Everon - Switched On I.T

29/05/2025

"Picture this: It’s Monday morning, and you’re ready to take on the week. You fire up your computer, log in to your systems… and… nothing works.

Emails won’t send.

Your website is down.

Your team can’t access files.

Customers can’t place orders. 😱

Panic sets in. You call IT, and they scramble to figure out what’s wrong. Meanwhile, you’re losing time, money, and – worst of all – customer trust.

This, my friend, is the nightmare that unfolds when you face unplanned downtime. And it happens more often than you’d think. 😬

Unplanned downtime costs businesses around the world a staggering $400 billion (£308 billion) every year. 💰 In fact, some of the world’s biggest companies lose an average of $200 million (£154 million) annually due to unexpected digital failures.

But you don’t have to be a global giant to feel the pain: Downtime is bad news for businesses of all sizes.

When your systems crash, you’re not just losing sales. You’re also dealing with:

🚫 Frustrated customers who might never come back.

🚫 Employees twiddling their thumbs because they can’t get any work done.

🚫 Potential compliance fines and legal headaches.

🚫 Damage to your brand reputation, since word spreads FAST online.

Well, once it’s fixed, it’s fine – right?

Not so much. The impact doesn’t stop when you get back online. It’s reported that it can take an average of 79 days to recover. That’s nearly THREE MONTHS of damage control. 😬

So, what causes downtime? It could be:

🛑 A cyber attack that locks you out of your own systems.

🛑 A failed software update that causes your key applications to crash.

🛑 Power cuts, hardware failures, or network issues that grind everything to a halt.

It doesn’t matter how it happens – if your business isn’t prepared, the results can be devastating.

Luckily, you don’t have to just sit back and hope for the best. 🛠️ A few smart moves now can make a huge difference later:

✅ Have a downtime strategy: Know what to do BEFORE disaster strikes. And regularly test your backups and response plans.

✅ Review past failures: Learn from every outage. What went wrong, and how can you prevent it next time?

✅ Secure your data: Protect against cyber threats with strong security and backup policies.

✅ Be proactive: Monitoring tools can flag potential issues before they become full-blown disasters.

Downtime is inevitable for all businesses, both big and small. But the businesses that thrive are the ones that prepare for the worst.

So, ask yourself this: If your systems went down five minutes from now, how fast could you recover?

"

27/05/2025

Does your business rely on Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app to connect to PCs or virtual desktops?

Listen up… 👂

There’s an important change coming.

This month – from 27th May – the Remote Desktop app will no longer be supported by Microsoft.

This is the app that’s downloadable from the Microsoft Store (not the Remote Desktop Connection function that’s already built into Windows 11).

Now, if you use the app, I know what you might be thinking: “Wait… what? I only just got used to Remote Desktop!” 😅 But don’t worry, this isn’t the end of remote access.

Here’s what’s changing:

✅ The Remote Desktop app (which you might have downloaded from the Microsoft Store) is being phased out.

✅ It’s being replaced by Windows App, which has been around since September 2023 and already has more features.

✅ If you’re currently using Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box, you’ll need to switch to Windows App from 27th May onwards.

✅ The Remote Desktop Connection feature (the one that’s built into Windows 11) is NOT going away - it’s been around for decades and still works for connecting directly to PCs.

So, why is Microsoft dropping the Remote Desktop app? 🤔

Microsoft is just consolidating things and rolling more features into Windows App, which is designed to make remote work smoother and more flexible. Windows App isn’t just a rebranded Remote Desktop, it’s a better tool. Here’s why:

🖥 Unified access → Instead of juggling multiple apps, you can access Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and remote PCs all in one place.

🔧 More features → Windows App includes customisable home screens, multi-monitor support, and dynamic display scaling - all things that make working remotely feel more natural.

🎧 Optimised for Teams → If your business uses Microsoft Teams, Windows App makes remote meetings smoother, reducing lag and improving audio/video quality.

