When these DNS requests are DoH encrypted your network logs no longer provide visibility into what DNS requests are occurring and by which device.
So, starting January 1st. 2020, Webroot DNS Protection will automatically categorize all DoH and DNS over TLS (DoT) domain requests under our Proxy Avoidance and Anonymizers URL category. By default, all DoH and DoT requests will automatically blocked as a security risk.
As a reminder, we are offering to waive all setup and onboarding fees (WinInit, MacInit) for your employees’ home computers. If you would like us to provide antivirus, OS updates and monitor their safety and compliance, we will install our remote management software for free if their office workstation is already being monitored in our support system.
Quo Vadis is offering a credit to your account for any users that have been furloughed, please let us know your situation so we can help. We want to work with you on payment options – if you would like to set up a payment plan for your invoices please contact us.
We’ve talked about using Microsoft Teams in past posts and newsletters, so you should be familiar with this tool.
Microsoft Teams is a communication tool that combines individual and group chat, voice calls, video calls, file sharing, collaboration, and much more. We use Teams to communicate with our Engineers and Admin staff spread across four states in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. Teams is part of your Basic and Standard 365 licenses (formerly Essentials and Premium). Exchange Online Plan 1 licenses do not include Teams.
Now here’s the fun part…
Microsoft is providing a 365 Business Basic license (formerly Business Essentials), an $8 per month value FOR FREE until the end of the year! This license is called Teams Exploratory, so you can test ride Teams for your organization. If you’re interested in using Teams, or adding your EOP1 users to Teams as a trial, call the Help Desk (704-814-8819).
Microsoft is rebranding the most popular Office 365 licenses we provide to our clients. Quo Vadis will use these new names on the invoices you receive going forward.
Those services which include mailboxes…
Those services which are strictly Office software without a mailbox…
It appears that Microsoft is subtly removing the “Office” term from the product line. Prices remain the same.
In addition to Microsoft’s name changes, our partner AppRiver has also taken this opportunity to rebrand some of its popular services as well:
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing is a great way of maintaining that face-to-face communication – while maintaining Social Distancing. As you are aware, Quo Vadis has techs supporting your businesses from Florida to Ontario. Many years ago, we recognized that simply relying on the telephone to communicate lacked some of the necessary elements to effectively communicate complex ideas or maintain engagement in group meetings. So, we started leveraging videoconferencing. We’ve tried different applications and have found that Zoom and Microsoft Teams provide a good solution. For those with an Office 365 subscription, you might find Teams very easy to implement since your team will already have an account and need only download and sign in (there are no additional fees). In our experience Zoom does provide a superior tool, but unless you upgrade beyond the free version, there are some limitations which may be too cumbersome. However, Zoom is very popular, and may be the better choice if you are looking to videoconference with individuals outside your team. At Quo Vadis we primarily use Zoom.
Instant Messaging
If your organization hasn’t already moved away from intra-organizational email, take this opportunity to start using a company instant messaging option. Once you do, you’ll never look back and when COVID19 is a memory your business will continue to reap the benefits of increased efficiency. Among other improvements, your team will better be able to identify and prioritize communication coming from other team members. At Quo Vadis, we rely heavily on Microsoft Teams for intra-organizational written communication. This is the same Teams product mentioned above in the Video Conferencing recommendations. It works on Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android, making it easier to reach team members on their preferred device. If you are a business which utilizes Office 365 and the Microsoft Office suite, the integration with Teams is natural and with little to no training required, your team will be quickly collaborating on company documentation.
Work at Home Precautions
For those not familiar with working from home, here are a few tips we can recommend for success and security.
3/9/2020
With Corona virus (COVID-19) diagnoses continuing to increase around the world, Quo Vadis is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees and ensure business continuity in service of our customers. We are confident that the Corona virus will not significantly impact our ability to provide our services to you. Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us for your IT support.
As the situation continues to evolve, we are taking measures to maintain business continuity and protect the health of our employees, customers, and partners.
Here’s an overview of our current policies:
We want to be clear that these policies don’t change how we work with you, or our ability to provide the great services on which you rely. At Quo Vadis we have a people first culture — and these measures will help protect not only our employees, customers, and partners, but also our community as a whole. We will be continuously monitoring the situation as it evolves and will make adjustments to our policies accordingly to help keep everyone safe and healthy.
As we look ahead, we believe we have an opportunity to use our expertise in helping teams work remotely and securely, to aid our broader community in handling the challenges of the Coronavirus.
3/24/2020
Protocol Update:
Equifax’s breach is a reminder that your personally identifiable information can be stolen and used to steal your identity. LegalShield and IDShield provide the legal counsel and identity theft protection you and your family need and deserve.
If you knew you could pick up the phone and call an attorney to ask any legal question and not receive a bill…would you?
LegalShield Plan Benefits:
If you knew there was a company with licensed private investigators, that with no co-pay, no deductible, and no out of pocket expense, that would restore and protect your identity…would you be interested?
IDShield Plan Benefits:
If you’re interested in learning more about these plans, please contact Darrell Orcutt at Legal Shield:
Darrell Orcutt
Small Business, Group, Broker Certified Associate
dorcutt@legalshieldassociate.com
(w) 704-841-1211 (c) 704-301-7500