Tech-ade

Don't Miss Out!

2010-06-10T05:18:00.000-07:00

Every time an email distracts you it takes you 64 seconds to get back on track...

Checking your email every 5 minutes means you spend 8.5 hours every week RECALLING WHAT YOU WERE DOING.

Want to know how to STOP email distractions? Just contact us for a free download of Tuesday's webinar:

"The Secret To Controlling Your Inbox So It Doesn't Control You"

Just email jessica@thinktechonline.com with subject: "Webinar Recording" or call our office: 508-992-2541.

- Pam Viveiros, VP

P.S. - There is time-sensitive material in our webinar that expires June 16, 2010...so call us for your free download RIGHT NOW. 508-992-2541

Last Chance To Registser!

2010-06-08T06:22:00.000-07:00

Last Chance To Register!

There are only a few seats left for our FREE Informational Webinar:

"The Secret To Controlling Your Inbox

So It Doesn't Control You."

TODAY! June 8, 2010 @ 2:00P (EST)

If you haven't yet registered, you'll want to Register Right Now.

In this important time-saving webinar, you will discover:

* The most common reasons for poor time management and how to avoid them

* How to effectively deal with your mountain of email without wasting hours of time sorting through it all

* The simple strategy used by one local company that added 64 minutes of productivity PER DAY

* The RIGHT WAY to use your Outlook Calendar so you make sure you always get the MOST important things done

Don't miss your chance to take back control of your inbox...and your life! Register now before it's too late.

FREE Informational Webinar!

2010-06-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be completely honest with you...

Sorting through email takes up way too much of my time and is truly the WORST part of my day. I can easily compare it to doing laundry or washing dishes - I know there are better things I could be doing with my time.

Like most business owners, I receive tons of email every day, running the gamut from project deadline reminders and client requests to personal emails and sometimes even spam messages. When I look at my inbox it's hard to not feel completely overwhelmed and, though I hate to admit it, some emails and tasks fall through the cracks because of it.

I know that I can't be the only one battling this, so I've decided to partner with a reputable business consultant, one who has helped such major corporations as EMC, Stop & Shop, GTECH and IKON with their workload challenges, to help educate small business owners much like myself, who may need help managing their email and prioritizing tasks. If you can relate, I have a FREE Informational Webinar that you WILL NOT want to miss!

ThinkTech Computers, Inc. and Priority Management Boston present:

"The Secret To Controlling Your Inbox

So It Doesn't Control You"

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010

2:00 PM (EST)

In this webinar you will discover:

* The most common reasons for poor time management and how to avoid them

* How to effectively deal with your mountain of email without wasting hours of time sorting through it all

* The simple strategy used by one local company that added 64 minutes of productivity PER DAY

* The RIGHT WAY to use your Outlook Calendar so you make sure you always get the MOST important things done

Space Is Limited, Register Now!

Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a limited amount of attendees and I'm absolutely certain that seats will go fast. Take back control of your time and your inbox...

Register for this FREE Live Informational webinar by calling our office at 508-992-2541 or emailing jessica@thinktechonline.com

"See" you next Tuesday!

Last Day To Register! Space Is Running Out!

2010-05-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

"What Every Business Owner MUST Have In Place NOW To Guarantee A Fast, Easy And Painless Recovery Of Their Data After A Disaster"

TODAY!!!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

2:00PM

HURRY! There are a limited amount of spaces left on this webinar, so sign up today:

http://www.backupnewengland.com/

Time Is Running Out!

2010-05-25T05:08:00.000-07:00

"What Every Business Owner MUST Have In Place NOW To Guarantee A Fast, Easy And Painless Recovery Of Their Data After A Disaster"

Thursday, May 27, 2010

2:00PM

HURRY! There are a limited amount of spaces left on this webinar, so sign up today:

www.backupnewengland.com

FREE Webinar Next Thursday!

2010-05-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

With The Severe Flooding In Our Area This Spring, We're Asking Small Business Owners The Tough Questions:

* If this happened to your business, would you even know where to begin to get back up and running?

* Can you guarantee that your important data would be completely safe and easy to recover in the event of a disaster?

* Can you afford to lose customer information and potential sales, ultimately costing your business money and potentially damaging your reputation?

If you answered "NO" to any of these questions, we have a FREE webinar that you will not want to miss:

"What Every Business Owner MUST

Have In Place NOW To Guarantee

A Fast, Easy, And Painless Recovery

Of Their Data After A Disaster"

When: Thursday, May 27, 2010

Start Time: 2:00 p.m.

If being able to restore your data and network quickly in the event of a disaster is important to you, this could be one of the most important letters you read all year.

We're holding a FREE Backup and Disaster Recovery webinar to clarify many of the questions our colleagues have about backing up and securing their data.

During this webinar you'll discover...

* The two-step backup system you must have in place to be 100% certain your business is back up and running FAST in the event of a complete system meltdown or disaster.

* The only surefire way to know if your data is being backed without errors or corruption; almost 99% of business owners never perform this simple check.

* The shocking misunderstanding most business owners have about their current backup system; if you think just backing up the data is enough; you'll be appalled after hearing this.

* How to get back up and running in the shortest time possible; we'll reveal what most backup providers don't want you to know about their backup system that could have you down for days - possibly weeks - trying to restore your data.

* 7 Security questions you should ask your offsite backup company before trusting them with your data; if they cannot say "yes" to all 7, DON'T give them access to your data or your network!

* How to completely automate your backup system so you can say goodbye to the hassle of tape rotation, tape storage, and the liability of human error.

* Why tape backup is one of the WORST ways to secure your data.

We are also going to announce a hot NEW backup system that is not only far superior to any other backup system on the market, but that will also save most of our colleagues thousands of dollars in offsite backup storage.

Space Is Limited So Register Now!

Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a limited amount of attendees and I'm absolutely certain that seats will go fast because backing up and securing your company data is a critical and very important issue that ALL of our clients are concerned about. No one can afford to risk lost data or being "out of business" for days or weeks due to a disaster.

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational webinar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or emailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

Is Your Data Safe?

2010-05-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

What Would You Do If This Happened To Your Business?

We're Inviting You To Join Us For Our FREE Webinar:

"What Every Business Owner MUST

Have In Place NOW To Guarantee

A Fast, Easy, And Painless Recovery

Of Their Data After A Disaster"

When: Thursday, May 27, 2010

Start Time: 2:00 p.m.

During this webinar you'll discover...

* The two-step backup system you must have in place to be 100% certain your business is back up and running FAST in the event of a complete system meltdown or disaster.

* The only surefire way to know if your data is being backed without errors or corruption; almost 99% of business owners never perform this simple check.

* The shocking misunderstanding most business owners have about their current backup system; if you think just backing up the data is enough; you'll be appalled after hearing this.

* How to get back up and running in the shortest time possible; we'll reveal what most backup providers don't want you to know about their backup system that could have you down for days - possibly weeks - trying to restore your data.

* 7 Security questions you should ask your offsite backup company before trusting them with your data; if they cannot say "yes" to all 7, DON'T give them access to your data or your network!

* How to completely automate your backup system so you can say goodbye to the hassle of tape rotation, tape storage, and the liability of human error.

* Why tape backup is one of the WORST ways to secure your data.

We are also going to announce a hot NEW backup system that is not only far superior to any other backup system on the market, but that will also save most of our colleagues thousands of dollars in offsite backup storage.

Space Is Limited So Register Now!

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational webinar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or emailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

Warning: The Average Failure Rate Of Tape Drives is 100%!

2010-05-13T05:00:00.001-07:00

Most people don’t realize that ALL tape drives fail at some point. But what’s really dangerous is that most companies don’t realize it’s happened until it is too late.

That’s why thousands of businesses lose millions of dollars worth of data to disasters like fires, power outages, theft, equipment failure, and even simple human mistake. In almost every case, these businesses were horrified to find out their back-ups weren’t working when needed most.

As a Matter of Fact, You’ve Probably Experienced These Problems

With Your Tape Drive Already…

What if someone forgets the tapes, goes on vacation, or leaves the company, and the rotation plan falls through? Are the tapes being constantly monitored to make sure they are working? Have you ever tried to recover data from your tape drive, only to discover how difficult it was, or that the data you thought was being backed up, in fact, wasn’t?

Finally, (God forbid) if your office gets flooded because of a storm, hit by a tornado, burned to the ground by a fire, or burglarized, your tape backup will be damaged along with everything else and will be completely worthless!

You’re Invited To Join Us:

“What Every Business Owner MUST Have In Place NOW

To Guarantee A Fast, Easy, And Painless Recovery

Of Their Data After A Disaster”

When: Thursday, May 27, 2010

Start Time: 2:00 p.m.

If being able to restore your data and network quickly in the event of a disaster is important to you, this could be one of the most important letters you read all year.

We’re holding a FREE Backup and Disaster Recovery Webinar to clarify many of the questions our colleagues have about backing up and securing their data.

During this Webinar you’ll discover…

* The two-step backup system you must have in place to be 100% certain your business is back up and running FAST in the event of a complete system meltdown or disaster.

* The only surefire way to know if your data is being backed without errors or corruption; almost 99% of business owners never perform this simple check.

* The shocking misunderstanding most business owners have about their current backup system; if you think just backing up the data is enough; you’ll be appalled after hearing this.

* How to get back up and running in the shortest time possible; we’ll reveal what most backup providers don’t want you to know about their backup system that could have you down for days – possibly weeks – trying to restore your data.

* 7 Security questions you should ask your offsite backup company before trusting them with your data; if they cannot say “yes” to all 7, DON’T give them access to your data or your network!

* How to completely automate your backup system so you can say goodbye to the hassle of tape rotation, tape storage, and the liability of human error.

* Why tape backup is one of the WORST ways to secure your data.

We are also going to announce a hot NEW backup system that is not only far superior to any other backup system on the market, but that will also save most of our colleagues thousands of dollars in offsite backup storage.

Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a limited amount of attendees and I’m absolutely certain that seats will go fast because backing up and securing your company data is a critical and very important issue that ALL of our clients are concerned about. No one can afford to risk lost data or being “out of business” for days or weeks due to a disaster.

Sign up at www.backupnewengland.com

or call our office (508)992-2541

One Big Reason To Ditch That "Free" Email Account

2010-05-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

Using a free e-mail account can be frustrating; no help organizing your messages, keeping track of appointments and deadlines, or staying on track with projects. Plus, if you want to share your electronic rolodex of prospects, vendors & clients with employees, it’s a pain in the rump. Worse yet, there’s no way to store and keep your e-mail data safe and secure, and no easy way to retrieve it when you need it.

The Answer To Your Email Woes

For many businesses, Microsoft Exchange is the answer. This e-mail system automatically puts you and your employees’ contacts, e-mail, calendars, and tasks all in one place (Outlook) where they are easily accessible, backed up, and secure.

But the cost of setting up this type of system used to be cost-prohibitive for some companies. A server needs to be purchased along with software and other network components. Even on the smallest of networks, this would add up to thousands of dollars for set-up plus hundreds of dollars each year for maintenance.

Fortune 500 E-mail, Mom & Pop Price

“Hosted Exchange” is the cost-effective alternative. For the cost of a few lattes per month, you can have a great system for organizing your contacts, calendars and tasks, plus have peace of mind that your email data is safe.

Not convinced on features and cost savings alone? Here are 4 more reasons to consider Hosted Exchange for your business:

1. Quick Set-Up. Installing an Exchange server at your office could take a full day or more to complete. With Hosted Exchange, there is no server to set up. Just connect to the Internet, enter your log-in, and you’re off to email land.

2. Disaster Recovery. With Hosted Exchange, your emails, calendar, contacts and tasks are all stored in an iron-clad data center and then replicated to another data center. Even if the network in your office goes down, your email service isn’t interrupted.

3. Grows As You Grow. Need an email account for that new employee? Looking to upgrade Exchange to a new version? Hosted Exchange makes both these tasks a snap.

4. Keeps You In Synch. In real time, your laptop, home PC, work PC, and mobile phone all have the same email, contact, and calendar information.

Want To Learn More? Call Us Now:

508-992-2541

Windows 7: Upgrade Without Fear

2010-05-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Most business owners feel software upgrades are akin to having a dental extraction: not a pleasant experience. But an upgrade to Windows 7 can actually be pain-free. Here’s why:

XP Mode. If you’re worried about compatibility issues, fear not. XP Mode allows you to run older programs in Windows XP and simultaneously run every-thing else in Windows 7. If your main business software runs well now in Windows XP or Vista, it should run just fine in XP Mode.

For even more peace of mind, make sure you contact your business software vendor and get their a-ok before beginning an upgrade. You can also try this on a “test” PC before rolling it out on your network.

Installation Time. Windows 7 set-up is significantly faster than Vista or XP (previous versions of Windows). Boot-up times are multiples faster too.

Stuff Just Works. When you plug in a new scanner, camera or other device into your computer, you don’t want to fight with pop-up messages that tell you to search for drivers. You just want it to work the way it’s supposed to. With Windows 7 that’s what you get. No hassle. No fear.

How To Revolutionize Your Business In 6 Minutes A Day

2010-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

What if I told you with one simple change, I could add another 26 hours—or 3 1/4 days—of time back into your life? And what if I told you I could give that back to every single employee you have working for you instantly, without having to master a new time management program or making any changes to the way you work. Would you want to implement that change immediately? If you said “yes,” then read on...

Tiny Hinges Swing Big Doors

In order to understand how this is done, you have to understand one very simple principle: losses in productivity and progress are not lost (or gained) in big, obvious blocks of time. The silent killer is the culmination of a multitude of tiny, seemingly insignificant “leaks” of minutes and progress over an extended period.

The “Latte Factor”

Author David Bach explained this phenomenon as it pertains to retiring rich in his book, “The Automatic Millionaire.” He calls it the “latte factor,” and it can be the difference between retiring financially independent or broke. Here’s how it works…

Let’s suppose you spend $7 a day for your fancy cup of coffee at Starbucks along with something to eat. On the surface, this seems like a very small, harmless expense. However, add that up over 30 years and if you had invested that money instead of spending it, you would end up with over $1.2 million dollars in your pocket. But here’s where it gets significant…

MOST of the people who are spending $7 a day on trivial items are NOT investing ANYTHING into retirement. Why? Because they don’t understand the principle of the latte factor; because it’s such a small amount of money, they don’t think it would make any difference if they invested it—classic short term thinking. These are the people who end up working under the “golden arches” in their golden years because they can’t live off their meager savings. So what does this have to do with giving you 3 1/4 days of your life back?

How 6 Minutes Turns Into 3 Days

The same “latte factor” applies to tiny losses in time. Let’s say you lose 6 minutes a day in a 5-day workweek to computer problems, dealing with spam e-mails, slowness or other technical issues. Spread over a day it’s only a few seconds here or a minute or two there. On the surface, this seems insignificant and completely harmless.

However, you add that up over a year and it comes out to 26 HOURS of lost time, not to mention the aggravation of dealing with these issues.

Yet when we talk to most business owners about preventative maintenance to significantly REDUCE downtime, problems, slowness or hang time, they aren’t interested. Like the folks spending $7 a day, they think that time improvement in performance really won’t translate into more profits or revenue for their business.

Stop The Slow Leak

An ill-maintained network is far more susceptible to viruses, hackers, spyware, data loss, hardware failure and other malicious threats. Minute by minute, all of these issues waste your time.

To prevent this “slow leak” from impacting your bottom line, check out these 3 tips:

1. Keep Your Virus Protection Up-To-Date. New threats are released every day so staying on top of this maintenance is critical.

2. Update Windows. Hotfixes, patches, & security features prevent system crashes and slowness.

3. Get New “Firm ware”. Firmware is the updated software for your firewall. It protects you from the latest hacker invasions and other online threats.

FREE BOOK:

“Hassle-Free Computer Support”

Our latest book (free while supplies last) reveals what you need to know to prevent computer issues from stealing your time and money. Don’t let another minute go by.

