technology Archives | Page 6 of 7

4 Ways To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Without Spending A Cent

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Cybersecurity is defined as the measures taken to protect a computer or a computer system against unauthorized access or attack. Those who gain unauthorized access to the data in the computer or the system are often called as hackers. What is alarming about the breaching is that it may involve taking of personal data or credit card information.

To prevent these from happening, precautions must be set. Start by limiting the amount of personal data you post online then, strengthen your home and business Cybersecurity in 4 ways…

1. TAKE CONTROL OF THE AUTHENTICATION AND PRIVACY SETTINGS

Maximize the use of your privacy settings by using two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication, often used in online banking, involves “what you know” (e.g., 6-digit password) and “something you have” (e.g., verification code sent thru SMS). You can also change your security questions and your passwords frequently, especially for your emails that contain sensitive data.

2. FILTER YOUR EMAIL

Filter your email contents by not opening the spam mail. To avoid downloading virus or other malware, only open attachments that were given by your friends, family, partners, and clients.

Image Credits: zodman via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Delete the previous emails that are no longer needed so that no one can use them.

3. ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR DATA

I am a klutz! It is unavoidable to have my laptop on the repair shop every year. The only thing worse than having cyber attacks is losing the important data by myself. This is why; a good habit I developed is to back up my data. With this, I can peacefully rest.

4. REGULARLY UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE

Aside from backing up your data, it is vital to update your software regularly as latest security patches minimize the threats of bugs, viruses, and other malwares. Increase your shield by using free programs that scan your computer for bugs, viruses, and other malwares that come from external sources.

Image Credits: Perspecsys Photos (www.perspecsys.com) via Flickr with Creative Commons License Attribution-ShareAlike

With the increasing number of successful cyber attacks, Cybersecurity has become everyone’s responsibility. Individuals can take the 4 mentioned ways to prevent breaches. While huge companies shall execute robust security practices.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

5 Ways To Take Charge And Save Money On Technology

Living in the 21st century where technology is a quintessential part of our lives, it is hard to find someone without a mobile phone. There is no doubt in my mind that technology improved our lives, making it easier and faster to communicate, shop, develop, search, and so much more.

Even though it is dependable, technology can cost a lot! Your wallet can empty as quickly as your battery empties. Luckily for you, there are ways to avoid excessive spending on technology…

1. NEEDS BEFORE WANTS

Do you really need an expensive action camera just to take great selfies? Or how about a state-of-the-art computer set-up just to browse the Internet? There is no point on spending on the most expensive gadgets and accessories if you will not maximize its use. So, the first step you must take is to evaluate your needs and understand how the device works. During this process, you have to be honest with yourself.

2. SELL YOUR OLD DEVICES OR EQUIPMENTS

If there is a growing desire to upgrade to the latest technology then, try selling your devices or equipments. This will give you little to enough money to help purchase the new device you have been eyeing on. eBay, Gumtree, and Carousell are just some platforms where you can find some interested buyers.

Image Credits: epSos .de via Flickr with Creative Commons license

3. PURCHASE ONLINE

Aside from getting rid of your old devices or equipments online, you may also get a great deal there (i.e., whether it is through a wholesaler or an online coupon). You can compare the prices of the online shops to what is available on the physical shops, only to find that most of the times, online shops offer the cheaper prices. Furthermore, you just saved on the costs of transportation you would have paid if you went to the stores.

4. GET CREATIVE

Although the variety of the homemade accessories you can make are thin, it does not hurt to give it a chance. You are still saving money anyway. For instance, you may use a white top sheet as a diffuser, a white wall to bounce light from a flash, and a Styrofoam board as a reflector. All it takes is your imagination and creativity.

5. LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVES

Just because a renowned company announced a huge product launch does not mean that you have to buy it. If your technology basket is already sufficient then, there is no need to buy a new one. Also, if the new product does not satisfy your budget then, you do not have to buy it now. Pretty soon, the prices of this thing will drop, just be patient.

But, if you are really in need of a specific gadget immediately, say an action camera like GoPro (US$340/S$455), consider getting a cheaper alternative such as the HTC Re (US$159/S$213), the Polaroid XS100i HD (US$129/S$173), or the Sony HDR-AS20/B (US$149/S$199).

Sources: 1 & 2

6 Highest Paying Jobs In The Field Of Technology (IT)

With the increasing global concern for cyber security across companies, there has been an ongoing demand for Information Technology (IT) Professionals. In fact, recent study showed that the five highest income-earning sectors in Singapore include Information Technology alongside Banking and Finance, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and Semiconductors.

Salary.sg, a website dedicated to relay information on career and jobs, used the Ministry of Manpower wage date and excluded the bonuses and profit-sharing to generate the monthly gross wages of over a hundred jobs in Singapore. Looking at the IT sector through a microscope, here are the 6 Highest Paying Tech Jobs In Singapore based on the 2014 data by Salary.sg:

6. NETWORK AND SYSTEMS ENGINEER

Network and Systems Engineers can earn about S$4,000-7,000 a month.

They are tasked to oversee functionality, security, and design of the computer systems. To keep the internal and external company databases running smooth, they are responsible to look to how information is shared both internally an externally.

5. APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Application Development Consultants can make about S$5,000-7,000 a month.

