A quick rundown of the dark web: What your business needs to know

The dark web is often thought of as a hotbed of cybercrime. However, there’s so much more to it than stolen data and shady transactions. It’s important to understand the dark web in terms of potential threats it can pose, as well as common misconceptions about its use.

Dark web: What is it, and does it pose a threat?

While the dark web is a part of the internet, it is hidden from normal users and is not indexed by any search engines. It requires certain configurations and/or special software to be accessed. It is used for a variety of illicit activities, primarily dealing drugs, weapons, and stolen credit card information.

The dark web has been linked to organized crime networks, terrorist groups, and hackers. In fact, cybercrime groups use the dark web to hire IT talents. A recent study by Kaspersky revealed that hacking gangs post job ads for positions such as software developers and “skilled attack specialists” on numerous dark web sites. Many of these job ads offer attractive compensation, with salaries ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 per month, making them irresistible to hackers for hire.

Due to the hidden nature of the dark web, the amount of data shared on it can be difficult to quantify accurately. This makes it more difficult for businesses to trace leaked or stolen information, which could be passing hands on the dark web.

Individuals are also at risk of identity theft or extortion if they have personal information stored on the dark web. For instance, hackers can use login credentials they got on the dark web to launch ransomware and phishing scams on individuals and businesses.

Can the dark web be used for good?

Despite being known as a hub of illegal activity, the dark web offers legitimate (i.e., legal) uses, such as providing platforms that serve as anonymous messaging boards and forums used by whistleblowers and journalists.

For example, some organizations have used the dark web for encrypted communication and other secure activities, such as sharing confidential documents or communicating with sources in repressive countries. It is also possible to use the dark web to host “darknets,” or networks of computers connected through Tor, a free software that anonymizes data and makes it hard for anyone to track its origin.

What are the myths and misconceptions regarding the dark web?

Given its mysterious nature, the dark web is surrounded by numerous myths and misconceptions regarding its existence and purpose. Here are some of the most common ones:

It’s illegal to access the dark web

Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal, as it is just a collection of websites hosted on special networks and services that make them difficult to track. However, any activities carried out on the dark web may be deemed illegal, depending on the jurisdiction.

Its main purpose is to help criminals carry out crimes

While it’s true that criminals may use the dark web to facilitate their criminal activities, this does not mean that it is only used for such purposes. The dark web can be used for a variety of non-illegal activities, such as bypassing censorship laws or accessing content not available to the public.

It’s impossible to be tracked on the dark web

It may be more difficult for someone to track your activities on the dark web, but it is not impossible. This is why it is always best to be mindful of your activities while on the dark web and take precautions to protect yourself from being tracked.

Illegal content is easily accessible on the dark web

Although the dark web provides access to some contraband, it is not as simple as just typing a website’s URL into your browser and obtaining them. The dark web consists of multiple layers, each with different levels of security measures in place.

The dark web and the deep web are the same

The deep web is something else entirely, and the dark web is only a small subset of it.

The dark web is an intriguing and complex ecosystem that can be used for both good and bad. It is vital to stay informed about the potential risks that come with using this ecosystem, as well as the opportunities for conducting secure activities online. Despite the many risks associated with using the dark web, there are ways to protect yourself when using it.

Want to learn more about how you can protect your Utah or Salt Lake City business from numerous threats, including those posed by criminals on the dark web? Request a free consultation from NetWize’s IT security experts today.

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New year, new IT resolutions: What your business should do to improve its technology

The new year is here, and with it comes the chance for a fresh start. For businesses, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the past year and set resolutions to help them improve in the coming one. This includes making resolutions for their IT department. Technology evolves rapidly, and it’s vital to keep up so your business can run as efficiently as possible.

As we move into 2023, there are some critical IT resolutions your business should make to ensure a successful year.

Avoid a disastrous 2023 — have a backup and disaster recovery plan

If a natural disaster strikes, you don’t want your business to be without a plan. This is why in 2023, your business should put in place a backup and disaster recovery (BDR) plan, if it doesn’t already have one. This means having a backup of all your data, as well as a plan for how you will recover if your system goes down.

It can be daunting to develop a BDR plan, but there are numerous resources that can help you get started. And with managed backup solutions widely available to businesses of all sizes, there’s no reason not to implement a backup solution that can help your business survive natural or human-made disasters in the coming year.

