Skip to content

Author: Will Chatham

Will Chatham is the Security Assessment Engineer for Arbor Networks. Since Netscape 2.0, he has worked in a wide array of environments including non-profit, corporate, small business, and government. He started as a web developer, moved into Linux system administration, and ultimately found his place as a security professional. Having most recently conquered the OSCP certification, Will continues to hack his way into various things in an effort to make them more secure.

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Hacked

Published by Will Chatham on 8/11/2023

Taking the time to learn about online safety, how to prevent hacks, keep your computer secure, and avoid the most common threats is all well and good. However, many of those tips aren’t going to help if you think you have already been hacked. Here, we’re going to look at how to handle getting hacked as well as possible. Try to stay calm, but it’s important to act decisively and quickly. Here are a few tips to help you do that.

Know the warning signs that you have been hacked

Before you jump to any conclusions, you should take the time to think about whether or not you really are a victim of hacking. There are a few signs of hacking that you should keep an eye out for, such as random popups or email password resets being sent to you that you didn’t request. You may find that you are being redirected to websites you’re not intending to visit when browsing the net. Another common sign is that your friends, family, and contacts will get suspicious or unexpected messages from you. If any of these happen without explanation, it’s time to suspect that you have been hacked.

Lock down your email account

If you have lost access to your email or you find that contacts of yours have been getting unexplained and weird emails from your address, then it’s likely that it has been hacked. If your email has been hacked, then you should assume that it’s an emergency situation. Use whatever options your email provider has to lock your account. Change the password if you can, apply two-step authentication so that the hacker would have to have your phone or another device to able to access it, and even consider creating a new email address if you’re worried about how compromised your current address is. Unfortunately, our email addresses are often so linked to other online as well as financial and business accounts that losing them can mean dealing with a major threat.

Get your other accounts back

If any of your accounts have suspicious activity on them, especially activity from an IP located far from yours, then they will usually send you a warning message, as well as methods on how to reset the account to lock anyone out. If you have lost something like a password manages password or an email account that can be used to access these other accounts, be they for social media, online subscription services, or otherwise, you should follow their instructions to reset them and lock the hackers out as soon as possible.

Let people know

If you’re hacked, then your accounts can become a risk vector for further attacks. Hopefully, friends and family should get in touch to let you know that they’re getting suspicious messages. Otherwise, if you lose an account that has the possibility to reach out to them, then you should get in touch with them as soon as possible, telling them to delete any suspicious messages, emails, or messages that are coming from you and to especially never click links that come from an account that you think you have lost, as it may be a phishing scam or a link that downloads malware, for instance. If you’re not able to get your account back, then they can help by flagging and reporting it, in the hopes that it might get taken down.

Monitor your bank activity

A lot of us have our financial details tied in with our other online accounts. This can include your bank account and other finances. As such, you should make sure that you keep a close eye on them, especially for any untoward transactions. If you have any reason to suspect that they are in your bank account, your PayPal or otherwise, then you need to get in touch with them as soon as possible and ask them to lock your account and help you recover it. Most banks will have some level of protection for your money so that you don’t lose everything, but you don’t want to take a chance on it.

If your PC is taken over

Most hacking attempts, and successful hacks, result in someone getting into your email or other accounts. However, there are cases in which someone might get remote access to your PC. You can check for the signs of remote access if you’re not certain. If you’re able to confirm it, or if you can actively see them controlling your PC, then you should immediately disconnect from the internet, change your online and device passwords, and use antivirus to hunt down and delete any malware. If you’re still getting remote access, then you might want to wipe the device entirely. Make sure that you secure your Wi-Fi router, as well, as it can be a method of attack.

