B'more Secure I.T.

10/14/2026

13 October 2026 is the end of support date for Office 2021.

After that date, Word, Excel and Outlook will continue to open, but Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes and technical support.

Because the software keeps working, it can remain on company computers for months or years after support ends.

Any new security problems found in Office 2021 may be left unfixed.

Not sure whether Office 2021 is still in use? Ask us to check, and we'll talk you through the replacement options.

10/13/2026

An external security scan shows which of your systems accept connections from the internet. Run one after changing your firewall, adding remote access or installing a new system. It can also find old services that should have been switched off. Ask us to run the scan.

10/13/2026

New on the blog: How Long Business Computers Last and When to Replace Them

Read the full post here:

Three to five years is a practical replacement range for many business computers. The right time depends on security support, reliability, performance, warranty coverage, repair costs, and the employee’s work.

10/10/2026

Your network diagram should show how your internet connection, firewall, switches, wireless access points, servers and important cloud services fit together. Keep it current and store a copy somewhere you can reach during an outage. Need a current diagram? Contact us.

10/09/2026

Some free VPNs make money by letting other people send traffic through your internet connection.

Google recently took down a large network that used devices running apps advertised as free VPNs.

While the VPN worked, the app also allowed other customers' internet traffic to pass through the device.

On a work laptop, that traffic would appear to come from your company's public IP address. Your IP could get blocked because of activity nobody in the business carried out.

Google also found that some of this software could expose other devices on the same network.

Check which VPNs and browser extensions are installed on company devices. Staff should use the VPN provided by the business, not one they found online because it was free.

Want to know whether unapproved VPNs or proxy software are installed on your company devices? Reach out and we can check for you.

10/09/2026

DNS filtering can stop employees from opening known phishing and malware sites, even when they click a bad link. Ask your IT provider whether it's enabled on office computers and work devices used away from the office.

10/08/2026

Don't trust hotel Wi-Fi. It can be compromised even when you've joined the correct network.

Microsoft has found attackers taking control of the systems used for Wi-Fi login pages at hotels and conference venues.

Once the login system has been compromised, guests can be redirected to a fake Microsoft 365 sign-in page or shown a fake browser update that installs malware.

The timing makes the request believable. You've just connected, the hotel page opens and it says an update is needed before you can continue.

Checking the network name with reception won't help because the hotel's real Wi-Fi is involved.

Use your phone's hotspot for work whenever possible. If you have to use hotel Wi-Fi, never enter your work password into the hotel registration page.

And if the page asks you to download an update, certificate or security tool, disconnect. Joining Wi-Fi shouldn't require you to install anything.

If your staff travel with work laptops, send us a message before their next trip. We'll make sure the devices are properly protected.

10/08/2026

New on the blog: What Happens to Your Data When You Cancel a Cloud Service?

Read the full post here:

Before canceling a cloud service, export your data and confirm that the files can be opened or imported. Move any connected applications and sign-ins, then check the provider’s current rules for access, billing, retention, and deletion.

12/29/2025

Most parked domains on the Internet are now serving up malware and other malicious content.

December 16, 2025 42 Comments Direct navigation — the act of visiting a website by manually typing a domain name in a web browser — has never been riskier: A new study finds the vast majority of “parked” domains — mostly expired or dormant domain names, or common misspellings of popular we...

12/22/2025

If your business runs in the cloud, your Internet connection is mission-critical. A single Internet link is a single point of failure. Redundant Internet keeps email, phones, and cloud apps online when outages happen.

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Internet outages disrupt cloud services, VoIP, and security monitoring. Learn how redundant Internet links improve uptime, reduce risk, and support business continuity in the cloud era.