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Think about the last online ad you clicked on. Did you just assume it was genuine?

If you said yes, you’re not alone – and this is exactly what scammers are counting on.

“Malvertising,” or malicious advertising, is where scammers use online ads to trick you into downloading malware (malicious software), sharing sensitive information like passwords, or even handing over money.

These attacks are becoming more sophisticated and are a growing threat to businesses of all sizes. Worse yet, you don’t even need to click on these ads to become a victim; just loading the ad in an outdated browser can be enough to compromise your device.

The three most common malvertising techniques are scam malvertising, fake installer malvertising, and drive-by download malvertising. Here’s a little more about them:

• Scam malvertising: This is where an ad claims that your computer is infected and urges you to call for support. Once you do, the scammers convince you to install software that gives them control over your system. Then they charge you to “fix” the fake issue.
• Fake installer malvertising: This often uses ads that lead you to cloned websites of brands you trust. You download software, thinking it’s legit… but instead, you’re downloading malware onto your device.
• Drive-by download malvertising: This is where ads infect your computer without you even clicking on anything. This type of malvertising exploits outdated browsers and installs malicious files or extensions automatically.

Recognising these scams is the first step to keeping your business safe. If you see an ad claiming you’ve been hacked or urgently need to act, stop and think: How would this company even know anything about your computer?

Also, make sure you double-check links before you click. If the link isn’t sending you to a legitimate domain, steer clear. And most importantly, make sure you’re running the latest version of your browser, as updates patch vulnerabilities that malvertising often exploits.

Don’t forget to share this knowledge with your employees, too. They’re your first line of defence – and training them to spot suspicious ads can save your business from serious trouble.

Scammers want you to trust without thinking. But a healthy dose of skepticism can make all the difference. Next time you see an ad that feels wrong, trust your gut… and ask yourself if it’s safe before you click.

Want to train your team to protect your business from malvertising and other online scams? We can help. Get in touch.

Microsoft is really embracing AI lately, and its latest move is to have Copilot open automatically when you launch Microsoft Edge. Currently, if you want to use Copilot in Edge, you need to click the icon in the sidebar. It's not a big deal, but the new auto-open feature would mean Copilot is ready and waiting in the sidebar as soon as you open your browser or start a new tab.

Some people will love this, while others might not. Regardless, it’s clear that Microsoft wants Copilot to become an everyday part of using Edge.

Another feature being tested is an "Ask Copilot" button in the Settings menu. This would allow you to ask Copilot for help if you get stuck trying to change a browser setting, instead of digging through all the options. If it works well, it could be a great time-saving feature for businesses.

If your team uses Edge, here’s how you could benefit:

Faster troubleshooting: If something in Edge isn't working, instead of searching Google or calling IT, you could just ask Copilot for help.

AI on standby: Whether you need help summarizing a long article, brainstorming an email, or writing a quick message, Copilot would always be open and ready.

Better security: Microsoft is also testing "Scareware Blocker," an AI-powered feature that helps detect and block scam websites in real time.

It’s hard to say when these updates might roll out, if they roll out at all. Microsoft loves to test features in Edge Canary (its experimental version of Edge), but not everything makes the final cut. However, given Microsoft's strong push towards AI, there’s a good chance this will stick.

Auto-open for Copilot could be helpful if you like AI and want a built-in assistant that’s always ready to go. But if you prefer your browser to be just a browser, then this update might be annoying.

And of course, there’s the question of privacy. Microsoft hasn’t detailed how this will work yet, but if Copilot is always open, some people might feel a bit uncomfortable with that.

If this rolls out, Copilot could become a permanent fixture in Edge, helping you work smarter, troubleshoot issues, and stay safe from scams. If Microsoft addresses privacy concerns and provides an option to turn it off, it could be a great new addition.

Need a hand getting started with Copilot? We can help – get in touch.

Imagine this: Your business comes to a standstill because your critical files are locked away by scammers, demanding a ransom for their release.

