Better backup benefits business

No one realises how much they rely on technology until something goes wrong. If your computer system goes into meltdown, can you recover your data quickly and efficiently? Better still, do you know a company who can?

All Priority IT clients can benefit from our secure managed backup service, which combines the convenience of cloud-based backup with the reliability of onsite backup to ensure your data is safer than ever before. 

The cloud can provide an offsite backup in the event of a disaster, but it’s often less reliable than it should be, and can even clog up your internet service.

What’s more, the data from your cloud backup is held in a data centre in the UK or overseas, and getting your data back quickly when a disaster occurs can be difficult. 

Most cloud services only backup documents and data. Priority IT backup clones your entire server, laptop or desktop. Backups are taken every 15 minutes, and data is encrypted and stored at our Trowbridge office. 

In the event of a disaster, Priority IT can restore your data quickly and efficiently. 
 
What’s more, we keep an encrypted copy of all data at your own office, so if you accidentally delete a file, it’s easy and fast to restore.

Our flexible backup solutions can be tailored to the needs of your business. If you have a second office or home office and prefer to store your data offsite, just ask – we’ll be happy to help.

For more information on Priority IT backup – or any other aspect of our affordable, reliable IT support – call our friendly team on 01225 636000, or visit www.priorityit.co.uk

How to keep your children safe online

The internet has changed the world as we know it. It offers endless opportunities, and has altered the way we communicate forever.

But this ever-growing freedom comes with its own risks, and the need to protect children and young people from inappropriate material online is a concern for parents and carers.

It’s a tricky issue, and something we’re often asked about at Priority IT.

There are numerous devices that connect to the internet, including games consoles, tablets, smartphones, televisions – and, of course, computers.

So, how do you go about making sure your children stay safe on the internet?

Steps to stay safe

The first thing to do is look at your router. Many new routers have parental controls that enable you to specify categories, then block those categories you don’t want your children to have access to.

I recently tested Netgear’s new range of routers with parental controls, and found them to work very well – so much so that I’ve started using one on my own home network, to protect my two girls.

Of course, no filter is perfect. If a website hasn’t been categorised – or has been incorrectly categorised – it may slip through the net.

Check settings on phones and other devices that connect independently of your household router, as these won’t be filtered.

Explain to your children the importance of not adding strangers on messaging services and social networks, as people aren’t always who they appear to be.

Cyberbullying: what it is, and how to avoid it

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through any sort of technology – from mobile devices to social networks. It involves individuals – sometimes known as trolls – saying abusive or controversial things to provoke a reaction from their victim.

Most social sites enable you to report abuse, and to block individuals who are making negative or hurtful comments. Encourage your children to talk to you if they think they’re being bullied.

There are a number of helpful websites designed to educate children, young people – and parents – on the dangers of the internet, including www.thinkuknow.co.uk and www.saferinternet.org.uk.

For more information on any IT-related matter, call our friendly team on 01225 636000, or visit www.priorityit.co.uk

Top tips to avoid fake emails

 Fake emails don’t just clutter up your inbox – they can leave your computer system vulnerable to viruses.

These fake messages – often called ‘phishing’ emails – are designed to trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. Clicking the link will install a virus, which can sit on your computer silently logging data such as credit card details, passwords, or even everything you type. This information is then uploaded and sold to criminals to exploit.

Phishing emails usually use the name of a trusted brand or company to make the message appear genuine. These include:

• HMRC (your P60 or P45 attached/claim your tax refund)
• Banks and building societies (your statement is attached/fraud has been detected)
• Mobile phone companies (your bill is attached)
• Courier companies (sorry we missed you)
• PayPal (your account has been suspended)
• Facebook 

Most emails have a zip file attachment. If you extract the zip file, the file within looks like a PDF. In fact, it’s a virus.

