<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
  <channel>
    <title>The Link Source — IT Insights Blog</title>
    <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog</link>
    <description>Expert tips, guides, and news for Houston businesses navigating technology.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000</lastBuildDate>
    <atom:link href="https://thelinksource.com/rss.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
    <item>
      <title>What is AI Process Creation and Optimization?</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/what-is-ai-process-creation-and-optimization</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/what-is-ai-process-creation-and-optimization</guid>
      <description>Every business has work that takes more time than it should. AI process creation means building a step-by-step way for AI to take repetitive tasks off your team&apos;s plate.</description>
      <category>AI Services</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Who Can See What Your AI Note-Taker Records?</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/who-can-see-what-your-ai-note-taker-records</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/who-can-see-what-your-ai-note-taker-records</guid>
      <description>AI note-takers join your meetings, transcribe everything said, and save the recording and summary to the vendor&apos;s servers. Who can see that recording depends on the tool you use.</description>
      <category>AI Services</category>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The ConnectWise Cloud Backup Supply-Chain Attack: How a Trusted Vendor App Reached 173 Microsoft 365 Tenants</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/connectwise-cloud-backup-supply-chain-attack-lessons</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/connectwise-cloud-backup-supply-chain-attack-lessons</guid>
      <description>On October 17, 2026, ConnectWise shut down its Cloud Backup service after attackers hijacked the application&apos;s own identity and signed in to customer Microsoft 365 tenants. No one at the businesses did anything wrong. Here&apos;s what happened, why MFA didn&apos;t help, and what it teaches every business about trusted apps.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>How Stolen Business Credentials End Up on the Dark Web — and What You Can Do About It</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/stolen-business-credentials-dark-web</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/stolen-business-credentials-dark-web</guid>
      <description>A single stolen password doesn&apos;t immediately cause chaos. It may be stored in a leaked database, traded, resold, or used later in an unrelated phishing campaign. Here&apos;s how business credentials end up on the dark web — and the steps you can take to protect your accounts.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>How Can a Password Manager Protect Your Business?</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/how-password-manager-protects-your-business</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/how-password-manager-protects-your-business</guid>
      <description>Stop reusing passwords and start protecting your business accounts the easy way. A password manager is the best way to keep your collection safe — here&apos;s why and how to get started.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Why Local Antivirus Isn&apos;t Enough to Protect Your Business</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/why-local-antivirus-is-not-enough-for-business</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/why-local-antivirus-is-not-enough-for-business</guid>
      <description>A company asked if upgrading their consumer McAfee was a good business security solution. Here&apos;s why the antivirus that comes with your computer isn&apos;t built for business — and what a managed solution should actually cover.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Changing Your Password Isn&apos;t Enough Anymore: Why Attackers Keep Access After a Reset</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/changing-your-password-is-not-enough</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/changing-your-password-is-not-enough</guid>
      <description>A company that wasn&apos;t even our client called us out of the blue after an attacker had access to their email for 10 days — even after a password change. Here&apos;s why resetting a password no longer kicks attackers out, and the steps you must take to fully secure a compromised account.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>That &apos;Free&apos; Download Almost Cost Everything: Why Installing Software from Unfamiliar Websites Is a Gamble</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/downloading-software-from-unfamiliar-websites</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/downloading-software-from-unfamiliar-websites</guid>
      <description>A client recently downloaded software from a random website — and the security software caught the threat as it was running trying to install. Here&apos;s why that one click could have been catastrophic, and how to protect your business.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>How to Run a &quot;Shadow AI&quot; Audit Without Slowing Down Your Team</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/how-to-run-a-shadow-ai-audit</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/how-to-run-a-shadow-ai-audit</guid>
      <description>Employees are using AI tools without IT approval — and sensitive data may be leaking out. Here&apos;s an easy, repeatable process to discover, classify, and govern shadow AI without disrupting your team.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Windows Server 2016 Is Reaching End of Life: Why Keeping It Around Is a Risk You Can&apos;t Ignore</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/windows-server-2016-end-of-life</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/windows-server-2016-end-of-life</guid>
      <description>Windows Server 2016 extended support ends January 12, 2027. After that date there are no more security patches. See the key dates, your upgrade options and how to plan a migration.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Beyond Chatbots: Preparing Your Small Business for &quot;Agentic AI&quot; in 2026</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/beyond-chatbots-preparing-for-agentic-ai-2026</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/beyond-chatbots-preparing-for-agentic-ai-2026</guid>
