Small business owners generally use smartphones to manage various types of communication. Whether used to speak with clients, check email messages or post to social networks, smartphones are essential tools for busy professionals. Mobile business owners may subscribe for a merchant account to accept wireless payments with a smartphone.

Why Accept Wireless Payments?

Studies show that cashless transactions are growing among consumers. Credit cards and debit cards offer alternative payment methods and convenience for consumers. A business owner who is positioned to accept wireless payments might obtain more sales than its competitors who refuse to accept credit card payments. Business owners who accept wireless payments may realize many timesaving benefits, too. Less time should be allocated toward counting cash or for traveling to make a bank deposit.

Safely Accept Wireless Payments

A merchant account enables a business owner to safely accept wireless payments. PCI regulations require merchant processing companies to securely transfer electronic payment data. Whether a consumer’s data is sent using a keypad or magnetic strip reader, a business owner can accept wireless payments in a safe and a secured manner.

Get a Merchant Account

A merchant account is required to facilitate wireless payments with a smartphone. As consumers gravitate toward electronic payment methods, such as a credit card or a debit card, business owners can obtain equipment to meet the demand. Merchant processing companies provide qualified business owners with wireless card-reading devices. During a wireless payment transaction, a credit card reader is used to facilitate the transfer of a customer’s funds into a business owner’s bank account. Business owners must submit an application to apply for a merchant account. Qualified business owners may be able to get a merchant account within 48 hours.

Accept Wireless Payments

Generally, a pocket-sized credit card reader is used to accept wireless payments. Before processing a credit card payment, a user simply inserts the card reader into the headphone jack of most smartphones. When setting up a merchant account, business owners may inquire about a card reader’s compatibility with certain devices. An active merchant account enables a business owner to accept wireless payments from any web-based location.

Summary

Securing a merchant account could enable a business owner to safely accept wireless payments with a compatible smartphone. Merchant processing companies are frequently able to equip a business owner to accept wireless payments within a few days. Account representatives can provide helpful advice for business owners who want to accept wireless payments with a smartphone.

If you are looking for reliable IT Services in Denver and the surrounding areas, North Star, Inc., is the place to go for quality IT support. Get in touch with us today with your IT Service Request.

You can maximize productivity if you have the capability to work anytime and anywhere. Tablets make that possible because they offer business-class technological advantages without being tethered to a desktop computer. And with the right apps, you can work smartly and more efficiently than before.

Here are ten free apps that business users will find useful to have on their Windows 8 tablets.

1. JustCloud. It allows for file syncing and cloud storage, so you can access your files anywhere. The app also works with iPhones and iPads.
2. mSecure Password Manager. The application’s 256-bit encryption lets you store and sync important files in your Windows 8 tablet. It also comes with an auto-lock feature for added protection.
3. My Server. This free app created by Microsoft enables you to tap into your server resources through any Windows 8 device. My Server allows you to manage users and access shared server files, among others.
4. OneNote. This is another free app from Microsoft. It lets you create to-do lists and business itineraries in the cloud, so you can access them though a compatible mobile device with an internet connection.
5. Quick Encryption. This free text-encryption app can encrypt and decrypt your sensitive personal data and passwords. Use it on your credit card numbers, SSN, usernames, etc.
6. Remote Desktop. This Microsoft app allows your Windows 8 tablet to link up to your remote computer in order to access files. Dealing with multiple remote desktops and customizations are possible with this app.
7. Save the Date. This app reminds you of important dates, such as deadlines and scheduled meetings. With Save the Date, there’s no more toting around of bulky paper organizers.
8. Speaktoit Assistant. With this tablet app, you can verbally instruct a virtual assistant to launch programs, locate information, and manage your appointments on your calendar.
9. Work Notes Pro. This app transforms your tablet into a multimedia recorder. With it, you can store and share audio, video, and other multimedia documents.
10. Yandex.Disk. Similar to JustCloud, Yandex.Disk is a free online file storage app you can use on your tablet. With Yandex.Disk, you can quickly access and share documents while on the go.

Being on the go with a sleek and portable gadget like a tablet should not be an excuse for you to slack off and be disorganized. All these free apps can help you, in one way or another, run your business, meet deadlines, and work securely and more efficiently even while you are away from your desk.

If you are looking for reliable IT Services in Denver and the surrounding areas, North Star, Inc., is the place to go for quality Denver IT support. Get in touch with us today with your IT Service Request.

