News & Blog

Many business owners have likely heard of “the metaverse” or at least became aware of it when Facebook changed its name to Meta in late 2021. But vast numbers of business owners, workers and consumers alike are far from clear on just what it is and how it could impact the future of both business and everyday life. So just what is this metaverse and how should the average business owner prepare for its arrival? Interested business decision-makers can read on for a quick rundown on what some call the future of the internet along with some facts they should...

Read More 5 Steps Businesses Can Take to Prepare for the Upcoming Metaverse Movement

In today’s quickly evolving business world, more employees than ever before are working from home — especially in the wake of a global pandemic that accelerated an already-growing trend toward hybrid work. And unfortunately for IT professionals everywhere, the need to maintain security protocols is by no means lessened when employees work from locations outside the office’s four walls. In fact, remote work often presents even more security challenges than traditional, in-the-office work does. But by implementing sensible steps to protect themselves, businesses and their remote workers can take big strides toward thwarting cyberattacks and other unwanted intrusions into a...

Read More 7 cybersecurity tips for businesses with work-from-home employees

Statistics show that more than 70% of internet users employ the same password across some, most or all of their online accounts. Unfortunately, this means that when a cybercriminal can steal a user’s password for one account, he or she can often gain access to a range of the user’s accounts. Along with them, the user’s personal and financial details, as well as his or her actual money and assets, could be compromised. Of course, the stakes can get even higher when a hacker gains access to a business’s passwords and online accounts or, perhaps even worse, to the business’s...

Read More 4 of the most common ways hackers steal users’ passwords

For businesses looking to reach new audiences, social media marketing offers an extremely powerful opportunity. Today’s top social media platforms boast a vast audience of consumers with wide-ranging interests and millions of potential customers visiting daily. Further, some even offer advertising options with audience-segmentation capabilities that can help businesses reach the consumers they are seeking, often at a minimal cost compared to other advertising channels. But with such a broad range of social platforms available, the marketing decision-makers for many businesses might be left wondering which platform is the best for their particular brand. The answer often lies in the...

Read More 5 top social platforms for business-building

Unfortunately, any business can fall victim to burglary, theft and/or cybercrime. But when a small business is targeted by criminals, the impacts can feel especially consequential and, for the business owner, even personal. This is because, of course, most small business owners pour their hearts and souls into their business ventures. And to further amplify the impacts of any criminal activity, most simply do not have the financial resources that larger regional or national enterprises do, making it harder to quickly recover from theft-related losses such as stolen merchandise and property damage. When it comes to protecting themselves, though, small...

Read More 6 Simple and Inexpensive Ways to Step Up Security at a Small Business

For women who are starting up and/or working to grow their own business, being able to get insights and guidance from other successful women entrepreneurs can deliver invaluable advantages. And in today’s digitally connected business world, such mentors do not necessarily have to be close by geographically as connections can be made and conversations can be conducted with ease via the internet. Women business owners who are looking for online support, connections and other helpful guidance can consider the following six groups and resources. All of them are free and easily accessible with an internet connection: The U.S. Small Business...

Read More 6 Great Online Groups and Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

Recent U.S. intelligence indicates that, as its military engagement in Ukraine escalates, Russia has initiated cyberwarfare techniques against its Eastern European neighbor. And given the potential for similar attacks on U.S.-based targets, we at FTC would like to provide area businesses with an update on what we know about Russia’s cyberattacks so far, along with the steps we are taking to ensure the ongoing fidelity of the cybersecurity services we deliver to our customers for the protection of their businesses. What we know so far: cyberattacks targeting Ukraine The cyberattacks that Russia has so far initiated in its 2022 assault...

Read More A few things your business should know regarding potential Russian cyberwarfare

Even in the digital age, when emails, videoconferences, texts and social media have taken on high-level everyday importance, phone service is still critical in the business world. After all, while all of the previously mentioned communication platforms are important to business success, sometimes nothing is quite as powerful as the immediacy and personal connection that come with a phone call. Further, with a high-quality business voice service in place, companies can empower their employees to easily, efficiently and effectively manage their voice communications with customers and colleagues alike. But with so many options available, selecting the right business phone system...

Read More 7 important factors to consider when shopping for a business phone service

Whether at home or in the office, most Americans have experienced the frustration that can come with a slow internet connection during a video call. Frozen video feeds, heavily distorted words (and even impossible-to-understand conversations), active participants simply dropping off the call; these are just a few of the problems that can plague a Zoom, Skype, Google Meet or Webex call when internet speeds are slow. And such issues can be especially worrisome in the office, where clear conversations are critical to team productivity and (maybe even more importantly) to consumer impressions of the business. For businesses considering making an...

Read More 6 Benefits to Having Faster Internet for Videoconferences