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28/12/2025

🛡️ Microsoft recently stopped a major ransomware campaign… and it all started with fake Teams installers.

Now this is a story that shows just how creative (and dangerous) cyber criminals have become. And how quickly Microsoft is moving to fight back.

Back in October, Microsoft quietly disrupted a wave of ransomware attacks that were spreading through fake Microsoft Teams downloads.

A group known as Vanilla Tempest (also tracked as Vice Society or VICE SPIDER) had been tricking people into downloading a file called “MSTeamsSetup.exe” from websites that looked almost identical to the real Teams download page.

The sites had names like:

🕵️‍♂️ teams-install[.]top
🕵️‍♂️ teams-download[.]buzz

All designed to look just convincing enough to fool busy workers.

But instead of installing Teams, the fake file secretly loaded a piece of malware called Oyster. A backdoor that gave hackers remote access to victims’ devices.

Once inside, they could steal data, run commands, or install Rhysida ransomware, locking down entire systems for ransom.

Thankfully, Microsoft caught on fast. They revoked over 200 digital certificates that were being used to make these fake installers appear legitimate, effectively cutting off the hackers’ ability to keep spreading their malware.

This is a big win, but it’s also a reminder. The front line of cyber crime is constantly moving.

Attackers aren’t just sending suspicious links anymore, they’re using malvertising (fake ads in search results), SEO poisoning (making malicious sites appear higher on Google), and trust exploitation (abusing real code-signing certificates).

And because the attacks looked like official Microsoft software, many victims didn’t think twice before downloading.

Here’s the takeaway 👇

Even trusted tools like Teams can be used against you when attackers get clever.

The best defence is cyber awareness and vigilance.

✅ Always download apps directly from official sources
✅ Keep your security software and OS up to date
✅ Train your team to question anything that looks “slightly off”

Microsoft did their part by shutting this one down. But the next campaign could already be brewing.

💬 Have you ever spotted (or fallen for) a fake version of a trusted tool online? It’s scary how real they look now, isn’t it?

27/12/2025

💡 If you’ve been following Microsoft’s updates, you’ve probably noticed that Copilot is everywhere.

It’s in your taskbar. It’s in Paint and Notepad. It’s in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook. Even inside your right-click menus.

But that’s only the beginning.

Microsoft has now confirmed that it’s turning Windows 11 into an “AI-native” operating system.

So… what does that mean? 🤔

Right now, AI in Windows mostly works as an add-on. You ask Copilot to help, and it sends your request to the cloud, runs an AI model, then gives you an answer. Pretty clever. But it still feels separate from the operating system itself.

An AI-native OS is something much bigger.

It means AI would be built into the core of Windows, as natural and essential as the Start button or your keyboard.

In practice, that could mean your PC understands context. It knows what you’re working on, what tools you’re using, and what your next step might be.

Instead of just assisting, it could act, carrying out tasks on your behalf while staying secure and private on your device.

Microsoft’s vice president even described this as “the AI-native shift”, where Windows becomes a platform designed for AI agents, not just powered by them.

Imagine asking your computer: “Take this Excel file, clean up the data, create a report in Word, and build me a presentation.”

And instead of opening apps and doing the steps yourself, your PC simply… does it.

That’s the direction Microsoft is heading. The next few Windows updates are laying the groundwork for the transformation.

For business owners, this shift is worth paying attention to. It could free your people from repetitive work so they can focus on strategy, ideas, and customers.

Windows is preparing for an entirely new way of working, where your PC becomes more like a capable assistant than a tool.

💭 Do you think this is an exciting future, or a little too futuristic for comfort?

26/12/2025

🤖 Managers now trust AI more than their junior employees… so what does that say about the workplace?

According to new research, 81% of people now use AI tools at work. And more than half use them every day to save time.

So far, so good. AI is officially mainstream.

But here’s where it gets interesting (and maybe a little uncomfortable): Managers are starting to trust AI more than they trust junior staff.

Yep.

The survey found that senior leaders are more confident in what AI can do than in what their newer employees can deliver.

In fact, most managers said they’d find it easier to manage AI agents than people.

That’s a big statement.

It shows how far AI has come. But also how wide the trust gap has grown between generations of workers.

And it’s not hard to see why.

Many junior employees say they feel judged or even “lazy” when they use AI tools. They worry that managers will think they’re cutting corners rather than being efficient.

