Vorboss launches Simply Connected to simplify connectivity, IT and cybersecurity management

If you’re like most people, you probably find system updates a hassle. They take ages and those big downloads eat up precious bandwidth and storage.

Good news then: Microsoft is about to make your life a whole lot easier with the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update.

It’s introducing something called ‘checkpoint cumulative updates.’ That might sound a bit technical, but don’t worry – it’s simple and very beneficial.

Normally, Windows gets its updates every month. These are known as cumulative updates, which bundle all the latest fixes and enhancements together. These bundles can be large and take a while to download and install.

The new checkpoint cumulative updates change this process. Instead of downloading a big update every time, your system will now receive smaller updates more frequently. These are tweaks to the last major update or checkpoint.

So, what does this mean for your business? It’s great news… you’ll spend less time waiting for updates to finish so you can get back to work.

And, if you have a limited internet connection, smaller updates are a blessing. They use less bandwidth, so less chance of interrupting someone else’s video call.

The best part? All of this happens automatically through Windows Update. You don’t need to do anything differently. Your system will keep running smoothly, with most updates happening in the background. This seamless experience ensures that your work is not interrupted.

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has streamlined updates. When Windows 11 was first launched, Microsoft used new compression technology to reduce the size of updates by 40%. With the 24H2 update, they’re taking it a step further to ensure that your experience is even more efficient.

It’s also worth noting that while this new update system will be standard for Windows 11 and the upcoming Windows Server 2025, it’s less likely to be implemented for Windows 10, as that version is nearing its end of life. This means there’s even more incentive to upgrade your business to Windows 11 if you haven’t already.

Want to migrate to Windows 11 with zero hassle? We’re the people to talk to.

Staying on top of how your technology is set up is crucial for maintaining a reliable network. And one often-overlooked aspect is managing which applications start up when your business’s PCs start up.

With lots of software wanting to auto-start, it can slow down your system and potentially introduce security risks. But did you know that Windows 11 offers a useful feature that alerts you whenever new apps are added to the startup list?

Every time you hit the power button on your PC, it loads a set of apps automatically. While some of these are essential, others might not be, and can slow down your system’s performance. Over time, as you install more software, your startup list can grow, leading to longer startup times and a slow experience.

Not only that but keeping an eye on startup apps is good security practice. Unwanted or unknown apps starting automatically can be a red flag for malicious software (malware) or other security threats. By receiving alerts about new startup apps, you can quickly identify and investigate any suspicious additions, making sure that your systems stay secure.

How do you enable these alerts in Windows 11? It’s a simple process:

• Start by opening the Windows 11 system settings. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon or by pressing ‘Windows + I’ on your keyboard.
• In the settings window, click on ‘System’ in the left sidebar, then select ‘Notifications’ on the right.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the notifications page. Just above Additional settings, you’ll find ‘Startup App Notification’, which is switched off by default. Move the slider to ‘On’.

From then on, you’ll receive a notification whenever a new application is added to the startup process. You can even customise what this notification looks like by clicking on the arrow next to the slider button, allowing you to adjust its appearance and sound to suit your preferences.

Turning on these alerts brings several benefits to your business. First, it helps keep your PCs running efficiently. By staying informed about new startup apps, you can quickly disable any unnecessary software that might be slowing down your system. This means faster start times and better overall performance, allowing your team to get to work without delays.

Secondly, it enhances security. Receiving alerts for new startup apps means you can immediately investigate any unknown or suspicious additions. This proactive approach helps prevent potential security threats from taking hold, safeguarding your business data and systems.

Lastly, it’s a great way to keep track of what’s installed on your machines. With various team members possibly installing different software, these alerts give you a clear overview of what’s being added to the startup list, making sure that only approved applications are running.

To further manage startup apps, you can use Task Manager. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ to open Task Manager, then select the ‘Startup’ tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all the apps that start with Windows, along with their impact on boot time. You can enable or disable apps by selecting them and clicking the appropriate button at the top right.

By regularly checking this list and using the new alert feature, you can keep your startup process streamlined and your system secure.

