Latest Tech News
Sit back with a brew and read our latest news on the world of technology
What is Passkey migration and how can it help your team eliminate passwords?
The “Session Cookie” Hijack: Why MFA Can’t Always Save You
The "Session Cookie" Hijack: Why MFA Can’t Always Save You MFA is a strong front-door lock. But it’s not the only thing that decides whether someone can get in. After you sign in, your browser keeps you logged in using a session token (often stored as a cookie). It’s...
“Clean Desk” 2.0: Securing Your Home Office from Physical Data Leaks
"Clean Desk" 2.0: Securing Your Home Office from Physical Data Leaks In the traditional office, a “Clean Desk” policy was a simple habit: shred the sensitive stuff, lock it away, and don’t leave passwords where someone can see them. In 2026, the same idea still...
Beware of the next generation of phishing attacks
Beware of the next generation of phishing attacks If phishing scams are supposed to trick people, why do so many of them still feel clumsy? For years, the answer was simple: Most scams were mass-produced. The same email, the same fake website, sent to thousands of...
It’s time to govern your team’s AI use
It’s time to govern your team’s AI use Do you know which AI tools your team is using at work… and what they’re putting into them? Most business owners I speak to think they do. And then we dig a little deeper. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and...
Don’t forget to protect your Browsing Privacy
Don’t forget to protect your browsing privacy When you open a browser on your phone, what do you think it knows about you? The websites you visit. Maybe your location? Possibly what you’ve searched for? The reality is, for many popular mobile browsers, it’s a lot more...
Stop Ransomware in Its Tracks: 5-Step Proactive Defence Plan
Stop Ransomware in Its Tracks: 5-Step Proactive Defence Plan Ransomware isn’t a jump scare. It’s a slow build. In many cases, it begins days, or even weeks, before encryption, with something mundane, like a login that never should have succeeded. That’s why an...
Another good reason to enforce MFA
Another good reason to enforce MFA What would happen if someone got hold of one of your employees’ passwords from years ago? Not a password they’re using today. Not one they even remember. Just an old one that never got changed. Because...
Important: Protect your business from digital fraud
Important: Protect your business from digital fraud Scams aren’t what they used to be. They’re not always obvious, they’re not always clumsy, and they don’t always come with spelling mistakes or odd graphics. Today’s digital fraud is faster, smarter, and...
Prepare your business for more refined cyber threats
Prepare your business for more refined cyber threats Cyber criminals aren’t simply causing chaos anymore. They’re getting smarter, more organised, and much better at finding weak spots in businesses of every size. And while those sounds worrying,...
Microsoft fixes these Teams issues
Microsoft fixes these Teams issues If there’s one thing guaranteed to test your patience during a busy workday, it’s a messaging app that doesn’t behave the way you expect it to. For a tool that millions of us rely on every day, Microsoft...
A Practical Guide to Reducing the Risks of AI Browsers
Consider this before using AI browsers at work. Have you ever wondered what your browser is doing in the background while you work? Most people think of a browser as a simple window to the internet. But a new wave of AI browsers is changing that idea...
PowerPoint drops its “Reuse Slides” feature
PowerPoint drops its “Reuse Slides” feature Have you noticed that some changes don’t feel like improvements? Microsoft has announced that it’s retiring PowerPoint’s much loved Reuse Slides feature. For anyone who builds presentations regularly, that’s a...
Sync passkeys across your devices
Sync passkeys across your devices When was the last time you forgot a password and got stuck looking through emails trying to reset it? That problem will now be fixed. Microsoft has announced that passkeys can now be synced across your...
The Daily Cloud Checkup – A Simple 15-Minute Routine to Prevent Misconfiguration and Data Leaks.
The Daily Cloud Checkup - A Simple 15-Minute Routine to Prevent Misconfiguration and Data Leaks. Moving to the cloud offers incredible flexibility and speed, but it also introduces new responsibilities for your team. Cloud security is not a “set it and...
