Securing Your Site Against Online Hackers

When you are running a website there are all kinds of different dangers a designer can run into. When you are running a website where you are attempting to sell your photographs there are rather distinct factors you are going to need to have to worry about. Hackers and malware are things that everyone on the Internet needs to worry about.

The size of the company doesn’t mean there is any sort of protection against hackers. Some small business owners think they are safe if they are operating under the umbrella of a larger company because those firms tend to have tighter security. Despite that tighter security, hackers almost always find a way in.

Small businesses tend to think they’re safe because they are flying under the radar of most hackers and the people who send out malware. The problem is that if you are running a site where you are selling photos you are basically painting yourself as a target, especially if your photos are good. If your photos are of something or someone that a lot of people want to see you are going to be an even bigger target. So how do you protect your site and your photos against people who want to get at both illegally?

Watermarking

If you are more worried about your photos than the integrity of your site, then you will find watermarking a rather effective approach. This simply means that you overlay the photos with either a brand from your site or with your name. You can make the watermark almost anything you want, but the intent is to have it there so that you can remove it when a photo has been purchased and it stays when people steal or simply download the photo without first offering up attribution or payment.

Using Flash to Display Your Work

Most images that are displayed online are going to be in the regular old JPG format. This makes it easy for you to sell them to a number of different sites, but it also makes it incredibly easy to download to a thief’s computer. Putting your gallery in Flash means that hackers or thieves cannot simply and easily download the images.

Shrink Wrapping

Shrink Wrapping is another approach not unlike watermarking with a twist. This process is basically the practice of using Javascript to display one image with another. When the hacker or thief goes to download the image they are trying to take without paying, they will actually download something else and this something else is usually just white wall.

Antivirus Software

If you have gone with an approach like putting the galley in Flash or watermarked the photos, it might actually be quicker and easier to get at your entire site, instead of the photos one by one. If you think your site is going to be a target you are going to want to have an antivirus software installed on any computer where you access the backend.

Depending on the size and reach of your company you are going to want to have differing levels of investment. Rest assured that there is an antivirus software for any size of business that will protect you against those who want to get into your files and grab whatever they feel like taking.

All of the Above and Then Some

The fact of the matter is that there is almost no sure fire way to make sure your site is 100 percent protected. Every defense someone puts up has been circumvented at some point in time. The key is to protect your property as well as you possibly can.

The best way to make sure you have put enough guards in place for peace of mind is to do more than one of the above approaches. Shrink wrap or watermark as well as use Flash and have up to date antivirus software. The more layers of security you use, the harder it will be to get through. The real key is to make cracking your code such an annoyance that the hacker moves on to other targets.

An Overview Of The Most Common Mobile Application Categories

Applications, both web and mobile, are in the continuous process of making our lives easier and simpler. Let us begin by understanding what these applications are actually all about. It is just a set of programming code, that is designed for performing any requisite or pre-defined functionality. An app can be of several types that differ based on their definition, functionality, technology and working methodology.

Common Application Types

What does our mind think of, when we talk about applications? We may imagine an app being a utility app, or a social networking app, or say a gaming app. Considering these options, what does one think of the so-called “App World?” Is it the end of it, or just the beginning?

Talking about apps in the present scenario, we should be more specific as well as generic over the type of app, and the purpose it is meant for. Let us discuss here some of the most commonly used categories of applications, and their respective requirements and benefits. Apart from these major categories, there can be a few others as well, fitting into these outstanding ones according to their functionality and development procedure.

Let us now dive deep into the pool of applications, understanding each one-by-one.

• Native Apps: These are developed for particular platforms, using an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Native applications use IDEs because of their—
  – Project Management Tools
  – Tools for version control
  – Debugging
  – Integrated support
  – Built-in library support
  IDEs are used because there is no direct option for development of native apps. Some of the most popular features of native apps include: multi-touch support, build-in components, easy to use, documentation, Fluid Animation, etc. The commonly used technologies are Native IOS and Android, PhoneGap, and Accelerator Titanium.


• Hybrid Apps: This is a combination of both the native and web applications. Native apps are installed on a computing device, and developed for specific platforms. Whereas, web apps can work globally, and developed for multiple platforms. One can access and use web apps, directly in a browser, with the help of an Internet connection.
  Hybrid Apps are a combination of web and native, having more features than both individually. Therefore, hybrid apps can function with or without a network connection, and can work on multiple platforms. These apps are well-integrated with both web-based services, and device files system. They have a browser embedded for dynamically updating any online content. Phone Gap, Blackberry Native and HTML 5 are some of the commonly used technologies for developing hybrid apps.


