Macs were once thought of as nothing more than a niche tool for graphic designers and other creative professionals. Some thought they were simply too expensive, but the main thing holding Macs back is that there weren’t enough business-oriented applications available on them at the time.  For businesses that had to crunch numbers or pump out text documents or perform any other sort of left brain activity on a regular basis, PCs had the software they needed. Things have changed. Now there is more business software available on Macs (including Microsoft Office), allowing businesses in all fields to takes advantage of the benefits offered by switching to Macs: they are built better and last longer than PCs, they’re less vulnerable to viruses, and, perhaps the most convincing selling point, they offer a more intuitive user experience. All these benefits do come with considerable investment, especially when you consider that PCs cost a lot less. To get the most value out of investing in the best computers available, you’ll have to invest also in high-quality support to keep those investments up and running. You need a certified Apple consultant that knows the brand well and can fix problems fast whenever they pop up. Here are 3 tips that will help you weed out high-risk applicants and identify the best possible Apple consultant hire. Money-back guarantee You need to secure a written (don’t be naïve: a spoken word contract won’t do you any good in an actual dispute) agreement that guarantees if you’re not satisfied with the service, you can have your issues resolved at no extra cost for additional work hours. If they’re still not able to provide the level of service you were expecting, you deserve a full refund. The knowledge and skill set possessed by the prototypical Apple Consultant is valuable, but that doesn’t mean good candidates are impossible to find. It shouldn’t be difficult to find a consultant confident in their abilities and willing to guarantee satisfaction. Any candidate who hesitates to guarantee their services is likely to end up a disappointment if you make a leap of faith and hire them. Check their references One major red flag is a lack of references. A good applicant should have at least three quality references, preferably with one or more references from a business of a similar size and in a similar field as yours. Don’t take applicants at their word. A lot of potential hires look great on paper – it’s up to you to confirm that what is printed on their resume is more fact than fiction. Call each reference yourself to gauge how enthusiastic they are about the candidate, and also just to check and confirm that they exist in the first place. Remote capability You’ll want someone local who can come in quickly when on-site service is necessary, but it’s also important to have a consultant that can contribute remotely. Not all problems require an on-site fix. It saves you money and saves your consultant time when problems can be resolved remotely. Remote capability isn’t just about convenience. It also improves your level of service: a consultant who can fix network issues remotely is able to find a solution to downtime faster than a consultant that has to pick up everything and drive to your office before they can even start working on a solution. Sometimes a clear-cut stud of a candidate walks through the door and makes the hiring process easy. More often, you’ll have a group of similarly-qualified applicants and making the right hire is a real challenge. Contact {company} at {phone} or {email} if you need help finding the right expert to maintain your Macs.

To celebrate Accounting Day, here is a look at how moving to cloud-based computing could benefit your firm. May 18 Is Accounting Day.  Are Your IT Systems In Order? There is a good reason why cloud computing is on the rise. Firms moving to the cloud can realize significant savings on hardware acquisition and maintenance; economies of scale are enhanced as it costs less to add users than traditional IT infrastructure; and it is much easier to share data and enable remote access so users can work from anywhere. But what does the “cloud” really mean? To put it as straight-forward as possible, the cloud refers to services and software that you access via the internet instead of locally on your computer or your firm’s office server. Netflix, Yahoo Mail, and Dropbox are all examples of cloud services you likely already use, but there are also many advantages business can gain by ditching that collection of old servers in the closet of your office and making the move to the cloud. To help you understand these benefits, here is a look at some critical areas in which cloud-computing could help your accounting firm. Data Security By the nature of your work, you have access to highly-sensitive data and you have a legal and ethical obligation to protect that data. It is understandable that you may have trepidation about moving your data from a physical server on your site, to some location “in the sky”. Therefore, you should work with an IT vendor that is partnered with a data center that has undergone a formal security audit. Formerly known as a SAS 70 report, an AICPA Service Organization Controls Report ensures that the data center storing your data has been vetted and approved by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Email Given the volume of emails and the need to store email trails required of all accounting firms, a cloud based email system can be a tremendous advantage over an in-house system. Microsoft Hosted Exchange and Google Apps Premium Edition are the two best-known examples of cloud-based email systems that provide excellent security and full back-up capabilities at a significant savings over a typical in-house system. File Storage Because all your files are stored online, it is not necessary to obtain expensive data servers on site. Nor is it necessary to purchase software to supplement the servers or employ extra IT staff to maintain everything. Backing Up Your Data and Disaster Recovery For accounting firms that keep data onsite, the cost and effort of backing up all that data can be overwhelming. Typically, backup is done via tape and requires either dedicated resources within the firm, or the services of an outside agency to ensure the proper schedule is followed. Data retrieval can also be time-consuming and requires expertise to manage. Cloud computing vendors externally manage the backup process and provide compete data security through a “self-healing” infrastructure. This consists of a system whereby redundant backup centers are employed so that if for any reason the primary center is not available, the backup becomes the primary data source. This ensures data is secure and always protected. Attempting to replicate this process through an off-site data center connected to your onsite servers is very costly. Remote Access and Sharing of Data The ability to access data from any location and to easily share data across geographical locations is a primary benefit of adopting cloud solutions. Because your data files are not stored in a single, physical location, your information can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection. This also makes it much more efficient to share files between offices. Have questions about how the right IT can help your Accounting firm?  Call {phone} or drop us an email at {email}.  Call today.

