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I know why you did it. Your mind was on three different things at once, the name was familiar, you have received similar items before that were legit, and your attention missed the tell-tales for just a half-minute too long. It can happen to ANY of us - which is why you telling us about this incident helps us to stay vigilant. (That it also garners you some sympathy for your aggravation and problem is a nice side effect.) Thank you for the warning! And I hope your IT guy gets everything all set and restored quickly.

In 2016, passwords are required to start the program. In older versions, go into Tools, Security Manager.

Sounds like a good idea to automatically file extensions but use them only for the federal filings. We always waited a few weeks after issuing W2s and 1099s to file the federal and state because invariably some recipients would call to say their address/SS#/amount was wrong. On the other hand, since the purpose of the earlier deadline is to allow IRS matching before refunds are issued, would filing an extension and delaying federal reporting hold these clients' refunds until the 941s are filed?

Using a throwaway tablet as as screening tool is potentially a good idea - but. (Always a "but"!) If it gets a virus *and* is wifi'd onto your network - it can get on your network. A seminar I just attended said if you suspect anything, first thing to do is pull the ethernet cord off that machine! Then you can change passwords, delete, etc. without viruses getting to your network or going out.

...and forest fires.

Add external backups. One to keep in your desk, one to keep at home, one to keep in another secure location. More in separate locations as needed for your comfort level. And just as important, do a test disaster recovery at least once a year to make sure you really can restore from a backup, even on a new computer. This includes not only restoring from your backup, but reinstalling needed software. If you do not test the process, you will undoubtedly find gaps in the needed information/knowledge. Do not rely on a computer "expert" for this process. It MUST be you. YOU are the only one who really knows what you will need. Example. Customer had a computer failure. Sent drive off to a high dollar recovery service. Waited. Got a drive back with whatever was able to be recovered. There were no instructions showing how to use what was recovered, so the person, so far, has not been able to make proper use of the recovered information. Could be what was needed was not actually recovered at all. A large amount of time and money spent with no results. The time and expense was well over what it would have cost to hire someone to recreate the missing data. Only YOU can prevent data loss...