As often as we read about how important a strong password is, we still don’t often grasp that anyone could actually sit down and successfully crack a password. Perhaps, one could begin to believe if one actually saw how a skilled (and unethical) hacker would go about it.

The first step – trying an easy formula

People don’t just have trouble remembering passwords – they have trouble thinking them up, too. Many use one of a few predictable ways to arrive at one. The name of a partner or child or pet is one. The numbers of the date of someone’s birthday is another popular choice. People also think of the name of their college or favorite sporting team, or they put in their Social Security number. People use these simple ideas if they don’t want to try something completely transparent – like 123456, asdfgh or iloveyou.

Hackers can get into one out of four accounts out there using one of these ideas. How do they know what the name of your partner is? Chances are that, if you have a simple password like this, you aren’t very careful with your Facebook account, either. You could possibly leave such information accessible to the public there.

The second step – using a free password cracker

What do you do when you need to rip a DVD or find out how fast you Internet connection is? You look on the Internet for a free tool, of course. Surprisingly, this is all password hackers need to do, too. Websites like SecTools post dozens of free password cracking programs for anyone to use.

These tools can be instructed to automatically try thousands of passwords over a few hours. Hackers don’t try to attack your bank account with this – bank websites have beefed-up security that can recognize when someone’s trying to hack into their systems. Instead, they try the online forums you may frequent or your email. When they get a couple of username password pairings there, they try those on your bank account or other important accounts.

You’re probably wondering at this point – how do they know which online forums or email services you belong to and which banks you have accounts with?

This information is very easy to get – they just need to install unobtrusive spyware on your computer. It can look at all the cookies your web browser stores and figure out what websites you go to.

The most common passwords used in 2012. By the way, you should avoid using any of these.

1. password

2. 123456

3. 12345678

4. abc123

5. qwerty

6. monkey

7. letmein

8. dragon

9. 111111

10. baseball

11. iloveyou

12. trustno1

13. 1234567

14. sunshine

15. master

16. 123123

17. welcome

18. shadow

19. ashley

20. football

21. jesus

22. michael

23. ninja

24. mustang

25. password1

A few tips on how to keep yourself safe from hackers

Certainly, you need to follow all the well-established rules of strong password creation, using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and characters. You should also refrain from using the same password for every website you go to. The only way to remember all of these would be to use a program like RoboForm or 1Password.

There are a few other ideas to keep in mind – it isn’t enough to simply keep the password to your bank account safe. Many websites and banks will accept requests for password changes if they come from an email account that they have on record for a customer. All you need to do is to send them an email from that account, requesting a new password. Anyone who has access to your registered email account, thus, also has easy access to other accounts.

One of the greatest new features in Microsoft Office 2013, as mentioned in previous posts, is the new real-time collaboration feature in their various productivity tools, including: Word 2013, Excel 2013, and PowerPoint 2013. This new feature allows the software giant to offer cloud-based features on a par with Google Docs, while also making multi-user collaboration available within the framework of the world’s most popular productivity suite. As your chosen Denver IT Support company, we want to make sure you are informed about the new collaboration features that Microsoft Office 2013 offers you.

Expanded real-time collaboration services

While real-time, multi-user collaboration has been available for Microsoft Excel and OneNote for a while now, through the use of Office Web Apps, the same was not true of Word and PowerPoint; except through the purchase of expensive desktop software. Now though, Microsoft offers these feature-rich productivity tools in a browser-based environment, much like Google Docs.

There are no special plug-ins or additional software required to enjoy the collaboration features now available from Microsoft. Instead, users enjoy real-time viewing of ongoing changes in Word documents and PowerPoint presentations – as they are taking place. A simple save then secures these real-time changes.

Simultaneous editing in Word and PowerPoint

How is it possible for two users to edit a single document without creating confusing, overlapping changes? Simply, the feature locks the section being edited from the moment edits begin, a first-come, first-served approach to editing. Until the changes are saved, no other user may edit the locked section. However, another user may begin editing any other section of the document, similarly locking out other users.

As the edits are taking place, each user is notified of the locked-out sections. As each user saves their changes, the lock is released and the changes are published with all users’ changes included. Should the user not save their changes, the document will not reflect any changes and those changes will not be shared.

Visual indicators and messages are automatically provided to let all collaborators know exactly where the editing is taking place. By allowing the cursor to hover over the “Lock” indicator, each user will receive a similar message.

