Parental controls have become a handy tool for parents that are looking to balance their kids, tween, and teen screen time by blocking online sites and setting time limits.
     Whenever you limit kids' screen time with their devices, it’s going upset your younger family members. It is  important to limit the time your children spend in front of the screen. Most sites and games they play are designed to keep them engaged. Kids always think they know more than their parents and bypassing parental controls.is one of the ways they try to get the upper hand. 
     Want to make sure your kids aren't pulling the wool over your eyes? Here are some ways you can prevent your kids from getting around parental controls.
     Keep in mind there are many devices you can use for parental controls. You can configure routers to keep your kids in check and there are many apps that you can download on their devices for parental controls. In this digital age we live in, there are many methods kids can use to circumvent parental controls.
     If you use the following steps, you should be able to have a good handle of making sure you parental controls stay secure.
 
1. Your kid tries to perform factory reset to their devices.
     On many devices resetting a smartphone, tablet, computer, or, gaming system back to factory defaults will remove the parental control settings. For any device you are using for parental controls, you should always have an admin account and a user account. This way, the device your kids are using doesn't have the ability to have changes made to it.
 
2. Your kid tries to access the admin account to change or remove privileges.
     Kids are crafty and will do anything to get full access to their devices. Whatever you are using for parental controls, make sure you keep the master password safe. To make things even more secure, set up two-factor authentication on your parental control app or device so you are alerted to any unauthorized changes to parental controls.
 
3. Your kid tries to connect to another Wi-Fi network.
     If you have an in-home unit like Disney Circle (www.meetcircle.com), Gryphon (www.gryphonconnect.com), ASUS (www.asus.com), or Netgear (www.netgear.com), as long as their devices are connected to your network, you are safe.
     If you find your kid wants to take their devices over to friends’ homes, they might be using the opportunity to connect to another network to access the stuff they aren't supposed to be accessing.
 
4. Your kid tries to use a VPN.
     A VPN or virtual private network is normally used when you are trying to keep your location and places you visit on the web secret. Your kids and set up a VPN (usually on a computer) to get around your home Wi-Fi and device parental control settings.
     Using app-based parental controls work best because it protects the device regardless of what network they are connected to.
 
5. Your Kid tries to delete the parental control app.
     Most kids are smart enough to install and uninstall apps on their devices. Some parental controls software will alert you if the app is removed from a device. For total protection, set up your devices under a family account. Android, Apple, and Windows devices allow you to configure their devices so you can view the activity on all of the devices under that account. Doing so allows you to see if new apps are installed and if apps are being removed from them.
     Sometimes, no matter what you do, some kids are just extremely motivated to get around those parental control settings. For the ultimate protection, it's sometimes best to go 'old school' and take their devices away at bedtime. It always helps as a backup to parental controls that you look at their devices once a week to view the activity. 
     Unfortunately, there isn't a one solution fits all for parental controls so it's best you get a little familiar with the devices you purchase for your kids so you can keep them safe from all of the threats out on the Internet and make sure they have a good balance with their screen time.
 
     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and easy to use for everyone!
 
     If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral.
     My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. 
 

1. Understand what backup is. 
     For those of you who don't know, backing up is the practice of making sure your files are copied to multiple places. In the event of a technology disaster, you can recover your files and continue where you left off.
     You can always buy new devices, but you can never replace photos, videos, and documents that are stored on your devices in a ransomware attack.
     The act of backing up isn't too hard of a process, but knowing the right way to backup your information can be a challenge because there are so many backup technologies out there. Here are the different forms of backup:

External hard drive.
An external hard drive is a device that usually plugs into your desktop or laptop computer. With the aid of Windows File History or Apple's Time Machine, your files are automatically copied to your external hard drive. Seagate: (www.seagate.com) and Western Digital (www.wd.com) are the top manufacturers of external hard drives.

Network Access Storage.
This device is like an external hard drive on steroids. You can use this device to store large amounts of files (provided you are backing up the Network Access Storage) or you can backup massive amounts of data directly to it, acting as a file server for your home or office network. NAS devices can also be accessed from remote destinations offering you or your business a personal cloud storage service. Western Digital (www.wd.com) QNAP (www.qnap.com) and Buffalo (www.buffalotech.com) are the top manufacturers of NAS drives.

