This article contains only 15 tips but I will add more in it...
So, you want a website, but are you ready for one?
Okay, so you have a business, you're gonna need a website, right? The question is, Do you really want to pay for a website designed by a professional? Professionals aren't cheap. They purchase the latest software for web/graphic design, which costs them THOUSANDS of dollars. They learn to deal with uniformed people on a regular basis that say things like, "How did that take 2 hours, my sister says she could have done that in 2 minutes?"
Tip 1:
Get your sister to do your website if you aren't comfortable paying a graphic/web designer $100+/hour. This is what they charge. Anyone doing it for less hasn't been doing it long enough to deliver everything you want and once they figure out that they are undercharging you (and they will), you will be shocked when you go back for edits.
Tip 2:
Sign a contract, know if your designer gives you rights to the native files, know if your designer gets paid even if you decide not to use their design, protect yourself and your designer.
Tip 3:
Trust the expertise of your designer, some of the ugliest designs out there are because the client got too involved.
Tip 4:
Trust the expertise of your designer, unless you know all about computers, the internet, programming, designing, etc., expect that sometimes unexpected things happen with servers, files, programs, downloads, uploads, glitches, errors, you will be charged for it if it isn't the designers fault. When they spend time fixing something of yours, you pay for it, even if it is not directly related to your project. If they have to drive and talk to your printer, if your file is corrupted and they have to ask your previous designer for a new copy, the clock is ticking.
Tip 5:
Remember, this is your designer's job, this is how they eat, feed their families, put gas in their cars. Don't be cheap or not pay on time, they need a paycheck every two weeks, just like you.
Tip 6:
Know what you want, look around at other websites, send a couple links to your designer, this helps them know what you really want, not what you say you want.
Tip 7:
Yes, you want flash on your website, because it is pretty and moving around, expect to pay for it.
Tip 8:
Designers have families and lives, don't call at 9pm on a Friday evening, unless otherwise stated.
Tip 9:
Be realistic. Think about what you need, first. Do the basics. Content drives a site, not a flashy design. Look at Craigslist. Simple, to the point, and very successful.
Tip 10:
Get your content to your designer ASAP. Don't make a designer wait a month to get going on your site because you can't get your act together. Be ready to launch a website, if you are just thinking "yeah, that would be cool to have a website"...wait...wait...wait...and when you are sure of all the details about your business, then call.
Tip 11:
Don't ask a designer to teach you how to do it, they have classes for that, and they cost THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS and a week out of a designer's life.
Tip 12:
NO, A DESIGNER CAN'T GIVE YOU A 20+ PAGE FLAWLESS WEBSITE IN 2 WEEKS that includes Javascript, PHP and Flash! A front page of it, maybe, depending on the complexity. And NO, THEY WILL NOT DO IT FOR $250.
Tip 13:
If you're on a budget buy a consumer web program and learn it, it would be cheaper for you in the short term until you really need a professionally-designed and coded website.
Tip 14:
If you're a company that can, hire a web developer/graphic designer full time, it's more economical for the amount of work you can get out a someone in 8 hours. A designer will work for $15-25/hour at a job if they are given benefits and regular paycheck. Otherwise, they have to pay our own taxes, health insurance and save money like a 401(k). Also, Graphic/Web developers are handy around a technically-challenged office.
Tip 15:
And finally, if you like your designer, they did a good job, they acted professionally, pass out their card to people who need a website. Referrals are greatly appreciated.
Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/15-tips-for-people-who-think-they-want-a-website.html
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mobile Phones and Driving - Safety Tips
When using a mobile phone while driving, safety is the most important call you will make. All drivers can make safety their first priority by following these ten simple steps.
1. Always Use Hands Free
In Australia it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands free in-car-kit or portable hands free device. When using a portable hands free device make sure it is set up and working before you start to drive. A hands free device can reduce the physical effort to make and receive calls; however, it alone doesn’t make using a mobile phone while driving safe.
2. Plan Your Trip and Make Calls When Stationary
Whenever possible plan your trip and make calls when stationary or during rest breaks in long trips.
3. Don’t Call in Heavy Traffic or Weather Conditions
Don’t accept or make calls if traffic and weather conditions could make it unsafe to do so. Also, even if the traffic conditions are light, always tell the person you are speaking to that you’re driving and that you may have to end the call if driving conditions change.
4. Don’t Engage in Complex or Emotional Conversations
If a call becomes complex or emotional tell the person you are speaking to, you are driving and suspend the call. Complex and emotive conversations on a mobile phone, or with other passengers, and driving don’t mix – they are distracting and can be dangerous.
5. Use Message Services to Answer Calls
If a call is unnecessary or you consider it unsafe to answer at the time, don’t answer the call. Let it divert to voicemail or an answering service.
6. Pull Over Safely if You Stop to Make a Call
If you choose to stop to answer or make a call or retrieve a message, pull over carefully in a safe area. Don’t stop where you could be a hazard to other vehicles, pedestrians or yourself.
7. Use Your Phone’s Features to Reduce the Effort to Make a Call
Before using our phone while driving, carefully read your phone’s instruction manual and learn to use the speed dial and redial features of your phone. Also, if possible, use a phone with voice activated dialing and automatic answering features to reduce the effort to make and receive a call.
8. Never Take Notes, Look Up Phone Numbers, Read or Send SMS
Always keep both eyes on the road and never take notes during a call. Don’t read or send text messages or SMS (Short Messaging Service) while driving. If required, use a directory assistance service which connects you directly to the number and don’t look up phone numbers from your phone’s memory.
9. Tell callers you’re driving while on the phone
Always let the person you’re speaking to know that you are driving. This lets them know that you may not always respond immediately and reminds you that driving safely is your first priority. “Hello, I’m in the car at the moment…”
Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/mobile-phones-and-driving--safety-tips.html
1. Always Use Hands Free
In Australia it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands free in-car-kit or portable hands free device. When using a portable hands free device make sure it is set up and working before you start to drive. A hands free device can reduce the physical effort to make and receive calls; however, it alone doesn’t make using a mobile phone while driving safe.
2. Plan Your Trip and Make Calls When Stationary
Whenever possible plan your trip and make calls when stationary or during rest breaks in long trips.
