Today, mobile phones have become an integral part of life. These devices help us stay connected to loved ones. However, that does not mean they cannot be a cause to worry. Sometimes, when one uses a phone to access the internet, one can become susceptible to online fraud without them knowing. Furthermore, scammers are now formulating new ways to fool people. Hence, some phone mistakes must be prevented to avoid online fraud. Some of them are:
Not updating the phone’s software
One of the worst phone mistakes that attract online fraud is the inability to update your cellphone. When one updates the phone, one can have the latest web browser, operating system, bug fixes, and security software at one’s fingertips. These can act as the best defenses against potential problems such as malware, viruses, and other types of online fraud.
So, to ensure the phone and its software work effectively, one must turn on automatic updates. This way, one can receive the latest updates and utilize them to keep safe at all times.
Keeping weak passwords
Some individuals use similar passwords everywhere. While this can make remembering the code or pin relatively easier, it can also make them more vulnerable to online fraud. Hence, using different or random characters as passwords are considered best. Such passwords can include symbols, alphabets – uppercase or lowercase, and numbers. Further, if one wishes to make things easier, one can adopt the alphabets and numbers that can be easily remembered.
Besides, one must use 6-digit pins instead of 4-digit ones for the lock screen. This is because the former can give one access to more possible combinations, making it difficult for hackers or fraudsters to sign in to your phone and other accounts.
Using public Wi-Fi that is not password protected
Although public Wi-Fi systems are advantageous, unfortunately, they are potentially dangerous. A study has concluded that 40% of people who use public Wi-Fi on the go had their data and personal information compromised. In such cases, it’s best to employ virtual private networks (VPNs) outside the house.
Typically these VPN services anonymize one’s data, thus keeping it untraceable through mediums like IP addresses, further aiding in keeping one’s data and personal information safe and even avoiding online fraud.
Clicking on malicious links from unknown sources
Modern-day fraudsters have become immensely capable of fooling scores of people. These wrongdoers track all the current affairs to take advantage of an individual’s financial situation. For example, some use fraudulent websites that can be used to trick certain users into disclosing personal information or login details in exchange for money.
Therefore, one must avoid opening unfamiliar attachments or clicking on unknown links. Then, one must forward such messages or emails to the Federal Trade Commission for further action.
Following unknown social media posts
Sometimes, during peak travel seasons such as summer, one can see seemingly innocent social media ads for flight ticket deals to well-known destinations where these deals come with an expiration date – before which interested candidates must make their choice.
While such posts seem similar to travel company campaigns, most may have extra fees hidden in the fine print. In such cases, when one uses a credit or debit card to pay for the fees, the card details eventually fall into the hands of the fraudster, thus making one prey to online fraud and losing a lot of money.
Using unsafe shopping websites or apps
When shopping online, it’s common to search for the best deals. While these deals can save you money, they can also be risky. Fraudsters often target online retailers that offer irresistible offers. They create fake websites or apps to trick people into making purchases. Unfortunately, after making a purchase, you may receive a delivery date that’s 3-4 weeks away. Worse, the scammer may take your money and never send the goods. It’s essential to be cautious when shopping online to avoid falling victim to these scams.
Hence, as a precaution, always check if the web address starts with “https.” Then, look out for the padlock symbol on the left side of the address bar. This guarantees that the opened website is secure for use.
In addition to the phone mistakes mentioned above, one must steer clear of strangers to avoid potential online fraud. This includes picking up calls from unknown numbers, not reading through the website or app’s privacy policies, and not using cybersecurity on phones.
At first, these mistakes can seem harmless, but they can cost a large sum of money in the long run. Further, one must never disclose personal information such as date of birth, passwords, and credit card details to anyone. If one has made their date of birth public on social media websites, one must change the setting to private. Additionally, avoid posting information like the mother’s maiden name, which can also be used to gain access to your bank or any other important accounts.
Scammers usually imply authority and instill fear to get prompt responses. So, asking yourself if an authoritative entity would ask you for personal information over the phone is important. Rely on your intuition to avoid making a hasty decision out of anxiety.
The internet has become necessary in everyone’s daily lives, from working remotely to streaming one’s favorite TV shows and movies. With the increasing demand for fast and reliable internet, home internet offers have become more competitive. But there are several options across categories, from types of internet services to companies and internet bandwidth. Here are popular types of home internet, company offers, and how to choose the best one for their needs.
