Articles

Is your website secure, regularly updated, and equipped to handle potential cyber threats? WordPress dominates the website world. Today, over 800 million websites use WordPress. Because it’s so widely used, if hackers discover a flaw in the WordPress core, 800 million websites are at risk. These sites will remain at risk until a patch is released, and the people in charge of that individual...

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How long ago was your business’s website created? When was the last time it was updated? A website is like any other piece of technology in that it becomes dated after about 5 years.  Some potential problems that can result from an outdated site include: •    Security - An outdated website is an open invitation for hackers. •    Dated look and fe...

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When was the last time you updated your business tech? Are you dreading a new year of IT difficulties for your business? Happy New Year!  A lot of people take this time of year to start working on improving themselves – cleaning up their diet, working out, setting goals, and following a daily plan.  If this is you, then fantastic!  These are all great things to do. However, y...

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Do you know how your network is setup? Are you up-to-date on cybersecurity threats? Do you have all the necessary protection to keep harmful viruses and hackers out? Here are 3 questions that most people don't ask about, but should: Are we secure? Is our data backed up? What do we need to do maintain our technology, and keep it running well, so our users can be productive? At Network Services...

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Does your small business have access to IT services? Unsure whether it’s better to hire an IT crew or outsource? At Network Services Group, we work with a lot of small businesses, helping them with their computer and network support needs.  For most of them, it makes more sense to bring us in and outsource their IT rather than hire their own in-house IT person.   The benefits of o...

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Are you up to date on best cybersecurity practice? Is your small business protected from ransomware? Cybersecurity is serious business.  Hackers, scammers, and ransomware are everywhere, and it seems like you can’t go more than a few days without hearing about some business being the victim of ransomware.  It almost seems like cybersecurity is a fulltime job and many industries ha...

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Is your business still running on Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2? According to Microsoft , support for these servers will end on October 10th, 2023. This means that after October 10th, they will no longer be getting security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. This makes all businesses running on these servers easy targets for hackers. If your business is still running...

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At NSG, we’ve always tried to make giving part of the mission.  For the last several years, as a matter of course, I make a charitable donation each and every month when I pay our other bills.  We generally are quiet about it (it’s not like we are crowing from the rooftops), and the reason I mention it at all is to perhaps encourage and motivate other people to give. All tha...

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Are you concerned about your company getting hacked? How often do you back up your data? You’ve read about it in the news.  Big companies and government agencies getting hacked with ransomware and being down for days, and having to pay exorbitant ransom in order to get their data back. Don’t let this happen to you. I’m going to let you in a little secret.  The best way...

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Does your business need a managed service provider? Looking for a provider that doesn’t lock you into a multi-year contract? NSG offers a wide range of services, including managed services. Under a managed service agreement, there is a fixed price that includes monitoring, maintenance, and support services. This is great for companies who want to know what they will be spending each month o...

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Are you on the hunt for a new computer for work? Unsure what to look for in a business computer? The motto of the boy scouts is to be prepared, and we think they might be on to something.  Business users rely on their computers and technology to get their jobs done, so you don’t want to show up to work with the wrong computer.  The right computer saves you time and makes you more ...

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Are you looking for a website host? Are you considering one of the big-name, free-to-use companies? Did you know that it’s more beneficial to work with a local host? There is a wide selection of website hosts to choose from—BlueHost, HostGator, and GoDaddy are three of the most popular. These are not necessarily bad services, but when it comes to website hosting, there is a direct tie...

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Is your computer security software up to date? Do you know if your data is secure? Cyber security is everyone’s business. The world of technology is vast and makes it easy for those with harmful intent to take advantage of you if you’re not careful. Maintaining your computer security is very important and Network Services Group makes it easy with computer services in Ann Arbor ; we&rs...

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Has your internet been unusually slow?  Do you know how to test the speed of your internet? It can be tricky to pinpoint the cause of slow internet. Outdated hardware, issues with your internet provider, and too many open applications are a few of the common culprits.  Also, don’t forget to reboot! The first step to solving slow internet is to test your internet speed. There are a...

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When was the last time you updated your website or reviewed the underlying technology it's built on? We wanted to remind our web hosting customers of the importance of not letting their sites go stale for too long, lest they get swept downstream in the ever-changing current of web technology. Websites have a recommended service life just like servers do! If your website has been “live&r...

