What Are the Best Video Conferencing Apps?

gotomeeting, Ophtek, video conferencing, webex, zoom, , , ,
28
Apr 2020

Video conferencing has never been more important in business than it is today. But you need to make sure you work with the best video conferencing apps.

The threat of Covid-19 means that social distancing is being taken to unprecedented levels at present. Accordingly, more and more people are working from home. But this doesn’t mean that face-to-face contact needs to come to an end. After all, studies have shown that face-to-face meetings are substantially more effective than email and phone communication. And it’s important that we don’t lose the benefits of face-to-face communication with the right cameras and headsets.

Video conferencing allows us to maintain face-to-face communication while also obeying the strict guidelines imposed by social distancing. But what are the best video conferencing apps?

The Best Video Conferencing You Can Use

The market is saturated with video conferencing software, so it’s intimidating to weigh up the pros and cons of each one. Thankfully, we’ve decided to narrow your options down by exploring three of the best:

  • Zoom: Launched in 2013, Zoom has been designed with remote working in mind. Its main focus is on video conferencing, but the app also has instant chat and file sharing capabilities. Zoom is considered to be one of the market leaders in its niche and, during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been adopted by businesses, politicians and schools.
    • Pros
      • Screen sharing allows participants to view exactly what their colleagues are working on or require help with
      • Seamless video connections which are established quickly and securely
      • The user interface is intuitive and easy to use
    • Cons
      • Zoom’s free pricing plan limits meetings to just 40 minutes
      • Managing sub-accounts can only be carried out from a specific admin account which needs to be signed in and out of to action changes 
  • WebEx: Currently owned by Cisco, WebEx was founded in 1995 and brings plenty of expertise to the table. The software is big on web and video conferencing with call sharing, chat and multimedia sharing backing it up. WebEx offers a number of pricing plans that range from free up to $26.95 per month.
    • Pros
      • The interface is considered to be very user friendly and setting up a video conference is painless
      • WebEx can also boast whiteboard facilities which, in tandem with instant chat, makes collaboration easier than ever
      • All features are available at all price points
    • Cons
      • The number of licenses available with the lowest price plan is prohibitive to all but the smallest of organizations
  • GoToMeeting: Created by LogMeIn, GoToMeeting allows those with internet connections to benefit from a wide range of features such as video conferencing and collaboration. The main way in which it achieves this is by broadcasting the desktop view of a host PC. Price plans, which include HD video, start from $14 per month.
    • Pros
      • The processes involved in working with GoToMeeting are very simple, so there should be no technical challenges in using it
      • Users of different platforms can easily connect and communicate through the app
      • GoToMeeting can integrate with Outlook to deliver a powerful tool
    • Cons
      • The pricing plan does not include a free tier
      • Chat functions are purely limited to meetings which are in progress

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best IT Home Checkup for Your PC

Network, Ophtek, pc checkup, Security, working from home, , , ,
21
Apr 2020

Millions of workers are now self-isolating and that means working from home for many people. But how do you make sure that your PC at home is healthy?

The luxury of working from an office is that the equipment there is regularly maintained and fairly new. However, when you have to work from home you will soon realize that your own equipment isn’t in the same shape. We’re all guilty of being a little lazy when we get home and IT maintenance certainly isn’t at the top of most people’s lists. But a little effort goes a long way when it comes to maintaining a PC.

And, best of all, you don’t need to be a fully trained IT technician to carry out a home checkup. In fact, it’s quick and easy as we’re about to show you.

 

How to Maintain Your PC with a Home Checkup

Working from home on your own PC is convenient, but it also puts you and your organization at risk. Therefore, make sure you maximize your productivity and safety by carrying out the following:

  • Install all Updates: We have a habit of ignoring PC updates at home as they get in the way of loading up Netflix. However, it’s important that complacency doesn’t creep into your IT activities at home. You need to make sure that all your software is up to date with the latest patches and firmware. Not only will this ensure that your software is secure, but it will enhance the functionality of your software. Most software will have an auto-update feature, so it’s crucial that this is activated. 
  • Check Your Router: The internet is vital when it comes to remote working. Without an internet connection you won’t be able to connect to your organization’s network. And this will leave you without any of the resources you need. So, it’s essential that your router is working and secure. A good connection is paramount, so you may need to adjust your router position to maximize the signal. And, to safeguard the security of your router, remove any default passwords and create something unique. 
  • Use Security Software: If you haven’t already got security software in place then this needs to be made a priority. It will protect your PC and, if you’re working remotely, strengthen the security of any connections to your business. There are a wide range of options when it comes to security software, so it can be daunting choosing one. It’s recommended that you stick to the industry leaders, so make a beeline to software developed by Kaspersky, McAfee and AVG. And you can rest assured that they provide plenty of free software.

Final Thoughts

The challenges of working from home are likely to be new for many employees. Thankfully, advances in technology mean that this is easier than ever. But you need to make sure that your PC at home is in excellent shape. It is, after all, your most valuable tool when it comes to working remotely. So, to guarantee a PC that is firing on all cylinders, you need to take note of the tips above.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Make Sure Your Software is Updated and Secure

Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, Software, Software Security Patches, Updates, , , ,
14
Apr 2020

It’s vital, if you want your PC to remain safe and secure, to install all software updates and patches. The alternative is, of course, that you get hacked.

