Internet

8 Tips for Safe Web Browsing and Accessing the Internet

Hackers make an attempt at breaking into a system every 39 seconds. The last thing that you would want is for them to make your system the one that they break into. 

Safe web browsing is essential if you want to avoid having your personal details and money stolen. Once a hacker has access to your device, they can wreak havoc on your life. 

But what can you do to ensure you don’t fall prey to an attack? Our handy guide to internet safety will help you.  

Here are eight tips for browsing the internet safely. 

1. Keep Your Operating System, Browser, and Plugins Updated

Hackers are always on the hunt for new ways to get into people’s computer systems. Whenever a vulnerability is spotted in a browser, plugin, or operating system, an update will be released to prevent hackers from getting in. 

It is essential that you stay up-to-date with these changes and download any new updates. 

2. Block Pop-ups 

While most pop-ups are just annoying ads trying to get you to buy something, some can be more malicious. 

To avoid malicious attempts at getting you to accidentally click on links, install a pop-up blocker. 

3. Use Antivirus Software

It should go without saying that to stop viruses and malware attacks, you should have antivirus software installed on your system. 

There are plenty of different free options available. Here are some suggestions. 

4. Use a Firewall

Hackers are trying to get into your system. One of the best ways of stopping them is by having a firewall installed. If your computer has a firewall already installed, make sure it is turned on and is up-to-date. 

5. Use Strong Passwords

Whenever you access any website with a password, you should make sure that it is unique. Using strong passwords will mean that they won’t be easily guessed. Use a mixture of letters and numbers and change your passwords often. 

6. Use Bookmarks

To avoid making a mistake when typing the name of a website that you commonly visit, you should always bookmark your pages. A bookmarked link will always take you to the right page every time.

Consider using a browser that lets you access bookmarks across all devices. 

7. Consider Where You’re Accessing the Web From

If you’re using your device to access the internet in public spaces such as coffee shops and airports, consider the safety of the network that you’re connected to. 

In addition to being cautious of public networks, consider using a safe charging datablocker to protect your device when plugged into a public USB socket. 

8. Avoid Clicking Links in Emails

Viruses and malware can be spread via emails easily. All it takes is for you to click a rogue link in an email and your device may become infected. Even if you know who an email is from, you should always regard links as being suspicious. 

Safe Web Browsing

Now that you know some of the best tips for safe web browsing, you can protect yourself from attack. Remember to always keep your browser, antivirus, and your operating system up-to-date and avoid clicking on links in emails. 

For more great articles, please check out the rest of our site.  

No doubt, the Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the superior technologies in this era of digital transformation. For those who don’t know, IoT is the core technology platform behind smart devices, self-driving cars, and automated industrial units.

However, with the rapid increase of IoT devices over the years, several security challenges are starting to surface. While IoT devices have made human lives more comfortable, security concerns and data integrity continues to worry developers. So let’s take a glance at some of the top challenges concerning IoT Cyber security.

The practice of using Default Credentials

A plethora of IoT organizations are providing devices and solutions with default credentials. Also, there is a tendency among customers not to change built-in credentials while using the device. Hackers only need the default admin password and username value to break-in to your systems. This is the reason that brute-force attacks are a common occurrence with IoT devices these days. Manufacturers should have enough responsibility to spread awareness about default credentials through user guides.

Outdated Software and Hardware

Have you ever stopped using a smartphone due to a lack of security updates? If you have answered yes, you know well that how unsecured it is to use the device. However, the same cannot be applied to an IoT device or software solution.

Due to its high value, it is impossible to stop using an IoT device when the manufacturer stops releasing security patches. A majority of IoT software and hardware manufacturers don’t care much about security updates. Though these products are secure at the time of buying, they become vulnerable to attacks in the absence of security updates.

