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Safeguard Your Devices and Data: Unlocking the Secrets to Avoiding Loss and Breaches

Losing a laptop or phone can be an incredibly exasperating and distressing experience. Not only do you have to deal with the financial burden and inconvenience of replacing the device, but there is also the considerable time and effort required to set it back up with all your applications, settings, and personal data. Additionally, the loss of a device can result in the permanent loss of precious photos, important files, and cherished memories. The thought of these irreplaceable items falling into the wrong hands can be particularly worrisome. Ensuring the security of your devices becomes paramount in such situations. Taking preventive measures to protect your laptop or phone can significantly minimize the chances of encountering further headaches. Implementing robust security measures, such as setting strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly updating your device's operating system and software, can create a formidable defence against potential breaches. ...

Ensuring Reliable Backups: Test Your System's Lifeline to Disaster Recovery

 In the realm of insurance, it's a commonly heard adage that the true worth of your coverage is only revealed when you file a claim. The same principle applies to the world of data backups. While most people understand the importance of backing up their systems, how many have actually put their backups to the test? Unfortunately, all too often, we witness scenarios where backup strategies fail or prove to be much slower than expected when it comes to recovering from a catastrophic event. To ensure the dependability of your backups, it's crucial to establish a well-crafted plan and regularly put it through rigorous testing. Don't wait for a disastrous situation to find out that your backups aren't up to the task. Imagine the frustration of relying on a seemingly solid backup system, only to discover that critical data is irretrievably lost or restoration is painstakingly slow, putting your business operations and personal files in jeopardy. By implementing a comprehensiv...

Upgrade Your Device in Seconds: The Surprising Benefits of Replacing Your Hard Drive with an SSD

Upgrading a laptop or PC is a common solution when it starts to feel sluggish. There are numerous reasons why a device may slow down over time. Age, software bloat, and full hard drives are some of the most common culprits. Fortunately, there are numerous options available to speed up a computer. If you're looking for an affordable and straightforward upgrade that can make a significant difference in your device's performance, consider replacing the hard drive with an SSD. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are a newer technology that uses flash memory to store data instead of spinning disks found in traditional hard drives. This design makes them much faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, as they have no moving parts that can wear out over time. In addition to being faster and more reliable, SSDs also use less power, which can help extend battery life on laptops. Another benefit of SSDs is their ability to improve boot and application loading times. With an SSD, a comp...

Shortcuts to Saving Time in Windows

Windows key shortcuts are a convenient way to quickly access various features and functions on your computer. Here are some of the most useful ones: Windows + E opens File Explorer, allowing you to easily browse and manage your files and folders. Windows + L locks your computer, protecting it from unauthorized access. Windows + R opens the Run dialog box, where you can type in commands to quickly launch programs or access system tools. Windows + D minimizes all open windows and shows the desktop. Windows + Tab opens the Task View, where you can see all of your open windows and easily switch between them. Windows + Ctrl + D creates a new virtual desktop, allowing you to separate your different tasks and keep your workspace organized. Windows + X opens the Power User menu, which gives you quick access to various system settings and tools. Windows + Shift + S captures a screenshot and allows you to select a specific area to save. Windows + F opens the search box, where you can quickly sea...

Quad Newsletter

We've launched a newsletter to provide you with the latest help, tips, updates and other IT advice from Quad in order to make your IT work better for you. Quad Newsletter We won't bombard you with spam, just an occasional email to keep you up to date with the latest IT news from Quad.

Pegasus Opera II End of Support Announcement

Opera II - End of Support Pegasus have announced that Opera II Payroll will be updated for the last time in the February 2018 release.  This will allow processing of the 2018/2019 tax year.  The next payroll upgrade will therefore be the last for Opera II Payroll. No decision has been made yet from the remainder of Opera II, but Pegasus are looking closely at the Making Tax Digital initiative and how it will affect Opera products in the future.  We will post more information once it becomes available. What Does This Mean for Opera II Customers? After the 2018/2019 tax year, Opera Payroll users will not be compliant with the latest legislative changes.  For Opera II Payroll Only customers, AMCs will not be renewed after 31 March 2019.  For Opera II customers with Payroll as part of their system, AMCs will not be renewed after 31 March 2019. What Should I Do Now? Now that we have a date and a timescale, you should consider what timetable fits ...

Should You Trust a Number from Directory Enquiries?

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The quick answer is "no" and if you do use directory enquiries, you could be ringing fraudsters. Most people are familiar and wary of scammers cold calling and telling you they are from Microsoft or somewhere similar and offering to aid you in fixing your computer. We know that once they're on your PC, they'll try and take money from you for their "services", and also try to hack any banking or credit card details stored on the computer. This week, we've found that if you call 118118 and ask for Yahoo! (for instance if you're struggling to access your account) the number they give you could put you straight through to the fraudsters. The above image is from 118118.com and is the same number given out by 118118 if you call. Yes, there are other Yahoo! numbers, and you may get one of them. However, we had a client who phoned 118118 to get the number for Yahoo!, then called the freephone number they gave him. Half an hour later, they'd remo...