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Windscribe VPN fast facts Our rating: 4.1 stars out of 5Pricing: Starts at $5.75 (annual plan)Key features: Has a generous free version. ScribeForce team accounts for organizations. Unlimited device connections. Windscribe VPN is a decent option for those seeking a virtual private network with a fully functional free version. Its free plan allows up to 10GBs of data, unlimited device connections, and the same security features as the paid tier. It also has a customizable Build A Plan subscription option, giving customers more account flexibility. However, it may not be the best choice for users who value having a large server network, particularly for streaming or unblocking purposes. Right now, Windscribe supports macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Mozilla, and Opera. Semperis Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Large, Enterprise Features Advanced Attacks Detection, Advanced Automation, Anywhere Recovery, and more ESET PROTECT Advanced Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Advanced Threat Defense, Full Disk Encryption , Modern Endpoint Protection, and more ManageEngine Log360 Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Activity Monitoring, Blacklisting, Dashboard, and more Windscribe VPN pricing Duration Price Free version (11 locations only) Free 1-year Windscribe Pro account $5.75 per month 1-month Windscribe Pro account $9.00 per month Build A Plan Billed $1.00 per location per month ScribeForce $3.00 per seat, per month, minimum 5 seats For its annual subscription, the $5.75 per month falls in the middle range in terms of pricing compared to other VPNs. Meanwhile, Windscribe’s monthly $9.00 per month plan is one of the more affordable options on the market. While most VPNs make their long-term subscriptions more affordable, I appreciate how Windscribe’s monthly plan is on the lower end of the spectrum. More about Cloud Security Windscribe also offers a Build A Plan tier that allows customers to select servers from different locations. There is a $3 minimum purchase, with each server location costing $1 per month, but the overall option is very customer-friendly. For teams of five or more, ScribeForce is a plan that allows for centralized billing and team management with one subscription. Lastly, Windscribe has a free version that offers several features found in the paid plan. I would recommend users interested in Windscribe try the free version before committing to a paid plan. If you’re set on accessing all of the Pro features, their monthly plan is the way to go, given its lower-than-usual price. Windscribe VPN free version Windscribe VPN has a free version that comes with a lot of the same in-app functionality as their paid plans. The main difference is that the free version only provides access to servers in 10 locations. Windscribe VPN’s free version. Image: Windscribe VPN In particular, Windscribe VPN’s free version offers access to servers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, and Romania. On the flip side, a Windscribe Pro account includes access to all server locations in 69 countries and 134 cities. These users have access to Pro servers that are less crowded and perform better. In addition, a paid subscription includes unlimited data, while the free version only allows up to 10GB monthly data. However, new users can only access 2GB of data without providing an email address. The option to try out the service without providing personal information, such as an email address, is a plus. Like the paid tier, the free Windscribe version allows unlimited device connections. This is impressive, considering that other VPNs don’t offer unlimited device connections — even on their paid plans. The free version also includes an abbreviated version of Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. domain and IP blocking tool for malware, ads, and tracking protection. The full R.O.B.E.R.T. feature set is included with the Pro plan. Overall, Windscribe’s free version is a solid free VPN with more functionality than expected. If you’re interested in other free VPNs, check out our rundown of the Best Free VPNs for 2024. Is Windscribe VPN safe and reliable? Yes, Windscribe VPN is a safe VPN to use in 2024. It offers all the industry-standard security protocols expected of a VPN: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. It also has AES-256 encryption, split tunneling, and a reliable Windscribe Firewall that acts as a VPN kill switch. It also has a no-logs policy stating that Windscribe doesn’t record connection logs, IP timestamps, session logs, or user activity. To make sure this is actually the case, it’s important to check if a VPN’s no logs policy, or any aspect of its application for that matter, has been independently audited. When I first reviewed Windscribe last year, the VPN provider said that it had been independently audited and was currently undergoing another audit. However, these audit results were neither published nor available for public viewing. In this regard, I had to dock points off of Windscribe since they didn’t have any publicly available audits then. Now that we’re in 2024, I am happy to report that Windscribe has published full details of its independent audits for both its no-logs policy and application. In September 2021, Windscribe’s desktop app was audited by Leviathan Security Group, which aided the VPN provider in addressing all issues that were raised. In 2022, both Windscribe Android and iOS applications were also audited by Leviathan. Finally, Windscribe’s VPN stack called FreshScribe was also recently audited by Packetlabs in June 2024. WindScribe VPN also publishes real-time Transparency Reports that outline the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and law enforcement requests sent to their service. On top of all this, Windscribe VPN has fully open-sourced its applications on GitHub, meaning anyone can view their source code and spot vulnerabilities or weaknesses. To me, this is a meaningful selling

A new survey by payroll tech firm Yellow Canary found that just 22% of Australian businesses have adopted proactive payroll compliance technology. Still, more may follow as they seek to reduce the legal and business risk of underpaying employees. Intentional employee underpayments were made a criminal offense on Jan. 5 following amendments to Australia’s Fair Work legislation, with individuals and businesses now potentially liable. While unintentional mistakes will not attract criminal penalties, Yellow Canary estimates underpayments represent between 1% and 3% of total headcount costs across the market. The Yellow Canary survey of 533 compliance leaders in Australia found the rising risk around underpayments is driving more tech buyers toward proactive payroll compliance tools: 23% plan to adopt technologies in the next one to two years. 21% of businesses plan to implement these tools in the next 12 months. 17% said they were satisfied with manual compliance processes. 