🔄 Easier account switching → If you work in multiple remote environments, you can now switch between them more easily.

If you aren’t already using Windows App, now’s the time to make the move. The sooner you get used to it, the less disruptive this change will be for your team.

And don’t worry, Microsoft isn’t forcing you to figure this out alone. There are official guides and support articles to help you with the switch – if you need extra help, my team can assist.

Have you been using the Remote Desktop app? Will this change impact how your team works remotely?

23/05/2025

I’ve got a stat that might make you spit out your coffee… Ready?

There are around 637 new types of malware being detected… Every. Single. Day. 😱

According to research, cyber criminals aren’t just targeting big corporations anymore. They’re coming for small and medium sized businesses, too – and they’re getting smarter about how they do it.

But first, a quick recap: What IS malware? 🤔

Malware (short for malicious software) is any kind of software that’s designed to sneak into your systems and cause trouble. This could mean it steals your data, locks you out of your files, or even turns your devices into “zombies” that it can use to launch bigger attacks.

Malware can arrive through a scam email attachment, a fake update prompt, or even a compromised website.

Once it’s in, the damage can get expensive, fast. Especially if it ends up locking away your data for ransom or leaking sensitive information about your clients. 🔒

So, why are we seeing so many new variants?

Cyber criminals know that smaller businesses don’t always have the same level of protection as big enterprises.

They target small and medium sized businesses with anything from basic ransomware to more sophisticated attacks that use encrypted channels to slip past firewalls. 🎯

In fact, the research found that encrypted threats jumped up by 92% last year. And attackers are getting faster, too, with some vulnerabilities being exploited within days of scammers discovering them.

Another problem is that many businesses are too slow in applying security patches. Some take as long as 3-4 months to get it done.

If this is worrying you, that’s a good thing. It means you’ll focus on doing what you can to stay protected.

So, what can you do to keep your business safe from malware? 🛡️

Step one is accepting that basic, old-school security just isn’t going to cut it anymore. What you need is a mix of advanced protection and education for your team.

🔐 Advanced security: We’re talking real-time threat monitoring, strong firewalls, and next-generation endpoint security. IT support partners (like us) can be a huge help here, offering everything from 24/7 monitoring to quick patch management.

👨‍🏫 Employee training: Most data breaches still involve some level of human error. Teaching your team how to spot phishing emails and avoid suspicious links can go a long way. After all, the fewer mistakes your team makes, the fewer opportunities for malware to get in.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of a solid backup strategy. If ransomware does hit, having up-to-date protected backups can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a nightmare scenario.

Do you have any cyber security concerns right now? Are you worried about malware, or is there another kind of cyber threat that’s on your mind?

21/05/2025

It’s not exactly “breaking news” that password managers are a great idea for online security.

They create, store, and autofill strong and unique passwords for all your accounts. It’s incredibly useful to have a tool which means you never have to remember them (or scribble them down on sticky notes). 😬

But here’s the news flash: Cyber criminals know how valuable those password vaults are too – and they’re coming for them…

A new report says there’s been a three-fold increase in malware targeting password managers over the past year. For the first time ever, stealing login details from these vaults has entered the top 10 techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK Framework (a knowledge base on cyber criminals’ tactics). That’s a clear sign that attackers see password managers as prime targets. 🎯

So, why are cyber criminals targeting them now? 🤔

Simple.

If you can break into someone’s password manager, you don’t get one password, you get them all. For attackers, that’s way more efficient than trying to break into individual accounts one by one.

But the methods they’re using aren’t simple at all. Cyber criminals are deploying sophisticated tactics, like:

🚫 Memory scraping: Using malware to extract passwords directly from your device’s memory.
🚫 Registry harvesting: Scanning Windows registries for saved login details.
🚫 Cloud and local attacks: Hitting cloud-based and device-stored password vaults.