Cloud Services.
Basically the cloud is someone else's computer. The whole purpose is for you to be able to access your files from anywhere in the world. You can choose to just store files in the cloud or you can send your backup to the cloud as well. There are two ways the cloud works. Cloud Storage: services like OneDrive (www.onedrive), DropBox (www.dropbox.com) , Box (www.box.com, and Google Drive (www.google.com) allows you to store your files in the cloud for the sole purpose of you being able to access your files anywhere in the world. Cloud Backup: Cloud Backup services like Carbonite (www.carbonite.com) or BackBlaze (www.backblaze.com) will automatically backup your files to the cloud and keep multiple copies in the case something catastrophic happens to your files.

2. Understand How Ransomeware works.
     Ransomware is probably one of the most destructive forms of viruses out there. Like other forms of cybercrime, ransomware requires user interaction which means you should always be cautious of what you click on in emails, websites, and text messages.
     What makes ransomware so deadly is it will work to spread to other computers on your personal or company network, mapped drives, and cloud storage devices and cloud backup services. This is why more companies and individuals need to have multiple forms of backup to ensure files are kept safe. 
 
3. Understand how backup software works.
     For external hard drives and NAS devices, Windows users can take advantage of File History to backup files to an external hard drive. Macintosh users can use Time Machine. Both File History and Time Machine automatically save the files on your computer and store them to your backup device. Time Machine is the superior software as it performs a backup of your entire mac and makes multiple copies. If your computer is hit with ransomware, you can restore it from a previous copy. 
     Although Windows File History works well, it is advised that you use the backup software that Western Digital and Seagate Provide with their devices because it allows you to create multiple backups. With cloud backup services, the process is simple.
     Once you install the backup software from the service, your computers are backed up as soon as you connect to the internet. Every time you save a file or files to your computer, it's sent to the cloud instantly. Keep in mind this does not happen when you use services like DropBox or Box.
 
4. What about my mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
     At the current time, ransomware is very rare for smartphones or tablets. To keep this and other threats off your devices, watch where you visit and what apps you download. Also, Apple users need to always use iCloud (www.icloud.com) to automatically backup information on iOS devices and Android users need to enable Google Drive and Google Photos to backup information.

5. How can I keep my Backups Safe From Ransomware?
     Well, the truth is with Ransomware, there is no way to keep them away from your backups once they are on your computers and network. This is why it's important to train yourself and your staff on how to keep safe from the threats out there. Remember, 99% of all cybercrime requires user interaction which means to activate ransomware, you have to click on a link in an email or web site, or download an attachment to your computer for most of these viruses to do damage.
​
     One of the best practices for keeping your files safe from ransomware attacks is to have an onsite backup using an external hard drive that is keeping at least three backup copies of your files and offsite backup with a cloud service provider that is always keeping multiple copies of your files. Onsite backups are important because if disaster strikes, you can quickly get access to your files. With a cloud backup service, it could take days to get your information back. For most of us, we can't wait days to get access to precious photos and videos or important business documents.
 
     When it comes to Ransomware or any other cyber threats to your computers or devices, prevention is the first step that you need to take. You will be better prepared if you know what you are up against. Always check your backups to make sure they are doing their job and working around the clock to keep your files safe and secure.
     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and easy to use for everyone!
     If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. 
 

     Technology has been used in a variety of ways to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Google and Apple joined forces to implement a new feature in your smartphones and tablets that will allow your devices to keep track of who has been infected and following up with people who have come in contact with those who have the virus.
     On paper, this sounds great but I'm sure the biggest questions you're asking are 'Is this feature safe to use on my smart devices?' and 'How it will affect my privacy?'. With all of the data breaches that have occurred in recent years, these are legitimate questions. Let me put your mind at ease by explaining more about this technology.
 
