to learn how we can help with your IT concerns.
Features:
- Video: The 5 Biggest Cybersecurity Trends in 2022
- MXO Blog: Cloud Services
- Stay Connected with Employee Undo Deleted Files
- Free Resource: Office Move Checklist
- Tech News: Illinois College Closes After Cyber Attack
- Tech Tip: Obtain Cybersecurity Insurance
Tips to Build a Company Culture Your Employees Will Love
MXO Blog
MSP Onboarding Process: A Checklist For What To Expect
Adoption of managed IT services is on the rise as businesses look for ways to navigate increasingly complex digital environments without sacrificing speed or performance.
Onboarding is all about getting customers up to speed with MSP services and support. In practice, it’s much like a first impression — providers only get one, and they should endeavor to make it stand out for the right reasons. This isn’t always the case, however. Recent survey data found that 90% of customers say businesses “could do better” when it comes to onboarding.
What does better look like? Our eight-point checklist can point you in the right direction. When it comes to onboarding, MSPs should be:
Stay Connected Via Employee Outings
We are excited to be able to have MXO hosted company outings again! Company outings are a great way for employees to break out of the confines of the office or their at-home office for those who work remotely. Building connections with coworkers can do wonders when it comes to productivity inside the office and the team's well-being. We look forward to hosting more events this year!
Free Resources
Planning An Office Move This Spring or Summer?Do you need some help getting ready to move offices? This checklist will help make your office move painless and stress-free by guaranteeing you don’t leave out any of the critical details.
Tech News
Illinois College Closes Down After Cyber Attacks
Lincoln College, Illinois Historically Black College, closes after 157 years, blaming COVID 19 and cyberattack disruptions.
The college scrambled to stay afloat with fundraising campaigns, a consolidation of employee positions, and exploring leasing alternatives.
Then, as COVID cases fell and students returned to schools across the country, the college was victimized by a December cyberattack. It left all the systems needed to recruit students, retain them and raise money inoperable for three months.
The school held a college fair last month to give students a chance to learn where they might want to transfer.
Obtain Cybersecurity Insurance
Cyber liability insurance comes into play to protect your business. It covers the costs to your business in the case of a data breach or cyber-attack and any legal claims brought against your business.
Which businesses can benefit from cyber insurance?
If you handle any of this information, this coverage is a must:
- Social Security numbers
- Medical and Person Health Information (PHI)
- Customer credit card information
- Customer names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. So, what can you do?
Many companies offer free cyber insurance quotes to discuss a cyber risk management plan. With the right security protocols put into place, you may be able to lower your insurance premium.
Contact us to learn more.
Features:
- MXOtech Webinar: Watch the recording of our webinar on Russian Ransomware and Cyberattacks Targeting American Companies
- Tech News: What is a Disaster Recovery Plan?
- Tech Tip: How to deal with spam text messages
- Free Resources: IT Security Resources for your business
Don't Let April Showers Bring May Cyberattacks
With spring in full swing, organizations should consider dedicating some time to scrubbing and sprucing up their IT security.
While for many households, spring cleaning is an annual ritual that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, digital spring cleaning is vital for companies to avoid data breaches.
To kick off the new season, here are a few steps you can take to strengthen your company's defenses.
- POLISH your password management
- REMOVE login risk with MFA (Multi-factor Authentication)
- SWEEP out unauthorized applications
- WIPE out admin privileges to employees who don't need them
- CLEAN out public connection risk with VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Even with all of these defenses in place, there's always a need to implement the best cybersecurity measures to protect your businesses against cyberattacks.
Expect breaches to happen, but instead of struggling to protect your business from outside threats, contact us to schedule a meeting with one of our Chicago-area cybersecurity experts.
Download Free Printable Cybersecurity Posters
MXOtech Webinar
Did you miss our recent webinar?
Good news! The recorded webinar is now available on-demand!
Watch the webinar here on MXOtech's YouTube channel.
What is the webinar about?
With the looming threat of increased conflict in Ukraine, businesses around the world should be preparing now. Small businesses are most vulnerable to the expected wave of ransomware attacks. Learn from our Cybersecurity professionals who will discuss the immediate steps to defend your business.
Byte-Sized Jokes
Tech News
What is a Disaster Recovery Plan?
When it comes to IT disasters, it's a matter of when - not if. While the cause varies - from power outages to provider problems to on-site hardware failure - every business eventually comes face to face with disaster.
Robust response to disasters offers better ROI than prevention. While it's critical to deploy tools and technologies capable of detecting the hallmarks of common concerns and deflecting the worst of the impacts, relying on a prevention-only approach puts companies at risk of being caught off-guard when true disaster strikes.
A comprehensive disaster recovery plan (DRP) can help.
Rieke Can Create The Office of Your Dreams
Whether you are moving into a new office or your existing office needs a facelift, ROI can turn your vision into a reality. Rieke Office Interiors has been designing and manufacturing custom office furniture for over 27 years. Their experienced team is here to help turn your dreams into a reality, crafting an innovative, eco-friendly workspace to fit your business needs. Rieke also has a vast array of used office furniture inventory and many financing options available, making it easier to start building a new office today.
