Why Cybersecurity Is Essential for Your Small Business

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Charlene Brown

Cybersecurity attacks can cause irreversible, long-term damage to your business, and no business is entirely safe from them. Even big companies such as Nintendo and Twitter have fallen victim to cyber-attacks. However, small businesses are uniquely at risk and will very rarely make it to the media outlets. Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that a whopping 43% of breaches happened to small businesses. Cybersecurity is essential for any business, however, it is especially important for small businesses, and here’s why.

1. Small Business Cyber Attacks Are Common

It is easy to fall into the mindset of thinking, ‘Oh, it will never happen to me’ or ‘What are the chances it would actually happen to my business?’. Thinking like this is very dangerous because the chances of a cyberattack on your small business are actually very high. In 2019 the Keeper Security and the Ponemon Institute conducted a study that found that the number of small and medium businesses enduring data breaches had increased to 63%. This is a significant increase, as the percentage was 58% in 2018.

By the look of these statistics, cyberattacks are on the rise, and their interest is becoming more and more focused on the smaller to medium-sized businesses.

2. Small Businesses Are Vulnerable

Small businesses are very vulnerable to cyberattacks, and the risk of an attack is increasing significantly. Ultimately, small businesses are more vulnerable to cyberattacks for several reasons. Partly because there’s less training on cybersecurity and partly because they have less money to invest in IT support and services that can help to protect them; having good IT support and services available to your small business are so important in preventing a cybersecurity attack. They can provide consultation, information and implement software to make your business more secure.

3. Damage Is Harder To Undo

A cyberattack has the potential to cause fatal damages to small businesses. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency found that 60% of companies that experienced a cyberattack had to close down within six months following the attack. These statistics are extremely alarming for small business owners. Cyberattacks will not only cost your money, but they can cost you your reputation and the trust of your customers.

A high percentage of cyberattacks take the form of a phishing scam, which makes the hacker send legitimate-looking emails and texts directly to their victims, a link that allows the hacker to steal vital information such as company passwords. Once the hacker is in, it is very difficult to secure your system without having to spend extortionate amounts.

4. Cyberattacks Can Be Very Costly

Cyberattacks can be extremely costly for a small business, and a Hiscox survey has confirmed this in a survey that found cyberattacks on small businesses cost up to $188,000. A lot of small businesses simply do not have this kind of money, and so it is quite common for small businesses to go bankrupt after an attack. Even if you do not go bankrupt and manage to survive your attack, you will have a long road ahead of you trying to revive your business. If you look to investors for funding to help you, you are going to have a hard time convincing the investors that your company is secure and not a data-breaching risk.

What You Can Do

Cyberattacks are very daunting to any business owner, but there are several things you can do to try and protect yourself from malicious hackers. Firstly, you should provide cybersecurity training for all your employees. This way, they know what to look for, and if an employee detects any kind of suspicious behavior, your business will be able to act fast and be able to stamp it out before the hacker gets in. Secondly, make sure you implement strong firewalls as a firewall can stop hackers from accessing important data on a network.

Thirdly, make sure you use strong passwords! This is such an easy preventative method, yet people fall victim to using easy passwords time and time again. A shocking 83% of people use the same password for multiple platforms, and this is a hacker’s dream.

If small businesses wish to succeed and stand out among their competition, then they should allocate some investment to cybersecurity. This doesn’t mean forking out tonnes of money, but more taking the time to implement easy measures that can have a big impact. As previously mentioned, a simple task such as using strong passwords can go a long way! Making sure your business is using cybersecurity best practices will make you far less vulnerable to what could be a fatal attack.

Can you run a Background Check on Your Neighbor

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Markhoor Studios

Sometimes, we know precious little about the people living right next door. In fact, we know only what our neighbors have told us about themselves. For decades, it’s been commonplace to share a building with virtual strangers. We often don’t even know our neighbors’ names.

Needless to say, there are certain risks that go with this. You don’t have to take them because the majority of background check sites are quite easy to use. Providers like CheckPeople.com can help you find the information you need to put your mind at ease.

When to Check Criminal History

You might choose to delve into the possibility of your neighbor’s having a criminal background in certain situations. We outline some of these below.

Their behavior is erratic, indicating the possibility of addiction
You feel like they’re watching you come and go
They avoid other neighbors, including you
They have a lot of visitors at night, even if there’s little noise
They make your child or spouse feel anxious
You’ll need them to babysit or do odd jobs for you around the house

How to Run a Criminal Background Check

As criminal records are public, it’s not hard to obtain them at all. Doing research is a great way to stop feeling uneasy about a neighbor’s questionable behavior. Hopefully, you’ll unearth a clean record and feel safer in your home and in the neighborhood. But will research violate their privacy? You obviously don’t want problems with the law.

To put your mind at ease: getting a neighbor’s criminal records is perfectly legal because they’re not considered private data. They’re not like ID and credit information, which you need the subject’s consent to check.

Getting Your Questions Answered

Online background checks reveal information from a large variety of sources, including town census data, records within sex offender registries, property ownership records, court records, professional license details, and more. Typically, background checks yield information about past addresses, business information, former names, names and addresses of next of kin, workplace and occupation, age, and registered or owned boats or other recreational vehicles. You will also find social network information or even news if your neighbor has received coverage for whatever reason.

How Much Information do You Need to Run a Check?

You don’t need more than their address and last name. People are often able to do criminal background checks and arrive at comprehensive, in-depth results just using a person’s address. If you have their number, you can do a reverse phone number search to find out more about them. Your best bet, however, is obtaining their full name, social security number, and birthdate.

Apart from their personal details, you might find information about their landlord, and their workplace, which will be very helpful should an issue arise, especially one that must be attended to urgently.

What Will You Find Out?

A rudimentary background check will yield valuable information about them. This may include names, and education, career and automobile info. You might find out that your neighbor is a lawyer with a lot of assets, but that doesn’t give you an insight into his character. That’s not even enough to know if he owns the cars parked out front.

This information can give you a general idea of what your neighbor is like. Filling in the gaps is your right and responsibility. The information might indicate certain patterns. You might unearth a history of financial problems, a series of failed marriages, or a lot of short-term past addresses. Links to social media accounts could provide additional information and clues, such as schools he went to, photos of activities, or people he associates with.

How to Protect Yourself

There are ways you can protect yourself if you find they have a criminal record. You could call the police if you believe or are sure they’re doing something illegal. Your family and home’s safety is most important in this situation, so you need to do what you need to do to protect them. Unless your rental agreement or homeowner bylaws stipulate it, you cannot force your neighbor to move.

Today, our neighbors’ identities are shrouded in mist. That lack of familiarity can lead to false assumptions and apprehension with regard to common issues like landscaping, noise, parking, and personal appearance. Instead of trying to stifle your unease, do what you can to get more information about your neighbor. You have every right to do so.

Tips on how Businesses Can Prepare for Cyberattacks and Data Breaches

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Beata Berecki

Cybersecurity has evolved into an essential aspect for companies, as the data they collect, store, and manage has become one of the most valuable and vulnerable assets in today’s digital economy. Businesses collecting an increasing volume of data need to be prepared, as the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches increases at an alarming pace.

