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Managed IT Services & The Remote Work World

Managed IT Services & The Remote Work World

by | Sep 5, 2021 | IT Services, IT Solutions, IT Support

By now, you’re probably familiar with what managed IT services are, but do you know the benefits they can provide to the remote work world? Whether you have a small business or a mid-size one, whether you are working in person or remotely, chances are that you should look into managed IT services. Let’s dive right in! 

Managed IT Services Remote Benefits

Obviously, before you make a big decision that impacts the operation of your facility, especially when it is being operated remotely, you want to know what you stand to gain in the process. That’s why we figured we would go over the benefits that managed IT services offer your business. 

Experienced IT Experts

One of the most important out of all the benefits that managed IT services offer your business is that you are dealing with the best of the best. MSP technicians have experience handling many different kinds of IT problems. They are fast and flexible and knowledgeable and dedicated to ensuring that all of your business tech issues are being addressed quickly, efficiently, and effectively. 

These are not just techies with a weekend job at the local electronics store. The technicians that you will have access to through a managed IT services provider are professionals who are passionate about handling your IT and doing it well so you don’t have to. 

Take Back Your Time

Another of the benefits that managed IT services offer your business is the ability to take back your time. With an MSP, you will never have to spend hours vetting possible IT technicians or companies every time a problem arises. You won’t have to troubleshoot issues yourself. You won’t have to re-explain the background information over and over, because you will be working with the same managed IT services provider. 

All of this means that you will have more of your own time back. Whether this means that you can take a night off or you just have more time to oversee the office and handle the rest of the day-to-day operations, your time will be yours to do what you would like. When you have someone else managing your IT, you can free up a lot of calendar space previously dedicated to troubleshooting. 

Financially Frugal 

When you have a dedicated team handling your tech needs, one of the other benefits that managed IT services offer your business is the ability to save some money. With technicians who already know your business, are aware of what IT services you utilize, and are familiar with problems you have had in the past, you will not have to throw money out the window every time an issue comes up, trying to find another tech that you can explain everything to. 

When you do not have a dedicated team handling your tech needs, you may end up having to hire technicians with who you do not have a history. This could lead to miscommunications, differences in pricing, and unfamiliarity with your business and the typical tech problems that happen there. In addition, there is no guarantee that you will get the same level of service every time. 

No HR Headaches

Last but not least, another one of the other benefits that managed IT services offer your business is the freedom from HR headaches. There is no need to recruit, hire, train, manage, and fire when necessary. You simply deal with the MSP, and they handle the rest. You can sit back, relax, and know that you are getting the best of the best without having to hire them full-time.

Partnership

In addition to managed IT service technicians having the necessary experience, there is another level of care and familiarity that comes with always having the same crew handling your concerns. You will not get bounced around to different people in different departments, trying to explain what your problem is to people who obviously do not want to take care of it. When you partner with a company that provides managed IT services, there is more of a relationship that stems from the business arrangement. With managed IT services, you can have faith that when you need assistance, the technicians are already at least somewhat familiar with your company, they know the work that has been done already, and they are ready and willing to get you back in action as soon as possible, boosting your productivity. 

Why ANAX for Managed IT Services in the Remote Work World? 

As you can see, there are multiple benefits to having Managed IT Services. Managing and maintaining your IT network can be a complex and demanding process. Using ANAX as your IT manager will take the pressure away so you can focus your time and energy on your business and its growth. Learn more about why ANAX is the right choice here. 

5 Ways to Tell That Your Computer Has Malware

5 Ways to Tell That Your Computer Has Malware

by | Aug 16, 2021 | IT Services, IT Solutions, IT Support, Software

Do you know how to tell if your computer has malware? As business owners and as individuals, we all want to avoid the dreaded malware attacks and computer viruses. However, even if we are careful and cautious, phishing scams and loaded links still have the potential of tricking us. 

While installing malware protection on your computer yourself offers you a bit of protection, there is no guarantee that it will block all attempted attacks. There are settings that you may have missed, hidden stipulations in the fine print, or it may just not be updated enough to handle the ever-changing and adapting world that is malware. It is important to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for these top 5 ways to tell that your computer has malware, and if you suspect that it does, call in the experts at ANAX to make your computer safe again! 