15% were curious about more proactive payroll technologies but had no plans to implement them. “The introduction of the Closing Loopholes Acts, including the criminalisation of wage theft, marks a pivotal moment for Australian businesses,” Yellow Canary Managing Director Marcus Zeltzer said in the report. “Our research reveals while many businesses are making payroll compliance a top priority, a significant number are still relying on flawed manual processes or have not conducted thorough reviews.” SEE: Best practices for maintaining payroll compliance Payroll teams are concerned they are not paying staff correctly Almost half (48%) of those surveyed by research house Lonegran Research on behalf of Yellow Canary said they had been making payroll compliance a top priority ahead of the Closing Loopholes law. However, 93% of local businesses with at least 50 employees still said they had at least one area of concern regarding potential employee underpayments in their organisation as the law came into force. Additionally, 17% expressed general uncertainty about whether they were paying their staff correctly, while 19% suspect an actual underpayment issue may exist but have not confirmed it. Several key drivers of payroll underpayment concerns were identified in the research report: 39% of respondents had concerns with staying current with legislation and obligations, demonstrating the complexity of remaining compliant in an evolving regulatory environment. 37% cited concerns around a lack of internal communication, noting that collaboration and information flow across departments reduce errors and inconsistencies in payroll processes. A further 32% had concerns with time and resource constraints for payroll audits and historical reviews. Meanwhile, the reliability of payroll software in ensuring compliance was a concern for 31%, as was aligning rostering or time and attendance processes, which are often managed through system integrations. SEE: 8 best payroll software for Australian Businesses Only 7% of respondents said there are no areas of concern regarding potential underpayments. However, Yellow Canary said it was unclear if this reflected genuine assurance or lack of awareness, given it had found some non-compliance in 100% of clients in its work reviewing $70 billion in wages. More Australia coverage Proactive compliance and AI could improve payroll scorecard Australia has experienced widespread problems with underpayments — affecting large private and public sector organisations — in many cases due to Australia’s complex system of payment awards. The Yellow Canary report found many employers still rely on “less reliable” methods: 31% still conduct manual audits with spreadsheets. 32% review pay code configurations. 37% use sampling for payroll checks. SEE: A step-by-step guide to doing payroll (the right way) “While businesses may feel confident in their manual methods, these processes are flawed, prone to error, limited in scalability, and unable to keep up with the increasing complexity of compliance,” the report said. Adopting proactive payroll compliance technologies is expected to help reduce the problem by replacing more manual review processes with regular tech-supported audits of workforce payroll data. The incorporation of AI could support these efforts — but some businesses remain skeptical More than half (59%) of Australian businesses with 50 or more employees are optimistic about the potential of introducing artificial intelligence into their payroll compliance frameworks in the future. AI is not yet commonly used in payroll compliance in Australia, but the report said that the evolution of technology shows “great potential for being integrated into existing processes.” For instance, AI can be used to analyse payroll data patterns, and identify anomalies — such as incorrect pay codes, underpaid employees, or misclassifications — to provide payroll teams with real-time insights. However, 27% of respondents remain either skeptical of AI’s ability to improve payroll compliance or believe AI will introduce more challenges and complicate payroll processes in the future. “Businesses must navigate challenges such as integration issues, data privacy concerns, and resistance to change before widespread adoption [of AI],” the report said. source

Headers are an important part of many Microsoft Word documents. Once everything’s in place, you can protect the header so no one can inadvertently mess it up, especially if you’re collaborating with others in your organization. You can protect a document, but there’s no setting that lets you protect only the header and footer while continuing to allow users to edit the body of the document. Fortunately, you can protect the header and unprotect the body when necessary, but the process isn’t intuitive. SEE: 5 Ways to Delete a Page in Word (TechRepublic) In this tutorial, I’ll show you a three-step process for protecting the header or footer area without protecting the body of the Word document. I’ll be working in the header, but this technique protects both the header and the footer. I’m using Microsoft 365 on a Windows 10 64-bit system, but you can use earlier versions of Word. This article isn’t appropriate for Word for the web. Unfortunately, this solution isn’t a good one for online collaboration, because Word for the web won’t open a document with enabled protection in any section. You can download the Microsoft Word demo file for this tutorial. Step one: How to insert a page break in Word Once a document is in good shape and you’ve added header content, you might want to keep others from editing that section. Doing so is easy, but there’s no quick-click solution. The first step is to add a page break, as follows: Press Ctrl + Home to move the cursor to the first position on page one of the document. The break must be the first thing in the document. Click Show/Hide in the Paragraph group on the Home tab. This step isn’t technically necessary but showing the page break symbol will make things easier. Click the Layout tab. In the Page Setup group, click the Breaks dropdown and choose Continuous. Insert a continuous section break. Image: Microsoft The section break must be the first thing on the first page. Image: Microsoft As you can see in the image above, the section break is the first thing on the document’s first page, because the cursor was at the beginning of that page when we inserted the break. The position of this break allows us to format the header differently than the body of the document. If you’re not familiar with section breaks, they apply to the content before the break and the only thing before this break is the header area. The next step will help clarify why that matters. You might be wondering how this solution can also apply to the footer if the break applies to the content before the break. Word does allow you to enter different header and footer content, but internally, Word sees the header and footer as the same area. SEE: 6 Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Word (TechRepublic) Step two: How to protect the document in Word Our second step might seem a bit counterproductive, but it will all come together in the end. Now, we need to protect the entire document, including the header, footer, and the body. To protect the entire document, do the following: Click the File tab and then click Info in the left pane. Click Protect Document and choose Restrict Editing from the dropdown. Word will return to the document and display the editing options in the Restrict Editing pane. Check the second option and choose No Changes (Read Only) from the dropdown. Choose the Restrict Editing option. Image: Microsoft Select the option that restricts editing. Image: Microsoft At this point, you’ve protected the entire document: If you stopped right now, no one would be able to edit anything. That’s