Why Email Encryption Should Be a Leading Priority for Your Business

Email encryption software is a must-have for every company, but more than that, it should be at the core of every business strategy. This may sound over the top, but it’s true: With cybercrime widespread and steadily evolving, your firm has an obligation to keep its data safe.

It’s basically risk management 101: You should be minimizing the potential for damage to your business. That starts with email encryption.

Keep It Simple

When we say you should make email encryption a top priority, we’re not suggesting you need to do anything radical. At its core, encryption is a fairly simple process. You can apply it to just about any system, including such popular platforms as Gmail.

Even better, Gmail for Work is so encryption-friendly that you can even set it to require transport layer security (TLS) on both outgoing and incoming emails. Enable this system throughout your office and you’ll see overall security levels increase immediately. You can do the same with Outlook and many other email programs.

You should avoid encryption systems that require your employees to go through a series of steps, or even having to push a button, in order to ensure their messages have been encrypted. We all forget sometimes, especially when we’re busy, and you wouldn’t want to leave any room for error when it comes to protecting your data and communications.

Make It Mobile

Another way your company can prioritize email encryption in its business strategy is to make sure that whatever encryption system you choose is mobile. More than ever before, people are working remotely, and that means they may not have access to the in-house servers.

Depending on your current system, this can prevent them from depending on encryption services, as well as other email security filters. So this year, consider converting to a cloud-based encryption service if you aren’t using one already.

Cloud-based encryption is available anywhere, which makes it ideal for the worker on the go. Your encryption system should be as mobile as your employees are.

There are added benefits to cloud-based encryption. You’ll save money with these systems compared to static encryption software, and they’re designed to respond to growth.

As with other cloud-based software programs, your company won’t have to undergo costly migrations and time-consuming upgrades when you hit your user limit. Just increase the size of your subscription or data plan, and keep your business moving.

Keep Track of Threats

No matter how good your encryption practices are, it’s vital for your business to make the tracking of email threats a priority. This may be a job for IT or for security professionals, but no matter who it’s assigned to, someone needs to be alert to potential security incursions because there’s always going to be a new one.

Just this past December, Office 365 was hit by a new cyberattack that specifically targeted business email users. Though Office 365 is of course equipped with multiple security layers, this particular phishing attack exploited internal weaknesses and could embed malware within a company’s emails.

It could also hijack company contacts and send out further phishing attacks, steal internal data, and even interfere with invoicing. According to one cloud-security platform, Gmail shares similar security weaknesses to Office 365, so it’s crucial not to develop a false sense of security.

There isn’t a platform on the market that could be regarded as utterly immune to such threats.

Mind the Law

Finally, as you manage your company’s email encryption practices, keep a close eye on political conversations that address encryption and privacy rights. Even if your firm is operating entirely within legal boundaries, law enforcement policies evolve steadily alongside technology.

We recently saw the FBI try to carve a backdoor into encryption practices in its case against Apple, and this probably won’t be the last time such a thing happens. You may not have thought about email encryption as a strategy decision in the past, but it should play a key role in your corporate practices and philosophy.

This isn’t just about data protection; it’s about your approach to client relations, risk management, and professional operations.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/larryalton/why-email-encryption-should-be-a-leading-priority-for-your-business/

6 Tips That Will Help your Retail Business Reach Success

“Retail is a customer business. You’re trying to take care of the customer—solve something for the customer. And there’s no way to learn that in the classroom or in the corner office…” – Erik Nordstrom, president, Nordstrom direct.

Typical retail stores are not doing their job anymore. The markets are oversaturated and the competition is harder than ever. Even with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, it is hard to make a name for yourself as a retailer. But still, there are successful retailers who run their business smoothly, with no struggles at all.

If you own a retail business or are planning to start one, you’ve come to the right place. Here is the list of tips that I have especially compiled for you in order to help your retail business reach success.

Ideal Customer

Lots of entrepreneurs skip this very important step. Identifying your ideal customer is the key factor that will guide you through the rest of your business decisions. Who is it? What are his/her needs? What you plan to offer to meet those needs? Do they live in the neighborhood where you plan to open your store?

