Run your Applications Faster with More Stability

Whether it’s a game, a website, or a productivity tool, optimizing application performance can lead to better user experiences, increased productivity, and improved business outcomes.

This blog post aims to highlight the significance of performance optimization and stability enhancement, specifically focusing on modern containerized frameworks. While the strategies discussed here apply to all development stacks, we acknowledge that older deployments may require customized solutions. By implementing the suggested strategies, businesses can improve their application’s scalability, fault tolerance, architecture, and availability.

Strategies to Create Faster Applications with More Stability

To run your applications faster with more stability, it is crucial to implement key strategies such as auto-scaling, improving fault tolerance, designing a better architecture, and maintaining application availability.

Auto-scaling allows your application to allocate resources dynamically based on demand, ensuring optimal performance while efficiently managing resources. We work with programmers and operations to create a customized scaling platform for programming stacks or platforms that don’t support this feature.  Regardless of what platform the programming code was created on or how old the programming code is, we can create a customized scaling platform.

By improving fault tolerance through redundancy, backups, and failover mechanisms, you can minimize downtime and ensure the application remains stable even during hardware or software failures.

Designing a better architecture, such as adopting microservices or containerized services, helps distribute workloads efficiently and optimize resource utilization, improving performance and stability. Additionally, maintaining application availability through load balancing, clustering, and regular health checks ensures uninterrupted access for users.

To achieve better application response involves optimizing database queries, minimizing network latency, and utilizing caching mechanisms, enhancing user satisfaction and overall application performance.

Importance of Optimizing Performance and Stability

Optimizing performance and stability in applications is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it leads to faster execution, which means users can accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently. Secondly, it enhances user satisfaction, as applications that respond promptly provide a seamless experience. Thirdly, optimizing performance can improve business outcomes, such as increased sales, customer loyalty, and competitive advantage.

Implementing Auto Scaling for Efficient Resource Management

Auto-scaling is a technique that allows applications to adjust their resource allocation based on demand automatically. Using auto-scaling, applications can dynamically scale up or down their computing resources, ensuring optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. This approach enables applications to handle sudden spikes in traffic without compromising stability or response time.

Improving Fault Tolerance for Enhanced Reliability

Fault tolerance refers to an application’s ability to continue functioning despite hardware or software failures. By designing applications with fault tolerance in mind, you can minimize downtime and maintain high availability. Strategies such as redundancy, backups, and failover mechanisms can help ensure your application remains stable and responsive even when components fail.

Designing a Better Architecture for Performance Optimization

The architecture of an application plays a vital role in its performance and stability. A well-designed architecture can distribute workloads efficiently, optimize resource utilization, and minimize bottlenecks. Consider adopting architectural patterns like microservices or serverless computing to improve scalability, fault tolerance, and response times. Additionally, leveraging asynchronous processing and event-driven architectures can help achieve better application responsiveness.

Maintaining Application Availability for a Seamless User Experience

Application availability refers to an application’s ability to remain accessible and functional. To maintain high availability, it is crucial to eliminate single points of failure and implement robust monitoring and recovery mechanisms. Employing techniques such as load balancing, clustering, and regular health checks can ensure that your application remains available even during peak usage periods or unexpected failures.

Achieving Better Application Response Time for User Satisfaction

Application response time directly impacts user satisfaction and overall experience. Slow response times can cause frustration and discontent. To improve response times, optimize database queries, minimize network latency, and utilize caching mechanisms. You can significantly enhance user satisfaction and engagement by reducing the time it takes for an application to process and deliver results.

Optimizing the performance and stability of applications is critical. By implementing the above strategies, you can ensure that your applications run faster and are more stable. Continuous monitoring, analysis, and adaptation are essential, and by embracing these strategies, you’ll unlock a world of enhanced user experiences, improved business outcomes, and a competitive edge.

While the tips we have given are a good starting point, they can also feel overwhelming.  How to make development stack changes to accomplish these goals can be a job of its own; that is where the DevOps skills of Protected Harbor come in.  We create and resolve all DevOps, security, stability, and growth problems that applications have.  Left unresolved applications fail, and the repair plan then becomes more difficult.  Let us help you today.

How Law Firms Can Leverage Innovative Technology Solutions to Achieve Peace of Mind

The demands on legal professionals can be overwhelming. However, innovative technology solutions can help law firms overcome these challenges. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a large law firm, the following will provide valuable insights into leveraging technology to improve your operations and achieve greater peace of mind.

The Challenges Faced by Law Firms

Law firms face many challenges. Here are some of the most common:

1. Managing client expectations: Clients often have high expectations for their legal representation, which can pressure lawyers to deliver results. This pressure can cause stress and anxiety and impact lawyers’ and law firms’ overall peace of mind.
2. Time management: Lawyers often have to juggle multiple cases and responsibilities, making it difficult to manage their time effectively. This can lead to missed deadlines, increased stress, and a feeling of being constantly overwhelmed.
3. Security concerns: Law firms are often responsible for handling sensitive client information, which can make them a target for cyber-attacks. Security breaches can lead to a loss of client trust, reputational damage, and legal and financial repercussions.
4. Communication challenges: Law firms must communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and missed opportunities, all of which can impact the overall success of the law firm.
5. Compliance and regulatory issues: Law firms must comply with various regulations and requirements, which can be complex and time-consuming. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to legal and financial penalties and damage to the law firm’s reputation.

Innovative Technology Solutions for Law Firms

Innovative technology can help firms overcome these challenges and achieve greater peace of mind. Here are six key technology solutions:

1. Practice management software: Practice management software can help law firms manage their cases, documents, and time more effectively. These solutions typically include calendar management, document management, time tracking, and billing.
2. Document automation software: Document automation software can help law firms create and manage legal documents more efficiently. These solutions typically use templates and automation to streamline document creation, reducing errors and saving time.
3. Collaboration tools: Collaboration tools such as video conferencing, project management software, and instant messaging can help law firms communicate more effectively with clients and colleagues, regardless of location.
4. Cybersecurity solutions: Cybersecurity solutions such as antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems can help law firms protect against cyber threats and secure client information.
5. AI-powered legal research tools: AI-powered legal research tools can help law firms conduct research more efficiently and accurately. These solutions typically use natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to analyse vast amounts of legal data and provide insights to lawyers.
6. Virtual assistants: Virtual assistants such as chatbots can help law firms automate routine tasks and answer common questions, freeing time for lawyers to focus on more complex work.

Three Law Firms that Have Successfully Leveraged Technology for Peace of Mind

Womble Bond Dickinson: A law firm with offices in the US and UK, implemented a cloud-based practice management system to help manage their cases, documents, and time more effectively. The system also includes document automation tools, making creating and managing legal documents easier. As a result, the firm has improved its efficiency and reduced errors, leading to greater peace of mind for its lawyers.

Atrium: Atrium, a California-based law firm, uses AI-powered legal research tools to help its lawyers conduct research more efficiently. The tools analyze vast amounts of legal data and provide insights to lawyers, allowing them to make more informed decisions. As a result, the firm has improved the accuracy and speed of its research, leading to greater peace of mind for its lawyers and clients.

Nixon Peabody: This global law firm implemented a cybersecurity solution to protect against cyber threats and secure client information. The solution includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to prevent unauthorized access to client data. As a result, the firm has improved its cybersecurity posture, reducing the risk of data breaches and giving its lawyers and clients greater peace of mind.

Best Practices for Implementing Technology Solutions in Law Firms

Implementing technology solutions in law firms can be challenging, but following best practices can help ensure a smooth and successful implementation. Here are some best practices for implementing technology solutions in law firms:

1. Assess your needs: Before implementing any technology solution, it’s essential to assess your needs and identify the areas where technology can help you the most. This can help you choose the right solutions and save time and resources on solutions that don’t meet your needs.
2. Involve stakeholders: It’s essential to involve all stakeholders in the implementation process, including lawyers, IT staff, and support staff. This can help ensure that everyone’s needs are considered, and that the solution is tailored to the law firm’s needs.
3. Choose the right solution: Many technology solutions are available for law firms, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Consider cost, features, ease of use, and compatibility with existing systems.
4. Train your staff: Implementing a new technology solution can be challenging, so it’s important to provide training and support to ensure they can use the solution effectively. This can help avoid frustration and ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
5. Monitor performance: Once the technology solution has been implemented, monitoring its performance and gathering stakeholder feedback is important. This can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that the solution continues to meet the law firm’s needs.

Pick the Right Technology Partner for Your Law Firm

As a leading provider of IT services for the legal industry, Protected Harbor has helped numerous law firms achieve peace of mind. With a 95% client retention rate, Protected Harbor’s technology solutions have helped law firms improve their efficiency, reduce errors, and protect against cybersecurity threats.

If you’re looking to improve your peace of mind, consider contacting Protected Harbor to learn more about their technology solutions. Protected Harbor can help you implement the right solutions to meet your needs, from cloud-based practice management systems to AI-powered legal research tools.

Contact Protected Harbor today to learn more. Your peace of mind is just a few clicks away!

How To Get Started with a Cloud Migration Plan – 6 Key Steps

In recent years, many organizations have recognized the benefits of cloud computing and have begun migrating their applications and data to the cloud. However, cloud migration services can be complex and challenging, requiring careful planning and execution.

Many businesses recognize the benefits of migrating their on-premises data centers to the public cloud as technology advances rapidly. The public cloud offers numerous advantages, including scalability, accessibility, and cost savings. However, it is essential to have a well-thought-out cloud migration plan to avoid potential pitfalls, such as data loss and security breaches.

In an era where digital transformation is paramount, businesses are turning to the cloud for scalable and efficient solutions. This blog delves into the dynamic realm of cloud computing services, highlighting the pivotal roles played by cloud migration services and cloud-managed services. As organizations increasingly embrace the cloud to enhance agility and innovation, understanding the nuances of these services becomes crucial. Discover how cloud computing services seamlessly integrate into the fabric of modern IT infrastructures, and how expertly executed cloud migration and management services pave the way for a future-ready and resilient business environment. Join us on this journey as we explore the transformative capabilities that the cloud brings to the forefront of contemporary business strategies.

This blog will also explore how to start with a cloud migration plan and discuss key elements such as software as a service, cloud resources, managed services, and cloud migration strategy. We will provide you with insights and tips to ensure a seamless and successful cloud migration.

Following are six key steps to start a cloud migration plan to ensure a successful and smooth migration to the cloud.

What is a Cloud Migration Plan?

A cloud migration plan is a project plan that outlines the process of moving an organization’s applications, data, and infrastructure to the cloud. It involves identifying which applications and data to migrate, selecting a cloud migration services provider and platform, and developing a detailed migration plan for the migration process. The plan should also consider the potential risks and challenges associated with the migration and identify strategies for mitigating them.

Cloud migration is the process of transferring business elements such as data and applications from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. The four primary types of cloud migration include Lift and Shift, Replatforming, Refactoring, and Rearchitecting. Lift and Shift entail moving applications and data to the cloud with minimal modifications to the existing architecture. Replatforming involves making adjustments to optimize the application for the cloud environment. Refactoring entails significant changes to the application architecture to modernize it with cloud-native technologies. Rearchitecting involves a complete rebuild of the application architecture using cloud-native technologies and services, emphasizing automation, scalability, and resilience.

