Best 10 Automation Testing Conferences in 2022

Posted on by Gary Eric
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As the software testing field is remarkably growing, the thirst for information in this valuable area is also rising accordingly. Thus attending conferences is one of the best ways to enhance and keep up on the latest software testing information. The industry-leading conferences provide the software testing organization with valuable content from esteemed industry speakers, leaders, and strategists.

If you are eager to attend automation testing conferences but are confused about choosing what conference to attend this year then this article is going to help you to decide.

We have compiled a list of the top 10 conferences on automation testing taking place in 2022 all over the world (USA, Canada, Europe, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, India, China, Australia, etc.). These conferences feature events on-site and online. For your ease, the conferences are sorted by date, starting from the earliest to the latest, so that you can find them using upcoming and past conferences scheduled in the next months.

Before we go ahead with our list let’s first understand the reason to attend a conference and what are the things to keep in mind to get ready for a conference.

Attending automation testing conferences allows you to enhance your test automation methods and competencies as well as makes you familiar with real-life use cases and solutions so that you can implement them in your organization.

Conferences are a great way to improve your testing skills and techniques, keep up on the latest in software testing and quality, and of course, they enable you to connect with your peers in the larger communities. Attending software testing conferences offers you an opportunity to get to learn about the modern tools and technologies in the testing industry, as well as meet and exchange ideas with industry leaders. If you want to know more and enhance your knowledge about the software testing industry, the best way is to attend the conference on testing.

But due to the past situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19), attending conferences has become a bit different than in the past few years. Some in-person conferences are coming back again safely, but there are still a lot of conferences going on online to become better informed and more well-rounded.

Every year there are a number of automation testing conferences held. If you are given a chance to attend an event, then feel privileged and go for it. But before you decide to participate in any, it is important to ensure that you attend the one that will help you as a person as well as your organization.

Things to Keep In Mind Before You Register

There are checklists to be followed before you plan or register for a conference or event. Going through the points mentioned below will help you to be in a better position to decide which conference would be the best to attend.

  • Go through the respective website carefully to get all the information about the conference thoroughly.
  • Check the schedule, and the topics to be presented to get an idea. Think whether attending the conference will be worthwhile for you or not, because at the conference you will be spending a big amount additionally, some conferences demand some prerequisites to be followed.
  • Check the venue to ensure it is feasible to attend.
  • Know a little bit about the speakers in advance.

Now when you already know how to do things while deciding to attend any conference. It is equally important to know the reason for attending conferences so that you can decide wisely.

Benefits From Attending Software Testing Conference:

  • Attending Conferences helps in meeting professional goals as it focuses on current challenges.
  • Allows getting to know about the latest tools and skills that are important in a leading industry.
  • Helps in collecting ideas for improving existing knowledge about the testing process and developing new solutions to existing problems. Because it shares best practices and real-world case studies.
  • Conference/Events provide the testers an opportunity to increase their expertise in software testing and its techniques.
  • It provides professional networking opportunities by giving chances to meet skilled and experienced Industry leaders.
  • Offer an opportunity to get recognized among peers and networks by sharing ideas, experiences, thoughts, and learning.

Testμ Conference By LambdaTest

The Testμ pronounced as TestU Conference aims to bring software testers, developers, influencers, and community builders together to discuss comprehensively the future of testing. It is a yearly three days conference that provides an excellent opportunity to the audience to network, learn and upskill themselves from some of the best minds in the industry.

The Testu conferences are organized by LambdaTest, a leading cloud-based cross browser testing platform and also an independent learning hub that provides training on a wide variety of topics in the IT space.

This year it was held from 23rd to 25th of October, 2022. The discussion topic was Unit Testing, API Testing, Mobile Testing, Automation, Selenium, Accessibility, Visual Regression, Cross Browser Testing. It also includes keynotes, tutorials, and sessions, all presented in an interactive format

It is an online conference that comes up yearly with more than 30 speakers. the main Speakers at Testu conference are, Maaret Pyhajarvi (Principal Test Engineer, Vaisala), Richard Bradshaw (CEO, Ministry of Testing), Chaithanya Kolar (Managing Director & Quality Engineering Leader, Deloitte US), Maneesh Sharma (COO, LambdaTest), and Manoj Kumar (VP Developer Relations, LambdaTest)

If you have missed Testu which took place this year in 2022, there is no need to worry because it provides on-demand videos of the whole event. So that you don’t miss the chance to become the hero of your organization through your testing skills.

Automation Guild online Conference 2022

Automation Guild organizes a yearly Online Event in February. It is an Online, community-based event intended for all software automation testing and software development needs. This year it was held from the 7th to 11th of February 2022.  It is committed to helping testers succeed with all Automation Testing efforts and attain reliable and less flaky automation.

It provides lifetime access to the completion of a 5-day live event held annually.  It features the latest and most relevant topics, tools, and techniques. The sessions and topics are covered by skilled trainers and the world’s top E2E automation experts. It provides a  community of more than 2000 expert testers to ask questions and get feedback.

It organizes events for improving the tester’s existing testing skills, learning how to automate tedious testing processes, getting equipped with actionable principles and techniques, creating the art of testing in your company, and becoming the most valuable part of your team. You can register for any of the events and get the information, resources, and education to enhance your talent and skills. The price you will pay for the registration will be worthwhile.

Codeless Test Automation Conference Online

When the world is moving speedily, and technological advancements are evolving, the need for cordless codeless test automation comes into the picture. This solution helps in relieving the coding load, allocating extra programming resources, and maintaining test scripts. Automation testers can use codeless testing as a tool to accelerate their work. As they don’t have to spend all of their time creating code to automate regression tests. 

This global conference organizes events every year to help the testers to enhance their test skills and speed up the planning and execution of tests even for the most complex test scripts.

This year it was held on the 9th and 10th of April  2022 at Global Research. It arranges events for all testers, novices, test automation engineers, community leaders, and all those interested in knowing how the world’s latest testing technology can help to move forward. Through the global conference, you can Learn as much as you can to be a Codeless Automation Pro.

This conference covers topics on the Test automation approach, Web Codeless automation, Mobile Codeless automation, Latest testing tools and techniques, and QA best practices.

Using a free testing management tool can simplify any engineers daily routine.

User Conference On Advanced Automation Testing( UCAAT)

UCAAT is a yearly conference and it was hosted this year on 13-15 September by Siemens Munich in Germany. This is a well-established event that addresses the practical challenges faced by the industry in testing and test automation. It is devoted to all aspects of automated testing with unlimited scope.

Rapid technical advancement in application areas such as information and communication technology, industrial automation enterprise information technology, as well as DevOps practices and machine learning techniques applied to software development are ever increasing the demands on testing. Hence testing has become an urgent task that needs to be addressed by appropriate methods, tools, and processes. UCAAT 2022 has discussed all the aspects concerning the trustworthiness of systems and how they can be tackled best in testing.

It offers a unique opportunity for practitioners, test service providers, test engineers, designers, automation test experts, developers, and researchers from different application domains to come together to learn and upskill modern test automation techniques, methods, and tools. It also allows the attendees to exchange on the latest advancement in the industrial use of test automation.

AutomationSTAR 2022 Conference

AutomationSTAR is coordinated by the EuroSTAR Conference Team. It is a yearly conference and this year it will be held in Munich on the 17th and 18th of October 2022. This conference brings together international software testing professionals with a program to explore automation testing. It is the perfect place for sharing experiences, and perspectives, sparking new ideas and shaping the future of test automation

This is a great space where you can. It is a 2-day, 2-track (dual language) conference for software testers, one track is in English and another track is in German.

