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The Most Destructive Cyber Threats To Watch Out For In 2020

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Source: S.Hermann & F.Richter on Pixabay

When it comes to cyber security, you can never be too safe. Computers hold so much of our important pertinent data – even someone gaining access to your email address can have consequences that you can’t fathom if they’re used in the wrong way. Cyber threats are a nuisance for both individuals and businesses alike, which is why having a seriously strong and reliable antivirus program is so critical to help protect yourself and your information. If you’re worried about cyber threats, you should definitely consider getting the best antivirus for Windows now – and save yourself from some of these destructive cyber threats to watch out for in 2020. 

IoT Attacks

IoT – or Internet of Things – basically refers to devices that are internet compatible. Projections show that by the middle of the next decade, the average household could have as many as eighteen devices that are connected to the internet, making this a potentially enormous haven for cybercriminals to exploit for their own gains. Many different products that are connected to the internet don’t have the same safeguards in terms of antivirus or general protections that laptops or computers have, making them a prime target to access personal information from. This will pose a challenge for individuals and businesses as more people are using things like Alexa or Amazon Echo that access the internet but with little protection from possible threats.

Phishing

Phishing is a form of scam where people are tricked into downloading potentially malicious software, essentially installing a virus onto their computers themselves unknowingly. Many phishing scams go around year after year, with one of the most popular types being PayPal phishing scams. One of the best ways to avoid this is to look at any emails from purported trusted senders carefully – check the email from which it came, and also read the fine print. You might find spelling errors, grammatical errors or slightly different logos that will raise red flags. A bit of extra vigilance will help keep you safe! If you’re still not sure, consider getting some free antivirus software to ensure the continued safety of your laptops and desktops – as well as other devices. 

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that essentially locks up your laptop, restricts accesses and demands a ransom to restore access. The danger with ransomware is twofold – number one, if you don’t pay the ransom, it can be very difficult to get rid of this type of malware. Secondly, there’s no guarantee that the perpetrator will actually restore access, even if the ransom is paid. In this sense, it’s critical to avoid this type of malware to save yourself a huge hassle and money, so be sure to install some kind of antivirus protection that will stop this from happening. 

There you have a couple of the threats that are on the radar for 2020. Unfortunately as technology develops, so does cybercrime, so it’s imperative to take all the necessary precautions you can to avoid falling victim to some of these elaborate schemes. Good luck!

Should you use Psychometric test for leadership roles?

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There are always ways to measure the competence and effectiveness of your employees. Since you have administrative employees too in your organization, you should ensure that there are proper measures to ensure that your employees work in the best manner. You can always improve the level of productivity in your employees with the right tools.

You can easily use the psychometric test for leadership roles and ensure that you have the bet leaders in your organization.  For your information, psychometrics is the study of educational and psychological measurements. A psychometric exam is an assessment technique that caters proper feedbacks that defines leadership specific personality traits and also identifies key features that the person could have for leadership roles. Psychometric Testing is turning out to be popular with employers who want to get insight into an individual’s leadership qualities, motivational style and also other personality traits that can help them get better efficient executive leader.

Psychometric Test: Snatching the Correct Fit

A crucial challenge for companies today is hiring and assessing the proper talent. Identifying a potential candidate for their skills is really challenging and can affect the business performance. Psychometric test makes use of cutting-edge technology that is practical and easily applicable to the environments of the different businesses. It combines critical reasoning tests and psychometric instruments to identify capabilities in a person which an organisation demands for better enhanced business performance.

The point is a good psychometric test caters employers an accurate analysis and insight of the candidate’s suitability to the needed or desired role. Recruitment also gets easier once employers and the human resource development team becomes accessible well-validated results and know how ‘fit’ the candidate will be for the job designation or role based on his personality and capability.

It is a more impartial approach to measure and access personality profiles and traits than that of otherwise subjective measurements and offers a neutral judgement for selection. It is a fair way to judge with reliable results. It is surely a powerful and a proven tool for catering and delivering significant business value to companies looking for the best fit and helps decision making process more efficient. Further understanding people’s strengths and weaknesses will also assist in knowing what motivates them or how one can enhance their potential by added skills and so on. This can be advantageous for organisations to make decisions regarding promotions and catering them work relying on their abilities to perform better.

