8 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 10 (and a Few Warnings)
Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft's flagship operating system, was released on July 29, 2015, and millions of people have already received their copies of the tech giant's newest piece of software. While there are plenty of good reasons to upgrade, Windows 10 isn't necessarily for everyone.
Here are a few issues to consider when choosing whether or not to get Windows 10:
1. It's Free (for Most People)
Microsoft is offering free upgrades to Windows 10 for anyone with a genuine copy of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows Phone 8.1. The free-upgrade promotion — which expires on July 29, 2016 — will entice a huge number of Windows users to make the switch.
However, the offer doesn't extend to Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Windows RT, and Windows RT 8.1. That being said, Microsoft started selling Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education on August 1, 2015.
2. Improved Performance
Windows 10 features several performance upgrades. It boots up faster and its better hardware acceleration means that the operating system is a bit quicker when in use. The OS's power management system has also seen some improvements that tend to extend the life of mobile devices' batteries.
Additionally, the Refresh and Reset functions were reimplemented so that they work without the need for a recovery image. This reduces the amount of system resources that the OS requires, and makes it easier for users to remove any unwanted software that hardware manufacturers might have bundled into their copies of Windows.
3. Better Security
Security was clearly an important consideration for Microsoft's developers when they were creating Windows 10. The new OS provides automatic updates, which can make things easier for some users. It also has a number of features designed to keep users and their data secure.
Its Device Guard tool blocks unauthorized applications from accessing Windows 10 computers or the networks that they are connected to. The OS's Passport and Windows Hello features protect accounts by changing the way that people approach user authorization. Instead of relying on a password, these features let users launch Windows 10 devices by using biometric characteristics like their faces, irises, or fingerprints.
4. The Return of the Start Menu
One of the main criticisms against Windows 8 was the loss of the Start menu. This clear and easy-to-use menu was a staple of previous Windows versions, and many users were upset when they were unable to use it. Thankfully, Microsoft learned from its mistakes by bringing the Start menu back with Windows 10.
The new version of the Start menu will be familiar to Windows 7 users, but it also features a customizable side panel with live tiles similar to the ones used in Windows 8. You can reorganize this panel as you like, combine and resize live tiles, and create shortcuts to your favorite applications. Alternatively, if you don't like the live tiles, you can delete them and go back to the basic Windows-7-style menu.
5. A New Web Browser
The release of Windows 10 also served as the debut performance of Microsoft Edge, the company's latest web browser. Windows 10 users will still have the option to use Internet Explorer, though. This will help companies that need to keep using the 20-year-old web browser for compatibility reasons.
Microsoft Edge is designed to be faster, more secure, and more user-friendly than Internet Explorer. Users can customize the web browser by picking a background or choosing a set font size. It also has several new features, like the ability to convert to a streamlined format that removes sidebars and is easier to read. There is also a tool that lets you make notes on web pages, and then share screenshots of the pages through email or a social network.
6. A Universal Approach
Windows 10 is a universal operating system that works on every Windows machine, whether it's a computer or a mobile device. Any app bought through the Windows Store will work on all of a user's machines, and will feel familiar regardless of the device that it is being used on. Users can also switch from one device to the next without losing any of their work. If you start working on a document on your computer, you can easily switch to your tablet and pick up right where you left off.
Microsoft's Continuum also facilitates this broader versatility. This feature changes the operating system's interface based on the status of the device. For example, if you plug a keyboard and mouse into your tablet, the operating system will recognize the change and switch to desktop mode.
7. A Digital Personal Assistant
Cortana is Microsoft's answer to Google Now and Apple's Siri. Originally connected to Windows Phone, the digital personal assistant can now be used on any Windows 10 device. Users interact with Cortana by speaking or by typing in questions. The digital assistant learns about users by keeping track of the things they like, and is integrated with Microsoft's calendar and email clients. This means that it is able to answer more personal questions like "How long will it take me to get home?" and recognize specific issues that might affect you, like a traffic jam or travel delay.
8. Virtual Desktops
With Windows 10, you can create multiple different desktops and choose which apps to run on each one. This helps you keep your work life and your personal life separate, and allows you to share desktops with your colleagues.