Companies need to take measures against external threats like malware or phishing attacks as well as against internal threats such as employees intentionally or unintentionally sharing data with unauthorized persons. Data is a key input for growth, differentiation, and maintaining your company’s competitive advantage. Thus, protecting it is necessary not only for legal or ethical reasons but also for safeguarding the reputation of your business and issues related to personal privacy.

The sudden shift to work from home (WFH) due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many doors for cyberattacks and data breaches. In the absence of a controlled office environment, remote work can make your company data more vulnerable. Malicious outsiders can easily exploit the chaos, targeting sensitive infrastructures amid the pandemic. Employees, freed from the restrictive policies of company networks, might take security practices less seriously and endanger the data they take home with them.

As cyberattacks and security breaches make headlines way too often, you need to ensure that sensitive information is protected adequately. Security measures should include policies, strategies, and tools in order to efficiently prevent data loss, data leakage, and data theft. Sensitive data that must be protected includes personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, credit card numbers, and email addresses of both customers and employees, as well as intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets of your company.

Let’s see the most efficient tips that can help to prevent cyberattacks and data breaches.

Train Employees on Security Awareness

Without security awareness, your employees present a major vulnerability and can be the weak link in the data security chain. In the age of WFH, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD), employees can put sensitive data at risk easier than ever. They need to be trained on security best practices and the right behaviors in cybersecurity and data privacy, specific to your industry and company. They need to be aware of the importance of data security and the repercussions that a data breach can cause. Your employees should also have the know-how to detect different threats, avoid leakages, and be empowered to report potential incidents.

Access to sensitive information needs to be limited on a “need to know” basis and employees should be aware of their responsibilities and accountabilities when using a computer on a business network. As cyberattacks are continuously changing and evolving, you should update security policies regularly.

Invest in Security Technology

Besides traditional perimeter and network security such as firewalls and antivirus systems, companies need to include technology to identify and monitor internal security threats too. Encryption standards and a backup policy are crucial, as well as ensuring that security software is updated and patched regularly. Investing in cyber insurance can protect you and your business from unexpected data loss and hacking.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions such as Endpoint Protector can help your company to mitigate insider threats, reach compliance with data protection regulations and safeguard sensitive data such as PII and IP directly. In this way, the risk of a data breach is considerably reduced. With a DLP solution, you can restrict employees from sharing or transferring confidential information and control or block the use of unauthorized devices.

Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

Vulnerability assessment is the process of identifying, classifying, and prioritizing security threats as well as determining the risks they pose to your organization. When performing one, you should take into account all aspects of data, including data storage, BYOD strategy, remote access, and ensure that policies and procedures are appropriate.

Using an application maintenance service can ensure that your company-wide application software is kept up to date as security changes are made. By detecting vulnerabilities on a regular basis and prioritizing their remediation, companies can provide a level of data protection that is required by many different regulations.

Create a Data Breach Response Plan

A data breach response plan helps your business to better deal with cybersecurity incidents, limit damages and restore public and employee trust. The main aim when creating one is to establish roles and responsibilities for employees tasked with managing the breach. Besides, it is important to include a draft notification and to outline the process of investigation.

Response plans are highlighted by data protection regulation too. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for example, requires companies to respond to data breaches within 72 hours after detection, including gathering information, reporting the breach to the relevant authorities, and informing impacted individuals.

Ensure Compliance with Regulations

The number of data protection laws is increasing year by year, some of them impacting specific countries or territories, like the GDPR or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), while others like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) focusing on specific industries. Each of these is an indication that companies are accountable for how they manage data privacy.

If your organization prioritizes data protection to meet compliance requirements, it has a better chance of preventing data leakage, avoiding fines and reputational issues. Compliance can be easier reached by creating a security strategy that aims to keep data safe from both insider and outsider threats.

By Beata Berecki, Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys

10 Ways To Secure Your Computer

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Aamer Hussain

Information on our computer is crucial to all of us. Media, data or files, we cannot risk any of it. While there are few things your computer already has that make it secure, there are quite a few additional steps that you can take as well to make your computer bug-proof. And if you are looking for these effective ways to secure your computer, you have come to the right place.

In this article we are highlighting 10 different steps you need to take in order to make your computer more secure and sleep peacefully at night.

1. Have the Latest Antivirus

An antivirus will protect your PC from unidentified bugs and malware. Antiviruses software not only blocks the penetration of viruses, but also scan your PC from time to time to ensure there is no suspicious content. An antivirus is a must for every computer.

Antivirus software usually comes at an annual cost. The prices are different for different providers. For example, Norton antivirus has packages that range from $5 to $20. But discounts on the packs make it more economical for you to buy the antivirus. Right now, you can get a 66% discount on the antivirus package that you choose. You are also likely to bag extended warranty or other benefits when you shop during festivals or sales.

2. Block Pop-ups

Many times additional pop-ups appear while you are on a website. These dialogue boxes take you to different pages on the web which may not always be good for your computer’s health. Limiting access to these pop-ups, especially with an ad block for Android, can save you from accidentally clicking on one and putting the safety of your computer at risk.

3. Limit Shared Folders

Many times your colleague or friend cannot access data which you own due to which you might think of sharing the network access with them. However, sharing folder access increases possibilities of new security threats. Making network folders accessible to everyone is never the solution. This can also threaten the security of everyone’s PC who now has access to the shared folder. Instead, figure out another way to share information through drive or cloud sharing options or share it for time only as much as needed.

4. Filter your Content

Certain keywords can inject malware in your computer. These words can be accessed anytime while browsing the internet, receiving emails or any interaction with the outside server. Filtering these words from your settings can prevent the intrusion of malicious content. Do a simple keyword research for healthy keywords to get started.

5. Restrict Self-software Downloads

We all need different software for different purposes. Installing a software from malicious websites can pose security risks. Instead of allowing everyone to be able to download the apps as and when they need, having an IT expert do it for them will make all the difference. It is absolutely less time consuming as well.

6. Check your Network Security

The router is the first device that gets the information from the internet. Although network connection devices like routers and modems can provide basic security, it is crucial to recheck them and make them as secure as you can to eradicate any bug entries from these sources.

7. Computer Cleanup

Many times we do not use all the programs although we have them installed. If the app is not in use, remove it from the computer. Many times these apps may get upgrades in the background but because you are not using it, you may also miss upgrading it. Upgrades make programs stronger to beat newer viruses. But older programs that exist makes the computer vulnerable to newer bugs.

8. Leverage Plugins

Plugins can help you with your computer’s security or even hamper with it. Here is what you should remember while installing plugins.

Plugins can help you scan your devices and also fix bugs. You must install the security plugins at least in their free version if not paid.
Some plugins can put your computer at risk. Policies of the plugins change with time. If you agree to the policy without knowing what it is, you are putting your computer’s health at risk.
At the same time, opt in for alerts and notifications whenever an upgrade happens to a plugin. In this way you are in full control of the updates.