By offering varying degrees of complexity and transformation, these four types of cloud migration provide businesses with various options to select the most appropriate approach for their specific needs.

Challenges of Cloud Migration

Cloud migration has become increasingly popular among businesses looking to modernize their IT infrastructure and take advantage of the numerous benefits of the cloud. However, migrating to the cloud is not without its challenges. One of the primary challenges is the complexity of the migration process itself. Migrating to the cloud requires careful planning, extensive testing, and a deep understanding of the existing infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition.

Another challenge is the potential for data loss or security breaches during migration. Moving large amounts of data to the cloud can be risky, and without proper precautions, businesses may expose themselves to data breaches or loss.

Cost is another challenge of cloud migration. While the cloud offers cost savings in the long run, the initial investment required for migration can be significant. Businesses must carefully consider the costs associated with cloud services, such as storage, bandwidth, and computing resources.

Finally, organizations may face challenges related to integrating cloud-based services with existing on-premises infrastructure. This may require changes to existing workflows and processes and additional training and support for employees.

Despite these challenges, with careful planning and execution, businesses can successfully migrate to the cloud and enjoy the many benefits of cloud computing, including increased agility, scalability, and cost savings.

6 Key Steps for Cloud Migration

Step 1: Assess Your Applications and Data: The first step is to assess your organization’s applications and data. Identify which applications and data are suitable for migration to the cloud and which are not. Applications and data that are too complex or require specialized hardware, might make them unsuitable for migration. Others may have strict regulatory or compliance requirements that make migrating them to the cloud difficult.

Step 2: Choose a Cloud Provider and Platform: Many cloud providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Each provider has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to evaluate them carefully and choose the one that best meets your organization’s needs. Part of your evaluation must include the cost for today and as you scale. Some providers can escalate their charges significantly as your requirements grow.

Step 3: Develop a Migration Strategy: This involves determining the order in which applications and data will be migrated, identifying any dependencies between applications, and creating a timeline for the migration process. It’s also essential to identify any potential risks and challenges associated with the migration and develop strategies for mitigating them.

Step 4: Build and Test Your Migration Environment: Before migrating your applications and data, you must build and test your migration environment. First set up your cloud infrastructure, configure your network, and test your applications and data in the cloud environment. It’s essential to ensure your migration environment is stable and secure before migration begins.

Step 5: Migrate Your Applications and Data: With your migration environment in place, you can begin. Migration needs to be carefully planned and executed, with each application and data set migrated according to the migration strategy developed in step three. It’s important to monitor the migration process closely and address any issues that arise promptly.

Step 6: Test and Optimize: Once your applications and data have been migrated to the cloud, the next step is to test and optimize your environment. This ensures they function correctly and are optimized for your environment.

Be smart, be safe

Regarding cloud computing services, having a comprehensive migration plan is crucial for businesses looking to reap the benefits of the cloud. One of the primary decisions that must be made is whether to move entirely to the cloud or use a hybrid approach combining on-premises hardware and software with cloud-based resources. Additionally, using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model can save costs and simplify migration. Another essential factor is ensuring that virtual machines are properly configured and optimized for the cloud environment. A reliable internet connection is crucial to ensure smooth access to cloud-based resources. Finally, load balancers can be used to distribute workloads across multiple servers, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. By considering all of these key elements, businesses can create a successful and efficient cloud migration plan that maximizes the benefits of cloud computing.

Migrating to the cloud environment can provide many benefits, including improved scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. However, it’s essential to approach cloud migration plan carefully and develop a detailed project plan for cloud migration. Following the steps outlined above can ensure a safe, successful, and smooth migration to the cloud. If you have any questions, please contact us. We are here to help.

How to Recognize Malware?

Due to rapid advancement in technology and the use of digital devices, the risks of cyber attacks on individuals, organizations, government, and private sectors are increasing. A cyber attack attempts to access a computer system, a group of computers, or a network infrastructure to cause harm. Electrical blackouts, military equipment failures, and national security secrets leaks are possible outcomes of cyber strikes. They can lead to the theft of valuable and sensitive information, such as medical records. They can paralyze or interrupt phone and computer networks.

Cyber risks include computer viruses, data breaches, and DoS attacks. Malware is an example of an escalating cyber threat. Malware has been used to cause disruptions, make money, conduct cyber warfare methods and much more since the early 1970s.

• Last year, 34% of firms had malware-related security issues.
• Following March 2020, Google found roughly 600-800 malware-infected sites weekly, compared to around 3000 infected sites between January and March.

People have a habit of using loose security terms. However, it’s critical to understand your malware categories. Understanding how different types of malware spread is essential to containing and eradicating them. This article will help you know how to recognize malware.

What is Malware?

Malware or malicious software disrupts computer operations, gathers sensitive information, or accesses private computer systems. Malicious software, or malware, is designed to damage or disrupt computers and computer networks.

Malware comes in various forms and often varies in sophistication, but some things are common to most types of malware. They’re usually small programs that trick people into installing them on their computers. Once the computer has been infected with malware, it may be slowed down, destroyed, or made vulnerable to malicious attacks from other sources.

It includes computer viruses, keyloggers, and other malicious programs that damage or disrupt computers and networks. Malware attacks can range from simple annoyances such as pop-up messages to extremely damaging programs that cause financial loss or identity theft.

To protect your systems from malware, it’s important to invest in reliable malware protection solutions such as Malwarebytes. Malware protection for PC  can help protect your data from malicious attacks and keep your systems running smoothly. Investing in the right malware protection for Mac can give peace of mind to Mac users that their data is secure and protected.