3. Don’t Call in Heavy Traffic or Weather Conditions
Don’t accept or make calls if traffic and weather conditions could make it unsafe to do so. Also, even if the traffic conditions are light, always tell the person you are speaking to that you’re driving and that you may have to end the call if driving conditions change.
4. Don’t Engage in Complex or Emotional Conversations
If a call becomes complex or emotional tell the person you are speaking to, you are driving and suspend the call. Complex and emotive conversations on a mobile phone, or with other passengers, and driving don’t mix – they are distracting and can be dangerous.
5. Use Message Services to Answer Calls
If a call is unnecessary or you consider it unsafe to answer at the time, don’t answer the call. Let it divert to voicemail or an answering service.
6. Pull Over Safely if You Stop to Make a Call
If you choose to stop to answer or make a call or retrieve a message, pull over carefully in a safe area. Don’t stop where you could be a hazard to other vehicles, pedestrians or yourself.
7. Use Your Phone’s Features to Reduce the Effort to Make a Call
Before using our phone while driving, carefully read your phone’s instruction manual and learn to use the speed dial and redial features of your phone. Also, if possible, use a phone with voice activated dialing and automatic answering features to reduce the effort to make and receive a call.
8. Never Take Notes, Look Up Phone Numbers, Read or Send SMS
Always keep both eyes on the road and never take notes during a call. Don’t read or send text messages or SMS (Short Messaging Service) while driving. If required, use a directory assistance service which connects you directly to the number and don’t look up phone numbers from your phone’s memory.
9. Tell callers you’re driving while on the phone
Always let the person you’re speaking to know that you are driving. This lets them know that you may not always respond immediately and reminds you that driving safely is your first priority. “Hello, I’m in the car at the moment…”
Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/mobile-phones-and-driving--safety-tips.html
Tips And Tricks To Improve The Performance of Your Lap Top Battery
The working of a laptop mainly depends on a charger. Life of a laptop battery is affected by many factors. Some of them are given below and we are also telling you the tips that will surely help you a lot.
In every laptop there is an energy saving mode, you should have to take full advantage. By this you can increase or decrease the power. Two power schemes are available on your windows.
One is Laptop power scheme that reduces the use of power and increases the life of the battery. The other one is Maximum power battery scheme that also reduces the power use but the disadvantage of this scheme is, as your processing demands changes it does not adjust by itself.
Maximum battery should only be used in the case of reading documents and if you want to take notes to the meeting. Even according to specific needs, we can customize the power scheme. It is up to us that how many custom power schemes we want to create.
Running very heavy program on your laptop would surely be a harmful thing for its battery. Watching movies daily will put heavy weight on your laptops battery and will decrease its life. But if you have a spare battery then it's OKAY.
The monitor of your system is the biggest consumer of the battery. But I have a solution. First of all find the brightness control and turn it down, it will surely add life to the battery.
People used to think that lap top battery only works less than a year. That's not true but it doesn't mean that it has a long life. You will be impressed by its performance in first year but it's a machine, wear and tear is always a matter of thinking.
Now I am going to discuss, types of a battery
Nickel cadmium Lithium-ion Battery:
Now a days you will mostly find laptops with Lithium ion battery. This cycle provides you with 300-500 charge/discharge cycles. This battery is not friendly with overcharging. If we will try to overcharge it, it sucks. Life of this battery is very badly affected by high temperature. This battery works well for a time period of 2-3 years. After that it will not completely fail but will work rather slow. Charging and discharging habits of a user will not cause as much damage to the battery as caused by exposure to elevated temperature.
Nickel-based Battery:
In this type of battery, before fully charging, it's better to completely discharge it. If it is partially discharged before recharging then the resulting capacity of the battery would be decreased.
Lithium battery has more voltage capacity than Nickel based battery. If your laptop has passed a time of 3 years, it is better to use Nickel based battery.
I hope the above information will surely help you in selecting the right kind of battery for your laptop. Enjoy computing, have a nice time.
In every laptop there is an energy saving mode, you should have to take full advantage. By this you can increase or decrease the power. Two power schemes are available on your windows.
One is Laptop power scheme that reduces the use of power and increases the life of the battery. The other one is Maximum power battery scheme that also reduces the power use but the disadvantage of this scheme is, as your processing demands changes it does not adjust by itself.
Maximum battery should only be used in the case of reading documents and if you want to take notes to the meeting. Even according to specific needs, we can customize the power scheme. It is up to us that how many custom power schemes we want to create.
Running very heavy program on your laptop would surely be a harmful thing for its battery. Watching movies daily will put heavy weight on your laptops battery and will decrease its life. But if you have a spare battery then it's OKAY.
The monitor of your system is the biggest consumer of the battery. But I have a solution. First of all find the brightness control and turn it down, it will surely add life to the battery.
People used to think that lap top battery only works less than a year. That's not true but it doesn't mean that it has a long life. You will be impressed by its performance in first year but it's a machine, wear and tear is always a matter of thinking.
Now I am going to discuss, types of a battery
Nickel cadmium Lithium-ion Battery:
Now a days you will mostly find laptops with Lithium ion battery. This cycle provides you with 300-500 charge/discharge cycles. This battery is not friendly with overcharging. If we will try to overcharge it, it sucks. Life of this battery is very badly affected by high temperature. This battery works well for a time period of 2-3 years. After that it will not completely fail but will work rather slow. Charging and discharging habits of a user will not cause as much damage to the battery as caused by exposure to elevated temperature.
Nickel-based Battery:
In this type of battery, before fully charging, it's better to completely discharge it. If it is partially discharged before recharging then the resulting capacity of the battery would be decreased.
Lithium battery has more voltage capacity than Nickel based battery. If your laptop has passed a time of 3 years, it is better to use Nickel based battery.
I hope the above information will surely help you in selecting the right kind of battery for your laptop. Enjoy computing, have a nice time.
How to get the price you want!
Knowing how to haggle has become a lost art. To our grandparent's generation, it was a way of life. To us, it has all but disappeared. With prices soaring out of control every year, maybe it's an art form that needs to go mainstream again.
Do your research
You can't bargain for a good deal if you don't know what one is when you see it. Before you ever begin shopping and trying to work out bargains, start at home with the internet and the local newspaper.
