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7 Chrome Extensions to Help You Protect Your Online Safety and Privacy

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There are thousands of different extensions for Chrome. Some of them are designed specifically to make your browsing experience more secure and private. If this is something you are looking for, keep on reading, as we’re about to unveil the top cybersecurity extensions that are worth looking into. That being said, let’s cover the basics first.

These extensions will customize your browsing experience and unlock new functionalities

Some of the extensions are limited to improving the looks and other cosmetic elements of your browser. Others, however, will unlock the kind of functionality that’s not available in its vanilla version. Like a character counter for your emails or a built-in to-do list, for example. Of course, these can be enabled or disabled at any time you see fit, so you’re by no means tied to your choices.

In the world of cybersecurity, you can never be safe enough

It’s important to keep a tight grip on cybersecurity essentials, like cookie management, browsing history, password storage, etc. But thanks to the Chrome extensions, there’s no need to do it manually. You can even set it to lock all of your passwords under one master key, effectively doing away with the need to remember every single piece by heart. There’s also a plugin that disables the scripts that you don’t want to run (like those annoying ads, for example).

With that out of the way, what are the top cybersecurity extensions for Chrome?

1. Adblock Plus

Malware that gets distributed through ads, also known as malvertising, can wreak havoc on your device. Adblock not only stops them from ever loading up in the first place but also brings all the unsolicited website tracking to an end.

2. Blur

One of the best extensions for privacy. Organizing your passwords, hiding your traffic, encrypting your data – all in one little extension. If you’re not a fan of companies collecting your data for marketing purposes, this is one of the answers. In addition to that, certain social media like Facebook are known to track you even during the time when you’re not logged in, which is another thing Blur prevents from happening.

3. Click&Clean

When browsing, your device gets cluttered over time with things like cookies, temporary files, etc. This extension declutters it at the click of a button. In the end, you want to keep your browser running smoothly and get rid of any unwanted baggage – it’s also a matter of keeping your privacy protected.

4. NordVPN

In this day and age, whenever you go online, a VPN is a must. Having one available straight from your browser always comes in handy. Whether it’s government censorship you’re trying to bypass or merely caring for the safety of your sensitive data that you transfer over the web, this should be a part of every modern online surfer’s repertoire.

5. Sneekr

Your browsing history should remain a private matter, and you must do your best to protect it in the same manner you’d protect the privacy of your own home. This particular extension places everything behind a password-only screen so that no one can see it but you. Plus, it gives you the option of accessing it from anywhere you want (and even wipe it if deemed necessary).

6. DuckDuckGo

Protecting your privacy at all costs is the motto behind this extension’s design. Their search engine is known as presenting a viable alternative to Google’s search query tracking. But their Chrome extension does wonders in terms of decoding privacy policies and escaping advertiser tracking. Also, it forces encryption when you’re surfing the web, which helps you stay safe from those prying eyes some ISPs are notorious for.

7. LastPass

Too many users resort to keeping their passwords simple and easy to guess, just for the sake of convenience. Worse yet, some are re-using the same passwords over and over again, so they don’t have to remember what password goes where. Guess what? The hackers are smiling, because you’ve made their job easier this way. LastPass is a solution to the problem; by using one master password, you’ll be free to design your passwords to be as complex and impenetrable as possible without having to remember them all.

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Conclusion

The extensions we’ve mentioned are by no means the end of the list, but they make for a good start. At the very least, this should be enough to get you thinking about how these can bolster your cybersecurity defenses and help protect your online safety and privacy at all times.

An expert guide to online gaming security

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With roughly 2.3 billion gamers across the globe, video gaming is now the largest entertainment industry in the world. But while online gaming is a fun, highly popular pastime, it can also present a number of cyber security risks to unsuspecting users.

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From personal and financial data to in-game items and cryptocurrency, there are a range of assets that can fetch significant real-world prices for cybercriminals – and online gamers often trust as much of their personal information to gaming platforms as they do when online shopping. A moderator for RuneScape recently stole billions in virtual money from players, with a real-world value of $100,000.

To help, the experts at ESET have put together a list of 10 tips for staying safe when online gaming:

1. Keep your authentication game strong

Password reuse is a common issue in online game, as gamers often need to manage accounts for multiple platforms, like Steam and Origin, and for individual games themselves. This can result in the use of duplicate, or easy to remember but weak, passwords that are easy for hackers to breach.