This scenario is known as a ransomware attack, and it's an escalating threat to businesses worldwide.

Ransomware is a type of cyber attack where criminals infiltrate your systems and encrypt your data, rendering it unusable. They then demand payment, often in cryptocurrency, for the decryption key.

Even if you pay the ransom, there's no guarantee you'll regain access to your data. This is why having a robust backup system is one of the best safety measures you can implement.

Backups are copies of your essential files and systems, stored separately from your main network. If something goes wrong, such as a ransomware attack or accidental deletion, you can use your backup tools to restore your data and keep your business operational.

Backups are crucial for businesses of all sizes. However, not all backup systems are created equal. Recent research indicates that many businesses rely on outdated backup technology, leaving them vulnerable even if they believe they are protected.

Older backup systems weren't designed to handle today's sophisticated ransomware attacks, exposing businesses to three main risks:

1. Backup data is a target: Ransomware attackers are becoming more cunning. They know that backups are your last line of defence, so they target them directly. If your backup system isn't designed to withstand these attacks, your safety net could be compromised when you need it most.
2. Lack of encryption: Encryption scrambles your data so only authorized individuals can access it. Without encryption, scammers can tamper with your backup data. Alarmingly, nearly a third of businesses report that their backup data isn't encrypted.
3. Failed backups: Restoring lost data with older systems can be challenging, and this is where they often fail. Imagine discovering that your backup didn't work just as your business is trying to recover from an attack. This can lead to prolonged downtimes and costly repair efforts, which many businesses simply can't afford.

So, how can you combat ransomware threats?

Rethink your approach to backups. Modern solutions like immutable storage offer the strongest protection against ransomware attacks. Immutable storage ensures your backup data can't be altered or deleted, no matter what.

This technology is built on the Zero Trust security model, which assumes that nobody and nothing can be trusted. Every access request is validated, and permissions are strictly limited, ensuring your critical business data remains safe even if an attacker breaches your system.

Ransomware attacks are not going away. In fact, they are becoming smarter and more frequent.

Now is the time to ensure your backup system is solid.Unsure where to start?

This is our expertise. Get in touch.I hope this re-write meets your expectations! If you need any further adjustments, just let me know.

Have you ever wondered how many phishing scams your employees encounter daily? The answer might be more alarming than you think.

Last year, the number of employees clicking on phishing links tripled, and businesses everywhere are feeling the impact.

Before we delve deeper into this issue, let's take a step back.

Phishing is when scammers try to steal sensitive information, like passwords or payment details, by pretending to be a trusted source.

For instance, an employee might receive an email that looks like it's from Microsoft, with a link to a login page. Once they enter their details, that information goes straight to the criminals, giving them access to your business.

Here's the concerning part: phishing attacks are not only becoming more frequent, but they're also getting harder to detect.

Email phishing remains a significant problem, but scammers are expanding their tactics. They're planting fake links in search engines, social media, online ads, and website comments. Knowing that employees are cautious about emails, scammers are finding new ways to bypass their defences.

So, why are more people falling for these scams?

One reason is fatigue. Employees see so many phishing attempts in their inboxes that it's challenging to stay vigilant all the time. Scammers are also becoming more creative, using fake websites and emails that are nearly indistinguishable from the real ones.

They're now targeting trusted platforms like Microsoft 365, which hold a wealth of business data.

Your employees can either be your greatest defense or your biggest vulnerability. A well-trained, alert team can spot phishing attempts before any damage is done. But if they're unaware or unprepared, a single click can lead to financial losses, stolen data, and significant trouble for your business.

So, what's the solution?

Start with education. Ensure your team knows what phishing looks like, not just in emails but across the web. Teach them to question unexpected requests for their login details, double-check links, and report anything suspicious. Regular training sessions can keep the risk of phishing scams fresh in their minds.

