Newsletter Archive

Subscribe to the Infinity, Inc. monthly newsletter to get the latest insights for your business technology. Each edition features useful IT updates, behind-the-scenes company info, and community news. Subscription is free.

As of September 2021, Tech Tips – the quick feature or tool to improve your efficiency or organization – are a separate mailing list. Sign up here to receive one on the second Tuesday of every month (Tech Tip 2uesday).

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Browse the Newsletter Archive below. For 2020 and going forward, click on any month to view that edition. For 2019 and previous years, click on each year to see the newsletters, and click on any subject line to view that edition.

2021

October

The Dark Web ~ Get a Free Coffee ~ Vote and more [Your October InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: Shining a Light on the Dark Web
For you: New Feature – Venti Me!
For your information: Cybersecurity Awareness Month ~ Voting ~ Events
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip – Changed September 14, See Below

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Shining a Light on the Dark Web

You’ve heard about the dark web, but what exactly is it? Who can use it, where do you find it, and what kind of threat does it pose to your business?

Read this article to get a basic understanding of the dark web along with some ways to keep yourself and your employees protected.

New Feature – Venti Me!

I’m trying something different this month, and you will determine whether or not it works.

Venti refers to the venti (20 ounce) size drinks you can get at Starbucks. And Venti Me sounds like “vent to me” if you say it slowly. Or you can think of it as ‘vent time.’ And if you can see the image above, it’s of coffee beans spilling out of a cup.

I’m asking you to ‘spill the beans.’ And in return, I’ll treat you to a free coffee (or tea or whatever you want to get with 10 dollars).

Your reply does have to fit within a certain general topic (see below), and it needs to be sent back by next Friday, 10/29.

I’ve got $50 in gift cards, which means 5 responders will each get a $10 Visa card.

TOPIC: I’d like to know what frustrates or confuses you in the business technology realm. It can be something you’ve always wondered about and were too embarrassed to ask, like what does MSP or VoIP mean? Or it can be specific to your company’s hardware or software. Tell me what’s on your mind.

A few disclaimers:

I am not one of the engineers, so I cannot actually fix anything. Please call or email Support for any issues impacting your work.
Whatever you reply back to me will be kept private. I’m not a bot and this is not a shared mailbox. If you hit Reply, you’ll be writing directly to me.
The purpose of this is to find out if there are any common areas that we can look at and address or improve. So asking about Chuck or David’s hat size won’t qualify you for the gift card, sorry. 🙂
I’ll notify the winners by Friday, November 5th.

Now send in your reply! Venti Me!

INSIDE INFINITY

Will You Vote for Us?

We are honored to be a best business in Georgia nominee! Will you help us win?

The Georgia Business Journal is running a contest through October 31st. You can vote for nominated businesses once a day, every day til then. Savannah businesses like ours, Leopold’s, and Friendship Coffee could all be named the best in the state!

We’re in the Business & Creative Services section, and competition is fierce with 40 companies in our Computer and IT Firms category. But with your help, we can do it.

Please vote once a day, every day, thru Oct. 31. And let me know if your business has been nominated–I’ll help spread the word on Facebook.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

As I mentioned last month, and as you know if you follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It is a national effort launched in October 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance & the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness and help us protect ourselves at work and at home.

Click the image above for some background on the initiative, links to useful resources, and a free self-guided course on social engineering that you can take advantage of through the end of the month only.

And continue to engage with us on social for tips and information, not just during October but all year long.

It’s a Date (Events)

If you’ve been to any Chamber events lately, you may have met our Sales Director, Arnie. He’s pictured here on the right at the Sept. 30th Sneak peek at the Atlantic Building at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. Click image for Bunny Ware photos on Facebook.
Arnie is a huge UGA fan, enjoys golfing and biking, and loves making connections. Say hi next time you see him around.

Employee Anniversaries:

October 19 – John – 5 years

Join us on Facebook or LinkedIn to share in the celebration of these anniversaries and send your own message of congratulations.

Did You Know?

The Halloween franchise has 12 movies now and another planned for next year. Friday the 13th has 12. Saw has 9, and Nightmare on Elm Street has 7.

Horror movies make money, and not just at Halloween. We like being scared by the big screen. But the small screen right in front of us, in our hands at work and for fun, should be more terrifying than the highest grossing horror film of all.*

So please take cybersecurity seriously. Finding your bank account suddenly empty or your business held for ransom isn’t fiction. It’s real, and it’s often preventable. So make sure we’ve explained all of your options clearly and let us help keep you secure.

* According to IMDB that’s IT (2017).

Community & Partner Spotlight

Medical imaging is the technique, process, and art of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention. Island Imaging serves the HHI community by offering convenient, high quality outpatient imaging with a patient-centered philosophy. You’ll get same day/next day appointments, results within hours, immediate results when requested by referring MD, easy access, and parking. Plus, they want you to ask any and all questions you have so you can move confidently down your path to better living.

If you need imaging done, reach out to the Island Imaging team. Click the logo to visit their website for FAQs and details about their services and expertise.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip Reminder:

Tech Tips are now separate from the monthly newsletter. The first one went out 9/14/21, this month on 10/12, and they will continue to be sent on the second Tuesday of each month. Tech Tip 2uesday…get it? 😉

Click to update your preferences using the link below, or visit our Resources page to sign up.

September

Generic Account Risks ~ iOS 15 features ~ CSAM and more [Your September InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: How Risky are Generic Accounts?
For you: Best new and hidden features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15
For your information: CSAM Champion ~ Vote ~ Events
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip – Changed September 14, See Below

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Generic Accounts: Are They Worth the Risk?

Generic accounts have been used by companies for years. Examples include ‘frontdesk’ or ‘dispatcher.’ But with the increase in cybersecurity threats and the tools available today, are they worth the risk?

Our own Kenneth breaks it down for us. He explains the traditional uses for generic accounts and lays out the current pros and cons so you can make more secure decisions for your business.

6 Best Hidden Features in iOS 15 (ZDNET image)

Apple’s new operating system was made available to everyone on Monday, and as usual, it brings some new features to explore. FaceTime, Weather, Camera, Safari, and Maps apps all have something new to offer. But not all of us have the time to explore them, so here are 2 of the best recaps I’ve seen.

Click the image to get 6 hidden features from ZDNet.

And click here to read Gizmodo’s 19 things you can do in iOS 15 that you couldn’t do before.

INSIDE INFINITY

Will You Vote for Us?

We are honored to be a best business in Georgia nominee! Would you be willing to help us win?

The Georgia Business Journal is running a contest through October 31st. You can vote for nominated businesses once a day, every day til then. And how great would it be for our Savannah business to be named the best in the state?!

Competition is fierce with 40 companies in our Computer and IT Firms category. But with your help, we can do it.

Please vote once a day, every day, thru Oct. 31. And let me know if your business has been nominated–I’ll help spread the word on Facebook.

Speaking of October…

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Although it may seem like one of those made-up holidays (like Miniature Golf Day on September 21), Cybersecurity Awareness Month is not some random or silly celebration. It is a national effort launched in October 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance & the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness and help us protect ourselves.

Why?

Scroll down to the Did You Know section for just a few reasons why.