This conference is all about the latest insights, new ways of working, progressive ideas, and new approaches from thought leaders, global experts in testing, expert opinion makers, and trendsetters. They share their ideas, skills, and techniques and talk about automation in software testing.

Attending this conference will allow you to discover and learn the most up-to-date and actionable techniques and test tools, Improve testing processes, network with your peers, and learn from transformative sessions and talks.

OnlineTestConf 2022

OnlineTestConf has been running online for the past 6 years. This year it will be held on November 29th, 2022 all over the world. Since it is online it does not come with the limitations of scheduling, expenses, and traveling. Attendees join from all parts of the world, and its hosts are well-known experts as well as young presenters, who discuss everything related to Testing and QA.

It provides all the advantages of attending professional QA-related conferences, personal learning, testing, networking, etc.

Attending this conference does not involve any charges/fees to attend this conference anyone who sees themselves involved in testing and the testing community can join.

Selenium Conference 2022

The Selenium Conference is a non-profit event presented by members of the Selenium Community. The aim of this conference is to bring Selenium developers and enthusiasts together from across the world to give out their ideas, socialize, and work together to move forward with the present and future success of their Selenium testing projects.

This conference is for product leaders, ground-level testers, automatons, product developers, or those who use Selenium, and even for those who are not exactly Selenium-centric but are part of test automation.

This is an online annual conference. This year it was held in India from 29- 30 July 2022, by Selenium professional/experts and Practitioners from around the world. This time there were pre and post-conference workshops, as well as opportunities to get Selenium advice and tutorials from experts.

Agile Testing Days

Agile Testing Days is a fascinating event for software engineers, testing professionals, and agile practitioners. The speakers at the conference deliver unforgettable and engaging words by using sound, visuals,  and technology. It is a fun platform to learn, connect, share ideas, evolve professional/personal skills, and network in the agile community. Anyone with a software testing background, software architects, application developers, IT managers, and software engineers can attend this conference.

This year this conference is going to be held in Potsdam, Germany from the 21st to 24th of November 2022. Join this conference to listen to 90 expert speakers and 100 sessions.

Testit 2022

Testit is an annual, one-day IT conference to be in Malmo this year on the 13th of September 2022. This conference is particularly focused on software testing. This one-day conference offers interesting and inspiring sessions to the testers, by testers with various specializations and knowledge levels. It offers and shares various skills, knowledge, presentations, workshops, and sessions on testing with some of the best expert speakers both (local and international) in a particular field.

International Conference on Software Testing, Verification, and Validation

At the International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation all the leading academic scientists, researchers, and research scholars come together to discuss and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of software testing, verification, and validation. It is a two days conference going to be held in San Francisco, California, USA, on the 27th and 28th of September 2022.

All the Students, academics, educators, industry researchers, and practitioners interested in or involved in software testing can attend this conference.

Conclusion

You may have understood from the above discussion that the best way to upskill and enhance your knowledge about software testing is to attend the conference on testing.

Hope these conferences are going to help you to enhance your software testing skills and techniques. Attending these conferences will provide you with a chance to explore new tools and technologies that enable you to share your ideas with industry leaders.

Tax Relief & Tax Relief Attorneys

Posted on by Muhammad Umar
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Tax System

Governmental organizations impose fees on its citizens and businesses in to raise funds for their top expenditure objectives. To strengthen the economy, this means supporting public and governmental activities and enhancing the business environment in the country. Without taxes, authorities would not be able to meet the requirements of their populations. Countries must impose taxes because of money they raise from them is used to pay for social programs. Businesses need the concept of taxes because authorities can use loans or other financial instruments to spend this cash back into the economy.

Tax Relief

Tax relief, a general term, is used to refer to a lowering of the percentage of tax that must be paid. Tax relief is the decrease, alleviation, or removal of any unfavorable consequences of tax debt that a person or organization may contemplate, as well as the settlement of a tax payable under terms that are in the taxpayer’s best interest. A good tax attorney can help you with this. The advantages of tax breaks include reducing the money owed, security from forced acquisition, and assistance through complicated regulations and procedures. It also consists of decreasing the stress involved with tax debt, exercising taxpayer’s money rights for the taxpayer’s advantage, manageable monthly bills, and an enhanced sense of relief. The price of exemptions varies according to the type and extent of taxation, the approach that corresponds to the requirements and conditions of the taxpayer, and the knowledge and expertise of the tax breaks service supplier. Costs might be as minimal as $1,000 or as high as $15,000 in exacerbated or complicated cases. Any programme or offer that lowers the revenue owed by an individual or business organization is often called IRS tax relief. However, in a general context, tax relief may also include any initiative, plan, or inducement that “relieves” a person or company from debt to a taxing body.

Fortress Tax Relief

Fortress Tax Relief is a nationwide tax relief business that advocates for an individual before the taxing authorities. With few exclusions, their tax relief facilities protect earnings and investments from regulation and treat back tax liabilities favorably. They frequently wind up conserving their clients a lot of money through their tax relief strategy. The only big national tax settlement agency in the United States in which every case is individually managed by a tax relief lawyer who solely deals with tax relief matters daily is Fortress Tax Relief. Contacting Fortress Tax Relief is the first move toward relief.

Importance of Choosing Suitable Tax Relief Attorneys

A lawyer with expertise in implementing and interpreting tax rules and regulations is known as a tax attorney. Tax planning and reporting are just a few services tax attorneys can provide to their clients. Tax lawyers are informed about the many federal, state, and local taxation laws, rules, and regulations. A tax attorney can facilitate dealing with the IRS and numerous state tax authorities. They work to ensure people obtain the best deal possible for their circumstances and are knowledgeable about the choices for resolving a broad range of tax-related concerns.

Making the appropriate choice of tax relief attorney for a specific tax scenario is crucial since it may guarantee a person the greatest results and help him save money. A tax relief attorney offers several advantages that other tax experts might not.

When working with several of the bigger tax settlement firms in the United States, a person has no idea who will be allocated to his case—having cases processed by a “case manager” who is not licenced nor permitted to practise before the taxation authorities is a prevalent practice in the tax relief services sector.

Case management companies often employ one or more credentialed experts. However, speaking with one of their certified professionals can occasionally be challenging or impossible. Even worse, the certified expert might not have much control over that situation. Since unlicensed “case managers” frequently change positions, the assigned case may be passed repeatedly from one person to another. This often leads to high costs, subpar service, and no outcomes.

Hallmarks of Fortress Tax Relief

A national provider of tax clearance options is Fortress Tax Relief. The Fortress is equipped to handle difficulties concerning the IRS and any state taxing authority and represents clients nationwide. Additionally, they are Oregon’s sole major national tax solution company. They find it simple to draw in and keep top-notch lawyers because of their convenient location in Bend, Oregon. According to reports, the firm offers top-notch client care and allocates each case to one of its qualified tax relief attorneys. Additionally, Fortress does not demand a fee upfront to examine the matter.

With Fortress, not only is every case individually reviewed by a certified expert, it is managed by a tax lawyer with considerable experience in resolving back tax issues. A client only needs to make one phone call to contact the lawyer overseeing his case. Clients won’t take a chance on having an inexperienced, unskilled, or even unlicensed agent handle their case. There is almost no chance that their case will be passed from one member to another again. Their compassionate and skilled staff can provide a client with a free solution and be able to determine whether they are eligible for a tax resolution or a decrease in fines.