If you get a ransomware message

A ransomware message can be one of the scariest things to receive. A ransomware attack is when someone gets access to your computer or accounts, and uses the threat of exposing or deleting your personal, private, and financial data to get you to pay them. For one, learn to recognize fake ransomware, which is becoming a very popular spam email as of late. If the ransomware threat is real, they will usually be able to prove it, by showing you that they have truly compromising data, or by using methods that show they have already gotten into your system. If you get hit by ransomware, there are steps to follow, including capturing proof, quarantining the affected systems, and reporting it to law enforcement. Whether or not you pay the ransom is something that you have to seriously consider, however.

If you have done all of the above but are still worried about the threat a hacker poses to you, or you’re panicking and not sure you’re able to handle the situation right, get in touch with your local computer security expert. Handing it off to a professional is sometimes the best thing to do.

How To Secure Faster Invoice Payments When Self-Employed

Published by Will Chatham on 8/3/2023

A big struggle of being self-employed is maintaining a good cash flow. You do a lot of work for clients, but it could be weeks or months before the money comes in. You send out an invoice and it gets lost in the swill of emails they receive every day. Time passes and you desperately need the money to survive. 

Finding ways to secure faster invoice payments is crucial – and you’re about to learn how. Keep on reading to discover some of the best ways to do this. 

Offer multiple payment methods

One common mistake is sending an invoice with only one payment method attached. Typically, you’ll leave your bank details and expect the client to send a bank transfer over. This is quite an arduous task and it’s an easy thing for them to set aside and forget about. 

Instead, you should be looking for credit card merchants services to set up multiple payment methods. When an invoice is sent out, instead of only getting one option, they can click a button and pay instantly via credit or debit cards. You’re making the payment process more fluid and easier for the client, which can encourage faster payments every time. 

Ask for money before the work

Self-employed individuals have gotten into the habit of requesting payment after completing work. It makes sense, but think about how other businesses operate. If you pay a business for a service, you tend to pay upfront and then receive the service. Why should it be any different for a self-employed worker? 

Start asking for money upfront, so you’ve got the cash in your bank before the job begins. You’ll negate cash flow problems, making it easier to run your own little business. Or, you can ask for a percentage of the final fee as a deposit. It gives you some money, and when combined with the other tactics we’re talking about, should still enable faster payments. 

Invoice as soon as the job is done

If you can’t get money upfront for whatever reason, the next best option is to invoice as soon as the job is done. When you send off the final project to a client, attach your invoice in the same email. We moan about clients being late with payments all the time, but sometimes it’s not their fault. If you wait a few days/weeks to send an invoice, you can’t complain that it’s late. 

Get into the habit of making invoices in advance and then sending them the moment a job is over. You’re more likely to see instant payments like this as you’re fresh in the client’s mind and they don’t have any excuse to neglect the invoice. 

Try any or all of these tips and you’ll notice faster invoice payments from all of your clients. Also, while you’re creating invoices, make sure there are clear payment terms. Outline in the invoice when the money should be paid and what happens if it doesn’t get paid by that date. If clients see that you charge extra fees for late payments, they’ll definitely pay on time.

The Benefits Of Embracing Apps & Software In Each Day

Published by Will Chatham on 7/24/2023

If you want to be a more productive person each day, it’s wise to embrace technology and make your life so much easier. We live in a world that is surrounded by technology and it feels as though it’s going to take over at some point. While this is not the case, you may as well make the most of the technology we have at our disposal. It can help with the likes of simplifying work and getting things done so much quicker. Where are you are working on a project for yourself or you have things to do in your job, certain pieces of software can be life-savers. 

There are different programs coming out every year that can genuinely make life so much simpler for everyone. The same can be said about certain applications on smartphones and other devices. We should all look to embrace this kind of thing – here are a few specific reasons why:

Daily Tasks Are Streamlined 

Whether you are doing something serious for your job or you are doing something for recreational purposes, certain apps and other programs can align everything perfectly. Planning things out on your own is absolutely fine, but it might take a little longer and a few things could be a little tedious along the way. Certain apps will be able to plan everything out for you in a matter of moments and make life so much simpler as you do your tasks.

