Tech Advisory

Technology Advice for Small Businesses

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Recent Posts

Should you keep your phone plugged in? Here’s what you need to know

Editor November 12, 2025

You may have heard that charging your phone overnight or frequently topping it off could damage the battery. But is that really true? This article breaks down the facts about phone charging habits in simple terms, helping you make smarter choices that can extend your phone’s battery life.

How do phone batteries work?

Modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are smarter and safer than older types, and your phone has built-in tools to help manage charging automatically. That means your phone can protect itself when charging.

For example, many phones now have features that slow down charging when the battery gets close to 100%, especially at night. This feature, commonly known as “optimized charging,” helps reduce wear and tear on your battery over time.

Is overnight charging bad?

Not really. Most phones stop charging once they hit 100%. They may “top off” now and then to keep the battery full, but it’s not the same as constantly pushing power into the phone.

However, leaving your phone plugged in overnight isn’t a good idea either. Over time, staying at 100% for too long and charging in hot environments can make the battery age a little faster. Still, the effect is minimal and won’t ruin your phone anytime soon.

To ease your mind, try these simple habits:

  • Don’t worry about unplugging the moment your phone hits 100%.
  • If your phone has optimized or adaptive charging, keep it turned on.
  • Avoid charging in direct sunlight or on soft surfaces that trap heat.

Do I need to let my phone drain to 0%?

Nope. In fact, it’s better not to. Letting your phone fully die before recharging it isn’t good for lithium-ion batteries. Instead, try to keep your battery between 20% and 80% most of the time. A full charge now and then is fine. Just don’t make it a regular habit to run your phone all the way down.

Is it okay to charge my phone a few times a day?

Topping up your phone several times during the day is perfectly fine. It’s actually easier on the battery to charge a little here and there instead of doing one big charge from 0% to 100%. So, if you plug in during lunch or while working at your desk, it won’t damage your battery.

Your phone battery isn’t as fragile as some myths make it sound. Modern devices are designed to manage charging on their own, and with a few easy habits, you can keep your battery in good shape for years.

If you’re having battery issues or need help choosing the right phone accessories, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help with all your hardware needs: smartphones, laptops, chargers, and more.

Always charging your phone? Here’s the real impact on battery life

Editor November 12, 2025

Is leaving your phone on the charger overnight doing more harm than good? In this article, we explain how modern batteries work and clear up common charging myths, without the technical jargon.

How do phone batteries work?

Modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are smarter and safer than older types, and your phone has built-in tools to help manage charging automatically. That means your phone can protect itself when charging.

For example, many phones now have features that slow down charging when the battery gets close to 100%, especially at night. This feature, commonly known as “optimized charging,” helps reduce wear and tear on your battery over time.

Is overnight charging bad?

Not really. Most phones stop charging once they hit 100%. They may “top off” now and then to keep the battery full, but it’s not the same as constantly pushing power into the phone.

However, leaving your phone plugged in overnight isn’t a good idea either. Over time, staying at 100% for too long and charging in hot environments can make the battery age a little faster. Still, the effect is minimal and won’t ruin your phone anytime soon.

To ease your mind, try these simple habits:

  • Don’t worry about unplugging the moment your phone hits 100%.
  • If your phone has optimized or adaptive charging, keep it turned on.
  • Avoid charging in direct sunlight or on soft surfaces that trap heat.

Do I need to let my phone drain to 0%?

Nope. In fact, it’s better not to. Letting your phone fully die before recharging it isn’t good for lithium-ion batteries. Instead, try to keep your battery between 20% and 80% most of the time. A full charge now and then is fine. Just don’t make it a regular habit to run your phone all the way down.

Is it okay to charge my phone a few times a day?

Topping up your phone several times during the day is perfectly fine. It’s actually easier on the battery to charge a little here and there instead of doing one big charge from 0% to 100%. So, if you plug in during lunch or while working at your desk, it won’t damage your battery.

Your phone battery isn’t as fragile as some myths make it sound. Modern devices are designed to manage charging on their own, and with a few easy habits, you can keep your battery in good shape for years.

If you’re having battery issues or need help choosing the right phone accessories, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help with all your hardware needs: smartphones, laptops, chargers, and more.

