ITF Tech

Cyber criminals have found another way to try and steal your business data. This time, they’re making realistic-looking websites for fake tools that claim to generate AI images and videos. The websites include realistic touches like cookie banners, which trick you into thinking they’re safe. The fake AI tools are designed with one goal: To infect your computer with malicious software, otherwise known as malware. For Windows, this malware is called Lumma Stealer; and for macOS, it's called AMOS. Once the malware is on your computer, it secretly collects your data from browsers like Chrome or Edge. It can steal anything from passwords to credit card details, which are then either used by the scammers or sold on illegal online marketplaces. If you’ve accidentally downloaded this malware, or any other malicious software, you should treat all your passwords and sensitive data as if they’ve been compromised. To help keep your business safe: • Avoid downloading software from untrusted sites or random ads • Use unique, strong passwords for every account (and change them if they're compromised) • Enable multi-factor authentication for sensitive accounts like banking or email AI can help your business in lots of different ways, but always make sure the apps you use are genuine before you download them. If you’re worried about malware or need guidance on the best AI tools for your business, my team can help. Get in touch. #Malware #CyberSecurity #AI https://lnkd.in/d6QRGcmT

JOB ALERT! Sales Executive / Business Development Executive Job title: Sales Executive Location: West Horndon, Essex Job Type: Permanent, Full time. We are pleased to extend this exciting opportunity to join our team as a Junior Sales Executive. This role will focus on providing information and guidance to our colleagues in the metalwork industry, so you will need to become confident and knowledgeable in the services we offer (full training and support provided). The position is located in West Horndon, Essex. We are looking for an individual that is reliable, professional and shares our high standards of customer service. We are looking for an individual that is reliable, professional and shares our high standards of customer service. Must have: - Full UK driving licence - Own Transport Please message for further details or email: info@blackburnltd.co.uk

We’ve all heard of the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy… but what about Amazon’s Fire Phone or the HTC Facebook Phone? No? These quirky gadgets are just a couple of examples of how innovators have tried – and sometimes failed – to use wild ideas to stand out from the crowd. Today’s most popular smartphones are all about sleek design and smooth functionality. But there was a time when companies seemed to just throw crazy concepts at the wall, hoping something would stick. The Fire Phone, for instance, came with a 3D-style parallax display that no one really asked for. Meanwhile, the Facebook Phone made Facebook your entire home screen, whether you liked it or not… Another weird and (not so) wonderful smartphone idea was the OnePlus 7 Pro, with its James Bond-style pop-up camera. Then OnePlus did it again with the 8 Pro’s accidental X-ray filter, which was swiftly disabled once people realised its potential for mischief. Also, let’s not forget the bulky dual-screen Kyocera Echo – or the LG Wing phone, where a second screen flipped out like a holy cross. Or the “build your own phone” DIY attempts, like Google’s Project Ara and Motorola’s snap-on mods, which expected us to want to endlessly customise every component of our phones. If you haven’t heard of these, it’s worth checking them out online. To be fair, while these experiments may have flopped, they were still born out of bold creativity. Innovation comes with both risks and rewards. Just think about all the ideas that have worked out. As business owners, it can be a fun lesson in trial and error, right? Sometimes it’s the strange ideas that lead to a breakthrough, and sometimes they’re just good stories to tell. Did you ever own any of these devices? What smartphones do you and your team use today? #SmartPhones #FailedIdeas #Innovation https://lnkd.in/eveD-XBN

More big news from Microsoft: The Beta Channel for Windows 10 is shutting down. If you’re wondering what that means, let me explain… The Beta Channel is where Microsoft lets testers try out new features (like Copilot and other new tools) before they’re rolled out to everyone. But with Windows 10’s end-of-life creeping closer (14th October next year), Microsoft are winding things down. They’re now focusing on the Release Preview Channel instead, which will likely just offer stability updates as we approach the final stretch. If you’re still using Windows 10 in your business, it’s a reminder that time is almost up. While you’ll still get security updates for now, Microsoft are shifting their attention to Windows 11. It’s packed with key upgrades, modern features and improved security. Are you thinking about upgrading? Now’s the time to future-proof your business tech. If you’re not sure where to start, my team and I can help. Get in touch. #Windows10 #BetaChannel #Upgrade https://lnkd.in/eMEpHAWq

