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

Couple Exploits Vulnerability With IRS Filing System, Steals $1M, Goes to Jail

Couple Exploits Vulnerability With IRS Filing System, Steals $1M, Goes to Jail

Anthony and Sonia Alika recently found out that the Internal Revenue Service is not an organization to mess with. Having been busted for filing fraudulent tax returns through the often-exploited Get Transcript site managed by the IRS, the couple will spend some time in the slammer in addition to paying restitution.

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Tip of the Week: 6 PC Troubleshooting Guidelines that Every User Should Know

Tip of the Week: 6 PC Troubleshooting Guidelines that Every User Should Know

When was the last time that you ran into a computer problem that was easily solved just by simply restarting your computer or unplugging a device from the wall, then plugging it back in? Oftentimes, simple troubleshooting tactics are enough to resolve a problem. But more often than not, there are issues that can’t be easily resolved.

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Tip of the Week: 4 Ways to Get a Handle on Social Media in the Workplace

Tip of the Week: 4 Ways to Get a Handle on Social Media in the Workplace

Social media may be a great way to connect with other professionals and communicate with your friends, but it can be dangerous if you have poor posting habits. Before you share something, think twice about whether it contains any sensitive information that could be risky to yourself and your business.

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Tip of the Week: 5 Surefire Ways to Ruin Your Smartphone

Tip of the Week: 5 Surefire Ways to Ruin Your Smartphone

The best way to get the most life out of your smartphone is to take care of it. Or, you can ignore proven best practices and witness your smartphone meet its untimely demise. By not taking care of your smartphone in these five ways, you’ll be sure to doom your device.

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10 Common Security Mistakes That Can Sink Your Network

10 Common Security Mistakes That Can Sink Your Network

Most companies have to have a workforce, generally one of considerable size. Unfortunately, the more users you have, the more potential risks you run into. Of course, your workforce doesn’t collectively intend to be a security risk, but the digital world is a complicated place, with threats around every corner and malicious programs just waiting for your employed end-users to slip up. Here are ten such honest slip-ups to watch out for:

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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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Tip of the Week: 4 Ways to Not Annoy Everyone With Your Smartphone

b2ap3_thumbnail_smartphone_jerk_400.jpgSmartphones have been great for enhanced productivity and accessibility, but they can also result in some rather rude social behavior. While productivity might be on the rise, manners seem to be in decline, thanks to people not knowing how to properly use their smartphones in public. Here are four smartphone etiquette tips that every device owner should abide by.

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How a Reliable Computer Network Makes Your Business More Competitive

b2ap3_thumbnail_reliability_is_key_400.jpgIn order for your business to be competitive, you need every aspect of your company operating at maximum efficiency. If just one component of your business isn’t functioning properly, then you’ve lost the competitive edge. This principle applies especially to the network of a small-to-medium-sized business.

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Be Wary of Bitcoin Fraud

b2ap3_thumbnail_bitcoin_400.jpgOn May 7, 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a news alert declaring Bitcoin, and all other virtual currencies insecure and unsafe. Due to a rise in Bitcoin popularity, many investors and business owners like to use it for worldwide transactions. But, how safe is it, and how likely are you to run into a Bitcoin fraud scheme?

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Take Care of Your Computer and it Will Take Care of You

b2ap3_thumbnail_diligent_maintenance_400.jpgWhen it comes to owning anything expensive, it's important to practice proper maintenance. One of the most basic things you can do to take better care of your computer is to periodically examine the software on your computer. Although software maintenance can be challenging at times, it can be incredibly rewarding.

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3 Internet Dangers That Can Harm Your Kids and What You Can Do About Them!

b2ap3_thumbnail_protect_your_kids_400.jpgThe Internet is a powerful tool. Another powerful tool is the circular saw. You wouldn't give your kid a circular saw and let them use it without any supervision. In the same way, you shouldn't let your kid use the Internet unsupervised and without any training.

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You Might Be a Technology Redneck If…

b2ap3_thumbnail_technology_redneck_400.jpgNot too many years ago comedian Jeff Foxworthy became a star with his trademark "You Might Be a Redneck If..." jokes. Rednecks are an interesting breed that do things backwards because they stubbornly believe that it's the best way, and like all of us, rednecks use technology. Are you a technology redneck? Check out our redneck technology list to find out.

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The Shocking Truth about UPS!

b2ap3_thumbnail_ups400.jpgWhat do you do when you have more electronics than power outlets? If you're like most of us, you will get for yourself an inexpensive power strip and keep plugging stuff in. This may work for your kitchen appliances, but with your computer equipment, you will want something more heavy duty.

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Important information about CryptoLocker virus!

Important information about CryptoLocker virus!

As many of you know first-hand, virus and malware infections are an annoying and painful part of computer use in this day and age.  Because there are so many infections floating around the internet, and due to the wide variety of infection types, we usually don't send out messages like this one targeting a specific type of infection.  Even the recent "FBI" virus did not warrant an alert, since those infections are simple to remove.  However, the new CryptoLocker infection does warrant an alert, which is why we are writing to you today.

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Can Your Business Withstand These 10 Natural Disasters?

b2ap3_thumbnail_float400.jpg"The wise man built his house upon the rock, and the foolish man built his house upon the sand. When the rains came up, only one house remained." Some locations are better than others to build on. Is your business built on the sand or a rock? You can determine your level of risk by looking at these ten disasters.

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4 Support Obstacles Relieved By Vendor Management

b2ap3_thumbnail_vendors400_20130708-184054_1.jpgWhen tech support is done right, it can be a beautiful service. When tech support is done poorly, it will only add stress to an already frustrating problem. You know that we provide excellent tech support, but if you are seeking support for a technology that we don't cover, then you may think you'll run into obstacles.

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4 Support Obstacles Relieved By Vendor Management

b2ap3_thumbnail_vendors400.jpgWhen tech support is done right, it can be a beautiful service. When tech support is done poorly, it will only add stress to an already frustrating problem. You know that we provide excellent tech support, but if you are seeking support for a technology that we don't cover, then you may think you'll run into obstacles.

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Your Tape Backup is a Business Risk

There was a time when tape backup was the cheapest and the standard data backup solution for businesses. Over the years, cloud services have become more affordable, and now cloud backup solutions like a BDR are cheaper and give businesses more security features. If you are still backing up with tape, then you may be losing money and even putting your business at risk!

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Disaster Recovery and Why it Matters to Detroit Michigan Businesses

b2ap3_thumbnail_thumb_disaster-recovery_20120727-152922_1_20130104-033953_1.jpgWhen you mention the term 'disaster recovery,' most people think about the big ground-shattering events like earthquakes, fires, floods, tropical storms, etc. While these natural events are certainly disasters and devastating in their own right, smaller things can constitute as a disaster for your business, and they aren't seasonal.  99% of disasters happen in the office, most are server failures or some type of data loss.

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