World Backup Day

World Backup Day

by | Mar 31, 2022 | Managed IT

Imagine turning on your laptop for work on a Monday morning and the screen is blue. You wait…nothing happens. After turning it off and restarting your computer, the blue screen remains. It suddenly hits you that all your videos, presentations, PDF’s, and other data for current and potential clients are on this laptop. So, what happens next?

World Backup Day should serve as a reminder to everyone of the importance digital information plays in our daily lives, and to check up on existing backups to make sure they are being adequately made, and to ensure they can be easily restored. For those who do not currently back up their data regularly, this day should bring data security to their attention. What would happen if you lost your data permanently?

You can work without this fear of losing a document, database, or presentation if you have backups. Backing up data also protects against cyberattack and many other ransomwares.

Why Should I Backup my Data?

Losing your files is a lot more common than you might imagine. It only takes one small accident or failure to destroy all the important data you need. You understand the importance of having a backup if you have ever lost an important file or email, or if your hard drive breaks. It is important to keep accurate and up-to-date information in a safe place for many reasons beyond just a broken hard drive. Consider the increasing number of ransomware attacks popping up around the world, and especially the threat that organizations face when they are targeted.

Backups ensure that your important files are protected from data loss. As an added security measure, you can also encrypt the backup file or storage media.

Easy Recovery

  • Data backup is the most reliable, easiest, and safest way to restore your lost files. Regular backups can restore up to 100% of your files without much trouble. The system will not be able to restore files added, updated, or created between backup cycles.

Saves Organizations

  • Businesses consider data to be their most important asset, and a study found that 60% of businesses collapse after losing data. With regular backup, a business can be assured of data security and continuity in the event of loss.

Peace of Mine

  • You gain a sense of data security when you take regular backups and automate them. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about various factors that can cause data loss.

Time Saving

  • Having a backup saves you a significant number of resources you would otherwise have to spend on restoring lost data. With backups, the restoration process is quick and effortless. Otherwise, you may have to spend several days or weeks restoring your lost data.

 

Data Encryption

Data encryption involves converting plaintext (unencrypted) into ciphertext (encrypted). Encrypted data can be accessed with an encryption key, and decrypted data can be accessed with a decryption key.

How is it used

The purpose of data encryption is to prevent malicious or negligent parties from accessing sensitive data. Encryption is an important component of a cybersecurity architecture; it hinders the use of hijacking data. It can be used to protect a wide range of data, including classified government information and personal credit card transactions. An encryption algorithm or cipher, also known as data encryption software, is used to develop an encrypted scheme that, theoretically, can only be broken with very large amounts of computing power.

 

How to Backup Data

A wide range of backup solutions are available, from free options to servers installed on site. Backup solutions fall into a few major categories:

 

On Cloud:

Cloud backup is any storage of data that is off-site and generally refers to using a third party with redundant data storage to keep the data. The Cloud offers incredible reliability (the data is always available since it is stored in multiple locations), and availability (it can be accessed from anywhere and from any device).

Microsoft OneDrive is an example of cloud storage. OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud-based online storage solution. Users typically get access to OneDrive as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, which includes Microsoft Office and 1TB of storage. You can also get a free OneDrive account with 5GB of space. OneDrive keeps files you create and store on your computer in sync with the cloud. Other devices, such as laptops, phones, and tablets, can be connected to OneDrive, allowing you to keep your files in sync and access them from anywhere.

Another feature of OneDrive is the ability to backup specific locations on your computer to the cloud. If you enable this feature, your desktop files will automatically be backed up in the Documents folder as well as photos in your Pictures folder on OneDrive (etc.), giving you a reliable, automatic backup of your most important files.

Server on Site:

This method is much more traditional since it involves simply having a secondary device (e.g., computer, hard drive, or on-location network storage) in the same location as the original. The benefit of this approach is that it is low cost and is managed by the data owner. However, if something goes wrong in the original location (fire, flood, theft, blackout), the data may be lost along with the original data. With a flash drive, this option is low cost, and data can easily (and cheaply) be backed up to multiple locations (physical flash drives, stored in multiple locations).