GET YOUR FREE COPY NOW AT:

http://www.hasslefreebook.com/

Shiny New Gadget: Asus Videophone Touch

2010-04-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

It’s the next generation of mobile phone: The mobile video phone.

For the busy entrepreneur on the go this device could mean more face-to-face meetings and a more personalized conference call experience without being confined to the office.

In addition, the device may even contribute to better communication with staff, vendors, and clients since the video aspect allows you to see and react to both verbal and NON-verbal cues.

The Asus Videophone Touch AiGuru SV1T, as it’s called, is certified to work over Skype, an Internet calling service that provides free or inexpensive calls all around the world.

About the same size as a small hardcover book, the device is easy to carry and sports a 7-inch screen.

Set-up is easy too. Just turn on the Asus AiGuru SV1, set the date and time, and let it search for wireless connections in the area.

Typically, it can find an available wireless network within seconds and connect right away. Once it’s connected to the Internet, you simply sign in with your Skype user name and password, and call away.

The device costs about $235 and can be purchased online or through most office supply or electronics superstores.

STOP! Don’t Upgrade Your Server Until You Read THIS

2010-04-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

A new breakthrough in technology may change the way you think about traditional computer networks. It’s called “Cloud Computing” and could save your business quite a bit of money on software, hardware, upgrades and services. Here’s how it works…

Instead of purchasing hardware and software to be hosted at your office, cloud computing puts your programs and data on a highly secure “super server” (also called a data center) online. These servers have huge amounts of storage space and power that no small business could ever fully utilize. The data center then “rents” a portion of the space, power and software licenses to multiple businesses, giving you top of the line resources at a fraction of the cost. All you need is an Internet connection and you’re in business.

This is not a new concept and companies like SalesForce, gMail, Google Apps, Constant Contact, and many other online applications have been offering their services this way for years – and because it’s so much more economical than installing, hosting and supporting a network in-house, the concept is catching on fast. Still skeptical?

Here are 9 reasons why this concept is catching on FAST with small to medium business owners, and why you might consider it too:

1. You have an INSTANT virtual office. Cloud computing allows you or your employees to access and work from any secure PC, laptop or device. If you have employees that travel, are in remote locations or who need or want to work from home, this is an ideal solution.

2. You’ll save hard dollars on software, hardware and support. First, you won’t have to purchase, install or maintain servers or other network equipment. You also won’t need “super computers” to run the software, allowing you to purchase lesser-expensive laptops and PCs. Second, the software will be cheaper as well because you are renting it instead of purchasing it. Finally, IT maintenance and support costs will drop because the server is being maintained by the hosting company, not you.

3. Less Downtime and Problems. Software in the cloud runs on extremely fast and reliable systems that include some form of redundancy. What that means is if one server or component stops working, another server or component will instantly take over without you even realizing something happened. Compare that to your own server going down; until you get it fixed, you’re unable to work.

4. Automatic Disaster Recovery. If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it 100 times; make sure you back up your data. But when your data is hosted in the cloud, the backup is done automatically for you. Since your software and data reside on an offsite server in a data center, you already have a way to access it even if you couldn’t get into the office.

5. Less Expensive To Scale Your Network Up Or Down. If you start to run out of space on your local office computer or server, you’ll need to purchase an additional hard drive and pay for the installation. In a cloud computing environment, you just pay for the amount you need and increase your storage plan when necessary. And if you want to scale BACK, you can do that without penalty.

6. Hassle-Free Software. If you’ve ever had to search for software disks you know what a pain it can be. With cloud computing, all your software is loaded on a server in a datacenter and then shared over the Internet. There are no software disks to manage, organize or file.

7. Environmentally Friendly. Because resources are shared, cloud computing uses significantly less power. You also won’t have to upgrade your hardware as often, which means fewer PCs, laptops and other components piling up in landfills.

8. No More Expensive Software Upgrades. Networks in the cloud benefit from automatic software upgrades; best of all, they are done FOR you. When a software upgrade is needed, only the server “in the cloud” gets loaded up with the most up-to-date software versions. Then each computer accesses this software via the Internet.

9. Reduced Maintenance. When your software is in the cloud, patches are automatically applied, meaning fewer reboots and downtime for maintenance. It’s all taken care of for you.

“How Certain Are You That Your Business Could Be Back Up And Running After A Disaster?”

2010-04-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever lost an hour or two of work on your computer because it crashed? Now imagine if you lost days or weeks of work – or imagine losing your client database, financial records, and all of the work files your company has ever produced or compiled. Imagine what would happen if your network went down for days where you couldn’t access e-mail or the information on your PC. How frustrating would that be?

Most small business owners have no idea of the importance of disaster recovery planning because they are already swamped with more immediate day-to-day fires demanding their attention. If their network is working fine today, it goes to the bottom of the pile of things to worry about. In most cases, no one is watching to make sure the backups are working, the virus protection is up-to-date, or that the network is “healthy.”

This is like saying you’re too busy driving your car on the highway to put your seatbelt on. Taking that simple preventative step doesn’t really show its true value until you get into a head-on collision; at that point you are either extremely relieved that you had it on or incredibly sorry that you didn’t.

The same holds true with your data backup. Obviously the information on the disk is far more valuable than the disk itself. If your company depends on having access to the information stored on your server or PC, then it’s time to get serious about protecting it from damage or loss.

Want To Make Sure Your Backups Are Working?

Then Call Us Now For A FREE Backup Check!

During the month of May, we’re giving away a FREE Backup Check to review your backup procedure and uncover any problems or failures you might not be aware of. If we find anything amiss, we’ll let you know and make a few recommendations on how to remedy the problem. You are under no obligation to purchase anything or to take our recommendations.

Don’t wait for a disaster to find out if your backups are working!

508-992-2541

Coming Soon: Interchangeable Cell Phone Chargers

2010-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

When it’s time to upgrade your cell phone, there’s a cost you probably don’t think about until it’s time to pay the bill: the charger. Sure, your new purchase comes with a wall charger. But if you want to charge your phone in the car, that old one you have just won’t work.

Fortunately, all that is about to change. Seventeen wireless handset manufacturers have agreed to make interchangeable chargers that will work for the majority of new cell phones, according to USA Today. This is expected to take place by 2012. Hurray! One less expense at the cell phone store!

3 Turnkey Ways To Learn More About Your Customers

2010-04-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

These days, getting up-to-date information from your contacts isn’t easy. On top of managing your e-mail and phone calls, now you have to check Facebook, Twitter, My Space, and Linked-In just to make sure you don’t miss something. It’s enough to make your head spin.

But Microsoft Outlook may have the solution. Outlook Social Connector (OSC), a recent add-on to Outlook, puts all your social media communications and emails in one place, eliminating the need to check multiple sites for the info you need.

Both avid fans and rare users of social media will likely find the new OSC tool to be a big time saver. Here are 3 reasons why:

1) Communication History. Can’t remember the last time you e-mailed a certain contact? Looking for an attachment referenced in an e-mail? Your mailbox is searched and recent messages, as well as a list of attachments you’ve exchanged with that person, appear. A quick look at the OSC reveals the last time you received an email from them, and one click opens it up.

2) Updated Contact Info. In real time, your OSC will go out to social networks and let you know what your colleagues and friends are up to. If your contacts update their profile or change their status, OSC will tell you that too.

3) Adding New Contacts. With a simple click, you can request to be someone’s friend or colleague on any social networks you’re connected to. The OSC then automatically saves them as contacts in Outlook.

ThinkTech Is Growing – In More Ways Than One!

2010-04-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, in 2009 ThinkTech added another C.E.O. (Chief Executive Offspring) to the family. (That’s Pam, Nathan, Zachary (3), and Brody (8 months) in the picture). In addition to growing our literal family, we’ve grown our client family as well. We now have locations in the following three areas:

Southeastern MA (headquarters)

Southwestern FL

Central TN

We will be busy continuing to expand all three locations this year and providing exceptional support to our wonderful clients. If there is ever anything we can do to make your “WOW” experience with us EVEN BETTER, be sure to call us at 508-992-2541.

FREE FRESH FLORIDA ORANGES OR TENNESSE GOO-GOO CLUSTERS

Know any businesses that could use computer and network support in either of our two new support areas? Call us at 508-992-2541 or send an e-mail to jessica@thinktechonline.com with the name and contact information of any of your business friends who are looking for a good, reliable IT support company...and get “paid” in oranges or chocolaty goo-goo clusters!

Paper Chaos: “Good Riddance”

2010-04-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Paper is expensive. Ink, supplies, cabinets, storage, and payroll to handle the paper; it all costs money and time. Just 15 minutes a day of paper shuffling equates to a FULL work week of non-productive time per year.

Want to get that time and money back? Then consider a document management solution.

By using document imaging, your paper piles are converted into organized, easy to find electronic files. Good document management systems can also streamline processes, eliminate redundancy and increase the ability for your employees to collaborate on documents. Say “Bye-bye, paper...Hello, technology.”

If Your Ex-Employee Deleted All Of His E-mails, Would You Know What To Do?

2010-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Though sometimes necessary, letting go of an employee is never easy. No one wants to think that their employees would do any-thing inappropriate when they leave. But the fact is...it happens.

When you think about all the company information that person was privy to—and the damage this person could do - it’s downright scary.

Thankfully, Microsoft Exchange 2010 protects you from that. This popular e-mail system uses a feature called the “legal hold” to prevent an unscrupulous employee from deleting important messages to cover his tracks.

If any employee in your company deletes or alters an e-mail, this new version of Exchange can save this message for you.

To help prevent any funny business from happening in the first place, you can even have the e-mail system warn the employee that the “legal hold” feature is on.

In addition to protecting you from a bitter employee, the new Exchange can help with other legal matters, too.

Let’s say you are having a disagreement with a vendor. To support your case, you need to gather all the e-mails your company has sent to them.

The new Exchange makes that a snap. With a few clicks, you can search everyone’s mailbox for relevant e-mails without going to each employee looking for it.

How do you get your hands on this software? 2 options.

Option #1 – Own it. You buy the server, software & pay for set-up, but retain all the control.

Option #2 - “Rent” it. Coined, “Hosted Exchange” this gives you the flexibility to “share” the software and hardware costs with other businesses thereby greatly lowering your upfront costs.

Which Option Is Right For You? Call Us:

508-992-2541

Could Facebook Ruin Your Business?

2010-04-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Warren Buffet said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it.” Nowhere could this idea be more true than on the Internet.

With lightening-fast speed, one negative post about your company on Facebook or other social media site can travel to hundreds or thousands of potential customers or employees and ruin your reputation.

On top of the humiliation of “losing face,” from negative online feed-back, you could lose customers, sales, and vendor relationships, too.

The Un-Truth

While some “company-bashing” comments might be warranted, here’s the worst part: some are completely untrue. Obviously, there’s no way to fact-check everything posted about your business. Most online comments about any business are actually just pure opinion.

Think negative online opinions on Twitter or Facebook will just “blow over?” Not likely.

Posting something online makes it available for anyone to copy and distribute instantly. So even if you delete the initial post, the same information may already be posted in 18 different places. Once something is online, it’s pretty much there to stay.

How Your Reputation Could Be Tarnished

There are four ways potentially damaging messages could be said about your company.

1. Competitors. It isn’t difficult to hide your true identity online. All your competition has to do is pose as an “average Joe” and pretend to be your customer. Then he can post negative reviews, damaging comments, or horrible customer experiences that never happened. In a matter of minutes, he can make your loyal customers have their doubts about continuing to do business with you and ward off potential new clients.

When this happens to you, proving these comments are posted by your competition is no small feat. Even if you could prove who the culprit was, you wouldn’t be likely to nail him. Since social media is a relatively new phenomenon, there is very little case law available. What is available pertains more to employees’ social media activity than to your competitors.

2. Employees. Without intending to, employees could post or comment about confidential company information and put the business at enormous risk. Merely commenting on a project or a particular customer could cause the competition to steal business away, or could make the customer leave, upset that your employees are writing about their dealings with you for all the world to see.

Then there’s the disgruntled employee. According to a recent survey by Deloitte, 74% of employees say it’s easy to damage an employer’s reputation using social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.).

Recently, a bank sued one of their ex-vice presidents after he posted confidential company documents online. Allegedly, the documents exposed illegal activities. The law suit requested the forceful removal of the documents. The bank lost the case, saying that the website and the ex–vice president had a First Amendment right to keep the documents online. In addition, the judge pointed out that taking down the documents would do little good, since they could have been copied and re-posted by other sites.

3. Employees’ “Friends” And Family. Turns out it’s not just employees you need to worry about...but their circle of friends and family, too.

In a recent U.S. court case, a restauranteur was quoted in a newspaper article as saying that he treats his employees with “dignity and respect.” When the father of a former employee read this article online, he was not too happy. He left a comment that the company had been sexually harassing his daughter and that the owner condoned the behavior.

The company looked for justice by suing the father for defamation, but the case got thrown out. The reason? The court sited these comments as opinion and not applicable to defamation laws.

4. Customers. Social media and other online chat has made it easier than ever for customers to let the world know about negative experiences with your company. Of course, the best thing to do is work diligently to keep your customers happy and avoid this issue altogether. But just one “minor” incident can send a bad vibe to all your prospects at the speed of light online.

Though you can’t prevent customers or competition from posting whatever they want, you can have some control over what your employees do.

How To Prevent Online Company Bashing

First, make sure you have a computer use policy. In it, you can dictate what employees can and cannot do online and include a section on banning any conduct that could damage your company’s reputation.

Second, monitor your employees’ activity online. Newer content filtering appliances allow business owners to keep an eye on where their employees are going and even what information they are posting online.

FREE 2-HOUR SERVICE CALL HELPS YOU PROTECT YOUR REPUTATION

During the month of April, we’re giving away 2 FREE hours of service to use as you wish. You can have us review or begin writing your computer use policy, help you develop a plan for monitoring negative online comments or review your firewall for other Internet threats. Don’t miss out! Call us for your 2 FREE hours today!

508-992-2541

Protect Your Kids Online For Under $30

2010-03-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Nearly 90% of 8-16 year olds have seen inappropriate images online. Most of them stumble upon it as a result of conducting research for their homework. With frightening numbers of pornography, child predators, and other harmful online risks, protecting your children’s online activity is a MUST.

With the following 4 features, Net Nanny Parental Controls software by ContentWatch ($29 at www.hermanstreet.com) helps you do just that.

1. Blocks “Mature” Games. The software scans the online game for its ESRB ratings (like movie ratings, but for computer games). If the game isn’t kid-friendly, the computer blocks it.

2. Filters Facebook. Net Nanny can provide parents with a report on who their kids’ “friends” are, what pictures and videos they are looking at, and their Facebook Instant Message conversations.

3. Prevents Proxy Sites From Working. Content filters work by making a “blacklist” of sites that it won’t allow. If you tried to type in a blacklisted website address, you wouldn’t get very far. But there’s a sneaky way around this called a “Proxy Server.”

Proxy Server web addresses are usually content neutral, so users can go there without flagging the blacklist system. Once in, your child can navigate to their original blacklisted site. Net Nanny prevents this by blocking both proxy server entries and the inappropriate website itself.

4. Keeps Parents Informed. If your child is trying to gain access to something you have blocked, Net Nanny sends you an e-mail alert.

Proper Disposal of All Things Electronic

2010-03-25T05:00:00.001-07:00

As much as you’d like to, it’s really not safe to just throw away old computers, network equipment, or any electronics like TV’s, cell phones, and DVD players. If disposed of improperly, these items contain toxic chemicals, like arsenic and mercury that can harm the environment. How do you dispose of these things properly? Check out these two tips:

1. Reuse. This is the most environmentally friendly of the disposal methods. Find another use for your old equipment. For example, you might be able to use an old PC as a firewall, run a basic program like an older voicemail system, or make it a toy for your kids or grandkids to beat up.

