6 quick tips to protect your iPhone

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Michelle WRussell

Apple boasts itself for producing devices with high security and privacy standards. But that does not mean that you stop taking any protection into account. I mean, what device is completely protected, right?

iPhones may keep you safe from malware and viruses but you need to heighten your security when it comes to sensitive data and information leaks. The leakage of your images, videos, emails, and messages is alarming and still quite possible. The iPhone has no control over the data that is collected by the applications you install.

For complete anonymity over the internet, you can use a VPN. If you don’t want to spend money on a VPN, your best option is to go for secure free VPN services for iPhones. Additionally, to completely protect your iPhone, the following six tips will guide you to secure it with no hassle:

Tips to protect your iPhone:

1. Use a strong password

The first thing you need to do to protect your iPhone is to use a strong passcode. Although having a strong passcode is not only limited to iPhones, it is highly recommended to use one on your iPhone device.

Instead of opting for a four-digit password, set up a 6-digit code. Four-digit codes take hours to hack but six-digit codes can take up a few days.

Also, use password combinations that are more difficult to crack. Do not set simple codes like your birth year or a standard code like 1234. The easier your password, the easier to unlock your iPhone.

iPhones also offer an “erase data” feature. Enabling this feature will erase your data if anyone enters the wrong password on your iPhone the 11th time. This feature has the capacity of entering the wrong password 10 times after which it erases all your data.

This erase feature may sound super fun to enable, but once your data is erased, there is no way to recover it.

2. Disable lock screen notifications

The second tip for you is to disable your lock screen notifications. Lock screen notifications are one of the most common functions almost everyone uses. But it is also one of the easiest ways to collect personal data and information.

These iPhone widgets on your lock screen can reveal all your information. You need to be aware and take this into concern. Even the slightest mistake can make you leak all your data.

3. Two-factor authentication for your Apple ID

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is another useful way to protect yourself from any information leak. Two-factor authentication would restrict anyone from trespassing your device and collecting your data and information.

This authentication method would verify if it’s you by sending a code on a separate device connected to your Apple ID. This means that even if someone gets hold of your iPhone, 2FA would not let him collect any of your details.

4. Consider using Touch or Face ID

The rule for this is simple. Touch IDs and Face IDs cannot be unlocked by anyone but you and are the safest options of all.

You can always back up your security password with a Touch or Face ID so even if anyone trespasses and unlocks your phone through your passcode, the Touch or Face ID saves the day.

5. Do not connect your iPhone to public wi-fi

If you didn’t know, connecting your phone to public wi-fi is quite harmful and should be taken into concern by you immediately.

Public wi-fi can be untrustworthy networks that may steal and leak a big chunk of your data while you’re connected to it.

A number of apps on iOS devices can be used offline. Consider this as an option to avoid needing to be online when you are not at home.

To avoid this, you can use a good VPN for public wi-fi. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can easily mask your identity and keep all your information private while you enjoy the public Wi-fi.

We highly recommend NordVPN for this. NordVPN offers multilayer protection, strong encryption, and an OpenVPN protocol to provide a secure connection to users. It also offers 5000+ servers, a no-log policy, and a kill switch for complete protection.

6. Update your iOS device:

To make sure there are no security leaks at your end, you need to keep your iOS updates turned on. Apple updates its software from time to time to combat any software vulnerabilities. Software updates also prevent hackers from getting into your device as it requires different coding after the software update to hack into a device.

Conclusion:

You might have thought that the iPhone is the safest gadget you could own but it’s high time you look around and prevent your device from any hacks or leaks before it’s too late. The iPhone may be one of the safest devices, but it isn’t as secure as you think.

Use the above-mentioned ways to combat data leaks on your iPhone. Be aware, be safe.

Ingenious Ways You Can Improve Your Office’s Workflow Without Compromising On Productivity

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Allen Brown

As an employer, you need to make sure that your business has a smooth workflow. Not only that, but you are also responsible for your office’s productivity levels and how much your employees contribute to the company’s functions and overall workflow. Work can be frustrating for many of us, but there’s always room for office improvements that can help make the daily routine less stressful. This is why the top brands and companies integrate the latest communication methods and offer advanced training for their employees; There are many productive ways office environments can maintain a steady flow of work, including frequent training, establishing an organized workflow, and prioritizing difficult tasks, along with many other innovative techniques and ideas that can help improve your office’s workflow.

In this article, we highlight the top ways you can increase workflow without overlooking your workspace’s productivity.

Become More Organized

Whether you’re an employee or an employer, you’ll benefit from being organized in your work and in your life in general. Being organized helps make the business environment less stressful and decreases the amount of time wasted between daily tasks and work processes. If you run your own business, try to communicate the importance of organization with your staff and help them fix their daily schedules according to their specific roles in the company. Keep in mind that workflow automation may be able to handle routine tasks.

Make sure they understand that having a daily plan gives them more time to focus at the beginning of their working day rather than wasting time taking care of the mess from the day before. As a worker or businessman, you should spend at least 10 minutes at the end of your working day sorting through the papers and documents that need to be filed. Before making your to-do list for the next day, try to delete all opened emails and get rid of any papers you no longer need. While office organization does not just refer to how clean your office is, it’s important to eliminate any chances of wasting time looking for things in your office or computer.

Communicate Clearly

Communication is the most important dynamic for the survival and success of any business. Communication in business means making sure that everyone in the office understands the processes and rules of the workplace. This is why most businesses and companies encourage their employees to maintain open lines of communication with each other to confirm the tasks they are working on and report their progress to management. It’s easier to get work done when everyone knows their role and their assigned tasks. On the other hand, lack of proper communication can lead workers to ignore important tasks — especially if they believe someone else is already working on them Open communication also minimizes time wastage and helps to prevent employee errors. When you and your employees are connected, you’ll be able to track progress, ensure a smooth workflow, and monitor all tasks to make sure they are completed accurately and on time.

Enhance Your Email Structure

One important aspect of almost any business email services. Due to the frequent and essential use of email in the processes of all businesses, you need to learn how you can streamline this process and increase its efficiency. Emails – especially those going to customers and clients – represent your business, no matter how simple or repetitive the message is. While it may seem more efficient to send out mass emails of a repetitive nature, taking your time to learn how to connect with those reading your emails can have a significant, positive impact on your success as a business. Emails have special structures and key components that need to be included in order to build your business email message. Think of addressing customers by their name and always respond to emails, even if your reply will be short. Your clients should never feel like they’re wasting your time when reading an email or a reply from you, so it’s important to reply to their emails promptly. Make it a standard for your company emails to inform your customers that their feedback is appreciated and valuable to your business.

Make Use of Collaboration Tools

While email makes up the majority of work and business communications, it can interfere with your workers’ productivity. Emails help in the collaboration process between you and your clients and/or you and your employees, so they are a great source of communication; they can also interrupt you every now and then and slow down your flow, affecting both productivity and income levels Sometimes, feeling the pressure of responding quickly to an email can prompt poor business decisions. Software specialists at DevOps suggest using cloud-based tools that can help you separate your emails and streamline the entire process. These tools will help you access all the important things in one place while moving the less important things to another place so that you can organize on the basis of your priorities. Using similar cloud-based tools can also help you schedule when to read your email messages rather than having to waste a lot of time going through thousands of accumulated email messages and notifications.

Encourage Breaks

It’s not easy for anyone to stay focused on a particular task for a long time. Text messages, social interactions, and browsing the internet, along with many other distractions, can slow down the workday. Once attention and focus are lost, it can be very difficult to attain them again. Breaks help reduce distractions by giving employees designated times to think of something else other than work, giving them the chance to clear their minds for a while. As a business or company owner, make sure you encourage your employees to take their breaks. Your workers will be more able to concentrate on work tasks when they have time to rest. They’ll also work at a faster pace when on the clock. More breaks lead to increased productivity and concentration.

Keep Your Network Clean of Viruses and Avoid Breaches

Computer malware and viruses can sabotage your workflow significantly and lead to costly damages. Social engineering has the power to convince many of your workers to click on phishing links or reply to emails from scam cyber entities with malicious intentions. It’s important to educate your working team on the risks of cybercrime. Give them proper instructions on how to deal with emails that contain phishing links and teach them how they can check the source of their downloads, links, and files before clicking on any suspicious messages or URLs. You can also seek the help of professional IT services and teams who can handle the technological affairs of your company on your behalf. Understand that viruses, phishing attempts, and data breaches of business social networks are very common. If any of your account data is leaked in a security breach that targeted one of the services your business uses, all of your other accounts and data are exposed to risk as well. It’s important for your business to work with an experienced IT staff to prevent such network breaches. Losing any of your company’s data or having one of your systems attacked by cybercrime can lead to disastrous consequences when it comes to your office’s productivity and workflow.

