Hackers Breach Thousands of Microsoft Customers Around the World

March 2021 – Hackers Breach Thousands of Microsoft Customers Around the World Firstly the good news. If you are a client of the IT Guys (WA) or Hydrid ICT and we provide you with email support services, then you are probably safe. All Hybrid ICT & The IT Guys (WA) clients are setup on Microsoft “Hosted” Exchange. The mail servers are cloud-based and hosted by Microsoft themselves. Microsoft recently confirmed that customers using its cloud-based email system  (Hosted Exchange) are not affected. However, if your company or e-mail provider runs an “old” or “unsupported” version of Microsoft Exchange Server, then you/they could be in trouble. Many of the latest batch of hack victims are small-to medium-sized business and local government agencies according to the reference Bloomberg article. Organizations that could be most impacted are those that have an email server that’s running the vulnerable software and exposed directly to the internet, a risky setup that larger ones usually avoid. How can I determine if I am using Microsoft “Hosted” Exchange or an older version of exchange? Step 1 Make sure Outlook is running, then locate the Outlook icon by clicking the “^” (hidden icon) symbol. Step 2 Hold the “Ctrl” key down and with the mouse right-click over the Outlook symbol and select “Connection Status” Step 3 In the new window that appears called “Outlook Connection Status”, under “Server Name” if this contains “office365.com” then you are using Microsoft Hosted Exchange. If something different is displayed, send us a screen shot and we can help you determine what kind of mail server you are connected to. Further Reading https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/determine-the-version-of-microsoft-exchange-server-my-account-connects-to-d427465a-ce3b-42bd-9d83-c7d893d5d334 Exchange 2019, 2016 , 2013 and 2010 Security Updates for March 2021 Which Exchange version am I using? HYBRID ICT are a Microsoft Silver Small and Mid-market Cloud Solutions Partner and Apple Consultant Network Partner :jk:

Contacting Telstra

Problems with Bigpond or Telstra services? If your Telstra internet is down or you have Bigpond email issues the first place to check is with Telstra. Nobody likes spending hours on hold on the telephone waiting to speak to the overseas helpdesk…. there is an alternative. Telstra has a chat-bot where you can speak to a digital assistant and eventually get through to a real person. Its on Telstra’s website but not easy to find. it is called CODI But you will need to sign in https://fix.telstra.com/ You now need to sign in with your Telstra details, and eventually you will find CODI …. This is the quickest and most convenient way of contacting Telstra. If Telstra tells you the problem is with your modem, network, outlook etc… this is where we can help you but you first need to contact Telstra. And after all this if you are sick of telstra and looking for an alternative…. we recommend Perth‘s very own Pentanet Perth’s fastest internet/Wi-Fi service partnership :jk:

Draytek Modems

The IT Guys (WA) are Perth distributors for DrayTek modems and networking equipment. DrayTek produce Business Quality Modem Routers and Networking Equipment such as: ADSL/VDSL Modem Routers Broadband Routers LTE Routers For a comparison of modem types and features click here DrayTek equipment is recommended for replacing existing ISP supplied equipment and/or new installations for small to medium sized businesses and work-from-home situations. Typical Solutions : NBN Solutions for Home and Business Networks 4G/5G  Mobile Internet Solution for Small-to-Medium Businesses Working from Home with DrayTek VPN Solutions For The IT Guys (WA) to be able to provide you with any Draytek products, please email your requirements to help@itguyswa.com.au and one of our specialists will contact you with suitability, pricing, supply, availability, advice and installation options. Wi-Fi Issues? To extend or improve your Wi-Fi network … Wi-Fi Troubleshooting … we suggest Ubiquiti equipment such as Amplifi, Dream-Machine or UBNT AP Access points. We are a Perth stockist and solutions provider for all Ubiquiti equipment. :jk:

NBN Subiaco – You may have to wait until 2020

Get high speed Internet Today? ….depending where you live in Subiaco! Some of you are going to have to wait until 2020.   Business and residents in Subiaco North have had their NBN connections delayed until at least July  to December 2020 after NBN company flipped 440,000 customers across 160 Australian suburbs from an HFC connection to FTTC (Fibre-to-the-curb) recently. Only 1 Western Australia suburb was in the list, Subiaco…. Subiaco North to be precise (see map above) As reported by IT News on April 20th, NBN have confined thousands of Residential and Business customers in Subiaco to the very back of the NBN queue by forcing them onto their latest NBN technology FTTC (fibre-to-the-curb). However Business customer do not have to wait until 2020 to get faster internet. The IT Guys can organise to have business grade fibre fitted to your building, with Internet speeds up to 500 mbps (see below) ….. much faster than NBN can deliver (max 100 mbps) If you are already connected to NBN you have 18 months from connection date before you lose the land line You only have a matter of months to embrace the NBN or risk losing your land line, ADSL and anything connected to it such as Security Alarm systems, Medical Emergency alarms etc. Existing Copper Land Lines will be disconnected 18 months after the NBN go-live date The date for deactivation of the copper land line for the suburb is as follows Subiaco (East) – 18/2/19 Even though the suburb has officially gone live with NBN, there could be some exceptions such as Businesses and strata properties. The only sure way of finding out if your premises has gone live is to click here on this link and enter your address.If the NBN Company website states that NBN is available, you will need to contact an NBN service provider such as your existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) or  Telstra to start the process. However, before doing so, consider the following. Your existing services may be affected The rollout of the nbn™ broadband means some existing devices and services may not be compatible with these at all times. If you have any of the following devices or services, contact your service provider or register with NBN Co so that they can support you to help minimise a break in services. Medical alarm, autodiallers or emergency call buttons Monitored fire alarms Home or business security monitoring systems Lift emergency phones EFTPOS or health claim terminals Fax and teletypewriter devices If you have any of the above devices, make sure they are ALL made NBN ready before asking to be switched to the NBN. It is also a good idea to make sure you have a mobile phone available and working, should something go wrong during installation and there is a delay between losing your phone line and NBN becoming available. Once satisfied you have no existing services that maybe affected or you have fixed any incompatibility issues, you need to select an NBN provider and a plan. The following guide should be of assistance. Confused by NBN Plans? What are the alternatives to NBN? Can I still use my land-line once I have NBN installed? Yes, but you may find your old telephone handset does not work any more and you may have to buy a new one (or your provider my provide you with a compatible one) Instead of connecting to a wall socket, the phone will need to connect to a socket in the side of the new NBN modem or NBN connection box that will be provided by your ISP. Telephone and Internet Connections offered by NBN   Telephone and Internet Connections offered via Mobile Phone Networks Telephone and Internet Connections offered via Independent Telecomm Companies If you find you need any assistance in setting up your new NBN services or your telephone/answering machine, home network, printer or computer. Please give us a call.   :jk:

How to increase mobile network signal in home or office

Do you have to step outside your house or office before you can make or receive mobile phone calls? This is a common problem in geographical areas where mobile phone signal is weak, often referred to as a mobile-black-spot If your mobile signal is weak whilst standing in the garden or driveway, then it may decrease to nothing once inside the house. Living in a house with a metal roof, thick walls or with lots of reinforced concrete can stop the mobile phone signal reaching your mobile phone. Now before complaining or changing mobile phone providers, there is a solution. Something you can do yourself to fix the issue. There are three solutions. Switch on VoWiFi / Wi-Fi Calling (FREE), Change Mobile Phone providers (inconvenient) or install a Mobile phone booster (expensive) There is a FREE solution in Australia, its called VoWiFi (Wi-Fi Calling) The solution uses your home or office wi-fi network to make phone calls when the phone cannot access the mobile phone tower. What is Wi-Fi Calling (VoWiFi)? Wi-Fi Calling enables you to make voice calls using a Fixed Broadband Wi-Fi connection from your compatible mobile when you can’t connect to the mobile network. Your mobile simply uses your W-Fi network instead of the mobile network. So you can make and receive calls as you normally would. Is my phone set up for Wi-Fi Calling? To use Wi-Fi calling, you need to: 1.Have a Wi-Fi Calling compatible smartphone or tablet Apple iPhone 6 onwards, Apple Watch 3 onwards Samsung Galaxy devices, S7 onwards, Note 5 onwards Google Pixel 2 devices onwards LG devices G6 onwards 2. Have 4G Voice Calls enabled 3. Have up to date software 4. Turn on Wi-Fi Calling in ‘Settings’. How do I turn on Wi-Fi Calling? For Android devices: Go to your phones calling app Select ‘More’ or the three dots in the top right corner Select ‘Settings’ Turn on ‘Wi-Fi Calling‘ For iPhone: Go to Settings Select ‘Phone’ Turn on ‘Wi-Fi calling‘ Full details available by clicking this link Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling Is this service available from ALL Australian Mobile Phone Companies? According to the Apple Website this feature works on SmartPhones connected to these Mobile Phone Networks (3G, 4G, 5G) Optus Telstra Vodafone Your Internet ISP is not important as long as your Mobile Phone carrier is one of the above. What if my Wi-Fi does not reach through the house? Does your Wi-Fi reach all corners of your house? :jk:

Beat the boredom. How to watch BBC, ITV, Netflix USA in Australia during lockdown