Decide on the specifications of the product you want. What's important to you? What must the new product have that you need? Now, start looking for the best price. Search the internet and local sales papers. Once you have your facts, hit the stores and start bargaining.
Timing is everything
The best time to find bargains is at the end of every month. Sales and store managers have quotas that they must meet every month. If they haven't met their quota for the month, they'll be quite happy to bargain with you.
Use discretion
The manager might be willing to make a deal with you, but not necessarily everyone else in the store. Keep your haggling quiet. If the other nearby shoppers hear you getting a deal, they'll bombard the manager with requests for their own discounts and the manager definitely doesn't want that to happen
Know when to be quiet
Silence lets the retailer know that you are undecided and "on the fence". Silence is often the key to getting a better price or another product or service thrown in for free.
Realize that all big ticket items are negotiable
The markup on big ticket items is huge. In other words, there's a lot of room for the retailer to deal and still come away with a profit. How much profit is up to you. Find the right person to ask, usually the manager, and then have to courage to ask for the deal. Most of the time, the manager is willing to bargain.
Don't look at haggling from a negative point. By learning how to haggle and looking at from the point of being a challenge, you can not only save money but have a good time doing it.
Original Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/how-to-haggle-and-get-the-price-you-want.html
Do your research
You can't bargain for a good deal if you don't know what one is when you see it. Before you ever begin shopping and trying to work out bargains, start at home with the internet and the local newspaper.
Decide on the specifications of the product you want. What's important to you? What must the new product have that you need? Now, start looking for the best price. Search the internet and local sales papers. Once you have your facts, hit the stores and start bargaining.
Timing is everything
The best time to find bargains is at the end of every month. Sales and store managers have quotas that they must meet every month. If they haven't met their quota for the month, they'll be quite happy to bargain with you.
Use discretion
The manager might be willing to make a deal with you, but not necessarily everyone else in the store. Keep your haggling quiet. If the other nearby shoppers hear you getting a deal, they'll bombard the manager with requests for their own discounts and the manager definitely doesn't want that to happen
Know when to be quiet
Silence lets the retailer know that you are undecided and "on the fence". Silence is often the key to getting a better price or another product or service thrown in for free.
Realize that all big ticket items are negotiable
The markup on big ticket items is huge. In other words, there's a lot of room for the retailer to deal and still come away with a profit. How much profit is up to you. Find the right person to ask, usually the manager, and then have to courage to ask for the deal. Most of the time, the manager is willing to bargain.
Don't look at haggling from a negative point. By learning how to haggle and looking at from the point of being a challenge, you can not only save money but have a good time doing it.
Original Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/how-to-haggle-and-get-the-price-you-want.html
Tire Safety - How To Avoid Becoming a Statisic
Not following basic tire safety practices is responsible for 600 deaths and 33,000 injuries every year according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Would you like to know the #1 safety practice that is ignored and responsible for these statistics? Keep reading.
Believe it or not, underinflated tires is the cause of the shocking statistics listed above. Hard to believe, but it's true. By ensuring proper air amounts in your tires you not only stay safe, but you increase the fuel efficiency in your vehicle. Here are 5 tire safety tips to keep you safe.
1. Check your tires on a regular basis
Look for bulges in the sidewall or tread, cracks, and cuts.
2. Pay attention to uneven tread wear
Uneven wear on your tires means your tires are out of alignment or your suspension system may need adjustments.
3. Check the tread depth
For good handling and traction, the tread on your tires cannot be worn too low. To check for the proper depth, use a quarter. When you insert a quarter into the tread of your tires, it should come to Washington's head -- less means your tread is too worn.
4. Check your air pressure monthly
To do this properly, you should check the pressure when your tires are cold (before you drive anywhere). To know how much pressure should be in each tire, check the label on the door jamb, or in your glove compartment. It will tell you the proper level or pressure for the tires for your model of vehicle.
5. Notice vibration
If you feel vibration as you are driving your car, it could mean that you have a wheel out of alignment, or it could be signs of internal tire damage.
Keep a list of these tire safety tips handy so you can remember to follow them. By ensuring your tires are properly inflated and in good condition, you can keep yourself or one of your loved ones from becoming a statistic on America's highways.
Original Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/tire-safety--how-to-avoid-becoming-a-statisic.html
Believe it or not, underinflated tires is the cause of the shocking statistics listed above. Hard to believe, but it's true. By ensuring proper air amounts in your tires you not only stay safe, but you increase the fuel efficiency in your vehicle. Here are 5 tire safety tips to keep you safe.
1. Check your tires on a regular basis
Look for bulges in the sidewall or tread, cracks, and cuts.
2. Pay attention to uneven tread wear
Uneven wear on your tires means your tires are out of alignment or your suspension system may need adjustments.
3. Check the tread depth
For good handling and traction, the tread on your tires cannot be worn too low. To check for the proper depth, use a quarter. When you insert a quarter into the tread of your tires, it should come to Washington's head -- less means your tread is too worn.
4. Check your air pressure monthly
To do this properly, you should check the pressure when your tires are cold (before you drive anywhere). To know how much pressure should be in each tire, check the label on the door jamb, or in your glove compartment. It will tell you the proper level or pressure for the tires for your model of vehicle.
5. Notice vibration
If you feel vibration as you are driving your car, it could mean that you have a wheel out of alignment, or it could be signs of internal tire damage.
Keep a list of these tire safety tips handy so you can remember to follow them. By ensuring your tires are properly inflated and in good condition, you can keep yourself or one of your loved ones from becoming a statistic on America's highways.
Original Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/tire-safety--how-to-avoid-becoming-a-statisic.html
Dont Let money come between friends...
Although borrowing money is usually done with the best intentions, lending money to friends can leave you without your money and possibly without your relationship.
Loaning money is almost always a bad idea, but with so many people losing their jobs, homes, and savings it’s a real possibility that you may find yourself seriously considering helping a friend in financial trouble when they ask that dreaded question: “Can I borrow some money?”
Before agreeing to a loan, try opening the lines of communication to understand their situation. It may be that your friend would be better off working with a reputable budget counseling organization. And sometimes, even though it’s difficult, saying “no” is often the best thing you can do for someone.
If you are considering lending money to a friend, the experts at Consumer Credit Counseling Services, a division of Money Management International, offer the following advice.