Tackle Difficult Tasks First

To run your business effectively, you have to come to terms with what you’re capable of doing and what you ultimately cannot do. Understand that you can’t attempt to tackle all of your work-related tasks simultaneously. You need to prioritize the important or difficult ones first so that you would have more time and freedom to focus on the other less important ones as the day progresses. When you start with the most important tasks, you’ll not only be able to give them the energy and focus they require, but you’ll also have a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to address less important, less stressful tasks as the day progresses. Aim to start your day with a to-do list ranked by order of importance and urgency. Checking off those initial tasks one-by-one will provide you with peace of mind as you work through the rest of your list.

Regulate Frequent Training

Employees’ productivity tends to decrease proportionately with increases in workload; the more overwhelmed they feel with ongoing projects and responsibilities, the poorer their work performance. When you provide your staff with adequate training and educate them about your company’s processes, they feel less intimidated by their pending workload and feel more comfortable and capable as they engage in daily work projects and assignments. Even if your employees are already trained in certain processes, going over the same processes again can answer many of their questions, prevent them from feeling overwhelmed, and encourage them to get involved in tougher work projects. Training provides essential knowledge to your employees regarding your system, company processes, and rules.

Managing your workflow is very important for the success of your business. However, the toughest part is improving your company’s workflow without interfering with your office’s productivity. To promote productivity and increase workflow efficiency, you need to communicate with your workers and engage them in your business processes so that they feel less intimidated by their ongoing tasks and projects. Make sure you also find ways to streamline basic business processes such as emails and employee communication platforms.

Turbo Pump: What Does It Do and Why You Should Own One?

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Allen Brown

A turbomolecular pump, most commonly referred to as a turbo pump, usually has a rapidly spinning turbine rotor. This rotor hits gas molecules coming from an inlet of the pump, directing it towards the exhaust, thereby, producing and maintaining a vacuum. Turbo pumps have various applications and this article focuses on some of them, as well as the top reasons why you should own a turbo pump.

Common Applications

Industrial Vacuum Processing

When it comes to industrial vacuum processing, turbo pumps prove to be beneficial for thin film deposition, device processing, as well as other general processes. If you need a turbo pump for this purpose, explore online sources because there is a great chance that this is where you will be able to find turbo pumps for sale at a lower cost. In this case, you will be able to have a turbo pump for your surface treatments or to manufacture television and monitor picture tubes.

Nanotechnology Instruments

Another common application of turbo pumps is in nanotechnology instruments such as electron microscopy and focused ion-beam systems (FIB). Turbo pumps are also quite beneficial in semiconductor manufacturing and surface analysis. The reason behind this is that with a turbo pump, you will be able to analyze various types of substances such as organic compounds, as well as semiconductor wafers.

Reasons to Own a Turbo Pump

Convenience

There are various reasons why you should get a turbo pump but the primary one is for convenience because these pumps come in a smaller size compared to other types of pumps. Aside from this, turbo pumps are generally lighter too, making them easy to transport and even install. Turbo pumps also tend to produce less noise, which is very much favorable if you prefer to work in a quiet environment. The best part is that turbo pumps also garner lower maintenance costs, even if you have to shell out a bigger sum upfront.

Performance

Another reason why you should get a turbo pump is that they are fully functional and performant. When it comes to energy consumption, a turbo pump can save you as much as 20% of energy compared to other pumps.

Turbo pumps also generate a lower carbon dioxide emission during operation, making them the perfect alternative particularly for an environmentally friendly system and ultimately, a healthier planet.

Because turbo pumps generate more pressure, you also get to save time as well when you use them. Rest assured that they are suitable for diverse uses because of their wide pumping range. Just keep in mind to get a pump from a reputable manufacturer who will be able to offer you high-quality turbo pumps.

Turbo pumps have various applications and industrial vacuum processing and nanotechnology instruments are only some of them. If you deem that your system can benefit from turbo pumps, then go and get one. Rest assured that not only will a turbo pump pave the way for more convenience when it comes to running your application, but it will also ensure that you get the maximum performance you expected.

6 Tips for Boosting Small Business Productivity

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Micky Addam

Running a small business may seem easy at first glance, but it isn’t much more straightforward than running an enterprise if your goal is to succeed. Small business owners often face difficulties and challenges in maintaining or improving business productivity among their team and keeping their motivation and productivity at high levels.

Furthermore, many aspiring business owners find this challenge to be among the crucial factors why they don’t follow through with their business ideas.

So, these six tips for boosting and maintaining productivity in a small business can help you run your business more successfully. Simultaneously, they can also motivate young and ambitious business owners to take the plunge since anything can be realized with enough motivation.

6 Tips for Boosting Small Business Productivity

1. Prioritize important tasks

When you’re a business owner, you have to be informed about every action concerning your business. Besides that, every step needs your confirmation, so you have to tackle every side of the business. While that requires a lot of attention and focus, sometimes it can be exhausting to deal with multiple tasks at once.

So, the key is to prioritize the critical tasks that require your attention until they’re solved. Move to the following task only when you complete the previous one to avoid scattering and dividing focus on tasks that require your full attention. Studies have shown that multitasking can be detrimental to productivity. After all, it is extremely difficult to maintain the same quality when juggling several assignments at once. Thus, once you commit to one task, try to follow through with it.

2. Use your time efficiently

Finding the perfect time management and balancing several daily tasks with the much-needed rest is crucial towards maximizing your business’s productivity. So, you can easily set a detailed plan for how much time you want to spend on each task and break.

This will help you stay on track and focus on the task in front of you without wandering off to other tasks that await you in the future. Also, it’ll help you stay away from social media or other platforms until you reach the time for your break.

3. Stay organized

Following good time management, another tip for improved productivity is keeping your business organized. It means everything from a tidy desk and workstation, decluttered email, and well-managed business affairs.

While this comes naturally for some people, others need a bit of assistance. So, if you’re having trouble keeping track of your duties and responsibilities, all kinds of task management apps can help you.

Use to-do lists to make sure you tackle each task, assistant apps to remain on top of all business events, and schedules to efficiently plan ahead. The advanced technology allows you to keep everything in one place by using smartphone apps and special software.

4. Take advantage of automation

Another great feature of technology is ML and AI. With it, devices can predict and automate repetitive work where the program recognizes a pattern. For example, if you have a staff meeting every Monday at 9 am, you can take advantage of technology by setting automatic reminders for the meeting.

This frees you of the responsibility to deal with and keep track of much less critical tasks when you should be focusing on something bigger. One such way to do this is to consistently upgrade the technology you use in your product life cycle and the use of Chatbots is a worthy avenue to pursue.

So, use tech to automate repetitive work, which will also avoid potential mistakes and let you focus on essential tasks.

5. Improve cybersecurity

Since most businesses are increasingly transferring to online presence and appealing to their employees to work from home, companies became largely dependent on technology and the internet. While technology provides a more efficient, simple, and productive manner to complete everyday tasks, it comes with its set of disadvantages.

The biggest one is the alarming issue of cybersecurity and protecting private data from attackers. They often lurk around the internet, intending to find unprotected information, so using a VPN is a crucial step for minimizing any activity that can harm your business’s productivity.

Always recommend these tools for your employees, especially if they use personal devices to complete work tasks. VPN Windows app will make it far more difficult to steal information traveling through the internet. You would not like to have confidential data broadcasted to other users while connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot? Then, you need to implement appropriate security measures.

6. Communicate with your team

Another way of improving and boosting productivity in your business is by staying in touch with your employees.

Not only can you use contemporary technology to form group chats and conversations with your workers easily, but you can take this chance to find out what makes your employees motivated and productive. Also, you can share different tips and tricks and equally contribute to a better working atmosphere.

Conclusion

To sum everything up, business owners often forget to tackle the problem of productivity in their companies and create a better environment for them and their workers. However, boosting productivity doesn’t require any drastic measures, and it can efficiently be done following just a few simple guidelines.

Best Tools to Simplify Your eCommerce Business

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Kaushal Malkan

Operating an e-commerce business is both thrilling and exhausting at the same time, and you may be able to handle all the basic tasks for getting it off the ground; you will require more help as you begin to develop.

It makes sense to invest in anything that code simplifies the task and makes it easy for everyone to help a business achieve its goals.

