SMBs Archives

Tech Optimizer

November 24, 2025

Ditching Antivirus: Why One Tech Writer’s PC Got Safer Without It

A writer from MakeUseOf uninstalled all third-party antivirus programs from his Windows PC and found that the system performed better and appeared more secure with Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender. The experiment highlighted Defender's effectiveness, showing fewer false positives, improved performance, and no noticeable decline in protection. Independent tests ranked Defender highly in real-world protection, and it achieved perfect scores in recent AV-TEST evaluations. The removal of third-party antivirus software led to a significant decrease in CPU and RAM usage, with idle consumption dropping from 15-20% to under 5%. Despite 121 million Americans still using third-party tools, there is growing consideration for Defender due to its free and efficient nature. While Defender excels in many areas, experts caution that it may not fully protect against zero-day vulnerabilities, and layered defenses are still recommended. The antivirus market may face disruption as integrated protection becomes more common, and user feedback indicates a preference for free alternatives that match or exceed the performance of paid solutions.

Winsage

October 9, 2025

Omdia: Global PC market grew 7% in Q3 2025 as Windows 10 end-of-service deadline nears

In the third quarter of 2025, global desktop and notebook shipments reached 72 million units, a 6.8% increase from the previous year. Notebook shipments rose by 4% to 57.2 million units, while desktop shipments surged by 17% to 15.2 million units. This growth is attributed to the upcoming end-of-support deadline for Windows 10, prompting demand for upgrades. A September 2025 survey indicated that only 39% of B2B customers had upgraded their PCs, with 18% planning to continue using Windows 10 after the deadline. Key industry players like Qualcomm and Intel are launching new products, with CES 2026 expected to highlight innovations in PC technology. In terms of vendor performance for Q3 2025: - Lenovo shipped 19.4 million units (26.7% market share, 17.4% growth). - HP shipped 15.0 million units (20.7% market share, 10.7% growth). - Dell shipped 10.1 million units (14.0% market share, 2.6% growth). - Apple shipped 6.6 million units (9.0% market share, 4.3% growth). - Asus shipped 5.8 million units (8.0% market share, 7.1% growth). - Others accounted for 15.6 million units (21.6% market share, -3.8% growth).

Winsage

September 27, 2025

Indian PCs face security threats as Windows 10 support ends next month

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to either upgrade to Windows 11 or pay an annual fee for Extended Security Updates (ESU). Analysts predict that enterprise PC shipments in India could reach 1.2 to 1.5 million units in the coming year, coinciding with a natural refresh cycle. Demand for affordable PCs under Rs. 15,000 is increasing, leading to a rise in the refurbished PC market. Compliance-driven sectors like banking and healthcare must upgrade to Windows 11 or seek extended support, with an expected 11% growth in the Indian PC market this year. Lenovo reports a 78% adoption rate of Windows 11 among enterprises, with SMBs expected to accelerate upgrades. Environmental concerns are also significant, as the transition could lead to increased e-waste, prompting companies like Acer and Lenovo to explore recycling and waste reduction strategies.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Why cybersecurity awareness and insider risk management are essential for SMBs

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly exposed to cyber threats, with human error being the leading cause of data breaches. Employees may click on malicious links, use weak passwords, or fall for phishing scams, highlighting the need for ongoing cybersecurity awareness training and insider risk management. Comprehensive training programs can help employees identify and mitigate threats, while modern cybersecurity platforms offer monitoring for exposed credentials on the dark web and provide real-time alerts for compromised information. These platforms also feature automated reporting, allowing business owners to track training completion and identify areas of risk. Educated and supported employees can become a strong defense against cyber threats, making investment in human-focused cybersecurity tools essential for SMBs to protect their reputation and financial health.

Tech Optimizer

May 27, 2025

Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender: Compare Antivirus Software

eSecurity Planet maintains editorial independence in content and product recommendations, ensuring financial gain from partner links does not influence information integrity. Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender are prominent small business security providers. Microsoft Defender is ideal for larger SMBs, starting at .00 per user per month, while Bitdefender is suited for startups with over 10 employees, starting at .33 per user per month. Microsoft Defender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.7/5 - Pricing: 4.4/5 - Features: 3.4/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.8/5 - Customer Support: 3.7/5 - Features include next-gen antivirus, vulnerability management, and EDR. Bitdefender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.4/5 - Pricing: 3.8/5 - Features: 3/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.4/5 - Customer Support: 4/5 - Features include identity protection, a VPN, and a password manager. Pricing Comparison: - Microsoft Defender: Free Trial: 90 days; Least Expensive Plan: .00/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: .50/user/month; Most Expensive Plan: .00/user/month. - Bitdefender: 30-day money-back guarantee; Least Expensive Plan: .33/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: Not specified; Most Expensive Plan: Not specified. Feature Comparison: - Microsoft Defender offers robust endpoint protection but lacks clarity on web browsing protection and ad-blocking. - Bitdefender offers identity exposure protection, a VPN, and a password manager but also lacks web browsing and ad-blocking features. Ease of Use and Administration: - Microsoft Defender supports macOS, Windows, and Linux Server; Bitdefender supports macOS and Windows but lacks Linux support. Customer Support Comparison: - Microsoft provides phone and live chat support; Bitdefender offers email and chat support, with limited phone support for small business users. Alternative Solutions include Norton, McAfee, and Trend Micro, each offering different features and pricing structures. Evaluation Methodology focused on pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support, with Microsoft winning in pricing, features, and ease of use, while Bitdefender excelled in customer support.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Windows 10 support ends soon, but shockingly, 35% of SMBs are either clueless or refusing to upgrade their systems

A recent survey by Canalys revealed that over a third (35%) of channel partners reported their small and medium-sized business (SMB) clients are either unaware of the upcoming end-of-service (EoS) deadline for Windows 10 or lack a plan to transition away from it. Additionally, 14% of respondents admitted they do not know that support for Windows 10 is ending on October 14, 2025. The market for business PCs is growing, with a 9.4% year-on-year increase in shipments, reaching 62.7 million units in Q1 2025. Experts warn that the lack of upgrade plans could lead to significant financial repercussions for SMBs, especially with rising tariffs and potential supply constraints. A structured approach for transitioning to Windows 11 is recommended, including assessing current hardware, evaluating application compatibility, developing a timeline for upgrades, budgeting for investments, training staff, and implementing endpoint security strategies.