Six Ideas Using Technology to Enhance Your Ministry!

Protect, Communicate and Increase Awareness

Code Vapor Technology Services provides low cost, innovative products to make your ministry more effective and in-line with modern expectations.  The core of your mission is still service and meaningful interactions about God’s love for man but using technology can enhance your mission.

Malware and Computer Hacking Is Big Business in 2022!

Most people think it will not happen to them.  They have anti-virus software installed and do not go to questionable websites. Some even have a MAC computer and Macs don't get hacked, right?  Consider this:

  1. North America saw an alarming 105% surge in ransomware cyberattacks last year. The majority of small-business owners are not worried about being the victim of a cyberattack, with 56% stating they are not concerned about being the victim of a hack in the next 12 months, according to a 2021 CNBC Momentive Q3 Small Business Survey. And 24% said they were “not concerned at all.”
  2. Hackers are targeting small business and individual users.  $10 ransomware kits are available on the dark web. No special skills needed!
  3. 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error. (Cybint)
  4. Personal data was involved in 58% of breaches in 2020. (Verizon)
  5. 56% of Americans don’t know what steps to take in the event of a data breach. (Varonis)
  6. 100,000 groups in at least 150 countries and more than 400,000 machines were infected by the Wannacry virus in 2017, at a total cost of around $4 billion. (Technology Inquirer)
  7. Many malware attacks are now come from social engineering and email phishing.

The Bible cautions:

Daniel 12: 4 ...even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Matthew 24:12. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold

Knowledge and technology is increasing so rapidly it it is impossible to keep up.  It is used for good and harm.  What is our responsibility?

Consider this probable scenario:

You have a laptop and it is a very important piece of equipment and it would be hard to live without it!  All your sermons, word processing documents, members lists with personal information, and your bank and church information is just some of the information stored on the device.

You think you have good virus protection software installed and you copy some of your files to a USB drive when you remember.  If you are honest, you reuse many of your passwords and most of the passwords might be easy to guess. You get hundreds of emails every week and some look suspicious at times. You are supposed to 'patch' your software regularly, but you are not really sure what that means?  If something bad happened, you are not sure who you would call?

Very Important!

We use the industry leader in autonomous cyber security,  Sentinel One.

Zero day attacks, ransomware, and fileless threats can bypass traditional antivirus solutions. We use Sentinel One's artificial intelligence (AI) to stay ahead of evolving threats.  This is not a standard antivirus program! With the OS rollback feature, reverse ransomware typically in minutes! For more detail information of how this technology is superior to standard virus protections, click on the title below.

Code Vapor Technology Services uses SentinelOne, the industry best IA driven malware detection and removal software for its customers.  This is a significant advancement in the fight against malware. 

How It Works

Computer virus and malware programs work in a similar manner as a human flu virus infection.  In humans, viruses mutate and infect the human host.  The body’s white blood cells immediately fight the infection and eventually eradicate it if they have seen it previously and developed a defense mechanism against it.  If it is a new virus, the body has to develop a new defense and this takes some time (this is why you can be ill for several days).

  -> INFECTION  ->  RECOGNIZE VIRUS  -> ATTACK and RESOLVE

With computers the virus (computer code) enters the PC (through various methods) and runs its code to start its destructive work.  If the PC has a virus protection program installed (i.e. Bitdefender, Avast, Mcafee, etc.) it detects the code and quarantines it.  If the virus is not known, the virus protection program cannot help.  Unlike the human body, it does not have the intelligence to develop a cure.

Computers have to be infected first, then a virus signature created by a virus protection company and then sent out to PC via the Internet.  The problem is that creating new malware is a global big business!. Thousands of new variants are created every day!

->  INFECT COMPUTERS  -> REPORT THE PROBLEM  -> CREATE NEW SIGNATURE  -> SEND OUT TO PCS

SentinelOne uses a non-signature approach.  Their artificial intelligence (AI) engine looks at all files downloaded and analyses their actions.  Why is this PDF file running a script that is talking to the Internet?  Why are these files being encrypted (Ransomware)?  This solution solves the “zero-day” problem of being the first to be infected with a new malware attack.  No waiting for virus signatures to be discovered  and a solution created. SentinelOne’s propriety solution has been tested and proven to be effective 99.9% of the time.

