Nancie Williams

The HIPAA Compliant Guide to Computer Recycling

Facilities that work with health-related information find themselves with more sensitive data than other organizations. Because of this, a single HIPAA violation can land you with a $50,000 fine (or higher). That’s why you need to ensure HIPAA compliance when disposing of hard drives. Luckily, computer recycling is easier than ever before, making HIPAA compliance …

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HIPAA Shredding Guidelines for Protected Healthcare Information

Do you wish to permanently remove files from your computer? Is your business required by law to destroy protected health information (PHI)? In 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received over 550 reports of PHI breaches. This affected more than 40 million people. Companies must install reasonable safeguards to protect PHI. Do …

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How Data Encryption in Healthcare Improves Security

Over the course of 2021, over 40 million patient records were compromised by cybercriminals. This leaves patients susceptible to identity theft and financial issues. It also leaves healthcare facilities like yours susceptible to noncompliance-related legal issues and patient lawsuits. Data encryption is one of the best ways that you can proactively battle common cyber threats. …

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The 10 Best Tech Gifts to Buy in 2022 (Before They’re Sold Out)

As of February 2021, the US tech industry was worth roughly $1.6 trillion. Over the years, technological advancements have paved the way for a huge number of incredible devices. Connectivity and convenience are better than ever, and companies are constantly coming up with new innovations. As 2021 comes to a close there are a number of …

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A picture of a webcam sitting on a keyboard. These devices are vulnerable to hacking without proper webcam security.

What You Need to Know About Webcam Security

Let’s talk about webcam security. Most people have webcams all over their homes and businesses. You probably have a webcam attached to your phone, laptop, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as security systems, video baby monitors, and other WiFi-enabled cameras. These devices have become part of modern living and communicating, but they are also …

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A man typing on a computer that has been infected by a virus or a worm.

Virus Vs. Worm: How to Know What Attacked Your Computer

One of the most devastating cyberattacks in history happened sometime around 2010, perpetrated by the most unlikely actor: the U.S. government, using a worm to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program. The apparent sophistication of the attack itself was newsworthy, but many people were also left scratching their heads at the use of the word “worm” instead …

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A network administrator chooses between WPA and WPA2 when configuring a router.

WPA vs. WPA2: Which Security Measure Is Right for Your Network?

Wireless networks give you the convenience of connecting devices without wires, but the lack of wires poses a security risk. People cannot access a wired network without a physical connection, but they can easily get onto a wireless network if it’s not secured correctly.  Leaving a network open makes every user on it vulnerable to …

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What to Do About a “Your Connection Is Not Private” Message

Online security should always be a top priority, whether you’re using the internet chiefly for personal or professional reasons. Your data and that of your loved ones should never be vulnerable to hackers. You need to protect the devices you use to access web pages and ensure your personal information is never put at risk. …

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A knob turned by hand selects VPN vs. proxy.

Proxy vs. VPN: Here’s How to Tell Which One You Need

Understanding the Differences Between a Proxy vs. VPN? What are the primary differences between a proxy vs. VPN? Consumers and organizations around the globe are becoming more and more careful about what they share online and how. Data privacy is a top concern, since hackers are continuously updating their strategies and getting better at finding …

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You can use a diagnostic tool to identify Mac performance issues.

Top 5 Mac Diagnostic Tools to Get Your Computer Up to Speed

It can be baffling when your computer’s performance suddenly drops. Help is available, though, in the form of some powerful diagnostic tools you can use if your Mac stops performing at peak levels. They enable you to conduct a thorough analysis of your system and can often identify the root cause of any issues.  There …

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A blue external hard drive plugged into a red laptop computer, with both the drive and computer on top of a red table, illustrating how to partition external hard drives.

How to Partition External Hard Drives: Here’s What You Need to Know

A computer only offers so much storage space. To get the most value out of your machine, you may invest in an external hard drive, so you can maintain the storage space you need for music, movies, and other data-intensive applications. But this drive alone won’t necessarily help you manage all the storage space at …

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A computer system warning that it has been hacked indicates a cryptojacking attack is underway

Everything You Need to Know About Cryptojacking

Cryptocurrency has never been more popular, and with it comes the inevitable criminal attempts surrounding it. Those who invest in cryptocurrency should understand the dangers of cryptojacking, which is one possible risk they face. They can then guard against this form of cybercrime before it’s too late.  Cryptojacking refers to either the illegal use of …

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A man on the phone during a vishing attack gets a message on his computer that it’s been hacked.

