Tip of the Week: 3 Ways to Get Windows 10 to Boot Faster
Have you ever waited far too long for your Windows workstation to boot up? Chances are that you’ve seen first-hand how much time can be wasted during this process. If you want to save some time, you can review our three tips to help you speed up your Windows 10 computer’s boot time.
Before we get started, however, a word of caution; always check with your IT department before changing any settings on your workstation. Ideally, you will have your IT department handle these changes on their own.
Use Fast Startup
Windows 10 has a special startup feature called Fast Start-up. It basically cuts down on the time it takes for Windows to boot up. Fast Start-up works by utilizing a special filing system that makes each subsequent startup process quicker. Rather than shut down completely or go into sleep mode, your device sits somewhere between the two.
To set up Fast Start-up, start by opening up your Control Panel and finding your way to Power Options. If you can’t find it, just search for it in the search bar. Next, select Choose what the power buttons do. Locate the checkbox option for Turn on fast start-up. Once you’re done, save your changes.
Edit Your Startup Programs
There are a lot of programs that start up alongside your Windows operating system, but you don’t necessarily need all of them. What started as an attempt to improve the user experience has led to bloated system slowdown that ultimately betrays its original intent. By removing some of these from the startup process, you can considerably improve system speed.
To get started, open up your task manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. You then need to click on the Start-up tab. You’ll see all of the programs that open on startup, where you can remove any applications that you want. Just make sure that you work with IT to make sure that none of these programs are ones that are crucial to your organization, as one false step could create problems.
Implement Simple Hardware Updates
If you upgrade a couple components on your computer, you can improve its performance–including startup. Even making a simple change, like implementing a solid-state drive, can make a huge impact on the way your computer starts up. If you use an SSD to hold your Windows 10 installation, as well as add in a little extra RAM, you’ll be able to improve your performance in ways you don’t believe.
Catalyst Technology Group can get your computers running as smooth as possible. To learn more, reach out to us at (317) 705-0333.
3 Ways Managed IT Can Prevent Technology Troubles
Is technology a major problem for your organization? If so you’re just like many small businesses out there that think they can’t afford proper IT maintenance and management. Thankfully, managed services threatens this misperception by bringing affordable preventative solutions to the table.
Outsourced IT, or managed services, can be a valuable investment for a business that wants to prevent problems from occurring rather than react to them as they happen. By effectively using managed IT, you can significantly reduce the risk of your technology failing before it’s meant to.
A Network Assessment
Before you can work toward resolving problems found on your network, you need to know that they exist. This is where a comprehensive network assessment comes into play. A network assessment shows you where your network has its flaws, whether they are traffic bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, or even just failing hardware components. A third party like Catalyst Technology Group can provide this service for you so that you can get a clear, unbiased opinion on what you must do to improve your organization’s operations.
Remote Network Monitoring
Knowing what’s wrong is only half of the battle, though. Once you know where to look, you need to keep watch over your network to ensure that the weak points don’t develop into major problems. Yet, your in-house team likely doesn’t have time to monitor your entire infrastructure day-in and day-out. An outsourced IT provider like Catalyst Technology Group is far better suited to this role, as we can do so remotely without an on-site visit. We can then ensure that any maintenance that must be performed can be done before your network is put at risk.
Unified Threat Management
To keep your business from falling victim to a rogue virus or malware on your network, you need to take preventative measures. One of the best ways you can protect your business is with a Unified Threat Management solution, which provides the collective might of enterprise-level security solutions, including a firewall, antivirus, spam blocker, and content filter. By keeping threats like ransomware, Trojans, spyware, viruses, and so much more out of your infrastructure, you can prevent problems from happening in the first place.
Ultimately, managed IT that keeps issues from happening in the first place saves your business time and money. You can focus on making sure your business runs properly without interruptions. To learn more about managed IT, reach out to us at (317) 705-0333.
4 Ways a Unified Threat Management Solution Covers Your Company’s Security Needs
Your company’s network contains a gold mine of sensitive information that you need to protect at all costs. While it’s absolutely the case that you need to make network security a top priority for your business, thankfully, multiple aspects of your security can be covered easily enough by implementing a single, enterprise-level security solution.
The solution we’re referring to is a Unified Threat Management (UTM) tool. It’s a powerful tool that combines the fundamental security features that every business needs, into one easy-to-manage package. If you’re looking to get a handle on your company’s network security, then consider these four ways that a UTM provides comprehensive protection.