What is Exposure Tracking?
     Exposure tracing (or contract tracing) has been around for a while and it is the process of trying to keep track of people who have a transmittable disease and attempting to follow up with the people they came in contact with.
     By staying in contact with people, health professionals hope they can prevent further spread of the diseases. If you were to do this process manually, it would take a lot of time to reach out to people, plus you would have to hope that people would remember all of the places they've been and people they had contact with.
 
How Does Mobile Exposure Tracking Work?
     Exposure tracking on Apple and Android devices works the same way as the manual process, except your smartphone or tablet is doing the reporting. It uses a technology called Bluetooth LE (Low Energy). This uses less of your battery's power and has a shorter range of about 30 feet.
     Once this technology is implemented on your device, it will send out a signal to other phones while keeping your information secure. This allows you to anonymously self-report if you test positive for COVID-19 from your device while alerting you if you have come in contact with another phone where the users have reported that they tested positive.
     If someone you come in contact with reports an infection, you get a notification of what step you need to take to keep safe such as self-isolating or visiting a medical professional. The latest updates for Apple and Android devices include the technology for exposure tracking, but by default, it's turned off.
     You have to opt-in in order to use this on your device, and you have to install a compatible contact tracing app. Because this feature is so new, there aren't many tracking apps available. Later in 2020, Apple & Google plan to make exposure tracking work as a standalone technology, eliminating the need for an app.
     If you decide to embrace this technology, it's important to note Apple and Google aren't able to scan for information on your devices, nor can they track your phone's location with this system. They also aren't able to see if you are infected with COVID-19. To keep your information safe, exposure tracking uses an ID system to keep track of the people who have been infected. Only official public health officials and apps can use this technology.
 
How to Enable Exposure Tracking on Your Phone or Tablet.
 
Android:
     Google has included this feature to devices running Android 6 Marshmallow and above from an update to Google Play Services. If you want to turn it on, go to Settings > Google; select COVID-19 exposure notifications, and turn it on. Remember, at this time you have to download an exposure tracking app also to make this work.
 
Apple:
     Exposure notifications were integrated with iOS 13.5. If you're on an older version of iOS, you need to update your device. After that, go to Settings > Privacy and select Health. From here, tap COVID-19 Exposure Logging and you can enable the feature. As with Android, you'll need to have a compatible public health app installed to use it.
 
Watch out for scams.
     Cybercriminals always take advantage of crises, and the coronavirus pandemic is no exception. Keep on the lookout for any COIVD-19 phishing attempts that attempt to mimic contact tracing. If you haven't signed up for contract tracing, you won't get any alerts on your devices.
     That said, if you receive a text message or an email claiming that you've been in contact with an infected individual, ignore it.  It's fake. Alerts will only come from within the approved app you've installed on your device. Also, keep in mind that most places in the US aren't conducting manual contact tracing to comply with social distancing. 
     Criminals might disguise themselves as contact tracers in order to get your personal sensitive information. If you get a call saying that you may have been near an infected person, make sure you get as much information as you can about the person or business that's calling before you give out personal information.
 
Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and exciting for you.

If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
 

     With many communities reopening, it's important that you know how to continue to stay safe from the coronavirus. Whether you're going to head back outside or you prefer to continue to shelter in place, there are some steps you need to take to reduce your exposure to COVID-19 and to lower the chances that you will spread it to someone else.
     Regardless of how much of a threat you think this virus is, keeping yourself and your home sanitized helps everyone out. To help you out, I've put together this handy reopening toolkit to help you.
 
1. Wash Your Hands and Keep Them Moisturized.
     The most important step to lower your risk to COVID-19 is to wash your hands. Do this after you cough or sneeze, use the restroom (public or private), and when you're leaving one place to another. Regular soap and water will do as long as you perform the 20-second wash (remember the whole bit on social media of saying your ABCs while washing your hands?)
     If you don't want to spend your time searching out soap, hand sanitizer will do in a pinch. Keep in mind that using soap and water is much easier on your hands. You should probably moisturize your hands once in a while as well, to keep them from getting dry and brittle.
 