Constant Popups 

One of the easiest ways to tell that something may be amiss with your computer is the presence of incessant popup advertisements. This type of malware attack was certainly more prominent in earlier years when browsing the web on your desktop was a fun thing to do on a Friday night instead of a COVID-induced habit. While cybersecurity has certainly upped its game in the past decade, there is still a potential to fall victim to a malware attack, and a potential that this malware will rear its head in the form of popup ads. 

Constant Redirections

Another common red flag that your computer has succumbed to malware is an annoying and nearly constant battle with web browser redirections. This means that if you type in a website URL in an attempt to access that content, instead of going to the desired page, your browser gets redirected to a different webpage entirely. Often, this is disregarded as a user error or just a weird coincidence that happened, but when it is a regular occurrence, it can raise some warnings. 

Constant Warnings

Speaking of warnings, if you start seeing an increasing number of them, this could be another sign that you have malware. Warnings that pop up frequently, especially ones that convey urgency and want you to act quickly, can appear to be legit at first glance. However, inspecting them for a split second longer might make all the difference in the protection of your computer. 

There is a reason that warnings like these are designed with a prominent call to action, such as CLICK HERE NOW or FIX IT FAST. It is the same reason that they are designed with red and yellow and action phrases like ATTENTION! and URGENT! and CRITICAL ERROR! The goal is to get you to react quickly enough to miss any clues regarding its legitimacy. 

Constant Demands

Similar to the constant warnings we talked about above, you may also receive constant demands if your computer is affected by malware. These demands use the same principles of design, such as attention-grabbing colors and urgent action words. Instead of displaying a warning about a problem, however, they typically are more forthcoming and demand payment or ransom in order to rid your computer of the malware. 

Constant Fraudulent Posts

Lastly, a warning sign pointing to malware’s presence on your computer that has grown tremendously with the rising popularity of social media: fraudulent posts and direct messages. These utilize click-bait text that might say something along the lines of “is it you in this video? or “check out this amazing deal on Ray-Bans” or “I can’t believe you got THIS drunk last night.” Finding the right phrasing and a curious audience leads people down the malware rabbit hole, and if these kinds of posts and messages are coming from your account, it’s likely that you have already been affected. 

ANAX Can Address Your Malware Problems 

ANAX can help establish malware protection for your network and all the devices operating on it, ensuring maximum security for your business and your employees. We also offer several malware solutions, as well as maintenance and emergency support right when you need it. Contact us today! 

The Impact of Human Error On Your Business

The Impact of Human Error On Your Business

by | Jul 16, 2021 | IT Services, IT Solutions, IT Support

One thing to keep in mind when searching for IT solutions, is how adept the IT services provider is at predicting human error, attempting to prevent it, and managing it when it does occur. It is a given that humans are going to make mistakes, even at their jobs at your business. Not addressing the impact of human error on your business could be catastrophic, so it is essential to have a gameplan. When you expect the unexpected, you are much more prepared to handle any situation that arises. So what are some of the most common human errors that you may encounter at your company? Let’s take a look! 

Knowledge-Based

One kind of human errors that is fairly common falls into the knowledge-based category. This refers to when an employee does not have the adequate amount of working knowledge about a situation that arises. It could be that there is no set protocol in place at your company or no standard operating procedures in reference to that specific situation. Conversely, it could also be that there is a protocol, however, the employee in question is not aware of it, or has not been properly trained on it. When your business lacks structure, or your employees lack training, there is no communication about potential problems, and if there is, it does not accurately convey the issue. This often leads to the employee reaching a conclusion or solution on their own, with limited relevant experience and next to no resources, which results in incorrect approaches and unhappy customers. Instilling a protocol, especially with your business’ technology procedures, can help to prevent this human error for happening. 

Lapses in Memory

Even with the most efficient methods of remembering tasks, sometimes humans simply forget. It could be forgetting to complete something important or forgetting where you saved a file. It could be failing to complete a step in security protocol or forgetting to communicate about a project. While sometimes there simply is no solution for this human error, at other times, technology can help. We can help ensure that backups are being regularly performed, so at least if something gets lost, there are previous versions available to restore. 