Ways to Tell if You’re Infected with Malware

The best way to tell if your computer has been infected with malware is to look for specific symptoms. Here are some tips on how you can tell if your device has been affected by malicious software:

• Slow performance: If you notice that your device is performing slower than usual, there might be a problem with malware. When malicious programs run on your PC, they can affect its performance and make everything take longer than usual. For example, opening files or programs might take longer, and web pages may not load properly.
• Unexpected behavior changes: If anything that generally happens on your PC starts happening when it shouldn’t — or doesn’t happen when it should — then this could be a sign of malware infection. For example, if your browser opens new tabs without permission or downloads files without asking permission, these could be malware infection signs.

If you have malware on your computer, it can lead to various problems. Some malware displays pop-ups and advertisements, some steal personal information stored on your computer, and some even try to access your bank account. If you believe your system contains malware, you must use an effective anti-malware program to remove the threat.

If you experience these symptoms, you may have malware on your computer. You are in danger when the virus starts to harm your system. You need to know how to know if you have malware or if malware will keep affecting your system.

How Malware Gets on Your Device

Malware can get onto your device in many ways. Here are some of them.

1.    Malicious Websites

Hackers often create malicious websites that trick you into downloading software onto your device by appearing as legitimate sites. For example, they may create fake social media pages for popular websites like Facebook or LinkedIn, containing malware links embedded in the website code.

2.    Email Attachments

Malware is delivered by email in 94% of cases. Phishing assaults are becoming more common. To steal personally identifiable information, cyber hackers imitate trustworthy institutions. These attachments often appear as files you need to open to view their contents (such as an invoice or document). A typical example of this type of attachment is a PDF document containing an executable file hidden inside it. It automatically downloads and installs malware on your computer without knowing when you open it.

3.    Downloading Apps from Unknown Sources

If you’re downloading a file from the Internet, you must be careful where you get it from and what kind of content it contains. Ensure you only download files from reputable sources — such as official developer websites or other trusted sources — and avoid peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.

4.    Not Updating Your Apps Regularly

While updating your apps on Android isn’t easy — you need to ensure that every app is compatible with the latest version of Android before doing so. It’s still important to keep up with updates to protect against new malware threats. Suppose you’re unwilling or unable to update your apps regularly. In that case, the best thing you can do is scan your device for malware once in a while using anti-virus software.

Effects Of Malware

Malware protection has become important in today’s business landscape. The bad guys are getting more innovative and creative as they develop new ways of getting into your systems. Malware can cause many problems that affect your company’s daily operation and long-term security. They could steal passwords and credit card numbers or make your computer inoperable by deleting files. In addition to these apparent problems, malware can cause company data to be lost or corrupted.

The following are some common symptoms of a malware infection:

• Unexpected pop-ups in your browser or other applications. These are usually advertisements but can also be attempted by malicious software to trick you into installing more malware.
• The presence of suspicious files on your computer. These may include executable files (.exe), dynamic link libraries (.dll), or scripts (.vbs). If you find any of these on your computer, it’s good to delete them immediately.
• There are frequent crashes, program freezes, blue screens (BSODs), or other system errors. In some cases, these issues might be caused by a hardware problem, but they could also result from malware that has taken over part or all of the operating system (OS).

Conclusion

In this digital era, corporate device and network malware attacks are rising. Cybercriminals are spreading advanced variants of robust malware to infect endpoints. Not only have these attacks increased, but the level of sophistication has also improved.

Protected Harbor offers extensive malware protection from viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malicious software. It also includes a firewall to prevent outside threats from compromising your computer. One of the most helpful features of this program is its real-time cloud scanning which keeps your computer safe even if you download a malicious program. In addition, you can schedule scans to make sure that your computer is always protected. With Protected Harbor, you get access to helpful 24/7 support as well. An ideal solution for such scenarios with complete protection against malware attacks. What are you waiting for? Get protected from malware today with a free IT audit.

Can I Recover Lost Data from an Android?

We all typically have important data stored on our computers and smartphones. Most of us store that data locally, meaning you could lose everything if something were to happen to your computer or phone.

So, have you ever considered what would happen if all of your data was lost and you didn’t have a backup? What would you do?

Data loss is a big annoyance that wreaks havoc on the day-to-day operations of any information-based company. When essential data and documents go missing, your company will have to spend time and resources recreating or retrieving these files to fill the gaps left by the loss. While hard copies of information may be found, they may not be as up-to-date as their lost digital counterparts.

If you want to know how to recover lost data from your Android device without any backup, you’ve come to the right place.

Reasons for Data Loss

Data loss is a common issue when it comes to Android devices. Nothing can ensure the safety of your digital assets, no matter how diligent you are. Data loss can happen in various ways.

Data loss can be minor or catastrophic, depending on what was lost. Even in the best-case scenario, you’ll have to devote time and money to recover it during forensic data analysis.

The main reason behind the data loss is that people are not backing up their important files. Many reasons can cause data loss from Android devices. Some of them are listed below:

• Accidental deletion: Your files may get deleted accidentally when you press the delete button on your keyboard or by pressing the delete button on your device.
• Virus attack: If you have an infected device, it may result in data loss. It also includes damage to files due to a virus attack.
• Hard Reset: If you want to reset or clear all data from your android phone, you will lose all the app data and settings. So, in this case, there is no other way to recover deleted files from an external source like a computer or cloud storage.
• SD card malfunctioning: If your SD card gets damaged or corrupted, it can cause data loss from your device and laptops or PCs that use SD cards for storage purposes.
• Corruption of software: Data can be lost due to software crashes that request data. If the software fails while updating several files, some files may fail to save or update, resulting in their destruction.
• Power Failures: Sudden power outages may result in data loss by damaging hardware and causing the operating system to malfunction. Sometimes, computers cannot reboot, so they can’t access data. Suddenly increasing voltage (usually) can lead to data loss and damage to computer hardware.
• Damaged Device: If your android device gets damaged due to water damage or any other reason, all the data on it will be lost because of hardware failures.