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Are you looking for a new laptop but deterred by high prices?  Did you know Lenovo is the overall leader in the global personal computer market?  If you’re considering getting a new Lenovo computer, NSG can arrange for discounted pricing! What Makes Us Lenovo Legends NSG is part of the Lenovo Legends program! There are only a small number of dealers in this program nationwide, whi...

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“Have you tried turning it off and back on again?”  Are you sick of being asked that question?  The most common IT problems businesses face are usually preventable and easily solved by an IT solutions expert. Here are some common IT problems businesses face: Lack of security measures: Data breaches are largely caused by employee negligence. Weak passwords, falling victim to ...

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Are you overwhelmed by all the new technology on the market? Having a hard time determining what products best fit your business needs? Do terms like RAM, GPU, or processor core stop you in your tracks when reading a product description? If you’re in the market for new computers, hardware, software, or any other computer accessory, NSG is here to help! We can find you the latest produc...

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Does your company need reliable tech support? Do you need someone you can depend on? At Network Services Group, we focus on helping support small businesses with their computer and network needs, and offering comprehensive IT solutions for your business needs. We know how critical your technology is. Your business depends on all your systems running smoothly. A single technology issue can bring y...

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Are you a local business in the Ann Arbor area? Do you need more reliable tech support? Are you unhappy with your website’s performance on Google? Network Services Group and Michigan SEO Group offer a rare package of full-service IT support combined with search engine optimization, website creation and management, and social media and Google Ads management. This partnership has been strengt...

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Are you a local business in Ann Arbor? Would you like to focus more on what you do, and less on your technology? Do you need reliable IT support? NSG specializes in helping small businesses with their computer and network support needs.  We’ve been around since 2001, so we’ve been doing it for a while now. Technology and business requirements have changed over the course of the y...

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You’ve read about it in the news – big companies and government agencies getting hacked with ransomware, being down for days, and having to pay exorbitant ransom to get their data back.  The most recent example of this is the Colonial Pipeline. Don’t let this happen to you! We’re going to let you in a little secret – the best way to protect yourself from ra...

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Are you worried about the online safety of your business? Do you want to proactively block cyber-threats? In this digital age, cyber security is one of many issues business owners must worry about. With hackers and scammers constantly trying to steal your information, it can be hard to feel safe. Being proactive is the best way to combat these attacks and put your mind at ease. Due to the recent ...

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Network Services Group has been providing computer service and support to businesses in and around Ann Arbor for over 20 years. We provide our customers with a wide range of services – essentially helping them with everything they need to ensure their technology is working for them in a positive and productive manner. We provide a mix of on demand computer service and support, as well ...

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Have you been the victim of a cyber-attack? Do you have reliable IT security? In 2022, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Hackers and scammers are constantly developing more sophisticated ways to gain access to your personal information. Keeping yourself and your business protected from cyber-attacks is of the utmost importance. Here are our recommendations: Create passphrases instead of ...

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Are you struggling to find the right tech support for your business? Technology powers your business. When it doesn’t work, productivity goes down and frustration levels go up. When you need tech support you don’t want to have to “open a ticket” and be “put in a queue.” You want to pick up the phone and call and talk to someone who can provide you with the help...

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Wix and similar pre-fab website builders allow inexperienced people to build websites. So if you intend to build your own website and do everything yourself (i.e. not spend any money) then something like Wix is great because it allows you to do stuff you otherwise wouldn't be able to do. However, these type of website building systems often throw up barriers that make it difficult for ex...

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At Network Services Group, we offer a full spectrum of IT Solutions to small businesses in and around Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan.  Our customers are small businesses that need their technology to be secure, fast, reliable, and most of all – to just work when they need it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have one place that you can call and have your technology questions answered and...

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Today, most companies rely on technology to run and manage their business. Technology is great when it works, but frustrating and time consuming when it doesn’t. If your business relies on technology, who are you going to call when you run into problems?  Comcast?  AT&T?  Dell?  That sounds like fun - wait on hold for who knows how long only to get someone who doesn&...

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In the era of Covid, more and more people need to work remotely.   In the era of ransomware, it’s more important than ever to have good security practices, business class antivirus software, and a robust and thorough backup system.   It’s also important to keep your systems updated, monitored, and maintained.  NSG helps our customers with all these things (and more!) in...

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NSG is proud to enter its 20th year as computer consultants in the Ann Arbor area ! By sticking to our principles of knowing what it is, getting it done, and effectively communicating the results, we’ve built up long-term trust in our relationships with customers. We’re grateful for all the clients who’ve worked with us over the years and will continue to diligently provide the ...

