Reliable Networks Blog

MSPs can focus on issues you don’t have time for

April 10, 2025 No Comments

MSPs can focus on issues you don’t have time for

Every business relies on technology to function. From simple things like email, VoIP, and the internet, all the way to predictive analytics for inventory and sales, digital technology is at the root of every business. Unfortunately, no matter how much small- to medium-sized businesses may rely on their IT infrastructure to operate, they often try to “get by” with their in-house IT staff to keep things running. In this blog, we will discuss the value a Managed Service Provider brings to an SMB: a value that cannot be replicated in-house.

First, it is important for a business owner to realize that an IT infrastructure is not a static entity. Nothing is “plug-and-play” in today’s business environment. There is no “build it and forget it.” Because everyone relies on technology that must be running 24/7, businesses need to be proactively monitoring the performance and availability of critical infrastructure, such as servers and networks. There are just so many things a business has to worry about. Cyber criminals are always coming up with new threats, so anti-virus software isn’t enough. Consequently, active endpoint monitoring needs to be happening around the clock.

So, why is an SMB limited in its ability to meet all of its technology needs in-house? One reason is management focus. Business owners need to focus on core competencies. They need to focus on running the business and producing revenue-driving goods or services in their area of expertise. Diverting focus to managing an IT team in-house may not be an ideal use of their time. It may also not be an ideal use of their skills. Additionally, resources are limited, and an SMB loses the advantages of economies of scale when it tries to do everything in-house. In a smaller operation, IT staff often need to focus on day-to-day functions, including putting out fires. This limits their time to think strategically and determine ways that technology can innovate and keep the business competitive in the longer run.

So what can an MSP offer that the in-house IT staff cannot?

A Managed Service Provider is staffed by IT practitioners whose sole focus is technology. Many focus only on specific industries. This means that your MSP organization is composed of individuals who have specialized experience and training in one specific area of technology such as cyber security, cloud computing or network infrastructure. MSPs also have the resources to invest in continuous training and professional development. That means keeping up with the latest developments in technology and emerging trends. If focused on one industry, they analyze competitive changes in that industry and how technology can provide strategic advantages for their clients. MSPs also can set aside time for attending conferences, webinars, and networking events to share knowledge and stay ahead in their field. They are also more likely to have the resources to provide their consultants with access to professional publications and newsletters.

Why is this so important? First, analyzing present problems and performing routine maintenance tasks isn’t necessarily “routine.” New threats and changes can create disruption in existing configurations. (Anyone who has downloaded a new software upgrade is aware of that!) Secondly, in-house tech staff, except for those in the largest organizations, are more task focused than strategic. This isn’t due to a lack of awareness of the value of planning and development. It is primarily a resource problem that is inherent to SMBs. Unfortunately, the result is that in-house staff may not be able to contribute at a strategic level, thus limiting the ability of the organization’s leadership to incorporate new technology into long term plans.

How Much Device Storage You Need: A Comprehensive Guide

April 10, 2025 No Comments

Device storage decides how many applications, photos, and files you can retain on your device. When you run out of storage, it can affect your productivity and device performance. But finding the right storage amount isn’t always easy. 

We can underestimate what we need or get too much storage. This guide will help you figure out how much storage is actually needed. 

What is Device Storage?

Device storage refers to space on the phone, tablet, or computer. The device storage stores all your data such as apps, photos, videos, and documents. When you fill up your storage space, you can no longer save videos and documents. In that case, you would need to pay for additional storage or get a new device. 

There are two major types of storage:

  • Internal Storage: This is a built-in device. It can’t be removed, and is usually faster compared to external storage.
  • External Storage: This includes SD cards and USB drives, which can be added or removed. They give you more space but may be slower.

Different devices come with various storage options. Let’s look at some common ones:

  • Smartphones: Most smartphones start at 64GB. High-end models can have up to 1TB. iPhones don’t have SD card slots. Many Android phones do.
  • Tablets: Tablets typically range from 32GB to 256GB. Some have slots for memory cards if you need more space.
  • Laptops: Laptops tend to contain 128GB to 1TB of storage. You can generally upgrade that later.
  • Desktops: Desktop computers can have really large storage. 1TB to 4TB is common. You can easily add more if needed.

How Much Storage Do You Really Need?

It can be difficult to know how much storage you really need. Many people get too much or too little storage. Your storage needs depend on how you use your device. Let’s look at some common user types:

Basic users

If you mostly browse the web and use simple apps, 64GB might do the job. This is enough for: 

  • Email
  • Social media 
  • Light photo taking 

Average users

For people who take lots of photos and use many apps, 128GB to 256GB works best. This covers:

  • Many apps
  • Photo libraries
  • Some video storage

Power users

If you work with large files or store lots of media, you need 512GB or more. This is for:

  • Video editing
  • Large game libraries
  • Huge photo collections

Professional users

Some jobs need even more space. 1TB or more is common for:

  • 4K video production
  • Large datasets
  • Professional photo editing

How Can You Manage Device Storage Better?  