2. E-cycle. Some major retailers, like Best Buy and Dell, offer recycling programs for computers and home electronics. If it’s your cell phone you are looking to get rid of, you can find a local program by going to http://www.earth911.org/ or http://www.mygreenelectronics.org/

Could Buying A Computer Actually Increase Your Cash Flow?

2010-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Buying a new computer isn’t cheap. Sure, the computer itself is pretty inexpensive, but then you have to purchase software and peripherals. Before you know it, you’ve tied up at least $1,200 of your cash on the thing. Then there’s the labor to install it. If you’re not under an all-inclusive type of IT service plan, the labor could run you a few hundred dollars more. Of course, the situation worsens when you have more than one system to replace.

What’s A Business Owner To Do?

Until recently, if you needed a new computer right away, but didn’t want to tie up your cash, your only option was to lease it. Not anymore. The recent credit crunch took the option of leasing new equipment off the table for many businesses. This means that you either have to part with the cash, or forgo the new technology you need.

“Hardware as a service,” otherwise known as “HaaS” is a new way business owners can gain financial benefits and peace of mind when purchasing computers, servers, and network equipment.

Like businesses who lease their computer equipment, HaaS customers also pay monthly for their infrastructure. This allows them to keep more cash in their pocket and gives them the tax advantage of converting a typical capital expense into an operational expense. But unlike leasing, HaaS can also alleviate computer headaches in these 3 ways:

1) No More Expensive Surprise Upgrades. If your computers or server don’t meet the minimum hardware requirements when your line of business software releases an upgrade, you could be forced to lay out thousands of dollars that weren’t in your budget. With HaaS, your computers are automatically replaced with new ones every 3-4 years, ensuring compatibility with almost any software refresh.

2) Dealing With Warranties Are A Thing of The Past. With a HaaS program, you get your equipment AND the service included in the monthly cost. Anything that goes wrong with the computer (like the inevitable computer crash just days after your warranty expires), is the provider’s problem to resolve. Plus, since HaaS computers are replaced regularly by your provider, you don’t have to settle for refurbished parts or old computers for very long.

3) One Easy To Understand Invoice. Simpler is better. Instead of receiving different invoices for hardware and labor, a HaaS plan means you get one invoice for virtually all your IT needs, giving you a truer budget number for IT related expenses.Think of it like this: Purchasing your computers with a HaaS program is like having a condo. You get control of what goes in it, yet you don’t have to worry about maintenance, building code issues, or updating the façade. Plus all your services and amenities are included in just one monthly fee.

Want new computers without the big upfront outlay of cash?

Call us today to learn more about HaaS and find out if it’s right for you. 508-992-2541 or e-mail us at info@thinktechonline.com

Shiny New Gadget: Motorola Droid Phone

2010-03-19T05:06:00.001-07:00

Here’s a quick run-down of the good, the bad, and the bottom line on this new phone.

The good: Most users of the new Motorola Droid Phone really like its display screen; fans cite the phone’s large, crisp picture and vivid graphics.

The phone also has a pretty fast Web browser, (reportedly much faster than that of the Blackberry), a Google Maps Navigation app, and better messaging and contact management. With Verizon as its carrier, the Droid has very reliable service.

The bad: The QWERTY keyboard seems to be a bit awkward, especially if you don’t exactly have dainty hands. Some people dislike its weight, too, since it weighs a full ounce more than its closest competitor.

Also, because the dialpad control is restricted to the home screen, driving and making a phone call is rather difficult.

Not surprisingly, music and video capabilities are not as strong as the iPod’s. In addition, there’s no Bluetooth voice dialing.

The bottom line: Overall, the Droid is a good smart phone with good service, useful Google maps, and a killer display screen. It’s a great touch-screen upgrade from the Blackberry and gives its competition a run for the money.

How To Get Your Employees To Cheerfully Put In MORE Hours

2010-03-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

Who doesn’t want employees that are more productive in the workplace? Yet personal issues, illness and family obligations often prevent employees from coming in. That’s why so many employers are now enabling remote access to their network.

Whether you call it “working from home,” or your “virtual office,” the idea is the same; your network is configured to give you and your staff the ability to work from some location other than the office. While most business owners and managers pulling 60 hour work-weeks love the idea of putting in some of those hours from the comfort of their home, they often fear that employees given the same luxury won’t be as productive.

However, studies have shown that employees working from home are actually far more productive than those who are limited to working at the office. The biggest fear is that employees will goof off and not take their job seriously; however, that fear is on the decline as more and more businesses are pursuing this (23 million and growing to be exact!)

While telecommuting will not work in every situation, there is no doubt that technology has made working from home extremely practical whether a few times a month or every week. As a matter of fact, offering work-from-home options can give you a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining the best employees. Here are some additional benefits to allowing your people remote access:

Employees who are sick can continue to work without infecting the office or losing an entire day of work.
Employees forced to stay home to take care of sick family members can continue to work instead of taking off long periods.
Inclement weather or heavily congested traffic won’t shut down your office.
Key managers with a heavy workload will actually be more productive if given the ability to work from home on evenings and weekends.
Allowing employees flexibility during peak workloads (eg. CPAs during tax season) makes employees happier to put in the extra hours from a home office.
Employees with temporary or permanent disabilities can continue to be fully functional in a home environment.

How To Get Started With A Work From Home Program

While there are several options for remotely accessing your network, there are two primary ways used by most. They are:

Remote Web Workplace:
Pros: It’s easy to use. This method of remote access automatically comes with most Microsoft Small Business Server software. As long as your server is configured properly, you should be able to use the remote features.

Cons: Your desktop in your office has to be turned on and functioning. Because this method actually takes over your computer, any issue with your computer that requires a physical reboot (meaning you need to be there at the machine) renders your work from home session impossible.

Virtual Private Network (VPN):
Pros: Doesn’t rely on another computer in the office to work. Also, a VPN has some flexibility, since it can be set up as a hardware or software VPN.

Cons: Tends to run a little slower than remote web workplace. Basically, if you need to do a lot on your desktop PC, VPN may not be for you.

Want to find out which method is right for you?

Get A Remote Workplace Action Plan

We’ll can review your current situation, help you clarify what you want, discuss various options and put together an Action Plan on the most cost effective, hassle-free way to implement this in your business.

Get Your Action Plan Today:

Call us now at 508-992-2541

E-mail: jessica@thinktechonline.com

Get Informed With Our FREE Office 2010 Webinar!

2010-03-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Everyone's Talking About Office 2010...

Are You Ready?

Are you constantly on the move and in need of a simplified way to access your important documents from practically anywhere?

Looking for that "WOW" factor for your marketing materials or client presentations while saving on design and consulting costs?

Do you know you should upgrade your version of office, but are worried that Microsoft's new Office 2010 will drastically change the way you use your computer?

Here's your chance to get informed!

FREE Webinar Will Reveal:

"Top Ten Reasons Your Business Will Benefit

From Office 2010"

When: Thursday, March 25, 2010

Start Time: PM ET

You'll Discover:

* A simple way to instantly boost your employees productivity
* How to access your documents from practically anywhere on any device
* Increased organization for quick retrieval of files when you need them most
* How to eliminate collaboration issues quickly and easily
* Undeniably improved connectivity and versatility

Space Is Limited So Register Now!

Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a limited amount of attendees and I'm absolutely certain that seats will go fast because many of our clients and colleagues have shown interest in this newest version of Microsoft Office.

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational Webinar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or emailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

Working With PDF Documents

2010-03-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a common, free download that allows you to open, read, and make comments on any Portable Document Format (PDF) documents you receive. But there are some limitations.

1. It doesn’t allow editing

2. It won’t convert your documents to PDF.

For those functions, there’s Acrobat Pro. It creates PDF’s, organizes them for easy searching, allows multiple people to simultaneously make comments and place sticky notes or highlights on a PDF, and can password protect it so only a select few can edit the actual document.

Don’t need all the bells and whistles? Nitro PDF (www.nitropdf.com) will edit PDF documents and costs about $100. Or, for FREE, you can download PDF995 Suite (www.pdf995.com) to read, edit & create PDF’s. The downside of FREE? With PDF995 you can only read and create PDF’s not edit existing ones. On that same site you can download PDFedit995 that will allow you to edit.

There’s A Good Chance Over HALF Your Employees Are Wasting 3 Hours A Day On THIS...

2010-03-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

A survey of over 2,500 employees found nearly half of the group admitted to wasting 1-3 hours every day on the web doing non-business related activities. Pretty scary, huh?

Just ONE employee in your company spending ONE hour surfing the web instead of doing what they should be doing is impacting your bottom line. Plus, this idle surfing doesn’t just affect that one employee; it could impact the whole team. If your Internet all of a sudden slows to a halt…a time-wasting employee may be the cause.

Watching a YouTube video, for example, can hog up your bandwidth and slow your entire company’s Internet speed way down, including e-mail and online applications.

How To Find Out If This Is Happening In Your Business

No business owner has time to look over their employees’ shoulders every hour of every day...and if Internet usage abuse is going on, how do you stop it? Look to these two tips for help:

1. Determine Your Rules. Unless your admin places company job postings online, you wouldn’t want to give her the opportunity to job search on your dime. So, you’d block career sites. Social media is another example. Typically, you’d block Twitter. But if you use it for marketing, your employees need access to it.

2. Get An Internet Filter. Basically, a piece of hardware is installed on your network and its job is to block any specific websites or categories of websites, like shopping sites. Some of these devices even allow you to assign a hierarchy to your Internet speed, ensuring that your payroll software gets all the Internet juice before the NFL replay does.

FREE Internet Usage Audit (A $297 Value)

As a way to introduce our services in March, we’re offering a FREE Internet Usage Audit that will reveal:

- What impact employee web browsing is having on your Internet speed

- How to stop any bad web behaviors without being “Big Brother”

To schedule your FREE Audit NOW, call us at :

508-992-2541

The Shocking Misunderstanding Most Business Owners Have About Their Backup System

2010-03-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know you should be backing up your computers and server. But here’s something you probably DON’T know that will come back and bite you: simply having a backup of your data is NOT ENOUGH to guarantee you could be back up and running fast in the event of a disaster.

Having a data backup merely means that you have a copy of your company’s data stored somewhere; it does NOT mean you have a way to instantly restore your network back to normal.

For example, if your network crashed because of a hardware failure, your entire company is down, period. No e-mail, printing, accessing the database, customer records, and more. Until whatever caused the problem can be fixed (which might involve ordering replacement parts), your business is closed.

So You Reach For Your Backup Only To Discover...

Your information is there, but without a server, you have nowhere to load that information, and no way to access it. On top of that, a backup only holds your data, not your operating system, settings, or software applications. So even if you can load the data, you can’t actually use it without re-loading all the software applications—no small feat. Even IF you have all the software disks and key codes (most people don’t), it could still take days — possibly weeks— to rebuild, and the costs can run into the thousands.

That’s Not The Half Of It

The three most common causes of server downtime are hardware failure, software corruption and human error. But nearly 20% of businesses suffer damaging downtime from fire, flood, theft, or other natural disasters, and 44% of them never recover—and that’s mostly because they didn’t have a disaster recovery plan in place.

A disaster recovery plan covers more than just backup. It maps out how to get your business restored and running again in every possible scenario. For example, if another company in your office building has a fire, the police may quarantine your building preventing you from even entering your office. Or if a major storm knocks out power, Internet or the phone lines, you need a plan “B” for servicing customers, taking orders and keeping things rolling.

3 Crucial Components To A Disaster Recovery Plan

1. Have One! As the old adage goes, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” When it comes to disaster recovery, nothing could be more accurate.

If something happens to your office, will your employees be able to work from home? Do you have an alternate plan for your phones? Where would you temporarily set up shop? How quickly could you get technology equipment you need to function like computers, scanners, or printers? How will you access the Internet? Make a point to document the answers to these questions.

2. Onsite Server “Virtualization.” In a downtime situation, virtualization is basically a business owner’s lifeline to his business. Once only available to big businesses with deep pockets, this now affordable technology can literally get you back up and running just as you were before the disaster... in as little as 24 hours. If the disaster doesn’t take out your whole office, virtualization can have you back in business the same day. Here’s how it works. A second server makes exact copies of everything on your server—operating system, software applications and data—every 15-60 minutes.

This server replica, also known as an “image,” can take over if your main server fails or gets corrupted. No need to re-load software, reconfigure your network, or re-load your data. In as little as 30 minutes, everyone in your company can get back to work, just as they were before the downtime. Compare this to the days or WEEKS it could take without virtualization; the productivity and money savings is staggering. Side Note: If you are still using old tape backups, you NEED to throw them away and virtualize your server with an offsite backup!

3. Offsite Image of Your Server. Fire, flood, theft, natural disasters, or even faulty office sprinkler systems can physically damage your office equipment, including your server and your backup system.

Head this off by having an exact copy (an image) of your server’s operating system, settings, programs, and data sent daily to an offsite location. Also make sure this image can be quickly loaded on to a server and shipped to you. With this in your plan, a tornado could rip open your office and destroy everything, yet you could be back up and running within a few days.

Need Help In Writing Your Company’s Disaster Recovery Plan?

Call Today: 508-992-2541

2010-02-25T05:11:00.001-08:00

Last Chance To Register!

FREE Webinar Will Reveal:

"Straight-up Answers To The 6 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 7"

When: Friday, February 26, 2010

Start Time: 2pm ET

I've posted a few times about the newest Windows operating system and how you can get informed. Although we've had an overwhelming number of businesses register for our FREE informational webinar, "Straight-up Answers To The 6 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 7", I haven't heard from you...

This is your last chance to register for tomorrow's webinar. Take a moment to visit our site for more information on Windows 7 and register now before it's too late!

Space Is Limited, Register Now!

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational Teleseminar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or e-mailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

Windows 7 Webinar 2/26/10

2010-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

WARNING To All Business Owners:

Do NOT Upgrade Any Of Your Computers Until You Read This

Are you ready to pull your hair out in frustration by your computer's irritatingly slow speed, clumsy layout, and incessant warning messages that look like they are written in a foreign language?

Feel like you want to scream when you tell your computer to close a program and it asks you 5 times "Are you sure you really want to quit this application?"

Do you know you should upgrade your computers, but are terrified that Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system will muck things up, be incompatible with your business software, and generally make your computers and network even worse?

End the frustration and worry!

FREE Webinar Will Reveal:

"Straight-up Answers To The 6 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 7"

When: Friday, February 26, 2010

Start Time: 2pm ET

You'll Discover:

* A no-nonsense, no "geek-speak", plain-English description of what Windows 7 is, what its limitations are, and which types of companies can benefit the most from it

* Two critical factors every business must think about before upgrading their systems

* How to realistically get back 1-2 hours of productivity per week that was previously stolen from you by your current computer

* The amazing little "insider secret" about Windows 7 that can actually give you an edge over your competitors, save you time, and make your computing experience virtually stress-free (This is one you've got to SEE to believe!)

Space Is Limited So Register Now!

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational Webinar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or e-mailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

Is Your Network Ready For Windows 7?

2010-02-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

WARNING To All Business Owners:

Do NOT Upgrade Any Of Your Computers Until You Read This

End the frustration and worry!

Register Now

FREE Webinar Will Reveal:

"Straight-up Answers To The 6 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 7"

When: Friday, February 26, 2010

Start Time: 2pm ET

Register For Our FREE Webinar

Space Is Limited So Register Now!

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational Webinar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or emailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

How To Avoid Hiring The Wrong Computer Consultant To Support Your Network

2010-02-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Finding an honest and capable computer consultant can be tricky…

You never know you’ve hired the wrong consultant until you are halfway into your project and have already invested a considerable amount of time and money.

By then you’re fed up with the failed promises, missed deadlines, and solutions that just don’t seem to work.

This happens because most people hire a computer consultant without checking important facts like…

• What do their customers say about them? (Ask to speak to a few of their current AND long-term customers.)

• What is their experience in working with other companies like yours?

• How fast do they respond to emergencies? (A good technician should be easy to reach and respond within 1 hour or LESS.)