They are tasked to consult with the program managers, senior consultants, and clients to understand information requirements, operational procedures, and transaction processing. Basically, they are responsible for designing fresh software applications from the concept to completion.

4. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TESTING IT

Testers can earn about S$6,360 a month.

IT Testers are tasked to check for system bugs or other concerns in the new software to ensure that the company standards are maintained or that the product integrity is preserved. They examine a program by going through its typical uses and noting down the observable problems.

Image Credits: Bob Mical via Flickr

3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY SPECIALIST

IT Security Specialist can make about S$6,385 a month.

IT Security Specialists are tasked to analyze the security breaches that have or may occur. Then, they must repair and strengthen the system against these breaches. Simply put, their work focuses on the risks to the security of valued company information or data.

2. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT MANAGER

IT Project Manager can have a paycheck of about S$8,320 per month.

A bachelor’s degree and significant years of experience is usually required for this position. IT Project Managers are tasked to manage and coordinate with the staff to oversee various computer-related assignments for the company.

1. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) can earn about S$10,648 per month, on average.

CTOs are tasked to play an important role in setting the company’s direction, development, and future growth by supporting all information and technology-related operations. With your growing years of experience and educational background in tech, you too, can be the CTO.

Image Credits: Chad Kainz via Flickr

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Get Blue Eyes Forever For US$5,000 At Strōma Medical

Whenever we see people with blue or green eyes, we get mesmerized because having these pair of eyes are considered unique in comparison with the norm. Eye color determined by two factors: the pigmentation of the iris and the frequency-dependence of the scattering of light.

If you want to change your eye color temporarily then, you will have to purchase colored contact lenses. For decades it is a characteristic that we cannot change permanently…until now.

A company named Strōma Medical, based in United States, developed a revolutionary technique to permanently alter one’s brown eyes to blue. Inventor and scientist Gregg Homer, JSD (PhD) has patented a non-invasive procedure of using laser through the eyes and it can be performed in under a minute!

PROCEDURE

Dr. Homer said that fundamental principle that makes all this possible is the fact that under every brown eyes are blue eyes. There is just a thin layer of brown pigment that covers the front surface of the iris giving it the color brown. So, the laser will disrupt the layer of pigment and take it away by the innate and gradual process of tissue removal.

For the first few weeks, the irises will become darker. Then once the tissue is totally removed, an underlying natural and permanent set of blue eyes will show. This process takes about several weeks.

SAFETY

Strōma Medical yet to be given the go signal to perform its procedures in the United States but it has performed a number of procedures in Mexico and Costa Rica. As of the present, no adverse effects have been reported. No effect was shown on the patient’s vision since it only treats the patient’s iris. And, pigmentary glaucoma did not occur in their pre-clinical or clinical studies.

Image Credits: Look Into My Eyes via Flickr

Interested to get yours done? Well, you have to pay a fee of about US$5,000 or S$6,945.

Good thing 2 sets of blue colored contact lenses are S$6,900 cheaper than this procedure!

5 Coolest Techie Gift Ideas Under S$30

Searching for the perfect yet inexpensive last minute Valentine’s gift for your techie sweetie? Fear not, here are 5 Coolest Techie Gift Ideas Under S$30…

1. EC TECHNOLOGY® PORTABLE POWER BANK WITH FLASHLIGHT (2600mAh)

US$7.99 or S$10.82. Buy it here.

Image Credits: amazon.com

Available in 5 colors, this mini power bank with flashlight fits easily inside your bag or pocket. Its capacity is a one full cycle charge for your Samsung or iPhone handphones. Its weight is about 3 ounces that only requires 4-5 hours of input charging time.

2. SANDISK CRUZER GLIDE 16GB USB FLASH DRIVE

US$9.50 or S$12.86. Buy it here.

Image Credits: amazon.com

We all have important files we want to protect. But, as soon as the computer crashes, all of it can be gone forever. To prevent this from happening, it is important to back-up your files with this 16 GB SanDisk flash drive. You can store a lot with this small thing.

3. MITAKI-JAPAN PORTABLE LUGGAGE SCALE

US$7.99 or S$10.82. Buy it here.

Since airlines are now charging by the extra pound, knowing how much you are bringing on board is a serious business.

Image Credits: amazon.com

Tackle with weight of your luggage with this portable luggage scale. Its features include LCD back-light and varied unit options (i.e., grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds). The two AAA batteries it requires are included when you purchase.

4. SECUR MINI COLLAPSIBLE STORM LANTERN

US$19.06 or S$25.81. Buy it here.

Image Credits: amazon.com

This collapsible storm lantern by Secur boasts its ability to act as a light source and as a charging source for your Smartphone incase of a storm or any light shortage emergency. There are two light settings that require different amounts of charging time. This product can also double as either a lantern or a flashlight once you collapse or fold it down.

5. GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY GC30014 APP CONTROLLED HELICOPTER

US$19.99 or S$27.07. Buy it here.

Image Credits: amazon.com

Embrace your partner’s inner child with this cool Griffin Technology Helicopter controlled by using your IOS or Android App. Yes! You can be a pilot and control the plane’s onboard LED with just a tap of your fingertip. It features twin twin missile launchers and 6 Redeye missiles.

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