• Generic Apps: In simple words, these apps can be explained as the mobile websites that work with all the mobile phones and platforms. Generic applications do not need a specific GUI, are content oriented, and have a compact view. These apps work on a number of platforms, with web API based app development. Android, Objective C and Microft C# are some commonly used technologies for its development.


• Dedicated Apps: These are like static apps, specific to certain requirements. They are dependent directly upon the limited functionality and few of the module requisites. These apps are considered better than a book marked apps, because of their well-structured functionality, relying on the requirement set. These apps can also be understood as websites that are customized to work efficiently on mobile devices.


• Bookmark Apps: These are applications for letting the users save those web resources that they wish to access at a later stage, into properly organized lists to be shared online. In simpler words, one can even say bookmark apps to be like mobile websites. These apps make a website compatible to view in mobile versions, and on handheld devices such as tablets and cell phones. These apps are recognized with names who are different from the actual links. They come with drag and drop functionality, and work in a more organized manner. They can be developed with Graphics or APIs, HTML 5, or any basic scripting language.


• Cross-Platform Apps: These are applications that can work freely on multiple platforms. Such apps can be based on either of standard components, or run-time packages. Due to their multiple platform support, user-friendly environment, development ease, multi-touch functionalities, and a lot more, these apps have gained wide-scale use and acceptance.

The current era, thus, belongs to mobile application development, that explores the latest technologies of the future. For the same, one has buckled up and prepared for the brand-new application journey.

The Cloud Holds the Key to Disaster Recovery

If there is one certainty in enterprise, it’s that things will inevitably go wrong. A server will go down, the network will go offline, or a natural disaster will damage the entire infrastructure. It’s in those moments, when every moment that you’re offline costs thousands of dollars, that a solid disaster recovery plan is vital.

Most businesses have a disaster recovery plan to some degree. However, what many businesses fail to realize is that disaster plans are not something to be created and then never thought of again, and only pulled out every few years to change some names. Disaster planning is an ongoing, fluid process, and most companies are well-served to revisit their disaster plans annually, if not more often.

Not only should disaster plans be updated regularly to reflect a growing and changing business model, it also needs to be updated to reflect changing technology. Case in point’ The rapid growth and expansion of cloud computing services has added a new element to disaster planning – one that no company can afford to ignore.

The Cloud’s Role in Disaster Recovery

Regular backups have always been a part of any solid disaster recovery plan. However, as the amount of data produced increases every day (by some estimates, more than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created daily), so does the need for more efficient ways to back up and save that data.

Some businesses still rely on backup tapes, stored in a secure offsite location, for their disaster recovery efforts. However since the amount of data that the average organization has to store doubles every year, backup tapes are starting to prove impractical for many companies. Add to the backup and storage issue the current trend toward zero-downtime (or as close as possible to that goal) and the need for greater levels of agility and access to data, and it’s easy to see that the days of tapes as a form of reliable backup are numbered.

Indeed, according to a new report from Forrester Research, the tide is shifting toward the cloud as the backbone of a disaster management and recovery plan. The report reveals that in the last year, the number of companies using cloud services for backup has doubled, with more than 15 percent of companies forgoing the traditional forms of backup to the more efficient cloud. Experts predict that the numbers will only continue to grow, with the rapid growth in data creation.

Benefits and Challenges to Using the Cloud

The benefits of using the cloud for disaster recovery are clear: Instead of just backing up data, or new data, the entire server, including the operating system, applications, data and patches are copied onto a virtual server that can be backed up onto another offsite server within minutes. If a disaster occurs and the entire network needs to be re-created, network administrators have everything they need at their fingertips. Instead of rebuilding from the ground up, by reinstalling operating systems, applications, patches and recreating data, it’s all ready to reinstall. Therefore, downtime can go from a few days to, theoretically, a few minutes.

Alternatively, by using a public cloud provider, the data is automatically backed up and maintained by the provider; regardless of what happens onsite, the owner of the data can access it from anywhere at any time. The cloud also makes it easier to back up more frequently, takes space considerations out of the mix and reduces costs, primarily administrative and recovery costs.

All that being said, though, there are some drawbacks to using the cloud as the foundation of a disaster recovery plan, and most of them can be boiled down to one word: Security. One of the major stumbling blocks for many companies is the perceived lack of security when transmitting and storing data virtually. Cloud computing security solutions have come a long way, though, and with advanced threat detection and blocking capabilities, data logging, encryption and access management, cloud backup is no less safe than traditional methods.

Moving to the Cloud

According to the Forrester research report, companies shouldn’t make the leap to the cloud for all of their data backup and storage needs right away, but instead take a phased approach. Still, incorporating the cloud as part of a disaster recovery plan is the means of entry to the cloud sphere for about 25 percent of companies, who are moving portions of their workload to virtual servers as part of the recovery plan. However, as familiarity and comfort level increases, it’s reasonable to expect that more companies will place greater amounts of their workload in the cloud – and that disaster-related downtime will become the exception rather than the rule.

