Proactive IT, LLC, 6211 Carmel Road, Suite 201, Charlotte, NC (2026)

11/15/2024

Scammers are finding new ways to trick us – and that’s something we can’t see changing any time soon. The latest threat you should be aware of? A new form of QR code phishing, otherwise known as “Quishing 2.0”.

Here’s how it works: You or your team receive an email that looks legit, with a PDF attachment containing a QR code. If you scan the code, you’ll be taken to a fake website (often something like a Microsoft 365 login page), where you’ll unknowingly give away your login details.

The problem is that these “Quishing” emails use real services like SharePoint and me-QR .com, making it easier for them to slip through your security filters. But once you scan the code, you’ll be redirected to a malicious page.

It’s important to make sure your team is cautious of QR codes in emails. Regular cyber security training can help make sure everyone in your business knows the risks and stays alert. Our team can help you with this, visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

11/13/2024

Did you install the recent Windows 11 update, known as KB5043145?

If you did, you might have experienced a few frustrating issues, like random restarts, Wi-Fi problems, or even the dreaded blue screen of death.

Turns out, a lot of people had issues after the update. But the good news is that Microsoft has stepped in with a quick fix called the "Known Issue Rollback" (KIR).

The KIR is a feature that reverses any troublesome parts of the recent update without uninstalling the entire thing. And the best bit is that you don’t have to lift a finger to sort it, as it will automatically be applied as part of your Windows Update.

It might take up to 24 hours for the update to kick in, but you may be able to speed things up by restarting your PC.

Although the issues with the latest update can be annoying, Microsoft is known for quickly addressing problems. The next big Windows update will be available soon, and that’s one you won’t want to miss.

Using Windows in your business? We can help you keep your systems updated, visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

11/11/2024

Scammers are using yet another sneaky trick to catch you off guard: This time, it's a subtle typo that lets them pretend to be Microsoft.

If you got an email from something like "[email protected]", would you notice the difference? If you didn't catch it, take a closer look...

Instead of “microsoft”, they’re using “rnicrosoft”. The “m” is replaced with an “r” and “n” together, which can look like an “m” at first glance.

It’s a very simple but effective way to trick you into thinking you’re interacting with the real company. And it’s being used in phishing emails to fool you into sharing things like passwords and financial details.

How can you protect yourself and your business? Slow down. Look carefully at every email, including the sender’s address – especially if it’s asking for sensitive information or contains links. And always make sure your team knows to do the same.

Don’t let a small typo lead to a big problem. If you need help improving your email security or training your team to spot scams, visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

11/08/2024

Microsoft Teams is about to give you more control over the privacy of your meetings.

Teams is already a great tool for businesses, with useful features like live captions and transcription helping to make meetings accessible and easier to follow.

The new update is going to make it even better. Now, when you organize a meeting, you’ll also be able to choose whether you want to allow participants to copy or forward things, like meeting recaps and transcripts.

Imagine you're building a strategy or sharing sensitive client information with your team. The new feature will give you peace of mind, knowing that details shared in the meeting stay in the meeting. This will be especially useful for businesses that work with a lot of confidential data.

The update is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to improve security and collaboration in Teams. And it’s due to roll out next month.

Not using Teams yet? Give it a go! Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch so our team can help you get started.

11/06/2024

Have you heard of zero-day attacks? They're one of the most dangerous cyber threats right now, because they target weaknesses in software or hardware that no one knows about… not even the developers.

Your usual defenses like security software can’t protect you, because there’s no known way to stop the attack until it’s too late. This is why they’re called “zero-day” attacks – security teams have had 'zero days' to fix the problem.

Zero-day attacks are like a hidden trapdoor in your system, allowing scammers to steal data, install malware (malicious software), or find other ways to hurt your business without you even realizing it.

While it can help to keep your software updated, as well as to use extra security measures (like multi-factor authentication), there’s no foolproof solution to zero-day attacks.

The only way to protect your business is to understand what zero-days are and how to prepare for them, in case you get hit. We can talk you through this and help you prepare. Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

11/05/2024

OneDrive is getting a colorful upgrade that will make managing files in Windows 11 even easier. Soon you’ll be able to change the color of your OneDrive folders straight from File Explorer.

While the update might seem like just a little tweak, it could have a great impact on your team’s workflow.

Think about how files are used in your business. Do you end up scrolling endlessly, trying to find what you’re looking for?

Colored folders will make it easy to see important folders at a glance – and you could use specific colors for different projects, or to highlight priority documents.

The feature is already available in the web version of OneDrive for Business, and now it’s coming to Windows 11. It’s part of Microsoft's effort to make OneDrive a more powerful tool for businesses by improving integration with the desktop experience.

While this feature is currently aimed at businesses with a 365 subscription, it's a sign that Microsoft is listening to feedback and finding ways to improve productivity tools for professionals.

If you’d like to know how OneDrive can benefit your business, we can help. Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

10/30/2024

Just in time for Halloween, a piece of tech history has been brought back from the dead!

A 1986 Macintosh Plus has risen from the grave, thanks to the tinkering of developer Hunter Irving.