But the truth is, AI doesn’t make people lazy. It makes them faster.

What matters is how we use it.

If leaders view AI as a partner rather than a replacement, it can help every team member, junior or senior, focus on what humans do best. That’s creativity, empathy, and big-picture thinking.

The real challenge for businesses right now isn’t whether to use AI. It’s how to build trust around it.

That means:

✅ Clear guidance on when and how to use AI responsibly
✅ Training that gives everyone the confidence to use it well
✅ A culture where using smart tools is seen as smart work, not cheating

Because let’s face it, the businesses that figure this out first will have happier, more productive teams and a big competitive edge.

🤔 What do you think? Would you trust an AI agent as much as a junior employee? Or is that going too far?

24/12/2025

We are Cheaper than Amazon !!
Now its past the Christmas post cut off
We still have lot in stock
Aviemore

24/12/2025

Good tech makes work feel effortless.

Bad tech makes every task a struggle.

The right systems don’t just run faster. They help your team stay secure, connected, and happy.

The difference between frustration and flow could be just a few smart changes…

23/12/2025

How personal should AI really get?

Microsoft’s latest update is changing the way AI assistants work with your business. And it’s putting you firmly in the driver’s seat.

Here’s what that means for you…

22/12/2025

💻 Here’s something that might surprise you…

Even though Windows 10 reached the end of its life back in October, a lot of people (and businesses) are still using it every single day.

And I get it.

Windows 10 has been familiar, reliable, and for many, “good enough”.

Upgrading can feel like more hassle than it’s worth. Especially when everything seems to still be working just fine.

But here’s the problem 👇

When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, it’s not just about missing out on shiny new features.

It’s about security.

No more security updates. No more fixes for new vulnerabilities. No more protection against evolving threats.

That means every device still running Windows 10 has its front door unlocked. Not because you meant to leave it unlocked, but because you didn’t realise the lock had stopped working.

Hackers know this too.

The moment an operating system stops being patched, it becomes an easy target. Malware writers keep lists of vulnerabilities in outdated systems, ready to exploit them the moment official support ends.

For many businesses, the hesitation to upgrade isn’t ignorance. It comes down to resources.

Upgrading costs money, time, and effort. And for some, there are older apps or systems that only work on Windows 10.

But here’s the reality: The longer you stay on unsupported tech, the more you pay in hidden costs, from IT firefighting to downtime to cyber risk.

Upgrading is about protecting your data, your clients, and your reputation.

And you don’t have to do it all at once. A smart migration plan can spread the cost and minimise disruption.

So if you’re still on Windows 10, take this as your gentle nudge. Now’s the time to plan your move. The sooner you modernise, the safer and smoother things will be.

Tell me, is your business still running Windows 10 anywhere? What’s holding you back from upgrading?

21/12/2025

🏢 Imagine walking into your office, connecting to the Wi-Fi… and instantly, Microsoft Teams updates your status to say: “In the office.”

No typing, no toggling, no forgetting to update your location. Teams will just know.

That’s what Microsoft is working on right now.

The new feature will automatically detect when someone connects to the company’s Wi-Fi network and set their work location accordingly.

On the surface, that sounds handy.

It means less confusion about who’s where. Especially in hybrid teams where some people are remote, some in-office, and others constantly moving between sites.

But as with most new tech, there’s another side to it.

Let’s talk about the pros first 👍

It could make planning and communication smoother.

Managers won’t have to chase people to check if they’re in today or working from home.

Colleagues can see immediately who’s available for an in-person chat versus who’s only online.

It might even help with desk booking systems or meeting room management, saving time and avoiding awkward “I thought you were here today!” moments.

But here’s where it gets a bit tricky 🤔

The line between useful tracking and surveillance can get blurry very quickly.

Many people are understandably uncomfortable with the idea of software automatically reporting their location. Even if it’s just “office Wi-Fi = in the office”.

From an IT perspective, it’s not exactly spying. It’s just reading the network connection.

But perception matters. Employees need to understand what’s being tracked, why, and what isn’t.

If handled well, this feature could be another tool for smarter collaboration.

If handled poorly, it could feel like Big Brother has joined your Teams channel.

For business owners, this is the key takeaway: Transparency is everything.

Before rolling out any kind of workplace monitoring or automation, explain it clearly. Tell your team what’s being used, what data it captures, and how it benefits them. Make it a conversation, not a surprise.