Location, Location, Location

Location is a crucial part of any retail establishment. There are three things you have to take care of when the location is in question. First of all, you want to make sure that there are no competitor’s retail shops in the radius. Second, ideally, you want to open your store near other retail stores that sell different types merchandise but have high traffic. And third, if you are not familiar with the laws and contracts, whether you are renting an object or buying one, make sure to advise a real estate lawyer.

What Are You Selling

When it comes to the merchandise you will be selling, you might consider to adopt a themed approach. For instance, you can narrow down the choices for one gender or age. This will allow you to build an entire store around it. Get custom made shelves, get walls painted in a unique way, windows, etc. Remember your purpose and who your ideal customers are. Let these two be your main anchors when you decide what your merchandise markup is. Make sure that your store goes well with the area.

Consistent Image and Marketing

Once you have made your decisions about store design, the merchandise you will be selling, and who the ideal customer is, you should try to maintain a consistent image across all marketing channels. You have several options ahead you. But, from the experience of many successful retailers, the combination of outdoor marketing, social media marketing, an official website and few TV ads provide the best results.

Don’t forget that you have free marketing tricks that you can use once you open your doors.

Customer Relationship Management

When you run a retail shop, all the efforts should be focused on keeping the customers happy and satisfied. The service has to be immaculate and you and your workers should always be available and at your best for any customer question. Try to establish a real connection with them. Ask them how they like the shop, how is their service, is there something they would change, how would they do it, etc.

Hiring the Staff

“You can’t expect your employees to exceed the expectations of your customers if you don’t exceed the employees’ expectations of management” – Howard Shultz, Starbucks.

Your main goals are to keep customers happy. While you are not present in the store, your employees will be the face of your business, and they will be running it instead of you. This is why you should pay close attention to who you hire. Make sure that they have real interest in what you do. Check what they’re hobbies are and what is it that they could truly offer to you and your business.
I’ve picked out the tips that will help you pick the direction of where your retail business should be going. Following through these tips, you will build strong foundations for your retail store. At the end, always remember that you are there to provide the best service for your customers. Make the most out of every encounter and try to build positive relations and bonds. As Walt Disney said: “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.”

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/vladzivanovic/6-tips-that-will-help-your-retail-business-reach-success/

The Best Things to do in New York City

From the skyscrapers located in the Wall Street, the neon light at the Time Square to the leafy path of the Central Park, New York is a city where an uncontainable amount of energy abounds.  The history blends well with the modern time in the Mecca of finance, media, fashion, and entertainment.  It is filled with a world-class museum that houses the best art collections, trendy restaurants, and historic streets, the things to do in New York is really vast.  Here are some of the places that you should visit that made it in our list.

Marvel at the MMoA (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

It would be relatively impossible for you to roam the entire sections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in just one day.  The place is so colossal that it has the capacity to house more than 2 million artworks that represent about 5,000 years of history of mankind.  So in case you have any plan to visit this massive structure, make sure to plan ahead of time.  Trying to see everything in here will probably take weeks.

Walk to the New York Time Square

Time square is the most frenetic part of the entire city, the space is too crowded which is why most locals are trying to avoid this place.  It comes with Elmo clones, naked cowboys, on-location TV broadcast, digital displays and underwear billboards that are sometimes overwhelming to see.

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building has transformed into a symbol of the city that starred in some of the most romantic and exhilarating Hollywood movies.

The Empire State Building rises to 1,250 ft (381 m) at the 102nd floor, the buildings first 85 stories are occupied with commercial office space. But the indoor and outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor has awe-inspiring scenery which will take your breath away. This is a must for any New York traveller. The remaining 16 stories represent the Art Deco tower, which is capped by a observatory that is 102nd-floor. the views from the 102nd floor up to the observatory are unparalleled.

Museum of Modern Art

Art aficionados and enthusiasts are always lost for words whenever they visit the amazing spectacles displayed at the Museum of Modern Art.  Some of the most renowned art pieces include the Starry Night of Vincent Van Gogh and Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Picasso.  Aside from the amazing collection of art pieces, the main attraction of the Museum would be the architectural style of the building.  With the labyrinth of the glass walkway, it allows its guest to view the art collection in various perspectives.

You should not miss the other landmarks and sightseeing opportunities in New York City such as the Brooklyn Bridge which is one of the noblest landmarks of the city, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Natural History, the Central Park which is an Eden in the middle of the city and the 9/11 memorial that commemorates the lives of the people that were sacrificed during that unfortunate event.