Unlike other tax debt relief businesses, the fortress does not explicitly outline its procedure for addressing tax debt issues on its website. This is not to argue that Fortress’s lack of specificity is necessarily indicative of the calibre of its services. Still, occasionally prospective customers find it weird that they are reading the business’s website without much understanding of the tax resolution procedure.

If a client decides that he needs recognition and believes that Fortress is a good match after speaking with one of the company’s professionals, one of the firm’s skilled tax relief attorneys will lead him through the procedure, defend his rights, advance his preferences, and give him the best chance of accomplishing the most favourable result given his circumstances. A client can only expect representation that is as strong as the representative. To represent its clients before the revenue authority, Fortress exclusively hires tax relief attorneys at the highest level of their field and is best equipped to resolve a tax collection dispute. According to various client testimonials, the business can accomplish better results on behalf of its customers because an expert attorney is significantly involved in each case from the beginning to the end. Additionally, the business gets great ratings for its timeliness and dedication to providing you with frank and truthful counsel regarding your matter. The ideal clients for Fortress are those who have complicated tax debt issues that necessitate ongoing communication and negotiations with the

Apple Aggressively Working on M3 Chip – Let’s Explore More

Posted on by Hamza Razzaq
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Apple’s new and yet unreleased M3 chip is the talk of the IT world. Known Apple leakers and top analysts have suggested two potential gadgets with an 8-core and 10-core CPU that will run on M3. The M3 line-up is expected to have a Mac Mini, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and an iMac, along with a couple of unexpected devices that no one knows much about.

Apple’s M3 will be the third-generation chip for Apple Silicon processors, following the M2 debut earlier this year. The M2 uses second-generation 5nm architecture and offers an 18% upgrade in performance over the first-generation M1. However, it packs less of a punch than last year’s M1 Max and M1 Pro, both of which powered MacBook Pro laptops.

Let’s take a closer look at Apple’s attempts to outperform Intel with the upcoming M3 processor.

Apple vs. Intel – A Quick Overview

Apple used to use Intel chips to power their laptops until 2020 when they announced the Apple M1 chip. This was the culmination of an increasingly bitter feud between Apple and Intel, where Tim Cook attributed declining MacBook sales to Intel’s chip shortage. The 14-year relationship ended with both tech giants as rivals, hurrying to outpace one another with speed, energy, and performance.

The ARM-based silicon M1 processor had actually been in the works for years, being tested out in iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch. The M1 chip had an SoC architecture that appeared to outperform even the most efficient consumer chips in the market. It also seemed like it could outpace an Intel chip at the beginning.

Intel went on the offensive, releasing flashy benchmarks that showed Intel chips outperforming Apple’s M1 and urging consumers to buy or switch to PCs. However, raw tests done on the M1 vs Intel chips revealed that the former performed much better and improved with time as developers released more ARM-specific software. Intel fought these claims, but their numbers were run in-house whereas independent testers proved that Apple’s silicon processors had already changed the game.

What Do We Know About the M3 Chip?

News about Apple M3’s chip broke in June this year when Mark Gurman published an article in Bloomberg about upcoming products. He hinted at a new machine, possibly a 12-inch MacBook which will use the M3.

However, since Apple has just released the new line-up that uses M2, there isn’t a lot of detailed information available about the upcoming processor. There are a ton of rumors though. It’s likely that the M3 chip is being made by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) with new technology and a smaller design. TSMC has perfected a 3 nanometer (3nm) chip design and is calling it N3. This is even tinier when compared to Apple’s previous 5nm processors. A smaller size will offer a boost in both performance and efficiency. TSMC has reported that it will start manufacturing 3nm chipsets later this year.

How Will M3 Perform Against Previous Chips?

According to TSMC, the new N3 technology will give 15% better performance in terms of speed and performance while offering a 30% reduction in power used when compared to the 5nm size. Apple is known for prioritizing efficiency and usability above all else, so this comes as little surprise.

Apple is planning on releasing 3 chips in the M3 line-up, i.e., codenamed Ibiza, Lobos, and Palma, and are reported to be a giant step-up from Intel’s current and future processors. The chips will have 4 dies (silicon blocks with integrated circuits) and will be able to support up to 40 compute cores. Compare this to the M1 and M2, which support 8 and 10-core CPUs, we are looking at a massive upgrade from just last year in numbers alone.

Analysts have taken a crack at deciphering the codenames that Apple has assigned. Ibiza is said to be the basic level chip that will power a MacBook Air. The other four-die versions, Lobos and Palma, will be counterparts to the super powerful M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

How Will Apple Use the M3 Chipset?

This is where analysts have had to do some significant guesswork because Apple has been known to change its codenames around at the last minute. However, experts have looked at Apple’s trends and believe they know how the M3 chipset will be utilized next year.

This is the pattern: the M1 chip debuted in the 2020 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mini. Following this, the M1 Max and M1 Pro chips came out in the 2021 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The Mac Studio that launched earlier this year comes with the M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip.

Moving on to July, Apple released the M2 chip in a new 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Analysts believe there will be new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips next year, with the M2 Max expected to host a 12-core CPU, 64GB memory, and 38-core GPU.

According to these trends, the M3 will debut in entry-level MacBooks, i.e., MacBook Pro and MacBook Air in around two years. Later on, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips will launch with new, higher-end MacBooks. There will also be M3 iMacs, of course, as Mark Gurman has revealed. Apple is already testing an iMac powered by M3 but there is no launch date in sight yet.

Wrapping Up – Exciting Times for Performance

Apple is continuously innovating and there are a lot of potential products to watch out for. The company is apparently gearing up to launch its first AR/VR headset powered by M2 soon, with rumors about AR glasses on the way in a few years. Even rumors about next year’s Apple Watch are exciting, with the new Watch being said to get an all-new processor.

The M3 is making news everywhere, but analysts don’t expect to see it debut at least until 2023 according to leaks.

Top 7 Influencer Marketing Trends in 2022

Posted on by Scott Fluent
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Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing where brands use product mentions and endorsements from individuals with significant levels of social following. Such persons with large followership bases are called influencers and are considered experts in their industries or niches. Generally, influencer marketing thrives because of the trust followers have in social influencers. Their recommendations serve as forms of social proof to potential buyers of the products they promote.

Today, various individuals have turned social media influencer marketing into full-time careers, with some influencers launching their own brands. This trend gained high momentum in the post-pandemic era when most people relied on their technology devices to connect with the outside world due to restrictions on face-to-face interactions. As a result, social media platforms gained more usage, and influencers with authority in specific niches gained more followers. More businesses entered into partnerships with such influencers to grow their customer bases.

If you’re considering incorporating influencer campaigns into your digital marketing strategy, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the general trends of influencer marketing. You should also research how other brands in your industry are leveraging this form of marketing. That way, you’ll know how to tailor your influencer campaigns for the best outcomes. Through preliminary research, you’ll also know the social platforms, types of influencers, and nature of content that will help you engage your target audience. For instance, whether you focus on pictures or video content would depend on what you’re promoting and your target audience’s interests. Keep reading to discover the latest influencer marketing trends in 2022.

1.  Micro and Nano-Influencers

When people talk about influencers, they often refer to social media celebrities who have millions of followers. But in making product recommendations through influencer marketing, massive followings are no longer as important. Influencers with more followers may not always be best for businesses’ influencer strategies.