A Guide to Vishing and How You Can Protect Yourself

You’ve probably heard of phishing, where scammers try to get private personal information via email or text. Cyber thieves also use “vishing,” a combination of “voice” and “phishing” that is conducted not only through incoming phone calls but through a button or link you can click on your computer. It’s becoming increasingly common, representing 30% …

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A red warning on a computer screen that consists of an exclamation point inside a triangle, alerting to a malware infection

Exploring the Different Types of Malware and How to Protect Yourself

Cybercriminals constantly develop and launch new types of malicious software and modify existing versions. There are still many types that remain undetected as well. Malware is a blanket term used to describe malicious software. It is categorized based on how the software spreads or the actions following installation.  Every type of malware falls into a …

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Hand protecting a computer webcam with an orange cover, which would be an excellent cybersecurity gift

Giving Someone Protection: 8 Can’t-Miss Cybersecurity Gifts

Cybercrime is a serious problem for consumers and businesses around the world. No one is immune to cyberattacks, and hackers constantly search for new ways to penetrate networks, systems, and websites. Cybercriminals, unfortunately, show no signs of slowing down any time soon.  The cyber threat landscape is evolving, and consumers and businesses must plan accordingly. …

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A notification warning email displayed on a laptop computer screen to alert an end-user about a Sality malware infection

Your Complete Guide to Sality Malware

The varieties of malware infesting cyberspace these days seem innumerable, and their attacks unavoidable. Computers have little choice but to inform themselves about what they’re up against and what they can do to minimize damage. One common piece of malware is called Sality, which cyber criminals deploy to attack Microsoft Windows users. The malware was …

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A man uses a magnifying glass to peer through window blinds, illustrating the lack of online privacy.

Privacy and Search Engines – Exploring Whether DuckDuckGo Is a Safe Alternative

Heard of a search engine called DuckDuckGo? There is a lot in the news about online privacy these days, partly because most search engines collect personal information so marketers can better profile and identify you and gather other statistics. People conduct 15 billion searches each month, and these search engines know the search terms, the …

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A hacker in a black hoodie sits at a laptop amid columns of numeric code, illustrating the need to store passwords safely.

Don’t Get Hacked: Learn the Best Ways to Store Passwords and Stay Safe

Passwords are meant to keep your valuable data secure and away from prying eyes and cyberthieves. Everything happens online today – bank accounts, social media, personal information, and work-related info – and all of it requires passwords that must be stored so they aren’t vulnerable to hackers.  You might wonder who would possibly want your …

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A computer technician repairs a computer with a pair of tweezers.

A Complete Guide to Hardware EOSL: End of Service Life

No hardware lasts forever. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often assign an end-of-service-life (EOSL) date to the hardware they manufacture. OEM hardware that reaches this date can no longer be repaired by the manufacturer itself. Every business must account for EOSL accordingly. Here is a look at what EOSL means for your mission-critical systems and why …

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What Is EOL? Everything You Need to Know About Business Systems Reaching End-of-Life

End-of-life (EOL) is a term used to describe a software or hardware product that has reached the end of its lifecycle. Software EOL involves operating systems and software applications. Hardware EOL often applies to smartphones, laptops, and other devices.  You must track product EOL or risk using outdated software or hardware that will no longer …

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the safest cloud storage

Your Guide to the 4 Safest Cloud Storage Solutions

More people and organizations are moving to cloud-based storage, with recent studies showing 81% of all enterprises use or plan to use a multi-cloud strategy. Individuals also use cloud storage, accessing, on average, 36 cloud-based services per day.  A recent worldwide study found that 70% of companies with stored data in the cloud have experienced …

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Does Incognito Mode Work (and How Private Is It)?

Anyone who is concerned about online privacy may be wondering if incognito or private mode is a solution. People have both legitimate and not-so-legitimate reasons for wanting to keep their browser history private. You may simply want to keep certain web searches secret, for example, as well as reduce companies’ ability to track you online …

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What are Delivery Optimization Files, and Can I Delete Them?

