Uncategorized

We wrote a piece last week about the brilliant Bharat Bhise HNA analyst and industry expert who has dedicated his career to being at the forefront of cybersecurity. In the piece we touched on the work that Bharat has done with ethical hacking and that prompted quite the response from you all. It seems that the term ethical hacking is a new one on many of you and despite what you may believe, this is not an oxymoron, there really are ethical hackers out there.

To answer your concerns and queries we wanted to go a little deeper into what exactly an ethical hacker is, and why they play such an important role in cybersecurity.

So…Hacking Ethically?

You may have it in your mind that all hackers are people who breaches security systems, gets around software and leaves viruses, backdoors and destruction in their wake. In terms of ethical hacking, this is half right. Ethical hackers do look to breach systems and get around software but they do not do it for nefarious purposes. In fact an ethical hacker is someone who is actually hired by a security software company or a private business and they are then paid to try and hack into their systems. Think of it like a bank asking a well experienced and highly successful bank robber whether or not they can steal the money without anyone noticing, if they do, the security needs to be changed.

The Benefits of Ethical Hacking

For many years software companies would develop these security suites and roll them out to the customers, they would then be notified of every time that their system had been breached and then they would perform updates on the software. The problem with this was that many people failed to update their software which left them at risk. In hiring an ethical hacker it gives the security companies a better chance of ironing out creases and plugging holes which may exist in their software, before they even launch the product. Because the ethical hackers have the same resources and equipment as criminal hackers, they have a great chance of being able to breach these systems if there are indeed security gaps. If they cannot hack into the system then the product is deemed secure. In many cases companies will hire multiple hackers to try and break through.

Importance of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hackers allow the companies to be more sure than every before that their product does everything that it says it does. This gives comfort to the consumer and it protects the reputation of the software company. Furthermore this ensures that businesses don’t have to be hacked for the company to realize that they have problems with the product, which of course helps the business to remain secure and save money.

Ethical hacking is proof that hackers aren’t all bad guys and that they can do a lot of good with their skills.

 

Since the internet has boomed and many people have looked to launch their own online business or look to the internet for job opportunities, there are a huge number of people who work online from home. My friend Bharat Bhise was the person who introduced me to the numerous benefits of working online and it is thanks to Bharat that I am able to enjoy all of these advantages. If you are able to launch your own business or find a job which involves you working online, here are just some of the wonderful benefits that you are going to be able to count on.

Anywhere, Anytime

The biggest benefit of working online is location independence, all you need is an internet connection and you can work from anywhere in the world. Bharat and I love to travel and we have worked from beaches, hotel rooms and airports all over the globe. This ability to switch on and get to work no matter where you are or what time of the day it is, can really give you a better lifestyle and a more comfortable working life.

No Commute

Not having too physically go to an office or workplace has a huge array of benefits in itself and one of those is that you no longer have to commute. Think of the hours or even days that you spend each year on the commute, the money that you spend on transport costs, and the general unhappiness that traveling to work brings, waiting in lines and waiting in traffic for example. Working online removes all this, simply wake up, open up your laptop and away you go, very simple and easy.

No Asking

Need to go to the doctors or the dentist? Need an early finish to pick your kids up from school? In a normal job you will normally have to ask your supervisor for these small favors and unless you get on with them well they can be difficult things to ask and the approval you get will usually mean that you have to pay something back. When you work online you have eh flexibility to manage your life as you see fit, and that means heading out whenever you need and ensuring that your personal life is taken care of, without the need to ask permission.

Save Money

When you work online one of the first things which you’ll notice is how much money you save, and this comes from a number of factors. First of all as we have mentioned, the money for transport to and from work is no longer needed. On top of this you will be spending less money on food and drinks throughout the day, because you have the option of working from home each day, where you can properly prepare meals and drinks at far lower cost. These cots savings will really add up over the year.

Why not have a look and see if you can’t find an online income, where you too will be able to enjoy these benefits?

 

For a young person, it’s one of the biggest steps they will make. Heading off to university is probably the start of one of the most memorable experiences of your life, so learning to prepare accordingly should be well and truly part of your agenda.

According to Kevin Rolle Alabama, students nowadays tend to settle into university life very quickly. However, to help you along your way, we have penned today’s guide which should help you with some key issues.

The importance of budgets

Let’s start with something of a mundane topic; but one that should serve you very well indeed.

One of the biggest mistakes made by students is that they blow most of their quarterly budget in the first couple of weeks of enrolling. This is probably the first time you have ever had responsibility over money, so it can be tempting to spend it all in one go as you bid to keep up with the evening activities that are inevitably planned.