A Few Words of Warning
Although Windows 10 does have a lot of advantages, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you upgrade. As noted above, Windows 10 users will get automatic updates. In some cases, this can be a good thing, but some users, and especially organizations that need consistent desktops for all staff, like to maintain more control over their updates. For those people, Microsoft has noted that Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise let you avoid this automatic updating process.
Additionally, the Windows Media Center is not part of the new OS, so if you use this application a lot — by watching DVDs, for example — then you will need to find a suitable replacement online.
Lastly, compatibility with existing, older software may be an issue. If you have applications that are only compatible with a certain operating system, check with your IT staff or service provider about the possibility of migrating to Windows 10. By the same token, if you have older hardware or peripherals that don't have updated drivers, then Windows 10 could be a problem and it might be time to buy newer pieces of equipment.
Windows 10 has a lot of privacy and bandwidth settings that you may not want to have enabled. Many of these are automatically turned on by default during the installation process. As a precaution, be sure to look over the settings in case you want to change them. Talk to your IT provider if you have any questions on the effect of enabling or disabling a setting.
The Big Finale
The media has claimed that the new OS could be the last version of Windows. Setting aside the speculation, the basic premise behind this statement is that Microsoft may be moving to a so-called Windows-as-a-Service model in which it will push out frequent updates to its current operating system rather than release a new version every few years.
Regardless of the hype, the fact of the matter is that Windows 10 will be here for years to come. Microsoft has already committed to a 10-year support cycle for it. Windows users will, in all likelihood, have to adapt to it at some point. Deciding when that point will be is something that you can do with the help of your IT staff or service provider.
How to Back Up Data Using the File History Feature in Windows 10
There are many ways you can lose files and other valuable data. Your computer might crash or be attacked by malware. Your hard drive might fail. Even dropping a laptop or spilling coffee on it can lead to data loss.
Experts recommend that you back up your data locally as well as to an offsite location, such as the cloud. That way, you will be able to quickly restore files from the local backups when needed. You will also have a copy of your data if a disaster (e.g., fire, tornado) destroys both your computer and your local backups.
While most people realize that backing up their data is a good idea, many fail to do so for a variety of reasons. The File History feature in Windows 10 helps eliminate some of those reasons by providing an easy, set-and-forget way to back up data locally to an external storage device or to another computer or storage device in a network. You cannot use this feature to back up data directly to a cloud storage solution.
After you set up the File History feature, it will automatically back up your data. By default, it will do so every hour and keep the backups forever. You can, however, change how often backups are taken and stored.
You can also change what folders are backed up. By default, File History backs up your contacts, links, downloads, favorites, desktop items, documents, pictures, videos, music, saved games, searches, and OneDrive files that are available offline. File History will not back up your computer's operating system, system settings, and applications. If you want to back up those items, you will need to create a system image.
One way to access the File History feature is to type "file history" in the search box and click "File History" in the search results. However, File History's advanced settings window will open. Setting up the feature from this window is not as intuitive as setting it up through the main interface. You can access the main interface by opening the File History feature through the Settings app. The following instructions on how to back up your files use that method to access File History.
How to Back Up Your Files to an External Storage Device
If you want to back up your files to an external storage device such as an external hard drive or USB drive, follow these steps:
- Click the "Start button" and select "Settings".
- Select the "Update — security" option.
- In the left pane, click "Backup".
- Connect the external storage device to your computer.
- Click the large button with the plus (+) sign, which is next to the "Add a drive" label.
- When prompted, choose the external storage device you connected in step 4.
- Notice the new "Automatically back up my files" option that appears. Its on/off slider will be set to the "On" position. Your files will now be automatically backed up.
- If you want to change the default settings for the File History feature, click the "More options" link under the on/off slider. Besides changing the folders to back up, you can change how often the backups occur and how long they are kept.
How to Back Up Your Files to a Network Location
If you want to back up your files to a computer or storage device in a home or business network, follow these steps:
- Click the "Start" button and select "Settings".
- Select the "Update — security" option.
- In the left pane, click "Backup".
- Click the "More options" link.
- Choose the "See advanced settings" option.
- Click the "Select a network location" link.
- Select the "Add network location" option and follow the instructions provided.
- Notice the new "Automatically back up my files" option that appears. Its on/off slider will be set to the "On" position. Your files will now be automatically backed up.
- If you want to change the default settings for the File History feature, click the "More options" link under the slider.