• Will you have a senior technician working on your network or a junior newbie just learning the ropes? (The old bait-n-switch.)

• Do they offer different options to fit your budget or do they push a “one-size-fits-all” approach?

• Are they consistently on time with their projects?

• Will they agree to a fixed price quote? (There is nothing worse than unexpected increases in fees in the middle of a project.)

• What guarantees do they make, if any?

FREE Book Reveals Everything You Need To Know Before Hiring Any Computer Consultant

If you found these quick tips helpful and you are currently considering hiring an outside consultant to support your company’s computer network, then you’ll want to get a FREE copy of our book, “Hassle-Free Computer Support”, which reveals everything you need to know in order to hire a competent, reliable, and honest computer consultant.

To get a copy of our book for FREE, simply give us a call at 508-992-2541 or visit us online to request your free copy at:

www.thinktechonline.com/hassleFree

REPOST: New Data Security Laws: Are You Prepared?

2010-02-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

There are only a few openings left on this call...REGISTER NOW BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!

_________________________________________________________________________________

URGENT NOTICE:

You Have 30 Days To Comply With New Massachusetts Data Security Regulations

Or Risk The Public Embarrassment,

Business Disruption, And Cash-Flow Crushing Expense

Of Being CITED And FINED By The State

Virtually Every Business With Operations Or Clients In Massachusetts Is Impacted By These Regulations...

So, Don't Let This Happen To You!

FREE Live Informational Teleseminar Reveals Critical Information You Need To Know NOW:

"What Every Business Owner MUST Know About The Massachusetts Data Security Regulations To Protect Their Business From Hefty Fines, Public Embarrassment, And Enormous Hassle"

An exclusive teleseminar by ThinkTech, featuring prominent Data Security Lawyer, C. Max Perlman of Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP and ThinkTech Computers VP, Pamela Viveiros

When: Tuesday, February 16th

Start Time: 2:00pm ET

Dear Fellow Business Owner,

Isn't it frustrating?

Here you are running your business, surviving - even thriving - despite one of the most challenging economic times we've seen..and the government decides NOW is a good time to fine you THOUSANDS of dollars if you fail to comply with their new data security law.

On March 1, 2010, Massachusetts will begin enforcing 201 CMR 17.00, the most stringent data privacy law in the country. Nearly EVERY business of EVERY type and size that has ANY customers or employees in Massachusetts, including companies whose headquarters are out of the state, MUST comply or risk hefty fines and penalties.

How can you protect your business from being subject to these penalties? Get the whole scoop on what to do before it's too late...

You'll Discover:

* In plain English, what the Massachusetts Data Security Regulations actually are, and how they affect the way you conduct business

* 3 easy actions every business owner can take immediately to reduce or eliminate the risk of non-compliance

* The sneaky little loophole the government doesn't want you to know that can literally save you thousands of dollars and days of hassle

* The 4 key components to compliance and how to get them up and running fast, in as little time as possible

The clock is ticking, so don't miss your chance to get all your questions answered.

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational Teleseminar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or emailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

New Data Security Laws: Are You Prepared?

2010-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

URGENT NOTICE:

You Have 30 Days To Comply With New Massachusetts Data Security Regulations

Or Risk The Public Embarrassment,

Business Disruption,

And Cash-Flow Crushing Expense

Of Being CITED And FINED By The State

Virtually Every Business With Operations Or Clients In Massachusetts Is Impacted By These Regulations...

So, Don't Let This Happen To You!

FREE Live Informational Teleseminar Reveals Critical Information You Need To Know NOW:

"What Every Business Owner MUST Know About The Massachusetts Data Security Regulations To Protect Their Business From Hefty Fines, Public Embarrassment, And Enormous Hassle"

An exclusive teleseminar by ThinkTech, featuring prominent Data Security Lawyer, C. Max Perlman of Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP and ThinkTech Computers VP, Pamela Viveiros

When: Tuesday, February 16th

Start Time: 2:00pm ET

The clock is ticking, so don't miss your chance to get all your questions answered.

You can also register for this FREE Live Informational Teleseminar

by calling us at 508-992-2541 or emailing

jessica@thinktechonline.com

If Punxsutawney Phil Crawled Out Of His Hole And Saw Your Network’s Security & Backup Plan, Would He Crawl Back In?

2010-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2nd and thousands of people from all over will flood to Punxsutawney, PA to see what Phil predicts for the upcoming Spring.

The story goes that if the groundhog sees his shadow when he emerges on this day, six more weeks of winter will ensue. Apparently the threat of the cold, harsh winter continuing scares him back into his comfy little hole in the ground to wait it out.

But since we’re not weathermen around here, we thought we’d have a little fun with this holiday and change the meaning to be more fitting for us and our customers (hence the “tongue and cheek” headline).

So, in celebration of “Groundhog Day,” we’re giving away a FREE Network Health Check to any of our clients and friends who have a business network of 5 or more PCs.

At no charge, we’ll come onsite and…

¨ Check your security settings to make sure you are protected from hacker attacks, worms, and viruses.

¨ Scan and remove spyware that is secretly stealing your company’s bandwidth, jeopardizing the speed of your computer system, and embezzling confidential information about you, your employees, and your business.

¨ Check your network’s back-up system to see if you really could be back up and running fast in the event of a major outage, crash or natural disaster.

¨ Verify that you have the most up-to-date security patches installed properly; miss one critical update and you’re a “sitting duck.”

¨ Diagnose slow, unstable PCs.

And if WE find problems, we promise not to crawl into some hole in the ground to hide! We’ll outline what we’ve discovered and provide suggestions on what you should do to ward off 6-weeks of downtime, data loss, slow performance and a host of other problems.

Why free? Because we want all of our clients to understand the importance of preventative maintenance. As we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So call us now at 508-992-2541 for your FREE Groundhog Day Health Check!

Hackers Are Now Targeting Macs

2010-01-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

Until recently, MacIntosh computer users have long enjoyed relative freedom from hacker attacks; however, researchers at Symantec Corporation say online criminals are now setting their sites on Mac users.

Online porn hunters are the latest target. Visitors to certain web sites are led to believe they can download a free video player when in fact they are installing malicious code onto their Macs.

Once the users authorize the transaction, the hackers can redirect the users future browsing to fraudulent web sites and possibly steal the user's information or passwords. Sometimes they simply send ads for other pornographic web sites. This results in thousands of dollars in income for the criminals.

While you may think that Macs are essentially more secure than PCs because they are built better, security experts would argue differently. They believe that the Mac is actually no more secure than a PC. In fact, they note that the relatively low number of viruses, exploits and other cyber attacks directed at Mac users is due to Apple's relatively small share of the computer market.

"I don't think that the Mac OS is more secure than Windows -- I think it is safer than Windows because there are less people trying to attack it. There is a big difference," Natalie Lambert, a senior analyst at Forrester Research recently shared with MacNewsWorld.

With that said, the fact remains that for every single attack on a Mac, there are at least 100 attacks on Windows-based systems.

So what should you do if you own a Mac? Use the same safe online surfing practices as PC users, keep your anti-virus software up-to-date, never open strange e-mails from unknown sources, and only verify user names and passwords by phone with your bank or other financial institutions.

Shiny New Gadget

2010-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

First there were smart phones. Now, there are smart pens.

The new smart pen by Livescribe (called the “Pulse”) electronically records all the words you write and simultaneously records the audio as well. Here’s how it works…

While you’re taking notes on its special dot matrix paper, the Pulse’s microphone records the presentation or speech going on in the room. If you want to review a section of your notes, simply hold the pen over that area of the paper and the smart pen will replay the section of the audio recording that coincides with those notes.

The pens cost around $200. The paper can be printed for free from a Color LaserJet Printer that is Adobe PostScript compatible and can print at 600 dpi or higher. You can also purchase the dot paper notebooks for around $14. Now there are no excuses for missing any part of a presentation!

Attention Facebook & Twitter Users: Hackers Are Now Using Your Friends Accounts To Transmit Viruses

2010-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

“Hey, I have this hilarious video of you dancing. Your face is so red. You should check it out!” If you've received a message like that through a Facebook or MySpace friend, you may have been exposed to the "Koobface" virus. Here’s what’s going on…

Hackers have now made a new cozy home for themselves on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Disguised as one of your friends, they’ll send you a direct message with a video link attached. If you click on the link, you’re prompted to update your Flash player to see the video, and therein lies the virus, cloaked in a "flash_player.exe" file. Once installed, this worm transforms your computer into a Zombie machine as part of a botnet (a network of computers that are controlled and used by the originator of the worm for unscrupulous purposes).

Are You Really At Risk?

Unless you are aware of these scams, it is very easy to become infected. Some of the direct messages and tweets have titles that are very deceptive. Some of the more common messages will say, “Here’s the video I mentioned…", or "LOL," or "My friend caught you on hidden cam," or "My home video :)” These messages are followed by a link directing you to a page to watch the video. These seemingly harmless messages can quickly infect your entire office network, allowing hackers a free pass in. In addition, they can block you from accessing important security updates, making your network even more susceptible to hacker attacks. In some cases, they use their free access to your computer to steal bank account information, credit card numbers, social security numbers and other confidential data.

How To Protect Yourself

Awareness is the first step to protecting yourself. Make a copy of this newsletter and hand it out to all your coworkers and your friends and family so they don’t get infected or infect you. Next, follow these three simple steps:

1) Frequently Change Your Password And Don’t Use Easy To Guess Combinations. I know, it’s a pain in the neck to change your password frequently, especially when you have dozens to keep track of. But this really is one of the best ways to avoid compromising your account on social media sites. Additionally, don’t use simple passwords like “password” or “123abc.” Include lower case and capital letters, as well as numbers. If a hacker is trying to crack your password and you never change it (or if it’s super easy to guess), you make your account a prime target.

2) Avoid Downloads. Avoid downloading anything from messages on Twitter or Facebook, even if the message is from someone you know. As a general rule, never download any file if you are not 100% certain it is secure and virus free.

3) Get A Beefy Firewall. If you or your employees are using any social media sites for personal or business connections, a strong firewall will protect you from getting infected. That way, even if you or your staff inadvertently opens a dangerous message from one of these sites, your firewall can prevent it from bringing your whole network to a grinding halt.

If you’d like more information on the importance of securing your network against social media threats, please e-mail us at support@thinktechonline.com or call us at 508-992-2541.

Could You Be Arrested For NOT Using Twitter?

2010-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Still not using social media like Facebook and Twitter? Turns out not doing so could be a crime.

In late November, police arrested James A. Roppo, senior vice president of Island Def Jam Records. His crime? Not sending a “tweet.” Roppo was representing one of his teenage recording artist clients who was scheduled to do an album signing at a local mall.

When the crowd of 3,000 hysterical teeny-bopper fans got out of control, police asked Roppo to send a “tweet” telling the crowd that the signing was cancelled.

Since most of the fans see these tweets right on their cell phones, police felt it was the safest (and quickest) way to communicate to the audience and get everyone to calm down. But when Roppo refused to communicate to the crowd by using Twitter, police arrested him for “reckless behavior”.

This Small Business Intruder Is Stealing Your Money And Ruining The Environment!

2010-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Spam. Everyone knows what a pain it is but few truly understand the costly impact it has on their business and the environment. The average employee spends up to15 minutes per day cleaning out the e-mails on Viagra; if you have 25 employees earning an average of $45K per year, that means you are paying them approximately $2,200 per month to press the delete key.

According to Ferris Research, spam cost businesses more than $30 billion dollars last year in lost productivity, IT costs, and spam control software—that’s more than $4.48 for every man, woman, and child on the planet!

To top it off, spam also has an environmental impact. The “Yale Environment 360” report cited that transmitting, deleting, and reading spam wasted enough electricity to power 2.4 million American homes and created greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 3.1 million cars. The majority of the electricity used (80%) was from sifting through and deleting junk mail.

3 Ways To Stop The Spam Invasion!

Check out these 3 ways you can reduce this costly and time-sucking e-mail pest from hindering your company’s productivity.

1) Don’t Respond To Or Opt Out Of Spam E-mails

Don’t assume these are legitimate communications! If you try and opt out of these lists, you are basically verifying your e-mail address to the spammers, ensuring even MORE junk e-mail than before. And you certainly don’t want to respond; that will make you an even bigger target!

2) Use Your Junk Mail Folder

Microsoft Outlook will automatically separate spam into your junk mail folder so you can spend less time sorting through your inbox. It also reduces your chances of opening a malicious junk message which may contain a virus or worm. The downside of this folder: you might have to periodically check it to make sure no “good” messages are sitting in there.

3) Get A Spam Filter – Whether the spam filter you choose is a hardware appliance, software you install locally on your network, or a third-party spam filter that cleans and captures messages before they arrive on your network, having one is important. Over time, you can “train” these filters to know which messages to block and which to keep.

The Absolutely Best Spam Filter We’ve Found

After looking at dozens of spam filters, we’ve discovered a solution that is by far the best there is. Not only will it rid your inbox of those annoying, time-consuming, and unsolicited junk messages finally and forever, but it also will scan your e-mail for viruses and hold onto all of your e-mail in case your e-mail server goes down.

For as little as $3.95 per user, our spam filter is easy to use, simple to set up and is guaranteed to reduce your spam by 98% - or your money back.

And, during the month of January, we’ll sweeten the pot even more by waiving our set-up fee ($99) AND giving you our 27-Point Problem Prevention Audit ($540 Value) FREE. Call us now to get started:

Call: 508-992-2541

Are Social Media Web Sites Helping Or HURTING Your Business?

2010-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Seems like all you hear about these days are social media web sites and how businesses are using them to communicate with customers; but what you don’t hear (as often) are some of the downsides of this new and vastly popular media as it pertains to protecting your online reputation, employee productivity and confidentiality.

In the US alone, the average time spent on social media sites has increased by 700%. If you are using these sites for marketing purposes, it may be GOOD news, especially if these social media junkies are spending some of that time reading your Twitter posts or becoming fans of your Facebook page. However, if your employees are spending hours online chatting with their friends or goofing off, it can mean thousands of dollars in lost productivity. Plus, let’s not overlook the risk of them posting confidential information online or “jokes” or comments that could be offensive to customers.

Here are 3 quick tips that every business owner should have in place:

1. Have a signed social media policy in place for your employees – and enforce it. This should be added on to your acceptable use policy for online usage. Outline what web site they can go to, when and what they can (and cannot post) online.

2. Sign up for “Google Alerts” on your company at www.google.com/alerts. This service will send you an e-mail alert whenever someone posts something regarding a keyword you specify. We recommend setting up alerts for your name and company name at a minimum.

3. Install and use content filtering software for all employee PCs. This will automatically police employees’ online usage and enforce your policies. Of course, if you need help in setting up any of these policies or content filtering software, give us a call!

508-992-2541

Technology Over The Last Decade

2010-01-07T05:00:00.002-08:00

Can you believe that we've already reached the end of the decade? It seems like only a short time ago we were all worried about Y2K. Since 2000 we've been given a lot to reflect upon, and in the spirit of the season, we've compiled a list of some of the technological consumer innovations over the last decade. You'd be suprised at how many things we take for granted that are fairly recent developments in the technology scene. Enjoy!

Top Consumer Technology Advances Over The Last Decade

Sites like Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter have revolutionized the way we interact with our families, friends, and coworkers. Most of these sites provide a plethora of games, music, photos, videos and fan pages where a user can spend hours submitting comments, browsing and chatting with other members.

In addition to the social networking site phenomena, blogs and Skype (a free video chat service) have changed how we communicate via the web.

Cell phones have also become an inevitable part of everyday life including texting, email, and even the internet on smart phones. The 3G, and newly emerging 4G, wireless networks enable us to download web pages on our phones faster than ever before. With the advent of "apps" for practically every purpose, we have the world at our fingertips with the latest touch technology in phones like the iPhone.

When was the last time you went to drop off a roll of film? Exactly. Digital cameras became the norm in the last decade as well as built-in cameras and video recorders in items like cell phones and iPods.

