SMART Blog

Smart Services has been providing independent agents with proactive, fast, and expert technology services since 1991.

How to Make Your Network Ideal for Telecommuters and Remote Workers

b2ap3_thumbnail_mobile_friendly_network_400.jpgMany businesses see the value in allowing their team to work remotely, which sounds great on paper. Workers don’t have to be at the office to get work done, so long as they have an Internet connection. Most important of all, though, is how much money a business can save by allowing its workers to work remotely. Thus, the primary objective should be to make it as easy as possible for remote workers to perform their jobs.

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Tip of the Week: Use This Chrome Extension to Automatically Refresh Your Browser

b2ap3_thumbnail_refresh_of_browser_400.jpgHave you ever been glued to the computer monitor while compulsively hitting your browser’s refresh button? You might have done this while waiting for an online sale to drop, or while waiting for someone to respond in an online forum to your witty comment. Did you know that you can set your Google Chrome browser to refresh itself automatically?

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The Proper Use of Administrator Privileges Will Prevent Many PC Problems

b2ap3_thumbnail_admin_for_windows_account_400.jpgWhile it is not one of the flashier IT topics to discuss, the issue of administrator privileges.is critical to your agency’s network security plan. In fact, one recent study found that the majority of Windows operating flaws were due to mismanaged administrator privileges.

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If a Self-Driving Car Gets Into an Accident, Who’s at Fault? [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_auto_car_400.jpgThe world might not see widespread use of artificial intelligence for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean developers aren’t taking baby steps in that direction. Take for example Google and its automated vehicles. If Google successfully makes a self-driving car that’s aware of its surroundings, we might see them on the roads as early as 2020.

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Have You Taken Into Account Every Possible Risk to Your Data?

b2ap3_thumbnail_your_business_backup_plan_400.jpgYour agency’s data is its lifeline. Without it, you can’t hope to continue functioning, especially if you’re unable to recover it following a data loss disaster. Businesses that experience a devastating data loss and are unable to recover, are likely to go out of business within one calendar year following the incident. Is your business prepared to tackle a data loss disaster?

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How to Avoid Common Social Engineering Scams

b2ap3_thumbnail_do_not_fall_victim_to_these_tricks_400.jpgHackers are always seeking ways to infiltrate unsuspecting businesses.  Arguably, one of the most difficult to identify is a social engineering attack, in which the hacker exploits the end user, rather than cracking the security of technology systems.

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5 Ways to Put Your Staff Ahead of Frivolous Expenses

b2ap3_thumbnail_cut_your_costs_400.jpgEvery business wants to be like Google and provide employees with a dynamic place to work, filled with amenities. The reality is, you’re not Google -- a fact you're reminded of every time you attempt to balance your company’s budget.

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5 Tips to Minimize the Risk Associated With BYOD

b2ap3_thumbnail_byod_mobile_400.jpgHow many of your employees have a smartphone? The answer is probably most (if not all) of them. In the United States alone, nearly two-thirds of adults own a smartphone, and many of them depend on the device to do much of their personal computing. As a result, many workers, even if instructed not to, will use their devices while at your office. This is why many companies have put in place a comprehensive Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy.

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Recent Study Shows How the Cloud Can Double the Profits of a Small Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_smb_cloud_benefits_400.jpgIt’s been proven that the cloud is ideal for improving the way that agencies just like yours are handling their day-to-day operations, bringing both an increase in profits, net growth, and staff productivity. So, naturally, small businesses are moving in the direction of taking advantage of the cloud for their computing needs.

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4 Great Ways Your Agency Can Use Cloud Computing in 2016

b2ap3_thumbnail_cloud_computing_400.jpgThe cloud might be a great new data storage resource for independent agencies to get more done during the workday, but it’s far more than that. Uses for the cloud are constantly evolving to adapt to a shifting online environment. It’s now an indispensable tool for the serious modern business. The cloud is changing the way businesses handle their data and information, but it can do so much more.

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Tip of the Week: It's Easy to Create an Animated GIF

b2ap3_thumbnail_make_animated_gifs_400.jpgUsing GIFs in your digital communications is a great way to enhance them. A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is an image that loops a few seconds' worth of animation; it’s a great way to grab someone's attention. If you don’t know how to make a GIF, then we’ll show you how in this week’s tip!

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How and Why Cybercrime is so Effective

b2ap3_thumbnail_cyber_crime_is_the_new_norm_400.jpgThe Internet has ushered in an era of productivity and connectivity only previously dreamed of. But like every great tool, it can be used for darker purposes. Unfortunately, the Internet is also used for illegal activity, like drug trafficking or selling data on the black market.

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Hackers Find Way to Intercept Wireless Transmissions

b2ap3_thumbnail_man_in_the_middle_400.jpgThe Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly growing. Seemingly every commercially available product has a corresponding app or some sort of connectivity to the web. Even things with seemingly little intrinsic value are coming with Internet connectivity.

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Tip of the Week: Add a PIN to Windows 10 Login to Improve Security

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_10_pin_400.jpgBusinesses all over the world are starting to implement two-factor authentication. That's because the value of passwords is expected to depreciate as hackers find ways to punch holes in even the most comprehensive security solution. In response, users are being forced to find other means to increase their security.

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Baseball Executive Found Guilty of “Performance Enhancing" Hack Attack

b2ap3_thumbnail_baseball_hacks_brings_concerns_400.jpgThe “Moneyball” revolution in baseball has produced a dependence on analytics, both for measuring individual player performance and for overall team makeup. This shift has now presented at least one Major League Baseball franchise with major data security questions.

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Your Business Can Learn a Thing or Two From Nuclear Power Plant Security

b2ap3_thumbnail_nuclear_it_security_400.jpgWe talk about a lot of frightening technology scenarios for businesses: data loss, identity theft, and expensive hardware failures that can inflict substantial downtime and, therefore, cripple the ability of your business to sustain operations. One industry that has changed the way they manage risk, specifically the potential failure of important security systems, is the nuclear power industry. Any business can learn how to mitigate disaster by looking into the specifics of the two most horrendous nuclear meltdowns in history: the meltdown at Chernobyl in 1986, and the tsunami-induced disaster at Fukushima in 2011.

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3 Features Businesses Look For in Their Cloud Solution

b2ap3_thumbnail_cloud_computing_solutions_400.jpgCloud services are growing more common with small and medium-sized businesses, to the point where almost all businesses take advantage of the cloud in some way, shape, or form. However, an independent agency's specific cloud needs vary, and the same solution doesn’t work for everyone. Still, there are a few notable qualities that most businesses want for their cloud in 2016.

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Tip of the Week: Follow These 4 Best Practices to Keep Your Computer Clean

b2ap3_thumbnail_clean_your_pc_400.jpgA computer is a complex machine that demands routine maintenance and caretaking. If ignored, the machine’s lifespan will be cut short. Here are four best practices to ensure you get the most out of your PC.

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This Lesser Known Side of the Internet of Things May be the Most Significant

b2ap3_thumbnail_internet_of_things_400.jpgWhen one thinks about the Internet of Things (IoT), smart homes, smart cars, and mobile devices come to mind. While innovations like these are fueling the excitement behind the IoT, it’s actually the smaller, behind-the-scenes IoT devices that are poised to bring about the most significant change to our connected society.

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3 Reasons VoIP is Superior For Conference Calls

b2ap3_thumbnail_voip_video_400.jpgConference calls are a staple in the modern office environment. But did you know Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers a significantly better way to handle conference calls?

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