Best practices Archives - Page 6 of 7

Oct, 2016

Tip of the Week: 3 Easy Exercises Designed for Office Workers

You wouldn’t think that sitting at a desk all day could have many detrimental effects to the body, but the opposite is actually true: remaining stationary throughout the day, especially in a slouching position, can cause considerable stress and discomfort. This discomfort, in addition to decreasing morale, can be a distraction that cuts into the productivity of workers throughout the day.

If you’re experiencing the ill health effects of poor desk posture, try these exercises at home–you’ll see why in a moment–to relieve many of the negative symptoms by stretching out your cramped and compressed muscles.

Get rocking…
On all fours, carefully rock back and forth. When rocking back, your hips should move down towards your feet, extending your back for a stretch across the lower portion of your spine, relaxing the stretch when returning to the forward position. For an added bonus in your upper back and neck, nod your head as you rock, bringing your chin to and from your chest.

… and rolling.
Starting off by laying on your stomach with your arms above your head, alternatively lift your arms and use their weight to roll over a few times on each side. Be sure to use the weight of your arm to roll, rather than bracing against the ground and pushing yourself over.

Also, get back to the basics.
With remarkably few exceptions, human beings start moving on all fours. Use that as an inspiration during your next exercise and crawl forwards and backwards, focusing on moving your hips as much as possible. While moving backwards, get a good stretch in your neck by turning your head from side to side.

Hopefully, it is now clear why these exercises are better done at home. Unless your office has a dedicated exercise area, there simply is not space for employees to do such things, never mind how distracting such activities would be for the other employees to work around. Therefore, since these activities are intended to assist office workers in remaining comfortable and focused, this is a bit of work that people should really take home with them.

An uncomfortable employee is an unproductive employee–fortunately, the opposite is also true. Encouraging your employees to take care of their bodies will not only help them feel their best, but also help them remain more productive for your business.

For more office productivity tips, keep checking back to the NuTech Services blog.

Sep, 2016

Tip of the Week: 5 Steps You Can Take to Foil the Plans of Hackers

Hackers have the ability to cripple systems and steal important (or sensitive) data, and if you’re not careful your business could become their latest victim. Here are five ways that you can make it more difficult for hackers to infiltrate your systems and steal your data.

Protect Important Security Credentials
Hackers naturally target the credentials of important figures within an organization. This could entail stealing the usernames or passwords from someone who has access to crucial, mission-critical information, like the administrator of your IT department or your business’s C-Suite staff. Therefore, it’s important that you ensure these credentials are protected by encryption, and that they’re as long and complex as possible. If you store them anywhere, it should be in an encrypted password manager, where only they can access them.

Restrict Admin Access
Similar to the above point, you want to restrict access to certain locations of your network on a per-user basis. This means keeping the average joe from peeking at information like financial credentials and personally identifiable information, among other things. The fewer people who have access to important information, the less likely it is that this data can be stolen. Therefore, your users should have access to only information that they need to do their jobs properly, and nothing more.

Augment Password Security with Best Practices
If you’re using a password manager, you can implement all sorts of password best practices to further augment your organization’s security. For one, password managers make it so that you can feasibly use different complex passwords for every single one of your online accounts. This is important, seeing how long, complex passwords that utilize upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols are very difficult to remember on their own.

Cut Down on Shadow IT
Hackers love to take advantage of forgotten-about technology solutions to infiltrate networks. While you might be patching all of your organization’s crucial software solutions, you might be neglecting that open source word processor that an employee downloaded one day. You should emphasize to your team that if they need a solution to do their job properly, they should go through the proper channels (like through IT or management) before implementing an unapproved solution.

Train Your Staff on IT Best Practices
While it’s helpful that you understand IT best practices, this can only get you so far. You should make IT security a part of company culture by thoroughly educating your staff on how to stay safe online. Teach them what to do if they suspect that they’ve been hacked, and help them avoid dangerous threats, including malicious links, spam phishing attacks, and unsolicited email attachments.

To learn more about cyber security, reach out to NuTech Services at 810.230.9455.

Sep, 2016

Tip of the Week: Why You Should Be Wary of Using Public Wi-Fi

Wireless Internet connections, often referred to by the moniker Wi-Fi, have become a popular offering from public businesses. Even organizations that have no real need for an Internet connection to conduct business, like restaurants and coffee shops, now offer Wi-Fi for their customers. However, public Wi-Fi can be dangerous, especially for the business professional.

The biggest problem, however, is that most people who use public Wi-Fi are fully aware of the risks, yet, still continue to use it. The Identity Theft Resource Center claims that 78.5 percent of users who connect to free Wi-Fi understand that there are major risks involved, and only 26.7 percent use a VPN to keep themselves safe. Free Wi-Fi is dangerous, and we’ll show you how using a series of examples.

Anyone Can Access It
Unless the Wi-Fi router is protected with a passcode, chances are that the network is vulnerable to hacking attacks and other threats. Even then, if the router isn’t configured properly, the passcode doesn’t necessarily help. Since anyone can access it at their leisure, nothing is stopping a hacker from connecting to the router and spying on others who might be connected to the network.

It’s worth mentioning, although we use the term ‘hacker,’ even a mischievous child with a bit of curiosity and know-how could get access to your files if the connection isn’t secure.

Free Wi-Fi is Highly Used
This goes without saying, but the more people who use an Internet connection, the lower the quality of the connection, and the more likely it is that a hacker will be on it. Hackers know that free Wi-Fi draws crowds, so they use the search for the convenience to find new targets for their treachery.

Data Isn’t Encrypted
You can think of encryption as an extra layer of protection for any data that’s sent to and received from the Wi-Fi connection. When routers have encryption, hackers have a more difficult time stealing data of substance.

What You Can Do
While unsecured public Wi-Fi routers aren’t something that you have direct control over, you can certainly take steps to be mindful of using them when you’re out and about. Here are three best practices for avoiding a potentially risky Wi-Fi network in a public place.

Only connect to networks that require security codes.
Set your phones and devices so that they don’t automatically connect to any new Wi-Fi network.
Use a virtual private network (VPN).

If your business needs its employees to stay safe while on the move, reach out to us at 810.230.9455. We’ll help your team understand the best way to work around potentially threatening situations.