A better answer is getting someone to set all of this up and manage it for you. We specialise in making technology easy for businesses. If we can help, get in touch.

Here’s a topic that’s been making headlines and causing sleepless nights for many: Cyber extortion.

Is it something that’s on your radar? It should be, because it might affect your business one day.

What is cyber extortion?

It’s a type of cyber crime where criminals threaten to harm your business by compromising its data and digital assets unless a ransom is paid. These threats often involve ransomware, a malicious software that encrypts your data, making it inaccessible until you pay the ransom.

Sometimes, cyber criminals go a step further by stealing data and threatening to release it publicly on dark web leak sites if their demands aren't met. This dual threat is known as double extortion.

According to a 2024 report, the number of victims of cyber extortion scams has skyrocketed by 77% over the past year. What’s more, small businesses are four times more likely to be targeted compared to their larger counterparts. This is a worrying trend, especially considering that smaller businesses often have fewer resources to defend against these attacks.

In the first quarter of this year alone, 1,046 businesses fell victim to double extortion. That may not seem huge, but bear in mind the actual number is likely much higher since many cases go unreported, hiding in the shadows of what experts call the "dark number."

The truth is, all businesses, regardless of size or industry, are potential targets. However, certain sectors are more frequently attacked. Manufacturing, professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as wholesale trade, top the list. Alarmingly, the healthcare and social assistance sectors are also seeing a significant rise in attacks, despite the potential societal and political repercussions.

Cyber criminals are opportunistic and strategic. They target regions with strong economic growth and shared languages. For instance, cyber extortion attacks in the UK have increased by 96%.

While the rise in cyber extortion is a big worry, there are steps you can take to protect your business. Here are some key strategies:

Back up your data: Make sure you have a robust backup plan. Keep your critical data in an offline or offsite location and regularly test your backup restoration process.

Keep software updated: Make sure all your devices use the latest software, especially those connected to the internet.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Strengthen your access controls with MFA. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification before access is granted (such as a code on a separate device). Also, limit user access to only the systems they need for their job.

Patch and vulnerability management: Regularly update your systems to fix any security vulnerabilities. Cyber criminals often exploit known weaknesses, so staying on top of patches can prevent many attacks.

By understanding what cyber extortion is and how it works, you can better prepare your business to defend against it. Remember, the key is to be proactive.

If we can help prepare your business and keep it safe, get in touch.

If you've ever found yourself wincing at the sound of a Microsoft Teams notification breaking your concentration, you're not alone.

Here’s some news that might be music to your ears then: Microsoft has just rolled out an update that promises to make these interruptions much more manageable. With the latest update, you can customise your notification sounds on Teams. We believe that will make it easier to stay focused and prioritise your work.

Instead of the generic "ping" that jolts you out of your workflow, you could opt for a more soothing chime or even a subtle whoosh. This might seem like a small change, but it can make a big impact on how you manage your day. Being able to differentiate between urgent alerts and less critical messages through sound can help you prioritise effectively and reduce unnecessary distractions.

For business owners like you, this update is more than just a new feature – it's a tool to enhance productivity and team efficiency. By allowing your team to customise their notification sounds, you make it easy for them to tailor their work environment to their personal needs. For instance, urgent messages from key contacts can be assigned a distinct sound that grabs attention immediately, while routine notifications can have a softer, less intrusive tone.

This kind of prioritisation is essential in a busy work environment where managing time and focus is vital. It can help prevent important messages from getting lost in the noise of everyday communications and ensure that team members can respond promptly to those pressing issues without being constantly disrupted.

The business benefits of this update are clear. First, it helps create a more focused and efficient work environment. When employees aren't constantly interrupted by generic notification sounds, they can maintain their concentration for longer periods, leading to higher productivity levels.

And by enabling the muting of notifications during meetings or focused work sessions, the update makes sure that important discussions and deep work sessions go uninterrupted. This feature is particularly handy in today’s hybrid work environment, where distractions can come from multiple channels.