Recovering Lost Data Without Any Backup

Losing important data can be a nightmare for any individual or business. While having a data backup is the best way to ensure you don’t lose your data, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you end up losing your data without any backup. Several common causes of data loss include power outages, human error, and hardware failure. However, you can still recover your lost data with the right tools and approach.

One way to recover lost data is by using the Windows File Recovery tool, which can recover deleted files from your computer’s hard drive, external storage, and even from flash storage. Another option is to check if your cloud storage services have previous versions of the file you lost. File-sharing services also have a trash bin where deleted files are temporarily stored, and you can retrieve them before they are permanently deleted.

Additionally, it’s important to note that different file types may have different recovery methods. For example, photos can be recovered by using specialized software.

Here are some options for recovering data from your Android device, regardless of how or why it was deleted.

Recovering Lost Data Using CMD

When you lose your data, the first thing you should do is try to find it on your device again. If you have not synced the device with Google Drive or another cloud service, you can use the CMD to locate it and lock it remotely.

Command Prompt (CMD) is a command-line interpreter built into Windows. It’s a powerful tool for troubleshooting and system administration, but it can also be used to recover lost files.

This method can only work if the battery has not been completely discharged or the phone has not been reset after losing the data. If these conditions are met, it’s worth trying this method before going ahead with other options.’

Get Back Data Directly from the Recycle Bin

If you have deleted a video or image file, it will be saved in the Recycle Bin. You can quickly get back such files using this method.

Steps:

1) Go to Settings> Storage & USB.

2) Tap on Internal Storage or SD Card, depending on where you want to look for your Recycle Bin.

3) You will see two options: ‘ Recycle Bin’ and ‘Clear Data. Tap on Clear Data to delete all data from that folder.

4) Go back to the previous page by tapping the Home button and then tap on the Recycle Bin option again. When you open the folder, all deleted files will be displayed there, along with other files that were not deleted earlier.

Deep Scan

It would help if you first tried to connect your phone to a computer and open its storage location through a file explorer. If you find the deleted data there, it’s easy to restore it by copying or moving the files to your computer. If not, try performing a deep scan on your phone using third-party software.

Use Recovery Software

To recover your lost data, you can use the Android Data Recovery tool, which can help you easily recover all types of data from your Android quickly.

Data recovery software is designed to recover lost files from storage devices like hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, etc. The main advantage of this software is that it can recover files from formatted drives. This means that if you have accidentally formatted your hard drive or memory card, then it will still be able to retrieve all the lost files from them.

There are many options available in the market. Still, before buying, anyone makes sure that it supports all the latest versions of android devices and has a sound customer support system.

Final Verdict

Every user has experienced data loss in a variety of ways. When you accidentally delete pictures or videos from your device’s storage or your essential company data gets lost, you feel like it’s the end of the world. But there’s no need to worry because you can get all your data back if you follow our best practices.

Data safety and security have become a top priority for every company within the fast-paced business world where everything is done digitally. With data storage, recovery, and backup solutions from Protected Harbor, you can be assured your data is secure.

Our mobile security keeps your employees connected and productive while protecting sensitive data and company assets. Network security ensures reliable, high-speed connections for your employees and guests while safeguarding your network from outside threats. Data security and isolated backups protect your organization’s most critical asset — its data — from internal and external threats and fast recovery to keep your business up and running.

With the right approach, you can retrieve your lost data.

Contact our data experts today to learn about data safety and security procedures and how we keep your data backed up and always accessible in an emergency.

9 Tips on How to Share Files Safely and Efficiently.

How to share files safely is a fundamental question for anyone whose job requires file sharing. The internet is a common source of many scams, viruses, and general spam activities. The only way to protect yourself from these threats is by sharing files with the right people and services. This can be difficult as many resources claim they can make your file sharing experience safer while protecting your privacy.

They all look pretty good at first glance, but none are 100% secure.

Let’s take a look into some file sharing risks and the safest ways to mitigate them so you will experience fewer problems in the future.

Risks Involved with File Sharing

The risks involved with file-sharing are many and varied. The following are some of the more common risks:

Release of Sensitive Data

The most common risk regarding file sharing is that sensitive information can be released from your network. This includes personal information, such as financial data, credit card numbers, and social security numbers, and business-sensitive information, such as sales figures and customer lists. If a user has access to this information, they can use it to commit fraud or identity theft.

Installation of Malicious Software

The file-sharing site you use may have an infected program or script on its servers, which could allow hackers to steal your personal information and infect your computer with malware.

Susceptibility to Attacks

When you share files over the internet, you open yourself up to attack by other users on the same network as you. These attacks could include viruses or worms that will infiltrate your computer and cause damage, also known as “malware.” If malware is installed on your computer, hackers can then use it to steal data from your computer or even take control of it entirely!

Hacking Into Computers Remotely

A hacker who gains access to another person’s computer through file-sharing could then use the same method to gain access to their computer, which could give him access to any passwords needed for other computers on the network or even access valuable financial information such as credit card numbers or banking details.

9 Tips on How to Share Files Safely and Efficiently

Sharing files online may seem harmless, but it is not always safe. Someone who sees your file could steal your identity or even hack your computer. Here are some tips on how to share files safely:

1.    Keep Backups

Always keep backups of all your files and folders. You never know when they might be needed in the future. You should also ensure they’re backed up with an external drive or computer that can be accessed from multiple places.

2.    Avoid Emails

To be safe when sharing files, avoid sending sensitive files via email. Email is an insecure way to share data because there’s no way to guarantee that the recipient won’t forward your message to another person or group of people. If someone forwards your email to several other people, those people could potentially access the shared file.

