Adam Quan

Adam Quan

Adam Quan is the President of Charlotte IT Solutions, an award-winning provider of managed IT services that serves over 200 businesses and nonprofits in the Southeast region. With an emphasis on excellence, Adam has been instrumental in positioning Charlotte IT Solutions as the go-to provider for organizations looking for simple, yet impactful, IT solutions without an in-house team.

Under Adam Quan’s leadership, Charlotte IT Solutions has grown into a staple in the Southeast IT landscape as well as an innovator and reliable service provider. His strategic vision has propelled Charlotte IT Solutions to the forefront of its industry with an enviable reputation for client satisfaction and excellence. By keeping abreast of technological advancements, we ensure our clients not only remain ready for today but are prepared for what lies ahead – challenges or opportunities

Adam stands out from our competition by offering cutting-edge IT solutions with unparalleled support and through his meticulous cybersecurity services. Charlotte IT Solutions’ tailored solutions reflect Adam’s dedication to comprehensive support, helping businesses thrive in today’s ever-evolving digital environment. Clients continue to entrust Charlotte IT Solutions as their indispensable partner over seventeen years due to Adam Quan’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge IT solutions with outstanding support.

He and his team specialize in providing tailored solutions, helping many small, medium, and growing businesses thrive. With extensive expertise in managing IT and business technologies that not only ensure smooth day-to-day operations but also prepare our clients to adapt and thrive with future technological changes.

One of our core strengths lies in being cybersecurity experts, specializing in preventing security breaches, identity theft, and other cyber threats to ensure a safe digital environment for our clients.

Charlotte IT Solutions offers clients the expertise and support required to effectively manage their business technology infrastructure. For over 17 years, our dedicated team has been at the forefront of managing and supporting IT systems in Carolina businesses, under Adam Quan’s guidance as a key partner who delivers cutting-edge IT solutions with unparalleled support.

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ARTICLES BY Adam Quan

Our Top Microsoft 365 Tips and Tricks

January 16, 2024 Business No comments yet
SharePoint tips and tricks

Microsoft Office 365 is by far the most dominant application suite for businesses of all sizes. But far too many organizations don’t take full advantage of new features that can massively boost productivity levels.

And while there are thousands of features across Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Teams, we have identified a few M365 tips and productivity hacks that will make your life a lot easier.

We’ve broken things down into general and application-based tips that are guaranteed to save time and effort in all types of daily work tasks.

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Browser Security Best Practices

January 16, 2024 Security No comments yet
browser security best practices

Key Takeaways:

  • Install Antivirus Software: Relying solely on your browser’s built-in security is insufficient; installing antivirus software is essential.
  • Use HTTPS Websites: Always opt for “https” websites over “http” for secure browsing and better protection against malware.
  • Regular Software Updates: Keep your browser updated to ensure the latest security features are in place.

The Internet has increasingly become an especially important tool for you at home and at work. Most of the time it works out just as it is supposed to. You open it up, read emails, check a few social media accounts, and perform whatever work you need to. In a perfect world, you’d never have an issue with your Internet browser or visiting different websites.

However, it isn’t a perfect world and there are people out there who are always going to try and steal personal information, siphon off financial data, or just be a pain in the backside and push junk files onto your computer that effectively renders it useless. With so many threats out there what exactly are you supposed to do? By following a handful of these browser security best practices you will have the necessary knowledge to avoid the majority of malware, viruses, and cybercriminals out there.

Install Anti-Virus Security

Far too many people rely on their Internet browsers to block out malware and suspicious activity. While Internet browsers do play a role in your Internet security, it is a small role, and navigating past the thin firewall of your browser isn’t all too tricky. You need to have some kind of antivirus software installed on your computer.

And yes, this includes Macs. There is that common line of “Macs don’t get viruses,” but that simply is not true at all. When creating malware or a virus a cybercriminal needs to design it for either Windows or Mac because the file system runs differently. Because Windows computers are more prevalent a criminal is more likely to create one for a Windows computer, but that doesn’t mean Mac viruses and malware doesn’t exist. Your Mac computer can just as easily be infected, so protect yourself and your computer by installing anti-virus security and not completely relying on the browser to do all the dirty work.