While the customisable notification sounds are a standout feature, Microsoft Teams offers a huge range of other benefits that make it an invaluable tool for business. It integrates smoothly with other 365 applications, providing a unified platform for all your business needs.

Whether it's collaborating on documents, scheduling meetings, or managing projects, Teams brings everything together in one place. Teams has a robust set of tools that make teamwork easier and more efficient.

If you’re not already using Teams, where have you been? Give it a try and see how it can help you streamline your workflows and communication.

We can help you customise Microsoft Teams to be perfect for your business. Get in touch.

You might think of the Windows Photos app as a basic tool for viewing and managing images. But with an upcoming update to Windows 11, there’s a new feature that could be very useful for your business: Visual Search with Bing.

With the update, you’ll be able to do a reverse image search straight from the app, showing you similar images and related information.

How can this benefit your business?

Let’s say you’re looking at a photo and you want to know more about a product, place or person in the image. Reverse image search is a faster way to get the information you need.

It’s a great tool for eCommerce store owners – you can use it to find out who else is selling a product, compare pricing, or track down new suppliers.

Marketing teams can also use it to easily find similar visuals to use in campaigns, or to make sure images aren’t being used elsewhere. It also helps you check the origin of an image to make sure you have permission to use it.

If your business is in property or research, you can save time by using reverse image search to quickly identify the locations or objects you see in photos.

Microsoft has also made it easier to flick through your photos and edit images by improving navigation and introducing a quick access editing tool right in the app.

Another big bonus: You’ll now be able to sync Photos with iCloud – great for teams that use Apple devices alongside their Windows PCs.

These features should be rolling out soon in a future Windows 11 update.

If you haven’t already upgraded your business to Windows 11, it’s time to start thinking about it. We can help make it easy - get in touch.

Imagine having an assistant by your side that never gets tired, never misses a detail, and can help with everything from drafting emails to organising meetings.

Sounds great, right?

Well, that’s what Microsoft Copilot is. It’s a smart, AI-driven tool built into the Microsoft apps you already use, like Word, Excel, and Teams. It’s designed to handle time-consuming tasks that slow your team down.

But how exactly does it work, and why should you care?

In simple terms, Copilot is AI embedded into the Microsoft Office suite. It’s always there to assist you, whether you're typing up a report, analysing data in Excel, or even planning your next big meeting. And the best part is, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it. If you can use Word, you can use Copilot.

So, how can it make a difference in your business?

First off, one of the most exciting things about Copilot is that it’s seamlessly integrated into the software you already know. There’s no need for complicated installations or training sessions. And because it’s built into Microsoft 365, your team can jump right in with minimal disruption. It works across devices too, so whether you're in the office or travelling, Copilot is always there.

One area where Copilot really shines is how it simplifies your daily grind. Think about how much time gets wasted on things like sorting through emails or organising meetings. We’ve all been there, spending way too long combing through endless email chains or trying to figure out who said what in a meeting.

Copilot tackles this for you. It can summarise long email threads and even suggest responses, so you can get back to what really matters. It’s like having someone do all the heavy lifting while you focus on the more important tasks.

Speaking of meetings, Copilot is a big help when it comes to collaboration. Let’s say you’re wrapping up a Teams call. Instead of manually taking notes or worrying about missing key action items, Copilot will summarise the entire meeting for you, highlighting decisions and tasks. It listens in, captures the key points, and even helps you plan the next steps.

But Copilot isn’t just about cutting down on admin work, it’s also a creativity booster. You know that moment where you stare at a blank document, unsure how to start? Whether it’s drafting a client proposal or putting together a presentation, sometimes the hardest part is getting the ball rolling.

That’s where Copilot comes in. Give it a few prompts, and it’ll generate a first draft or outline to get you started. You don’t have to be a creative genius to produce something great. Copilot takes care of that early-stage work, freeing you up to fine-tune and add your personal touch.

All this leads to a more productive, efficient, and creative workplace. That’s what makes Microsoft Copilot such a powerful tool. It not only takes care of the little things but also helps you unlock your team’s full potential.


Want to find out what Copilot could do for your business? We can help, get in touch.