Slip Error

This kind of human error occurs when the employee is dealing with fatigue or having trouble concentrating and they slip up performing their job duties. Often this happens when they are being overloaded with work, or having to rush at faster-than-human speeds to get projects completed. Incorporating some technology or some form of automation into your business workplace can help alleviate some of this pressure to perform, and will help reduce the amount of slip errors that occur. 

Rule-Based

Similar to knowledge-based, this human error can happen when an employee is ill-informed of what the protocols are. However, instead of simply being unaware of what the rule is, it implies that a change in rules has been made, and the employee is still doing things the old way. This can lead to unclear communication and misinterpretations, which leads to inconsistency in solutions, and confused customers. Automation and digitizing your standard operating procedures can help prevent any mishaps in this regard. 

How ANAX Can Help

ANAX provides managed IT services and other technological support that your business can benefit from. Unlike so many other business technology companies who are only interested in numbers, ANAX is committed to building relationships with our customers. When other IT companies dismiss you and your small business because their IT support team isn’t up to par, contact ANAX for your IT services solutions instead. We have developed an exceptionally loyal client base over the years. Thanks to them, the bulk of our growth is the result of the referrals from many of our satisfied clients. Our consistent accountability has given our customers the peace of mind and the preparedness to combat human error that they need for their business, especially when it comes to IT management and services. Our goal at ANAX is to continuously surprise you as we exceed your expectations each time you contact us!

What is Phishing and How Can ANAX Help?

What is Phishing and How Can ANAX Help?

by | May 2, 2021 | Business Advice, IT Services, IT Solutions, IT Support

If you spend any amount of time on the internet, you have probably heard of phishing scams, and the disastrous results falling victim to them can have on your cybersecurity. These can have detrimental effects to businesses or even to individuals, and they can happen to anyone, so it is essential to remain vigilant and knowledgeable. WARNING! Recovering after a phishing scam or other security breach is difficult, and in some cases, impossible. Prevention is the best way to ensure that your personal and business information remain secure and invulnerable. Let’s take a look at what exactly phishing scams are, how to tell if you are being scammed, and how ANAX can help. 

What is Phishing? 

Phishing, in simplest terms, is an attempt to gain access to sensitive information by means of email or text message. This is a cybercrime, and is considered criminal activity punishable by law, as it poses great danger to personal or private data. Often, the attacker(s) pose as a well-known or legitimate corporation or company. They request information such as personal identification details, including social security numbers, banking or credit card information, usernames and passwords, and more. 

As a result of their masquerade as a credible business, and well-designed emails or texts as ploys, individuals or businesses may fall victim by offering up information before recognizing the illegitimacy of the operation. By then, it’s far too late to recover. As soon as these sensitive details are shared, they can be used to cause irreversible damage to a business, it’s security, and it’s finances. Let’s take a closer look at how far this destruction can reach. 

What are the Results? 

This category of cyber attack can have disastrous results for businesses. These results can include security breaches of sensitive customer or client information, causing distrust in the future even if security is re-established. It can lead to identity theft and the long-term effects of that. It can also lead to attackers accessing financial institutions and stealing funds from the business or clients. Even if all money is recovered, and your business ensures security of information in the future, it can be impossible to rebuild ruined client relationships. 

Characteristics of Phishing

Phishing is a tragedy that no business wants to fall victim to. Luckily, there are a few ways to verify the legitimacy of corporations when information is requested via email or text. Often, these requests come partnered with offers or statements that seem very, very good. Too good to be true, in fact, and that’s just what they are. Urgent action required is also a red flag for suspicious activity. Rushing your response is a tactic used by phishers to encourage you to act before you have a chance to think about it.

Another thing to watch out for is links within a sketchy email. In any circumstance, it is far safer to access the website directly as opposed to following links embedded into emails. If you are to click on a hyperlink, first ensure that the website is legitimate and secure. Verifying the sender’s email address can also prevent any information from being shared insecurely. Lastly, never download any attachments if you are unsure of the source of the email. Files can be disguised to look innocent enough, but may instead be ransomware or malware that gets installed on your computer as soon as you download. If you click an unsafe link or download an insecure file, and you do not have anti-malware present on your computer, the results could be disastrous. 