3.    Double-Check Inbox Emails

When you receive an email with a file attached, double-check the sender’s email address before opening it. You should also ensure that it’s from someone you know and trust. If it’s not from someone you know, don’t open the message and delete it instead. This will prevent the person who sent you the email from accessing your computer without permission.

4.    Encrypt with Passwords

Encrypting your files with a password will make them more secure because only the person with access to that password can view or access those files. If someone steals your password (or if someone hacks into your computer and gets hold of it), they won’t be able to view any of your encrypted files unless they have access to your password!

5.    Refrain from Clicking Links

Refrain from clicking links that you are not entirely sure of. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so avoid clicking on the links of unknown websites. If you click a link that doesn’t take you to the website you were expecting, then report it immediately to the site administrator.

6.    Change Passwords Often

Always change your passwords regularly, especially if they are used for multiple accounts on different websites. It would be best if you change your passwords every few weeks or months, depending on how often you use them. This is also a good practice as a general rule of thumb because it ensures that no one else will have access to your account. Therefore, there will be no unauthorized access to any information stored within it.

7.    Update Your Security Software

If you use any software or browser, ensure that these programs are up to date before using them for anything meaningful like work or school applications. This way, the program will run faster and more efficiently, which means you will get better results in less time.

8.    Avoid USB Drivers

If someone has tried to access your computer remotely or installed malware, they can access all your files as soon as they connect the device to the computer. This is called an “evil maid attack” because it allows hackers to gain access to a computer without physical access.

9.    Use Secure Connection

When working with sensitive information such as financial or personal data, it is vital to ensure that you use a secure connection when sending emails or copying files from one computer to another. This will help prevent hackers from gaining access to your information and make it more difficult for them to steal it from your computer.

Final Words

One of the most crucial procedures in many workplaces is probably file sharing. However, file sharing can also result in malware and viruses that may harm a network, cause irreversible file loss, or jeopardize sensitive data.

The potential hazards involved in this system can be significantly reduced by sharing files securely.

The company is safer from outside threats by securing its data transfer from one employee to another. With a secure file transfer solution from Protected Harbor, employees can focus more on their daily tasks and less on data security. Our solution is ready for both an on-premises or cloud platform. With IP Reputation and anti-bot technology, we offer robust security against data breaches, malware, and DDoS attacks. With this solution, you can set the rules and restrictions for each employee to ensure they can only access the necessary files at the correct time. The team of experts at Protected Harbor always strive to stay updated with the current happenings in the world of cybersecurity. This enables us to provide the latest solutions to keep our clients secure.

We also scan your data, identifying sensitive information and removing it before it leaves your network to reduce the risk of a data breach. With the help of this solution, you can improve the security of your data, reduce operational costs, and avoid risks related to data loss.

Contact us today, get a free IT Audit, and share files securely and effortlessly.

The Complete Guide to Ransomware Protection for SMBs: Ebook Release

Ransomware is a new kid on the cyber-security block, and it’s bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “cybercrime.” With ransomware’s growing threat, Small and Mid-sized Businesses (SMBs) don’t have time to learn how to protect their online presence from ransomware. Now they need protection that is easily accessible and affordable.

The good news? With some preparation, SMBs can protect themselves from these cybercriminals without breaking the bank or sacrificing security effectiveness. Today we are excited to give you an exclusive sneak peek at our new eBook – Your Complete Guide to Ransomware Protection for SMBs. Download it for free to read in detail.

What is Ransomware, and Why Should SMBs Care?

Ransomware is malicious software designed to block access to computer systems or data by blocking inaccessibility by the owner, operator, or other authorized personnel. A ransomware attack may happen when you least expect it, and it has become increasingly common among businesses of all sizes.

It can infiltrate your business computer systems through unsecured networks, emails, social media, and even your employees’ infected devices. Once inside a computer system, it can be almost impossible to remove, and most importantly, it can be extremely costly to get rid of.

Ransomware can pose a severe threat to SMBs. Nearly half of SMB cyber attacks are due to ransomware, making it the number one threat.

Don’t Be Scared; Be Prepared!

While it’s true that the best defense against a ransomware attack is not to get infected in the first place, that’s easier said than done.

The best way to prevent a ransomware attack is to:

• regularly back up your data
• keep your systems fully patched and updated with the latest security patches and software updates
• use antivirus software with behavioral analysis and real-time scanning enabled
• use an internet firewall that blocks malicious URLs
• use strong and unique passwords for all accounts
• avoid clicking on suspicious links
• train your employees to avoid opening attachments from unknown senders
• have a plan of action in place in case a malware attack hits you

How can an SMB detect a potential ransomware attack?

If you’re unsure if you have been infected with ransomware, you can check your system for indicators of a ransomware attack. Look out for strange network activity, your internet connection dropping out, your systems slowing down, or your employees receiving pop-up messages on their computer screens. Should SMBs pay the ransom if they get hit with a ransomware attack? There is no easy answer to this question. Every situation is different, and it is best to consult your company’s IT department to determine the best action.

The Complete Guide to Ransomware Protection for SMBs: Sneak Peak

The dangers of ransomware are real. But they don’t have to spell disaster for your SMB. The key to protecting yourself is to have a proper backup strategy, keep your systems updated with the latest security patches and software updates, and use an internet firewall that blocks malicious URLs. Don’t let ransomware take control of your company. Be prepared for these malicious threats with the Complete Guide to Ransomware Protection for SMBs.

This eBook is the ultimate guide to defending against ransomware threats and protecting your SMB from potential ransomware attacks. We’ll show you how to keep your employees educated and informed on how to avoid ransomware attacks, how to avoid becoming an easy target, and what to do if they accidentally become infected.