Aug, 2016

Tip of the Week: 4 Ways to Make Sure Workplace Instant Messaging Enhances Productivity

Instant messaging has changed the way that individuals communicate with one another, both in their personal lives and in the workplace. Just as email threw a wrench in traditional mail’s plans, instant messaging threatens to jump start a new method of instantaneous communication, one which can be seen as a great benefit, but also an immense annoyance.

As reported by ITProPortal, over half of the respondents to a survey by BetterCloud believe that instant messaging will overtake email in the office; an impressive feat, especially considering how commonplace email is in today’s professional environment. However, this also means that businesses need to improve their instant messaging practices if they want to reap the benefits it provides, and to use instant messaging in such a way that it’s not a major workplace distraction.

If you want to improve your business’s instant messaging practices, try these tips.

Accurately Represent Your Current Online Status
You need to give your team a proper representation of whether you are currently available or not. If you don’t, they could be wasting valuable time trying to reach out to you when, in reality, you’re nowhere near your computer. Make sure that you change your status to indicate that you’re away from your computer, or logged off for the night; that way, your team can know that they would be better off contacting someone else who is available.

If It’s Going to Be a Long Conversation, Try a Different Communication Medium
Long IM conversations can waste time, especially if they aren’t particularly relevant to the task at hand. In this case, it’s better to simply pick up the phone and call the person you need to communicate with or arrange for a face-to-face conversation. This way, the details get ironed out and you don’t waste valuable time getting to the point. Plus, emotions are somewhat difficult to express through instant messaging, while voice chat and in-person meetings are easier to get a feel for.

If You Have a Short, Specific Request, Try to Put It at the Beginning of the Conversation
There’s no point in drawing out a conversation when all you need to do is ask a question. Doing so isn’t just wasting your time; it’s wasting the recipient’s time too. Be courteous and respectful of your colleagues’ time and ask questions as soon as you can.

Take Full Advantage of Your IM System’s Features
Many instant messaging platforms also allow for several other functions. If you fully take advantage of these features, your team can be more productive with your IM solution. For example, if your system allows for voice chat, using it can be a great way to clear up confusion or explain a particularly difficult concept. If you need to rope in another person, try adding them to the conversation when they need to be there. The idea is to play around with what works and what the limits of your IM system are. This way, you can help your team better understand how to take advantage of the features.

By following these best practices, your organization will see a more fruitful use of instant messaging features. What are some of your favorite ways to use instant messaging, and do you have any specific practices that you follow at your organization? We’d love to hear about them. Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to our blog for more best practices and tech tips.

Aug, 2016

Tip of the Week: 4 Guidelines When Buying Used Computer Equipment

One way that your business can save money is by purchasing used computer equipment, but only if you do your research and perform a meticulous analysis of where it’s been, and why it’s no longer being used. If you’re serious about purchasing pre-owned computing equipment, consider these four tips.

The Hard Drive’s Age
One of the most critical components of a computer is the hard drive. It can be difficult to judge the condition of a hard drive by observation, so keep this general rule in mind; the average lifespan of a hard drive is about five years, so you don’t want to purchase one that’s four or more years old. Or, rather, you should prioritize finding those that have more life left in them, as an older hard drive is typically at a higher risk of crashing.

However, an older hard drive doesn’t necessarily have to be technically useless. This five-year rule only applies to hard drives that see continuous use. If you find one that’s been used sparingly during its lifetime, it will probably have more life left in it than you might initially think. In general, the five-year rule isn’t something that you need to hold to. Just like any technology solution, there will be hard drives that can outlast others; some are known to exceed even 10 years without experiencing issues. Solid state drives are capable of bypassing this rule altogether, as they’re built to last for much longer than the hard disk drive.

In the end, you want to make your decision based off of what you need your hard drive to do. If it’s something that absolutely cannot fail, you may be better off just purchasing a new one outright. Or, you could use a reliable data backup and disaster recovery solution, like a BDR, and hope for the best.

Also, be sure to give the computer a test before you actually purchase it (if possible). If it’s making strange noises, it’s not a safe investment for your business.

Clean Up Your Used Technology
As you’re well-aware, computers are known to collect all kinds of grime, germs, and dust. This is important to keep in mind when you purchase a new PC, seeing as it might not be the cleanest machine in the world. It’s your responsibility to clean it up and make sure that it, or any of its components, are ready for use. Of course, depending on how long this process takes, you may just come to the conclusion that it’s too much of a hassle.

Additionally, there are some other components of workstations that are way too germy to be passing around the office. One example is the keyboard, a device so filthy and foul that it collects more germs than toilet seats. Just let that sink in before you pass on a used keyboard to another user. You might come to the conclusion that it’s better to just buy a new one.

The Parts Might Be Damaged
Whether you want to believe it or not, there’s a reason why someone is selling their used technology. Either it doesn’t work, or they found something that works better. Basically, it comes down to functionality. There’s no point in shopping around and investing in used technology if you wind up getting something that doesn’t work as intended. You would have been better off just purchasing a new part altogether, but you may not realize this until it’s too late.

This is what’s known in the technology industry as risk management. Some sources, like reputable online dealers, will be more reliable to purchase used technology from. Others, however, may not be so trustworthy. We’re looking at you, Craigslist.

Consult the Professionals
Here’s one last tip for procuring quality computer equipment: contact the IT professionals at NuTech Services. We’ll provide a clear risk assessment, identify quality sources of used IT equipment, and suggest new and affordable solutions that you may not even have known existed. It never hurts to ask for a second opinion.

If you’re finding that technology solutions are difficult to come by, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Aug, 2016

Tip of the Week: Why You Should Rethink Routinely Changing Your Password

One of the main ways to keep an account’s credentials secure is by changing them consistently. However, we ran across an article recently that plays “devil’s advocate” on the password security issue, and they made some fair points about how changing passwords too frequently can lead to decreased security as a whole.

At first, this idea may not make a lot of sense. The reason that we change passwords so often is to prevent them from being used in attacks on sensitive accounts. If hackers steal passwords that don’t work, they can’t access the accounts. IT administrators often require user passwords to be changed on a regular basis, which may prompt users to choose passwords that are easy to remember or less complex than they should be.

In reality, there are several news outlets and security websites that suggest changing passwords regularly will lead to less-secure passwords as a whole. ZDNet, The Washington Post, and WIRED magazine, all suggest that frequently changing passwords, despite its intended purpose, can lead to watered-down security. Consider this scenario: you’re using a password, but are suddenly forced to change it. Would you be more likely to create a whole new password, or use a slight variation of your current password?