• Don’t put yourself in a tight spot. Only loan money you can afford to lend and make sure you’re still allowing extra cash flow for yourself. List all necessary living expenses and make sure those items have been paid prior to agreeing to lend money. Ensuring that your obligations are met before making a loan will guarantee that you don’t end up in a similar situation.
• Put it in writing. If you choose to lend someone money, treat the loan like you would any other business matter. Discuss the terms of the agreement and put the details in writing. Be sure to list both parties involved, the interest rate, due dates, payment amounts, and penalty for late or missed payments. Also, be sure to keep a thorough record of all payments made.
• Know your place. Do not assume a position of power by expecting special treatment from the borrower. Also, once the money has been lent, don’t try to control how it is spent. Being too authoritative could damage your friendship.
• Prepare for the worst. Make sure you are comfortable with collecting the money owed to you. Document the date and time of any letters or phone calls sent to collect on your loan and be sure to make note of all the responses to your attempts. Your records may be necessary if you plan to take the matter to court, or if you plan to write the debt off as non-business bad debt on your next tax return.
If you still aren’t sure whether or not you should extend a loan, remember this famous quote from Shakespeare: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend.” Also, remember that banks charge interest rates for a reason -- lending can be a very risky business.
Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/dont-let-money-come-between-friends.html
Loaning money is almost always a bad idea, but with so many people losing their jobs, homes, and savings it’s a real possibility that you may find yourself seriously considering helping a friend in financial trouble when they ask that dreaded question: “Can I borrow some money?”
Before agreeing to a loan, try opening the lines of communication to understand their situation. It may be that your friend would be better off working with a reputable budget counseling organization. And sometimes, even though it’s difficult, saying “no” is often the best thing you can do for someone.
If you are considering lending money to a friend, the experts at Consumer Credit Counseling Services, a division of Money Management International, offer the following advice.
• Don’t put yourself in a tight spot. Only loan money you can afford to lend and make sure you’re still allowing extra cash flow for yourself. List all necessary living expenses and make sure those items have been paid prior to agreeing to lend money. Ensuring that your obligations are met before making a loan will guarantee that you don’t end up in a similar situation.
• Put it in writing. If you choose to lend someone money, treat the loan like you would any other business matter. Discuss the terms of the agreement and put the details in writing. Be sure to list both parties involved, the interest rate, due dates, payment amounts, and penalty for late or missed payments. Also, be sure to keep a thorough record of all payments made.
• Know your place. Do not assume a position of power by expecting special treatment from the borrower. Also, once the money has been lent, don’t try to control how it is spent. Being too authoritative could damage your friendship.
• Prepare for the worst. Make sure you are comfortable with collecting the money owed to you. Document the date and time of any letters or phone calls sent to collect on your loan and be sure to make note of all the responses to your attempts. Your records may be necessary if you plan to take the matter to court, or if you plan to write the debt off as non-business bad debt on your next tax return.
If you still aren’t sure whether or not you should extend a loan, remember this famous quote from Shakespeare: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend.” Also, remember that banks charge interest rates for a reason -- lending can be a very risky business.
Source: http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/dont-let-money-come-between-friends.html
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Safe Internet Browsing Tips
The Internet has some pretty dark and scary back corners, and sometimes malicious software can pop up where you least expect it. No one can guarantee that you'll be 100% safe, but if you follow these tips and suggestions, you will definitely be safer, and able to browse with a bit more peace of mind.
* Use an outbound traffic analyzer to be notified when an application begins emitting new or unexpected traffic.
* Manually control web cookies while web browsing. The procedure for enabling this setting is different for each World Wide Web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, etc.). In order to enable this setting in Firefox click on "Tools", then "Options", choose the "Privacy" tab at the top then check the boxes "Accept cookies from sites" and "Accept third-party cookies". In the drop down menu below those boxes select "Keep Until: Ask me every time". After setting this option you will be presented with a choice whether to accept or deny cookies for most of the websites you visit. If you deny cookies related to the website you are attempting to visit then the website may not function as intended. Generally, most third party cookies are safe to "deny", but not always.
* Always keep anti-virus software definitions up to date. Upon installation, most antivirus software will ask you if you want definitions updated automatically. It will also be presented as an option within the software itself. Often your ISP (Internet Service Provider) will provide anti-virus software to you at no cost, so check their documentation for more information.
* Practice "defense-in-depth" by installing more than one anti-virus and/or anti-spyware/malware application. Contrary to popular belief, anti-virus vendors often have widely variable delays before a particular signature gets into their database. While they may be effectively the same 30 days after a piece of malware is released, you are most vulnerable in the hours immediately after release, a time at which having multiple anti-virus applications may save you from infection.
* Use a firewall. Firewalls come in many shapes and sizes with varying degrees of functionality and protection. Firewalls can be hardware or software based.
* Remember that everyone on the Internet is exposed to online criminals. Sources of both commercial and free software are targets for hacking, and care should be exercised when downloading and installing Internet-based software.
* Follow Microsoft's best practices for updating various Windows operating systems.
* Never blindly accept a security dialog or execute an unexpected file, even if it comes from a web site that you visit often. Even the largest web sites can be compromised to include malware downloads and other security risks. Always carefully read and evaluate the provided text before making a decision. When in doubt - deny or cancel.
* Use an outbound traffic analyzer to be notified when an application begins emitting new or unexpected traffic.
* Manually control web cookies while web browsing. The procedure for enabling this setting is different for each World Wide Web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, etc.). In order to enable this setting in Firefox click on "Tools", then "Options", choose the "Privacy" tab at the top then check the boxes "Accept cookies from sites" and "Accept third-party cookies". In the drop down menu below those boxes select "Keep Until: Ask me every time". After setting this option you will be presented with a choice whether to accept or deny cookies for most of the websites you visit. If you deny cookies related to the website you are attempting to visit then the website may not function as intended. Generally, most third party cookies are safe to "deny", but not always.
* Always keep anti-virus software definitions up to date. Upon installation, most antivirus software will ask you if you want definitions updated automatically. It will also be presented as an option within the software itself. Often your ISP (Internet Service Provider) will provide anti-virus software to you at no cost, so check their documentation for more information.