Charging habits that help your phone battery last longer

Editor November 12, 2025

Wondering if charging your phone too much is bad for it? This easy-to-follow guide explores how your daily charging routine affects battery health, and what you can do to help your phone last longer without getting caught up in myths.

How do phone batteries work?

Modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are smarter and safer than older types, and your phone has built-in tools to help manage charging automatically. That means your phone can protect itself when charging.

For example, many phones now have features that slow down charging when the battery gets close to 100%, especially at night. This feature, commonly known as “optimized charging,” helps reduce wear and tear on your battery over time.

Is overnight charging bad?

Not really. Most phones stop charging once they hit 100%. They may “top off” now and then to keep the battery full, but it’s not the same as constantly pushing power into the phone.

However, leaving your phone plugged in overnight isn’t a good idea either. Over time, staying at 100% for too long and charging in hot environments can make the battery age a little faster. Still, the effect is minimal and won’t ruin your phone anytime soon.

To ease your mind, try these simple habits:

  • Don’t worry about unplugging the moment your phone hits 100%.
  • If your phone has optimized or adaptive charging, keep it turned on.
  • Avoid charging in direct sunlight or on soft surfaces that trap heat.

Do I need to let my phone drain to 0%?

Nope. In fact, it’s better not to. Letting your phone fully die before recharging it isn’t good for lithium-ion batteries. Instead, try to keep your battery between 20% and 80% most of the time. A full charge now and then is fine. Just don’t make it a regular habit to run your phone all the way down.

Is it okay to charge my phone a few times a day?

Topping up your phone several times during the day is perfectly fine. It’s actually easier on the battery to charge a little here and there instead of doing one big charge from 0% to 100%. So, if you plug in during lunch or while working at your desk, it won’t damage your battery.

Your phone battery isn’t as fragile as some myths make it sound. Modern devices are designed to manage charging on their own, and with a few easy habits, you can keep your battery in good shape for years.

If you’re having battery issues or need help choosing the right phone accessories, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help with all your hardware needs: smartphones, laptops, chargers, and more.

Securing your business VoIP in 2025: 6 must-have defenses

Editor November 10, 2025

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become the backbone of modern business communication, handling everything from video conferences to critical customer support. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are relentlessly developing sophisticated methods to exploit VoIP’s vulnerabilities. Keep your essential communication channels safe by implementing these six must-have security measures.

Enable multifactor authentication (MFA)

Strong passwords alone can’t protect your VoIP systems. It’s high time you implement multifactor authentication (MFA), which adds a second step — usually a temporary code, biometric scan, or authentication app — to ensure only authorized users get in. MFA protects VoIP portals, web-based dashboards, and softphone apps from two common types of cyberattacks:

  • Brute-force attacks, where cybercriminals use automated software to guess your password over and over again until they get it right.
  • Credential-stuffing attacks, where attackers use lists of usernames and passwords stolen from other websites to try and log in to your account, hoping you’ve reused the same credentials.

Require true end-to-end encryption

Your VoIP provider should offer end-to-end encryption that covers both call signaling and media (the actual voice or video content). End-to-end encryption means that the data is scrambled and indecipherable from the moment it leaves your system until it reaches the recipient’s device, making it virtually impossible for anyone to eavesdrop or intercept your communications.

Encryption is especially vital for the healthcare, legal, and finance sectors, where voice communications often involve sensitive and confidential information.

Use virtual private networks (VPNs) the right way

VPNs are a reliable way to secure VoIP traffic, particularly for employees working remotely or using mobile devices, as they create a secure, encrypted tunnel between the user and your internal VoIP infrastructure. But simply installing a VPN isn’t enough. It needs to be properly configured, regularly updated, and paired with strong access controls. A poorly maintained VPN can become a point of entry rather than a security tool.

Turn off the phone’s web interface

Many VoIP desk phones include a web-based interface that allows users to tweak settings from a browser. But unless your team actively uses this feature, it should be disabled. Keeping the web interface open, particularly without robust authentication measures, poses a significant security risk. Hackers can exploit it to access user accounts, alter forwarding rules, or even listen in on calls.

Set up a VoIP-aware firewall

Not all firewalls are designed with VoIP in mind. VoIP traffic uses specific protocols like the Session Initiation Protocol, which requires a firewall that understands how to handle and filter these communications.

