AltrueTECH LLC

Author: David Sherrill

  • Browse with confidence: Microsoft Edge’s security boost

    Browse with confidence: Microsoft Edge’s security boost

    Browsing the web can be risky. It only takes one click on one bad link to put your business’s data at risk.

    With cyber criminals constantly targeting businesses using automated tools, it’s important to stay one step ahead with your online security.

    That’s why we’re excited that Microsoft is working on a major security update for its Edge browser, which will bring enhanced security to everyone using it.

    It’s adding new security features and beefing up existing ones.

    Maybe you’ve already seen features such as Password Monitor. This alerts you if any of your saved passwords have been compromised in a data breach, prompting you to change them immediately.

    There’s also SmartScreen technology, which will help safeguard you from phishing scams and malware.

    This checks websites against a list of known malicious sites, as well as analyzing URLs for any suspicious patterns or characteristics. If it detects something that’s not right, you’ll be warned before you proceed to the site.

    Why should you care about all these security updates?

    It comes down to this: Using a less secure browser could leave you vulnerable to all sorts of online threats. Cyber criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to exploit weaknesses in software, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest security measures.

    Plus, let’s face it – no one wants to deal with the aftermath of a cyber attack. Whether it’s dealing with financial losses, identity theft, or just the hassle of cleaning up the mess, the consequences of a breach can be far-reaching.

    By using a secure browser like Edge, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to such attacks.

    Of course, we know that not everyone is an expert on  cyber security. That’s why Microsoft is making it easy to stay safe without needing a degree in computer science.

    The new security features are built-in and easy to use so you don’t have to worry about configuring anything yourself. You can browse the web with peace of mind.

    If you’re not already using Edge, give it a go. And if you need help getting your 365 suite optimized for your business, get in touch.

  • Now AI can make your Teams meetings more productive

    Now AI can make your Teams meetings more productive

    Are you tired of wasting precious time in meetings, only to leave feeling confused and disorganized?

    Do you struggle to keep track of all the action items and follow-up tasks that come out of these meetings?

    Microsoft Teams has launched a new feature which could solve your problems and boost productivity. 

    Meeting Recap is an AI-based intelligent meeting recap feature, available exclusively to Teams Premium subscribers. This innovative feature harnesses the latest in artificial intelligence technology to generate comprehensive summaries of your meetings.

    That means no more tedious recaps… but hello to accurate and efficient summaries that capture all the key points from your meetings.

    The Meeting Recap feature doesn’t stop there. It automatically identifies action items and follow-up tasks, assigns them to team members, and even sets deadlines for completion. This means that everyone involved in the meeting knows exactly what they need to do and when it needs to be done. A great way to improve communication and collaboration within your team.

    But it’s not just about efficiency. The meeting recap feature also offers customizable options to tailor the feature to your specific needs. Choose what information is included in the summary to ensure that you receive the most relevant and useful information possible.

    If you’re not a Teams Premium subscriber, are there benefits of investing in this new feature?

    Yes! For starters, it streamlines your workflow, saving you both time and money.

    You don’t have to waste hours trying to decipher meeting notes and action items. Instead, you’ll have access to a clear and concise summary that you can refer back to any time.

    Additionally, it improves organization and accountability within your team. With assigned action items and deadlines, everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.

    Don’t underestimate the power of this new Meeting Recap – it’s a game-changer for businesses that want to increase productivity.

    Don’t wait. If you need help upgrading to Teams Premium, we’re here for you. Get in touch.

  • Stop! And think, before you act on that email

    Stop! And think, before you act on that email

    How many times a day do you respond to an email without really thinking about its contents?  

    Maybe it’s a request for some information. Perhaps it’s asking you to pay an invoice. All mundane stuff. But no sooner than you’ve hit send, you’ve fallen victim to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack.

    A BEC attack occurs when a cyber criminal gains access to your business email account and uses it to trick your employees, customers, or partners into sending them money or sensitive information. They do this by impersonating someone senior, and abusing their position of trust.

    It might sound like something that only happens to big corporations, but that’s not the case.

    According to the FBI, small and medium-sized businesses are just as vulnerable to BEC attacks as larger ones. In fact, these attacks have cost businesses more than $26 billion over the past few years.