Now, no one wants their PC to get hacked. The fallout from such a scenario can only spell disaster for a business. We’re talking stolen data, disrupted IT operations, financial damage and a major drop in productivity. And no one wants that. Certainly not a business and certainly not their customers. But hacking is a major threat in today’s digital workplace. In the first half of 2019 alone, a total of 4.1 billion records were compromised. It’s a figure which is clearly huge, but it’s also one that could be significantly reduced if organizations updated their software regularly.

So, to help you keep your software updated, we’re going to run through the basics of updating and securing your software.

What are Software Updates?

It’s difficult to create a flawless piece of software. The complexity of coding means that, even when developers feel their application is finished, it’s likely that minor problems will remain. And, in most cases, the only impact of these errors will be felt in the application’s functionality. However, on occasion, these minor flaws can represent major security issues. Hackers, if they are to be commended on anything, are highly persistent. And, if they can find a vulnerability in a piece of software, you can rest assured that they will exploit it.

This is why software updates and patches are crucial. The most common update that most PC users will encounter is an operating system update. These are regularly released by developers in order to counter security issues which have been discovered. These updates, in their simplest terms, patch the software. Following the patch process, your operating system will be considered more secure and functional. Unfortunately, many organizations are either too busy to worry about updates or they fail to understand their importance. And that’s why you need to know the best ways to keep your software updated.

How Do You Update Your Software?

Updating software on a PC is straightforward and simple, but only if you know how. Therefore, it’s important that you practice the following:

  • Allow Automatic Updates: The sheer number of updates that are required for multiple applications is mind-boggling. And the time taken to action these updates is significant. But, with this in mind, most pieces of software allow you to select an automatic update option. This takes the pain out of authorizing and conducting every new update and patch. The setting is most commonly found in the updates section of an application’s control panel. 
  • Visit Developer’s Websites: It’s good practice to regularly visit the websites of developers to make sure you’re working with the latest updates. Adobe Flash Player and JavaPress, for example, can both be verified by visiting their respective websites. The relevant software is quickly analyzed to determine which version it is. And, if any updates are outstanding, the user will be prompted to install these or upgrade to a new version. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Government Websites Compromised in Armenia

anti malware, Cyber Attack, Cyber Security, Hackers, malicious websites, Plugins, Security Threats, , , ,
07
Apr 2020

You would like to think that governments know a thing or two about cyber security. But a recent hack in Armenia has proved otherwise.

European security experts ESET have confirmed that numerous websites belonging to the Armenian government have been targeted and compromised by hackers.   The compromised websites have been infected with malware and pose a nasty security risk to visitors. It’s suspected that the hackers behind this attack are Turla, a Russian hacking group.

We’ve discussed malicious websites before, but this latest attack is a little different. Therefore, it’s crucial that you understand the unique methods behind the infection.

What’s the Story?

The suspected hackers have targeted several websites that come under the control of the Armenian government, but the same fingerprints have also been found on a few non-government websites. Regardless of which website is infected, the methods employed are the same. However, where this attack differs from normal is its selective nature. Rather than attacking every visitor that accesses the infected websites, the malware only targets high-ranking visitors. So, for example, a civilian visitor is likely to remain uninfected, but a government official will not be so lucky.

It’s intriguing that the malware is only interested in high-ranking officials and indicates that there could be a political angle to the attack. Speculation aside, what is known for certain is how the attack unfolds. Once a visitor has been established as ‘high-value’ a command-and-control server generates a malicious JavaScript code. This code is used to deliver a popup window prompting the user to download a Flash update. But while this does, in fact, install a genuine version of Flash, it also contains PyFlash. And this backdoor application allows hackers to gain full access to the infected PC.

How Do You Protect Yourself?

Naturally, the security risk of compromised government PCs is considered high. And, while it is unlikely to affect smaller organizations at present, the selective nature of the attack is troubling. Therefore, it’s important that you safeguard your business against similar attacks. This can be achieved by following these best practices:

  • Use Website Filters: One of the best ways to protect your organization from infected websites is by integrating website filters into your IT setup. These filters are backed up by huge databases, which are regularly updated, and will prevent your users from accessing websites considered a security risk. 
  • Prevent Software Installation: The majority of applications that your employees will want to install are likely to be genuine and safe. But, as with fake Flash updates, this is not always the case. And this is why it makes sense to enforce a complete blanket ban on unauthorized installs. Accordingly, any install requests should be submitted to an IT professional who can evaluate the risk of each proposition.
  • Block Popup Adverts: It’s rare that any PC user welcomes the appearance of a popup advert. And, with the risk of malicious popups so prevalent, it’s the last thing that an IT professional wants to see as well. Therefore, it makes sense to minimize this risk by installing a popup blocker. Not only will this reduce the risk of malware being installed, but it will also provide your PC users with an enhanced experience.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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