Shoestring Networks Tech Tip Podcast

This week's podcast is a roundup of small-business technology news from around the web. ...read more The post Episode 34: News Roundup for October 18, 2019 appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Are you chasing the latest bugs and vulnerabilities, or does your small business have an IT security strategy? Listen in this week to get started on implementing a tried-and-true security strategy to protect your digital stuff. Links Best practices for passwords updated after original author regrets his advice (Verge) NIST’s new password rules – what ...read more The post Episode 33: Small Business Security Strategy appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Yet another ransomware outbreak. Were you prepared for Wanna Cry? Will you be prepared next time? In this episode we do a post mortem of the Wanna Cry ransomware outbreak and give you strategies to protect you from this, and similar outbreaks. Notes from this week’s podcast Disable SMBv1 Using Group Policy UPDATE (6/20/2017): We ...read more The post Episode 32: Doesn’t It Make You Wanna Cry? appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe…What is the best email service for your small business? Is it your ISP’s POP3 server? An onsite Exchange box? What about a cloud service like G Suite or Office 365? Listen in this week for our recommendation. Links Office 365 Plans and Pricing G Suite Pricing Download Download episode transcript (PDF) ...read more The post 31: The Best Email Service For Your Business appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

An IDS is one of the most valuable tools we use to secure small business networks. What is an IDS? Are they still useful? How can you use one in your business? We’ll answer these questions in this episode of the Tech Tip Podcast. Links Security Onion Web Site (From the web site) Security Onion ...read more The post 30: IDS Is Not Dead appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Trust is the glue that holds society together. But it’s also what allows criminals and con men to take advantage of us. This week we’ll give you some tips on how you may be placing trust in the wrong people or technology, and help you verify that trust is well-earned. Events (new!) Small Business Ransomware ...read more The post 29: Trust But Verify appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

If you aren’t backing up your data to an off-site location, YOU SHOULD BE! Cloud backup services are a great option for off-site backups. This week we tell you what to look for in a cloud service, and give you a couple of our favorite recommendations. Download Download episode transcript (PDF) Links Lessons Learned From ...read more The post 28: Cloud Backup Services appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This is episode 4 of our 4 part series on everyday encryption in your business. Today we tackle why, and how, you would encrypt your USB thumb drive with VeraCrypt. Download Download episode transcript (PDF) Links eSecurity tutorial using VeraCrypt to encrypt a thumb drive. DISCLAIMER: We have no connection to this site or its ...read more The post 27: Lock Up Your Thumb Drive appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

We’re back! After a summer sabbatical, the podcast is back, with part 3 of a 4 part series on encryption in your small business. This week: what to know about email encryption: important terms, compliance, and tips for encrypting the important stuff. Download Download episode transcript (PDF) Links Episode 25 of the Tech Tip Podcast ...read more The post 26: Lock Up Your Email appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Do you keep sensitive information in Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint docs? What about Adobe PDFs or AutoCAD files? If so, then you probably need to encrypt those documents. This week we’ll talk about when you should consider encryption for your documents, and cover some tools and techniques for easily and cheaply encrypting your files. ...read more The post 25: Lock Up Your Docs appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

What happens if you lose your laptop, or worse yet, what happens if it is stolen? Are you protecting your data? This week we start a series on encryption, starting with encrypting your laptop’s hard drive. We’ll cover Windows and Apple encryption tools, along with open-source alternatives. Download Episode Transcript (PDF) Links Using Bitlocker Without ...read more The post 24: Lock Up Your Laptop appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

A good project management app will help you and your team get back on task. In this episode we’ll take a tour of our favorite project management app. Download Episode Transcript (PDF) Links Asana home page Add tasks by email Asana offline access Listen Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe in Google Play Listen on Stitcher The post 23: Get Back On Task appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This is part 3 in our series on backups. Last episode we talked about workstation backups. This week, it’s server backups. Use Microsoft’s built-in backup tool to perform full server backups and recovery. It’s free! Download Episode Transcript (PDF) Purchase Buffalo TerraStation 8TB NAS – Amazon* Buffalo TerraStation 16TB NAS – Amazon LG Portable DVD ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 22: Server Backups appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