Microsoft Edge introduces a new scam protection tool
Microsoft Edge introduces a new scam protection tool When was the last time you saw one of those scary pop-ups claiming your computer was infected? You know the ones. They come complete with flashing red warnings and a fake phone number to “call...
Is your team using AI well? Copilot can tell you.
How do you really know if your people are making the most of AI at work? You’ve rolled out Microsoft Copilot. You’ve talked about how it can save time. How it can boost productivity. And how it can make day-to-day tasks easier. But how can you tell...
How to help your people be AI confident
How to help your people be AI confident How do your team really feel about using AI at work? Are they excited? Nervous? Maybe a bit of both? A new study has revealed just how widespread AI has become in the workplace. And how mixed people’s feelings...
Never lose your Word document again
Never lose a Word document again Be honest, how many times have you lost a Word document because you forgot to hit “Save”? We’ve all been there. The power cuts out, your laptop crashes, or you just close the window too fast… and hours of work vanish...
Copilot brings Microsoft and Google together
Copilot brings Microsoft and Google together Ever found yourself juggling between Gmail, Outlook, and a dozen browser tabs just to find one email or check a meeting time? It’s the kind of digital chaos most of us have learned to live with… until now. ...
Smoother, smarter dictation for Windows 11
Smoother, smarter dictation in Windows 11 When was the last time you found yourself typing something and thought, “There must be an easier way to do this”? If you or your team ever use voice dictation to capture notes, write emails, or even draft...
New: Windows 11 AI Agent helps with Settings
New: Windows 11 AI Agent helps with Settings Have you ever gone hunting through your computer’s Settings app, clicking through menu after menu, just to make one small change? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You know the option is in there somewhere… but where? ...
More good news for accessibility in Windows 11
Have you ever opened a document or presentation and realised half the information is locked away in an image or graphic you can’t quite make sense of? Maybe it’s a complicated chart, or a photo with crucial details, but no one thought to add a description. Microsoft...
Better battery life for Windows 11 laptops.
When was the last time you finished a busy workday and still had plenty of battery left on your laptop? Feels like wishful thinking, right? Microsoft knows this, because it’s testing out a new feature for Windows 11 that could give your laptop a noticeably better...
Your Password Isn’t Enough: A Guide to Login Security
Your Password Isn't Enough: A Guide to Login Security Here's the uncomfortable truth: most cyberattacks don't start with sophisticated hacking. They start with someone typing in a username and password they shouldn't have. One compromised login can hand an...
Did you know? Outlook will flag your most important emails
Did you know? Outlook will flag your most important emails How much time do you waste sorting through emails every day, trying to figure out what really needs your attention? If you’re like most business owners, the answer is probably “too much”. Between customer...
Transform Your North Staffordshire Business with Microsoft Planner: The Complete Guide
Transform Your North Staffordshire Business with Microsoft Planner: The Complete Guide In the past, business teams relied on sticky notes and endless email threads to manage tasks. But with today's hybrid work environments and fast-moving deadlines, that approach...
Strategic IT Budget Planning: Making Your Technology Spend Work Harder
Strategic IT Budget Planning: Making Your Technology Spend Work Harder Without warning, technology costs can quietly eat away at your business budget. One minute everything looks perfectly manageable, the next you're scratching your head wondering where all these...
How to Spot Microsoft Phishing Emails: Protect Your North Staffordshire Business from Scams
You get an email from Microsoft and don't think twice about opening it. After all, it's Microsoft - big tech company, trusted by millions. But here's the thing: that email might not be from Microsoft at all. Criminals love using trusted brands to trick people. Right...
When Your Wi-Fi’s Playing Up: An excellent guide to Fixing Network Issues
When Your Wi-Fi's Playing Up: A Proper Guide to Fixing Network Issues Nothing puts a spanner in the works quite like dodgy Wi-Fi. One minute you're cracking on with your work, the next your video calls are stuttering, files won't budge, and the whole team's twiddling...
