Jeff Pastorius

A couple plays VR video games together.

Gaming 2022: gaming trends to watch this year

Video games have come a long way since the Magnavox Odyssey console was released in 1972. From different at-home consoles to various video games, gaming trends have given people more ways to play than ever before. Social media games and eSports were some of the…

Man using the Metaverse

The top technology trends to watch for in 2022

Among 2021’s top technology trends, we saw improvements with 5G and fiber optic internet networks. Businesses incorporated artificial intelligence in their work operations and customer experiences. Health and safety initiatives around the world used the Internet of…

A woman watches a show on her laptop on the couch as she drinks a warm cup of tea.

Cold weather tips: how to protect your laptop in cold weather

Cold weather can have adverse effects on the way your phone, tablet and laptop perform. The cold air can lead to condensation appearing on your laptop, which can cause water damage to the screen and internal parts. Cold temperatures reduce your laptop battery’s life,…

Meet Delaney Goldsworthy of the American Transplant Foundation, winner of CenturyLink's small business week.

Small Business Spotlight: American Transplant Foundation

Here at CenturyLink, we think small is big. Small businesses and nonprofits make a real difference in our communities. To celebrate that along with National Small Business Week in 2021, we invited small businesses throughout the United States to participate in a…

A young woman offering customer support to her small business.

Why your small business should offer omnichannel customer support

Your small business connects with your customers in three distinct stages. Before the sale, your marketing person oversees pre-sales communications: ads, emails, buying keywords, and other activities that entice people to purchase your product or service. Your sales…

A guy chats on video chat with his partner on Valentine's Day.

Best Valentine’s Day tech gifts

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and finding the perfect gift for your loved one can be hard. You may be searching for the perfect gift that’s unique, but you’re not sure where to start. While traditional Valentine’s Day gifts usually include flowers, chocolates…

An elderly gentleman takes steps to protect himself online.

How to protect yourself from identity theft

Identity theft happens when someone steals and uses your personal information. It doesn’t always look the same and scammers can have various intentions for using your information. It may range from opening fraudulent bank accounts in your name. Or it could mean using…

A woman uses her internet browser at work.

Incognito mode: what it is and how to use it

You may have heard of incognito mode or private browsing but not understood what the option is or know how to use it. If you ever use public computers at a library or school to log into your private accounts or share a computer at home or work, you should consider…

Woman reviews her emails from her couch.

What to do if you have been scammed online

Scams can happen to anyone, and scammers use a variety of different mediums. Many scams happen online, through email, or through social media. Some come from a phone call or text message. Scammers will try anything to trick you into sending them money or personal…

A female business-owner works on her marketing strategy in her home office.

Planning your small business marketing strategy

Small business owners are no strangers to planning. From business plans to scaling to making a big office move, it’s important to start with planning. Marketing is no different. Your marketing strategy is your roadmap to ensure you reach your business goals. Using a…

Business owner chats on the phone with a client while he takes notes.

Number porting for small businesses

Your small business’s phone number is one of the most important lines of communication between you and your customers or clients. Loyal customers often save business numbers on their phone, so changing your number could lead to confusion or even lost business. You may…

A coffeeshop owner handles a customer complaint.

How to respond to a customer complaint

Good customer service is essential for successful businesses. However, it can be difficult to keep every customer happy, every time. When frustrated customers feel like their concerns have not been resolved, they often turn to online review sites, like Google, to…

A man uses multi-factor authentication as he logs on to his laptop in a coffee shop.

What is multi-factor authentication and what are the benefits?

When it comes to online security, there are a few best practices you should always follow. Use a strong password, keep your applications and anti-virus software updated, and turn on multi-factor authentication. Used in tandem with your password, multi-factor…

How to spot and treat scareware attacks

How to spot and treat scareware attacks

Have you ever visited a website only to be bombarded with an alarming pop-up? It might claim your browser has encountered a security risk. Or it might prompt you to run a scan right away to check for viruses. These pop-up windows can be unnerving, as they often look…

People work in a coworking office space.