A Pretty Painless Process
With the File History feature in Windows 10, backing up your data locally is pretty painless. Once you configure the feature, it will run silently in the background. With the local backup process in place, you can then concentrate on how you want to handle your offsite backups.
Contact us for an assessment of your data backup options. We can provide personalized insights and recommendations for your company's data backup plan.
The Differences between Hubs, Switches, and Routers
In discussions about networking, you might find that the terms "hub", "switch", and "router" are being used interchangeably when they should not be. The reason for the confusion is understandable. Besides looking similar, all three devices pass along data traffic through connectors called ports. Plus, as these devices become more sophisticated, the functional differences between them continue to blur.
To understand the differences between hubs, switches, and routers, it helps to look at their fundamental roles as well as their levels of intelligence.
What Is a Hub?
A hub is the least intelligent of the three hardware devices. It serves as a connection point for the computers (and other devices such as printers) in a network. A hub simply passes along the traffic it receives to the computers connected to it. Any traffic that goes in one port comes out the other ports. As a result, all the computers receive the traffic, even if it is not for them.
What Is a Switch?
A switch is more intelligent than a hub. Like a hub, a switch is the connection point for the computers (and other devices) in a network. However, a switch is more efficient at passing along traffic. It records the addresses of the computers connected to it in a table. When traffic comes through, the switch reads the destination address and sends that traffic to the appropriate computer rather than sending it to all the connected computers. If the destination address is not in the table, the switch sends the traffic to all the connected computers.
What Is a Router?
A router is the most intelligent of the three hardware devices. It is typically a small computing device designed specifically to understand, manipulate, and direct traffic. Routers include a user interface so that you can tell them where to direct the traffic.
The primary function of a traditional router is to connect two or more networks (or network segments in a very large network) and direct traffic between them. For instance, a business might use a router to manage the connection between its local network and the Internet. To distribute the traffic to the computers in the local network, the business could connect the router to a switch or hub.
While traditional routers are still available, most small business and home office routers today combine the functionality of a router and the functionality of a switch or hub in a single unit. These integrated routers often include additional software that lets businesses set up features such as network firewalls and virtual private networks. There are two main types of integrated routers: wired (e.g., for networks using Ethernet broadband) and wireless (e.g., for Wi-Fi networks).
The Lines Continue to Blur
Integrated routers are blurring the functional lines between routers, switches, and hubs. But they are not the only devices doing so. As switches become smarter, they are taking on some of the tasks that used to require a router. Even hubs are becoming more intelligent. Your IT service provider can help you sort through the many types of routers, switches, and hubs so that you can pick the best routing solution for your business.
Hospital Pays Hackers a Ransom to Regain Control of Its Computers
February 5, 2016, started out like any other day for the doctors, nurses, and other staff members at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. But by the end of the day, many of them could no longer access or update patients' medical records. Nor could they send or receive emails. When the hospital's IT department investigated, it found that the computer systems were infected with ransomware.
The ransomware had encrypted the hospital's files, paralyzing its computer systems. The hackers demanded 40 bitcoins (about $17,000) to get the decryption key. The hospital paid the ransom. "The quickest and most efficient way to restore our systems and administrative functions was to pay the ransom and obtain the decryption key," explained president and CEO Allen Stefanek in a statement released by the hospital. After the hospital regained control of its computer systems on February 15, the IT staff, with the help of outside computer experts, removed the malware.
Not an Isolated Incident
The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is not the only hospital to come under attack. Two hospitals in Germany also reported being ransomware victims. The Lukas Hospital in Neuss was attacked on February 10, 2016. Two days later, Klinikum Arnsberg was targeted. Although the ransomware had encrypted some files at each hospital, neither one paid the ransom.
While the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Lukas Hospital, and Klinikum Arnsberg reported their attacks, most organizations attempt to hide them, according to Bob Shaker, director of strategic operations for Symantec's Cyber Readiness and Response group. He knows about hundreds of ransomware attacks in a variety of industries that have been kept secret.
Shaker and other security experts fear that the successful attack on the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center will encourage more organizations to pay the ransom if infected by ransomware. This, in turn, will lead to hackers launching even more attacks.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Business's Computer Systems
Since more ransomware attacks are inevitable, you need to take measures to protect your business's computer systems. Perhaps the most important measure is to back up your files and make sure they can be successfully restored. Although this will not prevent a ransomware attack, it will mitigate its effects. You will not have to pay the ransom to get your files back since you can restore them from the most recent backup.