Travelling to New York City

Travelling to New York City couldn’t be easier. Finding cheap flights via the hundreds of travel websites gives the consumer plenty of choice. The typical flight deal will cost around £300-400 flying from the UK and flights from other locations will cost more due to increased distance. Do keep in mind that additional funds will be needed for accommodation, inter travelling, food and drink.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/marcusjensen/the-best-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/

4 Ways To Save Space And Improve Your Home

Space comes at a premium in most modern homes. Faced with the need to build environmentally-friendly living quarters that are nonetheless capable of housing a vast number of people, today’s houses and apartments are smaller than they used to be. For that reason, maximizing your existing space has become a priority for homeowners and renters everywhere. While no two homes are alike, the following tips should be universally applicable and can make a real difference as far as space is concerned:

1. Learning how to package things effectively

Knowing how to pack up the things you don’t need is an essential skill that not many people possess. Fortunately, enterprises like the Creative Packaging Company can assist you by providing the kinds of boxes, bags and labels you’ll need to properly organize your stuff. Consider finding a customized solution for storing all the items you don’t need, something that will also come in handy should you ever decide to move your belongings from one place to another

2. Tear down unnecessary walls

With the heavily-compartmentalized design of older apartments falling out of favor with the younger generation, open-space homes are all the rage nowadays. However, there are ways to convert an old-school type apartment into a new one. By far the most popular method lies in tearing down room-separating walls, a process through which you can boost the space you have at your disposal. Needless to say, this method can be quite costly and hard to reverse, so make sure it’s something that you’ll still be comfortable with years down the line.

3. Use lights and mirrors to your advantage

While more illusory than the aforementioned method, using lighting and mirrors to maximize space is a less invasive process that still nonetheless pays quite a few dividends. To that end, try to keep your window-to-wall ratio high, thereby allowing ample amounts of light to seep through your home during the day. As for artificial light, having multiple lighting layers along with mirrors and glass that can create reflections and bounce light around are a surefire way to instill a feeling of spaciousness inside your home.

4. Be creative when it comes to furniture

Having too much furniture is often the main culprit behind overcrowded houses, so it stands to reason that shedding all unnecessary pieces can lead to massive space gains. While slightly more expensive, ordering custom furniture items is a great solution that allows you to make the most out of all the available room in your house or apartment. Furthermore, opting for furniture that comes equipped with storage possibilities is a must if you are truly dedicated to saving space across every facet of your home.

That concludes our quick rundown of the five best things you can do to save space in your home. No matter how small your living quarters may be, by diligently applying the aforementioned pieces of advice you will have done your best to maximize all your available space and will be free to enjoy your house or apartment to the fullest extent.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/michaelsanduso/4-ways-to-save-space-and-improve-your-home/

5 iPhone Apps for Your Next Multimedia Project

Technology has been evolving quickly. With the advent of smartphone applications, all the functionality of cameras, music players, music recorders, and even touch-screen synthesizers now fit into one compact packaging.

For your next DIY multimedia project, consider getting these 5 great iPhone apps:

1. Garage Band

Developer: Apple

Garage Band is Apple’s legendary user-friendly music app. If you think the Mac version is great, you’d be surprised how Apple managed to squeeze all the necessary plug-ins and music modules into the iPhone version.

This compact recording software is a literal 8-track recording studio right inside your pocket. This app features tap-on instruments, such as drums, pianos, strings, guitars, and bass. You can even record yourself with a virtual band playing along.

 2. 8mm Vintage Camera

Developer: Nexvio Inc.

When it comes to capturing videos, 8mm brings back the glory of vintage movies. With filters and settings to emulate warm film grains and hues, this app will definitely give your iPhone’s built-in camera a blast from the past. Think of the 1920s and the succeeding years of old-school filmmaking. With this app, it would be as if you’re taking videos from past decades.

 3. iMovie

 

Developer: Apple

If you need a compact video editor where you can splice images, video and audio, iMovie is the right app for you.

Armed with presets, framings, subtitle editors and other video-editing necessities, iMovie is a pocket video production studio that can be manipulated at your fingertips. The interface is user-friendly and uncomplicated, which makes it ideal even for amateur video editors. iMovie can help you edit your captured videos and images on the go.