We’ll also show you how to protect your computer systems and data with the best anti-ransomware solutions. We’ve compiled the best ransomware protection software, tips and tricks, and expert advice to help you withstand these malicious threats and keep your SMB safe from ransomware.

Download the free ebook today, and keep reading our other resources to stay safe. Contact us today to get a free cybersecurity audit.

How do I Recover Lost Data?

Despite the apparent stability of modern computers, businesses and consumers continue to lose critical data. Even the most costly, high-quality hardware and trustworthy software can’t ensure that your PC or laptop will never fail. Data loss is the inability to access data at its regular location via a standard program due to software/hardware failures or user errors.

For organizations of all sizes, data loss is a significant issue— losing files means losing time and money trying to restore or recover critical information for your operation. Data loss occurs when data is accidentally destroyed or tampered with. People and software can make data illegible owing to infections, physical damage, or formatting issues. The loss of documents and files can have a long-term financial impact on your company.

Common Causes of Data Loss

Computer users have a wide range of options for storing their data. However, the more convenient a choice is, the more likely it is that you could lose your data. Here are some of the most common reasons why data is lost.

1. Human Failure

Human error is a leading cause of data loss, especially when backing up your data. Many people forget to back up their data or don’t know how to do it properly — and then wonder why they lose it all.

2. Hard Drive Failures

There are several reasons why hard drives fail or crash. One of the most common is age – as hard drives get older, they become less reliable and more likely to crash or fail. Another reason could be a power surge during a storm or other natural disaster that damages your computer and files. Any important documents stored on your computer could be permanently damaged beyond repair if this happens.

3. Malware Infection

When malware infects your computer, it can cause damage to your files as well as those belonging to your business organization. The most common type of malware is ransomware (such as Locky), which encrypts all files on your computer, making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom to the hackers who infected them in the first place!

4. Software Corruption

This is the most common cause of data loss. Software corruption can be due to a virus, a power surge, or even an incorrect installation. Sometimes, it’s simply because you’ve been using your computer for too long, and it’s time for an upgrade.

5. Theft

Whether it’s theft by a person or the server, it can quickly be taken away from you if your data is not protected. You might think this is unlikely to happen to you, but the truth is that if someone wanted your files bad enough, they would find a way to get them. This cause is on the rise. In 2020, there were 1001 data breaches in the United States. Meanwhile, over 155.8 million people were affected by data exposures in the same year, defined as the unintentional disclosure of sensitive information owing to inadequate information security.

6. Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are explicitly designed to destroy valuable information and render computers useless. If a virus gets into your system undetected and isn’t removed quickly enough (or at all), it can wreak havoc on your hard drive and destroy your files without warning!

7. Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can also cause data loss if your computer isn’t protected against them by a reliable backup service. A fire or flood could destroy your computer equipment and damage any hard drives stored inside it, causing you to lose your precious data forever if you haven’t backed up recently.

Recovering Lost Data

If you’ve ever lost your data for any reason, you know how frustrating it can be, and it’s even more frustrating when it’s something you’ve been working on for days, weeks, or even months. Thankfully, deleting a file isn’t necessarily the end of the world. Here are some ways through which you can recover your lost data.

●  Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin

If you’ve accidentally erased something, you should first check the Windows Recycle Bin. Windows do not attempt to delete a file when you select it and press the Delete key (or right-click and choose the Delete option from the menu).

It instead sends it to the Recycle Bin, which has its desktop icon. Double-clicking on the desktop icon to view the contents, then right-clicking on the file and selecting Restore from the menu makes restoring a file from the Recycle Bin a breeze.

●  Retrieve Deleted Files with any Third Party Software

If you deleted files and later realized that you needed them, then use third-party software to retrieve deleted files. Much free software is available online to help you with this task. But they will not be able to recover all types of files. Some only work for images, music, videos, and other multimedia files, while others can recover documents, emails, and much more.

●  Recovering Data from a failing SSD or Hard Drive

After debunking the fallacy that deleted and corrupted files are lost forever, we now focus on the problem every PC user fears: hard disc failure. This might appear in various ways, but in general, Windows will refuse to start, even in Safe Mode, and turning on your computer may result in unwanted clicking noises. As a result, you risk losing not just a handful of your most important data but the entire contents of the drive.

Hard discs are frequently suggested to be repaired by placing them in the freezer. While this has been known to work in the past, bringing the drive back to life long enough to extract the most crucial files, it only works for particular faults.

●  Using Backups to Restore

Backups are an excellent safeguard for your important files and will come in handy if you experience data loss. You may be able to restore your lost files by utilizing backup media if you follow best practices and make frequent backups of your data. This means that backups are created between when the files are first loaded onto your computer and when they are deleted.

Final Words

The truth is that it is possible to restore deleted data. However, the success of recovering deleted files will depend on many factors. The first factor is how recently the files were deleted. Another factor affecting restoring your data is whether the file system was formatted before or after deletion. And yet another factor to keep in mind is whether the hard drive has been overwritten with new data.

If you need help with data backup, recovery, and management, or you need assistance putting procedures in place to protect your data and maintain business continuity. Call in the experts. Call Protected Harbor. Our enterprise-grade isolated backup and data recovery services are unparalleled in the industry. We understand the importance of data and have helped numerous companies retrieve their data. Not only recovering data but making it secure is also our main focus so that you never have to think about your data.

Protected Harbor can assist you by providing skilled specialists who can design and implement your desired solutions. We test your infrastructure for the leak points with pen-testing and vulnerability testing, ensuring regular backups and restore services. Want to know how we do it? Book a free IT Audit today.

How do I Remove Malware?