We live and share so much online now that data breaches and social engineering scams have become the modern world’s version of purse-snatching. From emails and phone numbers to passwords and financial accounts, almost every bit of information can be sold on the dark web for criminal purposes.

So all throughout October, we’ll be sharing resources and tips to keep you, your family, and your business better protected. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for information you can use and share.

It’s a Date (Events)

On Friday, September 14th, we enjoyed the beautiful Palmetto Club at the Landings with America’s Second Harvest for their golf tournament (photo on Facebook).
September 30-October 2nd, we’ll be Honoring Our Heroes with the Nine Line Foundation gala, golf tournament, and 5k.
October 5th, we’ll be fundraising with delectable food at the Second Harvest Chef’s Table event and online auction.

Employee Anniversaries:

September 1 – Stephanie – 1 year
September 3 – Raechel and Aric – 2 years
September 16 – Alex Mo. – 5 years
September 16 – Daniel – 10 years

Join us on Facebook or LinkedIn to share in the celebration of these anniversaries and send your own message of congratulations.

Did You Know?

“88% of data breaches are caused by human error.

One in four employees (25%) said they have clicked on a email at work.

Men were twice as likely as women to fall for these scams, with 34% of male respondents saying they have clicked on a link versus just 17% of women.

Older employees were the least susceptible to scams, with just 8% of workers over 51 saying they had clicked on a link. 32% of 31-40 year-olds said the same. However, the older generation were also the least likely to know what a ‘fishing’ email was.”

Tessian provides these interesting facts in their Psychology of Human Error. Click the link to get more stats and context on why we do what we do.

Community & Partner Spotlight

Savannah Postal Credit Union is a State-chartered credit union whose mission is to provide quality products and services to members that are mutually profitable to both the member and to the credit union, while insuring that sound financial policies are practiced.

Incorporated in June 1952, Savannah Postal CU provides all the benefits of a member-owned financial institution to U.S. Postal Service employees, retirees, family members and surviving spouses. They are constantly adding groups to their credit union family in an effort to meet the financial needs of all those who desire credit union membership, and they currently serve 10 employee groups in Savannah and the surrounding counties. Click on their logo to see those groups and learn more.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip Reminder:

Tech Tips are all grown up now and separate from the monthly newsletter. The first one went out 9/14/21, and they will continue to be sent on the second Tuesday of each month. Tech Tip 2uesday…get it? 😉

Click to update your preferences using the link below, or visit our Resources page to sign up.

August

Disaster Recovery Plan (video) ~ 40 Hacks ~ Tech Tips and more [Your August InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: How to Write Your Disaster Recovery Plan (video)
For you: Back to School Hacks
For your information: Tech Tip 2uesday ~ Exclusive Video ~ Events
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip – Changing in September, See Below

NEWS YOU CAN USE

[Video] Why You Need a Disaster Recovery Plan and How to Write One

Disasters come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be hurricanes, ransomware, a fire, etc. But the one thing they all have in common is that you can imagine your ideal response before they happen. You can write it down, and you can run scenarios to test it. So why, given this golden opportunity to make a disaster less of a disaster, wouldn’t you take advantage?

Watch this video to find out why our CEO thinks your business needs a disaster recovery plan and how to write or improve one. There’s also a transcript so you can print out or copy-and-paste any steps or tips to discuss with your team.

40 of the Best Parenting Hacks Ever

In honor of back-to-school season, enjoy these tips and tricks for primarily younger kids (or grandkids). Some are for safety, some for organization, and some just for fun…like #32 which I’m tempted to do for myself.

But don’t fret if you’re not a parent. I’m not either. So my focus is on the 1% improvement ‘hack’ featured in the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s similar to this.

INSIDE INFINITY

Tech Tips to Take On a Life of Their Own

Starting next month (September), the Tech Tip you are used to seeing at the bottom of every monthly newsletter (this email), will be its own separate message.

Why?

Because as much as I know you LOVE this newsletter and read EVERY WORD of it (yes, that’s just a little friendly sarcasm–I know you’re busy), sometimes you need a quick tip to start your day. Something to help you work faster or smarter or to spark an idea of your own.

Plus, this newsletter is written specifically for you. But tech tips could benefit pretty much anyone. So we want to be able to offer that publicly while still keeping this information more exclusive.

So in the spirit of giving the people what they want, you can now look forward to Tech Tip 2uesday. On the second Tuesday of every month, you will receive a quick tech tip to help improve your productivity or performance.

My goal is for you to find it so useful that you forward it to others. Odds are, not all of them will hit that mark. But if you want to share any feedback with me about what you like, what you already knew, or what you wish there was a tip for, I promise to read and respond to every reply and to accommodate all the requests that I possibly can.

And if you don’t want to get those emails, you can update your preferences here or by using the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

Employee Retention [Video]

Speaking of exclusive content, this 1 minute video has not been publicly shared on our YouTube channel yet. I thought it might be helpful and inspire some ideas you can implement in your own business. It’s our CEO speaking about employee retention.

You should be able to click the image to watch it, but here is the native link just in case our email sender alters it for tracking and the image doesn’t work: youtu.be/tqzJfS0mJEE

It’s a Date (Events)

On Friday, July 30th, we were honored to sponsor a seat at the First Annual Warriors Ball for Fight the War Within. Get a recap and see photos from the event here.
Tuesday, August 10th, you may have seen this article from our CEO in the Savannah Morning News.
Golf tournaments, runs, and more coming up in September.

Employee Anniversaries:

July 16 – Sean – 2 years
July 28 – Kenneth – 7 years
August 11 – Tom – 5 years
August 18 – Alex Ma. – 5 years

Join us on Facebook or LinkedIn to share in the celebration of these anniversaries and send your own message of congratulations.

Did You Know?

Last month this section talked about the importance of implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA).

This month we’ve got it in video form for you.

Get informed in less than 90 seconds – WATCH.

Community & Partner Spotlight

“Anchoring the business community,” the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization that provides leadership in fostering a dynamic business environment for the entire community. Like our Savannah Chamber, they provide networking, advocacy, development opportunities, and more.

Since its inception in 1954, this Chamber serves as the community’s advocate for a vibrant and prosperous economy and outstanding quality of life for Brunswick, Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Little Saint Simons Island. So if you’re in the area, reach out to the Chamber. They can help you with connections, events, and a whole lot more.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Key Keyboard Shortcuts

Depending on the type of work you’re doing, it can be annoying to constantly have to switch from keyboard to mouse and vice versa. These should help.

I’m sure you already know you can double-click on a word to select it, rather than dragging the mouse over the whole thing. Did you know you can select an entire paragraph by triple-clicking? Try it now right here in this newsletter.

You can also minimize all the open windows on your screen by holding down the Windows + M keys. Sometimes you need a clear screen to clear your mind a moment.

And you can completely close your active program by holding ALT + F4, rather than switching to the mouse and scrolling up to the X in the corner. Just be sure you know which program you are active in so you don’t accidentally close the wrong file and lose your information.

And remember, as mentioned above, your next Tech Tip will arrive on September 14th, the second Tuesday of the month (Tech Tip 2uesday).

