Guides and articles
Practical articles for GTA owners and office managers on firewalls, backup, Windows end of support and managed IT.
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Security
Windows 10 End of Life: Key Dates, ESU Costs and What Businesses Should Do Now
Windows 10 left support in October 2025 and the first year of paid security updates ended in October 2026. Here are the dates that still matter, what Extended…
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Networks
Business VPN in 2026: IPsec, SSL VPN, WireGuard and Zero Trust Access Compared
SSL VPN appliances became one of the most attacked parts of a business network, and Fortinet removed SSL VPN tunnel mode altogether. Here is how IPsec, WireGuard and…
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Managed IT and support
Software Updates and Licensing for Small Business: Patching, Microsoft 365 Licences and Avoiding Costly Surprises
Unpatched software is one of the main ways attackers get in, and poorly managed licences quietly waste money. Here is how patching should work in a small business,…
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Security
Shadow AI at Work: How to Let Staff Use AI Without Leaking Client Data
Staff are already using ChatGPT, AI note-takers and browser extensions, often on personal accounts. Banning them rarely works. Here is what the real risks are, a simple traffic-light…
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Networks
Firewall Types, Configuration and Best Practices for Business Networks
Every business firewall does the same basic job, but the type you choose and the way its rules are written decide how much it actually protects you. Here…
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Networks
Port Forwarding for Business: How It Works, Why It Is Risky and Safer Alternatives
Port forwarding lets the internet reach a device inside your office. It is simple to set up and one of the most common ways small businesses get breached.…
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Networks
Network Refresh Planning: When to Replace Switches, Firewalls and Wi-Fi, and How to Cut Over Without Downtime
Most office networks are replaced in a rush after something fails or a support date passes. Here is how to tell when a refresh is due, what each…
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Backup and recovery
Backup vs Disaster Recovery: The Difference, and Why a Business Needs Both
A backup is a copy of your data. Disaster recovery is how fast you can work again. Here is how the two differ, the 3-2-1-1-0 rule for backups…
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Networks
VPNs and Remote Access for Ontario Healthcare: PHIPA, PIPEDA and Where HIPAA Fits
Ontario clinics answer to PHIPA, not HIPAA, and since 2024 the Privacy Commissioner can fine organizations up to $500,000. Here is how clinicians should connect from home, how…
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Networks
Network Cable or Configuration? How to Find What Is Really Causing Slow and Dropping Connections
A desk stuck at 100 Mbps, a floor that drops every afternoon, a phone that keeps rebooting. Some network problems are physical and some are settings, and guessing…