If a PC’s files starts to become encrypted before SentinelOne shuts it down, it can automatically reverse the operation by replacing the encrypted files with unencrypted files that it has previously backed up.

Compare SentinalOne

This important!  

Researchers from Stanford University and a top cybersecurity organization found that approximately 88 percent of all data breaches are caused by an employee mistake. Human error is still very much the driving force behind an overwhelming majority of cybersecurity problems.

  • Nearly 45% of respondents cited distraction as the top reason for falling for a phishing scam.
  • 57% of remote workers admit they are more distracted when working from home.
  • The top reasons for clicking on phishing emails are the perceived legitimacy of the email (43%) and the fact that it appeared to have come from either a senior executive (41%) or a well-known brand (40%).

No firewall is going to protect you from this class of cyber hacking. Phishing and Spear Phishing are just a few of the methods criminals use to fool you into doing what they want. (Click here for top 14 most common cyber attacks)

You will receive training videos that  teach you how to protect yourself from the latest cyber hacks.  Not only will you know what the latest security security risks are, but how to protect your personal data as well. We use Ninjio's entertaining training video of how to protect yourself. Click here for more information.

The average life of a hard disk is 4-5 years (in a perfect world). When they "crash" there goes all your files and pictures!

What happens when your hard disk crashes or when you get Ransomware?  Do you daily backup your important files?

There are two type of backup: Full and Data Files.  The full backup is the best because it backs up everything (files, Windows operating system, etc).  This takes much longer and can be expensive.

The Data File backup copies you common data files (listed below).  In the event of a failure, Windows can be reinstalled and your data files downloaded from the cloud.

The following files will be automatically backed up twice a day to the cloud. (12:00 pm- 2:oo pm, 9:00 pm - 6:00 am).

  • Word/Pages documents
  • Excel/Numbers documents
  • Powerpoint/Keynote
  • Access databases
  • PDF
  • CSV
  • Outlook

Many cyber criminals gain access to your PC through software vulnerabilities.  Since modern software programs are very complex, they exploit weakness in the software code. Perhaps they get you to click on a link in your email and program runs in the background that exploits one of these weaknesses.

The Patch Management system manages locating Microsoft and third party software patches (vulnerabilities or weakness in the software) and automatically downloads and installs them to your PC.

Is your hard disk failing or running out of space?

Code Vapor will be notified when your hard disk is almost full or is having read/write errors.  Code Vapor can then assist you in replacing the hard disk or evaluating if it is more cost effective to purchase a new PC.

When you need help and you call Code Vapor, the engineer can remote into your PC with your permission and help you in real time.

Ever wonder if it is time to replace your PC? Should I upgrade it? What should I buy?

Code Vapor will make recommendations when it is time to replace your PC with a new one.  A free analysis will be run to determine if you should upgrade components or purchase a new one.  Code Vapor will give you advice on what specs to look for or can provide you with a preconfigured business class PC  as earliest as the next day!

Do you have trusted IT advisor? Code Vapor engineers are experienced and have decades of experience help corporate executive to single owner businesses.

You will be able to email or text your dedicated engineer with your questions and typicaly receive a response back within the same day.  The engineers can help you with hardware issues on your PC, network and Wi-Fi issues in your church, software questions on common software programs, remote conference rooms, streaming, etc.

Make sure your pastor, admin and treasurer is fully covered!

Plan Cost: $29.99/PC/Month

Plan Cost for Churches: $19.99/PC/Month*

*Have five or more staff? Consider our more cost effective Concierge Program.

  • Do you have dead spots in your Wi-Fi coverage?
  • Are you using the new, fast mesh technology?
  • Is your church network isolated and protected from the guest network (and hackers)?
  • Does your church have an effective and appropriate filter?

