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Tech Tips & IT News

Straight answers about computers, networks, phones and online scams, written by your local Kansas IT team for the homes and businesses we serve every day.

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Scam & Security Library
Small office team working while systems are monitoredSmall Business IT

Buying Microsoft Copilot? Watch the New Usage Billing and Check the Nonprofit Discount

New Copilot Business subscriptions will come with pay-as-you-go billing already turned on. Here is what to set first, plus a discount for churches and…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Small business server rack with red accent lightingSecurity

Running Your Own Server? SharePoint, GitLab and Linux Flaws Are Being Exploited

Attackers are exploiting flaws in self-hosted SharePoint Server, GitLab and the Linux kernel. If you run your own server, here is what to do.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Business firewall appliance in a network cabinetSecurity

VPN and Remote-Access Gateways Are Under Attack: Questions to Ask Your IT Provider

Attackers spent September 2026 breaking into remote-access and network security appliances. Here is what it means for your business.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Monitor showing a grid of security camera viewsSecurity

Cameras and HVAC Controls on Your Business Network? New Warnings Show Why to Separate Them

New government advisories on building controllers and a camera cloud used by hundreds of brands show why these devices belong on their own network.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Point-to-point wireless antenna on a farm building at sunsetNetworking

MikroTik Router Owners: Attackers Are Taking Over Routers. Patching Alone Isn’t Enough

Attackers are taking over MikroTik routers that have SSH exposed to the internet. Updating is step one; checking for a backdoor is step two.Read the article
October 8, 2026
NAS and external backup drive on an office shelfSmall Business IT

Is Your Microsoft 365 Backup Still Working? Microsoft Is Shutting Off EWS

Microsoft is turning off an old connection method called EWS in Microsoft 365. Older backup, CRM and scheduling tools may quietly stop working.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Business PC with dual monitors on a clean deskSmall Business IT

Office 2021 Support Ends October 13: What Kansas Businesses Need to Do Now

Microsoft ends support for Office 2021 on October 13, 2026, with no extension and no extended security updates. Here is what to do.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of fake tax refund and IRS scam textsSecurity

Tax Season Scams: Fake IRS Texts, Refund Emails and Threatening Calls

Fake refund texts and threatening “IRS” calls spike every tax season. Here is how the IRS really contacts you and how to protect your…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake job offer text message scamSecurity

Fake Job Offers and Check Scams: “You’re Hired — No Interview Needed!”

Remote job offers by text with no interview, high pay and a check to deposit are scams. Here is how they work and what…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of look-alike public Wi-Fi network namesSecurity

Public Wi-Fi Safety: Look-Alike Networks and What Not to Do on Hotel and Café Wi-Fi

Look-alike Wi-Fi networks and open hotspots can expose your information. Here is how to use public Wi-Fi and charging stations more safely.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of an online marketplace buyer scam conversationSecurity

Selling Online? Watch for These Marketplace Buyer Scams

Selling on an online marketplace? Learn the verification code scam, overpayment refunds and fake checks, and how to sell safely.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake vendor bank account change emailSecurity

Fake Bank-Change Requests: The Email Scam That Steals Business Payments

An email asking you to send a vendor payment to a new bank account is one of the costliest business scams. Here is how…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a family emergency scam phone callSecurity

AI Voice Cloning and the “Grandparent Scam”: When a Loved One’s Voice Isn’t Real

Scammers can now copy a loved one’s voice with AI and call pretending to be in trouble. Here are the warning signs and one…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of scam messages sent from a hacked friend accountSecurity

“Is This You in This Video?” How Hacked Social Media Accounts Spread Scams

Messages from friends asking “is this you in this video?” or for a code usually come from hacked accounts. Here is how to spot…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of repeated MFA sign-in approval prompts on a phoneSecurity

MFA Fatigue: Why You Should Never Tap “Approve” on a Sign-In You Didn’t Start

Repeated “Approve sign-in?” prompts on your phone mean someone has your password. Here is how MFA fatigue attacks work.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake subscription renewal invoice emailSecurity

Fake Renewal Invoices: “Your Subscription Has Been Renewed for $399.99”

Emails saying your antivirus or support plan renewed for hundreds of dollars want you to call a fake refund department. Here is how the…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake shared document sign-in pageSecurity

“A Document Was Shared With You”: How Fake Sign-In Pages Steal Passwords

“Someone shared a file with you” emails lead to fake sign-in pages that steal your password. See an example and learn how to tell…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake browser update pop-up on a websiteSecurity