You can optimize your storage to avoid running out of space. Here are some tips; 

  • Use cloud storage: Services like Google Drive or iCloud can store your files online and save device space. 65.2% of people use cloud storage as their primary storage. 
  • Delete unused apps: Remove apps you don’t use. They take up space and might slow down your device.
  • Clear cache regularly: Many apps store temporary files. Clearing these can free up space.
  • Use streaming services: Stream music and videos rather than download them. That saves a lot of space.

What Takes Up the Most Storage?

Some things use more storage than others. Here are the biggest storage users:

  • Videos: Videos are space hungry. A 1-hour 4K video can take up 7GB or more.
  • Photos: Photos take less space compared to videos. However, they accumulate rather fast. 1000 high-quality photos may take up 5GB.
  • Games: Modern games are huge. Some can be over 100GB each.
  • Apps: Most apps are small. But some, like editing tools, can be very large.

What to Do If You Run Out of Storage?

If you run out of space, you can add more storage by using SD cards or an external drive. This is a great option instead of buying a new device. If possible, change your device for one with higher storage. An upgrade will give you more space internally. 

You can also put more files in the cloud with cloud storage solutions. Some popular options are Google Drive and Dropbox. This frees up more space on your device. 

How to Choose the Right Storage for Your Next Device

When buying a new device, keep in mind how many photos and videos you take, how many apps or games you download, and whether you work with big files. Choose a device that will have enough storage for your needs. It’s better to have too much than too little.

Now you are aware of much more about device storage. You can make a better choice for your next device. Your needs may change over time, so it’s usually wise to get more storage than you think you need.

Do you still have questions about device storage? Contact us for personalized advice. We are here to help you find the right device with just the right amount of storage.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Spotting the Difference Between Malware and Ransomware

April 5, 2025 No Comments

Malware and ransomware are two types of bad software. They can damage your computer or steal your data. Downloading this harmful software comes with serious consequences. In 2024, there were more than 60 million new strains of malware found on the internet. 

This is why it’s critical to understand the difference between them. This article will help you understand both types of threats.

What is Malware?

Malware is a general term that means “malicious software.” It includes many types of harmful programs. Depending on the type, malware can do different bad things to your computer. These are the four main types of malware: 

  • Viruses: These spread from one computer to another.
  • Worms: They can copy themselves without your help.
  • Trojans: They trick you into thinking they’re good programs.
  • Spyware: This type watches what you do on your computer.

Malware can cause a lot of problems. If you get malware on your device, it can: 

  • Slow down your computer
  • Delete your files
  • Steal your personal info
  • Use your computer to attack others

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware. It locks your files or your entire computer, then it demands money to unlock them. It is a form of digital kidnapping of your data.

Ransomware goes by a pretty basic pattern:

  1. It infects your computer, normally through an e-mail or download.
  2. It encrypts your files. This means it locks them with a secret code.
  3. It displays a message. The message requests money to decrypt your files.
  4. You may be provided with a key to unlock the files if you pay. In other cases, the attackers abscond with your money.

As of 2024, the average ransom was $2.73 million. This is almost a $1 million increase from the previous year according to Sophos. There are primarily two types of ransomware:

  1. Locker ransomware: This locks the whole computer.
  2. Crypto ransomware: This only encrypts your files.

How are Malware and Ransomware Different?

The main difference between malware and ransomware is their goal. Malware wants to cause damage or steal info. Ransomware wants to get money from you directly.

While malware wants to take your data, ransomware will lock your files and demand payment to unlock them. Their methods are also different. Malware works in secret and you may not know it’s there. Ransomware makes its presence known so the attackers can ask you for money. 

How Does It Get onto Your Computer?

Malware and ransomware can end up on your computer in many of the same ways. 

These include: 

  • Through email attachments 
  • Via phony websites 
  • Via a USB drive with an infection 
  • From using outdated software 

These are the most common methods, but new techniques are on the rise. Fileless malware was expected to grow 65% in 2024, and AI-assisted malware may make up 20% of strains in 2025. If you get infected by malware or ransomware, it’s important to act quickly. You should know these signs of infection to protect yourself. 

For malware:

  • Your computer is slow
  • Strange pop-ups appear
  • Programs crash often

For ransomware:

  • You can’t open your files
  • You see a ransom note on your screen
  • Your desktop background changes to a warning

How Can You Protect Yourself?

You can take steps to stay safe from both malware and ransomware. First, here are some general safety tips for malware and ransomware: 

  • Keep your software up to date
  • Use strong passwords
  • Don’t click on strange links or attachments
  • Backup your files regularly

For malware specifically, you can protect yourself by using anti-virus programs and being selective with what you download. To stay safe from ransomware, take offline backups of your files and use ransomware-specific protection tools.

What to Do If You’re Attacked

If you suspect that you have malware or ransomware, take action right away. 

