Category Archives: Security

Digital Businesses turn to Third Parties for Proper Remote Support

Posted on by Cassie Steele

Digital business is an inherently fast-moving industry, but the past few months may have been faster-moving than ever. As a result, business experts writing for the Forbes council suggest it might be time for many businesses to look to outsource their IT solutions, to help manage workflow and lend expertise. This input can help businesses to remain competitive while covering areas of their business in a safe and secure manner. Increasingly, businesses are turning to whole-system management.

Managing Secure IT

As a digital business expands, the infrastructure and tools it relies on are not always up to the task. This can lead to security and bandwidth issues, as critical business goes unanswered due to a simple lack of capacity. More seriously, this can cause security errors; the Russian SolarWinds hack was, according to NPR, able to sneak in on outdated and understaffed security systems. This is especially the case in rapidly digitizing communities; Nebraska is an example of where a historically rural community is starting to modernize as people adapt to urban living in Omaha. As businesses move to remote work, the communications and IT services Omaha require will have had a strong focus on security following the Nebraska Medicine incident.

The Security Question

The new levels of remote working pose a security question that is most easily answered through third parties. Governments globally are focusing on the overarching risks of cybercrime. In the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre saw fit to produce documents highlighting the risks of remote working to business owners. Outsourced systems, including larger-scale VPNs and institutions offering security services, provide good protection for these new risks.

Workforce management

A secure shield is one step of the way to maintaining a proper remote workforce, but having management tools in place to drive up productivity is essential. While statistics show that remote workers are more productive, using their flexibility to provide up to 1.4 more days of work per month, this isn’t always the case – and work can fall by the wayside in unmonitored cases. Once again, having expert third party advice allows employers to maintain proportional workforce control in a way that is safe and legally sound.

Between the use of proper IT systems, cybersecurity solutions, and workforce management, third party control allows businesses to focus on their product and growth. As remote working becomes more and more commonplace, these solutions will be ever-more important. For businesses, it’s a great way to ensure they stay profitable while doing the best by their day-to-day matters.

How to Get a Security Certificate for Your Website

Posted on by Joseb Builder

Many security measures for your website lead to the best and safest practices for individuals and organizations. We live in a time when cyber crimes are rapidly increasing and developing with every passing day, and assuming various forms.

It is no longer only the responsibility of large corporations to maximize their security measures, as cybercriminals have shown they are prepared to attack any potential victim with sensitive information. This means anyone with valuable data or intellectual property stored online could be vulnerable to attacks.

One security measure that can be taken is the use of a security certificate for your website. Security is a valuable asset that will help in the growth of your web project. Security certificates may be an attractive feature for your customers, clients, and partners. SSL certificates can also secure payments, reduce cyber risks, and increase your search engine ranking.

Another way that you can generate interest in your web project is by optimizing your content to meet the demands of search engines. Check this guide to SEO for the best way to approach search engine optimization.

What Are Security Certificates?

Some websites are made more secure with an extension to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, whereby the HTTP protocol becomes HTTPS. The extra S stands for secure, and it means that the data exchanged on these websites is encrypted.

To obtain an HTTPS connection, you need a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or a Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate. These certificates enable a secure connection through an encryption process.

SSL and TLS certificates use cryptographic key pairs to connect the identities of websites and companies through digital documents called X.509 certificates. For each key pair, there is a private key that is kept secure and a public key that is widely distributed.

The public key can be used to encrypt messages that require the private key for decryption. The person that holds the private key can use it to sign digital documents, including web pages, which can be verified by anyone with the public key. 

The standard encryption of these certificates uses 256-bit strength and 2048-bit RSA key. SSL and TLS certificates are compatible with almost every major browser and device. It is usually possible to obtain an unlimited server license, which means you can install it on multiple servers.

SSL and TLS certificates need to be signed by certificate authorities (CAs) that are widely recognized and trusted. CAs need to be accepted by client software, which includes operating systems and web browsers, and they must be subject to frequent and thorough audits. Popular CAs include Symantec, DigiCert, RapidSSLonline, and SSL.com.

How to Obtain a Security Certificate for Your Website

It is relatively easy to obtain an SSL certificate for a web project, and there are certain steps that need to be followed.

Decide the Type of Certificate You Intend to Use

It is more common now to use TLS certificates, the upgraded version of SSL certificates. However, as more people are familiar with the term ‘SSL,’ it is often used to refer to those which are technically TLS certificates.