The Washington Post writes, “forcing people to keep changing their passwords can result in workers coming up with, well, bad passwords.” This statement is backed by research from a study performed by Carnegie Mellon University, which found that those who feel that their organization’s password policy was annoying, created passwords that were 46 percent less secure. Additionally, users who need to update their passwords constantly often leave patterns that connect old passwords to new passwords, like replacing a letter with a number or special character.

ZDNet explains that changing passwords for the purpose of securing accounts in case of stolen credentials doesn’t make sense, simply because “stolen passwords are often exploited immediately.” The security website also cites that “regularly changed passwords are more likely to be written down (another vulnerability) or forgotten,” which only seems to add to the frustration of changing passwords on a regular basis.

The fact remains that passwords may not be the most reliable way of keeping accounts safe, but there are ways that you can make using passwords, and account security, easier to handle. One way is to use an enterprise-level password manager. You can store all of your organization’s credentials in one secure location, where they will be called from and propagate in the required fields when needed. This helps you utilize complex passwords without needing to remember all of them.

Another way that you can improve account security is through two-factor authentication. This adds a second layer of security to your accounts by requiring a secondary credential, which can be sent to a smartphone via SMS message, voicemail, an alternative email account, and more. There are also biometric or GPS-tracking two-factor authentication methods that are viable (and effective).

If you’re ready to improve your business’s security practices, reach out to NuTech Services at 810.230.9455.

Jul, 2016

Tip of the Week: 4 Windows 10 Tips You’ll Use Again and Again

It’s been almost one year since the release of Windows 10. Are you taking advantage of everything Windows 10 offers? Here are four of the best Windows 10 features that you’ll want to start using right away.

Virtual Desktops
If you’ve never used a virtual desktop before (not to be confused with desktop virtualization), it’s a feature that allows you to open up multiple desktops that can be used for different things. This is ideal if you want to organize and spread out the way that you use your apps and windows, and helps to keep your main desktop free from the clutter. To open a new virtual desktop, click the Task View icon next to the Cortana search bar. Select the New desktop feature on the right corner of the screen. Then, if you’d like to move an open app to a different virtual desktop, it’s only a matter of clicking and dragging it to where you’d like the window to be.

Advanced Screenshots
Windows 10 lets you take screenshots in a quick and easy way. To do so, just hold down the Windows key + Prt Scn. This captures your entire screen, and will place the file in a Screenshots folder. Or, alternatively, you can press Alt + Prt Scn to copy the screenshot to your clipboard, and then paste it into your preferred image editor. Another great way to edit your screenshot is to use Windows 10’s built-in Snipping Tool to customize it.

We’d also like to add that communicating with tech support is made much easier by using screenshots of your specific trouble. A visual representation helps technicians figure out the exact problem, and take steps toward resolving it.

Record Your Screen
Windows 10’s latest Xbox app allows users to record their desktop screens, which can be useful if you want to put together a quick tutorial or record a task being completed for future reference. To get started, launch the Xbox app, then press Windows + G while you’re in the app that you want to record. You’ll be shown a message that says, “Do you want to open the Game bar?” Check the “Yes, this is a game,” option, and click the record button. Even if it’s not a game, you’ll be able to record something quickly and easily.

Battery Saver Mode
On Windows 10 mobile devices, you can customize how the battery saver mode works. Specifically, you can control when it turns on. Normally, the battery saver mode will kick on around 20 percent, but you can change it to suit your preference. All you have to do is go through Settings > System > Battery saver.

Of course, if you can’t take advantage of these tips because you don’t have Windows 10, it’s not too late to claim your free version of Windows 10 from Microsoft. Just a few days from now (July 29, 2016) you’ll be unable to get it for free. Of course, before doing so, you’ll still want to consider the pains of the migration process. If you don’t do your research, your business could suffer from unexpected downtime and incompatibility with legacy applications.

Now that you know of these four tips, how will you use Windows 10? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to our blog for more great tips and tricks.

Jul, 2016

Tip of the Week: 6 Truths to Guide Your PC Troubleshooting Efforts

We’ve all ran into problems that weren’t easily solvable, even by technically-proficient people. In fact, it’s often the case that simple problems can be escalated far beyond where they deserve to be. Sometimes all it takes is a little outside perspective, and some out-of-the-box thinking, to fix an issue.

The next time you run into a seemingly unsolvable problem, try out these six troubleshooting tips and see how you fare.

Keep it simple: In some cases, the most difficult problems can be solved by doing something simple. You could try resetting the hardware or application, checking to see if the machine is plugged in, and if all else fails, try shutting the machine down completely, and rebooting it. There’s no point in going through a ton of work, if the problem can easily be resolved by a reboot.
Trust only your own word: Have you ever tried to fix something, but you couldn’t get anything done because someone else has already tried everything under the sun to resolve the issue? In situations like this, don’t listen to them; go with your gut, as they could be troubleshooting the issue the wrong way.
It’s probably the user’s fault: According to ZDNet, about 80 percent of problems are due to user errors. There’s an old adage: “problem exists between keyboard and chair.” Basically, the idea is that the end-user is to blame, so it’s important to admit that you may be at fault on occasion.
Try to replicate the issue: The easiest way to get to the bottom of a problem with your technology is to replicate the issue. Often times, knowing how a situation was created can offer valuable insight into how to resolve it. You can ask your end-users to show you what they did, and what the problem is.
Know when to fix or replace: Your IT budget should always be at the top of your mind, as unexpected and unnecessary hardware replacements could convolute your business for months. You should understand how much it will take to fix something, but only fix it if replacing the technology isn’t a better option. Remember, hardware refreshes are great ways to improve the quality of operations.
When all else fails, throw in the towel: If you can’t fix a problem, it’s important that you know when you should stop giving it a shot yourself. You can’t waste valuable time and resources digging deep into why your technology isn’t working, especially when you have a business to run. Instead, it’s more efficient to outsource the maintenance and management of your technology to a third-party managed service provider; one who specializes in caring for the technical requirements of small and medium-sized businesses.

For assistance with your business’s technology solutions, you can always reach out to NuTech Services. Our skilled technicians are trained in a myriad of related topics, and we can help your team get the support they need, when they need it. You’ll waste minimal time and your operations will soar. To learn more, give us a call at 810.230.9455.

