Congrats on the new machine! Before you dive into downloading everything and setting it all up, let's make sure you're starting on the right foot. A little time invested upfront means better security, smoother performance, and a computer that lasts years longer than it otherwise would. Here's your action checklist: Day One: Security First 🔒 Get updates running immediately. Windows or macOS,doesn't matter. Go to settings, check for updates, and let it do its thing. This might take a while and require a few restarts. Do it anyway. Those updates patch security holes that attackers actively exploit. Set up your login properly. Use a PIN or biometric login (fingerprint/face) for convenience, but make sure your actual account password is strong. If someone steals the laptop, that password is what protects your data. Enable disk encryption. Windows Pro has BitLocker built in. Windows Home users can use Device Encryption (check Settings > Privacy & Security). Mac users, turn on FileVault. If your laptop gets stolen, encryption means your data stays yours. Install a password manager. Bitwarden is free and excellent. 1Password and Dashlane are solid paid options. Pick one, install the browser extension, and commit to using it. This single habit will do more for your security than almost anything else. Post coming on 1Password soon. Week One: Build Your Foundation Uninstall the bloatware. New computers come loaded with trial software and manufacturer junk you'll never use. Go through your installed programs and remove anything you didn't ask for. Less running software means better performance and fewer security risks. Install the tools you trust from a source you trust. Check out our post on Ninite: https://www.skool.com/fractional-it/why-im-loving-ninite-and-you-should-too?p=4bd2507f Set up automated backups. Windows has File History. Mac has Time Machine. Both work great with an external drive. For offsite protection, Backblaze runs about $99/year for unlimited backup. The rule: if losing a file would ruin your day, it needs to be backed up somewhere other than your computer.

Quick poll I want to help with what actually matters to you. What's your biggest IT frustration right now? 🔒 Cybersecurity / feeling vulnerable 💾 Backups / disaster recovery 🔑 Passwords / access management 🐢 Slow computers / outdated hardware 💸 Too many subscriptions / software bloat Vote below and drop a comment if you want to add context. I'll use this to shape what we cover next.

We Changed Our Name. Here's Why (And What's Coming) Some of you knew us as The IT Group. That name worked. But it didn't fit. Because we're not trying to be your IT department. We're not trying to replace your MSP. We're not here to charge you $2,000/month for someone to reset your password. We're here to give small business owners something that's never existed before: Fractional IT expertise, without the full-time cost. Same knowledge. Same protection. Same confidence the big companies have. At a price that makes sense for a business your size. So, the name had to change. Welcome to Fractional IT. Here's What's Happening in 2026 I'm going all-in on this community. That means structure. That means value. That means showing up consistently to help you protect your business, secure your data, and stop wasting time on tech that should just work. Here's the plan: 🆓 FREE — "The Lobby" You're already here. You get: - Access to the community - Weekly educational posts - A front-row seat to what's possible This isn't going away. But if you want more... 🔐 PAID — "The Inner Circle" This is for business owners who are serious about protecting their business and levelling up their tech game. What you get: - Biweekly LIVE group Q&A calls (ask me anything) - Full library of recorded calls - Templates, checklists, and SOPs (security audits, backup guides, vendor evaluation frameworks) - Post questions anytime — I respond within 48 hours - Huntress Antivirus INCLUDED (enterprise-grade protection, ~$60/year value, on me) Founder's Rate: $47/month First 25 members lock this in forever. After that? Price goes to $97/month. You're not just paying for access. You're paying for peace of mind. 🚀 PREMIUM — "Fractional CTO" This is the closest thing to having me on your team without putting me on payroll. Everything in The Inner Circle, plus: - Weekly group strategy calls - Priority response — 24 hours max - Quarterly "Stack Audit" — I review every tool you're using and tell you what to keep, cut, and upgrade - Direct access to me via DM

Most business owners, office managers, and practice administrators don’t think about IT until something breaks. That’s the worst time to figure it out. These downloads are the cheat codes. They show you exactly what to do when “that” scenario happens, whether it’s downtime, security, or the random tech chaos that halts your business. Use them to make decisions faster, avoid costly mistakes, and know you’re covered when the unexpected hits. No theory. Just plug-and-play resources you can actually use. (.docx files so you can edit as needed)

Don't Get Fooled by Fake Teams Calls That Microsoft Teams call popping up on your screen might not be who it claims to be. A growing attack method targets small businesses directly through Teams, no email phishing required. Attackers impersonate IT support, vendors, or even Microsoft itself to gain remote access to your systems. If you're managing your own IT, you need to know how this works and how to shut it down. How the Attack Works The attacker creates a Microsoft 365 tenant with a display name like "Microsoft Technical Support" or "IT Help Desk." They then initiate a Teams call or chat to your organization. Because Teams allows external communication by default, the call appears legitimate. Once connected, they'll claim there's a security issue, an expiring license, or some urgent problem requiring immediate action. The goal is always the same: get you to grant remote access through Quick Assist, AnyDesk, or screen sharing—or trick you into revealing credentials. Some attackers flood your inbox with spam first, then call pretending to help you fix the "problem" they created. Why Small Businesses Are Prime Targets Larger organizations have IT teams who recognize these tactics immediately. When you're handling IT yourself, you might not have encountered this before. Attackers know this and specifically target smaller operations where a business owner or office manager might take the call thinking it's legitimate support. Your Defense Checklist Lock down external access in Teams Admin Center: - Sign in at admin.teams.microsoft.com - Navigate to Users → External access - Change "People in my organization can communicate with Skype and Teams users outside my organization" to Off or limit it to specific trusted domains only - Under Guest access, review and restrict permissions Block external calls specifically: - In Teams Admin Center, go to Voice → Calling policies - Disable "Make private calls" for users who don't need external calling capability