Even in good times, scammers circle around generosity. But during the holidays, when giving increases and emotions run high, they truly pounce. A few years ago, a massive telefunding fraud was shut down after authorities discovered that the perpetrators had made 1.3 billion deceptive donation calls and collected over $110 million from unsuspecting donors. (Federal […]

Every year, there’s a new flood of apps, gadgets and “game-changing” technology. Most of it feels more like a distraction than a breakthrough. But this year, a few simple tools actually lived up to the hype – saving small business owners time, money and the occasional headache. Here are the tech wins that were worth […]

Last December, an accounts payable clerk at a midsize company got an urgent text from her “CEO”: Buy $3,000 worth of Apple gift cards for clients, scratch the backs and e-mail the codes. It sounded odd, but the request came from the boss’s name, and it was peak holiday chaos. By the time she double-checked, […]

You wouldn’t drive without a seat belt. You wouldn’t leave your office unlocked overnight. So why go online without multifactor authentication (MFA)? MFA is like a second lock on your digital door. Instead of relying on just a password – which can be stolen, guessed or phished – it adds another layer of protection, such […]

Effingham, Illinois – MSP Titans of the Industry Recognizes Magoo & Associates, LLC as 2025 Awards Finalist   Effingham, Illinois – Magoo & Associates, LLC has been named a finalist in the 2025 MSP Titans of the Industry Awards, a prestigious recognition celebrating excellence and leadership in the Managed Service Provider Industry.   This honor places Magoo […]

In 2020, a family in Mississippi woke up to a nightmare. Their eight-year-old daughter heard a man’s voice coming from her bedroom, but it wasn’t her father. A hacker had gained access to their Ring camera and was speaking to her through the device, taunting her and playing music until the parents rushed in to […]

AI is rapidly advancing – and bringing with it a whole new way to do business. While it’s exciting to see, it can also be alarming when you consider that attackers have just as much access to AI tools as you do. Here are a few monsters lurking in the dark that we want to […]

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to step back and look at how your business is protecting itself from today’s biggest digital threats. Here’s the reality: Most cyberattacks don’t happen because of some elite hacker. They happen because of sloppy everyday habits – like an employee clicking a bad link, […]

At first, hanging on to old technology for as long as possible seems like a great way to stretch your IT budget. However, the cost of doing so is much higher than simply replacing the tech. Continuing to use old hardware and outdated software can cost your business in productivity, budget and security. The Real […]

There are many common myths when it comes to cybersecurity, and, unlike harmless stories, these myths can leave you with gaping holes in your company’s cybersecurity defenses. Here are five common myths and the truth behind them. Myth #1: It Won’t Happen To Us. There’s a common belief among small and medium-sized businesses that they […]

When it comes to protecting your business from cyberthreats, the basics still matter. A lot. In fact, according to IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report,82% of breaches involved data stored in the cloud, and most of them could’ve been prevented with simple, foundational safeguards. That’s where “cyber hygiene” comes in – your business’s […]

Warning: Microsoft will NO LONGER support Windows 10 after October 14, 2025. While PCs operating on Windows 10 will still work after this official end date, Microsoft will no longer provide the free services that keep your device working properly and securely, such as security updates and technical support. Why Is This Important For Business […]

You don’t have to be a big corporation to suffer a major cyberattack. In fact, small businesses are now the most common targets for cybercriminals. Why? Because they’re easier to get into – and more likely to pay up. And while a Fortune 500 company might be able to eat the cost of a breach, […]

There’s a lot of excitement about artificial intelligence (AI) right now, and for good reason. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot are popping up everywhere. Businesses are using them to create content, respond to customers, write e-mails, summarize meetings and even assist with coding or spreadsheets. AI can be a huge time-saver and […]

You and your employees may be getting back from vacation, but cybercriminals never take a day off. In fact, data shown in studies from vendors ProofPoint and Check Point indicate that phishing attempts actually spike in the summer months. Here’s how to stay aware and stay protected. Why The Increased Risk? Attackers use your summer travel bug to their […]