Nowadays, brands opt for micro and nano-influencer partnerships when promoting their products or services. This is because influencers with fewer followings usually have more refined audiences and niche communities, making them suitable for impacting buyer decisions. Also, micro-influencers often have better engagement with their followers, which increases their potential impact on marketing campaign results.

2.  Increased Popularity of Video Content

Videos have become very popular in the influencer marketing space; that’s why influencers on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are making significant profits. When you ask the question ”how much do YouTubers make?” you should think about full-time content creators who create high-quality videos multiple times per week. The demand for more engaging content led to the popularity of video content in various niche communities. As a result, businesses prioritize influencer marketing through videos.

Video content doesn’t have to be perfectly polished because it may take away the genuineness that allows viewers to connect with the message passed on to them. The focus should be on engaging followers by providing relevant and valuable video content.

3.  On-Going Influencer Partnerships Over One-off Sponsorships

Brands and influencers now join forces together for long-term projects instead of one-off sponsorships. This influencer marketing trend is primarily due to the fact that the customer’s buying journey takes time. So, no matter how much an influencer engages their audience, they may find it challenging to make any real impact on their followers’ buying decisions when commissioned for a one-off sponsored post.

The best way to reap the benefits of influencer marketing is by entering partnerships that include several sponsored posts over an extended period. This approach will likely create an authentic connection with the brand being marketed. The continuous promotion of different aspects of the brand deepens a positive brand association, drives action, and increases brand loyalty. 

4.  More Representation

There is more emphasis on representation and diversity in today’s society; this trend is also seen in the influencer marketing space. Influencer agencies are now more devoted to increasing the representation of influencers regardless of race or gender. Generally, the mission of such agencies is to inspire brands to enter partnerships with influencers from minority groups, ensuring equal wages for all.

Both customers and influencers analyze marketing campaigns and branded messages to ensure everyone is represented. Brands are also shifting their corporate cultures to eliminate exclusivity and embrace inclusivity.    

5.  The Rise in Performance-Based Influencer Marketing

There has been an increase in performance-based influencer marketing as brands enter into long-term partnerships with influencers. Clients now expect influencers to deliver specific results in terms of sales volumes or number of clicks. In fact, brands ask to see the performance report and engagement rate of prospective influencers before entering contracts. They often use third-party influencer tools such as NeoReach and SocialRank in conducting their research. Due to this demand, many who find influencers opt for ongoing royalties instead of accepting single payments. It’s best for influencers to carefully review any contract before signing or guaranteeing specific returns.

As performance-based contracts increase, brands and influencers now work closely together in planning campaigns. And data plays a pivotal role in influencer marketing in 2022 because there’s more interest in tracking social media marketing metrics. These metrics help brands to assess whether influencers delivered on their promises. 

6.  The Power of Authenticity

Authenticity has become paramount in influencer marketing. As influencers create content for brands, they are also careful to ensure that the products they promote resonate with their audiences. No matter how engaging an influencer is, they can’t automatically make their followers interested in products they don’t care about.

If influencers try to force products on their audiences, they may lose credibility in the eyes of their followers, and the brands they’re promoting won’t benefit from such partnerships. Therefore, it’s best for influencers to partner with brands and other influencers whose audiences complement theirs.

7.  More Specialization in the Influencer Marketing Space

One of the latest trends is that influencers now carve out niches for themselves. They develop expertise in specific niches or industries, making brands in those sectors seek them. Influencers should choose industries they’re most passionate about and enter partnerships with brands that align with their interests.

How to Hire a Dedicated Custom Software Development Team?

Posted on by Roy Emmerson
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The pandemic has changed many things in our lives including how digital transformation is perceived these days. People and businesses have become more and more dependent on creative and technology-driven solutions. That’s where IT has a major competitive edge for a lot of companies. 

A majority of businesses based in New York are looking forward to switching their services online for providing better experiences to their customers. They seek the best custom software development New York companies to outsource their development needs.

No wonder, in 2021 the global IT outsourcing market was valued at 526.6 billion USD and was predicted to surpass 682.3 billion in 5 years, increasing at a CAGR of 4.13%. Multiple studies have revealed that about 60% of New York businesses outsource their app development and maintenance services to keep operating costs low and leave in-staff focused on operations and customer support. 

A team for custom software development ensures all your business-specific needs are met. They focus on filling the talent and skill gaps using the best technology and innovative solutions and efficiently fixing unique business challenges. Having a dedicated custom software development team will help you enhance your productivity and lead to ensure timely delivery of the project.

Before we jump into how to hire a dedicated team of custom software development developers, let’s look at when is the right time to hire them.

When to Consider a Dedicated Custom Software Development Team Model?

Along with the suitable skill set, this dedicated team will provide a lot of benefits to scale your business operations more effectively. Here’s when you should actually consider hiring a custom software development team for your project – 

1. Long-term Project

If your project is going to run for a longer duration, you’d need support and maintenance needs throughout its lifespan. Having multiple teams working on it won’t be a feasible solution, so you can opt to hire a dedicated custom software development team for easy scaling and creating a familiar development process. 

2. Unclear Project Needs

Let’s assume you have a fashion brand based in and you know nothing about software development, so it’s better to hire a dedicated team for custom software development. 

They will help you define your project needs and do the audience and market analysis to help you understand what’s needed to be targeted. When the development team does that, they can smartly align the further process and complete it all promptly.

3. Being New to the Market 

Startups being new to the market do need expert teams to take care of their IT needs so they can focus on other important tasks. Especially startups based in need to ensure they have the best software development teams to grow faster than they can expect.

How to Hire a Dedicated Custom Software Development Team?

The process of hiring a dedicated software development team can be very challenging and time-consuming. There are a lot of factors to consider. At Cloudester, we have built more than 50 projects. We know what’s important to provide as an experienced software development company. Hence, we have listed a few aspects you can consider when looking for a custom software development team. Let’s read further!

1. Result-Focused

A dedicated development team you’re looking to hire must be fully committed to the project. They must contribute to speeding up the project while ensuring the best development outcomes.

2. Cost-effective

Hiring in-house staff is always a costly affair as you need to take care of the office infrastructure, and other office expenses, and bear each employee’s salary. Whereas hiring an agency or outsourcing Python software development services can cost you a one-time fee. 

3. Unmatched Expertise

When hiring an expert custom software development team, you will get immediate access to leading developers and engineers. Thus, a dedicated software development team can drive efficiency and productivity, which an in-house team would never do.

4. Great Flexibility

Businesses need experts to meet the varying project requirements and fix any potential challenges that may arise during the development phase. A dedicated custom software development team will take care of everything without letting the stress reach you.

5. Faster Development Cycle

A dedicated team will remain fully focused on your project; hence they will be able to ensure a faster turnaround while meeting all the requirements your business has.

Conclusion

Hiring a dedicated custom software development team is the best thing any enterprise can do for its product development needs. When looking for a dedicated team, it makes sense to hire experts from Cloudester. We have experts who have years of experience and unmatched expertise. They can help you create customized and tailor-fit software solutions that perfectly match your unique business needs.

Connect with us today to discuss it further.

A Complete Guide on How to Write an A-Grade TOK Essay

Posted on by Roman Suslo
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Everything You Need to Know When Writing TOK Essay

If you’re reading this, you’re probably taking the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course as part of your International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which is worth about 67% of your final grade. You’ll need to write a TOK essay discussing how you plan to approach the question. But what does “how you plan to approach the question” mean? What kind of thinking do you need to do before you start writing?

