Microsoft is warning business owners about a new type of phishing scam (where cyber criminals pose as a trusted source to trick you into giving away login info), which uses popular cloud services like SharePoint and OneDrive.

Although these platforms are usually safe, scammers have figured out how to trick privacy settings to get past security checks.

The scammers hack your cloud storage by stealing your login details or buying them on the black market.

Once they get inside, they upload a file that is designed to look authentic – like a fake Microsoft 365 login page. They set the file to “view-only” or limit access to specific people, such as you and your team.

Opening these files or following any links inside the emails could cause serious damage to your business. Scammers can use your information to access your systems, or they can install malware (malicious software) that lets them cause disruption and steal information.

Recovering from these kinds of attacks can be expensive and time-consuming – not to mention the damage it could do to your business’s reputation.

Make sure your employees are aware of this new threat and know to be cautious when opening emails, even if they appear to come from a trusted service.

Before opening any shared files, double-check the sender’s identity. If something feels off, contact the sender directly to verify it.

Make sure you use multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all your team’s devices. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second piece of information (like a code sent to your phone) along with your password.

Also, keep your security software up to date so that it’s always ready to block the latest types of attack.

Would you like our help protecting your business with added security, training, and monitoring? Get in touch.

Microsoft is once again finding ways to make life easier for your business with Windows 11.

If you ever work on your phone as well as your PC, you’re going to love the new “Hand Off” feature that’s being tested right now.

The idea is this: Let’s say you’re in a meeting or on the move. And you start working on something in Microsoft Word or another app on your phone. Once you get back to your PC, a notification will pop up asking if you want to keep working on the document – allowing you to switch between devices seamlessly.

This feature is made possible through OneDrive’s syncing function. It’s already compatible with Android phones, and it’s likely to work for iPhones too, although that’s not yet been confirmed.

Being able to jump between devices without losing track of work could be a great benefit, especially if your team works remotely.

Although it hasn’t been rolled out just yet, “Hand Off” has clear potential to be a valuable tool for businesses.

Ready to find out more ways Windows 11 could boost productivity in your business? We can help, get in touch.

Microsoft recently made changes to the Windows Start menu – and it caused a bit of an uproar.

Here’s what happened: Microsoft tried to streamline the Start menu by grouping related settings together. But they tucked the sign out option behind a three-dot menu, creating confusion for people trying to log out of their accounts.

Thankfully, Microsoft has listened to feedback and is now testing an update to put the sign out button back to where it was before.

This is good news for teams that have multiple profiles set up on one computer, making it easier to switch between accounts again.

These changes are part of a broader update to Windows 11 that’s currently being tested. The update will also bring in new features like media controls on the lock screen for when you’re playing music or videos, as well as the ability to share files directly from your search results.

These updates are great examples of small changes that can have a really positive impact on how your team works.

Is it time for you to move your business to Windows 11? We can help get you started, get in touch.

• Investing in professional web design improves the user experience, builds credibility, and increases search engine rankings, all of which contribute to business growth.
• A well-designed website raises conversion rates, provides mobile compatibility, and delivers better security, ultimately increasing customer satisfaction and trust.
• Professional web design supports scalable, efficient, and advanced features that align with your business goals, resulting in a strong return on investment over time.

Have you ever landed on a website that was so confusing or unattractive that you left immediately? This reaction isn’t uncommon. Your website is often the first interaction customers have with your business. Investing in professional web design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an experience that draws in customers, builds credibility, and ultimately drives growth.

Here’s why professional web design is a smart investment that can greatly impact your business growth.

1. Establishes a Strong First Impression

A professionally designed website immediately communicates authenticity. It sets the tone for how users perceive your brand. If your website looks outdated or poorly made, users will likely assume your business is as well. With skilled web design, you establish your company as a trustworthy option, increasing the likelihood that potential customers will connect with you.

2. Improves User Experience

Professional web designers prioritize user experience, ensuring visitors can navigate your site easily to find the information they need. Well-structured websites with intuitive navigation keep users on the page longer, reduce bounce rates, and increase the chance of conversion. By investing in a web design that focuses on UX, you’re helping customers have a positive experience, which can directly lead to growth.