Today we celebrate a huge milestone in tech history – the anniversary of the Altair 8800 going on sale back in 1974. I’m going to take a wild guess that you might not have heard of the Altair 8800. But it’s an important one to know about! Why? It was the machine that sparked the personal computer (PC) revolution. This early computer laid the groundwork for the tech we now use every day in our businesses. It became a hit after being featured in Popular Electronics magazine, which led to more than 5,000 units being sold in less than a year. The Altair 8800 wasn’t much by today’s standards. It was a big box that used toggle switches for input and LEDs for output. But it ignited the imagination of a generation of tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Among its fans were Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Inspired by the Altair, the pair developed the BASIC programming language for it; eventually using this software to build Microsoft. It also inspired the legendary Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who started Apple after seeing the Altair’s potential. This simple machine shows us what's possible when innovation meets passion. For business owners, it’s a reminder that small beginnings can lead to breakthroughs that change entire industries. Had you heard of the Altair 8800 before today? #TechHistory #Altair8800 #Inspiration https://lnkd.in/ekgdfR7M

Using WordPress for your business’s website? Listen up… A major flaw has been discovered in a popular WordPress plugin called Really Simple Security (formerly Really Simple SSL), which could let cyber criminals take full control of your website. Let’s break this down. WordPress is a platform that powers millions of websites. It’s popular with businesses, because it’s easy to use and customisable. Plugins are add-ons that extend your site’s functionality – think adding a contact form or extra security features. Really Simple Security is a plugin that’s designed to protect websites, offering tools like login protection and two-factor authentication (2FA). So, what’s the issue? A vulnerability in this plugin’s 2FA feature allows scammers to get around the authentication process. This could give them admin access to your site. Which could lead to a massive security breach, like your site being taken over or sensitive business data being stolen. Thankfully, the plugin developer has released a fix (version 9.1.2), and WordPress is pushing updates. Many websites still run older versions though, and that leaves them exposed. If you use the Really Simple Security plugin on your website, please make sure you’re running the latest version immediately. While we’re on the subject, when did you last check all your apps and systems? If you need help making sure everything’s up to date, get in touch. #UpdateTime #WordPress #SecurityAlert https://lnkd.in/d8ZQJy_E

Here's some news about Microsoft Edge that could be really useful for businesses. A new feature is rolling out next month, called Usage Data Sync Capability (I know, Microsoft needs to work on the catchiness of feature names, but stick with me). The Edge update will let you keep your browser data in sync across all your devices. So, your browsing experience will stay consistent whether you’re on your laptop, desktop, or phone. Now you won’t have to try to remember what site you were browsing at home when you get back to the office. The update will also introduce a new category called Feature Usage, which tracks how you use Edge’s features. If you’re using Edge in your business, you’ll be able to gain insights into how your employees interact with browser features. This can help you find ways to streamline your team’s workflow and boost productivity. The update should be coming in January, so it’s one to keep an eye out for. Looking forward to this one? I know I am. #Edge #Microsoft #ProductivityBoost https://lnkd.in/eq-YUqRx

Are you seeing a pop-up saying your version of Windows is outdated? Don’t panic – if you’re using the latest version of Windows 11 in your business, it’s just a glitch. The message has been appearing for some people after downloading the Windows 11 update KB5046633. It claims your system has “reached the service” and says that you need to upgrade to stay up to date. Confused? Not surprising. The message isn’t meant for people using Windows 11. If you and your team are running the latest version, it’s likely that you’re fully updated. Clicking the 'Learn more' link on the pop-up takes you to an article about Windows 10 support. So, it looks like the warning was accidentally applied to the wrong update. And while Microsoft haven’t officially commented on the glitch yet, I expect they’ll roll out a fix. If your business is still using Windows 10, it’s a good idea to start planning your upgrade before the end-of-life deadline arrives next October. If you need help with this, get in touch. #Windows11 #UpdateGlitch #Windows10 https://lnkd.in/dHi-cn7p

Microsoft Teams is a great tool for keeping track of everything that’s happening in your business. But when there’s a lot going on, there can be lots of information flying around too. Keeping on top of it all can be… challenging. Thankfully, Teams is getting a makeover that will make it much easier. Here’s how it can help you and your team… https://zurl.co/CeWZy #Microsoft #Teams #MoreOrganised

What’s your favourite browser? If it’s not already Microsoft Edge, it might be soon. Why? Microsoft are making it even easier to find all the information you need, faster. And who doesn’t love a time-saver? They’ve introduced a new “Summarise” button in Edge, letting you grab quick highlights from the webpage you’re visiting. This could be a great tool for businesses. Researching a topic and scanning lots of articles? You'll save a ton of time by only reading the essentials, helping you decide whether the information is worth a deeper dive. The new “Summarise” button works in a similar way to the Copilot key, which can give you an in-depth summary of Edge pages. This is another example of how Microsoft are focusing on integrating AI tools into their apps, so you can get things done more efficiently. Next time you’re browsing with Edge, check out the Summarise button or Copilot tool. Let me know what you think. #Microsoft #Edge #Summarise https://lnkd.in/eEJNE9s7