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Donna Aplin
Be Careful When Scanning QR Codes!!
QR codes are everywhere these days. You can find them on restaurant menus, flyers, and posters. They’re used both offline and online. QR codes are convenient and easy to use. You just scan them with your smartphone camera. You’re then directed to a link, a coupon, a video, or some other online content.
With the rise in popularity of QR codes comes an unfortunate dark side. Cybercriminals are exploiting this technology for nefarious purposes. Scammers create fake QR codes. They can steal your personal information. They can also infect your device with malware or trick you into paying money.
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Donna Aplin
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field. There are new threats, technologies, and opportunities emerging every year. As we enter 2024, organisations need to be aware of current and future cyber threats. Businesses of all sizes and sectors should plan accordingly. In this blog we look at the 5 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2024 and what plans you can put in place.
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Donna Aplin
Microsoft Edge continues to redefine user experiences. This is due to Microsoft’s commitment to innovation. The latest updates bring a host of features. These are designed to enhance productivity, security, and browsing satisfaction.
Chrome may have been number one for years. But Edge has been steadily gaining popularity. It is now the third most popular browser worldwide. Overtaking Firefox a while back, it’s now just behind Chrome (1) and Safari (2).
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Donna Aplin
And Should You Use It?
It can be challenging to keep up with the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. Companies need to process large amounts of data. As well as respond to incidents quickly and effectively. Managing an organisation’s security posture is complex.
That’s where Microsoft Security Copilot comes in. Microsoft Security Copilot is a generative AI-powered security solution. It provides tailored insights that empower your team to defend your network and works with other Microsoft security products. It also integrates with natural language to generate tailored guidance and insights.
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Sam Dack
Insights from an IT Company….
Working here at ESP Projects as a helpdesk engineer for the past 2 and a half years has led me to realise the causes and frustrations of a slow computer. I aim to point out some of the main causes behind a slow device and to shed some light on why they may deteriorate over time and leave you with a sluggish device. Taking proper care and necessary precautions is vital to prolong the life of a device.
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Donna Aplin
Relentless digital innovation has defined the last few years. The symbiotic relationship between AI and cybersecurity has become pivotal especially when it comes to safeguarding sensitive information and digital assets.
As cyber threats evolve in complexity, AI has emerged as a formidable ally. It empowers organisations with advanced tools and techniques. Helping them to stay one step ahead of malicious actors.
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Donna Aplin
Staying ahead in business often means embracing cutting-edge technologies. New tools can unlock new avenues for growth especially for small businesses. SMBs are often looking for affordable ways to gain a competitive advantage.
One such transformative force is Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). This is a technology that goes beyond automation and the AI we used to know. It can create content, solutions, and possibilities before unimaginable. It’s so revolutionary that it’s hard to go online without seeing it everywhere.
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Donna Aplin
Browser extensions have become as common as mobile apps. People tend to download many and use few. There are over 176,000 browser extensions available on Google Chrome alone. These extensions offer users extra functionalities and customisation options.
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Donna Aplin
In the digital age, data is the lifeblood of businesses. It fuels operations, decision-making, and customer interactions. But there is a dark underbelly of this data-centric landscape. It’s the persistent threat of data breaches.
The repercussions of a data breach extend far beyond the immediate aftermath. They often haunt businesses for years. Only 51% of data breach costs occur within the first year of an incident. The other 49% happen in year two and beyond.
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Donna Aplin
The integration of smart home devices has become synonymous with modern living. They offer convenience, efficiency, and connectivity at our fingertips.
But a recent study has raised concerns about the darker side of these smart gadgets. It suggests that our beloved smart home devices may be spying on us.
It’s natural these days to invite these devices into your home. Yet there is also the need to scrutinise their privacy implications. We’ll shed some light on the potential surveillance risks posed by smart home devices as well as discuss ways to safeguard your privacy in an era of increasing connectivity.
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Donna Aplin
Technology plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. For small businesses, workforce technology modernisation is both an opportunity and a challenge.
Embracing modern technology can empower small businesses. It can help them thrive in a digital era. Yet many of them don’t keep up with modernisation. For example, over 30% of small businesses haven’t upgraded systems in 4+ years.
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Donna Aplin
Gamers haven’t really been the focus of cybersecurity for a long time. You mostly hear about attacks on businesses. Or stolen personal data due to phishing attacks. But gamers are not safe from hackers targeting them.
As cyberattacks continue to escalate, gamers have become prime hacking targets. Malicious actors seek to exploit vulnerabilities in the digital realm. The gaming industry continues to expand. Also, more users immerse themselves in virtual worlds. As this happens, the risks associated with cyberattacks on gamers are on the rise.
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Donna Aplin
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool. It can enhance the productivity, efficiency, and creativity of your staff. But AI also comes with some challenges and risks. Businesses need to address and manage these to use AI effectively.
Establishing clear and ethical guidelines, or “AI rules,” for staff interaction is essential. Otherwise, you may not know when AI is being used for business data. Employees may also be scared to use AI without direction. This can leave them missing out on incredible time savings.
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Jason Francis
What is IT Support? IT companies are notorious for making everything technical and difficult to understand. This might seem like a bit of a long-winded way to describe what it is that ESP provides as it’s ‘bread and butter’ – in a blogpost, but I thought it would be an interesting way to describe it and it will hopefully dispel the myth that all IT Companies are the same. Of course, we have different pages across the site that describe this in less detail, in different formats and even video. This blogpost however is aimed at being a long-hand version, but hopefully it will describe it in ways that you can understand.
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Donna Aplin
You cannot overstate the importance of cybersecurity. Especially in an era dominated by digital advancements. Businesses and organisations are increasingly reliant on technology to drive operations. This makes them more susceptible to cyber threats.
66% of small businesses are concerned about cybersecurity risk. Forty-seven percent lack the understanding to protect themselves. This leaves them vulnerable to the high cost of an attack.
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Donna Aplin
Microsoft 365 has a powerful suite of cloud-based productivity tools. They can help you work smarter and faster. Microsoft has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. M365 was one of the very first all-in-one cloud tools, introduced as Office 365 in 2013. Now, Microsoft and its business tools are at the leading edge of generative AI.
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Donna Aplin
The battle against cyber threats is an ongoing challenge. Unfortunately, 2023 has proven to be a watershed year for data breaches. Data compromises have surged to an all-time high in the U.S. This is based on data from the first 9 months of the year. Meaning that numbers will only end up higher for the year.
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Donna Aplin
What can you use Copilot for? Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI-powered productivity tool that works alongside popular Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. It offers AI-powered chat, creative collaboration, and complex task solutions in one place. You can use Copilot to: -
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Jason Francis
What is DMARC, What is DKIM and What is SPF?
What is DMARC, What is DKIM & What is SPF? DMARC, DKIM and SPF are public records that help the world to know that emails being sent from your organisation are real. When properly implemented and widely adopted, they will vastly reduce the amount of unsolicited or spam email that gets delivered to email-boxes.
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Donna Aplin
ESP Projects have been looking into areas we frequently recieve questions and one of them is VPN Management. In an era where connectivity is paramount, ensuring secure and reliable communication within networks is a top priority for businesses and individuals alike. OpenVPN, an open-source virtual private network (VPN) solution, has emerged as a versatile and robust tool for managing secure connections. In this blog, we explore the world of OpenVPN management, exploring its features, benefits, and best practices.
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