Understand where your business tech is headed by creating an IT roadmap

A technology roadmap is a plan that outlines your enterprise’s IT goals, such as improving workflows and collaboration and strategies for achieving them. Having a roadmap will help you stay on track and keep your IT investments aligned with your business objectives.

The new year is an opportune time to create an IT roadmap because it gives you a chance to reflect on the direction you took in the past year and think about where you want your business to go in the future. It’s also a time when budgets are fresh and it makes sense to start new initiatives.

Prioritize having strong passwords

Creating strong passwords is one of the best ways to defend your online accounts in 2023 and beyond. This is why effective password management should be included in your IT resolutions, and it should cover best practices like using strong passwords, changing them regularly, and using different passwords for different accounts. Password management can be tricky, but there are many password managers available that can ease the process.

Keep your devices up to date

This means keeping all the software and hardware of your devices up to date to help protect them from vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. It also helps ensure that your devices are running at optimum performance. Depending on the type of device, there are a few different ways you can go about updating it. For step-by-step instructions on how to update your device, visit the manufacturer’s website.

Rethink your business phones

Businesses should seriously consider switching to a Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, phone system in 2023 because old systems like landlines have become less reliable and are not as feature-rich. Unlike traditional landlines, for example, VoIP systems can be set up to work with your computer, allowing you to make and receive calls from your desktop or laptop. They can also be set up to work with your cell phone and other mobile gadgets, thereby letting you make and receive calls regardless of your location.

Consider work-life balance or work-life integration

When employees are burned out, they are less productive and more likely to commit errors. This can also be costly for businesses — exhausted employees cost US businesses billions of dollars in health-related lost productivity. On the other hand, work-life balance or work-life integration can lead to happier and more satisfied employees. When employees are happy, they are more engaged and productive, and businesses see better results.

There are many ways for businesses to promote work-life balance or integration. Some companies allow employees to work from home occasionally, while others have flexible hours or policies that allow employees to take time off for personal reasons. Whatever your strategy may be to achieve work-life balance, the key is to provide the resources your employees need to function well, whether they’re working in the office, at home, or doing hybrid work. There are applications, programs, and devices that employees can use that are instrumental to promoting work-life balance or integration.

Having a dependable IT team that can handle all your technical issues can also do wonders for productivity. NetWize offers best-in-class technology solutions to businesses in Salt Lake City and across Utah. Partner with us to see your business soar in 2023. Request a free consultation from us today.

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5 Signs that your small business needs technology upgrades

Remember back when we had to wait minutes for our dial-up modems to connect us to the internet? Nowadays, we’re perpetually connected to it — no more waiting necessary. If everyone in your company had to revert to dial-ups, that’ll add up to hours of wasted production hours.

Sticking with old and inefficient tech can essentially have the same effect on your business, but how would you know it’s time for IT upgrades? Here are five signs you need to watch out for:

1. You’ve outgrown past capacities

This is a usually good problem to have because it means that your business is growing. Small firms often use free versions of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) apps. However, once they exceed a certain number of employees and/or need more advanced features, they’ll need to upgrade to paid versions with richer sets of features.

You’ll also need to scale up your tech when your customer base grows. For example, you might need to augment your team of customer service representatives with chatbots that can take FAQs off of your reps’ shoulders. This will enable your agents to take on the increase in complex customer queries — the type that only humans know how to answer.

Business growth also means the generation of more data, such as customer records, order information, and shipping details, among other things. Not only will you need more data storage, but also better data protection and enhanced backup systems.

2. Device repairs and upgrades are costing you more

Often, when your computer is still relatively new, replacing or upgrading worn-down parts is the cost-efficient way to go. However, as more time passes, replacement parts become harder to find and thus more expensive. Furthermore, operating systems and software require greater computing resources that old and obsolete computers don’t have. Such machines will run slow or hang, which leads to costly downtime. Whatever money you think you’re saving by not buying new devices will be quickly exceeded by the money you’ll lose in terms of productivity, paying customers, and opportunities to surpass your competition.

3. You’re missing out on energy cost savings

Beyond providing better performance, newer business computers also offer greater energy efficiency, which leads to substantial cost savings. Heck, some computers can be used by multiple end users. By using such powerful devices, you won’t need to allocate individual computers to each employee, but instead provide them with networked machines called thin clients that consume up to 50 times less electricity.

