All someone has to do is look at the pricing model above to see why Backblaze is a no brainer for long term storage (not to mention the first 10GB of storage is free. With its recent inclusion as a destination for web server’s WHM backup, Farmhouse Networking has been recommending our hosting provider customers to make the switch from AWS Glacier. Here is the steps to make the switch:
Setup Backblaze Buckets
Login to Backblaze account
Click on the Create Bucket button in the B2 Cloud Storage Buckets section
3. Give the Bucket a name and keep the bucket private for the backups. Click on the Create a Bucket button.
4. Copy down your Backblaze Bucket name and Backblaze Bucket ID
Setup Backblaze Application Key
Click on the App Keys section
Click on Add a New Application Key
3. Give the Backblaze Application Key a name, chose the newly created bucket from the list and make sure to leave the Type of Access as “Read and Write”. Click the Create Key button.
4. Make sure to copy down the Backblaze Application keyID and Backblaze Application applicationKey. This will be the only time they are both shown. If you lose the Backblaze Application applicationKey then you will have to delete the current one and create a new one.
Setup WHM Backup to Backblaze
Connect to WHM as root user and choose Backup Configuration from the menu. The specific WHM backup settings are not discussed here, but feel free to contact us for advise on how to do so.
2. Click on Additional Destinations. Chose Backblaze B2 from the Destination Type and click on the Create New Destination button.
3. Enter in a backup name. Click on the “System Backups” if that is desired. Leave the Backup Directory blank. Enter in the Backblaze Bucket ID and Backblaze Bucket Name copied down earlier. Enter in the Backblaze Application Key ID and Backblaze Application Key. Click on the Save and Validate Destination button.
Make sure to disable your old AWS Glacier backup destination. All backups on Glacier should be set to auto delete according to a lifecycle, but if not then wait 120 days from creation to remove them to avoid any penalties. Speaking of lifecycles, it is a good idea to change the lifecycle settings on the Backblaze bucket to auto delete after a determined number of days since they do charge for total storage utilized.
If your company is would like to discuss the layers of security you have in place, then contact us for assistance.
A single ransomware infection can freeze a church’s donations, records, and operations
Got a call a couple weeks ago from a local church:
“we came in and open the computer and we have ransomware on there. We can’t even get to any of our stuff. It’s telling us to email somebody and so that they can free up the computer.”
How does this happen?
Generally these things happen because people click on things they shouldn’t. Whether in an attachment in email from someone they don’t recognize, a link in social media that sounds too good to pass up, or an advertisement for something they can’t live without. Once the user gives permission for something to open or run on their computer the game is over and the hacker wins.
What to do when it happen?
Stop using the computer.
Leave the computer alone! Do not carry out any further commands, including commands to Save data.
Do not close any of the computer’s windows or programs. Leave the computer alone.
Leave everything plugged in and do not turn off the computer or peripheral devices.
If possible, physically disconnect the computer from networks to which it is attached.
Call us immediately. Write down any unusual behavior of the computer (screen messages, unexpected disk access, unusual responses to commands) and the time when they were first noticed.
Write down any changes in hardware, software, or usage that preceded the malfunction.
Do not attempt to remove a suspected virus! Let the professionals do the dirty work.
How to prevent this from happening?
Layers of protection is the simple answer. A good antivirus installed to stop the bad programs from running, DNS filtering to keep users off of bad sites / advertisements, a good backup of all data to recover when this does happen, and most important of all EDUCATION – teaching users what safe internet usage looks like and having policies in effect to train them can mitigate 60-70% of infections.
If your company is would like to discuss the layers of security you have in place, then contact us for assistance.
$37+/hour wasted on IT issues = $9,000+ annually per employee
“Office workers across the UK are wasting 14 days per person each year — or 1.8 billion hours a year in total — because the technology they’re given isn’t good enough.” – BetaNews
Outdated Tech = Wasted Time
Slowness: When a computer is slow, so is the worker operating it. As a computer ages, like anything else, the parts inside wear down. Regular maintenance and replacement are the solution to increasing employee productivity.