To prevent this from happening, ensure you choose a strong password. If the platform or game has a two-factor authentication option, enable that for your account and create a password of at least 12 characters. If two-factor authentication is not available, or you choose not to use it, choose a password of at least 16 characters.

In either case, choosing a phrase consisting of several words (that aren’t too common) like a book or song title, song lyrics or similar, will make your password easier to remember. Finally, ensure you have a different password for every account or game. If you’re worried you won’t remember them all, consider using a password managing service to help.

2. Be careful what you click on

From unofficial cheat codes to unfamiliar links, be wary of downloading anything from an unknown source. These are unlikely to work and may contain some form of malware. Likewise, only download official upgrades and levels. Phishing campaigns are frequently targeted towards online gamers using popular games, and can even pose as a friend in an attempt to send malicious links via chat platforms.

3. Guard your personal data

Often player accounts are most valuable to the cybercriminal, and hence the most highly targeted. From geotargeting to monthly payment subscriptions, online and mobile games can collect large quantities of data about their users. This provides hackers with a wealth of opportunities to steal personal information such as your location, online activity, and financial details.

Avoid providing too many personal details where possible, and make sure you verify the legitimacy of any platform or game you engage with. Delete all personal details from consoles and PCs when you pass them on to others, are using a public device, or are throwing your device away.

4. Protect your email

You might not think your email is as important as your bank details, but it can still be used by cybercriminals to attempt a breach. Be sure to protect your contact details such as email, phone number or social media accounts as carefully as possible. Never give away your email address to unauthorised sources, as you might then receive spam or emails that contain malware.

5. Keep your real name under lock and key

Online gaming can expose you to a wide range of strangers, and you can’t always verify if everyone you interact with is trustworthy. Beware of who you talk to and what you say to other game players. Never reveal any personal information such as your full name, email, school or workplace, and choose a username that is completely different to your real name. In addition, never put a clue to your date of birth in a username or add personal details to your online profile or avatar.

6. Secure your mobile devices

Many online gamers now use mobile apps to play – giving hackers the opportunity to breach vulnerable mobile devices. Unwanted or infected applications might cause harm by exploiting your phone’s data or functions. However, there are many kinds of mobile security solutions, such as antivirus, anti-phishing and proactive anti-theft protection, with options for both Android and Apple.

7. Make the most of multi-factor authentication

Many games and platforms offer options for two-factor authentication. This will add an extra step to the login process, sending a code to either a registered email or phone number, or a predetermined code, to ensure you remain protected in the event someone obtains or guesses your password.

8. Watch out for bad behaviour

Report any inappropriate behaviour, bullying or abuse you see online to game administrators or software makers through their official reporting procedures (which they should always have). See if the game can block abusive players directly, and take steps to remove yourself from any unpleasant situations.

9. Ensure extra security for children

games online

If you are a parent, guardian, or teacher, it’s highly important to establish appropriate parental controls to prevent children from entering unknown pages or links. You should also educate children about basic rules and tips of cyber security to suit their age, and carefully monitor what young children in your care are accessing on the internet, so you can ensure they’re staying safe at all times. Some cyber security solutions even provide parental controls as part of their service.

Never allow your children to meet up with people they have met only online.

10. Keep your devices updated

Whatever device you use for online gaming, outdated software can provide an array of vulnerabilities for cyber criminals to attack. To avoid a breach, it’s vital to ensure all your devices’ operating systems, antivirus software and critical applications are properly installed and kept fully up-to-date.

Play safe and have fun

Online gaming should be a fun, safe pastime you and your family can enjoy worry-free. A comprehensive, multi-device security solution such as ESET’s Smart Security Premium is a great way to stay protected against malicious online activity, ensure the apps you download are safe, and unmask potentially unwanted applications.

Tech Forward – 5 Technologies You Should Consider for Your Business

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Photo by Alexandre Debiève on Unsplash

Each passing day brings more technological advancements to business. As convenient as progress can be, implementing new technologies in the workplace can entail a substantial financial commitment. It’s therefore crucial that business owners prioritize those technologies that are truly helpful, rather than throwing precious capital away in passing fads.

Read on to discover five essential technological innovations that you should consider implementing in your business.

Cloud-Based Unified Communications

Cloud Unified Communications have revolutionized the way businesses speak to each other and amongst themselves. By consolidating all your communication channels onto a single, web-based platform such as Broadsoft hosted PBX, organisations can achieve efficiency, cost-savings and performance gains.

Your staff can seamlessly switch between voice, messaging, video and other platforms, as well as gaining access to their work phone network from anywhere with an internet connection.

