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SCW Blog

SCW has been serving the Spokane Valley area since 1997, providing IT Support such as helpdesk support, computer support, and technical consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Sam is a network engineer with a broad range of experience spanning more than 35 years. He wrote is first piece of code in 1979 and has been involved with the industry ever since. For the last 20 years, he has worked for SCW Consulting where he has embraced his passion for network technology and security.

Could Watermarks Help Users Navigate AI-Related Threats?

Could Watermarks Help Users Navigate AI-Related Threats?

Many individuals are concerned about the future of AI, including the White House, which encouraged companies like Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI to commit to helping with the management of artificial intelligence. Other companies, including Adobe, Cohere, IBM, Nvidia, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI, and Stability, have joined in this pledge to maintain “the development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI,” according to the White House.

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Cyberattack at NSC Affects 890 Schools

Cyberattack at NSC Affects 890 Schools

A major nonprofit has disclosed a major data breach that has affected 890 schools across the United States. The National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) has announced that they have been the victim of a data breach that has put its clients’ data at risk. Let’s take a look at what this means.

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Smart Cars Sure Do Have Some Dumb Security Standards

Smart Cars Sure Do Have Some Dumb Security Standards

The vehicles of today are equipped with countless features that previously did not exist, but this also makes them vulnerable in ways that older cars simply are not. Today, we want to explore what this growing smart car trend means for the security of vehicles.

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Deepfakes Can Be Viewed as a Serious Problem

Deepfakes Can Be Viewed as a Serious Problem

Let’s talk a little bit about deepfakes. If you aren’t aware of this technology, deepfakes are essentially synthetic media. Typically they come in the form of videos or images that use artificial intelligence (AI) to replace a person’s likeness with another’s. With deepfake technology, people can convince an audience that a person said something they didn’t say. This deliberate digital subterfuge can bring with it a whole lot of problems. This week we will outline a few of them.

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What are the Most Prevalent Obstacles to Cybersecurity?

What are the Most Prevalent Obstacles to Cybersecurity?

With Cybersecurity Awareness Month just around the corner, now seems to be the appropriate time to consider your own business’ cybersecurity. While there are many, many factors that contribute to how protected your business is against threats, one of the most impactful and insidious is how receptive your employees are (or aren’t) to security-centric behaviors.

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The Security That Helps Protect Your Personal Data

The Security That Helps Protect Your Personal Data

Data privacy has never been such an important issue for businesses and individuals alike. In some places, calls for overarching legislation to protect consumers have often been met with significant pushback by lawmakers who are reluctant to put extra regulations on businesses, while others have passed important laws dictating how organizations handle individual data. 

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What Can Be Done to Avoid Network Bottlenecks?

What Can Be Done to Avoid Network Bottlenecks?

Your network is your business’ nervous system, enabling all of your operations. At least, that’s what it’s supposed to do. Unfortunately, network bottlenecks—the lack of available bandwidth limiting the capacity for data to move about—can put a stop to this. Let’s talk about a few ways to avoid such a bottleneck.

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Four Errors Small Businesses are Making and What to Do to Fix Them

Four Errors Small Businesses are Making and What to Do to Fix Them

Using the right technology can streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and boost overall productivity. Despite its potential benefits, many small businesses often make significant mistakes when it comes to technology implementation. Let’s explore some of the biggest technology blunders small businesses make and how to avoid them.

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Do You Need Assistance with Your IT Strategy?

Do You Need Assistance with Your IT Strategy?

IT strategies play a pivotal role in helping companies navigate this complex terrain, but they often require a substantial amount of time to be effectively implemented. This week, we'll explore the reasons behind the seemingly sluggish pace of IT strategy implementation and why patience is indeed a virtue in the world of technology.

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Enhanced Safe Browsing in Gmail Might Not Be the Solution You’re Hoping For

Enhanced Safe Browsing in Gmail Might Not Be the Solution You’re Hoping For

Have you tried using Enhanced Safe Browsing in your Google Chrome browser? This feature has been a part of the browser since 2019, and it was implemented with the intention of preventing phishing attacks. This feature was also recently added to Gmail. Here’s how you enable it, as well as why it might not be the solution you’re hoping for.

