Malware is Everywhere [INFOGRAPHIC]

We all know that malware lurks around every corner, waiting for us to visit a booby-trapped website or open that zip file attached to an unsolicited email.

Cybercriminals across the globe have been busy creating and tweaking their malware creations, which they then unleash on unsuspecting users to do anything from steal sensitive data to demand ransom fees to partake in click fraud - and more.

What’s an internet user to do?

As they say, knowledge is power, and the folks over at Inspired eLearning have created the infographic to illustrate the dangers associated with malware along with steps that you can take to stay safe.

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+

Happy Thanksgiving from Hyphenet! (See you Monday)

Things will be rather quiet around these parts given our staff will be spending time with family, friends, and of course, stuffing their faces.

Who knows, some of us may brave the crowds (and burn off some of those calories) to do a little holiday shopping on Black Friday!

Either way, we will be back in the office on Monday. We've scheduled some tweets to keep you occupied in the meantime, so make sure you're following us on Twitter (@hyphenet).

We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!



Photo Credit: martha_chapa95

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+

The Tracks You Leave on the Internet [INFOGRAPHIC]

We all know that nearly every major website tracks us in some way, shape or form, but do you know how and why it’s being done?

Veracode has created an infographic that illustrates the tracks that we create when we explore the digital world, how we are being tracked, and ways you can get more privacy as you surf the web.

Check it out…

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+

Accidentally Minimize the Ribbon in Microsoft Office? Here’s How to Restore It

I’m not exactly sure how I managed to do it, but at some point the preference to ‘Minimize the Ribbon’ in Microsoft Office 2010 became enabled.

Having the Ribbon jump to-and-from view whenever I moved my mouse to the top of the Office window was driving me downright crazy, so I had to change the setting back.

Should this happen to you, here’s how you can get the Ribbon to remain visible without having to hover near the top of your Office 2010 window:

Method 1:

1. Press Ctrl + F1

Method 2:

1. Hover your mouse at the top of Office to trigger the Ribbon to show and right-click.


2. Click on the ‘Minimize the Ribbon’ option.

There you have it, folks. Enjoy a visible Ribbon once more!

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet, “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.

Refer a Business to Hyphenet & Get a Dyson DC25!

You know what’s awesome? Referrals.

You know what’s even MORE awesome? Getting cool rewards in exchange for referring a new customer to a business.

Since we’re a fan of things that are awesome here at Hyphenet, we’ve decided to give a Dyson DC25 Vacuum ($499 value) to anyone that refers a business to us that signs up for one of our monthly IT services.

There’s no limit on the number of referrals you can send either – we’ll give you a new Dyson DC25 for every qualifying referral. So if you were looking for an easy (and inexpensive) way to build an army of Dyson DC25’s, here’s your chance.

So, what are you waiting for? Refer a Business Today!

Here’s how you can send us a referral:

• Send an email to sales@hyphenet with the referral information (name, company, phone number, email address and the like).


• Complete our online referral form.


• Give us a call at (619) 325-0990.

Psst.. help us get the word out by downloading and sharing our [download id="5" format="Plain Text"]. :)

20 Reasons to Switch to Google+ [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you're like me, you like Google+, but don’t really use it because all of your friends are still on Facebook.

Any attempt to get folks to switch over has been in vain, too. In my case, I’m either asked what Google+ is or interrogated as to why they should bother making the switch – sometimes both.

First things that come to mind are a cleaner and more intuitive UI, integration with Google Services we can’t help but use and a mobile app that actually works, but there are plenty of other reasons.

This infographic by Infographic Labs happens to list 20 of them (well, aside from #15, but we can replace that with the fact that only 1 company will know everything there is to know about you versus two).

Feel free to present it to friends you’re trying to convince into jumping on the G+ bandwagon.



Infographic via Infographic Labs

Geek vs. Nerd: Which one are you? [INFOGRAPHIC]

By definition, a geek is someone with a specific niche interest/lifestyle that they have become the expert on. They’re the type that enjoy [the early adoption of new] technology and walk around sporting ironic t-shirts that make us chuckle as they pass by.

Nerds, on the other hand, have an extreme fascination with academics and have the ability to make people feel they’re as mentally inept as nerds tend to be socially. Their interests may include Chess, Physics, LARPing, and Battlestar Galactica.

Interestingly enough, 41% of people would be comfortable being called a “geek”, while only 24% would be okay being referred to as a “nerd”.

Which category do you fall under?

If you’re not sure, this infographic by MastersInIT.org may help you out:

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.

If Santa Were on Facebook [INFOGRAPHIC]

If he was on Facebook, there’s no doubt that Kris Kringle (aka Santa Claus) would be the most popular person on there.

Children would be blowing up his inbox and Facebook wall with their Christmas wishlists and parents would be doing the same. Now, whether it’s to help convince St. Nick their child is being honest or tossing in their own wishlist is still up for debate.

But what would Santa and the gang post or share?

According to this funny infographic by Flowtown, Santa would keep us all entertained by sharing pictures of the new sleigh, checking himself into multiple countries on December 25^th and throwing a funny comment as necessary.

Check it out:



Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet or “Like” us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest tech news & PC security threats.