3. Boosts Conversion Rates

A website that’s visually appealing, easy to use, and informative naturally leads to higher conversion rates. Designers know how to optimize call-to-action buttons, streamline the checkout process, and make the overall layout conducive to conversions. These tactics make it easier for the users to complete desired actions, like purchasing a product or signing up for a newsletter.

4. Improves Search Engine Rankings

Search engines favor websites that are mobile-friendly, quick to load, and provide a good user experience, which professional design can effectively accomplish. By improving these elements, your site is more likely to rank higher on search engine results pages. Better rankings mean increased visibility, which leads to more traffic and, ultimately, more customers.

5. Strengthens Brand Identity

Consistent branding is necessary for building recognition and trust. A professional web designer will create your website to reflect your brand’s identity, incorporating elements like color, typography, and overall aesthetics. By establishing a cohesive look and feel, you reinforce your brand, making it more recognizable and memorable to users.

6. Ensures Mobile Compatibility

With mobile browsing now more common than desktop, a responsive design is essential. Experts build websites that look great and function well on all devices, from smartphones to tablets to desktops. This confirms that no matter how users access your site, they’ll have a seamless experience, which keeps them engaged and increases the chances of conversion.

7. Saves Time and Resources

Creating a website without professional help might seem like a cost-saving solution, but it can quickly become a time sink. A DIY approach often leads to longer development times, and the result may require frequent revisions and updates. Professional web designers have the expertise to deliver a polished, functional site efficiently, freeing you up to focus on other areas of your business.

8. Provides Access to Advanced Functionality

Skilled designers integrate advanced features that transform your site’s functionality, such as e-commerce capabilities, booking systems, or custom forms. These elements improve user experience and support business operations, making it easier for you to meet customer needs and drive growth.

9. Offers Better Security

Website security is important for protecting sensitive information and maintaining customer trust. Professionals understand the latest security protocols and will build your site to minimize vulnerabilities. Investing in web design protects your site from potential threats, safeguarding your business reputation.

10. Supports Marketing and Analytics Efforts

A well-designed website can seamlessly integrate with your marketing strategies, whether it’s through SEO, social media, or email marketing. Moreover, experts can implement analytics tools to help you track visitor behavior, measure engagement, and optimize accordingly. These insights are invaluable for making data-driven decisions that fuel growth.

11. Scales with Your Business

As your business grows, so will your website. Professional designers can create scalable websites that accommodate future expansion, allowing you to add new features, pages, or functionalities as needed. This flexibility allows your website to effectively support your business, regardless of how your needs change in the future.

12. Increases Customer Satisfaction

Customers appreciate a seamless and pleasant browsing experience. Professional web design makes it easy for users to locate what they need, resulting in higher satisfaction and encouraging them to return. Happy customers are more likely to recommend your site to others, which helps build a loyal customer base and drives further growth.

13. Differentiates You from Competitors

By showcasing your unique brand elements and providing an exceptional user experience, you can make a lasting impression on visitors. This differentiation can be the deciding factor for customers choosing between you and a competitor.

14. Delivers a Faster Load Time

Website speed plays a key role in user retention. Experts understand how to optimize images, code, and overall structure to achieve quick load times. A faster website not only provides a better experience for users but also improves your chances of ranking higher in search results.

15. Maximizes Return on Investment (ROI)

Investing in professional web design may seem like a significant upfront cost, but it pays off over time. By increasing user satisfaction, conversion rates, and search engine visibility, a well-designed website delivers a solid ROI. It attracts more visitors, retains them, and converts them into loyal customers, which is the ultimate goal for any business aiming for growth.

At DEVsource Technology Solutions, we specialize in creating custom web designs that set your business apart. Grow your business with a website that looks great and drives real results. Our team is here to tailor a solution that fits your unique needs and goals. Don’t wait—schedule a web consultation today and take the first step toward an engaging digital experience!

