The IT Check Up
It’s that time of year again, your annual checkup from your Doctor. You know things have been feeling a little off lately, but you’ve been pushing through the aches and pains.
He has bad news. Things are not going well.
But you don’t understand, you’ve been taking the other doctors recommendations. How could things be going so badly?
Sticking plasters have been applied to your entire business. Chronic illness has been seeping into your network. Those recommendations? From 2010.
Your previous technology doctor does not have the team to keep up with the latest technology or cybersecurity recommendations.
You have to make changes quickly or the infection will continue to spread!
Okay… that might be a little dramatic. But your business is your baby. Don’t you want a second opinion on the health of the technology at your business?
We’ve created an IT Checkup specifically to give you a true gauge on the technology of your business. What’s going well… and what needs immediate attention.
We promise we won’t use any pushy sales tactics and there’s no obligation to work with us afterwards, simply visit our website (www.beeskneesit.co.uk) and book in your IT Checkup or call us on 01274 955509.
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How concerned should you be about cyber attacks?
You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about cyber attacks but how worried should you really be? Well, very, because cyber criminals are getting smarter. We have good news to share about how you can protect your business
How to create secure passwords
Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks to your business. Why? Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than ever before. If they manage to crack just one password, they could gain access to your sensitive business data, financial information, or even gain control of your entire system. Cyber criminals use automated tools to guess passwords, allowing them to try out millions of combinations in seconds. So, if you’re using something like “Password123” or “CompanyName2025”, you’re practically handing them the keys to your business. A compromised password can lead to big issues, such as: • Data breaches • Financial losses • Identity theft • Reputation damage But how do you create strong passwords without driving yourself (and your team) mad? Think of your password like a secret recipe, where only you should know the ingredients. It should: • Be at least 14 characters long (the longer, the better) • Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters • Contain a few numbers and symbols (like @, $, %, or &) • Not contain any common words or easily guessable information (like birthdays, names, or the word “password”) Instead of using a single word, you could try a passphrase – a short, random sentence that only you would understand. For example, instead of “Sailing2025”, try something like “Coffee&CloudsAreGreat9!”. This is much harder to crack, yet still easy to remember. You should also steer clear of these common mistakes: • Using personal info (your name, birthday, business name, etc.) • Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts • Using simple sequences (“123456” or “abcdef”) • Storing passwords in an easily accessible place (like a sticky note on your desk) If remembering unique passwords for every account sounds impossible, there is another option: Password managers. These generate strong passwords, store them securely and autofill them for you. With a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password for the manager app itself. The rest are encrypted and stored safely, reducing the risk of data breaches. Even the strongest password isn’t foolproof, which is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also important. MFA requires a second form of verification, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated from an authentication app. If you have employees accessing your business systems, it’s a good idea to have a password policy in place to explain your rules and why they’re important. This should include: • Unique passwords for each system and account • Regular security training on password best practices • Business-wide use of MFA for critical systems • Scanning for compromised passwords regularly By making password security a priority, you can reduce the chances of a cyber attack creating a nightmare for your business. And if you need help making your business more secure, get in touch.