Mobile Device Management Vendors Share 6 Security Risks to Avoid

For businesses that use the Internet in their day-to-day operations—which is practically everybody—online security issues are a primary concern. With the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets and laptops comes security threats that grow with each passing day.

Unfortunately, many organizations remain unaware of the various threats that lurk online, and because of this, they are ill-prepared for relatively minor attacks, much less major breaches. With this in mind, mobile device management vendors name the top six mobile security threats you should take seriously to help keep your business protected.

Phishing

Cyber criminals use phishing to steal vital financial information like user credit card and social security numbers, user login credentials, and more. Emails are the usual tools of the phishing trade. Phishers make emails appear legitimate so users will take the bait and hand over their sensitive information without a fight.

Malware

Malware often works by triggering a malware window that overlaps with legitimate websites. Employing a method similar to phishing, these windows trick users into giving their sensitive information, compromising their mobile device in the process. Aside from stealing information, malware can be used to spy on user activities and obtain browsing habits, which can be used for blackmail and other criminal practices.

Outdated OS

Operating systems (OS) constantly need to be updated to fix vulnerabilities in the mobile system, among other reasons. The problem is that these updates often occur at the most inopportune times and can be an annoyance, and so it isn’t unusual for users to postpone if not forgo them altogether. However, ignoring or blocking OS updates can leave a device vulnerable to malware and other threats to security and privacy.

Data leaks

When users make wrong choices about the apps they use, they open themselves up to the risks of data leaks. Many legitimate apps have untested security measures, and thus are vulnerable to attacks. Apps downloaded from unauthorized third party sources are especially prone to this problem.

Unsecured Wi-Fi

Wireless hotspots let you use the Internet for free, so who can resist them? But as with anything that’s too good to be true, hotspots are usually unsecured. Many have fallen victim to hacking via unsecured networks, losing their social media, VoIP conversations, and even their PayPal accounts to hackers. Security professionals warn against using free Wi-Fi to access personal and confidential services.

Unattended devices

‘Don’t leave your belongings unattended’ is always good advice. If a smartphone gets lost or stolen, particularly for those who share passwords across devices, there’s no telling where the personal information it contains could end up.

The takeaway from all of these? You can’t leave the responsibility of protecting your employees’ mobile devices in their hands alone. The key is to implement security policies that work, and in this department, partnering with the right mobile device management vendor can help immensely.

Tips for Updating a Hawaii Oceanfront Home Living Room

The living room is among the most important parts of a home, but especially a Hawaii oceanfront home, where residents and their loved ones commit to the spirit of ohana. In the living room, family and friends can cherish togetherness, sharing conversations or a bottle of wine, or simply lounging about even as each goes about one’s own business – the parents can read a book, the teenagers can play with their tablets or smartphones, while the toddlers can run around.

That said, this space needs to be thoughtfully designed, and updated now and then, to feel cozy but fresh along with the changing seasons. Here are some tips for keeping a beach house’s living room looking comfortable but new over time:

Add natural elements. Homeowners can always rely on natural furnishings to readily bring in a certain kind of warmth to a space. An exposed wooden beam for the ceiling, an area rug made of handspun jute, rattan or seagrass tray or basket, and wooden coffee tables, cabinetry, and paneled walls or flooring, all of which are typically in various shades of brown, give the eye a rest, while also allowing for the statement pieces that are in brighter shades of color to pop and truly make an impact. Occasionally, the owner can also have these items re-treated with a different stain or finish, for a new look.

Change the light fixtures. Lighting is a fascinating component of interior design. Just a simple update can radically transform the vibe of a room, without the regular guests being able to put a finger on what changed, and the homeowners doing so much, too. Minimalist geometric style pendant lights as well as floor lamps with sleek black or metallic finish can instantly add a modern touch to the space, while ornate chandeliers and lampshades with lacquered brass or copper bases help create an old world feel. Even just adding a dimming feature to existing fixtures can already achieve a lot,such as a moodier ambience that’s perfect for cocktails during sunset.

Update the millwork. In interior design, millwork refers to the array of woodwork building components that are produced in a sawmill – from baseboards and trims and crown moldings, to door frames and window casing, to stairways, balustrades, and fireplace mantels. Resizing, repainting, or entirely replacing these items can create more impact than homeowners usually think. They can even go for mixed finishesor types of wood, to create a more interesting look.

The key is to find new ways to present the elements of the living room and keep its functions for the family, without necessarily changing its fundamental layout or style.

To find Hawaii oceanfront homes that are thoughtfully designed and located in some of the most exclusive neighborhoods, get in touch with Harold Clarke of Luxury Big Island today. Harold Clarke is a top-producing real estate broker who understands the needs of the upscale market, and who holds the key to some of the finest properties on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Champion's League Preview: Real Madrid vs. PSG

European soccer is unlike anything we can experience here in the states.  Not only are there are multiple top-notch professional leagues, in five different countries, there are competitions where the best teams across all of Europe compete to be the best. If you are not a daily fantasy soccer expert and are unaware it is called the Champions League and it is glorious.  It is similar to college basketball’s March Madness where teams of all varying sizes get thrown into group stages and battle out till there is just one team left.  We are now entering the round of 16 after more than half of the field has already been eliminated.  There are times in the group stage where we get to see some great matches between two European powerhouses but they are never a sure thing.

Luckily for us, Paris St. Germain, the team that won the Summer transfer season with their signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and German powerhouse Bayern Munich.  Those games didn’t disappoint but there is one matchup in the round of 16 that would have been predicted as a possible final matchup.  Real Madrid, the reigning Champions League champions, are set to square off in a two game series against Paris St. Germain.  There are daily fantasy soccer superstars all over the pitch with the likes of world class talent such as: Cristiano Ronaldo (reginnig Ballon D’Or winner), Neymar, Gareth Bale, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema,Marcelo, Dani Alves, and Edinson Cavani just to name a few.  These two clubs have been two of the hottest in the world and will certainly have plenty of goals to go around.  The reason these two clubs are meeting this early in the competition is because Real Madrid faltered a bit in the Group Stage by loosing and drawing with Tottenham Hotspur. This forced Madrid to the second seed coming out of Group H and allowed them to matched up against PSG who was the top seed for Group B.  These two clubs were both in the top three for Goals Scored and Goal Difference in the group stage, but clearly something has to give.

There will be superstars lined up all over the pitch when these two sides meet up and there is little to differentiate between the two. Both have a prolific attack, playmakers in the midfield, wing backs that love to come up on the attack, and centre backs who can shot down any counters thrown at them.  If you are playing daily fantasy soccer in February when the round of 16 starts, look to stack this game as these two teams play at some of the quickest paces in all of Europe. There should be plenty of opportunities, on both the offensive and defensive end, for these superstars to accrue plenty of fantasy points.

Developing a Winning Legal Research Strategy

Today, lawyers bent on winning a cases for their clients can access a wide range of tools to aid in their trial strategy. In terms of research, media analysis, mock trials, focus groups, and public opinion surveys are all useful means for gaining insight into people’s perceptions, and should then be considered when developing the legal research strategy.

Knowledge of people’s views should aid a law firm’s decision-making regarding each phase of case management. Legal research can show whether a trial must be pursued,if the default court is the right court to hear it. If, for example,a review of media reporting on the crime, or a survey of public opinionin a community reveals that the members of the jury may be heavily prejudiced against their client, a legal team can file a request for change of venue.

Research of past convictions in the same community may also uncover helpful patterns that can be a reliable predictor of the results for a lawsuit, while accounting for any changes in the area’s demographic profile, as well as critical events that may have greatly influenced public perception. For instance, a town noted to be predominantly populated by gun-owning conservatives may have radically changed their views on the deeply polarizing subject of gun control following a shooting tragedy in a nearby neighborhood, and it is wise for a law team to thoroughly examine such a change, if they are handling a lawsuit regarding a crime involving guns.Other information that may be culled through careful, comprehensive research would be the typical penalties being meted out against similar crimes, or the usual amount of damages that the aggrieved parties are awarded.

The legal research strategy can cover not just the attitudes of the entire community, but also the composition of jury members. Jury research can be powerful because they can reveal trends in attitudes relation to such variables as age, race, gender, political affiliation, occupation, or religious beliefs of the potential or mock juror. A good strategy also accounts for the impact of context – the social situation in which the decision-making occurs. For instance, it is possible that even when younger jurors have strong opinions about the case, they may defer to the older members of the jury during the discussions.

