Professional IT Services that Andromeda Provides for Rosemont, IL Businesses:

Managed IT Services
Rosemont,IL

Andromeda offers a range of IT support plans—anything from month-to-month "time & materials"-based assistance to fixed IT service contracts that permit "no-brainer" conformance to an annual budget. Beyond the functions you would expect from a full-service MSP, you'll have a dedicated C‑CATs team that includes an Account Coordinator directing the same field and remote technicians day-to-day, month-to-month, and even year-to-year to manage your IT network needs.
This isn't simply a glorified Virtual CIO offering. Imagine the cost of hiring your own CIO AND tech team for this same level of customized service and knowledge of your particular (and evolving) network setup!

Cloud Services & Migrations

Typically, the biggest issue you'll face when initiating Cloud IT services is not the services themselves, but rather the proper migration of your existing IT services to the Cloud without loss of functionality, downtime, and scores of other details that could undermine the whole process. Andromeda has a long history of expertise in physical on-premises systems. Don't make the mistake of turning all your current systems over to a "Cloud expert"; we'll save you from a lot of heartache and pain with a virtually seamless Cloud migration from your current setup— whatever it is.

Data Backup & Recovery
Rosemont,IL

It's a crazy world. Literally thousands of people you don't even know attempt to break or steal from systems like yours every day. Good 24/7 monitoring is a first line of defense, of course. But no matter how great and state-of-the-art your defenses are, you'll almost certainly succomb to a successful attack in time. That's why advanced data backup and data recovery need to be tools that you and your IT partner have at the ready from Day 1. Don't be tempted to "shortcut" this element of your network in the name of expediency or to save a few dollars. Ultimately, you'll lose out on both counts with that thinking. You need a complete and integrated solution that addresses every contingency as well as IT professionals who know how to make that happen.

Cyber Security

Not only do we provide multi-tier approaches to your network security, but Andromeda also provides built-for-you solutions for disaster recovery and business continuity devices. We provide, manage and monitor a variety of devices including physical hardware, Cloud-based and hybrid options. Our team actively monitors over 403 servers and 101 physical backup devices in the field. All with 100% local engineers and technicians.

Onsite/Remote Support
Rosemont,IL

Andromeda's team is completely staffed by local technicians near Rosemont,IL. No matter the hour, your issue is resolved quickly and professionally. In fact, 68% of incoming calls are connected to a live technician for immediate response. When a technician isn't available, our average response time is less than 30 minutes. And if that isn't impressive enough, emergency after-hours support response times average less than 10 minutes!

IT Network Management

IT networks are our bread-and-butter. We have provided these services to clients since 1994. Some have continued to rely on us for their evolving network needs since the very beginning. We stand behind our work day to day and year to year because we foster relationships with our client-partners that absolutely demand that of us. It's in our DNA and how we prefer to do business.

AndroPedia Tech Library

As part of our service, it is important to keep our client-partners well informed on IT developments, news, and best practices. Here is just a sampling of typical items from our AndroPedia^SM library archive:

Celebrating Earth Day serves as a reminder of how fragile our planet is and how important it is to protect it. With a few simple changes to the way we use technology solutions at work, we can help make a big impact. 

Did you know that just switching to cloud computing can help the environment? It’s true! 

3 ways cloud computing helps the environment… 

1. Energy Conservation.

No onsite servers can save businesses on energy usage. This is important because when you consume less power, you reduce the number of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth’s natural resources, and protect ecosystems from destruction. 

Ask your technology providers about their cloud environments to learn more about different techniques these businesses take to ensure green practices in cloud computing.

2. Work Anywhere, Anytime. 

When you place your work, projects, and data on the cloud it allows you and your staff to be able to work from anywhere at anytime* without driving back to the office. This saves on travel to and from the office which decreases emissions, and increases productivity. 
 

3. Allows For A Paperless Workspace. 

The cloud empowers your team to print fewer documents and collaborate using SaaS (Software as a Service) tools – meaning less paper wasted by staff. Additionally, less printing means you will use less ink and most offices won’t be upset about double cost savings here!  

Have a great Earth Day and smile because you just helped save the environment. 

*Some cloud solutions require an active internet connection to work

The post 3 ways cloud computing helps the environment appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Of course, cyber security and ransomware are hot topics, but many of you mentioned that you are interested in quick tips you can follow or use yourself.

You ask – we deliver.