Have you heard about delivery optimization files? In the age of technology, most of us use computers on a daily basis for work, banking, paying bills, storing photos and music, communicating, and playing games. Using these devices for so many different things also means they have a whole lot of files on them, some of …

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old hard drive

The 2020 Guide to Getting Data Off an Old Hard Drive

With new hard drive technology like solid state drivers (SSDs) and serial advanced technology attachments (SATA) quickly overtaking the hard drive market, almost all of us have old, out-of-date hard drives sitting around on dusty shelves. If you’re thinking about selling those hard drives, you better wait until you delete your data. Here are a …

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Buying Gifts for Computer Geeks? Heres 9 Perfect Gifts

Trying to find an amazing birthday or Christmas gift for computer geeks can be a huge challenge — especially for the gift-givers who are less tech-savvy. Maybe they would love to own a piece of the latest and greatest technology, or perhaps they could use something to spruce up their office (or home office). Finding …

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Person confused because his computer keeps freezing

9 Things to Do When Your Computer Keeps Freezing

You’re in the middle of a critical work assignment. Your eyes are glued to the clock. Then, suddenly, in the middle of that oh-so-important draft, your computer freezes. You move the mouse, desperately hoping that your cursor scurries across the screen, but nothing happens. Your computer went from a multitasking hero to a frozen-in-time zero. …

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Guy about to wipe a MacBook

Quick Guide: How to Wipe a MacBook Before You Sell It

If you’re interested in reselling your personal MacBook, it’s a good idea to wipe it beforehand. Wiping your computer helps you remove personal data and keep sensitive information private. Here we will discuss how to wipe a MacBook in order to protect your information before selling it. Selling your old MacBook is a good way …

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See The Top Norton Alternatives (Plus 4 Reasons to Switch)

Everyone benefits from shredding their unwanted digital documents and files, whether as individuals or companies. The law requires that the latter destroy and protect some information — especially in the healthcare sector — but simple deletion does not mean the information is gone forever. Users must use a file shredder like Norton File Shredder or …

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10 Items To Back Up Or Digitally Shred To Keep Your Data Protected

The longer you have a desktop or laptop computer, the more data and files you accumulate. Think of all the photos, emails, documents, and downloaded attachments you have saved on your computer. You probably don’t need some of them anymore (and thus should digitally shred them), but you might want to preserve others for future …

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Lavasoft File Shredder Alternative [+9 Reasons to Get The Shred Cube]

When the wrong people have access to your sensitive information, it can wreak havoc on your personal life as well as your business’s operations.  Confidential files containing financial, personnel, personal, business information and more could be devastating in bad actors’ hands. Lavasoft File Shredder The problem is that it can be tricky to permanently delete …

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Why File Shredders Are Important Alternatives to Services Like IObit

Anti-malware services provider IObit provides innovative software for system utilities. Its offerings are designed to improve computer performance and security by removing adware, malware, ransomware, and other threats to keep it safe from bad actors. The company’s software is relatively popular, too, having been downloaded more than 250 million times, won over 100 awards, and …

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CCleaner Alternative: The Shred Cube [2021 Product Comparison]

There are many benefits to using digital registry cleaning services that isolate and delete junk files from computer systems, and Ccleaner is by far the most popular. Very similar to Windows Disk Cleanup tool, Ccleaner helps to reduce the amount of unnecessary files on your computer that take up valuable space. One drawback to using …

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Red trash can icon for junk files

Junk Files: What They Are and How To Remove Them From Your Computer

Your computer’s storage often contains thousands of junk files, which generally leads to slower performance.  Surprisingly, most people don’t even realize that their laptops or computers have junk files, where they came from, or even how to remove them. This article explains everything you need to know about junk files. Here’s the ultimate guide to …

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5 Computer Security Tips You Can Start Using Right Now

The internet is a valuable resource. For that reason, it is quite hard to imagine a world without online services at the moment. Unfortunately, the internet has become a space where malicious links, viruses, and Trojans hide. As a result, data breaches are now more frequent than ever due to the increased vulnerability of unsuspecting …

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