Category Archives: Business

Messaging could be easier

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Testing has started on a new feature that would merge Messenger with WhatsApp. Messaging could be easier for end uses of either system in the future. The huge tech move would mean that users of either app would be able to send messages to people on the other app seamlessly.

Messaging could be easier for users

An example would be that if you had a Facebook account, you could reach your friends on WhatsApp without downloading the app. Discovered by tech expert WABetaInfo, known for figuring out tech updates and new developments before they’re announced. He came across the update hidden in the code of Messenger.

Messaging could be easier

Facebook users could message those on WhatsApp without the app. Picture: PA

WABetaInfo has made a name for himself through scanning innards of apps to figure out new features. He also explained that this new merging of apps isn’t available yet.

He said: “The integration of WhatsApp into Facebook Messenger isn’t available yet. This is a very complicated feature and it requires time. We’ve no idea if the plan to merge those services will continue or if it will be abandoned.”

Facebook own WhatsApp and Instagram. They plan to combine features between both apps. Last year, Facebook announced its plans to merge all three services into one. However, nothing has been mentioned since.

 

What could the merge mean for users?

Should the merge go ahead, one person could reach another contact on WhatsApp through the Facebook Messenger app, and vice versa.

That raises some interesting security questions. WhatsApp is famous for its end-to-end encryption, which keeps the content of a user’s messages secure. Users will also need only a phone number to sign up. Facebook requires a person’s “real” identity to register. Messenger is not currently encrypted in the same way WhatsApp is.

Facebook has previously said, “We’re working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted.” The news of the potential merger comes just a year after Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg said he wanted to see greater integration between Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

“As you would expect, there is a lot of discussion and debate as we begin the long process of figuring out all the details of how this will work,” said Facebook.

How to communicate with your IT provider?

Good communication between you and your IT provider is essential to your business. This can be challenging to communicate your problem over the phone or email. Contact the LIS Help Desk to find out about our IT Support Services. Our team can remote control into your device and fix the problem straight away. Alternatively, if it is not an emergency schedule a time that suits you. IT does not have to ruin your day, just contact us and consider us as your IT therapist.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#Facebook #Messenger #WhatsApp #SocialMedia #ITSupport

Team Meetings Are Simple

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Working from home (WFH) with Microsoft Teams. If you are already a user of what has become Microsoft’s fastest-growing app in history, you’ll realise that team meetings are simple and quick. Although not always convenient if you’re in a home setting that’s verging on disorganised.

So, before you start a Teams meeting, use the blur background function to put you in focus, rather than what’s behind you. Be that a child home-schooling at the kitchen table, a stack of laundry ready for ironing or an interesting choice of reading material on your bookcase.

Team meetings are simple when working from home

It’s clear that WFH isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Standard Life Aberdeen has informed 4,900 of its UK employees working from home not to expect a return to the office this year. While Health Secretary Matt Hancock has indicated his hope that employers offer home working as a choice going forward.

A record of 2.7 billion minutes of Microsoft Teams meetings took place in a single day in April. It has become a feature of daily working life for many, team meetings are simple and are here to stay. Microsoft Teams will replace Skype for Business Online which is being retired on 31 July 2021.

Team Meeting Are Simple

The hub for teamwork in Microsoft 365. Invite everyone you work with to chat, meet, call and collaborate all in one place. Discover a new way to work together.

All capabilities of Skype for Business are available in Microsoft Teams – like blurring out your background during a video call – but Teams expands on capabilities for communication and collaboration. Microsoft Teams brings together files, chats, and apps in an integrated app, with functionality that enables organizations to move faster and collaborate more efficiently.

All Office 365 customers are encouraged to use Teams, whether independently or alongside with Skype for Business. However, customers will need to move to Teams before the Skype for Business Online retirement date. Here’s some advice on how to make Microsoft Teams technology at your fingertips your new best friend.

Don’t leave them hanging

Teams allows you to test your functionality before a video call. This lets you adjust the camera angle, test the audio, sort out any lighting issues or blur the background before you get going.

Cut the inbox clutter

Drowning in emails could become a thing of the past. If a colleague wants you to send a file, or answer a quick query, chats is the answer.

It’s good to share

Using the chat window is an easy way to have a quick conversation with a colleague. Need to share a file? Attach it in the chat, then call or video call your colleague to discuss the file straight from the window. Meetings can be scheduled without leaving the chat. There’s no need to switch between apps during a conversion as chat is integration with other Microsoft products like Office.

Collaboration and communication

Syncing with Office 365, you can create a Word, Excel or PowerPoint document in Teams, immediately share it with colleagues and then co-write. It cuts out confusion around the very latest version of documents, spreadsheets or power points.

