Have you heard? Google is tightening its security measures, and it could impact your devices. If you're using "App Passwords" or similar less secure sign-in methods for your printer, smart home devices, or other apps, you might find yourself locked out after September 30th, 2024. (source)

Don't panic! IT Pros A La Carte is here to help. We'll ensure your devices stay connected and secure.

What's changing?

Google is phasing out less secure sign-in options like "App Passwords" to protect your account from unauthorized access. While this is a positive step for security, it means you'll need to update your devices and apps to use more secure authentication methods.

How can IT Pros A La Carte help?

Our expert technicians will:

• Update your email configurations: We'll change the email settings on your printer and other devices to use secure authentication methods.

• Set up 3rd-party SMTP services: If needed, we'll configure a secure email relay service so your devices can continue sending emails without interruption.

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Are you constantly dealing with a sluggish internet connection at home or office? Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustrating, especially in today's world where we rely so heavily on fast internet for video calls, streaming, gaming, and more. If you're experiencing poor Wi-Fi speeds, there could be several potential culprits:

Router Location Matters

The placement of your router can significantly impact Wi-Fi coverage and speeds. Routers tucked away in corners, surrounded by thick walls/floors, or located far from your devices will struggle to provide a strong signal. Ideally, your router should be positioned centrally and free from obstructions.

Outdated Router Hardware

Like any technology, routers become outdated over time. Older router models may not support the latest Wi-Fi standards (e.g. Wi-Fi 6, 6e or 7) and could be a bottleneck, especially if you have many connected devices. Upgrading to a modern router can instantly boost your speeds.

Too Many Connected Devices

Speaking of connected devices, the more gadgets using your Wi-Fi simultaneously (laptops, phones, smart TVs, etc.), the more strain on your network. Some routers can't handle dozens of connections efficiently. Upgrading to a router built for today's hyper-connected homes is advisable.

It always seems to happen to others, until you're the other.

Viruses, malware, trojans, InfoStealers, Worms... You may have heard it all over the past 30 years. but suddenly, your computer is acting weird. Fans blowing when nothing is going on? pop-ups? website redirects? emails disappearing? There are so many ways your devices can get infected, and expose all your private data to the world.

The Dangers of Viruses

Viruses can be devastating, both personally and professionally. They can steal your data, damage your files, and even make your computer unusable. In some cases, viruses can even be used to launch ransomware attacks, which can encrypt your files and demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.

How to Clean Up a Virus Infection

If you think your computer may be infected with a virus, the first thing you should do is disconnect it from the internet but keep it powered on. This will help to prevent the virus from spreading to other devices. Next, you should run a virus scan using a reputable antivirus program. If the antivirus program finds any viruses, it should be able to remove them automatically.

Is your computer taking forever to start up or open programs? Are you frustrated by the sluggishness of your machine? If so, you’re not alone. Many factors can cause a computer to slow down over time. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of slow computer performance and suggest some steps you can take to speed things up.

1. Lack of Disk Space

Running out of disk space on your computer’s hard drive can cause it to slow down significantly. If your hard drive is nearly full, try deleting some old files or moving them to an external hard drive to free up space.

2. Too many programs running

If you have too many programs running at once, your computer’s resources will be spread thin, leading to slower performance. Try closing unnecessary programs and see if it improves your computer’s speed.

3. Malware or Virus

Malware and viruses can infect your computer and cause it to run slowly. Run a virus scan on your computer and make sure that your anti-virus software is up to date.

4. Old hardware

If your computer is several years old, its hardware may not be powerful enough to keep up with the demands of newer software. Consider upgrading your RAM or hard drive to improve performance.

Blue screens of death (BSODs) are almost a meme on Windows systems. They can be frustrating and difficult to troubleshoot. BSODs can be caused by a variety of hardware and software issues, so it's important to know how to diagnose and fix them.

What is a blue screen of death?

A blue screen of death (BSOD), also known as a stop code error, is a critical system failure that causes Windows to shut down or restart unexpectedly. BSODs are typically caused by serious problems with hardware or software, and they can be difficult to troubleshoot.

What are the symptoms of a blue screen of death?

The most common symptom of a blue screen of death is a sudden crash of Windows. The computer will typically display a blue screen with white text that provides information about the error. The blue screen may also include a stop code, which is a unique identifier for the error. This may be the most important part of the screen at this point, so hurry up and take a picture of it because it will soon disappear.

How to diagnose a blue screen of death?

The first step in diagnosing a blue screen of death is to determine the stop code. You can usually find the stop code in the text on the blue screen, or you can use the Windows Event Viewer to view the error logs.