Author: Mike Hopkins

When you’re trying to protect your business, what could possibly go wrong by downloading antivirus software?

More than you might think.

If you’re not careful, that “antivirus” might be the threat.

Cybercriminals are getting better and better at creating fake websites that look just like the real thing. One recent example involved a convincing copy of the website of one of the most trusted names in cybersecurity.

The fake site looked nearly identical to the real one, complete with the download button in all the right places. But behind that button was a nasty surprise: Malware disguised as a helpful tool.

Clicking “Download” on the fake site didn’t install antivirus protection.

It triggered a download called StoreInstaller.exe, which installed something called VenomRAT. That’s short for Remote Access Trojan. A type of malware that gives attackers complete control of your computer without you knowing. It can steal passwords, record keystrokes, access webcams, and even open the door for more malicious software.

In this case, the goal wasn’t only spying. It was stealing.

Researchers say the cybercriminals behind this fake antivirus site were trying to grab login credentials and cryptocurrency wallet information. Once they had access, they could sell it to others or use it to steal money directly.

And it’s not just antivirus software they’re faking.

These criminals have also impersonated banks and IT service companies to trick people into letting their guard down. It’s easy to fall for. Especially when the fake sites are hosted on platforms like Amazon, making them look even more legitimate at a glance.

If your business falls victim to this kind of scam, the consequences can be severe. You could lose sensitive company data, have customer details exposed, or suffer financial losses.

The clean-up is expensive and stressful, not to mention the damage to your reputation if client information is involved.

The best defense is to be cautious.

Always check website addresses carefully. Never click on a link in an email or message unless you’re sure it’s genuine. And only download software – especially security tools – directly from a provider’s official website.

It’s also worth having a trusted IT partner (like us) who can double-check things if you’re not sure.

This is a reminder that cybercriminals don’t just rely on technical tricks. They rely on people being busy, distracted, or just trying to do the right thing. A little extra vigilance now can save you a huge headache later.

If you’re ever in doubt, we’re here to help you stay safe. Get in touch.  

When was the last time you opened Notepad and thought, “I wish I could make this text bold or add a heading”?

Probably never, right?

But Microsoft is quietly giving Notepad a little upgrade that could make a surprising difference. Especially for those of us who use it to jot down quick notes, meeting minutes, or even team checklists.

Notepad has always been the simplest of simple tools. It opens instantly, saves fast, and doesn’t get in your way. That’s exactly why so many people love it.

Now, Microsoft is testing a light touch of formatting features. Things like bold and italic text, hyperlinks, headings, and even basic bullet points.

The idea is to give us just enough control to make our notes clearer, without turning Notepad into a full-blown word processor.

The formatting is based on something called markdown. That’s a widely used, no-fuss way to add structure to plain text using simple symbols. For example, putting a couple of asterisks around a word makes it bold.

It’s neat, clean, and doesn’t add any of the heaviness you’d associate with Word or other big editing tools. And if formatting isn’t your thing? No problem. It can be turned off completely.

Some people worry that adding features like this risks bloating the app and making it slower. But in this case, the changes are minimal and optional. It’s more like giving your notebook a nicer pen. Not turning it into a printing press.

And with WordPad now officially retired, there’s definitely a gap for a tool that sits somewhere between “plain text” and “full document.”

For businesses, especially smaller ones without complex systems for documentation, this could be a handy middle ground. Being able to better structure your notes can save time and make your messages clearer.

It’s not flashy, but it’s thoughtful.

And it’s another small sign that Microsoft is modernizing even the most basic tools in Windows 11 without losing what made them useful in the first place.

Keep an eye out for the update if you’re using Windows 11. And maybe give those bold headings a try next time you’re scribbling a to-do list.  

Ever tried to follow a show where the main villain had four different names?

Impossible, right?

But that’s exactly what it’s like in the world of cybersecurity right now.

One hacking group can be tracked under completely different names, depending on who’s writing about them. Whether it’s Microsoft, Google, CrowdStrike, or another security firm.

It’s confusing. And worse, it can slow down how quickly us experts, and the businesses we protect, can respond to a cyberattack.

That’s why Microsoft and security firm CrowdStrike are teaming up to fix this problem.

They’ve announced plans for a new, unified naming system for hacking groups. Think of it like giving each cybercriminal gang one official label that everyone agrees on. It’s not just about tidying up the names. It’s about making it faster and easier to understand who’s attacking, how they operate, and how to stop them.

Right now, let’s say there’s a hacking group targeting businesses like yours. Microsoft might call them Salt Typhoon. Another security company might call the same group GhostEmperor, or OPERATOR PANDA.

Unless you know they’re all the same threat, it’s easy to miss the full picture. And that’s a big problem when every second counts in a cyberattack.

The new naming system Microsoft’s working on will organize these groups by type and origin using weather-themed terms. For example, Chinese state-backed groups will get “Typhoon” in their name, Russian ones will get “Blizzard.” Other attackers like ransomware gangs or commercial spyware developers will be labelled using words like “Tempest,” “Storm,” or “Tsunami.”

It’s a simple idea, but a powerful one.

And it matters to your business more than you might think.

The more clearly cyberthreats are identified and communicated, the quicker your IT team or your cybersecurity provider can spot patterns and act. It means better threat intelligence, fewer missed warnings, and a stronger, faster response when something suspicious appears.

Ultimately, this kind of collaboration between big players like Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Google, and others helps level the playing field for smaller businesses. You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to benefit. Simply knowing that everyone’s speaking the same language when a threat hits can make all the difference.

This is one of those behind-the-scenes changes that won’t make headlines but could have a big impact on keeping your business safe. It’s another step towards making cybersecurity a bit less chaotic, and a lot more effective.

Want help keeping your business better protected from cyberattacks? Get in touch.   

What would happen to your business if one of your key tools suddenly stopped being safe to use?

That’s the situation many businesses are heading for right now. With Windows 10.

Because time is running out. Fast.

Microsoft has confirmed that free support for Windows 10 ends on October 14 when it reaches end of life.

That’s only a few weeks away. And with the time it takes to plan, budget and roll out a full upgrade across your business, it’s dangerously close.

Here’s the thing: When support ends, it really ends.

That means no more security updates. No more bug fixes. No help from Microsoft if something goes wrong.

Yes, you’ll still be able to use your Windows 10 devices. But you’ll be doing so in the dark, with a big target painted on your back for cybercriminals.

What’s even more worrying is that many business owners haven’t realized this is coming. A recent survey found that 18% had no idea support was ending. Another 14% had considered it but hadn’t started planning. That’s a lot of businesses at serious risk of disruption, data breaches, or worse.

And yes, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESUs). But they’re not free. It’s a temporary patch, not a solution. And the price goes up every year.

The better option? Moving to Windows 11 now, while there’s still time to do it properly and without stress.

Windows 11 isn’t just the next version of Windows. It’s built to be faster, more secure, and better suited to the way modern businesses work. It’s designed for hybrid teams, packed with productivity features, and includes the latest security tools to help protect against today’s threats.

You’ll notice smoother performance and better integration with tools like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and Copilot.

But there’s a catch. Not all devices that run Windows 10 can run Windows 11.

You might need to upgrade your hardware too. That’s why you need to act now, rather than waiting until you’re forced into last-second decisions that cost more and cause more disruption.

The bottom line? October 2025 is a deadline. And the longer you leave it, the harder and more expensive the transition becomes.

If you haven’t started preparing, please, do it now. Ask your IT support partner: “Are we ready for Windows 10 end of life?” If the answer’s anything but a confident “yes,” make a plan.

Not just about upgrading to Windows 11, but about whether your IT support partner is as much of a partner as you thought.

Need a hand making the upgrade? My team and I can help. Get in touch.  

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank PowerPoint slide? Trying to figure out how to turn a pile of notes into something that looks half decent?

Maybe you’ve got a well-written Word document but no idea how to turn it into a presentation that’s clear, professional, and visually engaging?

It can take hours to get it right. Especially if you’re juggling other work at the same time.

Well, here’s some very good news: Microsoft has just made that problem a lot easier to solve.

A new update to Microsoft Copilot means it can now create individual PowerPoint slides directly from a Word file. Yes, what used to take you ages can now be done in seconds.

I can’t be the only one who’s thrilled about this.

Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant, built into tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Think of it as a smart helper that understands what you’re trying to do and takes care of the heavy lifting.

With this new feature, you can ask Copilot to create a slide based on a section of your Word doc. Or even the whole thing. And it will generate a ready to edit slide with your content already there.

No more copy-pasting text. No more fiddling with layouts or wondering if your fonts match. Amazing.

It won’t yet handle things like custom colours or background images. But it will give you a solid, professional looking starting point to work from. That means your team can focus on fine tuning the message, not wrestling with formatting.

This is a big win for businesses.

Presentation slides are still a huge part of how we share information. Whether it’s pitching to clients, reporting to the team, or planning your next move. But creating them takes time, attention to detail, and let’s face it… some days you’d rather be doing anything else.

Now, you can start with a well written Word doc and have Copilot turn it into slides in just a few clicks. You still get full control to make tweaks and add your personal touch, but the most time-consuming part is done for you.

If your business already uses Microsoft 365 and you’ve got a Copilot license, you can try this now. Just make sure you’re on the latest version of the apps.

In PowerPoint, look for the “New Slide with Copilot” option under the Home tab, or just click the Copilot button and choose “Add a slide.”

This isn’t just about saving time (although it will do that). It’s about freeing your team to focus on communicating ideas clearly and confidently, without getting stuck fiddling with bullet points and box sizes.

So, if PowerPoint presentations are part of your day-to-day, it might be time to give Copilot a go. If you need help getting started, get in touch.  

Ever get a creepy feeling while you’re working in a coffee shop or on the train?

Like someone’s looking over your shoulder at what’s on your screen?

It’s a real privacy concern. Especially when you’re dealing with sensitive emails or confidential documents. Or even when you simply prefer to keep your screen to yourself.

Well, Microsoft may soon have your solution.

A new privacy feature called Onlooker Detection is reportedly in the works for Windows 11. It’s designed to do exactly what it says on the tin: Spot when someone is trying to glance at your screen and let you know about it.

This clever bit of tech builds on something already in Windows, called Presence Sensing. Right now, that’s used to dim or lock your screen when you walk away and wake it up when you return (it works with Windows Hello for seamless sign-ins).

But this new development takes things a step further. If an onlooker is detected, your laptop can automatically dim the screen to make it harder for them to read. Or send you a warning. Or both.

The goal here is simple: Better privacy, without you having to lift a finger.

Of course, your laptop needs the right hardware to make this work. That’s a presence sensor, known technically as Human Presence Detection (HPD).

It’s something found in newer laptops, often those using chips from Qualcomm, AMD, or Intel. If you’re not sure whether your device has it, you can check in the Settings app under System > Power & battery.

While Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed this feature just yet, it has shown up in recent Windows 11 preview builds. So, while we can’t say for sure when it’s coming, the signs are promising.

Frankly, it’s about time. Data privacy matters more than ever. This kind of smart, subtle protection could make a real difference. It’s one more way Microsoft is trying to make Windows 11 not just more powerful, but more personal and private too.

Would a feature like this give you more peace of mind when working in public?

Have you ever wondered what the workplace of the near future looks like?

Surprise. It’s already here. And it’s powered by Generative AI.

You’ve probably heard the term thrown around. It’s not just tech jargon or a passing trend.

Generative AI is the kind of artificial intelligence that doesn’t simply analyse data, it creates things. Like text, images, code, even music. And that’s all based on what it has learned from massive amounts of information.

It’s the technology behind tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and dozens of others. It’s transforming the way businesses operate.

And here’s the big headline: 90% of businesses are already using Generative AI in some way.

That’s not a small pilot test or cautious toe-dip in the water. That’s nearly everyone doing something with AI right now.

It’s even overtaken cyber security in terms of business spending.

Think about that for a second: Companies are now investing more in AI tools than in protecting themselves from cyber crime. That tells you how serious they are about tapping into the power of this technology.