July

What’s Missing? ~ 17 Life-changing Questions ~ Winner and more [Your July InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: What’s Missing from Your Business Continuity Plan?
For you: 17 Life-changing Questions
For your information: Scholarship Winner ~ Team Building
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

What’s Missing from your Business Continuity Plan?

Business continuity, or the ability to remain up and running, is critical in today’s instant satisfaction landscape. And during hurricane season, it’s an integral part (or should be) of your disaster recovery planning. So when creating or reviewing your company’s plans, make sure you’ve covered these commonly missed factors.

Testing the “Impossible”: 17 Questions that Changed My Life

You may know Tim Ferriss as the author of the 4-Hour Workweek. He is also an early-stage technology investor/advisor and has been called “the Oprah of audio” due to his business/interview podcast being the first of that kind to exceed 100 million downloads. (It has since passed 600 million.)

These 17 questions have helped him shape and focus his work habits and some of his major life choices. He walks us through personal experiences with each one, which you can read or listen to. I particularly like #5 whether you’re running your own business or helping someone else improve theirs.

(Photo: David West)

INSIDE INFINITY

2021 Infinity Anniversary Scholarship Winner

This very afternoon we are thrilled to be presenting the two thousand dollar check to this year’s Infinity Anniversary Scholarship winner! Now, this hasn’t been publicly released yet, and you won’t be able to find it on our website until tomorrow, but because you are a subscriber and friend, we wanted to share the news with you early. So please help us congratulate Jacob Mitchell of South Effingham High School! And visit our website on Friday to watch his winning video submission and learn all about his future plans.

Team Building

In our latest staff meeting, we continued the trend of including some sort of team building exercise. We cover the necessary information, of course, but we also make sure to throw in some fun trivia or games. I love it because my coworkers laugh and joke around and I get to learn more about them.

This month we played a high-speed game of Would You Rather…? There were some really tough questions, and we didn’t all agree on a single one. We split evenly on whether you’d rather have telekinesis or telepathy, and another close debate was whether you’d rather use only a pencil or only a pen. It was fascinating!

So the next time you need an icebreaker or team-building exercise, Google some ‘Would you rather’ questions. You could learn more about people you think you know extremely well, and you can form new bonds with strangers very quickly.

Did You Know?

Your business’s lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA), which is the process of adding additional verification step(s) before allowing access, can cost you money.

According to CRC Group, which is the leading wholesale specialty insurance distributor in North America, “It’s now common practice to require that insureds have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in place (especially when it comes to email access) before providing a quote for most accounts. Without MFA, clients risk non-renewal or a retention hike of 100% or more.”

But MFA doesn’t have to be difficult. Using an app with randomly generated codes to enter after submitting your password, for example, only takes a few extra seconds. And you get used to it quicker than you might think. Let us know if we can help.

Community & Partner Spotlight

Discover a Savannah gem at the Andrew Low House Museum. Imagine Savannah in the 1840s as an active and thriving seaport. A young Scottish immigrant named Andrew Low II became one of the most successful businessmen in Georgia. Juliette Gordon Low, Andrew’s daughter-in-law, lived here during the early years of the Girl Scouts. Now, the historic home along with its furnishings and its garden, is a must-see destination on any trip to Savannah or your next staycation.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Type 10 Times Faster

This isn’t about speed-typing. It’s about using a tool called a text expander. And if you find yourself typing the same things repeatedly, it can save you an incredible amount of time and aggravation.

Imagine, for example, that you need to track daily information for record-keeping. Maybe for Sales, Operations, or Accounting purposes. If the program you use does not automatically provide a date- or timestamp or does not automatically insert your name on every entry, you’d have to type it out. And if you are entering multiple notes every day, this can be annoying.

A text expander lets you set up a shortcut, say 2-3 characters that you wouldn’t ordinarily type together and it will automatically insert whatever text or information you set for that shortcut. For example, you could type “@e” and have it type out your email address. Or personal sign-offs in your LinkedIn messages. Or common parts of customer service replies. Or meeting request links, etc. The possibilities are practically endless.

June

Lessons from The Godfather ~ 5 Negotiating Don’ts ~ Family and more [Your June InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: What The Godfather can Teach us about Cybersecurity
For you: 5 Negotiating ‘Don’ts’
For your information: All in the Family ~ Best of the Best ~ Raising Hope
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

What The Godfather can Teach Us about Cybersecurity

You probably know some of the quotes even if you never read the book or watched the movie. “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”

And while it may seem strange to think a mafia don from the 1940s could know anything about cybersecurity, let’s see what the unforgettable Vito Corleone can teach us anyway.

5 Negotiation ‘Don’ts’ that must be Avoided

Speaking of offers you can’t refuse, Entrepreneur recently shared this article about 5 negotiating mistakes you can avoid to score more wins.

From settling on a permanent work from home agreement, to determining the details of that trip your spouse wants to take, or even bargaining with your kids, we make deals with people constantly. And a lot of those arrangements can become win-win situations with the right approach. Click the image above to become a better negotiator today.

INSIDE INFINITY

It’s a Family Affair

You may remember the behind-the-scenes photo from our staff meeting/surprise baby shower a couple of months ago. Well, I’m thrilled to share that all 3 expected babies have been born happy and healthy, and I’d like to once again congratulate the 3 new dads on our team: Ben, Aric, and Jayson!

And in case you missed Ben’s introduction to the team, click the image above.

Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing dad, stepdads, granddads, and new dads!

Will You Vote for Us?

The Savannah Morning News Best of the Coastal Empire competition ends Friday, June 18th. And for the first time ever, they have included our category – Best Information Technology Provider.

Your nomination got us this far…will you help recognize our team for their help and expertise, their friendly service, their willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done right?

You could win $250 if you submit votes in at least 25 categories, and there are a lot of great local businesses that deserve your support.

Raising Hope – TONIGHT

Join Union Mission for an inspiring evening on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 6:00 pm for a Virtual Raising Hope — all from the comfort of your own home!

We’re proud to help support Union Mission and this wonderful event year after year. Sometimes heart-wrenching, always inspiring, please consider tuning in. Click the logo above for details and to watch live.

Did You Know?

General David Hunter issued an Emancipation Proclamation for the states of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida 4 months before President Lincoln did. (Thanks for the info, Visit Savannah!)

Apparently Hunter had conquered Fort Pulaski for the Union and needed men in order to take Charleston. And while Lincoln revoked that proclamation days later, some believe it forced Lincoln’s hand into issuing the one we all know about today.

As we approach and celebrate Juneteenth this Saturday, I think it’s more important than ever to remember our history not as dates and documents we memorized as children, but as the stories and choices of real, living people. What might be said in 150 years about us?

Community & Partner Spotlight

Nine Line Apparel is a lifestyle brand founded by patriots for patriots.

In the military, a Nine Line is a medevac request for a soldier who is injured on the battlefield. As a company, Nine Line strives to ‘be our brother’s keeper’ and encourages others to do the same.

More than the clothing and gear they offer, Nine Line is committed to giving back to military charities, first responders, community initiatives, and many others.

Visit their website to learn more about their story, get all your 4th of July needs, or check out their custom options.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Make Slides in a Snap

Stop dreading your next presentation. Take your notes, outline, or report, and save it in Word.