not what we want. We need to unprotect the body of the document. SEE: How to Use Section Breaks to Control Formatting in Word (TechRepublic) Step three: How to unprotect the body of the document in Word If you’re not familiar with Word protection, you might be wondering where we’re headed because protecting everything in the document wasn’t what we intended when we set out. We want to protect the document’s header but still be able to edit the body of the Word document. Here’s how to unprotect the body of the document: Select everything in the document but the section header. To do so, position the cursor at the beginning of the first line in the document by pressing Ctrl + Home. Then, press Ctrl + Shift + End to select everything but section break. In the Restrict Editing pane, check the Everyone option in the Exceptions section. In section three, click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection. When Word prompts you for a password, as shown in the second image below, enter “pw” twice and click OK. When applying this to your own work, you’ll want to use a more secure password. For demonstration purposes, we want to keep everything simple. Check the Everyone option. Image: Microsoft Enter a password so you still have access to the Word document. Image: Microsoft Look for the opening and closing brackets at the beginning and ending, respectively, of the unprotected area. As the author, you will know the password to the Word document so you can make changes to the header and footer area. Others can edit the body of the document, but not the header and footer area. This solution isn’t intuitive, and, oddly, Word doesn’t offer an option for protecting only the header and footer. However, you can still do so using this easy technique. This article was originally published in September 2022. It was updated by Antony Peyton in January 2025.   source

Network traffic analysis (NTA) is the practice of monitoring and interpreting the data flowing across your network to ensure performance, reliability, and security. Companies rely on a mix of tools — ranging from packet sniffers and flow analysis software to advanced NDR systems — to gain visibility into their network’s behavior. This guide explores the types of NTA solutions available, the key features that provide visibility and control over your network, and where related technologies like NDR tools fit into a modern, secure network strategy. But first, I want to start with a few red flags that tell you network traffic is hiding performance bottlenecks, sophisticated cyber threats, or both. Relying on yesterday’s tools can mean missing critical warning signs. 1 RingCentral RingEx Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Hosted PBX, Managed PBX, Remote User Ability, and more 2 Talkroute Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Call Management/Monitoring, Call Routing, Mobile Capabilities, and more 3 CloudTalk Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features 24/7 Customer Support, Call Management/Monitoring, Contact Center, and more Seven signs you should revamp network traffic analysis Ideally, network traffic analysis (NTA) gives administrators a clear, real-time view of how data moves across their network. It helps them spot performance issues, track resource use, and identify potential security threats before they become serious problems. When NTA tools and strategy leave critical blind spots, it will fail to detect performance issues, security threats, or unexpected traffic patterns that could disrupt operations. Below are some warning signs and scenarios that warrant a review of your current approach and may indicate the need for strategic retooling of your network traffic analysis. Red flags include: Security incidents or suspicious activity: An uptick in network breaches, unauthorized access, or unusual traffic flows (e.g., data exfiltration attempts or DDoS attacks) indicates that your current strategy may not be adequately monitoring threats or alerting you in real-time. Unpredictable traffic spikes: If you notice unexpected increases in traffic, such as during off-hours or periods when there should be low activity, it could indicate an issue with how traffic is being managed or even malicious activity. If unpredictable spikes persist, re-evaluate your performance monitoring and threat detection tools to confirm they are giving you full visibility. Lack of visibility into specific traffic types: If your existing tools or strategy don’t provide clear insight into specific types of traffic — like VoIP, streaming, or encrypted data — it may be time to upgrade to a more sophisticated solution that offers deep packet inspection and greater granularity. Inconsistent reporting or alerts: If your current system isn’t providing consistent, actionable reports or timely alerts, it’s a sign the network traffic strategy might be outdated or improperly configured. Review your thresholds, detection rules, and alerting policies. Changes in network infrastructure or traffic demands: As network infrastructure evolves (e.g., shifting to cloud services, remote work, or increased IoT), it’s crucial to ensure that your NTA tools and approach are adapted to these changes, ensuring seamless traffic monitoring and management. Disconnected network data: If your NTA tools aren’t integrating well across various network segments or systems, it might be hard to get a full picture of network performance or security threats. A unified approach to traffic analysis may be required for better insight. Compliance or regulatory changes: If new compliance regulations or industry standards (such as GDPR or HIPAA) affect data protection and privacy, it may be necessary to review your NTA strategy to ensure it meets those requirements and avoids potential penalties. There are other warning signs I haven’t captured here, and new zero-day exploits are emerging everyday. Taking a proactive approach with NTA is a wise idea. Operating with less than full visibility into your network traffic is asking for trouble — both performance and security are at stake. After all, once they have access to your network, it only takes two days for attackers to own your data. What makes improving network traffic analysis so difficult? As NTA technology evolves, it becomes increasingly powerful and capable of identifying sophisticated threats. But these enhanced capabilities come with a major caveat: you need some really highly-paid IT resources in-house. The more advanced the tool, the higher the level of experience, expertise, and manpower required to effectively operate and manage it. A basic network for a single office may be relatively straightforward to implement and monitor with minimal expertise. A large network with cutting-edge NTA platforms requires skilled security professionals who can interpret intricate data, respond to threats quickly, and fine-tune the system to adapt to new attack techniques and ransomware trends. These factors make powerful NTA solutions more resource-intensive, demanding both skilled personnel and ongoing training to maintain their effectiveness. Organizations must consider not just the technological capabilities of an NTA solution but also the capacity of their team to manage and maximize its potential. Types of network traffic analysis tools Network traffic analysis tools are essential for monitoring and optimizing data flow across a network. They help identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and ensure efficient use of resources. The main categories of network traffic analysis tools are: Packet sniffers: These tools capture and analyze raw network traffic at the packet level. Common tools, like Wireshark, provide deep insights into the types of data being transferred and help identify issues like packet loss or protocol mismatches. Flow analysis tools: Tools such as SolarWinds and NetFlow Analyzer track flow data, which shows how traffic moves through a network in terms of sessions or connections. These tools focus on aggregate data, such as bandwidth usage, which helps in understanding overall network performance. Network performance monitors: These tools, like PRTG Network Monitor, analyze both traffic and overall network health, including latency, throughput, and device

A Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) or returned item fee is what a bank charges you when it declines a payment due to insufficient funds in your account. If you try to make a payment, such as writing a check without having enough of a balance, the bank will reject the transaction and charge a fee. NSF fees are especially important for businesses to understand, as they can strain cash flow, impact vendor relationships, and even risk account closures if multiple NSF charges accumulate. How returned item fees work Returned item fees kick in when a bank returns a transaction because there aren’t enough funds in your account to cover it. This can happen with checks, electronic payments, or any transactions requiring a balance check. If your bank doesn’t offer overdraft protection, any transaction without the required funds triggers this fee. These fees are particularly troublesome for businesses since failed transactions can lead to unpaid bills, strained relationships with suppliers, and potential service interruptions. If a vendor doesn’t receive payment due to an NSF fee, they might hesitate to work with the business in the future altogether. Returned item fee example To understand returned item fees better, consider the following example. Imagine you’re a small business owner writing a $1,000 check to pay a supplier, but your account balance is only $800. When the supplier deposits the check, the bank refuses it because there’s not enough in your account to cover the payment. This rejection triggers an NSF fee. In addition to the NSF fee, the supplier may also impose a returned check fee on you, further compounding the costs and penalties you can expect. For businesses, these fees are more than just small inconveniences. They represent costs that can directly impact cash flow. If a business accidentally issues several checks without sufficient funds, it could incur multiple NSF fees in a single day, leading to a substantial financial setback. These incidents can strain cash reserves and create budgeting challenges. Managing and monitoring your account balances carefully becomes essential for minimizing the risk of such fees. Returned item fee vs overdraft fee NSF and overdraft fees both relate to insufficient funds, but they differ in handling. A returned item fee happens when the bank declines the payment altogether. In contrast, an overdraft fee applies when the bank allows a transaction to go through, even if it overdraws your account, temporarily covering the cost. How much do returned item fees cost? The average returned item fee now hovers around $20 per incident. The exact cost will vary at each bank, but these fees can quickly add up if multiple payments are rejected in a day. For instance, some banks charge multiple fees for each NSF item presented on the same day, which can turn a minor oversight into a major expense for you and your business. When multiple payments fail, the business faces the bank’s fees and the risk of penalties from vendors or suppliers who expect timely payments. In some cases, vendors may charge their own returned item fees, adding further costs. Businesses should carefully review bank policies on NSF fees and explore ways to minimize them, as these fees can represent an unnecessary drain on resources. Impacts of returned item fees on your business Financial strain: With fees compounding, they can weigh down your budget, especially if your business faces multiple rejected payments. Damaged relationships: Regularly missing payments can harm your reputation with vendors and suppliers, who might refuse future business. If vendors experience frequent payment issues, they may demand cash payments or refuse future business altogether, which can disrupt business growth. Account closure risks: Repeated NSF fees could lead your bank to close your account, which could also affect your credit and lead to future difficulties opening accounts. Banks can strain your business efforts by closing key accounts for repeated NSF activity. More Banking Coverage Steps to avoid returned item fees In addition to reviewing the policies of a bank when opening a bank account or choosing a bank for your business, there are certain steps you can take to avoid the implications of RSFs. Monitor your account balances: Regularly check your balance to ensure funds are available before issuing payments. Set up balance alerts: Many banks allow account alerts for low balances, which can help you avoid bounced checks. Maintain a buffer: Keeping a minimum balance threshold is an effective safeguard. Consider overdraft protection: While it often includes fees, it can prevent returned item fees by covering small shortfalls. What to do if you write a bad check If you inadvertently write a check without enough funds, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do: Notify the payee: Inform the recipient about the situation and arrange an alternative payment. Clear NSF fees: Pay off any returned item fees as soon as possible to avoid further penalties. Request a waiver: If this is your first NSF incident and your account is in good standing, some banks may waive the fee. Conclusion Returned item fees, though small individually, can add up quickly, especially for businesses where cash flow is crucial. They represent a challenge to financial stability but are avoidable with the right strategies. By keeping close tabs on account balances, setting up alerts, and considering overdraft options, you can prevent these fees and maintain better control over your finances. Avoiding NSF fees helps preserve your business’s reputation, ensures timely vendor payments, and strengthens long-term financial health. Frequently asked questions Does an NSF affect your credit? Not directly, but if unpaid balances are sent to collections, your credit score can take a hit. This can impact your ability to gain future loans and credit extensions, further harming your business efforts. Can you get the NSF return fee back? Some banks may waive the fee if it’s your first offense and you have a solid account history. This is not a guarantee though and most banks are strict on enforcing their NSF procedures. Why did your bank charge an NSF fee on