Don’t get caught 

• Ensure you have good, up-to-date virus protection software.
• Think twice before opening any email attachment. If you’re unsure and not expecting the email, delete it.
• Remember – banks, HMRC and other financial institutions never send sensitive information via email, or ask you to click on a link to log in to your account.
• If you suspect the email is genuine, verify by logging in to your account on the company’s website. 
• Ensure your computer is set to show file types. You may need to change your settings, as Windows doesn’t show file extensions by default.
• Before opening any attachment, check the file type. Some hoax files are made to look like Word documents. If the extension is .exe it’s almost definitely a virus. 
• Zip files often contain viruses. Always check the contents before opening. 
• Never click on ‘remove’ or ‘unsubscribe’, or reply to unwanted email. Doing so tells the hoaxer your email address is valid, which is likely to increase the number of unwanted emails you receive.
• If you’re concerned, contact the company or institution the email appears to be from.

It also pays to be aware of telephone scams. Whoever the caller claims to be, reputable companies such as Microsoft will never phone you to gain remote access to your computer.
 
We’ve deliberately seeded an email account and will post any phishing emails to our Twitter feed – @PriorityIT – with the hashtag #hoaxemail.
 
For more advice on avoiding viruses – or for details of our affordable, reliable IT support – call us on 01225 636000, or visit www.priorityit.co.uk

Brain of Bath 2013 Results

Priority IT are pleased to announce the results of Brain of Bath 2013.


On the 4th July 2013 Julian House held their 15th Anniversary Brain of Bath at the Assembly Rooms, Bath.  The questions were pitched somewhere between Trivial Pursuit and Millionaire, with a few novelty rounds thrown in for good measure!

Congratulations to Future Publishing for winning the magnificent Waterford Crystal trophy and the title of Brain of Bath Champions for 2013.

Position	Team	Team Name	Points
1	7	Future Publishing	223
2	16	St James' Wine Vaults	212
3	1	Bath Magazine	208
4	17	Media Clash	202
4	5	Fidelius	202
4	19	Baker Tilly	202
7	11	Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors	201
7	20	Richardson Swift	201
9	6	BMT	200
10	3	Bath Building Society	199
10	12	Pearson May	199
12	10	Reconstruct	197
13	14	House of Bath	196
14	18	Thrings	195
14	8	Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios	195
16	2	Withy King	192
17	4	Moore Stephens	188
18	13	Bishop Fleming	184

			212
			208
			202
			202
			202
			201
			201
			200
			199
			199
			197
			196
			195
			195
			192
			188
			184

Brain of Bath 2012 Results

The annual Brain of Bath Quiz, in aid of Julian House, took place at the Assembly Rooms on 4th of July and Dynasty star, Emma Samms (aka Fallon Colby) was quizmistress for the event, 22 teams took part and as usual this was hotly contested evening.

Priority IT are proud to provide IT Support during the event.

Congratulations to BMT Defence Services for winning with a fantastic score of 217 points, Pearson may came a close second with 215 points.

 

Full Results are as follows:

 

Position	Team Name	Points
1	BMT Defense Services	217
2	Pearson May	215
3	Future Publishing	211
3	Media Clash	211
5	Bath Chronicle	203
6	GL Hearn	200
7	St James' Wine Vaults	199
8	Thrings	196
9	Bath Magazine	190
9	Bath Labour	190
11	Fidelius	188
11	Deloitte  LLP	188
13	Richardson Swift	187
14	Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors	184
15	Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios	181
16	House of Bath	178
17	Reconstruct	172
18	Baker Tilly	166
19	Moore Stephens 2	161
20	Bishop Fleming	156
21	Moore Stephens 1	155
22	Bath Building Society	132

Brain of Bath 2012

Brain of Bath 2012

Priority IT are pleased to be providing IT Services to assist Julian House during the Brain on Bath Quiz Night.  This year's quiz is be held in the Assembly Rooms in Bath on the 4th of July.

 

For more information on the quiz or to get more information on the great work Julian House do please visit  http://www.julianhouse.org.uk