Open that document in the online version of Word, and go to File. Choose to Export to PowerPoint presentation and select your theme.

Ta-da! Artificial Intelligence (AI) will build your slides for you.

Please note, this is just a starting point. You’ll want to check that everything important translated over and that the slides make sense, but you can now skip starting your presentation from scratch and jump right into making revisions.

Click here for details from Microsoft.

May

Note from CEO ~ Compliance Made Easy ~ Deadlines and more [Your May InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: How to Maintain Compliance with Ease
For you: Tis the Season
For your information: Scholarship (video) ~ Raising Hope ~ LLS
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

* A Note from Our CEO about the Colonial Pipeline Breach *

The thought of running out of gas scared a lot of people into doing some pretty dumb things last week. Enough people panicked that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission literally tweeted, “Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline.”

But imagine what you would have felt as a Colonial Pipeline employee going through this. Your company is all over the news for the worst reason, and you have to shut down. And according to the CISA and FBI alert, the hackers likely gained their initial access through email scams or exploiting remote or virtual connections.

So it is entirely possible that this breach could have been avoided.

Now look at your own company. Do you have complete confidence in every employee and access point? Do you know all the security measures you have in place? Do you know all the security options available to you?

This is not meant to scare you. It’s meant to encourage you to make this a priority. Because security is not a set-it-and-forget-it topic. One size does not fit all. So please talk to your IT provider and make sure you’re on the same page.

Discuss your security as it stands today and how you want it to be tomorrow. You may not want anything to change. That’s fine. I just want you to feel confident that your expectations, options, and implementation are all in line. And if I can help in any way, give me a call.

– Chuck Brown

How to Maintain Compliance with Ease

You have a lot to worry about when running your business. And how you run your business is often dictated by state and federal laws, industry regulations, and compliance standards. It can be overwhelming. But if you don’t even try, you can face heavy fines and even risk being shut down.

This short article from our own Sean has some ways you can build compliance measures into how you do things. And the best part? Someone else can do it for you!

Tis the Season…Hurricane Season

I know, I know, no one wants to think about hurricanes and disaster planning, especially when it’s so nice outside. But hurricane season officially starts in 2 weeks, and it’s so much better to be prepared than to wish you had been.

Plus, with all the changes from last year, isn’t it likely that some of your personnel and protocols have changed?

Now’s the time to dust off that plan and make sure everyone is on the same page. Click the image above for information that can help make disaster planning easier. And feel free to download these 2 checklists to get started.

Readiness Checklist

Recovery Checklist

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

Scholarship Deadline May 31 (video)

Chuck recently spoke with Savannah CEO about our scholarship. Click the image to watch the less-than-a-minute video.

And if you know any graduating high school seniors who meet the eligibility requirements, please encourage them to apply here.

Raising Hope

Join Union Mission for an inspiring evening on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 6:00 pm for a Virtual Raising Hope — all from the comfort of your own home!

Women make up approximately 28% of the homeless population in Savannah. Funds from this signature event will support the expansion of Union Mission’s Emergency Housing Program for unaccompanied, homeless women in our community.

We’re proud to help support Union Mission and this wonderful event year after year. Sometimes heart-wrenching, always inspiring, please consider joining us. Click the logo above for details and to view last year’s virtual event.

LLS Woman of the Year

Support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and our own Ashli for Woman of the Year during the Grand Finale Auction! The final push to raise funds in her campaign is an online auction of one-of-a-kind items. Highlights include a Big Frig Badlands Cooler, a Nine Line Whiskey Decanter Bundle, an Aloha Bundle full of the tastes of Hawaii, and a Nine Line Patriotic Bundle. You won’t want to miss out on these amazing, one of a kind auction items, all for a good cause.

Click the image above for details.

Did You Know?

Warren Buffett’s favorite business was one of his first–setting up pinball machines in barber shops.

At age 17 he handled negotiations, and his friend handled repairs. They split the proceeds with the owners of the shops, and everybody won.

After his initial $25 investment, he sold the business just a year later for more than a thousand.

This article has the story and video of him telling Bill Gates about it. And now you can use this anecdote at your next networking event.

Community & Partner Spotlight

Argents Express Group is a family-owned, U.S. based, International and Domestic Freight Forwarder/Customs House Broker. The company was founded by William Chiappetta in 1977 who worked for a domestic expeditor at the time and believed he could “do things better” by providing faster service, more options for transport, and constant communication on all shipments.

He and his wife created successful freight solutions in multiple facets of the industry, and the company is now run by their son and daughter. Dagny and Tony are carrying on the tradition of excellence and have already added a 4PL division to match the current needs of our e-commerce economy. Give them a call for your shipping and fulfillment needs.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Windows Steps Recorder

While not its intended use, this tool can help you write SOPs in a snap!

The little-known Steps Recorder was designed to capture the steps you take when you run into a problem, so you can send exactly what’s happening to your IT professional. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for other things.

Access it by searching for ‘Steps Recorder’ in the Start menu. Start recording when you’re ready, and pause or add comments at any time throughout.

Note that this is not a video recording. But it takes screenshots and writes out all the steps you take so you never have guess your way through an SOP again.

April

How to Combat BEC ~ Hidden Microsoft Tools ~ Dialing Change and more [Your April InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: How to Combat Business Email Compromise (BEC)
For you: Microsoft Secrets: Hidden Tools You May Already Have
For your information: Scholarship ~ Nomination ~ Behind the Scenes
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

* NOTICE *

I will be sending an email confirmation request next week, April 26-30, asking you to click a link.

The email will look a little different as we’re not allowed to format those messages, and of course you are welcome to check with me or Support before clicking the link. I do apologize for the extra email, but it is important in these days of spam and scams.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

How to Combat Business Email Compromise [Video]

BEC, also known as CEO fraud, is a scam that costs companies billions of dollars each year. And it’s not just the massive corporations getting targeted.

Watch a less-than-1-minute video for the broad strokes on addressing this, and get actionable suggestions and resources.

Untapped Power at Your Fingertips: Microsoft Secrets

You’ve known Word and Excel for years. You’ve probably gotten to know Teams pretty well over the past year. But if you haven’t added a tab or explored the Apps section, you’re still barely scratching the surface of tools Microsoft offers.

Read the latest installment in our Untapped Power series to get the scoop on some Teams updates, a virtual drawing tool, integrated surveys, and more. We also include some ideas for implementing so you can put these tools to work immediately.

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

Scholarship Deadline Approaching

Two thousand dollars will be awarded to a graduating high school senior in our 3rd annual Anniversary Scholarship. If you know someone who meets the eligibility requirements, please encourage them to apply by the May 31st deadline.

Click the image for details and to access the application.

Will You Nominate Us?

For the first time, the Savannah Morning News Best of the Best competition has included our category! Under Services, you can now nominate the best Information Technology Provider. And I’m here to ask that you enter “Infinity, Inc.”

Naturally I’m partial, I get to work with these wonderful people every day! And my sincere hope is that you think they’re the best, too. Because I’d love for them to get some public recognition for preventing headaches, lowering costs, and handling issues with humor and patience even when nothing seems to be working right.