This post will go over some tips and tricks for structuring your essay. Here, we’ll discuss how IB defines the “theory of knowledge” (TOK). And finally, we’ll talk about how to structure your response to get a good grade on the essay. Let’s get started!

What Is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?

In 2021, around 170,000 students worldwide wrote TOK essays, which shows its importance. So, let’s discuss what it is and what examiners expect from you.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is one of three core components that make up the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. To receive your diploma, you must write an extended essay on a topic in this subject area and receive an A. The other core components are Values & Ethics and Global Awareness & Responsibility.

In short, IB wants you to think about how you know what you know. The question is: How can you be sure that your thoughts, feelings, and ideas are accurate? It is what TOK is all about.

What does IB mean by “theory of knowledge”? They want you to think about how you collect information, form beliefs and judgments, and make decisions. Basically, IB wants you to think about how you know what you know.

Because of it, your TOK essay should be structured around answering one basic question: “What is the basis of my knowledge?” You can phrase it in different ways. For example, “How do I know that X is true?” The idea is always the same – you’re asking yourself why you believe something and whether or not that belief is justified. It is the basic structure of all TOK essays.

Some students buy TOK essays, while others write essays themselves. There are many trustworthy sites that provide such services, so you can be sure you will get a high-quality paper.

What to Know When Writing TOK Essay?

First, you should know what kind of questions the IB examiners ask in the TOK section. They’re looking for a well-structured and clear answer – not just “good.” You must ensure that your response fits these criteria before you start writing.

Second, your essay should explain how you came up with your ideas. You can’t just state a personal opinion as a fact (“I think X is true”) and expect it to work. You need to explain why you think something is correct – this is the “basis of your knowledge.”

Finally, your essay should include some examples that back up what you’re saying (if possible). If you can’t find any good examples, then at least make sure you explain how your example fits into the bigger picture of your idea (“It’s important because …”).

Tip: Remember that an IB examiner will read your TOK essay. That means you must write clearly and logically so that the examiner understands what you’re saying without too much trouble.

How to Structure the TOK Essay?

Here are some tips for structuring your response:

  • Tip #1. Your first paragraph should be a general statement about something you believe. The rest of your paragraphs will explain why you believe it.
  • Tip #2. Your second paragraph is called the “evidence” section because it describes your reasons for believing what you believe. You can’t just say, “I think X is true,” because that’s not enough – you need to explain why you think this way.
  • Tip #3. Your final paragraph is called the “conclusion” because it’s where you sum up what you’ve written. Your conclusion should show that you understand why other people might disagree with you – this is important.

Think of the structure as a triangle, with each paragraph representing one corner of the triangle. The first and last paragraphs tell us something about the middle paragraph; the second paragraph tells us something about the first and third; and so on.

5 Tips to Make the TOK Essay Better

You must understand the task and requirements to score well on the essay. Here are five tips to help you make your TOK essay better:

  • Make sure to answer the question. The TOK essay is all about analysis and interpretation, so you must answer the question that is asked.
  • Use evidence to support your claims. The essay should contain concrete examples and evidence supporting the topic’s analysis and interpretation.
  • Be consistent with your style. You should ensure you are writing in a consistent tone so that the reader understands your ideas clearly.
  • Use appropriate language. TOK essays require you to use advanced vocabulary, which means you should be appropriate to the context and respectful of differing views.
  • Show your understanding of the topic. You should demonstrate a critical understanding of their own society’s values, beliefs, and practices and those of other societies worldwide by providing examples from their own lives, or they can describe specific instances that illustrate the points being made.

Conclusion

We hope these tips will help students write an outstanding TOK essay by providing clear guidelines and helping them to organize their thoughts. In particular, we recommend that students brainstorm their ideas before beginning to write and that they structure their essays clearly and logically.

MacOS Security Can Break with Just One Single Flaw

Posted on by Hamza Razzaq
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When you shut down your Mac, you receive a pop-up message saying that “Are you sure you want to shut down your computer now?” In the pop-up message, there is a checkbox that says if you want to reopen currently opened windows when you open your machine later. Thijs Alkemade, a security researcher at cybersecurity firm Computest in the Netherlands was able to find a vulnerability in that “saved state” feature that can be used to break through macOS security easily.

MacOS Vulnerability in the “Saved State” Feature

The vulnerability triggered by a process injection attack can easily exploit macOS security and let attackers access all files on a Mac and also acquire control of the webcam. As per Alkemade research, the attack is not restricted to the saved state feature. Once Alkemade successfully deployed the initial attack on that feature, he was able to move easily through other elements of the Apple ecosystem. He escaped through the macOS sandbox, which is meant to restrict successful hacks on a single app. Moreover, he was also able to escape the System Integrity Protection (SIP), which is meant to prohibit authorized code from gaining access to sensitive files on a Mac.

The attack can be launched in multiple steps, but the most fundamental approach is the initial process injection vulnerability. Through process injection attacks, hackers are able to inject code into the system and then execute code differently than it was originally intended. Alkemade says that process injection vulnerability in an app is not uncommon. Still, the one detected in the saved state feature is so universally applicable that is not seen commonly.

The flaw detected by Alkemade is in the “serialized” object involved in the saved state system, which is meant to save windows/apps that you have opened while shutting down the Mac. Moreover, you can also run the saved state system while using the Mac through a process called App Nap.

Alkemade says that when the application is launched, it reads some files and then loads them through the serialized object insecure version. Serialized objects are used in many places in Apple’s operating system, frequently for inter-process data exchange. According to Alkemade, the attack works by creating those files in places where other applications will load them. So, a malicious “serialized object” is created that makes the system respond in ways it is not expected to.

Afterward, Alkemade managed to use the vulnerability to bypass the Mac app sandbox, which was the first flaw fixed by Apple. So, by injecting code into another application, it is easy to expand the scale and damage of the vulnerability. Lastly, Alkemade managed to escape the System Integrity Protection, which is meant to prohibit unauthorized code from accessing or modifying sensitive files. Eventually, Alkemade was able to access all the files on the Mac and was also able to change a few system files.

Apple’s Response to the Vulnerability

Alkemade detected the vulnerability in December 2020 and used Apple’s bug bounty scheme to report the vulnerability. Apple acknowledged the existence of the vulnerability and paid a significant amount to Alkemade for this research. Afterward, Apple issued a major update to address this vulnerability in October 2021.

Apple didn’t have any idea of the vulnerability before Alkemade’s research. Moreover, the security update Apple issued against the vulnerability comes with very few details. However, they do say that this issue might empower malicious apps to leak sensitive data of the user and might also allow privileges to the attacker to move within the system easily.

We can also see changes made by Apple in Xcode, which is Apple’s development workspace meant for app creators. The October 2021 fix of the vulnerability was for Macs that are running the Monterey OS version, which means that the older versions of macOS might still be vulnerable to this attack.

Wrapping Up

The vulnerability detected by Alkemade has the potential to cause severe damage, especially to older versions of macOS that didn’t receive the upgrade. Moreover, the flaw can even sometimes allow attackers to easily access the entire operating system, which means more access to data. Alkemade suggests a need to reexamine different parts of the system because the macOS local security is gradually moving towards an iOS model. Till today, there are no reports on whether the vulnerability has been used by attackers in the real world.

What Does the Crypto Crash Mean for Ethereum 2.0?

