5 smartphone habits to break right away

5 smartphone habits to break right away

Most of us can’t do without a smartphone. The gadget helps us communicate easily, find the information we’re looking for, shop for our favorite products, and so much more. On the downside, we spend hours glued to our screens. This can take a toll on our personal lives, affect physical and mental health, and even cut short the life of our devices. Here are some harmful smartphone habits to break immediately. Scrolling before bedtime Endless scrolling on social media before bedtime makes it hard to fall asleep at night, leading to restlessness and tiredness the next day. Screens emit a blue light that affects melatonin production in the brain, the hormone that controls a person’s circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. Without melatonin, it can be difficult to fall or stay asleep. Experts advise keeping the phone away for at least an hour before bedtime. You can instead read a book or listen to a podcast to relax your mind. Always keeping the phone with you If you keep your phone in your pocket, you’ll be constantly tempted to pull it out and browse. Not to mention, you’ll be on the alert for notifications. Therefore it’s best to carry it in your purse or backpack.
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5 smartphone browsing mistakes that may expose passwords

5 smartphone browsing mistakes that may expose passwords

The use of smartphones, including other technology, has become an integral part of our daily life. Like most smart technology, these smartphones help us carry out business-oriented tasks and offer entertaining and informative content. However, considering the growing number of spurious websites, our smartphone data, such as passwords and other important data are often at risk of theft. So here are five common mistakes to avoid while surfing the internet to safeguard sensitive credentials. Opening unverified links Many websites often ask users to click links to download a free song, movie, or other content they would otherwise have to pay for. Clicking on links that are not verified may lead to installing viruses on your smartphone. These viruses can leech sensitive information from your device, compromising factors like the password. Outdated browser software Hackers will always look for loopholes in a device’s software to steal vital information. This is why smartphone and browser manufacturers roll out over-the-air updates to ensure the devices are safe from such individuals. Therefore, not updating the software may lead to password theft when one accesses such websites. Allowing cookies every time Cookies are files created on the computer whenever a user visits a website. These files store information that must be available during each session.
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5 smartphone browsing mistakes that may expose passwords

5 smartphone browsing mistakes that may expose passwords

The use of smartphones, including other technology, has become an integral part of our daily life. Like most smart technology, these smartphones help us carry out business-oriented tasks and offer entertaining and informative content. However, considering the growing number of spurious websites, our smartphone data, such as passwords and other important data are often at risk of theft. So here are five common mistakes to avoid while surfing the internet to safeguard sensitive credentials. Opening unverified links Many websites often ask users to click links to download a free song, movie, or other content they would otherwise have to pay for. Clicking on links that are not verified may lead to installing viruses on your smartphone. These viruses can leech sensitive information from your device, compromising factors like the password. Outdated browser software Hackers will always look for loopholes in a device’s software to steal vital information. This is why smartphone and browser manufacturers roll out over-the-air updates to ensure the devices are safe from such individuals. Therefore, not updating the software may lead to password theft when one accesses such websites. Allowing cookies every time Cookies are files created on the computer whenever a user visits a website. These files store information that must be available during each session.
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6 jobs that AI might replace soon

6 jobs that AI might replace soon

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution has started altering how we interact with technology. For example, humanoid robots can engage in conversation, while natural language processing (NLP) chatbots can write entire lines of code or essays in seconds. And while the improvements in AI are exciting, they also bring about nervousness, primarily because they may overtake jobs created for humans. So here are six such jobs that Artificial Intelligence might impact. Salespersons Companies have started to substitute salespeople with AI for advertising and retail activities. Advertising software allows advertisers to create custom content for various types of audiences. Moreover, the implementation of AI instead of a salesperson has enabled customers to research products for themselves without the help of another person. Taxi and truck drivers Autonomous driving has become an emerging trend in the country and globally, with cab and truck aggregators switching to robot drivers instead of hiring humans. Apart from savings costs, it also fills the void of the shortage of such drivers because of the relatively low pay structure. Proofreaders and translators Today many AI-powered tools help writers self-check their writing. While it has not reached perfection yet, the natural processing capability of these AI tools allows writers to check their work for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and readability issues.
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3 mistakes to avoid while buying earbuds and headphones

