Supercharge your browsing experience with these Google Chrome speed hacks
Google Chrome has become one of the most widely used web browsers worldwide because of its ease of use and speed. However, as with any software, it can slow down over time. Luckily, there are several speed hacks you can use to make Google Chrome faster and more efficient.
Disable unused extensions
Extensions are third-party software that can add features to your browser. However, many extensions require huge amounts of resources which can slow down your browser. If you have many extensions installed, try disabling the ones you don’t use frequently. These steps will guide you on how to disable Chrome extensions.
Click on the ellipsis or kebab menu, the three dots on the upper-right corner of the browser.
Go to More tools > Extensions.
From there, you can disable any extensions you don’t need.
Clear browsing data
Clearing your browsing data can also speed up Chrome. Browsing data includes your browsing history, cache, cookies, and other temporary files that can accumulate over time. Clearing these files can free up space and improve your browser’s performance. To clear your browsing data, just follow these steps.
Click on the ellipsis or kebab menu.
Go to More tools > Clear browsing data.
From there, you can select the time range you want to clear and the types of data you want to delete.
Use Chrome’s built-in task manager
Google Chrome comes with a task manager that enables you to determine which tabs or extensions are consuming the greatest amount of resources. The task manager can be accessed by following the steps below.
Click on the ellipsis or kebab menu.
Go to More Tools > Task Manager.
On the Task Manager page, you can see which tabs or extensions are consuming the most CPU, memory, and network resources and close them.
Disable hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature that uses your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) to accelerate the rendering of web pages. While this feature can improve performance, it can also cause Chrome to use more resources and therefore slow down. To disable hardware acceleration, follow the steps below.
Click on the ellipsis or kebab menu.
Go to Settings > Advanced > System.
Here, you can toggle off the hardware acceleration feature.
Update Chrome
Make sure your Chrome browser is always updated. Chrome updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements, so keeping your browser up to date can help improve its speed and stability. You can check if you have the latest version of Chrome by following these steps.
Click on the ellipsis or kebab menu.
Go to Settings > About Chrome.
Google Chrome will automatically search for updates and download them if they are available.
These speed hacks can help you optimize your Chrome browser and improve its performance, however, it’s important to note that some other factors can also affect Chrome’s performance, such as your internet speed and computer specifications. If you continue to experience issues with your browser’s performance, call our tech experts today.
Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Staying afloat: The importance of a business continuity plan for SMBs
As a small- or medium-sized business (SMB) owner, you understand how challenging it can be to keep your company afloat. While you may have a solid business plan, unexpected events such as natural disasters or cybersecurity threats can disrupt your operations. This is where a business continuity plan (BCP) comes in. In this article, we’ll discuss why your SMB needs a BCP and how implementing one can help you stay resilient during times of crisis.
What is a BCP?
A BCP is a document that outlines the procedures and protocols your SMB must follow to continue operating during a crisis. It includes a comprehensive set of instructions and guidelines that are designed to minimize the impact of various unexpected events and ensure that essential business functions continue with minimal disruption.
The BCP should cover all critical aspects of your business, including IT systems, communications, employee safety, and more. It should also define the roles and responsibilities of your employees during a crisis and provide guidance on how to communicate with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. By having a BCP in place, your business can quickly adapt to changing circumstances and continue to provide essential services and products.
What are the key threats to business continuity?
Some of the most common threats to business continuity include natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, floods), cyberattacks (e.g., malware, phishing, ransomware), power outages, supply chain disruptions, and pandemics. Any of these events can cause significant disruptions to your operations and financial stability.
How to develop an effective BCP
If your business doesn’t have a BCP, now is the perfect time to create one. By following these steps, you can develop a comprehensive BCP that will help your SMB keep running even during a major crisis.
Conduct a risk assessment – The first step in developing an effective BCP is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. This involves identifying potential threats and hazards to your business, evaluating their likelihood and impact, and determining how you can mitigate these risks.
Perform a business impact analysis (BIA) – A BIA will help you determine how a disruption can affect your company’s current functions, processes, personnel, equipment, technology, and physical infrastructure.