Is it about efficiency? Accountability? Or culture? The answer will look different for every team.

💬 What do you think? Would this kind of feature make your business run smoother, or is it a step too far into monitoring?

20/12/2025

Are you old enough to feel nostalgic for the old days of the internet?

Do you ever wish you could go back and see what your favourite website looked like 10 or 20 years ago?

Well, guess what?

An internet time machine exists.

It’s called the Wayback Machine, and it’s part of something called the Internet Archive. Basically, the world’s backup drive for the entire web.

Since 1996, it’s been quietly saving copies of websites before they disappear forever. And recently it hit a mind-blowing milestone:

🌐 1 trillion web pages archived.

That’s trillion with a “T”.

Or roughly 21 million DVDs worth of data. (Remember those?) 💿

You can use it to visit all kinds of internet history too. The very first version of Amazon, the original YouTube homepage, even your old business website if it’s been around a while.

It’s equal parts fascinating and cringe-inducing.

But here’s what’s really interesting: The Internet Archive exists because the web is shockingly fragile.

Websites vanish all the time.

One server crash, one redesign, or one company closure… and p**f, years of work and culture are gone.

Sound familiar?

Businesses do the same thing every day.

We assume our data (files, emails, client records, photos) will always be there… until it isn’t.

The truth is, nothing digital is permanent unless you back it up.

The Internet Archive does it for humanity’s knowledge.

You should do it for your business.

Because if they can keep a trillion web pages safe for 30 years, surely you can keep your client data backed up for the next three 😉

💬 What old website would you love to revisit on the Wayback Machine?

19/12/2025

Deal of the week
£552

19/12/2025

Still relying on the computers in your office to run your business?

That might have worked a few years ago… but the world’s moved on.

With more staff working remotely and clients expecting instant responses, being tied to a single machine (or server in a cupboard) just doesn’t cut it anymore.

The cloud isn’t mysterious. It’s simply a smarter, safer, more flexible way to run your business.

Our latest guide explains what it is, how it works, and why now’s the time to make the move.

Download your free copy now.

13/12/2025

Here’s a scary thought: Your team might be using AI tools that you don’t even know about.

They’re not doing it maliciously. They’re trying to get work done faster. But it’s creating a huge blind spot for security.

This quiet trend even has a name: Shadow AI.

It’s when employees use unsanctioned AI tools (like free chatbots, text generators, or online assistants) without their company’s approval.

And it’s spreading fast.

Recent research from Microsoft found that around 7 in 10 employees have used an unapproved AI tool at least once, and over half keep using them week after week.

And it’s not hard to see why.

Tools like Copilot, ChatGPT and Gemini can instantly rewrite awkward emails, summarise documents, or create slides in minutes. They save time and boost productivity. What’s not to love?

The problem is… security 🔐

Most employees have no idea that when they paste company or customer information into a public AI tool, that data could leave the organisation forever. In some cases, it might even be used to train future AI models.

That means sensitive data could resurface in unexpected ways later on. And that’s a huge privacy and compliance risk.

Only about a third of workers say they worry about these dangers. So the rest are unintentionally putting their companies at risk every single day.

But shadow AI doesn’t have to be the villain of the story.

People are turning to AI because they want to work smarter. The solution isn’t banning it, it’s guiding it.

✅ Give employees approved, secure AI tools that meet business and data protection standards.

✅ Train everyone on how to use them safely.

✅ Set clear rules for what can and can’t be shared.

AI isn’t the problem. Uncontrolled AI is.

💬 Be honest, do you know which AI tools your team is using right now?

12/12/2025

12/12/2025

We all know the old saying: “With great power comes great responsibility”.

But when it comes to artificial intelligence, it seems not everyone got the memo.

Hackers are now using AI to supercharge their attacks.

They’re crafting eerily convincing phishing emails, writing them in perfect English (or any language they choose), and sending them out by the thousands.

Why waste time breaking through a company’s firewalls when you can just trick someone into handing over the keys?

Microsoft’s latest Digital Defence Report paints a worrying picture:

👉 Over 80% of the cyber attacks their teams investigated were after one thing: Data.

Once attackers get in, they steal it, encrypt it, delete it, and then demand a ransom for its return.

And while the hackers might be after money, the consequences are all too human.