Crashing: As computer crashes happen data is damaged or lost. This means work has to be re-done. Crashing can be a sign of software issues or hardware issues that require proper diagnosis. Once fixed employees can get back to business without interruptions.
Incompatibility: Out-dated software or hardware can cause what used to work perfectly to stop all together. Regular updates of all software and replacement of aging hardware is always the best policy. Helping employees stay on track with standard operating procedures makes work flow possible.
Security: Hackers are constantly working to find new ways of breaching security measures. Without current security solutions (firewall / DNS filtering / antivirus / SPAM filtering / password management ) and up-to-date systems, your network is a sitting duck. Network downtime due to a breach can be a business killer.
If your company is using out-of-date technology, then contact us for assistance.
Modernization = immediate 30% IT cost reduction with compliance
Legacy infrastructure can limit scalability, increase downtime, and require expensive patchwork fixes. Modern solutions — whether in the cloud or hybrid configurations — give small businesses flexibility, automation, and predictable operating costs.
According to Gartner, companies that modernize their IT environments reduce infrastructure costs by up to 30% and improve operational efficiency by 25% or more. For small business owners, these savings can directly impact profitability and competitiveness.
Action Steps to Modernize and Optimize IT
To start seeing results, take a structured approach to IT modernization:
Assess Your Current Infrastructure Conduct a full audit of your hardware, software, and network assets. Identify outdated servers, unsupported software, and bottlenecks that affect performance or security.
Move to Scalable Cloud Solutions Transition from on-premises systems to cloud-based environments like Microsoft Azure or Google Workspace. Cloud solutions reduce capital expenditures, improve accessibility, and support remote teams.
Virtualize Where Possible Replace physical servers with virtual machines. Virtualization consolidates workloads, reduces energy usage, and simplifies disaster recovery planning.
Implement Automation and AI Tools Automate repetitive IT maintenance tasks such as updates, monitoring, and backups. Modern IT management software decreases manual intervention and minimizes human error.
Enhance Cybersecurity Frameworks As you modernize, integrate advanced security tools — firewalls, endpoint detection, and multi-factor authentication — to prevent modern cyber threats.
Adopt Predictable Cost Models Consider a managed IT service provider (MSP) that delivers infrastructure and support under a fixed monthly fee. This approach eliminates unpredictable repair costs and frees capital for innovation.
Common Questions from Business Owners
Q: How do I know if my infrastructure is outdated? A: Signs include frequent downtime, slow systems, incompatible applications, or rising maintenance costs. If your servers are older than five years or your support software is no longer updated, it’s time for a change.
Q: What’s the ROI of IT modernization? A: Beyond cost savings, modernization improves workforce productivity, customer satisfaction, and business agility. Many SMBs see full ROI within 12–24 months through improved uptime and reduced service calls.
Q: Is the cloud secure for small businesses? A: Yes, if configured properly. Major cloud providers maintain rigorous security standards and compliance certifications. Working with an IT partner ensures proper access controls and data backup procedures.
Q: How disruptive is the modernization process? A: With professional planning, disruption can be minimized. Migration often occurs after-hours or in stages to ensure operations continue smoothly.
How Farmhouse Networking Can Help
At Farmhouse Networking, we specialize in helping small and mid-sized businesses modernize their IT infrastructure for measurable cost savings. Our services include:
Comprehensive infrastructure assessments to identify inefficiencies.
Cloud migration and virtualization support tailored to your industry needs.
Cybersecurity modernization to protect against evolving threats.
Managed IT services with predictable monthly pricing and rapid support response times.
We handle the transformation process end to end — from planning and deployment to monitoring and optimization — so you can focus on running your business rather than managing technology.
Email us at support@farmhousenetworking.com to learn how Farmhouse Networking can help you modernize your IT infrastructure and optimize your company’s technology spend.
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. - 2 Corinthians 9:8-10
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