Is Your Small Business Drowning in Data? Here’s How to Sort It Out
Is Your Small Business Drowning in Data? Here's How to Sort It Out Does it feel like your small business is absolutely swamped with data? You're not alone in this struggle. The digital world has completely changed how small businesses operate, and we're now dealing...
Why Your Small Business Needs an IT Refresh Strategy (Before Things Go Wrong)
Why Your Small Business Needs an IT Refresh Strategy (Before Things Go Wrong) There's nothing quite like a frozen screen to completely derail your morning. If you're running a small business, you've probably had your fair share of battles with aging computers that...
Don’t Let Your Suppliers Be Your Weak Spot: A Guide to Supply Chain Security
Don't Let Your Suppliers Be Your Weak Spot: A Guide to Supply Chain Security Your business might have strong security, but hackers are now targeting your suppliers instead. Rather than breaking into well-protected systems, attackers find weaknesses in the software,...
“We Only Called IT Twice in Years” – Why This Common Objection Misses the Point About Managed IT Services.
"We Only Called IT Twice in Two Years" - Why This Mindset Could Be Costing Your Business As a business owner, you wear many hats. You're constantly deciding where to invest your hard-earned money, and every expense needs to justify itself. So when an IT consultant...
Outlook Classic vs Outlook New
How to set up my OneDrive
Setting Up OneDrive and Enabling Backup for Key Folders This guide will walk you through setting up OneDrive and configuring it to back up important folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures to the cloud.Please follow these steps on both your desktop and laptop...
Protecting your fort: The Crucial Role of Cyber Resilience Centres and the National Cyber Security Centre
Security Warning: Are Former Employees Still Accessing Your Systems?
What’s easy to overlook but could leave your business open to cyber attacks? Unused logins. Yep, something as simple as failing to delete an old account could have serious costs for your business…
Pick up where you left off, in Windows 11. New Feature.
If you work on your phone while you’re on the move, it can be a hassle to find the right file once you’re back at your PC. Here we tell you about a cool new feature coming to Windows 11 that will help.
Beware this malware: It “annoys” you into handing over login details
A sneaky new malware wants to annoy you into giving up your login details. It locks your browser in full screen mode, making you think you’re trapped… But you can easily escape and we’ll tell you how…
1 in 3 backups are a nightmare. Act now don’t lose your crucial data.
Your business data is backed up and recovery tools are in place. So, your data is safe, right? Sadly… not always. Here’s why we recommend backups are checked regularly..
Reverse image search – search online with images
Think the Windows 11 Photo app has little use in your business? Visual Search with Bing is about to change that, with some very useful new functionality… Find out more here.
Have you left the back door open, again? Off board ex-employees.
Here is our quick template to get you started. You'll need to map our your processes and systems access and we'd be happy to help.Why an employee onboarding and offboarding checklist is critical for your business New clients are almost always surprised when we create...
Is your email signature open to attack?
Email is one of the critical targets of cyber attacks. Your email signature could leave your customers and colleagues open to attack; read our free guide to determine how to minimise the risks.
How to beat the Blue Screen of Death
Is the blue screen of death costing you money?
Is your communication strategy stifling your profit?
Communication strategy - is yours killing your profit? Creating an effective communication strategy is crucial for the success of any small business. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you develop a robust communication plan and leverage the right tools to...
Who is listening to your conversations? Act Now.
Who’s listening to your conversations? Digital chit chat. When you use a digital device connected to the internet such as smartphones or laptops they’re constantly chattering away sending and receiving data with their digital chums. They do this to send and receive...
Act now. Windows 11 could become insecure.
Have you updated to the latest version of Windows 11 yet? If not, it’s time to act – Microsoft has announced when it will end support for older versions (and it’s soon!).