    And Microsoft brings more bad news, with its recent findings showing that they’re getting both more destructive and harder to detect.

    So, what can you do to protect your business from BEC attacks? Here’s our advice:

    1. Educate your employees: They are the first line of defense against BEC attacks. They need to know how to spot phishing emails, suspicious requests, and fake invoices. Train them regularly on cyber security best practice, like strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and secure file sharing.
    • Use advanced email security solutions: Basic email protections like antispam and antivirus software are no longer enough to block BEC attacks. You need more advanced solutions that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and prevent these attacks in real-time. Look for email security providers that offer features like domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance (DMARC), sender policy framework (SPF), and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM).
    • Set up transaction verification procedures: Before transferring funds or sensitive information, establish a verification process that confirms the authenticity of the request. This could include a phone call, video conference, or face-to-face meeting. Don’t rely on email alone to confirm these types of requests.
    • Monitor your email traffic: Regularly monitor your email traffic for anomalies and unusual patterns. Look for signs like unknown senders, unusual login locations, changes to email settings or forwarding rules, and unexpected emails. Make sure you have a clear protocol in place for reporting and responding to any suspicious activity.
    • Keep your software up to date: Ensure that you’re always running the latest version of your operating system, email software, and other software applications. These updates often include vital security patches that address known vulnerabilities.

    BEC attacks are becoming more common and more sophisticated, but with the right awareness, training, and security solutions, you can protect your business.

    Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action today to keep your business safe.

    If you want to know more about how to protect your business from cyber threats, our team is always ready to help you. Give us a call.

  • Is your business data at risk? Don’t take chances with old tech

    Is your business data at risk? Don’t take chances with old tech

    When you replace old computers or external drives, do you delete data and then just… get rid of them?

    You could be putting your sensitive data at risk.

    A new study by a data recovery specialist shows that millions of deleted files can be recovered from improperly wiped hard drives that are sold online.

    It’s not just buyers who can access your old files. Cyber criminals often buy used hard drives and attempt to recover data from them. This could include anything from confidential business information to client details.

    It’s easy to forget about old data when you’re excited about shiny new technology. However, it’s important to consider what’s on that old drive before selling it or disposing of it.

    Even if the drive is encrypted, it’s still possible for data to be recovered. And if the drive is damaged, there’s a chance that some of the data is still salvageable. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to sensitive information.

    Think about it this way: Would you leave important documents lying around for anyone to see? Of course not! Your digital information deserves the same level of protection.

    So what can you do to protect yourself?

    Don’t let your old hard drives become a liability. Take the time to have them properly wiped or destroyed before disposal. If you’re upgrading hardware, consider hiring a professional to handle the data transfer and ensure that your old devices are wiped clean.

    This isn’t just about protecting yourself. It’s about protecting your employees, clients, and anyone else whose personal information you may have stored on that old drive.

    It’s a small investment to make for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is safe from prying eyes.

    Don’t take chances with your data – take action to protect it:

    • Properly wipe or destroy old hard drives
    • Bring in a professional for your hardware upgrades
    • Upgrade your overall security practices

    Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

  • Here’s how cyber criminals try to hack your accounts while you sleep

    Here’s how cyber criminals try to hack your accounts while you sleep

    Have you ever felt frustrated by the flood of notifications from your multi-factor authentication (MFA) app?

    Well, cyber criminals have too. And they’re taking advantage of “MFA fatigue” to try to gain access to your sensitive business data.

    MFA is essential for keeping your data secure. It adds an extra layer of security to your apps and accounts by asking you to verify your identity in two or more ways, such as a password and a code sent to your phone.

    The constant alerts can be overwhelming though.

    Attackers know this and will bombard employees – sometimes in the middle of the night – with a constant stream of MFA notifications. Which makes it more likely someone will authenticate a login attempt through frustration, tiredness, or just to get the notifications to stop.

    But now there’s a new weapon in the fight against MFA fatigue.

    Microsoft Authenticator has introduced number matching as a way of making sure your MFA notification is from the correct login attempt, preventing cyber criminals from taking advantage of notification fatigue.