Run out of things to watch on Australian Netflix, Prime, Foxtel, ABC, SBS, 7,9 & 10? Even before my coronavirus-self-isolation it was increasingly difficult to find new programs to watch in Australia (especially if your looking for something humorous and light-hearted) Yet the content does exist…. if you live in the UK or Ireland, even the US. There is an endless supply of TV content you can watch from the UK and the US, as long as you can get past the geo-restrictions. “What are geo-restictions?” – Due to international copyright laws, some TV content is only allowed to be viewed in certain countries. It is “geo-restricted“. If it is detected that you are trying to view content from a country outside of a geo-restriction … ie an Australian user trying to view British Programs, your attempts will be blocked. This is done because each computer has an invisible “IP Address” which gives out the country and sometimes the city that you or your ISP (Internet-Service-Provider ie Telstra, iiNet, Optus etc.) are located, making it easy to geo-restrict access. A ludicrous law in this day of global-consumption but until the entertainment industries gets over itself, Australia will continue to be a backwater in terms of what-we-get-to-see and when-we-get-to-see-it because of geo-restrictions. You may have experienced such censorship yourself while trying to access SBS or ABC iView from your hotel in Bali, Hong Kong or Thailand with images such as these. Access to overseas TV content (or Australian content while overseas) is available by using a VPN (Virtual-Private-Network) A VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. VPNs are used to protect your online traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. A typical use of a VPN is to provide secure internet access between company servers and home computers using Microsoft RDC (Remote Desktop Connection) VPN’s can also act as a proxy, allowing you to mask or change your location and surf the web anonymously from wherever you want. In this way it is used to fool the source of a website or content streamer into believing the source user is from another IP address, one already located close-by or at least in the same country. In this way, content that would normally be inaccessible to users outside of that country becomes available because the source website believes it is being accessed from within that country. Effective VPN clients are NOT Free but not that expensive either. There are a number of companies that advertise FREE VPN’s and some work for a limited time, but they are all trying to sell you their paid VPN service. Rather than struggle with Free VPN services and browser add-ins such a Hola, we recommend purchasing a tried-and-test VPN client VPN Guru lists it’s top 6 VPN clients as Express VPN, NordVPN, UltraVPN, SurfShark, Cyber Ghost, SafeVPN and Privacy Web Going with #1 choice, We tried and tested Express VPN One Express VPN licence allows you to install the client on up to 5 devices be that Windows, MacOS, iOS. We installed on an iPad and a Mac computer and both worked very well, with one or two caveats Downloading the ExpressVPN desktop app To get started, go to ExpressVPN.com and select the Get Started option at the top. A single ExpressVPN subscription comes with easy-to-use apps for every device you own. Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, routers etc Pick the plan you want, add your email, and enter payment details. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee. If applying via the Apple App store or Google Play, you may also get a 7 day free-trial. Click Join Now. Next, choose a password or accept the one generated for you. (Be sure your password includes a few extra characters, numbers, and plenty of characters in upper and lowercase.) You will then receive an activation code. Keep this in a secret place – meaning, not on a sticky note on your desktop. Installing ExpressVPN on desktop Installing ExpressVPN is easy on a desktop or laptop – although there are a few extra steps compared to the mobile client. For the desktop, download the client and install it. The good thing about a client like ExpressVPN is that it is remarkably easy to install and configure. You’ve actually already done the hardest steps – choosing your plan and adding payment details. With the client, sign-in using the account you just created. Enter your activation code. Decide if you want to launch a startup and if you want to send a crash report and other data to improve the product. Your next step is the most important one of all – selecting the location of the server. If you wish to access TV channels in the UK, choose a UK server, if US channels, choose a US server etc. Click the big power icon to connect. This will make your Internet connection secure. Once you connect with ExpressVPN, the app will run in the background and there’s nothing more to do to use the VPN, although you can configure features and change settings. You may notice a decrease in Internet speed while the VPN is switched on, so it maybe recommended to only have it switched on while requiring it. However, if you are using the VPN simply to make your connections secure, choose the home location closest to you. Downloading the ExpressVPN mobile app Like any good service, ExpressVPN is available both on Apple iOS and Android – in fact, it tops our list of the best Android VPN apps – and the client works like any other app. With the mobile app, you have the choice to start a seven-day trial. You can find it at the App Store or Play Store, or you can simply visit the ExpressVPN website to look for the mobile install. Once you find the app, verify that the logo matches what you see on the ExpressVPN site (a V logo with wings). This is important […]

Help

Self Help Resources   How to fix a computer that will not start, freezes, hangs or is very slow How to fix common Microsoft Windows problems How to fix common Microsoft Office and Outlook problems How to fix common Apple iMac, Macbook problems How to fix common Network/Internet problems How to Work Remotely with Office 365 An Essential Guide to Working from Home Blog/FAQ   :jk:

How to work from home while self-isolating due to CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic

How to work from home while self-isolating due to CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic If you have an office-based job which involves working with emails, computer programs and using a telephone to talk to customers and fellow workers, then your job could easily be carried out from home, as long as you have a reasonable fast internet connection. This also assumes that your employer has the technological infrastructure in place to allow you to tele-commute. The old-fashioned and most insecure way of working from home is by using Microsofts Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), where you “dial-in” to your work desktop from a home computer. RDP/RDC is a known vulnerability and is an easy target for hackers and cyber-criminals. If this is the only option available it should be configured using a virtual private network (VPN) connection which provides a secure connection to your work network via the internet. Creating a VPN involves configuring network settings at the workplace and on each computer that will be connecting to the work network. The process is time consuming and expensive to setup. A more costs-effective, scalable and secure solution is as follows using “the cloud” The required technology isn’t expensive and can be easily setup, if it is not already in place. It merely involves moving emails and data into “the cloud” Most tech-savvy employers have been using this technology for many years but for others, the fear of “the-cloud” has held them back and they are still reliant on POP or IMAP emails, on premise servers and PABX phone systems. How to move data, emails and telephones into the cloud 1. Upgrade office software to Office 365 Business versions, including Microsoft Office Hosted Exchange email accounts. 2. Move files and local data into Microsoft SharePoint cloud data storage (which is included in Office 365 Business versions such as Exchange Online, Business Premium etc.) 3. Use Office 365 Business built-in collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams (Skype for Business) to chat, have online meetings/video conference and share documents.  Microsoft teams is a hub for teamwork. It’s an app that helps you pull together as a team. And work together using chat instead of email It’s a work space where you and your team can securely edit files at the same time and see likes and mentions and replies with just a single tap. Ii’s a place that your team can make its own by adding notes, websites and apps and because it’s in the cloud it let’s everyone work together no matter where they are 4. Switch to a Hosted PABX telephone system with VOIP handsets.   These steps allow employees to access emails and files from their home computers, laptops and smartphones and once they have relocated their office telephone handset to their home and plugged into the internet, to answer and make calls as if they were seated at their office desk. The IT Guys WA and Hybrid ICT have carried out the above for many of our clients which has given them the ability to send their staff home and self-isolate while still continuing to work as normal. If you would like this to happen at your company, please contact us for an obligation free quote on  :e-mail: or call 08 6365 5603 :jk:

5 things that makes running a small or micro-business a lot easier.

