Month: August 2020

Technology is something that many will find easy to grasp, but there are some of us that might not take to it as a duck takes to water. For some, it can almost be fear when having to use it at work or in their own personal lives. Here are some tips to improve your relationship with technology.

Spend More Time With Technology

Those who fear technology are not spending enough time around it or are not willing to do so and instead will do the bare minimum needed when it comes to interacting with it. However, that’s not something that’s useful because whether you like it or not, technology is here to stay. It’s a big part of our future, and as the human race, it’s helping us to achieve a lot more than you could possibly imagine right now. Spending time with technology and really helping yourself get to grips with it can be helpful for many areas of your life where technology might be needed. It makes things a little bit easier, and so it’s definitely something that’s worth embracing. If you find yourself to be someone who struggles with technology, start finding more ways that you can incorporate it into your lifestyle both at work and at home.

Take A Class Or Course

For a lot of skills or talents that we might lack in, it’s good to take advantage of all the online and offline resources that are available. Taking a class or course is going to be highly beneficial, whether it’s finding the best way to learn python or knowing how to create your own website for a business. The more you can actively go out and engage with when it comes to professional advice, the better. We can all learn something new every day, and so it’s important to live by that motto when you’re trying to get a better understanding of technology. There are plenty of online courses available, whether you want to learn a new skill from scratch or develop and consolidate your existing skills. One such course is itil certification. This will give you a great insight into IT management and ITIL frameworks and boost your earning power when it comes to your career. You can do this online at your own pace, which makes it ideal for doing around your current work or family commitments.

Remember To Take A Break

Technology, as much as it can be useful, it can also be all-encompassing and sometimes, you need to take a break. Try to find ways to help you switch off from technology when it’s all getting too much and where you might be finding it hard to deal with at that particular moment. We all need a break, and a digital detox can be good if you find you’re spending too much time with technology.

Ask Your Tech Friends

Friends are useful for many things, and you’re likely to have someone who is talented in different skills or knowledge that you might not have any clue about. If you don’t know much about technology, then why not ask your friends for their advice and support. Find someone who is clued up when it comes to particular areas of technology or the online world, and they’ll be able to give you a much more useful insight and understanding. 

Technology is something you should have a healthy relationship with, so use these tips to improve it.

Imagine offering excellent services to your client, but after white labeling SEO services, you get complaints about low-quality links. You risk losing the client and getting a bad review for your company. What you need is an SEO reseller program that meets its end of the bargain as you search for clients and meet their expectations. Therefore, you need to pay attention when looking for a reputable program by considering the following factors.

Years Of Experience

Working with an amateur may pose risks as something may go wrong, for they do not have the experience. When choosing an SEO reseller, go for one that has been offering its services for a considerable number of years. They comprehend the algorithms of search engines well and are aware of SEO’s ever-changing strategies and tactics.

A platform such as TRW has been offering its SEO reseller services to websites from 2014, and there is no report of penalties. The experts running the reseller plan will advise you on the safest method of link building and any need for change. At least 5-year experience in the industry is long enough to help you evaluate a reseller program.

Your Niche

Apart from experience, you need to find out if an SEO reseller has expertise in the same industry. It would be hard trying to implement SEO services of a different niche to yours. Some programs specialize in several niches, but that does not mean yours is one of them.

Cost Of Service

As much as you want to make profits and would not mind going for a lower price, be vigilant. Some rogue SEO resellers out to scam clients may offer a relatively low cost to lure unsuspecting businesses. The underside of this is that you will have to cross-check every link, which will waste much time.

Before committing to a contract with any service provider, look at the payment structure. You do not want to enter into an agreement that is unclear on the terms of payment. Look for features such as subscription plans, bundle offers, and if you will have to pay for services as a whole or separately.

Communication

The responses you get and how fast they come says a lot about a reseller’s customer support desk. If it takes them ages to get back to you, ask yourself – what would happen if you had an emergency? A reputable service provider will ensure they answer their clients and potential ones promptly and courteously.

See How A Service Works First

One foolproof way of finding out if an SEO reseller program is worth it is by trying it out first. You can buy a few links and test them on a website that will not get affected by poor links. It can take a couple of weeks before you know how the links perform, but it is worth the risk.

