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December 10, 2020

2020’s Hot Gadget: The Computer

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to hunker down inside, spending time in front of various screens. From TVs to tablets, many of us have resorted to this form of entertainment to pass the time. Countless people now work from home instead of heading into an office…which means even more screen time. The days of picking out school outfits are gone, too, as thousands of students across the world are now attending class online.

One gadget answering the call, both figuratively and literally, those dusty computers and laptops have become even more essential to our lives. Computers have experienced a spike in popularity, as many of us are typing, clicking, scrolling, and (definitely) paying attention in class. Our daily activities have morphed from physical to socially-distanced, a change our computers and laptops can seamlessly integrate and accommodate.

As we all garner a renewed appreciation for our personal computers, their adaptability is what truly stands the test of time.

International Data Corporation (IDC) reported that the first half of 2020 saw a resurgence in the PC and tablet markets. Supply cannot keep up with demand, primarily driven by pandemic lockdowns and remote working/learning. It is predicted that the market will expand by 3.3 percent, with shipment volumes climbing to 425.7 million units.

To read more, peruse The New York Times article. For all of your computer questions or troubleshooting issues, contact the PC experts at Creative Programs and Systems.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; implement internet marketing strategies for enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

November 18, 2020

The Five Best Blue-Light Blocking Glasses to Reduce Eye Strain

Eye fatigue from staring at computer screens, tablets, and smartphones is a real thing. Blue light emitting from these screens can cause dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain. If you work in front of a computer screen or your eyes come in contact with blue-light emission for more than a few hours a day, it might be a good idea to invest in some computer reading glasses.

Warby Parker: boosting a home try-on option, these blue-light-filtering lenses start at $50. Customers can pick five frames to test out for five days, shipped free of charge. For each pair of glasses purchased, the company distributes a pair to those in need.
Zenni Optical: these “Blokz” lenses start at just $16.95 and are available with several features such as photochromatic (light-changing), sunglasses, and impact-resistant for kids. They can also be bought as fashion/style glasses without a prescription.
Gunnar: selling “gaming” glasses since 2006, these glasses boost experience other brands cannot compete with. They offer a Blue Light Protection Factor (BLPF), which measures lens protection for the eyes, ranging from clear to heavily tinted amber. These specialized glasses start at $49.
Ambr Eyewear: husband-and-wife team based in Dublin, Ireland started this business in their kitchen after realizing there was a high demand but no answer for stylish blue-light blocking lenses. Starting at $62, they range from plastic to metal, clear to tinted.
Cyxus: these glasses have been affordable since 2009, starting at just $20. A technology called “HEV-Absorb” blocks out blue light in glasses designed for women, men, kids, and teens.

For all other computer or technology needs and questions, contact the experts at Creative Programs and Systems. We know how to handle screen issues of all kinds.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

November 13, 2020

Hackers Target Hundreds of Hospitals With Ransomware

According to security researchers, a hacking group is targeting U.S. hospital systems with Ryuk ransomware. Several federal agencies warned hospitals and cyber-researchers about “credible” information “of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers.” The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released an advisory outlining the situation and warned that the ransomware might be used “for financial gain.”

Ransomware is a computer virus that locks computers until payment is waged for a decryption key. It works by infecting a computer, encrypting all the files, and victims have to pay the hackers (usually in Bitcoin) to release the data; otherwise the files are deleted permanently. When doctors are conducting emergency surgery and seeing patients, these attacks can potentially cause real-world harm.

The cybersecurity company FireEye Inc. reported that multiple hospitals across the U.S. had been hit by a “coordinated” ransomware attack. The computer virus warning comes as the coronavirus pandemic surges across the country with increased cases and hospitalizations.

A financially-motivated cybercrime group (dubbed UNC1878 by security researchers) carried out the attack, according to FireEye’s Chief Technology Officer of Strategic Services, Charles Carmakal. Multiple hospitals have been hit over the past several weeks, and the cybercrime group intends to deploy ransomware to hundreds of other hospitals in the near future.

“We are experiencing the most significant cybersecurity threat we’ve ever seen in the United States. UNC1878, an Eastern European financially-motivated threat actor, is deliberately targeting and disrupting U.S. hospitals, forcing them to divert patients to other healthcare providers,” Carmakal said.

