AVLA.net - IT Solutions

New malware alert! A new type of malicious software called Pronsis Loader has been discovered. What makes this one unique is that it’s able to get around traditional security software by using a lesser-known programming language. The language it uses is called JPHP, which is a version of PHP (a language usually used for websites). It’s rarely seen in malware, so security systems don’t recognize it as easily. Because Pronsis Loader disguises itself as legitimate software, it can be tougher to detect. And if it sneaks into your system, it can download ransomware, spyware, or other harmful software – leaving your business data vulnerable. Malware like this can leave you facing serious consequences, including data breaches and significant financial loss. You should consider using advanced security measures, like behavior-based detection. This doesn’t just look at the software’s code; it also watches for unusual behavior, which can help spot malware before it causes damage. Making sure you have access to the latest threat intelligence can also help you to stay one step ahead of these ever-evolving attacks. As cyber criminals become more creative, it's important to keep your defenses just as smart. We can help you do that, get in touch. #Malware #CyberSecurity #DataTheft

Already using Windows 11 in your business? Yes? Nice work! (If not, now’s the time to consider it...) Microsoft is phasing out the older versions of Mail and Calendar in Windows 11 at the end of December. You’ll no longer be able to use them after the 31st. This is to make way for the new Outlook app, which will become the central place to manage your emails, calendar, and contacts. It offers a more modern, streamlined experience, fitting in perfectly with Windows 11. If you’re worried about losing your emails, contacts, or calendar events once you upgrade – there’s no need. Everything can be easily exported into the new Outlook app. Microsoft have even released a quick guide on how to do it. With support for Windows 10 ending next year, Microsoft are moving things forward. It’s time to say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new. Need help switching over to the new Outlook app? Get in touch. #Windows11 #Microsoft #NewOutlook

I’ve just heard about more exciting updates coming to Windows 11: Notepad and Paint are getting powerful new AI features. And they could make your business tasks a whole lot easier. For Notepad, a new “Rewrite” feature lets you select text and create alternative versions instantly. Imagine writing a draft, clicking “Rewrite,” and having Notepad give you multiple options – maybe a shorter summary or something with a more professional tone? The Notepad app is also getting a performance boost, launching up to 55% faster. Meanwhile, Paint is improving with tools like “generative fill”, letting you add AI-generated images to the project you’re working on. Need to visualize a product in a particular setting or change a graphic for a pitch? Simply describe what you want, and Paint can fill in the details. For example, you could add a building to a landscape, or remove unwanted elements from an image. Although these updates are still in testing, they showcase Microsoft’s push to improve productivity with AI. This is just the start of how the integration of AI into familiar Windows tools could improve efficiency, creativity, and overall workflow in your business. Hopefully the rollout will come soon. Are you looking forward to this? #Microsoft #AI #NewTools

Microsoft are making it a whole lot easier to keep track of files shared in Teams meetings with a new Loop feature. Loop is a collaborative workspace tool that’s integrated into Teams, Outlook, and Yammer. It's great for keeping all your files, notes, and tasks in one place. Thanks to the new feature, any time you organize a series of Teams meetings, you'll get a prompt to create a Loop workspace. This will then gather all of the files shared during the meeting series. This means you and your team will have one organized space to keep working on shared files, even after the meetings end. Meeting organizers can also review, approve, or remove files as needed before they’re added to the workspace. And once a Loop workspace has been set up, your team can add new content or rearrange files however they like. This feature is rolling out now for Windows, Mac, and web, with even more updates on the way. Teams just keeps getting better at making collaboration easy. Ready to make the most of it in your business? We can help you get started – get in touch. #Microsoft #Teams #Loop