VOIP – Affordable, flexible phone systems
VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol – Telephone Systems that use the Internet. In the UK, BT is in the process of turning off traditional PSTN phone lines, so the old home landline will be a thing of the past. The current target date for completion is January 2027,...
Acceptable Use Policy: set clear boundaries for your team.
Your staff are a fantastic asset and a significant weakness in your business. With technology forming a major part of day-to-day roles, we need to regulate its use in the workplace. Tech used well will grow and develop your business; tech used poorly could kill it. An...
Is your computer slow? Manage your startup apps.
Your PC might be frustratingly slow because too many applications are starting up when you hit the power button. Windows 11 has a new solution to tell you when new apps are added to your startup list. We have all the details.
Are you worried about data leaks? Microsoft Edge could save your blushes.
Keeping your data away from the wrong hands is a big challenge. But thanks to Microsoft Edge for Business, it’s just become easier. Here we tell you why.
Ransomware attacks are spiralling – here’s how to defend your business
After years of decline, ransomware attacks are on the rise again. And more businesses are being targeted. It’s time to protect your data. Here we explain how.
Your employees are the first line of defence. Missed opportunity?
Do you have a positive culture around cyber security? Encourageing your team to report suspicious emails and actiivrty is a huge part of your cyber security strategy.
Professional IT Support for Dentists
Like any other small business, running a dental practice is hard. Have you considered how professional IT services could make your life easier and your business more efficient? With the right Professional IT Support for your Dental Practice, you will: Protect your...
Green IT: boost your business resilience and scalability with ethical technology.
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_video link="https://youtu.be/dJxRDZ3f2_o" css=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text css=""] Green means go. Have you considered your green credentials and how refurbished PCs, Laptops, and servers could help you or...
Recover from a cyber attack with this free guide.
Ever been caught out by a low laptop battery at the worst possible time? Here’s our professional advice to prolong your laptop battery’s lifespan.
Look after you laptop battery and it’ll live longer.
Ever been caught out by a low laptop battery at the worst possible time? Here’s our professional advice to prolong your laptop battery’s lifespan.
Passwords. Essential but a pain in the backside!
Struggling from password overload? You’re not alone, and it’s putting your business at risk of data theft. Good news: There’s a very simple solution and we’ll tell you all about it.
Cyber Security Training Once a Year Isn’t Cutting It
You’re wasting your time on annual cyber security training. Why? Because it’s simply not cutting it anymore. Discover a better plan here.
One email and it’s all gone. Save your business now.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Were you aware that just one email could potentially cripple your entire business? Why is that? Well, a staggering 90% of cyber attacks originate from an email. If you and your team heavily rely on email daily, the likelihood of...
Boost Your Productivity with These Microsoft Edge Features
In the never-ending mission to be more productive, the latest Microsoft Edge browser could be a powerful ally. We’re telling you about 3 of its best productivity features.
The New Microsoft Planner: Boosting Productivity for Small and Medium Businesses
Microsoft Planner - seek clarity and share the load. In the ever-evolving landscape of work management tools, Microsoft has unveiled the new Microsoft Planner, a unified experience that seamlessly integrates to-dos, tasks, plans, and projects. Whether you’re a...
Cyber attacks are getting faster and more sophisticated
A new cyber security report has brought some bad news: Cyber attacks are getting stronger, faster, and more sophisticated. We have all the details.
8 Reasons Why Maintaining Your Computer Is a Lot Like Maintaining a Vehicle
Windows PCs running slowly? It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to replace them. There are some other ways you can give things a boost. We’ll tell you how.
Slow computers, a big problem for many business owners.
Windows PCs running slowly? It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to replace them. There are some other ways you can give things a boost. We’ll tell you how.
Ransomware attacks, don’t pay up!
Cyber criminals are giving you more options when it comes to paying your way out of a ransomware attack. Our advice remains the same though. Find out what that advice is here.