DSL
DSL, also known as Digital Subscriber Line, is one of the more traditional forms of internet access. Despite being an older technology, it is still commonly used today despite being an older technology because of its dependability and affordability. Using wireless transmission technology, DSL transfers data over conventional copper telephone lines already present in a home. Because of this, people who live in very isolated places frequently choose it, making it a popular choice for those living in relatively remote areas.
It works well for simple internet requirements like web surfing, email, and social networking. Broadband connections powered by DSL offer transmission rates between a few hundred Kbps and several megabits per second (Mbps). A symmetrical digital subscriber line (SDSL) or asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) may be used for the transmission. Residential users use ADSL most frequently because it enables quicker downstream data transmission than upstream data transmission. Contrarily, companies utilize SDSL for services like video conferencing, which both demand a sizable bandwidth. DSL internet offers are typically less expensive than other internet services, making them a good choice for those who do not require high-speed internet.
Cable
Cable internet service providers offer another popular internet transmission. With speeds of up to 1 Gbps, this type of internet is generally accessible in urban and suburban regions both. It is the best choice for tasks like streaming high-quality videos, playing video or other VFX games online, or even working remotely. Like DSL, cable internet provides high-speed internet to households and businesses using pre-existing infrastructure and copper wires to transport data. The main distinction is that DSL uses traditional copper telephone wires, whereas cable broadband employs coaxial copper connections, giving it a better bandwidth and higher speeds.
However, consumers could see speed changes during periods of high usage, including the nights and weekends. This advantage may cause providers to experience slower internet connections, especially during periods of high usage. For example, people in the same neighborhood often share cable internet, which can lower customer costs. However, this shared usage may cause providers to temporarily restrict their internet speeds, especially during periods of high demand.
Fiber
The quickest form of broadband internet is fiber, which uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data. This technology carries data at rates that are generally hundreds of Mbps faster than DSL or cable connections. Fiber internet speed varies depending on proximity to the service provider and bandwidth usage. But it typically ranges from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. This makes it well-suited for high-bandwidth activities such as streaming HD videos, online gaming, and large data transfers. However, it’s worth noting that fiber internet is less widely available than other internet services. Fiber installation may also be expensive. Despite this, many providers offer fiber internet as people who value speed and reliability are starting to shell out more in exchange for faster internet.
Internet providers to consider
Choosing a home internet offer may require considering factors like the home requirement related to daily or weekly streaming, internet speed, data caps, and monthly cost. Sometimes, one may also need to pay more for equipment or installation of these internet devices. Based on evaluations, one can make a better, more informed decision that suits one’s needs.
Here are some popular internet providers and their offers one can consider investing in:
AT&T
AT&T, a major telecommunications company, offers most of the country’s fixed internet, DSL, and fiber services. It employs fiber and hybrid fiber technologies to deliver broadband internet. With plans starting at $55 per month, the company’s fiber services provide download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, making it a viable option for those seeking fast and reliable internet connectivity.
In addition to the options above, AT&T offers internet packages with speed tiers of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 Mbps. Nevertheless, for most activities, such as remote work, streaming on multiple devices, and online gaming, a speed range of 300-500 Mbps should suffice. AT&T’s hybrid-fiber connection package also includes a fixed wireless alternative for rural dwellers and businesses without other internet options.
Individuals looking for affordable internet-only offers can opt for AT&T’s bundle services. These services can also be helpful for households with phone or TV services. By bundling their offers, customers can benefit from reduced costs compared to purchasing each product separately. AT&T’s Triple Play package includes monthly internet, TV, and phone service charges, although one may have to get into a 24-month agreement to avail of the same. Thus, bundle deals can lead to further cost savings. Those outside the cities can opt for AT&T’s fixed internet or DSL services. Customers who opt for their fiber plans can also benefit from AT&T’s unlimited data offers.
Verizon
Verizon is another high-speed internet service provider besides AT&T. The company offers internet services under Verizon Fios. Since it employs a fiber-optic network, Fios can deliver unrestricted download and upload speeds, and customers get DSL and LTE-based home internet services.
Surveillance has become a crucial factor, whether it is to monitor residential or commercial settings. More than six million households have installed home security systems. Today, one of the more popular surveillance systems in the market is IP security cameras, also known as network security cameras. Unlike traditional setups, these cameras can connect wirelessly to a Wi-Fi network. But there are several factors one should consider before purchasing an IP camera.