Use only next-gen firewalls with built-in VoIP-specific protections as part of their core features. These firewalls can detect spoofed calls, prevent denial-of-service attacks, and detect unusual usage patterns that could signal abuse. Some can even terminate suspicious sessions in real time.

Monitor systems 24/7

VoIP attacks often happen outside regular business hours, typically late at night or over the weekend when systems are less closely monitored. Cybercriminals take advantage of these quiet periods to commit toll fraud, access sensitive call records, or identify system vulnerabilities. This makes round-the-clock monitoring essential for safeguarding your communications.

Implement tools that detect unusual call behavior, such as spikes in international calls, repeated login attempts, or connections from unfamiliar locations. Better yet, partner with a managed IT provider like us. We can help you set up these tools while offering 24/7 VoIP-aware monitoring and rapid incident response.

Not sure where your VoIP security stands? Contact us. We can conduct a simple audit or a consultation to uncover VoIP vulnerabilities, enabling you to fix them before they’re exploited.

Practical security measures for business VoIP systems in 2025

Editor November 10, 2025

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems are the lifeblood of modern business communication — and a prime target for cybercriminals. Given VoIP’s critical role in everything from sales calls to customer support, a successful breach of your VoIP systems can cripple daily operations, lead to massive data leaks, and cause financial ruin. Protect your VoIP systems with the following tools and strategies.

Enable multifactor authentication (MFA)

Strong passwords alone can’t protect your VoIP systems. It’s high time you implement multifactor authentication (MFA), which adds a second step — usually a temporary code, biometric scan, or authentication app — to ensure only authorized users get in. MFA protects VoIP portals, web-based dashboards, and softphone apps from two common types of cyberattacks:

  • Brute-force attacks, where cybercriminals use automated software to guess your password over and over again until they get it right.
  • Credential-stuffing attacks, where attackers use lists of usernames and passwords stolen from other websites to try and log in to your account, hoping you’ve reused the same credentials.

Require true end-to-end encryption

Your VoIP provider should offer end-to-end encryption that covers both call signaling and media (the actual voice or video content). End-to-end encryption means that the data is scrambled and indecipherable from the moment it leaves your system until it reaches the recipient’s device, making it virtually impossible for anyone to eavesdrop or intercept your communications.

Encryption is especially vital for the healthcare, legal, and finance sectors, where voice communications often involve sensitive and confidential information.

Use virtual private networks (VPNs) the right way

VPNs are a reliable way to secure VoIP traffic, particularly for employees working remotely or using mobile devices, as they create a secure, encrypted tunnel between the user and your internal VoIP infrastructure. But simply installing a VPN isn’t enough. It needs to be properly configured, regularly updated, and paired with strong access controls. A poorly maintained VPN can become a point of entry rather than a security tool.

Turn off the phone’s web interface

Many VoIP desk phones include a web-based interface that allows users to tweak settings from a browser. But unless your team actively uses this feature, it should be disabled. Keeping the web interface open, particularly without robust authentication measures, poses a significant security risk. Hackers can exploit it to access user accounts, alter forwarding rules, or even listen in on calls.

Set up a VoIP-aware firewall

Not all firewalls are designed with VoIP in mind. VoIP traffic uses specific protocols like the Session Initiation Protocol, which requires a firewall that understands how to handle and filter these communications.

Use only next-gen firewalls with built-in VoIP-specific protections as part of their core features. These firewalls can detect spoofed calls, prevent denial-of-service attacks, and detect unusual usage patterns that could signal abuse. Some can even terminate suspicious sessions in real time.

Monitor systems 24/7

VoIP attacks often happen outside regular business hours, typically late at night or over the weekend when systems are less closely monitored. Cybercriminals take advantage of these quiet periods to commit toll fraud, access sensitive call records, or identify system vulnerabilities. This makes round-the-clock monitoring essential for safeguarding your communications.

Implement tools that detect unusual call behavior, such as spikes in international calls, repeated login attempts, or connections from unfamiliar locations. Better yet, partner with a managed IT provider like us. We can help you set up these tools while offering 24/7 VoIP-aware monitoring and rapid incident response.