There are three categories that SSL certificates are divided into based on the validation process.

  • Domain Validated (DV): This is a low form of verification that only proves you own the domain for the website for which you need a security certificate. These certificates are more affordable and only take a few minutes to be issued.           
  • Organization Validated (OV): For this type of verification, you also need to prove details of your organization and a local presence, verified by a phone call. OV is more expensive, and it can take up to three days to be issued.
  • Extended Validated (EV): This validation requires DV and OV validations to have been completed. It is a more rigorous process that requires companies to have been in operation for a minimum of three years, and it is not available to individual users.

Obtain a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

It is an application holding the details of the domain to be certified. After completing the CSR, your certification authority (CA) will send you a confirmation email. Provided that your request is legitimate, it will be validated, and your CA will issue your SSL certificate.

Install Your Digital Certificate on Your Server

This is usually a straightforward process. You can obtain a step-by-step guide from the relevant server. You can use an SSL checker tool to ensure the certificate has been correctly installed on the server.

Buying an SSL certificate is a wise security measure to take for any organization that is running a website. You can obtain one quite easily and quickly. It is always a good decision to improve your cyber defenses and reputation with a recognized security certificate.

How To Keep Yourself Protected On The Internet?

Posted on by Tanzeel Ur Rehman

The internet has been one of the greatest revolutionary inventions to transform the world into a fast-paced and fun-filled environment. There’s a huge commonality between the internet and the universe that they have no limit on their expansion and that you never know what they have to offer you. Even though it has a lot of benefits and never-ending interesting things associated with it, it could still turn out to be an absolute nightmare in no time if safety measures are not taken. Following are a few tips and rules to keep you safe and avoid getting you into trouble:

Selection Of The Right ISP

First things first, keeping yourself and your data safe must be your top priority and to do so, make sure to select a reliable internet service provider when thinking of getting a new connection. This way you will already be saving your valuable time against many hackers and viruses as big providers smart and strong enough to tackle them on their own. The selection of the right provider is a pathway to a successful experience for online shopping and banking on a protected platform. Nevertheless, we still need to take some extra precautionary measures from our side to ensure we leave no room for viruses or hackers to interfere.

You may visit www.localcabledeals.com to see which providers are available within your area and you may compare them to see which provider offers the tightest security and which one of them best suits your requirements.

Keeping Your Info Confidential

Keep your personal data such as your address, date of birth, phone number, account details, or any other important information private at all times, and always keep a check on how people can see these details on privacy settings. You don’t want millions of people to see these details without your consent. Similarly, never share or upload stuff you don’t want your family or strangers to see as you nearly lose control of all that stuff that has been posted online.

Avoid Phishers and Scammers 

Don’t make a fool out of yourself by clicking random links on emails or other websites asking for your login details or other information. Trust me, no one is kind or dumb enough to give you a new iPhone or million dollars to a random person from a different country for just clicking on the link or sharing it. Rather, it could cost you the money you’re looking to earn for free. Therefore, be smart enough to go to legitimate sites and apps directly, rather than sharing your details with phishers. Never share your login details with anyone and keep a strong, yet easy to remember, password to keep yourself safe. 

Careful Against Fake Profiles

In today’s world, there are loads of ways people can trick you easily into trusting them. Fake social media profiles with bold pictures are one of those tricks to attract the opposite gender into their scams, resulting in harmful consequences. Hence, never agree on meeting anyone in person you spoke to online as there’s a very rare chance it would be the same guy who claimed to be the one. Only agree on meeting someone you met online at a public place with an adult who your parents trust upon. Try to be as cautious in social media as you are in real social life!

Keep Your Systems Safe

Keep your devices secure at all times and there are plenty of ways to do it. Keep your antivirus software updated, it cannot guarantee 100% security but will detect and remove most of the malware on its own. Moreover, keep your operating system and the applications you use up to date as well, as a new update comes up with essential security layers. Also, make a habit of keeping your webcam veiled when not in use to keep yourself protected from viruses that let hackers see through your webcam. 

Conclusion

The aforementioned points are a generic overlook of providing you with a safe ground on the internet. Keep these above tips in mind and implement them in your daily life internet usage and you would never lose your data or important information online. There are a lot of other ways hackers can use to reach you out, however, if someone is looking for a blueprint to follow, sticking to these tips will not only make life easier for them but will also guarantee a guarded journey throughout.

In What Ways Can Technology Be Helpful to Public Safety Agencies?