Whenever it has something to do with order management, product inventory, customer service, or web design and marketing, the good news is that there are convenient tools for getting the work done. Below are some of the popular and efficient E-Commerce business tools that you may consider for scaling your business at a much fleeter pace.

1. Quickbooks

One of the essential aspects of running a business is knowing how the money is moving in your business. It would help if you had a good idea of where your money goes, how much you spend, how much you earn, and how much goes into various aspects of the business. Quickbook provides a 360-degree view of your complete business by taking care of all your accounting needs. Using its multi user login and comprehensive analytics and reporting features, the program helps you be on top of things in the easiest possible way.

2. DesignBro

Designbro is an online graphic designing platform that blends high-quality professional designers with clients worldwide. Packaging design has eternally been overpriced due to inadequate processes. Designbro delivers an affordable and high-quality packaging design at scale by automating these processes.

There are different branches for every project, each with its alternatives. It is not very surprising how the tremendous number of choices doesn’t confound people?

It doesn’t stop the purchasing experience for you, and your eyes instantly stand for your favorite brands. More often, the packaging enables a ketchup brand for standing out in every food section. Good candle packaging should be enough if you want your goods to stand out from the crowd.

Designbro has the ability for assisting you with brand identity design so your products could fly offshore shelves:

●    Selecting between 3 to 10 packaging design concepts.
●    Design by the best professional designers.
●    Receiving tailor-made designs for products.
●    Money-back guarantee

3. FreeUp

An E-Commerce business needs to run like a well-oiled machine for meeting its goals. All its features from marketing, product sourcing, and customer service are required to perform as expected.

One person cannot do all this. You require an appropriate workforce to help you get things done if you need your business to go to the next level.

FreeUp could be considered a great investment as it saves many headaches going through an extensive hiring method. As freelancers are all pre-vetted at FreeUp, all you have to do is tell them the skills you are looking for and provide you with qualified candidates within 24 hours.

4. Sellbrite

Inventory management and order fulfillment are tedious tasks required to run an eCommerce business, which is why it makes a turn-off difference if there is a way for performing each of these tasks with the same tool.

All this has been made possible by Sellbrite as it not only allows you to perform these tasks by using a single tool it also provides access to multichannel reporting intelligence required by every business.

5. UpCounsel

Branding, trademarking, intellectual property rights, labor, and employment agreements, customer agreements, and patents are some of the things you are forced to deal with as your business will grow. Also, you will be spending time working with lawyers when dealing with these things, which is why getting access to what team of lawyers for critical legal advice is crucial. It is exactly what UpCounsel provides, which is why investing in this tool is vital not only for developing the business but also for protecting it.

6. ShipStation

Shipping products could be devastating. From designing shipping labels and binding slips for sending actual orders, the entire process requires a lot of time and effort, particularly when marketing through different platforms.

ShipStation helps save time and money by allowing you to import, manage and ship orders in one place. Shipstation can integrate directly with popular e-commerce shopping carts, tools, and platforms that make the whole process of selling products online more comfortable than it regularly would be.

7. AfterShip

An E-Commerce business should ensure that customers are getting quality products and obtaining them at the right time. It is why a shipment tracking tool is necessary because different factors could affect the delivery procedure. You can provide your customers less reason for wearing about their packages by having the ability to track shipments.

It is exactly what AfterShip provides you. With its support of over 400 shipping services worldwide and integration with major eCommerce platforms like Shopify and eBay, delivery monitoring has become much convenient.

8. Yotpo

One of the essential factors that provide an E-Commerce business with success is a customer review. It is an excellent way for leveraging satisfied customers for driving future sales. That is what Yotpo allows you to do.

What provides a platform for generating product reviews and uses the best of them for boosting sales with its highly customizable and easy-to-install widgets. Essentially that tool supports in making your business more convincing regardless of its market share.

End words

The large number of tasks required for running an eCommerce business investing in these tools could effectively increase productivity and profitability. While most required tasks are considered mundane and routinary, it doesn’t take away that most of them require time and effort.

The tools mentioned above allow you to maximize time and features to perform such tasks easier and faster. Some of them might require you to shell out a considerable amount of cash; the benefits they will bring will surpass the amount you will be spending. If you want to boost your product sales and see a drastic increase in profit, investing in these tools could be one of the best decisions you can take, especially if you start.

Benefits of investing in SEO

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Tanzeel Ur Rehman

Nowadays, people rely on search engines to look for a variety of brands and services. It simply means that your target audience is already searching for the services and products offered by your brand. And, if you want to be found by your target audience, you need to consider investing in search engine optimization.

It would not be wrong to say that SEO is an integral part of the digital marketing industry as it helps in building your brand awareness. On top of that, you can take advantage of different SEO strategies and techniques to boost your business. If you are still wondering how SEO can help to improve your brand visibility online, here are some reasons laid down by a reputed SEO agency why you should invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Improved Brand Visibility

Undoubtedly, branding is a time-consuming, costly and challenging task. Regardless of what your niche is, you have to work on increasing your brand visibility online. And nothing can be better than SEO to bring a noticeable impact on your business. When you invest in SEO services, you will be able to drive traffic to your site. With passing time, your brand will not only gain increased visibility but also will win the trust of the customers.

Bring In More Leads

Let’s be realistic, every company owns a website with a primary goal to take an edge over their competition and not to mention, increase their customer base. If you are smart enough to invest in SEO services, you are likely to bring in more customers as compared to the businesses, which do not have SEO-optimized websites.

There is no denying the fact that SEO is one of the most reasonable and efficient marketing strategies. This is not it- you can benefit from this strategy to only gain the customers who are actively looking for your products or services.

Attract More Traffic

Do you know the primary goal of Search engine optimization (SEO)? Well, it plays a vital role in improving the ranking of your site. In addition to that, with improved rankings, you will be able to attract more targeted traffic to your site, which will eventually convert into customers. So, if you want to attract more traffic, SEO is one of the most effective techniques to accomplish this goal.

Optimal User Experience

Almost every company wants to gain maximum visibility and increased brand awareness. But less do they realize that the optimal user-experience is all it takes to get there. A positive user-experience can, without a doubt, pave the way to your website’s success. If your website fails to satisfy the needs of a customer or the customers cannot find what they are looking for, the performance of your site will be negatively affected.

Affordability, Guaranteed!

SEO, without a doubt, stands out from other types of online marketing. This method of marketing is expensive in the first phase so many marketers make the mistake of opting for cheaper alternatives. But less do they know that the cost of improving online visibility through SEO is less than SEM.
If you are looking for a convenient and cheaper way to take your brand to the net level, then you should be willing to go for SEO.

Boost Credibility and Authority

Needless to say, the internet has changed the way people make buying decisions. Now people rely on help resources on the website to learn about the sales process before even making an effort to speak with a sales representative. This is the reason why you should get your website’s optimization done to help potential buyers.

Try combining an SEO strategy content marketing to get the best results, that too instantly. Your website must be able to educate, entertain and inform your audience about your valuable services. When the information provided on your website is authentic, informative, and SEO-friendly, it is likely to boost the authority and credibility of your site in no time. In order to achieve that, you will constantly have to keep a check on the traffic. But in case, you cannot do that because of slow internet, then you should consider subscribing to a more reliable internet provider like AT&T internet.

Stay Ahead of your Competitors

As you start making an effort to optimize your site, you will not only be focusing on improving your site’s ranking but beyond that, you will be trying to stay ahead of your competitors. When you go out of your way to improve your search results, you are likely to get more clicks than your competitors. Getting a larger percentage of clicks means that you will be able to generate more revenue. Check out Nestor Vazquez, an SEO consultant who can help improve your businesses online visibility.

Grab More Market Share

It is important to know that almost every customer looks for reviews to make an informed decision. Some people even search for products and different services online before making a decision. If you want your audience to locate your business online, then it is important to go for the best SEO practices. It is your ticket to gain increased online visibility. But, if the customers cannot find you organically, they will choose your competitors instead.

SEO-Friendly Content Generate Leads

Google’s search algorithm is being updated every now and then, hence, it is important to build SEO-friendly content. Without user-friendly content on the website, chances are, the performance and visibility of your site will be affected.

Ending Note

Implementing SEO for improving your brand visibility can be beneficial for you in different ways. With a higher ranking of your website, the sales conversion of your brand will automatically increase, that too instantly. Even your competitors are investing in SEO- and so should you. So, make sure you consider going for an SEO Agency to get your desired results.