Hospitals are not the only victims of these virus attacks, however. Retirement communities and other medical centers have been targeted as well. UNC1878 surpasses computer security by sending phishing e-mails to victims. The messages appear to be featuring a real Google Docs file, when in actuality, they are links to a malicious payload. In some cases, these e-mails seem even more realistic as they contain the recipient’s name, employer, and even corporate logos.

For more information about the ransomware attacks, read the full article on TIME’s website. To protect your home or office from ransomware attacks, contact Creative Programs and Systems today. We specialize in managed IT for healthcare and can help thwart these attacks.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

October 28, 2020

Top Antivirus Software for 2020

Home computers have morphed from being an afterthought to the forefront of our lives. The internet is vital to work, school, staying in touch with family and friends, and more. These crucial connections are nearly priceless, so it is imperative the computers connecting you to the internet are running smoothly, efficiently, and without viruses or malware.

While viruses are older and less-relevant, malware is more fruitful for hackers, making ransomware and data-stealing Trojans much more common. Most antivirus programs rid your computer of Trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, ransomware, and others. PCMag tested more than 40 different commercial antivirus utilities to help consumers ensure they are using the best software available.

The top ten antivirus programs are:

McAfee AntiVirus Plus
Norton AntiVirus Plus
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Malwarebytes Premium
Sophos Home Premium
Trend Micro Antivirus + Security
F-Secure Anti-Virus

Do you need help or guidance finding the right antivirus software for your computer? Have you gone through steps on your own but are still experiencing virus, spyware, Trojan, etc. issues? Are you looking to prevent future infection? The computer experts at Creative Programs and Systems specialize in virus removal. Our trained, experienced professionals can assist you by getting your vital device back up and running in no time.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

October 12, 2020

Most Popular Web Browsers as of September

Web browsers play an integral role in supporting many peoples’ daily activities. These programs allow access to the World Wide Web. Websites host different types of information; web browsers retrieve that information from the web server, displaying the content on the device used by the user. Devices include smartphones, desktops, laptops, tablets, etc. Approximately 4.3 billion people used a browser in 2019. The most popular browser is Google Chrome, followed by Apple’s Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and others.

Data shows Google Chrome’s September market share dropped to 66.3 percent, the first time it reached below 70 percent since May. The one-point drop was the first since October 2019 when Chrome decreased by 1.1 points. Apple’s Safari represented 16.73 percent of worldwide users, Mozilla Firefox stayed steady at 4.09 percent. The browser leader, Chrome, has fallen for two straight months, which is uncharacteristic of the behemoth.

Microsoft’s browsers Edge and Explorer both recovered nearly a fifth of previous losses from August, increasing by four-tenths of a percentage point combined. While Internet Explorer stayed steady, Edge increased three-tenths of a point. Microsoft is due to release Windows 10 20H2, which will come with Chromium Edge, and will be an opportunity for a market share bump. Microsoft has a difficult road ahead in its attempt to replace users’ main web browser, Chrome, with Edge. Chrome gained the majority market share after Microsoft abandoned several versions of Internet Explorer during 2016, which enabled Google’s web browser to jump ahead. Without another catastrophic event, it seems unlikely any other browser will compete with Google Chrome’s market share.

At Creative Programs and Systems, we are familiar with all browsers and can service most devices. Have a question or want to learn more about browsers, safety, and market share? Contact CPS or read this article to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

September 23, 2020

Microsoft Achieves Positive Results with Experimental Underwater Datacenter

In 2018, Microsoft deployed a datacenter 117 feet deep in the seafloor off Scotland’s Orkney Islands. For two years, Microsoft team members analyzed and monitored the servers’ operation and dependability. Now covered in algae, barnacles, and sea anemones, the datacenter is back on land.

The underwater datacenter was deployed in an effort to remedy equipment failure and provide a solution to internet availability throughout the globe. Microsoft team members were also aiming to improve the overall quality of datacenters in terms of reliability and function. Oftentimes, datacenters on land are susceptible to corrosion due to elemental factors such as humidity, oxygen, and temperature changes. After analyzing the underwater datacenter, the Microsoft team found that it performed exceptionally well.

Prior to the Orkney Islands datacenter deployment, the same Microsoft team proved the underwater datacenter concept was feasible in 2015 by deploying a different datacenter in the Pacific Ocean for roughly four months. Piggybacking off the Pacific Ocean datacenter’s success, the Microsoft team decided to test their concept even more in 2018.