At the same time, don't place all the responsibility on your team's shoulders. Tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) add an extra layer of security, so even if a password is stolen, attackers can't get in. Combine this with up-to-date software and a robust cybersecurity plan, and you'll have a much better chance of keeping your business safe.

Phishing scams aren't going away anytime soon, but with the right approach, you can prevent your business from becoming another statistic.

Need help protecting your business data? We can assist – get in touch.

So, you’ve gone ahead and upgraded to Windows 11. You’re ready to explore the fresh design and all the new features. But instead of smooth sailing, your computer slows to a crawl… random errors start popping up… and you can’t install any security updates…

That’s the nightmare faced by businesses that try to run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.

Hardware requirements are a checklist you should use to make sure your business devices can handle an upgrade.

Think of it like a recipe: If you’re missing a key ingredient, the dish won’t turn out quite right. And while you might like to improvise in the kitchen, it’s better not to risk it with your business tech.

Windows 11 brings a leap forward in both performance and security. If you want to make that jump, you need a solid foundation in the form of modern hardware that can support its advanced features.

One of the key requirements for Windows 11 is something called TPM 2.0. This is a small chip that acts like a security vault for your PC, locking away passwords, encryption keys, and other sensitive data. TPM 2.0 is also essential for preventing certain types of cyber attacks. Without it, your system is more vulnerable.

Other requirements – like enough memory (RAM), sufficient storage, and a compatible processor – help to make sure your device can run Windows 11 smoothly.

Microsoft has warned that forcing Windows 11 onto unsupported hardware is a risky move. Sure, you can do it – but you’ll be on your own if things go wrong. Your device won’t receive updates, including critical security patches that keep your systems safe from cyber attacks and other threats. Without updates, your business’s devices become an easy target.

So, you might be thinking – why not just stick with Windows 10?

Here’s the thing: Microsoft is ending free support for Windows 10 in October this year. After that…

• No more updates
• No more fixes
• And no more free security patches.

There is an option to pay for extended security updates, but it’s not a permanent solution. Upgrading to Windows 11 helps to make sure your systems stay secure for the long haul, without extra costs and headaches down the line. And beyond the security benefits, Windows 11 comes with loads of productivity tools designed to make your business run more smoothly.

If upgrading your hardware feels like an unnecessary expense, think of it as an investment. Modern devices don’t just meet Windows 11’s requirements; they run faster, last longer, and reduce the risk of downtime.

The bottom line is that hardware requirements aren’t just suggestions – they’re there to protect your business and give your team the tools they need to succeed.

If your devices don’t meet Windows 11’s requirements, now is the time to plan your next steps. Don’t wait until Windows 10 support ends or your systems become a security risk for your business.

We can help you upgrade without the stress. Get in touch.

Windows 11 has introduced some fantastic features for businesses, and Microsoft is continuously working to enhance them even further.

One feature that many of us have found challenging is the Recommendations feature in the Start menu. If you've ever clicked on it expecting useful suggestions but ended up with irrelevant ones, you're not alone. Fortunately, a fix is on the horizon.

Let's first understand what the Recommendations feature is designed to do.

Essentially, it aims to display apps, files, or websites that Windows believes you'll want to access next, based on your previous usage. For instance, any apps or websites you frequently use should appear in your Recommendations for easy access.

Sounds handy, right? If it worked well, it could become a favourite time-saving feature for busy teams. However, with suggestions often feeling random and unhelpful, many of us have been ignoring this part of the Start menu altogether.

So, what's changing?

Microsoft has started rolling out updates (currently in testing) to make Recommendations much smarter.

They've refined the way Windows determines what's relevant to you. Early feedback indicates that the updated feature is significantly better at showing things you actually need – like that file you were working on yesterday or the app you use most during work hours.

If you've been frustrated by the Start menu in the past, keep an eye out for these improvements. They're a step in the right direction.

Are you and your team leveraging all the other productivity-boosting features in Windows 11?

If not, let us help you get started. Feel free to get in touch.