There are psychometric tests that make use of technology to connect competencies and personalities by gaging intellect, emotional intelligence and behavioural values.  Psychometric tests are altering the modern workplace and is also enhancing the ability to perform or carryout the designated tasks in an absolute efficient way. It demands collaboration and assists companies to select those candidates who are performers and are going to be a good ‘fit’ to both the company’s culture and also designation and also drive business performance to success.

It is true that psychometric tests classify and evaluate competencies, values, personality traits and even that of intelligence. For example, questions related to thinking forward, goals, teamwork, providing inspiration and motivation are essential to distinguishing leaders and there are many psychometric tests that encompass such questions. This test can become a good base to evaluate the capabilities, potentials and overall calibre of the candidates.

Alone, the test is not enough

Remember, maybe the test is great and amazing but it has to be blended with other procedures to get the bets outcomes. The sole use of psychometric tests is not sufficient to recognize leaders. In case a business or firm decides to use psychometric as a way to identify and measure the leadership potential of applicants, it must combine psychometric tests with a sequence of interviews, constructive discussions, meetings with board of directors and even groups meetings with future colleagues. It must also take into consideration the candidate’s background and experience.

The point is once the test measures the personality, overall attitude and style of the candidate, it would give a rich insight into the candidate. Of course, the point is there would be immense clarity about the candidate, which otherwise stays restricted to the resume. But of course, once you blend the psychometric test with the interview and other screenings; the test becomes threefold powerful. The point is, resume can fool the employer and the interview can make the interviewer hear what he or she wants to hear; but these tests would play a neutral role. The way a person would perform, he would harvest the same without any additions or reductions. After all, it is about overall progress and growth of the candidates.

The confidence in the candidates

Since recruiters have so much of pressure to filter and pick the candidates, there is always a high chance of making a wrong or shallow choice. But once there is a tests planted in the recruitment procedure, the test would not disappoint at working effectively. It would ensure that the candidate gets measured in the most effective manner. The test would target the leadership aspects of the candidate and carve them out in the form of the answers he or she gives in the test. The test would give an unbiased picture.

In this way, the recruiters can lay their confidence in the candidates. They can be sure that they are picking the right candidates. After all, what is the point if the recruiters pick anyone or everyone on the basis of what they claim to be rather than what they really are? The test would give the employer or recruiter the confidence in their decision and the candidate they decide to shortlist. Certainly, the candidate, no matter how astute he or she is, would have to go through the drilling of the tests and hence his or her true calibre would be apparent for everyone to see.

Conclusion

Thus, if you haven’t used a psychometric test for recruiting and evaluating the candidates for leadership roles, make sure that you do it now. These leaders can do well only if they are capable and have leadership qualities.

10 Things Need To Know Before Hiring A Video Editor

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You might need to outsource video editing in order to create an eLearning course at times. But it can get you a little headache when you’re looking for the right video editor. I have had a lot of clients that come across to me with a bunch of issues that showed up in their previous experience with editors. The most common issues are like, they were dealing with more than one editor, or the delivery did not happen on-time. Sometimes the clients also can’t get to manage a well-labeled budget, also they run out clues what deliverables to look for in a video. These things are really very depressing because you’re staying in a budget and you got a tight deadline. So how do you choose the right video editor for you?

Well, today in this article, we will talk about ten things to know before hiring a video editor. So tighten your seatbelt and let’s begin the journey.

1. Relevant Work Samples

I don’t understand why a lot of people still don’t care to see the relevant works of an editor. It doesn’t mean that an editor has great experience in working with other clients just because he made a great Facebook Promo. If they don’t feel free to share relevant works with you, then you should at least you should offer them some samples of the videos that you like. It will help them to create something looks alike with similar video footage, photo, music, graphic, and voiceover.

2. Client Testimonials

If you’re hiring a video editor and he is experienced enough, then he will be able to share with you at least 3 rambling client testimonials. People are very careful nowadays, and they are likely to share feedback on the editors and editors like to showcase them on their website. Look for the feedback and if you don’t see them, be aware.

3. Particular Budget Breakdown

It needs to combine a bunch of components into a final delivery when you create a video. These elements will cost you a good amount of money and they vary quality levels. These expenses ought to be determined, in advance, so you’re not left with an unexpected bill toward the finish of the project. You can ask for elements such as scripting, royalty-free footage and photos, music, graphics, voiceovers, and so on. You should have a clear payment term in the end.

4. Instruction On The Filming Process

If you want your editors to be prepared and work efficiently and quickly, then let them know more about your shoot. Feel free to ask them for instruction on video formats, audio recording tips, and green screen lighting. He is an expert in this area, so if you make use of their knowledge, you can save a lot of your time and money. In fact, it helps to run the editing more smoothly without any errors.

5. A Solid Deadline

The Deadline is very important. A professional video editor will have a specific completion date to complete the task. If your editor shies away from deadlines, then consider this matter. You also have to schedule your video review periods. It’s okay to take two days to give feedback. But remember that, if you delay the process by yourself, it will affect the entire process and your editor will get the chance to be lazy for the delivery.

6. Video Review Process Procedure

Reviewing and rating are one of the most important parts of the video creation process. You can make this phase easy and seamless only by hiring a great editor. You should ask them about the process of sharing the draft videos and the notes. It’s ideal to ask them how many revisions you can go through. Generally, the editors provide 3 revisions. Check for this thing on the paper.

7. Final Delivery Assets

You have to make clear about the final delivery assets in the budget breakdown. No matter what size you are using for publishing but you need to make sure that the editor provides you the best quality resolution versions. Because they are very effective when you need to transcode the video in various forms.

8. Duration of Storing The Raw Footage

You might still want to re-edit the parts of your video more, so it’s not over yet once the editing project is completed. So it’s better to ask the editor to provide you the project files of video editing.

9. Video Publishing Assistance

The good ones will include the assistance of video publishing. You might underestimate the number of tasks included in publishing. You don’t know that it takes multiple steps to be completed while publishing videos to a site like YouTube. So it would be a great help for you if you ask them out about the video publishing assistance.

 

10. Background Music

Music is like the wings to a viewer’s mind. It can take your video to the next level. Also, it can totally spoil it. You have to keep track of the quality of music that your editor uses in his videos usually.

I believe that you can be able to hire a video editor as per your needs with the help of this guideline. Choose an editor very carefully if you’re willing to spend a lot of money. Your editor should possess all the qualities you are looking for. Just be enough confident and get on with your research.

How Gadget Makers Can Protect Users from a Hacking

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Source: Unsplash

While technology users are responsible for securing their gadget to a degree, it is becoming increasingly apparent that device manufacturers are also responsible for protecting consumers from a potential cyber attack.

Due to the rise in cybercrime, greater pressure is being placed on device manufacturers to develop a secure gadget design, which should be easy to update. In fact, government regulations could soon force various manufacturers to improve their cybersecurity practices.

Find out how gadget makers can protect their users from hacking.

Patch Security Flaws

Thanks to the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), many cybercriminals are targeting the devices to gain access to personal and corporate networks. For some time now, the burden has been placed on a device used to install strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and screen locks.

However, the biggest threat to a device could be unpatched security flaws, which could lead to a malicious hacking attack, such as a Trojan virus or ransomware. It is an issue that needs to be tackled at a network level, as the flaws must be immediately patched to prevent a user from becoming a victim of hacking.

Add Cryptography

Adding cryptography into a device can add an extra layer of security, as it can authenticate communications between a device and the software and, consequently, improve device security. As a result, it will ensure the software will run in the manner designed by a coder and cannot be manipulated.

Configure TLS Implementations

A recent study found that various smartwatches offer a lack of encryption and insufficient authentication, which can lead to privacy and cybersecurity concerns. Many device manufacturers have, therefore, been encouraged to properly configure TLS implementations, which can secure communications across various networks and can protect the transferring of data.

Remain Up-to-Date on PCB Design

Device manufacturers have a responsibility to provide their users with a safe, secure device. To effectively configure a device, both engineers and device manufacturers must remain up-to-date on PCB design to adhere to the latest layout principles and guidelines. For example, you can visit Altium to read the latest PCB news, tips, and insights.

