The Trusted team at Burnt Orange Solutions are located in the Saskatoon computers Category.
Honesty and respect are important factors in daily communication at Burnt Orange. Gareth and the team at Burnt Orange Solutions are YOUR Saskatoon IT stress solution. Burnt Orange Solutions are your Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts. In their latest Saskatoon IT Tip, they share top tips to ensure IT security at your Saskatoon business!
Keeping passwords, financial, and other personal information safe and protected from intruders, scammers and stalkers have long been a priority of businesses. Besides, it’s increasingly critical for consumers and individuals to heed data protection advice and use good practices to keep personal information safe from harm. Gareth McKee- Owner Burnt Orange Solutions
1. Backup your data.
One of the most basic, yet often overlooked, data protection tips for individuals is backing up your data. Basically, this creates a duplicate copy of your data so that if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised, you don’t also lose your important information. This is vital for businesses, no matter how small or large. As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and insurance company Nationwide pointed out.
“According to Nationwide, 68% of small businesses don’t have a disaster recovery plan. The problem with this is the longer it takes you to restore your data, the more money you’ll lose. Gartner found that this downtime can cost companies as much as $300,000 an hour.”
2. Malware
Malware is a serious issue. Anti-malware protection is essential for laying a foundation of security for your devices. Malware is short for malicious software, and it’s software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer without your consent. Things that fall into this category sound scary – they include viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, scareware and more. Malware can attack you via websites and emails, or hidden in downloadable files, photos, videos, The best way to avoid getting infected is to purchase and run a good anti-virus protection program, then do periodic scans for spyware. Also, be very vigilant when it comes to clickable links in emails or on websites you are unfamiliar with.
WARNING: 350,000 malware versions are identified every day. A new malware programme is released every seven seconds. Malware activity has increased by 61% over the last year. The cost of malware attacks is going up too, with companies and people losing around 11% more money in 2018 than in the previous year. Scammers are sneaky: sometimes malware is cleverly disguised as an email from a friend or client. Unfortunately, even the most cautious will likely pick up an infection at some point. Gareth McKee
3. Keep Up To Date
Operating system and software updates are a gigantic pain for users, but they’re a necessary evil! These updates contain critical security fixes and improvements twill protect you and your devices from newly discovered threats and glitches. Failing to install these updates means you are at risk. Operating systems and software updates may not be updated frequently or on a regular schedule so we suggest setting your systems to update automatically if possible.
4. Secure Your Wireless Network.
A valuable IT tip for both small business owners and individuals, it’s always recommended to secure your wireless network with a password. This prevents unauthorized individuals within proximity to hijack your wireless network. Even if they’re merely attempting to get free Wi-Fi access, you don’t want to inadvertently share private information with other people who are using your network without permission. In addition, be sure to turn your computer off when you are finished using it. Leaving your computer connected to the Internet when it’s not in use gives scammers 24/7 access to install malware and commit cybercrimes. To be safe, turn off your computer when it’s not in use.
Photographs... memories and precious moments in our lives captured in time with a click of a camera shutter. These are the occasions and days of our lives that only happen once. Trust the professionals at Imagery Photography Saskatoon with your special moments because they understand the importance these memories hold and work with you to ensure that they stay with you for a lifetime. Imagery is your Trusted Saskatoon photographer and in this latest article, owner Milton shares his thoughts on the evolution of photography.
The Evolution Of Photography
Everything moves and shifts with the slow march of time until not much of the past normals are left to be sifted from the sands of the new.
There’s no question that tech has made us much more portable than we ever were. The equipment itself is far more sophisticated and capable — we can see what we are shooting in real-time; we can fine-tune everything to whatever our needs are. We are now able to transmit our pictures from anywhere we can get an internet connection.
When I started, everything was dependent on processed film, which meant having to bring film, a darkroom kit including enlarging and print-making equipment, and a transmitter (very much like a souped-up fax machine). We’d have to find or at least arrange for a telephone line and telephone access when we needed to send our images. The phone lines were all analog, and each picture took around 10 minutes to send — if the line was interrupted for any reason, we’d have to start over. If we got out 10 images in a day, that was huge.
Photographers now can send wide arrays of photos multiple times during the day. The upside of all of this is more time on the scene providing coverage and more choices sent. The smartphone has killed the lower-end camera market, and if it hasn’t killed the mid-range market, it’s sure breathing down its neck. Everyone has a camera with them now at all times, and there's no doubt that we're seeing images that we never before could have contemplated. As we all know, it’s not just still images but also video.
I think it’s the ultimate democratization of photography — anyone at any time from anywhere can produce images that can affect how we think of the world around us. I feel that the common misconception in the debate is that photography has a set value for everyone. I always try to see it in the same way as food shopping. Some of us love to eat, we love to cook, and we love to discover new restaurants.
We spend a disproportionate amount of our income at local farmers' markets, high-end supermarkets, and new openings. It matters to us and it’s something we want to invest in. Others want to spend their money on cars or clothes. That’s fine; they won’t be spending $200 on dinner, because they see no value in it. Photography is very much the same. If a client perceives the value of the event photography to be $100, then they are going to spend $100; a client looking for a $1200 photography delivery is not going to book a $100 photographer.