You’ll Have More Access To Information And Knowledge

The Internet and a multitude of online programs are caked in pieces of information that you will thoroughly use. From something as simple as Wikipedia to an amazing program like AI Achievers, you will be able to ask a question and get the perfect answer in response. You won’t have to worry about technology doing things for you, and lowering your brain power – it’s just a niftier way to get things done and to gather more knowledge.

Connecting And Networking Becomes Even Easier 

We live in a world where we are able to contact one another very quickly. Whether you want to get in touch with a work colleague or you want to speak to a friend, there are so many different ways we can do it. The more apps you have, I’m always you’ll be able to take part in networking and you’ll be able to progress a lot quicker. Having lots of different methods of communication also makes you look a lot more professional when you were trying to achieve things.

Health And Well-Being Are Promoted 

There are lots of different apps around in this day and age. This means that if you are looking for an app or a piece of software that can help you with your health, you will be able to find something that is perfect for you. Again, it will make everything so much simpler and break things down in ways that perhaps you never knew before.

Entertainment And Enjoyment Increases

While we have lots of responsibilities to take care of, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t enjoy life from time to time. If you have plenty of different entertainment choices due to the app you are using, it makes the days go by a lot nicer. There are so many different things we can use in order to pass the time and keep us happy.

How To Get Your Kids Moving On School Mornings

Published by Will Chatham on 7/7/2023

Do you find it a struggle to get the kids up first thing in the morning? Millions of parents around the world do! Some days are easier than others, but most of the time it’s difficult to motivate the kids to get up, wash, get dressed, and then eat a hearty breakfast before heading out to school. And if you’re in need of a hand to get the kids moving during those early hours, here are some tips that could help. 

Let Them Regulate Their Own Wake Up Time

This might sound like a very bad idea, but if you want your kids to get better at being up for school, you have to let them get on with it! So give them an alarm clock, walk them through setting it for the right time, and then see what happens next. 

Most kids will get up when it goes off and will even enjoy feeling like a grown up in the scenario. However, if they’re late waking up it’s entirely on them, and that sense of responsibility will really bring the reality their way! 

Use Meditations to Help Them Face the Day

If your kids are cranky or hyper in the morning, it’s best to do something that’ll help center them. Include it as part of your morning routine to make sure your kids quickly get with the program; a meditation, or prayers to start the day, will both work here. 

Get the kids to stand up and shake off sleep, then close their eyes and breathe through a moment of mindfulness. It’ll help them focus on what they need to do today, and make it much easier to get the rest of their morning routine done! 

Keep Their School Equipment in the Same Place

The morning routine might be daunting for your kids simply because it’s so tricky. They have to go all over the house collecting their school uniform and to pack their bags – no one wants to have to do that much work first thing! 

To make this much easier on them, institute a rule: the bag gets packed the night before and is left in the same place to be picked up before going out the door. The dining table or at the bottom of the stairs are the two most popular areas for this. 

Give Them Something to Use Up Their Energy

Adults lose a lot of morning energy as we get older. However, kids have it in spades! So put on a song that they like, or give them an activity book to go through while they’re eating their breakfast; both are great things for keeping their mind on the task at hand without being too disruptive. And if you’ve got a hyperactive morning child on your hands, the TV can be the worst thing for motivating them to get moving before school. 

School mornings can be slow – we all know that! But they don’t have to stay that way!

Striking the Right Notes: the Importance of Music When Working

Published by Will Chatham on 6/22/2023

For many people working at home, the ability to personalize a working environment can make a big difference in overall productivity. But other people struggle to find the right tools to help them. Music is something that can be very helpful and enjoyable. It can influence so many aspects of our being, from motivation to productivity, and can help us cope with boredom, stress, or fatigue. So, what are the ways that music can affect our work?