3D Printing

3D printing has taken the world by storm and offers endless creative possibilities for modern businesses. From a cost-effective means of prototype production to the fabrication of spare parts or low volume manufacturing of highly customised products or components for niche industries, there are few limits to what can be achieved by this incredible advance.


Fully Automated Marketing.

Yes, you are always going to need a marketing department, but that doesn’t mean that all their time needs to be taken up by basic tasks.

Consider identifying an automated marketing system that works for your business so your crew can worry less about mailing lists and more about face-to-face interactions with new and existing clients to help grow your business.


Cloud-Based Software and Storage.

Similarly to UC described above, cloud computing has changed the game when it comes to commercial software applications and data storage. If you’ve ever put hours into a piece of work, only to have your computer crash and lose everything, you know how heartbreaking a technological failure can be. Couple that pain with all the productivity you just lost and storing your work in the cloud becomes a rather attractive prospect.

You also get the added bonus of being able to share content between teams far more easily than you can by using traditional methods.

Cybersecurity.

You would be surprised by how many businesses lack adequate protection from would-be hackers. If you fall into this category, now is the time to put some effective systems in place to protect your sensitive and valuable business data and information.

You wouldn’t want to spend the time and effort bringing your technology up to date just to have someone swoop in and destroy it all and cause untold damage to your business with all the information they just gathered from your internal server. Invest in water-tight cybersecurity to ensure the safety of your intellectual property and assets and protect priceless, confidential client and internal data.

History has shown us repeatedly that if you do not adapt with the times, you will get left behind. Investing in your future and keeping your operations up to date should be one of your main priorities.

Technology may seem like a distraction from your primary corporate objectives at times. However, it can be a lifesaver when used correctly. Even if it isn’t make or break for your company, it will undoubtedly improve performance and efficiency by reducing stress and streamlining otherwise complex processes.

Start integrating new technologies in whatever way you are comfortable with. Just remember to adapt to your environment and have robust strategies in place to keep your business relevant, and your new tech will help you for years to come.

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CleverLoop Security Camera System Review

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The CleverLoop security camera system is designed for homes and businesses wanting an affordable yet smart way of monitoring their property. As well as being clever by name, this security system is also clever by nature as it actually learns, with a little input from the user, what’s important and what’s not.

Important activities that justify an instant alert being sent to the CleverLoop smartphone app include people or vehicles, whereas movements that aren’t important, such as trees, pets and light changes, are ignored. This significantly reduces false alerts, a common issue with many camera security systems.

With users receiving live alerts that include video footage, CleverLoop can be used as a standalone smart home security system, effectively eliminating the need for a traditional burglar alarm. This type of active monitoring camera system is probably the next best thing to hiring a security guard to look after your place 24 hours a day!

Most traditional monitored alarm systems in Australia cost $20 to $40 a month in monitoring fees, which adds up even in just one year. A major attraction of CleverLoop as a home security camera system, or indeed for business security, is that it doesn’t require a monthly monitoring service fee.

Instead, you can keep an eye on your own property and possessions as your cameras are linked up with your smartphone, via a well-designed IOS / Android app. Via this app you’ll receive push notifications, which you can easily disable, to alert you whenever there’s activity in front of one of your cameras. The system records 10 second long video clips by default so you can see exactly what was in the camera’s view. You’re also able to quickly view real-time views from any of your linked cameras.

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Who Should be looking at the CleverLoop System?

Homeowners to monitor for unusual activity or to keep an eye on pets or children
Everyone wants a safer home and CleverLoop’s smartphone app functionality makes it a versatile system that provides for burglary protection and much more. Use it to make sure the kids arrived safely back from school or as a ‘petcam’ to see how your pets are when you are out at work.

Renters who want security solutions that won’t upset the landlord!

You want better security for your family and possessions, though your landlord doesn’t want to fork out to alarm the house or have you damage walls when installing a security system, or removing it when the tenancy is up. Indoor cameras can simply sit on benches or bookcases without the need for screws, or can be fixed to walls using heavy-duty 3M removable sticky strips. Outdoor cameras are pretty heavy-duty and solid, so would need to be screwed in place.

Small businesses wanting to protect stock, staff or cash areas
CleverLoop is ideal for smaller business looking for additional security without ongoing monitoring charges, especially as it can connect up to 4 cameras with a single Base Station. CleverLoop allows businesses to easily and affordably monitor behind counter staff, outside areas (especially after hours to prevent break ins or vandalism), loading/delivery areas and any other places where security is needed.