* Practice "defense-in-depth" by installing more than one anti-virus and/or anti-spyware/malware application. Contrary to popular belief, anti-virus vendors often have widely variable delays before a particular signature gets into their database. While they may be effectively the same 30 days after a piece of malware is released, you are most vulnerable in the hours immediately after release, a time at which having multiple anti-virus applications may save you from infection.
* Use a firewall. Firewalls come in many shapes and sizes with varying degrees of functionality and protection. Firewalls can be hardware or software based.
* Remember that everyone on the Internet is exposed to online criminals. Sources of both commercial and free software are targets for hacking, and care should be exercised when downloading and installing Internet-based software.
* Follow Microsoft's best practices for updating various Windows operating systems.
* Never blindly accept a security dialog or execute an unexpected file, even if it comes from a web site that you visit often. Even the largest web sites can be compromised to include malware downloads and other security risks. Always carefully read and evaluate the provided text before making a decision. When in doubt - deny or cancel.
Beat Life's Biggest Little Stressors
Beat Life's Biggest Little Stressors
Feel better fast by squelching these nuisances before they gang up on you.
By Mike Zimmerman, Men's Health
Source: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/mental-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100244527&Gt1=31036
Maybe your right eye starts twitching when you glimpse your disappearing 'do in the mirror. Or perhaps you fling sofa pillows across the room every time your team blows yet another 20-point lead. This isn't mere annoyance rearing its head—it's bona fide stress, and proof that real anxiety can spring from far more than relationship angst, finances, and work. "These are the little things that men never think about, but should," says Glenn Good, Ph.D., a psychologist specializing in male gender issues at the University of Missouri. "They can be chronic and ugly, and seriously compromise your health as they stack up." Indeed, stressed-out people are 54 percent more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes, a 2008 British study found. And a Swedish study from the same year suggests that stress can double a man's chance of developing diabetes.
We polled more than 1,500 men to find out which stressors lurk in the backgrounds of their lives. Who knew that something as mundane as sharing a checkbook can cause so much tension? Or that simply finding time to exercise can seriously strain your mental muscles? You need a smart strategy to battle these nuisances. Use our tips, provided by experts who sweat the small stuff, so you can focus your energy on what really matters—the rest of your life.
Big little stressor No. 1: Insecurity
Not surprisingly, paying bills, managing debt and sticking to a budget scored highest of all the stressors in our survey. But guess what? It's not about the money, says Thomas Miller, Ph.D., a University of Kentucky psychologist and the author of Handbook of Stressful Life Transitions Across the Lifespan. "Much financial stress actually has to do with uncertainty—about your money situation, yes, but that really means your job. Not knowing specifics about where you stand eats at you like acid."
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Defuse it: Go on a fact-finding mission, Miller says. Demand answers to those elephant-in-the-room questions at work. Ask your boss how you fit into the company's plans, or what you can do to make yourself more valuable. If he pauses or doesn't appear truthful, push him with "Can you be more specific?" or even "So do you think I should be concerned?" "The more answers you're given about your situation, the more clarity you'll have—and clarity equals control," Miller says.
Bonus tip: Worried about your job? Relieve your stress by using these 6 tricks to prevent being laid off.
Big little stressor No. 2: Hair loss
More than half the men in our poll felt stressed about their images, and many specified hair loss as the mane, er, main culprit. They're not alone: A 2005 Mayo Clinic Proceedings review cites multiple studies showing that male pattern baldness negatively affects men's feelings of attractiveness and body image. "For those guys who are feeling judged by their hair loss, the stress is very real," Good says.
Defuse it: Reframe the problem as a medical issue, Good suggests. Treating hair loss with transplants costs $4,500 on average, while drug treatments can cost as much as $60 a month, for decades. Then run the numbers and decide if the expense is truly worth it to you, Good says. If it is, then go for it. But if you think you can deal with it as a mere medical inconvenience, you'll be more easily able to snuff out this stressor.
Bonus tip: Find out which hair-loss treatments work best—and which you shouldn't waste your money on—here.
Big little stressor No. 3: Exercise
How's this for a bitter irony: Exercise is a well-known stress buster, yet nearly a third of the men in our poll rated sticking to an exercise program a 7 or higher on a 10-point stress scale. First, you stress about missing a workout or not exercising at all. Second, as you attempt to carve out time to exercise, your stress skyrockets as you cram in all the other things you need to accomplish that day. "That struggle may affect how and what you're eating," Miller says, "and now your food intake becomes a stressor."
Defuse it: Miller suggests portion control—for your workout schedule. Shrink your exercise "portions" by boosting intensity: Turn your cardio routine into a shorter interval workout that alternates sprints with your normal pace. (You'll also boost fat-burning this way.) If you're lifting weights, cut your between-set rest in half—go from a minute to 30 seconds between each of 12 sets, and you'll save six minutes. Then look for ways to condense other activities: showering, cooking, surfing the Web, and so forth. You have the time. You simply have to own it.
Bonus tip: Always have a workout on hand with the upgraded Men's Health iPhone app. It's like having your own personal trainer, 24/7, wherever you go.
Big little stressor No. 4: Co-managing the cash
Financial stress can be much worse for men when they're in a relationship, because a man's view of the situation is often different from a woman's. "Sometimes the views are diametrically opposed," says Jay Zagorsky, Ph.D., an Ohio State University economist. His research, published in the Journal of Socio-Economics, found that men tended to report much higher values for assets, such as a home or car, while women inflated debt totals. (Estimates of income and net worth varied, too.) This also shows that couples often don't know how much money they have, or won't talk about money honestly, Good says. "They refuse to address it because it's awkward or embarrassing or there's so much baggage that they don't want to bring it up," he says. Stress builds until the two of you collide over something like spending habits or large purchases. Then it explodes.
Defuse it: Take 15 minutes over a weekend breakfast to write down your estimated assets, debts and net worth, Good suggests. Do this separately, and then compare your numbers with recent statements. If you share long-term financial goals and understand that you also share the day-to-day responsibility to work toward them, then the obvious imbalances in spending—you spend $50 more each month on coffee than she does, for instance—become easier to renegotiate. A sense of mutual fairness allows your stress level to drop, Good says.
Bonus tip: Your relationship isn't the only thing that causes anxiety about money. Here's how to solve your six biggest money worries.
