Harness Group Blog

As we head into the end of year holiday season, I wanted to share some helpful insights and reminders to keep you informed and confident in your tech journey.

🎥 Video Spotlight: Beware the Phantom Hacker Scam

Consumers are warned of the latest banking “Phantom Hacker” scam. This video explains what it is and how to protect yourself.
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ykaweFX6NU

🛠 29 Basic Computer Tips Everyone Should Know

Even seasoned users can benefit from a refresher on the basics. These tips from IT pros are practical and worth bookmarking.
👉 https://community.spiceworks.com/t/29-basic-computer-tips-it-pros-want-everyone-to-know/677173

📉 Why Microsoft Discontinued Publisher

If you’ve ever wondered why Publisher is no longer part of the Windows ecosystem, here’s the backstory and what it means for your workflow.
👉 https://www.bgr.com/2022223/why-microsoft-discontinued-publisher-windows-app/

⚠️ Cybersecurity Alert: Holiday Season Risks

Cybercriminal activity spikes during the holidays. Be extra cautious with emails, links, and unexpected requests. A few moments of vigilance can save you from major headaches.
👉 https://betanews.com/2025/11/25/cybercriminal-activity-increases-ahead-of-the-holiday-season/

💡 A Thought on Technology as Tools

IT and technology are not mysterious forces—they’re tools, just like a mechanic’s wrench or a doctor’s stethoscope. These tools exist to help us do our jobs better, faster, and smarter. They should never be feared or approached with suspicion. Instead, think of them as extensions of your capability—powerful allies that make your work easier and more impactful.

🧠 Try These Underrated Windows Features

Windows has a few hidden gems that can genuinely improve your workflow. From Clipboard History to Focus Assist, these features are easy to overlook but surprisingly useful. If you haven’t explored them yet, I highly recommend giving them a try:

👉 https://www.makeuseof.com/try-these-underrated-windows-features/

⚠️ Security Reminder: Be Wary of Every Email

We’ve had a few clients recently fall victim to phishing emails—giving away credentials or even full access to their computers with the best of intentions. Please stay vigilant. If something feels off, it probably is.

👉 https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/09/17/malware-delivery-trends-2025/

📱 Loving the New Phone Link in Windows 11

If you’re like me and constantly juggling between your phone and PC, the new Phone Link experience in Windows 11 is a game-changer. It’s smoother, more integrated, and makes multitasking feel effortless.

👉 https://www.makeuseof.com/why-i-absolutely-love-new-phone-link-windows-11/

🔐 Passkeys: Still Better Than Passwords

I’ve written about passkeys before, but it’s worth repeating: they’re safer, simpler, and the future of authentication. If you haven’t made the switch yet, this is a great refresher on why you should:

👉 https://www.makeuseof.com/why-passkeys-are-better-than-passwords/

🤖 NotebookLM + Microsoft Copilot: A Powerful Pairing

NotebookLM’s integration with Microsoft Copilot is a fascinating development. It’s a glimpse into how AI can support deeper thinking and smarter workflows.

👉 https://www.xda-developers.com/paired-notebooklm-with-microsoft-copilot/

As always, feel free to reach out if you want to chat about any of these topics or need help implementing them in your environment.

I wanted to share a few insights that have come up recently—things that I think you’ll find both useful and thought-provoking. Whether it’s staying ahead of cybersecurity risks, discovering a handy Windows feature, or reflecting on how we work, there’s something here for everyone.

🔐 Small Oversights, Big Consequences

Cybersecurity threats are often triggered by the smallest missteps. Two recent examples highlight why we’re tightening our password reset procedures:

• Clorox Breach via Social Engineering
  Attackers exploited a password reset process to infiltrate Clorox’s systems.
  👉 Read more
• One Weak Password Crippled a 158-Year-Old Company
  A single weak password led to a massive breach.
  👉 Read more

We’re taking proactive steps to better protect your data and our systems.

🖼️ Copy Text from Any Image with Windows Photos App

Did you know you can extract text from images using the built-in Windows Photos app?

Whether it’s a screenshot, scanned document, or photo of a sign, this feature lets you copy text directly from the image—no extra software needed.

👉Learn how

⚖️ Work-Life Balance: A Value Exchange

A quote from a recent Forbes article really stood out to me:

“In my professional experience, there is a difference between performing your role and adding value to your employer. I see performance as completing the required duties of your role and adding value as bringing innovation, process improvements and new ways of thinking to your organization.”

This perspective encourages us all to think beyond tasks and toward impact.

👉Read the full article

Here are 4 Fresh IT Tips to Keep Your Business Safe and Smarter This Summer

Technology moves fast—and so do cyber threats. But not every IT tip is about defense. Some are just about making your workday smoother. Here are four timely, practical tips—three focused on cybersecurity and one to boost your everyday tech life.

1. Beware of “Innocent” Image Files

Hackers recently used public GitHub repositories to hide malware in files disguised as images (like `.png` or `.bmp`). These files triggered downloads of data-stealing malware like Braodo Stealer.