    How does number matching work?

    When you receive an MFA notification, the app will display a randomly generated number. You then need to input this number to authenticate the login attempt and prove you’re not a cyber criminal trying to access your business data.

    That’s not all. Microsoft Authenticator also allows for biometric authentication, which means you can use your face, fingerprint, or other unique physical features to prove your identity and combat the threat of MFA fatigue attacks.

    With these security measures in place, your business can stay ahead of cyber criminals and keep your sensitive data better protected.

    If you already use Microsoft Authenticator, number matching is ready to use. Simply make sure your app is up-to-date, and you’ll be protected.

    If you use another MFA system and want to look at how to make your security better or easier, we can help. Get in touch.

    Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

  • What Is App Fatigue & Why Is It a Security Issue?

    What Is App Fatigue & Why Is It a Security Issue?

    The number of apps and web tools that employees use on a regular basis continues to increase. Most departments have about 40-60 different digital tools that they use. 71% of employees feel they use so many apps that it makes work more complex.

    Many of the apps that we use every day have various alerts. We get a “ping” when someone mentions our name on a Teams channel. We get a notification popup that an update is available. We get an alert of errors or security issues.

    App fatigue is a very real thing and it’s becoming a cybersecurity problem. The more people get overwhelmed by notifications, the more likely they are to ignore them.

    Just think about the various digital alerts that you get. They come in:

    • Software apps on your computer
    • Web-based SaaS tools
    • Websites where you’ve allowed alerts
    • Mobile apps and tools
    • Email banners
    • Text messages
    • Team communication tools

    Some employees are getting the same notification on two different devices. This just adds to the problem. This leads to many issues that impact productivity and cybersecurity.

    Besides alert bombardment, every time the boss introduces a new app, that means a new password. Employees are already juggling about 191 passwords. They use at least 154 of them sometime during the month.

    How Does App Fatigue Put Companies at Risk?

    Employees Begin Ignoring Updates

    When digital alerts interrupt your work, you can feel like you’re always behind. This leads to ignoring small tasks seen as not time-sensitive. Tasks like clicking to install an app update.

    Employees overwhelmed with too many app alerts, tend to ignore them. When updates come up, they may quickly click them away. They feel they can’t spare the time right now and aren’t sure how long it will take.
    Ignoring app updates on a device is dangerous. Many of those updates include important security patches for found vulnerabilities. When they’re not installed, the device and its network are at a higher risk. It becomes easier to suffer a successful cyberattack.

    Employees Reuse Passwords (and They’re Often Weak)

    Another security casualty of app fatigue is password security. The more SaaS accounts someone must create, the more likely they are to reuse passwords. It’s estimated that passwords are typically reused 64% of the time.

    Credential breach is a key driver of cloud data breaches. Hackers can easily crack weak passwords. The same password used several times leaves many accounts at risk.

    Employees May Turn Off Alerts

    Some alerts are okay to turn off. For example, do you really need to know every time someone responds to a group thread? Or just when they @name you? But, turning off important security alerts is not good.

    There comes a breaking point when one more push notification can push someone over the edge. They may turn off all the alerts they can across all apps. The problem with this is that in the mix of alerts are important ones. Such as an anti-malware app warning about a newly found virus.

    What’s the Answer to App Fatigue?

    It’s not realistic to just go backward in time before all these apps were around. But you can put a strategy in place that puts people in charge of their tech, and not the other way around.

    Streamline Your Business Applications

    From both a productivity and security standpoint, fewer apps are better. The fewer apps you have, the less risk. Also, the fewer passwords to remember and notifications to address.

    Look at the tools that you use to see where redundancies may be. Many companies are using two or more apps that can do the same function.

    Consider using an umbrella platform like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. These platforms include several work tools, but users only need a single login to access them.

    Have Your IT Team Set up Notifications

    It’s difficult for users to know what types of notifications are the most important. Set up their app notifications for them. This ensures they aren’t bombarded yet are still getting the important ones.

    Automate Application Updates

    A cybersecurity best practice is to automate device and software updates. This takes the process out of employees’ hands. It enhances productivity by removing unnecessary updates from their view.

