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Virtual Private Network or VPN are becoming a popular option for businesses and personal security, but does it protect your privacy online? The Internet has become a necessity in today’s world since it delivers fresh information, entertainment, and connection in seconds. Do you know that your online activity can be valuable to hackers or even advertisers? There are different factors on how we can be tracked online, and it is important to be wary of how we access the Internet, especially in public places. Browsers provide users with an option for privacy such as Google’s “ Incognito Mode ” or Safari’s “Private Window” that allows you to surf the Internet without saving cookies or browsing history to the computer. However, even with these safety measures, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can still track your online activities, and it can be used for several reasons. Some sell it to advertisers, thus the reason for seeing multiple ads related to your online queries. The data that your ISP collects can also be acquired by government agencies legally. In public, such as coffee shops, or shopping malls, unsecured public WIFI’s are available, and that is how hackers or online spies can get to your personal information once you’re connected. The role of VPN Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to have privacy or anonymity when surfing the web. It hides your Internet Protocol (IP) address, so your online actions are untraceable by your ISP. Virtual Private Networks creates a secured tunnel between the sender and receiver, making it seem like you’re in another location. VPNs’ goal is to provide secure data transmitted through the Internet by hiding the real IP address of the sender, making it extremely difficult for snoopers to access your online communication. It is commonly used by businesses when working remotely , as it provides an encrypted connection to your work’s network, allowing you to work securely. However, your internet activity would still be visible to your employers. What else can VPN do: Protect your browsing history Provide secure Internet connection Bypass geographical restrictions Provide access to blocked or restricted sites or channels Change the current location to a selected one Hides your identity from ISP tracking For many business owners, privacy is very important, especially when handling projects that require confidentiality, and acquiring a good VPN provider is essential. Here are a few tips in choosing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider: 1. Privacy Policy When evaluating for a VPN service, a clear and precise privacy policy is the most important element. Most of us agree to privacy policies without reading it, but most service providers lie about not logging your data. The VPNs privacy policy should specify what data they log and what they don’t on their policy. 2. Clear Connection Protocol Different protocol exists depending on protection, speed, and level of encryption. Ensure that your VPN provider could identify the protocol you want to use. 3. Avoid Free VPNs at all cost If you’re a small business owner, you might be tempted by free VPNs, but avoid them at all cost. VPN providers need the revenue to run their service, so if they are not getting it from their users, expect them to be selling your data to someone else. 4. Kill Switch The kill switch ensures that your real IP address is not leaked whenever the VPN drops the connection, which is vital, especially when protecting your online privacy. Still not sure about what to do next? Contact us today and learn how we can help secure your internet activities from the prying eyes.

The best way to protect your business from being hacked is to keep your software and applications up to date. Are you one of those people who often ignore software update notification that pops up on your screen now and then? We tend to overlook these things and we used to say, “if it’s not broken, why fix it?”, but it is one of the most common mistakes we usually commit that can cost us our business. Windows, iOS, or any other software updates may take a few moments of our time, but those minutes will keep your information from being vulnerable to hackers. Even the biggest names in the technology can be hacked, such as the Microsoft incident that happened in 2019. Given this fact, if they are at risk, so are you. Software providers deliver regular updates to fix functionalities and most update it automatically, but you must make sure to click agree once prompted to install updates. Following are the common software and applications to keep updated: Operating Systems (e.g. Windows, Android, Mac OS & iOS) Anti-Virus Software Browsers (e.g. Chrome or Safari) Microsoft Applications (e.g. Microsoft 365 ) Plugins (e.g. Adobe Reader, Flash player, etc.) Reasons Why Software Updates Are Important Cybercrime Protection Hackers can be lurking in the system waiting for the right moment. All your private information – personal identification, confidential documents, passwords , and bank account information – can be used to commit crimes. As a business owner, these wouldn’t only affect you and the business but also your employees’ safety. Regularly updating your software and system will keep the hackers out. Fix Bugs and Malware There is no such thing as perfect software no matter how much the software providers try. Even with all the tests, they can still overlook some bugs and malware thus fixing it through updates and patches. If you keep on ignoring those updates that pop up on your screen, then you’ll continue to be vulnerable to hackers and viruses. Better Security Hackers are getting better and data security is becoming more intricate. For small businesses, reliance on old and outdated software is the only option but the risk of data leakage or hacking is high. Investing in software that offers constant updates will ensure that your system is continuously supported by software providers. Benefit from New Features Updates are not only about fixing bugs or malware, oftentimes, they also add new features based on the current trends and needs of the users. Regular updates will let you and your employees enjoy these benefits. Decrease Downtime Downtime means a loss of productivity and profitability. Some IT issues can be solved by keeping your software up to date and it will definitely save you a lot of money than replacing all your systems. How To Manage Your Updates? Determine the best time to install updates in your office, if you are running a 9 to 5 business, then after office hours would be the ideal time so production time won’t be affected. Once a schedule is deployed, inform your employees and make sure that they all have a back up of their files. You can also develop a policy for your employees to install non-critical updates that don’t require them to restart their computers and let your IT support team handle the rest. How Uniserve IT can help you At Uniserve IT, we can provide your business with a strategic IT Management service to keep your office system up to date. Contact us today!

