Category: Computer Systems

Voice over IP (VoIP), or IP telephony, is a technology that enables voice calls to be made using your existing internet connection rather than the traditional method of using a dedicated phone line. One of the biggest benefits is that you don’t have to be confined to the building, property, or even city where you may have originally had a dedicated phone line installed. VoIP allows you to access your phone number from almost anywhere in the world with an internet connection. 

VoIP specifically refers to voice communication services over the internet as opposed to the more traditional dedicated phone line, also known as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS).

Continue reading “What is VoIP and how does it work?”

Now more than ever, businesses need to be more aware of the dangers of cyber-attacks. Attackers are doing it for profit and are organised! Criminals are now more likely to be sitting in a plush office behind a powerful computer than physically breaking into your business premises.

The damages of a cyber-attack to businesses can be huge! From loss of crucial, confidential or sensitive data, to reputational damage and even GDPR fines if your client’s data is compromised. Ensuring you are vigilant is essential!

Sadly, there is no silver bullet to make your business secure from attack, however, here are some techniques to prevent a cyber-attack: 

Continue reading “8 Ways to Protect your Business from a Cyber Attack”

Research shows that when it comes to productivity suites in the cloud, Office 365 is at least twice as popular as Google’s G Suite.

Implementing Office 365 can bring many benefits to any organisation. In this article, Bean IT looks into the biggest benefits of using Office 365.

Enjoy!

1. SECURITY

A very common misconception is that the cloud isn’t safe but with Office 365, Microsoft takes responsibility for security and reliability of hardware and storage.

Office 365 eliminates the cost of purchasing and maintaining expensive servers by offering:

• Encrypted Email – Cloud based end-to-end encrypted email, accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
• Data Loss Prevention – Your data is stored in the cloud meaning you aren’t storing data on devices such as memory sticks and USB drives which are liable to get lost, corrupt or damaged.
• Mobile Device Management – Remotely monitor and access your Microsoft devices. If you lose a device, you can remotely log in and erase data to ensure your sensitive information doesn’t get into the wrong hands.
• Advanced Threat Analytics – Live monitoring software that follows suspicious activity and makes you aware of ransomware, phishing and spam etc.

These are just a few security benefits.

Continue reading “5 of the biggest Advantages of Office 365”

To prevent ransomware infecting your system you need a multilayered security approach.  From comprehensive and regular staff training, to machine learning antivirus software, to cloud storage/backups with version control, you need all of this to prevent viruses such as WannaCry taking hold.

What happens, however, when the virus finds a way through?  This is when the trusty offline backup can save your business. Continue reading “How Backups Can Save your Business in a Ransomware Attack”

For a long time businesses only had the option of a server to underpin their IT.  Well maintained servers perform well and provide the support businesses need.  That said they are often physically bulky, needing a dedicated space, and they come with infrastructure and support costs.

This no longer has to be the case, as hosted SharePoint from Microsoft may provide a cheaper alternative to servers.  The question is which one is right for your business. Continue reading “SharePoint or Server? Which one is Right for your Business?”

CryptoLocker has cost Business an Estimated $3M USD

CryptoLocker and other viruses often hit the headlines for the disaster they bring both to businesses and the individuals.  Although it is clear that being locked out of your computer is distressing and unpleasant it is only when you realise the far-reaching implications of Cryptolocker that you realise the extent of the damage and the problem. Continue reading “The True Business Cost of CryptoLocker and other Malware”

It’s Monday morning, you have an important meeting in the next few hours which was booked last minute therefore haven’t had time to plan.

You sit at your desk, poised to start your preparations. You start your computer and you hear a loud beeping sound as your computer crashes. All the data you require for your meeting is on the hard drive and there is no back up of these files. Your biggest concern is a failed hard drive which contains your crucial data. Continue reading “Manic Monday: Failed hard drive”

An IT maintenance contract is an agreement between your business and a supplier to perform necessary maintenance on your IT systems for a fixed monthly cost.  This has been proven to be more cost effective than fixing issues when they occur. Continue reading “Keep your Business Thriving with an IT Maintenance Contract”

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol facilitates voice communications similar to an ordinary phone.  Skype is arguably the most famous VoIP system in the world.  Hosted systems, however, offer a range of features that allow you to take calls, providing you have an internet connection.  This includes taking calls on smartphones and mobile devices.  Providing you have a mobile network you can take VoIP calls while on the move. Continue reading “Get Agile. Get Clients. Get VoIP!”

We have all done it, you go for a coffee with a friend, out for dinner with the family or you’re waiting for a product or service and you ask; ‘Can I have the Wi-Fi password?’

Whilst it seems harmless from the outside, and a service which we have become accustomed to when out and about; what are the risks associated to joining a Wi-Fi network? Continue reading “Can I have the Wi-Fi password: The risks”