    Automating device updates through a managed services solution improves security. It also mitigates the chance there will be a vulnerable app putting your network at risk.

    Open a Two-Way Communication About Alerts

    Employees may never turn off an alert because they’re afraid they might get in trouble. Managers may not even realize constant app alert interruptions are hurting productivity.

    Communicate with employees and let them know they can communicate with you. Discuss how to use alerts effectively. As well as the best ways to manage alerts for a better and more productive workday.

    Need Help Taming Your Cloud App Environment?

    Today, it’s easy for cloud tools to get out of hand. Get some help consolidating and optimizing your cloud app environment. Give us a call today.

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    Featured Image Credit

    This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

  • These Everyday Objects Can Lead to Identity Theft

    These Everyday Objects Can Lead to Identity Theft

    You wouldn’t think a child’s toy could lead to a breach of your personal data. But this happens all the time. What about your trash can sitting outside? Is it a treasure trove for an identity thief trolling the neighborhood at night?

    Many everyday objects can lead to identity theft. They often get overlooked because people focus on their computers and cloud accounts. It’s important to have strong passwords and use antivirus on your PC. But you also need to be wary of other ways that hackers and thieves can get to your personal data.

    Here are six common things that criminals can use to steal your information.

    Old Smart Phones

    People replace their smartphones about every two and a half years. That’s a lot of old phones laying around containing personal data.

    Just think of all the information our mobile phones hold. We have synced connections with cloud services. Phones also hold banking apps, business apps, and personal health apps. These are all nicely stored on one small device.

    As chip technology has advanced, smartphones have been able to hold more “stuff.” This means documents and spreadsheets can now be easily stored on them. Along with reams of photos and videos.

    A cybercriminal could easily strike data theft gold by finding an old smartphone. They often end up at charity shops or in the trash. Make sure that you properly clean any old phones by erasing all data. You should also dispose of them properly. You shouldn’t just throw electronics away like normal garbage.

    Wireless Printers

    Most printers are wireless these days. This means they are part of your home or work network. Printing from another room is convenient. But the fact that your printer connects to the internet can leave your data at risk.

    Printers can store sensitive documents, such as tax paperwork or contracts. Most people don’t think about printers when putting data security protections in place. This leaves them open to a hack. When this happens, a hacker can get data from the printer. They could also leverage it to breach other devices on the same network.

    Protect printers by ensuring you keep their firmware updated. Always install updates as soon as possible. You should also turn it off when you don’t need it. When it’s off it’s not accessible by a hacker.

    USB Sticks

    Did you ever run across a USB stick laying around? Perhaps you thought you scored a free removable storage device. Or you are a good Samaritan and want to try to return it to the rightful owner. But first, you need to see what’s on it to find them.

    You should never plug a USB device of unknown origin into your computer. This is an old trick in the hacker’s book. They plant malware on these sticks and then leave them around as bait. As soon as you plug it into your device, it can infect it.

    Old Hard Drives

    When you are disposing of an old computer or old removable drive, make sure it’s clean. Just deleting your files isn’t enough. Computer hard drives can have other personal data stored in system and program files.

    Plus, if you’re still logged into a browser, a lot of your personal data could be at risk. Browsers store passwords, credit cards, visit history, and more.

    It’s best to get help from an IT professional to properly erase your computer drive. This will make it safe for disposal, donation, or reuse.

    Trash Can

    Identity theft criminals aren’t only online. They can also be trolling the neighborhood on trash day. Be careful what you throw out in your trash.

    It’s not unusual for garbage to enable identity theft. It can include pre-approved credit card offers that you considered “junk mail.” Your trash can also hold voided checks, old bank statements, and insurance paperwork. Any of these items could have the information thieves need to commit fraud or pose as you.

    A shredder can be your best friend in this case. You should shred any documents that contain personal information. Do this before you throw them out. This extra step could save you from a costly incident.

    Children’s IoT Devices

    Electronic bears, smart kid watches, Wi-Fi-connected Barbies… all toys that hackers love. Mattel’s Hello Barbie was found to enable the theft of personal information. A hacker could also use its microphone to spy on families.