With each advance in the cellphone market, I wonder what the long-term prognosis is for the high-end cameras. The next evolutionary phase of photography might not be a progression in the way we make images. Instead, it’s quite possible the next unseen horizon will come from the way we share those images with the world or how we store them for ourselves. If a photograph indeed captures a memory, what use is that memory unless it can more tangibly be recalled? Looking back in the history of photography has each subsequent advancement not strived to make the photo more qualitative, more lasting, and more real?
JOB Heating & Air Conditioning’s wonderful staff will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate for any home comfort improvement that you have in mind. They also offer training classes at your personal site for maintenance and they also offer home heating tune-ups. JOB are Trusted Saskatoon Furnace experts and they can also help you with all your Saskatoon plumbing needs!
If your heating system is beyond repair, or if you just want to upgrade or update, our team will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate for any home comfort improvement that you have in mind. We are an independent Lennox Dealer and we offer training classes at your personal site for maintenance and home heating tune-ups. We can also help you with all your Saskatoon plumbing needs too! You can be assured that JOB Heating & Air Conditioning will be there to help. In this Saskatoon furnace article, Jeff Bolton, owner of JOB, highlights how important it is to be aware of the threat of carbon monoxide and he shares some winter safety tips for your home.
What does that do and why does it matter?
I was recently in two Saskatoon residences with gas inspections to investigate the source of carbon monoxide in the homes. Thank heavens both homeowners had carbon monoxide detectors, that in my opinion, saved their lives. Both days I went home and checked my CO detector.
When was the last time that you checked your CO Detector?
Go do it now then come back and finish reading…
So how this works is usually the fire department or Sask Energy get a call, then they visit the home with their carbon monoxide meters to assess the level and then, if reading show and issue they red tag the furnace unit and shut off the gas. The Red Tag program provides a consistent means for gas utilities, propane distributors, gas contractors or others deemed appropriate by the chief gas inspector to report unresolved gas-related deficiencies or identify reoccurring design flaws. The issuing of red tags is only done by a licensed gasfitter.
What to do when you have a red tag.
The homeowner should then call us to come to correct the problem. We will go through the furnace and water heater with a fine-tooth comb to attempt to find the source of the carbon monoxide.
Sometimes it is a crack in a heat exchanger, however, sometimes the furnace and water heater are working exactly as they should. It is then incumbent upon us to investigate why the carbon monoxide is present in the home. In these locations we often find that the homes are drawn into negative pressure, what that means is that the homes are exhausting more air than fresh air coming into the home. As you may remember from science class, areas of high pressure always go to areas of low pressure. So what happens is the high pressure outside finds a way into the area of low pressure (inside the home) through any possible route. If the doors and windows are closed then the only other hole in the home is the chimney. Air begins to flow down the chimney to replace the air that’s being exhausted out of the home. So why is that an issue? This becomes a problem when the furnace or water heater begins to fire and there is no draft up the chimney. This then results in the products of combustion (carbon monoxide) being vented into the home.
What can homeowners do to prevent this from happening?
There are items in your home to prevent this from happening. In most cases, the insulated vent that runs from the outside of your home into the furnace room brings what we call combustion air. The combustion air helps to regulate the pressure of your home preventing your home from getting into a negative air pressure situation. This is also the air that is used when the furnace or water heater are firing up and sometimes this air supply can become blocked. On occasion, we have found that homeowners will purposely block the intake because they don’t like the cold air coming in.
I need to stress how important this is and that by blocking this you are putting yourself and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. So please don’t block this or if you have, open it up immediately.
Another more common problem is that the air intakes themselves become blocked. These intakes appear from the outside like exhaust vents but when you bend over and look up inside them they are in fact air intakes with a screen that needs to be clear of all debris. A good rule of thumb is to walk around the perimeter of your home and look for these vent/intake hoods. Look up inside them and clean them up. This is a simple 10-minute job and this will help to protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Do your intakes look like this?
- Go outside today walk around your home and clean these intakes.
- Check your carbon monoxide detectors
- Check your smoke alarms.
These 2 devices save lives every day you just don’t hear about it. If you don’t have a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector buy them and put them in your home today. I promise you they save lives.
Then have us come out and do a furnace tune-up. We test the furnace and ensure it is functioning as it should be, in addition, we clean the parts of the furnace that you cannot.
JOB products and services include:
Be Safe On The Roads This Winter
Safe driving is always important, but being on
the road during winter warrants extra precautions. That's why we have written up our most important tips to stay safe in hazardous, wintery weather conditions.
1) Avoid slipping and sliding
Ensure your vehicle is ready for Canada’s changing
winter weather, by switching your all-season tires to winter ones before the
temperature drops below 7°C. Winter tires optimize the performance and safety
of winter driving. The braking distance of a winter tire could be up to two
vehicle lengths shorter than the braking distance of an all-season tire.