It goes without saying that SEO has become mandatory for the success of every business as it plays an integral role in helping people find your business online. So, what are you waiting for? Hire an SEO expert to take your business to a whole new level!

4 Upcoming Games That Should Be in Your Top List

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Pete Brown

With 2021 well underway, it’s time to start focusing attention on what games you should be looking at purchasing when they are released. Whether you enjoy multiplayer games or single-player games, the new releases are looking exciting, and it appears there is something for everybody, so to avoid missing out on the best releases, let’s get to grip with them.

Back 4 Blood

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, you are needed to come and fight off the zombies. The game can be played in 4 cooperative player games and eight players in a PvP mode. Humanity is infected or diseased, and they need to be eradicated. You will tackle ridding the world of the undead (zombies) in missions that will change each time you play. There is also a 4v4 mode. This is interesting as one team takes on the zombies’ role, making for hours of competitive gaming and entertainment.

Chivalry 2

Chivalry: Medieval Warfare was massive in 2012, and this is the sequel, which features next-gen graphics, improved combat, and massive 64-player battles. To bring cinematic moments to the series Chivalry 2 will allow players to live out their favorite battle movie scenes and promises to be gory. It will feature new voice-lines, and players will have greater control over characters, including deep character customization. Players are pushed into the action of every moment, and it promises to be iconic. Within 12 months, it should be available on all Platforms: Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One.

Gore, epic fight scenes, and multiplayer options mean that there are many opportunities within gameplay to challenge your friends, family, and work colleagues. Whether you want to be a fighter or an assassin, you can do it this year through improved gameplay. To ensure you make the most of your free time, Gramno.com has produced an even bigger list of games you should be looking to get in 2021. The good thing with most of the new and upcoming releases is that they are thrilling, exciting, and jam-packed.

Evil Dead: The Game

Taken from the successful movies franchise, this could prove to be just as popular and gory. The game will feature co-operative gameplay as well as player versus player. Characters and locations from all three of the Evil Dead films will feature in the gameplay, which should nicely tie everything together.

Hitman III

Hitman 3 is a game played from a third-person perspective. You have to take control of assassin Agent 47. Agent 47 travels to various locations and carries out assassinations. New locations are featured, and they include Berlin, Mendoza, Dubai, Dartmoor, and Romania. At each stage within the game, several locked doors can only be unlocked from one side. After the locked doors have been unlocked, then they will remain open. Through open doors, you will be able to access closed-off locations quicker and with ease.If you own the previous two games, You can import maps and progress to take advantage of Hitman 3’s improvements if you have owned the last games.

With these new launches, there is something for every type of gamer, and the best news is that these games feature even better graphics than before, so you can lose yourself and experience total immersion from the moment you start playing.

Must Have Technologies that Make Small Businesses Grow

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Timothy Miller

The technology of things in business has something for every small business. Besides, many students also implement some young generic ideas and technologies into their first small business and they don’t have time for their college paper, so they use custom college paper writing and have time for business and studying. The technology that you should include in the business line of operation should be one that will engage the customers more and go all the way to impact the business line of operation for the best. The following are technologies that will best impact small businesses.

An Advanced Payment Method

If you want to make it rosy for the customers, then contactless payment technology should be imbibed. There are several options to go with here. It is left for you to choose the most ideal among the options that will be great for your line of business among the available options.

Data Security

We are aware of the activities of online hawks. It is important to ensure that there is security over the valued data of your company as well as that of your cherished customers. This is a perfect way to guarantee your small business line of operation. With assurances on security in place; it will be easy to move your business to the next level.

Mobile Applications

This is the era of mobile technology. The best among the big sales are made on the go. The best website that the customers will easily fall in love with should be one that has seamless technology with all mobile devices. When the customers can view their account information; make purchases; communicate with the staff; manage their preferences on their entire mobile; their loyalty to you will be guaranteed.

Are you still in doubt as to what technology to use for your small business? Take a look at Essential Technologies Every Small Business Should Run.

The use of Chatbots

This is the era of artificial intelligence and the younger generations prefer dealing with chatbots. This app can effectively mimic the role of the human being. The majority of the customers enjoy interacting with chatbot to access routine requests. This is a way of getting useful information no matter the time in the day time of the day that such requests are made.

Customer Support

The customer wants to be treated with an air of royalty and you will achieve this level of treatment that will wow your customers through incredible customer support software. The best CRM will give you an insight into the demands of current as well as future customers. The CRM with the right array of features that will suit your purpose should be given consideration.

Human Resource Software

The best results can be achieved in the flow of information between the human resource on the one hand and the employees on the other hand. When you involve the right technology into your small-scale business, in addition as we said early students who also employ somebody they also use essay writing help, it will make communication more efficient and you are going to achieve the results that you are going to be proud of at the end of the day.

Final Thoughts

The technology of today will help the growth of your business if you apply the suitable one for your business line of operation.

How to Create a Successful Workflow Automation For Your Online Business

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Roy Emmerson

If you run an online business, you’ll most likely understand that automating your processes and procedures will help to scale your business faster. This is because there are a lot of moving parts in an online business, and if you don’t have a system in place to automate some of your tasks, then you’ll be struggling to complete them.

In this post, I want to share with you how you can put your online business on autopilot using workflow automation.

What Exactly is Workflow Automation?

Workflow automation, as the name implies, is the process of creating a system that automates all the repetitive tasks, procedures, and processes in your business.

When you have workflow automation in place for your online business, you’ll achieve your goals faster. That way, you can improve your efficiency and focus on growing your business.

Why You Should Create a Workflow Automation for an Online Business

In case you’re wondering if creating workflow automation is the right thing to do, here are some benefits you stand to gain by implementing an automated system for your online business.

1. It enhances communication within your team

For an online business owner, chances are that your team works remotely. What this means is that you need an effective communication system to get things done.

With workflow automation, you can filter the information that you send to your employees so that they can get only relevant information, and also respond in real time.

2. It increases your team’s productivity

Chances are that there are repetitive tasks in your business. By automating these tasks, you’ll become more productive and achieve more in less time. Take, for instance, if you run an agency, you can automate the process of finding and doing outreach to qualified leads you want to work with.

So instead of spending about four hours a day on this task, you can reduce it to say one hour a day. The remaining three hours can be spent on other productive tasks that move the needle for your business.

3. It makes your team more efficient

If you want your team members to be more efficient, then having workflow automation in place will help you greatly.

The reason is simple. While humans are prone to errors and risks, machines and software have minimal and negligible risks. That way, you can be sure of getting things done the right way, while your employees focus on things that require human engagement.

How to Create a Successful Workflow Automation for Your Online Business

Now that you know why having workflow automation in place is a good idea, here are the steps you can take to create one for your online business.

1. Outline your goals for creating a workflow

What exactly do you want to achieve for your business when you create workflow automation? This is the first step toward achieving success with this process.

When you have specific goals in mind, it becomes much easier to create an automation that matches and helps you achieve those faster. Take, for instance, if your goal is to enhance communication in your team, then you should outline exactly how you want to achieve that with automation.

By outlining your goals, you’ll have a long-term strategy in place for your online business.

2. Identify repetitive tasks

Repetitive tasks are usually the culprits when automating your workflow. So you need to identify what these repetitive tasks are, how much of your time it takes to complete them, and the number of work hours you’ll save by automating them.

Take for instance, if you own an affiliate marketing website. One of the things that matters to you is getting more eyeballs to your blog. And to make this happen, you have to engage in some repetitive tasks such as: posting your content on social media, repurposing your content into other formats such as video, republishing your content on syndication platforms such as Medium, and reaching out to other relevant website owners to link to you.

By identifying these repetitive tasks, you can know exactly what to automate and what you shouldn’t.

3. Use technology to execute these tasks

Workflow automation will be impossible without technology. So the next step in the process is to find the tools and software you can use to automate repetitive tasks with little or no human input.

Take the case of a blogger, for example—one of the repetitive tasks you do is to reach out to relevant website owners to link to you. While it’s possible to get the list of websites that might be interested in linking to your content manually, it’s usually time-consuming and always prone to errors.

Instead, you can use SEO tools such as Ahrefs and SEMrush to automate this process. That way, you can find more websites in less time, and focus instead on creating personalized outreach emails.

Show your employees how it works

There’s a limit to the number of tasks you can complete in a day, even with automation. This is why you need to show your employees how everything works, as soon as you’ve figured it out on your own.

One of the ways to show employees how things work is to record your process using screen recording software such as Loom. Once done, you can upload the links to a team collaboration software such as Google spreadsheet, SweetProcess, Clickup, and so on.