Your tip: Even if a file looks harmless, don’t open it unless you trust the source. We use antivirus tools that scan all file types and disable automatic script execution in PowerShell for non-admin users, but a critical eye is still the best last line of defense.

Read more: https://any.run/cybersecurity-blog/cyber-attacks-june-2025/

2. Don’t Let ZIP Files Sneak In

A wave of attacks used ZIP files to deliver malware in stealthy, multi-stage deployments. These files often bypassed basic email filters and used obfuscated scripts to avoid detection.

Your tip: Beware of ZIP attachments from unknown senders and train your team to verify before opening. We use endpoint protection that scans compressed files, but if you're not expecting the attachment, verify it before unzipping and opening!

Read more: https://any.run/cybersecurity-blog/cyber-attacks-june-2025/

3. 💡 Bonus Tip: Use “Focus Assist” to Reclaim Your Day

Constant notifications can kill productivity. Windows’ built-in “Focus Assist” lets you pause alerts during deep work or meetings.

Your tip: Turn on Focus Assist (Settings > System > Focus Assist) to silence distractions. You can even schedule it to activate automatically during key hours or while screen sharing.

Read more: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-focus-assist-to-avoid-distractions-in-windows-10-cc9b8c84-0b8c-3b9b-9c30-8f3c3e1e2e2f

4. Use AI Tools to Automate the Busywork

AI is no longer theoretical, it's all over. From summarizing meetings to drafting emails, AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, Notion AI, and Otter.ai are transforming how we work.

Your tip: Start small: use AI to automate repetitive tasks like note-taking, scheduling, or content generation. Tools like LangChain and GitHub Copilot can also help developers streamline workflows and build smarter apps.

⚠️Important: Before rolling out AI tools across your business, establish clear standards for responsible use. Define what data can be shared with AI platforms, who can use them, and how outputs should be reviewed. This protects your data and ensures consistent, ethical use.

Read more: https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2025/06/ai-tools-everyone-is-using/
https://mashable.com/article/ai-tools-enhance-productivity-work
https://blog.bestai.com/best-ai-powered-productivity-apps-in-june-2025/

As we close out the first quarter of 2025, I wanted to share some upgrades to how we support you and your team here at Harness Group.

 

New Ways to Communicate with Harness Group

 

Over the last year we’ve switched to a new platform to manage you and your resources with some new cool features including easier ways for you to reach out and create a ticket with us:

 

The upgraded communicator on your computer: The communicator appears as the Harness logo in the bottom right of your main screen in Windows, and as the Harness logo in the menu bar across the top of your Mac, our communicator is always just a click away. We’ve included some useful links in it that will be updated over time. It currently includes our contact information, the ability to create tickets and your system information as seen here:

 

 

 

If you right-click you will get the small menu seen in the 1^st image. If you left-click you will get the box seen the 2^nd image, then you can click on the 3 dots in the blue bar across the top.

 

Please don’t use the Help Desk Chat feature just yet. More to come on that feature in the future!

 

 

 

Use Ethereal Accounts and Cards

 

 

Ethereal credit cards and email addresses are a great way to protect you and your information online. Ethereal items are ones that exist only for a short period of time to accomplish a purpose and then they disappear or are deleted. I use this feature to make purchases online with my credit card whenever it’s offered. A virtual card is created for a single purchase and then when the purchase is completed, the card no longer exists.

This is also a feature that you can use with both Apple and (coming soon to) Android for email addresses with ‘hide my email’:

How to use Hide My Email with Sign in with Apple

Google is working on its own version of Apple’s Hide My Email

 

 

 

Skip the Support Emails with our Portal

 

 

The Harness support portal is the absolute best way to see and manage all of your Harness Group tickets in one place. You can input tickets, see who’s working on the ticket, its status, and all communication about the ticket up to this point and update the ticket with your own notes to us. Now you don’t even have to remember the web address for the portal; it’s been added to the bottom of the communicator! As our email inboxes get fuller, the portal is a much better place to clearly see all IT tickets (present and past) with Harness Group. There’s also a knowledgebase that allows you to look up resolutions to some common tickets from your organization.

 

If you’re not currently set up with a portal login, reach out and we’ll get you in! We’ll be moving more and more in this direction for project and ticket management to help keep everyone on the same page, prevent duplicate tickets, keep all information together, and most importantly keep you informed in one place without having to search through emails to serve you better and faster!

 

 

 

How Should I Handle Phishing Emails?

 

 

Quick Fact: Did you know that according to research by Deloitte and KnowBe4 91% of all cyberattacks begin with a phishing email?

 

If you receive an email that you KNOW is phishing/SPAM, report them as phishing as you doing that trains the servers when a legitimate account has been compromised (right click on message > report as phishing). This goes much further than reporting to Harness Group when you as the recipient report it directly to Microsoft.

 

 

If you’re unsure if it’s SPAM/Phishing forward it on to us for review at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Pay attention and stay safe out there.

 

Have a co-worker, family member or friend who could benefit from this email content and may want to receive it in the future? Have them go to our website, https://www.harness.group/news-a-events, and sign up for our newsletter on the right side of the page!

Thank you for allowing us to serve you!