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Are You Leaving Your Office Door Open?

Thomas Fox is president of Tech Experts, southeast Michigan’s leading small business computer support company.

If you left your office door unlocked overnight, would you sleep well? Knowing anyone could walk in and help themselves to anything?

Probably not.

But here’s the thing: If your business isn’t using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), that’s pretty much what you’re doing – but online. You might have a password in place… these days that’s not enough to keep out the bad guys.

MFA is like adding a second lock to your digital door. It means that even if someone guesses or steals your password, they’ll hit another roadblock. That second “factor” could be a code sent to your phone, your fingerprint, or a quick tap on a special app.

Simple for you, but a nightmare for cyber criminals. Why is this so important?

Because cyber criminals love going after weak targets, and passwords are often the easiest way in. They can crack them using software or steal them in phishing scams (those fake emails asking for your login).

Once they’re in, they can wreak havoc… stealing sensitive data, locking you out of your accounts, or even demanding money to give you access back. No one has time for that.

So, if you’re still relying on just a password, it’s time to level up and follow Microsoft’s lead. Scammers are getting smarter.

Here’s where Microsoft is stepping up. If you use Microsoft 365, you might’ve noticed that the admin center now requires MFA. Why? Because it works. That extra layer of security makes it significantly harder for anyone to break in.

Yes, it adds one extra step to your login process, but it’s a small price to pay for keeping your business safe. Think of it like upgrading from a basic lock to a high-tech security system. It’s not just about protecting your own accounts – it’s about safeguarding your team, your clients, and your reputation.

And honestly, setting up MFA is so quick and straightforward, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

But MFA makes their job a whole lot harder. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your business – and sleep better at night knowing your “digital doors” are locked tight.

Need help getting this set up? Give us a call at (734) 457-5000, or email info@mytechexperts.com.

Malware And Ransomware: What You Need To Know

Bad software comes in many forms, but two of the most serious threats businesses face today are malware and ransomware. These types of malicious programs can damage your computers, steal sensitive data, and cause serious downtime. Understanding the difference between malware and ransomware — and how they operate — is essential to protecting your business.

Malware is the general term used to describe any “malicious software” designed to cause harm. It includes a wide variety of programs that can corrupt your files, steal your personal information, or even use your computer to attack other systems.

Some common types of malware include viruses, which spread from one computer to another; worms, which can replicate themselves without any action from you; trojans, which disguise themselves as legitimate programs to trick you; and spyware, which secretly monitors your activity.

The damage malware causes can vary widely. It may slow down your system, delete important files, steal your private information, or give control of your computer to cybercriminals. Some malware quietly operates behind the scenes without you ever knowing, while others cause immediate and noticeable problems.

Ransomware, on the other hand, is a specific type of malware that takes your data hostage. It works by locking your files — or sometimes your entire computer — and demanding payment to unlock them.

Think of it as a digital form of kidnapping. Ransomware usually finds its way into your system through infected emails, suspicious downloads, or compromised websites. Once inside, it encrypts your files and displays a message demanding payment for the decryption key.

Sometimes, even paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get your files back, as some attackers simply take the money and disappear.

There are two main types of ransomware. Locker ransomware locks you out of your entire computer, making it unusable. Crypto ransomware specifically targets your files, encrypting them while leaving the system itself accessible. Both types are disruptive and can severely impact business operations.

While malware and ransomware share some similarities, their goals and behaviors differ. Malware is often designed to operate silently, focusing on stealing data or causing long-term harm without immediate detection.

Ransomware, however, is loud and upfront. It wants you to know it’s there because the demand for payment is the whole point.

Unfortunately, malware and ransomware have many ways of sneaking into your business. They often arrive through infected email attachments, fake websites, compromised USB drives, or outdated software with security holes.

Staying protected means keeping your systems updated, using strong passwords, being cautious with links and attachments, and regularly backing up your data.

Knowing the difference between malware and ransomware isn’t just technical trivia — it can make a big difference. The better you understand these threats, the more prepared you’ll be to prevent them.

And if you ever do fall victim to an attack, identifying what you’re up against will help you respond more effectively and minimize the damage.

If you’re unsure whether your business is fully protected or need help strengthening your defenses, get in touch.

We’re here to help you stay secure.

Is Your Business Hardware Holding You Back?