CCTV vs. IP security cameras
Traditional security networks like CCTV cameras ran on co-axial cables around the site that needed video surveillance. These analog and analog-over-digital security cameras shared the footage with a digital video recorder (DVR) via the co-axial cables. It was a complex process. But today, IP security cameras can record and transfer footage over the ethernet or Wi-Fi by connecting to a network video recorder (NVR).
Functioning of IP security cameras
An IP camera is capable of capturing footage in high definition with resolutions up to 16 megapixels (or higher) based on the model of the camera. These devices are equipped with a processing chip capable of compressing footage once a video is recorded. A higher camera resolution will use more data for each video recording. This also means that the camera will require more storage space and higher bandwidth to transmit data. One can also pick a lower-resolution camera which may take up less space for each recording.
Benefits
A network security camera installation carries several benefits. A few perks include:
Connection options
During the installation of a network security camera, an individual can choose from three types of network connectivity options.
Popular picks
An individual will find hundreds of manufacturers that claim to make the best quality IP security cameras. However, only a few truly live up to their word. Here are a few popular options.
Reolink 4-camera NVR System (RLK8-410B4)
Available for about $360 on Reolink’s website, the camera allows customers to view the footage recorded on the NVR system or via the app on a smart device. The system comes pre-installed with a 2TB HDD capable of 24/7 recording and monitoring. Moreover, the NVR system that comes with the security cameras can also support up to eight cameras that record simultaneously. One can also install an external hard disk drive via eSATA up to 4TB for additional storage.
Eufy Solo Pan and Tilt
The Eufy Solo Pan and Tilt is an ideal option for homes. It can pan up to 360 degrees and tilt up to 96 degrees, which gives users an exceptional field of view. The camera also features an onboard Micro-SD card slot that can record videos in 2K resolution. Other features with the Eufy Solo Pan and Tilt include cellular connectivity, 2-way talk, IP64 water rating, and solar-powered functionality. In addition, one can get the security camera on Eufy’s website for about $55.
Annke NightChroma (NCD800)
This option from Annke is suitable for homeowners who wish to install a surveillance camera outdoors. The device offers a 180-degree field of view, 4K recording, and H.265+ coding that helps the camera record longer videos while consuming less bandwidth. The camera also features an IP67 water rating and is made of metal for enhanced durability. One can purchase the IP security camera for about $320 from Annke’s website.
DJI has maintained a dominant position in the drone market for a long time. The simple reason for this is that the company is a few steps ahead of its competitors. They have a huge product catalog with a huge range of models available at different price points. With the help of DJI, finding a good quality drone on a budget is not an impossible task anymore. Here are the three most popular DJI drones that are trending currently or are must buys:
DJI Phantom 4
DJI Phantom 4 is one of the most popular DJI drones (also known as DIJ quadcopter) out there. It has all the best features about the Phantom 3 Professional and has improved them even further. Some of the additional features of this DJI drone are that you can capture stabilized and smooth 4K videos, capture 12-megapixel stills in either the JPG or the RAW format, and you can capture aerial footage at speeds that can touch 50 mph and even longer flight times. This DJI quadcopter comes with an excellent remote controller that is dedicated to connecting to an equally feature-rich smartphone app; this is a facility offered in most drones with the help of the DIG GPS, including the DJI Phantom 4. They have an excellent smartphone app, stable 4K footage, and a fisheye lens, which makes it worth every penny. The list price of this product is $1,199. However, the only drawback of this drone is that it’s not easily upgradable.
DJI Mavic Air
This is the ultimate DJI foldable drone of 2018. You cannot talk about the best drones without mentioning DJI Mavic Air. It is a premier foldable drone that works at 60 frames per second and can capture steady 4K videos. Remarkably, it is compact enough to fit into a jacket pocket or a backpack. It has a 21-minute battery life, which tends to be enough for most people. The DJI Mavic Air can do a lot of clean tricks while also being fast. It has a 12-megapixel camera and can range around 6.2 miles. It also has a spectacular near-perfect obstacle avoidance. It comes with the smart capture feature, and its list price is $699.
DJI Spark
The DJI Spark is the most approachable DJI drone. It has amazing gesture controls that are quite Jedi-like. It is also available in different colored body shells. It is one of the most fun and interesting drones out there. It can be controlled with your smartphone quite easily, and the price is quite affordable for a drone. Its list price is only $399. The automatic QuickShot modes and controller-free gestures are the key perks of this drone. However, its short flight time happens to be a drawback. You can purchase this DIJ drone online as well on Cabela’s, Amazon, and their official website itself.
