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10/11/2025

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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?

10/11/2025

Wish your laptop could last longer on a single charge?

Big changes could be on the way that help your team work smarter (and stress less about finding sockets).

It’s another business-boosting improvement from Microsoft and Windows 11…

09/11/2025

AI is everywhere right now, from search engines to email, to the apps we use at work every day.

But with all this convenience comes a new kind of security risk we’re only just starting to understand.

Researchers recently uncovered a worrying flaw in Google’s Gemini AI assistant (that’s the AI built into Google Workspace, Android, and even Google Search).

Here’s the gist: Attackers found a way to hide malicious instructions inside something as simple as a Google Calendar invite.

When Gemini read those instructions, it could be tricked into doing things the sender never intended, like sending spam, deleting calendar events, or even trying to exfiltrate (steal) emails.

The researchers call this kind of attack “promptware”.

Instead of traditional malware, which is a piece of malicious code, promptware uses carefully crafted text or prompts to manipulate AI into harmful behaviour.

And because AI systems are being baked into almost every product these days, the potential impact is huge.

In this particular test, the researchers showed that promptware could:

⚠️ Generate phishing and spam
⚠️ Delete calendar entries
⚠️ Attempt to geolocate a victim
⚠️ Even interact with smart home devices

That’s a lot of power handed to criminals through something as innocent looking as a calendar invite.

Now, before panic sets in, Google has already been notified and has introduced layers of protection to defend against this type of exploit. But the bigger takeaway is this: The cyber security world hasn’t fully woken up to how dangerous “promptware” could become.

And with businesses rushing to adopt AI tools at full speed, the risks are growing just as fast.

The message is simple: Treat AI like any other new technology. It’s powerful and useful, but it’s not invincible. Don’t assume that because something has “AI” in the name, it’s automatically safe.

AI will undoubtedly play a huge role in how we work, but so will the people trying to bend it to their advantage.

🤔 Do you trust AI tools in the workplace yet, or do you feel like we’re moving too fast with them?

08/11/2025

We all know about phishing emails. But have you heard of vishing? 📞

That’s short for voice phishing. It’s when a cyber criminal calls you up pretending to be someone they’re not, like an IT technician, a bank employee, or even a government official.

Their goal?

To trick you into handing over information or giving them access they shouldn’t have.

And it’s not just small businesses falling for it. Even Cisco, one of the biggest names in tech, recently admitted it was hit by a vishing attack.

Here’s what happened: A criminal phoned a Cisco representative, managed to convince them they were legitimate, and gained access to a third-party system Cisco uses to store customer data. That data included names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and account IDs.

Now, while no passwords or confidential business data were stolen, the information that was taken could still be misused.

Cyber criminals can sell it on the dark web, or worse, use it to create highly targeted phishing emails that look even more convincing. Imagine getting an email that mentions your real account details. You’d be much more likely to trust it, right?

The Cisco case is a wake-up call. If a global tech giant can be tricked over the phone, any business can.

So, what can you do?

🚨 Make sure your team knows that cyber criminals use phone calls as well as emails.

🚨 Always verify a caller before acting on their instructions, especially if they’re asking for access, payments, or sensitive info.

🚨 Be cautious with any emails or calls that create urgency (“you must act right now”), as this is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

Cyber criminals are experts at impersonation. Your best defence is awareness and a healthy dose of scepticism.

💭 If someone from “IT support” called your business right now asking for access, how confident are you that your team would know what to do?

07/11/2025

I bring a bit of good news: People are getting better at spotting malware 🥳

(That’s the malicious software cyber criminals use to break into systems, steal data, or lock up your files for ransom.)

A new study found that, when tested, participants correctly spotted suspicious software 88% of the time.

And when given a clearer Task Manager interface showing things like CPU usage, network activity, and file access, their accuracy jumped to 94%.

That’s encouraging.

But of course, there’s a catch.

We’re still missing too many signs. And the reasons are fascinating:

👀 Many people think the little UAC shield icon (you know, the one Windows shows when asking for admin permissions) automatically means something is safe. It doesn’t.

👀 There’s confusion about digital certificates (those little security stamps that verify software).

👀 And people often put too much trust in file names or how “professional” software looks.

In other words, even when we’re trying our best, it’s easy to be tricked.

Basic users rely on superficial cues. Intermediate users get better with more system info. And advanced users? Sometimes they over-analyse and flag safe files as threats.

The truth is, no matter your experience level, malware is designed to fool you. And while humans are improving, attackers are improving too.

So, what’s the takeaway for you? You can’t rely on gut instinct alone.

Training helps, awareness helps, but you still need strong technical protection in place. Things like endpoint security, tamper protection, and regular updates. That way, even if you or your staff miss a sign, the tech is there to back you up.

It’s like crossing the road. You still need to look both ways. But you also want traffic lights and a green man to make sure it’s safe.🚦

🤔 When was the last time you gave your team cyber security awareness training?

07/11/2025

Here’s a scary thought: What if the security software you rely on to protect your business could be switched off by cyber criminals before it even has a chance to defend you? 😳

That’s what’s happening right now.

According to new research, ransomware groups have started sharing a tool that can kill off advanced security systems (called Endpoint Detection and Response, or EDR for short).

These systems are like the guard dogs of your network, constantly sniffing out unusual behaviour. But this new tool can silence them completely 🤫

Even big-name vendors like Sophos, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky have been targeted. And to make matters worse, attackers are disguising the malware inside legitimate software (for example, hiding it inside a utility called Clipboard Compare).

To you, it looks normal. Behind the scenes, it’s anything but.

It means that the cyber criminals are getting better at their jobs. They’re collaborating, innovating, and sharing tools with each other.

And when your systems are unprotected, it’s open season on your data.

But there’s good news: You’re not helpless.

➡️ Make sure your endpoint security has tamper protection turned on. That’s like a padlock that stops criminals from disabling it

➡️ Limit admin rights wherever possible. The attackers often need higher-level access before they can disable your security. If every staff member has admin privileges, you’re making their job much easier

➡️ Keep everything updated. Microsoft is actively de-certifying old, vulnerable drivers, which closes one of the tricks attackers use

I’m not trying to scare you. Rather, this is a reminder that cyber criminals never stand still. Neither should your defences.

❓ When was the last time you double-checked your business’s security settings?

06/11/2025

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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

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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?