Ever needed to quickly convert a file, say, from a Word doc to a PDF? And found yourself Googling for a free tool to do it?

It seems harmless enough, right?

A quick download, a fast conversion, job done.

But what if I told you that one small click could secretly open the door to ransomware or data theft?

That’s exactly what the FBI is warning about right now. Yes, the FBI.

A file converter does exactly what it says. It takes a file in one format and turns it into another. Maybe you’ve got a PowerPoint that needs to be turned into a PDF for a client. Or you’ve got a bunch of images you want to bundle into a single document.

These tools are often free, and they work. But that’s where the danger lies. Because some of them come with strings attached.

Cyber criminals are using some of these free converters as a cover for more sinister activity. While the tool does what it promises, behind the scenes, it may also be installing something nasty on your system. Such as malware or even ransomware.

What does that mean?

Malware is malicious software. It’s designed to do something harmful without your permission. It might steal your data, spy on your activity, or mess with your files.

Ransomware is one of the worst types of malware. It locks your files so you can’t access them, then demands a payment (usually in cryptocurrency) to unlock them. It’s like someone sneaking into your office overnight, putting all your important documents in a safe, and then charging you to get the key.

Worse still, these tools can also scan the files you upload and scrape them for sensitive information. That could be things like your passwords, banking details, or even personal data. If you’ve ever uploaded something with a customer list, an invoice, or employee details, that’s the kind of gold cyber criminals are after.

The problem is these tools often look perfectly legitimate. And they do what they say on the tin, which makes them hard to spot. That’s why it’s so important to be cautious.

If your business needs quick file conversions, it’s far safer to use trusted, professional tools. The kind that come from known software providers, not random websites you find in a pinch.

Knowing how these scams work is your first line of defence. So, if you or your team ever use online tools like this, it’s worth reviewing where they come from… and whether they’re putting your business at risk.

Need help setting up safe, secure software alternatives for your team? We can do that – get in touch.

Have you ever sat in a Teams meeting and found yourself gritting your teeth every time someone said, “next slide, please”?

Me too.

And if your business runs a lot of online meetings or webinars, you’ll know the frustration of clunky handovers and awkward pauses when switching between presenters.

Well, there’s good news. And it’s about time.

Microsoft is rolling out a small but mighty update to Teams that’s going to make a surprisingly big difference to how your meetings run.

First, if you’re not too familiar with Teams, let’s quickly cover the basics. It’s Microsoft’s all-in-one communication platform. Video calls, chat, file sharing, and collaboration tools are all combined in one place.

Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or all under one roof, it helps everyone stay connected and productive without needing to jump between lots of different apps.

Back to the update. Microsoft’s introducing a feature that will let multiple people control the presentation slides during a Teams meeting or webinar.

Right now, if you’ve ever tried to co-present in Teams, you’ll know that only one person has control of the slides. Everyone else is stuck asking the presenter to move things along. That’s not only frustrating, but it also breaks the flow of the meeting.

This new feature will let the meeting host hand over slide control to more than one person.

That means if you’ve got a few people presenting different parts of a deck, each of them can take control of the slides when it’s their turn, without stopping the meeting or awkwardly calling out instructions. It sounds like a small thing, but in practice, it’ll make meetings feel much more natural and professional.

This feature has started to roll out already, beginning with the Windows desktop version of Teams. It’ll likely involve the host selecting co-presenters when setting up the meeting. Hopefully, the setup will be as smooth as the presentations will be.

To me, this is one of those updates that should have been added years ago. But hey, better late than never, right?

Alongside other recent improvements like real-time text messaging during calls (great for those who prefer typing over talking), it’s clear Microsoft’s working hard to make Teams more flexible and intuitive.

Need help getting the most out of Microsoft Teams or other tools in Microsoft 365? That’s what my team and I are here for. Get in touch.

You trust your team, right?

They’re smart, capable, and they know better than to click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments.

They already know that phishing emails look trustworthy on purpose. To trick them into giving away sensitive data or downloading malicious software.

So, they’re not the type to fall for it.

At least, that’s what they think…

Here’s the problem: Just because someone’s confident they could spot a phishing attack, it doesn’t mean they can. It’s a false sense of security – and it’s exactly what cyber criminals count on.

New research has found that a huge 86% of employees believe they can confidently identify phishing emails… yet over half of them have fallen for some form of scam in the past.

Think about that for a second.

These are people who knew about phishing, felt sure they wouldn’t be tricked, and yet still got caught out. That’s because cyber criminals aren’t just sending out the obvious “foreign prince” emails anymore. They’re using sophisticated tactics like:

• Emails that look like they’re from your bank or suppliers.
• Fake invoices that appear totally legitimate.
• Messages that seem to come from your own colleagues.

Because phishing scams have evolved, they’re much harder to spot. And when someone thinks they’re too smart to fall for one, that’s when they’re most at risk.

Overconfidence in cyber security is a classic case of the Dunning-Kruger effect – a psychological phenomenon where people tend to think they know more than they do.

What’s the problem with being too confident?

Well, when people believe they’re invincible to scams, they don’t take the necessary precautions. Instead of double-checking links or questioning unexpected emails, they just assume “I’d never fall for a scam” and carry on clicking. This is how cyber criminals end up accessing business systems and data.

So, what’s the good news?

You can lower the risk of getting hit by a phishing attack. But it starts with a shift in mindset. Instead of assuming your people know what they’re doing, make sure they’re properly informed. Regular phishing awareness training can make a massive difference, helping your staff to recognise newer and more subtle scams before it’s too late.

Training alone isn’t enough, though. Your employees also need to feel comfortable reporting anything suspicious, or they might stay quiet about a potential scam. And that gives cyber criminals the upper hand. Creating a workplace culture where security concerns are welcomed (not criticised) is just as important as education.

Cyber security isn’t about intelligence; it’s about vigilance. Even the most tech-savvy employee can be caught off guard by a well-crafted scam. The key is to assume a threat is real, remain cautious, and never rely on confidence alone. 

The moment someone thinks “I’d never fall for that” is often the moment they do.

Spreadsheets have been a go-to business tool for decades now. They’re familiar and easy to use (and if we’re being honest, we can all feel like a bit of a genius when we get that one formula to work, right?).

The problem is, 90% of businesses are still relying on outdated spreadsheets to manage important data, even though they’re slowing things down and increasing the risk of errors.

Think about it: How often do you get stuck manually entering data, fixing mistakes, or trying to figure out if you’re looking at the latest version of that important spreadsheet? It’s so frustrating – and you’re not alone.

Research shows that although 82% of businesses have automation on their roadmap, only 43% plan to implement it in the next year. This means that many businesses are still dealing with the same spreadsheet-related headaches, when they could be working much more efficiently.

So, how could automation help your business?

Instead of spending hours plugging in numbers and double-checking calculations, automation tools can handle data collection, processing, and reporting for you. That means fewer mistakes, less time wasted, and real-time updates that keep everything running smoothly.

Automation tools also come with built-in security features, so you don’t have to worry about who has access to what.

Despite all these benefits, a lot of businesses are hesitant to make the switch. Spreadsheets feel safe and familiar, and change can be intimidating. But sticking with outdated tools is holding you back.

The good news is you don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start small. Look at the areas where automation could save you the most time and hassle, like payment tracking, customer data, or reporting.

Once you see how much easier things get, you’ll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.

If you’re ready to see how automating some of your business processes could improve productivity, we can help. Get in touch.