Jun, 2016

Tip of the Week: 4 Easy Changes to Make Your Workspace More Comfortable

Sitting at a desk all day is probably the worst thing you can do for your health. The average office worker sits for 9.7 hours each day and after one hour of sitting the production of enzymes that burn fat declines by as much as 90 percent, significantly slowing metabolism. Then there’s ongoing back pain and eye strain. What’s the modern office worker to do?

If you have to sit at a desk all day, you might as well do so properly. Here are four ways to optimally set up your workspace. In addition to this being a good move for your health, you’ll be setting yourself up for increased comfort and productivity.

Getting Your Chair Just Right
First off, if your chair is uncomfortable, then you need a different chair. Now, we’re not suggesting you go out and get a La-Z-Boy for your desk (as cool as that would be), but you should at least sit in some kind of chair with enough padding that your back isn’t hurting at the end of the day. Ideally, you’ll want a chair with armrests bent at a 90 degree angle. Also, look for a chair that has lumbar support and adjustable settings for the backrest, height, and angle. Remember, the goal here is to have a chair that provides you with an upright posture throughout the workday–not a bed that will put you to sleep.

Desktop Hardware Placement is Key
It should feel natural for you to use your computer. The best way to achieve this is by lining up your keyboard’s “B” keys and mouse with your navel, and your keyboard should be as close to your body as comfortably possible. Heightwise, position your keyboard so that you’re bending your elbows, not your wrist. For your monitor, make sure that the top edge is two or three inches above your eyeline, and make sure that it’s reflecting as little glare as possible. To give you a picture of what we’re talking about, check out this chart.

Be Deliberate About Good Posture
Even if you have an ergonomic chair and desk and your computer equipment is positioned perfectly, all of this won’t matter if you’re not intentional about having good posture. If you’re used to slouching, this bad habit may take some help from your coworkers to break. For example, asking them to remind you to sit up straight if they catch you slouching may seem annoying at first, but it will help cement a good habit that will have far-reaching benefits for your health.

Be Sure to Take Breaks
Even though it feels counterproductive, taking breaks actually improves productivity and it’s good for your health. You’ll want to avoid being so locked into your task that you never look away from your screen, and you’ll want to get up from your desk from time to time and take a walk around the room or stretch. There are actually several useful apps that will help you achieve this. One good app is StretchClock, designed to remind you when to take a break by providing a short tutorial video of different stretches that you can do.

At the end of the day, these are all fairly minor actions you can take that will yield major results in terms of increased comfort, productivity, and improved health. Try these tips out for yourself and let us know in the comments if you feel any different.

Jun, 2016

Tip of the Week: 4 Easy Tips to Boost Your WiFi Signal

Your wireless router is both an integral part of your business’s online infrastructure, and a critical part of your home computing environment. Therefore, you need to make sure that your router is broadcasting a clear signal. Here are some tips on how to keep your wireless signal as strong as possible, regardless of where you are in the office.

Place Your Router Out in the Open
People like to conceal their routers in cabinets, hidden on the floor behind a desk, or elsewhere. It’s not like the device is an eyesore or anything, yet people are so quick to just throw them somewhere they won’t be seen. This is often dangerous and impractical, as the device can overheat if it’s in a place with poor air circulation. Plus, if you’re storing your device in a cabinet or otherwise, your signal could be suffering, making your Internet connection spotty and unpredictable at best.

Instead, we recommend that you keep your router out in the open, where it can get plenty of air circulation and broadcast its signal unhindered. In general, this is a best practice for your technology; especially workstations and servers.

Place Your Router in a Central Location
It’s tempting to just tuck your router away into a corner on the far side of your office, but this is a good way to make sure that the other side of the building doesn’t get a strong wireless connection. What you need to do is set up your router in a spot where it can broadcast its signal equally to each location. Depending on the architecture and size of your office, you may need multiple access points.

It should also be noted that you will probably want to elevate your router slightly, so as to make sure that your signal isn’t being blocked by objects placed on the floor, like file cabinets, desks, and so on.

Check Your Bandwidth and Internet Service Agreement
Sometimes placing a router will do nothing to help with your business’s wireless Internet speed. In cases like this, it might not be a problem with your router’s placement, and instead is a result of your network’s modem. The modem is often issued by an Internet service provider and works in accordance with your service agreement, limiting bandwidth and the flow of data. Therefore, if you’re having wireless problems, but have tried every router position out there, give your ISP a call and see what they can do for you.

Upgrade Your Router
If you’re using the same router that you had when your business first started, chances are that it’s grown outdated. In this case, your wireless signal could be limited by the router itself. Since this is something that your business has control over, you may want to purchase a new one. It’s recommended that you at least go with something that has dual-band support for both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands. This will help to keep your network strong, with minimal resistance from external forces. NuTech Services is available to help you choose the best wireless solution for your business.

Alternatively, you could try updating the firmware of your router; often times, this can help with connection issues and limited wireless range.

For more assistance with your wireless network, contact NuTech Services at 810.230.9455. Our trusted technicians would be happy to lend our assistance with your IT troubles.

May, 2016

Tip of the Week: How to Avoid Oversharing on Social Media

Social media, as wonderful a tool for connecting and communicating as it is, does have its dangers. Fortunately, these risks may be mitigated through careful deliberation and pragmatic posting habits, but only if you know what they are. What follows are some easy habits to encourage a heightened state of security both digitally and in the physical world.

Share with Caution: There are some pieces of information that really have no business on a social network, as they could be used to the benefit of identity thieves. One really obvious example is the unique-to-the-individual Social Security Number, but it isn’t totally wise to share your home address or phone number, either. Birthday information and other personal details should only be shared if the site offers private profiles – but even then, think twice and be sure to triple-check your privacy settings frequently, and only add those who you know personally. If all a thief needs to verify that they are you is your date of birth or your dog’s name, you might be opening yourself up.

A side note: Even if you trust your privacy settings and your list of contacts, never post your address and/or a post sharing your agenda until after the fact. Announcing that your home will be empty on social media for a given amount of time is inviting criminal activity into your residence.