Doing these 5 things makes running a small or micro-business a lot easier. 1. Get a 2nd computer or iPad with your emails and business documents on it, and stop stressing out when your main one breaks down!! Once a week my staff get stressed out by a demanding micro-business owner who has computer issues and does not have a spare computer or a backup of their data. They make it very clear to us that they cannot earn a living because there whole business depends on having this computer running 24/7 To those clients (I am sure they know who they are!!) I say … … CHILL-OUT, GET A LIFE …. and a spare computer Think of a spare computer like installing an aircon in the spare bedroom. 90% of the time you or your guests won’t notice it is there but on that rare 10% of the time on a February night, you/they will think it’s worth its weight in gold. The spare computer doesn’t need to be flash and can even be an iPad but it should be sturdy enough and have enough memory and storage for you to be able to run your business in an emergency. Setup your documents to be stored in OneDrive, Dropbox or iCloud and setup your emails on a business-grade email platform such as Office 365 Business – Premium or Exchange Online, in this way they will be spam-free, safe, secure and accessible 24/7 from any computer, anywhere in the world. Also upgrade to the cloud version of your preferred accounting package (MYOB, Xero, Quickbooks etc) so accounts and invoicing can also be run from any computer with a web browser. If you already have Microsoft Office, chances are you already have 1TB (1,000 MB) of cloud storage included in your subscription** If not, it can be purchased from $91*** per year. ** Microsoft Office 365 Home, Personal, Business, Essentials, Premium and higher include 1TB OneDrive storage *** Microsoft OneDrive For Business (1TB Storage) The IT Guys can advise, setup and configure OneDrive and Sharepoint, supply and renew Microsoft Office Licensing etc. Please contact us for help on support@itguyswa.com.au 2.   Stop using FREE (@gmail @yahoo @hotmail) or ISP (@bigpond @iinet @optusnet) email addresses for business. Use your own business domain name instead. You or your business can own your own domain name (ie @mybusiness.com) from only $25 per year, It forms part of your intellectual property and contributes to the goodwill value of your business. If you have a website, you probably already own a domain, start using it for your business emails also. FREE or ISP based email addresses are a LIABILITY and a THREAT to your business. They can be taken away from you at any time, you can lose all your emails, folders, contacts and history…. and you have NO LEGAL RECOURSE, because you do not and have never owned them. The small print in the contract you are completely unaware of, issued by your email provider, gives THEM the power to suspended or withdrawn access to your email account, at any time and for any reason, thus potentially ruining your business and rendering it inoperable and worthless. example: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yahoo-email-terminated/who-owns-your-email-account-idUSKBN0EE22P20140603 We are not suggesting dropping the FREE or ISP account you have been using for years but start to wean customers away from it by forwarding incoming emails to your own business domain and then reply to them using that business domain. Your customers will get used to replying to your business domain and over time will stop using that FREE/ISP address. People often stay with ISP’s (Telstra, Bigpond etc) because they fear losing access to that email address. What they do not know is that they can pay Telstra (@Bigpond, @Telstra) iiNet/TPG (@iinet, @westnet, @tpg), Optus etc. around $20 to $25 a year just to keep that email address alive. You are then FREE to stop using that ISP for Internet and shop-around for the best package or simply use the internet on your mobile or elsewhere) You can have your own domain and a hosted Microsoft Exchange Email address and mailbox for only $97.60 per year* *$25 for .com domain plus $6.05 per month for Microsoft Hosted Exchange 50GB Mailbox or $35 per year for .com.au domain. This has become a big issue in the UK of late according to this BBC article titled Email address charges branded ‘daylight robbery’. Wendy Small, has been charged £160 to keep her old BT email address since she switched providers two years ago. Ofcom is writing to broadband companies to ask why some people are having to pay to keep old email addresses. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51571275 The IT Guys can setup, purchase, transfer and configure domain names, web and email hosting including redirecting old emails and converting POP and iMAP accounts to Office 365 Hosted Exchange. Please contact us for help on  :e-mail: 3. Do not use your main email for marketing or email shots. It is very easy for a disgruntled customer to report you for sending them “spam” or “unsolicited” emails. This can have your email address suspended or blacklisted. If you get blacklisted and you use a FREE or ISP email address, you may lose the right to that address and be suspended or have your account deleted forever. If you own your own domain name, there are steps you can take to be removed from the blacklist and continue to use the account. However, if you keep repeating the spamming offence you can be fined up to $2m per day for breaching the Spam Act 2013, as were Optus earlier this year Using a third-party marketing/ mail out company such as Mailchimp, overcomes this ever happening. 4. Protect your data and Passwords It is essential you protect every online account with two-factor (2FA)or multi-factor authentication (MFA) to stop your accounts being hacked, defrauded and locked-out from. In addition, make sure your data is stored in at least 2 other locations. Ideally backups or copies of your data […]