Nominations close April 22nd, and voting won’t take place until June.

Behind The Scenes

With Mother’s Day coming up soon, I thought you might like to see this quick snap from the virtual baby shower our vCIO arranged during the last staff meeting.

We have 3 team members expecting babies in the next few weeks, and we wanted to show them how excited we are for them. A coordinated background made the scene festive, and voluntary contributions for gift cards showed our support. Congratulations again and best of luck, Jayson, Aric, and Ben!

Did You Know?

Ten-digit phone number dialing will be required in our area soon.

“April 24, 2021 marks the beginning of a ‘permissive dialing period’ in which callers in the 912 and 478 area codes can still complete a call with seven-digit dialing. When that period expires on October 24, 2021, only calls dialed with ten digits will be connected.”

This change may already be affecting your fax machine, landline, or business Shoretel phone system. If we can help you check or fix this, please let us know.

Your cell phone will most likely not be impacted, but WTOC includes a list of safety and security devices, including medical equipment and home alarms, that you should check for reprogramming.

Community & Partner Spotlight

Cleland Site Prep, Inc. specializes in clearing and demolition, earthwork, storm drainage, utilities, paving, and more. Their essential knowledge, expertise, and experience have made them the standard in military, government, general contractor, developer, and residential site preparation for 50 years. Their team of highly-trained staff and top-of-the-line equipment can get your job done right, safely, and without causing any unnecessary headaches.

They complete your projects effectively, efficiently, on-time, and within the budget. So visit their website for more details or watch how they work on Instagram. Then reach out to the best for your next residential or commercial site prep project.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Windows Action Center

If you’ve ever wanted to quickly turn on Airplane Mode, change your screen to Night Light settings, or needed to take a screen snip and forgotten how, the action center has you covered.

In Windows, the bottom right corner of your taskbar (to the right of the date and time) shows an empty chatbox icon or a number of notifications.

You can view and change the notifications, control the frequency, and find a number of other shortcuts here. Watch a quick clip.

Open the action center and then right-click in it to add or remove available shortcuts. Then stop wasting time searching or trying to remember, and simply click and go!

March

Top 4 Mistakes ~ Ways to Work Better ~ Voting and more [Your March InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: Top 4 Tech Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Your Business
For you: How to Work Better Remotely – 7 Ways
For your information: Vote ~ Vote ~ Laugh
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Top 4 Tech Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Your Business

When you’re busy building your business, you need to be particularly selective about your focus. You can’t do everything at once, whether for time, money, or other reasons. But you can – and should – avoid the common mistakes others have made in similar situations before you.

See if any of these 4 tech-related mistakes sound familiar, and let me know if you have others we should add.

7 Ways to Work Better Remotely

Can you believe it was a year ago that we suddenly had to change everything? My hope is that you’re safe and healthy. My hope is that you’re happy working at home or maybe even happy back in the office.

But if you kept ‘making do’ all year because of how uncertain things were, and you’re still working remotely now (or have a hybrid schedule), it’s time to reassess. Give these 7 points a gander, and set yourself up for permanent success.

INSIDE INFINITY

Vote for Us!

For the first time ever, our business category has been included in Connect Savannah’s annual ‘best of’ competition!

Click the image to go to the Shopping & Services section, where you can vote on the Best Information Technology Provider. If you think that’s us (and we really hope you do), please write in “Infinity, Inc.”

You may not know firsthand how hard our team works to keep businesses protected and connected, or how great they are when you call in with a problem or question, but you signed up to receive our newsletter so you must have heard something good. And you can check out thousands of reviews publicly posted online where you can see others so happy and thankful. So why not take a chance and show this team some public appreciation? I promise you they deserve it.

Voting is open through March 31st. Plus, one lucky voter will win a pair of Apple AirPods.

Vote for Us! (Part 2)

In another first, our category is finally in the Savannah Magazine Best of 2021 survey, too!

It may seem silly, but these competitions allow you to recommend businesses to others. And as a local company, serving this community since 1999, it feels great to finally have our industry recognized among people’s favorite restaurants, stores, and tourist activities. We’re not some ugly little secret no one wants to talk about anymore.

If you do decide to vote for us, we’re in the Services section. Please write “Infinity, Inc.” in field 112. IT Support and Services. Voting ends April 12th, and this contest is also offering a prize.

Thank You Bonus

And now, since I’ve asked you to do something for me (vote…twice!), I’d like to give you 5 free minutes of self-care.

Click through these silly pics and lame jokes, and just try not to smile.

Even dedicated professionals need a moment to recharge every now and then. And smiling can literally help lower your blood pressure. Be well.

Did You Know?

Apple once launched a clothing and accessory line.

In 1986, The Apple Collection tested the limits of brand loyalty. It offered apparel, office supplies…plus Tiffany collectibles, beach items, and chocolates. You can find some of the items available on eBay and view pictures here.

We try not to stray too far from the services you expect of us. But you might not know about everything we offer. Dark web monitoring, phones and bandwidth, and video cameras are a few lesser-known examples.

So if there’s anything you need for your business, let us know. We’re always happy to help or recommend you to someone else who can.

Community & Partner Spotlight

Southeast Ready Mix has been supplying the Southeast with exceptional service and quality concrete, sand, gravel, and more since 2012.

Quality concrete is the stepping stone for all residential, commercial, and industrial projects. From slabs and foundations to footers, walls, and sidewalks, Southeast Ready Mix prides themselves on the quality of their product while also paying close attention to customer service and how to better serve their customers. Reach out to them about your next project today.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Create Templates for Frequently Used Documents

Whether it’s Word, Outlook, or Excel, if you have memos, messages, or reports you send on a regular basis, this tip can save you time and errors.

Create the document as you’d like it to be, and when you save, select Save As. Then choose Word Template, Outlook Template, etc.

Be sure to save it somewhere easy to access.

And as a bonus tip, highlight or use fields in the areas where information will change. That way, you can ensure you don’t send last week’s message or report.

February

Spam Filter Need to Know ~ WFH Tech Tools ~ Events and more [Your February InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: What You Need to Know about Spam Filters
For you: Tools to Work with Multiple Machines or Screens
For your information: SAAW – LLS – WTOC video
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

What You Need to Know about Spam Filters

Email…often viewed as the bane of our modern-day existence. It has become such an issue in fact that if you Google “manage inbox, email,” you’ll get 566 MILLION results in half a second.

We need it to communicate, but for every single important message, there seem to be a hundred more junk emails and attacks. Spam filters can keep so many of these unwanted messages from reaching us. But if we’re not careful, they can keep our important emails from reaching others. Click the image for some helpful information on both those fronts from our own Alex.

Tools to Work with Multiple Machines or Screens

If you’re tired of squinting at your laptop screen and want to project onto something larger, or if you’ve ever wanted to use your computer mouse and keyboard to control your tablet, our own Brett can tell you how.

Click the image to get his two favorite tools for displaying your monitor on another screen and controlling multiple machines from one computer. Set up the workspace you want wherever you are.