4. CineCam

 

Developer: Yuzamobile

Cinecam offers plugins and filters for your videos. With special effects and lens emulators, this video-capture app can turn your footage into indie film-quality reels. The best part is that this app comes for free. You can then easily share your videos through the app’s integrated social network sharing options.

5. BeatMaker

Developer: INTUA

When it comes to manufacturing loops and beats, BeatMaker’s simple interface will get the job done in an instant. Also, this app allows you to record and use samples for your compositions. Beats created with this app can be exported into mp3 formats for sharing and playback convenience.

These highly-recommended apps will get your multimedia project done within the convenience of your smartphone. Gone are the days when aspiring producers would have to pay exorbitant fees for audio and video production. With these apps, producing a multimedia project, be it a music video or a short film, can be done with just a simple push from your fingertips.

Do you have other multimedia apps you would like to recommend for other readers? Share it through your comment below.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-easyvince/5-iphone-apps-for-your-next-multimedia-project/

Got Fish Antibiotics? How Proper Care Disproves Common Pet Myths

According to a 2015-15 survey of pet owners conducted by American Pet Products Association (APPA), nearly 65% of all American households have at least one pet. Despite such broad ownership of pets, common myths about various species and other popular misconceptions about pet ownership remain widespread.

The following are seven of the top myths about pets and pet ownership, along with the facts that dispel these common misconceptions.

Fish are Fragile Creatures that Die Quickly

Of all of the creatures one might keep as a pet, few are viewed as being so fragile and prone to death as the humble fish. This popular myth is decidedly false, as with proper care, fish can actually live up to 30 years. Looking after one’s fish does require a bit of effort, however, as special attention must be given to cleaning and maintaining the environment in their tanks in order to support their health.

Pet owners that want to ensure the safety and long life of their fish should take time to research the needs and requirements of the specific species of fish they wish to keep, and only stock the aquarium with species of fish that are compatible with one another. Care must also be taken to feed the fish the proper type of food for its species, in the correct amounts, and at the appropriate intervals.

Even with the best of care, some species of fish are more prone to certain types of illness, including infections. Pet owners should be aware of the signs of potential illness and should be prepared to quickly administer the appropriate types of fish antibiotics in order to return their fish to full health and prolong their lives.

Dogs Can Get All of Exercise and Companionship They Need in the Backyard

Nearly every canine is naturally born a very social creature, and they crave interaction and attention from their owners. While some owners keep their dogs with them, at all times, others keep their dogs outside, often on a chain, or in a fenced in backyard. Isolating a dog in this way is really not good for their long-term health and well-being, and can lead to an increase in a pet’s bad behaviors such as increased barking and aggressiveness.

Only spending an hour or two with a dog each day in the backyard, or interacting with a dog only to feed it and perhaps walk it around the block, really isn’t enough time to provide all of the mental stimulation that most canines need to be happy and healthy. Pet owners that don’t have the time to fully invest in a dog and fully integrate it into their lives and household are best served by adopting pets that require less interaction and care.

My Cat is Purring so He or She Must be Happy

Most folks just assume that their cat must be happy when it’s purring, but cats also purr as a coping mechanism when they are in pain, and have even been known to purr as they are dying. In general, purring is a way for cats to comfort themselves, so a host of feelings and emotions can cause them to purr.

Snakes are Slimy and Measure their Prey Before Eating

There are a number of myths about snakes, that might put off potential pet owners. For one thing, snakes do not have slimy skin, as many mistakenly believe as their skins are normally very dry, and also fairly soft.

Another common misconception is that snakes measure their prey before they eat them. A snake’s jaws are connected by ligaments, rather than being fused together, so this does allow their mouths to expand so that they can swallow food that is larger than their heads.

They don’t “measure” their food prior to killing and eating it, however, so urban legends about pythons and other species of snakes lying beside of their owners to measure them before killing and eating them is just that, a legend or tall tale that cannot possibly be true.

Carrots are a Rabbit’s Best Friend

Thanks to a certain popular cartoon character, many pet owners mistakenly assume that carrots are the best food for their pet rabbits, but this isn’t the case. Carrots actually contain too many natural sugars to be part of bunny’s regular diet, so grass, hay, and fresh leafy greens are a better choice.