So, what’s behind this surge?

For starters, Generative AI can seriously improve productivity. You can generate first drafts of reports, marketing copy, or emails in seconds. Developers can write code faster. Customer service teams can automate common queries. It’s not about replacing people. It’s about helping them get more done, more easily.

And businesses aren’t picking up pre-built tools. They’re getting ambitious. Many are building their own AI-powered applications using their own data. That means they’re customising it to suit their unique goals, challenges, and customer needs.

The result? Smarter automation, better insights, and a serious competitive edge.

But like anything powerful, Generative AI comes with its own set of challenges.

Some businesses are still figuring out how to train their teams.

Others are working out how to define the right AI skillsets during hiring. It’s a fast-moving space, and there’s a big learning curve.

By the end of 2025, three out of four companies are expected to have in-house AI training programmes. That’s a huge jump. And a sign that AI’s becoming a core business skill.

Of course, it’s not all plain sailing. There are concerns around accuracy, data privacy, and how to manage this technology responsibly. Generative AI can be very confident in its answers… even when it’s totally wrong about something. That’s why it’s so important to have the right checks and balances in place, and not blindly trust whatever it produces.

If you’re not already thinking about how your business can use AI, now’s the time. Whether you want to boost productivity, improve customer experience, or simply stay ahead of your competitors, Generative AI has something to offer.

And if you feel overwhelmed by it all, that’s OK. You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start small, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask your IT partner (or me and my team) for guidance.

When you get an email from Microsoft, you probably don’t think twice about opening it. Right?

After all, it’s Microsoft. One of the biggest, most trusted tech companies in the world.

But what if that email isn’t from Microsoft at all?

Cyber criminals love using trusted brands to trick people. And right now, Microsoft is the most impersonated company in the world when it comes to phishing scams.

In fact, new research shows that 36% of brand-related phishing attacks in early 2025 were pretending to be Microsoft.

That’s a huge number.

Google and Apple were next on the list. Together, the three tech giants made up more than half of all phishing scams.

So, what’s going on? And more importantly, how can you keep your business safe?

First, let’s quickly talk about what phishing is.

Phishing is when a criminal sends you a fake email, text, or message that looks like it’s from a real company. One you know and trust.

The goal is to get you to click on a link, open a malicious attachment, or hand over sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or even your full identity.

Once that happens, the consequences can be nasty: Stolen money, hacked systems, confidential data leaks. And a world of pain for your business.

The worst part: Phishing emails are getting smarter. There’s a lot less bad spelling and suspicious-looking links.

Scammers copy real company logos. Set up fake websites that look exactly like the real thing. They even spoof email addresses so it looks like the message really is coming from Microsoft, Google, or Apple.

In fact, researchers recently found a rise in phishing attacks pretending to be Mastercard. Fake websites are tricking people into entering their card details.

It’s a worrying trend, and it shows that cyber criminals are constantly finding new ways to catch people out.

So, how can you tell if that email from Microsoft is the real deal, or a dangerous fake?

It’s all about slowing down and staying sharp.

Real emails from companies like Microsoft will never pressure you into urgent actions like “Click this link immediately or your account will be locked.” That kind of language is a big red flag.

Always check the sender’s email address carefully. At first glance it might look right, but a closer look could reveal slight changes. Like “micros0ft.com” instead of “microsoft.com”. Cyber criminals rely on you not noticing these small details.


And whatever you do, don’t click on links straight from an email you’re not sure about. If in doubt, go to your browser and type the official website address manually. It’s always safer that way.

Being cautious might feel like a hassle sometimes. But it’s nothing compared to the hassle of cleaning up after a cyber attack.

Phishing scams are only going to get more convincing. That’s why it’s vital to:

• Stay alert
• Invest in good cyber security tools
• Use smart protections like multi-factor authentication (where you need two forms of ID to log in, not just a password)

Remember: The more trusted the brand, the bigger the target it becomes for scammers.
And that email that looks like it’s from Microsoft? It might just be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

We can help you and your team stay better protected – and more vigilant – against phishing scams like these. Get in touch.