We’re by no means suggesting that you shouldn’t attend these activities; it’s something that makes the whole university experience. However, at least make sure you keep tabs on your expenses, and perhaps take a set budget out every evening. Without this, you’ll soon find yourself without a dime to your name – and that’s no fun way to spend your university days.

Participate in as many groups as possible

Something that will become immediately apparent when you enrol is the sheer number of groups and activities that are available to you. Even if you don’t regard yourself as a particularly social person, getting involved in these groups is essential during university life.

They allow you to integrate with new groups of friends, whilst also opening you up to new activities. It’s one of the easiest ways to settle into university, and one that will probably bring you the most enjoyment over the duration of your course.

You will need to read

We’re not talking about reading your favourite novel here, but more the course material. Sure, your professors will deliver lectures and you’ll learn a lot from them, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you don’t take a proactive approach to learning, and this means reading in your own time, you’ll soon find that you’ll have all the tools required to pass your degree – but you’ll be severely lacking when it comes to the world of work where you need that extra knowledge.

Learn organisation… and quickly

It’s a familiar sight; for the first couple of months you might not have many deadlines, but this isn’t going to be permanent. Your deadlines will suddenly come thick and fast and before you realize it, you’ll have a week where four pieces of work need to be delivered at the same time. The best way to approach this is to research your coursework schedule, and know from the very start what is going to be expected from you for the rest of the year.

 

Like all industries, recruitment has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years. Once upon a time you may have been sending a paper CV directly to the employer; now, there are recruitment agencies and the age of digital has well and truly taken over.

Something else which has changed in the landscape are background checks. Previously, these were just not possible. From a cost perspective, they were just too expensive, and many companies just didn’t see the need for them.

Well, this is certainly changing. Whether it’s an arrest record or a standard background check, it’s easier than ever before to obtain details about a potential recruit – and this plays perfectly into the hands of an employer.

Of course, due to the fact that they are still quite new on the scene, there are some myths dotting around. Here, we will take a look at some of them, and start to debunk them once and for all.

Myth #1 – A background check takes weeks to run

Once upon a time this might have been true, but the reality now is that this is just not practical. If a company was to take weeks to mull over a background check, by the time they received the results back there’s every chance that their preferred candidate has found a new job.

As such, the systems work much faster than this. Generally, it takes days, and if it’s going to take longer you need to seriously think about the provider that you are using (there’s more on this in the third myth we talk about).

Myth #2 – You don’t always need to conduct a background check

It’s at this point that we will hand out a frightening statistic. Almost 20% of employers said in a survey that they made a bad hiring decision after not conducting a background check. When we also tell you that these bad hires cost on average $17,000 – it’s certainly an expensive mistake.

Sure, you might be trying to save money for your business, but at the same time this might cost you even more in the long-run if you make a bad decision in the hiring process.

Myth #3 – All background checks are great

Unfortunately, this is something that we just can’t agree with. There has been a surge in background check services over the last few years, and some of them are of exceptional quality. Like most industries, there are some poor ones though, and dealing with one of these can present some real problems to your business.

Receiving the wrong information is naturally a recipe for disaster. It’s something that could make a potentially good candidate out of the running, or vice-versa.

It’s for this reason that you should really analyze the service you are using, or opt for the DIY-approach. In relation to the latter, this means finding information yourself via the official channels, rather than relying on an external party to conduct the searches for you.

Buying a new house or a place to live can be super expensive. Especially, when it comes to paying for other living expenses in life and just how quickly those can add up. Fortunately, if  you have debt and are struggling or simply looking to improve your cash flow, Debt Collectors Perth can help you find a resolution to pay off those seemingly impossible debts so that you can move forward in life. This will help give you peace of mind and have a handle on your financial situation when looking to buy a house.

Now that you have a handle on your financial situation you need a plan on how to find the perfect place to live. Whether you’re looking to purchase real estate to live in or you’re looking to purchase an investment property, continue reading to discover a few handy tips on how to choose real estate in Australia.

How to choose real estate in Australia:

1. Decide whether you’d like to live in a gated community or apartment, which boasts a wide array of on-site facilities

If you like the idea of being able to cool down in a community pool and to be able to work out in a fully equipped gym instead of driving to an expensive private gym, you may want to look for a property in a gated community or apartment complex. Some complex’s even offer on-site cafes, where you’ll be able to pick up a morning coffee and enjoy meals with friends.