Alternatively, if it’s something you can explain with written content, you can easily do so via Google Docs, and share access to your team members. That way, they can execute these tasks, even in your absence.

Conclusion

An effective way to grow your online business and make your team more productive is to automate some of the repetitive tasks. In this post, you’ve learned the steps you can take to make that happen using workflow automation.

Optima Tax Relief provides Important Reminders to Taxpayers before Filing their 2020 Tax Returns

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Addison Yes

With so many tax changes that happened last year due to the ongoing pandemic, it can be difficult to keep up with all the updates in tax filing laws. Optima Tax Relief looks into tax updates taxpayers should know about and how to prepare to file their 2020 federal tax returns.

Choose Direct Deposit

It is recommended that taxpayers choose direct deposit when filing their taxes because it is the safest, most accurate and fastest way to receive their refund. Choosing to go with direct deposit means that individuals will have any tax refund electronically deposited for free into their financial account.

Eight out of ten taxpayers receive their refund through direct deposit because it is simple and secure. This is also the same electronic transfer system that is used to deposit almost 98% of all Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits into millions of accounts. You can set up direct deposit through your credit union. We suggest Gordon Simmons S e r v i c e Credit Union for all your banking needs.

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) allows qualifying workers with lower to moderate income additional financial assistance. EITC reduces the amount of tax someone owes and could possibly give them a tax refund instead even if they don’t owe any taxes or aren’t required to file a tax return.

Individuals will need to first file a federal return as well as meet certain requirements in order to receive this credit. Taxpayers can utilize the EITC assistant on the IRS website to determine if the qualify.

Taxable Unemployment Compensation

Due to COVID, millions of Americans received unemployment compensation in 2020 for the first time. Taxpayers need to be aware that this compensation is taxable and needs to be included in their gross income on their tax return.

Individuals have the option to elect to have their federal taxes withheld from their unemployment benefits or make estimated tax payments. For those who don’t pay taxes on their unemployment throughout the year, they can expect to pay up after filing their 2020 tax return.

Interest is Considered Taxable Income

Taxpayers who received a refund on their 2019 tax returns may have also received interest from the IRS. The interest payments were a result of the postponed filing deadline of July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019 refund interest payments are taxable and taxpayers must report this interest when they file their 2020 federal income tax return. The IRS should send a Form 1099-INT to anyone who received interest totaling at least $10.

Three Steps for World-Class Information Security Training

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Tigran Avetisyan

One of the cornerstones of information security for enterprises is staff training. State-of-the-art anti-malware software and stringent security policies are effectively useless if your employees can be persuaded to bypass security protocols and aid an attacker without realizing it.

According to ComputerONE, Information security training can assist you with keeping your team prepared to repel cyberattacks, but it calls for a careful approach. With the 3 steps we will outline below, you will substantially reduce staff-related security risks in your organization.

Why Train Your Employees?

The ultimate goal of information security training is to protect assets and information that are crucial to your business. This is done on multiple fronts.

The primary way in which infosec training can reduce the risk of security breaches is that employees will be more aware of the possible consequences of their actions and may have a better sense of responsibility.

According to the Ponemon Institute’s 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report, 23% of data breaches were caused by human error. The human error category incorporated negligent employees or contractors who unintentionally caused a data breach.

Separately, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) reports that 38% of data breaches (18% up from January-June 2020) between July and December 2020 were due to human error.

By making employees more informed, information security training reduces the risk of accidents caused by carelessness or mishandling of corporate data or systems.

Sense of responsibility aside, information security training is imperative due to the rapid evolution of cyber threats. Enterprises constantly come up with new ways to protect their operations, and malicious actors likewise invent new methods of circumventing carefully designed security measures.

Information security training allows you to keep your employees up-to-date with the latest developments in the worlds of ransomware, phishing, and the like. With proper instruction, even the most sophisticated threats should not be able to defeat your defenses.

Three Key Steps For Improving The Effectiveness Of Information Security Training

1. Review your information security policies

Infosec training is a must for any company that handles sensitive data, but if the policies you are enforcing are ineffective at protecting the organization, training your staff to follow them might not convey the protection you seek. Aside from the training itself, you should take care of your security policies. In fact, these need to come first – training, albeit undeniably important, is only secondary.

Security policies define how an organization should protect itself from threats and the actions to take in the event of a security incident. As far as staff training is concerned, policies can help organizations ensure their employees stick to what they learned and prevent them from attempting to cheat the system or being compelled to cheat the system by a time-poor superior.

As an example of how a security policy could solidify your defenses, let’s consider a whaling attack where the compromised account of an executive could be used to force a fraudulent transaction out of your finance department under time duress.

To prevent such incidents, your security policies could (and should) enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and a spoken voice conversation to clear the transaction. Even if a CEO’s email account becomes compromised, failure to pass such supplementary stages of confirmation will likely prevent the transaction.

In similar circumstances, security policies act as a guide for employees and a safeguard against security breaches. Without policies and incentives to follow the procedures established in your infosec training, the chance of the training’s success plummets.

2. Gamify infosec training

Security policies can certainly go a long way towards improving information security. However, repetitive training that occurs annually could easily bore your employees. The result – employees get distracted and fail to absorb the important lessons.

Gamification is one of the ways to “spice up” infosec training. The purpose of gamifying information security training is making it more invigorating via interactive activities that simulate security breach attempts.

A whopping 83% of those who receive gamified training feel motivated, and only 10% are bored. In contrast, non-gamified training makes 61% of employees bored and unproductive.

Organizations may either come up with their own methods to gamify traditional face-to-face or video training, or they could make use of available solutions. For executives, PwC has come up with “Game of Threats”.

“Game of Threats” simulates the experience of executives during cyberattacks. Possessing limited time and resources, participants play both as attackers and defenders with the aim of beating each other. This interactive approach provides a deeper, more practical insight into how attackers may attempt to penetrate your defenses and how executives should respond to malicious incidents.

3. Don’t just train – test

You may have fleshed out your security policies and completely revamped your infosec training program, but did it all actually make a difference?

You may find that out by testing your employees post-training. Solutions like Barracuda PhishLine allow you to simplify and streamline this process.

PhishLine lets you leverage the massive collection of real-world threat templates collected by Barracuda email protection tools to simulate email attacks. During a customized simulation, you will be able to survey your team to identify potential weaknesses in your security policies, work culture, and training methods.

Then, the most high-risk employees can be provided with additional gamified training based on their past actions and current responsibilities.

Most Executives Consider Untrained Staff As The Greatest Cybersecurity Risk

87% of executives around the world regard untrained staff as the greatest risk to their cybersecurity.

Infosec training and compliance with up-to-date security policies can go a long way in protecting your organization. For some perspective, according to Microsoft, a simple step like enabling MFA can reduce security compromises by 99.9%.

Measures like training (and re-training) your workforce are easy to neglect since they require time in development and delivery, but it’s critical that you deploy them in your organization. Otherwise, you’re ceding ground to the attacker without even realizing it.

The Benefits of Using APIs in Mobile App Development

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Shaun Williams

Mobile app development is often a monotonous and time-consuming task. It requires a lot of precision and patience to develop a robust and flawless mobile app. Moreover, it’s a fact that the larger the time it takes to create the mobile app, the larger will be the cost of the overall development process. App developers, for years, have been trying to employ ways to cut down development costs. Integrating APIs in mobile app development is the best way to cut down costs and substantially reduce the development time.

API stands for “application program interface,”. It includes a set of protocols, procedures, and tools that help an app establish a connection and enable data transmission with another software, OS, or third-party service. API integration in mobile app development holds several benefits, most of which will be discussed in this post.

This integration reduces the number of working hours by eliminating the labor needed in designing some essential functions that can be directly powered in apps by using APIs. Let’s move forward and learn more about the importance of using APIs in mobile app development and the top benefits.

1. Reduces Development Time Significantly

The most crucial benefit of using APIs is that integrating them in mobile development platforms considerably reduces the overall development time. There are many APIs available in the market that help mobile apps connect with third-party service providers to meet different needs. For example, suppose developers don’t have enough time to design a log-in module for authenticating the users in mobile apps. In that case, they can use Google sign-in APIs, Facebook APIs, etc. Such API integrations not only make things easier and faster for the app developers but also the end-users. They don’t have to insert their log-in credentials repeatedly; instead, they can authenticate themselves using their pre-saved Google or Facebook sign-in credentials. Another example is storage APIs; instead of developing storage for mobile apps, they can directly use google drive API or Dropbox APIs for storing various details and progress of users, especially in gaming apps.

