Welcome to the Cybertaries Blog

 In today’s fast-paced digital economy, South African entrepreneurs and freelancers are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals. Whether you run a small e-commerce site, freelance online, or manage a startup, staying informed is your first line of defense. Need expert guidance? Check out Cybertaries Cybersecurity for tailored solutions and support. 🚨 1. Business Email Compromise (BEC) Cybercriminals hack or spoof email accounts to impersonate CEOs, suppliers, or finance staff, tricking victims into paying fake invoices or transferring money. 🔐 Prevention Tip: Always verify payment requests through a secondary communication channel, like a phone call. 💰 2. Fake Investment & Grant Scams Scammers pose as government agencies or angel investors, offering fake grants or funding in exchange for “application fees.” 🔐 Prevention Tip: Research any funding opportunity independently. No legitimate grant asks for money upfront. 📦 3. Fake Courier & Deliv...

 Keeping your computer safe from viruses and malware doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, with a few smart habits and free tools, you can maintain a secure system without ever reaching for your wallet. Whether you're a freelancer, small business owner, or everyday user, here’s how you can stay protected—without breaking the bank. 1. Use Built-In Security Tools Most modern operating systems come with decent built-in protection. For example, Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender) offers real-time threat protection, firewall control, and system scanning—all for free. Just make sure it’s turned on and regularly updated. 2. Keep Your System and Software Updated Outdated software is a hacker’s best friend. Always install operating system updates, browser patches, and app upgrades when they're available. These updates often fix security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware. 3. Install a Trusted Free Antivirus While paid antivirus software offers extr...

Is your laptop feeling slower than usual? Before spending money on a new device, try these practical steps to give your current laptop a serious performance boost — without breaking the bank. 1. 🧹 Clear Out Unused Programs Over time, your laptop collects apps and software you barely use. These take up memory and slow things down. Go to your Control Panel or Settings and uninstall anything you don’t need. 2. 🧼 Clean Up Your Startup Some programs automatically launch when your laptop starts, making boot-up painfully slow. Disable unnecessary startup programs: On Windows : Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc , go to the Startup tab. On Mac : Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items . 3. 🔄 Update Software and Drivers Outdated drivers and operating systems can cause lag and glitches. Make sure your OS, drivers, and critical apps are fully up to date. 4. ⚙️ Upgrade Your RAM or SSD If you can, upgrading your RAM or replacing an old hard drive with a Solid Sta...

Top 3 Tech Mistakes South African Small Businesses Make Cybertaries – www.cybertaries.co.za In South Africa’s fast-moving business environment, small businesses rely heavily on tech to stay lean, agile, and competitive. But too often, preventable mistakes in IT setups cost them time, money, and reputation. Here are the top three tech slip-ups we see often—and how to avoid them. 🔒 1. Neglecting Cybersecurity Many local SMEs assume that cybercriminals only go after big corporations. In reality, small businesses are frequent targets precisely because they tend to lack proper protection. Common problems: Weak or reused passwords No multi-factor authentication (MFA) Employees unaware of phishing tactics No endpoint or email security What to do: Use strong, unique passwords and activate MFA on all accounts. Educate staff about phishing, scams, and online safety. Keep all software up to date and install firewalls and antivirus on every device. Use local IT ...

In today's fast-paced digital world, agility and efficiency are essential for staying competitive—especially for freelancers and small businesses. That’s where cloud computing becomes a game-changer. Whether you’re a solo designer, online store owner, or a growing consultancy, the cloud offers tools and services that were once only available to large corporations. At Cybertaries Remote Tech Support , we help businesses like yours unlock the power of cloud technology. Here’s how the cloud can transform your work. 🚀 1. Work from Anywhere, Anytime With cloud storage and online collaboration tools, your entire office fits in your laptop—or even your smartphone. Access your files, emails, and software from home, a client’s office, or while traveling. All you need is an internet connection. Popular tools: Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, Zoho, Canva 🛡️ 2. Automatic Backups and Data Security No more worrying about losing files due to a laptop crash or USB gone missing. Th...

In today’s fast-paced digital world, your email account is more than just a communication tool —it’s the gateway to your digital life. For freelancers, small business owners, and home users, it often connects to invoices, client files, banking alerts, subscriptions, and more. That’s why a compromised email account can spell disaster. At Cybertaries Remote Tech Support , we help everyday users and small teams stay secure and productive. Here are 7 clear warning signs your email account may be compromised—and what you can do about it. 1. You Notice Emails You Didn't Send If your “Sent” folder has messages you don’t recognize, especially strange or spammy content, this is a strong sign someone else has access to your account. 2. Friends or Clients Receive Suspicious Emails from You If people in your contact list report getting unusual or spammy emails from your address, your account may be used to spread malware or phishing scams. 3. You’re Locked Out of Your Own Account Ge...