Just keep in mind that some gated communities and apartment complexes charge weekly, monthly or yearly maintenance fees, to maintain community facilities such as pools and fitness centers.

2. Decide whether you’d prefer to live in a rural area, an urban cityscape or in the suburbs

If you plan on living in a major city such as Sydney, you’ll have to decide between paying a premium to live in an inner-city apartment or whether you’re comfortable living in one of Sydney’s safe suburban neighborhoods. Make sure to pick a neighborhood which is within walking distance of a wide variety of amenities such as grocery stores, cafes, bars, shops, and restaurants.

3. Think about your daily commute before choosing a property

It pays to look for properties within a 30 km radius of your current work place as you don’t want to spend hours each morning and evening commute to and from work.

4. Decide whether you’d prefer to purchase real estate through an agent or through an auction

If you’re not in a rush to purchase property, you may want to consider attending a few auctions, as you may be able to pick up your dream property for $10,000 less than you’d pay if you choose to purchase a property through a real estate agent.

However, if the thought of bidding for a property at auction intimidates you or you’d like a real estate agents help in finding your ideal property, it’s well worth getting in contact with a variety of real estate agents. So that you can find a real estate agent who you trust and who you believe can help you find a great property at a great price.

5. Make sure to get an independent house inspection, before signing a contract

When you’ve found a property which you’re interested in purchasing, make sure to hire an independent accredited home inspector to give the property you’re interested in a comprehensive evaluation. After all, the last thing you want to do is waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on a property which has serious structural damage, which may cost a small fortune to repair.

If you’re serious about getting onto the Australian property ladder, it’s well worth keeping the tips listed above in mind.

Regular Economic Influx

It’s actually possible to make a great living traveling abroad, and there are many different ways you can go about it. You can make money traveling locally as well, and you might want to start here, first. Either way, there are a few practices you can put into effect immediately in order to expand your abilities.

First, know what your overall goal is. Do you want to be a large organization, or do you just want to support yourself while you see what there is to see? Knowing your goals will help you to reach them, and others. Also, shoot high. If you overshoot your target, you’ll still get further than you could have if you had a smaller target.

Consider technological advantages available today. It’s actually possible to make $40k+ a year working online less than 40 hours a week, on average. Furthermore, all you need is a laptop and the ability to connect to the internet. There are task-related things you can do, there are errands you can run, there are articles you can write—there’s a lot you can do individually, and profit.

If you’ve got a continuous revenue stream like this, and you’re willing to work hard, you can use such an option as seed money, and increase your workload. Imagine pulling in a middle-income career at thirty hours a week, then spending the other thirty hours putting that income to work acquiring something bigger.

Having Capital To Pursue Your Passion

Say you’re in a band. You can work online to get the travel money, get your bandmates involved doing the same, then spend the rest of your time practicing, marketing for gigs, and acquiring gigs. If you can get four people together willing to do that, you can operate at the level higher-priced bands do, while making money.

Eventually, when your secondary stream of revenue eclipses your “seed money”, you can shop off the sustenance work and focus on your passion. It may take five to ten years, but it’s not an impossible enterprise.

If you’re going such a route, you’re going to encounter many diverse characters—a traveling roadshow will need to sell merchandise at all kinds of theaters. For this kind of work—and most location-independent business—you want credit card processing solutions that are secure and affordable.

Solutions like Dharma Merchant Services provide credit card encryption solutions which increase security; according to the site: “Credit card encryption is a set of security measures put into place that drastically reduces the chances of private and valuable card information being subject to theft, which includes the card itself, the terminal where the card is scanned, and the transmission of information between that terminal and its systems back end.”

Working With The Right Business Professionals Toward Success

Lastly, you want to be sure that those with whom you work while traveling can be properly trusted. You’ll need to do your homework.

If you discover the need to check whether or not a given business is trustworthy, you can find more details here; according to the site: “You can find information on any corporation or business entity in Virginia or another state by performing a search on the Secretary of State website of the state or territory where that corporation is registered.”

If you are strategic about your location-independent work, you branch out as you’re able to, vet your business partners, and you have the courage to pursue such a venture for several years, you’ll likely find you can very realistically secure a profitable portion of pie from the confectionary table of successful enterprise.

If you’ve decided to take action and invest in Bitcoin, simply continue reading to discover how to go about investing in Bitcoin. The world’s number one cryptocurrency! Tips and steps on how to invest in Bitcoin can be found below.

