insurance Archives

Tech Optimizer

August 1, 2025

Yes, You Can Bundle Other Cybersecurity Services With Some VPNs. But Is It a Good Idea

Relying solely on a VPN and personal vigilance may leave individuals exposed to online threats such as phishing, malware, identity theft, and ransomware. A VPN enhances online privacy by encrypting internet traffic and concealing the user's IP address, but it is only one part of a broader security strategy. Additional tools like password managers, antivirus software, encrypted cloud storage, secure email, and identity protection services are recommended for optimal protection. Many VPN providers now offer bundled services, which can include these additional tools, making it easier for users to manage their online security. Bundling services can provide convenience, easy access to various tools, and potential cost savings. However, there are also reasons to consider an á la carte approach, such as the possibility of lower costs with individual subscriptions, concerns about trusting a single provider with all services, and the need for specific services that may not be included in a VPN bundle.

Tech Optimizer

August 1, 2025

Best Alternative to Microsoft Defender Antivirus of 2025

Microsoft Defender is the default antivirus solution for Windows users, offering real-time alerts and a built-in firewall. TotalAV is a notable alternative that provides a range of features, including an ad blocker, data breach monitoring, and performance optimization tools. Both Microsoft Defender and TotalAV have a protection rate of 99.1%. TotalAV includes features like anti-phishing measures, a VPN service, and a password manager with 256-bit AES encryption. Microsoft Defender is free with Windows, while TotalAV has three pricing tiers: Premium, Internet Security, and Total Security, with prices starting at .95 per year. Microsoft Defender offers basic customer support, while TotalAV provides 24/7 dedicated support and a knowledge base.

Tech Optimizer

August 1, 2025

Best Alternative to Kaspersky Antivirus of 2025

Bitdefender is a recommended alternative to Kaspersky for antivirus software, offering features such as ransomware protection, exploit protection, SafePay, a VPN (with limited traffic on the entry-level plan), and a password manager. It has a customizable user interface, performs slightly better in malware protection, executes faster scans with lower resource usage, and includes a global website reputation database. Bitdefender provides superior firewall protection and higher-tier plans that feature dark web monitoring, data breach detection, and identity theft insurance. It offers four pricing plans ranging from .99 to .99, covering one account and up to five devices. Customer support includes live chat, email, phone assistance, a community forum, and an extensive knowledge base, which are more comprehensive than Kaspersky's options. Overall, Bitdefender is positioned as a strong choice for users transitioning from Kaspersky, particularly in terms of privacy and security features.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Windows 10: Six essential steps IT teams should take over the next two months

Businesses are facing a deadline for Windows 10's end-of-support in October, prompting a shift to Windows 11, which currently holds a 54.7% market share compared to Windows 10's 43.8%. Over 40% of Windows desktops are nearing their end of life, exposing organizations to operational and compliance risks. The migration to Windows 11 involves challenges, and organizations are advised to follow six steps: 1. Conduct a comprehensive audit of devices using Windows 10. 2. Secure necessary funding for the transition. 3. Recognize that smaller organizations may adapt more quickly than larger ones. 4. Communicate the importance of the transition to all levels of the organization. 5. Develop a structured plan that includes testing and user feedback. 6. Implement the migration process by the deadline, ensuring proper onboarding and training for employees.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Tea app hacked: private messages stolen

Messaging capabilities on the women's dating safety app, Tea, have been suspended due to a cybersecurity breach that compromised thousands of images, posts, comments, and direct messages. The company reported that some direct messages were accessed during the incident, which was first disclosed in late July. Tea has 1.6 million users and is investigating the breach, offering free identity protection services to affected users. Some exposed messages contained sensitive discussions, raising concerns about potential risks such as blackmail. The breach involved the hacking of 72,000 images, including those with users' photo IDs, despite the app's claim of immediate deletion after authentication. The incident affects members who registered before February 2024.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Secure Windows with Microsoft’s Security Compliance Toolkit

The Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit is a suite of tools for administrators to assess Group Policy Objects (GPOs) against Microsoft's security baselines, helping to identify discrepancies and implement secure settings. It includes tools such as the Policy Analyzer, Local Group Policy Object (LGPO) utility, and Set Object Security application. Administrators can download the toolkit from Microsoft's website, which contains zip files for various security baseline packages. The Policy Analyzer compares GPOs with local security policies to identify inconsistencies, while the LGPO tool manages local security policies and allows for policy backup and verification. The Set Object Security tool applies security descriptors to objects like files and folders. For Windows Server, administrators should test security baselines in non-production environments before deployment. With Windows Server 2025, the OSConfig platform allows for direct application of security baselines through PowerShell, simplifying the update process and maintaining compliance.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2025

New Survey Reveals Strong Demand for High Availability as Businesses Increasingly Use PostgreSQL in Mission-Critical Applications and to Alleviate Cloud Outage Concerns

pgEdge, Inc. conducted a survey revealing that 91% of organizations using PostgreSQL require a maximum of 4 minutes of downtime per month, with 24% aiming for less than 30 seconds. While 21% experienced an outage in the past year, 82% are concerned about potential cloud region failures. Additionally, 79% of respondents are considering or piloting a distributed PostgreSQL solution within the next year. Over half (51%) use PostgreSQL in a hybrid database environment, and 35% use it as their primary database for customer-facing applications. Strategies for high availability include 58% relying on read replicas and automated failover, while 47% have implemented multi-master replication across multiple cloud regions. Businesses exceeding downtime thresholds face delays (56%), damage to brand trust (40%), and increased support requests (49%). Organizations using high availability PostgreSQL solutions report benefits such as increased uptime (53%) and cost savings (36%). The survey included 212 IT decision-makers, with 75% from enterprises with over 500 employees, and the top industries represented were financial services, software and computing, and manufacturing.

Winsage

July 3, 2025

Windows 10 will soon lose support: why you should upgrade to Windows 11 now

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning it will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 to avoid vulnerabilities. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is available but comes at a cost. Upgrading to Windows 11 is free for most users, but it requires specific hardware, including the TPM 2.0 module. Installing Windows 11 on unsupported machines may not receive updates or support, potentially necessitating the purchase of a new PC.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Norton Antivirus Review 2025: Solid Value for Fast, Effective Protection

Norton Antivirus has a score of 8.6 out of 10 and was established in 1982. The Norton 360 Deluxe package includes features such as real-time protection, manual and automated scans, the Genie Scam Detector, a password manager, and 2GB of cloud backups. It offers four plans: Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, each with varying identity protection features and cloud backup space. The installation process is user-friendly, and the software operates efficiently, using minimal CPU and disk space. Norton has maintained a perfect security ranking from AV-Test for over a decade but has experienced a data breach in the past five years. Customer support includes a knowledge base, community forum, and 24/7 live chat and phone support, with an overall customer support score of 8 out of 10. Norton’s pricing is competitive, particularly for higher-tier plans, resulting in a value ranking of 8 out of 10.

Winsage

June 11, 2025

NZ firms face cover risks as Windows 10 ends

Regular software updates are crucial for cybersecurity, as outdated systems, particularly Windows 10, expose businesses to vulnerabilities. Without timely security patches, organizations risk cyberattacks, data breaches, and financial losses. Additionally, outdated software may not be covered by cybersecurity insurance, increasing financial vulnerability in case of a cyber incident. Businesses are encouraged to prioritize software updates to protect digital assets and comply with insurance requirements.