Maximise your Microsoft 365 Investment with Staffordshire based IT Support: Microsoft Viva Insights.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Employee Wellbeing? Viva Insights might help. Viva Insights forms part of the wider Viva platform in Office 365. Insights is free on all plans, with some upgrades available for managers and leaders. Microsoft 365 is a suite of...
Free Guide: Safeguarding Your Business Data: The Power of Encryption
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Why Data Security Matters Data is vital to your business. Whether it’s customer information, financial records, or proprietary processes, your data holds immense value. Losing or compromising this data can have severe...
Can better IT Services relieve pressure on Non-profit organisations?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] IT Support Services for nonprofits and Charities. What challenges are charities and non-profit organisations facing? Here are just a few: Financial strain: All small organisations are feeling the pinch; working in over 40 schools,...
Don’t Be Lulled into a False Sense of Security: Cyber Threats Target Businesses of All Sizes
Cyber criminals are targeting businesses of all sizes, all the time. And new research shows just how they’re doing it. We tell you how to stay protected.
Get the most our of your investment – Microsoft Lists
Who loves a good list? Microsoft Lists might be for you. Lists is included in Microsoft 365 Standard Plans and upwards, and as part of our mini-series about getting the most out of Office 365, here is a quick overview. Microsoft Lists is a tool that helps you organise...
This new search feature in Edge is a revolution
Microsoft’s Edge browser has an amazing new search feature that we think is a total game changer, and the most compelling reason yet to switch. We have all the details.
Maximise your investment: Are you getting best value from Microsoft 365?
It’s tough running an SMB. Finding time to wear all the hats is challenging, so we have to delegate some responsibilities, and IT Support can add real value to your company. We’re all about helping you get the most out of your tech, and one thing we can certainly help...
Here’s what’s in store for the last ever Windows ‘Moments’ update
Microsoft will start to roll out its last Windows 11 ‘Moments’ update in a few weeks. After that it’s back to annual updates. We have all the details of the ‘Moments 5’ features you won’t want to miss. .
Microsoft wants you to pay for updates
Microsoft plans to charge for updates to Windows 10 starting next year (2025). We tell you your three options… and which we recommend.
Are you ready for next-gen email security? (YES!)
Sick of spam emails? We have details of a cool new tool to help keep us better protected.
Big enough to serve, small enough to care; local IT support
Local IT Support for Small-Medium Businesses (SMBs) Meet Paula (First photo, left). She's a sheep, a great mother, year after year, and she pretty much looks after herself; read on to find out what else makes her unique and find out how she relates to Local IT...
Growing your business? Please don’t do your own IT.
You can't do it all! Running your business is your thing; doing IT is ours! Your time is better spent on big-picture thinking and strategic work on your business. Delegate your IT and leave it to the professionals! It is also more secure, watch the video to to learn...
New! A better way to find Chrome extensions
The Chrome Web Store’s been given a massive makeover, and it’s all about making your team’s life easier. We have all the details.
Unwrap the gift of knowledge: 5 free AI courses by Microsoft
Microsoft has a little business-boosting gift that you won’t want to miss out on… five free courses about AI. We have the details, and the links to the courses.
An AI-charged blast from the past
Microsoft Paint is all grown up, and it’s making a supercharged comeback thanks to AI. We have all the details
You’re not imagining it, video calls ARE stressful
Video calls stressing you out? You’re not alone. Scientists have warned about the negative effects of too much camera time. We have the solution for your team.
Protect: your business, customers and livelihood with effective backups
Tools like OneDrive and Dropbox are fantastic for collaboration and sharing data; they can even offer a degree of better data security over storing on local devices such as laptops. These tools are not backup solutions, and you need to protect your data with robust...
Is app overload slowing down your team?
How many different apps and chat services are your employees juggling every day? Chances are, it’s making your business less productive. Good news: There’s a simple solution. We have the details.
You’ve heard of Copilot… but what is it?
