How to improve your web security

16 November, 2014 by James Staples

I'm here to help! I can provide support either in person or remotely. Please call or contact me for details.

The Problem

On a weekly basis we sign up for more and more services as our lives move online. Having to create a unique, complex password password for each and remember it is near impossible so instead we use the same familiar one everywhere. At the very least, a password should contain:

Uppercase letters
Lowercase letters
Numbers
Punctation
At least 14 characters

This comic strip summarises the last 20 years of password creation!

Scroll down to Solutions

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How to check for a software update on iPad or iPhone

17 September, 2014 by James Staples

This is the process on an iPhone but you can take the same steps on an iPad.

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Backing up to iCloud (and buying more space if required)

17 September, 2014 by James Staples

Before updating your iPhone to the lastest version of it’s iOS always a good idea to backup, just in case the update fails to migrate your data. Follow these steps to use iCloud for your backup.

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New iPhone / iPad operating system – how to update

17 September, 2014 by James Staples

iOS 8 – the latest version of the iPhone and iPad operating system is due for release this Wednesday, 17th September. It brings a host of new features as well as a new look and contains fixes for remaining bugs in iOS 7.

Before updating your phone it is always a good idea to backup. You can either do this using iTunes on your computer or via iCloud (or both if you prefer the belt and braces approach).

Many people I talk to had have had iCloud backup enabled previously but they ran over the free 5GB limit after taking photos and videos over time without deleting the unwanted ones. Whilst doing this as you go is a good idea you may still get to the stage where you need more space, especially if your backing up an iPad and an iPhone on the same iCloud account (the limit is shared between your devices). The good news is that recently, Apple significantly reduced the price of upgrade storage. Where previously you could buy an extra 15GB for £14 per year, you now get an extra 15GB for £7.49. This will back up your iPhone and iPad and iPod touch daily when locked, plugged in and connected to wifi.. Well worth it if your iPhone drops out your pocket and into the loo or you drop your iPad on the kitchen floor.

I’ve produced some simple, step by step guides to backing up and checking for a software update to walk you through.

Taking a screenshot on your iPad or iPhone

6 September, 2013 by James Staples

If you need to remember, take note of, or share something you can see on your screen, just press the Home button and Sleep button on your iPad or iPhone simultaneously. This will take a photo which will be saved to your Camera Roll in the Photos App. It will be stored here until you need it or you can send it by email using the share button: