Amicus IT
Guides
Our monthly guides are the best way to help you stay on top of your small business IT service needs. Covering a wide variety of topics, these short snippets of useful information truly do have something for everyone.
Simply fill out the form attached to each article and you’ll get your guides sent straight to your inbox.
Microsoft is warning business owners that trusted cloud storage services are being hijacked to trick you into handing over your data. Here we tell you what you need to know.
If you work on your phone while you’re on the move, it can be a hassle to find the right file once you’re back at your PC. Here we tell you about a cool new feature coming to Windows 11 that will help.
Having trouble finding the sign out button in Windows 11? You’re not the only one! Luckily, Microsoft have listened… find out more here.
A sneaky new malware wants to annoy you into giving up your login details. It locks your browser in full screen mode, making you think you’re trapped… But you can easily escape and we’ll tell you how…
Trying to find your way through the Settings menu in Microsoft Edge might leave you overwhelmed but a new update is about to make it easier. Here we tell you how.
Your business data is backed up and recovery tools are in place. So, your data is safe, right? Sadly… not always. Here’s why we recommend backups are checked regularly..
Think the Windows 11 Photo app has little use in your business? Visual Search with Bing is about to change that, with some very useful new functionality… Find out more here.
You’ve hit send on an important email – then you notice a typo. Windows 11 lets you spellcheck and autocorrect across most of its apps. Here we help you to set it up
Tried Microsoft Copilot yet? It’s a smart tool baked into the applications you use every day, that could save you time. Here we tell you some cool ways it can help.
Still not upgraded your business to Windows 11? You’re missing out, and what for? It’s free to upgrade and easy. Find out more here.
The dreaded Blue Screen of Death makes you panic about what happened, how much work you’ve lost, and how long it’ll take to fix. But a lot of the time it’s avoidable… We’ll tell you how.
Microsoft’s enforcing an extra layer of security for logins to one of its tools. Even if you don’t use it, you should follow their lead and implement this security booster in your business.
Updates are a pain, right? Time consuming and disruptive. Not anymore… Here we tell you how Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update is making things quicker and easier.
If you struggle to find the right words in an email or post, you’d probably love a little help. Draft with Copilot is exactly that. Here we tell you how it works.
Have you updated to the latest version of Windows 11 yet? If not, it’s time to act – Microsoft has announced when it will end support for older versions (and it’s soon!).
Have you heard of cyber extortion? It’s a very real threat to your business. Here we explain what it is and how to stay safe.
Your PC might be frustratingly slow because too many applications are starting up when you hit the power button. Windows 11 has a new solution to tell you when new apps are added to your startup list. We have all the details.
Is the sound of yet another Teams notification about to drive you crazy? A new update will put a stop to that… and it’ll help you prioritize your tasks too. We have all the details here.
Chrome extensions are great for boosting productivity and saving time. But if they’re not the real deal, you could be at risk from malware. We tell you how to stay protected.
A new feature in Windows 11 may make accessing files on your Android phone much quicker. We have all the details.
Keeping your data away from the wrong hands is a big challenge. But thanks to Microsoft Edge for Business, it’s just become easier. Here we tell you why.
After years of decline, ransomware attacks are on the rise again. And more businesses are being targeted. It’s time to protect your data. Here we explain how.
The faster your employees report a potential cyber security issue, the less damage is done to your business. But how can you encourage quick reporting? Here we share some solid ideas.
Microsoft isn’t happy just boosting individual productivity. Now it’s set its sights on helping your team work better together. We’ll tell you how.
Cyber security: More and more businesses are making the smart business decision to invest in it. Find out why you should join them.
Is your password keeping your data as safe as it could be? Maybe not. And there are new, safer alternatives to try. Here are all the details.
Has a pop-up notification ever embarrassed you while you were on a video call? Microsoft may finally have a feature to stop that happening. Learn more here.
Ever been caught out by a low laptop battery at the worst possible time? Here’s our professional advice to prolong your laptop battery’s lifespan.
Struggling from password overload? You’re not alone, and it’s putting your business at risk of data theft. Good news: There’s a very simple solution and we’ll tell you all about it.
You’re wasting your time on annual cyber security training. Why? Because it’s simply not cutting it anymore. Discover a better plan here.
Teams is getting some Copilot-powered updates that will boost your business’s productivity even further. Here we tell you all about it.
Small and medium-sized businesses are at more risk of a malware attack than ever. It’s time to take action to protect your business. Here we tell you how.
In the never-ending mission to be more productive, the latest Microsoft Edge browser could be a powerful ally. We’re telling you about 3 of its best productivity features.
Bad news: Cyber criminals have yet another new phishing scam up their sleeves and it could be the most dangerous one yet. They’re using genuine subdomains that have been abandoned. We tell you how to stay safe.
Is upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 the right investment for your business? We look at the pros and cons of the next-gen wireless connection.