Making sure that your business software is properly licensed can at times be overlooked by your own IT department. This is usually due to people being unaware of the repercussions of using unlicensed software. These licenses come in many configurations like OEM, SaaS , and enterprise licensing, to name a few. And understanding the differences can be quite a challenge for an IT staff, being a vital part of every business’ IT requirements. Small to medium-sized businesses that don’t have a dedicated staff to handle software could be taking a risk with licensure compliance. When your software is not up to date with license requirements, your business runs a significant risk of becoming non-compliant, by both the developer and the law. Failure to be compliant can result in significant fines. Good thing outsourcing software license management is widely available from IT Managed Services Providers, primarily to offload this tedious network manager's responsibilities. Read along to know the benefits of outsourcing your business software licensing. Whether you run your software on-premise or in the cloud, outsourcing its licensing can ensure the most cost-efficient ways to update its license, aligned with your business needs. A mandatory software audit can be a time-consuming duty for your in-house IT department. By outsourcing your software licensing to a trusted IT Managed Services Provider, you can rest assured that your business always remains compliant and not violating any law by using unlicensed enterprise software. An expert IT managed services provider can help you make the most of your IT budget by subscribing only to the software that cater to your business process needs, and not to those which do not serve a purpose to your business. We can help you find the most effective way of licensing your business software, while your business remain compliant. By outsourcing your software licensing to Uniserve. We’ll do the heavy lifting for you by taking the complex task of managing different software licenses in your organization. Contact us today to learn how Uniserve can help your business remain compliant, and provide added peace of mind.

Source: http://winsupersite.com/ignite/ microsoft-ignite-your-email-will-be-more-secure-and-it-wont-affect-your-productivity Summary: We support and manage many clients whom use Office 365; having access to improved reporting and protection helps us protect against risks before they hit. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9BTMLV1Wc

WannaCry and Petya might be one of the top IT search terms this year as they threatened every single business across the globe creating devastating effects on many businesses. The scale of recent cyber-attacks may have raised awareness of cybersecurity or vulnerability management for major business entities - which might be the only “positive impact”. However, many small businesses remain calm even if hackers generally target larger companies. In fact, it is common for hackers to hack smaller businesses through its weakest link, and then further hack the larger ones, if possible, through their network. In other words, every company might be involved. Since the industry is currently reeling from weaponized exploit kits, there are ways for small businesses to prevent another WannaCry or Petya from taking their precious data hostage. Use application whitelisting to protect computers and networks from potentially harmful applications or unapproved programs from being installed. Restrict administrative privileges to operating systems and applications based on user roles and responsibilities. Patch operating systems and applications such as Flash, web browsers, Microsoft Office, Java PDF viewers, etc. Don’t allow your servers to initiate connections with the internet (if possible) Redesign your network under segmentation and isolation to avoid wide-spreading infection from one machine You will never know how terrible it would be until you’re the victim. Ask your IT engineer to follow up with network updates and planning, and to enhance vulnerability management. Or contact Uniserve today to see what we can help you with IT. Original Source: http://buff.ly/2tylojn Image | thedailysignal