Easy Install of Your CleverLoop Security System

CleverLoop has a painless and user-friendly setup, even for the non-tech savvy! No confusing and poorly explained instruction manual. Instead, you download the app onto your phone and follow a series of short 3-5 second clips to get you up and running.

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Summary
Indoor and outdoor high-definition cameras are both well spec’d and are connectable through data cable or WiFi. Coupled with a brilliantly designed app make this a genuinely smart security system. Click here to see the cool things the app does.

The system has a geo-fencing function, which means cameras can be activated/de-activated when an app’s users phone is within a certain distance of the Base Station. This certainly reduces the chance of forgetting to activate your security system when leaving the house!

If you’re looking for an affordable security system for your home or small business you certainly won’t find a better system available for $699. CleverLoop really does cover you for both a silent intruder alarm and security camera system which, if you had professionally installed, would be well over $1200.

You can check out more details or pick up your own system on-line at www.cleverloop.com.au. They also provide free, express courier delivery throughout Australia on their systems and provide great customer support.

3 Ways to Secure Your Company Accounts

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security for 2016 computersAccounts of companies, especially big-budget ones, getting hacked, are all over the news. That’s why you can never take your company’s security for granted. The minute you do is all the invitation criminal elements need to come out and play. Here are three ways you could keep your company accounts safe and protected from hackers and leaks.

Audits

These audits help protect your interests, says the Business News Daily. An audit can turn up any suspicious activity involving your assets. That way, they can launch an investigation to find out what the root cause of the problem or issue is. Simply got your account code wrong? They can fix that easily enough so you won’t have to. With regular audits, you can ensure your data is accurate and that you’re keeping your accounts well away from hackers.

Go on the cloud

More and more companies are putting their trust—and information—on the cloud. So should you. As cloud storage becomes the go-to option for many businesses—it’s easy to scale and a much more cost-effective option than upgrading tons of costly hardware—moving your information to the cloud is going to happen sooner rather than later. By doing it now, you can stay competitive with the rest of the companies doing the same thing, count on the same advantages and pass on those advantages, those cost-savings, to your customers. So don’t get left behind. Make sure your company knows how leverage current technologies to help you keep your data secure.

Encrypt and back it up

Don’t forget to have your data encrypted. That helps keep anyone out of your data. There are plenty of programs you can check out for this so look them up. Make sure you know how to protect your data well within the legal limits so you won’t have to worry about compliancy issues that could put your team and company in hot water. With encrypted video communications like BlueJeans—one of the leaders in video solutions—you can easily keep your data secure and out of reach. Also, make sure you back up every important piece of information. This way, even if a device is lost or gets compromised, your data would be safe. Just make sure you create a backup on a different device. That way, you can easily access any data or information you need.

Other important tips

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While those three tips are essential to keeping your data safe, here are other tips you might find handy as well:

· Get an anti-malware. This is a must for every security system. An effective anti-malware will keep sneaky scammers out of your system. No need to worry about your emails picking up an infection at some point and compromising your entire system.

· Make your hard drives unreadable. If there are any old data or information you don’t need, you can have all those disks shredded. Destroy old backups. That way, no one would ever have a chance to access any old data from your company’s old hard drives.

· Use a password. This might seem like a cliché but it’s the first step to ensuring your system is protected. So take that extra step. Lock your network with a password. This will make it more secure so you can easily work without any worries. However, in a bid to make sure it’s even more secure, go for passphrases instead of just single-word passwords. That gives another layer of difficulty for scammers in order help keep them out of your system. Also, don’t forget to regularly change your passphrases. This will make it even more difficult for scammers to get into your system and get up to some trouble.

· Use a firewall. This is a must-have for your online security, says the Entrepreneur. Firewalls block out dangerous programs along with viruses and spyware before they get into your network and wreak havoc in your system. However, make sure you’re setting up your communication infrastructure inside your firewall and not outside of it. The best one won’t be able to do anything if you set it up outside. Also, scammers and hackers will find it pretty easy to infiltrate your system. So don’t fall for that mistake. Be sure you’re setting it up inside your firewall.

· Always check the privacy settings. Any time you download or install a new program or software update, never fail to check out the privacy settings for each one. That way, you know what you and your team have to work with. This also helps you set any changes or adjust your setting in any way you want so you get the best results possible.

These are just some tips on how you could keep your company’s data safe. So if you want your data safe, start by putting these tips to good use.