Managed cloud:

Managed cloud enables each client to determine which IT (Information Technology) functions they would like to manage themselves and leave everything else to their service provider. These services can include infrastructure and application support. Managed cloud services providers like Toos Technical Solutions offer custom solutions and experience designed to meet your business needs. We help organizations create environments that unite teams and help them refine their world of work, by taking full advantage of the Cloud.

Microsoft Windows 11 Review

Microsoft Windows 11 Review

by | Nov 26, 2021 | Managed IT, Microsoft

In July 2015 Microsoft released what was dubbed “the last version of Windows”. This marked the end of decades of heavy-duty OS updates in favor of a more incremental approach. Seven years later, Microsoft releases Windows 11, the successor to Windows 10, on October 25, 2021. Built on the same core architecture as Windows 10, but with a ton of enhanced features.  

Here’s everything you need to know about Windows 11 to date. 

What’s New? 

There’s more to Windows 11 than just a new collection of wallpaper. There are the usual changes:  

  • new colors and icons 
  • significantly updated Start menu and taskbar 
  • completely redesigned Settings app 
  • widgets pane that delivers news and reminders in bitesize chunks 
  • significantly improved snapping of windows into position   

Thankfully, there are many other improvements and tweaks that make upgrading to the latest OS worthwhile. Let’s look at some standout features. 

  1. Bar to Dock 

Similarly, to Mac OS and many Linux desktop environments, Windows 11’s taskbar can be turned into a dock. Windows 11’s icons can be centered, which is helpful when using it with a touch-enabled device. Traditional taskbar users will still be able to align the Start button and app icons to the left. 

  1. Microsoft Teams  

In Windows 11, a single click on the taskbar can connect you to friends or contacts via text, voice, or video chat. 

This is thanks to Microsoft Teams, which Microsoft positioned as the primary tool for communicating with family, friends, and colleagues in Windows 11. Many users will find that having a built-in videoconferencing solution in the OS is an excellent addition. 

  1. Easily Accessible Snap Layouts and Groups  

The Windows operating system already had the capability of snapping windows to the sides or corners of the screen. The feature is now accessible via a newly added quick menu when hovering over the maximize button in Windows 11. 

What to look out for 

Despite some of the new features of Windows 11, there have been a lot of bugs and concerns from the public. Not everything is rosy. The changes and tweaks in Windows 11 are likely to dissuade many users from upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 right away. 

Here’s what you need to be on the lookout for. 

  1. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Capability 

Even if you have a GPU that can speed up your brand-new desktop, the rest of your PC might not be able to handle it. 

To enjoy a great PC experience, you also need great hardware. Because Windows 11 is a brand new, modern OS, it also requires relatively new and modern PCs. 

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If your PC’s CPU is older than Intel’s 7th generation Core or AMD’s Zen 2, you will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. 

  1. The Taskbar 

When it comes to the taskbar a lot of functionality is missing, especially when it comes to customizing and positioning. Drag and drop to the taskbar are gone; the taskbar can no longer be positioned to the top or sides, and the quick access menu only appears when you right-click the Windows button. 

  1. User Adaptability 

Microsoft promised Windows 11 would resolve some of the limitations of Windows 10, however, some users may have trouble adapting to the new features. The removal of Skype, Cortana, and Paint 3D from Windows 11 may increase its disadvantages. 

Nevertheless, it might be more accurate to use “was” since these applications aren’t built into the operating system anymore. However, you will be able to download, install, and use it as a separate app. 

Change can be scary, and the release of Windows 11 has not been as smooth as Microsoft would have liked, but there are a lot of cool new features to look forward to. 

With Windows 11, businesses will have plenty to look forward to, from features that support new ways of working to enhancements that help keep employees secure. In the post-pandemic landscape, Windows 11 provides value to a wide range of remote workers.  

However, companies and organizations across the globe will need to carefully evaluate whether these advantages are worth the inevitable inconveniences that early adopters will experience.