Update Your Browser

You know that little pop-up that appears on your computer, informing you an update is ready? Well, stop clicking out of it or telling it to come back tomorrow. You need to update your software. Software updates will update the security of your browser. Without the update, your computer becomes more and more vulnerable. It will only take a few minutes to process the update, as one of the browser security best practices you need to make sure and install these updates.

Make Sure To Use HTTPS

Avoid using regular “HTTP” addresses. Instead, you want to head over to the “https” websites. That little “s” on the tail end is very important. It stands for secure and it means the website you’re visiting is protected and your browser is able to verify the protection. Most major websites have an https address (don’t worry, it isn’t any different than the regular one). It may take a fraction of a second longer to load as your Internet browser needs to authenticate it, but it is well worth the fraction of a second you need to wait. Regular HTTP websites can be infected with malware. There might be viruses attached to images or links embedded into the page. With an HTTPS you at least know what you’re clicking on is secure.

Scan All Downloads

After you download a file from your computer you will want to scan it for viruses. Even if the file comes from a known source you never know what kind of malware might leach onto it. This is especially true if someone is emailing you a file you need to download. If their computer is infected, and they email you something that email attachment might have a smaller rider that can infect your computer system. Due to this, even if you trust the sender you need to scan the download. You can set up your anti-virus software to scan the downloads automatically, this way you don’t need to manually do it. File downloads and opening material sent via email is one of the most common ways your computer will become infected. By scanning all the files you’ll avoid most of the issues sent your way.

Change Up Your Passwords

You know how you’ve been using the same passwords since high school? Those three variations of passwords that haven’t changed much over the years? Maybe you have one that ends with two numbers and another version with a capital letter tossed in there in order to meet the minimum password requirements. Well, it’s time for you to change your passwords.

One form of malware someone might have on your computer is a keystroke monitor. With this kind of malware a cybercriminal can actually monitor your keystrokes. Now, you probably type a million different keys over the course of a few weeks, so they won’t want to spend the time sifting through every keystroke. However, if it looks like what is being typed in is a password (such as after you type in a specific website address) it does become easier to steal off your password. Due to this, you need to regularly change up your password and do so with all of your accounts. This will help prevent outsiders from accessing your important data.

Take Back Your Computer

Have you been infected with malware? Has the blue screen of death popped up on your screen? Perhaps your system is running slowly and you’re not really sure why. Chances are, you have some kind of malware, bloatware, virus, or other files installed that you need to be removed right away. No matter the kind of computer you use or the operating system, now that you know some of these browser security best practices, you can begin incorporating them into your computer system. If, however, you’re still running into problems or your system is already infected you will want to contact the team at Charlotte IT Solutions. From helping single computers to entire networks, the team can help make sure every computer is properly safeguarded (and cleaned) from malware.

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All Thing BYOD Policy: From Security To Own Device Management Solutions

January 16, 2024 Security No comments yet
BYOD policy

One of the most effective ways to provide more flexibility when it comes to employees having more ways to do work is by allowing them to access company systems and data on their own devices.

Whether it’s checking email, instant messages, or just the status of a system outside office hours, there are plenty of ways employees could make use of their own smartphones.

But operating system vulnerabilities pose security risks to your corporate network and data, which is why you need to carefully plan out a BYOD policy.

Let me show you what’s involved.

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Your Guide to All Things to Managed IT Service Providers

January 15, 2024 Managed Services No comments yet
what is a managed service provider

Key Takeaways:

  • Cost Efficiency: Managed IT services allow businesses to save significantly by outsourcing IT needs, reducing the expense of full-time in-house staff.
  • Enhanced Security: MSPs provide advanced cybersecurity solutions, helping protect businesses from data breaches and cyberattacks.
  • Access to Expertise: Small businesses gain access to cutting-edge technology and a team of experts, ensuring better system uptime and compliance with industry regulations.