Cybercriminals are changing how they attack small businesses. Instead of breaking down the door, they’re sneaking in with a stolen key…your login credentials. It’s called an identity-based attack, and it’s becoming the top way hackers get into systems. They steal passwords, trick employees with fake e-mails or overload people with login requests until someone slips. […]

Power outages, cyberattacks, hardware failures and natural disasters rarely arrive with a warning, and when they hit, the impact on small businesses can be devastating. Many assume that having a backup is enough, but the truth is, restoring a file isn’t the same as staying operational. If you can’t access systems, support remote work or […]

Most of us carry our phones everywhere, trusting them with everything from passwords to private business conversations. But here’s the unsettling truth: phone tracking is far more common – and easier – than most people realize.Whether it’s a jealous partner, a disgruntled employee or a cybercriminal targeting your business, anyone with the right tools can […]

Many small business owners operate under the misconception that regulatory compliance is a concern solely for large corporations. However, in 2025, this belief couldn’t be further from the truth. With tightening regulations across various sectors, small businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs of compliance enforcement agencies.   Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever Regulatory bodies […]

You know the saying: You get what you pay for. And nowhere is that more obvious than in IT. On the surface, a cheaper managed IT services agreement might seem like a win: lower monthly costs, basic support, maybe even some cybersecurity tools thrown in. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll often find hidden […]

If you’re still running Windows 10 on your business machines, let’s cut to the chase: The clock is ticking. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10. That means no more security patches, no more bug fixes and no more technical support. But here’s what business owners really need to understand: […]

You set it. You forget it. And just like that, while you’re packing for vacation, your inbox starts automatically broadcasting: “Hi there! I’m out of the office until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [coworker’s name and e-mail].” Sounds harmless, right? Convenient, even. Except…that’s exactly what cybercriminals love to see. Your auto-reply – the simple […]

If you’re only talking to your IT provider when you renew your contract, you’re doing it wrong. Technology isn’t a “set it and forget it” part of your business. It’s constantly evolving, and so are the threats that come with it. That’s why quarterly IT check-ins are nonnegotiable if you want your business to stay […]

It’s a quiet June morning. Half your team is on vacation. The other half is working from home or bouncing between coffee shops and hotel WiFi. And then it happens. Your system goes down. The printer stops working. No one can access shared files. A phishing e-mail just landed in someone’s inbox. You call your […]

As you work through Q1 of 2025, one thing is abundantly clear: businesses that thrive are those that stay ahead of the quickly evolving technology world. Reactive IT strategies – waiting for problems to occur before addressing them – are no longer sufficient in a world where downtime, breaches and inefficiencies can cost thousands of […]

Windows 10’s end-of-life is looming, and with support officially ending in October 2025, it’s decision time for businesses and individuals still relying on the operating system. The big question? Should you upgrade your existing devices to Windows 11 or is it time to replace them altogether? Here’s a guide to help you make the right […]

It’s time to declutter your digital life! National Clean Out Your Computer Day, celebrated on the second Monday of February, is the perfect reminder to give your computer the attention it deserves. Just like a cluttered desk can slow you down, a cluttered computer can impact productivity – and even put your data at risk. […]

It’s game time – and while the biggest teams are gearing up for football’s biggest day, cybercriminals are busy preparing their playbook for 2025. Just like a championship game, the battle against hackers requires strategy, teamwork and preparation. Are you ready to tackle this year’s biggest cybersecurity threats? Here’s what the experts predict for 2025 […]

Password managers keep our online accounts safe. They store all our passwords in one place. But are they hackable?   What Are Password Managers? Password managers are like digital vaults: they save all your passwords inside themselves. You need only remember one master password, of course. This makes keeping a lot of accounts much easier […]

Before the year wraps up, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the last 12 months and assess how technology is helping – or holding back – your business productivity. Keeping your tech fresh and efficient has become essential for any business that wants to stay competitive, meet productivity goals and make employees’ day-to-day tasks […]