As for public opinion surveys, good legal teams should have high standards regarding relevance of the study, the validity of the conclusions established, the similarity of the sample’s demographic profile, and the repeatability of the researchoutcome. How was the design conceived, and how were extraneous factors prevented from confounding the study? Was there a strong correlation or cause and effect relationship between the independent and dependent variable? Who commissioned the research, and how does that funding affect the claims being made?

Going through all these concerns in formulating a good legal research strategy can be time- and resource-consuming, making it advisable to seek the help of legal consulting firms such as Dubin Research and Consulting in Manhattan, New York. Visit DubinConsulting.com today to know more.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' Slow Start

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been making headlines left and right to begin the 2017-2018 NBA season. Coming off of three straight trips to the NBA finals, the Cavs are one a losing streak that has seen them lose five straight.  The drama for this franchise started in the offseason where it was rumored that their star point guard, Kyrie Irving, was clashing with LeBron James and wanted out of Cleveland.  This saw the Cavs acquiring Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, and a first round draft pick from the Celtics in exchange for the young super star. Couple those acquisitions with the signing of free agent Dwayne Wade, LeBron’s longtime friend and running mate during their championship days in Miami,  and this team looked as deep as ever. 

It has been quite the opposite.  The Cavaliers are currently sitting with a record of 3-5 and have lost four straight games. They have used a handful of different starting lineups to try and mix and match which matchups were the most effective and none of them seem to be clicking. The worst stat of them all is the fact that the Cavs are 0-4 against non-playoff teams this year as they have fallen to teams like the Orlando Magic and Indianapolis Pacers.  For a team that has had little competition in the Eastern Conference last season, there is little reason to worry.  The Cavs have dominated the Eastern Conference in recent years and have seemingly an easier path this season with many eastern conference all-stars being traded to teams in the West. 

At the same time, Cleveland know they have a difference maker waiting in the wings. While most of the new members haven’t gotten to get their chemistry together, perhaps the most exciting acquisition of the offseason hasn’t even stepped foot on the court yet.  Isaiah Thomas, who was an all-star and leading scorer of the league last season, has missed every game of the new season is expecting a return around December or January.  With a starting lineup consisting of Thomas, J.R. Smith, Lebron, Jae Crowder, and Kevin Love, the Cavaliers have one of the best starting fives in the league.  Arguably even more impressive is their bench depth where they stash capable players in: Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Kyle Korver, Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, and Tristan Thomas.  This team is strapped up and ready to attack offensively. They are able to run and shoot with the best as they have filled their roster with court spacers and ball movers. The matchup combinations for Tyronn Lue is a fantasy basketball strategy dream as he will be able mix and match players whenever he seems fit. 

Ultimately, there is no reason to look too much into this start for Cleveland. Once all of their pieces are healthy and familiar with one another lookout. They have enough star power to matchup with any team in the league and look to be a favorite for a conference and NBA championships again this season.

The Ugly Side of MMA

One of the hottest and fastest growing sports in the world right now is MMA and the UFC.  The Ultimate Fighting Championship gives the human race a flashback to our more primitive times where men used to beat each other senesi for fun.  Now, it is for sport with millions of dollars in advertisements, pay per view earnings, and contract bonuses.  This has broughten rise to star fantasy MMA fighters like Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, and George St. Pierre.  These guys put their bodies and physical health on the line every time that bell rings and some of the effects can be crippling for a much longer period of time than a “fighting career”.

Unfortunately, one of these rare instances occurred in Houston in the beginning of November.  At the time there was an event being held by LFA (Legacy Fighting Alliance).  This is the rival to MMA and LFA is mixed martial arts promotion broadcast.  The group came together as a result of a merger between Legacy Fighting Championship and Resurrection Fighting Alliance.  At LFA 26, in Houston, Charlie Hancok fought Charlie Ontiveros during the prelimanary rounds of the card. Neither of the fighters had much appeal nor were household names but once the final bell rang everyone had heard what happened.  Charlie Hancock allegedly collapsed and died during the events of the fight.  From reports, the fighter collapased without a strike landed on him. Instead, experts are saying that he was weary from fatigue and this is what caused his body from funcitoning. Alas, the medical team was well positioned on the scene and was able to rush it quickly and act effectively. These actions allowed from this young man’s life to be saved. Contrary to this, the official statement that was released by LFA’s CEO, Ed Soares, said that Hancock collapsed during the fight after the he experienced a kicking blow to his body.  The spokesman said that after enduring the kick, Hancock collapsed to the ground a few seconds after. This is when the referee signaled to the medical team to act appropriately and they managed to resuscitate him on sight. After further tests at a local hospital, it is believed that Hancock suffered kidney failure and he is now in stable condition.

