Protecting Your Children with Smart Cybersecurity

Protecting Your Children with Smart Cybersecurity How ‘IT NEAR U’ Empowers Parents Parents today are presented with a unique challenge that previous generations never encountered: securing their children’s online activities. In the digital age, children are exposed to the internet at increasingly younger ages. While this access can provide a vast pool of educational resources […]
Unveiling the Truth: Are VPNs Really Worth Your Money?

Unveiling the Truth: Are VPNs Really Worth Your Money? In the realm of digital security, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) have become a popular tool for users seeking to protect their online privacy and secure their internet connection. With an array of flashy advertising campaigns and a surge in cybersecurity concerns, many individuals and businesses have […]
Debunking the Myths: Password Managers

Debunking the Myths: Password Managers Are They Really Worth the Money? There’s a lot of buzz in the digital security world these days about password managers. These tools are lauded as must-haves to secure our online information and simplify the login process. However, with many password managers requiring a monthly or yearly subscription, some question […]
AI on drugs! HALLUCINATION demonstrated | IT NEAR U

A video demonstrating Hallucination of AI systems IT NEAR U offers expert advice and insights on IT for your home and business. This is a short video demonstrating how Artificial “Intelligence” simply makes things up (dreams/hallucinates) when it doesn’t know anything and doesn’t always make you immediately aware that facts are incorrect or fabricated. Video […]
Your Account Access Has Temporarily Been Removed (PSA)

Your account access has temporarily been removed (PSA) Don’t Fall for This SMS / text message Banking Scam Protect your Finances In an alarming trend, fraudsters are sending SMS messages preying on customers of banks like ANZ, WestPac, BNZ, and KiwiBank. The message is typically distressing, stating “your account access has temporarily been removed,” aiming […]
Please complete the processing of This order within today (PSA)

Please complete the processing of This order within today (PSA) Urgent Consumer Alert SMS Scam Warning Be on high alert for a new SMS scam circulating with a sense of urgency, asking recipients to “please complete the processing of this order within today.” This scam uses pressure tactics to provoke immediate action, potentially leading to […]
It has been verified that your toll has not been paid

It has been verified that your toll has not been paid Crucial Public Service Announcement: an SMS text message scam Beware of the latest SMS text scam circulating with the alarming message, “It has been verified that your toll has not been paid.” This scam is designed to incite immediate concern and prompt recipients into […]
The current password for your account expires today (PSA)

The current password for your account expires today (PSA) Stay Vigilant Against this Microsoft e-mail phishing attempt Cybersecurity threats are continually evolving, and a recent scheme to be aware of is the Microsoft password expiring phishing email. This scam preys on the routine nature of password management, creating a sense of urgency and legitimacy to […]
Maximizing Your Productivity and Security

Maximizing Your Productivity and Security Top 5 Produtivity Tips for Windows 11 Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, and it comes with a host of new features and improvements that make it a must-have for anyone using a PC. Whether you’re upgrading from Windows 10 or switching from a different platform, here […]
PEBCAK – the weakest link in your IT Security

PEBCAK – the social issues – the #1 reason that businesses get hacked. Well, that and the poor implementation of security, procedures and services. Listen to this article or Read it.
Mac OS Ventura iOS 16 released – new features

Apple macOS Ventura and iOS 16 released New productivity features and improvements So, what’s new? Continuity – Making Apple Devices Work Better Together With iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, you can use your Phone as a WebCam. You can even purchase an iPhone mount to up the quality and resolution of your MacBook or iMac […]
IT NEAR U understands the cloud – Office 365

Nobody understands the cloud! Well, not quite! We do. Call IT NEAR U for experienced IT Cloud Consultants https://youtu.be/zUsu9iNVzG0 We do understand all the benefits (and weaknesses) of Cloud Computing. We know the pros and cons of each ecosystem. Whether you need assistance getting your iMac, iPhone, or iPad syncing to each other or whether […]
Do you need an Antivirus?

Do You Need an Antivirus? What We Do and Do Not Recommend Navigating the Antivirus Marketplace When you purchase a computer or notebook, it often comes loaded with pre-installed software known as bloatware. This software is not installed for your benefit but rather to generate commissions for the manufacturer through subscriptions. Frequently, these antivirus products […]
Cheap IT parts are as good as what you paid for them

Cheap IT Peripherals, Parts and Components Usually only as good as what you paid for them! A few years back, when the owner of IT near U owned another successful IT company, he had a customer phone and rave about he had picked up an absolute bargain in China where he had purchased a massive […]
Microsoft 365 offers so much more!

Microsoft 365 – more than desktop apps You needed Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other desktop apps, so your existing mobile tech support company sold you a Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) subscription or perhaps you were given a three-month trial when you purchased your computer or notebook but it wasn’t explained or demonstrated just […]
Computer running slow? Put in an SSD?

Computer running slow? IT guy says an SSD can make it faster! Yes, it may, but there are other factors to consider with older Macs and PC’s You see there are a lot of things changing in IT at the moment and before you spend your hard-earned cash, there are a few things you should […]
Do you backup your data?

Do you backup your data? Are you sure your backups work? Listen to this blog: Everything is fine? Every time we sit down in front of a new computer, at any client we visit for the first time, we ask: “Do you have backups of your data? Do you do regular backups” Sometimes, we get […]
Bitcoin – value in the Greater Fool

Bitcoin and Crypto tokens – value by the Greater Fool Listen to the blog (more info and more nuance) Open a text document. Type a few random letters, heck, go crazy and type about 256. What you have in front of you is probably unique. Congratulations – you’ve created a “digital asset”. Now you just […]
IT consultants & Humour – June 2022

IT Security – and a bit of humour for June 2022 Is that a Man-in-the-Middle Cyber-Attack? Listen to this blog – click the play button below (which contains more info as well) – scroll down for our “Mouse-in-the-Middle” bit of IT security humour. You don’t want a “geek” or a “technician” to assist with your […]
IT ignorance – why cheating on Microsoft licensing costs more

IT ignorance – cheating on Microsoft licensing costs you more! Listen to this blog: Some IT companies appear to base their business model on undercutting (in the wrong areas) to get their foot in the door. Ironically, they usually won’t discount their labour fee for fixing the mess caused by giving incorrect advice in the […]
is your data actually backed up?

is your data actually backed up? Preventing Data Loss A client called us recently asking us to set up his new notebook after he had sent his old notebook away under warranty. His previous IT guy had moved out of town. This IT guy had set up a Microsoft OneDrive as a cloud backup and […]
IT Jokes from the Web – May 2022

Some IT Humour from the Web – May 2022 Found stuck to the office printer: Printer’s Name: Bob Marley Reason: It’s always jammin’ Don’t you worry… bout da ink… cause everything you print… gonna turn out white… If birds “tweeted”… a classic…
Which Smartphone Should I Get to Work Best with My PC?
Which Smartphone Should I Get to Work Best with My PC? Introduction Deciding which smartphone should I get that best complements your computer can significantly enhance your digital experience. This guide explores optimal smartphone choices based on the computer system you use, focusing primarily on integration with PCs and Macs. Best Smartphone for Mac Users […]
SCAM E-MAILS: the e-mail extortion attempt from a leaked password
Understanding the Bitcoin Leaked Password Extortion Scam The bitcoin leaked password extortion scam is a significant cybersecurity threat that combines social engineering with fear tactics to exploit victims. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated in their approaches, often using a person’s real password to make their claims more convincing. Below, we explore a common scenario of this […]