Web Fire Communications Inc

How do you feel about the technology you use in your business? A recent study found that 90% of business leaders felt confident that their IT systems today are “best in class”. But how about tomorrow? The same study showed that: Only 39% of business leaders felt confident that their current IT system was future-ready 64% worry that their technology might be getting outdated Around half the tech used by businesses was at its end-of-life. When technology is no longer supported by the manufacturer or software creator, it’s like driving a car that hasn’t had a service in years. Sure, it might run fine for now – but sooner or later, it’s going to break down (and it’ll probably happen at the worst possible moment). When it comes to business IT, cyber security is another big concern. The study found that 65% of business leaders worry about cyber attacks, and 56% admit that they find it a challenge protecting their business from these attacks. Nobody can control whether their business comes under attack – but you can make sure your business is prepared. And the best way to do that is by keeping your IT systems up to date and investing in the right security tools. So, how can you make sure your business’s IT is future-ready? Take a good look at your current setup. Is your tech starting to slow down? Do you need to start replacing your hardware or software? If your business tech does need updating, don’t wait until things have stopped working. Think ahead and start planning for upgrades now. And while you’re at it, make sure your team is trained up on how to use the latest tools and systems. If you need help building a technology strategy for your business’s next few years, that’s what we do – get in touch. #webfirecommunications #beprepared #2025

How cautious are you and your team with online security? You know about phishing scams, dodgy downloads, and not clicking suspicious links, right? But an even sneakier new malware (that’s malicious software) wants to frustrate you into giving up your Google login details. The malware doesn’t have a catchy name yet, but it’s part of a larger threat known as “Amadey”, and it’s been on the rise since August. It forces your PC into something called “kiosk mode” (a setting often used on public computers that only lets you access one window). This allows it to lock your browser in full screen mode, hiding all your usual navigation buttons like the address bar and menus. Then you get sent to a fake Google password reset page. Normally, you’d just hit the Esc or F11 keys to get out of full screen mode, right? Well, not this time. It won’t work if the malware has infected your PC. It wants to confuse you into thinking you must enter your password to solve the problem. The password reset page will look like a real Google page. But the second you type in your details, they’ll be stolen by a second piece of malware hiding in the background, falling right into the hands of cyber criminals. Pretty scary stuff. But here’s the good news: You can break free without giving up your details. If your browser gets stuck in full screen mode, try hitting ALT+TAB to switch tasks, or ALT+F4 to force the window to close. Otherwise, try closing it through your task manager (CTRL+ALT+DELETE). If all else fails, just restart your PC by holding down the power button or unplugging it, then get an expert (like us) to look at the malware. Prevention is always the best approach, though. Be wary if your computer starts behaving strangely, especially if your browser suddenly goes into full screen mode and won’t let you navigate away. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments you aren’t sure about. And as tempting as it might be to get past an annoying screen, never enter your password unless you’re 100% sure the website is legit. If you’d like us to teach your team how to avoid the latest scams, we can help. Please get in touch. #webfirecommunications

Whether you’re drafting emails, writing reports, or creating presentations, spelling mistakes and typos can easily be missed. This means you run the risk of looking unprofessional, especially when communicating with clients or business partners. Here’s the good news: Windows 11 comes with built-in spell check and autocorrect tools that can put an end to embarrassing spelling mistakes. These tools are easy to set up. And once that’s done, you won’t need any extra software to make sure your text always looks clear and professional. Want to know how to use them? First, open Windows Settings. Then select Time & Language and click on the Typing page. From there, you can turn on options like ‘Autocorrect misspelled words’ and ‘Highlight misspelled words’. These features will work across most apps, fixing errors and flagging possible spelling mistakes. You can even get word predictions as you type by enabling text suggestions. Does your business run in multiple languages? Be sure to switch on the ‘Multilingual text suggestions’ feature. This will bring up word suggestions in whatever language you are using. While the spelling tools built into Windows 11 will work across most apps once enabled, some apps (like Notepad and Outlook) need a little extra set up. For example, in Notepad, you’ll need to click the gear icon for settings to switch on the spell check feature. Your team probably spends a lot of time in Outlook sending emails, so it’s well worth switching on grammar tools here. Go to Editor Settings under the Options tab. From there, you can turn on features like autocorrect, text predictions, and even tone adjustment. And if your team uses Microsoft Edge for browsing, you can set up spell check and grammar tools there as well. Just head to Settings, click on Languages, and turn on the grammar and spell check options. By setting up spell check and autocorrect in Windows 11, you’re not just avoiding small mistakes – you’re helping your business run more smoothly. If you need a hand with this or want more advice on how to save time in your business, we can help. Get in touch. #spellcheck #oops #checkitagain #webfirecommunications