Cybercriminals always hunt for more advanced ways to attack your home network or business as the world moves toward a more connected digital life. According to an FBI report, cybercrime losses grew considerably in 2021. The losses, which primarily occurred in the United States but were reported globally, were estimated at $6.9 billion last year, up from $4.2 billion in 2020.

Malware has been around for years but has become increasingly sophisticated over time. The number of new malware detections worldwide increased to 677.66 million programs in March 2020, up from 661 million at the end of January 2020. With so many people connecting smart devices to their home networks, it’s no wonder that cybercriminals are looking for ways to exploit these devices, too.

This article will discuss detecting and removing malware from your mobile devices and personal computers. Let’s get started.

What is Malware?

Malware is a broad term for various malicious software (or “malicious code”) intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems. It includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and other malicious programs.

It can be programmed to steal your personal information or lock up your system until you pay a ransom to unlock it. If you see pop-up ads on your screen or if your browser locks up or crashes frequently, these are signs that your computer may have been infected with malware.

Malware is often distributed via email attachments or links on websites. Often people click on the links because they are curious to see what they lead to, and before they know it, they’ve downloaded malware onto their computer.

Finding and Removing Malware from Your Devices

It may seem impossible to remove malware from your computer once infected. But with cautious and prompt action, eradicating a virus or malware program can be easier than you think.

Malware from Mobile Devices

Anyone who uses the internet frequently is sure to come across the malware. Your smartphone carries much personal information, making it a prime target for cybercriminals.

Fortunately, malware can be found and removed from your Android device.

Signs of malware on Android

If you’re experiencing these issues, your device may have malware.

• Your phone is slow and unresponsive.
• You see ads or pop-ups on your screen, even after locking your device.
• Your battery life has decreased noticeably since you got the phone.
• Your device has become very hot while charging or after using WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype for a long time (this is especially common with Android devices).
• You see “Your device needs to be restarted” error messages on your screen more often than usual (even though no apps are running in the background).

How to Remove Malware on Android?

You can get rid of viruses and malware on Android by doing the following:

• Reboot in safe mode. If your phone is infected with a virus, you may be able to use it usually if you reboot your phone into safe mode. This mode allows you to use your phone without any third-party apps running.
• Uninstall all suspicious apps. If your phone has been infected with a virus, there’s a good chance that some apps on your phone are also infected. To find out which ones, tap Settings > Apps > Show All Apps > Scroll down and tap on each app one by one, looking for anything unusual (such as an app that uses too much battery or data). When you find an app that looks suspicious, uninstall it.
• Get rid of pop-up ads. If you’re being bombarded by pop-ups while surfing the web, they could be coming from malware on your phone.
• Clear your downloads. Make sure you check every app before you install it, and never install anything from sources other than Google Play Store (or trusted third-party stores). Also, delete any apps installed without permission — especially those with strange names or icons.
• Install a mobile anti-malware app. Several solutions offer protection against malware for Android devices, including Avast Mobile Security and AVG AntiVirus Free. These apps scan every file stored on your device for viruses and other security threats, alerting you if anything suspicious is detected.

Removing Malware from MAC or PC

Both Macs and PCs can be infected with malware. Although PCs are usually associated with this vulnerability, Macs can also be affected. It is critical to be aware of the threat of malware regardless of the sort of equipment you have.

Signs of Malware on PC or MAC

Many people will be surprised when they find out they are infected with malware. You may not realize it until you notice some strange activity on your computer or mobile device. Here are some signs that could indicate an infection:

• Your computer takes longer than usual to start up or shut down
• Your computer runs slowly for no apparent reason
• Strange pop-up ads appear on your screen when you’re browsing the web
• Your computer reboots itself more frequently than usual (this happens when there are too many applications running at once)

Get Rid of Malware on Your PC

Several options are available if you’re having problems with a PC or Mac and want to remove malware. Here’s how to do this:

• Disconnect from the Internet

If you’re using an infected computer, disconnect it from the Internet immediately. This may stop malicious programs from spreading to other devices on your network or accessing files stored in cloud services like Dropbox or iCloud.

• Check your activity monitor for malicious applications

Your activity monitor will show all currently running applications and processes on your system. If you see any suspicious-looking methods or applications, immediately shut down those programs and restart your computer so no more files are added to those processes.

• Use Antivirus Software

Install an antivirus program on your computer before downloading anything from the Internet. Then keep it updated regularly with automatic updates. Many antivirus programs include anti-malware features that scan files as they’re downloaded to catch threats before infecting your system. You should also check newly downloaded files with an antivirus program before opening them to know if they contain malware or run them on your computer.

• Run a Malware Scanner

Run a malware scanner. They are designed to search for and remove malicious software from your system. These tools are often free and can be downloaded from the Internet. You can also use a paid version of antivirus software if you already have some installed.

• Clear your cache.

Most browsers store information about websites you visit in a temporary file called the cache. This allows them to load pages faster when you return to the site because they don’t have to download all the information again. But sometimes, this data can contain malicious code that has infected your computer and should be deleted before it causes more damage.

Final Words

Malware seriously threatens the information stored on personal computers and Macs. New varieties of malware are found all the time, and the lucrative nature of some viruses makes them particularly appealing to cybercriminals worldwide. Practicing good internet habits and recognizing the warning signals of malware infection is critical.

If you suspect your computer is infected, act quickly to prevent malware from spreading and protect your personal information. You can take help from the experts because malware can cause serious harm to you and your business. Protected Harbor has inbuilt malware detection in the cybersecurity strategy. We regularly update our database with new malware and other virus detection so that you stay ahead of the curve. You handle the business while we handle the security. Proactive remote monitoring is not just a term we implement. It’s an approach to detecting and removing any cyber threats before they may cause chaos.

To quickly identify and neutralize any dangers or if you want a more straightforward approach, contact us today for a free IT audit.