2. Lesser Coding Requirements

API integration in app development reduces development time because the coding requirements and hours usually spent on it are reduced significantly. The developers can engrave a variety of functionalities in the mobile app just by integrating the respective API and utilizing clear API documentation. Usually, mobile app developers need to code every functionality and feature they want in their app. APIs eliminate those coding requirements and offer those same functionalities effortlessly with the help of third-party service providers.

You might have seen “powered by Google” or Google Maps whenever you’re using some hotel booking app and trying to locate the respective hotel. This way, the developers don’t need to design their map( which is a tedious and time-consuming process); instead, they can integrate a more precise map powered by Google into their apps.

3. Makes Mobile Apps more Creative

There is a range of APIs available in the market, and each of them supports a variety of functionalities. Usually, app developers try to keep the number of functionalities and features as minimum as possible due to time constraints. Many times in the process of limiting features, the creativity of the app is compromised. But by integrating APIs, the app can be powered by those features that are hard to design but can add significant value to creativity. For example, using Youtube API, the mobile app developers can add video streaming to their platform without the need of creating their own. These small things play a significant role in enhancing the creativity of the app. Those seeking app development services must check the list of top app development companies cataloged by Goodfirms for finding the right service provider to meet your needs.

4. Less Complex Codebase

The higher the number of features and functionalities a mobile app supports, the more extensive and complex its codebase will be. Even designing the simplest features requires a lot of coding; hence it’s entirely predictable that the more complex the feature is, the more complex and lengthier its code will be. APIs resolve this complexity to a great extent by helping the developers add complex but important functionalities in their mobile app development handily. The developers don’t have to design these functionalities; instead, they can integrate respective APIs for such features that are difficult and ineffective to develop. This makes the codebase less cumbersome and more comfortable to read and understand.

5. Increases the Productivity and Efficiency of the App

Mobile apps can be integrated with different sets of APIs such as Whatsapp API, Facebook API, Linkedin API, Twitter API, etc., to help the users share information. These APIs help make the mobile app more efficient, productive, and famous by empowering the users to share the app’s permissible content on different channels. This is a very efficient practice as it increases the visibility of your app on other media. If the contents match potential users’ expectations from other channels, it might improve your app’s download rate. This is very helpful for News apps; if the user likes the app’s content and shares the article on other channels, it can attract more users who are impressed by that content.

6. Easier Payments

Payment gateway APIs are the most popular type of APIs that you can find in almost all mobile apps nowadays. These APIs have emerged as the most popular and successful payment method. Mobile app developers can integrate multiple Payment APIs in their apps to help users carry out hassle-free transactions. Paypal API, Square API, Stripe API are some of the popular payment APIs you might have come across on most ecommerce apps. The integration of these payment APIs has made transactions more effortless and less time-consuming.

Wrapping Up

Mobile apps are evolving rapidly; the advent of new technologies and trends play a significant role in making them more creative, productive, and effective. One such trend that has contributed to creating mobile apps more powerful is API integration. APIs reduce development time and the app’s development cost significantly, helping the mobile app enter the market more early. All the benefits listed above highlight the importance of API integration in mobile app development. API integration allows mobile app developers to make more creative and productive apps with a little coding. Hence mobile app developers should use APIs to power their apps with such functionalities that are difficult to develop.

Author Bio

Hi There, I am Shaun Williams, a content writer with Goodfirms, a research platform for Cloud Computing, Ecommerce companies, Translation services companies, among many others. I enjoy communicating ideas and knowledge creatively and also ensure that the readers never suffer from boredom while reading my posts.

Fortinet VPN Troubleshooting and Common Issues: Using Fortinet

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Pete Brown

Access to the internet has been restricted in China since the 1990s, as the Communist government has sought ways to limit not only its citizens’ consumption of news and information but also their interaction with those outside of China. FortiClient, the Fortinet next-generation endpoint protection, provides users with secure remote access with a built-in VPN.

However, as both individuals and businesses seek access to information and the ability to conduct transactions with people outside of China, virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent these restrictions have become a necessary tool.

Accessing a VPN from China

Since China made it illegal to access the “foreign internet” without government permission in 1997, the use of VPNs as a workaround has proliferated. VPNs encrypt data, masking the user’s identity and activity while browsing the internet. VPNs hide a computer’s Internet Protocol (IP) address, its physical location, and browsing history, among other data.

It is not just individual Chinese citizens or visitors to China who benefit from VPNs to access social networks and banned websites. Chinese corporations and multinational companies doing business with China also use VPNs to secure company data and make communications more private.

Browsing the internet anonymously is not the only advantage of using a VPN. The security and privacy of VPN-encrypted connections should be the main reason users opt for VPNs when browsing the internet in China.

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Using Fortinet in China

China has also been known to target VPN companies, but luckily, it does not block the Fortinet FortiClient VPN. FortiClient is more than just a VPN. It also provides compliance and endpoint protection, which are needed for large organizations to enforce policies and track and report security issues. FortiClient also provides advanced threat protection against malware through its integration with FortiGuard.

This endpoint protection offered by the Fortinet VPN safeguards users against the most advanced threats. While some internet users in China only want a way to access U.S.-based websites and social networks without government surveillance, malware in China is a growing problem. In fact, malware associated with the Chinese government has been identified as the driver of spear-phishing attacks.

What Is VPN Troubleshooting?

Issues may arise when using a VPN to connect to the internet. Usually, the biggest issue is that the VPN simply cannot connect. Other times, the connection drops, or the connection is really slow.

In the next section, we will detail what you can do when you encounter particular issues.

How to Troubleshoot Some SSL VPN Issues

These troubleshooting tips can be used for the following versions of FortiGate: v5.4, v5.6, v6.0, v6.2, and v6.4.

There Is No response from the SSL VPN Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

Navigate to VPN >> SSL-VPN Settings and check the secure socket layer (SSL) VPN port assignment. Also, check the “Restrict Access” settings to ensure that the host you are connecting from is allowed.

Go to Policy >> IPv6 policy and make sure that the policy for SSL VPN traffic is configured correctly. Check the URL to connect to. It should follow this pattern:

https://<FortiGate IP>:<Port>/remote/login

Ensure that the correct port number in the URL is used.

Use a computer on the local network to connect to the VPN, rather than a computer using a remote connection.

If external authentication is used, create a local user and connect to the VPN using the newly created local account.

FortiClient Cannot Connect

Ensure that the version of FortiClient used is compatible with the user’s version of FortiOS.

Export FortiClient debug logs by doing the following:

Go to File >> Settings. Under the logging section, enable “Export logs.”
Set the “Log Level” to debug and select “Clear logs.”
Attempt to connect to the VPN.
Select Export logs after receiving the connection error.

The SSL VPN Login Hangs or Disconnects at 98%

A new SSL VPN driver was added to FortiClient 5.6.0 and later versions to resolve various SSL VPN connection issues. If the FortiOS version is compatible, upgrade to use one of these versions.

In addition, poor network connectivity can cause the FortiGate default login timeout limit to be reached. In FortiOS 5.6.0 and later, the following commands allow a user to increase timers related to the SSL VPN login.

# config vpn ssl settings 
   set login-timeout 180 (default is 30)
   set dtls-hello-timeout 60 (default is 10)
End

Tunnel-mode Connection Shuts Down After a Few Seconds

This issue can occur when there are multiple interfaces connected to the internet—for example, a software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN). To fix this, allow multiple interfaces to connect without issue.

If FortiOS 6.0.1 or later is used, follow this command-line interface (CLI) command:

# config system interface
    edit <name>
    set preserve-session-route enable next
end

For FortiOS 6.0.0 or earlier, use this CLI command:

# config vpn ssl settings
    set route-source-interface enable
end

The following error message will be received: “Unable to logon to the server. Your user name or password may not be configured properly for this connection. (-12).”

Make sure that the browser has cookies enabled.

If a remote authentication server is used, confirm that FortiGate is able to communicate with it.

The Tunnel Connects, but There Is No Communication

Make sure there is a visual interface or a screen you can view, by going to Monitor >> Routing Monitor.

Also, check the routing table—the data stored in a router that lists the routes to particular network destinations—on the user’s computer to ensure that the routes for the VPN are added (use the command route print on Windows, or netstat -nr on macOS).

Connects Remotely to the VPN Tunnel, but It Will Not Give Access to the Network Resources

Verify that the firewall policy for SSL VPN traffic is configured correctly by going to Policy & Objects >> IPv4 Policy and making sure that the source/destination addresses, user group, and destination interfaces are correct.