Large businesses often have a dedicated IT staff on hand. With the amount of information running through the business and the need to maintain a large infrastructure, having on-site IT professionals both day and night makes sense. 

However, as a small to medium-sized business, this is not something you need. Your company simply does not generate the kind of data volume to need a team of IT specialists on-site. 

And yet, you still need someone to help maintain your network, including handling Internet security, performing updates, and even recommending software to enhance your user experience.

Paying a full-time employee to do this doesn’t make sense, as they likely won’t have a ton to do throughout the course of an average day, so paying a salary, plus benefits, social security, and other expenses, can quickly add up. 

A far better alternative involves hiring a managed service provider (MSP).

WHAT IS A MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER?

Managing your network isn’t necessarily a full-time job. You may only need help at points throughout the day or possibly even a few times a month. And paying for a full-time staff member to handle such occasional tasks just doesn’t make sense. 

And yet, you absolutely need to have IT solutions within the realm of your business. It’s one of those areas that you don’t need until you really need it. When things go wrong with the network, whether it’s from failing software to a cyber attack, having an IT professional on your site is of critical importance.

That is where a managed service provider (MSP) comes in. 

Managed IT service providers essentially handle all your company’s IT infrastructure off-site. Usually, the company will manage dozens of smaller businesses, providing assistance and insights whenever needed. 

In essence, you receive the same kind of services as an in-house IT professional without the hefty cost of paying a professional to remain on-site at all times.

THE BENEFITS OF MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDERS

Managed service providers deliver several critical benefits that can make small businesses far more competitive. 

1 – CUTTING COSTS

As the owner of a small business, costs are probably a huge concern for you. After all, you don’t have unlimited funds, and you need to make sure you have enough money to keep your business afloat. 

Many small business owners worry about the cost of IT support services. However, the truth is that managed services often offer major savings for small businesses.

If you’re currently paying an hourly rate for IT staff, you can expect to save a significant amount of money by switching to managed services. 

Best of all, you will likely end up getting more in terms of value. First of all, you could be in a situation where a managed service provider (MSP) delivers 24/7 support services that would be prohibitively expensive to achieve in-house. 

And when you do end up with a more significant system failure, you could have a team of engineers and analysts dealing with the problem. 

If you want to determine how much you can expect to save, take a look at your current expenditures and ask our team for details of what replacing and enhancing that service would cost you.  

Your costs may drop by 50 percent or more.

2 – ENHANCED SECURITY

If you choose managed IT services for your small business, you will enjoy better cybersecurity. As you have probably seen in the news, hackers are becoming increasingly skilled at conducting data breaches. 

Every few months, a company is all over the news about a data breach involving the illegal access of thousands, if not millions, of records. 

In many cases, these records consist of sensitive data, putting customers at risk. Choose a managed service provider so that your company will be protected by the most advanced cybersecurity measures. That way, it will be less likely that your data will be stolen.

The service offerings of managed IT providers also deliver a lot more protection as these teams encounter far more cyberattacks due to the number of businesses they help protect. 

3 – COMPLIANCE

Various legal requirements, such as those spelled out in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), can be difficult to understand. 

Modifications to existing laws and the introduction of new regulations that impact consumer and data privacy can become overwhelming. And even when you understand the full implications of such regulations, you have to figure out what that means for your IT infrastructure. 

Managed IT services providers can help keep organizations in compliance with legal requirements and shift this responsibility away from the organization’s staff.

The main advantage is that internal staff can focus on other responsibilities related to their roles and expertise in-house. IT management services can also ensure your firm’s systems and processes are up to date with the latest security measures. 

This helps prevent data theft, unwanted intrusions, malware, and cybersecurity-related incidents. Vendors with IT expertise are also poised to stay on top of the latest security threats and can provide 24/7 monitoring to help protect your organization from becoming liable for unauthorized access to sensitive data.

