cheap4stuff.com

17/11/2025

Ever get lost in your computer’s Settings, just trying to tweak one little thing?

There’s a smarter way coming that makes finding and changing settings faster, simpler, and far less frustrating.

It’s all about saving time, keeping things private, and helping your team get back to work quickly

16/11/2025

Cyber criminals are already using AI to create new types of malware. But now Microsoft is fighting back with AI of its own 💪

It’s revealed a prototype called Project Ire, an AI tool designed to spot malware at first sight… even if it’s never seen the file before 😮

That’s a big deal, because most traditional security tools rely on recognising known patterns or signatures.

Project Ire, on the other hand, can analyse a file “cold” and make a judgement about whether it’s malicious.

In Microsoft’s early testing, the tool correctly identified almost 9 out of 10 malicious files. And did so with a very low false positive rate (meaning it didn’t flag lots of safe files as dangerous).

It also produced clear reports explaining why a file looked suspicious, which could help security experts (like me) respond faster.

It’s not perfect yet. In some tests, the AI only caught about a quarter of the malware it faced. But this is still very early days.

And when tested against a public dataset of Windows drivers, it achieved a much stronger recall rate while keeping mistakes low.

The vision is for Project Ire to become part of Microsoft Defender in the future, as a “Binary Analyser” that can work in real time to detect and block malware before it spreads.

The bigger picture here is important. Attackers are using AI to churn out malicious files at scale, making it harder than ever for businesses to stay safe. But cyber security companies are also using AI to level the playing field.

It really is an arms race. AI versus AI.

This is another reminder that relying on old-school antivirus isn’t enough anymore. The threats are getting more sophisticated, and so are the tools designed to fight them.

❓ Do you feel reassured that AI is being used to protect us? Or are you worried that it’s making cyber criminals more powerful?

15/11/2025

Ever wondered what Windows will look like by the time 2030 rolls around? 🤔

Microsoft recently shared a glimpse of that future, and (unsurprisingly) it’s all about AI and new ways of working with our computers.

David Weston, Microsoft’s Corporate VP for OS Security, gave his take: “In the future, we’ll do less with our eyes and hands, and more with our voices.

“Computers will see what we see, hear what we hear, and respond naturally to us. The humble mouse and keyboard could one day feel as old-fashioned as typing commands into MS-DOS.”

In other words, Windows could become multimodal, that’s a way of saying we won’t be limited to just one method of interacting with it. Talking, gesturing, and letting AI interpret what we want might feel as normal as double-clicking an icon does today.

That future might sound far away, but we’re already seeing hints of it.

Windows 11 has AI agents creeping into Settings. And rumours suggest another one could soon appear on the taskbar. With new AI-ready hardware (like laptops with Neural Processing Units built-in) on the horizon, these features will only get more powerful.

Of course, there’s a gap between Microsoft’s big visions and what actually lands on our PCs.

Remember how Copilot was supposed to change loads of Windows settings just by typing “make me more productive”? That never really happened.

So, will we all be chatting to Windows instead of clicking and typing by 2030?

Personally, I think it’s more likely voice commands and AI will become an extra layer on top of the mouse and keyboard, rather than replacing them. But the direction of travel is clear: The future of Windows is going to be heavily AI-driven.

💭 What do you think? Are you ready to talk to your computer like it’s a colleague, or will you stick with the trusty mouse and keyboard?

14/11/2025

Ransomware is scary enough, but now some variants are learning how to switch off your defences before they even attack 😬

Take Akira ransomware, which has been making headlines recently. Researchers have found that once attackers get into a system (often through SonicWall VPNs), Akira can disable Microsoft Defender, the built-in antivirus that protects Windows devices, before dropping its payload.

How does it pull this off?

By abusing something called a “bring-your-own-vulnerable-driver” attack (catchy).

In simple terms, it sneaks in using a legitimate Windows driver (software that helps your computer hardware talk to the operating system). That legitimate driver then makes it possible for a second, malicious driver to run. And that’s the one that flips Microsoft Defender’s settings off.

With your security turned off, Akira can then encrypt files freely, locking businesses out of their data until a ransom is paid.

The good news? This isn’t a mass-scale outbreak.