4. Your business processes have become more complex

Offering a wider array of goods and services, partnering up with other businesses, and expanding to new territories all lead to the adoption of more complex business processes. To illustrate, broadening product lines necessitates factoring in more data variables, such as the sourcing of new materials, construction of new factory machines, and creation of new production workflows. Partnering up with another business means setting up new accounts, communication lines, and protocols for data sharing and ensuring data security. Putting up offices in other countries means complying with varying laws on data storage and handling.

The more intricate your business processes become, the more you’ll need data systems across teams, departments, and business partners to be better integrated and streamlined for the sake of efficiency.

Most businesses take the piecemeal approach to building their IT systems. That is, they build upon their existing infrastructure by adding new tools that may fit their budget and fulfill their business requirements in the short term. However, these often introduce costly incompatibilities and inefficiencies in the long term. Partnering with a top-notch managed IT services provider like [company_short] to upgrade and correct your tech will reduce your costs down the line.

Furthermore, the more intricate your business processes become, the more you’ll need data systems across teams, departments, and business partners to be better integrated and streamlined for the sake of efficiency. Steps like manual data entry and records reconciliation must be automated to make processes faster and less prone to errors. You’ll also want your SaaS tools to work well with one another so that you’ll avoid redundant data processing steps and the formation of data silos. You can do all of this by upgrading your tech with enterprise resource planning in mind. Our IT specialists at [company_short] can help you out in that regard.

5. Your staff members are complaining about their devices

Last but not least, forcing your staff to keep using outmoded machines will frustrate them and cause them needless stress. Managers often underestimate how much their staff resent them whenever they expect a certain level of performance but don’t provide the tools that are sufficient for this purpose.

However, by providing your employees with new computers and adding just a few more minutes of productivity into their day, you’ll realize gains that will eventually pay for the cost of the machines. Not only that, but you’ll also show your staff that you value them and their contribution to the organization and want them to succeed in their roles. All of this will likely boost their morale and motivation to do their best work for the company.

For all of your tech upgrade needs, [company_short] has got you covered. Leave us a message or call us at 801-747-3200 today to learn more.

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What you need to know about Windows 11

Windows 10 is arguably one of the most successful iterations of the Windows operating system (OS). However, Microsoft has never been one to rest on its laurels, which is why it will release Windows 11 this holiday season.

What can we expect from this version of the world’s leading OS? Read on to find out.

1. Windows 11 is a free upgrade for Windows 10

Software licenses aren’t cheap, so the cycle of old software losing support and new software being released has always been a concern for many users who feel that they’re being milked for their money. However, if you’re a Windows 10 user, there’s no need to fret because you can upgrade to 11 for free — provided your computer meets Windows 11’s minimum system requirements.

2. The new OS will feature new visuals

First of all, app icons on the taskbar will, by default, be centered instead of left-aligned, with icons for open and pinned apps appearing to the right of the Start button. This makes reaching that button with the mouse easier, since the user doesn’t have to go all the way down to the bottom left corner every time to do so. However, if you prefer to switch back to the classic left-aligned icon layout, you can do so.

Open windows will feature tightly rounded corners — visual cues that will help users differentiate one window from another. The windows will also feature semi-transparent backgrounds that allow the wallpaper beneath to be partially seen. This refreshing take on an old design is a boon for users who see their wallpapers as digital art.

3. Snap layouts will make setting windows on the screen easy

Windows users have long enjoyed the ability to manually change window dimensions. For added convenience, Windows 11 will let users choose between preset layouts so that apps will easily snap into the right size and onto the right place on the screen.

4. Each user will be able to use multiple virtual desktops

A single Windows 11 license can grant a user different workspaces in the form of virtual desktops (VDs). That is, one particular user may have two VDs — one for work and another for personal use.

To help differentiate between VDs, users can give each one a name. Users can also use different wallpapers and snap layouts so that they’ll have immediate visual cues as to which VD it is they’re using.

5. Widgets will make it easy to get snippets of info

Microsoft is bringing back desktop widgets, which are small apps that feature snippets of information like the weather or news. Widgets can also be tiny apps that let users perform quick functions like adding up numbers on the widget itself — i.e., without having to launch a new window. Users can pick their own widgets, or artificial intelligence can automatically populate widget panels by discerning users’ interests based on their browsing history in Microsoft Edge.