4 – PEACE OF MIND

Peace of mind is another reason you should use managed IT services if you own a small business. When you outsource IT support, may it be for hardware or software, you will always have an expert on hand who will be able to help you. 

To prevent loss of productivity and revenue, your managed IT services provider will pinpoint bugs before they get the chance to impact your systems.

Instead of resolving a problem after it wreaks havoc, it is the job of the managed service provider to fix the issues before they cause chaos. 

And if you want to keep your data secure, your business should have the knowledge of industry experts and the best technology available. You and your employees would need to constantly remain current when it comes to relevant industry standards. 

Unfortunately, you may not have the resources or time for this.

Recruiting new staff for the purpose of securing your data can be challenging, frustrating, and time-consuming. And if you aren’t an expert when it comes to IT, it can be difficult to know which specifications and skills to look for in a potential employee. 

The last thing you want is to hire people who lack the specialized knowledge and technical skill set necessary for the job. Fortunately, if you outsource IT services, you don’t have to worry about any of this.

5 – ACCESS TO NEWER TECHNOLOGIES

Many small businesses have IT staff who are overburdened or lacking in terms of skills and training needed for the management of the entire network. In general, these small businesses recognize the advantages of forming a partnership with a third-party managed services provider. 

IT outsourcing is advantageous because it will give your small business access to an additional team of IT experts for troubleshooting and fixing the issues that arise. 

Clients benefit because they enjoy access to the latest technology and top-notch solutions that boost profitability and ensure uptime. Some examples of such technology and solutions include:

When you invest in these tools, the reliability of the IT infrastructure of your small business will increase significantly. 

The business model for IT managed services helps address the issues associated with labor constraints. It can also help internal IT departments that don’t have the resources or time to always remain up-to-date on the latest technology, like cloud services.

6 – BETTER UPTIME

The final advantage of managed IT services for small businesses is better uptime. Every business, no matter the size, needs to be prepared for both natural and man-made emergencies. 

Some examples of these emergencies include power failures, data loss, security breaches, hurricanes, and earthquakes. It is essential that businesses are prepared for these emergencies to ensure business continuity and uptime. 

IT managed services often include backup and disaster recovery with very attractive service level agreements. 

If you want to ensure the safety of the data and overall IT infrastructure of your business in any emergency, you need professional help to plan for all those eventualities. 

A managed service provider will be able to help you pinpoint and prevent the damaging impact that an emergency can have on a business.

OUTSOURCING DONE RIGHT

Outsourcing has a negative connotation attached to it, and in some instances, it isn’t desirable for the American workforce. However, this type of outsourcing isn’t sending jobs to cheaper international markets. 

It is keeping all of the IT jobs right here. 

IT services like ours allow you to take advantage of improved network security and all the benefits of an IT professional without the huge cost, which means you have more money to invest back into the company, which may mean bringing on additional workers.

When outsourcing your IT needs locally, you create jobs. And at Charlotte IT Solutions, the entire staff is located right here in metro Charlotte. This way, the money you spend on a managed service provider remains in the community, helping your neighbors and others who call the region home.

PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS TODAY

You run a great risk when not protecting your business with an IT technician. Trying to stay on top of network security and upgrading software and hardware around your company is probably not something you thrive at. 

And even if you enjoy it, you don’t have the time to fully dedicate yourself to staying up to date on the latest news and information in the world of cybersecurity and networking (because if you did, your business would be in the world of IT). 

So, instead of leaving your company at risk of external threats, you need to do what you can to protect it, your employees, and your customers, all at the same time.

The best way to do that is to connect with a locally managed service provider.

Call our team for a free consultation, and we’ll guide you through all of our managed services options.

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Signs of Malware on your Computer

January 15, 2024 Security No comments yet
signs of malware on your computer

Key Takeaways:

  • Sluggish Performance: If your computer is suddenly slow, it could indicate malware running in the background.
  • Unusual Storage Consumption: A rapidly filling hard drive without adding large files may signal malware creating unwanted data.
  • Unwanted Spam: If your friends receive spam emails or messages from your accounts, malware could be involved.