It helps to avoid adverse effects on your profitable website. You also get to save your relationship with your clients, for they will not find out if anything went wrong. If it works well, you can go ahead and buy your plan, and if it does not, continue searching until you get the right one.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, contactless payments have been in the headlines. Without them, it’s difficult to see how stores and customers would have handled physical money. Traditional points of sale aren’t hygienic as they involve several people handling cash, which is a COVID-19 hotspot.

When you stop to think about it, the way that you pay for goods and services has changed dramatically, thanks to significant advancements in tech. Historically, only cash has been used, whereas now, there is a plethora of options at a shopper’s disposal.

Below you’ll find a selection of methods that revolutionized the way you pay forever.

Smart Cards

Essentially, smart cards are modern debit and credit cards that use chip technology. Previously, it was easy to clone the details and use them to commit fraud. Thankfully, Visa reports that EMVs have led to a reduction in fraud by more than 75%. The chip and pin method does have its issues – it’s easier to spend money and rack up debt, but this page has more info on freedom education if you need help – yet the traditional magstripe method was worse. Now, as the cards create unique transaction codes for every transaction, your money is a lot safer.

PoS

PoS stands for “Point of Sale.” These are the mobile machines that you see in smaller stores that don’t want or can’t afford the bigger, bulky card readers. In many ways, it’s the most radical advancement regarding consumer payments as it brings the business to the shopper. Regardless of where they are, it’s possible to encourage conversions, something that many companies struggle with, especially SMEs. Mobile PoS systems have become popular over the years as they build trust. How? It’s because businesses appear to go the extra mile, enhancing the customer experience to the point where they add lots of value.

Contactless

The US is on the verge of a contactless payment surge that other countries around the world have already experienced. Evidently, it’s due to the COVID situation and people wanting to handle money less and less. Unlike the rest of the world, the States has plenty of potential for growth in the area as only 3% of card transactions don’t rely on swiping or inputting details into a reader. Therefore, this is one change that you might begin to see occurring in real-time. It makes sense considering it’s quick and there are measures in place to prevent fraud.

P2P Apps

P2P, or Peer to Peer, applications come in different shapes and sizes. The most common is Apple or Android Pay, where you place your phone to a smart reader and the money is deducted from your bank account. Another version is when you use apps that require no money upfront. Ride-sharing applications such as Uber and Lyft are the prime examples of P2P apps and how they could become the norm within a short period. Like contactless, they’re incredibly accessible as everyone has a smartphone and keeps it on their person at all times.

How do you pay for stuff? Has your favorite method changed?

Internet privacy can be very confusing. While you want to share your social media posts with your family and friends, how do you know that your private information will not fall in the hands of the wrong person when you are trying to send it to a retailer? 

Your concerns are justified because plenty of people’s private information falls in the wrong hands. In America, almost half of all internet users do not know how to keep their email information safe. 75% of people who send or receive emails feel that their personal information may be accessible to other people. Approximately six percent of all internet users have had their reputation injured because of the internet and 86% of internet users in America have attempted to get rid of their internet footprint. Fortunately, it is still possible to keep your personal information safe. Keep reading to find out how.

The Internet Is Forever

When using the internet, the most important thing to remember is that anything you post is likely to be there forever. You can delete it but it is still accessible. You should, therefore, refrain from posting anything that could be embarrassing or dangerous. Do not post your personal information since you do not know who could access them.

Secure Your Social Media Sites

If you need to use social media sites, ensure that your personal settings are secure. If, for example, you post directions or any personal information on your social media platforms, you should make sure that they are hidden. You may think that you have nothing important to hide but that is not always the case. Malicious people may use your personal information to stalk or blackmail you.

Remember to Disable and Delete Cookies

While using the internet, you may have noticed that as you browse from one site to another, you keep getting the same ads. It is because marketers monitor your activities online using the sites that you visit. They come up with your profile based on your online activities. If you don’t want them to keep monitoring your activities, you should delete and disable cookies as often as you can.

Consider Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

A VPN creates an encrypted connection from your device to a private network. Your original IP remains hidden to hackers with a VPN and other cybercriminals cannot access it. It allows you to browse the internet as you please without the fear of being monitored. Your private information remains safe. Using a VPN does not only keep your private information safe but also allows you to access or share files remotely.

