Anxiety is an expected response to stress; it is a part of the human survival mechanism that has evolved to help us deal with potential threats. Severe anxiety can be related to panic, phobia, social fears, and separation. As your children grow, they could develop and manifest anxiety in various ways. Separation anxiety is a condition that can be observed in children as early as preschool age. In fact, leaving children at a preschool or childcare facility is often the first time parents or primary guardians become aware of their child’s separation anxiety. With the new school year right around the corner, here are four signs to watch out for. Headaches From the age of two, children can express headaches through facial gestur…

Does your business have a patch management plan? If you answered “no” you’re not alone. Most workplaces leave it up to fate, rely on built-in failsafe features (like when your computer automatically turns off and updates), or just let employees update their computers on a whim. Either way, effective patch management (which includes most things like software patches, updates, or security updates) works best when automated and monitored by expert managed service providers (Like Petra Tech). Chris talks through the basics of what is included in a patch management plan, and steps you can take to implement one. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo&nbs…

Do you struggle asking your customers for reviews?  We all know how valuable reviews are for our businesses. They provide social proof, boost our reputation and local SEO, attract new customers, and bottom line - grow revenue. But let's be honest, the process of gathering those golden reviews can sometimes feel like climbing Mount Everest. Here are a few of the challenges and mindset issues that we've seen over the years and how to overcome them. Fear of negative feedback: We worry about negative reviews, so we don't ask. We don't want to hear it! But, all feedback is good feedback and there is gold in both positive and negative feedback. Lack of time and priority: Our customers are busy, so we hesitate to ask and add one more thing t…

As parents, one of our primary responsibilities is to guide our children toward independence. One essential aspect of self-care is bathing; knowing when to introduce this skill to your child can be exciting and challenging. While you’ll be helping your child bathe from the moment they are born, they won’t be able to bathe independently until they are older. Teaching them how to wash themselves properly as they grow can help them be ready when the time comes. 1. Motor Skills Development The first stage to consider is your child’s motor skills development. Around the age of two to three, most children demonstrate increased movement coordination and control. They can grasp objects, pour water from containers, and use utensils. The…

If you aren’t concerned about the latest malware variants… you should be. With record-breaking increases of never-before-seen malware variants being detected every month, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the cybersecurity risks your business might be susceptible to. What is the solution? Today, Chris explains what it means to implement perimeter security for your organization, the tools that detect the malware, and the benefits of working with cybersecurity experts. Managed IT service providers (Like Petra Technologies) can help you implement prevention strategies to address cybersecurity threats before they happen. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://yo…

What is the difference between a domain, a website, and web hosting?If you're new to digital marketing, sometimes the lingo can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a domain, a website, and web hosting is, then this video is for you. 

August is Hair Loss Awareness Month! Hair loss is a common problem that affects everyone, regardless of gender, by affecting a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Whether you’re experiencing hair loss yourself or you simply want to be well-informed, you might be wondering about the exact cause of the underlying problem. Genetics Genetics is a primary factor behind hair loss. If your parents or close relatives have experienced hair loss, you may be more susceptible to it. The genetic component of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia, which affects both men and women. This condition is caused by a combination of hormones and genetics, leading to hair follicle miniaturization and eventual hair loss. Genetic hair loss h…

Need junk removal in Salem? Meet Bison Dump Hauling & Junk Removal. Last week we let go of a lot of junk. Literally. Our friends Eleazar Lara and Cynthia Lara with Bison Dump Hauling & Junk Removal came and hauled away junk that has just been sitting on our property for years. They and their team are incredibly hard workers and we appreciate the great job that they did.Most of the junk was left over from when we ran a landscape business from the lower half of our property. That was ages ago. Some of it was more recent. An old swing set, a basketball hoop, and other stuff that we no longer needed.  What junk do you need to let go of? If you have physical junk, give our friends a call and they will do a great job.  It f…

Congratulations to our friend Kara Alicia with KC Creative for her 3rd year business anniversary. Building a business is hard and many don’t stick with it.Thanks for having us at your celebration Kara. It was a beautiful evening.Kara is doing a lot of things right in her business.1. She has picked a narrow service offering focused on recurring revenue2. She has joined masterminds and learned from others3. She's very good at promoting her servicesI remember our first 3 years in business. It was absolutely brutal.1. I had no plan or idea what I was doing or what service I would provide2. I had no clarity around who my target customers were3. I wasn't part of any mastermind or peer group4. I wasn't involving Pam in creating a vision (oops, B…

When it comes to cybersecurity, it is not an exaggeration to say that a simple user error can open a gateway for a cyber attack on your business or organization. For example, an employee could click the wrong link, download “free” software, or disable a security setting that could compromise the whole network — or worse, YOU could be the person making one of those mistakes. This is where Group Policy Objects (GPO) and Active Directory come in. Essentially, GPO is a set of “Dos and Don’ts” that guide permissions, users, and settings on the network, and Active Directory (or something similar) is where everything is organized and stored. While this may not be the most exciting item on the Cybersecurity Essentials Checklist, …

As a parent, you want the best for your child, including their health and safety. You make sure they eat nutritious meals, get enough exercise, and wear a helmet while riding their bike. But have you thought about their eye health? The eyes are one of the most important organs, and caring for them should be a priority. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks to ensure your child’s eyes stay healthy. Schedule Regular Eye Exams Even if your child does not exhibit any symptoms of vision problems, it is recommended to have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once every two years, starting at the age of three. If they wear glasses or contacts, it is necessary to have annual eye exams to check for any changes i…

Attention, local businesses! 🌟📢 🌐💬 Did you know that online reviews can make a significant difference in your growth and revenue? 🌐💬 👥✨ Today, local consumers rely on the power of online reviews before making a buying decision. ✨👥 They trust the experiences and opinions of fellow customers, and this is where YOUR business can shine! 🌟⭐ Positive 4 and 5-star reviews play a crucial role in boosting your reputation and attracting new customers. ⭐🌟 When potential buyers see a steady stream of glowing reviews, they gain confidence in your products or services. ✨💼 How do these reviews impact your ability to grow revenue? Let's break it down. 💼✨ 1️⃣ Credibility and Trust: Positive reviews act as …

Although it’s a little early to be spring cleaning, it is generally a good idea to “clean up” the unused programs and applications in your digital home, such as a computer or a work phone. Every program or application installed is one more avenue for a potential hacker to gain access to your device and each poses a potential security risk. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo ) Are you ready to get started on the Cybersecurity Essentials List for your business? Contact Petra Tech today! This post was first published on petratechit.com. …

We all want to be #1 on GoogleHey, this is Tim Fahndrich, co-publisher of WhirLocal Salem. As business owners, I know we all want to be #1 on Google. And, we probably all get phone calls all day long telling us that we can be, with the caller's help, of course.The problem is, ranking on Google is NOT easy, especially if you're in a very competitive industry. And, it's really easy to get bamboozled by these callers since SEO (search engine optimization) is a very wide and often misunderstood concept.Make no mistake, having a strong online presence, including good search engine results, is a critical part of your marketing strategy. They say the best place to hide a dead body is on page two of Google. But, getting real, transparent …

As a parent to a newborn, you are constantly looking for ways to help your baby grow and develop. One of the most important things we can do for our babies is to give them plenty of tummy time. Pediatricians recommend that babies have at least 30 minutes of tummy time each day, starting in the first week, as soon as your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off. However, some babies may need more tummy time than others, and it’s important to follow your baby’s cues. This article explores the purpose and benefits of tummy time for your newborn. Why Is Tummy Time Important? When babies spend time on their stomachs, they have to use their neck, back, and shoulder muscles to lift their heads and look around. This helps to develop and …

Small Business Owners. This is for you!

Now that we’ve covered Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) in previous videos, you might be wondering which solution is best for your business. In many cases, the answer is both. Using SIEM and EDR together can greatly help to improve your company’s cybersecurity posture against threats, but they work in different ways. Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, compares the features of these two cybersecurity essentials to help provide a better understanding of your options. (To learn more and see the full Cybersecurity Essentials List, visit this link: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo) Want to add SIEM and/or EDR services to your company’s cybersecurity lin…

Hepatitis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by medications, drugs, alcohol, or an autoimmune response, but it is more often caused by one of five viruses. July 28th is World Hepatitis Day, which means it’s a great time to learn more about this condition. Types of Viral Hepatitis Viral hepatitis is classified as hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, depending on the virus causing the infection. Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), is generally the least likely to cause long-term damage and usually goes away within six months. Hepatitis B, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), can be spread through blood or other bodily fluids. It can be acute or ongoing. The risk of chronic …

When it comes to protecting the security of your business, having accurate, complete, and accessible data is crucial for identifying potentially malicious activity. That’s where Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) comes in. “SIEM gathers immense amounts of data from your entire networked environment, consolidates and makes that data humanly accessible.” – Chris Cummings Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, goes over the basic functionality of SIEM and explains how it can be a beneficial component of your cybersecurity framework. (To learn more and see the full Cybersecurity Essentials List, visit this link: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo) Wondering if you need to add SIEM to your cybersecurity po…

One of the most significant milestones for teenagers is getting a driver’s license. Yet, acquiring their first smartphone is a sought-after achievement for many teens. For parents, this technology introduces children to a new world of freedom and danger. This article provides a few guidelines to consider before giving your teen a smartphone. 1. Learn Their Reasons Why When giving your child a smartphone, have an open and honest conversation about why they want one. Asking your child why they want a smartphone uncovers can help you understand their motivations. For example, your child may want a phone for the status symbol it represents. Others may be interested in social media and the ability to connect with friends and fa…