A mesh Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a secure, flexible way for remote teams to communicate over the internet. Unlike traditional client-server VPNs that route traffic through a central server, a mesh VPN connects each device directly to others, allowing for faster, more efficient data transmission. This decentralized approach ensures that every team member can securely access the network without relying on a single point of failure. Mesh VPNs can provide superior flexibility and security in certain scenarios, but they’re not always the best solution for every network. 1 RingCentral RingEx Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Hosted PBX, Managed PBX, Remote User Ability, and more 2 Talkroute Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Call Management/Monitoring, Call Routing, Mobile Capabilities, and more 3 CloudTalk Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features 24/7 Customer Support, Call Management/Monitoring, Contact Center, and more Mesh VPN vs traditional VPN Understanding the distinctions between these two networks will be easier if you are familiar with how a VPN works and basic network terminology. Let’s go through both in detail. A traditional VPN (aka: client-server VPN or centralized VPN) runs on a main server that acts as a central gateway for all data. This is known as a hub-and-spoke model, where all of your data traffic — including files, emails, and VoIP calls from one team member to another — gets routed through the primary intersection point before reaching its destination. The problem with this is that if the main server goes down, everyone loses access to the network. Likewise, if a cyber attacker gains access to the system, all user data becomes vulnerable. Another major complaint regarding traditional VPN technology is its unreliability. Specifically, since every data packet must flow through one central hub, sudden increases in traffic can create bottlenecks that slow down performance. If this happens during peak hours, for instance, users will be battling for bandwidth and get frustrated by network latency as a result. Of course, you can sometimes restore network performance by turning off your VPN, but then you leave your network open to outside threats. SEE: Learn how to check if your VPN is working. A mesh VPN is decentralized. Each device acts as both a client and a server, enabling direct communication with other devices in the network. In this way, it spreads network access across the entire system by connecting multiple devices, each acting as a point in the network. Originally developed for military use, mesh technology was created to solve the problem of spotty connectivity in the field, keeping team communication secure and smooth in any location. Categorized as a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) model, the strength of a mesh VPN lies in its ability to route information among multiple pathways — which is much more efficient than routing through a central managing server. SEE: Learn more about the differences between client-server and P2P networks. On a mesh VPN, each node is its own access point, ensuring continued internet access for all users even if one loses connectivity. Instead of routing information along one pathway from the main server to each user, data travels from node to node along the fastest route available at any given moment, supporting faster service even with multiple users on the network. With the traditional hub-and-spoke VPN, your central server gateway sits in one specific location. The farther you travel from this central hub, the slower and weaker your connection will be — especially as more family or team members hop onto the network. The solution offered by mesh VPN implements more hubs and/or nodes, creating a stronger connection across a wider space. Smart devices such as phones and watches can act as nodes — and so can routers, desktop computers, gaming consoles, and additional servers. Together, these can all help create a convenient wireless network capable of providing reliable coverage across all areas of a home, an office building, or a remote working location. Mesh VPNs still use at least one central server, called a control plane, to handle system-wide configurations and updates. From there, admins can customize various network settings, implement security measures, and adjust which nodes can communicate with each other. Keep in mind that you don’t have to manage this system yourself, as the best enterprise VPN providers offer cloud-hosted options, so you don’t have to manage it yourself. Full mesh vs partial mesh VPN In a full mesh VPN, every device or node is directly connected to every other device in the network. This means that data can be transmitted between any two nodes without needing to go through a central point. This design offers redundancy and flexibility, as multiple communication paths are available between devices. However, it also requires more careful management of each node’s connections and resources. A partial mesh network connects only specific nodes, coordinating which devices can communicate with one another based on network needs or roles. This approach can reduce complexity and resource use, as fewer direct connections are needed. Each node in a partial mesh can be individually programmed, which makes it an ideal setup for testing new software, security features, or configurations on a small scale. Downsides to mesh networks Despite how mesh VPNs address many of the issues associated with traditional hub-and-spoke networks, there are some notable trade offs: Higher latency: Since data passes through multiple devices before reaching its destination, the network can experience higher latency, particularly with larger networks. Scalability challenges: While mesh networks scale well, the number of connections grows exponentially as more devices are added, potentially leading to performance issues or management difficulties. Security risks: More devices connected directly to each other increases the attack surface, requiring robust security measures to mitigate risks. Resource usage:

As my family’s “CFO,” I meticulously scanned my utility bills late one night. As I went through them, line by line, I was confused and frustrated – I couldn’t understand the jump in costs and what was driving them. It was a confusing mix of kilowatt hours, supply and transmission costs, and local fees. I’m seeing a very similar phenomenon with cloud spending. My day job at IBM is creating automation solutions to help solve organizations’ efficiency and observability issues in the IT industry. As a foundation for today’s digital transformation, cloud and hybrid cloud technologies offer many benefits, from cost savings to flexibility, security, and automatic software updates; yet, all the benefits come with various costs that can be difficult to measure and manage. What makes cloud spending difficult? The hard part about cloud spending is that it’s too complex to fully understand how much cloud costs will be. Surface-level cloud spending is fairly easy to track, but when it gets down to things like Kubernetes workloads – how software is deployed, scaled, and managed in and across clouds – AI model inferencing and provisioning, cost projections are extremely difficult and often wildly inaccurate because there are too many gaps not being accounted for. Some gaps are the size of canyons, and others are hard to spot. Remember, this isn’t the pinnacle of cloud complexity either; it will only worsen. Think of this situation in the spirit of getting AI initiatives off the ground. Organizations tend to be okay with initial high associated cloud costs to create more revenue and profit; however, that way of spending isn’t sustainable. FREE DOWNLOAD: 5 Tips for Controlling Your IT Budget (TechRepublic Premium) What is FinOps, and how can it help manage cloud