It’s tempting, especially if you’re just running into a store or heading to an event. But the truth is, it’s almost never a good idea. The first and biggest risk is theft. Cars are one of the top places thieves look for electronics, and a smash-and-grab can happen in seconds.

There’s a point where the help desk starts to feel different. Tickets are being picked up, users are getting support, and the team is doing what it needs to do.

The short answer is yes. But the long answer is, it’s not even close. Passkeys remove passwords entirely. There’s nothing to type, nothing to remember, and nothing to steal. Instead, your device proves it’s really you.

For the past year or so, it’s felt like every Windows update came with three new AI features attached. Some of them are genuinely useful. Some feel like they’re there because they can be.

Buying laptops for your business? It’s not as simple as grabbing the shiniest one on the shelf. The wrong choice could cost you time, money, and a whole lot of headaches. Let’s make sure you pick the right one. It’s about making things easier in the long run: fewer failures, less downtime, and a smoother experience for your employees.

Most backup conversations end a little too early. The question gets asked: “Are we backed up?” The answer is, of course, yes. Jobs are running, reports are clean, and everything looks as it should.

Every industry has its tech headaches, but manufacturing and professional services face some of the toughest. Especially when it comes to balancing security, efficiency, and day-to-day operations. These challenges aren’t just “IT problems.” They impact productivity, profitability, and your ability to compete.

There’s an interesting disconnect happening in the business world right now. Most IT leaders say data security is their number one concern when upgrading or modernizing systems.Yet only around a third say they feel extremely confident they would pass their next regulatory audit.

When it comes to email, we’ve all been there: your inbox fills up with junk you never asked for, and every now and then, something slips in that looks almost legitimate. That’s where the terms spam and phishing come in. They both land in your inbox, they’re both unwanted, but they’re not the same thing.

There’s a new type of scam doing the rounds… and this one’s a little more convincing than most. It looks like a genuine alert from Microsoft Azure Monitor. It comes from a real Microsoft domain, and it lands in your inbox without being flagged as suspicious. That’s why it’s catching people out.

Creating a passkey is easy. You start by signing in like you normally would. Log into a website or app the same way you always have, usually with your username and password. This is often the last time you’ll need that password. Once you’re signed in, you’ll see an option that says something like “Create a passkey” or “Use a passkey next time.”

Nobody starts a business because they’re excited to read privacy laws. Unless your idea of fun is spending Saturday night with a 100-page PDF and a pot of coffee. But here’s the thing: if your business collects any customer information, names, emails, payment details, even just an IP address, you’re already playing in the world of data privacy laws.

Shadow IT has a way of creeping into environments. A team signs up for a tool to move faster. Someone connects an integration to save time. A department starts using an AI service because it makes their workflow easier. None of it is usually announced, and none of it is intended to cause risk.

When it comes to getting online, one key player makes it all possible: your ISP, or Internet Service Provider. But what exactly is an ISP, and how does it work? Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand and relevant to your business needs.

Let’s start with a question: If you needed a strong password, would you ask AI to generate one for you? It sounds reasonable enough. Tools like ChatGPT and Copilot can write reports, draft emails and even create bits of code. Asking them for a 16-character password packed with symbols and numbers feels like a smart shortcut. But you might want to rethink that. 

A passkey is a newer, safer way to log into your accounts without using a password at all. No memorizing, typing, or guessing. Instead, you log in the same way you unlock your phone; using your face, your fingerprint, or a quick approval on a trusted device.

AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley anymore. It’s quietly becoming one of the most powerful tools for small and mid-sized businesses, even right here in Northeast Ohio. It’s in your inbox, on your website, and maybe even running behind the scenes in the apps you use every day. So how is AI actually changing the way businesses work?

User authentication is a security process that protects your business’s sensitive information by ensuring that only authorized individuals can access certain data or systems. Think of it as a locked door that only the right people have the keys to - without the right key, no entry.

There's a major shift coming to Microsoft 365 this June, and small to medium businesses who rely on the platform for daily operations shouldn't ignore it. Microsoft has already outlined that new capabilities, particularly in device and endpoint management, will be added to core Microsoft 365 plans like E3 and E5.

At Simplex-IT, we talk a lot about relationships. Not just with our clients, but within the broader business community here in Northeast Ohio. Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with Cleveland Cavaliers Small Business Partners during an event hosted at Rocket Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers.