The Silicon Review is the world's most trusted online and print community for business and tech professionals along with leading CXOs. With a key focus on IT trends, entrepreneurs, expert talks, we have US and Asia magazines for global reach. Subscribe to The Silicon Review magazine.
Friday, 28 February 2020
Why you need a VPN Protection for Windows 10?
The internet has become a center for all
kinds of activities from communication to financial transactions. The amount of
data that flows over and is stored on the internet is enormous. This provides a
host of opportunities for all kinds of elements both positive and negative. In
recent years, cybersecurity has grown into one of the biggest threats these
days with annual losses going above $5 trillion in 2019. This and other factors
make it imperative to use a VPN.
So, let’s discuss what a VPN is, how it
works and what are the reasons that they’ve become essential these days.
What is a VPN?
A
Virtual Private Network or VPN is a program which makes data traffic anonymous
while masking user’s IP address. This is done by rerouting the internet traffic
to go through a secure server instead of being handled by the local internet
service provider (ISP). A VPN is one of the most effective tools to plug the
biggest loophole in cybersecurity and that is the fact that IP addresses in
general are public. This means that anyone on the internet can access them.
How does a VPN for Windows work?
A VPN acts as a barrier between the local
ISP and the server of the website. ISPs have been given a free hand in
regulating the internet ever since net neutrality ended in 2018. This allows
them to store and even sell data on what users are doing on the internet
because that matters to a lot of entities. With a VPN, the role of the ISP is
minimized or even eliminated completely.
Common threats on the internet today
There is a wide range of threats on the
internet these days. From businesses and organizations to cybercriminals, all
prove a variable level of risk to users around the world. The type of breaches
that are caused as a result include both financial losses and psychological
distress. Although the challenges are evolving, there are some that are
prevalent worldwide. Here are a few:
Malware
These include a wide variety of viruses.
Hackers and other cybercriminals use a number of ways like email attachments or
random links to plant malware into user systems. Malware can include but is not
limited to ransomware, adware, Trojans, spyware, bots, bugs and a lot more
besides. Based on the type, malware can hide in a device and harm personal data
stored on it in any way that the attacker wants.
Phishing
Another one of the most common ways for
hackers is to use phishing schemes. These can be executed through phone, text,
email or any other digital medium. All it takes is for the cybercriminal to
design a form or page that looks legitimate and asks the user for some private
information. The hacker can act as a bank representative or government official
to retrieve data that they are looking for.
Social engineering
This is one of the newest methods that are
rising quickly around the globe. Hackers and other elements study a person that
they want to target. They research about their colleagues, friends and even
family members to pick someone who they can impersonate. All this information
is easily available through social media so it is no problem for any element to
get a hold of all this data.
DDoS
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) or
Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are common to disable and cause damages to the
servers of the victim. These types of attacks are common in gaming and for
websites like e-commerce stores etc. The load of irrelevant data causes the
server to crash taking the player or business off-line which ultimately cause
huge damages to the organization or person.
How a VPN protects against cybersecurity threats
A VPN is a program designed to mask IP
addresses. This means that the biggest source of all cybercrimes in dealt with.
The level of protection available will depend on the type of VPN that you are
using. There are a number of features that VPNs offer to make a comprehensive
cybersecurity cover for users whether they are individuals or businesses. Here
are a few:
Encryption
The leading VPN services like Ivacy provide
an end-to-end 256-bit encryption at minimum because that is the highest level
commercially available. It is used by government departments to protect their
data so it is bound to be effective. Encryption protects data while it is being
transferred from one server to another. This is the time when data is the most
vulnerable so protecting it at this point is crucial.
Advanced protection
Good VPN services offer additional
protocols for users. These can be added over the already available encryption
to form military grade cybersecurity coverage for users. VPN customers can pick what protocols they
need to customize how they want their cybersecurity profiles to look. Each
protocol has its own benefits.
Servers
The basic function of a VPN is to mask IP
addresses. This is done through rerouting data traffic to the secure servers of
the program. These servers have to offer elaborate protection against
cybercriminals and also they have to be spread out across the world. They
should also be abundant because that will determine the options available for
users. The reliability of the servers offered by a VPN can easily be gauged by
customer reviews.
Additional features
Other features that are provided by a VPN for Windows
include internet kill switches, split tunneling, public Wi-Fi security,
unlimited bandwidth, a strict zero logging policy, secure DNS, IPv6 leak
protection and a lot more besides. All these features come together to ensure
that users are secured from all kinds of threats at all times.
Conclusion
A VPN for Windows has
become vital in light of the way network connections are being regulated
nowadays. From cybercriminals to businesses, everyone is in search of private
user data for various purposes. What’s troubling is that these entities can go
to any length in order to acquire what they are looking for. In times like
these, VPNs are the most affordable and effective solutions against these
threats.
Author
Bio:
Scott is a cyber-security professional.
He's been writing in the internet privacy niche for a while now and has churned
variety of informational pieces to educate his audience. Connect with him on Twitter.
Top Reasons Why You're Struggling To Scale Your Business
Business growth is essential to remain relevant and
profitable, and according to some business experts, a business should grow between 15% and 45% year-on-year. While there are exceptions depending on
the industry, there are certain parameters that are shared across the board, in
terms of what makes a business successful. If you’re not achieving your goals,
you may want to consider a review of the various sections in the business
to determine where there are inefficiencies.
Inefficient Workflow Practices
There are a number of things that can slow down business
growth. At the top of the list is the time it takes for service or product
delivery. Workflow automation can have a positive impact on the business as well as creating proper, more
efficient processes. Start with the first point of contact with the customer,
and work through each touchpoint in the business to find out where the delays
take place, or whether there are smarter or faster ways to do things. For
instance, manual forms and processes could be replaced with software that helps
speed up the process.
Your Personal Position Is Affecting Growth
Cash flow is an important part of growth for a business, and
this means keeping drawings as low as possible. When a business owner’s needs
expand beyond what is available in the business, it can drain the cash reserves
of the business. According to experts atMicrocredit Summit Campaign, one option is to look at consolidation loans. Simplifying
personal finances in order to take some of the pressure of the business can
have a positive effect on the cash flow. It’s also important for business
owners to take care of their personal financial position and keep it squeaky
clean, as financial institutions and investors often do their due diligence on
the owners and the business. They want to know that the people behind the
business won’t drain the finances to better their personal position or repeat
personal financial mistakes in the business. In order for your business to
grow, you need to grow along with it.
Your Business Isn’t An Obvious First Choice
While it might sting to know this, your customers might
prefer your competitor over you. Whether you’re the best-priced, offer the best
after-sales service, or even just have a better-looking product, it’s time to
take an honest look at your offering.
- If
you’re not the best in the market, why would consumers choose you over the
best in the market?
- If
you’re the cheapest in the market, can your product compete?
- If
you’re not the best nor the cheapest, but somewhere in the middle, why are
you still an option?
You need to start looking for reasons why you would be a
first choice, which includes all the important markers for good sales, including convenience, price point, and total sales
experience.
Business growth is not only a nice-to-have, but it’s also
essential to ensure the longevity of the business. Certain factors directly
affect the growth of a business, such as unidentifiable product or service
offering, personal position, and inefficient workflow.
Beard Straightener: Little Known Grooming Tips for Awesome-Looking Beards
At last, you have the
beards. You have worked hard to grow them. Congratulations. You are joining the
beard elite group. It’s a milestone. You have waited for all this time. But wait.
Did you know that grooming can make or break your beards? It’s a fact. So, don’t ignore to groom your beards. If you want
an awesome look, follow the following beards grooming tips.
Use Beard Oil
It’s always an
incredible idea to maintain your awesome look through proper beard grooming.
It’s like owning a really classic car. Once you’ve purchased it, do you neglect
its condition through poor maintenance?
Or do you forget to clean it for months? Of course, you don’t.
So, why not get yourself
some beard oil? This type of oil helps your beard to stay hydrated. Washing
regularly removes dirt, but it also strips away some of the beard’s natural oil.
And that’s exactly why beard oil was developed to act as a leave-in
conditioning product for balancing the natural oils in your beard and those on
your skin.
But be careful not to
purchase beard oils containing silicones, parabens, or sulfates. Silicones
aren’t inherently harmful, but the coat your beard hairs, preventing them from
receiving the nutrients they need.
Go For Utility Balm
Beard care is constantly
evolving. More advanced products are appearing which have never been seen
before, and these include beard balm. Though it’s still pretty new, this
product is already being used by many. It’s a perfect option for conditioning
and styling your facial hair.
Perhaps every man knows
how to comb their beard. After all, it doesn’t involve employing specific
techniques to get the most out of your grooming experience. Just make sure that
your comb features both wide as well as narrow teeth arrangements.
For your beard, use the
wide teeth and for your mustache to utilize the narrow teeth. Start by holding
your beard comb in such a way that the teeth are pointed upward. To maintain
the needed amount of control while combing, consider using a relaxed grip- just
like you normally use your toothbrush. Next, comb it out with an upward motion
to “fuzz” it away from your face. Make sure that the hairs are fully separated
so that you can effectively get rid of the bed-beard look. Use a heated beard comb to straighten your beards.
Just a heads up – you’re
more likely to run into some snags during the combing process. Essentially,
snags occur as a result of individual hair strands growing in opposite
directions and crossing over each other. When you get into a snag, don’t try
forcing it out. Instead, gently pull it out using your comb. Once you’re doing
that, comb your hair back down into the desired shape.
The Bottom-Line
It’s time to take your beard grooming to the next level. And the best
way to go about it is to use the above top beard grooming tips. From using
beard oil to combing your beards—these grooming tips are from experts and are
bound to make your beards even better.
Wednesday, 26 February 2020
Technology to Rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Future
By 2023,
over 40 per cent of technology will rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) by
2023 which is a 5 per cent increase from today. “Privacy laws, such as General
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), presented a compelling business case for
privacy compliance and inspired many other jurisdictions worldwide to follow,”
said Bart Willemsen, research vice president at Gartner.“More than 60
jurisdictions around the world have proposed or are
drafting postmodern privacy and data protection laws as a result. Canada, for
example, is looking to modernize their Personal Information Protection and
Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), in part to maintain the adequacy standing
with the EU post-GDPR.”
Leaders are
under pressure to make sure that all personnel data processed is brought in
scope and under control which is a difficult and expensive task to manage
without the aid of technology. This is where the use of AI powered applications
comes in to reduce administrative burdens and manual workloads. In Gartner’s
2019 Security and Risk Survey, many organizations are incapable of delivering
precise answers to the SRRs they receive. Often a manual job, the average costs
of these workflows are roughly $1400 dollars that accumulate over time.
“The speed
and consistency by which AI-powered tools can help address large volumes of
SRRs not only saves an organization excessive spend, but also repairs customer
trust,” said Mr. Willemsen. “With the loss of customers serving as privacy
leaders’ second highest concern, such tools will ensure that their privacy
demands are met.”
Tuesday, 25 February 2020
Eight Startups for AFRL Next Academy Commercialization: By Griffiss Institute
Griffiss Institute declared the next
group involved in the AFRL Commercialization Academy with the top eight startup
teams. The AFRL Commercialization Academy is a curriculum of entrepreneurial
education by the Griffiss Institute, funded by the Directorate of Information
for the Air Force Research Laboratory. These eight startups will focus
particularly on fields like health, big data analytics, information systems,
and the industry of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). All these eight teams are
selected from a pool of submissions from the applicants.
The teams will be "incubated and
trained" as they develop their businesses around the United States. “The spring 2020 cohort is an impassioned
group of startups with many creative ideas that can positively impact Central
New York and the entire country,” Dan Fayette, AFRL Commercialization Academy
program manager, said.
The startups will commence their work
at the Commercialization Academy this month. These startups will be
continuously engaging in weekly online classes and the remaining handpicked
teams will batter their tech businesses to a panel of judges for a $300,000
piece of IDEA NY prize seed funding at a June Demo Day event. After Demo Day,
qualifying teams will participate in the IDEA NY accelerator program that will
"encourage the development and growth of promising entrepreneurs"
Nisha Narayanan: From RJ to Business leader of the Year
Chief Operating Officer and Director, Red FM and Magic
FM, Nisha Narayanan has recently been honored with the “Business Leader of the
Year” award. In view of her vast experience and fascinating work in the
entertainment and media industry, she received the award in the entertainment
category at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.
The award ceremony which honors the top talent of
creators, artists, and filmmakers in the movie industry, took place in the
presence of Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra as the chief guest.
Starting as a radio jockey at All India Radio, Narayanan also got experienced
in news anchoring and documentary filmmaking. In her career span, she has also
hosted many chat shows and debates, apart from covering live events and
national issues. Other awards Narayanan has won include, Impact – 50 most
influential women award 2016, India’s Greatest COO – India’s greatest brands
and Leaders 2017-18, The most enterprising leader of Asia 2018 – WCRC, and Don
Rowland’s prize for Excellence.
Red FM today has a presence of 69 stations across the
country and has successfully expanded to other business verticals as well. The
reason Red FM connects well with listeners at a personal level is because of
her strong belief in the power of regional language and content. She also
pointed towards the success of the radio industry, despite the intense
competition from the digital on-demand streaming platforms.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)