Author: Paul Stradling

Providing IT support and solution to small and medium businesses. Servicing Edinburgh, Livingston, Fife and surrounding areas. Responsive, Flexible, Professional and friendly local support.

What Are 'Toxic' Backlinks?

What Are ‘Toxic’ Backlinks?

In this tech insight, we look at what ‘toxic’ backlinks are, how to identify them, and how to remove them.  Backlinks Backlinks (incoming links) are believed to be one of Google’s top three ranking factors. Trustworthy backlinks from websites with a high authority score are a factor which contribute to higher search engine rankings. However,…
Read more

Tech Insight : What is Web 3.0?

Tech Insight : What is Web 3.0?

In this tech-insight, we look at what Web 3.0 is, together with its main benefits plus some concerns about it.  What Is Web 3.0?  Web3 / web3 / Web 3.0 (a term coined in 2014 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood) is the next phase in the evolution of the Web. It is based on blockchain…
Read more

Microsoft's Self-Updating Emails

Microsoft’s Self-Updating Emails

As part of its roll-out of the collaborative working ‘Loop’ app, Microsoft has announced that as part of its ‘365 Roadmap’, self-updating Loop elements can now be included in Outlook emails. What Is Loop? In November 2021, Microsoft unveiled its ‘Loop’ collaborative app which it described as “a flexible canvas with portable components” designed for assisting with…
Read more

How To Stop Your Smart Devices From Being Used To Spy On You

How To Stop Your Smart Devices From Being Used To Spy On You

With so many smart devices now all around us in homes and offices, we look here at ways to minimise the risk of having your privacy invaded.    The Internet of Things (IoT)    IoT devices are those devices that are now present in most offices and homes that have a connection to the Internet and are,…
Read more

Mobile Malware Surges By 500%

Tech News : Mobile Malware Surges By 500%

Proofpoint researchers have reported that, starting in early February, there has been a 500 per cent jump in mobile malware delivery attempts in Europe.  Trend  According to the researchers, this rise is in keeping with a trend that has been evident in the last few years where attackers have been increasing their attempts at smishing…
Read more

Microsoft Halts Sales In Russia

Tech News : Microsoft Halts Sales In Russia

In response to the invasion of Ukraine, Microsoft has suspended all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia.   Other Aspects Of Its Business Too   Microsoft has described how it has been “horrified, angered and saddened” by the “unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia” which has led to its decision to suspend sales to Russia.   In addition…
Read more

Ransomware Study : Most UK Firms Pay

Ransomware Study : Most UK Firms Pay

A study by security firm ‘Proofpoint’ has revealed that 82 per cent of UK organisations whose systems were infected by ransomware in 2021 opted to pay the ransom.  Much Higher Than The Global Average  Despite cybersecurity and government agencies warning against paying, Proofpoint’s ‘2022 State of the Phish’ report states that this UK figure for…
Read more

Firms Prepare For The Quantum Apocalypse

Featured Article : Firms Prepare For The ‘Quantum Apocalypse’

In this article, we look at what the ‘quantum apocalypse’ is, and what some businesses are doing to prepare for this threat.  What Is The Quantum Apocalypse?  The so-called ‘quantum apocalypse’ refers to the unspecified point in the future where someone (e.g., threat actors or a foreign power) has a functioning quantum computer that can…
Read more

What Is The Online Safety Bill?

What Is The Online Safety Bill?

Following recent announcements of a toughening-up of the (draft) Online Safety Bill, we look at what the bill is, and what its implications are. What Is The Online Safety Bill For? The UK government’s Online Safety Bill is (draft) legislation that’s designed to place a ‘duty of care’ on internet companies which host user-generated content in…
Read more

Windows Updates Can Take 8 Hours

Windows Updates Can Take 8 Hours Says New Research

According to new research by a Microsoft program manager, it could take as long as 8 hours, connected to the Internet, for devices to fully download Microsoft updates. The Update Challenge – Time A blog post in Microsoft’s Tech Community by program manager David Guyer, highlighted how one important challenge for Microsoft is trying to…
Read more