Big little stressor No. 5: Your team
One in four men in our poll rated watching their team lose a 7 or higher on the stress scale. Research shows that the deeper our dedication to a team or a player, the more likely we are to transform emotional reactions into hostility—and that anger takes a toll on your health big time. You rip open the sofa pillow, your day turns sour and friends and family hide. Miller, who's also a sports psychologist, knows the feeling: He's a Cincinnati Reds fan.
Defuse it: Find an online forum that discusses your favorite team, and dump your bile there. A University of Mississippi study found that fans posting on online message boards after their team lost a championship game posted "aggressive" comments, but the researchers argue that virtual venting may be a good thing. "Blogs and forums offer a place for socially acceptable displays of aggression," writes Brad Schultz, Ph.D., the study's lead author. "The language may be rough and the attitudes tough, but the losers can commiserate, and no one is hurt physically. Above all, it gives fans a place to go and share their experiences and look for understanding with other like-minded individuals."
Bonus tip: Stress can strike when you're playing sports, too. Here's how to de-stress your day—including that moment when you're standing over a putt.
Big little stressor No. 6: Morons
One guy summed up the problem in two words: "stupid people." Simply living your life means dealing with inconsiderate people, crappy service and the general cloggers of society's arteries. Remember, Miller says, you can't influence them: "You see that these people aren't making the best decisions and think you can do better. As a result, you feel less in control, and that's a serious hidden stressor."
Defuse it: Don't become embroiled in the morons' messes. "I experience their nonsense every single day," says business consultant Larry Winget, host of A&E's Big Spender and the author of People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It. "Two things tend to bring me comfort. First, knowing that sometimes I'm an idiot, too. I also remind myself of a quote I heard many years ago: 'When you give someone a piece of your mind, you've given up your peace of mind.' If you try to influence them, you give them control over you. I've driven myself crazy trying to fix people I know cannot be fixed, and don't want to be fixed. Now, I refuse to do that. It's more fun if I just find them entertaining."
Feel better fast by squelching these nuisances before they gang up on you.
By Mike Zimmerman, Men's Health
Source: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/mental-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100244527&Gt1=31036
Maybe your right eye starts twitching when you glimpse your disappearing 'do in the mirror. Or perhaps you fling sofa pillows across the room every time your team blows yet another 20-point lead. This isn't mere annoyance rearing its head—it's bona fide stress, and proof that real anxiety can spring from far more than relationship angst, finances, and work. "These are the little things that men never think about, but should," says Glenn Good, Ph.D., a psychologist specializing in male gender issues at the University of Missouri. "They can be chronic and ugly, and seriously compromise your health as they stack up." Indeed, stressed-out people are 54 percent more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes, a 2008 British study found. And a Swedish study from the same year suggests that stress can double a man's chance of developing diabetes.
We polled more than 1,500 men to find out which stressors lurk in the backgrounds of their lives. Who knew that something as mundane as sharing a checkbook can cause so much tension? Or that simply finding time to exercise can seriously strain your mental muscles? You need a smart strategy to battle these nuisances. Use our tips, provided by experts who sweat the small stuff, so you can focus your energy on what really matters—the rest of your life.
Big little stressor No. 1: Insecurity
Not surprisingly, paying bills, managing debt and sticking to a budget scored highest of all the stressors in our survey. But guess what? It's not about the money, says Thomas Miller, Ph.D., a University of Kentucky psychologist and the author of Handbook of Stressful Life Transitions Across the Lifespan. "Much financial stress actually has to do with uncertainty—about your money situation, yes, but that really means your job. Not knowing specifics about where you stand eats at you like acid."
Bing Search: Men's Health
View results for: Eating Right Workouts Sexual Health
Defuse it: Go on a fact-finding mission, Miller says. Demand answers to those elephant-in-the-room questions at work. Ask your boss how you fit into the company's plans, or what you can do to make yourself more valuable. If he pauses or doesn't appear truthful, push him with "Can you be more specific?" or even "So do you think I should be concerned?" "The more answers you're given about your situation, the more clarity you'll have—and clarity equals control," Miller says.
Bonus tip: Worried about your job? Relieve your stress by using these 6 tricks to prevent being laid off.
Big little stressor No. 2: Hair loss
More than half the men in our poll felt stressed about their images, and many specified hair loss as the mane, er, main culprit. They're not alone: A 2005 Mayo Clinic Proceedings review cites multiple studies showing that male pattern baldness negatively affects men's feelings of attractiveness and body image. "For those guys who are feeling judged by their hair loss, the stress is very real," Good says.
Defuse it: Reframe the problem as a medical issue, Good suggests. Treating hair loss with transplants costs $4,500 on average, while drug treatments can cost as much as $60 a month, for decades. Then run the numbers and decide if the expense is truly worth it to you, Good says. If it is, then go for it. But if you think you can deal with it as a mere medical inconvenience, you'll be more easily able to snuff out this stressor.
Bonus tip: Find out which hair-loss treatments work best—and which you shouldn't waste your money on—here.
Big little stressor No. 3: Exercise
How's this for a bitter irony: Exercise is a well-known stress buster, yet nearly a third of the men in our poll rated sticking to an exercise program a 7 or higher on a 10-point stress scale. First, you stress about missing a workout or not exercising at all. Second, as you attempt to carve out time to exercise, your stress skyrockets as you cram in all the other things you need to accomplish that day. "That struggle may affect how and what you're eating," Miller says, "and now your food intake becomes a stressor."
Defuse it: Miller suggests portion control—for your workout schedule. Shrink your exercise "portions" by boosting intensity: Turn your cardio routine into a shorter interval workout that alternates sprints with your normal pace. (You'll also boost fat-burning this way.) If you're lifting weights, cut your between-set rest in half—go from a minute to 30 seconds between each of 12 sets, and you'll save six minutes. Then look for ways to condense other activities: showering, cooking, surfing the Web, and so forth. You have the time. You simply have to own it.
Bonus tip: Always have a workout on hand with the upgraded Men's Health iPhone app. It's like having your own personal trainer, 24/7, wherever you go.
