Tech Savvy Solutions
Protect your West Michigan business with the right firewall. Learn setup steps, best practices, and how IT Systems, LLC keeps local networks secure.
Stop paying for IT that only makes you a better customer. Learn how IT Systems, LLC helps small businesses use technology to grow, secure, and thrive.
Back-to-school is the perfect time to fix what’s not working. Discover 5 signs your school’s tech needs an upgrade and how to do it without disruption.
Windows 10 support ends October 2025. Learn how Grand Rapids businesses can upgrade to Windows 11 without the stress, downtime, or big cost.
If your business lost all its data tomorrow, would you be ready? This guide explains how to prepare, recover, and stay protected from digital disasters.
It looked like a normal email—maybe a shipping update, a password reset, or even a message from “Microsoft” saying your account had suspicious activity. Your office manager clicks the link, logs in to "verify" their account, and suddenly… Boom. Your network’s compromised. And you’re looking at a $150,000 loss —on average. Sound dramatic? It’s not. It’s reality for nearly 2 out of 3 businesses that fall victim to phishing scams every year . And the kicker? These emails don’t even look suspicious anymore. Welcome to cybersecurity in 2025. Phishing emails have grown up, and they’re not wearing hoodies or sending you weird Nigerian prince messages anymore. They look like everyday work emails—and that’s exactly why they’re so dangerous. Let’s walk through what’s happening, how it can impact your small business, and what you can do to avoid becoming the next "oops" story. Not Your Grandma’s Spam Email Remember the good old days when spam emails were laughably bad? Weird grammar. Obvious typos. Strange fonts. You’d read them and think, “Who would fall for this?” Well, the scammers have evolved—and unfortunately, so have their emails. Phishing emails today are polished, professional, and scarily convincing. They look like: A Microsoft 365 login prompt (that’s fake) An invoice from a vendor you actually use A package delivery update from UPS or Amazon A calendar invite from a familiar name—just slightly misspelled Some are so well-crafted, they could pass as internal communications from your own team. And with the help of AI tools, these scammers can personalize, adapt, and automate their deception like never before. Honestly, some of these emails are written better than actual corporate memos. What’s the Big Deal? Just Ask the $150K You might be thinking, “Okay, so someone clicks a bad link… then what?” Well, here’s the “then what”: Hackers gain access to your inbox or shared drives They steal sensitive client data or financial info They launch ransomware and demand thousands to unlock your files They use your compromised email to trick your clients or team They install hidden backdoors to monitor your system for months And then there’s the fallout: Legal liability Client trust erosion Fines (especially if you’re in healthcare or finance) Business downtime A massive dent in your bank account The average financial loss from a phishing attack sits around $150,000 . For most small businesses, that’s not just a bump in the road—that’s a potential shutdown. And all of it can happen from one innocent click. Because Antivirus Can’t Fix Poor Judgment Here’s the truth: Your firewall can’t stop Becky in accounting from clicking a link she thought was from FedEx. Technology helps—but your people are the front line . They’re the human firewall. And if they’re not trained, they’ll leave the digital door wide open. That’s why training is not optional anymore. Your team needs to know: What phishing emails look like (and how sneaky they’ve gotten) What red flags to look for Why urgency is often a sign of a scam What to do if they accidentally click something they shouldn’t Let’s put it this way: if your employees can spot a fake handbag on Facebook Marketplace, they can absolutely learn to spot a fake Microsoft alert. Cybersecurity Instincts Are a Thing Phishing training isn’t about turning your staff into cybersecurity experts. It’s about developing a little thing we like to call “cyber instincts.” You know that feeling in your gut when something seems off? Like when your Uber driver looks nothing like the profile picture? That’s what we want to cultivate—digitally. Here’s how: Teach your team to pause before clicking Encourage them to hover over links to preview URLs Show them how to verify sender addresses Remind them: if it smells like panic, it’s probably a trap That’s why we offer hands-on cybersecurity training for teams right here in Grand Rapids. Whether you’ve got five employees or fifty, we help your staff build habits that stick and instincts that protect. It’s practical, judgment-free, and tailored to the real threats your business faces every day. You don’t need high-tech tools to stop phishing. You need a team that’s paying attention and trusting their gut. Introducing the “Better Safe Than Sorry” Call This is where we come in. At IT Systems, LLC, we offer a free, no-pressure consult we call the Better Safe Than Sorry Call . It’s exactly what it sounds like—a short conversation to help you: Understand where your team might be vulnerable Get practical, non-technical tips you can implement right away Learn about tools and training to keep your business safer Ask us anything you’ve always wondered about email security (yes, even the dumb questions—especially those) No jargon. No scare tactics. No sales pitch. Just a step-by-step walkthrough to help you breathe a little easier. 🛡️ Book your Better Safe Than Sorry Call here → Your Quick-Check Phishing Survival Guide Need something you can screenshot and send to your team right now? Here’s our cheat sheet: 🚩 5 Red Flags of a Phishing Email: Urgent or threatening language (“Your account will be closed!”) Unfamiliar sender or strange email addresses Generic greetings (“Dear Customer” instead of your name) Links that don’t match the sender’s domain Attachments you weren’t expecting Train your team to stop and check before they click. It’s the cheapest insurance policy you’ll ever invest in. You Don’t Need to Be a Cybersecurity Expert—Just a Little Paranoid The bad guys are counting on you to be too busy to notice. Too trusting to question it. Too distracted to double-check. But you don’t have to fall for it. Train your team. Slow down. Think twice. And when in doubt? Don’t click. Need help getting started? That’s what we’re here for. 👇 📞 Book your free “Better Safe Than Sorry” call now Because protecting your business shouldn't be a gamble.