Feature Remote Security Monitoring

Remote security monitoring can be an effective cybersecurity solution for developers of connected devices, as they will be immediately alerted if a network or software is facing a breach. The security feature can help developers to remain vigilant on their software security so that they can act quickly should they detect a breach.

Conclusion

Cybercrime is not only posing a threat to smartphone or PC users’ photos, files, and data, but it can potentially jeopardize the health and safety of the public. For example, a hacker could possibly control and alter the signal of a patient’s pacemaker, or they could familiarize themselves with a homeowner’s smart device to gain an understanding of their schedule and identify when they will not be home.

It is both a device manufacturer and user’s responsibility to protect their devices at all costs, or they might become victim to a devastating cybersecurity attack.

How A Reliable Internet Connection Can Enhance Your Entertainment Experience

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Ever since the internet came into existence a couple of decades ago, the world seemed to change drastically as almost everything went digital. From businesses all the way to hobbies, most people have somehow found the internet useful when it comes to sharing their art, passions, goods as well as services.

The same also applies to entertainment. Nowadays, if you want to listen or see your favorite musician performing or your favorite boxer boxing, then all you need to do is get your hands on a reliable internet connection and you’ll be good to go.

Thankfully, there are many internet providers including Optimum internet who’ve been doing such a remarkable job giving their esteemed clients strong and reliable internet connection over the years?

Feel free to make contact and start enjoying good streaming without the fear of buffering that can be annoying as much as it is inconveniencing. Here are some of the reasons why you need to get a good and reliable internet connection in order for you to be entertained like a champ:

Makes Browsing/Streaming Easier

Once you get your hands on a good internet connection, you will never have to worry about buffering or anything of that sort. This is because the reliable bandwidth is strong enough to run even the most complex websites.

And that way, you can gain access to YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, SoundCloud, MixCloud or whatever streaming service that you like and enjoy non-stop and continuous entertainment to the point you’ve had your fill.

With this kind of convenience, you can simply switch to partying without having to hire a deejay because you can access some good mixes online. All you’ll need to do is either get your laptop or even better, get your smartphone and connect it then you’ll be good to go.

Can Share Multiple Users Without a Single Problem

As we all know, different people come with different tastes. And that said, you might need a particularly strong internet connection to ensure that you are not struggling with your connectivity.

So if one of your roommates is on their laptop or smartphone watching vines of Facebook and enjoying themselves, you can be on your side of the house streaming your favorite Eminem album without having any issues with slow internet. And that way, everyone can be fulfilled.

Video Chatting Is Better with A Strong Internet Connection

With your good and reliable internet connection, you won’t have to worry about buffering whenever you are making a call either via WhatsApp, Messenger or Skype. Therefore, you and your family can have a good conversation and laugh without having to wonder who the heck you’re talking to simply because the video display is horrible.

Also when the internet connection is amazing, you won’t have to worry about the signal being lost as it’s the case with bad internet. And this is yet another reason why you need a reliable internet connection from a reputable provider.

Playing Interactive Games Online

Apart from watching amazing videos and gaining access to an incredibly huge catalog of award-winning music, you can also enjoy playing incredible games with your loved ones. And since most of these scintillating online games are interactive, you can either choose to play with family members or friends or even strangers.

This will also give you great access to a lot of games that you can choose to just kick back and enjoy without any problems since your internet will have your back at all times, literally speaking.

Conclusion

When all has been said and done, everything today, including business as well as entertainment, runs online. Therefore, getting a good internet connection in your home or your place of work will mean that your entertainment will come full circle.

You’ll be in a position to access platforms such as YouTube and Spotify to check out some of your favorite musicians as well as records.

Entertainment aside, fast internet speeds are important as far as your business is concerned. With a good internet connection, it would be much easier for you to send or receive emails.

You’ll also communicate with both your boss, colleagues or clients (if you own a business) without hesitation. And the faster you do so, the more your productivity levels will increase. That said, having a faster internet connection is and will always be an advantage.

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