6. Microsoft Teams will be included

The free version of Teams — Microsoft’s popular video conferencing and chat app — will be integrated into Windows 11. By doing this, Microsoft hopes to break Teams’ image as purely a business product and crack the much larger consumer market.

The free version of Teams — Microsoft’s popular video conferencing and chat app — will be integrated into Windows 11.

7. Android apps will be downloadable

Android apps are normally for mobile devices, but now, users want to be able to use these apps on their desktops, too. This is because desktops have much larger screens and can let users avoid cumbersome touchscreen controls. Google did try to make their apps serviceable on Chrome OS, but the apps didn’t look as good or were glitchy. Windows users, on the other hand, had to rely on third-party Android emulators like BlueStacks and Andy.

Microsoft hopes to change this dynamic by teaming up with Amazon and Intel for their Windows 11 release. Users will be able to get apps from Amazon’s Android App Store, which will be added to the Microsoft Store. Downloaded apps will be usable on Windows 11, thanks to Intel’s “Bridge Technology,” which is presumed to be Microsoft’s authorized Android emulator for its new OS.

8. Gamers will gain a better playing experience

Via the Xbox app, video game players will be able play their Xbox games on their Windows 11-powered computer. Two features will vastly improve their experience: DirectStorage and Auto HDR (high dynamic range). DirectStorage prevents lag for games whose data packets are delivered to the graphics cards from storage. Auto HDR, on the other hand, significantly improves graphics quality over SDR (standard dynamic range) with enhanced brightness and a wider range of colors to make contrasting hues more pronounced.

9. OS performance will be better

Microsoft promises performance improvements, such as:

  • Faster wake-ups from sleep, sign-ins via Windows Hello, and web browsing
  • Enhanced security
  • Smaller and more efficient OS updates that will occur in the background
  • Greater energy efficiency that prolongs battery life
  • Higher-quality audio and haptic feedback for stylus
  • Improved voice typing functionality
  • Touch-optimized experience

Worried about shifting to Windows 11? Don’t fret — let our Microsoft experts at [company_short] help you out. Leave us a message or call us at 801-747-3200 today.

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The niftiest features and benefits of Microsoft Teams Phone

Microsoft wants you to do everything on their software platforms — and this now includes making and taking phone calls, thanks to Microsoft Teams Phone. This is a powerhouse of a telecommunications solution, so let’s take a look at some of its niftiest features and benefits.

Use auto attendants, call queues, and call escalation

Let’s begin this list with features you’ve come to expect from top-notch Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions:

  • Auto attendant – Routes callers directly to the person or department they want to reach without having to go through a receptionist or an operator first.
  • Call queues – Treat callers to custom greetings and play pre-recorded messages or music while they’re on hold.
  • Call escalation – Easily turn a one-on-one call into a group call with video, screen sharing, and other features.

More of the usual (and not-so-usual) VoIP features can be found in this Microsoft document.

Do away with desk phones — or use feature-rich ones

Why spend extra on a fleet of desk phones when you can simply enroll internet-connected devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, and mobile phones, to Microsoft Teams Phone? If you’re just setting up your telecommunications with Microsoft Teams, you won’t necessarily need desk phones, which means savings from the get-go.

However, if for some reason your team needs to use desk phones and conference room audio devices, there are plenty that are certified to work with Microsoft Teams. Teams-certified desk phones and devices have plenty of innovative features, such as:

  • Authentication – For the sake of security, don’t let just anybody use your phones. Have phone agents sign in by entering their access credentials on the desk phone or other devices such as their mobile phone or PC.
  • Hot desking – When a user signs in to a Teams-certified phone, they gain access to their list of contacts and meetings, and their preferences would be applied on that device. Once they’re done using the phone, they can sign out so that the device would be ready for the next user.
  • One-touch join – This allows users to view their schedules and easily join meetings by just pressing a button.

Did you know? To enroll your telephony device to Microsoft Teams Phone, just sign in to your Microsoft Teams account on that device. It’s that easy!

Microsoft is partnering with more and more device manufacturers so that you can equip your staff with the phone they need to efficiently do their jobs, while enabling your managers to easily oversee them.

Easily monitor and enhance call quality

When problematic calls are reported, Teams’ call analytics enables admins and help desk agents to look into those specific calls to diagnose connection and call quality issues. Admins can also check the call quality dashboard to get a network-wide view of the performance of your Microsoft Teams Phone system.