Discover how your office layout might be to blame for slow Wi-Fi and poor connectivity. Learn how to fix it with tips from IT Systems, LLC in Grand Rapids, MI.
Thinking about switching IT providers? Discover why local businesses in Grand Rapids and West Michigan are choosing IT Systems, LLC for faster response times, personalized service, and smarter tech solutions. Learn what to expect from a local IT provider—and why it’s a smarter choice than dialing a 1-800 number.
Memorial Day weekend is here—and for many West Michigan business owners, that means taking a much-needed break. Whether you’re headed to the lake, hosting a backyard barbecue, or simply closing the laptop for a few days, the last thing you want is to be dealing with a tech emergency while you're out. But before we dive into tech checklists, we want to take a moment to honor the reason for this holiday: to remember and be thankful for the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It's because of their sacrifice that we’re able to enjoy the freedom and opportunity we often take for granted—even in something as simple as a long weekend. Before you unplug, here are 5 simple things you can do to keep your business secure, connected, and stress-free —even if you’re completely offline. 1. ✅ Double-Check Your Backups You don’t want to come back on Tuesday to a ransomware attack or lost data from a power outage. Make sure your systems are backed up (ideally off-site or to the cloud), and that those backups are actually working . 🔒 At IT Systems, we help clients across West Michigan set up automated, encrypted backups with easy recovery options. 2. 🔐 Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) If you're still relying on just a password to protect your business systems—this is your sign to upgrade. MFA adds a second layer of protection by requiring a verification code from your phone or email. That way, even if a password gets leaked, your system is still protected. 🎯 Bonus: Enable MFA for your email, file sharing tools, accounting software, and remote desktop logins. 3. 📡 Secure Remote Access (or Disable It Temporarily) If your employees are logging in remotely over the holiday weekend, make sure they’re doing it securely. Use a VPN (virtual private network), and avoid letting people log in from public Wi-Fi or unmonitored personal devices. Not planning on working? Consider disabling remote access for the weekend just to be safe. 👥 If you’re not sure who can access what, we can help you audit your permissions and access controls. 4. 📬 Set an Out-of-Office Email That Doesn’t Invite Hackers Be cautious about what your auto-reply says. Hackers monitor bounce-backs and out-of-office messages looking for gaps in security. Keep it simple and professional—avoid oversharing dates or travel info. Good Example: “Thanks for your message. Our office will be closed for Memorial Day and will respond upon return. If this is urgent, please contact our support team.” 5. 🚨 Know Who to Call If Something Goes Wrong Make sure you (and your team) know who to reach out to in case something goes sideways while you're away. Create a quick contact list that includes: Your IT provider Emergency vendors (ISP, phone systems, power backup) A backup contact if you’re unreachable 📞 Our clients have peace of mind knowing we’re just a call or ticket away—even over holiday weekends. 🧠 Final Thought: Tech Shouldn’t Be the Thing That Ruins Your Weekend Taking time off is important. It helps you recharge, refocus, and come back stronger. And while you’re enjoying the slower pace of the weekend, your systems should be secure, monitored, and working quietly in the background. More importantly, we hope you take a moment this Memorial Day to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live, work, and thrive freely. We’re grateful, and we don’t take that lightly. If you’re unsure whether your business is protected while you're away, we’re happy to do a quick check-up or walk through a cybersecurity readiness review . 👉 Schedule a free consultation with our team From our team to yours—wishing you a safe, restful, and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. —- IT Systems, LLC Proudly serving small businesses across Grand Rapids and West Michigan.