Pros and cons of coworking offices for small businesses

Coworking spaces are a popular choice for remote workers, self-employed people and small business owners looking for an affordable and flexible workspace. Unlike traditional offices, people working in coworking offices don’t all work for the same employer. With…

Two business partners go over small business compliance documents.

Small business compliance checklist

Whether you’re working with a team to create a robust e-commerce website or build a stronger social media presence, running a small business means managing many moving parts. As a small business owner not only do you have to ensure the business is continuing to grow,…

A business woman looks at her laptop while she chats on the phone.

How to protect your small business from identity theft

Identity theft isn’t only a threat to your personal finances – in 2020, there were almost 100,000 reports of business identity theft. Usually, this type of theft happens when someone misuses private information to impersonate a business. Business identity thieves…

A father and daughter wave hello on a video chat on their laptop.

How to automatically connect devices to WiFi

Reconnecting to your WiFi network every time you come home or go to work can waste your time and cause frustration. Many of your devices may already automatically connect whenever you’re in range of a known WiFi network, but sometimes auto-join needs to be manually…

A young man opens a gaming headset from his girlfriend for the holidays.

Holiday gifts for gamers

With a plethora of accessories, gaming consoles and new gaming technologies on the market, narrowing down the perfect present for your gamer may seem daunting, especially if you don’t consider yourself a gaming expert. Level up any gamer’s holiday season this year…

A young man uses his laptop in his kitchen.

Tips for replacing a router

If you’ve noticed your internet service slowing down, your router may be to blame. Fortunately, replacing your router can be a relatively inexpensive way to improve your internet speed. Routers typically need to be upgraded every few years for optimal internet speed…

A man streams news on his smart TV.

How to stream live news

If you’re considering cutting the cord, don’t let your favorite news programming hold you back. Streaming services like Hulu and DirecTV Stream allow you to stream entertainment, sports, and other video content over the internet without cable. Many of these services…

A couple watches a show together on a tablet.

How to choose between Ethernet vs. WiFi

Although you might think of WiFi and the internet as interchangeable terms, they provide different functions. WiFi provides a wireless connection to the internet for your mobile devices, laptop computers and smart devices. However, you can also access the internet at…

Small business owner manages her online orders on a tablet while she multitasks on the phone.

Tips for online business success

Success for an online business may look different than it does for a brick-and-mortar retail store. That’s because the business model is fundamentally different. There are some major benefits to starting an online business. First, the upfront costs are usually much…

A father and daughter look at a tablet on the couch together.

What are data caps?

Many people have spent the past year relying on technology to keep them connected and entertained. In fact, many internet service providers reported huge spikes in internet usage. Average daily data usage rates exceeded 16.6 GB, which is an 18% increase from 2019 to…

An office employee packs up her desk for an office move.

Your guide to a small business office move

Moving can be an exciting milestone for any small business owner, especially if the office move is to encourage growth. You may be moving give your employees access to better amenities or situate the business in a better location for more foot traffic. No matter the…

A woman updates the security settings on her work computer.

Overcoming cybersecurity challenges for small businesses

While you may think cybersecurity is only a concern for large companies, an estimated 40% of cyberattacks target small businesses. That’s because small businesses face unique cybersecurity challenges. Because they typically have fewer and less robust…

A couple plays online video games using a laptop as a screen.

Cable vs. DSL vs. fiber internet: which is best?

A broadband connection lets you send and receive data online, post on social media, and video chat with family or colleagues. Depending on your location and service provider, internet access comes to your home through DSL, cable, or fiber optic technology….

A person uses a microfiber cloth to clean their computer.

Keep a clean screen: Tips for monitors and more

Our monitors and machines get a lot of use, and with use comes dust, dirt and grime. Cleaning your monitor, TV, keyboard, mouse, and other equipment is just as important as keeping your computer software up-to-date and virus-free. Not only can the buildup of dust and…

Young girl gets hired as a small business begins to scale.

How to scale your small business

Once your small business has begun to turn a profit, it may be time to start looking for opportunities to scale. Scaling up your small business may be necessary to keep up with growing demand in your market and avoid missing out on new opportunities. Even solo-run…