INSIDE INFINITY

Upcoming Event – Savannah Antiques & Architecture Weekend

Infinity, Inc. is proud to return as a sponsor for this always-interesting fundraising weekend. Happening March 12-13, 2021, with both in-person and virtual events, the theme this year is “Preservation is Fun.” And we could all use a little more fun these days. So click the image to visit their website for details, tickets, and more.

LLS Woman of the Year

Our own Ashli has been nominated for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year contest, and she could use our help!

She’s looking for team members to help her spread the word and raise money for this incredible cause. There are sponsorships of all levels available, and a variety of events and ways to get involved are in the works.

The campaign officially kicks off March 25, but you can find out more and join her team today.

How to Work Remotely, Safely [Video]

In case you missed it, our CEO Chuck Brown was on WTOC Morning Break to talk about ways to make sure you’re secure when you’re working outside the office.

Watch the 2 minute video as a reminder of best practices or to learn something new.

Get your Free Chapter and Enter to Win

This quick read by our CEO dispels 3 common myths business owners hold about cybersecurity and provides real-life scenarios to explain the risks we face.

Get your chapter and be entered to win a copy of the whole bestselling book by clicking on the image above.

Winners chosen at random as long as supplies last.

Did You Know?

March 10th is National Landline Day. It’s celebrated on the anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell’s first call in 1876.

Are you old enough to remember what a landline is? Nowadays, we often use our cell phones in place of landlines at home, and that was considered ‘cutting the cord’ before cable and streaming services.

Over the past decade, businesses have seen the benefits of switching to VoIP as well. From 2010 to 2018, over 35 Million VoIP lines were added to US companies. And one report found that businesses can save 32 minutes of calls per day per team member, largely due to better availability, more flexibility and features that cut out rote tasks.*

Find out more about your business phone options and reach out if we can help.

* Source: https://tech.co/business-phone-systems/voip-statistics

Community & Partner Spotlight

Most of us don’t really like to think about garbage. But we create it at work and at home every day. And when it’s not taken care of, we suddenly care quite a bit.

The experts at Atlantic Waste Services have been providing quality refuse removal and disposal services at competitive prices for years. They do residential, commercial, industrial, even construction and demolition. So if you’ve got a project coming up, a contract ending soon, or you just want to shop around, give the Atlantic Waste team a call. This locally owned and operated team will be happy to help. Click their logo to learn more.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Save Steps in Outlook

The Navigation Pane at the bottom of your Outlook screen can do more than just open the various parts of Outlook.

To send a file, for example, you don’t have to open a new email and then drag the file into the email. You can simply drag the file over the email icon. You will see a plus sign (+), and when you let go, a new email message will open with the file attached.

Drag a file over the calendar icon, and you can create a meeting with that file attached. Same with adding a new contact, task, or note. The note will create a link to the file rather than attaching the file.

You can click on the 3 dots and select Navigation Options to change how many and in what order your Outlook items display.

January

What is a vCIO? ~ 100 Tips for Better Life ~ Scheduling and more [Your January InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: The True Value of a vCIO
For you: 100 Tips for a Better Life
For your information: New Scheduling Feature – Data Privacy Day – Scholarship – Greatest Bosses
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

The True Value of a vCIO

What is a vCIO, and what do they do?

You hear the term, and it sounds professional, but what does it really mean for you and your business? Our own Ashli explains the true value of a vCIO. And she should know…she is one. Click the image to get the inside scoop.

100 Tips for a Better Life

I’m sure you’ve seen hundreds of articles about building habits, setting goals, and keeping resolutions. They’re unavoidable every Dec/Jan. And many of them are the same old things we already know like getting enough sleep, drinking water, exercising, etc.

But something about this list stayed with me. There were items I’d never seen before, some incredibly specific, some that will never be relevant to me, and some I don’t agree with. And I thought there might be a few that will be new or will resonate with you. So give it a look if you have 5 minutes.

Warning: There are a couple of bad words. Not a lot, but I don’t want you to be caught off-guard. And in case you’re curious, number 54 might be my favorite.

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

New Scheduling Feature

We recently rolled out a new, real-time scheduling feature. Since you’re not a client and not directly impacted by it, you may not care. Completely understandable. But I wanted to share this blog in case it will spark an idea for you and your business, how to find a new pain point and a way you can address it and add value.

Data Privacy Day

Data Privacy Day is January 28th. Dating back to 2008, it’s a global effort to raise awareness in individuals and businesses about the importance and benefits of healthy data privacy practices.

Why does it matter?

Data privacy is about knowing–and learning how to control–what personal information is collected, used, and shared about you. Most of us share so much information without even thinking about it, and it can be overwhelming to try to figure out how to change that.

This is a good place to start: click here for a list of popular devices’ and online services’ privacy settings. Tackle them one at a time, maybe just one a day til you’re done, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn (links at the bottom of this email) for more resources and tips.

Scholarship

The Infinity Anniversary Scholarship is back for its third year in a row! Get all the details by clicking on the title above, and tell any eligible students about it. And don’t worry that the Apply Now button is not active yet. It will be in March when applications are being accepted.

South’s Greatest Bosses

This is a special request. Chuck and David don’t know about it (until now), but they’ve been nominated in South Magazine’s Greatest Bosses.

Obviously, you don’t work for them, but you do know them. You know how they operate: their respect, care, and high standards. So even though they’re not your boss, if you’re willing to vote for them, please do! There are only 23 of us, so your vote could really help us give them this recognition they deserve.

Vote once a day every day through January 25th.

Get your Free Chapter and Enter to Win

This quick read by our CEO dispels 3 common myths business owners hold about cybersecurity and provides real-life scenarios to explain the risks we face.

Get your chapter and be entered to win a copy of the whole bestselling book by clicking on the image above.

Winners chosen at random as long as supplies last.

Did You Know?

Proper data privacy practices translate directly into dollars.

According to the Cisco Consumer Privacy Survey from May 2019, 90% of the 2600 respondents say “they believe how their data is treated is indicative of the way they will be treated as a customer; and 91% won’t buy from a company if they don’t trust how their data will be used.”

In addition, “97% of companies recognized they were realizing benefits such as competitive advantage or investor appeal from their privacy investments.”

Community & Partner Spotlight

From Concept to Close-out with One Firm

Why go to several places for the same services? Kern & Co., LLC, aka KC, is a full-service engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and surveying firm. They provide a complete range of services required for the development of commercial, industrial, public, and residential properties. Their team can determine what is economically, environmentally and governmentally feasible for your site, so click the logo and reach out for your next project.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Stop Dragging Windows

If you have a Windows machine and multiple monitors, this tip can save you time and frustration.

The next time you want to switch which screen the program you’re using is on, press SHIFT + Windows + the arrow key for the direction of that monitor (e.g., left or right).

For example, when a zoom meeting launches and covers the window with your notes or prepared remarks, you usually have to click and hold the header bar and drag the window to the other screen. If the window was maximized originally, now it’s not, and you have to click to maximize again. With the shortcut above, your active window moves at once and maintains whatever size it had.

