Does Santa need some help in your house?

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Does Santa need some help in your house?

Does Santa need some help in your house?

With only three weeks until Christmas, Santa might be stuck for ideas on what to get you or your family!

Thankfully, CyberGuru has helped Santa on many occasions by advising and recommending a range of computer products and services to suit your needs and budget and is available to do so again this year.

At this time of year, new computer products and services are especially popular. In addition, we can assist you in purchasing and setting up new a desktop, laptop or tablet ready for Christmas Day. We are able to advise and recommend what to buy and can help source, configure and move across your old files to make it work for you.

We also provide various software including Microsoft Office, internet software (including Norton 360, ESET and Trend Micro Maximum Security) as well as range of peripherals including portable hard drives, as well as Acronis Backup.

If you are unsure what to get, we can also provide gift certificates for use on any of our services, including consulting, design, support and training.

So whether it for your family, business or yourself personally, please feel free to contact us. Similarly, if you know of a colleague or friend, or someone else need of some assistance, please pass on our details. And remember, come Christmas day it was all the big guy in red!

Norton introduces the “new” Norton 360

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Norton introduces the “new” Norton 360

Norton has recently reintroduced the “new” Norton 360, replacing the Norton Security which has existed over the past few years, which had replaced the product of the same name form many years prior.

In the “new” Norton 360 product, Norton has introduced additional security protection as well as the usual computer and internet security, cloud backup and performance improvement features. It now includes a Secure VPN for online privacy, Dark Web Monitoring by LifeLock (which monitors your primary email address), and SafeCam to block webcam takeovers. The remainder of the product is relatively unchanged from Norton Security, aside from a new front “My Norton” screen that starts when you load the application.

If you have an existing Norton Security subscription, you may be offered a free or discounted upgrade to the new Norton 360 as a special offer. Should you do this, you may be required to sign up for automatic renewal and provide your credit card details for verification. Alternatively, you may wish to wait until your subscription falls due before you upgrade and purchase this product then.

Here at CyberGuru, we have used and recommended Norton products continuously over the last 20 years which has provided ourselves and clients confidence that their devices are protected from internet security threats and vulnerabilities. This recommendation is based on our own experience with the software, not because we are paid to do so. We appreciate some clients have experienced various performance issues with such software, however such internet security software is worthwhile overall considering given the strong value it provides for a reasonable yearly subscription.

If you would like us to assist you to purchase, install or configure Norton 360 in your environment, please feel free to contact us.

The Windows 10 November 2019 Update has been released!

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The Windows 10 November 2019 Update has been released!

Windows 10 November 2019 Update

Microsoft has just released the newest feature update to Windows 10, known as the November 2019 Update or as 1909, which includes the latest features and security updates.

The Windows 10 November 2019 Update introduces some modest new features include:

  • being able to create a calendar entry directly from the Taskbar
  • integrating Windows Search to as part of File Explorer to include of OneDrive content
  • the ability for third-party digital assistants to be used when the device is locked
  • various general improvements to the user interface

For a full list of new features, please see Microsoft’s website, What’s new in Windows 10, version 1909 (link opens in new window).

The most significant improvement is that it is a very fast update to install for those already running Windows 10 May 2019 Update, as Microsoft is using a new way to deliver the update similar to the monthly updates are issued.

To check if you are able to install this update now, you can open Windows Update and click Check for Updates. It is available for your device, you can select to download and install this. It requires a restart and the update shouldn’t take too long to complete. Depending on your type of your device, it may not be available just yet as Microsoft works through compatibility issues. If you are running a Windows 10 Home or Pro device currently on the Windows 10 May 2018 Update, you will likely receive an automatic update to this.

As part of our computer maintenance service for our contracted clients, we will be implementing this update in the next few months. If you have any questions or would like assistance to perform this update for you, please contact us.

Round 7 of the Small Business Digital Grants is now open!

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Round 7 of the Small Business Digital Grants is now open!

Small Business Digital Grant

Do you need new some ICT equipment, a website upgrades such as for e-commerce or training to make the most out of your current environment or a combination of these? If so, then the Queensland Government’s Small Business Digital Grant Program might be just what you need.

Grants of up to $10,000 (matched by participants) are available to help small businesses access the latest digital technologies to increase their productivity and competitiveness. All small businesses with a Queensland-based headquarters can apply.

To be eligible the business must:

  • have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
  • have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
  • have a Queensland headquarters
  • have a turnover of $2 million or less for the last financial year
  • not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

CyberGuru can provide solutions in the areas of consulting, design, support and training, as well as a range of products and services to suit your requirements.

If you are looking to enhance your business’ digital capabilities and you would us like to help you in applying for a grant, then contact us today.

Please note that applications close at 5:00pm on 10 December 2019.

Be wary of nbn scams

cyberguru Consulting , , , , , ,

Be wary of nbn scams

We often hear of various reports of scammers calling the seniors and elderly purporting to be from their telephone company, particularly Telstra, however, unfortunately, one of our clients’ parents were recently scammed by phone calls from who reported to be from the National Broadband Network (nbn). 

CyberGuru spoke about nbn scams at last Senior Safety Forum. Since this time, the nbn scams have become increasingly common, particularly amongst senior citizens.

As my client advised, “Dad has always been cautious and the type of person to always guide me to ‘always get two quotes’, ‘nothing is ‘urgent’, ‘do your research’ yet as they get older, things are becoming less clear. With the nbn activity he felt it was legit; he let them access his computer and provided his bank account details; although they were lucky it was quite the ordeal to cancel everything.  All they stole was Dad’s last bit of confidence managing household services.”

The scammer was claiming that there was an issue with their computer and sought to access this remotely that they could fix for them. As it turned out, the scammer was only seeking to install malicious software and attempt to take valuable information from them, and then charge them as well for this. Fortunately, as my client there was at the time, they stopped the scammer getting full access to the computer.

The client wanted to share a few valuable pieces of advice from their experience:

  1. “Trust your partner. Our experience was Dad felt the call was legit, whereas Mum felt it wasn’t ‘right’. She called me to help get Dad off the phone.”
  2. “Even if you feel it is a legit call, there is no urgency.  Never feel as though you need to act then and there.”

It is important to note that nbn will never contact you in this way. The nbn is wholesaler and does not deal with the general public. They do not invoice you, therefore cannot threaten to disconnect you. Secondly, they do not need any of your personal information, nor access to your computer.

If you have been affected in such way, we strongly recommending reporting any incidents to Scamwatch so that these can be investigated. If you are unsure if something is a scam or not, we are happy to offer our support and advice, so please feel free to contact us.