How ANAX Can Help

Spam Filters

Staying attentive to the emails that you and the rest of your business receive is essential to preventing a phishing scam’s success. There are additional security measures that can be taken as well, and ANAX is here to help. Spam filters are just one way of increasing your cyber security in the world of emails. This technology assists with analyzing the validity of the email sender, and filters questionable email to a spam or junk folder. It isn’t guaranteed to catch every phishing email, and some legitimate emails may get caught up in the spam net as well, but having these filters in place can be extremely beneficial. Knowing which filters to use and how to set them up properly can be time consuming, confusing, and overwhelming. That’s where ANAX comes in. 

Email Security and Training

Establishing cohesive email accounts on a server, creating new employee users and accounts, and setting limitations on storage capacity and what emails get filtered out are all services that ANAX can assist your business with. In addition, we offer one-on-one training solutions to ensure that all of your employees remain up-to-date and knowledgeable about the best ways to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. We develop a lasting partnership with your company to provide this training, monitor your company’s email habits and safety, and create and manage custom security solutions. 

Internal Testing

Our tech experts are experienced and equipped to help make your business as secure as possible. We can identify the best practices to protect your company against these scams, and we put that knowledge to work for the betterment of your business! We also have the unique capability to send out test phishing campaigns to your employee database to monitor who opens or clicks on emails, and to give an accurate assessment of how vulnerable your company data truly is. 

Additional Benefits

There are many benefits to bringing ANAX on board to prevent phishing scams. Not only will your sensitive information stay secure and private, you may even qualify for discounted insurance policies, and you can be better kept in alignment with regulatory organization requirements such as HIPAA, FINRA, and more. In order to prevent phishing scams taking a toll on your business, contact us today! 

What Your Business Needs to Operate Remotely

What Your Business Needs to Operate Remotely

by | Apr 16, 2021 | Business Advice, IT Services, IT Solutions, IT Support, Network Solutions

In the past year, we have seen countless businesses move to a remote work set up due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Many of these businesses have seen great success with a model like this, and the transition has been seamless. Some businesses, on the other hand, have found themselves struggling to make the appropriate adjustments. It can be difficult to have to re-establish workplace norms, especially when you are no longer in a centralized office, however, it is not impossible. Your tech experts at ANAX are here to help, and we have come up with some ways to ensure your business, and your team, experiences the greatest success possible. Below you will find some suggestions on what exactly your business needs to operate remotely. Let’s check them out! 

Connection

Establishing a solid connection means a few things for a remote-based business. First, your business and your employees need a reliable (and high-speed) connection to the internet. When based in a centralized office building, it can be fairly easy to establish an internet connection across the entire company. However, when your employees are working from home, it can be much more difficult to manage. Providing guidance on what your business expects from your employees in regard to internet connection and accessibility can be a great first step in ensuring that everyone is on the same page. 

Another form of connection that is necessary in a remote-based business is connection with each other. While some businesses operate smoothly without much intrapersonal connections, there are other markets that require employees to have a firmly-established connection with each other. This is seen most often in businesses that have teams or departments that must remain connected in order to be successful in achieving their respective goals.

Yet another kind of connection needed for a remotely operating business is the connection between your employees and the required information, data, or files for their job functions. Remote-access storage is necessary for employees to be able to connect with their work, and perform their jobs to the best of their abilities. 

Communication

In addition to simply establishing connections between employees and personnel, reliable and effective communication must be in place. There are many kinds of communications that can take place throughout a workday, and many solutions that can be put in place to create effective communication even while working remotely. Upgraded phone systems with high-quality headsets, a company-wide email system, instant messaging software for speedy communications and quick questions, video conference calls, you name it. There are plenty of solutions that exist to bridge the communication gap in remote work, and ANAX can assist you with deciding which one is right for your business, as well as getting it set up! 