We have business class solutions that are within your church budget.

When a medium sized church we recently completed, bid out the request for a new firewall, filter, cloud based Wi-Fi mesh systems with six access points, Code Vapor Technology Services was 55% less expensive. This was because of our non-profit pricing and cost effective business class hardware.  Call us for a free consultation.

Covid 19 has readjusted how we work and how we think about about work.  Now many church boards have a remote option for their meetings or classes.  Laptops are fine for individual Zoom or Teams meetings, but not in a room with more than a couple of people.  We have kits that are easy to install and very economical. We have installed these systems in manager's offices, 10' x 15' conference rooms and in large meeting spaces with 50 or more people and they work exceptionally well.

There are several issues to be solved when having a remote session:

  1. Sound. Can you clearly hear the remote people and can they hear everyone in the room?
  2. Visual. Can you see the remote people without squinting and can they see everyone in the room?
  3. Easy of Use: Is the system ready to go without connecting up laptops and plugging in multiple cables?
  4. Affordable:  Conference room systems can be expensive!  We sell a complete kit that our customer's love and it is half the price of other systems!

Click on this link to see photos of completed installations, kit pricing and how it all works.

Display boards are an excellent way to communicate to your congregation.  Placed in the lobby or other strategic locations they provide captivating photo, weather, church calendars and special events.

Fifty inspiring spiritually themed photos are rotated on the main screen.  Listed below are a few samples.

 

 

The display board package includes:

  1. Screen Customization
  2. 50 themed photos
  3. Second rotating screen for announcements
  4. Cloud storage
  5. Training
  6. First year annual software and hosting fee ($20/month)
  7. Computer

Framed (Black) 65" Display board, including TV, shipping:  $1,995

No TV or frame (you supply the TV): $895

We sell OOMA telephone systems and they are the best in the industry.  They have been rated the last 8 years in a row as the best business phone system for small business.

How can this phone system help your ministry?

  1. The virtual assistant will answer all your calls and route them by department, extension or church directory
  2. Office staff can work from home and take calls like they were in the office
  3. There is a virtual assistant for after hours and holidays.
  4. All messages are automatically recorded, transcribed and sent to your email!
  5. Calls can be made and answered on your telephone, cell phone or PC.
  6. Church related calls can be announced before you answer them on your cell phone.  You will be able to tell whether it is church related or personal.
  7. Every user has a direct dial number, fax number and text number. You can keep you personal cell phone number private and use only your new OOMA number.
  8. You can receive and send faxes from your computer.
  9. Free long distance and a 800 number
  10. Conference call bridge
  11. Video conferencing
  12. Keep your same church main telephone number
  13. And many more features

$25/month/user - no contracts - delete or add users at any time!

No physical telephones needed - you can use your cellphone.  Physical phones start at $69.

Code Vapor Technology Services will fully configure your users, virtual assistant, phone numbers and music on hold.  We will pre-program your physical phones and send them to you. Just plug them in and they will work at home or in the church.  Code Vapor will provide training on how to use the phones.  1-3 users one-time setup fee: $250.00

To see all the features go to: OOMA Features For Small Business

 

No Content

We only develop new websites for churches.  If you are a large mega church, you most likely have a nice, modern website.  If you are a smaller congregation, perhaps not.  Our modern, feature rich websites will put you in the class of the mega churches!  The best part is that we can manage the changes for you or better yet we teach your staff on how to update the data.

Take a look at our sample website, Our Word of God Church: https://ourwordofgod.com

A similar websites to this one, costs ~$1,200 - $1,800 plus annual hosting fees.  Give us a call to see how we can create stunning website for your church.

Take action today!

Make sure your assets are protected by purchasing the Church Protection Plan or sign up for our exceptional Concierge IT Services if you have five or more computers.

It is easy to start. Give us a call at the number below or send us an email.  We care about your ministry and offer significants discount to non-profits.

Six Ideas Using Technology to Enhance Your Ministry!

Concierge Service Program for Small Business