      <description>AI is shifting from reactive chatbots to proactive autonomous agents. Learn how small businesses can prepare for Agentic AI with clean data, clear processes, and strong governance.</description>
      <category>AI Services</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>7 VoIP Setup Best Practices to Improve Your Business Phone System</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/voip-setup-best-practices</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/voip-setup-best-practices</guid>
      <description>VoIP can transform how your business communicates — but only if it&apos;s set up correctly. Follow these seven best practices to keep calls smooth, reliable, and efficient.</description>
      <category>Cloud Services</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What Are the Most Helpful VoIP Features for Small Businesses?</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/helpful-voip-features-small-businesses</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/helpful-voip-features-small-businesses</guid>
      <description>From auto-attendants to voicemail transcription, discover the VoIP features that drive efficiency, productivity, and a better caller experience for your business.</description>
      <category>Cloud Services</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>VoIP Cloud Phone Systems vs. Traditional Hard Phone Lines: Why Houston Businesses Are Making the Switch</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/voip-cloud-vs-hard-phone-lines</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/voip-cloud-vs-hard-phone-lines</guid>
      <description>From enabling remote work to scaling instantly, cloud-based VoIP phone systems are replacing legacy copper lines at record pace. Here&apos;s what your business stands to gain — and what to watch out for.</description>
      <category>Cloud Services</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Secure AI for Business: How Organizations Can Harness AI While Protecting Their Data</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/secure-ai-for-business</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/secure-ai-for-business</guid>
      <description>AI has the potential to deliver transformative business value, but organizations must approach adoption strategically. Learn the top 5 things companies can do to secure AI usage.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>10 Reasons Why Firewalls are Essential for Your Servers</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/why-firewalls-are-essential-for-servers</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/why-firewalls-are-essential-for-servers</guid>
      <description>A server without a firewall is an open invitation for trouble. We break down the top 10 reasons why enabling a firewall is non-negotiable for any business server.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Why Houston Businesses Are Switching to Managed IT Services in 2026</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/why-houston-businesses-need-managed-it</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/why-houston-businesses-need-managed-it</guid>
      <description>The days of break-fix IT are over. Discover why more Houston companies are making the move to a proactive managed services model — and what they&apos;re gaining in uptime, security, and peace of mind.</description>
      <category>Managed IT</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Houston Businesses Make (and How to Fix Them)</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/cybersecurity-tips-small-business-houston</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/cybersecurity-tips-small-business-houston</guid>
      <description>From weak passwords to unpatched software, small businesses are often easy targets. Here are the five most common security gaps we see — and exactly how to close them.</description>
      <category>Cybersecurity</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Is Your Houston Business Protected from Data Loss? A Guide to Cloud Backup</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/cloud-backup-disaster-recovery-houston</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/cloud-backup-disaster-recovery-houston</guid>
      <description>Ransomware, hardware failure, accidental deletion — data loss can happen in seconds. Learn how a solid backup and disaster recovery plan keeps your business running no matter what.</description>
      <category>Backup &amp; Recovery</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Break-Fix vs. Managed IT: Which Model Is Right for Your Houston Business?</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/it-support-vs-managed-services</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/it-support-vs-managed-services</guid>
      <description>Not sure whether to pay per incident or move to a flat monthly plan? We break down both models so you can make the right call for your budget and growth goals.</description>
      <category>IT Strategy</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Setting Up a New Houston Office? Don&apos;t Overlook Structured Network Cabling</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/network-cabling-houston-office</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/network-cabling-houston-office</guid>
      <description>Wireless is convenient, but a properly structured cabling system is the backbone of a reliable, high-performance office network. Here&apos;s what you need to know before moving in.</description>
      <category>Infrastructure</category>
      <pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>10 Microsoft 365 Features Houston Businesses Aren&apos;t Using (But Should Be)</title>
      <link>https://thelinksource.com/blog/microsoft-365-tips-productivity</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://thelinksource.com/blog/microsoft-365-tips-productivity</guid>
      <description>Most companies use less than 20% of their Microsoft 365 subscription. We highlight the tools that can save your team hours every week — from Teams integrations to automated workflows.</description>
      <category>Productivity</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