Identify recovery options – To be able to restore your business to minimum operational levels, it’s important to identify different recovery options. These may include utilizing data backups, implementing remote work for employees, or operating from a secondary location.
Document the plan – After gathering all the necessary information, make a record of the BCP. It should be stored in a secure location, but it should also be easily accessible to all employees and stakeholders. Don’t forget to update it regularly to reflect any changes in your business or environment.
Test the plan and train employees – Testing the plan will help identify any gaps or areas that need improvement, ensuring that the plan is effective and can be executed efficiently during a crisis. Training your employees on the plan will ensure that everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities during a crisis, and that they can act promptly and decisively to keep operations running smoothly.
Developing a BCP may seem like a daunting task for SMBs, but it doesn’t have to be. Give us a call today and our team of experts can guide you through the process.
Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Help Your Business Thrive With Co-Managed IT Services
Over the past few years, awareness about IT services has significantly increased. Businesses of varying sizes recognize the need for and importance of utilizing IT services to protect sensitive data, keep day-to-day operations running smoothly, increase productivity throughout various departments and stay up-to-date with the most recent technology trends. Without IT services, companies put themselves and their clients at risk. So, if you’re looking to add these kinds of services to your business – or are in need of an update – you may wonder what your options are.
IT Services Providers Available For My Business
When it comes to adding IT services to your business, there are essentially three main options. Sure, you could try incorporating new practices yourself, but this will take you away from other projects, so it’s best to turn to the professionals for what you need. One option that’s becoming rare is hiring an in-house IT team. This allows you to have an IT professional or team working at your business on a daily basis. They can handle most minor tech issues in a timely manner and will always be available to answer questions. You’ll also maintain control over the different practices, programs and protections that are in place.
Another option is to hire a managed services provider. MSPs come with a host of benefits and take much of the stress out of your IT needs. MSPs can help your systems operate more efficiently, reduce costs related to managing IT software, improve your cyber security efforts and answer any questions you may have. MSPs are third-party companies that must adhere to certain industry standards, but they don’t work directly out of your business. This means if you utilize MSP services, you will relinquish many of your IT decisions and responsibilities to the experts.
The final option is the best of both worlds, and it’s called co-managed IT services. This option allows you to outsource some of your more critical IT functions while still maintaining an in-house team. You can have the outsourced IT service manage your network infrastructure, which ensures your routers, firewalls and other network devices continue to work correctly. With co-managed IT services, an MSP can manage and monitor your data backup and recovery solutions, cyber security practices and defenses, cloud management and optimization and even IT project management. They can be available at all hours of the day to offer support and guidance for any needs you may have. And you’ll get to experience all these benefits while still maintaining an in-house IT department. Your in-house team can handle all quick problems and offer immediate assistance while the MSP handles everything else.
The Benefits Of Co-Managed IT
Now that you’re more familiar with co-managed IT services, you might wonder what the benefits are so you can determine if it’s the right fit for your business. One of the first benefits is that co-managed IT can save businesses quite a bit of money. Maintaining a full in-house IT department or depending on an MSP for every IT need can get expensive. But by outsourcing specific functions, you can lessen the number of people on your in-house IT team, and many MSPs provide differently priced packages depending on your company’s needs. This will help you find the right balance that also fits your IT budget. You’ll have more control and flexibility over your IT infrastructure as well, so you can choose who handles each responsibility and what functions the third-party team manages.
Another great benefit you’ll gain from a co-managed IT service is a double layer of expertise and security. Not only will you have a team on the ground able to provide quick fixes to common problems, but you’ll also have an MSP holding down your back line and ensuring everything else runs smoothly. Both your in-house and outsource team will have experience and knowledge to guide you through any dilemma that may arise.
No matter what the IT needs are for your business, there’s an IT option that’s bound to help your business find more success. We can help if you’re still unsure which option is best for you and your business. Once your IT needs are met, you can focus your attention on the daily operations of your business and find new ways to become more profitable and efficient.
Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