Difficulty in Finding the Device when Attacked

Well, no developer and manufacturer can promise total security from various types of cyber-attacks. But the main issue with the IoT platform is a majority of users fail to recognize whether or not their devices are affected. Moreover, when there are a large number of IoT platforms, it is extremely difficult to assess and analyze every device and platform. Thus, there should be a protocol or common ground between manufacturers and developers from where they can identify hacked devices easily.

Data Protection and Underlying Security Issues

In the realm of highly connected devices, the protection of valuable data is quite significant. But with rising concerns of data breaches and security loopholes, protecting user data is quite tricky. Moreover, the instantaneous nature of data transfer has also given rise to various types of concerns amongst users.

One second it is there in your smartphone, the next moment it gets transferred to the cloud. What’s riskier is the fact that all these transfers are conveyed through the web, which often acts as a breeding ground for hackers.

Attack Prevention and Prediction

Cyber attackers are always on the lookout to exploit newer types of techniques in order to identify security breaches. In these types of situations, it is of paramount importance to not only prevent attacks but prevent them too. For connected IoT devoices, this challenge is long-term.

The modern devices interconnected on the cloud make use of threat intelligence for predicting security issues. Also, with the advent of AI, IoT devices come equipped with analytics tools. But all these techniques are difficult to adapt in the entire range of IoT devices. For these technologies to run smoothly, devices should have the power to process data instantly.

Undoubtedly, IoT is a boon in today’s digital landscape. But as it connects to the internet directly, there have always been risks associated with its implementation. Hence, risk security management and mitigation become necessary to address underlying security challenges.

At this point, it is genuinely impossible for one not to have heard about the Internet of Things (IoT). After all, it is among the most potent technologies to have emerged on the scene in the recent past. How do we know? Well, there are millions and millions of devices across the globe that have enabled seamless connections between people, tools, companies, and databases, among other factors in the ecosystem. Given its ability to help, it should come as no surprise that IoT has also made its way into pretty much all the industries in the world. However, the impact of IoT has been particularly impressive in the travel industry because it has demonstrated the ability to assist not only the back-end of travel operations or customer-facing operations but both of them. So, you can imagine why it has now become a massive hit in the global travel industry.

You see, customers in the travel industry are very demanding; they want the best services, peppered with innovation, and all that at affordable prices. The competition this has then given rise to would have been nearly impossible to deal with, had it not been for technologies such as IoT. From empowering service providers to collect feedback in real-time and then leverage that data to adapt their services to enabling automation, personalization, and so much more — IoT has proven it is here to stay. But if you are still on the fence about it, here are some of its other benefits for the travel industry.

1. Baggage handling: Lost baggage is a massive problem in the travel industry — one that ruins not only the travelers’ experience but also brands’ images. However, thanks to IoT, companies now have the opportunity to leverage data management and intelligence-based insights to streamline baggage related processes. Some of the facets IoT can help with includes: communication with indoor navigation tools and technologies, assistance during irregular operations (IROPs), and more.
2. Personalized experiences: As mentioned above, customers today demand services that are specially tailored to their preferences. In this context, IoT helps companies overcome the challenge of gathering the requisite data that can then be processed to glean the insights that are necessary to deliver services that are following customers’ tastes and preferences. It also enables service providers to keep a tab on their inventory and engage customers accordingly. 
3. Automate operations: Unlike what some people may be inclined to believe, there is enormous scope for automation in the travel industry as well, i.e., not every single thing needs the involvement of a human being. So, with connected devices such as cameras, smartphone sensors, and more, companies can automate processes such as check-ins, check-outs, etc.
4. Give customers control: Since a vast majority of travelers typically stay in hotels, there is an abundance of scope to leverage IoT to deliver substantially better experiences for customers. Hotels can make use of IoT to enable customers to connect their own devices with the in-room infrastructure to control, say, the light settings, room temperature, and more from their devices instead of walking up to the switches to make the required adjustments manually. And not only that, but folks can also be allowed to order room service from their devices instead of placing a call to the department. And the benefits are not just for customers alone — sensors can be leveraged to see when the rooms are not occupied to automatically shut down the air conditioning or dim the lights during the day. Such factors may seem trivial to the onlooker, but you wouldn’t believe just how much hotels can save when they integrate IoT into their operations.

