The best Chrome extensions for productivity

Every now and again, you get frustrated with your web browser’s limited functionality. But if you’re using Google Chrome, there’s a good chance someone has created an extension to make your work life easier. There are thousands of extensions just waiting to boost your productivity with just a click of a button. Here’s a preview of the best ones.

Taco

The first on our list is the Taco extension that focuses on integration to boost productivity. It works by replacing Chrome’s ‘new tab’ page with a customizable framework for all of your third-party services. With various templates and layouts, you can organize and combine tasks and notes from over 40 services including Evernote, Google, Salesforce, Trello, and more.

Any time you’re about to start a new project, simply open a new tab to search for the app you need. But before you hit that ‘Google Search’ button, drag the task item into your ‘doing’ lane and off you go. Once you’re done with work and need to check on the status of your home team’s game, simply open a new tab, move the task to your finished lane, and check the score.

Strict Workflow

Strict Workflow is based on the renowned Pomodoro productivity approach. It’s a time management technique that lets you focus on your task at hand and eliminates any distraction by having you block non-work related websites during your 25 minute work time and unblock it on your appointed 5-minute break.

OneTab

A lot of us open tabs as notes, reminders, and things to check again some time in the distant future, which is why you’ll love OneTab. It’s ideal for work days when you find a stack of tabs sandwiched along the top of your screen, which can cripple your available memory. This extension allows you to condense all of your open tabs into one page that lists each of them for easy access when you’re ready to return to them.

JustRead

When it’s time to slow down your browsing and read the most recent election article or a recipe you want to try, the page is often cluttered with social sharing buttons, advertisements and stock photos. With the JustRead extension, all of this gets cleared away with the press of a button, leaving you with a clean, text-only page.

These are just some of our favorite extensions. If you’d like more suggestions or support for anything Google related, we’re here for you — don’t hesitate to call.

Cloud: 4 common myths debunked

Overhyped reports of cloud hacks and server failures can lead some small business owners to be wary of a service that has so much to offer. So what are these common misconceptions about cloud computing? Here are a few myths people believe about the cloud.

#1. Cloud infrastructures are unsecure

Information security is a necessity for every business. And the most prevalent misconception about the cloud is the idea that cloud services lack appropriate security measures to keep data safe from intruders. Most users also think that the data stored in the cloud can be easily accessed by anyone, from anywhere, and at any time.

But the truth is it’s actually more secure for small businesses to use cloud services. Small companies usually can’t afford to hire an IT department let alone train them to deal with online security threats. Cloud providers, on the other hand, offer services such as multi-layered security systems and antivirus protection that not only specialize in keeping infrastructures safe from hackers but are available at a price that is much lower than you would pay for in-house IT staff.

Additionally, large cloud-based services such as G Suite and Office 365 are supported by an infrastructure that constantly installs updates and patches, which helps manage security breaches. This frees you from the burden of installing the updates yourself and managing the overall security of your system.

Users should understand that no company is completely safe from security threats regardless of their IT infrastructure. But data is likely to be more secure in the hands of cloud providers as they are the most prepared and qualified to protect your digital property.

#2. The cloud lacks proper encryption

Most people misunderstand how encryption is implemented to keep your data safe. For example, encryption is generally used for data in transition, where data is protected from anyone seeing it as it travels from one internet address to another. But encryption can also be applied to data at rest, where data is encrypted on a storage drive.

With this in mind, you should understand what types of encryption your business and its data require. When it comes to choosing the right cloud service, it is best to inform yourself about the security measures that a cloud infrastructure implements and look at how it can protect your company’s digital property.

#3. With the cloud you are no longer responsible for data security

While cloud security is important, protecting data ultimately rests on the users who have access to it. Misplacing unlocked mobile devices can leave your data vulnerable and compromise your entire cloud infrastructure. This is why we recommend strong verification mechanisms in place for devices that are used to access the cloud.

#4. The cloud is never faulty

Like many IT services, cloud-based services are not immune to technical difficulties. For example, some cloud businesses have suffered outages and server failures which corrupted files and may have lost data in the process.

Hacking is another reason why some cloud services fail. Using a less than optimal cloud service that is vulnerable to attacks can lead to stolen or deleted data, which would be near impossible to recover if you did not have any offline backups.

Before signing up for any type of cloud service, clarify with its provider what is guaranteed. Most cloud providers make promises about a service’s uptime or its safety from provider-related breaches.

Security is truly one of the biggest barriers to the adoption of cloud computing in a small business. But as cloud services expand and encryption technologies advance, cloud adoption is increasingly becoming the most cost-effective solution to meet the small business owner’s IT demands. Contact us today to learn how your business can take advantage of all the cloud has to offer.