Hi friend,

First, some fun: a Portal party trick

You can see your GMW Systems hosted site the way it would have looked way back in the 19 (ahem) 90s — on a 50-pound CRT monitor that was somehow only 15 inches wide. It is in the Client Portal under "Web 1.0 Simulator."

It was a Friday project. There was coffee involved. Possibly beer.

Think our portal is too modern or boring? "Ugh, as if!" 😁

Sync: Is your email in a breach?

Data breaches are so common they barely make news anymore. But one this week is worth a mention: a breach at Klue exposed customer support data for LastPass and other companies. Names, phone numbers, support history — not password vaults, but still the kind of data you do not want floating around.

Here is a 10-second habit worth building: go to haveibeenpwned.com and type in your email address. It will show you which breaches your info has appeared in. If you pop up, change that password. If you used that password anywhere else, change it there too.

That is the whole tip. 30 seconds, once a quarter.

Sync: Your phone needs an update

We are good about updating computers. Phones, not so much. But your phone is basically a pocket computer holding way more personal data.

Takes 30 seconds:

Easy win.

Sync: Prime Day shopping trap

Amazon Prime Day is happening right now. If you are shopping the deals, a quick heads-up: check the "sold by" and the price history before you click buy. Some "deals" are just regular prices with a strikethrough.

Keepa and CamelCamelCamel are good free sites for seeing if a price is actually a deal. As always, if you have questions about a tech purchase, just ask.

Sync: WiFi extenders vs. mesh — what’s the difference?

If your WiFi does not reach every corner of your building, a WiFi extender seems like an easy fix. And it is — sort of. It boosts your signal, but it also adds another hop for your traffic. That can introduce double NAT (Network Address Translation), which causes issues with printers, security cameras, gaming consoles, and anything that needs to talk directly between devices on your network.

A mesh WiFi system is usually a better solution. Instead of repeating a signal, mesh nodes create a single seamless network. Your traffic takes the best path, not the only path. No double NAT. No devices that mysteriously stop talking to each other. Just consistent coverage everywhere.

If your network is acting up or you are not sure what setup makes sense for your space, give me a shout. I can help figure out what works.

Sync: AI tools — what’s actually worth it?

AI tools are multiplying fast. I have tested a bunch of them — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity, and more. If you are curious about what AI could actually do for your business, let me know. Happy to point you in the right direction.

The big trend you may have noticed: Microsoft, Google, DNS registrars, hosting companies — they are all pushing chatbot support. Training people to expect less human help.

That is not how I operate. I use AI to automate routine checks and catch issues earlier, but it does not replace knowing your specific setup — including what broke last time. If anything, it frees up more time for the part that matters: helping you directly.

AI for speed. Human for trust.

Sync: GMW Systems updates

Client Portal leveled up:

Your hosting account includes access to the Client Portal at gmwsys.com. From there you can download backups, check uptime, share files securely, manage account settings, and yes, send a fax.

Security update:

We have restricted WordPress admin logins from the general public (it is a huge target). Log into the Client Portal, add your network to the "safe" list, and carry on like normal. All hosting clients got a separate email with step-by-step instructions.

New: GMW Easy Manage:

If WordPress feels like more than you need for a quick update, Easy Manage is a focused layer that lets you update hours, menus, specials, photos, and review form entries from the same Client Portal. No wp-admin required. Free for all GMW Systems hosted sites.

Learn more about GMW Easy Manage →

A couple perks

Referral bonus: Send someone my way who becomes a client — get a free month of hosting or a free hour of consulting.

Non-profits: Discounted pricing year-round. Always happy to support the community.

Questions?

Just reply — I read every message. Or call: 425-320-5823 (VM goes straight to my email, so I will get back to you quickly.)

Until next time: stay secure, enjoy the summer, and back up your data!

-Garrett