Your business hardware – your computers, printers, and other tech that keeps your day running smoothly – is easy to take for granted.

When they’re working fine, you don’t give them much thought. But how often should you stop to think about whether they’re performing at their best?

The truth is, properly maintaining your hardware is crucial for your business’s success.

Just like a car needs regular servicing to keep running smoothly, your tech requires attention too. Dust can build up inside computers, slowing them down or even causing overheating.

And those software updates that seem like a hassle are often designed to keep your devices working efficiently and securely. If your hardware isn’t looked after, its performance will suffer, costing you time and money.

Sometimes, though, maintenance and repairs aren’t enough.

If your hardware is old or outdated, it could be holding your business back. For example, older computers often struggle to run modern software, leading to frustrating delays and crashes. Worse still, outdated hardware can be a security risk as it may not be compatible with the latest updates designed to protect you from cyber threats.

When you’re facing a decision between repairing or replacing hardware, consider the bigger picture. Repairs might seem cheaper upfront, but if your device is slowing down productivity or constantly breaking, it could end up costing more in the long term.

Investing in new equipment might feel like a big expense, but it can save you money and stress down the line – and give your business a competitive edge.

Outdated hardware doesn’t just affect performance; it can also impact your team’s morale and your customers’ experience. No one enjoys battling with slow computers or unreliable printers. Keeping your tech up to date makes sure everything runs smoothly, keeping your team happy and your business efficient. You’ll see gains in customer service, too.

So, take a moment to think about your hardware. Is it running smoothly, or is it time for an upgrade? The right investment now can save you headaches – and money.

The Hidden Cost of Slow Internet In Your Business

For most businesses today, Internet access is as essential as electricity or running water. You likely rely on it for everything from email and file sharing to customer service, video conferencing, and cloud-based software.

However, many business owners don’t realize the true impact of slow or unreliable Internet until it starts costing them real money – in ways that often go unnoticed.

The most obvious cost is lost productivity. Every time an employee has to wait for a large file to download, a cloud-based application to load, or a video call to stabilize, time is wasted.

Multiply that by every employee, every day, and the wasted hours pile up quickly. Over the course of a year, slow Internet could cost you hundreds – if not thousands – of lost work hours. Even small delays add up when they happen repeatedly, creating frustration for your team and potentially delaying projects or client deliverables.

Beyond wasted time, slow Internet also creates friction in customer interactions. Have you ever been on a video call that froze mid-conversation or suffered through choppy audio during a sales pitch?

Poor call quality, dropped meetings, and delayed responses caused by Internet issues can damage your professional image.

Clients and prospects expect seamless communication, and when technology gets in the way, they may quietly question whether you’re equipped to handle their business effectively.

Slow Internet also has a hidden impact on your IT systems. Many businesses depend on cloud-based backups to protect valuable data, but if your connection is unreliable or slow, backups may fail or not complete on time.

This leaves your data vulnerable, exposing you to additional risk if something goes wrong. Software updates can also be affected.

Outdated or incomplete updates due to poor connectivity can open up security gaps, leaving you exposed to cyber threats.

You might assume that upgrading your Internet service is as easy as calling your provider and ordering a faster plan – but it’s not always that simple.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) often complicate the process with confusing contract terms, service level agreements, and pricing structures that may not be optimized for your actual needs.

You could end up paying for more than you require, or worse, not enough to meet your business’s demands.

The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our team can actively manage your ISP relationship on your behalf. We help clients with Internet upgrades, whether it’s improving speed at your existing location, getting Internet installed properly at a new office, or evaluating multiple options to find the best fit.

We also specialize in negotiating with ISPs to improve pricing or rewrite outdated contracts. In fact, many of our clients discover they’ve been overpaying for years – sometimes without even realizing it.

Upgrading or optimizing your Internet connection isn’t just about faster browsing speeds – it’s about empowering your business to operate more smoothly, reduce downtime, and keep your team productive and your clients happy.

Where so much depends on reliable connectivity, investing in your Internet is one of the simplest ways to gain a competitive advantage.

If you’ve been struggling with slow speeds, service interruptions, or if you suspect you might be overpaying, reach out to us.

We’ll evaluate your current setup, recommend improvements, and even handle the ISP negotiations for you — so you can get back to focusing on your business without worrying about the fine print.

Do Your Cyber Security Plans Fall Short?