In fact, most of these attacks involve “complex, multi-stage malware” – which isn’t basic or simplistic. These attacks are stealthy, persistent, automated… and hard to detect until it’s too late.

But password managers are still one of the best tools for keeping your accounts safe. 🛡️

The key is to use them the right way. Here’s how:

✅ Never reuse passwords – ever. If attackers get into your password manager and find recycled passwords, they can waltz into multiple accounts without breaking a sweat.

✅ Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if attackers steal your password, they won’t get in without that extra code sent to your phone or email, or generated in an authenticator app.

✅ Use a strong master password. This is the one password you can’t afford to make simple. A strong passphrase (not just a word and a couple of numbers) makes it harder for attackers to brute-force their way in.

✅ Enable biometric login, if available. Face ID or fingerprint scans are tougher to crack than even the best passwords.

If your employees are using password managers (which they should be), it’s worth reviewing how they’re set up. Make sure MFA is required for every account and that master passwords are strong and unique. Also, use a business-grade password manager that lets you monitor and enforce security policies.

With the right precautions, you can keep your systems safe and your stress levels low. 😎

How confident are you in your business’s password security?

19/05/2025

If you’ve been using Copilot in Microsoft Edge, you probably already know how helpful it can be. Whether it’s drafting emails, summarising long reports, or brainstorming blog ideas – it’s like having an assistant who doesn’t mind doing any of the boring stuff. 🥱

And now Microsoft’s dropped a new feature that makes Copilot even more useful: A “Share” button. It lets you pass your AI chats along to colleagues with a couple of clicks. No copying, pasting, or messy screenshots required.

If you’re new to this, Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant. It uses the same tech behind ChatGPT, and it’s built into everything from Word and Excel to Edge. It’s your AI-powered sidekick, helping you get things done faster.

With Copilot, you can:

💬 Chat directly in Edge to get help with research, creating drafts, or summarising content.

🙋‍♀️ Ask complex questions and get clear answers, without the jargon.

🤔 Use “Think Deeper” to break down complicated problems or strategies (without needing a degree in data science).

With the new Share button, you can now send these AI interactions to your team.

For instance, let’s say you’ve asked Copilot to help you draft a pitch for a new project. You get some solid ideas and want to run them by your people. Here’s what you do:

✅ Click “Share” in the Copilot chat pane.

✅ Copy the link that pops up.

✅ Paste it into a Teams chat, email, or any other internal communication tool.

When they click the link, they’ll see the entire AI conversation - context, follow-up questions, all of it. It’s like inviting them into a live brainstorming session without having to set up a meeting. 🙌

If you’ve ever wasted half a morning summarising stuff for your colleagues, this feature is for you. Now you can share AI-generated insights, drafts, and even complex analyses in seconds. And because everything’s right there in the chat, your team get all the context without a million back-and-forth questions.

The new Share feature is also perfect for:

📚 Training new hires: Found a great explanation in Copilot? Share it instead of having to write it all out.

🗣️ Getting feedback fast: Share AI-generated drafts or reports and get input without clogging up your inbox.

📧 Keeping remote teams in the loop: No more “I’ll fill you in later” messages. Just share the chat link and keep things moving.

As for security? Microsoft’s got that covered too. These links are only shareable within your business by default, so you don’t have to worry about sensitive info leaking out. 🔒

If you’re already using Copilot, the new Share button is worth trying out. And if you’re not using it yet, well… what are you waiting for? 😉

Can you think of any clever ways you’d use this feature with your team?

16/05/2025

Ever had your computer slow to a crawl for no apparent reason? Or used an app that just won’t close no matter what you do? 🤯

That’s where Task Manager comes in: It’s the built-in Windows control centre for managing everything running on your machine.

But Task Manager isn’t just for fixing frozen apps. It’s a powerful tool that helps you monitor system performance, manage Startup apps, and even improve your PC’s speed.

If you’re running Windows 11 in your business, this is one tool you and your team should get comfortable with.

