Useful Information
The Constant Companion – A Generational Shift in Phone Dependency
In the modern world, we often marvel at how a slim piece of glass and metal can instantly connect us to anyone, anywhere on Earth. We are, of course, talking about the common mobile phone. But for younger generations, this isn’t just a fascinating tool, it’s an essential companion. While older generations remember a world …
The 2027 “Great Switch-Off”: Preparing for the Digital Future
The way we communicate is changing. By January 31, 2027, the UK’s traditional copper-wire phone network—which has served us for over a century—will be permanently switched off. This nationwide transition, known as the “Great Switch-Off,” marks the end of the analogue era and the beginning of a fully digital future. Why is the “Great Switch-Off” important?
Your Safety Net: Understanding Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery for SMEs
In today’s fast paced world, an unexpected disruption like a power cut, a flood, or a crippling cyber attack can stop a business dead in its tracks. For a small or medium-sized business (SME), especially in vital sectors like Care Homes or Domiciliary Care, this doesn’t just mean lost income, it can impact the safety …
UK Emergency Alert Test
A nationwide test of the UK’s Emergency Alerts service is set to take place today, Sunday, September 7, at 3pm. The alert will be sent to compatible mobile phones and tablets across the country. When the alert arrives, your device will emit a loud, siren-like sound and vibrate for about 10 seconds, even if it …
Windows 11 – What Can I Expect?
You’ve probably heard that support for Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system is ending on the 14th October 2025. After this date there will no longer be any security updates or patches rolled out, which makes your systems less secure. Running on an unsupported operating system can make your business vulnerable to a range of security issues.
Spring Is In The Air!
It’s Spring Conference season and Magikos IT will be in attendance at the following events:
Surrey Care Association Spring Conference
Date: Tuesday 13th May 2025
Time: 9.15am – 3pm
Venue: Silvermere Golf and Leisure LimitedHampshire Care Association Spring Conference
Date: Wednesday 14th May 2025
Time: 9.30am – 3pm
Venue: King’s Community Church, Hedge End
Heathrow Closed! – Why Small Businesses Must Do Better When Disaster Strikes
We’ve all seen the headlines. Heathrow’s major outage, system failures, and disruptions that have brought half the country to a standstill because of a fire at a power substation. Could this have been predicted? These events, while often large-scale, serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of our interconnected world.
The Risks and Challenges of Legacy IT Systems: Why Modernisation Matters for Your Business
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses rely heavily on technology to stay competitive and efficient. However, many organisations are still grappling with legacy IT systems – outdated hardware and software that were once modern but now hinder progress. While the allure of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might seem appealing, clinging to legacy systems can be detrimental.
Come and Meet Us at the Next Surrey Heartlands Digital Event!
Magikos IT will be attending the Surrey Heartlands – ‘Building on the Digital Future of Adult Social Care’ Event – to be held at Dorking Halls on Wednesday 12th March 2025.
8 Technical Predictions for 2013 – Which Came True?
As 2024 draws to a close, our thoughts typically turn towards the new year and what changes we can expect to see. As an IT company, our thoughts tend to be focused on advancements in technology and what impact these might have on our day to day lives. Back in 2013, our Technical Director reflected on …
Are You Ready for the New UK Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill?
The UK Government is gearing up to introduce the Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill in 2025. This landmark legislation aims to bolster the nation’s cyber defences and safeguard critical infrastructure and digital services in the face of escalating cyber threats.
Beware Black Friday Bargains: Common Online Shopping Scams
The days either side of the Thanksgiving weekend – commonly referred to as Black Friday and Cyber Monday – have become the busiest online shopping days of the year in the Western world. While the potential to truly ‘bag a bargain’ is up for debate, one certainty is that these shopping events present a perfect opportunity for scammers.
No Password Required – The Pros and Cons of Going Passwordless
The shift towards passwordless methods of authentication is slowly gaining momentum as organisations seek to enhance security and improve user experience. But what does this mean in practice and do the potential benefits outweigh the challenges involved?
The Rise of AI: Friend or Foe?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace and its impact on our lives is becoming hard to ignore. But what does the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ encompass and is it really going to transform our world in the way that we think?
Social Media – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The power of social media has come under the spotlight again following the recent UK riots. There’s no denying that the popularity and influence of social media has grown exponentially over the last decade but questions are now being asked about what impact it is having on the fabric of our society.
The Ring Has Gone Silent: The UK Says Goodbye to Analogue Phones
What’s Happening and Why? For decades, the crackle and hum of the analogue phone line were the soundtrack to our conversations. But, like the rotary phone before it, the traditional analogue phone is being relegated to the history books. The UK is undergoing a digital switchover.
Your Own Private Network – How a VPN Can Protect You in More Ways Than One
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, home working has seen a dramatic rise in popularity. The increased flexibility that home working offers, coupled with significant savings in travel time and commuting costs, means that this phenomenon is here to stay.
Beware the Sneaky Zipper! How a Tiny Trick in Your URL Can Unzip Trouble
Imagine you receive an email with a link that appears to be from a legitimate source. The link might say something like “documents.google.com[.zip]” – notice the extra dot and “zip” at the end.
Millions Exposed: Ticketmaster & Santander Hacks – How to Protect Yourself
Ticketmaster and Santander bank recently suffered major data breaches, potentially impacting over 590 million customers. While the source of the attack is debated, experts warn it highlights the dangers of interconnected systems.
Cloud Backup – A Guardian Angel for Your Data
How can you protect your precious data? In today’s digital world, our data is more valuable than ever. Businesses now hold the majority of their data in a digital format…
Block Out the Noise: Why Ad Blockers are Essential in 2024
Fed Up with Online Ads? Imagine you’re trying to read a recipe online.
The Importance of Cyber Essentials Certification
What is it and why does it matter? In the age of digital dominance, where data reigns supreme and cyber threats lurk around every corner, UK businesses must take steps to mitigate their vulnerabilities.
Could a Hacker Guess Your Password?
How strong is your password? A recent report from NordPass reveals that many individuals use weak passwords.
Mass-Mail Services, DKIM, DMARC & SPF – What’s The Story?
In October 2023, a major shake-up of email configuration was announced, particularly in relation to its use for mass-mailing services.
How Secure Is YOUR Data?
The Law is clear … The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation.
2-Factor Authentication – Why does it matter?
Cybercrime is on the rise! Simple and outdated security systems are no match for modern threats.
Windows 7 – The End is Nigh!
Support for Windows 7 by Microsoft ends on January 14th 2020.
How to Stop the Automatic Windows 10 Upgrade
Over the past week, many of our clients have been caught out by a change to the Windows 10 upgrade notifications.
How to Change Your LinkedIn Password
On the 18th May 2016, 117 Million LinkedIn passwords have been put up for sale online.
The Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act 1998 defines UK law on the processing of data on identifiable living people.
How To Change Your PayPal Password
UPDATE (07/11/12) – Fresh reports suggest that the attack previously described was not directed towards PayPal.