Common IT Mistakes You Can Avoid

No one is perfect. Mistakes are made. Some are big; some are small; most importantly, many can be easily averted. Technology in particular is a place where easily avoidable mistakes happen every day, so here are a few things you should look at within your organization.

Skipping (or not doing) Backups

Backups are about the most important thing you can do to protect your business. Stuff happens. No matter whatever else you do to protect your data, stuff happens. Cyber theft, ransomware, fire, flood, weather, employee error. Stuff happens. We also have more information on our website. Then call us so we can provide a complimentary IT network security assessment

Skipping Updates

Big mistake! It’s a war out there with hackers and software developers hard at work fighting with each other. The hackers are trying to break into your network (and everyone else’s) by seeking out vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the programs, while the software people work like beavers patching and fixing so they can protect their customers, including you. If you aren’t taking advantage of the hard work they do by installing their updates, you really have no one to blame but yourself when things go haywire. Again, the IT pros at a qualified managed IT support company will monitor, manage and maintain your IT network, including 24 x 7 installation of patches and updates.

Understanding What You Are Agreeing To

We all do it. We see this mountain of text that we are supposed to read before we hit “OK” or “Next”, or “Continue.” Admittedly, most of the time there is nothing noxious in there, especially when dealing with large reputable companies…most of the time. However, by not reading what is in front of you, you could be agreeing to terms and conditions you may not like, or may potentially put your company, or at least your computer, at risk. You may inadvertently be giving permission to download bloatware and/or other software you really don’t want on your device. Some downloadable software will have a blanket “I Agree” box at the bottom, but will give you the option within the document to opt-out of these downloads. If you skip to the bottom, you miss this opportunity. Our thinking: it’s always better to have your IT pro do the installs, anyway.

Surge Protection & Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)

Electricity is great, can’t live without it, but it is also inconsistent. It goes out. It surges. And surges can cause a lot of damage. Many surges are caused when lightning hits power lines. The lines may not be damaged, but the increased electrical flow can fry computer components in a split second. The easiest way to avoid this is by simply using surge protectors. What’s that? You have them throughout your company? Wanna bet! You probably did at some point, but as time goes by, you added new equipment, or someone needed a protector and the only place they found one was at someone else’s work station. It’s not uncommon to do a survey of a growing company and find 10% of equipment unprotected.

If you want to take it a step further, use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS). In addition to protecting your equipment, they will supply a brief amount of battery power so you can save your work. Note, however, that most UPSs are not intended for long-term use, but they will give you enough time to finish and save what you are doing.

Not Working With an Experienced, Qualified IT Support Provider…

…like Novatech. We have been providing managed IT service in for small to mid-sized businesses for more than a quarter century, so if you would like to speak with us, give us a call at 777.569.4600.