Datacenters are a main pillar in cloud computing, containing networks of powerful computers that perform intricate tasks such as storing, processing, and transferring or allocating immense amounts of data. Datacenter proximity is a factor in speed and a reduced lag time for those who access the internet. The closer the datacenter, the quicker downloads, games, and Web browsers function.

Another factor in deploying the datacenters was to highlight environmental sustainability. The Orkney Islands were selected, in part, due to their renewable energy technologies. Their electrical grid is supplied 100 percent by wind and solar energy. “We have been able to run really well on what most land-based datacenters consider an unreliable grid, said Spencer Fowers, an integral member of technical staff for Microsoft’s Special Project research group. “We are hopeful that we can look at our findings and say maybe we don’t need to have quite as much infrastructure focused on power and reliability,” he continued.

To read more about the underwater datacenter, check out this Microsoft article. Want to improve your cloud setup or do you have a Microsoft product that needs a refresher? Contact Creative Programs & Systems today – we can help with all of your technical questions.

Founded in 1994, CPS provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; implement internet marketing strategies for enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

September 10, 2020

First Online-Only Whole Foods Launched by Amazon

If you walk up to a particular Whole Foods storefront in Brooklyn, New York, expecting to walk around and shop, think again. Amazon opened its first “permanent online-only” warehouse to meet the growing demand for grocery delivery. Whole Foods was bought by Amazon in 2017 for $13.2 billion.

This isn’t the first Amazon and Whole Foods store, however. Amazon Fresh, a traditional supermarket with “smart” technology such as an Amazon Alexa shopping assistant and high-tech grocery carts, was launched recently in California. Amazon also opened a smaller grocery store that uses checkout-free technology called Amazon Go Grocery. Several other online grocery delivery services have already been in use for quite some time, such as Amazon Fresh, a grocery delivery service, and Prime Pantry, where consumers can shop for everyday household items in single quantities.

In a recent blog post, Amazon stated, “Grocery delivery continues to be one of the fastest-growing businesses at Amazon. In fact, online grocery sales tripled year over year in the second quarter this year, indicating that more customers than ever before are turning to Amazon for grocery delivery options. Together, we’re thrilled to increase access to grocery delivery. It’s never been more important.”

Thinking of taking your brick-and-mortar business online? Creative Programs & Systems can help you with that! We customize websites using the latest technology – never templates – including CRM, barcode apps, UX design, e-commerce, web analytics, digital marketing, and much more. Check out this article for further information regarding the online-only Whole Foods.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

August 24, 2020

Google Chrome will Drastically Truncate URLs to Thwart Phishing

Despite challenges, URLs are the age-old way users identify and determine a website’s authenticity. Phishing, scams, and social engineering run rampant – especially when hackers easily manipulate URLs to confuse users purposefully.

The new version of Google Chrome 86, which is set to release in October, will hide most of a website’s URL. This experimental trial will roll out on randomly-chosen participants’ browsers. Google Chrome security team members Emily Stark, Eric Mill, and Shweta Panditrao wrote on the blog: “Our goal is to understand – through real-world usage – whether showing URLs this way helps users realize they’re visiting a malicious website, and protects them from phishing and social engineering attacks.”

Instead of showing the entire URL in Chrome’s address bar, trial participants will see a “registrable domain,” which is the most significant part of the domain name, sometimes displayed as the primary company or business. This change might make it easier for users to ensure they are in the right place and not a malicious site they were tricked into visiting.

The complete URL can still be accessed by moving the cursor over the address bar and hovering it. Chrome will then reconstitute the URL into its original form. Moreover, users can right-click “Always show full URLs,” which will set the address bar to show the URL for all sites automatically.

Read more about Google’s anti-phishing attempts in this article.
If you have been a victim of phishing, Creative Programs & Systems offers affordable virus remediation and more. Founded in 1994, CPS provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; implement internet marketing strategies for enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

August 12, 2020

The Computer Mouse Co-Inventor, William English, Dies at 91

On July 26th, engineer William English passed away at the age of 91. He leaves behind a legacy in the computer technology field for his achievements alongside his partner, Douglas Engelbart, for creating the first computer mouse that revolutionized workstations that we all know and use today. According to this article, William and Douglas began their partnership in the late 1950s at the Stanford Research Institute. Douglas initially came up with the idea of a device that could move a cursor across a computer, but William oversaw the design and the creation of what was later called “the mouse.”