Fewer than 40 cases have been confirmed, and it’s linked to older firewall setups and reused credentials during upgrades.

But the bigger lesson here is clear. Cyber criminals are getting smarter at finding ways to sidestep protections. Even the built-in security tools we trust most can be disabled if attackers gain a foothold.

That’s why layered security is so important.

Endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, timely patching, and, most importantly, good credential hygiene all work together to reduce your risk.

Don’t wait until ransomware hits to discover your defences weren’t as strong as you thought.

🤔 If Microsoft Defender was suddenly switched off on your devices, how quickly would you notice?

12/11/2025

Ever found yourself staring at a chart or image in a document, knowing it matters but not quite understanding it?

There’s something new in Windows 11 that’s about to remove that problem. And it could be a big boost for productivity and accessibility in your business.

Could this help your team work smarter and faster?

12/11/2025

What if your entire IT system went dark for a week?

No emails. No files. No customer data.

Most businesses don’t realise how vulnerable they are… until it happens.

Here’s how to make sure your business is ready to get through this nightmare scenario…

11/11/2025

Elevate your security with the TP-LINK (InSight S655I) IR Fisheye Network Camera. Offering 360° coverage, this advanced surveillance solution combines multiple display modes and ePTZ capabilities with smart detection features. Its IP67 and IK10 ratings ensure durability against harsh weather and vandalism. Equipped with True WDR and Smart IR, the camera delivers clear, balanced images in challenging lighting conditions. The H.265+ compression technology optimizes storage without compromising quality. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, this camera is perfect for small businesses seeking comprehensive and reliable security.

Explore more today and secure your space with ease!

🔗 Tel : 01479 811799 for more details

TP-LINK (InSight S655I) IR Fisheye Network Camera, 360° Coverage, Multiple Display Modes and ePTZ, Smart Detection, IP67, Two-Way Audio

11/11/2025

It’s a normal workday, you’ve got a list of things to do, and suddenly your main PC goes down 🆘

Maybe it’s been hit by ransomware.

Maybe the hard drive has failed.

Maybe it’s got some water in it.

Whatever the reason, you’re locked out. Work stops. Deadlines slip. Clients get frustrated…

And your stress levels go through the roof 🤯

This is the exact problem Microsoft is trying to tackle with a brand new service, called Windows 365 Reserve.

Here’s how it works: If your main device becomes unavailable, whether it’s a cyber attack, hardware failure, software issue, or outright theft, Windows 365 Reserve gives you instant access to a temporary Cloud PC. That’s a virtual computer you can log into securely from any device, anywhere.

The clever bit is that you’re not starting from scratch. You still get access to your familiar Microsoft 365 apps, your files, and your company’s security policies (thanks to Microsoft Intune).

So instead of grinding to a halt, you just switch over and carry on working.

Microsoft will give businesses up to 10 days of Cloud PC access per year, which you can use all at once or split across different incidents (but let’s hope you don’t have to worry about that).

That window of time is often all your IT team needs to sort out the root of the problem, without you sitting around waiting or losing valuable productivity.

Think of it like having a spare office ready to go at a moment’s notice. The building may have changed, but the desk, chair, and tools you need are still waiting for you.

This move came directly from customer feedback. Businesses told Microsoft that downtime from outages was one of their biggest headaches. It means stalled projects, missed deliverables, and extra strain on already-busy IT teams.

Windows 365 Reserve is designed to relieve that pressure.

Right now, it’s only in limited public preview, and Microsoft hasn’t confirmed how it will be priced. But the concept is clear, keep your people working, no matter what happens to their main device.

And now, where cyber attacks and hardware failures are more “when” than “if”, that kind of safety net could make a big difference.

💭 If your main work devices went down this afternoon, how quickly could you and your team get back to business?

11/11/2025

Feeling drained by tech stress and constant distractions?

The way your workspace is set up has a bigger impact on productivity than you think.

From the tools you use to the way you sit, small tweaks can make a huge difference.

This is how to optimise your setup for better productivity…

10/11/2025

Need Help ?
for helpfull tips to go to Baztex.com
or contact us on 01479 811799

10/11/2025

Here’s a neat little productivity trick in Microsoft OneDrive you might not know about: You can now change the colour of your folders 🌈

At first glance, it might seem like a small, cosmetic feature. But it’s surprisingly useful.