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AR and VR Are Getting Exciting for Small Businesses

AR and VR Are Getting Exciting for Small Businesses

Emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are leveling the playing field for small businesses that decide to utilize these technologies. They can be harnessed by small businesses to engage customers, enhance their products and services, and create unforgettable experiences. This week, we'll explore some exciting ways that small businesses can leverage AR and VR to their benefit.

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All Data Should Really Be Encrypted

All Data Should Really Be Encrypted

Encryption, like so many elements of cybersecurity, is often seen as just another buzzword that the public simply doesn’t need to concern themselves with… but as cyberattacks continue at their current rates, the opposite is the actual truth. Let’s talk about what encryption is, and why it has become more important than ever that it is put into practice in both professional and private life.

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How to Squeeze in Some Exercise Without Leaving Your Desk

How to Squeeze in Some Exercise Without Leaving Your Desk

As comfy as it can be at times, sitting for all hours of the day isn’t something we’re built for. As a result, not only does sitting all day impact our overall health, it can functionally hurt our productivity as well. Fortunately, there are some simple exercises and activities that can be done at the workstation to help mitigate these negative outcomes. 

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Leaks are Rarely a Good Thing, Your Business Data is No Exception

Leaks are Rarely a Good Thing, Your Business Data is No Exception

Data is commonly regarded as one of a business’ most valuable resources. As such, it is critical that you protect it from threats of all kinds, including data leaks. Data leaks are nothing to take lightly, as their impacts range from a serious hit to your business’ reputation to an equally serious hit to your business’ finances. Obviously, this is something to be avoided, so let’s discuss how you can do so.

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What to Do When Windows 10 Reaches Its End of Support Date

What to Do When Windows 10 Reaches Its End of Support Date

Remember when Windows 10 was released, much to a sigh of relief following the questionable release of Windows 8.1 Update? Can you believe that there’s now discussion going on surrounding Windows 10’s end of support date? Let’s explore what an end of support means for Windows 10 users, as well as what steps they can take to ensure moving away from the operating system goes as smoothly as possible.

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Zero-Trust or VPN? Which is the Superior Option?

Zero-Trust or VPN? Which is the Superior Option?

Security is part of running your business where you have to adapt and make changes on the fly. One best practice that has always been a staple of any security infrastructure, however, is the virtual private network. The VPN might be important, but it’s one aspect of business technology that is changing thanks to the adoption of zero-trust access policies.

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To Succeed with Technology Implementation, Know Your Business Inside and Out

To Succeed with Technology Implementation, Know Your Business Inside and Out

Technology can empower your business to accomplish great things, ranging from making better decisions to increasing productivity. However, your business could potentially be overwhelmed by the opportunities it presents. How do you navigate the confusing landscape of business technology? It all starts with having a clear understanding of what works for your particular business, starting by working with technology professionals.

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Improving Your POS System Can Help Your Business

Improving Your POS System Can Help Your Business

A point of sale system is incredibly valuable to have for any retail or hospitality business venture, and the right solution can give you a dynamic range of features and services that can drive business growth and the customer experience. Today, we want to look at some of the greatest benefits to implementing a powerful POS system.

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Your Business May Not Be as Secure as You Think It Is

Your Business May Not Be as Secure as You Think It Is

If you’ve spent any time at all reading our blog—or even looking at the topics we cover, for that matter—you’ve seen how often we talk about the importance of your business’s cybersecurity. The fact that we have to is frankly a little depressing. Trust me, I’d love to be able to spend all my time bringing your technology to the next level, instead of keeping ne'er-do-wells from undermining it. However, the reality is that every organization needs to focus on its cybersecurity, and this is becoming more and more the case all the time.

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The Cloud at Your Service

The Cloud at Your Service

Cloud options provide small businesses with the flexibility and scalability they need to compete in an ever-evolving market. In this blog post, we will explore the various cloud options available for small businesses and how they can leverage these platforms to drive success.

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