FAQs

• Very often we are called to a client because of computers running slow or funny noises coming out of the unit…..one BIG CULPRIT is DUST. If your PC is sitting on the floor, in an office that is exposed to open windows, in a warehouse or high traffic area….you have a dirty PC. A can of air will solve the issue…..this is a very basic maintenance procedure that needs to be done at least every three months….TCN will be more than happy to assist…..call to book your on-site visit.

• No matter what part of the United States you live in there is no immunity to bad weather, thunderstorms, lightning and other surprises Mother Nature wants to unleash upon us……we must be vigilant in protecting our data. The two key elements for this protection are UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and Back-Up.
  
  
  • UPS - We have installed these for many of you on your servers…..very important tool and small price to pay against surprise spikes NO MATTER WHERE you are located. We have received calls from clients that have experienced these spike locally. We do not mean the “surge protector outlets” you buy at any grocery store. The UPS we refer to can be purchased at Office Depot, Staples, or APC by Schneider Electric www.apcc.com or www.techdepot.com . If you have a UPS and it has been installed for more than 2 years check the battery to make sure all is OK. APC is currently having a “trade-in” sale for those older models. We recommend the following model: APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA/865 WATTS, Stand Alone, 120V, LCD2 - $219.95 (recent purchase price from www.techdepot.com ).
  
  
  • Data Backup - Time and time again you will hear us stressing the back-up…..in today’s technological world this is one of the single most important tasks to perform on your system…..many do and twice as many do not. We had an attorney client not check his back-up to make sure it was working and lost 15 years of work…..imagine that happening to your patient records as you enter the EMR field…….no price is too high to preserve your files. Backing the data onto CDs is just as bad as not backing up at all…..if you are using an external tape drive then check the log daily to make sure it is working (you can set the back-up to run automatically each night….call TCN for assistance) otherwise it is as bad as not backing up at all. TCN is constantly searching for improved methods of handling data back-up and we were recently introduced to a service that is now installed on several clients and we are pleased to announce success with the service. It is called Healthy Server™ and offers a complete back-up service as well as monitors the performance of your server. We ask you to go to our website www.thecreativenetworks.com where you will see the link to Healthy Server™ and ability to sign-up. We cannot think of a practice large or small that cannot be without such a service…..your practice depends on maintaining proper records and back-ups are vital to this goal. Although we like visiting our clients and look forward to hearing from them….it is hard when the visit/call is to try to do the impossible and daunting task of retrieving lost data.
  
  
  • Download user manual on how to keep your Microsoft Windows stay updated.

• Email is not only one of the most popular and effective online tools, it can also be one of the most dangerous. Much of the malicious software found on computers is installed unintentionally by users when opening suspicious email messages. This malicious software includes viruses, worms, and Trojans and is known as "malware". Cybercriminals use email to distribute malware to conduct some of the most common email security breaches. Fortunately, it's also relatively easy to protect yourself against most of these dangers, provided you put in place a consistent, constant plan to secure email. A secure email protection plan has two parts: an email security policy (that's dependent on you and your employees) and email security software (featured in good anti-virus programs).
  
  
  • Never read unsolicited email or email from an unknown sender:
    the act of opening (reading) such email can expose your computer and network to outside threats.
  
  
  • Never click on attachments from unknown senders:
    viruses and other malicious software lurk in attachments that often promise to be a picture or game.
  
  
  • Never respond to financial or other offers, no matter how legitimate they appear to be:
    legitimate companies do not request confidential information such as credit card or Social Security numbers by email; any sweepstakes or other offer that looks too good to be true should be ignored.
  
  
  • Never share your email account password:
    as with any password, email security information must be kept absolutely confidential.
  
  
  • Never forward an unsolicited email:
    you shouldn't be reading it, much less forwarding it.
  
  
  • Never use business email accounts for personal mail:
    by restricting business accounts to business use, you take a large step toward reducing the risk of email security problems.
  
  

• Anti-virus software includes email scanning tools that guard against the most common email viruses, worms and Trojans. To secure email effectively, certain email protection practices should be followed:
  
  
  • Enable both incoming and outgoing email virus scans:
    should a virus enter your system from another avenue - an employee using an infected disk, for example, the outgoing mail-scan insures that the virus isn't transmitted
  
  
  • Update anti-virus software often:
    if the software isn't updated, your email is vulnerable to the newest attacks; update weekly if not more often to keep your email secure.
  
  
  • Make sure all anti-virus accounts and licenses are up-to-date and renewed:
    bear in mind that software license renewals are required for each employee computer or notebook
  
  
  • The Bottom Line:
    Make an email security policy a regularly reviewed element of your company's overall business practices. The only sure defense against threats is a consistent and constant email protection plan.