Without carving market share towards the two big mobile operating systems – iOS and Android, Microsoft strives to make much of its software available cross-platform, in which creating applications for users to install no matter if it’s on its own OS or competitors’. Whether you are a user of Samsung or Apple, there are enough Microsoft apps to fill the screen up. Here are my favorite Apps from Microsoft that I would always install on and used frequently on any of my devices: Outlook You get to connect to all the email accounts and associated calendars with Outlook. It allows you to easily access your email when you are outside the office. The Outlook app is way too essential to every business individual. Microsoft Authenticator To ensure having extra security for online access of Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Authenticators’ two-step verification helps protect my accounts beyond simply passwords along with a one-time verification code. In this hi-tech era, even a complex password is no longer providing enough security. Microsoft To-Do This app probably dominates the task management apps, as it is really user-friendly it helps you manage, prioritize, and complete the most important things you need to achieve every day. Also, it supports Office 365 integration. No doubt that it has become my daily driver for my task list. Microsoft Office Lens Named one of the Best Apps from Microsoft mobile. Office Lens helps you convert written materials like sticky notes or pictures of whiteboards and documents to editable documents digitally. And it works with OneNote and OneDrive as well. Definitely it’s a handy scanner your admin office would love to have. OneDrive A very handy storage solution for anyone. With OneDrive, you might not have to bring along a USB drive while giving a presentation or deal with occasional errors when accessing the files. Just simply place and drag files from the cloud. Office Mobile Personally, I am not a fan of creating Office documents on the little screen but having quick access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote documents would be a huge plus for me to read when I am without a laptop around me in a real crunch situation. Still, thinking? They’re all FREE , so why not give it a try and I bet you will find them enhance your daily efficiency and get productive at work.