“Your Browser Is Out of Date”: Fake Update Pop-Ups That Install Malware

Websites that say your browser is out of date and offer an “Update Now” download are installing malware. Here is how real updates work.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake QR code sticker on a parking meterSecurity

QR Code Scams: Why That Parking Meter Sticker Could Cost You

Fake QR code stickers on parking meters, flyers and emails send you to look-alike payment pages. Here is how to scan safely.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a gift card scam email pretending to be from the bossSecurity

“Are You Available? I Need a Favor”: The Gift Card Scam That Pretends to Be Your Boss

An urgent message from “the boss” asking an employee to buy gift cards is one of the most common small business scams. Here is…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Examples of scam text messages: toll, package, bank alert and wrong numberSecurity

Scam Text Messages (Smishing): Unpaid Tolls, Package Holds and Fake Bank Alerts

Unpaid toll texts, package holds, fake bank alerts and “wrong number” chats are all smishing. See examples and learn what to do with a…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example phishing email with seven red flags markedSecurity

7 Red Flags in a Phishing Email (With a Real-World Example)

An annotated example phishing email and the seven red flags to check before you click, plus what to do if you already did.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example search results showing fake sponsored ads for support numbers and downloadsSecurity

How Search Results Can Land You in Trouble: Fake Ads, Fake Support Numbers and Bad Downloads

Scammers buy search ads and build look-alike sites so the first result you see is theirs. Here is how fake support numbers and bad…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a website tricking users into allowing browser notificationsSecurity

Is Your Browser Hijacked? Signs, Causes and How to Fix It

Spammy notifications, a new homepage and pages that redirect on their own are signs your browser has been hijacked. Here is what causes it…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Example of a fake virus warning (scareware) pop-up with red flags markedSecurity

That “Your Computer Is Infected” Pop-Up Is Fake: How to Spot Scareware

A flashing warning says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. That is scareware. Here is how to spot it,…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Slow or Spotty Office Wi-Fi? 7 Fixes to Try Before You Call Your Internet ProviderNetworking

Slow or Spotty Office Wi-Fi? 7 Fixes to Try Before You Call Your Internet Provider

Dead zones and dropped calls are often a Wi-Fi problem, not an internet problem. Seven practical fixes for small offices, shops and homes.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Switching Your Business Phones to VoIP: 8 Questions to Ask FirstBusiness Phones

Switching Your Business Phones to VoIP: 8 Questions to Ask First

Thinking about moving your business phones to VoIP? Ask these eight questions about numbers, pricing, internet, failover and 911 before you switch.Read the article
October 8, 2026
Break-Fix vs. Managed IT: Which Makes Sense for a Small Kansas Business?Small Business IT

Break-Fix vs. Managed IT: Which Makes Sense for a Small Kansas Business?

Pay for IT help only when something breaks, or pay monthly to keep it from breaking? A plain-English comparison for small businesses.Read the article
October 8, 2026
How to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)Security

How to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)

Fake pop-ups, surprise phone calls and gift-card payments. Here is how tech support scams work, the red flags to watch for, and what to…Read the article
October 8, 2026
Penetration TestingSecurity

Why Penetration Testing Is No Longer Optional

Cybersecurity threats are no longer limited to large corporations in big cities. Rural businesses, municipalities, churches, medical offices, schools, and small manufacturers are now…Read the article
January 28, 2026
Password Safety 101: Protect Yourself OnlineSecurity

Password Safety 101: Protect Yourself Online

In today’s digital world, your passwords are the first line of defense against cyber threats. Weak passwords and poor security habits can put your…Read the article
February 1, 2025
Hacker hacking into network. Computer Service Near Me.Security

Navigating the Digital Frontier: Internet Safety in Today’s World

Understanding the Risks The internet is teeming with potential threats, ranging from cyberbullying and identity theft to malware and phishing scams. Cybercriminals are constantly…Read the article
May 3, 2024
How to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)Security

Email Safety and Identifying Phishing Attempts

Email has become an integral part of our personal and professional lives, providing a convenient and efficient means of communication. However, with the increasing…Read the article
May 31, 2023
Switching Your Business Phones to VoIP: 8 Questions to Ask FirstSmall Business IT

The Pitfalls of Thinking We’re Tech-Savvy

Why Consulting a Professional is Essential In today’s digital age, technology plays an integral role in our lives. With the increasing availability of information…Read the article
May 31, 2023

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