One Stop Computers (stoke) ltd.

14/10/2026

What would happen if the only person who understands your IT was unavailable for a month?

Someone else needs to know who your providers are, where the documentation is kept, which systems are critical, when contracts renew and how to regain access to important systems during an emergency.

Store emergency access securely instead of sharing passwords.

Choose a backup person and ask them to handle a routine IT request using only the documentation and contact information available to them.

If your business depends on one person for every IT decision, contact us. We can help you document the responsibilities and create a backup plan. Call us on 01782 847208 or visit onestopcomputers.co.uk

13/10/2026

Some free VPNs make money by letting other people send traffic through your internet connection.

Google recently took down a large network that used devices running apps advertised as free VPNs.

While the VPN worked, the app also allowed other customers' internet traffic to pass through the device.

On a work laptop, that traffic would appear to come from your company's public IP address. Your IP could get blocked because of activity nobody in the business carried out.

Google also found that some of this software could expose other devices on the same network.

Check which VPNs and browser extensions are installed on company devices. Staff should use the VPN provided by the business, not one they found online because it was free.

Want to know whether unapproved VPNs or proxy software are installed on your company devices? Reach out and we can check for you. Call us on 01782 847208 or email [email protected]

13/10/2026

Do you know which systems in your business accept connections from the internet?

An old remote-access tool or test server can remain accessible after nobody needs it anymore.

An external security scan checks your network from outside the office and lists the systems accepting connections from the internet.

Run the scan after installing new systems, changing providers or replacing network equipment.

Ask us to check which of your systems can be reached from the internet and whether any of them should be closed or restricted. Visit onestopcomputers.co.uk

12/10/2026

Security software warned the UK’s ACRO Criminal Records Office about suspicious activity. The alerts were not investigated.

The UK’s privacy regulator said an attacker had access to ACRO’s website and content management system between August 2022 and March 2023.

Up to 10,920 people may have been affected. The information at risk included passport details, driving licence information, bank account details, biometric data and criminal record information.

The regulator also found that responsibility for critical security updates was unclear. ACRO used outside providers, but had not made sure someone was responsible for finding and monitoring those updates.

Ask your IT provider who checks security alerts, how quickly they are reviewed and what happens outside normal business hours.

If you aren’t sure who is watching your alerts, reach out. We’ll review how they are handled and who is responsible for responding. Call us on 01782 847208 or visit onestopcomputers.co.uk

https://therecord.media/uk-criminal-records-office-acro-data-breaches

Unread antivirus alerts and an unpatched content management system exposed Britain's ACRO to three separate data breaches, according to a reprimand notice.

11/10/2026

13 October 2026 is the end of support date for Office 2021.

After that date, Word, Excel and Outlook will continue to open, but Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes and technical support.

Because the software keeps working, it can remain on company computers for months or years after support ends.

Any new security problems found in Office 2021 may be left unfixed.

Not sure whether Office 2021 is still in use? Ask us to check, and we'll talk you through the replacement options. Call us on 01782 847208 or email [email protected]

11/10/2026

Ever sent an email and noticed the wrong recipient a second after clicking Send?

A short send delay gives you time to cancel it before it leaves.

Set it for employees who regularly send payroll records, contracts, financial reports or customer information.

Check the setting in your email service and test it with a message to yourself. The delay should give you time to catch a mistake without slowing down normal emails. Need help with all things IT, visit onestopcomputers.co.uk to find out more about what we do.

10/10/2026

Could someone who didn’t set up your systems understand how they fit together?

A current network diagram should show your internet connection, firewall, switches, wireless access points, servers, important cloud services and how they connect. It should also record key device names and network addresses.

Update it whenever equipment or services change. Store a copy somewhere you can reach during an outage.

The diagram will help when troubleshooting a problem, replacing equipment, planning an upgrade or responding to a security incident.

If your IT documentation exists only in one person’s head, contact us. We can help you document it. Call us on 01782 847208 or visit onestopcomputers.co.uk

09/10/2026

DNS filtering can stop a dangerous website before it opens.

When you click a link, your device uses DNS to find the website. DNS filtering checks the address against known phishing, malware and scam sites. If it finds a match, it blocks the page.

It can protect company computers inside and outside the office, depending on how it is set up.

It will not catch every dangerous site, and legitimate pages can occasionally be blocked. Your IT provider should review the reports, handle exceptions and check that every managed device is covered.

Want to know whether your business already uses DNS filtering? Ask us to check. Call us on 01782 847208 or email [email protected]

08/10/2026

Don't trust hotel Wi-Fi. It can be compromised even when you've joined the correct network.

Microsoft has found attackers taking control of the systems used for Wi-Fi login pages at hotels and conference venues.

Once the login system has been compromised, guests can be redirected to a fake Microsoft 365 sign-in page or shown a fake browser update that installs malware.

The timing makes the request believable. You've just connected, the hotel page opens and it says an update is needed before you can continue.

Checking the network name with reception won't help because the hotel's real Wi-Fi is involved.

Use your phone's hotspot for work whenever possible. If you have to use hotel Wi-Fi, never enter your work password into the hotel registration page.

And if the page asks you to download an update, certificate or security tool, disconnect. Joining Wi-Fi shouldn't require you to install anything.

If your staff travel with work laptops, send us a message before their next trip. We'll make sure the devices are properly protected.

Call us on 01782 847208 for IT help and support.

05/09/2026

We are super proud to be sponsoring Biddulph Town Football Club this season ⚽️