WordPress scrambles to release security fix for vulnerability   WordPress issued an emergency fix to the major 4.2 version of its widely-used blogging software released just last week. The hurriedly launched version 4.2.1 was in response to a zero-day flaw that put tens of millions of WordPress sites at risk. Jouko Pynnonen, a researcher with a Finnish IT company, discovered that by using a malicious JavaScript, a would-be hacker could attack a targeted site. The vulnerability could potentially impact all sites running version 4.2 or earlier of the WordPress platform. According to Pynnonen, the issue lies with how WordPress handles input into the comments section of a blog post. The flaw enables hackers to run JavaScript stored in the comments section that could then allow the hacker to assume administrator privileges. Pynnonen first blogged about this vulnerability on April 26th just three days after the release of version 2.4. He described the defect as a stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. To understand how this flaw can be used, a hacker simply needs to post some basic JavaScript code in the comments field and include sufficient text to exceed more than 64K of data. Once the comment is processed by the site administrator, the code will be executed. “If triggered by a logged-in administrator, under default settings, the attacker can leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the server via a plugin and theme editors,” said Pynnonen in a recent blog post. In a statement released Wednesday, WordPress stated, “This is a critical security release for all previous versions and we strongly encourage you to update your sites immediately.” Have questions about your website security?  Contact us immediately at {phone} or drop us an email at {email}.

Thanks to Karen Turner from Turner Efficiency for sharing these shortcut tips with us. Reducing keystrokes with shortcut keys will save seconds that add up to minutes. Computer Control Ctrl Esc = shows the start menu Ctrl Alt Delete = interrupts the process Ctrl Shift = French keyboard F5 = refreshes the screen Typing Ctrl B = bold Ctrl I = italic Ctrl U = underline Deleting Delete = recoverable Shift Delete = totally gone Editing Ctrl C = copy Ctrl X = cut Ctrl V = paste Ctrl P = print Of course, there are more. Got a favorite? Please share.

Cyberattacks are getting sneakier and more creative, and businesses are struggling to stay one step ahead. Last year was huge for high-profile cybercrime; from major corporate attacks to the Heartbleed bug, to Sony’s public information leaks. Are you ready to combat malware? An analysis by Symantec showed that in 2014 attackers were working faster than companies were able to defend themselves. Plus, the attacks they were launching were more malicious and damaging than ever before. More than 317 million new pieces of malware were created just last year; that’s nearly one million new threats every day. How Are They Getting In? Hackers are relying on old computer bugs that companies haven’t got around to fixing yet. In about 90% of cases, hackers used computer bugs that have existed since at least 2002. One popular glitch is in how an IT manager remotely managed corporate PCs – it’s been around since 1999. Due to either lack of time or expertise, many companies just aren’t patching these vulnerabilities. Think of how quickly these viruses spread – when a hacker releases a wave of malware-filled spam emails, it takes just 82 seconds for someone to become the first victim. Now, there are a number of new ways criminals are spreading and using malware. In particular your business needs to pay attention to these. Digital Extortion: Blackmailing is becoming bigger and bigger – ransomware attacks surged 113% last year. Hackers steal documents, files, or photos from a victim’s computer and then demand a monetary ransom in order to decrypt or return the files. Sophisticated Attacks: Attackers are getting more complex and selective than ever. For example, hackers will hide malware inside software updates and wait for the user to install them. Basically, they’re making companies infect their own systems. Social Media: Scams run through social media are on the rise. You do the work yourself, sharing videos or stories that have been infected or lead to scam websites. You need to look out for links or stories that don’t seem right and always think before you click. To talk with a knowledgeable and reliable IT team in {city} that will talk to you about malware protection and other essential business security, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Mobile business strategies are relatively new, but most business leaders agree that they’re a necessary and vital part of marketing. Customers and clients are increasingly relying on smartphones and other mobile devices for purchases. So where does that leave you? We know it can feel crowded when you’re a startup, but if you focus on developing a strong mobile strategy you’ll be a step ahead of the competition. Mobile Stats A recent analysis of consumer shopping trends found that the top quarter of American retailers generate nearly 40% of their ecommerce transitions from mobile sites. Focusing on mobile strategies to reach your audience is a wise choice and will help you gain market share. Here are four strategies that will ensure you’ve got a strong mobile stagey. Make Sure Your Mobile Site is Updated Obviously the space on a mobile phone is much smaller than