Teams also has a feature called Quality of Service (QoS), which keeps calls from breaking up and video chats from freezing. This works by prioritizing the delivery of delay-sensitive network traffic such as voice calls and video conferencing streams. That is, QoS allows data packets from delay-sensitive network traffic to cut in line ahead of other data packets that can afford to be delayed, such as those from app downloads.

Easily port existing phone numbers or obtain and assign new numbers for users

If you have existing phone numbers from another service provider, simply send a letter of authorization (LOA) to Microsoft and they will handle transferring your numbers for you.

If you need new numbers for users in Utah, then using the Microsoft Teams admin center ought to be sufficient. In fact, you can pretty much rely on the admin center to get phone numbers for different countries and regions and comply with their rules and regulations.

However, for cases when you can’t get new numbers by using the admin center, or when you need to apply specific area codes or want to use vanity numbers, just send an LOA to Microsoft. They’ll take care of your request from there.

Have someone receive a call for you when you’re busy

There are times when you can’t take or make a call personally, but you don’t want to miss responding to people either, especially when they are important clients. Thankfully, Microsoft Teams Phone has the Delegate feature, which is a way for you to have a Teams member receive and make calls on your behalf.

Let NetWize help you leverage the Microsoft services that will best benefit your business. Leave us a message or call us at 801-747-3200 today.

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What Does it Take to Become a Dell Premier Partner

At NetWize, we are proud to have partnerships with many reputable companies, such as Microsoft, HP and Cisco. One partnership we’d like to highlight is Dell, one of our Premier Partners. What does it take for a business to join these ranks, and what are the advantages? You are about to find out!

In order to first become a Dell Partner, a business must possess three essential things: an active website, an email that is tied to the business and a valid certificate for reselling. Once you move up to Preferred Partner status, there are additional requirements, like completing at least one PartnerDirect competency, in areas such as storage, cloud computing or systems management, and certain level of sales over the previous four quarters upon completion of core competencies. The next level of partnership is Premier Partner, which is what we are here at NetWize. Premier Partners require two or more completed competencies, with at least $750,000 in sales in the previous four quarters, as well as the completion of one Dell Solutions training course. In addition, Premier Partners must display the PartnerDirect Premier Partner logo on their website (something we take pride in doing).

Once you have moved up the ranks, there are many advantages to be had. Dell Premier partners have access to active Channel management, field marketing, and engineering teams. They also engage with the Dell direct account managers to ensure that their clients are receiving the very best possible service, pricing, and support.  In addition, Dell works closely with its Premier partners to ensure that they are trained and up to date on all products and services and that the partner understands the Dell product roadmap.

In addition to being a Dell Premier Partner, NetWize is also a Dell GeoPartner. GeoPartner is a relatively new program that allows Dell direct sales representatives to leverage local partners to deliver services. The local partner delivers the service under the Dell banner, thus broadening Dell’s service reach. There is a relatively small number service providers included in the program, and Dell isn’t necessarily looking for hundreds of partners to join. Instead, they want to select companies, like NetWize, who have the specific skill sets that can meet the needs of its customers.

Ready to work with an IT provider who can assist you in many different areas? Contact NetWize today!

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We are Microsoft Gold Certified

At NetWize we know that having outstanding I.T. support is vital, yet difficult to find. This is one of the reasons why NetWize has invested in becoming a  Microsoft Gold Certified partner. But what exactly does that mean, and how can this benefit your business? Microsoft Gold Certified partners are  able to provide and implement Microsoft best practice solutions by skilled engineers so your I.T. runs like a well-oiled machine.

In order to become a certified partner, a company must first demonstrate a superior level of certification, capabilities and implementations. Once reached, they can then be considered (and possibly chosen) to become a gold certified partner. Once approved, a company has proven that they have the credibility needed to partner with Microsoft, one of the world’s largest software providers.

Simply put, Microsoft Gold Certified partners are independent companies that are able to provide the highest level of technical knowledge and expertise. When opting for a managed service provider, it is important to keep their level of expertise in mind. After all, you want your technology to be in the best possible hands, right? With a Microsoft Gold certification, you can positively trust their services and knowledge because they  have proven themselves to become a certified partner.

Microsoft Gold Certified also partners have a close working relationship with Microsoft so they receive direct support from them while working on your projects.  That also means you can be confident you are receiving the best service available in regards to your technology.

Interested in learning how we can put our Microsoft expertise to work for you?  Contact NetWize today!

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