Voice assistants are intelligent personal assistants designed to make your life easy by organizing and maintaining information. Some applications are automated and even use basic artificial intelligence (AI) to provide the user with a more interactive experience to perform concierge tasks and provide information based on voice commands. Voice assistants are basically robots that help you solve problems by providing solutions using an inbuilt inference engine to enhance human capability and productivity.
Here are four commonly used and popular voice assistants and intelligent personal assistants installed in smartphones:
Google Assistant
Premier features of Google Assistant include speech recognition, Google home, Google Allo, mobile integration, and a secure platform that allows you to inquire about anything using type assist or voice command. You can ask Google about the weather, check your flight status, ask directions that automatically link to Google maps, and do more with Google Assistant. One of the main highlights perhaps is that you can have Google translate the information for you in over 100 different languages directly using the Assistant. The voice assistant also features a hands-free that lets you command Google from anywhere in the room from a minimum distance.
Siri
If you have an iPhone, Siri comes preinstalled making it the default application for voice assistance. Prominent features of Siri include voice assistance for calls, messaging, voice changing, multi-language support, text editing, application support, and support for other bundles, including sports, entertainment, home kit, and more. Siri is programmed to do all the tasks that you would normally perform yourself like setting the alarm clock or timer, sending a message, and editing your email. Siri also offers support for multiple languages and allows you to choose either a male or female voice for the audio assistant. The smart software can also be easily integrated with third-party applications like Whatsapp, Skype, Venno, and Pinterest to manage information and organize your activities and preferences.
Cortana
The application is specifically designed for Windows-based computers and features digital assistance, time-based reminders, location-based reminders, photo reminders, support for notebook, Microsoft edge, support for cloud and online services, office assistance, and more. Cortana connects all your Microsoft devices online and lets you manage your preferences using the voice assistant. Cortana learns with your preferences and responds to your individual needs by keeping in mind individual settings that can also be customized accordingly.
Blackberry Assistant
The BlackBerry phones may not necessarily be in demand at the moment, but BlackBerry assistant is a smart software that enables users to interact with its connected devices. Naturally, the stakes are high in competition with Siri, Google Assistant, and other mainstream voice assistance applications. The BlackBerry Assistant supports multitasking, a special quite text feature in case you are not able to use the audio assist, and dedicated Bluetooth-enabled devices to receive audio instructions and assist the user in the requested task.
GoPro is one of the most popular companies when it comes to compact and portable camera technology. The mini cameras give most commercial grade cameras a run for their money by featuring stunning designs and sleek dimensions. The camera fits right into your pocket but packs everything you’ll ever need for capturing professional photos and videos.
Here are a few points to consider and a technical overview of the latest in GoPro technology, the Hero7 Black.
Points to consider
Technical specifications
Photo and video
The Hero7 Black is capable of capturing 12 MP images. There are multiple options for time-lapse photo, continuous photo capture, SuperPhoto, RAW Photo Capture, and Exposure control to ensure quality images. The camera is capable of recording 4K resolution footage at different aspect ratios with a maximum video bitrate of 78 Mb/s and saves the footage in mp4 format. A 60 fps frame speed allows you to edit and publish videos in slow motion.
Key recording features
Although there is no provision for 360-degree spherical capture, the camera does feature HyperSmooth video stabilization to maximize the smoothness of the video capture. Other key features include voice control, wake on voice, auto offload content to your phone, time-lapse video, and an 8x slow-motion record feature, live streaming, and the time warp video feature.
Advanced settings
Hero7 Black is also the only GoPro that has Protune settings, allowing you to manually control color, white balance, and shutter speed with advanced image and video settings. A 3-mic processing system helps in wind noise reduction with support for stereo audio and a slot for 3.5 mm audio Mic. You can also outfit Karma drones with the Hero7 Black to shoot amazing footage with flawless quality.
Underwater recording
Hero7 Black has a removable battery and is waterproof for up to 33 ft (10 m) with support for touch screen. It is also Super Suit dive compatible to shoot videos over a depth 196 ft (60 m). Note that the quality of the recording and color settings will adjust depending on your dive depth and location.
Price
The Hero7 Black can be purchased from the official website for a price of approximately $399.99.