Hospitals and care homes have been hit particularly hard. When their systems go down, lives can literally be on the line. That pressure means many end up paying the ransom just to get back online.

The weakest link in all of this?

It’s still us humans. Most attacks start with stolen login details.

But here’s the good news: One simple tool can stop 99% of identity-based attacks.

🤔 Can you guess what it is?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

That’s the extra step where you confirm a login on your phone or via an app. Even if a hacker has your password, they can’t get in without that second check.

It’s a tiny inconvenience that can save your business from a world of pain.

Meanwhile, the cyber arms race continues.

AI is helping attackers create smarter, shape-shifting malware. But it’s also helping defenders spot threats faster, detect phishing, and train employees. So it’s not all bad news. Both sides are learning fast.

Microsoft’s message is clear: Fighting cyber crime is now a shared global responsibility. Governments, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play, from sharing intelligence to simply turning on MFA.

The world’s digital defences are only as strong as the people behind them.

💬 Does your business have MFA switched on for every account that matters? If not, what’s stopping you?

10/12/2025

Cyber crime is evolving fast… and it’s not always people behind the attacks anymore.

AI is changing the game for both hackers and how we defend against them.

Is your business ready for this?

09/12/2025

09/12/2025

💻 Big news: Microsoft has confirmed that AI is coming to all Windows 11 computers.

And that could completely change how you use your PC.

This update is part of a huge push from Microsoft to make voice, vision, and automation the heart of the Windows experience. In other words, your computer’s about to get a lot more helpful.

Here’s what’s happening:

🗣️ Copilot Voice
You’ll soon be able to simply say “Hey Copilot” to talk to your computer.

Need to open an app, check a setting, or ask a question? Just speak.

When you’re done, say “Goodbye,” and Copilot politely signs off.

No more typing or hunting through menus.

👀 Copilot Vision
This feature can “see” what’s on your screen (if you give it permission).

It can understand context, like what app you’re in or what you’re working on, and then help you with it.

Stuck on a spreadsheet? Copilot can explain what’s wrong.

Playing a game? It can offer tips.

⚙️ Copilot Actions
This one’s next level. Microsoft is testing a feature that lets Copilot take real actions on your files and apps.

For example, you could say: “Hey Copilot, find and delete any duplicate photos from this folder.”

And it’ll do it, interacting with your apps like a human would, clicking, typing, and scrolling for you.

That’s what Microsoft means when it says we’ll be “using the mouse and keyboard less”.

This is more than voice control. It’s an assistant that can act for you.

Of course, this kind of power comes with responsibility. Microsoft says you’ll stay in full control, everything is opt-in, transparent, and you can stop or pause Copilot whenever you want.

But the big takeaway is this: Windows 11 is evolving into something you can talk to, collaborate with, and soon, delegate work to.

Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi even said this shift from typing to talking, could be as transformative as when we first got the mouse and keyboard.

That’s a bold claim… but it’s hard not to get excited about what’s coming next.

💭 What do you think? Does the idea of an AI-powered PC make your life easier, or does it make you a little uneasy?

08/12/2025

When it comes to cyber security, there’s no single magic fix.

Real protection comes from having layers.

Each one catches what the last might have missed.

The question is, how many layers does your business have in place?

07/12/2025

⚠️ Want to keep your LinkedIn data private?

You need to know about this one…

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn quietly announced that it will be using your data to train its AI models automatically… unless you opt out.

That means the posts, comments, and other content you’ve shared publicly could help improve LinkedIn’s AI features.

That’s things like “Rewrite with AI” or how the algorithm recommends connections and jobs.

On the surface, that sounds kind of nice, right? AI that “better connects people to opportunities.” But there’s a catch…

🧠 LinkedIn isn’t asking for permission. It’s assuming consent.

If you do nothing, your data will be used.

And while LinkedIn insists it won’t use private messages or non-public content, it will use your public activity and profile information to train its content-generating AI systems.

This includes users worldwide. It also affects members across Europe, the UK, and Switzerland, despite having slightly stricter data protections.

Even if you switch it off, LinkedIn says it won’t undo any training that’s already been done with your data. Turning it off only stops future use.

Here’s how to check your settings 🔍

🛠️ Go to Settings → Data Privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement
🛠️ Toggle off “Use my data for training content creation AI models”

You can also find it directly by searching for that phrase in LinkedIn’s settings.