Some may say that IoT is not a must-have for the travel industry, at least not yet. But we beg to differ — IoT is now a must-have for travel portal app development so your company can continue to deliver sublime experiences to customers.

Crack the Internet Code: 7 SEO benefits for any Industry

With the average small business now spending around $75,000 on digital marketing, it costs a lot to stay competitive. If you want to get ahead without spending money, just about every industry can see what SEO benefits are available to them. By adjusting your keywords and updating your site often enough, you’ll end up a notch ahead of everyone else.

Here are seven benefits to look out for.

1. It’s The Cheapest Thing Going

While hiring staff to handle your SEO isn’t going to be free of cost, the day to day maintenance of performing SEO has very little overhead. Compared to what you end up paying when you’re investing in print marketing, SEO is a much cheaper way to get the word out than just about anything else.

Since the whole point of search engine optimization is to get the most out of “organic search” your most authentic and sincere voice counts the most.

When you have users searching for something online, they’re already invested in the concepts around what they’re searching for. You’re not selling when you’re doing SEO right. You’re using your platform to respond to the needs of your potential clients and offering your services as one of the answers to their questions.

2. SEO Makes Traffic Explode

When you’re doing SEO right, you’re drawing traffic into your site like a magnet. Using snippets and short descriptions of what users can expect when they click your link, you can get more people excited about your content.

In just 160 characters, you have to win those clicks with a little bit of content engaging to users. It takes a lot of research but with so few sites taking advantage of this tool, you can get a lead on your competitors this way.

Rather than letting them move on to the next result, use your snippets to guide them to the link. Use the most pertinent keywords in your industry that are relevant to the link. Give them a chance to see what’s beyond that link and you’ll end up getting your visits to explode.

3. Make a Strong First Impression

The whole point of SEO is to massage that first impression that visitors get when they come across your company online. By putting your best photos out front, optimizing them, and scrutinizing your copy down to the letter, you get the chance to be clear and to the point. You’ll give them a taste of what you’re about quickly and easily.

By showing a short summary with a thumbnail of the main image on the page they’re about to click, you build trust before they even click. Because they can put an image with your content, they’ll be very interested in the information you give them by the time they click the link.

4. It’s a Competitive Sport

When you’re working on your SEO, you’re able to test your strategy against the other companies or brands in your market. You need to be using keywords that are relevant to your clients and essential to your industry. When you pair those keywords with information about where you’re located or what area you service, you’ll get a more accurate set of clicks to your site.

Take the time to analyze how your competitors are doing things. Run a few searches trying to get to your site without mentioning the name of your brand. See how you stack up in comparison to the other companies in your field and figure out which keywords they’re beating you with.

Add those keywords and improve upon them to get your own leg up. You’d be surprised just how competitive SEO for plumbers can be, for example.

5. Build Trust and Brand Awareness

When you’re at the top of your game in the SEO world, you get to be on the first page of Google results. This means a lot to users as far as how trustworthy and verifiable your information is. When you’re in the top three results, it means a lot more statistically than being at the next three.

Things drop off precipitously. Some SEO experts even joke that the best place to hide a dead body is on the second page of Google search results. While this is a morbid thought, it’s nonetheless true when it comes to building a name for yourself through your ability to rank highly in search results.

6. It’s An Investment at Little to No Cost

When you compare the work that you have to do to the returns that you get, there’s little doubt that working on an SEO campaign is worthwhile. The exposure that your site gets with a strong SEO campaign is on par with paid exposure you get from pay per click advertising. You’ll end up getting trustworthy exposure that your customers will appreciate.