It’s not exactly clear how the mouse name has originated; however, some experts believe it referenced the cursor, which was at the time was called “cat,” that would chase the motions of the device. Others have said the name came from its physical appearance resembling a mouse tail attached to the device. The first version of the mouse was introduced at a 1968 convention with a wooden block that had wheels on the bottom. This convention was later known as “The Mother of All Demos” since there were multiple new demonstrations with significant impacts on the technological world such as the computer window, video call, and precursor to the hyperlink. A few years later, William English left Stanford to work at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center and polished the mouse design for personal use for both Microsoft and Apple.

July 17, 2020

5 Top Digital Marketing Trends for 2020

Not long ago, it used to be that your business could get away with just a simple website and a few social media pages to compete in the online marketing space. However, in today’s online environment, it’s not enough. The digital marketing world demands that you always make efforts to get in front of your target audience by publishing content and digital ad campaigns. It’s also essential to stay ahead of emerging technologies and digital trends as the industry continually evolves and shifts. Below are five digital marketing trends for 2020 (and beyond) that you should be aware of:

Facebook is Not the Kingpin of Social Media Anymore

About 5-10 years ago, Facebook was the king of social media and held the second position for the most popular website (just behind Google). It’s now been replaced with YouTube. This doesn’t mean that Facebook is no longer a hugely influential and authoritative site to market on. According to Forbes, 41% of Facebook’s users are over the age of 65, which means the younger audiences have migrated over to Instagram, Snapchat, and now the emerging new social giant, TikTok. If you’re a local business, advertising on Facebook may make sense if you have an older demographic you want to get in front of. However, if you need to reach a younger crowd, consider looking into other social media sites where they spend most of their time.

Instagram is Still One of the Top Choices to Reach Younger Audiences

Instagram has already passed one billion users and is one of the most rapidly growing social media platforms with a primarily younger crowd (typically under 30). However, one change that Instagram recently made was removing the “like” feature on posts to decrease competitive pressure among people who value popularity. Since Facebook owns Instagram, most likely, we might see Facebook follow suite. If you need to get in front of people under 30, Instagram should be considered a critical component in your marketing plan.

Chatbots Will Start to Become Ubiquitous in Customer Service

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become a dominant factor in about 10-20 years as we’ll see smarter voice assistants embedded within our environments and robots’ services our stores. Many forms of AI are already here, even though they may not seem super-human yet. Several companies will start utilizing chatbots to help with customer service – acting like a virtual “concierge” by communicating with users and assisting them in completing their goals.

It is said that 80% of businesses claim they want to start using chatbots this year. Some of the benefits are 24-hour service, instant responses to customer queries, and no need for break, vacation, or overtime pay. Tidio research company from January 2020 found that 43% of consumers prefer to message an online chatbot than talk to a person when it comes to customer service. With the benefits of chatbots becoming more cost-effective for business and consumers preferring it over typical customer support, this is one trend that is here to stay.

Video Should be Considered a Necessity, Not an Option

The popularity of video cannot be overstated enough. If your business isn’t already utilizing videos, most likely, your competitors are. Static images and text-based content can’t compete with the multifaceted layers videos can accomplish. More people are consuming video content than ever before, and they are using their phones to share the content. Think about these stats from Impact BND:

70% of consumers have shared a brand’s video
52% of consumers claim that watching product videos makes them more confident and guides their online purchasing decisions
72% of businesses believe video content has improved their conversion rates

Live streaming video is also a powerful way to engage your audience by posting live video updates about your products, services, and brand. Popular video sites like YouTube and now TikTok are great sites to get started if you’re considering video for your marketing.

Content Is Still King

For years, it has been said that content is king, which is more accurate now than ever, with a few modifications. The changes are coming in sub-niches and nuances in content. You must provide exactly the right information that users are looking for when they land on a page on your website. Google released its BERT update in November 2019, which helps the search engine understand the natural language in user search queries. All this means Google is getting smarter, and companies must keep this in mind as they develop content that is relevant to the user and good quality if they want to stay ahead on search engine rankings.

To read more digital marketing trends for 2020, click here.

If you need assistance in improving your website and increasing your online presence, Creative Programs and Systems are here to help! Our team of staff is locally employed, in-house, with a dedication to detail. Call CPS, open Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (810) 224-5252.