Big little stressor No. 4: Co-managing the cash
Financial stress can be much worse for men when they're in a relationship, because a man's view of the situation is often different from a woman's. "Sometimes the views are diametrically opposed," says Jay Zagorsky, Ph.D., an Ohio State University economist. His research, published in the Journal of Socio-Economics, found that men tended to report much higher values for assets, such as a home or car, while women inflated debt totals. (Estimates of income and net worth varied, too.) This also shows that couples often don't know how much money they have, or won't talk about money honestly, Good says. "They refuse to address it because it's awkward or embarrassing or there's so much baggage that they don't want to bring it up," he says. Stress builds until the two of you collide over something like spending habits or large purchases. Then it explodes.
Defuse it: Take 15 minutes over a weekend breakfast to write down your estimated assets, debts and net worth, Good suggests. Do this separately, and then compare your numbers with recent statements. If you share long-term financial goals and understand that you also share the day-to-day responsibility to work toward them, then the obvious imbalances in spending—you spend $50 more each month on coffee than she does, for instance—become easier to renegotiate. A sense of mutual fairness allows your stress level to drop, Good says.
Bonus tip: Your relationship isn't the only thing that causes anxiety about money. Here's how to solve your six biggest money worries.
Big little stressor No. 5: Your team
One in four men in our poll rated watching their team lose a 7 or higher on the stress scale. Research shows that the deeper our dedication to a team or a player, the more likely we are to transform emotional reactions into hostility—and that anger takes a toll on your health big time. You rip open the sofa pillow, your day turns sour and friends and family hide. Miller, who's also a sports psychologist, knows the feeling: He's a Cincinnati Reds fan.
Defuse it: Find an online forum that discusses your favorite team, and dump your bile there. A University of Mississippi study found that fans posting on online message boards after their team lost a championship game posted "aggressive" comments, but the researchers argue that virtual venting may be a good thing. "Blogs and forums offer a place for socially acceptable displays of aggression," writes Brad Schultz, Ph.D., the study's lead author. "The language may be rough and the attitudes tough, but the losers can commiserate, and no one is hurt physically. Above all, it gives fans a place to go and share their experiences and look for understanding with other like-minded individuals."
Bonus tip: Stress can strike when you're playing sports, too. Here's how to de-stress your day—including that moment when you're standing over a putt.
Big little stressor No. 6: Morons
One guy summed up the problem in two words: "stupid people." Simply living your life means dealing with inconsiderate people, crappy service and the general cloggers of society's arteries. Remember, Miller says, you can't influence them: "You see that these people aren't making the best decisions and think you can do better. As a result, you feel less in control, and that's a serious hidden stressor."
Defuse it: Don't become embroiled in the morons' messes. "I experience their nonsense every single day," says business consultant Larry Winget, host of A&E's Big Spender and the author of People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It. "Two things tend to bring me comfort. First, knowing that sometimes I'm an idiot, too. I also remind myself of a quote I heard many years ago: 'When you give someone a piece of your mind, you've given up your peace of mind.' If you try to influence them, you give them control over you. I've driven myself crazy trying to fix people I know cannot be fixed, and don't want to be fixed. Now, I refuse to do that. It's more fun if I just find them entertaining."
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
In 2 years, 2 billion will get swine flu- WHO
In 2 years, 2 billion will get swine flu- WHO
Kounteya Sinha, TNN
NEW DELHI- Two billion - that's the number of people that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated will get infected with the deadly H1N1 influenza virus in the next two years. Earlier pandemics have infected one-third of the world's population. But this virus is especially dangerous.
Why? Because it is brand new, one nobody has seen before. And this means that everyone on this planet is immunologically vulnerable. The threat is clear from the way the virus has spread till now. Over 160 countries have already confirmed over 130,000 cases, with the virus spreading as much in less than six weeks as past pandemic flu viruses spread in more than six months.
WHO has already designated this as the "planet's fastest-moving pandemic". In most countries, those mostly infected belong to the age group of 12 to 17 years. However, persons requiring hospitalization and patients with fatal illness have been found to be slightly older. Almost 800 people have died from it in the past four months - more than what the H5N1 bird flu strain has killed in six years.
India is now worried and says it's just a matter of time before the country starts to see large scale community clusters of the virus.
According to Randeep Guleria, professor of medicine at AIIMS, who has also helped prepare India's treatment protocol, weather conditions like the end of monsoon and the winter months will be perfect for the H1N1 virus to thrive. "The current strain of H1N1 has high transmissibility rate which the H5N1 bird flu virus did not. Overcrowding in India will see the H1N1 virus spread very fast in the community in the post-monsoon months. And since it is a new virus, there is no herd immunity against it," Dr Guleria said.
An internal government estimate says that 3-5 million people will be required to be vaccinated soon after the full-fledged pandemic hits India.
"This would include health workers, police, customs and emergency relief workers - those who will work towards containing the pandemic. Then will be the high risk groups - the aged and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, obesity and cardio-vascular disease," a health ministry official said. Globally, experts have reported five isolated cases of the H1N1 virus showing resistance to Tamiflu, the anti-viral of choice. But no changes to the virus' behaviour have been detected for now.
"But how it could potentially change and whether it mutates to become worse over the coming weeks is still unknown," WHO's spokesperson Gregory Hartl said.
Health officials in India are trying to determine which groups are most likely to get severely ill so measures to best protect them can be taken. A crucial meeting is scheduled next week to finalise the priority list. Drug makers in India have also started working on a vaccine to fight the scourge.
The Drug Controller General has given licence to three vaccine manufacturers to import WHO released seed strains for producing the H1N1 vaccine. "Serum Institute, Panacea and Bharat Biotech are the three companies working in India to make a vaccine against H1N1," NICD director Dr Shiv Lal said. WHO is, meanwhile, supporting three other companies in three countries - India, Thailand and Indonesia - to make an H1N1 vaccine.
Kounteya Sinha, TNN
NEW DELHI- Two billion - that's the number of people that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated will get infected with the deadly H1N1 influenza virus in the next two years. Earlier pandemics have infected one-third of the world's population. But this virus is especially dangerous.
Why? Because it is brand new, one nobody has seen before. And this means that everyone on this planet is immunologically vulnerable. The threat is clear from the way the virus has spread till now. Over 160 countries have already confirmed over 130,000 cases, with the virus spreading as much in less than six weeks as past pandemic flu viruses spread in more than six months.
WHO has already designated this as the "planet's fastest-moving pandemic". In most countries, those mostly infected belong to the age group of 12 to 17 years. However, persons requiring hospitalization and patients with fatal illness have been found to be slightly older. Almost 800 people have died from it in the past four months - more than what the H5N1 bird flu strain has killed in six years.