Top 6 issues encountered by Australian’s when moving to NBN

NBN Issues Solved – Top 6 issues encountered upon moving to NBN The transition to NBN from copper (traditional) telephone lines including ADSL Internet and Fax Services, is a major life-changing issue for many Australian seniors.   The older we get, the harder we find it is to change. Having grown up with ADSL internet and copper-line (land-line) phones, senior Australians are struggling with the changeover to NBN services.   Unfortunately, nobody has a choice in the matter, copper-line (Telstra) technology is being phased out and NBN, just like death and Taxes, is an inevitability. However, just because the old copper-line based system is being disonnected, it does NOT mean you have to move to NBN. There are alternatives. If you DO NOT need a telephone handset (land-line) , you can consider the following non-NBN alternatives: Telephone and Internet Connections offered via the Mobile Phone NetworksTelephone and Internet Connections offered via Independent Telecomm Companies Having supported and fixed hundreds of issues regarding NBN and Senior Australian’s, we have come up with a “what-to-expect” guide, that many people encounter during and immediately after moving to NBN. The Top 6 issues encountered by Senior Australian’s when moving to NBN NBN Modem Required for Internet and/or Phone calls NBN-Compatible handset required to make calls Internal telephone sockets now redundant NBN internal connection location may not be same as current New modem means changing Wi-fi password on all devices NBN service maybe slower than current ADSL   1. You will need a new NBN compatible modem to receive Internet and Telephone Calls There are different NBN technologies being used across Australia, you dodnt have a choice in which one you have, this has already been pre-determined by NBN. The Possible Technologies you may have are as follows: Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Fibre to the Building/Node (FTTB & FTTN) Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) NBN™ Wireless NBN™ HFC NBN™ Satellite Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) FTTP – The best solution on offer with NBN-Fibre directly to your premises. Sadly only a very small percentage of Australian users have this type of connection as it was deemed too expensive and time consuming to rollout across the country by the Government of the day. Some users can apply to have their technology upgraded to FTTP but the cost is generally around $7 to $10,000. Fibre to the Building/Node (FTTB & FTTN) Most Australian residences will be connected directly to the existing telephone socket using FTTN, and a new NBN compatible modem. This technology uses the existing copper telephone lines in a building, building complex or in the street to connect to fibre which can be up to 1 klm from your location. Some users can apply to have their technology upgraded to FTTP but the cost is generally around $7 to $10,000. Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) Fibre to the curb is a recent technological improvement on FTTN. It still uses the existing copper telephone lines but then connects to a “Node” or “NBN junction-box” within a few hundred meters of your location/building. Some users can apply to have their technology upgraded to FTTP but the cost is generally around $7 to $10,000. NBN™ HFC Australian suburbs connected to the Pay-TV (Foxtel) Network in the 90s will be connected to NBN using the existing HFC (coaxial) network as follows. HFC is regarded as the 2nd best technology available after FTTP. NBN™ Wireless and NBN™ Satellite In country and rural areas the use of Wireless or Satellite technology (using an external antenna or satellite dish) as follows. Australian Satellite Internet is called Sky Muster™ or Sky Muster™ Plus and available from ISPs such as SkyMesh Even if you did not need a modem before (because you did not have the internet) you will need one now and if you currently have one, it will probably need replacing for an NBN compatible one. 2. If you want to keep your “Land-Line” and receive telephone calls, you will need a new NBN-Compatible handset. Existing telephone handsets cannot be used in any of the NBN technologies. If you still require a traditional telephone “handset”, you will need to purchase an NBN compatible handsets that plugs into the NBN modem. 3. If you currently have telephone points in various rooms, these are now useless and cannot be used.Companies such as “Uniden” supply “wireless” handsets that can be used anywhere in your house as long as they are within range of the “base-station” which plugs into the NBN Modem.Use these instead of traditional handsets. 4. NBN Co may install your new connection in a different location to your existing modem. The incoming NBN connection will enter your house by either: a) One of your current telephone points or b) In the case of HFC connected areas, they use existing pay-TV/Foxtel point, that connects to an “NBN Connection Box” If an existing point does not exists, the NBN technician will install a new one, usually at a convenient location for them but not always for you. NBN Co, have to make an effort to locate your incoming NBN connection in a location that is convenient for you, so if you want the connection to be where your modem is, insist on it and do not let the technician install it in an inconvenient location. 5. A new modem, means a new Wi-Fi signal, so printers, scanners, iPads, iPhones, TV’s, tablets and laptops will need to be connected to the new network Wi-Fi may not now reach into areas that you could previously receive Wi-Fi If the new incoming connection is not near where your old modem was located, you may find this inconvenient. It maybe that devices such as TV’s, iPads, Printers, Scanners, Computers and Laptops, may no longer be in range of the new modem.Because of the new modem, each device will need to be reconnected to the new wifi network, so you may find you are suddenly unable to connect to the printer or the internet.If you connect your modem to […]

High-Definition IP Video Surveillance System

The UniFi® Video Cameras G3 represent the next generation of cameras designed for use in the UniFi Video surveillance management system. These cameras offer 1080p Full HD resolution for day or night use and are integrated with the UniFi Video software for powerful and flexible, integrated IP video management. The cameras are easy to operate and manage using the UniFi Video® software, which is pre-installed on the optional UniFi Application Server and the UniFi NVR appliance, or can be downloaded free of charge. 5 camera models are available, in different sizes and formats with features such as 1080p Full-HD, microphones, 2-way audio, infrared LED, wide-angle lenses which can be located on desktops, poles, celings and walls, indoors and outdoors. Cameras include UVC-G3-Bullet (UVC-G3-AF), UVC-G3-PRO, UVC-G3-DOME, UVC-G3-MICRO, UVC-G3-FLEX The UniFi NVR is a plug-and-play NVR appliance with pre-installed UniFi Video software to configure and manage the UniFi Video Cameras G3. Its 2 TB hard drive provides up to 4800* recording hours at 480p, 1600* recording hours at 720p, or 700* recording hours at 1080p. in Western Australia, installers of this equipment need a “Security Installer Licence – Class 3” please check with your installer. If you are looking for a qualified installer, we can recommend Cablenet. Wi-fi Problems? Wireless Smart-Wired-Home solutions for extra large sized homes with multiple floors Wireless Smart-Wired-Home solutions for medium sized homes Wireless Smart-Wired-Home solutions for small houses, units or apartment Wi-Fi Internet Extenders Smart wiring – Is it really necessary? WAP’s v Network Range Extenders/Boosters High-Definition IP Video Surveillance System Building or Renovating? Make yours a Smart-Wired Wi-Fi enabled Home Sonos Installation and Troubleshooting Networking and Internet Solutions Internet Service Provider Perth :jk:    

Does your Wi-Fi reach all corners of your house?

