Are hackers lurking in your inbox? Would you even know if they were? BEC stands for Business Email Compromises, which is a broad term for when a hacker gets access to your business email account, and then pretends to be you, either to gain access to private information or money transfers often with a sense of urgency. The hackers can be patient threat actors and they lay dormant in compromised email accounts watching and learning everything about what you do until they identify an opportunity to execute an attack. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies Petra Technologies offers resources to help your staff recognize and combat BEC. Email [email protected] or contact us today.  This post was f…

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, often called GERD, is a condition that causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing several uncomfortable symptoms. Adults often experience GERD, but children can be troubled by the problem also. Untreated GERD can lead to erosion of the tissues in the esophagus and may even lead to the development of cancer of the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD Regurgitation of food back into the mouth is one of the more uncomfortable symptoms of GERD. Adults may have severe heartburn, coughing or chest pain. You may experience a feeling of food stuck in your throat or sudden vomiting. Asthma symptoms can occur. In children, GERD symptoms may include frequent episodes of vomiting in small amounts.…

If you work in an office or are a business owner, I’m sure you’ve gotten a prompt from your computer to download the latest update. Let’s face it, most people don’t want to take time out of their day for these pesky computer updates. While waiting can seem harmless these updates are often for critical security patches and other important fixes! Chris discusses the best way to handle updates besides ignoring the problem or waiting till an issue occurs. Do you need help keeping your devices updated? Contact us today! This post was first published on petretechit.com …

This article discusses subjects that may be sensitive or uncomfortable for some readers. Please read with discretion. Children are exposed to a variety of stresses and pressures in different aspects of their lives, which can impact their mental health. Parents often find it difficult to identify mental struggles in their children since childhood development is a dynamic process. Parents may only begin to look for solutions when these issues persist and worsen over time. Here are five significant signs that indicate your child may need to visit a mental health professional. Behavioral Changes Certain changes in personality traits, behaviors, and interests are part of normal childhood growth. However, if these changes do not appear …

Influenza, more commonly referred to as the flu, is a respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. For people who are pregnant, the flu can be especially dangerous because their bodies and immune systems are going through many changes. The Flu: A Serious Threat During Pregnancy Pregnant women are more likely to have serious complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death if they catch the flu. Their babies are also at risk for serious complications such as premature birth and low birth weight. The Flu Shot Is Safe for Pregnant Women The seasonal flu vaccine is safe, effective, and highly recommended to protect pregnant women and their developing babies during any trimester of the pregnancy. Th…

File sharing through email is a frequent occurrence in most businesses, but have you thought about how secure your methods might be? The solution: a cloud-based file sharing method with extra layers of security. Chris Cummings discusses how this type of file sharing works and why it’s a more secure way to run your business. Are you ready to implement these data privacy measures in your business? Contact Petra Tech today! …

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect individuals throughout their lifetime, although it’s typically diagnosed in childhood. However, many adults who were not diagnosed with as children are realizing certain challenges that affect daily functioning and well-being may be attributed to ADHD after all. Recognizing the signs of ADHD in adulthood and taking the step to seek a diagnosis can be transformative, offering individuals clarity, understanding, and access to strategies for managing their symptoms. What are the Signs and Symptoms of ADHD? There are three main types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive, and combined, which is a mix of the first two types. It’…

Does your backup plan need a backup plan? If you are familiar with or use cloud backups for your personal or business needs, you are already on the right track! Having your backups in another location is a critical part of a healthy disaster recovery plan. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies However, a singular cloud backup cannot always ensure that your data is secure or recoverable in the case of ransomware or other security breaches. So what can you do? The short answer: work with a managed IT firm to cloud back up your backups.  Learn more about the benefits of this service. Are you ready to get your business data secured? Talk to the professionals at Petra Technology today! This post was first publishe…

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of breast health. Breast cancer affects many lives, making regular breast exams and screenings essential for early detection and effective treatment. Catching Problems Early Saves Lives One of the most significant reasons for prioritizing regular breast exams and screenings is the ability to detect issues at an early stage. Similar to fixing a small problem in a car before it becomes a major issue, identifying breast cancer in its initial phases greatly improves the chances of successful treatment. Early detection increases the likelihood of recovery, allowing individuals to resume their daily lives. Simple Self-Exams Matter…

Every good information security program is based on three essential principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. One of the most common-sense security methods an organization can use to fulfill these principles is the concept of “least privilege” (which is closely related to group policy objects). Simply stated, this means “fit the permission to what the user needs on a daily basis.” Chris goes into greater detail about how “least privilege” can prevent issues within the network and fulfill the essential information security principles. Do you need assistance implementing the right user permissions for your business? Contact Petra Technologies today! …

Dyslexia, a common learning disability that affects language processing, can present unique challenges in a child’s educational experience. Recognizing the signs of dyslexia early on is crucial for providing the necessary support to help the child thrive. Before School Age The average age for speech and language development in most children is around age 2, but some children may have delayed speech. If your child has trouble forming words correctly, they may have dyslexia. In some cases, a child may not talk until a later age. Other early warning signs of dyslexia include issues with memory. Your child may struggle with numbers, colors, and nursery rhymes. They may even face challenges with words that sound similar. This means t…

Miller's BBQ celebrates grand opening of their new cafeCongratulations to our friend Matthew Miller on the grand opening of his new Miller's BBQ & Cafe in North Salem. Located in the Capitol City Business Center at 4600 25th Ave NE, Salem, OR 97301, the new cafe provides a wonderful spot to grab some amazing BBQ. As evidenced by the huge crowd at the ribbon cutting, Matthew and has team have invested into their community by building great relationships. Once again, congratulations and job well done! 