Any time, any place

Teams is a fully cloud-based solution, meaning you can access information from anywhere on any device. Using the Teams phone app gives immediate access to all your apps and documents. You can easily respond to chat and conversations, join meetings with one click and continue to collaborate. So even on the move, you stay in the loop.

Overcoming isolation

Working from home can be a lonely experience but using the Teams internal communications keeps the workforce engaged and motivated and conscious they are working towards the same goal, even when physically apart. It provides scope to check in, not check-up.

Privacy and security

Microsoft Teams comes with security and privacy controls designed to prevent vulnerabilities to hacking, protection which includes:

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Users supply added forms of verification to prove their identity, helping protect their accounts from attacks through weak or stolen passwords.
  • Microsoft Endpoint Manager – To manage devices and apps and enforce conditional access on any device.
  • Secure Guest Access – Allows users to collaborate with individuals outside their organisation while controlling access to their own data.

How can we be part of your team?

We are working in unusual times that no one has experienced. Take the pressure of worrying about you IT system. Wouldn’t it be nice to focus working on your business rather than for the business? No more organised meetings in the board room. Team meetings are simple with Microsoft Teams. Allow yourself to spend extra time playing golf, going down the gym or your favourite activity.

Find out more about how LIS can support your team working from home. Contact the LIS Help Desk for the latest IT Support Advice,  Security, Cloud Back Up Solutions and Telecoms. Like the famous TV advert said, “It’s good to talk.”

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#MicrosoftTeams #WFH #Business #ITSupport

 

Surge in Internet usage

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People in the UK have been spending record amounts of time on the Internet during the coronavirus lockdown. It’s no surprise that the surge in Internet usage has hit an all-time high. All those Zoom meetings, home working and not to mention the Netflix binging.

A recent BBC article takes a closer look and explains why we are so reliant on the Internet.

In April 2020, UK adults spent longer than four hours online each day – more than a quarter of their waking life. It marks an increase of more than half an hour since January. This means people now spend substantially more time online than watching television or listening to the radio.

The recent surge in Internet usage figures were revealed in Ofcom’s Online Nation report. It illustrates the habits and trends of internet users between November 2019 and April 2020. People aged 18 to 24 were the heaviest users, clocking an average of more than five hours spent online per day.

Average time online due to a surge in Internet usage

Number of hours spent online by age group in the UK, April 2020.

Surge in Internet usage

A large portion of the study focussed on internet habits in 2019, which revealed that technology giants now control an even greater share of internet traffic. The research by the regulator showed that more than a third of time spent online was spent on sites owned by either Facebook or Google.

How people spend their time online

Average number of minutes spent using sites and services per day.

How people spend their time online

The shift towards platforms like Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Messenger appears to have been accelerated during lockdown. Nearly half of all adults using the messaging apps to make video calls at least once a week.

Ofcom’s research found that the use of video calling services doubled to 70 per cent of the population during the lockdown, as people sought new ways to stay in touch.

One of the biggest benefiters from this trend has been the app Zoom, which saw a huge surge in new users at the start of the lockdown.

Zoom meetings

“Lockdown may leave a lasting digital legacy,” said Yij-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s director of strategy and research. “Coronavirus has radically changed the way we live, work and communicate online, with millions of people using online video services for the first time.”

Make sure you are connected

We cannot predict how long this pandemic will go on for. However, as we all know technology is helping us cope with the current situation. Particularly companies that are working from the office and at home. Contact the LIS Help Desk to make sure your business is receiving the fastest broadband. Make sure your remote colleagues have access to the same system as those in the office. We can upgrade your security, look after your emails and provide cloud based back up solutions.

Talk to us about IT support. Why have the worry of looking after your systems? Let us take the strain. We work with you to set up the most cost effective and productive solutions. Think of us as part of your team rather than a supplier!

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#ThankGodItsNotDialUp #InternetHighs #WFH

Save The Planet

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As a society, we get through serious amounts of technology. Help save the planet! What do you do with your old devices though? Sell them? Shove them in a drawer and forget all about them? We should be recycling them to help the planet. The Evening Standard published a story about how millions of old gadgets can be recycled into new shiny ones.

When you’re done with your old PC, laptop or Mac, don’t just throw it in the rubbish. Make sure you recycle it properly, including safely removing any personal data on your computer’s hard drive.

Recycling an old computer can be relatively straightforward. When you buy a new electrical item such as a PC or laptop, the retailer you buy from is legally obliged to help you safely and responsibly dispose of the item you are replacing.

Save The Planet.jpg

Computer Recycling – Technology continues to rapidly grow. Make sure you recycle your old machines the right way.
Do not risk getting a fine!

Computer recycling schemes help save the planet

One of the best recycling services we’ve come across is called WeeeCharity. This charity will collect your old computing equipment free of charge from your home. It will also offer to wipe your data securely, free of charge. WeeeCharity donates refurbished computers to those in need, or else disposes of them in an environmentally responsible manner.