Posted on by Hamza Razzaq
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The past few months have been crazy for crypto investors. Bitcoin lost more than half of its value since the November 2021 peak, making a low of $19k. The freefall of Bitcoin led the whole cryptocurrency market to collapse. That was a complete setback for crypto investors who never thought of such a steep fall in just a matter of a few months. There is a different talk now in the crypto world and that is about Ethereum 2.0.

Ethereum 2.0 is coming soon, which is anticipated to impact crypto mining greatly. So, the question is how the current crypto crash going to impact Ethereum 2.0? This is what this article is going to discuss. But first, let’s discuss the key factors that lead to the crypto crash and then use them to correlate with Ethereum 2.0.

Key Factors Behind Crypto Crash

The cryptocurrency market crashed to a new low in June 2022. The cryptocurrency global market cap has fallen by over $2 trillion after making a touch of $3 trillion back in November 2021. Bitcoin made a low of around $19K, while Ethereum made a low of around $900. Many experts say that the freefall of cryptocurrencies indicates that investors are considering crypto as a risky asset.

The terrifying inflation fears with strict monetary policies caused the massive sell-off by investors. Moreover, the withdrawal paused by Celsius, the crypto lending service, further triggered the fear of losing investment.

The crypto market is behaving in sync with the stock market for the past few months. Since the stock markets had also seen a massive sell-off by investors due to inflation fears and interest rate hikes, the trend was also reflected in the crypto market. In addition, investors were seen to remain away from risky stocks, so the uncertainty of the crypto market also led them to opt for a massive sell-off.

Experts say that the regulatory concern is another factor behind the crypto crash. The world’s governments are in a move to regulate cryptos, which is causing fear among investors. Overall, the main reason behind the crypto crash is the fear of investors, which is triggered by multiple events, including high inflation, monetary policies, regulatory concerns, the Russia-Ukraine war, and similar other factors.

Ethereum 2.0 – A Quick Overview

Ethereum 2.0 is an upgrade to the Ethereum blockchain that targets to elevate the network’s speed, scalability, and efficiency to process more transactions and avoid bottlenecks. The noticeable upgrade is the Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism that will verify transactions via staking instead of miners using high-powered computers to verify transactions (Proof of Work model).

The word “Ethereum 2.0” does not exist now, as the Ethereum Foundation said back in January 2022 to stop referring to the upgrade as Ethereum 2.0. It is because Ethereum 2.0 gives a sense of a new network, but it is basically just an upgrade to the existing network. However, the word “Ethereum 2.0” has become so common that it is used everywhere to refer to the new upgrade of the Ethereum blockchain. The value of ETH to CAD, for example, is the same for both Ethereum and Ethereum 2.0. Ethereum 2.0 is just an upgrade to the existing Ethereum network that aims to improve its performance and scalability.

The Launch Cycle of Ethereum 2.0 and The Continuous Delays

Ethereum 2.0 is launching in multiple phases. The first phase known as “Beacon Chain” is already live from December 1, 2020. This phase introduces staking, but it is running as a separate blockchain currently. The second phase known as “The Merge” is yet to go live. This phase will merge the Beacon Chain with the Ethereum mainnet and end the PoW mining model. The third and final phase known as “Shard Chains” will assist in scaling the Ethereum network. This phase will spread operations from one single blockchain to 64 new chains.

The Merge phase was expected to be launched by now, but it is delayed once again due to some bugs in the “difficulty bomb”, a key catalyst in the “The Merge” phase. It is anticipated that “The Merge” phase will start in August if things go well this time. Afterward, the full upgrade to Ethereum 2.0 is expected to happen in 2023, as per the Ethereum Foundation.

Crypto Crash & Ethereum 2.0

Although Ethereum 2.0 is experiencing delays currently, it is definitely going to happen within a 1-2 year period. Once Ethereum 2.0 is in full swing, it will mean the end of the Proof of Work (PoW) model, the start of the new Proof of Stake model to verify transactions, more transactions per second (100,000 TPS), and significantly lower computing power and gas fee.

Experts believe that the launch of Ethereum 2.0 will uplift the Ethereum price. One reason is the staking model of validating ETH. The more ETH the validators have staked, the more chances they have to be selected for validating transactions and gaining rewards.

Looking at the current crypto crash, it was not expected at all. The factors that lead to the current crypto crash also impacted the stock market. Even the blue chip stocks suffered from the current sell-off pressure. What it means is that even if Ethereum 2.0 was launched before the crypto crash, ETH would not have withstood such sell-off waves easily. In such events, we will see some plunge in the price, but it would be of short-term because Ethereum 2.0 promises more speed, security, and scalability, which is much needed in the crypto world.

Here’s another question: will Ethereum 2.0 manage to get the interest and investment of investors considering the current fears of investors and the perception of the crypto market as highly risky?

Well, the current crypto or stock market crash is due to macro-economic factors, such as gas prices, supply chain issues, high inflation, monetary policies, etc. But these factors are going to settle down gradually. The gas prices have already started to go down, while both the crypto and stock markets are gradually gaining investors’ trust. So, it will take some time for investors to absorb the fear, but once the inflation starts going down and other factors settle down, we can expect big jumps in the crypto and stock markets.

Final Thoughts

Ethereum 2.0 is set to completely change how the Ethereum network works currently. The scalability, speed, and security it promises are going to be game-changing. The crypto crash did rise concern of investors trust in the crypto market, but the sentiments are getting better now gradually. So, we might notice investors to be more cautious about investing in cryptocurrencies, but the investment is not going to fade away, especially for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, things will be clearer in the next few months with the launch of “The Merge” phase of Ethereum 2.0. So, just wait and watch how the crypto market responds to Ethereum 2.0.

Is 6G Just Rumors or Is It Around the Corner?

Posted on by Hamza Razzaq
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Smartphone manufacturers have only recently started advertising 5G connectivity on their phones. Companies like Apple and Samsung first introduced 5G compatibility on their premium flagships, then extended it to the entire range of their new generation phones. Smartphone users have just started adapting to 5G technology, but telecom companies are already working on the next big thing.

There have been a lot of rumors flying around about 6G. This successor to 5G doesn’t exist yet but is definitely in the works and the proof is in Austin, Texas. Wireless researchers have launched a research center called 6G@UT to start studying how 6G implementation would work. Samsung and Qualcomm have partnered up with this University of Texas project and are promising fast results.

On the other hand, work on optimizing 5G is still going on. The 2021 Mobile World Congress brought wireless researchers together to discuss the birth of 5G Advanced, a form of 5G that promises to deliver even faster speeds than the existing version. What’s more, this year’s conference brought the spotlight to 6G, with the FCC Chairwoman discussing how to roll it out eventually.

So, is 6G a real thing? And when should we expect to see it around us? Before we try to answer these questions, let’s take a look at what 6G technology actually is.

What is 6G?

6G is essentially a newer iteration of the 5G network. It will have high-frequency bands and cloud-based tech that will provide speedy access to the Internet. The best part is that 6G tech won’t be limited to smartphones. The new network will be integrated into things like automated vehicles and smart home systems too.

It promises to be the next big thing in telecommunications. 6G will step up on the speeds provided by current 5G networks by up 50 times. These numbers are unbelievable especially when you consider that an average data rate for users on 6G will be around 1000 Gbps, according to Statista. Practically, this means that the Internet experience will change drastically for the everyday user and businesses, giving them insanely high speeds.