Posted on by Charlene Brown

Improvements in technology have revolutionized how public safety agencies operate to make towns smarter and safer. This means enforcement agencies can stay one step ahead of criminals by using new ways to prevent and detect crime. Since the cat-and-mouse game between criminals and law enforcers is never-ending, it means public safety agencies need to keep readjusting to new technologies. 

Governments and businesses alike need to deploy emerging technologies to avert threat situations from happening. This can be in the form of biometric technology for access control or detection and alert sensors. Such measures will curb or lower the amount of potential loss, injuries, and damage. Below are how technology can change how public safety agencies view and think about enhancing stringent security measures.

1. Smart Audio and Video Surveillance

Video surveillance has existed for many years and has evolved with better functionalities. Thanks to technology, we now have smart technology and new audio capabilities. These systems are more effective and actionable and can be integrated with municipal systems. Improved technology systems from 10-8Systems.com can provide safety agencies with up-to-date software systems to fight against crime. In many cases, drawbacks like poor-quality imagery and slow data retrieval can hamper law enforcement agencies’ efforts to protect citizens. Improvements in smart audio and video capabilities can detect vehicle license tags for better public safety. Additionally, these high-resolution cameras can even sharpen in on potential suspects as well.

2. Biometric Systems

In recent years, many businesses have adopted the use of biometric systems in their workplaces. Biometric systems are designed with capabilities that can identify individuals based on various aspects. Such may be based on facial features, fingerprints, gaits, iris patterns, and voiceprints, among others. The biometric device is then linked with a back-end system; This system compares these features to a database of known people for positive recognition.

3. Robots

Public safety agencies can also use robots for enhanced protective measures. These next-generation robotic cameras can deliver audio and video surveillance of potential crime scenes that might be dangerous or too challenging for officers to reach. Additionally, these robots are even throwable, which means they can withstand a 25-foot drop. These devices run on an electric motor and are equipped with high-tech wheels that can navigate rough terrains. They are also equipped with artificial intelligence and can transmit critical information to human officers. This comes in handy, especially in situations where invaders may compromise a law officer’s safety.

4. The World of Artificial Intelligence

AI has experienced a lot of expansion. This means more data is being collected, analyzed, and generated and can offer valuable insights in a law enforcement context. The process of deriving actionable insights from an extensive database of information is time-consuming when done by humans. This is where AI (artificial intelligence) comes into play. AI can support many police technologies efficiently through technologies like biometrics and facial recognition.

Additionally, officers can use AI in crime-mapping. Processing this data offers valuable insights and can even pinpoint high-crime areas. This means law enforcement officers can monitor the areas more keenly and deploy additional resources to the mentioned areas.

5. Mobile Technology

The use of mobile technology provides calls, emails, texts, and GPS location information, which can be used to solve cases by law enforcement organizations. Since smartphones are widely used globally, the information they contain can give officers a starting point during investigations. In many cases, such information leads to arrests, which is derived from mobile device usage. With advanced digital forensics technology, officers can find subtle links between suspects and their crimes. Without the use of mobile connections, this might go unnoticed. Additionally, mobile technology speeds communication between citizens, officers, and agencies.

6. Drones

In recent years, the use of drones – also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – has increased significantly. Many public safety agencies across the globe are using drones to help them in their day-to-day operations. Drones can be used for rescue operations, crowd monitoring, gain aerial vantage points for crime scene work, and more. Some more improved models are designed with thermal imaging or 3D mapping software, which offers geographical location precision to the surveyed areas. Additionally, many drones are also equipped with zoom cameras. These cameras are valuable since they can deliver actionable and real-time information, especially in high-risk and dangerous situations.

In the 21st century, law enforcement agencies are dealing with plenty of things to ensure public safety. This is why they need solutions to help them manage their challenges when building links back to their communities. With the right technologies, public safety organizations can take the necessary steps to foster better enforcement and crime prevention.

Everything VPN newbies should know about enhancing online safety

Posted on by Stephen Marshall

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

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

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

Common online safety threats

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

Computer virus

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

Spyware threats

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

Phishing

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

Hackers

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

What VPNs are?

Now you know what threats are out there in the digital world. But the real question is, how do you prevent them and stay safe online? Our answer is: by using a VPN. 

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

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

Benefits of VPNs

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

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

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

WireGuard- an extra layer of protection

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

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

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

Other things you can do to stay safe online

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

The 3 Best VPNs Reddit Users Recommended in 2020

Posted on by Pete Brown

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

But What Is a VPN?