Alternatively, your local council may run a scheme for recycling old computers (but it might charge for collection). For more details, go to the Environment Agency Website or contact your council.

You can also enter your postcode at the Recycle Now website to see whether there’s a recycling scheme near you. Alternatively, the Freecycle Network will help you give away your old machine, and Computer Aid International sends computers to developing countries.

In all cases, it’s essential to take some steps to securely remove the data on your computer. Some charities offer to do this for you. If you’d prefer to take matters into your own hands, follow our advice below.

Factory reset your computer before recycling

Before recycling a laptop or desktop, you should reset it to its ‘factory settings’. In theory, this leaves only the bare operating system and pre-installed programs on the device – removing access to your files and any programs you’ve added.

It’s essential before beginning the proces to back up all your data. Firstly, store them safely on an external hard drive. Then save them to your new computer or in online cloud storage solutions. Finally, if you wish to reinstall software from your old computer onto a new one, note down the licence keys. You’ll need these to install paid-for software (including Microsoft Office) on a new machine.

Use data-shredding software

Scrapped computers can end up being recycled anywhere, often with the components stripped out to extract valuable metals. It is also possible to extract potentially sensitive data at this point, even with a computer that’s been factory reset as per the steps above.

To be certain your data is gone, you should consider using data-shredding software. Windows 10 lets you shred data from within its factory reset options. If you’re using a different operating system, it’s a good idea to run additional software.

Remove the hard drive

If you’re recycling a laptop or desktop and would prefer not to dabble with data-shredding software, the safest way to make sure your data isn’t accessed is to physically remove the hard drive.

You can put an old hard drive into an external caddy – available for about £12 online. This will convert it into a USB hard drive that you can use to store and access data, just like a regular external hard drive.

Alternatively, you can smash the old hard drive to make it unrecoverable. It’s physical work – you’ll need to destroy it with a few satisfying blows of a hammer to break the ‘platters’ that hold the data.

How we help save the planet

We are unable to save the animals or forests of the world. We offer a recycling service to our clients, by taking your old equipment. Our recycling program makes sure your we dispose of your items ethically and abide by UK law.

Contact the LIS Help Desk to talk about upgrading your equipment. Our friendly team are here help you with data shredding, transfer of data and other issues you have.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#recycle #OldDevices #SaveThePlanet

Windows File Recovery App

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Windows File Recovery app is a new app from Microsoft that can recover deleted files. Have you ever deleted important files accidentally? We’ve all been there, shift + delete can sometimes be a nuisance, or deleting the recycle bin and then realizing that you needed one of the files. If you have a backup you may restore the files but if you don’t, you are left with file recovery software or caches.

Abhishek Baxi from the technology news website Neowin explains more in their recent article. Microsoft’s new Windows File Recovery app will assist in recovering files that you may have deleted and want to bring back or resolve issues with corrupted data.

It supports a number of file types for photos, videos, documents, and more. Whilst also supporting a number of file system types, including:

  • NTFS
  • FAT
  • exFAT
  • ReFS
Windows File Recovery app

Microsoft is releasing its own Windows file recovery tool, designed to retrieve files you have mistakenly deleted.
Like any file recovery tool, you will need to use it as soon as possible. Ensuring files have not been overwritten.

A number of options

It offers users a number of recovery modes. Which one you should choose  depends on how long it has been since the data was deleted. For example, for files deleted recently, the default option should suffice. However, if it’s been a while or the disk has been formatted since, then the Segment and Signature modes may be more successful.

Whilst the app is usable by anybody on Windows 10 or later, it is recommended for power users, as it uses a command line interface. Using the Microsoft Store on Windows 10, the file recovery app can be downloaded.

While this certainly isn’t a tool for beginners, it’s nice to have it available in case the worst happens. We are are all human and sometimes unintentionally delete files. One thing to keep in mind, though, is not to wait to use it once you realize a file or files are missing. As Microsoft points out in the documentation, “If you want to increase your chances of recovering a file, minimize or avoid using your computer. In the Windows file system, the space used by a deleted file is marked as free space, which means the file data can still exist and be recovered. But any use of your computer can create files, which may over-write this free space at any time.”

Giving  you peace of mind

We are unable to control how your staff operate their PCs. However, rest assured we can set up a cloud based back up system. Our solutions secure your files and back up your data. You are in safe hands.

Contact the LIS Help Desk to discuss your requirements. We protect anything from a single PC or laptop to large corporate servers. We cover your Office 365 One Drive and Share Point files, Exchange and SQL server data, and can even provide 10 year email archiving. So, you have certified evidence against future litigation.

All our backup systems are secure, encrypted, robust, tested and built to meet your specific requirements.

LIS – SECURING YOUR DIGITAL WORLD

#Microsoft #FileRecovery #WindowsFileRecovery