Limit Employment Details Online: Sites like LinkedIn, while phenomenally helpful with professional networking, can also provide identity thieves with a blueprint of your life thus far to exploit. Unless actively seeking employment for a time, leave just enough to entice those who view your profile to contact you directly to seek more information. Take advantage of privacy settings on those sites as well.
Do an Online Audit: The online world is vast. Your information could be in more places than you think. Friends and contacts of yours could post information about your real-time whereabouts that others could exploit, or your information could exist outside of the real-time social media sphere, in cached browsers and the like. Do a quick search for yourself online and remove anything you can. Google Street View will reveal details about your life that can easily implicate your financial situation, a quick request through their “Report a Problem” feature will solve that with a blurred image, rather than your home and belongings.
Continue with a Social Audit: How well do you know all of your personal social media contacts? Would you welcome them into your home? Share intimate details about your life with them? Call them friends? If any of the corresponding answers are negative, these people probably don’t need access to your full account and information. Limit access to your info (with certain exceptions, if you must) or ideally remove people from your social media sphere.

Social media can be both a fun personal venture as well as a valuable professional networking resource, but like any other tool, it must be handled with care. For more information, tips, and best practices to apply to your social media habits, read more of our posts or call NuTech Services at 810.230.9455.

Apr, 2016

3 Ways the Internet is Changing Things, for Better AND for Worse

We’ve all become so adapted to the conveniences of the Internet that it’s difficult to remember what society was like before it. This becomes especially obvious when watching old movies. How odd is it to see characters do pre-Internet activities like go to the library to research information and use a phone book? These are just some of the ways that the Internet has dramatically changed society, for better and perhaps for worse.

Consider these three ways that the Internet has changed how we work and live, and then ask yourself truthfully, “Are we better off?”

Increased Productivity
One advantage the Internet affords us is that we can be productive virtually anywhere that we can connect to it. This includes places that were previously thought to be off limits from the reach of productivity, like at the beach while on vacation, on the road for business, we even hear that some users take their favorite devices into the bathroom with them. Looking at this situation from a purely business standpoint, it makes you as a business owner feel good that your staff is spending every waking moment being as productive as possible. However, looking at it from the standpoint of the human experience, it makes one feel like we’ve lost something when we can’t go but a few minutes without stopping to look at our mobile devices.

Yet, Productivity Decreases
While the Internet affords us more opportunities to access the web and get work done, it can also be a major distraction for the times when we actually sit down to, get work done. For example, at the end of the work day, how many tabs does your web browser have open? If you’re like the average modern office worker, your screen is full of interesting news articles, YouTube videos, multiple instant messaging conversations, and more, much more.

The problem here is that all of these little distractions presented by the Internet actually cut into productivity in a major way. In fact, it’s proven that it takes anywhere from 5-to-15 minutes for a worker to refocus on a single task after they’re pulled away from it. Therefore, having the Internet bombard an employee with distractions all day long actually results in getting less work done. But hey, they can always make up for it at home, or even in the bathroom.

Access Any Information Instantly
So far, the future we were promised is disappointing because it lacks flying cars, laser guns, and hoverboards (we don’t count the “Hoverboards” found in today’s retail stores). However, thanks to the Internet, virtually all of the world’s media and information is just a click away, and can even be carried in your pocket. This is a huge advancement for our civilization; one that would make the Jetsons green with envy.

Yet, all of this instant information is killing our attention spans. Consider these two sobering statistics from List25:

50 percent of Internet users quit waiting for a video to load after 10 seconds.
The average shot length in an English-language film has decreased from 12 seconds in 1930 to only about 2 seconds in 2015.

Therefore, while the Internet is satisfying our need for instant gratification, it’s making patience much harder for human beings to come by.

In what ways do these benefits and drawbacks of the Internet play out in your office? Is your staff more productive and more distracted? Is work time cutting into leisure time? Are people so impatient that they resort to Googling a question instead of having an actual discussion about it? Are you taking any measures to control online distractions in the workplace? Of course, these are just some of the ways that the Internet is changing everything, both for better and for worse.

Do you have any points to add to this list? Share with us your thoughts in the comments.

Mar, 2016

Tip of the Week: How to Know When Your Technology Needs to Be Replaced

Your business takes advantage of several different types of technology every day, but there comes a time when your tech needs to either be upgraded or replaced with better tools. This is part of the natural order of things; no technology solution can (or should) last forever, but if you don’t catch issues before they become major problems, you could be putting your data at the risk of hardware failure, software hiccups, or even hacking attacks.

By keeping these questions in mind, and making common-sense decisions concerning your technology, you’ll never miss a critical upgrade again. By asking yourself these questions before you implement new tech upgrades, you can know with certainty that the solutions you implement will be beneficial for your organization.

Software
When considering changing your business’s software solution strategy, you should make sure to ask yourself the following questions about your organization’s infrastructure:

Is your current operating system supported? If your business’s servers and workstations aren’t receiving patches and security updates, you could be exposing your organization’s infrastructure and sensitive data to dangerous online threats like malware, viruses, and more.
Do you have any legacy software that’s dependant on specific operating systems? One primary reason that businesses don’t immediately upgrade to the latest tech is that many organizations still use legacy software that might not be compatible with the latest operating systems. When businesses go too long without making an effort to move to new technology solutions, it gradually becomes more difficult. Therefore, you need to ask yourself if there’s any legacy software holding you back, and what other reasons there are for you not being able to get on the latest version.

Upgrading Hardware
If you’re considering upgrading your business’s hardware solutions, consider the following before taking any drastic measures:

How old is your hardware? When was the last time your business performed a hardware refresh? If you haven’t recently replaced your equipment, you could be risking your networking infrastructure to a hardware failure, which could result in downtime and data loss. Older technology has been proven to fail more often than the latest tech. Many businesses choose to forsake the hardware refresh to save money, but in reality, this does nothing but prolong the inevitable and put your data on the line.
Are any of your workstations or servers operating below specifications? Contrary to popular belief, upgrading to a more recent operating system doesn’t always resolve complications with your business’s technology. If you’re experiencing problems like slow network speeds or other technical difficulties, you could be dealing with issues that may not necessarily need a hardware upgrade to resolve.
Has your business been experiencing growth? Fast-growing businesses often have trouble with their technology as the demands placed on their network expand. This makes perfect sense; a network’s hardware naturally must be upgraded as more strain is put on it. Otherwise, the network speed could slow to a halt, and your ability to access data and applications could be affected.

If you’re unsure of whether or not your business should be upgrading its technology, NuTech Services can help. We’re experienced with helping small businesses make conscious decisions about the future of their IT infrastructures. To learn more, give us a call at 810.230.9455.