This isn’t fear-mongering. Many platforms are now training AI on user data to make smarter tools. But it’s important that you get to choose whether your data is part of that or not.

🔒 Stay in control of your data. Take 30 seconds to check that toggle.

💬 Do you think this is a fair trade-off for smarter AI? Or is it another example of tech companies pushing privacy boundaries too far?

06/12/2025

💡Think your PC is just a screen, a keyboard, and a mouse?

Think again.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 is becoming an “Agentic OS.”

That might sound like tech jargon, but it’s a big deal. And it’s easier to understand than it sounds.

So, what does agentic mean? 🤔

In simple terms, it means your computer will soon be able to act on your behalf.

You’ll be able to say what you want it to do out loud, and it’ll get on with it for you.

Think of it like having a personal digital assistant inside your PC, one that doesn’t just answer questions but does the work.

You might say: “Hey Copilot, tidy up my desktop and save those screenshots in a folder.”

And Copilot could:

🪄 Find the screenshots
🪄 Create a new folder
🪄 Move them all in there for you

…without you having to click a single thing.

That’s Agentic AI. It’s a type of artificial intelligence that can think, plan, and act based on your instructions.

It works through something called Copilot Actions, which connects your words to real actions on your PC.

So, instead of manually launching apps, typing commands, or dragging files, you’ll simply tell Copilot what needs doing and it will make it happen safely, under your supervision.

Microsoft is building this around three main abilities:

🗣️ Copilot Voice: You talk, it listens and understands.

👀 Copilot Vision: It can “see” what’s on your screen and understand context.

⚙️ Copilot Actions: It carries out the tasks for you.

This is all powered by an open standard (called the Model Context Protocol) that lets AI work with your apps securely, while you stay in full control.

And before you worry, yes, you can stop or pause Copilot at any time. You’ll always know what it’s doing and can step in if needed.

We’re still at the early stages of this, but it’s the clearest sign yet that how we interact with our computers is about to change forever.

No more clicking through endless folders. No more opening five apps just to complete one job. Just say what you need and let Windows do the rest.

Feels a bit like the distant future is a lot closer, doesn’t it? ✨

🤔 So tell me, if your PC could do work tasks for you just by asking, what’s the first job you’d hand off to it?

05/12/2025

If you're logged in to the company's WiFi, Microsoft Teams will be able to locate you and inform your boss about it.Good news, the update has been pushed back. Back in October, it was expected to roll out in December, but Microsoft now says the rollout starts in February 2026.

05/12/2025

Your team’s too smart to fall for a scam, right?

Think again.

Cyber criminals are getting smarter. And their emails can look very convincing.

One click on the wrong link could be all it takes.

This real-life phishing example shows exactly what red flags to look for…

03/12/2025

🤖 Copilot is about to get a lot more hands-on with your files.

You might have noticed Copilot popping up more lately. And now, it’s about to become even more useful.

Until recently, Copilot mostly worked with things on the web. It answers questions, writes emails, summarises documents. And that’s handy, sure… but it’s not exactly life-changing, is it?

That’s about to change 🥁

Microsoft has announced Copilot Actions for local files. It’s going to change the way you handle everyday tasks.

How?

Well, you’ll soon be able to select a group of files on your computer, say, a folder full of photos, and simply tell Copilot what you want to do.

💬 “Straighten these photos and delete any duplicates.”
💬 “Rename these invoices by date.”
💬 “Zip these files and email them to Andy.”

Copilot will then get to work, using your installed apps and tools, while you move on to something else.

You’ll even be able to watch what it’s doing on your screen (if you’ve got nothing better to do), step by step, and stop it at any time.

In other words, Copilot becomes a kind of digital assistant that acts on your behalf, not just gives advice.

Microsoft’s being cautious with this one (and rightly so).

It’s going to start testing the feature with Windows Insiders first (that’s the group that tries new updates early) before releasing it more widely. But once it lands, this could change how we all work day-to-day.

Imagine delegating the dull stuff, things like renaming, organising, converting, moving, so you can focus on the things that only you can do.

And the best bit?

Copilot will always ask your permission before doing anything that affects your files, so you stay in control.

It’s early days, but the direction is clear: Your computer is about to become a whole lot more helpful 💡

🤔 What’s one boring computer task you’d love to hand off to Copilot?