What are Signs of Malware?

Malware. The very word is enough to send a shiver down the spine of computer users everywhere. The thought of an infected computer is both frustrating and angering. Most people are doing nothing wrong when they are infected with malware. They might simply end up on a website that is infested. It could be from an email account they open that then leaches the malware onto their computer. It could be from opening a pop-up window that says they need to update their Adobe settings. However, malware might strike, once it does it is important to track down and kill every last infected file on the computer. But how do you know there is an issue in the first place? Here are some of the top signs of malware on your computer.

Slower Computer

Is your computer suddenly acting slow? Now, there can be a number of reasons behind this. The hard drive space may be filling up, or your Internet browsers may be bogged down with gigabytes worth of cookies (which you should clear out routinely). However, if you clear out the files collected by your browsers and your hard drive still has plenty of room and yet the computer still acts slowly there is a good chance you have some kind of malware files looking in the background. Whenever you suspect there is something wrong with your computer you should begin a system scan. The sooner you act on the issue the easier it is to stop the malware from spreading on your hard drive (and possibly stealing confidential information).

No Storage Space

You should have a good idea as to how much storage space you have on your computer, so if it’s constantly filling up despite you not adding much in the way of new files there’s likely a problem. If you’re not creating new files something else is. Yes, there are programs you’re using that may be creating backups that take up large amounts of space.

If you do anything in video editing programs or used Adobe programs (such as Illustrator or After Effects) these programs will often create backups that can take up giant chunks of hard drive space. Even your Internet browser may take up a good amount of space if you haven’t cleared out the bits of cookies and other downloaded files websites have left behind (these are usually just a few bits in size, but when you consider every single website you visit leaves something behind it can really add up over time).

If you are not using any of those kinds of large file-generating programs and yet you’re still running out of space there is a chance you have malware bloating up your computer. You don’t want malware filling up your hard drive so you’ll need to be progressive and have the malware removed.

Blue Screen

This is mostly a Windows computer (Mac systems don’t have that blue screen of death). But when you boot up a computer does it not bring up Windows but instead a blue screen? The screen will have all kinds of strange information listed. Whatever is listed, if you’re seeing a blue screen it’s not good. The best thing to do here is to boot up your computer in safe mode, but even then there isn’t much you can do on your own. In order to rid your computer of malware in safe mode, you need to manually track down the malware. When this happens it is best to go to the professionals.

Overactive Computer

Is your computer hard drive heating up (it’s easy to determine this with a laptop)? Is the model clicking away, demonstrating that it is busy but you are not running any real programs? If your hard drive is working and so is your modem, and yet you’re not doing anything, it means something else in the background is working. If you’re not the one doing the work then there’s a chance it could be malware running in the background. You will want to bring up the task manager to see what is running in the background. Sometimes it is a program you approve but it has a setting that lets it work in the background. Other times, it is an unknown file running. When the task manager shows you what’s running and you don’t know what it is, now is the time to have it checked out.

However, unless you know for sure, don’t just go deleting random files. Just because you don’t know what it is doesn’t mean it isn’t essential to your computer. Blasting away at files blindly is a good way to remove crucial files your computer, operating system, and vital programs need. So while these are possible signs of malware on your computer, you will want to be careful.

Friend Tells You They Received Spam

If a friend contacts you and says you sent out spam, either through social media or via email, and you know you didn’t send it out yourself, it is one of the signs of malware on your computer. While the spam could have come from your phone or another source where you access your social media and emails, you will want to have your system scanned for possible malware.

Correct Your Malware Issue Today

These are just some of the signs of malware on your computer. If you believe your computer or your network has been infected you need to take action as quickly as possible. Anti-malware software can help, but once you’re infected it might be too late for this over-the-counter solution. It may be time to bring in the big guns. With the help of Charlotte IT Solutions you will have your computer cleaned, swept, and every trace of malware removed. So, if you’re ready to take action or have questions about how to better protect your computer from future malware threats, now is the time to contact the team at Charlotte IT Solutions.

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