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How To Clean Your Computer Network

Spring Cleaning isn’t just for Spring

Softouch Systems suggests digitally spring cleaning your businesses computer network as part of regularly scheduled maintenance. What you thought spring cleaning was a household thing? Digital spring cleaning is an important part of a companies IT department. And cleaning up your computer network can help to improve performance, protect against data breaches, and other security threats. SofTouch Systems would like to go over the steps that businesses can take to digitally clean their computers. So these steps will ensure that you computers are running at optimal performance and are protected against the latest cyber security threats.

The first step cleaning your computers is to uninstall unnecessary programs and delete unwanted files. Many businesses install programs and apps that they no longer use. These files can take up space on your hard drive and slow down your network’s performance. By uninstalling these “old” apps or programs and deleting any unwanted files, you can free up space and improve the performance of your computer.

windows 10 settings window — windows 10 used for example only

on the apps tab you can see the date installed and size of apps

The option may appear to cancel uninstall but that would be a mistake

Another important step in cleaning your network is to run a virus scan and remove any detected malware. Malware, such as viruses and spyware, can cause serious problems for businesses, including data breaches and loss of sensitive information. Running a virus scan regularly can help to detect and remove any malware that may be present on your computers, helping to protect your business against potential cyber threats.

Clearing your browser’s cache and history is another important step in cleaning your computers. Your browser’s cache stores information about the websites you visit, and clearing it can help to improve the performance of your computer. Similarly, clearing your browser’s history can help to protect your privacy, as it will remove any records of the websites you have visited.

nearly every browser includes a settings tab, this example is Chrome

Remember to read EVERYTHING before clicking continue

Running a disk cleanup utility is another important step. This utility can help to remove temporary files and system files, freeing up space on your hard drive and improving the performance of your computer. Additionally, by regularly running a disk cleanup utility, you can help to prevent your computer from becoming cluttered with unnecessary files, which can slow down its performance.

Updating your operating system and installed programs is another step in cleaning your network. Many businesses neglect to update (patch) their operating systems and installed programs, which can leave them vulnerable to security threats. By updating your operating system and installed programs, you can help to ensure that your computer is protected against the latest security threats, and that it is running at optimal performance.

“60% of data breaches are caused by a failure to patch. If you correct that, you’ve eliminated 60% of breaches.”
Ricardo Lafosse, CISO of Morningstar

Backing up important files and data is also a very important step in cleaning up your network. Lots of businesses fail to back up their files and data often if at all. This can leave them vulnerable to data loss in the event of a computer hardware/software failure or cyber attack. By regularly backing up your files and data, you can ensure that your business is protected against data loss, and that you can recover quickly in the event of a disaster.

Finally, regularly reviewing installed apps and removing those not in use is an important step in cleaning your computers. Many businesses install apps that they don’t use or not needed. And these apps can take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow down your computer’s performance. By regularly reviewing your installed apps and removing those that are not in use, you can free up space on your hard drive and improve the performance of your computer.

Schedule Cleaning Your Network

In conclusion, digitally cleaning your computers is an important task for businesses. Regular maintenance can help improve the performance of their network and protect against data breaches and other security threats. Clients/Partners contact your support team lead to get more information on our practices for your network. If you or your company is in need of IT services, find us here.

Spring Cleaning is part of Cyber Security Best Practices

Client Cyber Security advice #3

Dear valued clients and parnters,

As your IT company, it is our honor to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of your network. In order to achieve this, we recommend that you schedule time to review and delete any old apps, programs, or files that are deemed unnecessary for business use.*1 For the best cyber security practices SofTouch Systems suggests at the very minimum quarterly clean ups but considering the amount of time it takes to detect a security breach, review as often as possible.

These unnecessary files take up space on your hard drive, slowing down your systems and potentially causing issues with different hardware or software over time. By regularly reviewing and removing unnecessary files, you can improve the performance of your systems, as well as ensure that important files are easily accessible.

Also, keeping your systems free of unnecessary files will also improve your networks cyber security. Old programs and files that are no longer supported or updated can be a security risk, because they most likely will not have the latest security updates. So, deleting these files, you can reduce the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches. In 2022, 22 Billion records were exposed and the costs accrued from those beaches are expecting to be an upwards of 40B worldwide.