3 mistakes to avoid while buying earbuds and headphones

Buying a good pair of headphones or earbuds can be a considerable investment. These devices have become integral to most people’s lives and serve as a handy companion during workouts and long commutes. Customers must consider several factors to make an informed purchase, such as performance, Bluetooth version, battery life, budget, etc. This article lists three common mistakes one makes when buying earbuds and headphones and how to avoid them. Prioritizing style over comfort Some people look for style and aesthetics over comfort and function when buying headphones or earbuds. As a result, they buy devices that are uncomfortable to wear over long periods. To avoid this, one must wear and test the earbuds or headphones before purchasing. It is also essential to consider the environment where one will use them, as it may impact wearability. Shopping by brand Many people are guilty of shopping for headphones by brand name. While this is a pretty foolproof way to purchase durable and quality headphones, they may not always be the best choice for one’s needs. In addition to a reputable brand, customers must pay attention to technical features such as Bluetooth version, driver type and size, frequency range, sensitivity, and compatibility with other devices.
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4 tips to use card swiping machines safely

4 tips to use card swiping machines safely

Cashless transactions have become the way to go for vendors and buyers alike. Most vendors offer debit and credit card options and modes of online payment for almost all goods and services. But a high volume of card transactions also increases the risk of the customers’ sensitive data being stolen. Vendors need to ensure that customer details are safe, so here are some tips for them to ensure the card swiping machines are used safely. Maintain compliance standards There are some global standards that retailers need to follow when using their customers’ card details because such information is highly sensitive. One of these standards is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Credit card associations may charge fines from retailers if they don’t live up to these standards. Also, complying with them enhances a retailer’s reputation in the market. Implement security measures There are many effective security measures today, such as SSL and end-to-end encryption, to transfer sensitive information safely from card readers to processors. With this step, retailers can make sure that hackers cannot access the customer’s personal details while the card is being swiped. Cross-check the customer’s signature It can be tricky to verify if the person carrying the card is the rightful owner at first glance.
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4 reasons why Google Ads are ideal for any business

4 reasons why Google Ads are ideal for any business

Google ads has become an indispensable tool for online marketing as it optimizes the process of reaching one’s target audience directly and efficiently. Millions of people seek all kinds of information on the search engine daily, making Google a goldmine of opportunities for advertisers, bloggers, and businesses to promote their products or services. But what exactly is Google Ads, and why is it an ideal tool for big or small businesses? What is Google Ads? Simply put, Google Ads are the “sponsored” posts that pop up after one types a desired keyword in the search engine. These sponsored posts are ad campaigns run by the respective companies to drive traffic to their landing page. For this exposure, the company pays a small pay-per-action or pay-per-click amount to Google, which can vary according to the keyword demand, one’s spending limit, search volume, time of the year, and other relevant factors. Why are Google Ads ideal for any business? Massive reach Google gets around 5 billion searches every day, many of which are queries to solve various problems. Businesses that solve these problems can easily leverage these keywords through simple SEO searches and market their brand to the right customers. Wide range of targeting The platform is not limited to specific types of customers.
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3 useful ways to prevent cyber attacks

3 useful ways to prevent cyber attacks

As the internet permeates almost all elements of workplaces, the threat of cyber-attacks is higher than ever for businesses. Cyber crimes such as phishing, zero-day exploits, ransomware threats, and password attacks commonly drain companies of thousands, if not millions, of dollars year on year. Cyber threats keep evolving, so the security measures to prevent them must do so, too. Here are some proven ways to prevent cyber-attacks for businesses of all sizes: Updating software tools and systems Records have shown that cyber-attacks mostly happen because systems and software tools are not fully updated and ready for the latest threats. Cybercriminals can exploit weaknesses in software tools or other systems remotely when their cyber threat becomes more advanced than the security elements created to thwart it. To avoid this, companies must routinely update their databases, software tools, and other operational machines to keep threats like phishing and remote hacking at bay. Employee training Most employees need to be made aware of how to maintain a robust cybersecurity system for an organization, which can lead to many cyber attacks caused by human error. To combat this, employers should schedule training sessions to teach employees about the dos and don’ts of internet use.
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4 common mistakes to avoid when using dash cams

4 common mistakes to avoid when using dash cams

Dash cams are a valuable accessory to use while driving. Although some drivers use them solely for recording their travel journey, dash cams can also capture crucial evidence in the event of an accident or road rage incident. The footage recorded by the dash cam can be useful as evidence in court proceedings to support a case. However, there are some common mistakes that drivers should avoid when using dash cams. Incorrect installation As mentioned earlier, dash cams come in handy in court proceedings as they record footage that can be used as evidence. Therefore, it is essential to install the dash cam properly at the right angle to be able to capture everything. Additionally, it is recommended that the dash cam be kept discreet and not fully visible to strangers. So, make sure to place it accordingly. Not backing up data It is important to back up the data regularly from the dash cam. This is because the files are prone to getting lost or corrupted over time, so it is important to collect the valuable data before a technical glitch erases it. A couple of ways to save the data are by removing the SD card and transferring the content to the computer or using applications provided by some of the dash cam providers, where the footage can directly be stored in the cloud.
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