2. Wear a Mask or Not ... Your Choice. 
     The CDC recommends that you wear a mask when you're out and about. Not everyone will like this advice, but it's not about keeping you safe, it's about keeping others who at a higher risk safe from the virus. If you don't want to wear a mask, make sure you at least practice good social distancing when in public places.
 
  
3. Clean and Disinfect Your Keys and Credit Cards.
     Did you know 1 in every 12 bank cards and one in seven-dollar bills are contaminated with germs? This goes for your car keys as well. It doesn't do you any good if you are washing your hands but not disinfecting items you will carry with you and use when you are out and about. You could wipe your keys and credit cards with disinfecting wipe after each use and wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling money. 
     You could also consider purchasing Phone Soap (www.phonesoap.com). If you follow my blog, hopefully, you know about this wonderful device that uses UV Rays to thoroughly disinfect those items like smartphones as well as keys credit cards and money.
     To further minimize your risks, when making purchases while you are out, you should consider using retailers that have a no-cash policy and that are using contactless pay systems such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Square wireless payment systems.
 
4. Clean and Disinfect Your Home's High-Touch Surfaces.
     It's important you understand that cleaning and disinfecting are two separate things. Cleaning means you removing dirt and grime from surfaces. Disinfecting is the act of killing germs and viruses.
     Researchers have discovered the coronavirus can live on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for up to three days, so it's important that you are cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in your home at least once a day.  
     Everyone's house is a little different, so think about the surfaces you touch the most. Not sure what surfaces are considered high touch, here's a list:
Light switches
Doorknobs
Table surfaces
Kitchen and bathroom counters
Toilet seats and handles
Kitchen and bathroom faucet knobs
 
     Now that you know what to target, you have several options. You can use Clorox bleach wipes (if you can find them) to properly disinfect.
     I'm a green guy, so I will always recommend eco-friendly products like Pure and Clean's Surface cleaner (www.pureandclean.us). Pure and Clean doesn't use harsh chemicals to make sure your home is disinfected. If you prefer making your own solution, you can mix 50% water with 50% of a solution of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.
 
5. Don't Forget to Clean and Disinfect Your Tech Devices.
     Tech devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, remotes, keyboards, mice, and portable gaming systems are high-touch items. Unlike your high home items, you can't use bleach or vinegar on these items as they can ruin the device.
     Instead, you want to stick with the eco-friendly Pure and Clean Surface Cleaner or your homemade solution of water and rubbing alcohol. When you clean your tech items, always use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving scratches on your tech toys and like your household items, let the cleaning solution sit on your device for at least 3 minutes so they are properly disinfected.
     If you want an easy way to clean all of those gadgets at once consider purchasing Home Soap. From the makers of Phone Soap, this device is large enough to hold smaller laptops, tablets, phones, remotes, and more allowing you to disinfect all of those tech items at once.
     Also, to keep the germs off your smartphone, consider purchasing the Tech21 Anti-Microbial Case (www.tech21.com) This case promises to reduce the number of germs and microbes that grow on your phone.
  
  
6. Consider Enabling 'Contract Tracing' on Your Smartphone and Tablet.
     Keep in mind that a virus doesn't spread itself, people spread a virus which is why Apple and Android have teamed up to develop Exposure Notification. This technology combined with specific apps, will help the authorities notify you if you have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus.
     You also have the option to able to update your status if you test positive. The whole process is supposed to be completely anonymous, but there have been concerns about the amount of information that will be shared with Apple, Android, and the government if you use this feature.
     Only 3 states have signed on board for this service, but it's my recommendation that it becomes available in your area and you find yourself venturing out more and more, that you enable this feature on your smartphone and tablet.

     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and exciting for you.

