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Let?s get down to the details; what is a content filter, what does it do, and what issues can it solve for your company? What is a Content Filter? A content filter is a solution that allows your business to block specific content on company workstations. The type of content blocked generally falls into three categories: harmful, inappropriate, and/or time-wasting. Content filters block these websites from loading and can also stop files from executing. These content filters are generally used to reinforce network security and company policies pertaining to workstation usage. Why Is It Necessary? The Internet is filled with distractions like social media and streaming services, so it goes without saying that employees might be tempted to check them out during the workday. To stop this, you can block access to them on an ?as needed? basis. Some content simply should not be viewed during the workday in general (you know, those websites), and not only are they inappropriate, they are often security risks. It?s safe to say that there is a solid reason to block these types of websites in the workplace. Since you can implement content filters on a case-by-case basis, you still allow your well-behaved and productive employees to use certain sites when needed, whereas the opposite is also true; you can use a content filter to keep those who have problems concentrating focused on the task at hand. Get Started Today A content filter is one of the many tools that all businesses can benefit from, allowing companies to shore up weaknesses and keep their employees from wasting too much time while going about their daily tasks. Even if your employees don?t like this solution, it?s to protect them, their jobs, and your business, so you should not feel bad about implementing one. White Mountain IT Services can help you implement and deploy a comprehensive security solution called a Unified Threat Management tool, or UTM. One of the big features of a UTM is content filtering, so it?s a great way to get the most powerful security solutions all in one place. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

Let?s define what that something is, right now. What Does ?Best Practice? Really Mean? For the definition, let?s turn to Gartner: ?Best practice is defined by Gartner as a group of tasks that optimizes the efficiency (cost and risk) or effectiveness (service level) of the business discipline or process to which it contributes. It must be implementable, replicable, transferable and adaptable across industries.? Techopedia defines it as: ?… an industry-wide agreement that standardizes the most efficient and effective way to accomplish a a [sic] desired outcome. A best practice generally consists of a technique, method, or process.? This is what we?re talking about when we use the term in reference to your information technology. We aren?t trying to inflate the solutions we?re recommending, we?re saying that as of yet, the method that we follow in our operations is currently the one that delivers the best result for you, our client. Let?s say you wanted to bake a cake. Generally, the instructions will say to bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for such-and-such time. This is because doing so will consistently deliver a properly baked cake, while cranking it up to 450 degrees in the hopes of cooking it faster is apt to get you a hunk of charcoal that no amount of frosting will save. In this situation, baking a cake at 350 can be seen as a best practice because it leads to the best outcome. When it comes to your business? technology, best practices (as Gartner said) are meant to make your processes either as efficient as possible or as beneficial as possible, generally striking the happy medium between the two. Best Practices Deliver Significant Advantages When Applied to Your IT There are multiple benefits to be had when your business? technology is maintained with a focus on best practices. Just a few of these benefits include: Improved productivity, as effective technology can deliver the resources your team needs more rapidly, allowing them to accomplish more with their time. Improved customer satisfaction and retention, as you?ll be able to spend more time focusing on their needs and fulfilling them with less time spent worrying about your IT. Improved resource management, as time (and as a result, money) and other business resources are being saved and can be redistributed to other priorities and tasks. Our Managed Services are Guided By Best Practice Naturally, we do our best to stay in stride with the best practices that the information technology industry stands by at any given time, keeping an eye out for any new developments that may change the way things are done. After all, as new technologies are developed and introduced they bring with them new opportunities to innovate on how things are done. Don?t believe me? Just consider that, at one point, keeping a tape backup was a best practice. Then cloud technology came to the fore, and tape is no longer the best practice it once was. We can help you be sure that your business? IT is maintained to the standards that these best practices (as well as any industry standards or mandates) require of it, along with a host of other tasks that would otherwise distract your business from its real goal. If you?re interested in learning more about how we could assist you, give […]

First, we will discuss what a VPN can do to help your business stay secure; then we shall jump into what a VPN cannot do, or rather, what you cannot rely on a VPN for. What is a VPN? A VPN uses encryption to create what is called a ?tunnel? between the data you are accessing and the device you are using to access that data. VPNs are particularly important in today?s environment of remote or hybrid workplaces, as onlookers could take a look at data while it?s in transit with relative ease, if they know where to look. What Can It Do? There are many reasons why your business should consider a VPN. Here are just a few of the features you can expect from one. Securing your data while using public networks Reducing online tracking and enhanced privacy Limiting ISP monitoring and bandwidth throttling Limiting geo-tracking Accessing region-locked content What Can?t It Do? While VPNs are great tools that can help your organization achieve better privacy and security, there are certain things that they cannot do. Some of these might seem a little obvious and common-sense, but we need to mention them anyway. Protecting from various threats Improving password strength Engaging in illegal activity Want to Get Started with a VPN? If your business is ready to start taking its data privacy and security seriously, White Mountain IT Services can help by hooking you up with a powerful virtual private network that can keep your company safe and secure. We understand the modern frustrations that companies have in today?s remote and hybrid workplace, so we will work with you to find a VPN that best suits your needs. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

Check Your Connection First Since your router speed is based on the speed of your organization?s wired connection, your first recourse should be to check if you are getting the speed that you?re supposed to have. You can do this by running a speed test via a wired connection. If the numbers don?t add up, you may have to contact your Internet service provider or replace your modem. You should also consider testing your speed on a mobile device that connects wirelessly to the network, but do so close to the device; this will help you determine if it?s a structural problem or one involving the router itself. Reexamine Router Placement Depending on your office?s setup, the physical placement of your router could be negatively affecting your organization?s wireless connection. A generally good practice is to keep your router in a location that is out in the open, far from walls and other obstructions, so that they cannot interfere with the wireless signal. If you want your signal to reach all parts of your office, then it should be placed at the center (or as close as possible) to distribute an even connection across the area. Update Your Router Just like any other device on your network, your wireless router has firmware that must be updated from time to time. The process for updating your router will vary depending on the manufacturer, so we recommend working with our technicians at White Mountain IT Services to see if your router needs to be updated or not. Oftentimes updating your firmware can allow for enhanced performance in general, so it certainly does not hurt to do it every so often. Implement a Wireless Extender If all of your efforts to resolve your wireless network issues simply do not work, then perhaps the coverage issue is caused by the area being too large to be covered by your single router. You can expand your wireless network?s range with an extender, essentially rebroadcasting your signal to reach parts of your office that wouldn?t otherwise receive the connection. If All Else Fails, Use a Wired Connection When Possible It stands to reason that the fewer devices that connect to a wireless network, the faster it will be. Therefore, if you can utilize wired connections for devices like desktops and laptops, then you should. This keeps the signals from getting gummed up with tons of traffic while you are trying to connect to the wireless network. Sometimes it is hard to get your wireless connection to work the way you want it to. White Mountain IT Services can help you make any needed adjustments to your business? wireless network or its network device settings. For more assistance or information, contact us at (603) 889-0800.