Only .05% of cyber criminals are caught

Per AP News “The FBI, CISA, and the DHHS have seized the website of a prolific ransomware gang that has heavily targeted hospitals and other health care providers. The website of the group, known as “Hive”, was offline Thursday. It was not immediately clear how the seizure, disclosed in a take-down notice on the gang’s dark-web web page, will affect its long-term operations.

SofTouch Systems offers Network Security Cleaning Scans — Let SofTouch Systems Clean your Network

Last year said Hive ransomware actors victimized over 1,300 companies worldwide, receiving approximately $100M in ransom payments. The ransomware gang targeted a wide range of businesses and critical infrastructure sectors. Their attacks included government facilities, critical manufacturing companies, but leaned heavily towards health care and public health.” (The largest generation is the one going out the door now, the boomers. The healthcare industry as a whole will be a very, very big target over the next 20 years.)

“The cost of a breach in the healthcare industry went up 42% since 2020. For the 12th year in a row, healthcare had the highest average data breach cost of any industry.”
IBM

We understand that reviewing and deleting unnecessary files can be time-consuming, but it is a necessary task to ensure the optimal performance and best cyber security for your networks. And spring cleaning isn’t just for your home, your files need it too. So, if you need assistance or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your support team.

Thank you for your continued business. We appreciate your efforts in maintaining the security of your systems.

Sincerely, SofTouch Systems

1* All client and partner accounts will have this customer service option included in your service plans.

How to Calculate the ROI in Cyber Security

As a business owner, it’s important to make informed decisions about your IT infrastructure and the services you use to support it. One key aspect of this is understanding how to calculate the return on investment (ROI) of different IT solutions, including cyber security and managed service providers (MSPs).

Cost vs Return the ROI Algorithm

To calculate the ROI of cyber security, start by identifying the costs of implementing and maintaining a security solution. This might include the cost of software and hardware, as well as ongoing maintenance and support. Next, consider the potential costs of a security breach. This could include lost revenue from business disruptions, damage to your company’s reputation, and the cost of restoring lost or stolen data.

Calculating ROI is as Simple as

It’s important to consider the cost savings that can be achieved by implementing cyber security solutions to prevent breaches, in addition to the costs of the breaches themselves. This can include the cost savings from increased productivity and reduced employee turnover due to the better protection of their personal and business information. Additionally, many industries have compliance regulations that require businesses to have certain levels of security in place.

The share of breaches caused by ransomware grew 41% in the last year and took 49 days longer than average to identify and contain. Additionally, destructive attacks increased in cost by over USD 430,000.
IBM.com

Another important consideration is the return on investment of IT infrastructure and MSP services. To calculate the ROI of IT infrastructure, consider the costs of equipment and software, as well as the costs of maintaining and upgrading that infrastructure over time. Then, consider the potential benefits of having a reliable and efficient IT infrastructure, such as increased productivity, improved customer service, and the ability to scale your business as needed.

Managed service providers (MSPs) offer a range of IT services, including network support, data backup and recovery, and help-desk support. These services can help small businesses keep their IT infrastructure running smoothly and improve their overall cyber security posture. To calculate the ROI of MSP services, consider the costs of the services, as well as the potential benefits in terms of increased productivity, improved security, and reduced downtime.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Ben Franklin

It’s also important to consider the value of proactively addressing potential issues before they occur, rather than reacting. Investing in regular system maintenance and monitoring through an MSP can prevent costly downtime and loss of data.

When it comes to calculating ROI, businesses also have to consider the intangible benefits of investing in cyber security. For example, peace of mind knowing that your data is protected and that you have support to address issues 24/7/365. Additionally, having robust cyber security and IT infrastructure can help attract and retain customers. Because they know that their personal and business information is in safe hands.

Balance is key to Maximizing ROI of IT

STS understands the importance of returns and are committed to helping clients make informed decisions concerning IT infrastructure. STS will work with your business to assess your needs and provide customized solutions that deliver the best possible ROI. STS offers a wide range of IT services, including network support, data backup and recovery, and help-desk support. We can also help you implement and maintain a robust cyber security strategy tailored to your specific businesses needs.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact us today and let us help you achieve the best ROI for your IT investments.