2) Replace Worn Tires
It’s extremely important to check your tires each
winter season because worn or bald tires can be very dangerous. Tires have tread
wear indicator bars moulded into them. A solid bar of rubber across the width of
the tread means it’s time to replace the tire.
3) Make Sure Your Tires Are Correctly Inflated
For every 5°C drop in temperature, tires lose
one pound of air pressure. To ensure optimum fuel efficiency and prevent
irregular or premature wear, tire inflation should be checked monthly. Several tire manufacturers recommend that tire pressure should be higher in the winter, so check to see whether your tire pressure should be adjusted accordingly.
4) Fill Your Trunk With A Winter Survival Kit
Winter weather can be very unpredictable, so make sure you have a winter survival kit in your trunk in case you get stuck in bad conditions. Every car should have a scraper for the windshield, a small shovel, candles, and warm clothing such as a winter jacket, gloves and a hat. Also, make sure you bring a cell phone with you on every trip in case you need to call for help.
5) Defrost Your Vehicle Properly
Although it takes you a few extra minutes, make sure to properly clean your windows and remove any excess snow from the top of your vehicle. Ice and snow that is left on your vehicle can obstruct your view, causing potentially dangerous situations.
6) Top Up Your Fluids
Wintery road conditions can cause your windshield to get dirty quickly, so make sure your windshield washer fluid is filled up. Also, ensure your gas tank is at least half full, as on very cold days the condensation in the tank can freeze and cause problems.
7) Buckle Up & Adjust To Driving Conditions
Make sure you are always buckled up and adjust your driving to what the conditions are like. You will put yourself and others at risk if you do not change your driving style to suit the wintery conditions.
Buying a home is one of the most important and exciting steps in your life.... now that pesky financing! Deal with people who can offer you and your family the best options for you.
So How Does Your Phone Affect Your Mortgage Rates
What many people aren’t aware of is that your cell phone
payment history DOES affect your credit score.
Cell phone accounts work differently than a credit card or a
line of credit. A cell phone is an open or “O” account, which means the balance
has to be paid in full at the end of each month.
There is no such thing as a minimum payment with an “O”
account like there is with credit cards and lines of credit. You can’t just pay
a portion of your bill. The amount that you see on your statement has to be
paid in full otherwise your credit score will suffer.
Unfortunately, many Canadians don’t view paying their cell
phone bill in full or on time as being as important as other payments. Lenders
disagree. The bank underwriters (the people who review your application) are
thinking, “If you can’t make or keep track of a cell phone payment, what are
the chances that you are going to be responsible with your mortgage payment?”
Costly Missed Payments
Let’s take a look at one borrower, John, who was declined
for best-rate mortgage financing on the purchase of a new house because he had
three late payments on his cell phone bill during the last two years. His
argument wasn’t unique. “I called (the phone
company) before the payment was due and asked if I could pay half of the bill
this month and the remainder of the outstanding balance the following month,”
he said. “The customer service rep told me that it was okay to take a couple of
months to get caught up.”
Susan and Frank found themselves in a similar situation.
They were approved for mortgage financing but were then declined at the last
minute due to a recent late payment showing up on their report in the same week
they were supposed to be moving.
Arranging a mortgage and preparing for a move is stressful
enough without having a financing issue in the eleventh hour. In the end they
were able to find a resolution, but it resulted in a delayed closing. They had
to get approved by a different lender at a higher rate. In addition to all the
stress and time, this small mistake ended up costing them $3,459.28.
Despite what they tell you, late payments will continue to
be recorded until your account is caught up. Underwriters will look at an
applicant with an outstanding balance as someone who is not in control of their
finances. It will drop your score and hurt your chances of being approved for the best rates and terms.
A Matter of Principle
It’s common for consumers to not make a payment because they
were unfairly charged or they found a mistake on their bill. On principle, I
understand that you might not want to make the payment, however, even if you
are disputing the charge, it will not stop the negative item from showing up on
your credit report.
And keep in mind that one late payment can be enough to
negatively impact your best rates and terms for future financing. Your cell
phone company will start the collection process if an overdue balance is not
paid within 60 to 90 days.
As you can guess, a collection appearing on your report does
not help your credit score. Many of my clients echo my caution, and in
hindsight wished they had simply paid the bill in the first place. If you find
yourself in this situation, my suggestion is to clear the amount owing first
and then dispute the charges. That way it doesn’t lower your score or cause you
to get charged higher rates just because of one account.
Warning…Warning
If you have paid out or closed your cell
phone account, make sure you get something in writing to confirm that there is
no outstanding balance owing.
The same goes for an outstanding amount or settled
collection. Don’t take anyone’s word for it or assume that it will be updated
on your credit report. Are you starting to see a trend? Whatever you do, get a confirmation in writing! If you don’t, it will make trying to correct the error
even more difficult.
The only way to avoid having your cell phone report on both
Equifax and TransUnion is to go with a pay-as-you-go contract. If you are on
any other type of plan, keep your fingers crossed. You don’t want to be one of
the unlucky ones to have a cell phone error or problem tarnishing your credit.
To improve your chances of avoiding any issues, ensure you pay the full amount
owing each month and keep good records.