Collaboration

Last, but certainly not least, collaboration is necessary to ensure the success of a remote-based business. Collaboration can only exist if connection and communication have first been established. In companies that have teams or departments, it is crucial to come up with collaborative solutions to ensure these groups of individuals can effectively work on projects simultaneously. There are many ways that collaboration can be woven into your remote business set up, including cloud-based storage solutions that allow for real-time participation of multiple team members, group conference calls and video conferencing, screen-sharing abilities, and more. When your team members are able to effectively collaborate remotely, nothing can stand in the way of growth for your business. 

If you are ready to take your business remote, or need assistance with stream-lining your already-remote business, contact the experts at ANAX! We can help you determine your specific needs and get everything set up for a seamless transition.

The Differences Between Cloud Storage & Local Storage

The Differences Between Cloud Storage & Local Storage

by | Apr 2, 2021 | Business Advice, Cloud Services, IT Services, IT Solutions, IT Support, Network Solutions, Servers

When it comes to storing data for your mid-size business, you may be in between a few options that exist. In recent years, there has been a tremendous push to move towards cloud-based storage and processing, rather than the traditional localized storage that many businesses have utilized for years. Some companies have even discovered that a hybrid mix of the two ends of the spectrum has been the most efficient solution for their storage needs. If you have been pondering what storage set up is best for your business, we can help! Let’s dive into more info about both cloud and local storage options! 

What are They? 

Cloud Storage

You may have heard marketing campaigns towards the beginning of the cloud-based computing era make the claim, “It’s in the cloud!” While catchy, and still memorable years after the fact, this phrase does not do much to explain what exactly cloud storage is. In essence, cloud storage is a way to store digital data, files, and information in the online world, one that encompasses several servers, across multiple locations. This storage method is typically maintained or managed by a web-based hosting company. The cloud exists outside of your given office space, without the need for physical copies of the data. 

Local Storage

Long gone are the days of floppy discs and CD-ROMs, however, the idea of local storage remains the same, albeit in a different capacity these days. Local storage now refers to the use of updated and newer physical storage devices. These can include hard disc drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and external storage accessories like thumb drives or flash drives. 

What are the Benefits? 

Now that you understand the difference between the two, you may be wondering which one provides a more practical solution for your business. Rest assured, we have outlined some of the most notable pros and cons for each option! 

Cloud Storage

Pros

One of the most noteworthy reasons for the switch to cloud storage is the ability to access your stored data from pretty much anywhere you have internet service. In the past year, many companies have switched to remote work, and cloud storage provides a solution where employees scattered in multiple locations can access the data from wherever they are. This builds a more efficient workspace for those working from home, and allows more seamless collaboration. With cloud storage, you also establish a better disaster recovery system. Cloud storage solutions can be extremely cost-efficient as well as reducing energy consumption. There are many benefits to switching to a cloud-based storage set-up. 

Cons

There are some challenges that arise with this cloud storage solution, however. When dealing with highly sensitive data, it may be slightly more difficult, though not impossible, to establish data security. In addition, because cloud storage often relies on a third-party hosting company, there must be trust that the data will be handled securely, and that it will be available and accessible whenever you need it. 

Local Storage

Pros

With local storage, your business has all the data readily available at your fingertips. There is minimal upload and download time, whereas cloud storage can take slightly longer. Local storage also offers an extremely secure data-management process, since the information is stored only on those local devices, and can only be accessed by individuals who have access to said hardware. 

Cons

The downside of only being able to be accessed by individuals with the hard copies of the information is just that, a very limited accessibility. This cuts down on the ability to effectively and efficiently collaborate on projects as needed. In addition, buying and storing excess physical storage can be costly, and requires room within your office dedicated to the storage of your storage devices. Lastly, should a disaster strike your office building, all the physical copies of your data could be destroyed. 

What is Best for Your Business? 

As you can see, there are benefits and challenges that exist with either storage option. Depending on what your goals are as a business, and what kind of data you are needing to store, you may decide that either cloud or local storage is a better fit, or you may wish to create a hybrid of the two. If you have additional questions, or you would like to move forward with establishing an upgraded storage system for your mid-size business, we can help. Contact the experts at ANAX today!