spending? Managing cloud costs is so significant that the IT industry created a practice to manage it. FinOps, as it’s known in my industry, is an operational framework for managing cloud costs from engineering to operations. In fact, according to Civo’s The Cost of Cloud Report 2024, 60% of organizations saw cloud spending increase this past year, and 40% of those said costs rose by more than 25%. If you bring in the larger macro-factors of companies cutting resources for efficiency, inflationary price increases, and new technology spending, CFOs need more support and visibility. Must-read CXO coverage How can partnering with CIOs and using automation help CFOs tackle cloud costs? CIOs can help their CFO colleagues by adopting FinOps practices powered by AI technologies that reduce the burden of tracking, tagging, and constantly chasing your operations team to understand how budgets are being spent, bringing real-time visibility and decision support to your fingertips. The cloud operates in real-time, but it can be predictable and forecasted in a way that improves visibility and automates resource management, observability, and cost transparency. SEE: How AI Is Changing the Cloud Security and Risk Equation (TechRepublic) Automation can save by over-provisioning CPUs/GPUs, memory, and storage. It can help observe application health and proactively remediate issues. Automation also can provide a holistic and granular breakdown of how cloud costs are racking up. Partnering with CIO peers and implementing automation solutions can help get a CFO off the hot seat. CFOs need to be able to manage budget expectations while keeping the business on track with innovation and spending. CFOs, CIOs, engineers, DevOps, and cloud/AI team leads must tackle this problem together. The synergy of aligning business and financial outcomes will allow spending to shrink and maximize its potential simultaneously. A good FinOps posture means everyone has equal visibility and accountability in spending. DOWNLOAD: Year-Round IT Budget Template (TechRepublic Premium) Is investing in a FinOps automation solution worth it? Yes. The extra initial cost of buying a FinOps automation solution will pay for itself in less than two years – I bet it could happen in 12 months. Implementation of a a FinOps automation solution is critical. Get it done right from the start – maximize the connectivity, efficiencies, and collaboration – and watch the cloud spending and your CFO’s stress melt away. Some old financial advice has never been more prevalent than now: Live within your means. Bills shouldn’t surprise you or make you sweat, and CFOs shouldn’t pay the price for your overspending. Bill Lobig, vice president, Product Management, IBM IT Automation. Image: IBM Bill Lobig is responsible for IBM IT Automation Software Product Management. This includes a range of technologies allowing people and organizations to optimize their technology spend and ensure the health and performance of applications. Bill has been in the enterprise software space for over 25 years holding various roles in engineering & product management ranging from unstructured data/content management, information life cycle governance, business process management, machine learning & AI, and Application Modernization, FinOps, and IT Operations. Bill graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland College Park. source

Operational customer relationship management tools offer advanced custom workflows, visual pipelines, and day-to-day operation management tools to provide the best client experience with minimal effort. Choosing a CRM emphasizing operations can help centralize business information and reduce manual work. 1 monday CRM Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Calendar, Collaboration Tools, Contact Management, and more 2 Pipedrive CRM Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Calendar, Collaboration Tools, Contact Management, and more 3 Creatio CRM Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Dashboard, Document Management / Sharing, Email / Marketing Automation, and more What is operational CRM? Operational CRM is a type of CRM solution that supports a business’s day-to-day sales and marketing operations. These operations can include everything from marketing to lead nurturing to back-office management. CRMs that fall under this umbrella are typically generalized CRM solutions that can be adapted to fit a specific industry or company size. You’ll find that operational CRM solutions offer advanced automations to do a lot of the heavy lifting around updating statuses or other recurring tasks so sales reps can focus on nurturing customer relationships. There are three other types of CRM software, including marketing, collaborative, and analytical. Operational CRMs are best for businesses that need help with general customer relationship management, such as providing ongoing support post-sale. How does operational CRM software work? Operational CRMs work by streamlining the sales process in a transparent and secure digital system. While operational CRM features might overlap with core CRM features like lead nurturing, its purpose is to do so efficiently and effectively through automation. Features like time tracking, task assignment, and lead routing are all advanced operational features. These help sales managers and representatives track daily activities and progress toward goals. Same time tracking functionally on the go. Image: ClickUp Robust project management, workflow automations, automated marketing campaigns, and follow-up tools are also common operational CRM features. These all help teams deploy new strategies quickly and have a single source of truth when it comes to checking the status of any given project, deal, or lead. An operational CRM can also be optimized through integrations. When a business syncs its CRM with all other business tools, users can reduce the time spent jumping between programs. Example visual pipeline with nurturing stages. Image: Pipedrive TechRepublic Resources: CRM Feature and Services Comparison Best CRM Software Benefits of operational CRM The benefits of using a generalized CRM can also be seen in an operational CRM—with the added focus on the benefits of running automations and managing projects and tasks. Centralizes information Operational CRM software completely centralizes all customer data and information. With the ability to create custom pipelines and dashboards, users can view real-time information. This is the case for visibility around sales stages, customer profiles, and analytical reports. For example, any user can check the status of any ongoing deal, see who the last person was to engage with the lead or see what marketing email campaigns have been sent to a lead. This transparency helps reps confidently provide stellar client experience. Interdepartmental alignment Operational CRM software can align marketing, sales, support, and operations teams within one hub. Users can tag each other in lead updates, quarterly reports, and project updates within the tool for complete visibility into business initiatives. Internal communication is built into operational CRMs so reps can tag team members in updates or escalate support with just a few clicks. Reduce manual task completion This is a major benefit of operational CRM systems. With features like task automation, follow-up automation, or reporting automation, users don’t need to waste time manually