Use the command “# diagnose debug flow” to obtain more information about the network traffic. To learn more about this command, see How to use debug flow to filter traffic.

Users Are Unable to Download the SSL VPN Plugin

Go to VPN >> SSL-VPN Portals to make sure that the option to limit users to one SSL-VPN connection at a time is disabled. This allows users to connect to the resources on the portal page while also connecting to the VPN through FortiClient.

Users Are Being Assigned to the Wrong IP Range

Go to VPN >> SSL-VPN Portals and VPN >> SSL-VPN Settings and make sure that the same IP pool is used in both the VPN Portal and VPN Settings sections to avoid conflicts.

If there is a conflict, the portal settings are used.

SSL VPN Throughput Is Slow

Although many factors can contribute to slow throughput, one recommendation is to try the FortiOS datagram transport layer security (DTLS) tunnel option, available in FortiOS 5.4 and above.

DTLS allows the SSL VPN to encrypt traffic using transport layer security (TLS) and uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP) at the transport layer instead of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). This avoids retransmission problems that can occur with TCP-in-TCP.

To make sure the DTLS tunnel is enabled on the FortiGate solution, use the following command:

# config vpn ssl settings
    set dtls-tunnel enable
end

FortiClient 5.4.0 to 5.4.3 use DTLS by default. FortiClient 5.4.4 and later use normal TLS, regardless of the FortiGate DTLS setting. To use DTLS with FortiClient, go to File >> Settings and enable “Preferred DTLS Tunnel.

Top 3 PC and Phone Security Apps for Small Businesses

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Roy Castleman

The joy of B.Y.O device usage in the workplace – and the extensive connectivity and range of devices that accompany – is all positive… until it’s not.

Considering how the average user simply assumes data protection when adding or integrating a protocol, a cloud facility, or devices, corporate security has remained remarkably tight. Granted, there has been an increase in broad criminal activity online, but when looking at the figures, the successful strike rate is still low.

In part, this is because antivirus and other tools have evolved enough to run just ahead of the game, regardless of the enhanced connectivity and diversity of inputs globally (get ready to times that by a million for the unfolding IoT). Another factor is increasing awareness of online security－the bigger the company, the higher the awareness, by and large.

Reputable agents like IT support outfit EC-MSP make patches and best practices – as well as important updates – available to their clients as a standard courtesy. It’s vital for your sec`curity to remain as current as possible, and larger companies have dedicated IT departments that contain someone who will do just that.

Unfortunately, most small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) don’t have that luxury, with an increasingly large proportion of SMEs falling prey to first time cyber-attacks each year. It’s not easy to make patching your business’ security your prime focus when you’re the boss and doing everything yourself.

The antivirus software community can still slap themselves on the back a little－today’s online security is dynamite in comparison to the simple days of yore－and most take the onus of updating out of (busy) users’ hands. Invariably, successful hacks come on the back of poor user behavior, not the failure of top end protection.

Here are seven great choices for phone and PC security; all are packages that are highly unlikely to allow any meaningful or successful attack via mobile or office machines. All can provide top end security, so feel free to pick and choose your preferred option.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud

A name now familiar to millions, Kaspersky is highly scalable and good for common OS options, including Android. Features that make this option stand out include cloud discovery, mobile support, and vulnerability monitoring. Frequent complaints about the price can be found in consumer reviews, but it’s still comparable. That the app is cloud-scalable reflects Kaspersky’s focus on SMEs, and it comes with mobile support and remote management, as well as a 30-day free trial period.

Some of Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud main features include:

comprehensive network attack defence
email, web, and file protection
a solid firewall
exploit and ransomware prevention, and
vulnerability monitoring

Just to name a few.

It also allows monitoring users’ social media networking, messaging, and file sharing. This feature is intended for security flags rather than an Orwellian desire for control, but it does help with identifying who did an honest day’s work on any given day.

A clean and easy to use dashboard has gone a long way towards increasing Kaspersky’s current popularity, and from there you can control password rules, camera use, and even detect compromised devices.

Furthermore, you can remotely lock or entirely remove data from lost or stolen devices, alongside the usual filtering of unwelcome messages or calls－mighty handy in our mobile era. On that point, two licenses are issued per user, enabling a phone and tablet per staff member, which is often sufficient, even for larger corporates.

Overall, a great choice from a company that’s evolved into the modern cyber battleground while still remaining simple yet comprehensive for users.

Avast Business Antivirus Pro

Voted the most comprehensive antivirus by many, don’t be put off by your previous trials of their free offerings. Curiously, the free version often fails to pick up worms, trojans, and some other more ubiquitous malware files, but the pro version is a different story – and extremely potent.

Avast Business Antivirus Pro is a good choice for Mac, Windows, and Windows Server users. There is a significant difference between the performance of the free versions and this business pro package.

For example, this pro version includes:

a shredder
a no-nonsense sandbox
an inbuilt rescue disk (standard with the pro version)
protection for Exchange and SharePoint servers, and
automatic updates (protection is always current and live)

Overall, Avast Business Antivirus Pro boasts super web filtering capacities, but avoid toying with the extensively customizable spam filter; otherwise, it can allow junk to land in your inbox.

Their network firewall, web shield, and phishing email protection will keep you safe online, letting you know that all endpoints are secured. A 30-day trial is usually on offer too, so that you can familiarize yourself and give it a whirl.

Critically, their support and overall company ethos is good－replies are swift－but there’s consumer complaints around constant ‘pop ups’ of payment requests and warnings that you’re not covered (when you are). Unfortunately, this is similar to McAfee－left off this list precisely because of too many negative reviews about their approach, not their products.

Avast is still on the right side of the fence, but since 2016 they’ve changed their behavior and now manifest many of the frustratingly bothersome pop-up and crossed-wire behaviors of the antivirus fraternity as a whole. Still, it features great functionality and enterprise-level protection that will serve any business well.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security

While a good for Windows, Mac, and Windows Server users just like Avast, Bitdefender GravityZone is also great for a host of other OS options. Additionally, you’re unlikely to have installation issues no matter what OS you’re running on.

This app is easy to use, although it’s fairly technical in approach; anyone not current on computing (at least on layman’s terms) will be intimidated by it. The company has made a pitch out of machine learning (ML) components, which is good, but that’s also where their Proprietary Process Inspector starts to overwhelm new users.

That said, this antivirus option provides exceptional malware flagging and removal, and its heuristic understanding is impressive. Their firewall, web advisor, URL filtering, and anti-malware features are automatic, but open to customizing by users.

A range of features geared specifically for a busy company is on offer with this package, notably:

auto-updates across all your Windows or selected OS devices (not just the device searching for updates)
local full disk encryption
broad protection against web threats
process monitoring and blocking suspicious activity
endpoint risk analytics, and
app and device control

There’s no free trial, but a 30-day guaranteed satisfaction refund is available.

Overall, Bitdefender is an excellent choice, although most users should ‘keep it simple’ and not attempt extensive customization of this app. Bitdefender has been around since 2001, and its current pro version is the result of decades of refinement.

Honorable Mentions

Sophos Endpoint Protection Advanced is rising in popularity on the back of its user-friendly, solid protection. Another antivirus incorporating AI, it’s a little heavy on resources but takes a visibly predictive approach to security with its Intercept X technology, rather than a reactive one.

Webroot Business Endpoint Protection is light on resources and provides quiet but highly effective protection, its soft footprint belying its potency. With plenty of advanced features available – including a truly synchronous outbound firewall that compliments the Windows firewall without compromise of any kind – this option will protect against fileless or file-based script attacks, while also preventing malicious behaviors in PowerShell or Java.

No antivirus software list would be complete without mentioning Norton and F-Secure SAFE, as well－another two great options for any company’s needs.

The enterprise-level antivirus fraternity plays a competitive and impressive game, and any one of the options listed here will provide cutting-edge protection for small to very large companies.

Antivirus options are worth trialing whenever you can get a 30-day free trial, as it truly comes down to personal preference when all available options provide almost the same level of security for connected devices.

Protecting Your Business PCs and Phones

All of the choices listed above are sophisticated and can competently cope with the modern online business environment. Special circumstances may require higher levels of vulnerability monitoring. However, how they impart their sophistication – how technically or simply they present to users – makes all the difference, along with support levels.

To Sync or Not to Sync Your Mobile Devices

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Darek Cullen

To sync or not to sync, that is the question! And it’s one we hear a lot, especially with regard to people’s mobile devices. There are so many of these that we use each day, from smartphones to laptops, PCs, and more. Our entire life tends to be spread across them, and it can sometimes feel pretty chaotic.