Beware of Social Engineering

If you are online all the time, you are likely to be a victim of social engineering. Identity theft is a real threat and it affects millions of people every year. Criminals can hack your account or trick you into divulging your personal information. They may use spyware or malware to get to you. Cybercriminals have clever ways that they may use to trick you into giving them your personal information. You should, therefore, avoid opening unknown attachments or links. Do not share your private information with unknown people or sites.

Don’t be Predictable With Your Passwords

Even though using the same simple password for all your sites may seem convenient, it is not a good idea. If a cybercriminal is able to get into one account, they will be able to get into all your accounts. They may be able to get your personal information. Come up with a password that is secure and write it down so that you do not forget. A strong password should have 12 or more characters including letters, numbers, and symbols. The letters should include both lowercase and uppercase. It should not be a dictionary word or any symbol that can easily be associated with you.

Use Expert Services

Whether you are building a website or an app, it is always advisable to hire an expert. There are professionals that are experienced in all of the best frameworks, such as Gridsome, as well as programming languages, like Java, and they will know how to craft a secure site or app. You can’t leave this sort of thing to chance. 

Always Read the Terms and Conditions

Most people agree to the terms and conditions of a site without reading them. That can be a huge mistake. Most sites have a Privacy Policy that comes with their terms and conditions. It clearly states the information that the site is allowed to collect from you. It may be long but you need to read it to the end to know exactly what you are getting yourself into. If you don’t, you may be allowing them to access your personal information.

Always Update Your Software

Older software and OS make you prone to attacks. Use your auto-update feature to ensure that your apps are always up to date. Using the latest versions of software keeps your information safe. Updated versions of any software will contain updated security features.

The internet can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you use it. Even though it has plenty of advantages, failure to pay attention to your security needs may lead to major losses. The number of hackers is on a constant rise so you need to put in some effort to secure your online privacy. Employ appropriate measure to ensure you reduce instances of being a victim. Work towards improving your online presence but remember it is easy to be bullied online these days.

When Apple released the first iPhone, the underlying appeal was the fact that you finally had a device that could mimic the function of a PC, but fit in your pocket. The main innovation was the operating system which Apple adapted from their regular desktop version. It allowed users to interact with various apps in an intuitive way, plus the internet, just like regular OS.

For the last thirteen years or so, Apple has been riding on the coattails of this innovation, improving both software and hardware along the way. The iPhone 1 and iPhone X are very different devices, but a part of the same pedigree. You can see how one led to the other. 

The iPhone 12, though, is a very different proposition. This handset seems to be Apple’s attempt to prove that smartphones haven’t plateaued. And there’s plenty to be excited about – so much so that I might sell my iPhone 8 plus. 

UWB Pulse Technology

If you haven’t come across the UWB acronym yet, you’re about to start hearing a lot more about it. Apple plans on introducing this brand new technology to upcoming hands, giving users capabilities that they never imagined they’d have. 

UWB stands for “ultra wide-band” and allows users to map their physical environments in three dimensions. An emitter sends out a signal in all directions into the background. It then measures the time it takes to bounce back off physical objects. It’s the same system boats, and submarines use to map the ocean floor, except a thousand times smaller than the cumbersome devices that they use. 

UWB, Apple hopes, will open up a range of new capabilities. The company says that it wants to introduce “room-scale” GPS, providing more detail in the maps it gives customers for navigation. Eventually, it could use environmental scanning to help people find their way through buildings or forests. 

The fact that Apple is introducing this technology so early is a little weird, to say the least. Usually, the company lags well behind others in the industry. For instance, Apple introduced GPS only after other companies had been using it for years. The company was also slow to update its Bluetooth standard. It took ages to move from 3.0 to 4.0. 

Find Missing Items

Apple also sees the technology as a solution for finding missing stuff. You can get tags right now you attach to things that you’re liable to lose – such as keys, wallets, and even children. But actually determining their precise location in a built environment isn’t easy. There’s stuff everywhere. 

UWB pulse technology, though, allows you to pinpoint an object in 3D space, meaning that lost keys will soon become a thing of the past (so long as you attach a suitable tag). 

Of course, Apple is keen to emphasize the other techs that they’ll be introducing, but UWB is brand new. Theoretically, users could use their phones to scan objects and then send files to 3D printers. It’s a brave new world.