checking off to-do lists, sending mass follow-up emails, or pulling daily reports. By building out triggers, workflows, and custom automations, operational CRM users can trust the platform to complete mundane tasks in the background. This will also eventually reduce sales cycle length and increase the turnaround time from lead generation to deal closing. Top operational CRM tools Star rating Starting paid price Forever free plan Total integrations Pipedrive 4.3/5 $14 per user per month No 400+ ClickUp 4.1/5 $7 per user per month Yes 1,000+ Salesforce 4/5 $25 per user per month No 3,000+ Pipedrive Pipedrive is a sales-forward CRM solution that can be adapted to various industries. As a scalable CRM software, users can build custom dashboards and pipelines reflecting their unique selling process. Pipedrive also helps with task and pipeline management, tracking activity, communication, and updates. ClickUp ClickUp is a powerful project management CRM solution. It offers unique product development and resource management tools for tracking business operations. Users can manage sprints, manage backlogs, and run reports quickly. Other day-to-day operation tools ClickUp offers include time tracking, workload views, and goal transparency. Salesforce Salesforce is a popular CRM solution that I recommend for enterprises or large organizations. As a top AI CRM software, users can build automation, generate copy, and receive predictive reports. In addition to AI functionality, Salesforce offers highly customizable dashboards that can reflect day-to-day operations. This all helps build sales efficiency and boost individual and team productivity. How to choose an operational CRM system I recommend following the same best practices when choosing a CRM solution, regardless of industry, company size, or ideal CRM type. To get started, I suggest researching the three options above to understand their ideal use cases and identify whether they can provide real solutions for your business. Here are some things to consider when choosing an operational CRM system: Does this CRM tool integrate with my existing tech stack, such as Outlook for email? Does this CRM tool offer the marketing tools that my business needs? Does this CRM offer a free version that comes with all the features I need? How

Ever wondered how to keep your sensitive business data safe while browsing on public Wi-Fi? Or maybe you’re tired of being blocked from accessing your favorite business tools because they’re restricted in certain countries? That’s where a virtual private network steps in. SEE: Can a VPN Be Hacked?  (TechRepublic) A VPN encrypts your internet connection, keeps your data safe, and allows you to access restricted content from anywhere in the world. Want to know which VPNs offer speed, protect your privacy, and keep cyber threats at bay? Here are the top five VPNs to help you out. 1 Semperis Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Large, Enterprise Features Advanced Attacks Detection, Advanced Automation, Anywhere Recovery, and more 2 ESET PROTECT Advanced Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Advanced Threat Defense, Full Disk Encryption , Modern Endpoint Protection, and more 3 ManageEngine Log360 Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Activity Monitoring, Blacklisting, Dashboard, and more Top VPN comparison Picking a VPN isn’t just about getting a secure connection — it’s about aligning with a solution that supports your business’s needs now and in the future. Below is a quick summary of features offered by the best VPNs: Our rating (out of 5) Starting price Split tunneling Customer service Connections Servers NordVPN 4.7 $2.49/month (2-year plan) Yes, with a Double VPN Yes 10 6,400+ servers in 111 countries Surfshark 4.5 $2.19/month (2-year plan) Yes Yes Unlimited 3,200+ servers in 110+ countries Hotspot Shield 4 $6.66 every month Yes Yes 8 800 servers in 125+ locations Proton VPN 4.4 $5.99 /month Yes, with a Double VPN Yes 10 (pro plan) 3000 servers in 65 countries ExpressVPN 4.6 $8.33/month Yes Yes 5 3,000+ servers in 105 countries SEE: Is a VPN Really Worth It in 2024? (TechRepublic) NordVPN: Best overall Our rating: 4.8 out of 5 Image: NordVPN NordVPN keeps things secure and simple. With its no-log policy, your data is protected in Switzerland’s privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and the Secure Core network gives your traffic an extra layer of encryption as it passes through privacy-conscious countries. With more than 6,350 servers in 111 countries, it’s perfect for travelers needing steady, secure access worldwide. Why I chose NordVPN NordVPN is the heavy-hitter in a user’s toolkit when it comes to full-spectrum privacy. The CyberSec feature alone is invaluable as a robust firewall against trackers, ads, and malicious websites. Combined with Meshnet, I have an ultra-secure way to transfer files and access devices remotely — a huge bonus for someone who’s constantly moving between locations or working remotely. I’ve used it for remote work, video calls, and streaming, and it never drops the ball. At the same time, I didn’t encounter buffering or lag, even when I was on the other side of the world. And if you want to make sure none of your accounts have been compromised, Dark Web Monitor checks data leaks and alerts you if your info shows up. For more information, read the full NordVPN review. Pricing NordVPN splits its paid plans into Basic, Plus, and Complete, with flexible contracts of one month, one year, or two years. If you’re all in for the long haul, it’s only $3.09 per month for two years. Otherwise, you’re looking at $12.99 monthly or $4.99 monthly with the yearly plan. Features WireGuard-based, NordLynx Protocol to deliver low latency for gaming and video streaming. Double VPN to route your connection through two servers for additional privacy. Ads and malware blocker. In-built kill switch to safeguard your data from leaks. Enabling NordVPN for a safer internet experience. Image:NordVPN Pros and cons Pros Cons Excellent speed for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. Expensive than other VPN options Cross-platform compatibility, including routers. Limited simultaneous device connections (10). Unblocking geo-restricted content due to servers in 111 countries 24/7 live chat and responsive customer support. Surfshark: Best for value for money Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 Image: Surfshark Surfshark is one of those VPNs that offers a ton of features without breaking the bank. With over 3,200 servers across 100 countries, Surfshark ensures you have the flexibility to access content globally while maintaining fast speeds. What truly sets it apart, in my opinion, is the Surfshark Search feature, which allows me to search the web without the interference of annoying ads or trackers. It is not only affordable but also faster, as the blend of WireGuard and Nexus consistently provides high speeds. I’ve personally noticed little to no lag, even with heavy usage (streaming, data scraping, and cloud backups, for starters). Why I chose Surfshark Surfshark is affordable and customer-first, and the ability to connect unlimited devices means I never have to worry about juggling multiple accounts. The Nexus feature and Camouflage Mode give me flexibility and discretion when browsing in areas with heavy surveillance or restricted internet access. You can also use it to remove your data from people’s search sites in select countries and improve your digital footprint. For more information, read the full Surfshark review. Pricing Starts at $2.19 per user per month (2-year plan). Other plans: 1-Month plan: $15.45. 1-Year plan: $3.69 per month. Features Unlimited device connections useful for a family or a small team sharing the same VPN account. Nexus network technology for breaking up browsing patterns Camouflage mode to mask VPN usage and make it look like regular internet traffic Manage countries in Surfshark. Image: Surfshark Pros and cons Pros Cons Most affordable among other VPN options Limited data removal, available only in US, Canada, UK, and EU Wide server network Occasional speed dips during peak times. Private search engine with no ads or trackers No live chat support on weekends Data removal and breach