At the same time, all you’re doing is using the keywords that are most likely to attract your audience. Because you’re not spending money on advertising and strategy, you can implement this with nothing more than access to your website and social media.

7. You Can Verify Success

When you use SEO, you’re able to measure your success or failure. With the help of tools provided by Google, you’re able to analyze just how well your site is doing.

You should check in with their webmaster tools and analytics software on a regular basis to see how your site has performed. Mark when you make changes so that you can tell home much of an impact you’ve had as you adjust your keywords.

SEO Benefits Are Powerful and Inexpensive

When you take advantage of SEO benefits, you’re preparing for the future. As search engines adjust for more natural question asking, your writing can be more straightforward, relaxed, and honest. As you get more sincere, your SEO is going to improve.

Next, you should check out our guide to make the most of content marketing for your business.

Cybersecurity For Blogs: How to Protect Your Blog Against Internet Threats

Cyber attacks are one of the most significant threats to American businesses. In fact, hackers have targeted some of America’s largest and most powerful corporations.

For example, Marriott hotels and Google+ were both hacked in 2018. Hackers collected valuable customer information such as credit cards, passports, and birth dates.

Every online business, including blogs, is vulnerable to a cyber attack. If your blog is not secure, hackers can access your customers’ most sensitive information.

Read on to learn more about cybersecurity for blogs. Explore the actions required to protect your company and customers from a potential online threat.

What Are the Security Basics?

Some of the most basic security measures prevent hackers from gaining access to your blog. The first rule of thumb is to limit login access and give very few people admin privileges.

Many bloggers make the mistake of retaining a generic username, such as “admin.” This is the same as holding up a welcome sign for hackers.

Instead, you should develop a unique username and use a strong password. A strong password requires using capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Finally, establish a new user with full administrative privileges. Once you finished, go ahead and delete the admin account that is automatically set up by the CMS.

How Can You Protect Personal Information?

Sometimes, managing a blog requires that you share contact information. In some instances, you need a phone number for certain apps or services. Another example is the use of a personal e-mail address for a newsletter or marketing campaigns.

You should safeguard personal information by using business-specific accounts. Instead of giving out your phone number, for example, use a Google voice number. Also, list a PO box number instead of a physical mailing address. Hackers are so sophisticated they could this information to try and access your ADT Small Business account.

In addition, do not use your personal e-mail address on a blog newsletter. A better strategy is to use another e-mail address so that you don’t compromise your personal account.

Last, you should exercise caution about the content that is posted. Security experts recommend that you do not post identifying images or names.

How to Keep Your Website’s Domain Private?

When you buy a domain for your website, the hosting service requests a significant amount of personal information. This information goes on a public website called WHOIS.

The good news is that you do not have to submit this information to the public database. Instead, you can buy domain privacy from the web hosting service.

This is the best option for people who are unwilling to share personal information. Perhaps the best advantage is that domain privacy is inexpensive and only costs a few dollars per month.

Recap of CyberSecurity For Blogs

You put yourself out there when you start a blog. Hackers target vulnerable websites so that they can steal personal and financial information.

If major companies like Google are vulnerable to hackers than your website is too. If you enjoyed this article about cybersecurity for blogs, check out our blog for other great pieces.

How to Host a Website: The First Step to Building An Internet Empire

There are 3.95 billion internet users in the world… and some of them want to hear your voice.

But you know that already. That’s why you’re here looking for a web hosting service that can be the foundation for your killer website.

You’re ready to promote your content, reach the masses, and get heard online!

But where to start? How to host a website is actually quite simple.

Here’s a breakdown.

6 Steps You Need About How to Host a Website

We’ve got you covered with the six critical things to consider when it comes to how to host a website.

From a blog to e-commerce, to a mix of the two…

There are platforms to fit every need. Here’s what you need to know before you choose the right one for you.

