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Preferred Blog

Preferred has been serving the Tinley Park area since 1991, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Tip of the Week: How to Defend Your Network from 3 Top-Tier Disasters

Your company’s network can be very sensitive at times, and even the slightest disruption can cause downtime. Be it an immense natural disaster or something as simple as forgetting your login credentials, it’s common problems which cause the most trouble for businesses. In order to fight against these issues, it’s best to prepare yourself for these three common (and fairly simple) scenarios.

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3 Desirable Network Security Factors for Your Business

There are several factors at work when scoping out your current network security situation. According to a study from 1&1, 67 percent of people confirmed that someone they know has had information stolen from them while online, which means that your business could be next. In order to remain one of the few unaffected by security breaches, consider these three network security features for your business.

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How to Cut 25% Off Your IT Expenses

We've all learned in our Business 101 studies that cutting costs is an absolute priority of business operation. While there are plenty of products available that promise to save your business money, perhaps the easiest and most effective way is to downsize. Gartner Inc. reports that you can eliminate a quarter of your IT expenses by simplifying your IT network.

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Don’t Forfeit Your Command-and-Control Center To a Zombie Army

With an increase in Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks and packet flooding volume, its evident that hackers are using compromised web servers for their malicious activities. By infecting servers, these dastardly infiltrators create a Zombie command-and-control center to direct their malicious activities from.

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Organize Your Network with Active Directory

The whole purpose of having a network infrastructure is to allow different users to access and share needed files and applications. With your data centralized to a server, you will need to have a system in place that allows certain people up-to-date permissions to access needed files from every computer. This is where Active Directory comes in.

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Don't Be a Hacking Target

What do hackers look for when choosing a victim? While there are hackers out there that specialize in targeting high-profile companies and executives (a hacking method call whaling), most hackers do a broad sweep of the Internet and choose the easiest targets. If your company has weak network security, then you have a target on your back.

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Troubleshoot Performance Issues with These 3 Network Cabling Tips

When you experience an error or a performance issue with your company's computer system, you will troubleshoot the problem in hopes of resolving it quickly. Before you open the case of your hardware and start messing with components, check your cables. Even a small cabling issue can cause big problems with your entire network.

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How to Prevent Server Problems Like Memory Failure from Hurting Productivity

When your server experiences an issue, you have to act fast and take care of it before the issue turns into a problem. If a server problem is left unresolved, it can spread across your network and negatively affect operations. This is why it's best to take care of a server issue as soon as it's discovered.

A common server problem is... what was it again? Oh, right. Memory failure!

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What is a Botnet Attack and How Do You Stop It?

Hackers have many different tools at their disposal to access your computer. Some of these tools can even control your machine! When a hacker controls your PC, your computer is now part of a network made up of other compromised devices that they control. This compromised network is known as a botnet, and you don't want to be part of it!

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Do More by Outsourcing the Technical Stuff to a Trusted Partner

One of the purposes of technology is to help your business grow. The best way to achieve this goal is to be intentional with your technology. Sometimes running a business can be so hectic that keeping up with your technology becomes an afterthought. Neglecting your technology can eat into your organization's profits; therefore, it makes more sense to outsource your IT.

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3 Ways Homeownership and Your IT Infrastructure are Similar

Your company's technology infrastructure is made up of several complex systems that all work together in order to keep your business running smoothly. Your IT infrastructure functions much in the same way as another type of infrastructure, your house. It's surprising how much you can learn about computer networking by looking at "This Old House."

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4 Tips to Build a Network Jigsaw Puzzle

Your IT infrastructure is a lot like a puzzle. There are many pieces of technology that connect to form one big solution. If just one piece of the puzzle is missing, then the picture is incomplete and the solution will not work properly. Good thing we're great at piecing together IT puzzles!

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Don’t Let These 3 Easy Oversights Compromise Your Network

There is a common misperception that strong anti-virus software is all you need to cover the security of your network. While anti-virus software is an important component to network security, there's more to it if you want a secure network. You need to also take into account the human factor, which can disable even the strongest software solution.

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Technology Helps World’s Largest Machine Unleash Maximum Devastation Upon the Earth [VIDEO]

The world’s largest terrestrial vehicle is the German-made bucket-wheel excavator known as “Bagger 293.” Used for open-pit mining, Bagger 293 hulks over the landscape at a length of 722 feet, and a height of 310 feet (twice the size of the Statue of Liberty). As a bonus, this beast-of-a-machine is made more ferocious thanks to remote technology.

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Are You Sure Your Former Employees Won’t Stab You in the Back?

As a business owner, you've probably had the misfortune of letting a valued (or not-so-valued) employee go. The reasons might vary, but one thing is consistent: they're gone, and could potentially use their newfound residual malice to strike your business right where it hurts. How can you prepare yourself against former employees you may have once called "family?"

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Block People from Your Network that Have No Business Being There

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When a company is lax about their network security, this can lead to countless threats swarming the network and invading your systems. Yet, sometimes the most dangerous threats come from within. A common issue comes from employees accessing undisclosed files unintentionally and deleting them, which can cause more damage than you think.

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      We all know companies collect a lot of data. After all, your business is no exception to this rule, and you likely collect significant consumer data to facilitate operations. But if you get the itch to protect your personal privacy (and you should), there are ways to limit h...

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      Best Places to Work - 5 YEARS STRONG!!

      Preferred is once again, honored for being a Best Place to Work for the fifth straight year!  Our team is what makes Preferred a Best Place to Work.  

      Daily Herald Suburban Business 2024 Best Places to Work Honorees The Daily Herald Suburban Business has announced the names of 51 companies, in 5 categories of competition, that are honored as the 2024 Best Places to Work in Illinois. This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.