The Most Important SEO Ranking Factors in 2025
In this guide we list the top SEO ranking factors to focus on if you want to improve search rankings, drive organic traffic, and succeed online.
Meltdown and Spectre: CPU Security Flaws
New Major CPU Security Flaws Earlier this week, computer security experts announced the discovery of two major security flaws found in the processors of most of the world’s computers, smartphones, and cloud servers. These flaws affect nearly every processor manufactured by Intel since 1995. These defects encompass all modern processors capable of a performance […]
To Cloud or Not to Cloud
For the past few years, the term “The Cloud” has become a huge selling point in the IT business. Everywhere you look you will see an advertisement for going to “The Cloud”. Whether it’s simply storing data in the cloud or running your ERP software in the cloud, we here at West County Net get […]
World Password Day 2016: May 5th
More and more, accessing personal information via a website or app isn’t just becoming commonplace; it’s becoming a part of our culture.
Apple QuickTime Patching Stops
Apple will no longer be issuing security patches for QuickTime on Windows computers.
Locky Ransomware
A new variant of ransomware called Locky can encrypt your files and hold them ransom until payment is delivered. Learn more from IT experts West County Net!
TeslaCrypt Ransomware Removal
This past year, a particularly nasty malware infection known as TeslaCrypt has come into the spotlight. If you’re infected, there are steps to take before paying the ransom!
Microsoft Patch KB 3114409 Issues
Microsoft issued an update for Outlook 2010 on Tuesday, December, 8, which was supposed to fix a set of issues, including preventing the program from mistakenly entering safe mode on startup.
Flash Vulnerability
Adobe Flash is once again broken and vulnerable to virus attacks. PROTECT YOUR FILES Mozilla is temporarily blocking Adobe Flash from their web browser, Firefox. Any content that requires Flash to work will be disabled by default. You might see warnings that flash is out of date or blocked. Currently, no fix is available from […]
CryptoWall Removal & Prevention Guide
Getting infected with CryptoWall can be a very scary, damaging, and even costly experience. If you’re infected, West County can help.
The Windows 10 Upgrade Complete Guide
When does Windows 10 come out? Windows 10 launches on July 29th, 2015 and will remain a free upgrade until July 29th, 2016. If you’re already running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you may have noticed the notifications prompting you to reserve your copy of Windows 10. Once you reserve, Microsoft will download the necessary […]
Google to Change Ranking Algorithm to Favor Mobile-Friendly Sites
Sites that are designed with mobile users in mind are about to find themselves ahead of the curve.
Net Neutrality Update – President Obama Lends Support
Whether or not you agree with the President’s political views, policies, or the decisions he’s made in office, it’s pretty easy to get behind him in the case of net neutrality.
Key to Cloud Hosting Security: Patching and Updating
The internet is open to anyone at anytime from anywhere in the world (for the most part). Is your business protected in the cloud?
End of Support for Windows Server 2003
In less than a year, Microsoft will end support for the popular Windows Server 2003. Hailed by many as the most stable, reliable Windows-based server OS, many are not looking forward to leaving Win2k3. However, compromised security is forcing the issue.
Why is Broadband Internet Important?
Net neutrality, ISP monopolies, and “fast lanes” aside, why is broadband internet so important anyway? Why is it important that people have access to high-speed internet? What does fast internet service do for society?
Broadband ISP Monopoly Isn’t “Natural”
There’s this little clawing, nagging thought in the back of my mind: I’m paying this business whose practices I hate and whose customer service is consistently rated the worst in the country, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Why is Net Neutrality Important?
If you work in the tech or web industries, you’re probably already entrenched in the debate raging on right now over net neutrality. Recently, there’s been a huge public outcry against FCC chairman Tom Wheeler’s so-called “open internet proposal.” The fight for net neutrality has been going on for a long time now. There have […]
Implementing a Cloud Service
Cloud computing is quickly becoming the standard for cost-effective web hosting, data backup, and information technology services. Businesses of all sizes (including giants like Netflix) use some form of cloud service for their integral day-to-day operations. When you consider the money that businesses can save by avoiding purchasing their own servers, it’s no wonder there […]
New Internet Explorer Vulnerability Discovered
A security flaw has been discovered for the hugely popular web browser, Internet Explorer. The vulnerability affects all versions of IE, from version 6 through the most recent release, IE 11. Though the number of reported attacks has been few so far, the sheer potential for serious breaches in security is staggering. Over 50% of […]
The Demise of Windows XP
Time to say goodbye Microsoft has finally ended its support for the Windows XP operating system. Sustaining 13 years on the market, the extremely popular operating system was used the world over. In the end, XP weighed in at just under 28% of the global OS market share. To be so popular even at the […]
The Heartbleed Bug: What is it, what did it do, and what does it mean for you?
Recently, news of a major security issue known as the Heartbleed Bug has been circulating around the internet. The security flaw affects all systems that use OpenSSL, a security protocol that is utilized by a large portion of websites on the internet. In the most basic terms, the Heartbleed Bug may have exposed a bunch […]
Password Security & Best Password Practices
The recent credit card information breach at Target has a lot of people thinking about big business security issues again. What kind of information do the businesses we trust so much have and how easy is it exactly to access by some anonymous hacker? The problem that the Target credit card breach highlights is that—no […]