Think about how you’d use different coloured binders or sticky notes in the office to quickly spot the right project.

This is the digital version of that.

By giving each folder its own colour, you can make important projects stand out instantly, cut down on the time you spend scanning through a long list of identical-looking folders, and create a workspace that feels more organised and personal.

Changing a folder’s colour in OneDrive on Windows is simple.

Just make sure OneDrive is running, then right-click the folder you want to change.

Under the OneDrive menu you’ll see an option for “Folder Colour.”

Pick the shade that works best for you, and OneDrive will sync that choice across your supported devices.

If you’re using OneDrive for Business, you can even do the same thing in the web version.

It’s not the kind of feature that’s going to make headlines, but it’s one of those small touches that adds up over time.

When your digital space is easier to navigate, your day flows a little smoother. And in business, those little efficiency wins matter 💪

❓ Do you like to keep things tidy and colour-coded, or are you more of a “search and find it when I need it” kind of person?

06/11/2025

We have pre Christmas Stock just arrived reduced :-)
:-)

06/11/2025

📋 When was the last time you thought about what’s sitting in your Windows Clipboard?

Most of us don’t give it a second thought, right?

It’s that little feature that remembers the last few things you copied… text, links, images, even screenshots… so you can paste them again later. Handy.

But here’s the problem. The Clipboard doesn’t just hold on to the boring stuff. If you’ve ever copied an ID document, a password, or even a confidential customer email, chances are it’s still sitting in your Clipboard history.

And that can be a serious privacy risk 😱

Imagine this: Someone gains access to your device (through a hack, or even just borrowing your laptop for a few minutes). With a couple of clicks, they could see everything you’ve copied recently. That sensitive data could be all they need to cause real damage, whether that’s identity theft, financial fraud, or leaking private business information 😬

Now, I’m not saying you should stop using the Clipboard altogether. It’s a great productivity tool. But like any tool, it needs a bit of maintenance.

Here’s the quick fix:

👉 On Windows 11, press Windows + V and you’ll see your Clipboard history
👉 From there, you can delete items one by one (even pinned ones) using the three dots menu
👉 Or, if you want to wipe the slate clean, hit Clear All

And if you’d rather not think about it again, you can disable Clipboard history completely. Just head to Settings > System > Clipboard and toggle it off.

This is more than just “tidying up” 🧹 It’s protecting yourself, your team, and your customers from unnecessary risk.

Think of it like shredding sensitive paperwork instead of leaving it lying around the office, only this is the digital version.

🤔 Have you ever discovered something on your computer that made you think, “Wow, I should really clear that out”?

05/11/2025

Experience unmatched gaming with the XFX Swift RX9060 XT OC Gaming Edition. Elevate your gameplay with cutting-edge features and robust performance, ideal for immersive 1440p gaming. Enjoy peace of mind with our 3-year warranty, ensuring your investment is protected. Upgrade your gaming rig today and dive into the future of gaming.

XFX Swift RX9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 8GB, PCIe5, 8GB DDR6, HDMI, 2 DP, 3320MHz Clock, Overclocked

31/10/2025

For years we’ve heard “cloud‑first!” shouted from every rooftop… but the conversation is shifting 🌥️➡️☁️

A new Private Cloud Outlook 2025 report shows companies everywhere are rethinking their cloud strategies.

And the balance between public and private cloud is now front and centre.

The numbers are eye‑opening:

👀 93% of businesses say they’re now deliberately balancing a mix of public and private cloud
👀 53% plan to make private cloud their top priority for new workloads in the next three years
👀 73% are actively considering moving some workloads back from public cloud to private. And a third have already done so

Why the rethink?

🔒 Security and compliance: 92% trust private cloud more.

💰 Cost visibility: 90% say private cloud gives them clearer, more predictable costs.

🤖 AI workloads: 60% prefer private cloud for training and running AI models.

But it’s not without challenges. Many businesses admit they’re struggling with siloed IT teams and skills gaps. 80% are leaning on external help to get their cloud environments right.

Things is, there’s no one platform that does it all. It’s all about putting the right workload in the right place.