However, experts expect that with the advancement of 5G, users will eventually be able to enjoy lightning speeds as fast as 10,000 Mbps. This would mean that once 6G does launch, it will provide even higher Internet connectivity with little to no latency. The current predictions aren’t super accurate considering how little work has been done on practical implications.

Key Features of 6G

Although it is quite early to list the key features of 6G, still the guesswork has been done by many experts. So, some of the expected key features of 6G are as follows:

  • A speed of 1000 Gbps or 1 TBps
  • Frequencies of 100 GHz or even higher
  • Energy-efficient communication
  • Latency reduced to only a few microseconds
  • More number of connected devices (10 million per km2)

There is a lot more to expect from the 6G, so more features will pop up as the research work continues.

6G: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

All new tech has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Information around 6G is also varying depending on who you talk to. However, below are some of the good and bad aspects of 6G:

Advantages of 6G

Here’s how 6G promises to step up the wireless game:

  • 6G technology will apparently support a lot more mobile connections than the networks before it. The average user will enjoy a fast connection and zero interference from other devices. This means streamlined service and smooth access to the network.
  • There will be an unprecedented boost to wireless speeds with 6G. The average data rate will skyrocket but will only be accessible on devices that use the mmWave spectrum. Once these smartphones are created, users will enjoy lightning-fast speeds all from the palm of their hands.
  • One of the irksome things about 4G or 5G connectivity is the amount of area they cover. However, this won’t be a problem with 6G. 6G networks will cover large tracts of land, meaning your connection won’t slow down even if you live in an area with bad weather or lots of trees.
  • There will be innovative breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence with the advent of 6G. Experts believe that the 6G implementation will help automated vehicles communicate with each other. Moreover, it will make it easier for people to access the metaverse and optimize edge computing.

Disadvantages of 6G

Here are some potential issues that 6G can bring with it:

  • There might be a substantial learning curve that comes with implementing 6G. This doesn’t really apply to smartphone users but it does to telecom providers across the world. New tech can be tricky to learn because it comes with its own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and these can be hard to communicate on a global level.
  • Devices that support 6G will be more expensive than the ones we buy today. New tech requires advanced features, all of which will cost customers a lot more of their hard-earned money.
  • The 6G rollout might also bring some compatibility issues as people on older devices won’t be able to access the network. This will be worse in developing countries where transitioning to a new network takes even longer than it does in the first world.

When to Expect 6G in the Market?

It is not clear currently how long it will take for 6G to hit the market. Pekka Lundmark, Nokia CEO, expects that the 6G network will be in the market by 2030. There is a lot of testing that remains to be done, along with international cooperation. There is a possibility that different countries might undertake 6G development on their own, creating problematic situations for the average consumer. This could also mean that smartphone users, like in Japan, won’t be able to connect to 6G if they travel to another country.

The Final Verdict

6G sounds like an exciting breakthrough but experts have warned to take this news with a pinch of salt for now. This is because even though 5G is technically in popular use, a lot of telecom companies haven’t implemented it because they failed to meet certain international benchmarks. Most companies offer something called 4G LTE, advertising it as faster 4G but not quite 5G.

What’s more, wireless researchers estimated that 4G would achieve speeds up to 100-1000 Mbps, but that fell through, as average speeds on 4G networks rarely cross 40 Mbps. It’s evident that wireless technology does not evolve as quickly as people think it does.

The final verdict is to keep your hopes up because 6G is on its way to becoming a reality. However, it won’t be implemented on a wide scale anytime soon.

Hackers Can Now Ransom Your Onedrive and Sharepoint Files

Posted on by Hamza Razzaq
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Traditionally, ransomware attacks are seen to hit local drives (endpoints), but the trend might get shifted now. Cloud storage is long termed as a safe storage drive from ransomware attacks, but the research by Proofpoint is ringing the threat bell.

Researchers from Proofpoint have discovered a feature in the Microsoft 365 suite that could be misused to encrypt files stored on OneDrive and SharePoint. In fact, the ransomware attack would be so strong that you will not be able to recover files without dedicated backups or decryption keys from the attackers. So, let’s explore more about this ransomware attack on OneDrive and SharePoint files. But first, let’s take a brief look at ransomware.

Ransomware – Quick Overview

Ransomware is one of the malware types that takes the control of the victim’s system or account to block access and also encrypt the data. There are many ways for ransomware attackers to penetrate the victim’s system. The most popular way is the phishing approach in which the victim is tricked to share login details or click a malicious link/file that then installs the malware in the system. Alternative, system loopholes can also be used to penetrate the user’s system/account.

Once ransomware attackers are successful in penetrating the system, they can do a lot of activities, i.e., block access, encrypt data, mine cryptocurrencies, etc. In most cases, attackers encrypt the data and then ask for a ransom fee to decrypt the data. Moreover, many attackers even offer a discount for early payments so that the victim doesn’t think much and pays the ransom quickly. In addition, attackers also provide a complete step-by-step guide on how the victim can complete the transaction.

New Vector – Now your Files in OneDrive and SharePoint can be Locked

Proofpoint has identified a dangerous feature in Microsoft 365 that empowers ransomware attackers to encrypt the OneDrive and SharePoint files in the compromised users’ accounts. Afterward, the files could only be accessed back by paying for the decryption key or recovering the dedicated backup made beforehand.

The research by Proofpoint indicates the “AutoSave” feature of Microsoft 365 as a potential threat. This feature is meant to make copies of older versions of files stored on OneDrive/SharePoint. The attack chain as pointed out by Proofpoint could go as follows:

Initial Access

Attackers start by first gaining access to the user(s) OneDrive or SharePoint account(s) through compromising login credentials, tricking the victim to allow third-party OAuth apps, or hijacking the web session of a logged-in user.

Account Takeover

After successful penetration of the user account, attackers have access to all the files stored by the user in OneDrive or SharePoint.

Collection and Exfiltration

Reduce the version limit of files to a low number, like “1” and then encrypt the file more times than the version limit, i.e., encrypt the file twice if the version limit is set to 1. Besides that, attackers can also do a double extortion tactic by exfiltrating the encrypted files.

Monetization

Once the original versions of the files are lost and the encrypted versions are left in the user account, the attackers can then ask for a ransom to decrypt the files.

All the above steps can be automated using Microsoft APIs, PowerShell scripts, and command line interface scripts.

The document library in OneDrive and SharePoint is based on multiple attributes, where one attribute is the number of saved versions that the user can change. When a user reduces the document library version limit, it means that new changes in the file will make older versions quite difficult to restore.

So, what attackers can do is they can either create so many file versions or change the limit of the version to just “1” and then encrypt every file more times than the version limit. For example, the default version limit in most OneDrive accounts is 500. So, attackers can edit document library files 501 times. This way, the original version of every file is the 501st version file, which is no longer accessible. Alternatively, they can set the version limit to 1 and then encrypt the file twice.

What to Do if You Get Hacked and They Ask for Ransom?

From the above research work of Proofpoint and the vulnerable “AutoSave” feature of Microsoft 365, there are clear signs that ransomware attacks can occur in your cloud storage. When this vulnerability was discussed with Microsoft by Proofpoint, Microsoft stated that the older versions of files can be recovered by an additional 14 days through the help of Microsoft Support. However, Proofpoint did follow that but failed to restore older versions.

