You've probably seen the posts circulating on Facebook that say, "My account got hacked!" or "Don't accept this friend request from me, it's a fake account!" In the first instance, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) offers an additional layer of security and much better protection for your data and posts. 2FA often requires a verification code or security key—sent to another device, such as a mobile phone—in order to log into your account. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, provides insight into Facebook's 2FA options. He also offers a helpful tip for recognizing when a friend request may be coming from an imposter. At Petra Technologies, we are experts in online and network security. Contact us today! T…

Strep throat and the flu can have similar symptoms, but they are very different illnesses. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a sore throat, fever, and headache. The flu can cause similar symptoms, but it’s caused by a virus and can be more severe. Strep Throat Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and sinuses caused by group A streptococcus. It’s usually seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. The most common symptoms of strep throat are: Sore throatSore glands, usually in the neck and armpitsFever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or above for three days or moreRunny nose, sneezing, and coughing Other symptoms can include a stuffy nose and sore gums due to inflammation of the lining of th…

At Petra Technologies, we provide our clients with comprehensive managed IT services that meet their companies' needs. Of our service plans, Petra Care Premium goes the extra mile with a monthly subscription that covers ALL labor—including projects, workstation installs, migrations, and upgrades. In this week's video, Chris Cummings explains how this top-level service plan can help businesses be confident that their IT affairs are fully handled by a team of professionals while they focus on day-to-day operations. Does one of our four service plans sound like the right fit for your business? Contact Petra Technologies today to start a conversation. This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Babywearing is a form of infant care that involves carrying children in a carrier during normal daily activities. It allows you to bond with your child, enjoy your freedom, and get some exercise. Babywearing can be done on the front or back. Many types of carriers are available, from soft structured carriers to structured carriers with wrap-around straps. Things to Consider When Choosing a Carrier Before you can practice babywearing, you need to find a carrier that works for you and your baby. Here are some things to consider when choosing a carrier. 1. Seat Size and Position Choose a carrier that has a seat that’s wide enough for your child to sit in comfortably without slouching against the backrest. Your child should b…

The size of your business can be a big factor when it comes to finding the right managed services provider; smaller organizations typically need a lighter touch, while larger businesses often require more robust tech solutions and around-the-clock support. This week, Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, offers a closer look at the popular Petra Care Standard plan—a great option for most businesses with 15-50 computers in an office location. Does the Petra Care Standard plan sound like a good fit for your company? Contact Petra Technologies today to start a conversation. This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, affecting millions of people worldwide. While back pain can have many different causes, there are some that are more common than others. Check out this list to learn about some of the most frequent causes of back pain. 1. Muscle or Ligament Strain One of the most common causes of back pain is muscle or ligament strain. This can happen due to a sudden movement or lifting something heavy. It can also occur from repetitive motions that put a strain on the muscles and ligaments. Symptoms of muscle or ligament strain include pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the affected area. 2. Bulging or Herniated Disc Another common cause of back pain is a bulging or herniated disc. It …

For businesses that don’t have a traditional server or have remote staff scattered in different locations, comprehensive IT services can be a little more tricky. That’s why we created the Petra Care Connect plan in the first few months of the pandemic. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, explains how the Petra Care Connect plan is different from other plans, as well as which businesses it truly benefits (and why). Is the Petra Care Connect plan a good fit for your business? Contact Petra Technologies today to learn more. This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Ultrasounds, also known as sonography, rely on high-frequency sound waves that are translated into images. Ultrasounds are extremely safe and have been most commonly associated with prenatal care to observe the fetus. But, there are many other common types of ultrasounds used in the medical industry. Here at WFMC Health, we provide comprehensive health care for families, mothers, and children. Read on to learn four common types of ultrasounds to know about. Abdominal Ultrasound This type of ultrasound is used to examine organs located in the abdominal area, such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and more. An abdominal ultrasound can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions and examine the damage done by certain i…

When it comes to choosing a managed services provider, there are a lot of factors to consider. What size is your business? Do you have an in-house IT staff member or team? How much support or management do you need on a regular basis? To help you make the best decision for your company, Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, offers a closer look at Petra’s service plans. This week, Chris covers the Petra Co-Managed plan, designed for larger businesses with one or more full-time IT employees. Does the Petra Co-Managed plan sound like the right fit for your business? Contact Petra Technologies today to get started. This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Baby-led weaning is an approach to feeding that starts when babies are around six months old. Instead of being spoon-fed by adults, babies are allowed to explore food for themselves and feed themselves using their own hands. The baby-led weaning approach has several benefits. It helps babies develop their fine motor skills and allows them to eat at their own pace and control how much they eat. In addition, baby-led weaning can help to reduce the risk of obesity and other eating disorders in later life. There is evidence to suggest that baby-led weaning also helps to promote a healthy attitude towards food, as babies learn to appreciate a variety of tastes and textures. If you are considering starting baby-led weaning, it is importan…

This blog post discusses information regarding eating disorders and may be sensitive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. Parents should learn to recognize the early signs of eating disorders in children and teens. Many teenagers can succumb to disordered eating, and when they do, their behavior or patterns may dramatically or subtly shift. Here are six signals that can indicate a young person is suffering from one of these medical conditions. 1. Meals If your adolescent finds ways to avoid meals constantly, it might be something to take note of. Teens with anorexia often go to great lengths to avoid food. Some typical excuses are that they have already eaten with their friends or had a big lunch at school. They migh…

Have you ever noticed a coworker gradually losing motivation and engagement, eventually leading to them disconnecting from the company and doing the bare minimum? This phenomenon, known as "silent quitting" or "quiet quitting," can have a negative impact on team dynamics and productivity, while forcing other employees to pick up the slack. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, explains the reasons behind "silent quitting" and offers helpful suggestions for employers and managers to prevent it from happening in their companies. Ready to work with Petra Technologies for all of your cybersecurity needs? Contact us today! This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If left unchecked, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, as well as other serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Causes of Prediabetes There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing prediabetes, including: Being overweight or obeseHaving a family history of diabetesBeing over the age of 45Being physically inactiveHaving high blood pressure or cholesterol levels Symptoms of Prediabetes Many people with prediabetes do not have any symptoms, which is why it is often referred to as a “silent” condition. However, there are some signs and sy…

"Deepfakes" are synthetic, AI-generated images or videos that replace existing subjects with someone else's likeness—and look realistic enough to fool people into thinking they're real. Deepfakes-as-a-Service is an emerging category of services that allows any person to submit photos or videos to be deepfaked, without the need for equipment or expert knowledge. While deepfakes can be used for entertainment and harmless fun, there is a darker side of this technology that could be used for corporate breaches, political gain, or even extortion. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, further explains the wonders and worries of deepfake technology and encourages a level of caution when watching videos online or on TV. This …

A placenta is a special temporary organ that’s created to protect your baby. It develops right from the blastocyst immediately after conception. It not only protects your baby, but it provides nourishment and air through the umbilical cord. It’s comprised of a network of tiny blood vessels that give it a deep, crimson appearance. These vessels connect to the baby’s bloodstream through the umbilical cord to sustain life. If cared for, your placenta will produce enough hormones to nourish your baby and ensure normal growth. The following information explains the role and function of your placenta throughout your pregnancy. Role of the Placenta Since babies are carried up to nine months, there is a strong need for a good pl…

The health care sector has proven to be a major target for hackers to deploy ransomware and steal data. One recent cyberattack took place earlier this month and caused hospital-wide outages at one of the largest hospital chains in the country. Such outages can become life-threatening. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, expands on the details of this cyberattack while reinforcing the need to keep up cybersecurity defenses. Need to bolster your cybersecurity defenses? Contact Petra Technologies today. This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com …

If you have toddlers or young children, you know that they are full of energy. They are curious and want to explore everything they can. It can be difficult to keep up with them sometimes! However, it is important to encourage their natural curiosity and exploration. One of the best ways to do this is through outdoor play. Here are some benefits of outdoor play for toddlers and young children. 1. Develop Gross Motor Skills Running, climbing, and jumping are all great examples of gross motor skills. These are the large movements that use the entire body. Toddlers and young children need to practice these skills to help their development. What better place to do this than outdoors? There is plenty of space for them to run around an…

The mid-year update of the SonicWall 2022 Cyber Threat Report is here, and it is packed with new and updated information about global cyber threats, rising cyberattacks, and never-before-seen malware variants. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, breaks the report into bite-sized pieces and goes over ways to protect yourself and your company. If you’re ready to take further steps to protect your business from cyber attacks, contact Petra Technologies today! This blog post was first published on PetraTechIT.com. …

Have you ever experienced heel pain that you couldn’t seem to get rid of? This may be a sign of plantar fasciitis. This condition is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Those with plantar fasciitis will commonly feel a stabbing pain that typically occurs first thing in the morning after taking their first few steps. As you continue to move about, you will notice that the stabbing pain decreases but may return after a period of time. Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis The most notable symptom of this type of heel pain is the stabbing pain first thing in the morning. The pain is typically …

If you’re an avid sports fan, you know that injuries are a part of the game. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that you or your child might end up getting hurt. A number of common sports injuries can sideline even the most dedicated athlete. However, there are some steps that you can take to help prevent these sports injuries from happening. 1. Ankle Sprains Turning or twisting your ankle can cause the ligaments to stretch or tear, resulting in pain, swelling, and instability. To help prevent ankle sprains, wear supportive footwear and warm up properly before undertaking any physical activity. 2. ACL Tears The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a key stabilizing ligament in the knee. ACL tears o…

It’s no secret that having an internal tech person on staff is less effective than working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP). In many cases, important cybersecurity tasks fall through the cracks while the tech person tries to keep up with day-to-day tech support.  Because of this, having an internal tech person may be costing you more in cybersecurity insurance premiums.  In today’s video, Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, connects the dots between “soft costs” and cybersecurity insurance—and explains why working with an MSP can help you proactively stay on top of cybersecurity tasks and save money. If you’re ready to save on costs and work with a trusted MSP, contact Petra Technologies tod…