Is it time you found a blended mix that fits your business, strategically, securely, and cost‑effectively?

My team and I can help with that - get in touch.

🤔 How’s your business approaching cloud right now? Are you leaning more toward public, private, or a mix of both?

29/10/2025

Microsoft is taking Copilot on Windows 11 to a whole new level ⬆️

It’s started testing a feature that lets you share your entire desktop with Copilot. Meaning the AI can see what you see, and chat with you about it in real time.

Up until now, Copilot Vision could only look at a single app or window you chose to share.

But soon, if you enable it, Copilot will be able to view everything on your desktop at once.

Before you panic 😥 this is 100% optional.

You must deliberately enter a special mode inside the Copilot app to turn it on.

Copilot isn’t peeking at your screen in the background, and it won’t start watching without your say so.

Once enabled, here’s what it can do:

👉 Talk you through tasks as you switch between apps
👉 Offer insights on the content you’re working on
👉 Guide you step by step through a process in an unfamiliar program
👉 Even coach you aloud while you’re editing a document or working on a project

It won’t click or type for you (at least not yet). But it can highlight areas on screen and say, “Click here next,” or “Try changing this”.

Think of it as having a knowledgeable colleague looking over your shoulder… without the awkwardness.

Right now, desktop sharing for Copilot Vision is still in testing across Windows Insider Preview channels (Release Preview, Beta, Dev, and Canary). And for now, it’s only available in the US. I’m sure it won’t be long till Microsoft rolls it out more widely.

Microsoft is clearly betting big on Copilot. With features like Copilot Memory and even customisable personas (yes, you might soon be able to make yours look like Clippy 👀).

💭 What do you think? Would you be happy to share your whole desktop with an AI assistant if it could help you get things done faster?

28/10/2025

Struggling to spot the emails that really matter, amongst all the junk?

Your inbox is about to get a powerful new ally.

Find out how Outlook’s latest feature could help you cut through the noise (and save time too)…

27/10/2025

How much vital info does your website give away to hackers?

CLUE: A lot more than you think.

In just minutes, a cyber criminal can gather lots of info they need to plan an attack.

This is how they do it… and the way to protect your business.

26/10/2025

I’ve got something worrying to point out: Even trusted tools can be hijacked ⚠️

Gravity Forms, a hugely popular WordPress plugin with over a million users, was briefly compromised in what’s known as a supply chain attack.

Here’s what happened:

☠️ Attackers managed to sneak malicious files into certain manual downloads of the plugin from Gravity Forms’ own website
☠️ Those files could block updates, create hidden admin accounts, and even allow remote code ex*****on (basically, full control over a site)
☠️ The affected versions were only live for a short window in early July, but anyone who grabbed those versions manually was at risk

The good news?

• Automatic updates and installations done from inside the plugin itself were never affected
• The company, RocketGenius, acted quickly, closed off the attack method, and has already released a clean version (2.9.13)
• They’ve reached out directly to anyone who might have been exposed

But this is still an important reminder:

🔒 Even legitimate, well‑known tools can be targeted
🔒 Always keep plugins updated directly through their official update mechanisms wherever possible
🔒 If you manually download any software, double‑check you’re on the official site and confirm the version number you’re installing

Stories like this highlight how important it is to stay aware of the risks. A single compromised plugin can open the door to attackers. And that can mean stolen data, downtime, or worse.

❓Do you (or your team) ever manually install plugins? Or do you rely on automatic updates?

25/10/2025

AI isn’t some far‑off future tech anymore. It’s already reshaping how we work every day.

But new research shows that getting on board with it is proving harder than many people expected 🤖

The study paints an interesting picture:

🟪 28% of small and medium sized businesses say rising costs from not automating are already hurting them
🟪 Nearly half (47%) admit they don’t yet have the infrastructure to properly scale AI tools
🟪 And a massive 95% say they still need more training to feel confident using it

Here’s the really telling part:

👾 77% of leaders wouldn’t bet a week’s salary on their organisation’s ability to handle AI risks like data misuse…
👾 …but 72% describe themselves as AI experts.

There’s clearly enthusiasm. But also, a gap between knowing AI exists and knowing how to make it work day‑to‑day.