In this new era of digital transformation, adapting to new technologies requires businesses to reform their strategies including the workforce and software. To meet business demands and goals, investing in the latest tools and applications are necessary. Microsoft 365 Business vs. Enterprise Microsoft 365 Enterprise is created for large organizations and combines Office 365 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise, and Enterprise Mobility + Security, allowing employees to securely collaborate and work together. On the other hand, Microsoft 365 for Business is designed for small to medium-sized businesses and integrates Office 365 Business Premium with tailored security and management features from Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security. “Microsoft 365 offers a universal toolkit: an unmatched set of integrated capabilities that are highly secure and always evolving to the changing workstyle trends.” - Microsoft Selecting the right Microsoft 365 plan for your business may seem a little confusing due to the multiple options, tons of details, and the features that look similar for most. To help you choose the business tools you need and make the correct choices, we’ve created a basic table below to list out the details of each plan structurally and their comparisons. For a more comprehensive spreadsheet of Microsoft 365 plans, you can download it here . Business Enterprise Microsoft 365 for Business Basic Standard Premium Best for Businesses that don’t need a desktop version of Office applications but requires Cloud Storage and Microsoft Teams Businesses that need Office applications for all devices, business email, cloud storage, and online meetings. Businesses that need additional cyber threat protection and device management aside from all the office applications. Standard Services Maximum no. of users 300 300 300 Free Trial 1 month 1 month Office applications Fully installed desktop version office applications on up to 5 PCs or Macs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, OneNote, *Access) *Access (PC only) ✔ ✔ Office on tablets and phones up to 5 tablets and 5 phones (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook) ✔ ✔ ✔ Communication & Teamwork Microsoft Teams Desktop and Mobile ✔ ✔ ✔ Online meetings and video conferencing up to 250 people with Microsoft Teams ✔ ✔ ✔ SharePoint for team sites and intranet ✔ ✔ ✔ File Storage OneDrive File Storage and Sharing 1 TB 1 TB 1 TB Get OneDrive for Business and SharePoint synchronized across all devices for every work file saved ✔ ✔ ✔ 50 GB mailbox for email hosting with custom email domain address ✔ ✔ ✔ Security & Compliance Exchange Online Protection against spam, malware, and other threats ✔ ✔ ✔ Password policy creation ✔ ✔ ✔ Support & Deployment 24/7 Phone and Online Support ✔ ✔ ✔ Licensed for commercial use ✔ ✔ ✔ Yammer Corporate social network to help employees collaborate across departments and locations ✔ ✔ ✔ Device Management Single console to manage user and device settings ✔ Automatic deployment of Office 365 apps to Windows 10 PC ✔ Microsoft 365 for Enterprise E1 E3 E5 Best for Businesses that don’t need desktop versions of Outlook or Office applications but require most of the business services. Businesses that need more advanced support on BI, compliance, security, cloud file-storage, and enterprise management tools. An enterprise solution with best-in-class productivity apps and advanced security, compliance, voice, and analytical capabilities. Standard Services Maximum no. of users Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Office applications Fully installed desktop version office applications on up to 5 PCs or Macs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, OneNote, Access) *Access (PC only) Microsoft Office Apps Available Online ✔ ✔ Office on tablets and phones up to 5 tablets and 5 phones per user (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook) ✔ ✔ ✔ Communication & Teamwork Microsoft Teams ✔ ✔ ✔ Unlimited Online Meetings ✔ ✔ ✔ SharePoint for team sites and intranet ✔ ✔ ✔ Yammer Corporate social network to help employees collaborate across departments and locations ✔ ✔ ✔ File Storage OneDrive File Storage and Sharing 1TB Personal Cloud Storage Unlimited Storage Unlimited Storage Get OneDrive for Business and SharePoint synchronized across all devices for every work file saved ✔ ✔ Security & Backup Features Exchange Online Protection ✔ ✔ ✔ Archive Up to 50GB Unlimited Unlimited Data Loss Prevention ✔ ✔ Advanced Threat Protection ✔ Microsoft Security and Compliance Center ✔ ✔ Advanced eDiscovery, Customer Lockbox, Advanced-Data Governance, Service Encryption with Customer Key, Privileged Access Management ✔ Support & Deployment 24/7 Phone and Online Support ✔ ✔ ✔ Licensed for commercial use ✔ ✔ ✔ Device Management Microsoft Intune ✔ ✔ Microsoft 365 Admin Center ✔ ✔ If you think a single license won’t suit your needs and extra features are needed, there are additional add-ons specific to your license and is available in different versions of Microsoft 365 for business. For more information, please free feel to contact us and our team would be happy to help you choose the right plan for your business. Official Microsoft link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365?rtc=1

A user who wants to create an online presence with under a low cost would most likely go for a free website hosting service as the thought of having free web hosting and simple site-building without paying anything is tempting. Once you start using those “free website services”, it would soon prove difficult because of their limitations and hidden costs, which is opposite of being “FREE” . 1. Extremely long loading time Long loading times to access your website will not only harm the user experience but is also bad for SEO since there are multiple websites hosted on the same server with most of the free hosting providers; free sites will load at extremely slow speed. 2. Unprofessional URLs Having a website address like " professionalbusiness.freeweb.com " will bring negative impacts on your credibility as well as reputation. Although you can request having a custom domain, an additional charge would be applied. 3. “FREE” Website Services Unlike paid website services, there are many limitations and hidden costs for these so-called “free services”. While you want to get more features, more pages or more storages, etc., you will have to pay. And you will realize that what you get at the beginning for FREE is way too essential, which is similar to trialing services. 4. Surprising Hidden Costs Getting just the basic features from free web service means that your bill will be increased automatically, like adding to your shopping cart while online shopping without realizing it's adding up! 5. Difficulty in Data Migration It's quite common that users who tend to start with free website services, eventually move back to paid services to save time and further costs. However, this little trick never works well as the free service providers would lock down your data. Users end up paying much more money to hire IT professionals to migrate your data manually. 6. Failure of getting 100% control of your website Again. You need to know the limitations before signing up for free website services. Apart from site performance and hidden costs, you may not be able to add affiliate links or Adsense as well as google analytics tracking codes. As they are usually contract-free services, your website's data will not be fully protected, which means there is a possibility that you may lose your site and all of the data associated without notification. 7. Risk of Data Security Free website services are often more vulnerable to hacking attempts. If your site is hacked, your site may be at risk as you have minimal protection measures, but also there are no services for regular backups on these free websites. With free website services, the providers have less of an obligation, which also means you have fewer rights. 8. Low Data Storage Free website companies usually give you insufficient storage to store your data. When you reach the limit, you are often asked to pay for more storage. 9. Limited Design Choices Unlike a self-hosted WordPress site where you have access to thousands of design options, free websites only offer a few design templates, and you can't fully customize them easily. 10. Limited Support Support is insufficient if you're using free website services, you will have to set up your site all on your own. If there are emergency errors or bugs, you would also need to figure out what the problem is or hire a web designer or developer to help you fix the problems. Free websites can provide you with some great features, and the free services are tempting, yet you'll need to clarify what you're looking for when building a website. If you want to create a website and have a long term vision that is aligned with your services and brand, the free website services may be risky and a lack of guarantee that may harm your brand and its reputation. For further question or any enquiry about web design and web development , contact us at +852 3622 8500 .