Prevention is also important. To help prevent a ransomware attack, it is helpful to know the common ways of getting infected. They include:
- Visiting a malicious website or a legitimate website that has been hacked
- Opening a file or clicking a link in a phishing or spear phishing email
- Being infected with some other type of malware that, in turn, downloads the ransomware
Given these attack vectors, one way to help prevent ransomware is to use anti-malware software. It can help guard against known ransomware ploys and other kinds of malware threats.
Taking advantage of the popup blocker functionality in web browsers is another way to help guard against ransomware. Popups sometimes contain malware or lead to malicious websites. In addition, you need to educate employees about the importance of avoiding any websites marked as potential security threats by their web browsers or anti-malware software.
You also need to educate employees about how to spot phishing or spear phishing emails. Let them know what they should and should not do:
- They should not open any email attachments that are not expected. If the email is from someone they know, have them check with that person first before opening the attachment.
- They should not click any links embedded in emails sent from unknown sources. Even if they know the person who sent the email, have them check the link (hover their cursor over the link to see the address of the website) before clicking it.
Take Action Now or Pay Later
Ransomware is one of the biggest cyber threats in 2016, according to McAfee Labs and Trend Micro. To avoid becoming a victim, you need to take action now to protect your computer systems. Waiting could cost you money, hassle, and negative publicity. Contact us to do an IT security assessment to reduce the risk of your data being held ransom. We can also help you set up effective backup and restore operations.
6 Things That Google Knows about You
Have you ever visited a shopping site followed by a news site and found that most of the ads you see are from that shopping site? That did not happen by accident. Google has been tracking your activities and using the data it collects to make money.
Google has one of the largest collections of consumer data on the planet. Besides capturing the information that users freely give when they sign up for a Google account, Google tracks its users' web activity so it can display ads that better match their interests. Even users without Google accounts have their web activity tracked, though Google is unable to connect it to a specific person.
Google uses the data it collects to develop profiles about its users. Many people do not realize just how shockingly detailed these profiles can be.
If you are a Google user, here are six things that Google knows about you:
1. Your Account Details
Google knows your name, phone number, and all the other information you provided when you signed up for a Google account.
2. Your Usage of Google's Tools
Google provides users with many tools, including a word processor, web browser, and contact list. The tech giant keeps track of how you use these tools. This means that it knows how many documents you have in Google Docs, how many bookmarks you have in Chrome and what they are, and how many people you have in your contact list.
3. Your Gmail Inbox Contents
If you have a Gmail account, Google knows how many messages are in your inbox. It also scans your messages for keywords. It uses this information to tailor the ads and search results it shows you.
4. Your Searches
Besides tracking your web browsing activity, Google keeps tabs on your web search history. This is one of the main ways in which it develops an advertising profile about you. By knowing what you are searching for, Google can determine what types of products and services you are likely to buy.
5. The Videos You Watch
Google owns YouTube, so it is able to track your activity on that site as well. The information about your YouTube activity is used for advertising purposes.
6. Your Location
It is likely that Google knows where you live. It might even know where you are located right this minute. If you have used Google Maps to get directions from your home to somewhere, Google knows where you live based on that information and your IP address. If you have an Android phone and have not disabled the Google Location History feature, Google knows where you are located right this minute. Location tracking lets the company offer you geographically specific results when you search for something.
Check Your Profiles
There are several ways you can find out the types of information that Google is collecting about you:
- You can review your Google account profile by going to the My Account web page. There you can see what personal information you gave Google when you signed up. Plus, if you click the Account History option, you can see if Google is tracking your location, web search history, YouTube search history, or browser activity.
- Google has developed a dashboard designed to increase transparency about the data it collects about you. The Google Dashboard summarizes the data collected for each Google tool that you use.
- Google's advertising profiles include guesses about its users' ages, genders, and interests. You can see your advertising profile on the Control Your Google Ads web pageand find out just how right (or wrong) the tech giant is about you. You can also use this website to stop Google from tracking your web activity by opting out of its interest-based advertising program.
6 IT Policies to Help Protect Your Company
Many companies rely on IT to help run their businesses. For this reason, they often depend on a set of IT policies to ensure the productive, appropriate, and legal use of IT resources. IT policies establish expectations and regulations for behavior related to company computers and networks.