1. Know What You Need

There are a few key things you’ll wanna answer before going on the hunt for your perfect website host.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of website am I building?
• How large do I expect to scale my traffic?
• Will you need your host to be capable of running certain software?
• Will your host need to be capable of any specific script such as PHP?

This will help you choose between shared hosting, VPS hosting, or dedicated hosting.

Most websites will be fine with a shared hosting service.

However, this doesn’t always cut it for websites that are planning to scale quickly over the first couple years.

So don’t just think about now. Consider the long-term life of your website, too.

2. Reliability or ‘Uptime Scores’

You don’t want a user to try to visit your site and get the dreaded ‘server not found’ error.

They might never come back!

This means you need to consider your web hosting service’s reliability. This is also known in the tech world as an ‘uptime score’.

The score should be over 99% and anything less than that is unacceptable. Premium accounts for most website hosting services will have a 99.99% uptime score.

You need your website to be reliable which is why this score matters. It doesn’t matter how fast, beautiful, or high converting it is if your users can’t visit it.

3. Options to Scale

Most websites hosting services will give you an option to scale your level of hosting based on your needs.

This gives you the flexibility to upgrade as your website grows. And your website can end up growing in many ways.

You’ll want to consider:

• How much traffic you want to get
• The number of pages you plan to build
• The speed you need your website to load

There are other things to consider too. Which is why when you look for a web hosting service you’ll want:

• Upgrades from shared hosting
• Memory capacity with room to grow
• Disc storage
• Processing power
• Memory capacity
• Security features

Even if you don’t need them now, you might in the future. So keep them in mind when picking the perfect web hosting service for your needs.

4. Renewal Options and Process

Be conscientious when paying for your web hosting service. There are often fees that will be included at renewal that aren’t included when you initially sign up.

Read the fine print carefully.

You’re generally getting around an 80% discount when you first sign up for a web hosting service.

And unless you’re willing to switch between hosts every year — which can be a total pain — you’ll want to be aware of how much you’re paying when renewal time comes around.

Check out the terms of service before you hit the ‘buy’ button to ensure you’re in the know. If the price jumps by more than 100%, there’s definitely a better deal out there.

5. Type of Website

When choosing a web hosting service, you’ll want to consider what type of website you’re planning to build.

Is it going to be e-commerce?

A blog?

A mix between both?

When it comes to how to host a website, many platforms are great for certain types of websites.

For a blog, you’ll likely want to consider a WordPress hosting platform. Some of the more popular options include GoDaddy and Bluehost.

For an online store you’ll want to consider an e-commerce hosting platform. The most popular and reliable hosting platforms for e-commerce include:

• Siteground
• Wix
• Ipage
• Volusion
• Inmotion

A lot of the website hosting platforms mentioned will do a mix of both. We recommend checking out JaguarPC for whatever your needs are.

Whatever you choose, make sure it has the following features.

6. Features

In addition to things like analytics to monitor the success of your blog strategy, you’re going to want these features in your web hosting service.

One-Click Installer

Chances are, you aren’t a programmer. You want the process of getting your website started to be as seamless as possible.

These installations will make your life a heck of a lot easier and require little effort on your part.

FTP/SFTP File Access

This makes it so you can easily and safely move large amounts of files.

A plain old file manager just won’t do when it comes to this. Make sure before you commit to a website hosting platform they’ll give you access to this was of managing files.

Unlimited Storage and Data Transfer

This is the new standard for web hosting. If a platform isn’t offering this, they’re somewhat behind the times.

That being said, they both hardly matter for the average website owner. Images can be stored other places and videos can be hosted other places. And there are other solutions for large files.

For example, most people these days have a Google Drive or a Dropbox where they store important docs and large files.

But to keep yourself safe, look for the ‘unlimited’ space in your disc storage.

Next Steps

Almost a billion websites are being hosted worldwide… is yours next?

Now that we’ve given you the lowdown on how to host a website, you can go forth and create!

What kind of website will you be making? What website hosting platform will you choose?

Leave us a comment below.