9. Monitor your Upgrades

Keeping your OS up-to-date with the latest version will help you with security. Software upgrades fixes malware issues and minor bugs making your software more secure. Many OSs will offer periodic upgrades. Enabling automatic upgrades for the future will also help you with it.

10. Firewall Configuration

A firewall monitors the flow of information between the computer and the web. Firewall blocks all malicious data from entering into your computer. Operating systems can have an automatic firewall built in. At the same time, many routers and modems also have their individual firewalls. You must ensure that the firewalls are in place. A weak firewall setting is not good for your computer.

Conclusion

Security is not a thing to take less seriously. With hackers getting creative, you need to make your computer ecosystem stronger and resilient to malware. Breaches can cause loss of data which could translate into monetary losses as well. So, follow the steps mentioned in this blog to make sure you have a secure computer environment.

About the Author

Aamer Hussain is a Content writer, blogger and research ninja.

Did the Big Sur Update Affect All VPN Clients?

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Jeremy Stone

Big Sur had a pretty rocky start. Once installed, it actually allowed up to 56 Mac apps to bypass third-party security solutions – like VPNs and firewalls.

Basically, even though you were using a VPN while running an app like iCloud or Siri, a lot of data would leak out of the VPN tunnel. That means Apple would see your IP address and what country you’re using their apps from.

Not to mention hackers would just need to find a vulnerability in one of Apple’s apps, and they’d be able to take over your device since they’d bypass your firewall. Or they could take advantage of the fact that your VPN is leaking data, and spy on your traffic to steal sensitive information.

Want to learn exactly what happened? We’ll tell you all you need to know in this article.

What Exactly Caused That Issue?

Apparently the Big Sur update came with a special key called “ContentFilterExclusionList.” That key is a part of the NetworkExtension API which a lot of security tools like VPNs and firewalls now use.

Essentially, here’s how the ContentFilterExclusionList key affects firewalls and VPNs:

It lets Apple’s apps bypass the encrypted VPN tunnel.
It allows Apple’s apps to communicate with the Internet even if the firewall says they can’t.

Did the Big Sur Update Affect All VPNs?

Time for some good news – this update doesn’t impact all VPN services! It only affects VPNs that use the NetworkExtension API. Luckily, it’s not mandatory for them to do so. As a result, many VPN providers avoided it, and used different methods (utun devices or PFCTL, just to name a few examples).

Those services are not susceptible to Big Sur’s forced traffic leaks. You can safely use Mac apps with them without having to worry about your data being compromised. Also, it looks like Apple’s built-in VPN wasn’t susceptible to traffic leaks either.

If you need help finding the best VPNs for Mac computers, just follow that link. It’s a guide from ProPrivacy (a leading VPN review site) that showcases VPNs that work extremely well on Mac devices. ProPrivacy even interviewed most of the providers on that list to confirm that their services can’t be compromised by Big Sur.

Did Apple Fix the Big Sur Issue?

Yes – Apple got rid of this problem when they launched the Big Sur 11.2 update. To make Mac apps fully compatible with firewalls and VPNs, Apple simply deactivated the ContentFilterExclusionList key.

Besides that security issue, Apple also fixed numerous other bugs – like System Preferences not unblocking when you enter your admin password, or iCloud Drive turning off because you disabled the iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Folders option.

Apple also fixed other security flaws – like a user being able to rejoin an iMessage group even though they were removed from it. To read about all the improvements, check out this support article from Apple.

To update to Big Sur 11.2, just do this:

In the upper-left corner of macOS Big Sur, click the Apple logo.
Select System Preferences.
Next, pick Software Update.
Click Install Now.

Now just wait for the update to finish downloading and installing. Depending on your speeds, it could take a bit since it’s around 3.66GB.

Conclusion

While Big Sur brought a lot of improvements, it also endangered user data by allowing Mac apps to bypass firewalls and VPNs. Luckily, not all VPN clients were affected, and Apple solved this problem with the Big Sur 11.2 update (so be sure to download and install it ASAP).

If we forgot to mention anything about the Big Sur security issue, please let us know in the comments.

How Your Small Business Can Benefit From Using the Best VPN

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Allen Brown

VPN or the Virtual Private Network provides its users a secure connection to another server then to the world wide web. It gives its users a sense of anonymity on the seemingly safe but hostile world wide web and secures their data and browsing activity. But how can small businesses benefit from this service? Let’s find out.

What makes a VPN service the best?

The best VPN services are those that can do so much more than absolute anonymity, mask your location, secure your data, and safeguard your internet browsing activities. As per Observer.com, here is a list of the best VPN services, which are handpicked for their speed, iron-clad security, and surfing capabilities. Search online and read reviews so you will know if the VPN service is reliable in protecting you or your small business.

How can small businesses benefit from the best VPN services?

The capabilities of a VPN service are varied but they all have a universal goal, to protect its users from unscrupulous individuals who just want to wreak havoc or take advantage of the weakness of the internet framework. Small businesses can benefit from this protection. But how? Here are some ways where the choosing a VPN service can help you with managing your growing business.

Enhanced Online Security

Poor IT infrastructure is what makes an individual vulnerable to hackers, malware, and viruses on the world wide web. However, building a robust internet framework would need not only financial capability but a handful of IT experts. And this cannot be afforded yet by small businesses. By subscribing to a monthly VPN service for your online transactions, you can better protect your data and your consumers’.

Every hack starts with knowing the details of your IP address. And VPN secures your computer by masking or changing your IP which makes it impossible to harm or harvest data from your device. The same VPN IP address is being used by other users as well who avail of the service. So your device cannot be traced. It is in this scheme that you get some kind of anonymity when doing transactions online.

Access Public Networks Safely

Public wifis are what in the IT world is known as an unsecured connection. This is because everybody can use it and there are no protections afforded to the individual. When you are on a business trip, it would be inevitable to use the hotel or cafe’s wireless internet. The best VPNs can safeguard your data and transactions without having to log on to your device at home.

Most public Wi-Fis are home to hackers that are after your sensitive data such as your name, address, birthday, and passwords for your email and others. This happens because when you log in to the public network, they get to snoop and see what you’re doing remotely. They may not be seeing your face but they can read through the jumble of codes and protocols.

Remote Access

Another cool feature of the best VPN services is that it can give you remote access to your data and files in the office when you’re traveling. This is possible because your IT guy can store all your company’s software, files, and other data on one data center where everybody that has been given authorization can use all the programs and files on that data center. If you have a personal VPN service, then your IT personnel need not spend a hefty amount on your networking gear. And you can work anywhere, anytime with enough internet security for your device and your data.

No-Fuss Set Up

VPN services don’t need cables and what-nots to operate and give you internet security and safeguard your information. It only needs a stable internet connection. When using a VPN service the first time, it can be mind-boggling because of the almost alien terms and protocols. But fear not. Most VPN services nowadays offer a virtual setup, where you just log in your details and it does all the work for you. What you only need to do is wait and press “Enter”, “Enter”, “I agree”, and “Okay” and you’re all set.

