5 Common IT Problems and How to Troubleshoot Them

Did you know that there were 2.3 billion data breaches and cyber-attacks committed in February 2021?

Cybercrimes like ransomware attacks plague businesses of all sizes throughout Northern America. Yet one in five small businesses don’t have any security protection. And 60% choose to put their head in the sand over breaches.

Security threats are only one of a myriad of IT problems companies face and don’t know how to troubleshoot.

This article examines 5 common technology issues and how to deal with them.

Learn about malware and ransomware intrusions and how to resolve them. See how a slow Internet connection can grind you to a halt and what to do about it. Discover how to fix hardware IT problems like broken networked printers without leaving your desk.

Read on to solve common IT headaches in the workplace through managed IT service providers.

1. Security IT Issues

How secure are your company’s systems and data?

A report by security firm Verizon noted that breached businesses fell victim to:

• Hacking (52%)
• Malware attacks (28%)
• Phishing (32%)
• Social engineering (33%)

The reasons why companies become victims of such attacks include vulnerable apps on their network and weak passwords. Poor configuration along with user error and mismanagement also contribute to the problem.

Small businesses often don’t have the expertise or knowledge to manage their own systems adequately. And with hackers attacking at a rate of once every 39 seconds, they leave themselves wide open.

2. Systems Not Responding

The dread BSOD or Blue Screen Of Death isn’t as prevalent as it once was but systems still slow down and crash.

Most times a reboot will fix the problem but if your data isn’t saved or backed up you could lose it. Worse still, the problem may continue and strike at the most inconvenient times resulting in loss of productivity.

Ensuring your operating system files are patched helps reduce these issues. As is incorporating monitoring systems to detect problems on your network.

Upgrading your hardware can help too.

Adding RAM or swapping a hard drive for SSD can really speed up a computer. Be wary of doing this yourself as you could easily wipe your data or buy the wrong component.

3. Ransomware Attacks

A security report published in 2020 revealed that 51% of organizations suffered a ransomware attack. The result was a disruption in their daily operations and a loss in revenue.

Ransomware is a type of malware that installs on a victim’s device and encrypts all their data. Users then see a message demanding they pay the attacker money or their information will get deleted.

High-profile cases include multi-national facility-management firm ISS World.

The company had to cut off its global shared IT services network as a result of the attack. That left 43,000 employees unable to work. The estimated bill ended up costing $74 million.

Exchange firm Travelex became infected by ransomware which shut down its internal systems for weeks. They had to pay the attackers $2.3 million in Bitcoins to regain access.

Unfortunately, if you fall victim to a ransomware attack you have two options.

Either pay the ransom to retrieve your data. Or wipe your systems and pray that your back-ups work.

4. Slow Internet

A sluggish internet connection will affect everyone on your network. Productivity will plummet and so will morale if the interruptions continue.

Some of the main causes of a slow service include:

• Modem or router issue
• Wi-Fi signal dropping
• Bandwidth saturation on the network
• Slow DNS server
• Issues with your ISP

Identifying the problem is a task in itself as so many factors can contribute to the problem. Knowing where to begin requires specialist knowledge and the proper tools to test each element.

A slow connection can also indicate that your system contains a virus or malware.

Hackers use infected machines as part of a botnet or rogue network to do their bidding. Computers are often used in DDoS attacks which flood a website with thousands of unwanted requests. This slows down your network and disrupts the victim’s website.

5. Printers Stop Working

A common gripe in the workplace revolves around networked printers. It often seems that they stop working when you need them the most.

Apart from checking if the toner cartridges work and that the cables are plugged in, what’s the best way to troubleshoot them?

A running joke in the IT support industry is to switch the machine off then switch it on again. Incredibly this works a high percentage of the time!

However, driver failures, broken software, and unpatched operating system files can contribute.

That takes specialist help. One that a managed IT services provider like https://www.ctechgroup.ca/top-calgary-it-services/ can offer.

Managed IT Service Providers

Who do you call when your computer freezes or you believe you’ve contracted a computer virus?

Sadly, many companies wait until issues arise before seeking help. By then it can be too late, especially if a ransomware attack occurs.

A better strategy is to employ a proactive approach and hire the services of a managed IT services provider.

What Are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT service providers act as your complete support solution by offering:

• 24/7 monitoring of your business network
• Proactive software to fix issues when found
• Systems support and troubleshoot
• Improve cyber-security
• Secure data backup

The best providers know how to fix common IT issues but also more complex problems regarding security. They can also migrate your software, hardware, and data and offer upgrades to existing devices.

You communicate with a dedicated IT manager who there’s to help and guide you.

That means no more flying solo or reaching out to an unnamed person on a phone. You know the person you’re speaking with and they know you.

Fix IT Problems With Managed IT Services

IT problems like security threats, network issues, and slow systems will cripple your business.

By waiting until these issues occur, you’ll see significant downtime which results in a loss of business and poor morale. Yet, prevention is better than cure.

Managed IT service providers scan your systems daily for common problems and issues. Support teams proactively work to ensure you remain online and secure.

Don’t try to fix everything yourself. Call in a professional managed IT services firm to assist you.

Read more about IT problems in our blog. And search for posts labeled ‘managed IT services near me’ for further information on support.