10 Q & A’s to Overcome the Challenges of Entering in the Asian Market

Western companies attempting to enter the Asian market have quite a lot of trouble making the transition due to many factors, from cultural differences to different purchasing habits. Even some of the largest Western brands (like Walmart and Groupon) had a tough time getting established; it makes you then wonder what businesses not back by billions in capital must do to reach the Asian market.

The following are some of those frequently asked questions about our topic.

1. Is there a market for my product?

Ask yourself whether the location has an actual market demand for your product(s). Early entry can give a great advantage but can backfire, too, due to a lack of understand or inherent need/want for what you have to offer. Likewise, entering too late allows you to one-up the competition but poses the problem of being a late-comer that may not be accepted.

2. Who are the potential customers?

Understand the market to the finest detail. The demographics, age groups, social patterns, economics, and more. Attempt a trial run of the product to collect real-world data about the customers. Purchase market data from providers that have vast resources already developed to help foreign businesses.

3. Who represents the main competition?

Are you setting yourself up for failure by attempting to enter a market that is utterly dominated by the competition’ Good as a product may be there will be a great resistance due to the strong branding the competition has with the locals. If, however, there are weak points then it gives you a perfect opportunity to exploit them and sink your feet firmly in the ground.

4. Can my product cross cultural boundaries?

Many factors come into play when transitioning your product to reach Asia. Even the basic colors or choice in packaging can cause the market to be fickle about your product. Your best bet is to combine the use of your local research and working with a graphic/product designer that is versed in Asian culture and consumer nature to ensure any important changes are made before shipping.

5. How will I provide my product to the new market?

Success in the new market relies on your presence. The presence can be built through online means in combination with local marketing/advertising efforts which allows you to sell to Asia through an online portal. Alternatively, you have the choice of setting up shop which does require a greater investment but can be great for gaining local support and branding.

6. How will I deliver products to new areas?

Logistics are a choke point for many businesses attempting to reach new markets. It is vital to work with a logistics company that provide a myriad of flexible services, whether it’s freight across oceans, through the air, or distribution centers located in strategic parts of the world to greatly cut down the costs when operating from your original location.

7. What are the current economic/social conditions?

What is currently happening with the country? Are they at peace? At war? Is the local government stable and does the economy allows for foreign competition? Do your homework about the country in question down the finest financial and social detail to avoid the costly mistakes of entering a market that cannot support your presence.

8. Who can act as my partner in this new market?

Networking events or even the simple use of LinkedIn will play a pivotal role in finding potential partners that will aid in your entry. The partners will provide a wealth of knowledge about the marketplace and other important elements such as legalities and local culture. The right selection of a partner is, perhaps, one of your easiest options for laying the groundwork of entering Asia.

9. What legalities should I know about my selection?

It is essential that you understand legalities in both your current location and your selection. Ask yourself whether you meet these legal regulations when exporting and importing your products to and from the locations. Consider the taxes and whether the materials in your products are legal in the country, too.

10. Will a new market actually provide a return on investment?

One you should consider is the amount of capital investment your business will make when entering one of the many Asian markets. Rightly so you should consider what this investment does to your current location. It’s important that you do not stretch your resources too thin (ultimately damaging what has already been form). Keep in mind the financial implications.

Do You Fear A Job or Career Change?

Changing your career path part way through your working life can be thwart with challenges and mixed emotions. We know in life ‘change’ is inevitable, yet most of us don’t embrace it, in fact we’re scared of it and do anything to avoid it. Search results on Google suggest we stay in jobs and careers we don’t like due to the fear of change and that there is likely 80 percent of us doing just that.

Our fear of change has inspired many famous quotes over the years. Here is a quote with quite a few variations – all of them equally summing up why risks are worth taking – including the big ones like a job or career move.

“Fortune favours the bold”, “Fortune favours the brave”, “Fortune helps the brave”, and “Fortune favours the strong” – Wikipedia

The business world is forever changing including its resource needs. By way of an example right now New Zealand has a shortage of skilled engineers, IT specialists, and construction specialists and if you have these skills you have the pick of many jobs in various locations on top dollar packages.

My husband recently went through a career change and after 18 months of intensive study and on the job experience he is now – in demand! Making the move was scary but the potential upside proved worth the effort.

Another way of looking at it may be – if you don’t accept the change and continue in the job or career you don’t like or is clearly on a highway to nowhere – what will be the outcome – and that is probably more risky than proactively accepting change.

Fortune really does favor the brave. New opportunities seem to find a way to those of us who are open to them.

5 Ways To Streamline Your Business

Posted on November 14, 2014 .