Right now, two‑thirds of small and medium sized businesses only use AI in very controlled environments.

Three‑quarters are still nervous about how data is managed. And many say the biggest blocker isn’t the technology at all. It’s the training.

But on the other hand, most aren’t standing still.

Three in four plan to ramp up AI investments in the next year, with huge expectations for productivity and performance boosts.

Getting on board with AI isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about:

✨ Building up skills and confidence step by step
✨ Figuring out where AI can actually make your life easier
✨ And making sure the basics (like data security) are solid before scaling up

Are you excited by AI? Or still figuring out where it fits into your work?

24/10/2025

Scams on the internet aren’t new. But the tactics criminals use keep evolving.

And they’re catching out people and businesses every single day.

Want to hear the harsh truth? The difference between someone who falls for a scam and someone who doesn’t is often just a split second of trust in the wrong place.

Here are some of the most common scams doing the rounds right now, and what to watch for…

🎣 Phishing emails and texts:These are messages pretending to be from a bank, a supplier, or even someone you know. They’ll ask you to click a link or log in. Once you do, they steal your details.

💡 Advice: Never click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the official website instead.

💻 Tech support cons:A caller says they’re from Microsoft or your internet provider and that your computer is infected. They ask for remote access or payment to “fix” it.

💡 Advice: Legitimate companies don’t cold call like this. Hang up and contact them directly through official numbers.

💸 “Easy money” scams:Think fake lotteries, bogus investments, or those infamous foreign prince emails. They promise big rewards if you pay a “small fee” first.

💡 Advice: If you didn’t enter a competition, you didn’t win. And anyone asking for upfront payment should set off alarm bells.

🛒 Online shopping and auction scams:Fraudsters hijack accounts with good reputations, sell fake goods, or convince you to use insecure payment methods like wire transfers.

💡 Advice: Always use trusted payment systems (like PayPal) and never ship goods before money is safely in your account.

🎭 Social media tricks:A message from a friend saying “Is this you?” or “I’m stuck abroad, please send money.” Or apps that look fun but hide malware.

💡 Advice: Verify through another channel (call or text) before acting, and research any new app before installing it.

Scammers prey on trust, urgency, and emotion. They don’t care who you are, they just want your money, your data, or access to your accounts.

🛡 The best defence? Slow down. Question everything. Educate your team. And make sure you’ve got strong security tools in place.

What’s the worst scam you’ve seen lately? Have you or your team ever had a close call?

22/10/2025

You know that Wi-Fi camera you just installed to see who’s at your business’s front door… is it possible it could present a risk to your data?

You’d be surprised. Here are the main security risks for all types of devices.

21/10/2025

Here’s a clever (and slightly scary) new twist on phishing attacks you might not have heard about yet… and it involves Google Gemini 🤖✉️

Gemini is Google’s AI assistant built into Gmail and other Workspace apps.

One of its neat features is that it can summarise incoming emails in a little pane on the right-hand side.

Sounds useful, right?

But we’re being warned that criminals can hijack Gemini’s summaries using a technique called prompt injection.

How does that work?:

😈 A scammer sends you an email that looks totally normal
😈 Hidden inside the email is extra text (using HTML and CSS to make it invisible, with white text, tiny font)
😈 You can’t see it… but Gemini can
😈 When you open Gemini’s summary pane, it obediently follows the hidden instructions and might show you a fake warning, like: “Your account is compromised. Call Google support immediately on this number”

Because that message is coming from your trusted Gemini assistant inside Gmail, you’re far more likely to believe it.

✨ And just like that, you’ve been phished ✨

Researchers demonstrated exactly this. And while there’s no evidence of real‑world attacks yet, Google has confirmed it’s a priority issue and is rolling out mitigations.

In the meantime, you can reduce the risk by making sure your email clients filter out hidden content. Or by scanning for suspicious urgency cues like phone numbers or “account locked” messages.

Most importantly, remind your team: AI summaries are helpful, but they’re not security alerts. Always double‑check before acting on anything unusual.

AI tools are amazing, right? But they can also introduce new risks we’re only just starting to understand.

🔎 Do you think your team would spot something like this? Or would a message from Gemini catch them off guard?