So, what exactly is Task Manager? 🖥️

Think of it as your computer’s dashboard. It shows you everything happening under the hood: What’s running, how much power each app is using, and what might be slowing things down.

To open it, just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Or right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.

You’ll see a list of apps, background processes, and system performance stats all in one place.

If you don’t already use Task Manager, here’s how it can help your business…

✅ It fixes frozen apps instantly.

Instead of restarting your entire computer when something stops responding, just open Task Manager, find the app, and click End Task to force close it.

✅ It could speed up your PC.

If your computer seems slow, Task Manager can show you which apps are using too much CPU or memory, so you can shut them down and free up resources.

✅ It helps you manage Startup apps.

Ever noticed your PC takes forever to start up? That’s because some apps launch automatically when you turn it on. Task Manager lets you disable unnecessary Startup apps, so your system boots up faster.

✅ It tracks performance in real time.

Need to know if your computer is struggling? The Performance tab shows how much CPU, memory, and network bandwidth is being used, helping you spot potential issues before they slow down your work.

✅ It lets you monitor who’s logged in.

The Users tab shows who has logged in and what apps they’re running, which can be useful for shared office devices.

A slow, unresponsive computer isn’t just frustrating – it means lost productivity and wasted time. ❌ Teaching your team how to use Task Manager can help them troubleshoot small issues on their own instead of waiting for IT support.

Better still… since it’s built into Windows 11, you don’t need any extra software to monitor performance or manage apps. 😁

Have you ever used Task Manager to speed up your computer? If not, is this something you’ll try in future?

14/05/2025

If your business runs on Windows 11, but you or your employees use iPhones, you’ve probably noticed that Microsoft’s Phone Link app has always been… well, a little unfair. ☹️

People using Android phones have had deeper integration, like being able to check their phone battery, read messages, and continue with activities straight from the Windows Start menu.

But, for iPhone users… not so much.

Want the good news, then? This is finally changing! 🎉

Microsoft’s rolling out a new Start menu side panel for iPhones, bringing battery status, access to calls and messages, and recent activity tracking all into one place.

And Microsoft hasn’t stopped there. There’s also a new “Send files” button that lets you quickly transfer documents from your PC to your phone. No more emailing yourself files or messing around with cloud storage just to get something from one device to another.

For businesses, this is a very big deal.

Many businesses run on Windows 11 but have teams using a mix of Android devices and iPhones. And now everyone will get the same level of convenience. This means less frustration, more simplicity, and a more connected experience across devices. 🥳

So, what can you look forward to?

👉 Efficiency: Employees can move between their devices seamlessly.

👉 Productivity: No more clunky workarounds just to send files or check notifications.

👉 Happier teams: Those with iPhones no longer need to feel like second-class citizens in a Windows workplace.

The update is still in testing mode, available to Windows Insiders (those in the Beta or Dev channels). But assuming everything runs smoothly, this should roll out to everyone soon. Just make sure you're using the latest version of Phone Link (v1.24121.30.0 or later) when it arrives.

Now, if only Apple and Microsoft could get iMessage fully working on Windows… But hey, one step at a time. 😅

Are you or your team using iPhones? Will this update make your life easier, or are there still integration headaches you’d like to see fixed?

12/05/2025

Cyber attacks are evolving all the time – and just when we think we’ve seen it all, criminals find another new way to exploit weaknesses.

Their latest method?

ViewState code injection attacks, which are used to break into ASP.NET websites and remotely execute malicious code.

Yes I know… that last line sounds a bit techy, doesn’t it? 😵‍💫 Let me explain…

ASP.NET is a popular framework that many businesses use to build their websites.

These websites have a feature called ViewState, which helps the website remember inputs and page settings.

Basically, ViewState is a bit like a website’s “memory”, so when you refresh a page, it doesn’t forget everything you were doing.

To keep this memory safe, websites use something called machine keys (unique security codes that encrypt ViewState data and stop it being tampered with).