For effective collaboration, users should be advised that multi-user editing in Office requires saving documents to Microsoft SkyDrive, the cloud-based sharing service.

Real-time multi-user collaboration in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint is no longer a feature for the future, but a real-time bonus of the new Office 2013.

If you are looking for reliable technology consultants in Denver and the surrounding areas, North Star, Inc., is the place to go for quality Denver IT support. Get in touch with us today with your IT Service Request.

Check the document version

First, you may want to check which version of Word was used to create the document on which you wish to work. Upon opening the document, if the title bar includes [Compatibility Mode], you are working in a previous version of Word; either Word 2010, Word 2007, or Word 97-2003. If you would like to know exactly which version of Word you are using, follow these simple steps:

1. Click File.
2. Click Info.
3. In the Inspect Document section, click Check for Issues, and then click Check Compatibility.
4. Click Select versions to show.

You will see a check mark next to the name of the version of Word in which the document was created. However, if you do not see [Compatibility Mode], in the title bar upon opening the document, you are working in Word 2013, with all of the new features at your disposal.

Converting an older Word document to Word 2013

While you can always work on a document in the Compatibility Mode, if you have installed Word 2013, it makes sense to use the newer version, with the all of the new features and help tools available.

First, you can use the “Word Convert” command to clear all compatibility options, making the document appear as if it had been created in Word 2013. This command will also automatically upgrade the document from the .doc format to the .docx format.

To make the conversion to Word 2013, follow these steps:

1. Click the File tab.
2. Convert your document to Word 2013 by clicking the “Info” tab, then click “Convert.”
3. Create a new copy of the document in Word 2013 mode by clicking the “Save As” tab, then save to the appropriate file, using a new name for the document. (Ensure that the “Maintain Compatibility” box is not checked.)

By converting previous versions of your documents to Word 2013, you will allow yourself, and others, to enjoy the new and enhanced features built into the application by Microsoft. If you are having trouble making the conversion, go to the Microsoft information page for more detailed information.

• Step 1: Move the cursor to the lower left side of the screen and right click. Select “Control Panel” on the context menu.
• Step 2: Select the “System and Security” option on the Windows 8 Control Panel. Now select “Windows Firewall” on the following window.
• Step 3: Click the “Allow an app” link to the left of the Windows Firewall window.
• Step 4: Click the “Change Settings” button. Now click the previously greyed out “Allow another app” button.
• Step 5: Select an application from the list that shows up and click “Add.” You can also select unlisted applications by using the “Browse” button.
• Step 6: Click “OK.” The application can now communicate through the Windows Firewall without any issues.

If you are looking for reliable technology consultants in Denver and the surrounding areas, North Star, Inc., is the place to go for quality Denver IT support. Get in touch with us today with your IT Service Request.

Mobile broadband is rapidly becoming more and more popular. It has largely replaced the far more limited WAP Internet which was widely available on mobile phones until a few years ago. Mobile broadband uses the mobile phone networks for sending and receiving data rather than the telephone or cable television lines used by regular home broadband connections. Following is a look at the pros and cons of mobile broadband.

Price

The biggest disadvantage of mobile broadband is the price and it is mostly for this reason that it cannot, at present, fully replace normal home broadband Internet. However, if you regularly use Internet while on the move, mobile broadband can be very affordable if you use it sparingly and avoid downloading large amounts of data. You should also consider getting a better tariff rate if you plan to use it a lot.

Mobility

The whole point of mobile broadband is, unsurprisingly, mobility. You can access mobile broadband from any smartphone. Using a USB mobile broadband dongle, you can also access the Internet from a laptop or desktop computer. These dongles are very small and can easily fit in your pocket, allowing you to take your mobile Internet connection with you whenever you go.

Coverage

Mobile phone coverage is available in far more places. It fills Internet service gaps in areas where there are no other broadband options available. For those living in rural areas where the telephone lines have not been upgraded to carry a broadband signal, mobile broadband is sometimes the only option. Anywhere where you can get a signal on your mobile phone, you should be able to access mobile broadband.

Bandwidth

Directly related to price, and something that makes mobile broadband an unrealistic alternative to a static broadband connection, is low bandwidth. Mobile broadband connections have low monthly download limits, often around one or two gigabytes. The highest (and very expensive) are typically around ten gigabytes per month. This makes mobile broadband impractical for heaving downloading and streaming media.