As businesses increasingly shift to cloud-based and virtualized environments, traditional network security approaches — particularly firewalls — are falling short. Virtual firewalls, purpose-built for environments like public and private clouds or Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), have emerged as a critical solution. Their ability to scale dynamically and integrate deeply with virtual infrastructure enables security tailored to the demands of modern, distributed networks. Unlike hardware firewalls, virtual firewalls excel in protecting east-west traffic within virtual networks, safeguarding sensitive data, and enforcing precise policies in multi-tenant environments. They offer an agile, cost-effective approach to cybersecurity, making them indispensable for securing complex, cloud-native architectures while adapting to the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. 1 RingCentral RingEx Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Hosted PBX, Managed PBX, Remote User Ability, and more 2 Talkroute Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Call Management/Monitoring, Call Routing, Mobile Capabilities, and more 3 CloudTalk Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features 24/7 Customer Support, Call Management/Monitoring, Contact Center, and more Virtual firewall vs physical appliance Physical firewalls are hardware-based devices positioned at the network’s edge. A virtual firewall is software-based and operates in virtualized environments, such as cloud infrastructures, VPN or SD-WAN. Unlike traditional hardware firewalls, virtual firewalls are not tied to physical appliances. Instead, they run on virtual machines or hypervisors, inspecting and controlling network traffic between virtual machines, containers, or cloud services. When a physical firewall works well A hardware firewall acts as a gatekeeper for all incoming and outgoing traffic. These are most effective in traditional network setups where traffic flows through a central point. Consider a bank with a centralized data center that handles sensitive customer data and has extremely high volumes of transactions. A hardware firewall has specialized processors, offering consistent performance even under heavy traffic loads. By using a physical appliance, the hardware firewall ensures compliance with strict security standards while delivering the processing power needed to manage the bank’s demanding network traffic. It makes sense here because the firewall is protecting a centralized resource at a single location. When a virtual firewall works well Virtual environments, including public clouds, private clouds, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and SD-WAN, require a more adaptable and integrated approach to security. This is because their network resources and workloads aren’t always tied to physical locations, making traditional firewall placement less effective. Virtual firewalls, in contrast, are software-based solutions that integrate seamlessly into these virtual environments. They provide the same functionalities as physical firewalls but with the added flexibility to move and scale with the virtual network. Virtual firewalls are ideal for controlling access in virtual environments because they can be rapidly deployed, reconfigured, and scaled to meet specific security needs for different parts of the network. They integrate smoothly with cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and can enforce consistent security policies across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures. SEE: Check out this AWS review, our Microsoft Azure cheat sheet, and our guide to GCP to learn more about these platforms.  For example, in a cloud environment, a virtual firewall can secure specific applications or segments of the network, adapting as the cloud infrastructure evolves. It can also scale dynamically to meet the demands of growing workloads, making virtual firewalls ideal for environments that require flexibility, like cloud-native applications. For businesses with remote employees or multiple offices, virtual firewalls enable secure and direct access to network resources without the inefficiencies of routing traffic through a central HQ. This direct access approach reduces latency, improves performance, and maintains a high level of remote work security. So while physical firewalls are still foundational in traditional network architectures, virtual firewalls offer more agility and customization for modern, cloud-centric environments. Five signs you need a virtual firewall Virtual firewalls are great, but they’re not a must-have for everyone. If you’re just an average computer user, a basic home network firewall is going to be fine. Obviously, if you are a homebrew hacker with lots of assets in the cloud, you would want to look into a virtual firewall — but your average home user is not going to have to worry about this. For businesses, there are a few tell-tale signs that you do need the robust security of a virtual firewall. So here’s how to know whether you need this extra security measure or not. 1. You have multiple offices If you have a distributed enterprise that spans multiple geographical locations, relying on a centralized hardware firewall at your headquarters to manage all network traffic can lead to big challenges. It will often result in increased latency and bottlenecks, as all your data must travel through the HQ, regardless of its final destination. Virtual firewalls are a more efficient and effective solution. By deploying these firewalls across both the headquarters and branch offices, you can ensure a direct and secure connection to network resources for each office. This decentralized approach will reduce latency, improve overall network performance, and allow you to use consistent security policies across the whole organization. The extra flexibility of virtual firewalls also enables administrators to customize security settings for each office based on specific needs or risk profiles. For example, an office handling sensitive customer data or managing cloud point-of-sale systems might require additional layers of security compared to other offices, which might handle less vulnerable information. Virtual firewalls facilitate this level of customization, making them great if you have a business where security needs vary significantly from one location to another. For companies with multiple offices, virtual firewalls aren’t just a luxury but a necessity. They’re a streamlined, adaptable, and secure way to manage network traffic and protect against cyber threats. 2. Your business operates in a