Tips from the Helpdesk: Best Practices for Logging in and Out of Cloud Desktop

Logging-in-Cloud-Desktop

One of the great advantages of using Cloud DesktopTM at your law firm is that you can securely access all of your files, emails and applications from anywhere. You can check email, create and edit documents, navigate through a browser and work with different software, all within one virtual desktop.
 
We suggest you use the following best practices to ensure your Cloud Desktop sessions always run smoothly and securely:
 

Logging on/Signing In

Cloud Desktop works on just about any desktop machine or mobile device with an Internet connection and is the best way to keep your firm data accessible yet secure.
 
In order to access your Cloud Desktop, you must first log in via Citrix, a program that connects you to your firm’s data, stored securely by LexCloud.ca in a private Canadian data centre (aka “the Private Cloud”). Once you are logged in to Citrix, your Cloud Desktop session can be launched. 
 
Two-factor authentication
We recommend that all law firms implement two-factor authentication in their login process. Two-factor authentication is a process by which a secondary device confirms that you are really who you say you are, and not a posing thief or hacker. If your firm has two-factor authentication enabled, after logging in to Cloud Desktop you will be prompted to “approve” the login on your smartphone app.
 
Two-factor authentication is a quick, yet critical extra step that will keep your firm and clients protected from potential security breaches.
 
Use for: Starting your day's work
 

Locking

If you need to leave your desk for a short time, perhaps for a meeting or a quick bite, locking will secure your Cloud Desktop session. All of your working files, applications and web pages will remain open and continue to run so that when you arrive back to your desk, you can resume where you left off.

Use for: A quick break
 

Logging/Signing out

To ensure that critical updates and system maintenance take place and to provide you with a fresh start for the next day, Cloud Desktop reboots overnight. When you’re done for the day, remember to save all of your work, close your applications, bookmark any important web pages and log out of your Cloud Desktop. This two-click step will ensure that your work is saved and optimized for your next session.
 
Use for: Finishing your day
 

Disconnecting

At the top of your screen, you will note a “disconnect” button. Disconnecting is similar to locking except that it suspends your connection to Cloud Desktop, which will continue to run in the Cloud. Disconnecting is not the same as signing out – any unsaved work will be lost if you don't sign out at the end of the day.
 
Use for: Switching to another device
 

Shutting down

Shutting your computer or device down does not log you out of Cloud Desktop. Just like when you disconnect, your session will continue running in the Cloud until you log back in, save your work and properly log out.
 
Use for: Switching to another device/troubleshooting your device
 

Troubleshooting tip

Just like back in the day when you would restart your computer, if your software is freezing, acting buggy or performing slowly, try closing Cloud Desktop and then logging in again. We find that this easy step will often solve a variety of minor problems. 
 
Use for: Troubleshooting applications within your Cloud Desktop session.
 
Feel free to contact our helpdesk for support - we are here for you!

help@lexcloud.ca
1-844-450-4545
416-535-2516

 

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