In addition, IT policies detail consequences for employees or customers in the event of a policy violation. The proper enforcement of IT policies may also provide a basis for defense in the event of a lawsuit.
Here are six common IT policies to help protect your company:
1. Acceptable Use Policy
An acceptable use policy, or AUP, restricts use of a company's network or services. AUPs prevent illegal activity, ensure security, and safeguard the reputation of the company.
AUPs also outline the consequences of breaking the rules. A common penalty is restricted or permanent loss of access to the associated network or service.
2. Privacy Policy
Privacy policies protect the personal information collected from a company's customers and employees. Personal information includes anything that can be used to identify an individual. Names, social security numbers, credit card numbers, email addresses, and even photos of individuals are considered personal information.
Privacy policies typically document how personal information is collected, stored, used, and disposed of. Privacy policies may also disclose when personal information is shared or sold to third parties.
3. Data Governance Policy
Data governance policies describe how data is managed as it passes through company systems. Specifically, these policies document how a company makes sure that data is accessible and secure, as well as accurately collected and properly maintained.
Data governance policies also identify the people responsible for the quality and security of company data. They might also mention any third parties that play a role in the company's data management plans.
4. Disaster Recovery Policy
A disaster recovery policy outlines the broad requirements of a company's disaster recovery plan. These policies identify critical data and responsible departments or staff. They also specify allowable downtime, as well as how to ensure business continuity in the event of downtime.
Disaster recovery plans are usually created by senior IT staff. However, the specifics of data recovery plans are normally left to those designing and executing the plan.
5. BYOD Policy
A BYOD policy, or Bring Your Own Device policy, is an IT policy that governs the use of personal mobile devices in the workplace. BYOD policies are becoming increasingly important, with study after study showing the dramatic shift of personal mobile devices into the workplace.
Specifically, BYOD policies state the degree to which personal mobile devices are allowed within the workplace, what can be done with these devices, and how the company will support them.
6. Social Media Policy
Social media policies govern employee use of social media both in and out of the workplace. These policies define how a company will manage and monitor the online behavior of it's employees. They also set forth any company expectations regarding the nature and tone of information being posted.
As a result, social media policies are sometimes perceived as repressive. However, they can actually empower employees by letting them know what can and cannot be posted. Striking a balance between the needs of the company and employees is the key to a successful social media policy.
How Often Should Passwords Be Changed?
How old are your passwords? Almost half of the 2,000 U.S. and U.K. respondents in a TeleSign survey admitted they have not changed their passwords in five years. Even worse, more than 20 percent of them were using passwords that were more than 10 years old.
You likely will not get much argument that these passwords are too old. But how often should you and your employees change them? Surprisingly, this is a not an easy question to answer.
For many years, security experts recommended changing passwords frequently, usually every 30 to 120 days. However, a Microsoft study questioned that conventional wisdom — wisdom that even Microsoft product documentation touted for years.
The Microsoft study found that frequent mandatory password changes cost billions of dollars in lost productivity with little security payoff in return. Frequent password changes are not as effective nowadays because hackers have machines that can crack weak passwords in seconds. Once they have a password, it is doubtful that they will wait even a week before exploiting it. Thus, changing passwords every 30 to 120 days does little to increase security.
Requiring strong passwords, in addition to mandating frequent password changes, can even weaken security, as some chief information officers point out. Employees are becoming frustrated with having to constantly create and remember strong passwords. A Janrain studyrevealed that 38 percent of the 2,208 adults surveyed would rather scrub toilets and tackle other household chores than try to come up with yet another password. As a result, they might resort to using variations of old passwords, re-using the same password for multiple accounts, or writing down passwords.
While it is not a good idea to require frequent password changes, you should not go to the other extreme and never require them. You need to find a happy medium. The Information Technology Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends that you set different password expiration policies for the different types of systems and software in your business. That way, you can have employees change their passwords more often for high-security systems and software and less often for low-security systems and software.
You also need to make sure that employees understand how risky it is to re-use the same password for multiple accounts. Hackers know that re-using passwords is a common practice, so when they crack the password for one account, they will try using it to access other accounts. Similarly, they will try opening other accounts with variations of that password.
