Frequently Answered Questions
What does a VPN do?
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A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It’s like a private tunnel that shields your online activity from prying eyes, including hackers, internet service providers, and even public Wi-Fi snoopers.
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A VPN helps protect:
Your internet activity (like browsing history, streaming habits, or site logins)
Your IP address and location (by masking where you're connecting from)
Your data on public networks (like coffee shops or airports)
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Yes, especially for remote teams or anyone working outside the office. A VPN:
Secures sensitive communications and file transfers
Protects customer data and internal tools
Helps meet compliance requirements in regulated industries
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Sometimes, slightly. Because your traffic is being encrypted and routed through a private server, it may cause a minor speed drop, but many modern VPNs are optimized for fast performance.
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Yes. A VPN protects your data in transit, but it doesn’t replace antivirus or antimalware tools. Think of a VPN as one layer of a smart security strategy.
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Absolutely. Most VPN providers offer easy-to-use apps for mobile devices so you’re protected whether you’re working from your laptop or checking emails from your phone.
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That depends on your needs, some are better for speed, others for privacy, and others for team access and device management. If you’re not sure what’s right for you or your business, reach out to us. We’re happy to help.
Quick Fixes for Common Tech Problems
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Restart your router & modem – Unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
Move closer to the router – Walls and distance weaken the signal.
Check for interference – Avoid placing your router near microwaves, cordless phones, or Bluetooth devices.
Limit high-bandwidth activities – Video calls, streaming, and large downloads slow things down.
Update your router’s firmware – Check your router’s settings or manufacturer’s website.
Upgrade your plan or equipment – If speeds are still slow, your business may need a stronger router or better internet plan.
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Restart your modem and router – Unplug both for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
Check for loose cables – Ensure all cords are securely connected.
Move closer to your WiFi router – Weak signals cause drops.
Reduce network congestion – Disconnect unused devices hogging bandwidth.
Switch to a wired connection – If possible, use an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
Contact your internet provider – Frequent drops may indicate a larger issue.
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Check your internet speed – Use Speedtest.net to see if your connection is stable.
Reduce network congestion – Close unused apps, pause large downloads, and limit other devices using WiFi.
Restart your VoIP phone or app – Power cycle your device and try again.
Plug directly into your router – If using WiFi, try using a wired Ethernet connection for better stability.
Prioritize VoIP traffic – Log into your router’s settings and enable Quality of Service (QoS) for VoIP.
Check with your provider – If the problem persists, your VoIP provider may need to adjust settings.
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Check your internet connection – Open a webpage to confirm you’re online.
Restart your email app or browser – Sometimes a simple refresh fixes the issue.
Verify login credentials – Double-check that your username and password are correct.
Check email storage limits – If your inbox is full, delete old messages or upgrade storage.
Look at spam or junk folders – Some emails may be wrongly filtered.
Confirm server settings – If using a custom domain (e.g., boldtechpartners.com), check with your IT provider.
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Restart your computer – A fresh boot clears temporary files and speeds things up.
Close unused programs – Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to see what's hogging resources.
Free up storage – Delete old files, clear the recycle bin, and remove unnecessary apps.
Run a virus scan – Use a trusted antivirus tool to check for malware.
Disable unnecessary startup programs – Go to Task Manager > Startup (Windows) or System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items (Mac).
Upgrade memory (RAM) or switch to an SSD – If your computer is outdated, these upgrades can make a huge difference.
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Use a Single Sign-On (SSO) solution – Platforms like Okta or Microsoft Entra ID allow one login for multiple apps.
Consolidate tools – Reduce the number of platforms by choosing all-in-one solutions (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
Train employees on best practices – Hold quick training sessions on how to manage passwords and access tools efficiently.
Use a password manager – Store logins securely in a tool like Bitwarden or Dashlane.
Set up role-based access – Restrict employees to only the tools they need.
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Check your internet speed – Use Speedtest.net and aim for at least 10 Mbps upload speed.
Close other programs – Shut down extra browser tabs and apps using bandwidth.
Switch from WiFi to wired Ethernet – A direct connection is more stable.
Adjust video settings – Lower resolution in Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet for better performance.
Update your software – Make sure your video conferencing app is up to date.
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Check if another app is using the webcam/mic – Close apps like Zoom, Skype, or Teams and try again.
Restart your computer – This often fixes hardware detection issues.
Check privacy settings – On Windows: Settings > Privacy > Camera/Microphone and allow access. On Mac: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Camera/Microphone.
Update drivers – Go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) to update webcam/microphone drivers.
Try a different USB port (for external webcams/mics) – The current port might be faulty.
Test with another app – If Zoom doesn’t work, try Google Meet or Microsoft Teams to rule out a software issue.
How do I?
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Click the three dots in the top-right corner
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security
Click Clear browsing data
Select Cached images and files (you can leave other boxes unchecked if you only want to clear the cache)
Click Clear data
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Click Safari in the top menu bar
Select Preferences > Advanced
Check the box for "Show Develop menu in menu bar"
Then click Develop > Empty Caches
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On iPhone (Safari):
Go to Settings > Safari
Tap Clear History and Website Data
On Android (Chrome):
Open Chrome and tap the three dots
Go to History > Clear browsing data
Choose Cached images and files
Tap Clear data
More Technology FAQs
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A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It’s like a private tunnel that shields your online activity from prying eyes, including hackers, internet service providers, and even public Wi-Fi snoopers.
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How often should I clear it?
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On iPhone (Safari):
Go to Settings > Safari
Tap Clear History and Website Data
On Android (Chrome):
Open Chrome and tap the three dots
Go to History > Clear browsing data
Choose Cached images and files
Tap Clear data
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Nope, not if you only clear cached images and files. Just make sure not to select options like “passwords” or “browsing history” unless you want to remove those too.
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AI (short for Artificial Intelligence) is a type of technology that enables machines to mimic human intelligence. That means learning from data, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and even improving over time, without needing to be manually programmed for every task.
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AI learns from data. Think of it like this: if you show an AI enough examples, like photos of cats or customer reviews, it starts to notice patterns. This process is called machine learning, and it’s what helps AI make predictions, suggestions, or decisions based on what it’s seen before.
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Not quite. Automation follows rules, it does what you tell it. AI is smarter. It adapts and responds based on data and context. The two often work together, but AI brings a layer of decision-making.
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Absolutely. AI tools can help with:
Customer support (customer sentiment data analysis, call transcription, chatbots)
Analyzing data for insights
Writing emails or content
Managing inventory or scheduling
And a lot of this can happen without needing a tech team.
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That’s where we come in! If you’re curious about how AI could save time or uncover opportunities in your business, we’d be happy to explore it with you- no jargon, no pressure.
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Probably more places than you realize. AI powers:
Voice assistants like Siri or Alexa
Spam filters in your email
Product recommendations on shopping sites
Chatbots that help with customer service
Auto-suggestions when you type in Google