Office Equipment Company

06/20/2024

On Monday, June 24th OEC will be replacing our phone system.

During this time, the phones may or may not be available, but our internet service will continue to work and we’ll be able to send and receive emails. The full staff will continue to be available to support you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

11/02/2023

We just noticed we've been in this office for 9 years now! It's been a great location for us, and very convenient for our customers. You are always welcome to stop by and say hi!

09/21/2023

The Smith family and OEC sadly announce today the passing of our founder, Gary Smith. Gary created the amazing business that we are today, but also made time for 4H, boat racing, hunting and fishing, his farm, and of course, his family first. Gary was a one of a kind boss who touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. There are people that pass through our world who were an honor to know, and if you were fortunate to have known Gary, you will know he was one of them. He will be missed.

08/21/2023

https://www.inky.com/en/blog/difference-between-spear-phishing-and-whaling

What is the Difference Between Phishing, Spear Phishing, and Whaling?

This is a blog post from Inky, one of our email security partners, explaining different types of spam/phishing emails. It's a quick, solid read.

07/28/2023

Computer Safety and Security Tips

How To Save Your Sanity, Speed Up Your Computer and Beat the Bad Guys

Computers and the Internet have become a very important part of our businesses and our everyday lives. Where once computers were noisy, complicated, expensive devices run by mysterious codes and commands, now they are as easy as your microwave oven. Press a few buttons, and you can do amazing things, with more computing power in your phone than NASA used to go to the moon.

The challenge for all of us as computer users is that each have a responsibility to protect our workstations and other devices. There are literally millions of computer attacks happening every day, with new and creative ways to sneak onto your system being created all the time. With modern networks and the Internet, one infected machine can spread the damage on to many others quickly and sometimes silently.

There are things that can be done to protect yourself, your company, your customers, and others. A minute of vigilance can save you hours of cleanup, explanations and apologies.

1. If you don’t need it, don’t download it.

Toolbars, weather monitors, screen savers, goofy games. They all have the potential to hurt your computer. If you see something that asks you to download a file, ask yourself what it is before you say yes.

2. Think about those links.

Everyone gets links to sites in their email, or on some ‘trusted’ web page. Do you need to visit them? Are they safe to visit? Any time you see a new link, compare it to what you would expect to see. An advertisement, a news flash out of the blue, watch these things! Often, you can hold your mouse over a link and it will show you where the link is really going. If it doesn’t match the text, it’s not safe.

3. Secure sites should be secure.

If you are using secure web pages such as for banking, downloading secure information, or providing personal information, make sure they are really secure. Modern browsers provide various ways to let you know what is secure. Look for a lock symbol – either by the site address at the top, or along the very bottom of the browser screen.

4. Keep your computer secure and up to date.

Your computer may be set to automatically update, or you may have to check yourself. Reboots are often needed to finish the updates, and are crucial to making sure that your computer is safe. Most computer updates are security fixes that are vital to making sure that you are safe on the Internet. Ask us if you have questions.

5. Check your browser – is it safe?

Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox all have their strengths and weaknesses, but all can be vulnerable to attack if they are not up to date. Check your browser version, watch for updates, and keep any ‘plugins’ up to date as well, if your browser uses them.

6. Think hard before you give any site your email address.

There are many web sites out there that want to send you things. There is generally nothing wrong with that, but be sure to pay particular attention to what they plan on doing with your email address and what you will be receiving from them. Most legitimate web pages provide you with a way to ‘opt out’ of emails other than what you are specifically requesting. Shopping web sites often send coupons or special offers you would like, but they also can end up sending a LOT of email. Eventually you forget that you’ve signed up for them after awhile and they just look like spam. Your business may have rules against using your computer for shopping. Even if they don’t, think about setting up a special free email account just to receive that kind of email, so that you don’t get overwhelmed with the ‘deals of the day.’

7. Make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.

Web sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and others often ask you when you sign up if it can look at your email accounts to add friends or other contacts. This is a great way to build up your connections quickly, but often comes with a caveat: It ALSO sends email to those accounts. This can be worrying, or frustrating, for your business associates and customers. Always be careful what you agree to, on any web page. If you are on Facebook, remember that many of the applications there send information to your friends list, and they may not want to see the extra, unneeded posts. Facebook links and applications are rarely affiliated directly with Facebook. Many times they should really be considered advertising by an outside company, that often uses the data you provide for things you may not want them to.

8. Firewalls

A secure firewall at your business is crucial. A firewall can protect your network from outside intrusion, alert you to problems, and many firewalls provide anti-virus, site protection, download monitoring and more. A firewall may be able to filter websites as well. A firewall should be configured by a professional, and should be kept up to date. If there are licensed services available and active on the firewall, make sure to renew them to keep the security they provide working.

9. Multi-factor Authentication

MFA or 2FA adds a level of protection to your accounts. It can be enabled on many modern email systems and even added to servers, workstations and firewalls to secure your network. Multi-factor authentication works by providing a second step, often using your cell phone, when authenticating your account. This means that if someone does compromise a password for your account their attempt to connect will alert you to the problem and protect it from being accessed.

10. Backups

A strong backup solution is critical for your business. Backups should be monitored and tested regularly. Backups can be stored on a USB drive or other storage medium, but should be consistently rotated so that some of your storage is not physically connected to your network. A backup can also be stored in the cloud. No matter how you store your backup data, know what data is being backed up and how to restore from the backup.

Finally, a shameless plug:

Office Equipment Company is here to assist you and your business. We want to protect your computers and your clients from unneeded hassles and aggravations. The information here has been built from years of experience as we have helped move our customers to the Internet, from dial-up to broadband. Give us a call or drop us an email to schedule an opportunity to show you how we can make your business better.

Office Equipment Company

https://oecnw.com

3400 Franklin Boulevard

Eugene, OR 97403

[email protected]

Ph. 541.342.3325

Since 1965, Office Equipment Company has been helping you take care of your shop, factory, mill, trucks and offices throughout the northwest.

07/21/2023

Something new on the horizon

07/10/2023

Kyocera is a leading innovator in the office equipment industry, offering a range of modern and efficient copiers. Their copiers offer customers a great range of benefits such as high-quality printing, scanning, faxing, and more. With their commitment to quality and reliability, Kyocera copiers are ideal for businesses of all sizes.

One of the significant advantages of Kyocera copiers is their ability to help businesses save money on operating expenses. Their copiers feature long-lasting components such as toner and drum units, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, their copiers are energy efficient, which drastically reduces their power consumption, and this ensures that businesses do not face exorbitant electricity bills.

Kyocera copiers also provide excellent functionality. They are easy to use, with user-friendly interfaces that allow users to complete jobs quickly and easily. Whether copying, printing, scanning, or faxing, Kyocera copiers are designed to provide a seamless and efficient experience. They are also scalable, allowing businesses to easily upgrade their features as their needs change over time.

Kyocera copiers are very reliable, with an overall long lifespan when compared to other copiers. The company invests in quality high-tech components, which are built to last, which ultimately means that there are fewer issues with breakdowns and faults in the long-term. They are also designed to handle high volumes of prints and can perform constant printing duties with minimal maintenance.

Finally, Kyocera is committed to sustainability. Their copiers are designed with environmentally-friendly components, and the company uses eco-friendly processes in production. Their commitment to sustainability extends to their toner and ink cartridges, which are recyclable and made with a minimum of waste. They also feature an auto-off feature to reduce energy consumption.

In conclusion, Kyocera copiers are designed with the modern organization's needs in mind. They are an ideal choice for businesses looking to maximize their efficiency, quality of printing, and cost savings. They are reliable, user-friendly, scalable and eco-friendly, making them a smart investment for any office. Whether large or small, Kyocera copiers can significantly improve an office's workflows and output.

01/18/2021

OEC is expanding and looking for a Visual c # programmer. Java script programming very helpful. Looking for Both Senior and freshman Applicants with good programming practices preferred. Ask for Bruce Sackett

01/11/2021

Office Equipment is expanding and looking for a Visual c # programmer. If any of our customers know anyone who has a passion for programming, have them give us a call. Ask for Bruce Sackett