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

Top VPN for Reddit Users

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

NordVPN

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

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

ExpressVPN

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

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

Surfshark

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

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

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

Could You Be a Victim of Identity Theft Without Even Knowing? Software and Tools to Protect Yourself

Posted on by Claire Ward

There are plenty of people who want to do malicious things with your data. Criminal organizations will go to great lengths to get your hands on your personal information, such as your bank accounts, date of birth, and credit card numbers. There are many tools and signs you should be aware of to prevent identity theft in the future.

Useful Tools you can Use to Protect Yourself

Identity theft can strike when you least expect it, so it’s essential you stay ahead of hackers by being prepared. You can use powerful identity theft protection software, like Identity Guard, to keep an eye on your statements, so you can notice small data breaches before they become severe. Here are some other ways you can protect yourself:

  • Make sure all of your software and apps are updated
  • Only download apps from reputable companies
  • Avoid jailbreaking your phone and other cracking risks
  • Lock your SIM card and your phone with a passcode
  • If your phone is breached, use its integrated kill switch
  • If you lose your phone, contact your phone company
  • Keep copies of important files off of your smartphone
  • Use a VPN on unsecured WiFi or avoid them altogether.
  • Check security settings on all websites (must have an SSL)
  • Don’t click on random links unless it’s from a trusted source

Common Signs of Identity Theft

It’s possible you’re already a victim of identity theft. Any intelligent criminal won’t just steal all of your money at once – that’s too obvious. Instead, they will make small security breaches that will go unnoticed until it’s too late. Check for these signs your information is compromised.

You Receive Odd Collection Calls

If you already have a credit card in collections, this won’t be a cause of alarm. However, if the collection agency asks about a card you didn’t open, that’s a telltale sign of identity theft. Let the collection agency know the card isn’t yours, so they stop contacting you, then immediately place a fraud alert on your card to prevent this in the future.

You’re Denied for a Loan or Credit Card

Bad credit means you’ll have fewer options for loans, but if you are positive you have good credit, this will come as a surprise. Lenders need to tell you if you’re denied due to your credit report, but you’ll be entitled to a free credit report once you’re rejected. Take advantage of this to see if you’re a victim of identity theft.

Your Credit Report has an Extra Card

Always look at your credit report every month to determine if all of your credit cards are accounted for. An extra card on your report is an obvious sign of identity theft. Take action immediately by initiating a credit report dispute to get the account removed from the report. Call the company and report that fraud occurred.

You’re Getting Unfamiliar Hard Inquiries 

Credit reports will contain soft and hard inquiries where hard inquiries result from an application either you or a fraudster filled out. Unfamiliar hard inquiries that someone applied for a credit card in your name is a sure sign of fraud. Be sure to put a fraud alert on your credit report to warn businesses they should provide credit products from you until further notice.

You Stop Receiving Your Credit Card Bills

Fraudsters will reroute your credit card bills to another address. While this is another clear sign of identity theft, it could also mean a porch pirate is taking your mail out of your mailbox. To prevent this from happening in the future, ensure that your mailbox is secure. You can prevent this from happening entirely by rerouting your mail to a post office.

Backing Up Your Data? Here are Your Options

Posted on by Charlene Brown

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

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

Cloud Backup

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

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

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

External Hard Drives

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

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

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

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

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

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

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

USB Flash Drives

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

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

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

How Freelancers Can Protect Data On The Network

Posted on by Evelina Brown
Reply

Activity on freelance exchanges requires constant insurance to avoid losses:

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

General safety

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

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

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

How to secure the designer of sites

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

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

How to secure the web-programmer

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

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

How to secure the writer

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

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

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

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

How to Effectively Secure Customer Data from Various Online Dangers

Posted on by Allen Brown
Reply

Now and then, cases of cybercrime have made their way into the news headlines. Notable companies have fallen victim to these acts losing valuable pieces of data to the ruthless cyber terrorists. Therefore, every business’s duty, whether small or large, ensures that the consumers’ info is safeguarded. Not long ago, a report by the National Security Alliance (NCSA) showed that more Americans are concerned about losing their data privacy than their primary source of income. As a business entity, it’s, therefore, your mandate to ensure their safety. Here, we will continue to highlight the various proven ways to successfully secure your customer’s data from online fraud. 