Does your Wi-Fi reach all corners of your house? …or is your family tied to the room where your modem is located? Why does our Wi-Fi not extend further and why is it so slow? Modems supplied by Telstra, iiNet/WestNet/TPG, Optus etc. have very poor Wi-Fi capabilities. They have Wi-Fi strong enough to cover a single room well but are not designed to cover multiple rooms or houses with multiple floors. Rather than purchasing cheap boosters plugged into power sockets around the house, we recommend adding a powerful Wireless-Router such as a Ubiquiti AmpliFi™ HD (High Density) Mesh Router  which gives a Wi-Fi signal up to 500% stronger than standard modems. Standalone AmpliFi HD Mesh Router (AFI-R) is great for powerful coverage in an average sized space up to 930 square metres. You can purchase Standalone AmpliFi HD Mesh Router (AFI-R) from us, they just plug into your modem and are simple to install yourself. We also offer an optional installation service for a small fee….. more Why does our Wi-Fi not reach the upstairs bedrooms? Wi-Fi signals will not penetrate concrete or thick brick/block walls. The only way to get a Wi-Fi signal to areas behind these walls and floors is as follows: 1. Hard Wire (Ethernet cable) through or around the obstruction to a Wireless Access Point (Electrician required) by Installing Wireless Access Points (WAPs) throughout the house (3 or 4 will normally cover a very large home) 2. Use a Mesh-Wi-Fi Network  such as multiple Amplifi HD Mesh Routers that use door or staircase openings to transmit Wi-Fi signals through to other areas or 3. If your home is already smart-wired, replace existing Ethernet wall plates with in-wall Wireless Access Points (WAPs) The IT Guys only supply the world’s best WI-FI equipment made by UBIQUITI. Our technicians are qualified and certified UBIQUITI experts and can design a new system or troubleshoot your current system. For the best and most efficient solution, please call and speak to one of our technicians. Why is our Internet so slow? Telephone and Internet Connections offered by NBN :jk:

Copper Disconnection Dates – WA Suburbs – 16th January 2020

WA Suburbs that will have their copper telephone lines (Landlines and ADSL) disconnected on January 16th 2020 If you live in any of the following WA suburbs and have not switched to NBN or an NBN-Alternative by 16th Jan 2020 you will find your telephone and ADSL Internet disconnected Applecross, Armadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Australind, Bandy Creek, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baynton, Bedford, Beeliar, Bellevue, Beresford, Boya, Brockman, Brookdale, Brown Range, Bullsbrook, Busselton, Byford, Camillo, Carabooda, Carey Park, Carnarvon, Castletown, Chadwick, Champion Lakes, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Coogee, Cottesloe, Darch, Darling Downs, Darlington, Dawesville, Deepdale, Denham, Dudley Park, Dunsborough, East Bunbury, East Carnarvon, Edgewater, Esperance, Forrestdale, Gap Ridge, Green Head, Greenmount, Greys Plain, Hamilton Hill, Haynes, Helena Valley, Henderson, Hilbert, Hilton, Inglewood, Jandakot, Joondalup, Katanning, Kelmscott, Kewdale, Kingsford, Koongamia, Lancelin, Landsdale, Lange, Leda, Ledge Point, Leeman, Leschenault, Lockyer, Mandurah, Mariginiup, Marybrook, Maylands, Milpara, Morgantown, Mosman Park, Mount Lawley, Mount Melville, Mount Richon, Munster, Orana, Paraburdoo, Peppermint Grove, Quindalup, Riverton, Rockingham, Seville Grove, South Carnarvon, South Perth, South Lake, Spearwood, Spencer Park, Success, Swan View, Utakarra, Victoria Park, Wagin, Walmsley, Wannanup, Wanneroo, Wattleup, Wellard, Willetton, Wongan Hills, Wonthella, Woorree, Wungong, Yakamia, Yanchep, Yangebup The IT Guys can help. Give us a call. :jk:

TV Streaming Alternatives in Australia

Confused about the abundance of TV streaming services available in Australia in 2022? You are not alone…. much has changed since we published the original article back in 2016 Some companies have folded while others have emerged, TV services such as streaming, now come in a variety of choices, some Free and others paid. Some services requiring a special “box” for recording programs (Foxtel IQ, FetchTV) but with the majority of services are available to “stream” using an “App” on most Smart-TV’s or Desktop-Box units. Quick FAQ Confused by the “jargon” regarding “streaming”, “on-demand” TV etc. here is a quick idiots-guide or FAQ (Frequently-Asked-Questions) Free-To-Air (Terrestrial) TV – Australia There are more than two-dozen Free to Air channels in Australia (also known as Free View) including the five major channels presented below, ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine and Ten and are often referred to a “Terrestrial” channels and in all cases still need a TV Aerial to receive. Gone are the days of only 5 Terrestrial channels to choose from, there are now more than twenty four including ABC HD, ABC Comedy, SBS HD, SBS World Movies, Seven HD, Seven 2, Seven Mate, 10 HD, 10 Bold, 9 HD, 9 Go, 9 Gem to name but a few. All Free-To-Air and all available on older traditional and newer Smart-TV’s Being Free-to-air you have to watch each program when it is being aired, unless you have a recording-device such as Foxtel IQ or FetchTV. Very useful if you want to watch sports that are only available on Free-to-air TV but of little use otherwise considering the options and choices. Smart-TV v Dumb-TV What is a Smart-TV? (AKA a “Connected TV“) All newer TV’s (no more than 10 years old) are usually classified as Smart-TV‘s. A Smart TV is a television that has built-in Internet access, either by a direct, wired Ethernet connection or built-in Wi-Fi and can: Stream media from your computer to your TV over your home network. Connect wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct, where the device makes a one-to-one network connection so you can watch whatever is playing on your smartphone while it remains in your pocket. Use apps like Netflix, Stan, ABC iView etc to download to your smart TV, so you can watch online content without purchasing an additional device such as Apple TV, a games console or Blu-ray player. If you’re a Netflix watcher, check to see if there’s a dedicated Netflix button on the remote as this will allow you to jump straight to your saved shows. Automatically apply security and system updates to improve the TV’s features and performance. Buy new Smart-TV’s here  from Samsung, A dumb-TV, has none of the above but can often be turned into a Smart-TV by purchasing an additional external device such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Telstra TV/Roku , Fetch TV, Foxtel Now Box, Amazon Fire TV Stick or gaming consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation. Streaming v Catchup v On-Demand With Free to Air TV, you have to watch TV programs and movies when they are being broadcast, or you can record them for future viewing with a recording device (see above) but if a particular movie or TV program isn’t showing or available on Free to Air TV you have a number of choices to find and watch that show or movie, some also FREE but the majority are PAID services. What is a “Streaming Service”? “Streaming” a TV program or Movie means you are watching the program as it is being downloaded to your TV or device from the Internet in real-time. As long as your Internet Service is quick enough, you should not see any delay, freezing (or lagging) of the picture. This means you do not have to wait for something to completely download before you watch it and your TV is not going to fill up or run out of storage space. Streaming is used by services such as ABC iView, SBS Catchup, Netflix, Hulu, Binge, Disney, Apple, Stan, Amazon Prime Video etc. All you need is a Smart TV or set-top box with an Internet connection with a download speed of 3mbps or better. What are “Catchup” or “On-Demand” Programs “Catchup” is a phrase used by Foxtel where programs and movies not currently being shown on Foxtel, can be downloaded using a Foxtel IQ box with an Internet Connection. Older iQ boxes were not internet-enabled and if you wish to utilise this Foxtel feature, you may have to upgrade your IQ box. This is essentially the same as “streaming” Set-Top boxes such as Telstra TV and Apple TV may offer “on-demand” services where movies and TV shows can be purchased individually, on-demand. Telstra offer Telstra TV Box Office (formerly Bigpond Movies) where the latest movies can be purchased or rented and charged to a Telstra account. Apple TV and Apple devices similarly allow the purchase or rental of shows using an Apple iTunes account. Using a Chromecast media streamer you can also purchase programs through Google Play Movies & TV in a similar fashion to Apple TV and Telstra TV What is a Smart-TV App? In addition to viewing Free to Air Programs on a Smart-TV, they also come with built in “Apps” or “Programs” that allow access to streaming and on-demand services as detailed above. Popular Apps such as “Netflix” and Amazon “Prime-TV” may also have their own dedicated buttons on the TV remote control but by going through the “Apps” section of your TV you will also find Apps for ABC iView, SBS On-demand, Stan, Apple TV, Telstra movies etc. Because your Smart TV is connected to the Internet, it should be constantly “upgrading” itself with the latest Apps, so over time you may see the available Apps increase as new services (such as Disney+) are introduced. How do I connect my TV to the Internet? A smart-TV depends on an Internet Connection. Most Smart-TV’s and Set-Top Boxes can connect via a “wired” (Ethernet cable) or wire-less (Wi-Fi) connection. A wired connection […]