Digital music also saw a boost with the introduction of the iPod and numerous other MP3 players.

We saw the slow decline of retail video/game rental outlets with the advent of services like Netflix (which also can stream directly to your living room with the proper devices), RedBox and Gamefly.

We can now rewind live TV and fast forward through commercials in recorded programs with DVR boxes and services like TiVo.

Flat screen TV's have replaced the older tube TV models and the newest LCD TV's average only 1" thick. HDTV is also the norm with advancements like Blu-Ray discs that make the movies come to life like never before.

E-readers like Amazon's Kindle, Barnes and Noble's Nook, and the Sony Reader series are beginning to edge in on the print publication market. These devices allow avid readers access to the daily paper, games and thousands of books anywhere in the world instantly.

Video games have evolved tremendously over the last decade with advancements in motion technology on systems like Nintendo's Wii console. Microsoft's Xbox 360 console is not far behind Wii with its "Project Natal", but has yet to discuss an official release date. The Playstation 3 is billed as an entire home entertainment system, boasting a Blu-Ray player in addition to its solid gaming platform.

Sirius and XM have changed the way some of us listen to radio. As a subscription service, satellite radio broadcasts commercial free on the same channels, coast to coast.

Flash memory has made data transport the easiest it's ever been. With storage capacities upwards of 64GB, some have been compared to external hard drives.

Cloud Computing is catching on. Internet based use of programs and file sharing will soon replace the need for multiple servers and heavy duty workstations. Bulky desktops with massive amounts of storage will give way to "thin clients" - basic workstations to access the "cloud".

Hybrid cars are on the rise and practically every major manufacturer has their version on the market. The advances in green automobile technology over the last decade have given us a strong foothold for the future of hybrid and electric automobiles.

GPS systems have now become easily accessible to consumers and have simple interfaces that any novice can figure out. Whether you are getting directions on your iPhone or using a portable GPS in your vehicle like a Garmin or Tom-Tom, getting where you need to go has never been easier.

More and more states are passing laws regarding hands-free cell phone use. Bluetooth technology has made the "10 and 2" rule a breeze with their hands-free earpieces and other products. Some vehicle manufactures have even started to include Bluetooth technology in their products, allowing drivers to access their cell phones through a button on their steering wheel rather than fumbling around for their phone and being distracted from the road.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's New Year's Resolution time - have you made yours yet?

Some of us will hit the gym, others may quit smoking, but according to surveys 92% of Americans fail to obtain their goals throughout the year and almost half of them fail within the first month!

Have you ever thought about resolving your computer network issues for the New Year? I've included an article below to alert you to some of the threats that may be attacking your network as well as a FREE 27-Point Problem Prevention Audit offer to ensure that your network is as secure as possible. Having a secure network is an easy resolution to make and keep when you have a company like ThinkTech that will take care of it for you...

Top 4 Threats Attacking Your Network And What To Do About Them

#1 Overconfidence
User overconfidence in security products is the top threat to your network. Failure to "practice safe software" results in nuisance attacks like porn storms (unstoppable rapid fire pornographic pop-ups) and more subtle keyloggers that steal passwords. Surveys promising free stuff, result in theft of information like your mother's maiden name, high school, etc. used to answer common security questions leading to theft of otherwise secure data. Think before you click!

#2 Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites like Facebook are exploding in popularity. Threats range from malware (eg. viruses, worms, spyware) to scammers trying to steal your identity, information and money. Many businesses and government agencies are using these sites to communicate with clients and constituents, so simply blocking access is no longer reasonable. Defending your company while allowing employee access requires social network education for your employees and the enforcement of strong acceptable use policies. We can help you develop a policy, then monitor compliance using a Unified Threat Management device that controls and reports on network access.

#3 Attacks On Mobile Devices
Everyone is going mobile these days not just the "road warriors." Once limited to laptop computers, mobile network devices now include PDAs, handheld computers and smart phones, with new appliances appearing in the stores every month. Mobile devices often contain sensitive data yet they are easily lost or stolen. Be sure to password protect and encrypt data on all mobile devices whenever possible. Include mobile devices in your acceptable use policy.

#4 Cloud Computing
"The Cloud," in its most simple form, involves using the Internet to access and store your data. When you access email using a web browser, you are working in "the cloud." Using the cloud for automated off site backup is rapidly gaining popularity and is just the beginning. Companies like Microsoft, IBM and Google envision the day when we will use inexpensive terminals instead of computers to run programs and access data located somewhere on the Internet. You need to be sure that any data you store and access across the Internet is secure not just where it is stored, but during the trip to and from the Internet.

Want More Information?

If you'd like to take advantage of our FREE 27-Point Problem Prevention Audit call us at 508-992-2541. Your Audit will include:

- A check on your networks security against hackers and viruses
- Verification of network backups to make sure they are working properly
- Recommendations to make your systems run more smoothly
- Initial network documentation that is yours to KEEP

So call us and schedule your FREE 27-Point Problem Prevention Audit today!

508-992-2541

Meet Our Newest Addition!

2009-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

We would like to take a minute to introduce you to the newest addition to the ThinkTech Team, Jessica Bettencourt.

Jessica has taken the role of Team Leader of Customer Service and Administration at ThinkTech. With a background in marketing she has already proven to be a valuable member of the team, producing our monthly newsletter as well as managing our blog and Twitter sites.

If you have any questions for Jessica you can call her at 508-992-2541 or email her at jessica@thinktechonline.com, she’d be happy to help!

Who Else Wants New Computers This Year?

2009-12-28T05:00:00.001-08:00

When your computers (or other network equipment) start acting slow, when your software company suddenly forces you into an upgrade because they will no longer support the version of software you have, or when you need to add a computer or server for a new employee or new project, you basically have only a few options available to you.

1) Swallow hard, dig into your cash reserves, and plunk down thousands of dollars in new computer and network equipment.

2) Lease the equipment at an astronomical rip-off rate.

3) Suck it up and live with the lack of productivity and daily frustration of incompatible or slow machines.

Thankfully, a fourth, more agreeable option is now available: our Total Care Plan. By incorporating your hardware and software costs into your IT support agreement, you can get new equipment whenever you need it without having to drain your cash flow or put you into a restrictive lease. You get the support and service you need PLUS any new computers, servers, software and other network equipment rolled into one easy monthly investment. It’s sort of like renting your equipment, only it comes with all the support and service too. In addition to freeing up your cash, this new program also provides these benefits:

* You don’t have to keep track of which computers are getting old

* You don’t have to front thousands of dollars to revamp your network

* If something breaks, ThinkTech has to take care of it

* You don’t have to track any warranties

* There may be tax advantages since capital expenses now become operational expenses

* No big surprise hardware or software bills

* Your computers all stay pretty much the same age and performance

* No waiting on parts to be replaced – a free loaner service is included

Want To Find Out If Our Total Care Plan Will Work For Your Business?

FREE 27-Point Network Analysis (A $540 Value) will examine your entire network, review your backup technology, and document the software and hardware you use to determine a game plan for your specific situation. We’ll even tell you how to get the new equipment you need without breaking the bank.

(508) 992-2541

Great Technology Gift Ideas Under $100

2009-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

iPod Remote Control

From up to 30 feet away this device will allow you to forward or advance songs, adjust the volume, and even pause your music. Simply plug the transmitter into your iPOD, place it down and attached the water-resistant remote control to your arm.

One drawback: You can't scroll through your music collection. You can, however, advance or rewind playlists or albums.

Pre-Paid Cell Phones are another great gift idea that can help your loved ones stay in touch. No new concepts here, but these phones are easy to purchase and provide one-size-fits all experience to its users.

Digital Cameras. Even with the ability to take pictures with cell phones, digital cameras are still a big hit around the holidays. With features like a real view finder (so you can power off the LCD screen and save battery life) this gift gives you hours of family picture fun.

i-Fish. Similar to last year’s i-Dog, this plastic robotic-fish-turned-iPod-speaker has a bunch of entertaining tricks, like reacting to sound or music, and “swimming” all over your desk.

Is The Blackberry Better Than The iPhone?

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

The iPhone is easier to set-up, navigate and use than the BlackBerry, yet many entrepreneurs are still choosing the BlackBerry for their business. There are two main reasons why...

Reason #1. Business Functionality

Both the iPhone and the BlackBerry work with Microsoft Exchange; but the BlackBerry does a better job and is easier to use.

For example, if someone e-mails you a calendar invite on the iPhone, you can’t accept it and have it automatically scheduled into your calendar. And if someone sends you a .zip file, you can only open it if you have a BlackBerry.

Further, the iPhone doesn’t allow you to save files, so you can only work on them over a remote web connection. But note this: In order for the BlackBerry to have these features and to synchronize properly with your contacts, calendar, and e-mail, you need to have BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed on your network (a $500 software addition).

Reason #2: Security

The BlackBerry actually secures the data while it is transferring to and from your phone, and secures the data via encryption on your phone itself. If your phone is stolen, you can actually wipe the information off the phone remotely by using your Exchange server. The iPhone is still working on other security measures, such as an application that can remotely find the location of your phone and erase its information.

Need Help Setting Up Your BlackBerry or iPhone?
Call Us: 508-992-2541

How To Keep Your E-mail Off The “Naughty” List

2009-12-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Someone’s making a list and checking it twice; but it isn’t Santa. Due to rising e-mail abuse and spam, hundreds of servers at various companies now monitor e-mail accounts to make sure those accounts are not sending out mass e-mails. If that e-mail account is assumed to be sending spam it is put on the “blacklist”. Once on the blacklist, your e-mail account is virtually SHUT DOWN because your e-mail is blocked by hundreds or thousands of servers and your message can’t be delivered. Big companies who give out e-mail addresses like AOL, Google, and Comcast, for example, will cut off e-mail service to anyone who sends an e-mail to a large number of people at once. Because of this, even if you or your employees innocently send a message to 100 of your clients, you could be without e-mail for days or weeks. So, how do you avoid this costly & frustrating downtime to happen to you? Read these tips to find out:

Protect Your Server. Spammers LOVE to find e-mail servers that don’t have a proper firewall , anti-virus, and intrusion protection. They get a high from hacking in to these servers and then using them to send out thousands of e-mails. Plus, with no protection in place, tracking and catching these spammers is nearly impossible. The right protection will also prevent malware from being installed on your server, which can automatically send spam without human interaction.

Don’t Allow Employees To Forward Messages. Unless it is for work-only related purposes, make a policy that no one is to forward messages like jokes, photos or videos outside the company. If just 4 of your employees send out this kind of an e-mail to 30 of their contacts, that’s well over 100 people receiving junk mail on the same day from the same e-mail server. This puts you at high risk of being blacklisted.

Have Your Clients and Prospects “Opt-In”. Sometimes companies end up on the blacklist because someone on your list complained and reported your message as spam. If you have your clients and prospects agree via an opt-in form that they want to receive communication from you and confirm their permission, then you’ll have better protection against that. Also make sure you keep good records of these opt-ins. That way, even if you do get blacklisted, you should be back up and running fairly quickly.

Make Sure Your E-mail Is Set-Up Properly. In addition to protecting yourself from hackers and invasions with software and firewalls, you also need to be sure that your e-mail is configured correctly and is set-up to block outside relays. If you’ve got the wrong settings in your e-mail account, you could wind up blacklisted, without any e-mail for days or weeks,

Keep Your E-mail List Up-To-Date. If someone asks to be removed from your list and you continue to send messages to him, the changes of him reporting your company as a spammer is pretty high. Avoid this by using in-house lists (instead of purchasing one) and contacting your list to verify the information.

For Help With Keeping Your E-mail Up & Running And Off The Blacklist, Contact Us By December 31st For A FREE Blacklist Avoidance Assessment (A $295 Value!)

(508) 992-2541

Top Cell Phone Holiday Blunders To Avoid

2009-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Let’s face it. Just because you can be accessible 24/7 via your cell phone doesn’t mean you SHOULD be. In fact, according to a recent study conducted by Intel, getting constantly distracted by your e-mail or cell phone calls, especially during the holidays, is a big social “No-No.”

Nearly 70% of the people surveyed in that study reported that checking e-mails or text messages on your phone while at a social gathering is unacceptable. And for those of who you think you can slyly check your mobile phone e-mail at the table without anyone noticing, the study found that 53% of people will not only notice, but will be offended.

So what if you just can’t resist the impulse to check your Blackberry or iPod while holding that glass of egg nog? What is the “polite” way to do so?

Go to the bathroom.

70% of those surveyed said it was perfectly okay to bring your mobile phone in the bathroom to check it. Just don’t forget to put down your egg-nog first.

URGENT: “I Have A Perfectly Legal Way For You To Save A Bundle Of Money On Taxes, Computer Hardware, And Support, But You Have To Act FAST…”

2009-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Please forgive the headline if it seems a bit “sensational,” but I really needed a way to get your attention about a perfectly legal way to save a LOT of money on taxes, computer hardware and support that is quickly going to pass you by if you don’t act soon.

Let me explain…

Thanks to a tax deduction titled a “Section 179 Election,” you can buy up to $125,000 in new office and computer equipment, and expense—or write off—that entire amount on your 2009 tax return. However, the election has to be made in the year of purchase, which means you cannot buy a computer this year (2009) and then try to expense it next year (2010).

If you want to see how much small businesses love the Section 179 deduction, take a little peek inside any office furniture or equipment store between Christmas and New Year's Day. Chances are you'll see lots of buyers racking up some year-end deductions!

But That’s Not The Only Way You’ll Save Money… Manufacturers and Vendors Are ALSO Giving Year-End Discounts, Rebates and Incentives…

Most IT vendors and manufacturers offer really incredible rebates and discounts on equipment towards the end of the year in a last ditch effort to improve annual sales. After all, they gotta look good to their investors!

So if you are going to need a network upgrade in the near future, you can not only get better deals on software and equipment, but you can also get the tax savings making this a double dip on saving money.

But Here’s How I’m Going To “Sweeten The Pot” And Help You Save Even MORE Money

In the spirit of saving you money, I’ve decided to “sweeten the pot” and make the following offer to anyone who hires us to upgrade their network before December 31, 2009:

1. We will give away 30 DAYS of our Network Headache Eliminator – up to a $1,000 value – absolutely FREE to any new client who upgrades their network with us. All computer networks need regular ongoing maintenance to keep them running problem free, and with our Network Headache Eliminator, you’ll not only enjoy faster and more reliable service from your computer network, but you’ll gain incredible peace of mind knowing that your network and the data it holds is safe from loss, corruption, downtime, viruses, hackers, spyware, and a host of other problems.

2. We’ll allow you to continue the Network Headache Eliminator at a special discounted rate that will easily save you THOUSANDS in IT support. After the 30 days are up, you can continue to receive regular maintenance, critical updates and security patches, fast, remote support, and 24-7 watch over your network and data at a special discounted rate. Of course, you are under no obligation to continue this maintenance, but I’m certain you are going to want to continue after you see how we keep things running.

3. We’ll send you a FREE copy of the book, “Keep Your Hard-Earned Money; Tax Savings For The Self-Employed” as a gift. This is a great book for any entrepreneur to read on how to keep Uncle Sam’s hands out of your pockets.

After all, no one wants to hand over a penny more to the government than is absolutely necessary, and no one wants to pay MORE for services and products than they have to. We all work way too hard for that!

That’s why I’m making this offer to you. As a fellow entrepreneur, I understand that it’s critical to keep every penny of profit that you can.

This Is Absolutely The BEST Way To Save A Lot Of Money On IT Services And Support For 2010; But You Better Act NOW Because This Is Going To Go FAST…

All you have to do is contact us by phone so we can schedule a time to discuss exactly what type of upgrades and support you will need for 2010. Remember, we don’t have to do the actual installation in December, but you must spend the money before December 31st or the IRS won’t give you the deduction!

CALL US TODAY!