Want More? Explore Our Blog

business technology tax deduction files and calculator

November 1, 2021

Maximize Your Business Technology Tax Deduction

Infinity Inc shines a light on the dark web

October 15, 2021

Shining A Light on the Dark Web

October 1, 2021

Infinity, Inc. Named Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion

2020

December

Checklist for Success ~ Holiday Reminders ~ Employee Giving and more [Your December InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: Get Your Checklist for Success
For you: Helpful Holiday Reminders
For your information: Employee Giving – Data Privacy Day – Flashback
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Your Checklist for Success

What if you had in your possession, right now, a free, easy way to improve just one process in your business? Would you implement it?

Our own Cassidy breaks down this overlooked method and includes an eye-opening case study of its effectiveness. Click the image to dive in.

Holidays Open Up Opportunity to Improve Your Cybersecurity

In case you missed it, our CEO had a feature in the Sunday paper a couple weeks back. It’s a quick, engaging read that provides useful tips to keep yourself and your family safe this holiday season.

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

Infinity Employees Support 3 Local Nonprofits

This may seem like a ‘humble brag,’ but I really need to shout out my incredible co-workers. They never ask for praise or attention when they give to charities year after year, and this year we added a couple of new ones.

In a short timeframe, they stepped up (as they always do), and they make me proud to be part of their team.

Data Privacy Day

Data Privacy Day is coming up on January 28th. Dating back to 2008, it’s a global effort to raise awareness in individuals and businesses about the importance and benefits of healthy data privacy practices. We’ll have resources and tips to share, so follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Flash from the Past

How does it hold up?

This blog from January 2017 talks about the
5 Ways Workflow Automation Reduces Employees’ Stress. With all the adapting companies have had to do this year to more digital and virtual workforces, plus the pivots to new revenue streams and delivery methods, I’m curious if your workflow automations changed.

Did they stay the same, evolve into something a little different, or did they have to get dropped for entirely new, on-the-fly processes?

Were there workflow projects you intended to get to that were sidelined by other events?

And would you and your employees agree with the 5 points in this blog, or is it outdated now?

Naturally, I want everything on our website to be current, and as I do my end-of-year audit, I see plenty of things to update. I don’t want to remove information that’s
helpful though, no matter how old it gets. So please, any time you have comments or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s for you, after all.

Get your Free Chapter and Enter to Win

This quick read by our CEO dispels 3 common myths business owners hold about cybersecurity and provides real-life scenarios to explain the risks we face.

Get your chapter and be entered to win a copy of the whole bestselling book by clicking on the image above. Makes a great gift.

Winners chosen at random as long as supplies last.

Did You Know?

Nearly 100,000 small businesses that temporarily shut down this year are out of business. And that stat came from Fortune.com 2 months ago.

It’s truly heartbreaking.

And we’d like to help protect those businesses we can that are still out there.

So if you know anyone who suffered a breach on top of everything else this year, or could have used a more flexible phone system with so many working from home, or just wanted a little more from their IT partner,
please tell us.

We might be able to make things a little better for them, and we ‘re always willing to have a conversation.

Community & Partner Spotlight

From health care facilities to financial institutions to manufacturing plants, PIONEER Construction, Inc. has the construction expertise to successfully complete any project. They have developed a reputation for dealing fairly and getting the job done right.

Call this locally owned business for your next project and enjoy
their unique partnership approach with clients and their commitment to providing the experience, expertise and resources to ensure quality construction projects on schedule and within budget every time.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Emoji keyboard

If you can’t stand another text-only email, or that Teams chat just doesn’t have the built-in emoji you need to truly express yourself…you may be addicted to emoji.

So it may please you to know you can bring them up, even on your desktop. Simply press the Windows key + . (period) or on a Mac press Cmd + Control + Spacebar.

Just please use with caution! A little emoji can go a very long way.

November

Servers ~ Holiday Scams ~ New Staff and more [Your November InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: How to Determine If It’s Time for a New Server
For you: Protecting Yourself While Shopping & Donating Online
For your information: See Some New Faces – Community Events – Book
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

How to Tell if It’s Time for a New Server

Deciding whether to replace or upgrade a server for your business can seem complicated and costly. But it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you’re considering end-of-year purchases for tax purposes, or you’ve just been putting off a decision you don’t know how to attack, our own Daniel breaks down the critical factors on servers for you.

Keep Yourself Safe This Holiday Season

Online shopping and charitable donations abound this time of year. Unfortunately, so do scams.

Watch this 3 minute interview of our CEO, Chuck Brown, on WTOC’s Morning Break for some of the red flags and key reminders to keep your data safe and your holidays bright.

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

Meet Our Newest Infinity Team Members

You may have noticed some new voices on the phone with Infinity lately. Click on the image above to get to know the people behind them a little better.

Proud to be “Always United”

Tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 19) marks the end of this year’s United Way campaign. If you meant to donate, or are just now considering, join in and help them reach their goal.

We ran a fully virtual, high-speed workplace campaign this year and were humbled once again by the generosity of our team and owners. United Way Ambassadors would be happy to help you get involved next year. Let us know if we can help, or reach out to them directly!

Deck the “Paws”

Save the date for a special holiday treat. Coastal Pet Rescue is holding a Twinkle Bark Stroll on select weekend nights after Thanksgiving where you and your loved ones can “take a walk through our lighted wonderland, see our festival of trees, and meet our adoptable pets.”

You can go even if you’re not planning to adopt any pets, but space is limited so make sure you register in advance. And be sure to look for our tree! It will be uniquely recognizable.

Get your Free Chapter and Enter to Win

This quick read by our CEO dispels 3 common myths business owners hold about cybersecurity and provides real-life scenarios to explain the risks we face.

Get your chapter and be entered to win a copy of the whole bestselling book by clicking on the image above. Makes a great gift.

Winners chosen at random as long as supplies last.

Did You Know?

There is such a thing as an ‘Amish computer.’

They are computers designed without Internet, music, or video capability. They can perform word processing and spreadsheet functions, for example, but they do not allow in outside distractions.

Sounds rather peaceful, doesn’t it.

Well, on the flip side of that, if your business could benefit from a dedicated fiber agreement for faster Internet speeds at the same or lower cost, find a copy of your latest bill and give us a call at (912) 629-2426. We’ll run some speed tests and give you a quote.

Community & Partner Spotlight

Seems like it’s never not allergy season here in the Low Country. Lucky for us, Coastal Allergy & Asthma offers the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available in the Coastal Empire. They treat the cause, not the symptoms, so they begin each evaluation with a thorough consideration of the patient’s history and symptoms.

Talk to their Board certified allergists about your asthma or nasal, sinus, lung, or food allergies and see how they can improve your quality of life. Breathe easy, live better.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Tab-tastic Scroll Button Click

If you have a mouse with a scroll button (that you use for rolling up and down pages), you can use it for another function, too.

Instead of clicking on a link with your left mouse button as usual, click on the link with your scroll button. That will open the link in its own, new tab.

You can remain on your original page and visit the new tab whenever you’re ready. Depending on how much browsing you do, this could save you a lot of clicks in the long run.

October

Tip Sheets ~ Password Managers ~ and more [Your October InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: Tip Sheets for Businesses during National CyberSecurity Awareness Month
For you: The Truth about Password Managers
For your information: What Happens to Old Equipment – Holiday Prep – Book
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

National CyberSecurity Awareness Month Tip Sheets

As you hopefully learned from the special edition email sent earlier this month, we’re proud to be a Champion of National CyberSecurity Awareness Month once again. It’s wild to think it’s been around for 17 years now because it seems to only be growing more and more necessary.