Not sure where your VoIP security stands? Contact us. We can conduct a simple audit or a consultation to uncover VoIP vulnerabilities, enabling you to fix them before they’re exploited.

How to stay one step ahead of VoIP risks in 2025

Editor November 10, 2025

If you think Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) security is simply about setting a strong password, think again. In 2025, threats against VoIP systems have become more sophisticated, necessitating advanced safeguards and strategies. But don’t fret. Here are six practical ways to secure your VoIP environment and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Enable multifactor authentication (MFA)

Strong passwords alone can’t protect your VoIP systems. It’s high time you implement multifactor authentication (MFA), which adds a second step — usually a temporary code, biometric scan, or authentication app — to ensure only authorized users get in. MFA protects VoIP portals, web-based dashboards, and softphone apps from two common types of cyberattacks:

  • Brute-force attacks, where cybercriminals use automated software to guess your password over and over again until they get it right.
  • Credential-stuffing attacks, where attackers use lists of usernames and passwords stolen from other websites to try and log in to your account, hoping you’ve reused the same credentials.

Require true end-to-end encryption

Your VoIP provider should offer end-to-end encryption that covers both call signaling and media (the actual voice or video content). End-to-end encryption means that the data is scrambled and indecipherable from the moment it leaves your system until it reaches the recipient’s device, making it virtually impossible for anyone to eavesdrop or intercept your communications.

Encryption is especially vital for the healthcare, legal, and finance sectors, where voice communications often involve sensitive and confidential information.

Use virtual private networks (VPNs) the right way

VPNs are a reliable way to secure VoIP traffic, particularly for employees working remotely or using mobile devices, as they create a secure, encrypted tunnel between the user and your internal VoIP infrastructure. But simply installing a VPN isn’t enough. It needs to be properly configured, regularly updated, and paired with strong access controls. A poorly maintained VPN can become a point of entry rather than a security tool.

Turn off the phone’s web interface

Many VoIP desk phones include a web-based interface that allows users to tweak settings from a browser. But unless your team actively uses this feature, it should be disabled. Keeping the web interface open, particularly without robust authentication measures, poses a significant security risk. Hackers can exploit it to access user accounts, alter forwarding rules, or even listen in on calls.

Set up a VoIP-aware firewall

Not all firewalls are designed with VoIP in mind. VoIP traffic uses specific protocols like the Session Initiation Protocol, which requires a firewall that understands how to handle and filter these communications.

Use only next-gen firewalls with built-in VoIP-specific protections as part of their core features. These firewalls can detect spoofed calls, prevent denial-of-service attacks, and detect unusual usage patterns that could signal abuse. Some can even terminate suspicious sessions in real time.

Monitor systems 24/7

VoIP attacks often happen outside regular business hours, typically late at night or over the weekend when systems are less closely monitored. Cybercriminals take advantage of these quiet periods to commit toll fraud, access sensitive call records, or identify system vulnerabilities. This makes round-the-clock monitoring essential for safeguarding your communications.

Implement tools that detect unusual call behavior, such as spikes in international calls, repeated login attempts, or connections from unfamiliar locations. Better yet, partner with a managed IT provider like us. We can help you set up these tools while offering 24/7 VoIP-aware monitoring and rapid incident response.

Not sure where your VoIP security stands? Contact us. We can conduct a simple audit or a consultation to uncover VoIP vulnerabilities, enabling you to fix them before they’re exploited.

Still using Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019? Your business is now at risk

Editor November 7, 2025

Does your business run on Microsoft Office? If you’re still using Office 2016 or Office 2019, you need to know about a major change. As of October 2025, Microsoft has officially stopped supporting these versions. Your Word and Excel files will still open, but the software is no longer being protected. You are now on your own, and that creates a big risk.

Why this is a big deal for your business

“End of support” isn’t just a sales pitch to get you to upgrade. It’s a serious security warning. Your software will keep working, but it’s now a sitting duck.

Losing support means you’ve lost three key things:

  • No more security updates: Hackers and viruses love finding old, unprotected software. Without new security updates, your business is exposed. It’s like knowing criminals have a copy of your office key but deciding not to change the locks.
  • No more bug fixes: If PowerPoint crashes during a big presentation or an Excel glitch corrupts your file, there will be no fix. Think of it as your car’s manufacturer deciding to stop making spare parts. When something breaks, it stays broken.
  • No more help: Are you having problems? Microsoft’s technical support team can no longer help you with Office 2016 or 2019 issues. Your product’s warranty has expired, so you’ll need to find other support options.

What are your options?

Fortunately, you have clear choices to protect your business. Continuing to use the old software shouldn’t be one of them.

Option 1: Move to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is the subscription version of Office, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee to access various apps. It’s best for businesses that want to “set it and forget it” and always have the latest, most secure tools.

Pros

  • You are always up to date and always secure.
  • You get new features as soon as they are released.
  • It often includes other tools such as cloud storage (OneDrive) and communication (Teams).

Option 2: Buy Office 2024

If you prefer the “old” way, you can buy Office 2024 once and own it. Keep in mind that this version will be supported until 2029, so you’ll need to plan for another upgrade after that.

Pros

  • It’s a single, one-time cost.
  • You get the classic apps you know (Word, Excel, Outlook).
  • It’s perfect if you don’t want or need cloud features.

Option 3: Get Office LTSC 2024

You might also hear about a version called Office LTSC 2024. LTSC stands for long-term servicing channel, which is a special, one-time purchase version of Office built purely for stability. It’s designed not to get new feature updates over time, only essential security fixes.

It’s made for specific commercial or government situations. Think of computers that run medical equipment, control machinery on a factory floor, or operate in a lab — devices that need to stay exactly the same for years and often aren’t connected to the internet.

Like the regular Office 2024, it’s supported until 2029. However, it is typically sold through volume licensing and won’t get any of the new tools or features that Microsoft 365 or even the standard Office 2024 might get. For nearly all small businesses, Option 1 (Microsoft 365) or Option 2 (Office 2024) is the simpler and better choice.

It’s not just Office — check these apps too

This end-of-support announcement also affects other related Microsoft programs. It’s a great time to do a quick check-up on all your software.

Make sure you have a plan to upgrade these if you use them:

  • Project (2016 and 2019)
  • Visio (2016 and 2019)
  • Skype for Business (2016 and 2019)

The same thinking also applies to other major products such as Windows 10 and Exchange Server 2016/2019, which are also at or near their end of support.

Don’t wait for a problem, and make a plan today

Your old Office software will keep working, but the risk of a security breach, data loss, or a major glitch is now very high.

Switching systems can take time, so we recommend starting your upgrade plan now. Whether you choose the flexibility of Microsoft 365 or the simplicity of Office 2024, upgrading is a small step that protects your business from big problems. Contact our experts today for help.

Microsoft Office 2016 and Office 2019 support ends: What to do next

Editor November 7, 2025

Are you still using an older version of Microsoft Office, specifically 2016 or 2019? If so, Microsoft has important news for you. Support for these products officially ended in October 2025. While your applications will still run, they are now vulnerable. Microsoft is no longer fixing bugs or, most importantly, patching security holes.

Why this is a big deal for your business

“End of support” isn’t just a sales pitch to get you to upgrade. It’s a serious security warning. Your software will keep working, but it’s now a sitting duck.

Losing support means you’ve lost three key things:

  • No more security updates: Hackers and viruses love finding old, unprotected software. Without new security updates, your business is exposed. It’s like knowing criminals have a copy of your office key but deciding not to change the locks.
  • No more bug fixes: If PowerPoint crashes during a big presentation or an Excel glitch corrupts your file, there will be no fix. Think of it as your car’s manufacturer deciding to stop making spare parts. When something breaks, it stays broken.
  • No more help: Are you having problems? Microsoft’s technical support team can no longer help you with Office 2016 or 2019 issues. Your product’s warranty has expired, so you’ll need to find other support options.

What are your options?

Fortunately, you have clear choices to protect your business. Continuing to use the old software shouldn’t be one of them.

Option 1: Move to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is the subscription version of Office, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee to access various apps. It’s best for businesses that want to “set it and forget it” and always have the latest, most secure tools.

Pros

  • You are always up to date and always secure.
  • You get new features as soon as they are released.
  • It often includes other tools such as cloud storage (OneDrive) and communication (Teams).

Option 2: Buy Office 2024

If you prefer the “old” way, you can buy Office 2024 once and own it. Keep in mind that this version will be supported until 2029, so you’ll need to plan for another upgrade after that.