(508) 992-2541

Special Alert For Business Owners: Backing Up Your Server Alone May Still Lead To Data Loss

2009-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Most business owners know that it is important for their servers to be backed up. But what about your computer? Though it’s true that your data is likely stored on your server and backed up by the network, your computer itself (your icons, the background you have, the programs that are installed, and music or pictures you may have saved locally) is NOT being backed up.

If your computer were to crash, get a virus, or simply die, all of that information could be lost. Your company data would be on your server, but you would have no way to access it from your computer. You would have to recreate that computer by re-loading all the software and settings. And if you’ve ever had this happen to you, you know that it can take a significant amount of time to do. Plus, the computer is never quite the same again.

So how do you solve this problem? Simple. You use an imaging software on your computer. Imaging software takes a “picture” or “snapshot” of your computer so it records it exactly as it is with all the software and settings you have on it. This way, if the computer crashes, there is no need to re-load software and reconfigure the computer. Simple restore the image from before the crash and your computer can be back to its old self again. This is a huge time saver and is especially useful if you have any important company software loaded on your computer but no longer have the disk for.

Protect Your PC’s Settings!

Call us today to get more information on our imaging solutions and see for yourself how simple it can be to save your computer’s information.

(508) 992-2541

How Manufacturers Have Increased Productivity 5.5% Despite The Recession

2009-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

History tells us that productivity declines during a recession; apparently, manufacturers didn’t get that memo.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, manufacturer productivity rose by 5.5 percent in the second quarter of 2009. Why? Computers, of course.

Economist, Brian Bethune, of IHS Global Insight, says information technology helped manufacturers discover drops in customer demand early. This helped many companies to avoid over-production and cash flow issues. Also, using computerized point of sale records, web surfing habits, social networking sites and on-line purchases helped them understand which products at what quantity to manufacture, where to invest their marketing dollars and what retail outlets to focus on.

The lesson? Make sure you’re using technology to stay ahead of the curve and as a strategy to “recession-proof” your business.

3 Time-Saving Reasons To Use Windows 7

2009-12-01T05:00:00.001-08:00

Just recently, Microsoft released their new operating system, Windows 7, and many business owners want to know if they should upgrade. To help determine why you might upgrade, here are three reasons Windows 7 can add a little productivity to your day.

Reason #1– Viewing Two Documents Is a Snap

If you’ve ever tried to set up two windows on your screen so you could easily view them both at the same time (working on one and referencing the other or comparing two sheets), then this feature could easily save you 10 minutes a week. Instead of having to drag each window around, manipulate the size and shape of the window, and line up the other document to match, the “snap” feature allows you to split the screen exactly in the middle and display two documents at once with just one click.

Reason #2– It Just Runs Faster

Compared to its more resource-intense predecessor, Vista, Windows 7 is fairly light in terms of what it needs to run. As you click through things on a computer with Windows 7, you’ll notice that it responds quickly and opens programs up more rapidly. It also starts up faster, saving you lots of productivity time.

Reason #3–You Can Give It A Good “Shake”

Another time-saving feature included with Windows 7 is the “shake.” It’s the ability to completely clear your screen of all the programs and clutter you may have collected by simply vigorously shaking your mouse.

Find Out If Windows 7 is Right For You…

FREE Windows 7 Compatibility Audit ($197 Value)

Call 508-992-2541 or e-mail

support@thinktechonline.com

4 “Techie” Reasons Small Business Owners Can Be Thankful This Season

2009-11-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

1. Cyber Thieves Keep A Knockin’ But They Can’t Come In

A study presented at the International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks showed that small business networks are attacked every 39 seconds by some type of hacker or malicious software. Thankfully, having the proper firewall and Internet security software tools can prevent even the most determined hacker from getting his hands on your network.

2. Downtime Can Be A Thing Of The Past

Thanks to new 24/7 remote monitoring tools, most reputable computer companies can now actually notice when things go awry and prevent your computers from having issues. Hot fixes, patches and security updates are generally items that, when maintained on a regular basis, keep a network healthy and up and running.

If, for some reason, your network still does have some kind of downtime, remote management software allows your IT professional to access your system from anywhere, getting you up and running more quickly than ever before.

3. If Disaster Strikes, You Can Be Back Up & Running In 24hrs

In addition to lost data, many businesses’ operations would be completely down for days, weeks, or even months if a major disaster like fire, flood, or theft ever occurred. Here’s where Backup & Disaster Recovery solutions (BDR) can help you feel very thankful indeed.

Most BDR solutions include a “virtualization” component, which means an exact “picture” of your server is taken and then typically stored offsite. If you ever need to get back up and running, your IT company simply puts the offsite copy on to a new server...and you’re back in business.

4. You Don’t Have To Wait

Though some computer techs are amazingly unreliable (when you call them for help, you always end up talking to their voice mail) ... when you finally get them on the phone, they make you wait days before they can respond to your needs), the most savvy IT companies can now provide new support plans with guaranteed response times as part of their service offerings.

Want to Feel Thankful Instead of Frustrated With Your Computers?

Call us before December 31st for a FREE 27-Point Problem Prevention Network Audit (A $540Value) that will help eliminate problems on your network and give you peace of mind.

CALL 508-992-2541 NOW!

How To Get Paid $817 Every Year For “Going Green”

2009-11-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

While Kermit the Frog may disagree, it turns out that it IS easy being green. For many small businesses, going Green is a way to cut costs with the added benefit of helping the environment. Follow these three simple steps to be on your way to greener, more cost effective computer systems...and put about $817 bucks back in your pocket.

1. Buy Green Equipment.

When it’s time to purchase new computers, monitors, or printers, consider asking your computer company for “Energy Star” rated equipment. According to Energy Star’s website, using electronics with the Energy Star seal of approval can save you as much as 60% in electricity costs over non-rated equipment. For the average small business with just 5 computers, this would represent a savings of over $442 per year, based on average computer electricity usage and costs.

2. Implement Green Processes.

Maybe your work orders are still hand-written, or company memos are printed and passed around, or perhaps you have a paper component to your invoicing. New hardware or software can solve most of these non-eco-friendly communications and save you a few hundred dollars a year in ink and paper costs. In addition, many IT companies will do research to find cost-effective and specialized solutions, such as giving sales people on the road the ability to electronically enter information into your system. The total financial benefit of these kinds of services is hard to measure, but small businesses can expect to see significant results from implementing any electronic processes, since in a smaller organization, updating even one process makes a huge difference.

3. Use Green Power.

Certain power settings on your computers can give you huge savings in terms of electricity costs. “Hibernate” and “stand-by” settings, for example, were found to save most businesses an average of $375 per year. There are also important battery backup decisions to consider, since those can affect your power usage as well.

Want To Find Out How You Can Improve Processes, Save Money & Save the Earth?

Sign up before December 31st and get our “Go Green” Network Audit (a $397 Value) for only $47!

Call 508-992-2541

4 “Techie” Reasons Small Business Owners Can Be Thankful This Season

2009-11-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

1. Cyber Thieves Keep A Knockin’ But They Can’t Come In

A study presented at the Inter-national Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks showed that small business networks are attacked every 39 seconds by some type of hacker or malicious software. Thankfully, having the proper firewall and Internet security software tools can prevent even the most determined hacker from getting his hands on your network.

2. Downtime Can Be A Thing Of The Past

Thanks to new 24/7 remote monitoring tools, most reputable computer companies can now actually notice when things go awry and prevent your computers from having issues. Hot fixes, patches and security updates are generally items that, when maintained on a regular basis, keep a network healthy and up and running.

If, for some reason, your network still does have some kind of downtime, remote management software allows your IT professional to access your system from anywhere, getting you up and running more quickly than ever before.

3. If Disaster Strikes, You Can Be Back Up & Running In 24hrs

In addition to lost data, many businesses’ operations would be completely down for days, weeks, or even months if a major disaster like fire, flood, or theft ever occurred. Here’s where Backup & Disaster Recovery solutions (BDR) can help you feel very thankful indeed.

Most BDR solutions include a “virtualization” component, which means an exact “picture” of your server is taken and then typically stored offsite. If you ever need to get back up and running, your IT company simply puts the offsite copy on to a new server...and you’re back in business.

4. You Don’t Have To Wait

Though some computer techs are amazingly unreliable (when you call them for help, you always end up talking to their voice mail) ... when you finally get them on the phone, they make you wait days before they can respond to your needs), the most savvy IT companies can now provide new support plans with guaranteed response times as part of their service offerings.

Want to Feel Thankful Instead of Frustrated With Your Computers?

Call us before December 31st for a FREE 27-Point Problem Prevention Network Audit (A $540Value) that will help eliminate problems on your network and give you peace of mind.

CALL 508-992-2541 NOW!

4 Do's & Don'ts Every Business Owner Should Know About Windows 7

2009-11-12T04:55:00.000-08:00

Windows 7, Microsoft’s new operating system, just released last month, and with all the advertising buzz that Microsoft has created, many business owners are looking to know more about it. Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts for helping to determine whether or not a Windows 7 upgrade makes sense for you.

DO – Find out if all your software programs will be compatible.

Anytime Microsoft creates a new operating system, software companies often scramble to make their package work properly with it so there are no errors, glitches, or data corruption (a.k.a “your information deleted”). Some software companies are faster and better at this than others, so be sure to check with your software manufacturer to make sure you won’t end up with more problems than when you started.

DON’T – Hold back from getting the new computers you need.

Maybe you want to wait until Windows 7 gets the bugs out. Or, maybe it’s because you’re worried about buying a computer now that will be considered “old” when Windows 7 is officially released. The good news is you don’t have to wait. For a limited time when you buy from Microsoft-approved vendors, your new computer purchase will come with the ability to upgrade to Windows 7 for free, giving you the flexibility to have the upgrade option now and install it when you choose. Also, if you participate in Microsoft’s “Software Assurance” program for your operating system, you’ll be entitled to the new version for free as well.

DO - Know how to "shake" it.

Have you ever had a bunch of windows open on your computer and felt like it was out of control and you couldn’t find anything? Then Windows 7 might be for you. It is designed to save time for people who work on multiple documents, spreadsheets, and web pages at once by allowing you to simply shake your mouse vigorously and make all those open Windows drop to the bottom of the screen and clear up your workspace. In addition to the “shake” feature, Windows 7 also makes it easier to view and use two programs side-by-side with just one click.

DON’T – Expect miracles.

Windows 7 does truly make using your computer faster since many of the features Microsoft has rolled out to help business owners and their teams work on multiple projects at once easier to use than ever before. Initial studies are showing that it might add one to two hours of productivity to your week over previous versions. But, if you expect Windows 7 to actually do the work for you, you may be disappointed.

Contact us for special Windows 7 offers!

(508)992-2541

Is Your Company Getting Slandered Online?

2009-11-10T04:55:00.000-08:00

Do You Know What People Are Saying About You Online? New “Online Identity Managers” Are Becoming A Must For Business Owners Who Need To Keep Their Reputation Clean...

A recent front-page story in the Washington Post brought to light a fast-growing trend in today’s digital world: online identity management.

According to the article, Sue Scheff, a consultant to parents of troubled teens, was getting slandered online after one of her clients turned on her, calling her “a con and a fraud,” and accusing her of taking kickbacks and destroying people’s lives. Negative comments were being posted on online bulletin boards, forums, and threatening videos were posted up on YouTube for the world to see.

Even though Scheff sued for defamation and won an $11.3 million verdict, the attacks worsened. To resolve this situation, Scheff was forced to hire ReputationDefender, a PR firm that cleaned up her reputation online.

While the costs for hiring this firm were steep (reputation management firms charge $15,000 to $100,000 for their services), the cost of her time, litigation and reputation make their fees seem like a drop in the bucket.

So what should you do if you are an average Joe small business with limited resources? Fortunately, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and you can easily monitor your image online for free with a few simple steps.

First, the easiest way to check your online reputation is to Google your name or the name of your company and see what appears. Next, set up a Google Alert on your name and your company name. You’ll be alerted by e-mail whenever you or your organization has been mentioned in a blog, by the media, or in an online forum.

Next, make sure your web site and your company is coming up first in search engines. If you own the top positions online, negative media may not show up on the first listing when your name is Googled.

To do this, create a profile of your expertise using social bookmarking tools and news aggregators such as del.icio.us and Newsvine. Contribute to online forums and write articles for user-generated content sites such as Squidoo. You can even create book and product reviews at Amazon.com to help establish your authority on a particular topic.

You should also create a free blog on Blogger and then link that to your main web site. Post frequently and make sure your posts are key-word relevant.

Other obvious ways to put a positive spin online about your company is to create content pages on social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook and MySpace.

Finally, be very careful about posting any incriminating evidence about you or your company online or sending e-mails with incriminating information, tasteless jokes, or messages that could easily be misconstrued out of context.

You don’t want a search on your name to bring up pictures of you in compromising situations or sexist, racist, or off-color jokes you thought were only being sent to your friends. If you wouldn’t want it posted to a billboard, don’t post it or send it via e-mail.

Warning: If You Meet These 3 Criteria, You Are Getting Ripped Off By The Phone Company!

2009-11-05T05:08:00.000-08:00

If you are a business owner that is spending $100 or more per month on long distance phone calls and you need advanced phone features like voice mail over e-mail, find me/follow me, and call reporting, then I can virtually guarantee that, right now, you are paying the phone company way too much for your phone service.

Here’s how I know…

Until recent years, businesses only had one option for phone service – “Ma Bell.” Yep, they had the perfect business model; or should I say monopoly! If you wanted phone service, you had to take whatever they were selling, good or bad because there were no other options…until now.

Thanks to major advancements in Internet communications, a new phone service alternative has arrived – and it’s rapidly overtaking traditional phone service. What is it? Voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP.

Simply put, VoIP is a technology that allows you to make phone calls over the Internet with the same features, functions, and clarity of traditional phone service, but without the heavy costs and hidden fees..

So Why Is VoIP So Much Cheaper Than Traditional Phone Service? VoIP is cheaper than traditional phone service for 3 main reasons:

1. VoIP phone calls are much cheaper to make because the call is connected using the Internet rather than traditional phone lines.

This means you pay one monthly fee for all the calls you want to make regardless of the time of day or location. Plus, VoIP phone equipment costs less to maintain than traditional phone systems. This is because IP phones use the same wiring that the computer system does, leaving you only one set of wiring to maintain.

2. You get unlimited long distance. I have yet to find a VoIP service provider that does not include unlimited long distance (if you are thinking about switching to VoIP, make sure this feature is included).

Some VoIP providers even include fixed rate international add-ons, which can produce a windfall of savings for multinational businesses.

3. Moves, adds, and changes to your service are FREE. As you know, the phone company loves to ding your wallet every time you add or change a line.

Plus, the company that sold you the phone system charges for any type of “service call” that requires a technician to move, add, or make changes to your system.

With VoIP, most moves and changes are software-based so they can easily be performed by you or your current IT support person. Same holds true when adding extensions.

If you want to know if VoIP is right for you or if there are other ways to reduce your phone bill, give us a call! We can answer any question you have, conduct a price comparison, and help you get set up with a VoIP or different phone service provider!

(508) 992-2541

Is It Legal For Employers To Monitor Your Computer?

2009-11-03T05:28:00.000-08:00

Courts have ruled that an employer’s monitoring of its employees’ e-mails and other computer related activities during work hours and/or on company-owned equipment, Internet, and e-mail accounts is not illegal.

Companies typically monitor employees’ online usage for the following reasons:

1. To avoid claims based on sexual, racial, ethnic, and other forms of harassment.

2. To protect against an employee sending or posting confidential information.

3. To reduce exposure to intellectual property infringement claims.

4. To decrease the likelihood that an embarrassing message attributed to the employer will be sent.

5. To guard against computer viruses.

6. To improve productivity.

It is recommended that employers create an AUP (acceptable use policy) that outlines what is and isn't acceptable use of electronic media and communications. If your company does not have an AUP in place, you need to act now! Call us for more information: (508) 992-2541

Why Your Laptop Needs An “Instant Kill” Switch

2009-10-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

It’s lunch time and you stop by your favorite café to check e-mail and grab a bite to eat. You settle in at a table when your pickup number is called. Returning to your table, you find your laptop and appetite—has disappeared!

