The IT Experts

Before we begin, however, it is important that we acknowledge a few prerequisites and restrictions to this capability.

• As of right now, this capability is restricted to certain devices, although more will likely feature it soon.
• Android 9.0 needs to be installed, with the Link to Windows tool enabled.
• The workstation needs to be updated to at least the Windows 10 October 2019 Update.
• Both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

What Can I Do With My Devices Linked?

Basically, this utility pulls your Android apps onto your workstation, eliminating the need for you to switch back and forth between the two. Once you’ve accessed one of your applications via Windows, interacting with it is quite intuitive:

• A single click works the same as a single tap.
• Right clicking works similarly to the Back button.
• Clicking and holding is the same as touching and holding.
• Clicking and dragging works to select content.
• Scrolling allows you to move vertically and horizontally between apps.

While this utility isn’t perfect—some applications simply won’t allow you to cast over their contents, and no sounds are transmitted—it can still offer great utility to someone who frequently bounces between their devices.

What do you think? Is this something you would find useful? Share your impressions in the comments!

Evaluating Your Needs to Identify the Cause

Whenever you start to feel that burned-out feeling, take a moment for some personal inventory to see if you can figure out what it is that is causing that feeling. Is some emotion getting in your way? Are you distracted by something that could be fixed in a few moments? Are you just feeling a bit peckish? Realizing what it is that is keeping you from your work is a big part of resolving the issue.

If it’s something that can be fixed with a quick snack or a moment or two of thought, it is best to attend to it and get it out of the way. Otherwise, figure out when you will be able to commit the necessary time to your obstacle and keep working—having a plan to deal with something later can prevent it from being a distraction now.

Minimizing What Distracts You

If your procrastination is simply a case of being distracted by different circumstances and stimuli, it helps to do what you can to identify and mitigate these triggers. If you find yourself better prepared to work in the morning than you do after lunch, try to schedule your most demanding and highest priority tasks accordingly. That way, you’re more likely to be able to focus when it is most important to do so.

If there are other factors distracting you in your workspace, disconnecting from them in any way possible can prove to be an effective means of keeping you focused. After all, you’re much less likely to be distracted by an email if your email notifications are paused for an hour.

Switching It Up

If possible, consider spending a little time working in a new area—whether that means taking your solutions to the office conference room for a little bit or working from home every so often. This change in environment might be just the switch you need to keep your work engaging and less of the same old, same old.

Even taking a break to step away from your work for a moment can really help keep you going throughout the day. Think of the workday like a marathon… it’s okay to stop running and walk for a while if you need to.

Starting Small

Sometimes, all it takes to motivate someone is a small victory. Starting your day with a simple and easily accomplished task can help put you in the right frame of mind to accomplish more than you would have otherwise.

If your technology is ultimately what is draining your motivation, KB Technologies can help with our managed IT services. Give us a call at (954) 834-2800 to find out what we can do to help.

What Kinds of Ransomware Are Out There?

While there are many kinds of ransomware out there, they usually rely on similar tactics to work. Just consider some of the most common ransomware variants out there:

• Cerber - Cerber targets Microsoft 365 users through an elaborate phishing campaign.
• CryptoLocker - One of the most famous ransomware strains, it is a copy of the original that was shut down back in 2014.
• CryLocker - CryLocker uses a personalized ransom note using the encrypted files on a person’s computer or server, locking a person out of their computer entirely. 
• Locky - Spread through phishing, this ransomware instructs users to enable macros to read the message. Once that’s complete, the malware will start encrypting files, and demanding a ransom.
• Jigsaw - When triggered, Jigsaw will delete one or more files every hour for 72 hours. If the ransom hasn’t been paid when the 72-hour window is up, all the affected files are deleted.

What You Can Do to Avoid Ransomware

Of course, avoiding potential data encryption and deletion needs to be the priority for all businesses. That means that you and your users will have to work to avoid ransomware. Here are a few practices that can help:

1. Never click on unverified links
2. Do not open email attachments unless they are from a trusted source
3. Don’t download files from websites you don’t trust
4. Do your best to avoid giving out personal data
5. Don’t use USB or SD card drives that you didn’t purchase yourself
6. Keep your software patched and updated, including security software
7. Utilize antivirus, firewall, and other security software
8. Use a virtual private network on public Wi-Fi
9. Backup your data onsite and in the cloud
10. Use a mail server with spam protection and content filtering software

 Just in Case You Do Get Ransomware…

Unfortunately, it only takes on slip-up to let in a threat. While a total of $380 million has been spent trying to retrieve the data that ransomware has locked up, we cannot recommend this course of action—for several reasons:

• The attack might be fake
• You may not get all your data back
• The hackers could leave malware behind 
• You set a precedent that you will pay if attacked
• You are reinforcing the notion that hacking and scamming is
• profitable

 It is such a bad idea, that many areas in the United States are considering making it illegal to pay the demands. All paying does, after all, is encourage this kind of extortion while also painting your company as an easy target. The U.S. Treasury has gone on record to say that paying up in response to such extortion could put your business in legal trouble.

 Of course, you don’t have to resist ransomware and other threats alone. KB Technologies can assist you in several ways, including implementing a backup and disaster recovery platform capable of restoring any data that an attacker encrypts. Learn more by reaching out to us at (954) 834-2800.