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  Is your business experiencing the same IT problems over and over? Are your IT projects regularly over budget and missing deadlines? Do you keep leaving messages for an IT expert who doesn’t show up?   Reliable IT Support is Hard to Find! It’s not just you. It’s hard to find reliable IT support in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Wixom, and all the surrounding areas. It’s f...

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From the desk of Don Prior, Founder, Network Services Group   ...

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The problem may be much bigger than you thought! Did a recent Microsoft update freeze your system? Do you have staff on hand who have the knowledge and time to deal with critical software issues?  When you own a small business, challenges can appear at any time from sources you’d least expect. When business owners worldwide installed the February 9th Windows Exchange Server update, the...

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  There’s no doubt 2020 was a tough year for business! The pandemic and related health and safety regulations put unthinkable stress on our businesses – and many are still struggling to stay afloat from the loss of income. If you were also affected by network or computer issues or didn’t have the technology on-hand to ride the e-business surge caused by lockdown conditions,...

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  Ransomware has been in the news lately as a string of attacks has hit healthcare systems in at least four states. Is it coincidence that these attacks hit when healthcare systems are already under unusual strain due to the COVID pandemic? Probably not. The criminals who coordinate these attacks take advantage of vulnerable organizations and populations.  Medical organizations are espe...

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When people talk about security, they talk about passwords a lot. That’s because they can be so easy to guess and make a quick and easy entry into your network. Also, you don’t need an IT support specialist to change a password – anyone can do it. But if your security depends entirely on password protection, your company may be vulnerable. Sure, password security is essential. B...

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In January, Microsoft ended support for Windows 7, a part of the Windows NT family originally released in 2009. Although Microsoft gave plenty of advance notice, one expert estimates that more than 20% of Windows installations will still be running Windows 7 at the end of the year.  Is your business one of them? If you don’t have an IT support specialist for your Ann Arbor business, yo...

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Are you concerned about viruses or phishing scams? Do your employees know how to spot a suspicious email? Do you know who to call for help and IT support in Ann Arbor when security is a concern? Scamming is big business Hackers, scammers, and criminals never tire of finding new ways to obtain personal information like passwords and account numbers. They use fear and exploit security weaknesses, t...

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The safety of our team and customers remains of the utmost importance to us at Network Services Group.  We are adjusting to this new normal as Covid-19 restrictions in Michigan have started to ease. We are continuing to do our best to offer our customers the technical support they need to effectively run their businesses. ...

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At Network Services Group, we work with a lot of small businesses, helping them with their computer and network support needs.  For most of them, it makes more sense to bring us in for IT outsourcing in Ann Arbor and SE Michigan rather than hire their own in-house IT person.  The benefits of outsourcing your IT support include: More resources (access to the entire NSG team versus just o...

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If you run your own business, you know how critical it is to have working technology. Your website needs to function flawlessly every day. Your network connections need to be working at all times. You need to be able to make secure connections with your vendors, customers and your employees. To do that, you have to have functional hardware and software. ...

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It’s all over the headlines: cyber-attacks are becoming more and more common. Whether it’s election interference or ransomware attacks, it’s not all media fear-mongering— it really is getting worse . And it’s not all big, headline-making attacks either. Every day, small businesses and municipalities are being targeted, too. This means that cyber-security is a fast-gr...

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The recent executive order suspending non-essential business during the COVID19 outbreak didn’t come as a surprise, but it’s having a huge impact on the way we work. Telecommuting is a great way to keep the community safe, but the risk of extra distractions at home can be a real threat to productivity. If you haven’t worked at home before or need some tips for rocking it out dur...

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It’s all over the news: “Shark Tank” host Barbara Corcoran lost nearly $400,000 in a recent email scam. You don’t have to be a millionaire investor to be targeted by cyber-attacks like this! In fact, some 43 percent of cyber-attacks target small businesses. Luckily, NSG has network security and email solutions suited for small business, including training, security reviews...

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2020 is here and it’s even more important to maintain your cybersecurity. Does your business have an IT support specialist in Ann Arbor to ensure your systems are secure? ...

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Were you counting on Microsoft Security Essentials upgrades to keep your Windows 7 machine safe? Are you looking for comprehensive IT Solutions for your Ann Arbor, Business? Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 and Server 2008 January 14th 2020. While they will continue to offer upgrades for nominal fees , the writing is on the wall for this operating system. The proverbial goose is cooked &...