At a price of just around $49, Google offers a compact and affordable smart speaker with its Google Home Mini. It is the perfect addition to Google’s smart home ecosystem. Moreover, it adds to the aesthetics with its small, neat design. Apart from being a Bluetooth speaker, it comes loaded with the Google assistant that lets you do a lot of cool things including the following:
If you want to have a new set of email IDs, first create new accounts with various service providers like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. An email ID is a crucial piece of personal information that you will need for all types of communication, be it personal, official, or promotional. If you have not created a mail ID for yourself yet, here is a guide to do so with some of the most popular email service providers.
Gmail
Google email is also known as Gmail, and creating an account with Google is simple. This mail ID will come in handy when using a number of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter; it is also necessary for you to be able to access and download apps on Google’s Play Store. Given below are the steps you need to follow.
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo mail is a free email service from the house of Yahoo. It gives you 1000 GB of storage and lets you configure your inbox so that you receive an email from other email service providers as well. Following is how you can create an email account with Yahoo.
If you need new email IDs, create new accounts with the service providers mentioned above and enjoy free email service for a lifetime.
Streamlining and scheduling appointments are crucial for any business. We need an appointment for everything from a haircut to a health checkup but the task of scheduling appointments is tedious and takes a lot of time and effort. Even as an individual, it won’t be surprising if you are spending at least one hour a day in scheduling your appointments. So, what if there was a software that did all the hard work for you while? If you are looking for such an automatic scheduling appointment reminder system, you can check out any of the options that are listed below.
10to8
10to8 is a simplistic online booking app that comprises built-in communication tools. If you are using it for your business, you can start by defining the types of appointments you offer and the time schedule for all those appointments. While you do this, you can decide if you want to set your schedule by creating a new one on 10to8 or you can import your calendars from Google Calendar or Outlook. In this software, you can set your working hours and availability including holidays. This software also lets you create special appointments with specific staff members and lets you notify your customers through personal messages and chats.
Acuity Scheduling
With the Acuity Scheduling automatic scheduling appointment reminder system, all you have to do is create a scheduling page and give customers access to it. On this page, the customers can easily book one time or recurring appointments. They can also fill up important forms and pay you using the same software. At your end, you can set up your calendar on the basis of your availability and work timings. Acuity Scheduling lets you embed the entire scheduling form on your website or you can add a button on the site that will bring the customers to the form.
Appointlet
Appointlet is a web-based customized appointment scheduling software that can be used for multiple services. This software is ideal for individual businesspersons, coaches, and entrepreneurs. To get started, this software asks you to set up a simple booking page with the details of your availability for your clients or leads. You can use this software to set up multiple booking pages for different services and each page can have its own set of questions that the customers need to fill out. Once an Appointlet page is created, it will automatically synchronize with your Google Calendar and import all the details. It is one of the simplest automatic scheduling appointment reminder systems, which you can get for your business.
Cloud ERP is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that is hosted on a cloud platform rather than hosting it on the company premises and using data centers and server farms. ERP is the term given to various activities that help a company manage its different sections and departments like marketing, accounts, and customer relationship management, among others. ERP brings all these functions on a single platform for smoother coordination and performance. Cloud ERP is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that lets users across different departments send and receive data using the Internet in real time. Following are some of the benefits of ERP solutions cloud for small business.
Better Security
Today, cloud-based ERP systems are more secure as compared to onsite ERPs because now the clouds are offering stringent security protocols, which make it very difficult to hack or steal data from a cloud-based ERP solution. The debate on which method is more secure is still going on, but the market is seeing more enterprises put their trust in the cloud and this trend is going to see an upward turn in the near future as well.
Increased Productivity
Moving to a cloud-based platform increases the productivity of businesses by allowing easy and real-time collaboration of departments and employees. It eliminates the need for one-to-one communication using traditional methods like emails and external drives. The optimization of communication and collaboration processes means the teams perform better and deliver results that are good for them as well as the company. It also allows the team to save time spent on tedious and repetitive tasks and utilize the same for ideation and innovation.
Cost-effective Solution
Implementing and maintaining an in-house IT department for the maintenance of servers on the premises is a complicated and costly affair. On the other hand, cloud-based storage and computing costs much less and won’t need a company to hire a team to manage the data and the machinery. Going on the cloud completely eliminates the annual maintenance fee that is spent on the on-site systems along with expensive licenses that need to be purchased for software and hardware. Many cloud services charge per month, thereby making the option of the cloud even more cost-effective.
Agility
Cloud ERPs offer a company flexibility, mobility, and accessibility making it agile. This means a business using ERP solutions cloud for small business will be able to innovate and grow quickly as compared to the ones using the traditional on-site ERP.