Mar, 2016

Tip of the Week: 5 Technical Tips to Troubleshoot a Troublesome Touchpad

Laptop touchpads can be rather fickle. You may have experienced the frustrating situation where you’re using the laptop and then an unexpected glitch causes the mouse to jump across the screen. This error can actually cause data loss if it happens at the worst possible time, but it’s also just plain unproductive. Here are five troubleshooting tips to keep your touchpad in good working order and prevent this all-too-common issue from happening.

Keep in mind, not all touchpads are created equal – some devices might have better, more calibrated touchpads than others. If yours has always been difficult to use, reach out. We might be able to help.

Be Aware of Your Hand Placement
This issue may be as easy to resolve as resting your hands differently on your laptop. If you’re not careful, it’s easy for your hand to brush the touchpad as you type, causing your cursor to suddenly jump. This can be a challenge if you’ve got large hands, or if you’re sitting in an odd position that causes your hands to type differently than what you’re used to. If you adjust your hand placement accordingly and this issue persists, then continue on to our next tip.

When’s the Last Time You Cleaned Your Touchpad?
You know full well how dirty hands can be. Now, try not to think too hard about how gross your touchpad might be after perhaps years of use. If it’s been awhile since you last cleaned your touchpad, then it’s likely accumulated a shiny layer of skin oil, dirt, and other tiny particles that would make you lose your lunch if you actually knew what they were (fact: keyboards are less sanitary than toilet seats). If your touchpad is too dirty, then it won’t read your fingers correctly. Therefore, give your touchpad a good wiping and see if that works.

Disconnect Other External Input Devices
Sometimes, an external input device like an external mouse, graphics tablet, or keypad may be interfering with your touchpad. It’s difficult to ascertain exactly as to what causes this interference, but it’s been known to happen. In fact, sometimes even having your laptop plugged into an electrical outlet or its docking station will interfere with a touchpad’s performance, depending on the device. Therefore, try unplugging everything from your laptop and see if that makes your touchpad more responsive. At least then, it’s easier to hone in on what the problem actually is.

Update Your Drivers
If you’ve got an older laptop, then perhaps the driver that controls the touchpad interface needs to be updated. Check with your laptop’s manufacturer to find out if your computer has the latest drivers. This can be accomplished by going to their website, calling their support hotline, or by contacting NuTech Services at 810.230.9455.

Replace the Touchpad
If all of these troubleshooting tips don’t work, then it may be that the touchpad hardware has gone bad and needs to be replaced. A procedure like this isn’t something that can be easily done by an amateur; we don’t recommend that you try it. NuTech Services’s IT technicians can take care of this for you, as well as troubleshoot other computer-related issues and annoyances that you may be experiencing.

Bonus Tip: Get a Wireless Mouse
Often forgotten as a mobile solution, a simple wireless mouse can be much more effective than a clumsy touchpad. Of course, this is based on your personal preferences, but if your laptop supports Bluetooth, you can pick up a wireless, battery-operated mouse. If your laptop doesn’t support Bluetooth, there are options that include wireless USB dongles.

Is this a common problem that has slowed you down? We hope that these troubleshooting tips will help. For more great technology-related tips and tricks, subscribe to NuTech Services’s blog and check back every week!

Feb, 2016

Why You Need to Think Through Which Employees Have Access to What Files

It’s clear that your IT department should have administrator privileges with your business’s technology, but the average employee is another story altogether. Administrator privileges provide users with the ability to do many things, such as install programs and access admin settings. Administrator privileges are exactly what you want to keep users away from, and it turns out that the majority of flaws in the Windows operating system depend on these privileges.

According to a report released by security firm Avecto, it’s estimated that a solid 85 percent of all critical flaws within an operating system can be plugged simply by removing administrator privileges. Most home and consumer-based PCs utilize administrator accounts by default without much thought, but this is a dangerous practice in a business. If hackers can gain access to administrator privileges, they can make changes to the core OS files and steal important information. Most businesses that prioritize security will have limited user privileges on their provided workstations, which help to keep malware and other threats out of central files imperative for the continued functionality of the machine.

As reported by ZDNet:

The report said that removing admin rights could have mitigated more than 99 percent of flaws affecting Internet Explorer, which had a critical-rated flaw almost every month; and mitigated 82 percent of all vulnerabilities affecting Office. The company analyzed the entire batch of vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s monthly security patch update, dubbed Patch Tuesday, to see which flaws would be less impacted whose logged-in accounts “are configured to have fewer user rights on the system.” Out of the entire batch of vulnerabilities reported, 63 percent would be mitigated or unexploitable if admin rights were removed.

User privileges are an easy topic to set on the back burner and forget about, especially if you’re a small business with a small workforce. You might like to think that there’s minimal chance for user error, but the cruel reality is that people make mistakes, be it accidentally misplacing files or allowing malware to run rampant throughout your business’s critical systems. Unfortunately, all it takes is one oversight to leave your entire business infrastructure vulnerable to damage caused by hackers who have administrator privileges.

Therefore, it’s recommended that your organization take full advantage of a user management solution that puts a lid on what the majority of your employees can access. Your users should only be accessing files and information that’s important for their daily duties. For example, the average employee doesn’t need access to personal employee records or client payment information.

Are you doing everything that you can to limit your mission-critical data’s exposure to threats? Security-minded businesses will be taking advantage of not just role-based user access, but also secondary security solutions like firewalls, antivirus, spam blocking, and content filtering solutions that are designed to prevent infiltration in the first place. These four features can be implemented in one comprehensive solution called a Unified Threat Management (UTM) tool.

For more information about proactive IT measures, remote monitoring and maintenance, or IT security, give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455.

Feb, 2016

Tip of the Week: 2 Ways Your Business Can Reduce Its Environmental Footprint

Technology has provided humanity with the ability to make stupendous advances in the way we live our lives. However, it has also given rise to a wasteful society that neglects old technology, tossing it to the side in favor of the latest and greatest gadgets. As you can imagine, considering the rate at which modern technology advances, this trend has proven especially difficult to break, and it’s having extremely negative effects on the environment.

We know what the solution looks like; a bunch of tech nerds talking about how to keep the environment clean. However, this situation isn’t just ironic. It’s also incredibly important to sustain the future of our planet, and to ensure that it continues to thrive for our loved ones in the future. Individually you might not feel like your actions are making a big deal, but if every business were to take green initiatives, it could make a significant difference.