According to IT Support Providers Using End-of-Life Computers is Dangerous: A Comprehensive Insight In today’s rapidly advancing technological world, keeping up with the latest computer systems might seem challenging, especially for those who are budget conscious. However, the use of end-of-life (EOL) computers – those that have reached the end of their regular support and […]
IT Support Providers agree that patching computers is a crucial aspect of maintaining security, stability, and optimal performance. Here’s why it’s so important: Security Updates: Many patches are designed to close vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications that can be exploited by hackers and malware. These vulnerabilities, if left unpatched, could allow unauthorized access to […]
Hello, Last week, our security team reiterated some recommendations that we will confirm are implemented in your environment. Here are some protocols we are going to be confirming or enabling. Multi Factor Authentication is enabled and REQUIRED for all employees. Conditional Access – People and computers must meet certain conditions to log in to your […]
When you think about tools for remote working and chatting online, one of the first names in your mind is Zoom. But its popularity has opened the door for cyber criminals. They’re using its name to steal sensitive data. Researchers have discovered at least six convincing-looking download sites. They’re not the real thing. They’re designed […]
Microsoft has become the leader of productivity over many decades. Can you imagine doing your day to day work without their software? So, it’s no surprise the tech giant recently conducted a major new survey into productivity in the workplace – and some of the results might surprise you. Researchers surveyed 20,000 people working for […]
Last week there were stories that a password manager called LastPass had seen some of its customers’ master passwords compromised. The company denies that happened. And it’s possible that some of the people who reported being affected had old accounts with master passwords they’d used with other services. Do you use a password manager in […]
A new survey just released by a specialist website has confirmed that phishing attacks remain the greatest cyber security threat to businesses. Phishing is where a hacker sends you an email pretending to be from someone else. They might fake an email from your bank, for example. When you click a link in the email, […]
A couple months ago, we got a call from a new potential client. For the purposes of this story, we’ll call them VeeCo. VeeCo used to have an IT service provider, but they ended the relationship a couple years ago when they realized they could save money by having one of their computer-savvy phone technicians […]
In 2019, two thirds of all organizations reported some type of incident relating to cyber-crime. You could make a sure bet this figure rose significantly last year, thanks to criminals taking advantage of the pandemic. It’s easy to look at big figures like these, and not relate them back to your own business. But here’s […]
It is difficult to give a concise answer to what IT services will cost because every client is different and IT companies offer different services and different models of service delivery. Read this article for a description of the different service delivery models. Companies offering a Break/Fix model usually charge an hourly rate. Since clients […]
What are the different IT Service models? There are three main models in delivering IT services. They are Break/Fix, Block Hours, and Managed Services. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the more you know about how each model functions, the better prepared you are to make decisions for your company. What is Break/Fix IT […]
As business IT professionals, we’ve seen some things. Things that would horrify you. Things you would never want to encounter in your own organization. We’re talking security breaches, data theft and file corruption. That have brought entire businesses to their knees. This is something that you – as the business owner or manager – really […]
Oh… 2020This year was supposed to be so good. It was almost a metaphor… 20/20 vision. Seeing things clearly. Going for gold. But it all came crashing down almost as soon as it began. Perhaps it was a metaphor, but not the one we first imagined. Now we can see clearly the changes we need […]
IT’S THE FASTEST GROWING CRIME ON THE PLANET but what does ransomware mean to you? If you’ve heard of it, you may have put two and two together. And figured out that ransomware is a form of malware (malicious software) that holds your business to ransom. Cyber criminals take control of your files, photographs, and […]
I am going to start off by telling you something NOT true: The Operating System (OS) is the most basic programming on your computer. The truth is that there is something called the BIOS which is more basic, but for our purposes, we can think of the OS as the most basic. Simply put, The […]
Case or ‘Box’ or Tower The case or box is the outside of the computer that contains all the other parts. It usually has the brand of the computer imprinted on it. If your computer is siting on your desk, this is the part that you see. I know this sounds simplistic, but I have […]
Why more and more St. Louis
businesses trust us with their IT
Working with small businesses I grew frustrated with two things.
One: The tools available for Fortune 500 companies were technically and economically out of reach for small businesses.
Two: IT companies servicing small businesses were not responsive to their clients.
Over the years we built relationships with vendors and created an economy-of-scale by bundling our clients’ needs to affordably provide small and medium businesses the same tools available to large enterprises. We use modern tools to prevent and manage as many issues as we can BEFORE they become problems—often even before our clients realize the issues exist.
We are maniacal about customer service. At St. Louis IT we know that even small IT issues can impact your entire operation.
While computer repair companies might look at an issue that affects only one employee as “low priority” and fall back on their contracted response time, we understand that if that single user is under deadline, it might be the most important issue in the company at that time. This is why we typically contact our clients within 15 minutes to talk about the issue they are having and prioritize them appropriately.