Speed

Mobile broadband speeds are improving, particularly with the launch of 4G and its upcoming rise to becoming the industry standard. However, speed is also largely consistent with signal strength and various other factors such as interference. Speeds are typically more than adequate for casual Internet usage, however, and with the bandwidth limits, this should not matter so much anyway.

If you are looking for reliable technology consultants in Denver and the surrounding areas, North Star, Inc., is the place to go for quality Denver IT support. Get in touch with us today with your IT Service Request.

Desktop and laptop users may also want to take a look at the Windows Store, since it not only provides new Windows 8-style, full-screen apps; it also provides desktop applications designed for the new operating system. Products available through the Windows Store include both free and paid apps. There are already tens of thousands of apps available and they cover a huge variety of different niches.

How to Use the Windows Store

Although the Windows Store is designed primarily for use on touchscreen devices, it also works perfectly well with a keyboard and mouse. In the Windows 8 Start Screen, you will see a green tile to the left directing you to the Windows Store.

The system is extremely simple to use. You can view featured apps, top free apps, top paid apps and search for apps or browse through them by category. To search for apps, simply start typing a keyword and the list of apps will be narrowed down in real-time. Alternatively, press the Windows key and Q to bring up the search panel.

To install a free app, all you need to do is tap or click on the tile representing that app and click “Install.” To install a paid app, you need to click “Buy” followed by “Confirm.” You should only have to enter your payment details once. If you purchased Windows 8 online as a digital download, then your payment details should already be in the Windows Store.

It is a good idea to keep your apps up to date. Many apps are updated on a regular basis. Updates fix problems and sometimes add extra features or improve on existing ones. To update all of your apps in one hit, return to the Windows Store and click “Updates” in the top-right corner. Note that this link won’t appear if there are no updates available. To update your apps, click “Select All” at the bottom of the page and click “Install.”

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You might be interest in our full series of articles on Cloud Computing technology.

As your preferred Denver IT and Technology Consultants, North Star, Inc. has done the homework for you, helping you discover the answers to the questions you have about the latest technologies available for small business users.

1) Tablet computing:

The tablet computer is becoming one of the most important devices at home and in the office. With powerful operating systems like Windows 8 and Android now available many companies are beginning to develop powerful tablets that will eventually replace the Laptop.

As the PC, Tablet and Smart Phone begin to merge into one device the market is positioning itself for a tablet that will do everything from playing games, stream media to manipulate worksheets and database. Hardware companies are casting off their shackles and adapting to this emerging market by producing powerful devices that are versatile, lightweight and small but pack the same power as a more powerful desktop PC.

2013 will be the year where the tablet becomes the one and only computer required.

2) Applications:

Apple changed the world when they introduced their application store; with millions of applications available they gave control of software choice to the user and removed the need for many people to conform and buy bulky software suites.

As the market matures and decent competition emerges the market is at a cross roads where open-source mentality is competing (and winning) against the more strictly controlled application stores. It’s an exciting time for the consumer as software development is finally being led by demand rather than what the company believes the user needs.

With the app market maturing and being available on many different devices it is becoming a driving force for innovation and is changing the way the world works.

3) Social media:

While many will argue that social media is destroying communication and becoming irrelevant, Web 2.0 is alive and kicking. As websites become more social-centric and the entertainment industry embraces the web we will see mainstream gadgets such as TVs and DVDs incorporate more and more social aspects in their software.

Social media is impacting all manner of technologies ranging from search engines to smart phones and is changing everyday life in many ways. Modern corporations have to understand how important the social aspects of advertising and marketing are and adapt to a modern world where friends and peers will have a huge impact on the advertising we see.

4) Convergence:

With modern innovation we continue to see major convergence in technology; the elements that define what a PC is, what a TV does and what a cell phone can do are merging on every device. The modern TV connects to the internet providing a true multi-media experience to the user; the modern computer is part smart phone, part PC and part Tablet and soon will be one device rather than three distinct devices.

As this trend continues intelligent devices will control every aspect of technology at home and in the office.

5) Video game consoles:

2013 looks like it may be one of the most exciting years for video gamers. While Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony look to make their consoles entertainment centers that will change our living rooms several competitors are embracing the web, the Android operating system and creating cheap alternatives that will challenge the traditional console makers.

With the increasing number of casual gamers using simple games on their smart phones, these competitors are attracting major software houses and bringing choice and value to a market that was becoming more of an elite one.

