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There’s a quiet update on the way for Notepad that might make a big difference to how you take notes, prep for meetings, or share quick updates with your team. Simple, fast, and now, just a bit smarter…

Hacking groups are given different names by different security companies. And that means you don’t know who’s really behind an attack so can’t react as quickly as you’d like. That’s about to change, thanks to Microsoft…

Windows 10 reaches its end of life NEXT MONTH. If your business still isn’t prepared, you must start planning. Now. Here’s what you need to consider…

PowerPoint presentations still hold a firm place in many business meetings. But, let’s be honest, they’re a real pain to create. If you regularly use PowerPoint, Microsoft’s got a solution you’ll love…

You know that feeling that someone’s looking over your shoulder?
When you’re working, it’s not just creepy, it’s a security issue. But Microsoft’s working on a very cool feature in Windows 11 that will stop people snooping at your work. Here’s what we know so far…

You’ve probably heard a lot about generative AI. But did you think about the huge impact it’s having on businesses across the globe? The list of benefits is endless. If you’re not keeping up, this is what you’re missing out on…

Another email from Microsoft. But this time it’s asking you to take urgent action to protect your account. Before you click any links or provide any personal information, ask yourself: Is it really Microsoft? Or could it be a phishing attempt? Here’s how to tell…

Ransomware attacks – where hackers steal your data and demand a ransom to give it back – are skyrocketing. You need to have the very best protection in place to keep your data secure. And here’s what that protection is…

“iloveyou”, “12345”, “qwerty1”. If I’ve just guessed all your passwords, you need to change them, immediately. Why? Because your passwords are STILL too weak. It’s a big problem…

Think fraud is only a problem for big corporations? Think again. Small and medium sized businesses are huge targets. And it’s costing a fortune. Here’s how to stay safe…

Just when you think you’ve got cybersecurity sorted for your business, a new scam comes along. This time, cybercriminals don’t even need to trick you out of your password to access your accounts… they can fool you with something called a “device code”.

Searching for files in Windows isn’t always a smooth experience. Sometimes it’s slow and often it’ll show you web results rather than the file you need. But Microsoft is making things much simpler… for some people. Here’s how you can benefit from this.

Need to change a file from one format to another? Easy, just Google a file converter, right? Stop! That may not be as safe as it seems. Find out why here…

Sick of saying “next slide please” in your Teams meetings? Microsoft has a small but powerful new feature that will put an end to that. Find out more here…

Your team are smart, right? They’d never fall for a scam email or click a suspicious link. At least, that’s what they think. Here’s why overconfidence could spell disaster for your business’s security.

Spreadsheets slow us down and are too easy to mess up. So, what if I told you there’s a better way to handle data in your business?

Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks to your business.
Why?
Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than ever before. If they manage to crack just one password, they could gain access to your sensitive business data, financial information, or even gain control of your entire system.
Cyber criminals use automated tools to guess passwords, allowing them to try out millions of combinations in seconds. So, if you’re using something like “Password123” or “CompanyName2025”, you’re practically handing them the keys to your business.
A compromised password can lead to big issues, such as:
• Data breaches
• Financial losses
• Identity theft
• Reputation damage
But how do you create strong passwords without driving yourself (and your team) mad?
Think of your password like a secret recipe, where only you should know the ingredients. It should:
• Be at least 14 characters long (the longer, the better)
• Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• Contain a few numbers and symbols (like @, $, %, or &)
• Not contain any common words or easily guessable information (like birthdays, names, or the word “password”)
Instead of using a single word, you could try a passphrase – a short, random sentence that only you would understand. For example, instead of “Sailing2025”, try something like “Coffee&CloudsAreGreat9!”. This is much harder to crack, yet still easy to remember.
You should also steer clear of these common mistakes:
• Using personal info (your name, birthday, business name, etc.)
• Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts
• Using simple sequences (“123456” or “abcdef”)
• Storing passwords in an easily accessible place (like a sticky note on your desk)
If remembering unique passwords for every account sounds impossible, there is another option: Password managers. These generate strong passwords, store them securely and autofill them for you.
With a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password for the manager app itself. The rest are encrypted and stored safely, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Even the strongest password isn’t foolproof, which is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also important. MFA requires a second form of verification, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated from an authentication app.
If you have employees accessing your business systems, it’s a good idea to have a password policy in place to explain your rules and why they’re important. This should include:
• Unique passwords for each system and account
• Regular security training on password best practices
• Business-wide use of MFA for critical systems
• Scanning for compromised passwords regularly
By making password security a priority, you can reduce the chances of a cyber attack creating a nightmare for your business.
And if you need help making your business more secure, get in touch.