To learn more about NCSAM and get some resources, click on the image or headline above.

To jump right to the Tip sheets from CISA, click here. I recommend the ‘Cybersecurity while Traveling’ and ‘E-skimming’ as most useful for businesses. Of course, you’re welcome to all of them.

It’s Time to Pick a Password Manager

Passwords are a pain! We have way too many, they’re too complicated to remember, and we’re not supposed to write them down. Managing them can get really stressful.

So Alex is here to tell us the truth about Password Management tools and give us some examples to look into and compare.

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

How to Safely Dispose of Electronic Devices

When your business gets new computers, what do you do with the old ones? When you replace your phone or your child’s phone, what steps do you take to protect your data?

Dejone lays out our process for ensuring security as well as recycling as many materials as possible. If this isn’t what your company is doing and you’d like more specifics, please reach out.

Coming Soon: The Holidays

Can you believe the holiday season is basically upon us? Despite all talk focusing on the election in 2 weeks, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching in 5 weeks, and Christmas in 9. (Luckily that means only 10 more weeks of this never-ending year.)

In any case, now is a good time to start thinking about those changes in hours and phone messages. Maybe you’re extending shopping hours but they’re by-appointment only. Maybe you’ll be closed to let your staff recharge. Or maybe, like us, you just want to say Thank You to everyone who helped you make it through this crazy year.

Get your Free Chapter

This quick read by our CEO dispels 3 common myths business owners hold about cybersecurity and provides real-life scenarios to explain the risks we face.

Get your chapter and be entered to win a copy of the whole bestselling book by clicking on the book above.

Did You Know?

The Dark Web accounts for 48% of the Internet.*

The surface web–what we all use–is approximately 4%.

That leaves the deep web–the parts Google doesn’t try to index and shouldn’t for various privacy reasons–estimated at the other 48%.

Makes a little more sense now that companies would set up regular dark web monitoring, doesn’t it. And if you’ve always been curious but never knew what to ask, reach out. We’re happy to answer any questions.

*Statistics from Medium.com

Community & Partner Spotlight

US Mechanical Contractors, serving heavy industrial and commercial customers around Savannah since 1988, strives to be the best in safety, environmental, value, quality, craftsmanship, response, schedule, and performance.

Their main focus is industrial piping system fabrication and installation, and they are best described as a mechanical contracting company that provides periphery services in support of mechanical work. If you need a company with long-standing excellence and experience in concrete foundations, steel fabrication and installation, equipment installation, metal building supply and erection, fall protection and plumbing; call US Mech today.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Right-click for Instant Google Search

When you’re reading something online, sometimes you want to learn more about a particular word or topic. While on a webpage, you can highlight the interesting term and then right-click it with your mouse. Select the ‘Search Google for “[x]”‘ option in the dropdown, and it will open a new tab with those Google search results.

So fast, and no typing!

September

Insider Threats ~ Hurricane Prep Panel ~ and more [Your September InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: Why National Insider Threats Awareness Month Matters to SMBs
For you: 6 Tips for Online Shopping Protection
For your information: SDBA Member Panel Invitation – Run for the Wounded – 5 Steps to Minimize Risk – Book
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Why National Insider Threat Awareness Month Matters to SMBs

Insider Threats may seem like the storyline of a government espionage movie, but they can cause real-world security activities and threats to your business. Learn what they really are and how to combat them during this awareness month.

6 Tips for Online Shopping Protection

Okay, considering the amount of online shopping done over the past 6 months, we’re pretty much all pros at this by now. BUT…

With the holiday season right around the corner (so long, endless summer of our discontent!) certain scams that are proven to be effective year after year will increase their attacks. So use these tips as a refresher or share them with someone who might never have heard them before. You’ll both be safer.

Catch up on older editions of the newsletter here.

Newsletter Archive

INSIDE INFINITY

You’re Invited, SDBA Members

Wednesday, September 16, 12:00 PM

Last month, we invited you to join in the panel on Navigating Data Privacy and Cyber Security during COVID-19. Despite the title, it was not a tech-heavy talk. The experts shared useful business advice that you can watch here or simply read some key takeaways as bullet points.

And this month, all SDBA members are invited to attend today’s virtual panel on Hurricane Preparation during the pandemic. A lot of things have changed since the last time we had to deal with a hurricane, so let these experts help you cover what you might not have considered.

You’re guaranteed to learn something new.

Nine Line Run for the Wounded

Saturday, October 3, 6:00 PM

If you always thought this 5k took place when it was too hot, this is your year to participate! Typically held in May, the run is happening in a few weeks now and will be a little different. But the needs of homeless veterans have not gone away, and we’re proud to be sponsoring along with so many other great businesses.

On a related note, if you missed this year’s virtual Raising Hope event with Union Mission, presented by Nine Line and Oliver Maner, LLP that we were also proud to sponsor, you can watch the 30-minute video here.

5 Steps to Minimize Risk (Guest Post)

Chuck, our CEO, recently wrote about the 5 steps business owners can take to navigate this ever-changing landscape more securely. You can find it on the South Magazine website, and I’d urge you to specifically consider step 3. It is often the most overlooked and most critical step.

Get your Free Chapter

This quick read by our CEO dispels 3 common myths business owners hold about cybersecurity and provides real-life scenarios to explain the risks we face.

Get your chapter and be entered to win a copy of the whole bestselling book by clicking on the book above.

Did You Know?

The name ‘spam’ for junk and malicious email IS related to the meat product by Hormel…by way of a Monty Python sketch. At least according to Digital Trends and other sources.

And the average cost of spam ranges from $1,000-$2,000 per employee per year. That’s in bandwidth, data storage, lost productivity, and other factors.

So make sure your IT services partner has the right solution in place for you to remain efficient and protected.

Community & Partner Spotlight

For over 30 years, Brennan, Wasden & Painter LLC has served businesses and individuals throughout Georgia and the Carolinas.

As a full-service law firm, they know that litigation can either build value for a business or drain its resources, depending on how cases are managed. These attorneys regularly provide planning and transactional advice to help their clients avert future litigation and conduct business with confidence. If you need help and you don’t know where to start, give these counselors a call.

Interested in seeing your company or event in the Spotlight?

Let me know!

Tech Tip: Screenshot Anything, Mark it Up, and Share it

With Windows 10, you don’t need a plug-in or separate program to take screenshots. Open it with this shortcut: the Windows icon + Shift + S or search for ‘snipping’ in the Start menu.

You can capture part of your screen, draw a non-rectangular shape, or select the entire window. And when you save it, you can draw arrows, underline, or otherwise point out what’s important, then save or share it.

Learn how to use the snipping tool here and collaborate better together, even when we’re apart.

August

How Passwords Can Impact Productivity ~ Two Special Invitations ~ and more [Your August InsighT]

In this issue:

For your business: How Passwords Can Impact Productivity
For you: Do I Really Need Antivirus Software?
For your information: A Business Panel Invitation – Raising Hope – South Exclusive – Book
Fun Fact
Spotlight
Tech Tip