Influencing Mood

Playing music that can make us feel happy or sad can help us have new perspectives on our work. This is particularly important when it comes to something like creativity. While many people wonder is it legal to play music in a business, the reality of the situation thoroughly depends on the business itself. Lots of organizations could benefit from playing music to their employees to influence their mood, but it’s important to choose the right time of day. Lots of people listen to music in the gym to keep them motivated and optimistic, but you’ve got to consider what type of music is going to benefit certain departments. As a general rule of thumb, upbeat music is going to be the crowd-pleaser, but there’s always going to be one or two that are completely snobbish when it comes to music. Therefore, those people may benefit from either you providing headphones or them bringing their own.

To Help with the Monotonous Tasks

The difficult part of doing any job is when there are incredibly repetitive and boring tasks at hand. Data entry tasks are commonly considered boring, and it’s not uncommon to see data entry clerks listening to music or at least having the radio on in the office, but it’s something that can energize us all. If you are looking for a way to stay focused and motivated, playing upbeat music or songs that everybody knows well could make a big difference and can even speed up your ability to work.

Offering Different Types of Music to Please People’s Tastes

The reality is there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing the best music, and we should think about choosing the music that suits our personalities but also find the right tunes that suit the task as well as our individual mood. Music is critical because it can enhance our work experience by making it far more enjoyable but also more meaningful. Music is a very entertaining and inspiring component of many people’s lives, but for others, it merely serves to irritate, especially in an office setting, so whether you’re running a business like a restaurant and you’re looking to improve the ambiance or you are trying to find ways to motivate yourself or employees it is essential to consider music as an integral component. There have been studies that show how classical music can help children with studying, and music is such an important part of our lives that we cannot neglect its power and importance, especially when it comes to improving the feel of an environment, stimulating motivation, productivity, and, of course, happiness.

Simplify Finances at Your Small Business

Published by Will Chatham on 6/15/2023

When it comes to running a small business, it helps you simplify finances to make your life a little easier, ensure you don’t get into debt, and stay on top of those all-important taxes.

Automate Outgoing Payments

It can be a trying time to pay out all your bills manually when you have tons to do. This is easy enough for personal money. But when it comes to business, there are many things you need to do. But you can automate specific payments according to your desired pay period. What is a pay period? Well, it is the time you set when your staff is paid, such as the 1st of every month. But you can also automate your pay period for outgoings such as taxes and business costs.

Keep Transaction Records

It is hard to work with disorganized data. And like any data, your transactions must be well-kept so you can find what you need on request. This will also allow you to see where you are losing money and where it is coming in. Down the line, this is essential for making decisions that have an effect on your business finances. If you are stuck for money and need to keep outgoings low, you can use Google Sheets for keeping spreadsheets on your business and finance data.

Simplify Finances with Transaction Apps

Using apps like Google Sheets is a great way to keep track of things. But spreadsheet software is limited when it comes to managing finances. Specialized apps such as Quickbooks are much better. And Quickbooks doesn’t cost much. It can record income and outgoings, and you can even link it to your bank account. This can help you see where money is going and where it comes from. But it also works out how much tax you need to pay based on your details.

Separate Business and Personal Accounts

It can be easy to use your personal account when starting a business. But very quickly, you will see it isn’t convenient when working with large volumes of transactions. So you need a business account as soon as possible. This makes it easier to track what relates to business and what relates to personal expenses. You will also know exactly how much money is available to your business so you can deduct your personal wages, and your personal assets will be protected.

Learn About Tax Deductions

We all pay taxes. And you can get into a lot of trouble if you don’t. However, that doesn’t mean the tax man is there to take everything you have. And anything you use solely for your business can be deducted from your tax bill. This includes software, computers, and even electricity if you work from home. But as a business, you can also deduct things like uniform costs (including cleaning costs), gas expenses for company vehicles, and common office supplies like paper.

Summary

It helps to simplify finances when running your own business. It’s easier to do this these days with automated payments, transaction apps and software, and separate bank accounts.