Getting your team to report security issues quickly is something that’s important for your business… but maybe something that might not have crossed your mind before. You might think that with so many security tech tools, you’re covered. But guess what? Your employees are your first line of defense, and they’re irreplaceable when it comes to spotting and reporting security threats. Imagine this: One of your employees receives a fishy-looking email that appears to be from a trusted supplier. It’s a classic phishing attempt (that’s where a cyber criminal sends an email and pretends to be someone else to steal your data). If the employee brushes it off or thinks someone else will handle it, that innocent-looking email could lead to a massive data breach, potentially costing your company big bucks. The truth is, less than 10% of employees report phishing emails to their security teams. That’s shockingly low. Why? Well: They might not realize how important it is They’re scared of getting into trouble if they’re wrong Or they think it’s someone else’s job Plus, if they’ve been shamed for security mistakes before, they’re even less likely to speak up. One of the biggest reasons employees don’t report security issues is that they just don’t get it. They might not know what a security threat looks like or why reporting it is crucial. This is where education comes in, but not the boring, jargon-filled kind. By making it easy and rewarding for your employees to report security issues, you’re not just protecting your business; you’re also building a more engaged and proactive workforce. Encourage open communication, continuous learning, and avoid shaming anyone for their mistakes. The faster issues are reported, the easier and cheaper they are to fix, keeping your business secure and thriving. This is something we regularly help businesses with. If we can help you too, get in touch. (940) 691-7577 [email protected] wf.net

Staying on top of how your technology is set up is crucial for maintaining a reliable network. And one often-overlooked aspect is managing which applications start up when your business’s PCs start up. With lots of software wanting to auto-start, it can slow down your system and potentially introduce security risks. But did you know that Windows 11 offers a useful feature that alerts you whenever new apps are added to the startup list? Every time you hit the power button on your PC, it loads a set of apps automatically. While some of these are essential, others might not be, and can slow down your system’s performance. Over time, as you install more software, your startup list can grow, leading to longer startup times and a slow experience. It’s a great way to keep track of what’s installed on your machines. With various team members possibly installing different software, these alerts give you a clear overview of what’s being added to the startup list, making sure that only approved applications are running. To further manage startup apps, you can use Task Manager. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ to open Task Manager, then select the ‘Startup’ tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all the apps that start with Windows, along with their impact on boot time. You can enable or disable apps by selecting them and clicking the appropriate button at the top right. By regularly checking this list and using the new alert feature, you can keep your startup process streamlined and your system secure. A better answer is getting someone to set all of this up and manage it for you. We specialize in making technology easy for businesses. If we can help, get in touch.

Running a successful business is a marathon not a sprint – and yet too many try to run this marathon carrying a massive anchor. I challenge you to drop your anchors and run as light as you can. Let Web Fire Communications help with your Security, Phone Systems and Structured Cabling. #WebFireCommunications

Google just fixed more than 50 security flaws in their Pixel phones. That's right, our phones can be targets for cyber criminals, just like our PCs.? One of these flaws was so serious that cyber criminals were already using it to carry out their attacks. Why is this important? Think of your phone as a mini-computer filled with sensitive business data, client info, and personal details. Just like you'd never leave your PC unsecured (I hope!), you shouldn't ignore your phone's security either. Every update Google releases isn’t just for new features but crucially for patching security gaps that cyber criminals exploit. By keeping your phone updated, you're essentially locking the door against anyone trying to steal your data. Take a few minutes today to ensure your phone is updated, whatever kind you have. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in protecting your business and personal information. And if you have employees using personal phones for work, nudge them to run updates too. If you do have business devices, did you know they can all be managed centrally? I can help advise on this - drop me a DM. #Google #PixelPhone #update #webfirecommunications

Who still thinks just renewing your anti-virus is enough?

Have you heard about the latest breakthrough from Cambridge University? Scientists have demonstrated a robotic third thumb… yes really. It’s designed to let you do tasks with one hand that previously needed two. In a recent demo, people showcased the versatility of this extra digit. From basic daily activities to advanced tasks like soldering, playing Jenga, or even strumming a guitar. It turns out that getting comfortable with the third thumb is “easier than you might think,” with most people becoming adept in no time. The best part? The third thumb is designed to be inclusive for all body shapes and sizes. Researchers tested it with a diverse group of participants aged 3 to 96 years old, and an impressive 98% could use it effectively within just a minute. Whether you’re right-handed, left-handed, young, or old, the third thumb adapts beautifully. No complex sensors or probes here – just simple controls using your toes. The left big toe controls up and down movement, while the right toe moves it across the palm. This intuitive design means almost anyone can master it quickly. Would you like to see this kind of tech in your day-to-day life? I’d love to hear your best robo-assistant ideas. #Innovation #FutureTech #RoboticThumb #WebFireCommunications #WhatsNext?