Stay Posted on Encryption Practices

The first step is ensuring that your customer’s data is encrypted. When it comes to encryption, you must know that it’s a technology that keeps evolving. New trends emerge intending to increase the security of customer’s data. Whenever you fail to update the encryptions regularly, you are vulnerable to attacks. It’s advisable to set a regular schedule to see if your current encryption technology is up-to-date. 

When it comes to encryption, a bit is confusing when dealing with PostgreSQL based on the features. Postgres rely on OpenSSL to provide transport security. According to the article How to Secure PostgreSQL: Security Hardening Best Practices & Tips, to encrypt connections in Postgres, you will need a server key and certificate. This is protected with a passphrase that can safely be entered at server startup either manually or using a script that can be utilized to retrieve and passphrase on behalf of the server.  

Limit the Access to Customer Info

How many people in the company have access to your customer’s data? This is one question that you should ask yourself more often because the higher the number, the higher opportunities for hackers to strike. Not everyone in the company needs to see the customer’s data. You can, therefore, limit access to the accessibility to only a few notable departments. Doing so makes it easy to address the attack as you are sure of the channel to follow. 

Collect Only What You Need

When it comes to collecting customer data, you don’t need to know everything about them. After all, you may only need the data for a one-time transaction. This means that you don’t have to waste your energy gathering unnecessary data. Whenever you collect every info about the customer, you establish a massive loophole for cyber hackers to target. Also, asking for unnecessary pieces of info makes some customers nervous about why you need all these pieces of info in the first place. Additionally, you can offer your customers the option of whether they wish to share personal info with you or not. 

Wipe Out the Customer’s Data After the Transaction

The collection of customer data is essential for the smooth running of the business. It helps with smooth operations. The big question you ought to ask yourself is, what should be done when business is done? Should you keep the data? The answer is no. You should consider wiping out every bit of customer’s data after your business with them. By so doing, you help to eliminate them in case of a cyber-attack. One good thing to note about destroying customer’s data is that it helps boost your customers’ confidence in your privacy measures and transparency. 

Install and Update Your Security Software

One surefire way to protect your system against cyber-attacks is investing in antivirus software. It’s risky to access the internet without one in place. This software helps safeguard your system from many attacks that you may not even know. There are many antivirus options you can rely on for your online security.

The software comes at a price, of course. At times, small businesses, incredibly, get intimidated by the price tag, which shouldn’t be the case. The kind of protection they provide is more than the initial cost. When dealing with antivirus software, it’s not all about installing and letting it do the magic. You have got to ensure that the software is regularly updated. The antivirus keeps updating tactics based on cyber-attack trends. Therefore, whenever you fail to keep it updated, you create a space for hackers to hit you. The scheduled updates and regular rebooting may sound annoying, but they are worth every step. 

Stick to Strong Passwords

How strong is your password? When attacking, most hackers try to access your system through trial and error. If you are the kind of person who uses company names and the year on the passwords, you might make it easy for these ruthless people to gain access. Therefore, the surest way to make it hard for them to strike you is making your passwords hard for them to guess. 

The creation of strong passwords may sound obvious, but it’s important as it’s the key to the kingdom. You can use a password generator, in this case, to ensure that they are top secure. Another way to create a strong password is to ensure that you include other characters in it rather than letters and numbers alone. In some cases, these hard passwords may hard to remember, and this is what sees most people write and stick them on their computers. That will be a waste of all your efforts. Why create a strong password and then leave it there in the open. If it’s a must, you jot it down, ensure that you secure it at all times. 

Avoid Outside Access to Private Servers/Networks

When it comes to ensuring your customer’s data’s safety, you want to ensure that there are as many obstacles as possible between the info and hackers. One of the best ways to block these obstacles is by moving the info to a secured, private network or server. By having a private network, you have control over who can access the data, reducing outside interference chances. Besides, your tech team can keep track of the activities, hence detecting a problem before it becomes a big problem. 

Test for Vulnerabilities Regularly

Last in the list is testing for vulnerability within your system. After you are done with all the security measures, it’s essential to call in an ethical hacker to ensure that everything is on point. Ethical hackers help establish the system’s weak points and notify them. By involving them, you help ensure that your system is secure and hence your customer’s data. 

Your customer’s data is essential when it comes to smooth operations. However, it’s often targeted by cyber terrorists. As the business owner, you have to ensure that every bit of info is secure. Listed in this article are some of the proven ways to improve your customers’ data security. Read through the piece to find out which of the strategies you are yet to implement.