Creating and remembering a unique strong password for each account can be challenging for employees, even when they do not need to change their passwords very often. Using a password management tool can make this task much easier for employees. They can have the password manager automatically create strong passwords. The password manager will also store those passwords so that employees do not have to remember them. Besides having happy employees, you can take comfort in knowing that your company's accounts are protected with unique strong passwords. It is a win-win situation for everyone, except hackers.
What Surveys Say about Moving to the Cloud
Cloud computing has surged in popularity. The 2015 Cloud Security Spotlight Report clearly makes this point. More than 70 percent of the 1,010 participants reported that they use or plan to use a cloud computing solution. Yet, some organizations are still apprehensive about using the cloud.
Common Concerns
Organizations hesitant about cloud computing are often concerned about:
- Security. Security is by far the biggest concern preventing organizations from embracing the cloud. They are afraid that their data will not be as safe in the cloud as it is in their on-premises systems.
- Lack of control. Some companies are leery they will lose control of their data if they move it to the cloud.
- Compatibility. Organizations fear that their applications will not be compatible with cloud computing solutions.
- Just a fad. Some companies view the cloud as just another fad. They believe that if they were to start using the cloud, their IT systems would become obsolete as soon as the next technological marvel comes around.
Discovering What's Right for Your Business
Fears about the cloud often come from misinformation and a lack of knowledge. Learning about cloud computing can help ease your apprehension.
The 2015 Computerworld Forecast survey reported that over 40 percent of the IT executives surveyed predict they will increase their spending on software as a service (SaaS) and a mix of public, private, hybrid, and community clouds.
Searching the Internet about cloud security is not as helpful. For every article or blog you find saying it is safe, you will find another one saying it is not. Talking with IT experts is a better course of action. You can discuss the security issues that pertain to your data and applications to determine whether using the cloud is a good fit for your business. They can help you decide on the best type of cloud options for your company and show you the best ways to keep your data safe and in your control.
IT experts can also find out if any of your applications are incompatible with the cloud. If that is the case, they can help you find a suitable replacement.
6 Reasons to Use Remote Monitoring to Keep an Eye on Your Systems
Many IT service providers use remote monitoring tools to gather information and send reports about their clients' computer systems. Almost anything can be monitored, from routers and firewalls to virus detection and email services.
Here are five benefits of using remote monitoring to keep an eye on your systems:
1. Reduce the Chances of Downtime
In order to operate smoothly, your company needs its computers up and running. If they stop working, you could end up losing a lot of money.
Remote monitoring can reduce the chances of such an event. Your service provider can set alerts that trigger when a problem starts to develop but before it impacts system performance. This early notification means the issue can be resolved before it develops into a crisis.
2. Respond to Problems Instantly
An IT service provider's remote monitoring team can protect your computers around-the-clock. This 24/7 service means that providing a solution to your tech troubles doesn't have to wait until the morning.
3. Handle Problems Anywhere
Because of remote monitoring, it doesn't matter where you are, where your systems are, or where your people are. A remote monitoring team can contact you, find out how you want a situation handled, and then take care of it for you.
This means that you don't even need to leave the comfort of your own home in order to take care of a problem. This aspect of remote monitoring is especially appealing to companies with facilities in distant or rural locations.
4. Track System Health
Remote monitoring collects system statistics over time. When viewing this data in monthly or quarterly reports, long-term trends can be identified, even before they reach levels that would trigger an alert.
Using these reports, you can address potential problems as they develop and prevent them from ever impacting your computer system. Trend analysis can also identify needs for system expansion and help with technology budgeting.
5. Monitor and Support Every Device You Use
Remote monitoring is comprehensive. Every device can be monitored and supported remotely, whether it's a server, a desktop, or a mobile device.
Additionally, a remote monitoring service can provide for automatic updates. Configuration files and other changes can automatically be deployed without users needing to take any action.
6. Have Support Staff That Show Rather than Tell
If one of your employees ever has a computer problem, an IT expert can use remote control tools to take control of the employee's desktop while they are watching. Remote control is different from remote monitoring, although the two are closely related. When it comes to IT support, remote control tools let technicians teach your employees about the issue at hand and explain to them how to address it in the future.
The Bottom Line
Businesses today rely on their computers. They need their IT infrastructure up and running at all times. They need to know about problems before they happen, and they need support regardless of their locations. Remote monitoring provides a cost-effective way for companies to fulfill these needs.