Okay, maybe you’re not foolish enough to leave your laptop unattended in a public place, but one of your employees might think it’s okay to leave a laptop or PDA in their car, a hotel room, or in their gym bag and end up exposing your company’s data and network to thieves.

If it hasn’t happened to you or someone you know, according to the FBI, it will. Sure you have a backup of the data, but now detailed information about you, your family, your business and your clients is in the hands of a criminal intent on stealing your money, identity or worse. There is a lot of software and hardware that protects your data from being stolen by online criminals, but how do you protect your data when someone steals your physical laptop or PDA?

Until now, your only recourse was to change the passwords to your network, financial websites, etc., watch your credit report and cross your fingers hoping for the best. But thanks to new security software, you can instantly erase all of the data on your laptop or PDA preventing thieves from accessing the data.

Here’s how it works: Special security software is installed on your laptop that checks for your “kill” command whenever it connects to the Internet. This happens even before Windows prompts for the user name and password. If it receives the “kill” message, the data on your computer is instantly destroyed. You may not get your laptop back, but you’ll prevent the thief from stealing the information it contains.

If you’re a business, check out Absolute Software’s Computrace and Novell’s ZENworks. Both should be installed and configured by your system administrator or a computer consultant. If you want to protect your home computer or personal laptop, use zTrace’s zControl. Although designed for the general public, it can be confusing to install and configure so seek the help of a professional.

In the PDA world, there’s remoteProtect from sCPsOFT for Windows CE, Windows Mobile and Pocket PC devices or Bluefish’s Central for the Palm Treo. If your PDA is stolen, you simply text a message to it that includes your password and the PDA is reset to its blank factory default condition. What could be easier?

As with all theft and hacker deterrents, thieves can circumvent this software by downloading your data before connecting the device to the Internet. Surprisingly, the typical thief isn’t smart enough to know this. So, for absolute security, data encryption remains the most reliable form of protection. Encrypted data is unreadable to thieves unless they have your encryption key. There are pros and cons to both approaches, but it’s important for you to have SOME protection. For help in determining the best solution for you, give us a call at :

508 992 2541

FREE E-Mail Accounts: You Get What You Pay For...

2009-10-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

We’ve all been told there is no such thing as a free lunch; yet it’s hard to resist the siren’s call of “FREE.” That’s one of the reasons why so many people have free e-mail accounts through Hotmail, MSN, and Gmail.

And while you might not be paying out of pocket for these services, there IS a cost. Here’s the price you pay when you use a free e-mail account:

An Extra Helping Of Spam: And loads of it. Are these free services selling your e-mail account? Do spammers have ways of gleaning your e-mail account? No one seems to know for sure (or at least they’re not talking). But the bottom line is you’ll end up with a lot more ads for Viagra than you bargained for.

Your E-mails Aren’t Guaranteed Delivery: The majority of spam messages come from free e-mail accounts. Even though you aren’t sending them, spam filters look at the server sending the message and, if it’s a known source for spam, will block the e-mail from going through. That means your e-mails might be getting blocked before they even reach the sender.

Customer Service? Non-existent! See you DO get what you pay for! If you have a problem, you’re on your own to figure it out.

Difficulty In Moving, Forwarding, or Downloading: Free e-mail services require that you read your e-mail through their web interface. If you want to move, forward or download your e-mail, contacts or other information, the process is cumbersome and sometimes impossible.

No Archiving: E-mail archiving, or storing old e-mails in a searchable, retrievable format has become very important (even a legal requirement) in some industries like medical and financial. E-mail is considered a form of communication and if you use it to support customers, order products, or to negotiate any type of deals, you want to keep a record.

So while these free services are okay for chatting casually with your friends, they are NOT recommended for business purposes or for sending anything you consider important.

Here's a question to ask yourself: if your e-mail account was erased tomorrow and all of the messages, contact information, and history went bye-bye, would it be a slight inconvenience or a catastrophe? If it’s the latter, then you need to bite the bullet and get a "real" e-mail account. And, while you’re at it, you should also get an account that reflects your own URL.

The only reason for keeping a free e-mail account is to provide certain web sites with an e-mail address when you don’t care about getting communications from them, or that may spam you later on.

Want to learn more about setting up a proper business e-mail system? Give us a call at 508-992-2541 or e-mail us at support@thinktechonline.com.

More “Friends” Might Equal More $

2009-10-22T05:35:00.000-07:00

With social media sites like Linkedin and Facebook changing the way we keep in touch with business associates and personal contacts, almost every person you meet can lead to an invitation for a "friendship" on one of these sites.

While this connection may not seem significant, big companies are finding otherwise, according to Business Week. In recent research studies, these companies began looking at how employees relationships on social networking sites can actually speed the flow of knowledge and increase profitable ideas coming into their business.

Advertisers are also looking to these “friendships” as a tool to learn more about their customers. They are finding, for example, that if you buy something, there's a better-than-average chance that your “friends” on social media websites will buy it too; leading to targeted messaging and advertisements. Ultimately, companies will use this information to sell more products and drive more revenue. Just another added bonus to having lots of “friends.”

You can check out our Twitter account at www.twitter.com/thinktechonline!

If You Plug Your Computer Into A Surge Protector Put Our Emergency Number On Speed Dial. You’ll Be Needing It Sooner Than You Think!

2009-10-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

The electricity your computer needs to run can also destroy it. In a flash, you could lose your computer along with all that data you’ve spent hours entering. The makers of inexpensive surge protectors have bamboozled the public into thinking their computers and data are safe if they simply plug in to a “power strip”. In truth, a few thunderstorms turn that surge protector strip into a fancy extension cord. The lighting and electrical surge can actually fry the surge protector's components.

Plus, surge protectors don’t protect against brownouts and blackouts.

Basically, when the power goes out, it is an extremely traumatic event for your computer—one that it often doesn’t recover from. The US Department of Energy advises you to protect your computers because “power disruptions can result in data corruption, burned circuit boards, component damage, file corruption and lost customers.” Even Microsoft warns that if a computer can’t boot up after a power failure, it generally cannot be repaired. So, if a surge protector isn’t actually protecting your computer then what are you supposed to do?

The simple & inexpensive solution is the battery backup, a.k.a. Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).

A properly installed UPS will switch to battery power whenever any type of electrical problem or surge is detected and, once the electricity returns to normal, it will automatically switch back. If a blackout lasts longer than the battery can handle, your computer is safely and automatically shut down then turned back on when power returns. No destroyed computer, no lost data, and no need for that emergency call.

50% Off Battery Backup Installation

Contact us before November 30th to install battery backups on each of your workstations and servers and we’ll knock 50% off the installation.

(508)992-2541

Can Computers Prevent The Flu? Two things you can do with your technology that may prevent the flu pandemic from affecting your company’s productivity.

2009-10-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

The CDC predicts that 1/3 of the US population will catch the flu this year, with the average employee missing between two and four weeks of work. This pandemic will cripple many small- to medium-sized businesses according to disaster recovery experts. But believe it or not, how you deal with your computers can actually prevent the flu from affecting your employees and ultimately, your business productivity.

#1 Do Everything You Can To Slow The Spread Of The Flu.

The flu spreads through personal contact like shaking hands, touching a keyboard or mouse used by an infected coworker and through the air by coughing and sneezing. So watch who you touch and use disinfectant wipes to clean your workspace including the keyboard and mouse before and after you use them. You can also reduce the amount of people who need to touch your computer equipment by using a program like the Network Headache Eliminator plan, where the engineer can work on your system remotely.

#2 Prepare For Employee Absence With Remote Access

No matter how hard you try to prevent it, you may still have some of your staff out sick at the same time. While no one with the flu is going to do much besides lie in bed, many employees will work part time from home if they have access to their office computer. Some doctors believe this could actually hasten their recovery by eliminating boredom. So, setting up a way that your employees can remote into their computer from home helps you both.

FREE REPORT: The Ultimate Small Business Guide To Setting Up A ‘Work From Home’ Or Remote Network Access System For Your Staff

Critical Facts And Insider Secrets Every Business Owner Must Know Before Installing A 'Virtual Network' To Allow Employees To Work From Home, On The Road, Or From A Remote Office

Call us before November 30th and we will send you this useful FREE report. You can also download it at www.thinktechonline.com/free_vpn

Attention Business Owners: 3 Simple Steps That May Save You From A Devastating Disaster

2009-10-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Though the ghosts and goblins of the Halloween season can be pretty scary, they are nothing compared to the true horror that can happen if a disaster were to strike your business. Whether it is a natural disaster, fire, flood, theft, or human error, these type of events can be debilitating to your business if you are not properly prepared for them. Fortunately, there are three easy steps you can take to protect your business from the downtime and data loss that can result from a disastrous event.

(1) Choose The Right Backup Provider

Make sure that you work with a technology company that can provide you with both offsite and onsite backup, preferably with an option to be back up and running within 24-48 hours. The backup solution they provide should not only protect your data, but should also give you a backup of your programs and network settings so your business operations can return to normal as quickly as possible. Also, be sure that the provider offers security, support, and monitoring on the backup solution so they can head off any potential problems with your disaster recovery plan.

(2) Conduct A “Fire-Drill”

You also want to be sure that your provider does a periodic “fire-drill” with your backup where they are testing your recovery process to make sure everything you need is there. This is the only way to know for certain that your backup will work when you need it.

(3) Keep Your Backup Current

Finally, whenever you add computers, new software, or new services to your network, be sure your backup solution reflects those changes. This will ensure that you are backing up everything you need.

Who’s Keeping An Eye On Your Computer Network?

2009-10-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

If No One Is Keeping A Constant Eye On Your Network, Your Next Computer Disaster May Be Right Around The Corner!

Can I talk straight?

99% of the business owners we work with wait FAR too long to have us check and update their computer network’s health and security. Because they are not performing regular maintenance, a nasty virus, malicious hacker, an unexpected software corruption, hardware failure, or DOZENS of other problems could catch them off guard and result in extensive downtime, data loss, and expensive disaster recovery fees.

That’s because most business owners are NOT performing regular maintenance on their network and, therefore, overlook these and other threats. At some point, disaster strikes and they find themselves in a real mess with a network that offline.

By then, the damage is done and it often costs thousands of dollars to restore their network back to normal. Even then it’s not uncommon for them to permanently lose irreplaceable accounting, client, and business data – not to mention the hours of downtime.

What saddens me even more is the fact that almost every one of these costly disasters could have easily been prevented if someone had checked their network’s security and health to remove these threats on a regular basis.

Which brings me to the reason I’m writing this today…

No More Excuses! Our Free Network Check-Up Will “Exorcise” The Demons Hiding In Your Computer Network

I know you are so darn busy running your business that you simply forget to think about the security and health of your computer network – so consider this a “friendly reminder” to get it done right away.

And to make it a complete “no-brainer,” from now until Halloween (October 31st), I’m offering you a FREE Network Check-Up ($297 Value) so you have no excuse for making sure that your computer network is safe not only from spyware and viruses, but also hackers, spam, data loss, hardware failure, software corruption, and a number of other disasters.

For FREE, We Will

Come To Your Office And…

 Check your firewall’s security settings to make sure you are protected from the latest hacker attacks, worms, and viruses.

 Scan and remove spyware that is secretly stealing your company’s bandwidth, jeopardizing the speed of your computer system, and embezzling confidential information about you, your employees, and your business.

 Check your network’s back-up system to ensure it is working properly and accurately backing up all of the critical files and information you never want to lose.

 Verify that you have the most up-to-date security patches installed properly; miss one critical update and you’re a “sitting duck.”

 Diagnose slow, unstable PCs.

 Perform a quick network “tune-up” to make programs and files load faster.

Why Should You Care About This?

Because there are literally dozens of ways hackers and viruses can access your network–undetected—to access and remotely control your network, corrupt your data, and use your network as a conduit for spreading spam, viruses, and even illegal software.

There are numerous system checks and updates that should be done on a regular basis to ensure maximum speed, performance, and security. Ignore them and your system will get progressively slower, unstable, and susceptible to viruses, spyware, and hackers.

Tape backups have a failure rate of 100% --that means all tape drives will fail at some point, often without warning. You don’t want to find out that your backup was not working the day after your hard drive fried.

Think About This…

What else in your business is more valuable than the data on your network? Just imagine how devastating it would be to lose it! That’s why this checkup is so important. We’ll conduct a comprehensive review of your network’s security settings to make sure your data is safe and secure.

Okay…So What’s The Catch?

I bet you’re wondering why I’d be willing to give this away for free. Let me explain…

I know from working with hundreds of business owners that the last thing on your mind is computer maintenance. You – or someone in your office – is probably not checking and verifying the integrity of your backups, scanning for viruses and spyware on a weekly basis, checking the logs to look for hardware failures, disk space limits, and other issues. And, you probably don’t know if you have the most up-to-date security patches in place.

That means you are at risk for a major computer meltdown. And if you will allow me to come in and review your network, I can prove to you how our easy, affordable maintenance can finally give you complete peace of mind that someone is watching your network 24/7, 365 days a year to make absolutely certain you don’t experience a devastating disaster in your business.

After All, Don’t You Just Want Your Darn Computer To Work The Way It’s Supposed To?

That’s why I’m making this offer. I know that we are hands down the best at what we do, but I don’t think it’s fair for you to risk your money to find out. I don’t expect everyone to become a customer, but I know that some will end up becoming loyal, long-term clients.

Here’s How It Works…

To get your FREE, no-strings-attached Network Check-Up, simply call my office at 508-992-2541. After we receive your request, we’ll schedule a convenient time for one of our technicians to come on-site and conduct a complete health check of your network. When we’re done, we’ll give you a comprehensive, easy-to-read report that will show any problems, threats, or vulnerable areas that need to be addressed.

If we discover a problem, we’ll also provide you with a recommended action plan and fixed-fee quote on what it will cost for us to resolve it. No hidden fees, no bait and switch. If you decide to hire us to do the repair (you’re under no obligation), we’ll get to work on it immediately.

And if we find out everything is safe and secure, at the very least you’ll breathe a big sigh of relief knowing the true state of your network’s health and security.

What do you have to lose? We’re making this as easy as possible to say yes – all you have to do is take 60 seconds to call our offices and we’ll do the rest!

The 3 Scariest Threats To Small Business Networks

2009-10-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

While spam, pop-ups, and hackers are a real threat to any small business network, there are 3 security measures that you should be focusing on FIRST before you do anything else...

Worry About E-mail Attachments, Not Spam

Sure, spam is annoying and wastes your time, but the REAL danger with spam is in the attachments. Viruses and worms are malicious programs that are spread primarily through cleverly disguised attachments to messages that trick you (or your employees) into opening them.

Another huge threat is phishing e-mails that trick the user by appearing to be legitimate e-mails from your bank, eBay, or other password-protected entity.

Here are 3 things you must have in place to avoid this nightmare:

1. Keep your anti-virus up to date and enabled. Okay, this sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s not uncommon for an employee to disable their anti-virus software unbeknownst to you. Which brings us to #2...

2. Train employees on what they are (and aren’t) permitted to do with the company’s computer, e-mail, Internet access, etc. One thing that should be on the list is that they should NEVER open suspicious attachments or respond to phishing e-mails. We highly recommend creating an AUP (acceptable use policy) to teach your staff what NOT to do.

3. Put monitoring software in place to not only maintain the health of employees’ desktops, but also to automatically “police” employees from accidentally (or intentionally) visiting a phishing web site, downloading a virus, or visiting questionable web sites and content online.

Fear Downloads Before Pop-Ups

Did you know that most computers and networks get infected with viruses because the user actually invited the threat in by downloading a file (screen saver, music file, PDF document, pictures, etc.).?