India is now worried and says it's just a matter of time before the country starts to see large scale community clusters of the virus.
According to Randeep Guleria, professor of medicine at AIIMS, who has also helped prepare India's treatment protocol, weather conditions like the end of monsoon and the winter months will be perfect for the H1N1 virus to thrive. "The current strain of H1N1 has high transmissibility rate which the H5N1 bird flu virus did not. Overcrowding in India will see the H1N1 virus spread very fast in the community in the post-monsoon months. And since it is a new virus, there is no herd immunity against it," Dr Guleria said.
An internal government estimate says that 3-5 million people will be required to be vaccinated soon after the full-fledged pandemic hits India.
"This would include health workers, police, customs and emergency relief workers - those who will work towards containing the pandemic. Then will be the high risk groups - the aged and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, obesity and cardio-vascular disease," a health ministry official said. Globally, experts have reported five isolated cases of the H1N1 virus showing resistance to Tamiflu, the anti-viral of choice. But no changes to the virus' behaviour have been detected for now.
"But how it could potentially change and whether it mutates to become worse over the coming weeks is still unknown," WHO's spokesperson Gregory Hartl said.
Health officials in India are trying to determine which groups are most likely to get severely ill so measures to best protect them can be taken. A crucial meeting is scheduled next week to finalise the priority list. Drug makers in India have also started working on a vaccine to fight the scourge.
The Drug Controller General has given licence to three vaccine manufacturers to import WHO released seed strains for producing the H1N1 vaccine. "Serum Institute, Panacea and Bharat Biotech are the three companies working in India to make a vaccine against H1N1," NICD director Dr Shiv Lal said. WHO is, meanwhile, supporting three other companies in three countries - India, Thailand and Indonesia - to make an H1N1 vaccine.
Hackers turn attention to ATMs
Experts urge banks to re-examine the security of their back-end infrastructure
Phil Muncaster
V3.co.uk, 07 Sep 2009
Original Source: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2249021/hackers-turn-attention-atms
A new report into ATM crime from European security agency Enisa released today sheds worrying new light on the scale of threats facing banks on the high street.
While the rise in attacks on internet banking systems is well documented, the ATM Crime (PDF) research points to a 149 per cent rise in ATM attacks last year, including 10,302 so-called 'skimming' incidents.
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Skimming involves the use of tiny spy cameras, false PIN overlays and even entire fake machines, often using Bluetooth wireless technology to transmit card and PIN details to a nearby laptop.
More worryingly, hackers are increasingly looking to launch attacks on the networks used by banks to connect ATMs with back-office systems, or on the operating systems and hardware used to run ATMs, in order to install software that collects customer PIN data.
Another tactic revealed by Enisa involves criminals hacking into bank systems to obtain card numbers from ATM databases.
"The thieves collect card numbers and, if necessary, alter the PIN for the cards they are planning to use. The thieves then sell the cards and their data to other thieves," the report said.
"Those thieves create ATM cards using the stolen information, and use the cards to withdraw cash from the accounts. The original thieves usually receive a percentage of the proceeds."
Enisa executive director Andrea Pirotti hopes that the report will go some way to raising awareness of the growing problem of ATM crime.
"ATM crime is likely to become even more attractive as the latest generation of ATMs is designed to dispense other services and products, such as phone top-ups and stamps," he said.
William Beer, head of the OneSecurity team at consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers, argued that financial institutions need to wake up to the fact their ATM systems are now more easy for criminals to hack.
"Once upon a time they were running proprietary hardware and using operating systems and network protocols that were definitely not off-the-shelf, and these were difficult for the common criminal to replicate," he said.
"The fact that they've now moved to off-the-shelf hardware, standard operating systems and open network protocols makes the end game easier for the criminals – there needs to be a clearer recognition that these systems are vulnerable."
He added that banks need to be aware that such attacks, along with those launched on their internet channels, will seriously impact consumer confidence.
But there is also an opportunity for those who address these issues to differentiate by offering secure services, as long as they get their messaging right, he explained.
Phil Muncaster
V3.co.uk, 07 Sep 2009
Original Source: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2249021/hackers-turn-attention-atms
A new report into ATM crime from European security agency Enisa released today sheds worrying new light on the scale of threats facing banks on the high street.
While the rise in attacks on internet banking systems is well documented, the ATM Crime (PDF) research points to a 149 per cent rise in ATM attacks last year, including 10,302 so-called 'skimming' incidents.
Advertisement
Skimming involves the use of tiny spy cameras, false PIN overlays and even entire fake machines, often using Bluetooth wireless technology to transmit card and PIN details to a nearby laptop.
More worryingly, hackers are increasingly looking to launch attacks on the networks used by banks to connect ATMs with back-office systems, or on the operating systems and hardware used to run ATMs, in order to install software that collects customer PIN data.
Another tactic revealed by Enisa involves criminals hacking into bank systems to obtain card numbers from ATM databases.
"The thieves collect card numbers and, if necessary, alter the PIN for the cards they are planning to use. The thieves then sell the cards and their data to other thieves," the report said.
"Those thieves create ATM cards using the stolen information, and use the cards to withdraw cash from the accounts. The original thieves usually receive a percentage of the proceeds."
Enisa executive director Andrea Pirotti hopes that the report will go some way to raising awareness of the growing problem of ATM crime.
"ATM crime is likely to become even more attractive as the latest generation of ATMs is designed to dispense other services and products, such as phone top-ups and stamps," he said.
William Beer, head of the OneSecurity team at consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers, argued that financial institutions need to wake up to the fact their ATM systems are now more easy for criminals to hack.
"Once upon a time they were running proprietary hardware and using operating systems and network protocols that were definitely not off-the-shelf, and these were difficult for the common criminal to replicate," he said.
"The fact that they've now moved to off-the-shelf hardware, standard operating systems and open network protocols makes the end game easier for the criminals – there needs to be a clearer recognition that these systems are vulnerable."
He added that banks need to be aware that such attacks, along with those launched on their internet channels, will seriously impact consumer confidence.
But there is also an opportunity for those who address these issues to differentiate by offering secure services, as long as they get their messaging right, he explained.
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