Grain and Other Concentrates Are Key Foundation of a Healthy Diet for Horses

Many horse owners automatically assume that grains like corn, and other concentrates, should form the base foundation of their diets, and that roughage from pasture grass or hay is a secondary concern and not as essential to a healthy diet. Actually, the opposite is true, as many horses are able to do just fine solely on pasture grass and hay, and at least 50% of every horse’s diet should be based on hay and pasture grass.

Hamsters and Gerbils are Basically the Same and Have the Same Needs

Both gerbils and hamsters are members of the rodent family, so they do share many characteristics, including being nocturnal, having a small size and eating similar foods, however, they do have different needs. The main difference between them is the amount of socialization that is needed to promote their health and well-being. Gerbils are very social creatures and can actually become depressed if they are left alone in their cages for too long, whereas hamsters actually prefer to be alone in their natural habitat and can have difficulty bonding with their pet owners.

There are a wide variety of animals, with different skills, abilities and needs that can make them especially suitable as companions for pet owners. Everyone should take the time to research their potential pet, and learn about its proper care, before adopting one and introducing it into one’s household.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-epicninjadaboss/got-fish-antibiotics-how-proper-care-disproves-common-pet-myths/

5 Game of Thrones Destinations Where the Summer Never Ends

The night may be dark and full of terrors, but the Kingdom of the Andals and the First Men stretches beyond our comprehension. There’s so much to see, experience and touch in the sun-kissed countries where our favorite TV show was filmed; out there, the summer is gentle and everlasting, while cultures are every bit as exotic as those born on the shores of the Jade Sea.  

Mount your horses and rush off to the greener lands, before it’s too late.

1. Malta

In Arabic, the word Mdina means “the fortified place”, and it’s hard to imagine a more suitable toponym that that. Despite the popular belief, the original King’s Landing was built on the island of Malta, where the skies are tender and crystal blue. It was another town, however, in which the terrible fate of Ned Stark was so ruthlessly sealed. Until you finally reach Gzira and lay roses on Fort Manoel that served as the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor in the infamous 9th episode of the 1st season, be sure to visit the Pjazza Mesquita in Mdina, since that’s where Littlefinger’s brothel still is.

2. Morocco

Morocco might not be one of the permanent locations in the Game of Thrones universe, but it’s sunbathed and warm as Slaver’s Bay itself, and just as whimsical and unbending in its tradition. Trace the ancient Unsullied in Essaouira, where they were firstly introduced under the unwavering Astapor sun. Another Marocco location, the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou that stands halfway between Marrakech and Sahara, is where Yunkai lays, covered with desert sand.

3. Spain

Equally passionate and vindictive, Dorne and the Dothraki Sea have another thing in common – the Game of Thrones production team found both of these fruitful lands in Spain. Fly off to the country’s capital first, since the wonders of Madrid should never be skipped. Then, continue on to Seville to see the Water Gardens and parts of Meereen, Tabernas Desert in Almeria where the Dothraki Sea is green and endless, and stop by Barcelona (Horn Hill) and Girona (Braavos).

4. Croatia

Though originally revived in Malta, the one and only King’s Landing rests on the coast of the Adriatic sea, in the medieval town of Dubrovnik. Consequently, the Croatian capital of theatre, love and summer is the place most associated with the series, and most visited for the same reason. And, it’s more than a lucky find – frozen in time, Dubrovnik is the last living epitome of the renaissance and all of its values. It’s where the Battle of Blackwater roared through the night, the place of the long expected Purple Wedding and the violent death of Oberyn Martell, which broke many fervent hearts, and so much more.

5. Northern Ireland

Then again, no country in the world is better suited to bear the burden of the Iron Throne than Game of Thrones’ very own Northern Ireland. Though more lukewarm than summery, these lands have already became a lore in their own right, which makes them impossible to miss. Both Winterfell and Castle Black have found their home in the quiet and grassy fields that surround Belfast, and so have Eyrie and bits of Meereen. Northern Ireland might not be the warmest part of Westeros, but let’s be honest: we’d all follow the last King in the North to the end of the world.
In season 7, we’ll return to most of these locations. Most likely, we’ll find them cold and snowy, with their kings and queens sizzling in the face of long awaited conclusions. Before that finally happens, let these marvelous realms soothe you. Drink them in the summer, with milk of the poppy on the side.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/5-game-of-thrones-destinations-where-the-summer-never-ends/