Pros

  • It’s a single, one-time cost.
  • You get the classic apps you know (Word, Excel, Outlook).
  • It’s perfect if you don’t want or need cloud features.

Option 3: Get Office LTSC 2024

You might also hear about a version called Office LTSC 2024. LTSC stands for long-term servicing channel, which is a special, one-time purchase version of Office built purely for stability. It’s designed not to get new feature updates over time, only essential security fixes.

It’s made for specific commercial or government situations. Think of computers that run medical equipment, control machinery on a factory floor, or operate in a lab — devices that need to stay exactly the same for years and often aren’t connected to the internet.

Like the regular Office 2024, it’s supported until 2029. However, it is typically sold through volume licensing and won’t get any of the new tools or features that Microsoft 365 or even the standard Office 2024 might get. For nearly all small businesses, Option 1 (Microsoft 365) or Option 2 (Office 2024) is the simpler and better choice.

It’s not just Office — check these apps too

This end-of-support announcement also affects other related Microsoft programs. It’s a great time to do a quick check-up on all your software.

Make sure you have a plan to upgrade these if you use them:

  • Project (2016 and 2019)
  • Visio (2016 and 2019)
  • Skype for Business (2016 and 2019)

The same thinking also applies to other major products such as Windows 10 and Exchange Server 2016/2019, which are also at or near their end of support.

Don’t wait for a problem, and make a plan today

Your old Office software will keep working, but the risk of a security breach, data loss, or a major glitch is now very high.

Switching systems can take time, so we recommend starting your upgrade plan now. Whether you choose the flexibility of Microsoft 365 or the simplicity of Office 2024, upgrading is a small step that protects your business from big problems. Contact our experts today for help.

Microsoft ends support for Office 2016 and 2019: What this means

Editor November 7, 2025

If your business uses Microsoft Office, take a moment to check which version you have. Microsoft recently announced that support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 has ended. What does that mean? Your programs won’t disappear, but Microsoft has stopped providing security updates for them. For any business, ignoring this change is dangerous.

Why this is a big deal for your business

“End of support” isn’t just a sales pitch to get you to upgrade. It’s a serious security warning. Your software will keep working, but it’s now a sitting duck.

Losing support means you’ve lost three key things:

  • No more security updates: Hackers and viruses love finding old, unprotected software. Without new security updates, your business is exposed. It’s like knowing criminals have a copy of your office key but deciding not to change the locks.
  • No more bug fixes: If PowerPoint crashes during a big presentation or an Excel glitch corrupts your file, there will be no fix. Think of it as your car’s manufacturer deciding to stop making spare parts. When something breaks, it stays broken.
  • No more help: Are you having problems? Microsoft’s technical support team can no longer help you with Office 2016 or 2019 issues. Your product’s warranty has expired, so you’ll need to find other support options.

What are your options?

Fortunately, you have clear choices to protect your business. Continuing to use the old software shouldn’t be one of them.

Option 1: Move to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is the subscription version of Office, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee to access various apps. It’s best for businesses that want to “set it and forget it” and always have the latest, most secure tools.

Pros

  • You are always up to date and always secure.
  • You get new features as soon as they are released.
  • It often includes other tools such as cloud storage (OneDrive) and communication (Teams).

Option 2: Buy Office 2024

If you prefer the “old” way, you can buy Office 2024 once and own it. Keep in mind that this version will be supported until 2029, so you’ll need to plan for another upgrade after that.

Pros

  • It’s a single, one-time cost.
  • You get the classic apps you know (Word, Excel, Outlook).
  • It’s perfect if you don’t want or need cloud features.

Option 3: Get Office LTSC 2024

You might also hear about a version called Office LTSC 2024. LTSC stands for long-term servicing channel, which is a special, one-time purchase version of Office built purely for stability. It’s designed not to get new feature updates over time, only essential security fixes.

It’s made for specific commercial or government situations. Think of computers that run medical equipment, control machinery on a factory floor, or operate in a lab — devices that need to stay exactly the same for years and often aren’t connected to the internet.