To this end, here are two ways your business can reduce its environmental footprint:

Properly Recycle Unused Devices
With so many devices being manufactured every year, it’s only natural that some older devices get replaced by new ones. Normally, those who don’t know the proper way to dispose of a device will just throw it in the trash without a second thought. However, computers and other devices contain valuable metals and materials that, if not properly recycled, can have disastrous effects on the environment. These devices usually get shipped to developing countries that dismantle and acquire these materials with unsafe and unsanitary practices. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you’re properly recycling your old, dilapidated technology.

Another note on recycling your old technology: be absolutely sure that it’s been wiped of all data before committing to the recycling process. This includes hard drives in desktops, laptops, and storage in mobile devices that at one point contained sensitive information that can’t fall into the wrong hands. Simply deleting the data doesn’t cut it – there’s a chance the data could be recovered. NuTech Services can help with this by thoroughly wiping your unnecessary technology of any important data, and disposing of it in an environmentally friendly manner.

Reduce Printing Costs
One of the greatest ways you can reduce your carbon footprint is by limiting how much paper you waste printing documents out. Your business no-doubt prints several pages worth of documents on a daily basis, but recent innovations in technology have allowed for businesses to limit their printing and decrease their overall printing expenditures.

Limiting your printing costs also has a great benefit for your budget, considering that you don’t have to invest as heavily in paper, ink, and toner. With digital file storage and signature software, you don’t need to print out documents in order to store them in your office’s physical space. This leads to less clutter, and will ultimately lead to a more organized office with fewer resources wasted.

Doing business with the environment in mind has its benefits, but only if you approach it with the necessary knowledge. NuTech Services can help your organization approach green innovations in an organized, efficient manner. To learn more, give us a call at 810.230.9455.

Jan, 2016

Tip of the Week: Don’t Use Your Keyboard as a Dinner Plate and 3 Other PC Best Practices to Live By

Computers are complex devices that require special attention to keep in optimal shape. Unfortunately, some people don’t pay enough attention to the current state of their computers. Once you’ve cleaned your computer properly, though, it’s important to make sure that it stays that way for as long as possible. Doing so can increase the longevity of your technology, and prevent it from an untimely demise.

Keep in mind that whenever you decide it’s time to clean your computer, be sure to power it down and unplug it before doing so. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with expensive hardware.

Don’t Eat, Drink, or Smoke at the Computer
Remember all of those crumbs that fall out of your keyboard when you turn it upside down? All of those crumbs got there somehow, and it’s probably thanks to one habit that you might have: eating at your desk. To minimize the amount of crumbs that fall onto your keyboard, it’s best to just lock your PC and go eat somewhere else, like the kitchen, dining room, or break room. Furthermore, smoking in the same room as your computer can gunk up your fans and other components with ash, tar, and other nasty substances that are found in cigarettes.

In general, it can be good to separate yourself from your computer while you eat. If you’re doing it at work, it separates the work environment from you momentarily, which can be helpful for maintaining your sanity.

Clean Your PC Regularly
Giving your PC a thorough cleaning is only the first step toward ensuring that your computer remains in optimal shape. In order to keep it that way, you need to set up regular upkeep cleaning sessions, where you clean out the keyboard, the monitor, and the main body of your PC. Doing so can considerably prolong its lifespan, and it makes it more appealing to look at when you have to sit in front of it for hours on end.

If you need help knowing how often (or how) to clean your PC, ComputerHope has a great calculator that helps you determine how often you should do so. The variables that it takes into account include your lifestyle, where your computer is located, who’s using it, and so much more. We think it’s safe to say that you should clean your PC at least twice a year, maybe more if your lifestyle calls for it.

Give it Room to Breathe
In order to keep your PC functioning at optimal efficiency, you need to give it the space it requires to run without overheating. In other words, you should keep it in an open location, where all of the fans are capable of keeping air circulation flowing. This prevents overheating, and can improve overall functionality of the device. Furthermore, you should keep your PC tower off of carpet if possible, to help with keeping the heat low.

Constantly Clear Dust Collection
Desktop PCs and workstations tend to be a bit on the large side, and therefore, don’t move around as much as laptops or other smaller devices do. This leads to computers collecting dust in the fans, vents, and just about anywhere else. It’s important that you keep your PC dust-free whenever possible; otherwise, it could run into operational issues due to overheating, keyboard stickiness, and so on. In fact, dust can even cause PC components to seize up and stop working.

The best way you can keep your computer dust-free is to keep a can of compressed, or “canned,” air right on your desk. This way, you’ll have a neat tool for cleaning your PC available at your disposal. Please be sure that you don’t spray liquids at your computer, ever. If you have to use a liquid cleaner, use water, and use a damp cloth rather than a spray bottle to directly apply the liquid, but never use water on an internal computer component.

For more great tips on how to take care of your technology, subscribe to NuTech Services’s blog.

Jan, 2016

Tip of the Week: Should You Leave Your PC On, or Power it Down?

At the end of the workday, you’ve got an important decision to make: power down your desktop or log off? Each option has its own set of pros and cons, but are you confident that you’re making the right decision? Here’s how to find out for sure.

First off, the answer to this question is dependent upon how frequently the machine is used. For the sake of this blog article, let’s address the computing needs of the average office worker who uses their PC for the Monday through Friday, 9-to-5 grind.

Secondly, we feel the need to address a common perception about turning a computer on and off: it does NOT cause physical harm to the equipment. This was the case in the early days of the PC, back when the power surge from powering it on was actually bad for the components, but this issue has been resolved since 1993.

Another factor to consider is power consumption. If you’re the kind of person that likes to make sure every light is turned off before going home and you pride yourself in finding ways to lower your electricity bill, then you may want to power down your machine for the night. Although, if you’re looking to leave it on in order to get a jump start on your workday, then put your PC in sleep mode (aka, Standby or Hibernate) before leaving the office, instead of turning it off. Sleep mode is designed to use as little energy as possible, which equates to less than what’s used by a traditional light bulb.

Your geographical location should also factor into this decision. For example, if you live in a place that’s prone to natural disasters and the power grid sporadically blackouts, then you’re going to want to power off your machine at the end of the work day. Unless your IT infrastructure is equipped to handle power inconsistencies with tools like an Uninterrupted Power Supply, a powered-on computer can be damaged by a sudden loss of power.

Also, as explained by Computer Hope, while turning off a PC can protect from a sudden loss of power, turning it off does nothing to prevent damage from a power surge:

A power surge destroys electrical devices regardless if it is on or off. Therefore, turning the computer off does not prevent this from occurring. The only way to prevent power surges is to unplug all power cables, phone cables, and network cables.