Since VPN has been launched to the public for quite some time now, its interfaces have gotten better. Letting anyone who is not really well-versed in internet network setup use the service in a breeze.

These are just the three benefits that the best VPN service can give you. Others include giving you access to websites that are otherwise censored in countries like China and mask your current location. All these can help in making sure that you are well protected when on the world wide web with less money to spend.

7 Reasons Ethical Hackers are a Must-Have to your Business

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Rachel Burnham

Reasons to Protect Your Business with White Hackers

Hacking is the process associated with spyware programs to gain unauthorized access to a business system. With malicious actions, a hacker can steal confidential information, download business files, etc. From the point of view of unauthorized access, such actions are illegal. The opposite person to a black hacker is an ethical hacker. Such a specialist legitimately sneaks into your business system to check for vulnerabilities. Login is only done with the permission of the business manager. Therefore, hire a hacker for business is the right decision.

Ethical hackers are always proactive

If you use the services of a white hacker, then he will not wait until the cybersecurity of your business is violated, or a data leak occurs. The white hacker is immediately aware of the existing vulnerabilities before something threatens the security of the business. That is, an expert will prevent a cyber-attack.

Moreover, if anything bad happens to any of your systems or servers, these experts are here to correct the issue right away. Lots of companies have a cloud disaster recovery service on speed dial so they can prevent any data loss or other issues that come up in the event of a cyber-attack. This is an important service because it helps to quickly fix any security problem that may arise.

Is there a demand for ethical hackers?

Let’s see what do ethical hackers do. White or ethical hackers provide services to increase information systems’ security with the knowledge and agreement with the customer within the framework of a contractual relationship or according to the program of reward for vulnerabilities found. Are you complicated to understand? Let’s make it simpler: white hackers hack you and your resources with your permission and for money and show how they did it so that you fix this bug and no one else hacks you.

White hackers will offer you penetration testing, or red teaming, ranging from $ 3,000 to millions of dollars, depending on the task’s complexity. The range of their services and prices varies significantly across the market and depends on specialists’ competence and company size. As you can see, the service fees are high, but darker if there were no demand, the price would not have risen so much.

What companies hire ethical hackers?

The American platform Bugcrowd has calculated that ethical hackers who help companies find bugs and holes in security systems make up to $ 500,000 a year. Virtually every major tech company and financial institution is working with ethical hackers, including Tesla, Amazon, and Facebook. Large companies are willing to pay large sums of money to hire burglars. Tesla and IJet pay hackers between $ 1,000 and $ 15,000 for finding a bug or loophole in the system, depending on its complexity and the severity problem. Mastercard is ready to pay ethical hackers from $ 3 thousand. This practice of finding errors for a fee is called bug bounty in the professional community. In American companies, there is a fairly common practice of creating separate bug bounty programs when any user can report security holes.

Do ethical hackers need a degree?

Ethical hackers usually work to find critical vulnerabilities with a price of $ 3-5 thousand. As a rule, such specialists have certificates of Certified Ethical Hacker, Offensive Security Certified Professional, and others. Accordingly, to master the direction of hacking, it is not necessary to have a scientific degree. It is enough to pass certified courses by good experts.

Ethical Hacking – Reasons to Use the Service

White hackers are known to partner with many companies that report their cybersecurity. A common task for a white hacker is to conduct penetration tests on a business system. White hackers conduct authorized hacking of the client’s systems and products while testing them for vulnerabilities and resistance to attacks. This is just a test, not to steal personal data. The system is hacked under the direction of the company. The expert records all the results and draws up a detailed report, which indicates where the vulnerabilities are in the system. Do you think about the service of white hackers? Do you want to hire a specialist, but you are not sure if? Then below, we have described important reasons.

An ethical hacker can skillfully handle a VPN

Regular networks of proxy servers can no longer guarantee complete anonymity and security. Virtual private networks have long replaced proxies. VPN provides isolated access to the network through VPN server chains and encryption of transmitted data. Therefore, if you want to hide your activity from the provider and third parties, you need to use VPN. But not all VPNs can keep you from hacking.

Only ethical hackers know how to handle the program and select the VPN servers list properly. The best service is VeePN. All you have to do is register on the VeePN website, then download the app to start using the VPN right away without the need to configure anything. You can connect to many countries because the developers took care of their users and created a huge selection of VPN server locations. You can enjoy an extensive network of VPN servers in 50 locations across 42 countries. VeePN is available on laptops, computers, and mobile devices. One account can use the service on several different devices. The program also offers a trial so that every user can be convinced of the quality of services.

Injection of malicious code

These vulnerabilities allow writing to the database of a site, service, or application. What is the threat? For example, if a hacker found such a vulnerability on the website, he could easily:

change any news and sections on the site, adding or deleting part of the data;
add or remove administrators, editors, moderators;
place your ad, links, text, code, script;
sell links from someone else’s site.

To avoid this, you must partner with ethical hackers.

Invalid authentication and session management

A fairly common vulnerability, as a rule, is caused by insufficient thoughtfulness of the authorization logic or additional session checks. From interesting examples of exploitation, we immediately remembered one exchange. Due to incorrect management of sessions combined with an IDOR vulnerability, it was possible to reset the password from any account by changing the email for recovery. Therefore, to avoid this threat, you need the services of an ethical hacker.

Cross-site scripting

The specificity of such attacks is that malicious code can use user authorization in the web system to gain extended access to it or to obtain user authorization data. Hackers can insert malicious code into a page either through a vulnerability in the web server or through a vulnerability on the user’s computer. The idea here is to force the attacked site to transmit data to the attacker’s site. Don’t want to get under attack – you need white hackers.

Ethical hackers are cost-effective

Black hackers can do a lot of damage to a business, resulting in bailouts or significant money losses. If an ethical hacker can detect the weakest points in the business system and prevent an attack, you will save much more money, even though an ethical hacker’s services are high.

Ethical hackers know everything about black hackers

Even if you know how black hackers operate, you may not always stop his evil actions. Black hackers use many harmful programs that the average person does not know about in their work. In fact, by harming your business, they will earn money, although this is not legal. Ethical hackers, who know many programs and understand their functioning, will accordingly prevent any threat. You will be free from problems, and your business will flourish.

Everything VPN newbies should know about enhancing online safety

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Stephen Marshall

Do you know how safe you are online? Do you know what the most widespread cybersecurity threats are? And, most importantly, do you know how VPNs can help you prevent cybersecurity attacks? Find the answers to all these questions by reading below!

Lately, everybody is talking about cybersecurity threats and how they are becoming more common than ever before. Now, this is no surprise, considering that technology is becoming more integrated into our lives by the day. We use technology on a daily basis for pretty much everything we do, from getting entertainment to ordering food, purchasing goods online, and working. So, now, it is more important than ever to consider your online security and safety when surfing the web, go through your emails, share photos on social media, or purchase goods on e-commerce sites.