When it comes to the Internet of Things (IoT) you must be careful to consider the pros and cons. While it can be convenient to control your home’s temperature or alarm system through an app, you have to consider the security of that network connection. The ability to connect to the network is the “internet” part of the “internet of things”. Businesses and other organizations also use IoT devices and should carefully put plans in place to protect their networks while utilizing these tools. Chris gives an overview of the scope of this global threat. This includes the recent attack volume, current trends, and solutions. While the situation may seem dire there are things to do to mitigate risk. Taking advantage of tech in the home…

Stress is a common occurrence in everyone’s life. It’s natural (and can even be healthy) to have some stress. However, when stress becomes overwhelming or chronic, it can have significant physical and mental health consequences. It shapes not only our behavior but also how we feel. Here’s what happens. How the Body Reacts to Stress When you are stressed, your body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that give you enough energy to respond to the perceived danger, activating the fight-or-flight mechanism. The surge of hormones can manifest itself in physical symptoms like an increase in heart rate, quickened breathing, or sweating. You may also feel tense muscles, headaches, chest pain, or abdominal cramps. Howev…

Have you ever wondered how the internet figures out how to pull up the website you type in? This function is called the DNS or domain name services, which functions like the "white pages" of the internet. While this system is particularly efficient to help you arrive at the right website, it does not prevent you from going onto a website that will infect your computer and compromise private business information. How can you prevent this? Here's where secure DNS comes in! Chris talks about how you can use secure DNS to help prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities and take a proactive approach. Are you ready to use secure DNS in your everyday business practice? Contact Petra Technologies today! This post was first…

Breastfeeding is often considered one of the best ways to nourish your baby during the early stages of life because of the many health benefits it offers. However, there are instances when supplementing breastmilk with baby formula becomes necessary or switching to formula is simply the next step of your baby’s feeding journey. Maintain Skin-to-Skin Contact and Bonding Breastfeeding provides a unique opportunity for bonding between you and your baby. Even when supplementing with formula, continue to practice skin-to-skin contact and hold your baby close during feeding times. This contact fosters emotional bonding and provides comfort to your little one. Choose the Right Formula When selecting a baby formula to supplement with…

Throughout Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September, WFMC Health focuses on raising awareness about blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Learn about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options, so you can make a difference in supporting individuals affected by blood cancer. The History of Blood Cancer Month Since 2010, Blood Cancer Awareness Month has been crucial in increasing awareness about blood cancer. This worldwide initiative allows people from all walks of life to unite and collectively face this disease known as blood cancer. You can raise awareness for blood cancer by actively promoting Blood Cancer Awareness Month within your communities. This can be done through various channels such as s…

In today’s business environment, cybersecurity should be a priority for all businesses—no matter the size. Over the past few months, we’ve covered each item on the Cybersecurity Essentials list, which is a great way to gauge what security measures you already have in place and what you still need to do in order to fend off potential threats.  In today’s video, Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, recaps a few reasons why these cybersecurity essentials are so important with recent examples from around the world. (To learn more and see the full Cybersecurity Essentials List, visit this link: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo) Want to get started on a comprehensive cybersecurity plan? Contact Petra Technol…

ANNOUNCING the lucky winner of the $250 Enchanted Forest Family Adventure sponsored by Summit Cleaning and Restoration and organized by WhirLocal Salem! Thank you to everyone who entered and participated. We had over 440+ entries and per contest rules selected the winner via random drawing. Pam Fahndrich, co-publisher of WhirLocal Salem, presented the $250 Enchanted Forest Gift Card to Fernando Lopez of Keizer on September 7, 2023 at Broadway Coffeehouse in Salem. Fernando is looking forward to taking his wife and kids to the Enchanted Forest for a fun family adventure. Special thanks to Summit Cleaning and Restoration for sponsoring the giveaway. Summit Cleaning and Restoration is a family-owned, independent disaster re…

September has been designated as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month; a time set aside to inform the public about a hormone condition that is diagnosed in an estimated 3 million individuals of reproductive age in the U.S. each year. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, can cause difficulty in daily life. Here are a few facts you should know about PCOS and how it affects an individual’s health. What Is PCOS? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a collection of symptoms that are caused by a hormone imbalance. The condition can cause several symptoms and is generally characterized by irregular, absent, and/or painful periods, excessive body hair, and cysts found on the ovaries. What Causes PCOS? PCOS is characterized …

When you begin using cloud applications, it is easy to get excited and immediately begin using the application for your business. However, it is imperative to set up the existing security features to monitor and track suspicious activity. Chris goes over the top 3 situations to look out for and how to protect your accounts from malware and hackers. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo ) Do you need a managed service provider to help you keep your business applications updated and secure? Contact Petra Technologies today! This post was first published on petratechit.com. …