Again, this comes down to training the staff on what they can and cannot do with your computer network; but the best way to avoid this from happening is to remove the temptation by installing monitoring software that will prevent employees from downloading unsavory items to YOUR network. We also recommend installing and maintaining a good firewall, which will block Internet traffic to and from dangerous sites.

Lose Sleep Over Backups Before Hackers

You are more likely to lose data from hardware failure, accidental deletion (human error), flood, fire, natural disaster or software corruption than a hacker. Sure, you should do everything to keep hackers out of your network, but not backing up your data to a remote location is crazy. At a minimum, you should have an onsite AND offsite copy of your data, and you should be testing your data backups regularly to make sure your data CAN be restored in the event of an emergency.

What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

Since we are on the subject of protecting your network, can I talk straight? 99% of the business owners I work with wait FAR too long to have us check and update their computer network’s health and security. Because they are not performing regular maintenance, almost every single network we review is completely overlooking these 3 security risks!

At some point, disaster will strike and they find themselves in a real mess with a network that is completely down (that’s when they call us in a panic). By then, the damage is done and it often costs thousands of dollars to restore their network back to normal. Even then it’s not uncommon for them to permanently lose irreplaceable accounting, client, and business data – not to mention hours of downtime.

What saddens me even more is the fact that almost every one of these costly disasters could have easily been prevented if someone had checked their network’s security and health to remove these threats on a regular basis. Which brings me to the reason I’m writing you today…

No More Excuses! Our Free Network Health Check Will “Exorcise”

The Demons Hiding In Your Computer Network

Since it’s Halloween, we’ve decided to “treat” all of our clients and friends to a FREE Network Health Check ($297 Value) between now and October 31, 2008.

For FREE, We Will Come To Your Office And…

• Check your firewall, anti-virus, and security settings, as well as scan for spyware and hidden viruses.

• Check your backup to see if it’s working properly and accurately.

• Verify that you have the most up-to-date security patches installed properly; miss one critical update and you’re a “sitting duck.”

• Diagnose slow, unstable PCs.

• Perform a quick network “tune-up” to make programs and files load faster.

Why Should You Care About This?

Because your computer network is the core of running your business. Try to imagine what it would be like if you walked into your office one day to discover all of your data was lost or corrupt. That’s why this check-up and regular maintenance is so important.

REMEMBER: Keeping your network safe is a moving target; the security updates you installed today may be rendered useless tomorrow because new threats are emerging daily.

There are numerous system checks and updates that should be done on a daily basis to ensure maximum speed, performance, and security. Ignore them and your system will get progressively slower, unstable, and susceptible to viruses, spyware, and hackers.

So What’s The Catch?

We are giving this away to introduce everyone to our Network Headache Eliminator plan.

This is quickly becoming our most popular service because it offers a simple, easy, and inexpensive way for businesses to eliminate their computer problems finally and forever. We take over complete responsibility for maintaining your network so you don’t have to worry about lost data, downtime, viruses, and other problems.

BUT—When you say “Yes!” to our Free Network Health Check, you are in no way obligated to do or buy anything, and you have our promise to NOT lay on the heavy sales pressure.

Here’s What You Need To Do Now:

To get your FREE, no-strings-attached Network Health Check, visit www.thinktechonline.com/network_audit . Or if you prefer to speak to me about this, call my office at 508-992-2541. After we receive your request, we’ll schedule a convenient time for one of our technicians to come onsite and conduct a complete health check of your network. When we’re done, we’ll give you a comprehensive, easy-to-read report that will show any problems, threats, or vulnerable areas that need to be addressed.

If we discover a problem, we’ll also provide you with a recommended action plan and fixed-fee quote on what it will cost for us to resolve it and continue to maintain your network under our Network Headache Eliminator Plan. No hidden fees, no bait and switch.

Should you decide to hire us to do the repair (you’re under no obligation), we’ll get to work on it immediately. If we find out everything is safe and secure, you’ll breathe a big sigh of relief knowing the true state of your network’s health and security—and then we’ll show you the fastest and easiest way to make sure it stays that way.

You Have Nothing To Lose And Peace Of Mind To Gain! But You Have To Hurry…

This Offer Is Only Good Until October 31st!

Call: 508 992 2541

Go Online: http://www.thinttechonline.com/

Tweeting Could Land You In Jail

2009-10-01T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press reports that Guatemalan Jean Anleu may spend five years in a Guatemalan jail for his anti-government Twitter rant. It makes him the first person in the world to be arrested for a tweet!

Using his Internet alias "jeanfer," Anleu advised Guatemalan depositors to "take cash out of Banrural and bankrupt the bank of the corrupt." According to prosecutors, these words "illegally undermined" the banking system, violating a 2008 law enacted by the fledgling democratic government.

Foreign governments aren't the only ones concerned about the use of social networking sites. Many US businesses are revising their acceptable use policies regarding company-owned technology to include social networking. A recent survey estimated the annual cost to US businesses in lost wages due to personal use of technology on company time topped $1 billion. FREE assistance with the creation or modification of acceptable use policies is one of the many benefits enjoyed by our Network Headache Eliminator Platinum clients.

How To Save Hundreds of Dollars And Get More Done Using A VPN

2009-09-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever used an online software like Log Me In or Go To My PC to work from home or from the road, you know what a pain in the neck it can be. It only works about half the time, is usually slow, and you have to pay a fee to use it. But lots of companies these days want their employees to work from home or from the road as a way to cut their costs and get more done. So how do you work from home without the above mentioned hassles?

For less than the cost of a new computer, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) will provide fast, safe and secure access to your data and other network resources from anywhere in the world.

Until recently, only large enterprise organizations could afford to install and maintain a VPN. Today this technology is integrated into firewalls and other unified threat management (UTM) devices, making the VPN affordable to businesses of all sizes.

Which One Do I Use?

Remote control of your office computer is a great solution for those that occasionally find themselves away from the office at a fixed location such as their home. But for business owners and employees who travel a lot and need access via their laptops, remote control may not be the best solution. Typically, these folks need to use a VPN to be able to get work done quickly and seamlessly.

Advantages Of A VPN

The VPN is like a long cable that connects your computer to the office network from anywhere in the world allowing you to use a single computer for all your work. This reduces the capital expense for remote employees and makes it easier for your sales people or other road warriors to get work done. If you have multiple offices, a VPN can connect the office networks together so all employees have “seamless” access to company data they need.

VPN Helps Local Lawyer

While listening to trial testimony, a local lawyer remembered he had case notes from a deposition that would refute the testimony of the witness. Unfortunately, he could not remember the details and the notes and transcript were buried in the case information stored on the server in his office. Using his cellular wireless access card, he was able to connect to the server at his office using the VPN, quickly search for the case notes using the practice management software installed on his laptop, print it on his portable printer, and use it during cross examination.

Accounting Firm Hires Remote Talent

A small accounting firm we know found several, talented, potential hires located in nearby states. The candidates didn’t want to move so instead of losing the talent to their competitor, the firm allowed these hires to telecommute. Initially, this required two computers, one at the employee’s home and one in the office for the employee to remote control using Log Me In software. This was expensive to deploy, difficult to maintain and the limitations of remote control annoyed the new employees. If a VPN had been installed, the remote employees would have only needed one computer and could have accessed the data across the VPN just like those working in the office, saving them hundreds of dollars and countless hours of time.

FREE REPORT

The Ultimate Small Business Guide To Setting Up A ‘Work From Home’ Connection

Everything you need to know about working remotely. To get your FREE copy, simply call us at

508-992-2541 or download it at:

http://www.thinktechonline.com/free_vpn.htm

Are You Being Too Cheap About Protecting This Aspect Of Your Business?

2009-09-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Think back to the last time your server went down or you weren't able to get e-mail; remember how frustrating that was? Or perhaps you experienced a virus or other data-erasing disaster. Remember how painful that was to resolve?

There are very few business activities that don't heavily rely on your computer network, e-mail and data - and if any of these components stop working, business grinds to a screeching, frustrating halt. And with viruses and hackers becoming more sophisticated (and smart) about accessing your network, you simply cannot afford to NOT monitor the health and security of your network daily.

A network monitoring system is simply a way for a trained professional to watch over your computer network for slow or failing components, security breaches, and alarms that signify trouble is brewing. It can also detect signs that your backup is not working, that you're running out of space on the server, or that a firewall is not functioning properly. Think of it like a security camera watching over your entire network 24/7/365.

So if network monitoring is SO important, why aren't more small businesses INSISTING that their IT person put a system in place? One of the biggest reasons we see is lack of knowledge. The reality is that many businesses DO have their systems monitored for problems; and the bigger and more sophisticated the company, the more critical this becomes. But smaller businesses are often outsourcing their IT support, and unless their computer guy offers this service, they may not even know it exists.

The second reason is complacency; the belief is that, "If it isn't broke, why fix it?" This is akin to saying, "We don't need locks on our doors because we've never had our house burglarized." The reason you HAVE the locks is to prevent your home or office from being robbed - and the reason you have network monitoring is to make sure you DON'T have problems.

Plus, simple monitoring is cheap. For as little as 93 cents per employee per day, you can have a basic monitoring system in place.

Stop Malware Before It Destroys Your Data: 5 Simple Ways To Prevent Damage From Viruses & Spyware

2009-09-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

#1. Install Business Grade Anti-Virus Software

The proliferation of free anti-virus applications has enticed many business owners to be penny wise and pound foolish. These programs are lacking several areas of protection vital to keeping a business network secure, and licensing is usually restricted to non-commercial use. We deploy only industrial strength protection products for our Network Headache Eliminator clients. They keep you safe without slowing you down.

#2. Install Real Time Anti-Spyware Protection

Over the last 12 months, spyware has grown from an annoyance to the #1 threat to your data. It is critical that business computers have real time protection (sometimes referred to as active protection) against spyware in addition to virus protection. Unfortunately most real time anti-spyware products conflict with anti-virus software. Our Network Headache Eliminator clients receive the benefit of our extensive testing ensuring they receive maximum protection and compatibility.

#3. Keep Anti-malware Software Updated & Running

Anti-virus and anti-spyware software must be updated every few hours. We monitor each system on our Network Headache Eliminator and push updates as soon as they are available from the software vendor. We also monitor and immediately restart your protection should it be turned off by the user, system error or previously unknown threat.

#4. Don’t Click On Email Links Or Attachments

We cannot say this often enough and this is the #1 reason given when we receive a call complaining about a possible infection. Links in a malicious email don’t send you to the location promised. Instead they redirect you to a malicious website. If you aren’t expecting an email with an attachment, it is likely malicious even if sent from friend.

#5. Use A Hardware Based Firewall Or UTM

Firewalls and Unified Threat Management (UTM) devices are a must for every business network. They are the first line of defense against viruses, spyware, spam and hackers. UTMs can block access to known bad websites and more.

For more ideas on protecting your network call us at

508-992-2541 or send an email to support@thinktechonline.com

Tips For Handling, Storing, and Disposing Of Confidential Documents

2009-09-17T05:37:00.000-07:00

In the past 10 years, over 10,000 new regulations have been placed on the books by local, state and federal agencies pertaining to the handling, storage, and disposal of confidential client, patient, and employee documents.

A few examples are:

SEC Rule 17a-4 Electronic Storage of Broker Dealer Records Graham-Leach-Bliley Act
Financial Services Modernization Act
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
DOD 5015.2 Department of Defense
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Fair Labor Standards Act
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Act
Payment Card Industry Data Security (PCI DSS)

No matter how small your business is, you are surely going to be affected by one or more of these new government regulations. Naturally some industries are more regulated, such as financial or medical, but all companies that hold information such as employee social security numbers, credit cards, financial statements (credit applications, bank statements, order forms) fall under these new regulations.

While we cannot cover every single aspect of protecting your company, here are a few tips that will go a long way in making sure you don’t end up fined, sued, or with a bad reputation for not securing your clients information:

Seek professional help. If you think you are holding confidential information that should be secured, ask a qualified attorney who specializes in data confidentiality in your industry about what you must do to meet new government regulations.
Shred all documents that contain confidential information. A good shredder should do a cross cut or diamond cut versus a simple strip shredder to make it more difficult for someone to piece together a shredded document.
If you have to keep a copy of contracts or other documents that contain confidential information, contact a high-security document storage facility like Iron Mountain (ironmountain.com) and they will store your documents in a high-security location.
Keep a fire-proof safe with a lock and key for employee documents you need to keep onsite.
Make sure your offsite backups have 32-bit encryption (ask your provider). Also make sure the facility where the information is stored is under lock and key with security camera and access-controlled security.

How To Secure More Sales And Clients Using FREE Search Engine Marketing

2009-09-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

With the economy tanking and businesses looking to cut costs every way possible, it only makes sense that many are focusing more attention on using free social media marketing to fuel sales and new customers. After all, almost everyone uses the Internet to research a company before buying from them; and if you are not coming up in the local searches, you are definitely missing out on a number of potential prospects who are ready to buy what you sell.

While there are dozens—if not hundreds—of strategies for being found online, I believe you have to walk before you run. To that end, here are a few simple, key strategies you can use immediately to improve your search engine ranking locally.

#1: Add yourself to the local search engine pages:

GOOGLE LOCAL
http://local.google.com/

ADD YOUR BUSINESS
http://www.google.com/local/add?hl=en&gl=us

YAHOO LOCAL

http://local.yahoo.com/

ADD YOUR BUSINESS
http://listings.local.yahoo.com/csubmit/index.php

MSN LOCAL
http://local.live.com/

ADD YOUR BUSINESS
http://webapp.localeze.com/bizreg/add.aspx

Other web sites to list yourself include:

CitySearch.com
Local.com
MerchantCircle.com
Yelp.com

#2. Figure out a handful of “seed” keywords you will focus on.

While many online marketers will tell you to have hundreds if not thousands of keywords, the reality is that there are only a few key search terms people will be looking for.

The goal is to get 10 very well selected TARGET keyword phrases that will be worth the effort. These target keyword phrases should provide enough traffic, a spot on SERPs (search engine results pages) that you can potentially get top ranking in, and will provide the type of targeted traffic you most want.

Use your KEYWORD PHRASES in:

Page TITLES
Page Headers
Sparse bold or italic words
Internal linking (Coordinate things so that they match up; linked TEXT must go to a page with the same keywords in the TITLE)
External links coming into your site such as Twitter, YouTube videos, your blog (if hosted on an external web site), etc.

Here are a few web sites that will help you determine what keywords you should focus on:

http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

http://www.google.com/insights/search/#

#3. Add a blog to your web page and update it with a new article or post at least once a week.

One of the best is WordPress; however, you will need help from a web master to set it up. Another option is to set up a blog at www.Posterous.com or Blogger.com, which you can easily do in a few minutes.

Whatever you choose, make sure you write relevant, keyword dense articles that link back to your main web site.

BLOGGER.COM
https://www.blogger.com/start

WORDPRESS.COM

http://wordpress.com/

POSTEROUS.COM

http://www.posterous.com/

This blog replicates posts to Blogger.com, Tumbler and Twitter. To post something, simply send an email to post@posterous.com and it will instantly update the pages on all sites, as well as embedding photos and videos.

#4. Start Tweeting!

Twitter is nothing more than a mini blog that should be updated daily. The best Tweets include news, jokes, offers and quotes. Try to include at least one keyword in your Tweet.

TWITTER.COM

Create an account here: http://www.twitter.com/

Read Dan Hollings' work on how to use Twitter in your marketing: http://twittinsecrets.com/

Twitter Hacked Again Thanks To Weak, Easy-To-Guess Password

2009-09-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Twitter, the wildly popular social networking site, was hacked and confidential data stolen for a third time this year by someone guessing an employee’s e-mail password.

Today most businesses need access to their company network from across the Internet. Therefore it’s vital to create a strong, impossible-to-guess password to prevent theft of company data.

While everyone complains about having too many passwords, security experts say you only need one if it is strong and kept secret.
It is surprisingly easy to create a strong password. Here’s how:

FREE Report: “How To Create A Strong Password”

Call us at 508 992 2541