If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
 

​     I hope everyone is doing well with this quarantine. My wife and I both run essential businesses, so life hasn't changed much for us.
    I know it's tough, but remember that we are all in this together working towards keeping everyone healthy. At this point, you've probably run out of things to do while you're isolated at home, so I've come up with some tech-related spring cleaning tips to help you pass the time.
     These tips aren't mandatory but can help add a little more organization to your life.
1. Organize and digitize those old photos, slides, and videos.
     Remember that project of collecting those old photo albums and making them digital? Now is a great time to make that happen. You can use your all in one printer to scan in photos from that photo album. Have photos that are stuck in the cellophane of the photo album? Use the camera from your smartphone to make them digital.
     Videos are a little tricky, those you will have to send off to have them converted to a digital format. Looking for a place domestically to send them? Check out Ken Smithers with Picture This Video (https://picture-this-video-inc.business.site/). This 'Video Archeologist' can convert videotapes from any format to digital. Once you convert those photos and videos to digital, you can use Google Photos to backup and save those precious memories...you can even share your account details so other members of your family can enjoy them as well.
     If you're looking to have a complete collection of your photos and videos, consider downloading them from your Facebook account.
2. Update (or create) your LinkedIn account.
     Doesn't matter if you've been laid off, any spare time is a good time to update your LinkedIn account. Don't have one? It's time to create one. When you send your resume and cover letter to prospective employers, the first place they will check you out is on social media, specifically LinkedIn.
     When making changes to your profile, update your job information and make sure you upload a professional photo.
 
3. Speed up that slow computer or device.
     Yes, you probably don't have any place to go, but there's no need for dealing with a slow device. With technology, less is more. Start by limiting the number of items that startup with your computer, phone, and tablet. On computers, you can disable programs that startup when you turn it on.
     With smartphones and tablets, you want to close out some of the apps that are running in the background. If you have an older computer, consider upgrading the hard drive to an SSD or solid-state hard drive.
 
4. Take advantage of that free credit report. 
     I think cyber crime has affected all of us. You need to keep on top of your credit score by using free tools like Credit Karma (www.creditkarma.com) or Annual Credit Report (AnnualCreditReport.com). Keeping on top of your credit lets you know if criminals have access to your personal data.
5. Update Your Devices.
     I know most of you have put off updating your devices because they are a pain in the butt. Now that you have the time, download those security updates you've been putting off for your Windows, Macintosh, Smartphone, or Table. Security updates are posted to protect you from the latest threats.

6. Erase yourself from people search websites.
     No one wants their personal information on the web, but in our digital world personal data is king. There is no limit to the organizations that are selling your data to advertisers and businesses. You can pay a fee to services like DeleteMe.
     You can also go through the task of deleting old email accounts, eliminating social media accounts you don't use and writing to Google to remove your information from websites. It won't happen in a day, but you can regain control of your privacy.
     As I stated, these aren't technology tips that are required. You can choose to do them or not do them. Of course, it will be of great benefit to you if you follow these tips and at the very least, it will give you something to occupy your mind so you don't succumb to quarantine Madness.

     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and exciting for you.

If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
 

​     Everyone across the nation is working from home and to alleviate that feeling of isolation we are all relying on video conference. With this wonderful piece of technology, we can check in with our teammates, consult with our customers, communicate with our family and have virtual happy hours with our colleagues.
     Before you jump on the video conference and start using a particular piece of software, there are some things you need to take in to consideration like what is the best software application for you and what things you need to have in place before you use video chat.  Follow my tips to find out what things you need to have in place.


How fast are you surfing the web?
     Before you even begin to think about streaming video, you need to get a good idea of how fast your internet is at home with your land-based Internet and your cellular provider. Get in contact with your Internet provider to find out what your plan is and if you're getting unlimited Internet, especially if you're wanting to stream video from your smartphone.
     Why? Video uses a LOT of data and if you're on a limited plan, you can burn through your data quickly.  Once you confirm you're not on a limited data plan, visit Ookla's Speedtest (www.speedtest.net) or download the app to your smart device. This service allows you to check out your current Internet speed so you can compare it to what Internet speed plan you are paying for and if your speeds are consistent.
     Fast, reliable Internet is important.  When you run the test, the most important number is your download speed which should be at least 20 Mbps (Megabits Per Second) or higher.  The faster the download speed, the faster you can stream video on your computer or phone. You can also use it to troubleshoot if you're having connectivity issues with your Internet provider.  