Use strong passwords instead of default or simple one. Passwords should not be shared nor be written down.

Considering a new website? Not sure how to move forward with so many choices? Let’s debunk some of the common myths… 1. Why do I still need to pay if there are free website services? There are quite a lot of free website builder offerings - or so-called “free website services”. Once you sign up, you'll start discovering the limitations and the many hidden costs. You'll also realize that they aren't entirely free at all, and it would be difficult as you'll then find it challenging to move your website data to a paid service instead. Users end up paying more in the development process. Bear in mind; there is no such thing as a free lunch. 2. Once a site is built, it's finished. It's typical when it comes to creating a website; people consider web development as a one-time project. However, the process of creating a website should be ongoing, continually updating, and improving. A site is as much a human being in many ways, as it needs constant care to stay functional and alive. Apart from web hosting , your site needs to stay updated with content, plugins, security extensions, removing bugs, and any emergency errors fixed, etc. Regular maintenance and support is the only way to ensure your site can run normally and flawlessly. 3. Commercial websites are expensive Not necessarily. Development costs are dependent on the complexity of your website. More, it might cause extra effort if there are adding functions or features requested. Ask your service provider or contact us for a free quote . There is always a solution to feature up your site, and there is no hidden cost to surprise you as you will notice the development cost before the project kick-started. 4. Rich content leads to a good search experience Without a doubt, “content is king”, however, it might also lead to high bounce rates without considering structured information even if there is quality content. As users face information overload, they may lose focus or have less patience in browsing your site in search of relevant information. Without structuring your site's content, it could decrease usability and introduce navigation problems. 5. Content is not as important as design in web development Using dummy content or fake information within the web design process is common. Most of us believe that content can be implemented immediately once the website is complete. Apparently YES, however, “lorem ipsum” can result in products with unrealistic assumptions and potentially serious design. Build a website with copywritten content could help deliver improved content as a whole; otherwise, it’s more decorative than design. 6. Responsive web design is optional Absolutely not optional. Having a responsive website isn't a novelty anymore, but a must due to the modern use of multiple sized screens. If your website isn't mobile-friendly, your rank will start to drop within Google's mobile search results. “Starting April 21st 2015, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact on our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high-quality search results that are optimised for their devices.” Google had made this clear since 2015. Would you like to learn more about web development and how it can benefit your business? Thinking of our maintenance and support plan for your site? Our team is happy to answer any of your questions, let's get started on your website, contact us at +852 3622-8500 .