You might have heard about Microsoft Copilot, but what is it? And will it really make a difference to your workday or business? We explain it all here.
SHOCK STAT: A third of business owners don’t trust their staff
Do you trust your employees with sensitive business data? You might be shocked to learn how many business owners don’t. But why… ? We have the answers.
It’s time to say goodbye to traditional passwords
Passwords could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to Passkeys. If you hate passwords, our latest tech update will make your day…
On the battle front: Protect your business from these cyber security threats in 2024
We’re weeks away from the new year. And this is a great time to start thinking about what needs to get better in 2024. We believe you should allocate a little more of your business’s precious resources on cyber security. Because as technology develops, so do the...
Why Every Small Business Needs to be Protected by Professional IT Support
We understand that having a small business is both exciting and challenging. While you might be an expert in your field, managing the technical aspects of your business can be overwhelming. That's where professional IT support comes into play. In this article, we'll...
Are you using the all-new Teams yet?
Tired of waiting for Teams to load? Microsoft has heard your frustration and has rebuilt it from the ground up. The all-new Teams is faster and uses less memory; we give you all the details
Never mind “can’t teach an old dog new tricks”…
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but what happens when it’s a young pup that needs training? New research on people under 40 has revealed a scary attitude towards cyber security. We tell you more here.
That long password isn’t keeping you better protected
Even passwords of 15 characters can be cracked by cyber criminals. Our latest tech update explains what to do instead
Get ready for another game-changer from Teams
Microsoft is working hard to lead the AI revolution and its latest update to Teams will certainly make it a front-runner. We think the potential is unlimited, here we’ll tell you why.
Protect Yourself and Your Business – A Guide to Password Best Practices
A Guide to Password Best Practices Passwords are the keys to our digital lives. Whether you're logging into your email, social media accounts, or online banking, a strong password is your first line of defence against cyber threats. With the increasing frequency and...
Are you ready for Windows 11 to get even better?
Windows 11 has already boosted our productivity and saved us time, but it hasn’t finished improving our working lives just yet. We have all the details.
Free Guide: Proactive Monitoring – Why bother?
You’re the captain of your own ship. You have an excellent crew behind you. You’re prepared for anything! Or so you thought. Then, one day, a massive digital kraken tentacled its way into your ship's systems, causing havoc. Your lookout was using the crow’s nest as a...
Professional IT Support can improve work life balance
Implementing professional IT support can have a profound impact on an SMB’s staff and work-life balance in several ways: 1. Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Efficient IT support ensures that technology-related issues are resolved promptly, reducing downtime and...
That phishing site? Gone in 600 seconds
This latest stat we learned about phishing websites really surprised us. And it comes with good news about an enhanced way to protect your business. We give you all the details
The end of an era: Goodbye WordPad
How many times have you opened WordPad in Windows when you meant to open Notepad? It looks like that problem will soon be gone for good. We explain why.
Beware these “too good to be true” Facebook ads
Facebook can be a great platform to advertise your business but criminals have a new scam that you need to be aware of. We tell you what to look out for.
Tempted to test new features before everyone else? DON’T BE!
If you accidentally download a fake beta app, you could put your business at risk. Here we explain why.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) 2023 – Filtering & Monitoring Updates.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 – Filtering & Monitoring Updates. We've had lots of questions and interest in the KCSiE changes for 2023, so we feel it's appropriate to try and address some key concerns and help you find a route for your schools. Firstly,...
321 Backups
321… Backups Protect your business and customers with 321 Backups. You don't need us to tell you that your data is crucial to your business's successful and safe running because, without it, you'll lose your customer contacts, sales opportunities, accounts, product...
IT Support and Strategy for Schools, Academies and MATs
ICT Strategy for Schools, Academies and Multi Academy Trusts We have the privilege of working with some fantastic customers, and it is a true pleasure to share our knowledge and expertise to improve how you work and embrace technology. Working with us to drive your IT...