Cybersecurity threats are a real thing, and they can cause you a lot of harm, from stealing your identity to stealing your financial details and empty your account. But, before we move forward to how virtual private networks can help you prevent this from happening, let’s dig deeper into the most common online safety threats you need to protect yourself from.

Common online safety threats

Not sure what kind of threats should you pay attention to? Here are the most common online safety threats that can put your security in danger.

Computer virus

The most common and widespread cybersecurity threat is the computer virus. It can literally affect anyone who uses a computer. What do computer viruses do? They alter the way your device operates and can cause a lot of damage, such as deleting your data or giving access to hackers to your important and private data.

Spyware threats

Spyware threats are another widespread threat, and some people would say the worst. This program basically monitors users’ online activity and provides hackers the opportunity to enter a users’ device without their content to steal personal information.

Phishing

Fake companies, businesses, or individuals practice phishing to steal personal and financial information. They pretend to be something they are not to convince their victims to provide them with their personal and financial information. They use fraudulent emails and messages to do it.

Hackers

It may seem like being a hacker is a well-paid job as there are more hackers out there than ever before. What do they do for a living? They create viruses, spyware, malware, and all the other cybersecurity threats that we’re telling you to protect yourself from.

What VPNs are?

Now you know what threats are out there in the digital world. But the real question is, how do you prevent them and stay safe online? Our answer is: by using a VPN. You can find a directory and rating of VPN and proxy services at proxy.info.

You’ve likely heard about VPNs before as they have been growing in popularity lately.

But what VPNs are? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It creates a private network when you use the internet from a public connection by establishing secure and encrypted connections to provide greater privacy. A VPN can keep your browsing history private, change your real location, and keep your internet activities anonymous.

Benefits of VPNs

Why should you use a VPN? Virtual Private Networks provide plenty of benefits to users, including:

Remain anonymous online
Access to geo-restricted entertainment content
Access to geo-restricted news and content sites
Hide web browsing from the government
Access to torrent sites and other restricted download sites

The top benefits people use VPNs are because it allows them to access geo-blocked entertainment content from video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon. It allows them to surf the web using public internet connections in a secure way.

WireGuard- an extra layer of protection

When you’re not feeling safe enough online, WireGuard can add an extra layer of protection.

WireGuard is a new technology related to VPN that has grown a lot in popularity lately among tech enthusiasts. WireGuard provides some really strong benefits such as speed and security features.

It is an open-source VPN technology that ensures improved security online using cryptography, a method of protecting data and information by using codes. It creates a faster and simpler use of the VPN, which is why it is an excellent online security tool for VPN newbies. For improved security, WireGuard can work with other VPN technologies. In this article you can see the best VPNs for Wireguard if you are interested in ensuring that your online activity is private and your security is top-notch.

Other things you can do to stay safe online

Use strong and complex passwords. Use different passwords for each of your accounts.
Keep your antivirus and security software up to date.
Consider using proxies to secure your online connection, there are plenty of cheap proxies available
Do not open links sent to you by brands or people you don’t know or trust.

The 3 Best VPNs Reddit Users Recommended in 2020

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Pete Brown

The emergence of the digital world paved the way for various information to be made available online. For this reason, more and more people are resorting to the internet to find any information, product, or service that they need. However, there are instances wherein some of the sites that you need may be restricted because of your location. This is where a reliable VPN connection comes in.

But What Is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and based on its name, the service provides you with anonymity and privacy when you browse online. This is because the network masks your internet protocol (IP) address, which means that your online activities are rendered untraceable. For this reason, you are also allowed to access sites that are otherwise restricted in your location because the site is tricked into thinking that you are located somewhere else.

Top VPN for Reddit Users

Reddit is an online forum where you will be able to find valuable information about anything under the sun. All you need to do is to enter a forum where the specific topic that you have in mind is being discussed. When it comes to looking for the best VPN service that you can engage in, below are the top providers recommended by frequent Reddit users.

NordVPN

NordVPN is known to have more than 5000 servers across 59 countries, which makes it one of the fastest and most stable VPN providers available. For this reason, this is considered the top VPN on Reddit recommended by various users. This VPN service provider also boasts of military-grade encryption, as well as a cybersec technology. This ensures that your online browsing is private and secure.

NordVPN also implements a no-logs policy to ensure that your online activities are untraceable once you connect to their network. The great part is that this VPN service provider even blocks annoying advertisements that may otherwise pop up as you are streaming videos and shows. When you subscribe to this VPN service, you will also be eligible for a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means that in case you are not satisfied with their service, you can terminate your subscription within a month and have your money back.

ExpressVPN

The second place on the list is occupied by ExpressVPN, which is also one of the fastest networks available for various subscribers. The reason behind this is that they have a vast number of servers that span over 90 countries worldwide. This service is also compatible with a wide number of browsers, which means that your browsing activities will not be limited to the use of a particular browser.

ExpressVPN is running on trusted server technology, and they do have reliable customer service support, which is available any time of the day, any day of the week. Like with NordVPN, ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which helps their new subscribers assess their comfort in using the network before they fully utilize its services. The best part is that this service works well with various on-demand streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Video, to name a few.

Surfshark

If you have some budget constraints, then you should go for Surfshark, which rounds up the top three VPN services that are widely recommended by several Reddit users. Even if it is comparably cheaper than the first two VPN services mentioned above, it still boasts of a fast service because it has almost two thousand servers running in more than 60 countries worldwide. Like with ExpressVPN, it also works with a lot of on-demand streaming services, paving the way for users to view various geo-blocked content.

Like with NordVPN, Surfshark also has a stringent no-log policy, as well as an automatic kill switch, which ensures that your account is not compromised. It also features military-grade encryption and a CleanWeb functionality, making it one of the most secure VPN services available too. Like with the two VPN services mentioned beforehand, Surfshark also offers its new subscribers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

In this modern-day and age, there no longer seems to be a limit on what you can accomplish online. Just keep in mind to prioritize your safety as you browse through the internet because the digital world is still filled with those having malicious intentions. In this case, choose between one of the top VPNs listed above, and not only will your surfing prove to be more secure, but you will even get to access sites that are otherwise restricted on your location.

Simple Solutions to the Most Common Internet Connectivity Problems You’ll Encounter

Posted on December 14, 2020 by Charlene Brown

When running a business, your internet connection must be stable and fast since you’re dealing with corporate data along with your clients’ data. In other words, employers and employees alike must vigilantly maintain online security. However, you will likely encounter some common connectivity problems; they’re part and parcel of getting your organization up and running. Therefore, you must know how to handle issues as they arise, or better yet, prevent them from occurring in the first place. So, on that note, let’s take a look at the common internet connectivity issues you’re likely to face and their straightforward solutions.

Limited Bandwidth

Limited bandwidth is a widespread problem in the corporate world. No matter how big or small your business, the more people interacting on your network, the more bandwidth you’ll need. Employees and customers expect your Wi-Fi to work efficiently, and if it doesn’t, it reflects poorly on your organization.