Meta’s latest project has hit an unexpected snag… in the form of a bumblebee! Turns out, not even the biggest tech forces in the world can overcome the force of nature. Meta were planning to build a nuclear-powered data center, designed to meet the massive energy demands of AI tech. But a rare species of bumblebee was found on the site, and it’s forced Meta to put their plans on hold. AI eats up huge amounts of energy – and tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Google are trying to be environmentally conscious; hunting for cleaner, reliable power to keep their data centers running. For instance, Google just partnered with a nuclear startup to power its AI work with “24/7 carbon-free energy”. So, what's the takeaway? As AI grows, so does the need for sustainable, energy-efficient options. And this is something every business should keep in mind as we look to the future. Isn't it fitting that the humble bumblebee reminds us of the importance of balance between tech and nature? #Meta #AI #NatureVsTech

Your business’s IT is working great right now. Hooray! But hold on… before you relax, have you thought about how well it might work tomorrow? #BusinessIT #Hardware #FutureProof

How many emails do you usually have open at a time? A few at most? Well, it’s been reported that when people try to open too many emails at once, Outlook is crashing or producing an error message like “Out of memory or system resources”. The number of emails you’d need to have open all at once is probably too high for most people to encounter this issue (it’s 60 emails…). But if you’re experiencing crashes, make sure you don’t have too many emails open – just stick to a few at once. And if your system is low on memory, try closing other apps. If that doesn’t help, you could also try rolling back to an older version of Outlook or, better yet, try switching to the “New Outlook” app for Windows. Either way, be cautious about any quick registry fixes you might see online. Altering the Windows registry can mess up your system if it’s not done correctly, so it's best not to do this yourself. Would you ever have 60 emails open at once? #Microsoft #Outlook #EmailIssues

Did you know the helpful Chrome extensions you use in your business could be a security risk? Recent research has found that even with Google’s latest security upgrades, some extensions are able to get around protections. This could leave your business exposed to threats like data theft and malware (malicious software). Scammers can use this loophole to track browsing activity, access sensitive information, and even control permissions on collaboration tools like Google Meet and Zoom – all without your knowledge. Imagine an unauthorized person viewing your team’s online meetings or accessing your business’s private data... It’s scary stuff. Unfortunately, most standard security tools aren’t able to detect malicious activity from a browser extension once it’s been installed. So while tools like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) have value, they can only do so much. The good news is there are some advanced tools that can help to make sure risky extensions are blocked before they wreak havoc on your business. If that’s something you want to explore, you can seek advice from IT experts (like us). For now, be careful with the extensions you use. Stick to trusted sources, monitor permissions, and regularly review your browser settings. And if you need help with that, get in touch. #Google #Chrome #ExtensionExploits

Do you use Windows Hello, Microsoft’s secure sign-in tool? If so, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a fresh, streamlined experience coming your way soon. Windows Hello is the feature that lets you log in using your face, fingerprint, or PIN - no passwords needed. This upgrade will make the sign-in process even smoother and fit perfectly with Windows 11’s modern design. The new look will appear on the Windows sign-in screen, the Microsoft Store, and any place you use Windows Hello. Microsoft are also adding easier passkey options, so switching between devices and authentication methods will be simpler than ever. The update will roll out to everyone soon, though it’s only available to Beta Channel Insiders (who test out early builds of Windows 11) at the moment. For business owners like you, I’d say it’s better to hold off on the Beta version. Wait for the fully polished rollout, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Are you looking forward to seeing what it looks like? #Microsoft #WindowsHello #CyberSecurity

Ever heard of "password spraying"? Probably not. But it doesn’t sound great, right? Although not many people know about it, password spraying is an increasingly common type of cyber attack. And, as a business owner, it’s important that you are aware of it. In a password spraying attack, scammers try the same easy-to-guess password on a wide range of accounts (instead of trying multiple passwords on one account). This can help them avoid detection, making it a popular tactic for breaking into business systems. Password spraying can give cyber criminals access to all your business data, slow down your operations, and even damage your reputation if they manage to get hold of customer information. What can you do to protect your business? Make sure you and your team use strong, unique passwords and consider extra layers of protection like two-factor authentication. Better yet, use a password manager tool to create better passwords that you don’t have to remember. Taking a few steps now to strengthen your security can make a big difference. And if you need help keeping your accounts secure, get in touch. #PasswordSpraying #DataSecurity #CyberCrime