The problem is, many developers are using public machine keys instead of generating their own.

And if developers can find these keys online… so can cyber criminals. 😬

Once an attacker gets hold of a machine key, they can inject harmful code into your website’s ViewState, and since the key is valid, your website will think it’s safe to process.

This is bad news. It would allow cyber criminals to run commands on your server, steal your data, or even take full control of your business’s website.

How bad are we talking?

⚠️ Microsoft has found over 3,000 public machine keys that could be used for these attacks.

⚠️ Some developers accidentally include these keys in their code without realising it.

⚠️ Businesses using affected websites could be at risk of data breaches, malware infections, and financial loss.

So, what can you do to protect your business? 🛡️

If you’re running an ASP.NET website (or working with a developer who manages one for you), act now:

✅ Make sure your website is using a secure, unique machine key – not a default or public one.

✅ Encrypt sensitive configuration files so attackers can’t access your keys.

✅ Upgrade to the latest version of ASP.NET for stronger security protections.

✅ Turn on Microsoft’s Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) to detect malicious activity.

Even if you’re not directly managing a website, take this as a reminder of how important it is to stay on top of security updates. Cyber criminals will always look for weak spots, whether it’s an outdated website, an insecure password, or a device that hasn’t been patched. 🦠

Scammers love exploiting businesses that assume “it won’t happen to us”. The best way to protect your business is to stay informed about the latest threats, update your systems, and never cut corners on cyber security.

Do you regularly check your website security, or is it something you’ll start doing now?

Build web apps and services that run on Windows, Linux, and macOS using C #, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Get started for free on Windows, Linux, or macOS.

08/05/2025

Still using Windows 10? 😱

I get it. It works, it’s familiar, your team knows how to use it, and everything runs smoothly (for now…).

So, why upgrade to Windows 11 when you don’t have to?

Here’s the thing: Sticking with Windows 10 after 14th October is going to cost your business more in the long run.

That’s the date Windows 10 officially reaches end of life.

Microsoft is rolling out its Extended Security Updates (ESU) scheme, which means you CAN keep using it safely after support ends – but at a price:

💰 Year 1 (Nov 2025 - Nov 2026): $61 (around £48) per device

💰 Year 2 (Nov 2026 - Nov 2027): $122 (around £96) per device

💰 Year 3 (Nov 2027 - Nov 2028): $244 (around £193) per device

That’s $427 (around £337) per device over three years just to keep getting security updates. OUCH.

Oh, and if you skip a year, you’ll have to pay for the previous years too. Microsoft isn’t messing around.

Once those three years are up, that’s it. No more updates. 🚫

If you’re going to be spending money, wouldn’t you rather put it towards a system that’s faster, more secure, and built for the future…? Rather than wasting your budget keeping an outdated OS on life support?

Here’s why upgrading sooner rather than later is the smarter move:

✅ Better security: Windows 11 has built-in protections that Windows 10 will never get (even with ESUs).

✅ Improved performance: It’s faster, more efficient, and designed to work with newer hardware.

✅ AI-powered features: Copilot AI is built in, helping your team work smarter.

✅ Future-proofing: New software, tools, and integrations will be optimised for Windows 11 (but not for Windows 10).

I know change can be a pain. But waiting until October – or worse, paying for ESUs before eventually upgrading anyway – just delays the inevitable and makes the transition harder.

If your devices are compatible with Windows 11, start planning to make the shift now. If they aren’t, it’s time to budget for replacements. The last thing you want is an IT headache when Microsoft finally pulls the plug. 😵‍💫

So, what’s your business’s plan? Are you upgrading to Windows 11 soon, or holding out as long as possible?

06/05/2025

By now, you probably know that Windows 10 support is ending on 14th October, right? 🚫

But here’s something that might not be on your radar: Teams Rooms for Windows 10 is also reaching the end of the road. 😢

That means if your business uses Teams Rooms for video conferencing, hybrid meetings, or collaboration, you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11 to keep things running smoothly.