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When was the last time you changed your passwords? Do you create a unique password for every account – or do you reuse the same one? ...

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What steps do you take to maintain your personal and business cyber security? When you’re out and about do you log into public WiFi zones? Do You Need an IT Support Specialist in Ann Arbor, MI? ...

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Have you upgraded from Windows 7or Server 2008 yet? Need a computer support specialist in Ann Arbor to help you get up to speed?   ...

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Did you and your employees just get a suspicious email? Whatever you do – don’t open that email!   ...

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Microsoft has announced the end of support for Windows 7 and Server 2008 January 14th 2020. You still have time to upgrade – but you need to plan now! ...

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Is your website slow to respond? Is your website secure, with redundant backups and servers? When you need to make changes to your website do you have to call to get a customer support ticket and wait for someone to get back to you? A lot of people come to us with their frustrations with their current web hosting providers. Just because you heard about a website hosting company in a T.V. ad doesn...

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Does your website take too long to load? Is your business email working better without getting punched by spam?  Is your business website constantly backed up to multiple drives and locations? If your website takes too long to respond, if you’re getting a ton of spam, or if your website isn’t being regularly backed up, your business isn’t getting the service and suppor...

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When technology works as it’s supposed to, things are great. You can get your work done and your business thrives. Unfortunately – that’s not always the case. With cyber security threats , constant software updates, hardware that ages out – you have to stay on top of your equipment to keep it up and running. That’s not easy to do when you’re trying to run a bus...

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Do you need dedicated computer service for your Ann Arbor or southeast Michigan area business? Is your business still running Windows 7 or Server 2008? If you’re still running either Windows 7 or Server 2008, it’s time to prepare for the beginning of the end! ...

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Do you have an internal network? Does your business use computers and the internet? Chances are pretty good you answered yes to those questions, making the issue of network security that much more important! ...

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When was the last time you had your business’ computers and equipment upgraded by a dedicated computer support specialist in Ann Arbor? If you can’t remember, or the date is so long ago you don’t want to admit it – it’s time! A wise man once said that “Computers are like websites. Every three to five years you should get a new one.” Regular upgrades and r...

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When your computer crashes – does your IT support call you back? When someone in your office opens an email with a virus does your IT support know what to do? When you need tech upgrades or new hardware, does your IT support do the job right? Professional IT Support Specialist in Ann Arbor Someone opens an email with a virus and it infects the entire network. Someone’s ancient compute...

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Trust Professionals with Your Business’ Web Hosting! It may seem smart and cost-effective to let someone in your office set up your business email, website domain name registration , and even build your website – but it’s actually not always a good idea. For a variety of reasons, taking the easy approach can create big problems down the road and can become one titanic knot to un...

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Did one of your employees just open an email they thought was from someone they knew and trusted, but accidentally unleashed a plague on your business’ computers? It Can Happen to Anyone – Anytime! Cyber security is a major issue. Someone in your office gets an email from a person they think they know and they innocently open it. From there, ransomware spreads to every file in the sys...

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Are you having trouble keeping your system secure? Have you just lost all your critical business data and can’t locate your backups? Is your equipment going at a snail’s pace rather than light speed?  At Network Services Group we have over 17 years of experience providing tech support to Ann Arbor area businesses and surrounding communities. From viruses to shoddy data storage to...

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I’m sure you’ve seen or heard about it. It was all over the news. Equifax, one of the 3 main credit score reporting agencies, had a massive data breach (143 million people were affected), and your information could have been exposed. Are you wondering how you can stay protected? Are you worried your personal information is at risk? Are you wondering how you can check to see ...

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Are you protected? Do you have reliable IT security? Do you deal with frequent security threats? If you’re unsure about your answers to the previous questions, you need to consult with a specialist for IT solutions right away. At Network Services Group, we recommend: Rethink your email setup. Use encryption to help verify emails. Utilize private browsing settings so your online behavior won...

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Do you know how your network is setup? Are you knowledgeable about cyber security and threats? Do you have all the necessary protection in place to keep harmful viruses and hackers out? Here are 3 questions that most people don't ask about, but should: Are we secure? Is our data backed up? What do we need to do maintain our technology, and keep it running well, so our users can be productive?...

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Is your business network safe? Are your files secure? Are your customers’ information protected? Do you need tech support for your business? We understand the frustrations of running a business and what it takes to be successful. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of common mistakes people make when setting up their business network, so you can try to minimize your chance for ...

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