Every business, no matter the size, should put its employees’ well-being and productivity at its core. After all, it’s the driving force that propels your business to grow. Adapting to small changes can significantly improve the levels of engagement and productivity in your workplace. One of these changes is moving to a cloud-based system when it comes to your software. And when the cloud is mentioned, Microsoft 365 can’t be far behind. In line with taking advantage of using technology to improve your operations, Office 365 offers more than just a set of nifty tools, it’s basically a new and innovative way of working. With this, we’ve listed the top reasons why you should consider using Office 365 for your business: 1. Easy Access Office 365 allows you to work anywhere and at any given time, as long as you have an internet connection. Being completely cloud-based, these tools allow you to access your e-mail, files, and the rest of the Microsoft Office Programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) from any location, and any device. This is just one of the biggest pros of Office 365, as this is highly beneficial to companies or organizations with remote employees in multiple locations. If you’re subscribed to a plan that includes the desktop version of Microsoft Office, the software can also be installed up to five devices per user. Talk about mobility. 2. Reduced Operational Expenses As a subscription-based service , Office 365 entails an annual or monthly fee. This gets rid of the hefty upfront costs for purchasing new software, as you’re leasing vs. buying. This also positively impacts IT costs from capital to operating expenses. With Office 365, you have the power and the option to switch off services that you don’t use. In addition, a monthly subscription enables you to cut costs and spend your savings on other operational expenses. 3. No more licensing issues! Going through software licenses is a challenge for business owners. You might overlook these details when one employee is using an older version, while the others are using a newer version of the software. As a key decision-maker, it’s your goal to bring everyone up to speed by working using the same version of your toolset. You don’t even have to go over this hurdle with an Office 365 subscription. This cloud-based system includes all licensing requirements, and it can be deployed company-wide. This means everyone has the same version of Microsoft Office, and all users will get upgrades at the same time. 4. Collaborate seamlessly. Fostering a collaborative environment is one of the workplace goals a leader must accomplish. With Office 365, this is highly attainable as anyone who needs to contribute or edit a document can work at the same time, and apply real-time changes, versus having multiple versions of the said file. This basically means everyone gets the same version of the truth! The subscription also allows your team direct access to multiple files rather than attaching them to e-mails. What’s even better is Office 365’s permission to restore files into older versions, in case changes have to be reverted. 5. Advanced Security Features In contrast to the misconception that cloud isn’t safe, Office 365 is as safe as any on-premise system. It largely depends on how cautiously you use it, and on the security measures, you practice per your IT usage policies. Office 365 guarantees its subscribers a fail-proof built-in security system for safekeeping your company’s data. Office 365 has clear and definite pros for boosting your business productivity. It revolves around the aspects of enhancing your team’s collaborative abilities, enhancing workplace mobility, and ensuring your data security. Indeed, Office 365 provides business solutions that go above and beyond the installed version of Microsoft Office.

Does it have to directly contribute to financial gains or employee engagement? Whether it’s financial or non-financial, an ideal business benefit should be an outcome of an action or decision that contributes to achieving business objectives. These actions involve investing in tools that could boost employee performance and productivity. And when it comes to productivity, Microsoft’s Office 365 is top of mind. This includes Teams, the suite’s messaging app. We’ve listed down the top reasons why using Teams as your official messaging app is the best tool for streamlined communication in the workplace. Share everything in a common space. Apart from its messaging features, Microsoft Teams has all the components of Office 365 integrated into one common space. This means that everyone can all review a Word document or an Excel spreadsheet at the same time, as everything in the Office Suite is brought together, and can be viewed in the Teams app. Highly Customizable Teams can be tailored to meet your unique business needs. It gives you platforms with options for extensibility and open APIs, with general availability. With added support from Microsoft, your company will be able to create and customize the applications and other services to integrate with Microsoft Teams. Scheduling Features Virtual meetings are a cost-effective and vital platform for today’s businesses. In Teams, you can view your scheduled meetings, time, agenda, and the attendees. You also have the option to do a video call, text, or go for a voice call. These features are also available in the mobile app for both Android and iOS. Organized Channels With Team’s compartmentalized channels, you can easily sort through your messages, depending on their urgency and priority level. This feature enables you to avoid getting side-tracked with random messages and spend time on the channels where you must address more urgent tasks. Improved Security Security is one of the Team’s features that sets it apart from the pack. By using any of Office 365’s platform services, you are assured to be provided with top of the line security and compliance capabilities. Teams are also a part of Microsoft’s global network of data centers that have a transparent operational model. With these advantages, Microsoft Teams has proven to be an effective collaboration and communication platform. Elevate your overall productivity by investing in Office 365 , and get long-term business benefits to achieve significant business growth.