For Malware: 

  1. Go offline
  2. Run full anti-virus
  3. Delete infected files
  4. Change all your passwords

For Ransomware: 

  1. Go offline
  2. Don’t pay the ransom (it may not work) 
  3. Report the attack to the police
  4. Restore your files from a backup

Why It Pays to Know the Difference

Knowing the difference between malware and ransomware can help with better protection. This will help you respond in the best way when attacked. The more you know what you are against, the better your chance at taking the right steps to keep yourself safe. If you are under attack, knowing what type of threat it is helps you take quicker action. You can take proper steps towards rectifying the problem and keeping your data safe.

Stay Safe in the Digital World

The digital world can be hazardous. But you can keep safe if you’re careful. Keep in mind the differences between malware and ransomware, and practice good safety habits daily. 

And, if you are in need of help to keep yourself safe on the internet, never hesitate to ask for assistance. For further information on protecting your digital life, contact us. We want to help keep you secure in the face of all types of cyber threats.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Social media at work what could go wrong?

April 3, 2025 No Comments

Social media at work…what could go wrong?

As a business, there is no doubt today that you need to make your presence felt on major social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. But social media also exposes you to cybercriminals. In this post we talk about the steps you can take to ensure your social media account doesn’t become a gateway for cybercriminals to access your data.

Make someone accountable
The first step to a successful and safe social media experience as a company is to make someone in your organization accountable for it. Designate a social media manager who is responsible for maintaining your company’s social media accounts. This person should oversee everything–from the posts and pictures in your company account to approving/disapproving ‘Friend’/’Follow’ requests.

Train your employees
Of course you should train your employees who handle your official social media accounts about the security threats and how they need to steer clear of them, but you also need to train other employees who are not on your social media team as they could be a weak link that a cybercriminal could exploit to reach your business. Seems far fetched? Not really. A lot of people trust their ‘friends’ on social media and also unwittingly share a lot of information, which can be used to hack their personal accounts and devices, which in turn, may act as a gateway to your business. Teach your employees about general social media best practices in terms of security and also educate them about the privacy settings they can use to ensure there data is shared with trusted individuals only.

Take the necessary security measures
Make sure the devices you use to access your social media accounts are protected with firewalls and anti-malware tools and all security updates and patches are up-to-date.

Password hygiene
Practice good password hygiene and encourage your teams to do the same. That means no password sharing, no sequential letters/numerals, no obvious words or numbers as your social media account password.

Frame a social media policy
You should also frame a social media policy that spells out the dos and don’ts of social media that everyone in your organization should follow. This is important from various perspectives as employee’s statements on social media may be perceived as a reflection of your business’s values, whether you like it or not. This can make your business a target of cybercriminals and lawsuits.

Putting your business out there on the social networking sites gives your brand a lot of exposure, presents paid advertising opportunities and even helps you build and manage customer relationships, but as discussed, it can be tricky to navigate in terms of security. Businesses may find it overwhelming to manage their social media security strategy all by themselves can reach out to a managed services provider. An MSP with experience in social media security can be a valuable asset in helping you build a strong social media security strategy.

7 Ways Using AI for Work Can Get Complicated

March 30, 2025 No Comments

AI is going to change how we work. It can make some tasks easier. But it can also cause problems. Let’s look at some ways AI can make work tricky.

What is AI and how does it affect work?

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. The computer systems are actually able to do the things that normal and regular human intelligence can do. It can support so many jobs. It can write, analyze data, and can even create art. 

But it is not perfect-it also can go wrong. 

Where can AI go wrong?

Incorrect Information

AI sometimes provides wrong information. It may mix up facts or use data that is too old. This can cause huge problems in the workplace.

Weird outputs

AI can also make strange mistakes. It may write utter nonsense or create odd images. This can be a waste of time and cause confusion.

Can AI be biased?

Yes, AI can be biased. It learns from data given to it by humans. If that data has bias in it, then the AI will too. This can lead to unfair decisions in the workplace.

How does AI affect jobs?

Job loss

Some people fear that AI will steal their jobs. It can perform certain tasks more quickly and for less money than humans. This could result in fewer jobs in some industries.

New skills needed

AI also needs workers to acquire new skills. Workers need to learn to work with AI, which can be challenging for some workers.

Is AI always reliable?

No, AI is not always reliable. It can malfunction or break down. This causes a big problem if the workers are dependent on it and it fails.

How does AI affect teamwork?

AI can alter how teams work. Certain tasks become solo work with AI. This may decrease teamwork and creativity.

What about privacy and AI?

AI requires a lot of data to function properly, which can raise several privacy concerns. Workers may be concerned that AI will view their personal information or work habits.

Yes, AI can create legal issues. There are questions about who owns work created by AI. There are also concerns about AI making biased decisions.

How can we use AI safely at work?

To use AI safely at work:

  • Check AI outputs carefully
  • Keep humans in charge of big decisions
  • Train workers to use AI well
  • Have clear rules for AI use
  • Stay up-to-date on AI laws

Get Started with AI at Work

AI can be helpful at work, but it’s not perfect. We have to use it with care. If you have questions about using AI at your job, contact us today. We can help you use AI in a smart and safe way.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.