Firewalls
A firewall is the first line of defense for your company’s network, protecting your business from the onslaught of online threats trying to sneak their way in. One can go so far as to compare a UTM firewall to a sort of virtual bouncer for your network that; assesses the threat level of your network’s traffic, garners if it’s a security risk, and then clears for passage only what’s deemed to be safe.
Antivirus
Every good firewall needs an antivirus solution to compliment it. After all, some forms of malware are sneakily engineered to play on a user’s ignorance so as to bypass the firewall. In such a scenario, antivirus software is there to quickly catch and eliminate threats such as viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware, and more. Given the destructive nature of many of these threats, you’re going to want a powerful antivirus solution in place that prevents such viruses from spreading across your network and wreaking havoc on your systems. Additionally, while there are many kinds of antivirus solutions on the market, businesses will want to take advantage of a centrally located antivirus solution like what comes with a UTM. This way, updates and scans can be done automatically and in one fell swoop, instead of being left up to each individual user.
Spam Blocker
Having spam in your inbox is totally annoying, and it can also be dangerous. One common way for hackers to spread malware is by attachments found in spam messages. Plus, savvy hackers will employ spam as a phishing tactic to trick users into opening the message and following its instructions which appeal to emotions. Examples include a fake summons to jury duty, a fake package that couldn’t be delivered, a fake resume for a job opening, etc. A quality spam blocker will prevent these messages from hitting employee inboxes in the first place, which greatly reduces the risk of a user being tricked by spam.
Content Filter
Businesses also need a way to protect their networks from the vast amount of online threats that come from visiting dangerous websites. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for an employee to stumble upon a website that’s designed to harvest credentials or download an attachment designed to infect your network with a virus or even ransomware. With a content filter protecting your network, you’ll be able to block users from accessing suspicious websites in the first place. Additionally, a UTM content filter allows you to block time-wasting websites like social media, YouTube, Netflix, etc., making it a valuable tool that both protects your network and enhances productivity.
In order to be adequately protected, your business needs all four of these security features. A UTM from Catalyst Technology Group conveniently offers your network protection in all of these ways, and more. To equip your network with a UTM security solution that’s customized to fit the needs of your business, call us today at (317) 705-0333.
3 Significant Ways Your Business Can Take Advantage of Virtualization
With cloud computing on the rise, more businesses than ever before are taking advantage of great new tools that allow them to get the leg up on the competition. With virtual technology services at their disposal, they are completely changing the way that they approach computing, and the best part is that these services are affordable even for smaller organizations with limited budgets. Here are three of the best ways your organization can implement virtualization solutions.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Cloud-hosted software is part of a trend that is increasing the accessibility of applications designed to improve the way you do business. Thanks to this type of software, SMBs are able to grow more dynamically and achieve more flexibility in the way that they function. Examples of Software as a Service include well-known solutions such as Microsoft Office 365 and Google’s G-Suite, but just about any software that is offered through the cloud on a subscription basis can be deemed Software as a Service. The main attraction of SaaS is that businesses make smaller monthly payments to use the same software that would otherwise require a full-fledged license purchase. If you’ve ever had to purchase multiple licenses for multiple users, you know how this can be a great way to save money for any small business.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Virtual telephone solutions like VoIP are actively replacing the traditional telephony infrastructure in the office environment. This is mainly due to the fact that they decrease costs overall and provide a level of flexibility that’s never been seen before, both in and out of the workplace. Since you use the Internet to make and receive calls, you’re using something that you already pay for to eliminate an unnecessary expense. Plus, you can use VoIP apps on a traditional handset, a desktop or laptop, and even your smartphone, allowing you to take your office phone number on the go.
Hardware Virtualization
If you have been managing an entire in-house IT infrastructure on your own, you know how challenging it can be to manage servers and other networking components. Due to this immense responsibility, many organizations are choosing to outsource the care of their networking components through a hardware virtualization vendor. This allows companies to consolidate their servers to make better use of their resources, as well as save on energy costs, like air conditioning and electricity. Plus, you’ll be able to access any of these resources through the cloud, and you’ll be able to simplify your in-house network considerably.
If your business is ready to take the next step toward technological advancement, reach out to Catalyst Technology Group at (317) 705-0333. Our trusted technicians are happy to discuss what we can do for your business.