How cautious are you and your team with online security? You know about phishing scams, dodgy downloads, and not clicking suspicious links, right?

But an even sneakier new malware (that’s malicious software) wants to frustrate you into giving up your Google login details.

The malware doesn’t have a catchy name yet, but it’s part of a larger threat known as “Amadey”, and it’s been on the rise since August.

It forces your PC into something called “kiosk mode” (a setting often used on public computers that only lets you access one window). This allows it to lock your browser in full screen mode, hiding all your usual navigation buttons like the address bar and menus. Then you get sent to a fake Google password reset page.

Normally, you’d just hit the Esc or F11 keys to get out of full screen mode, right? Well, not this time. It won’t work if the malware has infected your PC. It wants to confuse you into thinking you must enter your password to solve the problem.

The password reset page will look like a real Google page. But the second you type in your details, they’ll be stolen by a second piece of malware hiding in the background, falling right into the hands of cyber criminals.

Pretty scary stuff.

But here’s the good news: You can break free without giving up your details.

If your browser gets stuck in full screen mode, try hitting ALT+TAB to switch tasks, or ALT+F4 to force the window to close. Otherwise, try closing it through your task manager (CTRL+ALT+DELETE).

If all else fails, just restart your PC by holding down the power button or unplugging it, then get an expert (like us) to look at the malware.

Prevention is always the best approach, though. Be wary if your computer starts behaving strangely, especially if your browser suddenly goes into full screen mode and won’t let you navigate away.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments you aren’t sure about. And as tempting as it might be to get past an annoying screen, never enter your password unless you’re 100% sure the website is legit.

If you’d like us to teach your team how to avoid the latest scams, we can help. Get in touch.

If you’ve ever tried to tweak a setting in Microsoft Edge and found yourself lost in all the options, this one’s for you.

Microsoft is cleaning up the Settings page, so you’ll no longer need to dig around in endless menus to find the setting you need.

What’s changing?

You’ll see a new quick access panel under the main Settings menu, giving you shortcuts to the features you’re likely to use the most.

Settings will also be split into smaller submenus, like “System and Performance” and “Appearance”, making it easier to find exactly what you want.

Better yet? The submenus will have their own quick access shortcuts too.

The improvements will give Google Chrome (which has been praised for its well-organized settings) a run for its money. So if your team doesn’t already use Edge as their default browser, it’s a great time to give it another try.

Microsoft is currently testing the update, and it should start rolling out soon. Once it does, you can expect much smoother navigation.

If you need help making the most of the new features in your business, we can help. Get in touch.

Losing access to your business’s data – even temporarily – is a nightmare worthy of a horror movie.

Data backup tools create copies of your data and store them in a safe place. If something goes wrong, recovery tools will use these copies to restore your lost files.

So, if your business already uses backup and recovery tools, you’d think your data is safe… but this isn’t necessarily true.

A new report shows that some backup tools aren’t always as reliable as they should be. In fact, a third of all data losses are caused by backup-related issues. When people try to recover data, they discover it’s been lost or corrupted.

It’s not just corrupted backups that you should be aware of.

One of the biggest threats to businesses right now is ransomware. This is a type of malicious software (or “malware”) that locks you out of your files unless you pay a ransom to regain access.

The report found that half of businesses using backup tools still ended up paying ransoms to retrieve their files, because it was faster than trying to use their own recovery tools. Even worse? Only a small number of businesses that paid ransoms were able to fully recover their data.

Backup tools are supposed to keep your data safe, so why are they unreliable for so many businesses?

Often, it’s because they haven’t been set up properly. And even when they are, they still need to be verified regularly to make sure they are still backing up your files.

Also, older backup and recovery tools can’t always keep up with today’s sophisticated cyber attacks.

Setting up and maintaining a reliable backup system can be complicated. IT experts (like us) can make sure your tools are running correctly every day.

We can also put in place extra safeguards such as continuous data protection (CDP). This constantly saves changes to your files, allowing you to go back in time and restore your data as it was just before an attack or loss.

This is something we do for businesses like yours every day. If you’d like us to help you too, 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 real estate 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.