Take just a moment to think about how you spend your time at work. Do you work all the time you work? If the answer is yes, then you belong to the 7% destined to a life of wealth and success. But, if you like the remaining 93%, then you struggle to stay on task.

Fortunately, there is a simple and elegant solution: systematize your 5 key business activities. Focus on setting up systems in the area of administration, finance, contact management, marketing, and sales.

Administration

Administrative tasks can be time-consuming. You can spend an excessive amount of time sifting through emails; invoicing; returning phone calls; making a to-do list; organizing your calendar; and so on.

The solution is to keep it all short and simple, and begin training yourself to reduce the time it takes. Focus only on managing messages and organizing tasks by priority. Set everything else you have to do on your task list.

Make a list of all the things you now do and how long it takes. If it takes you an hour, find ways to progressively reduce the time, going from 60 minutes to 45 minutes, then from 45 minutes to 30 minutes, and then, finally, from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

Finances

You may not be thrilled at the idea of spending time figuring out how much money is coming into your business and how much is flowing out. But, if you set things up right, you can minimize the time you spend. You only need accounting software to keep track of revenues and expenditures to keep track of reimbursable expenses. Expense management software from Chrome River includes a common set of dashboards, entry screens, account selections, compliance policies, routing rules and approvals.

Contact Management

Your contact list will lead to more business. You need to surround yourself with people who lift up your spirits, educate you, and help you get referrals or create events. You should do this organically and keep track with either a contact book or software that works like one.

Marketing

The primary difficulty people have with marketing is online information overload. There are so many ways of marketing any business that it becomes a project in itself to research the best ideas. Once again, simplify.

Reflect on what has worked best for you and apply it. For instance, you might notice that cold calling, advertising, and social media marketing have brought in the most leads. Stick with those instead of constantly staying on the lookout for a better way of doing it.

Sales

While marketing will bring in people, sales will persuade them to buy. Make a list of all your best practices and use the ones that have been proven to work. Avoid the time trap of constantly figuring out how to do things better and faster. Find a system that works and stick with it.

Conclusion

Using this 5-step plan, you’ll no longer find yourself distracted or interrupted by irrelevant things that sap your productivity. Instead, you will be highly productive and progressively increase business profits.

FitBit Charge Monitors Physical Activity — and More

Nov 11, 2014 by Joshua Sophy In Technology Trends 2

As an entrepreneur you may be on the go all day. Maybe you commute a lot by car? Maybe you spend a lot of time inactive, sitting behind a desk at a computer?

A new family of smartwatches can tell you something more important than whether you recently got an email or have a social media update. It can measure your heart rate  how to stay healthy in a stressful and sometimes less than health-conscious career.

The Fitbit Charge is more of a wristband than it is a smartwatch but still offers some of the basic functions you might expect from such a device. The display on the Fitbit Charge can show you the time. And the wristband vibrates to alert you to an incoming call when synched with a mobile device.

But what makes this wearable technology really special isn’t its ability to do all the things your average smartwatch can do. It’s the Charge’s function as a fitness and activity tracker that sets it apart.

Fitbit says the device can track steps taken, total distance traveled, and even if you’ve climbed flights of stairs. The Charge also tracks the amount of calories burned based on the activities performed.

Workouts are tracked and available for a statistical breakdown after you’ve finished via the Fitbit dashboard.

And Fitbit Charge doesn’t stop working even if you have for the day. The Charge is also a capable sleep monitoring device. It’s established that sleep is just as vital to health as avoiding a sedentary lifestyle is, even if many normally don’t get enough each night. At least now, the Fitbit Charge can remind you of the need for some shut-eye.

The Fitbit Charge has a motion sensor installed that tracks your activity while you’re sleeping and will confirm in the morning whether you’ve gotten a good or bad night’s sleep.

The battery on the Charge is designed to last up to a full week, so it can operate for longer periods even if you don’t have a chance to charge it.

The device is now available on Fitbit.com for $129.95, and is also available at retailers across the U.S. Fitbit is also planning to release two more smart wrist devices early in 2015.

The Charge HR will have all the features of the current device and include a round-the-clock heart rate monitor. That means it will provide even more fitness and activity data.

Despite the added features, Fitbit says the battery on this new device will last up to five days.  It is expected to retail for $149.95.

In addition, Fitbit is planning to introduce the Surge wearable device early next year, too.

The Surge includes the activity tracking and heart-rate monitoring of the Charge and Charge HR but also includes a built-in GPS device that tracks stats like pace, distance, elevation, split times and workout summaries, the official Fitbit blogexplains.

Fitbit Surge is also more of a smartwatch than the others with its ability to show a Caller ID display, give text alerts and even control your music on another mobile device. All these features boost the price of the Surge up to $249.95.

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