The Hack Newsletter - Edition 44 | Think Cloud

Ready to turbocharge your digital journey? 🚀 You’ve just found the right spot!

Every edition is bursting with: 🔒 Expert cybersecurity tips to keep you secure 💪 Productivity hacks that’ll power up your day 🌟 Tech stories guaranteed to spark your curiosity

Let’s navigate the digital world together because levelling up is way more fun with a community. Are you in? Let’s go! 🙌

💥📣 Edition 44 of The Hack - AI That Transforms, Security That Protects

Content Quick Links:

Igniting Innovation with Generative AI at Humberside Fire Brigade

Did you know...not all password managers are genuine

Pick up where you left off in Android

Review, Tech Fact, & Quote

Tech Update

Tech Quiz

Your finger print is your password...so what happens if it get's stolen

Questions & answers

IGNITING INNOVATION AT THE HUMBERSIDE FIRE BRIGADE

We recently had the pleasure of running a Prompt-a-thon with the Humberside Fire Brigade, where Leon delivered an inspiring session on the power of Generative AI. Attendees learned how to write better prompts, explored real-world use cases, and collaborated to discover how AI can drive efficiency and innovation in their day-to-day roles. The event was a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, share knowledge, and showcase how AI tools like Copilot can transform the way organisations work.

Could your business benefit from the same?

If you’re ready to unlock the potential of Copilot and need help adopting AI into your workflows, get in touch with us today. We’d love to run a tailored Prompt-a-thon for your team!

Book a Call

DID YOU KNOW...NOT ALL PASSWORD MANAGERS ARE GENUINE?

Cyber criminals are creating fake websites that look exactly like the real thing, offering downloads of password manager software that’s secretly been tampered with.

These lookalike sites often appear in search engine ads, making them hard to spot, even for experts. Once installed, the software works normally on the surface, but behind the scenes, it can steal your data or install ransomware.

Always double-check the web address before downloading anything, and only get software from trusted, official sources.

Don't let cyber threats catch you off guard. At Think Cloud, we help you think smarter about security, from spotting fake software to keeping your business safe, secure, and compliant.

✅ Want expert guidance on trusted password managers?

✅ Need a cybersecurity check-up for your business?

✅ Ready to upgrade your digital defences?

Let’s talk.

Start A Cyber Risk Assessment

PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF IN ANDROID

Microsoft is working on a new feature for Windows 11 called Cross-Device Resume. It will let you pick up exactly where you left off in an app, across different devices.

For example, if you're using an app on your phone, you’ll soon be able to switch to your Windows PC and carry on seamlessly, without having to start over. It’s like Apple’s Handoff feature and will rely on app developers enabling it. This could make switching between your devices even smoother, especially for communication, media, and productivity apps.

REVIEW, TECH FACT, & QUOTE

Think Cloud Review

"I have been with Think Cloud for well over 10 years now, and without their ongoing support, we wouldn't have been able to run the business as well as we do. They're always there at the end of the phone and have always been able to overcome any issues we have. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their services!!"

Tech Facts

Think AI is a new concept? Not really. The first computer program to have AI was Christopher Strachey's draughts (checkers) program, developed between 1951 and 1952.

In 2007, an estimated 10.8 trillion spam emails were sent, surpassing the 10.5 trillion legitimate messages. Spam traffic peaked in 2008, when it accounted for approximately 92% of all email traffic.

The term "Vaporware” was created by a Microsoft engineer when asked about the status of the company's Xenix operating system. It’s often used to describe products that are announced with great fanfare but are either indefinitely delayed or never released at all.

Tech Quote

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

Thomas Edison, inventor.

TECH UPDATE

Full PDF translation comes to Edge

Yes, you’ll be able to open a PDF in Edge, click the Translate icon, and instantly see the entire document in your chosen language. No more copying and pasting line by line.

It will support over 70 languages and be a real time saver for understanding manuals, contracts or reports written in another language.

The rollout is already happening right now.

FUN TECH QUIZ

Loser gets the coffees! It's time for a fun tech quiz.

1. What was the most downloaded app of 2024?

2. A blue wavy line in Microsoft Word indicates which error?

3. What does the acronym URL stand for?

4. Where are the headqaurters of Microsoft located?

5. During its earliest days in development in the 1980s, what name was Windows 1.0 known by?

Answers are at the bottom of the page!

YOUR FINGERPRINT IS YOUR PASSWORD...SO WHAT HAPPENS IF IT GETS STOLEN?

Biometrics are changing the way we log in.

Whether it’s a fingerprint, a facial scan or even an iris pattern, more and more businesses are using this tech to access systems, files and customer records. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it feels more secure than a password.

But there’s a catch: If someone gets hold of your biometric data, you can’t change it. You can’t just “reset” your face, right? That’s why biometric data is quickly becoming one of the most valuable and vulnerable types of information your business holds. If your systems contain sensitive data about your employees or customers, using biometrics without proper protection is a bit like fitting a high-tech lock on your front door, then leaving the key under the mat. Hackers are already targeting businesses that use biometrics for logins, because they know how powerful that data is. A stolen password can be cancelled. A stolen fingerprint? That’s forever. On the dark web, biometric credentials are now being sold for high prices to criminals who know how to use them to bypass identity checks.

What can you do?

Start by making sure biometric data is stored locally on devices wherever possible, not in a central database that could become a target. If it must be stored centrally, it should be encrypted to a high level and separated from other data to limit the damage of any breach. Access controls are also essential. Lock down who can manage or view biometric settings and track every login attempt or change. And if you’re using third-party tools or devices, choose vendors who take biometric security seriously, with strong privacy policies and a clear track record of data protection. Biometrics can be a huge asset to your business. But with great convenience comes great responsibility. If you’re going to use a fingerprint or a face as the key to your digital world, make sure you’re the only one who can open the door.

Can we help you keep your biometric data secure? Get in touch.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION

Is it really that risky to let staff use their own devices for work?

ANSWER

Yes, if it's not managed properly. Personal devices are often less secure. If they're lost or compromised, your business data could go with them.

QUESTION

How often should we change our passwords?

ANSWER

Actually, it's better to focus on using strong, unique, randomly generated passwords with multi-factor authentication than changing them all the time. A good password manager can help.

QUESTION

Do we really need to back up data if we're using cloud services?

ANSWER

Yes! Most cloud services protect their systems, but not your data. Accidental deltion, user error, or cyber-attacks can still results in loss.