Thomas Fox is president of Tech Experts, southeast Michigan’s leading small business computer support company.

When it comes to cyber security, many small businesses are caught off guard. Not only when cyber attacks happen… but also by what to do next.

A solid cyber security plan isn’t just about preventing attacks. It’s about knowing how to respond if the worst happens.

Cyber attacks often target smaller businesses because criminals know they’re less likely to have robust defenses in place.

The most common threats include phishing (fake emails or messages that trick you into sharing sensitive information) and malware (malicious software that can steal data or shut down your systems).

You can’t stop these risks entirely, but you can reduce your chances of being hit by:

Training your team: Make sure everyone knows how to spot phishing emails, avoid dodgy downloads, and use strong passwords. This is your first line of defense.

Keeping software updated: Regular updates for apps and systems fix security flaws that cyber criminals might exploit.

Using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security, like a one-time code sent to your phone, making it harder for attackers to get in.

But even the best defenses aren’t foolproof. That’s why your cyber security plan also needs to cover what happens if you’re attacked. Without a plan, an incident can cause panic, downtime, and serious financial loss. Here’s what you should have in place:

A response team: Decide in advance who will handle the situation – your IT team, an outside expert, or both?

Backup systems: Regularly back up your data and store it securely. If ransomware locks your files, backups can mean you won’t lose everything.

A communication plan: Know how you’ll inform your team, customers, and any necessary authorities about the breach. Remember, cyber security isn’t just for big companies. A single attack could be enough to seriously damage your business. By planning ahead, you’re not just protecting your data, you’re safeguarding your reputation and your future.

We help businesses create their own plans for defense and remediation. If we can help you too, get in touch.

Is Your Business Prepared for a Cyber Disaster?

Imagine walking into your office tomorrow morning to find that your entire network is down. Your files are inaccessible, client data is missing, and your email system is unresponsive. You scramble to troubleshoot, only to realize your company has fallen victim to ransomware.

What happens next?

For too many businesses, the answer is panic. Without a solid business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) plan, an unexpected cyberattack, power failure, or hardware crash can bring operations to a grinding halt. The longer the downtime, the more damage is done—not just financially, but to your reputation as well.

Downtime is costly – and avoidable

Every minute your business is offline costs money. Missed sales, delayed projects, lost customer trust—it all adds up quickly. According to industry reports, even a single hour of downtime can cost small businesses thousands of dollars. For larger organizations, the losses can skyrocket into six figures.

While cybersecurity measures like firewalls and email security tools help prevent attacks, they don’t eliminate risk entirely. What matters just as much is how quickly your business can recover.

The key components of a strong BCDR plan

A well-designed BCDR plan isn’t just about having backups—it’s about having a strategy to keep your business running, no matter what happens. Here are the essential components:

Automated, Secure Backups – Regular, offsite backups ensure your files and systems can be restored quickly after an attack, hardware failure, or accidental deletion.

Incident Response Plan – If a disaster strikes, who does what? A clear, documented step-by-step response plan ensures that your team knows how to act fast to minimize downtime.

Cyber Resilience Strategy – Preventive security measures reduce the risk of data loss while redundant systems and cloud-based infrastructure help maintain operations during an outage.

Testing & Drills – Having a recovery plan isn’t enough—it needs to be tested. Simulated attacks and downtime exercises help identify weak points before a real crisis occurs.

What happens without a BCDR plan?

Businesses without a recovery strategy often face severe consequences when disaster strikes:

Permanent data loss – Without proper backups, recovering lost files may be impossible.

Extended downtime – A slow recovery means lost revenue, frustrated clients, and operational chaos.

Reputational damage – Customers expect reliability. If they can’t reach you, they may take their business elsewhere.

Regulatory penalties – Depending on your industry, data protection laws may require businesses to have a recovery plan in place.

Why you shouldn’t wait to put a plan in place

It’s tempting to assume that disasters only happen to other businesses, but cyberattacks, power failures, and hardware issues can strike at any time. Without a plan, even a small incident can escalate into a full-blown crisis.

At Tech Experts, we help businesses design and implement comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plans that keep operations running smoothly—no matter what happens. From secure backups to fast recovery solutions, we ensure that your company is prepared for the unexpected.

Guide To Secure File Storage And Transfers

File storage and transferring hold a very dear place in most people’s lives.

