Dymin Blog

Both home users and business users alike can avoid up to 94% of Windows exploits and malware infections by one simple change: using a “non-Admin” User Account.[1] In this blog post, I'll explain why you shouldn't use the default "Admin" account, which offers full, unrestricted access to all your computer's vital operating systems and files, for your regular computer use. I’ll also explain how home users can set up additional user accounts; for business users, your IT service provider should have this implemented already if they’re following industry best practices. And, if all this seems like more than you want to deal with, I'll also give you a hands-off option!

Want someone to help you with your business accounts? 

You’ve probably read about all kinds of threats to your computer, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, “Trojan horses,” and more (collectively called “malware,” or “malicious software”). How do you know if your system has fallen victim to a virus or malware? These malicious programs slow down your computer’s performance and potentially threaten your security. Here are five signs that you could have a virus or malware.

Nothing lasts forever, and in the world of computers and electronics, lifespans seem to be getting shorter and shorter. New versions of devices and programs come out so frequently that it’s almost impossible to keep everything completely up-to-date. But there’s good news: you don’t always have to.

This may seem counterintuitive, but you really don’t need to worry about updating your programs as much as all the internet tipsters make you think you do.

One of the most frustrating things is when your computer runs slower than you expect it to—lagging when opening programs, struggling to load webpages, and worse. If you’re starting to develop an Office Space-worthy case of computer rage, the following explanations may help you understand (and solve) your slow computer problems.

You know malware, spyware, and viruses are bad for your computer system—they can slow down your performance, corrupt data, and even allow unauthorized access to your system and files. You know that you should have an up-to-date antivirus program and appropriate network security protocols in place. But one of the most important things you can do to become your own anti-virus and make sure that internet-based threats don't invade your system is...nothing. 

IT has become an increasingly important investment for businesses, but computer technology can be expensive. As a result, the typical rationale when contemplating a replacement or upgrade of computer equipment is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Although this rationale may work for some non-computer equipment, the true cost of using old computer hardware and outdated software can be more than you think. Ultimately, this risky practice could end up costing you a fistful of dollars.

Just like having a quality lock on your front door, a strong password is an essential part of preventing unauthorized access to your personal online data. But you may be confused as to how often you should change your password in order to maintain the highest level of internet security and keep your data safe. Maybe you’ve heard that you should change your password every month (or more), but this is actually not necessary! In fact, IT professionals now recommend that you don’t change your password frequently! What’s going on?

IT is a high pressure industry, and the people that work in it must calm people when they’re most frustrated. Let’s have some fun with IT and lighten things up a little.

For business owners, the only thing more valuable than your business is the data that keeps it running. It’s vital that you back up this data effectively and comprehensively. Many businesses that were early adopters of onsite computer systems implemented a system of automatic or partially automatic tape data backups. These old-school systems used magnetic tape cartridges to create a separate physical copy of your company’s important data.