Like the regular Office 2024, it’s supported until 2029. However, it is typically sold through volume licensing and won’t get any of the new tools or features that Microsoft 365 or even the standard Office 2024 might get. For nearly all small businesses, Option 1 (Microsoft 365) or Option 2 (Office 2024) is the simpler and better choice.

It’s not just Office — check these apps too

This end-of-support announcement also affects other related Microsoft programs. It’s a great time to do a quick check-up on all your software.

Make sure you have a plan to upgrade these if you use them:

  • Project (2016 and 2019)
  • Visio (2016 and 2019)
  • Skype for Business (2016 and 2019)

The same thinking also applies to other major products such as Windows 10 and Exchange Server 2016/2019, which are also at or near their end of support.

Don’t wait for a problem, and make a plan today

Your old Office software will keep working, but the risk of a security breach, data loss, or a major glitch is now very high.

Switching systems can take time, so we recommend starting your upgrade plan now. Whether you choose the flexibility of Microsoft 365 or the simplicity of Office 2024, upgrading is a small step that protects your business from big problems. Contact our experts today for help.

8 AI features in modern web browsers you should be using

Editor November 5, 2025

Think your browser is just for clicking links? Think again. Here are eight AI-powered features built into modern browsers that are making web surfing faster, smarter, and safer than ever before.

Content summarization

Content summarization tools now built into browsers or available as native features can scan an entire page and distill it down to the key takeaways. And they don’t just highlight a paragraph or two. These summaries use language models to understand the structure of the content, so you get a coherent digest that saves you from skimming endlessly.

Real-time translation

Modern browsers can automatically detect a website’s language and translate it on the spot using AI-powered engines. Unlike older translation tools that often misinterpreted grammar and context, newer systems provide more accurate, natural translations. They adeptly capture the original tone and nuance, making it easier to access foreign content, explore new cultures online, and collaborate across language barriers.

Built-in AI assistants

AI assistants in web browsers such as Gemini in Chrome are becoming more widespread. These assistants integrate directly into the browser, allowing users to ask questions, summarize content, generate text, or search more effectively, all without switching tabs or opening new tools. Because they’re built into the browsing experience, they can tailor their responses based on the current page, offering more relevant and contextual support.

What’s more, unlike static assistants that just respond to prompts, these AI assistants have more agency and can take actions on behalf of the user. That means they can click on links, navigate websites, extract data, or fill out forms automatically. These features make complex online tasks such as comparing product specs, booking services, or managing workflows much faster by automating repetitive steps.

Smarter tab management

AI-enhanced tab managers categorize open tabs based on content, suggest which ones to close, and automatically group similar tabs together. Some also decrease memory usage by suspending inactive tabs to help users stay organized, reduce browser lag, and make multitasking far less chaotic.

Contextual links and in-page discovery

Sometimes, you come across a term you don’t know but don’t want to leave the page to look it up. Modern browsers use AI to provide real-time contextual information. Just hover over a link or highlight a phrase, and sidebars or pop-ups appear with related insights, definitions, or videos. You can then quickly grasp and explore new topics without interrupting your browsing experience.

Natural language search

Instead of relying on exact keywords, modern browsers now allow users to type queries in everyday language. AI interprets the meaning behind the question, such as timeframes, comparisons, or intent, and delivers more accurate and relevant results.

Enhanced visual search

In newer web browsers, users are now able to right-click an image or upload one to perform an AI-powered search. The browser then identifies what’s in the image — be it a product, landmark, or text — and returns with useful information, such as the source, related images, and shopping options. By taking advantage of this feature, users no longer have to manually search for information about an image, saving them time and effort.

Improved browsing protection

Staying safe online requires more than a pop-up blocker. AI-powered protection in browsers now spots malicious websites, phishing attempts, and sneaky trackers with greater precision. These tools can analyze patterns and behaviors, not just URLs, to detect threats or privacy risks that traditional methods might miss. Some browsers even warn you before you click, saving you from potential harm.

If you’re still thinking of your browser as just a place to check email or scroll social media, you’re missing out on powerful tools already at your fingertips. Contact us now to discover new AI features and useful productivity hacks that can improve your online experience.

Website Management for Small Business Owners

Full-service, pay-as-you-go WordPress websites, from design and content to SEO and Google Ads management for an affordable monthly price.

Learn more about our website management services for small businesses.

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