    These futuristic toys are often what kids want. Parents might think they’re cool, but don’t consider their data security. After all, these are children’s toys. But that often means they can be easier to hack. Cybercriminals also zero in on these IoT toys, knowing they aren’t going to be as hard to breach.

    You should be wary of any new internet-connected devices you bring into your home. That includes toys! Install all firmware updates. Additionally, do your homework to see if a data breach has involved the toy.

    Schedule a Home IT Security Audit & Sleep Better at Night

    Don’t let the thought of identity theft keep you up at night. Give us a call today and schedule a home IT security audit. You’ll be glad you did.

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    Featured Image Credit

    This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

  • The final curtain call for Windows 10: What you need to know

    The final curtain call for Windows 10: What you need to know

    Microsoft has announced that the current version of Windows 10, released in 2022, will be its final release.

    If you’re currently using Windows 10, you might wonder what this means for your day-to-day operations.

    The good news is that your computers won’t suddenly stop working. The current updates and security patches for Windows 10 won’t disappear anytime soon either.

    However, you may want to consider upgrading to Windows 11 sooner rather than later. Microsoft has made it clear that it will be devoting all its attention to the new operating system from now on, so future developments and innovation will be focused on Windows 11.

    Upgrading can be a daunting task, but moving to Windows 11 has so many benefits:

    Enhanced performance

    Windows 11 has been designed to maximize efficiency and performance across all types of devices, making it a no-brainer for businesses looking for faster and more efficient technology.

    Improved user experience

    The interface has been updated with a more modern look, making it easier to navigate and customize.

    Increased security

    Windows 11 comes with Microsoft’s most advanced security features, making it harder for cyber criminals to breach your system.

    Better integration with cloud services

    Windows 11 gives you access to a range of cloud-based services, making it easier to collaborate with other team members and enhance your business’ productivity.

    If you’re still hesitant about upgrading, keep in mind that Microsoft will eventually stop releasing security updates for Windows 10. We’re expecting it to be in late 2025. This means staying with Windows 10 for too long could put your business at risk of security threats.

    The sooner you upgrade, the better your protection against these threats, and the more significant the benefits you’ll be able to reap from Windows 11.

    Like any big project, making the move to Windows 11 needs to be planned and implemented properly. Your hardware needs to meet certain requirements and, of course, you’ll need to make sure it’s done without affecting day to day operations.

    If you’d like help making the transition with as little disruption as possible, get in touch.

    Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

  • How to Use the New Virtual Appointments in Microsoft Teams

    How to Use the New Virtual Appointments in Microsoft Teams

    Scheduling appointments is a common activity. Salespeople often set up virtual appointments to answer questions about a product. Software companies allow people to schedule live demos. Telehealth therapists allow clients to book video sessions.

    Those are just a few examples of some groups that are going to love a new Microsoft Teams feature. Virtual Appointments was recently added to the platform. It adds a new meeting style tailored for engagements with customers.

    Have you’ve been using Teams and a different online appointment app? This new feature will streamline the experience.

    What Is Virtual Appointments in Teams?

    Virtual Appointments gives you an all-in-one meeting platform for customer engagements. You can schedule, manage and conduct B2C meetings in Microsoft Teams.

    This new feature brings together the scheduling component with the video conference interface. Anyone with the link can join the virtual appointment. They do not need a Teams account.

    Virtual Appointments
    Image is from Microsoft

    The power of Microsoft’s scheduling app, Bookings, connects to Teams. This makes the Virtual Appointments function as seamless as possible.

    Some of the features below will be available with any Microsoft 365 plan. Some are available with a premium plan.

    Teams Virtual Appointments Features

    Manage Scheduled Appointments

    You can see your scheduled appointments in a single view. Manage cancellations and time changes easily.

    Send Customized Confirmations & Reminders

    You can send customers a customized message via SMS or email. This personalizes the experience for them. You can also use automation to give that personal touch without having to send each one manually. Automated appointment reminders are another time-saving function.

    Customized Waiting Room

    Add a personal touch to your virtual engagements. You can customize the Teams waiting room. You can use themes and logos to brand your business. You can also chat with attendees while in the lobby waiting room. This is helpful if your current appointment is running a little long. You can let them know you’ll be right with them.