What do I do about 'Zoom Bombing'?  
     Zoom Bombing is the act of an unwanted participant joining and interacting in your video conference. These interlopers can display offensive images and use offensive language. They can also send the participants files to infect their devices with malware and ransomware.  They can also get access to your Zoom cloud account if you store your recorded Zoom videos in the cloud. With the rise of 'Zoom Bombing', the issues of security have popped up, making many people rethink their strategy for video conferencing. 
     You can continue to use Zoom, but you want to take the following steps if you do:

1. Add a Zoom meeting password
2. Disable File Transfers
3. Disable "Join Before Host"
4. Change Screen sharing to “host-only”
5. Disable the feature to Allow removed participants to rejoin”

Do you mind if people listen to your video conversations?
     Depending on what type of information you plan to share during your video call, you want to be selective about which service you use. If you want your video chats secured, make sure the service you're using has end to end encryption.
     Simply put, end to end encryption allows your chat to be secure and private. Without it, there a possibility your conversations can get into the hands of people who want to steal your personal or business data. When using video conferencing apps that use End to End encryption they will use more of your Internet data.

Universal appeal.
     When considering video conferencing software, you want to consider software available on every platform.  For example, Apple's Facetime is one of the oldest video chat software around.  It's easy to use and it offers end to encryption. It's perfect for secure connections with customers and family members that have iPhones, but sorry Apple users, we still live in a Windows world and not everyone has an iPhone.

What are your choices?

1. Zoom. 
     You can't talk about video conferencing software without talking about Zoom.  It's easy to use and it's available for every tech device on the market.  For most users, the features offered in a free account are more than enough for video calls and webinars from 2 to 100 or more connections. One of my favorite features includes the ability to share your screen during video calls and the fact you can record video from your calls. 
     End to end encryption is automatically enabled in Zoom chat, but you need to enable end to end encryption for video by going logging in to your Zoom account then going to 'Meeting Settings', then navigate to 'end to end encryption' and slide the switch from off to on.


2. Google Hangouts Meet.  
     If you have a Gmail account, you have access to Google Hangouts. This popular video chat app allows you can share documents, links to websites, your screen, and images. Like Zoom, you can join from any tech device and you can talk to up to 250 users if you have a paid GSuite account.  Unfortunately, Google Hangouts video is encrypted, but it does not have end to end encryption.

3. WhatsApp.
     WhatsApp is probably the most used chatting app on the planet and it has a video chat feature as well. Video calls only work through the iPhone and Android app (so no video calls from a desktop computer). It also has end-to-end encryption which will keep those calls secure.  It isn't a robust as many of the business video chat platforms, but it is good enough to chat with friends and family or a small group of up to 4 people

4. GoToMeeting.
     This is a great video conferencing solution when you need to work with several co-workers and can support up to 150 people.  It works with both Windows and Mac computers and most smartphones. GoToMeeting is powerful enough that you can create personal meeting rooms allowing more than one meeting can take place. It's the only program that allows you to share your mouse and keyboard with the people you are conferenced in with.


5. Cisco Webex.
     Like GoToMeeting, Webex lets you create multiple conferencing rooms, share your screen and send files back and forth. You are able to host up to 200 people, save the video of your presentation and you have end to end encryption for your sessions.

6. Skype/Skype Meetings/Microsoft Teams. 
     Skype has been around forever, but depending on which version you have you are limited on what you can do.  If you have Free Skype, you can video conference from any device and talk with up to 50 people.
     If you are paying for a Microsoft Office 365 account, you can use Skype meetings which allows you to talk up to 250 people and share your screen and files as you can with GoToMeeting and Webex.Skype stands out because it lets you connect with landlines and mobile phones, eliminating the need for everyone you want to meet with to have access to the Skype software. In case you were wondering, Skype does have end to end encryption.

     With most of us working from home, it's important you take the proper steps to figure out how you are going to connect with family, friends coworkers and customers.  Before you jump on the video chat bandwagon, take the time to find out which one is going to work best for you.

     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. If you prefer to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I want to make technology fun and exciting for you.


If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. My team of friendly tech experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help make your technology useful and fun. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.