When offering free Wi-Fi to your customers and staff, you must consider how many people you intend to support. Use the Robert Moskowitz rule, which is ‘120 kilobits per second for each user.’ In other words, you’ll need 1.2 megabits per second for ten users, and this will increase with more users. Estimate how much you’ll need and then compare prices at local internet service providers to get the right bandwidth level to suit your needs.

Insecure Networks

Insecure networks can cause a lot of trouble for both employees and customers because it makes private and sensitive information vulnerable to cybercriminal activity. If people cannot make personal transactions, such as credit card payments, over your network, you will be risking your business’ security and your customers’ security, too. If you receive a notice stating that your connection is not private, this error message is your browser informing you that the website you are trying to reach is not secure. You must ensure that your network is safe to access for everyone involved. Shared access points can also be very risky, so it is best to consider two different access points for employees and customers. A Wi-Fi hotspot is an ideal solution as it helps keep your network secured.

Always have your router’s security protocol set to the highest setting. Try to use Wi-Fi Protected Access, aka WPA, for a more robust security level – you can also take it up a notch by setting it to an even higher level, like WPA2. If your router does not support this security level, then you can either update your firmware or exchange it for something that will protect your network. In any case, avoid settling for Wired Equivalent Privacy, aka WEP, as the general consensus is that its security is relatively weak and will likely compromise your business’ network’s efficiency and safety.

Bad Wi-Fi Network

Similarly, a bad Wi-Fi network can also put your company’s reputation at risk. If you regularly encounter customers asking to restart the router, it means that something is improperly configured in your network, making it difficult for users to connect. Recurring connectivity problems are a sign that you have a bad Wi-Fi network, and when you are connected to the internet, the connection is probably slow or unstable.

Troubleshoot your connection to find out what is improperly configured to ensure your Wi-Fi equipment isn’t the cause of a dropping connection or slow speed. All you need to do is identify whether the cause is that your router is old, your firmware is old, or there’s some interference with nearby networks. Moreover, check the router location, and extend the connection to reach more employees and customers if necessary.

Slow Connection

A slow connection is going to frustrate your employees and possibly put your clients off your business. Studies show that if content takes too long to load, people exit the site or platform, refrain from downloading email attachments, or may switch to a different network; this will not bode well for your business. Slow connections are easy to fix and require a similar solution to a bad Wi-Fi network. Check the router location, upgrade it with an extension, and gauge whether the slow speed is due to any nearby network interference.

No business owner wants to put their clients’ or employees’ sensitive information at risk, nor do they want insufficient internet connections to frustrate customers to the point they decide not to deal with your company. It’s crucial that you address these common network problems before they escalate. With the above guide, you’ll know what to watch out for to prevent things like a slow internet speed from messing up your operations.

Keep Your Data Secure while Working at Your Home Office

Posted on December 12, 2020 by Aliza Betha

With more and more coronavirus cases, companies have been encouraging their employees to work from home. Many of them noticed that there does not seem to be any sign of the situation getting better, so it is simply best to go with the flow rather than let the business fail. Many companies, such as the tech giant Microsoft, have openly said that they will allow their employees to work from home permanently, even after the crisis is over.

That is a significant change not only in people’s careers but also in their lives. Without a doubt, this trend is here to stay, and we should embrace it as what it is – new possibilities and a sign of advancement as humankind. The thing is, however, that such a massive change in life will bring even greater threats. It is also worth pointing out that we should not be using the future tense here as it is already happening.

Working from home is less secure

When you’re at your office, multiple IT people are continually working to ensure that everything is secure. That includes, but is not limited to, your computer, servers and, most importantly, networks connecting them. The problem is that you now work from home, so there is not anybody to help you with security. It means that you could potentially fall victim of cyberattacks much easier.

But how is it not secure

Now you might think, how is that even possible? If your employer lets you do this, then there should not be any threats possibly associated with it, right? Well, not really. In fact, there are so many cyber-related threats that the only way to avoid them would be to have someone overlooking you, as it is the case at your workplace. Otherwise, you’ll be exposed to a variety of attacks, most importantly network ones.

How does it work

When you want to connect to the Internet, you will most likely use a network to do that. It means that your connection goes through a router first, which then passes it further, ultimately connecting you to the World Wide Web. It means that the data you send and receive is transferred in the air. Therefore, that system makes it possible to intercept that data, and that is precisely how criminals exploit it.

Not only your data

Working from home, you have to connect to the Internet somehow, and that is when networks come in. It does not matter whether you got bored of working from your living room and decided to move spots to your favorite coffee shop or are comfortably sitting at your own home using your own network. You can become a victim virtually anywhere where there is Internet connection. Remember that if it is your company computer, the data that gets stolen is not yours and can be potentially worth millions of dollars.

How to protect yourself

While this threat is real and may sound intimidating, there is a simple solution to it, and you’ve probably even heard about it but still do not use it. It is a virtual private network or a VPN for short, and it is been all over the media recently, and for a reason. It is a convenient way to protect yourself from man-in-the-middle attacks and end this threat once and for all.

One extra layer

When using a VPN, you will connect to a server that can be located anywhere in the world. It will work as an extra layer between your device and the Internet, effectively making the data you send and receive invisible for those with malicious intentions. In addition to that, it will also protect you from other parties who might want to spy on you, such as your Internet provider or government agencies.

Best VPN software

With the abundance of everything nowadays, it might be hard to find the best tools available. Some are free, and some want you to pay, depending on what is available. The difference can be in the number of servers to which you can connect as well as their locations. In addition to that, some products offer extra features, such as data encryption, to further maximize your safety. That is why in the detailed review on NordVPN, you will find more information on one of the most popular software of this kind.

The bottom line

Just because there are threats does not mean you have to stay vulnerable. Even if you think you won’t need it as you do not use public networks, remember that your neighbors probably know you work from home and might want a piece of the cake. Therefore, it is good to always have VPN software on your work device as you never know when you might need it.

4 Tips for Finding the Right UK VPN Provider

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Jack Charlie

British TV has definitely always been appealing. From the news channels such as BBC to all kinds of entertaining shows and programs, the UK definitely has a lot to offer. It is easy to watch them if you are located in the UK. The moment you step foot out of the country, you will have to work harder to keep up with your favorite.

Did you know you can stream UK TV anywhere from anywhere around the world? It definitely sounds appealing to everyone, but not everyone knows that this is possible. You can turn this dream into reality with the simple help of a virtual private network, also known as a VPN.

What is a VPN

Do you know what a VPN is in the first place? If not, let me offer some quick explanations. This is like your very own, private channel through which you can browse anything you want online without being detected by third parties. Protecting your privacy online is one of its main purposes, but there is definitely another purpose worth mentioning and it is the one that will allow you to enjoy your favorite shows no matter where it is that you are located.

Here’s that second purpose I am talking about. By using a virtual private network, you can make it appear as if you were located just about anywhere you want, without ever leaving your very own home. This change of locations sounds amazing, but the real question is why it is actually necessary at all. Well, let’s put it simply. When you start using a VPN and change your location to somewhere in the UK, you will be able to watch their TV programs without any troubles whatsoever.

That is exactly what you have been aiming for, is it not? The whole point of the research you have probably been doing on this topic is to manage to watch UK TV even though you are not located in that country. Well, if you give virtual private networks a chance, you will certainly be happy with the easiness of the whole process, as well as with all the shows that you will be able to stream.

Here’s a nice read that can help you understand how a VPN works.

How to Find the Right Provider

The first thing you need to understand when you decide that you want to use a VPN is that there are quite a lot of providers out there. Yes, these services are offered by many companies. There is no single go-to virtual private network on the market.

This is not a decision that should be made on the spur of the moment. It is not like you can just start using the services of the first provider you come across and be happy with what you receive. Well, okay, this is certainly a scenario that can in fact happen, but actually researching the providers in order to choose the best one is a much better idea. If nothing else, doing that guarantees that what you are trying to do will actually work.

In other words, it guarantees that you will be able to watch UK TV from anywhere around the world without hitting any annoying snags. So, instead of just randomly picking out your provider, do yourself a favor and research those providers before making your decision. Let me offer some tips on how to find the perfect UK VPN provider in order to help you make that important choice.

Check Device Compatibility

Unsurprisingly, the first thing you will need to do is check whether a particular VPN you have set your eyes on is actually compatible with the specific devices that you are using. You do not want to end up paying for a service that will not work on all your devices. Compatibility is the first thing to keep in mind. Here are some tips on how to make this choice.

Check the Number of UK Servers

Your ultimate goal is to watch UK TV, right? If that’s precisely why you are searching for a VPN provider, then you will need to check the number of UK servers they actually offer. The less servers offered, the lower your chances of being able to stream any content whatsoever. The number of servers will also affect your speed, so make sure to check this before deciding on using the services.

Look for Reliable Customer Service

Even if you do everything right and find a VPN with a lot of UK servers, chances are that you might come across a few issues while streaming. That’s when you will need an expert to solve the problem. Due to that, you should look for a provider that offers great and reliable customer service, so that you can be sure your issues will be solved successfully.

Inspect Provider Reputation

It should go without saying that you need to find a reputable provider that will protect your personal data. Believe it or not, you can stumble upon some ill-reputed providers that will sell your data to third parties. That is certainly not what you want, so make sure you do your homework and check their reputation.

Situations That Virtual Private Networks Can Help You With

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Pete Brown

A VPN usually has one primary role, masking your online activity when connected to public Wi-Fi. The VPN will forward your browsing activity to your VPN provider instead of your internet connection provider. The VPN allows you to access your business network from home without leaking sensitive information to prying eyes. If you are wondering which particular situations you will need to use VPN, here are a few of them:

Public Wi-Fi Threats

You walk to a café, open your laptop, and connect to the free Wi-Fi available there. You are so happy that the connection isn’t buffering. You decide now is the perfect time to check on your friends, finish some office work you left pending, and maybe order a few items you had intended to order online. You spend around five hours there, very happy, and later walk away, proud that you had done a lot without any charges.

What you don’t know is that all that time, you had all your information out in the open that anybody with the right skills would have quickly tapped into your browsing details and maybe laid their hands on your credit card information. The next thing you know, there has been a massive withdrawal from your account you are not aware of. A VPN would be your savior to avoid such security loopholes. Sto Adams from Net Geek Pro says that having a VPN-concentrator is becoming more and more important to businesses these days when many people are working from home. The piece of hardware ensures the secure management of data flow from different users, some of whom use public Wi-Fi. From small to large, businesses can protect sensitive and confidential data from falling into the wrong hands.

Accessing Restricted Content

Have you ever visited YouTube, so excited to watch a particular video only to find out that your country has been blocked from viewing it? This is common. Well, streaming services like YouTube usually have millions of viewers watching videos from different locations, and due to copyright restrictions, some contents are blocked from being watched in certain countries. When you live in such a state, then a VPN is your best solution.

The VPN server’s address replaces your IP address, and the video providers cannot pinpoint your exact location on the globe. You can, therefore, watch a US limited video even from Africa. Don’t let your country’s regulations prevent you from accessing all the information and fun that people in other nations are having.

When Making Bargains On Online Transactions

When buying something abroad or even traveling, sometimes your location can attract extra charges. For example, when you are in India going to Rome, you might be charged an additional fee when making a hotel booking. However, if your IP address shows that you are in Rome, you can easily evade the extra charge and make your travel experience cheaper. VPN will always make sure that your exact location cannot be pinpointed, and hence you can utilize such an opportunity.

VPNs can be useful when you need online privacy and security, especially when using public connections. They can be used by individuals as well as businesses who value data security. The above are just a few of the many situations where a VPN can help.

A Black Friday Sale Guide To Help You Get All the Gadgets You Need

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Charlene Brown

Black Friday is an exciting time of year because of all the amazing savings you can find. This is a time when you are able to score those amazing gifts for yourself or your friends and family at significantly reduced prices than you would find on normal shopping days.

With all of that in mind, Black Friday can still be hard to navigate for the less savvy buyer. There are a few tips and tricks that you need to keep in mind to make sure you actually get the deals you want on those special gadgets. Check out this short guide on getting the gadgets you need this Black Friday.

1. Compare Your Options

You really need to be a more savvy tech shopper by focusing on the comparisons between offers. Not every retailer is going to give you the same savings on the same product. A pair of headphones could be $200 on one site, and $230 on the other. While $30 isn’t a huge amount, it adds up when you start buying more and buying gifts, either for yourself or others. Shop around as much as possible to double-check if the deals are even, and look for things like free shipping or extras thrown in.

2. Find Coupon Offers

Even NordVPN coupon codes can help you save, so it’s not just on physical products. These coupons can help you save on software bundles, tech gadgets, and just about anything so you have to channel your inner saver and search far and wide for in-store coupon offers and online coupons. Adding up these savings can help you cut down the final sale price enough that you can spend on other deals.

Coupons are a lifesaver for Black Friday deals and shopping in general, but for gadgets and tech products, that percentage of savings could really help you out.

3. Wait For More Deals

Black Friday is usually about a week-long for most retailers or at least the American Thanksgiving weekend, but the deals don’t start and end in this week. There is another special day called Cyber Monday where tech deals become much more prominent. Being patient can help you score better deals with a little special know-how. There could be some eye-popping savings, but that doesn’t mean you need to jump on them right away. If you take a little time to compare prices, as mentioned earlier, and wait for more retailers to offer savings then you can be sure to keep your budget in-tact on any tech you want.

4. Check For Used Products

Not all used products are a good deal, which is a fair disclaimer for you heading into Black Friday shopping. Still, it can be fruitful for you to be a little more frugal and find deals on tech products that are in-store certified used. There are usually two types, open box and refurbished. Open-box is a product that could have been quickly returned with no problems, or refurbished, which is a little more used but still very much operational. These gently used or returned items could be your ticket to saving money on gadgets.

5. Find Price Matched Gadgets

Another trick is to find price matching tech products. A lot of retailers will use price matching to allow you to compete with other shop prices. If a laptop is $1200 on another site and the retailer you are buying from has it for $1500, sometimes they can match the price to keep you as a customer. This doesn’t work all the time, but many places do it to ensure that you spend your money with them.

6. Wait Until Next Year

The last piece of advice is not what everyone wants to hear but could be useful if you don’t want to get buyer’s remorse. Sometimes it could be simply better to not buy that new gadget and save your money until next year when a new version comes out. Technology is improving at rapid rates so by next year, it could be even better and you can spend your money on other gifts for yourself. If it is for a family member or friend, then by all means go for it, but if it’s for yourself, then think if you can wait until next Black Friday for a good deal.

Black Friday is once again here and for all your gadget needs, you should use these tips and tricks to help score those amazing deals and come away happy with your shopping experience.

Backing Up Your Data? Here are Your Options

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Charlene Brown

Here’s the thing, if you are using a computer for storing pretty much any sort of information, you must ensure that your data is being safely stored and backed up. This doesn’t mean that you are paranoid or anything like that, just that you are aware that an unexpected event like hard drive failure, a virus, or file corruption could wipe out some really important things.

All of that being said, you really shouldn’t overlook backing up your data, but you should also be aware that there are some dos and don’ts, as well as a lot of different options that can easily get you overwhelmed. That is why, in this article, we are going to explain different options, as well as their pros and cons that are going to make backing up a lot easier.

Cloud Backup

Storing your data in the cloud is pretty much the latest trend when it comes to backup technology, and for good reasons. Data that you store on cloud services is always at the tip of your fingertips, wherever you are, it’s going to be accessible from any device. That is connected to the internet.

There are a lot of benefits that backing up via cloud offers, one of the most prominent ones being accessibility and safety. Most of the cloud backup services are heavily encrypted, offering two-factor authentication as well as usage of the personal key. Another great thing to consider is the fact that having your data on a cloud means that it’s offsite – ensuring that your data doesn’t get lost due to different disasters.

The only downside with online backup is that it tends to be slower, especially if you are backing up a lot of data.

External Hard Drives

External hard drives are one of the most common storage mediums for a long time. These drives are extremely easy to set up, they are relatively cheap, provide multiple different storage size options, and are portable – all of these are great assets. Also, one of the best properties of external hard drives is the fact that they can store a lot, and we mean a lot of data.

However, just as all the hard drives in our computers, they are prone to failure over time and extended use, which is something that you don’t need to worry about if you are backing up on a cloud.

Also, such drives always pose a risk of being lost or damaged, and eventually, they are going to run out of storage space because their size is fixed. External drives, like any type of equipment that is stored on-site, can also be destroyed in a disaster like a power surge, a fire, or a flood.

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

A NAS device utilizes an array of storage drives to create redundancy and, ultimately, larger combined storage space for you to back up your files. A NAS device is connected to the network for shared access between different individuals, which makes it a great option in case you want to share files with different people around you.

The storage drives that are used in NAS are usually sold separately from the device itself, so it may be a bit more costly and inconvenient to set up. However, NAS devices offer better data redundancy, as well as drive failure protection in real-time and performance using RAID configuration.

It should be mentioned though, some NAS manufacturers tend to provide inferior software that can be buggy and just not efficient. This can easily lead to different issues during backup, like storing files with the wrong modification date/time stamp on them, making it harder for you to find what you are looking for afterward.

USB Flash Drives

There are a ton of options out there, and yet, USB flash drives don’t seem to be getting out of fashion even after all these years. This is mostly because, well, they are great at doing what they are intended to do – store and transport data. Even nowadays, some people prefer USB flash drives for storing their most important data.

USB flash drives are portable, inexpensive, and really durable. They are good for transporting your data between different locations manually but efficiently. However, you should have in mind that they are also prone to being lost or stolen, so plan accordingly. It should also be mentioned that they have a low storage capacity when compared to other backup options.

In the end, different people have different preferences, and that is completely fine since there is no one right answer when it comes to things like this. Even if you end up trying different things before settling for the best option, that’s also fine. The only imperative thing is that you take the time to do your research to make as informed a decision as possible.

How Freelancers Can Protect Data On The Network

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Evelina Brown

Activity on freelance exchanges requires constant insurance to avoid losses:

the performer (freelancer), having received from the customer a prepayment, may fail to fulfill his obligations or perform poorly;
the customer may not pay the performer for the work performed with high quality.

General safety

Currently, it is not a problem to find a freelance site that would accompany transactions between performers and customers. The insurance scheme here is quite simple: the customer pays a deposit, which is paid to the freelancer when he performs the work or returned to the customer when the work is not done.

But there is a small problem here. The customer can apply to arbitration service, having come to the quality of the work performed. And if he proves his case, the freelancer is left without payment.

To avoid this, there is a Terms of Reference (TOR), which specifies all requirements in detail. When performing the work, the freelancer must comply with all its conditions. It is not superfluous to keep all correspondence with the customer, as well as to record all voice conversations of the work.

How to secure the designer of sites

In order to prevent an unscrupulous customer from misappropriating the finished design, it is better for the designer to demonstrate his work in an unusable format (for example, JPG instead of PSD), or previously greatly reduced the scale. Not a bad protection means is to apply inscriptions (watermarks) to the layout with 40-50% transparency.

It happens that the layout has no graphic elements, so even its format is minimal, for example, 300 px per 100 px, you can collapse it. Here, the only way for the designer to report on the work, demonstrating the layout through a webcam or Skype. In this case, the possibility to steal the layout is minimized. They can also use CRM for freelancers.

How to secure the web-programmer

If the field of activity is the development of websites, program codes, etc., the process should be fully controlled by the programmer, who should not allow the customer to download his work. That is, when creating a site from scratch, the programmer must keep it on his server or hosting and block the customer access to the database, FTP, site backups. If the web programmer takes a ready-made site for revision (with a serious amount of work), such revision is better to conduct on your hosting. Copying there does not take much time.

There is another interesting way of insurance. You should warn at once: it is not ethical and legal, and web programmers who value their reputation should bypass it. This is embedding malicious code in a ready-made site, allowing you to access the site and remove the results of your work in case of non-payment. This method is used if minor improvements are made. There are virtually no legal ways of insurance.

How to secure the writer

Copywriters become victims of deception more often than others, as there are no serious ways to protect themselves from unscrupulous customers in this activity. But even here there are options:

If you have a large order volume, you should demand payment in stages. If you need to make a whole block of articles, you can not write everything at once. It is much more reasonable to make a few articles, to demand payment for them, and after receiving them, proceed to the next. By the way, remember that a large amount of work of the copywriter will help perform https://writemypaper4me.org/.

When reporting to the customer, it is better to show the texts in the format of screenshots with watermarks. This will prevent them from being scanned and recognized.

The above methods allow to protect against unscrupulous customers in 70% of cases. An obligatory condition for the successful work of a freelancer becomes the requirement of their prepayment, at least in part. And, of course, a thorough study of the customer, including inquiries of those freelancers that once did not work for him. To act in this way is long and tiresome.