Without further ado – check out these 6 quick tips for best password security practices

1. Create passwords with multiple cases, symbols and numbers. Just be sure to avoid passwords such as “123456”, “qwerty”, “football”, “princess” or “password” – some of the most common passwords according to SplashData.
   
2. Don’t create a password based on personal details such as your birth date, an anniversary, phone number, social security number etc. While not everyone may know these details about you, they are among the first a cybercriminal or evildoer will attempt when trying to hack your account. Even worse, if your password data is compromised, imagine what a cybercriminal could do with that social security information if it was exposed.
3. Avoid using the same password on multiple sites. We get it, remembering different passwords for all of your different sites and needs is difficult. It is important to create something unique for every login you maintain. Remember, if a hacker gets ahold of your password for one account, the first thing they will do is try that bad boy on bank accounts, social media, emails and anywhere else they can to grab sensitive information or even your hard earned money. (Don’t worry about remembering all the different passwords, we cover that below.)
4. Change your passwords regularly. We suggest changing passwords every 90 days. This can be a pain but if you maintain this practice you make getting into your accounts that much harder.
5. Do Not keep a list of your passwords on your computer. Keeping a list of passwords is dangerous in any format. You open yourself up to great risk in doing so. The worst method for this is keeping a list of your passwords in a file on your computer. Instead, keep a list of each site and next to it write a specific clue that will only make sense to you. This can help jog your memory without spilling the beans if someone stumbles upon the file. (Or let a password manager create passwords for you and store them so you have them all in one place – see below.)
6. Use Dual Authentication. Many apps and sites now offer dual authentication as an added security measure. Once you login to your account, you will be prompted for a code (either one you create or a randomly generated code). You put this code into the site as a second proof of your identity. This feature greatly reduces if not eliminates the likelihood of someone breaking into your accounts.

Password protection is difficult. The average Joe has anywhere from 20-200 passwords. We recognize that is a big gap but even memorizing 20 different passwords is a difficult task. With that said, we would like to provide you with a few useful tools that can free up your memory and manage your password security for you.

Password Managers

There are a variety of password managers on the market. We have used and enjoyed LastPass which comes with a free and premium subscription as well as an app for your phone. If you want to check out a variety of password managers and how they stack up – PC Magazine has rated them for you here.

Password Security Tests

Platforms and websites do exist that will check the security of your password. There are even some websites out there that will tell you how long a hacker would have to spend to crack your code. Check out our recommended tool here.

Email Alias Tools

We’ve found an interesting tool that can help you keep track of your passwords but also creates aliases for your email address. This is useful because without your email address, a password is essentially useless. Now, of course you don’t want someone to have your password at all but this also helps you keep your inbox clear of spam and unwanted mail.

Any of these tools can help you out. If you have any questions feel free to reach the Andromeda Team Today!

The post Password Quick Tips – 6 Do’s & Don’ts appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

In 2020, hackers around the world have increasingly gravitated to ransomware as their preferred method of attack. This year, there have been dozens of high-profile, successful attacks on companies around the world.

Whirlpool, one of the largest home appliance manufacturers in the world, is the latest company to fall victim to this type of attack.

The company is truly one of the titans in the industry, with nearly sixty locations scattered around the world and employing nearly 80,000 people. Unfortunately, their impressive size made them a tempting target. In their case, the hackers that breached their system utilized the Nefilim ransomware strain, managing to exfiltrate a variety of sensitive data before encrypting files on a number of company servers.

It has become increasingly common for hacking groups to publish some or all of the data they steal in a bid to hurt the company they attacked, and that's precisely what happened in this case. Thus far, the leaked data has included documents relating to accommodation requests, medical information requests, background checks, employee benefits and more.

There's no doubting that the publication of these documents are damaging to the company, but based on Whirlpool's investigation into the matter, the scope and scale of the data breach was quite small. Only a handful of corporate servers were infected and the files that were encrypted didn't impact the company's operations in any way.

It should also be noted that the hackers who control the Nefilim strain aren't terribly active, tending to only make occasional attacks targeting larger corporations. Other recent victims include Luxottica, The Dussman Group, Orange S. A. and the Toll Group.

At this point, all of the impacted Whirlpool servers have been fully restored, but the damage is done. It remains to be seen if the hackers behind the attack will publish more data, or if they've already released everything they stole. Stay vigilant. Your firm could be next.

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