Would you like your business to be promoted in an upcoming MXO newsletter? Send a note to Sesen at sbeyen@mxotech.com.
How to deal with spam text messages:
Spam text messages are about as welcome as robocalls. They show up unwanted and unexpected and the worse part is whoever is sending the text most likely is attempting to defraud you. So how do we tackle this painfully annoying problem?
- Don’t reply to the spam text
- Treat your personal information like cash – don’t give it out
- Don’t click on any links in the text message
- Review your phone bill for extra charges
- Check your phone’s settings to block unwanted calls and messages 6. Report spam messages to carrier
- Check to see if your carrier offers a call-blocking service
Free Resources
IT Security Resources For Your Business
Click on the links below to download additional free IT Security Resources for your business:
Cybersecurity, Not Luck,
Will Keep Your Business Safe!
We all know of the St. Patrick’s Day tale of Leprechauns collecting the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Strong cybersecurity for your business will not bring you a pot of gold, but it will bring your business security from hackers.
With over half of small businesses failing within 6 months of a cyberattack, you can’t rely on the luck of the Irish to protect you from being a part of that statistic.
Talk to us today about beefing up your cybersecurity defenses.
Features:
- MXOtech Webinar: Save Your Seat for Our Webinar on Russian Ransomware and Cyber-Attacks Targeting American Companies
- Tech News: The Benefits of System Integration for Businesses
- Tech Tip: Stay One Step Ahead of Hackers With This Tech Tip
MXOtech Webinar
NOW To Avoid The Impending Uptick in Russian Ransomware and Cyber-
With the looming threat of increased conflict in Ukraine, businesses around the world should be preparing now. Small businesses are most vulnerable to the expected wave of
ransomware attacks.
Sign up for our webinar today and save your spot to learn from our Cybersecurity professionals who will discuss the immediate steps to defend your business.
Tech News
The Benefits of System Integration for Businesses
Pandemic pressures have pushed many companies into unfamiliar territory. From accelerating IT expansion to embracing the need for always-on, always-connected solutions that let employees work anytime, anywhere, businesses have been called on to evolve operations at a breakneck pace.
The results aren’t surprising: Recent survey data found that 75% of IT technologists believe their organization faces more IT complexity than ever. What’s more, 89% say they feel “immense pressure” at work to ensure systems, software and solutions work as seamlessly as possible.
While many companies have turned to custom software and solution developers to help bridge the gap between historical frameworks and new functions, there’s an alternative: systems integration.
In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of system integration, why it matters and how it can benefit your business
Make complex passwords easy to remember by turning them into sentences, such as "TheCub$Rock
New Year, New IT
Now that we've gotten the last scraps of confetti out of our hair, there's no better time than now to let you know that in 2022, IT is making a profound shift.
In the past couple of years, Covid-19 prompted major changes in the tech landscape. A surge to remote work ensued - permanently altering businesses and their departments, including IT.
What this means for you is if your employees work remotely, you will need a resilient IT department to deploy technologies essential for providing services for a productive and seamless remote workforce.
Don't get left behind in 2021. Companies are already making the shift and adjusting to the post-pandemic world. Contact us to learn more!
Features:
- Tech News: The 5 Biggest Cybersecurity Trends in 2022
- MXOtech Updates: Cloud Services
- Tech Tips: Undo Deleted Files
Tech News
The 5 Biggest Cybersecurity Trends in 2022
The changed world we’ve found ourselves living in since the global pandemic struck in 2020 has been particularly helpful to cybercriminals.
As we head into 2022, there is, unfortunately, no sign of this letting up. This is why it's essential for individuals and businesses to be aware of the ever-growing avenues of attack as well as what can be done to mitigate the risks!
So let’s take a look at the most important and significant trends affecting our online security in the next year and beyond while throwing in some practical steps we can all take to avoid becoming victims:
1. AI-powered Cybersecurity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can counteract cybercrime by identifying patterns of behavior that signify something out-of-the-ordinary may be taking place. It's the predictive powers of AI that make it so useful here, which is why more and more companies will be investing in these solutions as we go into 2022.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals are also aware of the benefits of AI, and new threats are emerging that use technologies like machine learning to evade the protective measures of cybersecurity. This makes AI even more essential – as it’s the only hope of counteracting AI-powered cyber-attacks!
2. The growing threat of ransomware
According to the UK National Cyber Security Centre, there were three times as many ransomware attacks in the first quarter of 2021 as there were in the whole of 2019. Once again, we can largely blame this on the pandemic, and the growth in the amount of activity carried out online and in digital environments.
Ransomware typically involves infecting devices with a virus that locks files away behind unbreakable cryptography and threatens to destroy them unless a ransom is paid. Ransomware is typically deployed through phishing attacks – where employees of an organization are tricked into providing details or clicking a link that downloads the ransomware software (sometimes called malware) onto a computer.
Education is the most effective method of tackling this threat, with research showing that employees who are aware of the dangers of this type of attack are eight times less likely to fall victim.
New Year, New Choices
Are you considering moving to the cloud? We can help you assess if you're ready for that move. Contact us to learn more about trusted cloud hosting and consulting to propel your business forward.
Tech Tip:
Deleted a file you didn't mean to?
Press Control + Z and the file will reappear!