And trust me – you don’t want to leave this till the last minute. 😱

Microsoft Teams has become the backbone of communication for businesses. Whether it’s video calls, screen sharing, virtual meetings, or real-time collaboration, it’s such a vital tool for keeping your people connected, especially in remote and hybrid work environments.

Teams Rooms takes this even further by turning meeting spaces into fully integrated collaboration hubs with cameras, microphones, displays, and speakers.

It’s designed to make meetings feel as natural and seamless as possible, whether your employees are in the office, working from home, or halfway around the world. 🌎

So, what if you’re still running Windows 10?

From 14th October this year, you won’t get any more security updates, new features, or critical features for Teams Rooms. That’s a pretty big risk to take, not just for security, but for the overall performance of your meetings.

You might be thinking, “I’ve got plenty of time!” – but waiting until the last minute could create a huge headache for your business.

Here’s why making the move to Windows 11 sooner rather than later is the smarter play:

✅ No last-minute disruptions: If you leave it too late and hit technical issues, your meetings could suffer. Upgrading early gives you time to test and adapt.

✅ Better performance & security: Windows 11 is designed to work seamlessly with Teams and Teams Rooms, offering enhanced security, AI-powered features, and better device management.

✅ Hardware considerations: Some older devices won’t be able to upgrade (Microsoft has already listed a few models that aren’t compatible with Windows 11). If that’s the case in your business, you’ll need time to replace hardware. And that’s not a quick fix if you leave it too late.

✅ A smoother transition for your people: The sooner you upgrade, the more time your employees have, to adjust to any changes. And let’s be honest, nobody likes unexpected IT surprises.

If you use Teams Rooms, now’s the time to check your setup. 🔎 Can your devices be upgraded to Windows 11, or do you need to start looking at replacements?

If your business is already running Teams on Windows 11, you’re ahead of the game. High five. But, if you’re still on Windows 10, it’s time to start planning your move.

Are you ready for the transition, or do you think Microsoft should have given businesses more time? ⏳

If you need help making the upgrade, my team can help – get in touch.

30/04/2025

🛑 Outlook Freezing When Copying Text? You’re Not Alone

If you or your team use Microsoft Outlook and have noticed it freezing when copying text, don’t worry—Microsoft is aware of the issue and actively working on a fix.

The problem has been reported in recent versions of Outlook when using Ctrl+C to copy text. If your business is running the latest updates, you might be affected.

🔧 Temporary Workaround:
Instead of using Ctrl+C, try right-clicking the selected text and choosing "Copy" from the menu. This seems to avoid the freezing issue.

If you or your team experience any problems—or need advice on other workarounds—feel free to reach out.

Have you encountered this issue yet? Let us know if the workaround helps!

https://buff.ly/yC3ggQe

​Microsoft is investigating a known issue that affects Microsoft 365 customers and causes classic Outlook to hang or freeze when copying text.

28/04/2025

Still Using Windows 10? Here’s What You Need to Know

If your business is still running Windows 10, you’re likely aware that official support ends in October 2025. But there’s an option to extend security updates for an extra year—for a fee.

💰 Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) will provide ongoing security patches for $30 (~£23) per device, but no new features or improvements will be included.

While this keeps you

protected in the short term, is it the best solution?

🚀 Why consider upgrading to Windows 11 instead?
✅ Better performance & security designed for modern business needs
✅ Improved multitasking & productivity tools to streamline workflows
✅ Seamless cloud integration for a smarter, more connected workplace

Rather than delaying the inevitable, upgrading now ensures a smoother transition and prevents last-minute disruptions.

If you’re ready to future-proof your business, let’s talk—I can help make the switch seamless.

Are you planning to upgrade or sticking with Windows 10 for now?

https://buff.ly/9LWmLHB

As we approach the end of support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 20251, we want to ensure you are well-prepared for the transition to Windows 11. This m