However, the safety of files is really tough to maintain. In this guide, we are going to help you protect your files. We will explore ways to store and send files securely.

What is secure file storage?

Secure file storage protects your files. It prevents others from accessing your files or altering them in any way. Good storage grants protection to your files using locks. You alone can unlock such files.

Types of secure storage

Files can be stored securely in various ways, as listed below.

  • Cloud
  • External hard drives
  • Encrypted USB drives

Cloud storage saves files on the internet. External drives save files on a device you can hold. Encrypted drives use special codes to lock files.

Why is secure file storage important?

Secure storage keeps your information private. It stops thieves from stealing your data. It also helps you follow laws about data protection.

Risks of unsecured storage

Unsecured files can lead to huge troubles, including but not limited to the following:

  • Identity theft
  • Financial loss
  • Privacy breaches

These risks give a reason why secure storage is important. You need to protect your personal and work files.

How can I make my file storage safer?

You can do so many things to make your storage safer, such as:

  • Using strong passwords
  • Enabling MFA
  • Encrypting your files
  • Keeping your software up to date frequently

Strong passwords are hard to guess. Two-factor authentication adds an extra step to log in. Encryption scrambles your files so others can’t read them. Updates fix security problems in your software.

Best practices for passwords

Good passwords are important in keeping your files safer. Here are some tips:

  • Use long passwords
  • Mix letters, numbers, and symbols
  • Don’t use personal info in passwords
  • Use different passwords for each account

What is secure file transfer?

Secure file transfer is a way of sending files safely between individuals or devices. It prevents unauthorized access to files and prohibits modification of files in transit. The better methods of transfer protect the files with encryption.

Common secure transfer methods

Here are several ways to securely transfer files:

  • Secure FTP (SFTP)
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
  • Encrypted email attachments
  • Secure file-sharing services

How to transfer files safely?

These steps will keep your files safer while in transit:

  • Select a secure method of transfer
  • Encrypt the file before you send it
  • Give strong passwords for file access
  • Authenticate the recipient
  • Send the access details separately

How to email attachments safely

  • Encrypt important attachments
  • Use a secure email service
  • Avoid writing sensitive information in the body of an email
  • Double-check the recipient’s email address

Ready to secure your files?

Protect your data from thieves and snoopers. Use strong passwords, encryption, and safe methods of transfer.

Feel free to reach out today and let us walk you through setting up safe systems for your files to take the next step in protecting critical data.

Protect Your Business From Email Fraud With DMARC

Email is the backbone of modern business, but it’s also one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to attack.

If you’ve ever received a fake email that looks like it came from a trusted company, you know how convincing these scams can be. Worse, what if scammers used your business’s email to trick your customers?

That’s exactly what happens with email spoofing—when hackers send emails pretending to be from your domain to steal information, spread malware, or commit fraud. The result? Lost trust, damaged reputation, and even financial losses.

Fortunately, there’s a solution: DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance).

What is DMARC?

DMARC is a security standard that protects your business from email spoofing and phishing attacks. It ensures that emails sent from your domain are legitimate and blocks fraudulent emails before they reach customers, vendors, or employees.

Think of it like a security checkpoint for your email. Only verified messages get through, while fake ones get stopped.

Why your business needs DMARC

Many business owners believe email fraud is only a problem for large corporations. But in reality, small and mid-sized businesses are prime targets because they often lack strong security measures.

Without DMARC:

Your emails could be marked as spam – Clients and vendors may never see important messages like invoices or proposals.

Scammers can impersonate your company – Fraudsters can send emails pretending to be from your business, putting your reputation at risk.

You could face compliance and legal issues – Industries like finance, healthcare, and retail are tightening cybersecurity requirements, and failing to secure your email could lead to penalties.

With DMARC, you can:

Prevent email fraud and phishing attacks – Keep criminals from impersonating your business.

Ensure your emails get delivered – No more important messages going to spam.

Protect your reputation – Customers and partners will trust that emails from your domain are legitimate.

Stay ahead of security compliance – Meet industry regulations and avoid costly fines.

Why DIY isn’t the best option

Implementing DMARC is not as simple as flipping a switch. If done incorrectly, it could accidentally block legitimate emails from reaching their destination.

It requires careful setup, monitoring, and ongoing adjustments to ensure your emails are secure but still get delivered. This is where Tech Experts comes in.

