Nerds News
Tech News That Affects Your Business
Hosted by Albert Steed of Advanced Computer Solutions
About the Show
Running a business is hard enough without having to keep up with every tech headline. Nerds News cuts through the noise and delivers the technology stories that actually matter to small business owners and their teams.
Each episode covers the latest in cybersecurity threats, Microsoft 365 updates, AI tools, compliance changes, and IT trends — all explained in plain language with a focus on what it means for businesses like yours.
Whether you’re a business owner, office manager, or IT decision-maker, Nerds News helps you stay informed so you can make confident technology decisions and keep your team productive.
Listen & Subscribe
What We Cover
Cybersecurity
Threats targeting small businesses and how to protect your team
Microsoft 365
Updates, changes, and tips for the tools your business runs on
AI & Automation
Practical AI tools and what they mean for your business operations
Compliance & Policy
Regulations and industry changes that affect how you do business
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Advanced Computer Solutions is a managed IT services provider in Traverse City, MI, helping small businesses stay secure, productive, and confident in their technology.
Episode Archive
Every episode of Nerds News, with show notes and the stories that mattered for small business that week. Browse the full archive in the Nerds News category.
Fortigate VPN flaw now on CISA exploited list plus Copilot ERP connectors live
CISA warns Fortigate and Ubiquiti flaws are actively exploited while Copilot gains on-prem ERP access for Sage 100 and Epicor.
SBA opens 50 million manufacturing grants for shops under 500 employees plus ChatGPT storage boost
Happy Thursday, folks — Albert here, Chief Nerd at ACS, coming to you surrounded by moving boxes and big news; the SBA just cracked open a $50 million grant pool for small manufacturers, ChatGPT quiet
IRS Direct File Nationwide for Small Biz Taxes: AI Tools & Microsoft Copilot
The IRS just made tax filing free for your small business—and it’s rolling out nationwide. But there’s a catch, and there’s also a smarter way to handle it.
Microsoft Forces Passkeys on M365; Google Cuts AI Costs with Gemini
Well, hello there! Is it just me, or does Microsoft have a knack for changing things up right when we get used to them? Let’s dive into today’s news and see how you can stay ahead.
Windows 11 Breaks QuickBooks: ChatGPT Memory Upgrade & Google Gemini for Manufacturers
Chief Nerd here, Albert Steed from Advanced Computer Solutions. Today’s show is packed with news that could either break your systems or make them better. Let’s dive right in.
SBA Cyber Vouchers & Microsoft M365 Security Defaults: Small Biz Tech Updates
Back on Air: Small Biz Tech Updates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G76ZwgZ2lys SBA Cyber Vouchers: A $5,000 Boost for Your Security I know the SBA can be a bit hit or miss sometimes, but this is one of those moments where they're actually doing something useful. The...
Adobe PDF Zero-Day Deadline, ClickFix Hits QuickBooks & the AI Productivity Trap
CISA flags Adobe Acrobat Reader zero-day with a patch deadline of TODAY, ClickFix social engineering attacks target QuickBooks users during tax season, and the AI productivity paradox explained. Your weekly small business tech briefing from ACS.
20 States Now Have Data Privacy Laws — Is Your Small Business in Compliance?
Data privacy compliance isn’t just a big-company concern anymore. As of January 2026, twenty states have their own privacy laws covering how businesses collect and protect customer data — and if your business operates in any of those states, you could...
Medusa Ransomware Can Encrypt Your Business in 24 Hours — Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Imagine a cyberattack that can lock every file on your network within one business day of getting in. That’s not a worst-case scenario anymore — it’s exactly what Microsoft is warning about with a ransomware strain called Medusa. And it’s...
Hardware Prices Up 25%, Windows 365 Gets 20% Cheaper, FBI Shuts Down $20M Phishing Ring
Hardware prices are climbing 15–25% through 2028, Microsoft cut Windows 365 Cloud PC prices 20%, the FBI dismantled the W3LL phishing ring, and Claude for Word launches.
Manufacturing Is Now the #1 Ransomware Target — A 61% Surge in Attacks You Can’t Ignore
If you run a manufacturing business, here’s something you need to hear: your industry is now the single most targeted sector for ransomware attacks in the world. Not healthcare. Not finance. Manufacturing. And the numbers are alarming enough that this deserves...
FCC Bans All New Foreign-Made Routers — Is Your Business Network at Risk?
The FCC banned all new foreign-made consumer routers. Is your business network at risk?