Another factor that you’ll want to consider is your computer’s maintenance schedule. For example, it’s best practice to run a daily virus scan at night so that the scan doesn’t interfere with your work during the day. Also, if you’re taking advantage of managed IT services like what NuTech Services provides, then you’ll want to leave your desktop powered on so that we can remote into it (or all of them) and run scans, apply patches and updates, and more. If the machine is powered down, then we won’t be able to access it and do our job.

After considering all of these different factors, only you can know if it’s best to turn off your PC at the end of the day, or keep it on. Whatever you decide, NuTech Services is here to support your decision, along with your company’s IT infrastructure. This is one service that you’ll never want to turn off.

Jan, 2016

Tip of the Week: How to Let a Friend Use Your PC Without Compromising Your Data

We’ve all been in a situation where you’re asked by someone if they can use your personal computer for whatever reason; checking their social media, email, or just browsing the Internet. Some people, however, also want to protect their privacy, and allowing relatives to use your own account can become problematic. A quality solution to this issue is to create a guest account.

Keep in mind, you shouldn’t do this with your company workstation, and if you administrate your own network, you should restrict your staff from creating new accounts to prevent security issues.

Why would you want to set up a guest account? Here are three reasons:

Guest accounts allow others to use your PC while preventing them from browsing password-protected files, like those stored on your own personal user account.
Using guest accounts, users won’t accidentally stumble upon your logged-in accounts and email, which could give even those with the best intentions the urge to take a peek.
Guest accounts don’t have access to the administrator privileges that you would as the owner of the PC. Guest users can’t install software, configure hardware devices, or change settings. They can still use the Internet and other applications that are already installed, giving them the best experience possible without risking any breach of privacy.

Without further ado, here’s how you can set up a guest account on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

Windows 7
Setting up a guest account in Windows 7 is simple enough. First, navigate to your Control Panel. Next, select User Accounts. Go to Add or remove user accounts. You’ll then be prompted to alter an existing account. If the Guest account isn’t already turned on, it will appear in your available accounts. Click it, and select Turn On.

Once the guest account has been turned on, you’ll be able to access it from your PC’s login screen. Anyone can now access the PC, and they won’t be able to access any of your personal files or information. You should keep in mind that any browsing history or logged-in websites will be available to future guests, as well, so be sure to tell your guests to log out of their accounts before logging off.

Windows 8/8.1
The process is largely the same as it is for Windows 7, if not a bit easier. While you could find the guest account feature in the same way as you did with Windows 7, try typing “guest account” into the search bar instead. Make sure you’re only searching Settings. You should see an option titled Turn guest account on or off in the results. Click on the Guest account, and select Turn On. It’s as simple as that.

Windows 10
For Windows 10, it gets a little trickier. Rather than accessing your guest user options through the Control Panel, you have a couple of options, though the easiest way to do so is to just do it through the Windows Command Prompt. Type CMD in the search bar to find the Command Prompt, and make sure that you right click it and select Run as administrator. You’ll then see the command prompt open on your screen. Type the following command, and hit Enter: net user guest /active:yes

After that, a message should display saying that “The command completed successfully.” That’s all there is to it. Keep in mind that you should always turn the Guest account on as needed rather than leaving it on continuously. Since the Guest account still has access to the network, you could become susceptible to passive threats.

For more great tech tips, be sure to check back next week, and subscribe to NuTech Services’s blog.

Dec, 2015

Tip of the Week: 4 Social Taboos Smartphone Users Should Never Break

Cellphone etiquette goes hand-in-hand with common sense. Here are four cellphone etiquette tips that every device owner should know.

Don’t Use Your Phone During Mealtime
Mealtime is a social time for pretty much every culture around the globe. During this time, it’s expected that you are fully present and engaged in conversation–which is super hard to do if you’re glued to your phone. Even the quick glance at the screen to check notifications can be construed as rude.

Solution: Turn your phone off during mealtime, or at least, keep it off the table.

A restaurant in Iowa, Sneaky’s Chicken, offers a 10 percent discount for diners who don’t bring their treasured phone to their meal. Also, Bucato, in Los Angeles, has a dedicated “cell-phone section.”

Use a Voice Level That’s Appropriate for Your Setting
While it’s okay to use your phone in a room with other people, it’s not okay to talk on your phone using such a high volume that others around you can’t focus or must talk over you. The problem here often comes from phone calls with poor connections, causing the caller to feel the need to talk louder so they can be heard. Then there are those who feel the need to speak in abnormally high volumes when using the phone, no matter the situation or quality of their connection, much to the chagrin of those in the same room. Awareness of the volume of one’s own voice is the best deterrent here, which for some people, is easier said than done.

Solution: If you need to speak at higher-than-normal volume when using the phone, step outside or go to the next room

Hang Up Before Checking Out
While it’s perfectly acceptable to shop and use your phone at the same time, it’s rather rude to continue talking on your phone while a cashier is ringing you out. Even if you don’t plan on having a grand conversation with the person behind the register, talking on the phone still communicates that you essentially don’t think very highly of them and their time. Plus, it just makes things awkward for the poor cashier if they have to interrupt your conversation in order to ask you a question about your purchase.

Solution: In a scenario where you must stay on the phone while the cashier is ringing you out, at the very least, apologize for the inconvenience and be attentive to them just in case they need to ask you a question.

Don’t Leave Long Voicemails
Just because you can explain every detail possible in a voicemail, doesn’t mean that you should. When a voicemail goes beyond the one minute mark with no prospect of coming to an end anytime soon, it can overwhelm a person. This is especially the case if the message goes into great detail, requiring you to scramble to find a pen and paper; then you don’t get to a pen in time and have to listen to the long message all over again. Grrrr.

Solution: If you’ve got a lot to share, make the voicemail primarily about having the person call you back. Otherwise, it’s best to just leave your name, what you’re calling about, your callback number, and nothing more.

Surprisingly, as common sense as these tips are, we see cellphone users break them all the time. When it comes to preventing annoyances such as these, spreading knowledge about proper cell phone usage goes a long way. Therefore, if you know of any offenders of cell phone etiquette, share this article with them–in a subtle way.

What are some of the most annoying cellphone usage habits that you’ve observed (or are guilty of)? Let us know in the comments.

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