Conclusion

Technology has become an essential part of everyday life but potentially the innovation is too fast and the consequences of fully relying on technology hasn’t been researched. As every aspect of life is touched by technology it is important that the underlying back-bone is not damaged so that a massive failure of the system doesn’t occur.

2013 is going to be an amazing year for technology with top companies competing to produce the best hardware and software to make life easier. So far the IT trends of 2013 look very exciting.

If you want help in upgrading your business office to new Microsoft technology, contact the technology consultants and Denver IT Support team at North Star, Inc. We’re here to help. Call us at 303-552-0018.

Before you choose a tablet, you should know a bit about the most common features and amenities. Following is a guide to some features that are included in most popular tablet models.

Operating System

The four main operating systems are Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows. These operating systems have their own display panel and programs. Most apps are made to be compatible with a single operating system.

If you use certain apps regularly, then you will want to make sure that these apps are compatible with the operating system on the tablet you are buying. You can jailbreak some tablets so that they can use apps that are not usually compatible with the system, but doing this voids the warranty on the device.

Connectivity

Nearly all tablets come with Bluetooth. However, there are three forms of internet connectivity to choose from: Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G. Wi-Fi is standard connectivity and comes with most tablets. Unless you really need to be online every minute of every day, Wi-Fi will probably be good enough for you.

Those who really need to be online all the time will want 3G or 4G connectivity, but it is important to be aware that this form of connectivity comes at a very high price. At the same time, 3G or 4G connectivity is a must for those who rely on GPS apps.

Processor

The processor is very important. It determines how fast the system will load and operate. Simply put, the faster the processor, the better the tablet. Common processing speed ranges from 1 GHz to 1.6 GHz.

Screen Size

The screen size on a tablet ranges from seven inches to eleven inches. However, 7 inch and 10 inch tablet screens are the most common.

7 Inch Tablet versus 10 Inch Tablet

There are pros and cons to each size. A 7 inch tablet is light and will easily fit in a pocket, purse or handbag. Such tablets weigh about 14 ounces. Ten inch tablets weigh from 1.3 lbs to 1.6 lbs and may be a bit too bulky for a small bag. At the same time, a larger screen makes it easy for a person to use the on screen keyboard for typing.

Touch Responsiveness

Tablets are meant to respond to touch. However, some tablets respond faster and better than others. It is a good idea to buy a tablet that has a high level of touch responsiveness, just as you would want to invest in a regular computer keyboard or mouse that does what you want to do, when you want it done.

Battery Life

The reason you are buying a tablet in the first place is because you want a mini, mobile computer that you can use while you are out and about. A tablet with a low battery life is pretty useless, to say the least. If you intend to use your new tablet a lot, then invest in one that has a long battery life.

At the same time, be aware that it is impossible to predict just how long a battery will last. A lot depends on what you do with the tablet. Watching a video or listening to music takes a lot more battery power than browsing the internet or reading an e-book.

Memory

The memory determines how much stuff you can store on your tablet. Some tablets come with 16 GB of memory space, although many have 32 GB and some models have up to 64 GB.

Having as much memory as possible is ideal. However, the more memory the tablet has, the more it is likely to cost. If you are not storing video, audio or graphic files on your tablet, then a 16 GB tablet may suit your needs just fine. If you need to store large files on the machine, then buy a device that has at least 32 GB.

Camera

All tablets now come with a camera that can film and take pictures. You will just want to make sure the camera has zoom, auto focus and flash so that pictures and videos are clear. If you are really into filming and taking pictures, then consider a device that has forward and backward facing cameras. These can be a lot of fun to work with, although a dual camera is certainly not one of the most important features to look for in a tablet.

Warranty

Always check the warranty terms and conditions to see how long the warranty lasts for and what it covers. Most tablets do not last as long as regular computers because they are taken out and about and so tend to wear out faster than a desktop or even laptop computer. The average warranty time for a tablet is one year.

You should check the warranty conditions to see what is and is not covered. In some cases, the manufacturer will simply replace a defective part. In other instances, the entire device can be replaced if it malfunctions. Other terms and conditions cover what forms of damage are and are not covered, who can do the repair work, etc.

Must Have Tablet Features

As you can see from the above list, there are many features to choose from. However, some are imperative while others are simply nice to have. A decent tablet needs to have Wi-Fi connectivity, a minimum 1 GHz processing speed, built in e-reader, decent speakers, a decent camera and a battery life of at least 8 to10 hours. A minimum one year warranty is also a must.

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