Page one
Lead story
Those little jobs add up… delegate them to AI
When people think about AI at work, they often imagine things like writing reports, analysing data, or answering emails.
That’s useful, of course. But it’s not where most of your time goes.
In a typical working day, it’s the smaller jobs that really slow things down. Following up after meetings, tidying documents, fixing spreadsheets, chasing information.
They’re not difficult but combined they eat into hours you’d rather spend elsewhere.
This is where tools like Microsoft Copilot are becoming genuinely helpful.
Take meetings as an example.
The real time cost usually comes afterwards. Notes need checking, actions need confirming, and anyone who missed the call needs catching up.
Copilot in Teams can summarise discussions in a more practical way, pulling out decisions, highlighting what still needs doing, and helping people get straight to the important points.
It’s a similar story with writing.
Most people aren’t staring at a blank page. They’re trying to improve something that already exists. A draft might be too long, unclear, or not quite right for the audience.
Copilot can reshape that content, tighten it up, and adjust the tone without you having to rewrite everything from scratch.
Spreadsheets are another common frustration.
You know what you want the outcome to be but remembering how to get there isn’t always straightforward.
Instead of searching for formulas or watching tutorials, you can describe what you need in plain language and let Copilot handle much of the process.
Microsoft has also started bringing everything together more effectively.
Shared pages and notebooks mean ideas, notes, and files don’t end up scattered across different tools.
It becomes easier to keep projects moving without constantly switching between apps.
And for those repetitive tasks that crop up every day, simple workflows can now be created just by describing the process.
Routine updates, reminders, and approvals can run in the background without needing manual input each time.
As a reassurance, this isn’t to replace people. It’s to remove the small points of friction that build up during the day.
When those start to disappear, work feels smoother, and your team can focus more on the things that move the business forward.
If that sounds like something you’d like to learn more about, we can help. Get in touch.
Did you know?
Did you know… AI is more subtle in Windows 11?
In Notepad, the Copilot branding has been removed and replaced with a simple “Writing tools” icon, even though the features themselves still work in the background.
In the Snipping Tool, the Copilot button has disappeared entirely.
The tools are still there if you want them, but they’re now less prominent and easier to ignore if you don’t.
Pages two and three
New to Microsoft
A new way to make your screen more comfortable
A feature called Screen Tint is being tested in Windows 11.
It gives you a range of colour filters you can apply to your display. These include options designed to reduce eye strain, make reading easier, and help with light sensitivity. You can also adjust the strength of the effect or create your own custom tint.
It builds on the existing Night Light feature but offers more flexibility and control.
Fun tech quiz
Think you can ace this month’s tech quiz? July-ing
- What does ISP stand for?
- What type of software controls a computer’s hardware and provides a platform for applications?
- What is the term for the smallest unit of data in a computer system?
- What does Bit stand for?
- In which decade was the first hard disk drive introduced?
Fun tech quiz answers
Fun tech quiz answers
- Internet Service Provider
- Operating System
- Bit
- Binary Digit
- 1950s (1956)
Tech facts
- Researchers have created an AI system that can solve complex maths problems and check its own work. In just 80 hours, two cooperating AI agents recently solved a mathematical problem that’s remained unsolved since 2014. Then it formally verified the proof without human input. One part works through the problem, while the other checks the logic using a specialised theorem system.
- Engineers have built a computer that works with no electricity at all. Using metal bars and springs, they created a mechanical system that can perform basic calculations, like counting or recognising patterns. It works by using the physical movement and “memory” of materials, rather than electronic circuits.
- On 26th April 1999, one of the most destructive computer viruses ever unleashed its damage. Known as the CIH or Chernobyl virus, it could overwrite a PC’s BIOS, the core system software, leaving machines completely unusable. Hundreds of thousands of computers were affected, with widespread disruption across Asia and Europe.
Technology update
Cyber attacks are getting better disguises
A fake Windows update page has been discovered that closely mimics a genuine Microsoft support site. It offers what appears to be a normal update for Windows 11, complete with official-looking details and a download button.
Really, it installs malware designed to steal data.
What makes this worrying is how realistic it is, even using legitimate tools to avoid detection.
Inspirational quote of the month
“Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself.”
Bill Gates, businessman and co-founder of Microsoft.
Page four
Page four lead story
The inbox hiding place you don’t think to check
If a cyber criminal got into your email account, you’d probably change your password straight away.
That’s the obvious fix.
But it doesn’t always solve the problem.
There’s a simple feature inside your inbox that attackers are using to stay hidden, even after you’ve locked them out.
It’s called inbox rules.
You may have used them.
They’re the settings that automatically move emails into folders, flag messages, or forward certain emails to someone else.
They’re designed to help you stay organised.
But they’re also very easy to misuse.
When someone gains access to an email account, often one of the first things they do is create their own hidden rules.
These can forward copies of emails to an external address, move important messages out of sight, or mark them as read so you never notice them.
And it can happen almost instantly. In some cases, these rules are created within seconds of a breach.
That gives the attacker a huge advantage.
They can monitor conversations, intercept sensitive information, and even hide security alerts that might otherwise warn you something’s wrong.
If they’re targeting your finance team or leadership, they can also watch for opportunities to impersonate you or redirect payments.
If you change your password but don’t remove those rules, the attacker may still have visibility of your emails.
But this is relatively easy to check.
Inbox rules must be named, and unusual or meaningless names can be a red flag.
It’s worth reviewing them periodically, especially after any suspected security issue.
Modern cyber attacks don’t always rely on complex techniques. Sometimes they use everyday features in ways most people wouldn’t think to look out for.
If you’d like to make sure your business email is as secure as it can be, we’d love to help. Get in touch.
Q&A
Q&A
Q: How do I know if my business is protected from cyber attacks?
A: The only way to be sure is to review it. Regular security checks will show where you’re covered and where there might be gaps.
Q: Are we using the cloud in the right way?
A: Not always. Many businesses use parts of the cloud without a clear plan. A quick review can often improve performance, security, and cost.
Q: What’s the easiest way to improve our IT setup?
A: Start with the basics. Strong passwords, multi factor authentication, and regular updates make a bigger difference than most people expect.
Business gadget of the month
The Keychron V6 Max
You’re halfway through a busy day, typing constantly… and your keyboard just isn’t keeping up. It feels cheap, a bit clunky, and slows you down more than you realise.
The Keychron V6 Max fixes that.
It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard that makes typing smoother, faster, and more accurate. You can customise how the keys feel, and there’s a handy volume knob for quick adjustments during calls.
It’s not the cheapest option, but if you type all day, it’s a noticeable upgrade that makes work feel easier.
£114.99 from John Lewis.