That is why a lot of people consider syncing their tech, amalgamating all of the data, settings, documents, and applications contained across their devices. This means that if you save a convoluted, Safari-suggested password to one device, for example, it will instantly be stored on your synced devices too. It’s convenient, easy, and streamlines your important information.

So why would you hesitate? We take a look at the pros and cons.

The Upside

Believe us when we say that there are plenty of upsides to syncing your personal devices. The process is designed to make your life easier and more efficient, and there’s no doubt that it does. Benefits include:

Automatic setup for new devices. While it’s always fun to unpack a new device, the thought of setting it up can be enough to cause a headache. When your tech is synced, it makes the entire process quicker and easier.
Access webpages from any device. Say you navigate to this website and imagine for a moment you’re on the lookout for a onus. You find the perfect provider and offer but want to click the ‘get this bonus’ button and open the webpage on your desktop rather than the mobile you’re browsing from. Sync your devices and suddenly it’s simple, seamless, and pain-free.
No need to remember convoluted passwords. Do you struggle to remember ordinary passwords, let alone the complex chains of letters and numbers generated by your browser? Then syncing your devices can help. Storing all of your information together makes the login process quicker and more straightforward.
Access files from anywhere. Would you like to access that Word document you just created on your browser while you’re out and about later? You can also open it on your mobile, tablet, or on any other synced device. This makes collaborating in real-time easier than ever.
Interact with people across platforms. If you’d like to be able to use Skype, Messenger, and more from your desktop and on the go, sync your devices to accommodate this. This way, you’ll have access to your address book no matter where you’re connecting from.

The Downside

All of the above sounds attractive, doesn’t it? So what’s the downside, we hear you ask. Well, the disadvantages of syncing your device mainly tie into how it impacts your privacy. They include:

Access to all of your information in the event of theft or hacking. If one of your devices is compromised, either physically or virtually, data from across the board is at risk of being stolen.
Compromised security. In addition, the ability to sync your devices is often reliant on external memory storage, such as Apple iCloud or Microsoft OneDrive. In the event that this falls victim to cybercrime, there’s a much larger volume of data at risk of being compromised.

When it comes to your mobile devices, what do you think: to sync or not to sync? The correct answer is whichever one feels right for you.

Top Tips for a Successful Startup To Help Your Business Grow

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Roy Emmerson

These days, becoming an entrepreneur seems like the next big thing. However, whether big or small, the very thought of starting a business, which means being your own boss, can be terrifying. The primary reason behind that is that you want to build something from scratch and make it work. While dreaming is one thing, doing is another because there are innumerable examples of failed startups around us.

Nonetheless, suppose you gather courage and implement the correct steps (that suit your vision). In that case, the whole process of a successful startup venture can be turn out to be a rewarding undertaking.

So, how do you ensure your business venture is not a failure?

While there are no perfect rules for what steps you should follow to get your business started and grow simultaneously, one could always use a few guiding tips to be on track and scale startup. So, we’ve jotted down some startup tips that we feel can help in the success journey. You can consider the following tips & incorporate the ones you need to start and grow your new business.

Top 10 Tips for Starting a Business

1. Know your Vision

Before starting a business, the first thing that comes into play is proper planning and defining your vision or purpose is the most crucial part of it. After all, that is going to act as your guiding lamp throughout the journey. Try addressing two primary questions- What do you want to sell? Why will people buy it? If you can answer these with a clear vision, you have crossed the first hurdle.

2. Do your Research

A business is not like a 9-5 job where you have a set of designated workflows that you need to complete. The most significant hurdle in starting a new business is knowing that it is miles away from the monotony and will throw surprises (good or bad) at you. The wisest step to take in this scenario is to plan strategically and proceed with caution.

For that, you need to do thorough market research. Before you jump into business building, don’t assume, but be sure that people would be interested in your offering.

– Just because you are passionate about an idea doesn’t mean it will sell.

– To cut down the chances of failure, start researching the idea and measure its viability in the present market.

– is also the part where you look up your potential competition.

No business, at least today, can have zero competitors. While they may not be offering the same service you are looking at, but with their product, they may be satisfying the particular need that you are targeting. So, grasp more knowledge about what your competitor is selling and how. Also, competitive research is an ongoing process that is not limited to a business’s starting point.

3. Be a Sponge

Never fall into the common trap of ‘knowing it all’- it’s the reason for the failure or discontinuity of several startups. It is one of the vital successful business tips. Before you start penning down your business plan, gather information and valuable input.

Where do you look for them? Let’s say, everywhere. Be a sponge when you have entrepreneur goals in mind. Listen to the advice that experts, family and friends give you. That doesn’t mean you ignore your inner voice completely.

When you share your idea with people, encourage them to give their honest opinion- that is key to judge whether the advice is substantial. Many successful entrepreneurs work with a business coach to gain valuable insights and accountability during their startup journey. Please don’t underestimate the advice from veteran business owners & learn from their mistakes. Please don’t forget to keep notes.

4. Begin with a Solid Plan

The thumb-rule of starting a new business is to have a solid plan. Even though penning a business plan can be a daunting task, it is more like writing down your vision and mission, which translates to long-term and short-term plans.

Long-term ambitions are more flexible as it determines ways to grow your business quickly; still, try to be precise. On the other hand, your short-term plans will include step-by-step details of what you will do and how- think of it as a blueprint to run the business.

5. Keep it Simple

Many entrepreneurs tend to fail because they end up convoluting their business idea. It would help if you avoid this mistake & not end up with something that people don’t want. So, try to keep things simple and never over-complicate your business idea.

As a newbie in the field, learn to test your business idea. How do you do that? Simple, narrow your focus and start with a small and straightforward yet, quality service or product.

Eliminate features that cost you money but water downs your plan. Always remember that the aim is to implement an idea that not only satiates promises but exceed customer expectations.

6. Figure Out your Costs

This step comes hand-in-hand with developing your business idea. Capital is undeniably a big part of any business, especially when you are setting the course. As for finances, it would help if you were over-prepared for a startup because running a business includes unexpected costs waiting at every corner.

So, count your costs; consider every thinkable business expense that you may need for launch and operation and quadruple it. Seriously! Separate business expenses from daily and mandatory living expenses and create a business budget accordingly.

7. Offer a Solution

An objective way to start is not to delve into what to sell but what it will solve. The answer to this lies in the very reason why you are starting your business. A clear picture of your motives will help you create a better and sustainable brand image.

Consider practical aspects such as efficient packaging solutions, like custom boxes for shipping for your business, as they can address logistical challenges and contribute to a smoother customer experience.

Those businesses that fix an already existing problem or lack in the market are more likely to gain a strong customer base, and are easier to find an investor for or sell to a bigger company in the future.

8. Effective Communication

When you are all set to start your business venture, you need to put yourself out there. That essentially means effective communication because professional networking (ongoing) is the golden ticket that takes you one step closer to be successful. Business is all about making connections to push your company forward.

An excellent way to pitch your idea or even launch your service is with a short video demonstration. You can use Movavi Screen Recorder, OBS or any of these video grabbers to record your screen and create presentation video clips. Word-of-mouth marketing is a potent weapon that can go in your favor, and videos can potentially draw more attention.

9. Be Adapting

Much like life, business paths are never predictable, so you and your business both need to be flexible, especially in the field of paint estim a ting services.

Only then can you adapt to the change and react promptly to surprises. Update yourself with the latest trends in your sector, and never stop reading about your competitors. You must understand that it is not mandatory to react to every change but to be a startup, you must learn to adapt when needed.

10. Strike the Work-Life Balance

You sure have heard the saying that only work and no play will eventually dull your mind. That goes true for your entrepreneurial journey as well. Even though it is challenging as an entrepreneur to leave your business’s thoughts even for a second, it is crucial to do so.

Try to strike a roughly equal balance between work and life. Continually focusing on work without any downtime can quickly burn you out. Delegate work, if need be and be sure to take some time off.

11. Focus on Lead Generation

Lead generation is crucial for startups, as it helps you to identify potential customers, whether you are looking for solar leads or real estate leads, create interest in your product or service, and ultimately turn them into paying customers. One of the best ways to generate leads is through content marketing. Creating high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your target audience can attract visitors to your website and turn them into leads.

Conclusion

As confusing as it may look to start a new business, it is ultimately a lot like survival- there is no text-book formula to become a successful business. Challenging situations will confront you and push you to come up with new ideas.