a traditional desktop computer – website optimization doesn’t just include fonts and graphics’ you need to make sure that your mobile site can effectively process and complete transactions. What does that include? Ensuring that billing processes are functioning correctly Making sure that customers or clients can easily log into the site from any smartphone Creating an equally effective experience as your standard website Be Inclusive iPhones aren’t the only phone on the market. Android is continuing to expand its market share. Right now, according to recent research, iOS is responsible for 8% of all mobile transactions, but Android is not far behind with more than 5%. Make sure you’re making your mobile sites and apps optimal for every smartphone. Make The Most of Email Marketing Keep in mind that most consumers interact with the same site on multiple devices. Because of that, email reminders are a great way to keep customers coming back and using any number of devices. Email is omnipresent; people read them on desktops, smartphones and tablets. Make the most of it. Time Your Offers With the Type of Device Used If you’re a startup now, consider yourself lucky. At your disposal there’s a huge amount of information on the shopping habits of digital consumers. All you need to do is pay attention to trends. According to research by Criteo, the most frequent time for tablet purchases is from 3pm to 5pm. People on smartphones, meanwhile, are more likely to buy between 8am and 10am. Desktops, unsurprisingly, are most likely to make purchases during work hours, from 9am to 5pm. Some other related tips? Make email campaigns are short and to-the-point, especially if they’re sent out in the morning. If you’re targeting mobile devices, make sure your email links lead to easy-to-use mobile websites. Keeping your eye on the prize and utilizing mobile strategies will give your business the kick it needs. For more helpful business IT tips and tricks, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Videos are among the best ways to reach audiences with content and new information – as long as you can hold their attention you can get your point across. Stock videos are a relatively cheap way to add to or create those videos; it’s an alternative to hiring a camera crew, talent and scouting locations. When you’re looking for high quality stock videos, check out these websites. Shutterstock Rates here depend on the video resolutions, and Shutterstock’s archive is easy to use and affordable. It has one of the largest collections with over a million videos to choose from. iStockPhoto When you’re using this site you get better pricing by buying credits ahead of time; they can be used for more than just video and each credit costs around $1.50 depending on how many you buy. Most videos cost between 50 – 100 credits for the resolution you’ll need, but you also get a free video monthly when you visit their page. Pond5 With nearly 2 million videos, Pond5 offers a wide price range starting as low as $5. Users can upload and price their own videos so you can choose videos according to your budget and needs. Getty Images There are approximately 63 million seconds of stock video in the Getty Images library. It includes standard and editorial stock videos and also has stock photos and music. Fotosearch This site brings several companies together and includes rights managed and royalty free stock videos. You’ll have access to a large variety of footage in one place and you can save all of your favorites to go back to later. Videohive This works as a marketplace where providers upload stock footage and then sell it. This gives you tons of options when it comes to price and quality. BBC Motion Gallery This is a great place to find stock footage of historical events. Still, they have you’re standard stock-type videos as well. T3 Media This site is dedicated only to videos and they claim to have the deepest online footage library on earth. T3 provides project managers and research services if you don’t have the time to do all the work yourself. footage.net Footage.net pulls from many different stock footage websites and used footages from companies including ABC, CNN and NBC. That means the site features traditional stock footage plus tons of news footage and historical videos. It’s easier than you think to put footage together and find exactly the right images and video you need. Choosing the right website is all about understanding what they offer and what you’re looking for. For more helpful IT tips and tricks get in contact with {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Are you feeling lost when it comes to protecting yourself against new emerging threats? 2014 was stained by high-profile data breaches, ending with the bizarre and damaging hack of Sony Pictures. You know your business needs to protect itself, but what exactly should you be looking out for? We’ve broken down the biggest security threats shaping up in 2015. The Insecurity of Things We don’t just use computers for internet access anymore. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of innovative, connected devices used to track, monitor, and simplify every part of our lives. But when you’re storing and transferring sensitive personal information, hackers will be looking to exploit any vulnerability. TVs, home security systems automation and any other Internet capable devices need to be protected. DDoS Attacks Denial-of-service attacks don’t steal your information or cause any overt harm, but they flood a site or service with so much traffic that it becomes overwhelmed and prevent users from connecting. Last year they became much more sophisticated and they can now morph and adapt based on the defenses in place by the targeted network. Social Media Social media is what keeps us all connected – so it’s not surprising that hackers are aiming to use it to spread malware. Attackers continue to develop techniques to exploit social networks by distributing malware and stealing sensitive data from users. Mobile Malware Security experts have been talking about mobile malware for a long time. Mobile devices are more prevalent now than ever, including in business. It seems 2015 may be the year that a major mobile malware attack finally happens – so you need to keep your devices protected. Third-party Attacks Remember this – cybercriminals will take the path of least resistance, and they know that contractors and other third-party vendors can offer an opening into generally-secured corporate networks. You always need to screen who has access to your network and systems and ensure they have proper security precautions in place. Don’t let new threats get the best of you. We know what you’re up against and are ready to help ensure you don’t get crippled by security threats – to get setup with the best protection available contact us by phone or email.

Are you keeping up with critical system updates to ensure your business stays protected? Microsoft has released a patch for a critical vulnerability in the Windows HTTP protocol stack. Known as HTTP.sys, it could have disastrous consequences once it’s publicly exploited. The latest bulletin features four critical updates issued by Microsoft. They warn that exploiting this vulnerability could lead to remote code execution and privilege escalation on a compromised device. So what’s that mean, exactly? Hackers Gaining Access to Your Computer As soon as an attacker knows how to create the specially crafted HTTP request, they can begin targeting every web server that they find until they hit one that’s vulnerable. A major concern is that the work-around provided by Microsoft isn’t very expansive and it fails to provide IT admins with much to protect them while they’re testing the patch. Secondly, the sheer number of Windows web servers is huge. There are more Linux servers in terms of total numbers, but Windows servers are much more popular in corporate environments. Plus, they store a lot of valuable and sensitive information. Cybercriminals can use the vulnerability to run code on your webserver under the IIS user account. They would then use an exploit for a second local vulnerability to escalate privilege, become administrator and install permanent exploit code. The attack is simple to execute and needs to be addressed quickly. Who’s Vulnerable? Microsoft said the vulnerability has been found in Windows 7, Windows 2008 R2, Windows 8 and 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 and in Server Core instillation option. Other important patches released can be seen here and include fixes for vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and Office. CLIENTS ON OUR MANAGED SERVICES PROGRAM WILL HAVE THE PROPER PATCHES APPLIED. To get more breaking IT security news or to talk about how your business in {city} can be protected against dangerous online threats, contact {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.

Is your data being properly protected? When it comes to keeping your private information safe, planning is everything. According to an article in PC Magazine 93% of companies that lost their data center for ten or more days due to a disaster filed for bankruptcy within a year. Within six months, 60% of companies that have lost their data shut down. Those are pretty alarming numbers considering the current rates of breaches or data loss. Your business needs to develop and manage a contingency plan for recovering information – it may not be fun to think about, but it’s definitely important. Your livelihood may depend on it. When it comes to protection, you need to be proactive and remember that planning is key to staying safe. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity should be major components of your IT team’s strategy for you, meaning you develop and document a decided-upon course of action. Luckily with cloud services, mobile device use and virtualization that’s getting a whole lot easier. You need to be sure you’re not getting locked into pricy and inflexible Data Recovery plans – there are tons of capable and affordable solutions available. Your own requirements will be unique to your business, so assess your needs and spend time considering different scenarios that need to be planned for. When you’re developing Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans, you can get rid of bottlenecks by modernizing your already-existing storage with the implementation of a storage refresh. New technologies like hybrid-flash, all-flash arrays and cloud storage integration give you IT several useful options that address the need to increase storage capacity and improve performance. Check out this podcast for more info on how to modernize your technology and ensure you’re planning ahead to protect yourself and your data. To get more helpful IT tips and tricks or to talk about Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans, get in touch with {company} at {email} or by phone at {phone}.