The developer set out on a mission to get the old machine connected to the internet and – thanks to some tech wizardry involving a Raspberry Pi Pico W and BlueSCSI – he managed to achieve it (although it’s not exactly surfing the web at lightning speed…)

While it's fun to see old hardware being brought back to life, this isn’t a call to cling to outdated tech in your business. Instead, it's a reminder of how far we've come.

This vintage Mac might be great as a fun experiment, but sticking with up-to-date technology is key to keeping your business competitive. Modern systems are so much faster, more secure, and better suited to today's needs.

Is any of your old tech ready to be laid to rest? Our team can help you replace it, visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

10/28/2024

Microsoft's PowerToys is about to get even better with a new feature called Workspaces.

If you’re not familiar, PowerToys is a collection of free utilities that helps you customize and optimize your Windows experience. It’s perfect for saving time and reducing those repetitive tasks that can slow you down.

So, what’s new?

The upcoming Workspaces feature will let you create custom groups of apps that you can launch with just one click. Imagine having all your essential tools, like your browser, email, and a project management app, open and arranged exactly how you like them, instantly. Whatever your plans for the day, you can set up your workspace in seconds.

Here’s how it works: You arrange your apps on the screen, save the layout, and then create a shortcut. Next time, instead of opening each app individually, just click your shortcut, and everything will pop up in the right place. You can even include commands or run apps as an admin, making it super versatile.

This new feature is expected in the next PowerToys update, version 0.84. It’s a handy tool that can boost your productivity and make your workday smoother.

BIG warning though… if you don’t know what you’re doing with PowerToys, you can quickly start changing things that could break your PC. Play it safe and get our team to do this for you. Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

10/25/2024

Microsoft’s announced a new change coming in January that could impact your OneDrive for Business accounts.

If a OneDrive account has been inactive for more than 90 days and doesn’t have a license, Microsoft will automatically archive it. That could be an account of an ex-employee or one where the license has been removed.

It’s part of their plan to enhance security and streamline cloud storage management. But once an account is archived, you’ll lose access to it, and getting it back won’t be simple or cheap.

If you want to recover an archived account, your admin will need to enable billing, which will cost $0.05 per gigabyte each month in the Microsoft 365 Archive. Fully reactivating the account will be even more expensive, at $0.60 per gigabyte, and the process could take up to 24 hours.

Unlicensed accounts can lead to security risks, file duplication, and confusion within your business. That’s why Microsoft is doing this. To avoid unexpected costs or data loss, it’s a good idea to have your admin check now for any unlicensed accounts. They can generate reports on these accounts using the SharePoint admin center under OneDrive usage. If any unlicensed accounts are found, it’s best to either reassign licenses to keep them active or delete them entirely.

Doing this now can help keep your data secure and prevent surprise charges down the line. If you need help with that, our team is on standby - visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

10/23/2024

Great news if you use Microsoft Teams: A new translation feature is on the way, making it easier to have meetings in multiple languages.

While Teams already offers live language interpretation with professional interpreters, they’re testing a new “bidirectional support” feature that allows interpreters to switch between languages in just one click.

This means you’ll be able to talk to your team and clients in multiple languages, without needing lots of interpreters or devices.

Another interesting fact? It’s all done without AI. Yes, it uses real human translators to give you accurate translations of different languages in real time.

The feature will be available on both Windows and macOS once it launches.

Does your business need help with Microsoft Teams? Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

10/21/2024

Microsoft is rolling out a new way to update Windows 11 with something called “checkpoint cumulative updates”.

These updates should be smaller and faster than whole system updates, as they only update the parts of your system that need updating.

Sounds great, right?

Well, some people are already reporting issues with the latest update, particularly those using PCs with certain Intel or AMD chips.

As of right now, checkpoint cumulative updates are only available on Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs. But people are having issues with the installation causing stalling or “operation not supported” error messages.

While Microsoft hasn’t officially acknowledged the problem yet, they’ve released a support document with the September update that hints at potential issues.

If you’ve had problems with updates from Microsoft, you might need to manually download and reinstall the update. There are step-by-step guides available to help you, or our team can give you a hand. Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

10/18/2024

Name something that’s important for your business yet so easy to forget?

Windows licenses. You know that thing you skip through when setting up a new computer? It’s not just another box to check. It gives you the right to use Windows on all your team’s devices.

Problem is, it can be hard to know if you have a Windows license. The license isn’t the product key, the activation message, or that little sticker on your computer (although these can be signs that you might have a valid license). The actual license is an agreement between you and Microsoft – and unless you keep receipts, it’s not that easy to know if you have it.

If your business has a lot of computers, it’s doubly important to make sure everything’s legit, since messing up the licensing could get expensive. Plus, having a valid license to use Windows on all your devices protects you if you ever get audited or need support from Microsoft.

Not sure if you have a Windows license? Our team can help to check your systems are above board. And if they’re not, we can help you sort it. We’ll handle all the technical stuff too, so you don’t have to worry about the fine print. Visit www.WeAreProactive.com to get in touch.

Proactive IT, LLC

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