In our last episode we introduced the 3-2-1 backup stratgy. This week we’re digging deeper into workstation backups. We’ll talk about repair disks, USB vs. network storage locations, system images, and more! Episode Transcript (PDF) Purchase Buffalo TerraStation 8TB NAS – Amazon* Buffalo TerraStation 16TB NAS – Amazon LG Portable DVD Burner – Amazon Links ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 21: Back It Up Part 2 appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Celebrate World Backup Day by putting a backup strategy in place. Don’t be intimidated! It’s as easy as 3-2-1. Start backing up TODAY! Episode Transcript (PDF) Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 20: Back It Up! appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Are you afraid someone might be listening in on your instant messaging conversations? Us, too. This week we’ll introduce you to our favorite super-secret, encrypted messaging app. Download episode transcript Links from this week’s podcast: Check out our NEW Youtube Channel Install Signal from Apple Appstore Install Signal from Google Play EFF Secure Messaging Scorecard ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 19: Secret Messages appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Tax time means tax fraud. Don’t risk your company’s reputation or your employees’ refunds by getting caught by the latest scams. Check out this week’s episode to help protect yourself from W-2 phishing. Episode 6 – Don’t Get Caught In Phishing Scams KnowBe4, Security awareness training Download episode transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 18 – No Refund appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Ransomware is back in the news, so it’s back on the podcast. This week, however, we’ll show you how to keep from getting infected through good ‘ole Microsoft Office. Download episode transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 17: Return of Ransomware! appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This week add extra strength protection to your computer using Microsoft’s Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET). We’ll cover what it is and how to set it up in this week’s episode. Download EMET (Microsoft) Configuring EMET via GPO/GPP w/o using the ADMX files Episode Transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 16: Extra Strength Protection appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

We all like to be in charge, but as a Uncle Ben once told Peter Parker, “with great power comes great responsibility”. In this episode we’ll talk about the effectiveness of limiting administrative access to your systems. Australian Defense Signals Directorate (DSD) Top 4 Mitigation Strategies Avecto 2015 Microsoft Vulnerabilities Report NSA Control Administrative Privileges ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 15: Who Put You In Charge? appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Now that you’ve locked down your wireless using the tips you learned in Episode 13, take it one step further to get EXTRA STRENGTH network security! Download episode transcript SOHO Guest Wireless Diagram Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 14: Lock Up Your Wifi Part 2 appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

After looking at public WiFi last week, this week we’re taking a look at YOUR Wifi network and what you can do to lock it up. Download episode transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 13: Lock Up Your Wifi appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Road warriors beware! Public wifi is super convenient, but also super dangerous to your privacy and security. Before you connect to that public hotspot, listen to this week’s episode! Links in today’s podcast What we give away when we log on to a public Wi-Fi network 5 Most Secure VPNs Tiny Hardware Firewall VPN Client ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 12: Don’t Trust That Wifi! appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

What happens if someone kidnaps your data and holds it for ransom? What are your options when it comes to ransomware? How can you protect yourself? Find out in this week’s episode. Download episode transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 11: Pay Up, Or Else! appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

What do you do when you get the call; someone is your company is infected with malware? Don’t panic. In this week’s episode we’ll give you some tools and steps to take to disinfect your systems. BONUS Download this week’s freebie here. Download episode transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 10: Infected With Malware, Now What? appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

What’s the best browser for YOU? IE? Chrome? Firefox? or (ooh) EDGE? This week we’ll take a quick look at the current state of browsers and help you decide which one – or ones – are right for you. Google Chrome Privacy Notice Choose Your (chrome) Privacy Settings Digital Trends’ “Battle of the Best Browsers” ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 9: Fighting The Browser Wars appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

Each piece of software on your computer opens a window or door into your computer and network. Learn how to lower your attack surface in this week’s episode. Download episode transcript Subscribe on iTunes Listen on Stitcher The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 8: Lower Your Attack Surface appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

We know you love Windows XP. We still see it in many of your businesses. But it’s time to let it go. Here are some reasons to upgrade your XP systems, and some things to think about when you do. Links Failed Windows 3.1 system blamed for shutting down Paris airport Home Depot, Target breaches ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 7: It’s Time To Dump Windows XP appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This week we’ll talk about phishing, what it is and how to avoid it. We’ll give you five questions you can use to avoid getting caught in a phishing scam.     Questions or comments? Email podcast[at]shoestringnetworks.com The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 6: Don’t Get Caught In Phishing Scams appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This week we’re taking a look at smartphones in your small business. Which one is best for you, and why? Which smartphone is the most secure? We’ll give you our recommendation.   Links to help you secure your smartphone: Securing your Android Tip Sheet – our “best practices” for securing your Android device. download (pdf) ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 5: The Best Smartphone For Your Business appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This week we answer the question “What kind of antivirus should I use?”. And the answer might surprise you. Links to help you with patching your software: Windows Update – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/install-windows-updates Adobe Flash – http://www.welivesecurity.com/2014/10/31/how-to-update-adobe-flash/ Adobe Reader – https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/install-updates-reader-acrobat.html Sun Java – https://www.java.com/en/download/help/java_update.xml Questions or comments? Email podcast[at]shoestringnetworks.com The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 4: What Kind of Antivirus Should I Use? appeared first on Shoestring Networks.

This week we wrap up our series on passwords and account security.  We introduce you to “two-factor authentication” and how you can use it to lock down your critical accounts.   Links in this week’s show: https://twofactorauth.org/ – This organization lists common sites that support (or don’t support) two-factor authentication https://goo.gl/sFb2VT – This link will take you to ...read more The post Tech Tip Podcast Episode 3: Two-Factor Authentication appeared first on Shoestring Networks.