How Tech Experts can help

At Tech Experts, we specialize in setting up and managing DMARC policies to keep your business protected without disrupting your communication. Our process includes:

Proper setup – We configure DMARC correctly to secure your domain while ensuring your real emails don’t get blocked.

Ongoing monitoring – We track and analyze email activity, making adjustments as needed.

Compliance & best practices – We ensure your business stays in line with security regulations and industry standards.

Peace of mind – You can focus on running your business while we handle the technical details.

Don’t wait until it’s too late

Cybercriminals are getting smarter, and email-based scams are on the rise. Don’t wait for a phishing attack to damage your business. Protect your email, your reputation, and your customers with DMARC.

Ready to secure your business email?

Tech Experts can help. Contact us today at (734) 457-5000, or email us at info@mytechexperts.com, to set up your DMARC protection and keep scammers out of your inbox.

Here’s Why You Should Stick To Work-Specific Tools

Thomas Fox is president of Tech Experts, southeast Michigan’s leading small business computer support company.

When it comes to communicating with your team, it can be tempting to stick with what’s familiar. Apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger are quick and easy to use. And everyone already has them on their phones, right?

But while these tools are great for sharing vacation photos or planning a get-together, they’re not the best choice for work-related conversations. In fact, they could cause serious problems for your business.

You and your team often share information that’s sensitive – customer details, employee records, or even financial data. Sharing this kind of information over apps that aren’t designed for business use can be risky. Many of these apps don’t have the advanced security measures needed to protect your business from threats like cyber criminals or malware (malicious software designed to steal or damage your data).

If this happens on a personal app which doesn’t have the right security in place, your business could end up facing serious consequences. Losing access to important accounts or having private data leaked, for example.

Using business-specific communication tools, like Microsoft Teams, isn’t just about security, it’s also about keeping things organized. It lets you set up separate channels for different projects, share files securely, and even integrates with other apps you might be using. That means your team spends less time scrolling through endless chat threads and more time getting things done.

Personal apps can quickly get messy. Important messages get buried under GIFs and memes, and it becomes all too easy to accidentally share the wrong file – or worse, send something confidential to someone outside the company.

Switching to a proper business communication tool isn’t difficult, and it’s one of the best ways to protect your company’s information while keeping your team running smoothly.

Need help getting started with the right tools for your business? Get in touch.

The Ultimate Guide To Encryption Methods

Encryption is a method of securing information. It converts readable data into secret code. Only the right key can decode it. This guide will help you understand different encryption methods.

What is encryption?

Encryption is like a secret language. It converts regular text into unreadable text. This unreadable text is called ciphertext. Only people who have the right key will be able to convert it into normal text, called plaintext.

Why do we use encryption?

We use encryption to keep our information safe. It makes our data safe from hackers. This is very important for privacy and security.

How does encryption work?

Encryption uses algorithms and keys. An algorithm is a set of rules for solving problems. A key is somewhat like a password that unlocks the secret message.

There are two types of encryption: Symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption. The same key is shared between the sender and receiver. It’s fast but less secure when the key is shared.

Asymmetric encryption uses two keys: a public key and a private key. A public key can encrypt a message, while a private key can decrypt it. It’s more secure since only the private key unlocks the message.

What are some common encryption methods?

  • AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
  • RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)
  • DES (Data Encryption Standard)
  • ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography)

How do we use encryption in everyday life?

Online Shopping. When you purchase online, your payment information is encrypted. This protects your credit card information against hackers.

Messaging Apps. Apps like WhatsApp use encryption to keep your messages private. Only you and the person you are chatting with can read them.

Email Security. Many email services use encryption to protect your emails from being read by others.

What are the challenges of encryption?

Key Management. If some person loses their key, they probably will lose their data.

Performance Issues. Encryption could slow down the systems since it needs processing power for encryption and decryption.

How can you stay safe with encryption?

Use Strong Passwords. Always use strong passwords for accounts and devices. That will make hacking difficult as it will take time to access.

Keep Software Up-to-Date. Regularly update your software to protect against security vulnerabilities in software.

Use Caution with Public Wi-Fi. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, avoid sensitive transactions unless you can encrypt your internet connection using a VPN.

Ready to secure your data?

Encryption helps protect your personal information from threats. Understanding different methods can help you choose the right one for your needs. If you need help securing your data, contact us today – info@mytechexperts.com.