So, if you get a victim of a ransomware attack and your data is encrypted in your cloud account or local drive, then the one quick option is to pay the ransom and get the decryption key. But this approach is not recommended because you never know if the decryption key would work, you will get back the data, or the attacker might demand more money. Moreover, it also encourages attackers to do more such attacks.

The recommended steps you should immediately perform after the ransomware attack are as follows:

  • Disconnect and isolate the infected device.
  • Contact your local authorities.
  • Reach out to a cybersecurity expert to try to remove malware.
  • Look for the data backup you might have created beforehand or try to restore data from others if you have shared it with them.

In short, you should try every possible measure that you can take to retrieve data without paying the ransom.

Ways to Store Files Securely (on your PC)

Ransomware and other cyberattacks are a serious concern today. As per Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrimes will cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. So, it is important more than ever that we store our data and files securely. Below are some of the effective ways to store files securely on your PC:

  1. Encrypt files/folders in Windows. To do that, right-click the file/folder and then click Properties > Advanced > Encrypt contents to secure data > OK.
  2. Control the access to your files/folders in Windows. To do that, right-click the file/folder and then click Properties > Security > Edit. Afterward, select the user’s name or group and then click “Deny Access”. This way, the user/group will have to enter an administrative password to access that file/folder in the future.
  3. Use third-party tools to encrypt sensitive files/folders.
  4. Make regular backup of your files in the cloud or external hard drive.
  5. Use antivirus software.
  6. Keep your operating system and software up-to-date and patched.
  7. Avoid giving administrative access to all software.

To sum up, you should deploy every possible measure you could take to secure your files on your PC. These measures do not guarantee complete protection from cyberattacks, but they can minimize the chances greatly.

How to Save Your Health and Wallet by Eating Out Less

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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Eating out is fun – and can certainly be tasty – but if you’re doing it more than once or twice per week, it’s most likely having a negative impact on your health and your bank account. Something needs to change!

6 Tips for Eating Out Less

Eating out less is simply a matter of discipline and planning. If you’re willing to do it and you take the time to create a plan, you can eat out less, save money, and be healthier. 

Here are some suggestions:

1. Set a Budget

If the goal is to save money, you need to start by setting a budget. Sit down at the start of each month and give yourself a weekly grocery allowance. (You can also give yourself an “eating out” allowance, but it should be significantly lower.)

2. Plan Out Your Meals

The next step is to plan out your meals for the week. Grab a notebook or a spreadsheet and literally plan out every meal, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day of the week. When planning out your meals, take leftovers into account. You can usually stretch the previous night’s dinner into the following day’s lunch. 

3. Grocery Shop Online

Here’s a little trick that will change the game for you: Shop for groceries online and do delivery or pickup. When you shop online, you aren’t as prone to making emotional purchase decisions that are driven by your stomach. You also get the benefit of easily adding and subtracting things from your cart, seeing the subtotal as you go, and verifying nutritional information on the fly.

(Pro Tip: When you shop online with a store like Walmart, you often come out ahead. If you order something they don’t have in stock, they’ll give you a “substitution.” These substitutions are often better than what you ordered – but they still charge you the same price. For example, if you order a six-pack of pudding that happens to be out of stock, they might give you a 12-pack for the same price.)

4. Learn How to Cook

Cooking is not popping a frozen pizza in the oven or boiling a box of macaroni on the stove. Learn how to actually cook and your desire to eat out will go way down.

When it comes to cooking, cook what you love. If you’re a big pizza fan, buy an outdoor pizza oven and learn how to make your own dough and toppings. If breakfast foods are your thing, find recipes for breakfast casseroles and cook away!

5. Prep Meals in Advance

The key to staying disciplined is to prepare meals in advance. (A lot of people prefer to do this on Sunday afternoons while they’re watching a movie or listening to a podcast.)

By preparing your meals in advance and putting them in individual containers, you make it easy to just grab a meal and go. This prevents you from eating out for the sake of convenience. 

6. Keep the Right Foods on Hand

Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have to rifle through the pantry or refrigerator looking for something to eat. If you aren’t careful, this can lead to pulling up your phone and ordering an expensive, overpriced meal from Uber Eats. 

By always having good food on hand, you don’t have to deal with the temptation of ordering out. Stay stocked up – especially on the weekends. 

How Much Can You Save?

The potential cost savings for eating out less are incredible. To prove this point, let’s run a little exercise with some round numbers. For example, let’s say this is the average cost of each meal you eat out:

  • Breakfast: $6
  • Lunch: $10
  • Dinner: $18

If you eat breakfast out five times per week, lunch five times per week, and dinner three times per week, that’s a total of $134 per week. If you run those numbers out, we’re talking about $536 per month and nearly $7,000 per year. It doesn’t matter if you’re making $30,000 or $100,000 per year – that’s a lot of money spent on food!

But here’s the thing – cooking your own meals and eating in costs just a fraction of what it does to eat out. You can usually prepare a good breakfast for $1 or less, a good lunch for $3 or less, and a good dinner for $7 or less. That’s a cost savings of at least $93 per week (or $372 per month). 

If you’re currently in debt, behind on retirement, or have no savings, simply choosing to eat at home more often could allow you to dramatically improve your financial situation to the tune of $372 per month (or more). There are no excuses – take control of your life!

Tips to Secure Your Computer in University

Posted on by James White
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It is becoming increasingly more important for universities to take precautions against cyber crime. Whether you want to protect yourself and your network, ensure data privacy, or prevent a ransomware attack, there are steps that you can take as an individual that will help protect your computer. Below are tips on how to secure your computer in university when giving cheapest writing services to earn money part-time. Protecting your computer is a major concern that everyone should at least try and consider to protect themselves, your colleagues, and your university’s data.

1. Install Antivirus Software

Antivirus software can go a long way to protecting your computer and ensure the validity of your information. Windows Defender is free and does the job for many users. You should also scan your computer regularly, as often as once a week is recommended, to ensure that you are always protected. However, it should be noted that antivirus software alone will not keep you completely secure.

2. Use Extended Permissions

An individual that has access to limited information on a network, but can change it all without being noticed, represents a big risk for any company or university. Use extended permissions when setting up or changing passwords for your accounts.

3. Change Passwords Often

The most common way for a hacker to gain access to an account is by extracting or guessing the password from the user. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your passwords are strong enough that it would take a significant amount of time before the hacker was able to guess it correctly. If there are any changes in your life that could affect the strength of your password, you should change it immediately. This includes changes in personal information such as address and phone number, or details related to work such as job title and responsibilities.

4. Control Your Social Media

While you should be careful about what information you put on social media, you should also be careful about what information you share on your social media. This means that any personal details, such as address and phone number, should be shared only with people that need it and not posted anywhere for all of the world to see. Therefore, if you are asked to provide this kind of information in an application or form sent over email or fax, do not provide it. You could lose access completely if a screenshot is taken of your address or phone number.

5. Lock Down Your Work Computers

If you have an office or work computer that you use, it is important to ensure that it is completely locked down. This means no browser tabs or files can be open on the machine – this includes accessing files and applications on a flash drive. If a computer at work is infected, you could be at risk of data leakage because the virus could infect other machines on the network. In addition, do not leave your inventory of equipment up to anyone. The information should be kept in a safe place inside your building or locked in a locked file cabinet.

Conclusion

Cyber crime is increasing on a daily basis and the sophistication of hackers is improving by the day. Therefore, it is important that you take the necessary precautions to protect your computer. It is important to remember that these tips will not necessarily secure your computer fully, but they represent an excellent starting point on how to secure your computer in university.