1. Decide whether you’d prefer to purchase Bitcoin through a broker or through a Bitcoin exchange

 

As a potential investor, you have two viable options, when it comes to purchasing Bitcoin. You can choose to purchase Bitcoin through a Forex website such as eToro, Robin Hood or Coinbase. If your knowledge on trading Bitcoin is limited, purchasing Bitcoin through a reputable Forex site may be your safest option.

 

Alternatively, if you’re comfortable trading Bitcoin with individuals who are looking to sell their Bitcoins without the need of an intermediary, you may want to visit a traditional Bitcoin exchange. In some cases, you may be able to purchase Bitcoin at a lower rate if you choose to purchase Bitcoin from a reputable Bitcoin exchange.

 

2. If you plan on purchasing Bitcoin through a Bitcoin exchange, make sure that you have a Bitcoin wallet to store your coins in

 

If you prefer the idea of purchasing Bitcoin directly from a seller, you may need to set up a Bitcoin wallet to store your coins in. If you choose this option, make sure that your Bitcoin wallet is adequately protected. As there are individuals who try to hack Bitcoin wallets, in order to steal Bitcoins. Especially as the average price of a single Bitcoin has skyrocketed in the past 7 years and once a Bitcoin has been stolen, there’s no simple way to prove who is the rightful owner is. As Bitcoin is an anonymous currency which isn’t stored in a traditional bank and instead is stored by its owner.

 

3. Keep an eye on current Bitcoin prices

 

As Bitcoin has a tendency to skyrocket in value over a period of several days and can also lose a significant amount of money in a single day, it’s well worth starting and ending each day off by checking the current price of Bitcoin. As in the event that Bitcoin’s value starts to plummet, you’ll have enough time to sell the Bitcoins which you’ve collected before the value of your Bitcoins dropped below the price which you purchased your Bitcoins for.

 

Just remember not to be too rash in selling off your Bitcoins as Bitcoin has a tendency to recover from any price drops and the last thing you want to do is to prematurely sell of your Bitcoins right before Bitcoin soars in price.

 

4. Think about your individual goals as a Bitcoin trader

 

As an example, you may be happy keeping your Bitcoins for several months, before selling them off for a sizeable profit and may be unwilling to hold on to your Bitcoins for several years. In which case it pays to check on Bitcoin prices every day. If you’re looking to make a huge return on your Bitcoins, you’ll have to sit tight and ride out any turbulence which Bitcoin may experience.

 

So what are you waiting for, if you’re keen to jump on to the Bitcoin bandwagon there’s no better time than the present to get started!

 

How to Sell Your Autographs Collection

If you own autographs as a collector, you might never want to sell your autographs. However, sometimes, you will find yourself with no other choice. Perhaps you are no longer interested, or maybe you need the money. Or perhaps you simply want to know how much they would be worth. Either way, you have to take the right steps.

How to Sell Your Autographs

First of all, you need to have your autographs authenticated. Lots of different services can do this and provide you with certificates. You knowing that your autographs are the real deal isn’t enough, there are simply too many good scam artists out there. Hence, you need that certificate, even if that costs you money.

Make sure, however, that you use a trusted and respected authentication services. If someone buys your autograph, they will want to know who authenticated it, and they are likely to check that company out through the Better Business Bureau as well. This means that you need to do the same, checking there haven’t been any fraudulent dealings.

You need to hold on to your certificate of authentication and keep it with the autograph in question. That certificate is your evidence that proves the authenticity of your photograph, after all. If you post your autograph online, then you should also include images of the certificate of authentication, as this will instantly make your autograph worth more money.

However, you now need to know what a fair price for your autograph is going to be. That requires an appraisal. A professional appraisal, unfortunately, is also a paid service, but it may still be worth investing in it rather than trying to figure things out yourself. A professional appraiser can tell you exactly what your autograph is worth, and this is a number that you should keep together with your certificate of authentication, so that people can see what the value is.

It seems counter-intuitive to spend a lot of money just to sell something. However, in most cases, you can pass the cost of the appraisal and authentication on to the buyer, which means you didn’t really pay for it. Add your receipts to your autograph to show how much you paid for it. They buyer is likely to be happy to take those on, because it means they won’t have to have their autograph authenticated and appraised if they ever come to sell it themselves. The alternative is to not have the autograph appraised and authenticated, and offer your buyer a 30 day money back guarantee if they find it isn’t the real deal.

Once you have your appraisal and your authentication, all that is left to do is sell your autograph. There are numerous memorabilia auctions to choose from and they are likely to be interested in your product, but at a much lower price. This is because they will have to sell it for a profit. Hence, placing adds on online sites or in magazines is usually the best way to get the most money.