    Meeting Follow-ups

    You can send meeting follow-ups after a virtual appointment. This helps you reduce the time it takes to send any promised follow-up information. You also keep all details in a single place. This makes your client communication trail easier to follow.

    Organization & Department Analytics

    How effective are your appointments? It’s hard to know if your demos are resulting in sales if you don’t have a good tracking system. It’s also important to have visibility into customer appointments across the organization.

    You can do this with a premium analytics feature. It gives you helpful reporting. The reporting provides insights into B2C virtual appointments in all departments.

    How to Use Virtual Appointments

    To start using Virtual Appointments in Teams, admins must set up a few things. Note, they must be a Bookings admin to access these settings.

    Create a Calendar

    In the Virtual Appointments app choose to “Create a calendar.” You can find this option on the Home tab.

    Larger organizations may wish to create different calendars for different departments.

    Add Staff

    Next, add staff members. You can add up to 100. You will also need to assign them a role. Once you’ve added your staff, you can view their availability in both Teams and Outlook.

    What’s another nice thing about using an integrated platform like M365? It’s the cross-app compatibility. Your calendar syncs across apps.

    Create Appointment Types

    You’ll next set up your appointment types. You can choose from these two options:

    • Scheduled: You schedule the day/time. The system adds this information to the email confirmation.
    • On-demand (Teams Premium): Customers can choose when to meet from your booking calendar.
    Appointment Type
    Image is from Microsoft

    Set Up SMS Notifications (If desired)

    If you choose to use SMS notifications and have the right Teams plan, you can set this up next. This allows you to easily send appointment confirmations and reminders via text message.

    Note: Attendees currently need a valid U.S., Canadian, or U.K. phone number to receive the SMS notifications.

    Link Forms (If desired)

    If you would like your attendees to fill out any forms, you can link them now. Virtual Appointments allows linking up to four cloud-based forms. These would be forms you have created in Microsoft Forms.

    Publish Your Booking Page

    If you want to give customers the ability to book on-demand appointments, take this next step. You will need to publish the booking page. You do this on the “Manage” tab of Virtual Appointments. Select “Booking page,” and turn on “Publish booking page.”

    Get Help Using Your Microsoft 365 Tools More Effectively

    Microsoft 365 is a platform with many possibilities. Often, companies aren’t using all the features they could. As a result, their team may be less effective. They could also be wasting money on apps they don’t need.

    Are you interested in help supercharging your Microsoft 365 experience? Give us a call today to set up a meeting.

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    Featured Image Credit

    This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

  • Windows 11 optional update: Why it’s better to wait

    Windows 11 optional update: Why it’s better to wait

    Microsoft has just announced an option for people to trial new features before their general release in Windows 11.

    This isn’t about fixes to security flaws – everyone gets those at the same time.

    This is an opportunity for businesses to jump the queue to receive new features and updates first.

    Sound exciting?

    Yes!

    Worth the risk?

    Not quite.

    Our advice?

    Patience is a virtue!

    Sure, it may be tempting to give in to the tantalizing prospect of new features… nobody ever wants to wait. But jumping aboard any trial phase comes with risks.

    Bugs, errors, and other stumbling blocks could have a significant impact on your operations, potentially causing chaos in your daily workflow.

    Waiting until features have completed a thorough trial process gives you the advantage of other people’s experience. They’ve already dealt with the complexities so, by the time you get the new features, they’ll be polished and dependable. And isn’t that more important for the smooth running of your business?

    Trust us, the safe road is the smart road, especially when your business systems are involved. The benefits of being an early adopter may seem enticing, but you don’t want to end up being the guinea pig.

    Remember the old adage… good things come to those who wait!

    We’re all for keeping up with the latest technology and software updates, but there is a time to exercise caution, and this is one of those times. Don’t be tempted by the shiny new features.

    • Be patient
    • Stay safe
    • And ensure that when the time comes, you’re getting something that’s proven to work

    Microsoft already has a lot of (tested and approved) features that can boost productivity and make your work processes smoother. We spend a lot of time helping businesses find the right ones for them. If we can do the same for you, get in touch.

    Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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