This is certainly not the kind of press that the MMA is looking for.  They have been thriving in mainstream media by promoting their sport to be an explosive and exhilarating sport, but not one where the athletes severely harm their bodies.  If more of America does an MMA analysis of the game and realize the ill effects the sport has on these men and women; then don’t be surprised to see a dip in popularity and some regulation added to protect the fighters. Sometimes all it takes is a situation that comes out to be too close of a call where a fighter could have gotten seriously hurt. In this specific context, the outcome of these events that night could have been much worse and the shockwaves would have been felt throughout the entire MMA community.

Creating a Moody Vibe in Hawaii Oceanfront Homes

Moody may be the last word ordinary people would associate with houses by the beach. After all, beach homes easily evoke images of bright, airy rooms with large windows that offer spectacular views of the ocean. But in Hawaii, oceanfront homes are beginning to adopt this aesthetic, which can be a refreshingcontrast to the laidback island vibe.

Here are some tips for executing this theme masterfully in a beachside mansion:

Use of vintage pieces.The presence of a vintage item easily brings character and a touch of history, and old world glamour to a room. Some examples would be an old wrought iron chandelier, an heirloom armoire, or a mid-century modern accent chair. The key is to give importance to the antique piece, by making it the focal point of a room. The color scheme or the layers and textures should make it stand out, and other items in the space should point towards it. For instance, a homeowner may keep the armoire’s weathered finish instead of having it re-glazed, allowing it to draw attention where everthing else is sleek and polished.

A palette of dark or saturated colors.Color can always easily change the mood in a room. A wall painted in dark neutrals like grey, chestnut, or black, as well as rich jewel tones like emerald green, ruby red, or amethyst help create a striking, mysterious feel in a space, while also making it unlike the typical rooms of beach homes. Even bathrooms and kitchens can feature this vibe, through the use of dark-colored curtains, countertops, and tiled flooring.It’s all about balance.

Unique wallpaper patterns.As an alternative to dark wall paint, homeowners may install wallpaper whose patterns are unique – not too dainty or ornamental. For instance, one that’s gothic-themed, one inspired by Jackson Pollock’s or Mark Rothko’s paintings, or one that captures the texture of concrete, leather, or watercolor on paper. Homeowners can even have these custom-made, based on dark paintings, or exotic patterns that can make guests feel like they are someplace else where adventure awaits. Old, peeling wallpaper could work, too!

A corner for art. Art has been a tried and tested way to bring character to a room, especially if its subject is something profound. Whether it is a painting, a sculpture, a pottery, or tapestry, an artwork makes palpable the presence, the consciousness of another soul, who offers his or her take on a moment, or an abstract concept. Aside from adding beauty to the space, it will easily spark conversations – perfect for when homeowners are playing host to friends and family who have come to enjoy Hawaii’s storied island vibe.

Get in touch with renowned Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke today to know more about the interior design of the best Hawaii oceanfront homes. Harold Clarke and his topnotch team at Luxury Big Island have the key to the finest luxury homesin Hawaii – homes that have been stylishly and uniquely decorated, to suit the discerning tastes of their owners.

The 2 Minute Drill- Fantay Heaven for QBs

During the last minutes of the second and fourth quarters of the game, there is a two-minute warning that signals the end of the quarter. This is where it gets really intense. At this time, the team with the ball are going to try to gain as much yards as possible, while the opposing team will try to negate that strategy. Both teams not only will have the most players on the field are desperate to make an impact within these last two minutes, whether it is to break a tie, push back the rival team, or make enough yards to increase the chance of a successful field goal. There will be a very apparent fantasy football strategy of use of the Wide Receivers in the plays that will happen during this time.

Since the team with the ball has to make some distance to the get a Touchdown, the plays will consist of the Quarterback making passing plays to either Tight End or Wide REceivers, this would lead to the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends getting more passing receptions, receiving yards, and hopefully touchdowns. With such limited time on the clock, offenses tend to turn to a no huddle type of play calling which maximizes the number of plays they can get off given the little amount of time left on the clock. This makes for fantasy football haven!

The fantasy football strategy behind this is that every offensive player will get a huge bump in usage regardless of their positions due to the fact they will be calling many more plays in the short amount of time left.  Although, there is no way to warrant a direct fantasy pick based on two-minute drills, they often come up in games and often lead to big chunks of fantasy points coming off the board.  Defenses will be more inclined to play deep zone coverage, allowing your Quarterback to make easy shorter completions and have your Receivers rack up the Yards After Catch.  In fantasy football, it is better to get multiple shorter completions due to receptions being so highly valued on DraftKings.

The White Sox Will Be Contenders by 2020

Stop me if you have heard this before: “Watch out for that young team from Chicago, they really have a shot this year”.  We all know how flat out dominant the Cubbies were last year en route to a curse-breaking World Series title that did good for the whole city of Chicago and much of the MLB in general. But, in a couple of years the North siders could have some competition due to the resurgence of their crosstown foes in the White Sox.

If you are a daily fantasy baseball player, you could be scratching your head thinking, “I hardly know anyone on the Sox right now and you're telling me they are going to become contenders after they got rid of their best players over the last two years!?” The answer to that is a resounding YESSS!

To get an idea of how this is possible, you would need to take a look at the transactions that Sox have done over the last two seasons.  Realizing they weren’t quite there to make a serious run at a playoff spot but still having guys that could garner some value to the right contending clubs, the White Sox have strategically gotten rid of their core players slowly but surely.  The big names that were moved include: Chris Sale, Adam Eaton, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, David Robertson and a handful of serviceable other players.  What was their net return? Well for a CY Young caliber pitcher (Chris Sale), the Sox got baseball’s number one prospect plus a handful of other developmental players from the Red Sox. In total, the White Sox have far and wide the best farm system in the league.  As of right now, they have six of the top thirty prospects in the MLB and ten of the top one hundred.  They got two of them from the Red Sox, three from the Nationals, and two more from the Cubs after sending the Jose Quintana to their cross-town rival, and one more from the Yankees after shipping the ToddFather to the bronx.  And all of a sudden, a franchise that seemingly has been irrelevant since their miraculous World Series victory in 2005, now have the most hope of almost any franchise in the entire league.

By no means does this mean you should be targeting any of these guys when doing your fantasy baseball analysis because these guys are about three years away from fully get acclimating to what the big leagues is all about.  Instead, this an ode to the Sox for fully committing to a rebuild and acknowledgment for how bright the future looks both the North and South side of Chicago. How cool would it be to see an all Chicago World Series in late October?

Tips for Choosing Among Hawaii Homes for Sale

Hawaii easily lands among the most popular holiday destinations around the world. Many vacationers would, from time to time, be tempted to choose among Hawaii homes for sale to stay in regularly. If you are among these people, you need to be armed with tips to find the best house for your family.

Choose the location wisely. Every family situation is unique. You may be newly married with a baby, or have school-age children, or are empty nesters, or perhaps, have no kids but with lots of pets instead. Depending on your situation, you would have different needs, and the location of your property will be important. For instance, you would want to be near good schools if yours is a growing family. Or you need to be just a short drive away from the hospital if you are a retired couple dealing with a host of medical conditions. The neighborhood is also clearly important. The best ones are highly exclusive, but also let you easily access the beach, as well as the establishments.

Establish your standards. There is a wide selection of properties for sale, and nothing can make you waste your time than not knowing what you want. Establish your standards as regards such factors as price, location, architectural style, and size of the property. Have some room for flexibility, but not so much that would make it hard for you to make a decision.

Partner with a local realtor. Proper research is impossible without the help of a local realtor. You need to know someone who knows the real estate market well, and understands what options suit your lifestyle. More than the information on the features of Hawaii oceanfront homes, for example, which you can easily research on your own, they have information that you need if you are in for the long haul, such as what job or business opportunities will always be in demand in the district?Moreover, the one with local experience can link you up with trustworthy people who can assist you in building your life in Hawaii: home inspectors, repairmen, landscapers, gardeners, and plumbers, among others.

For more on finding the best of the Hawaii homes for sale, talk to leading Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke today. Harold has decades of experience as a local realtor, and will be more than ready to guide you as you navigate the Hawaii real estate market.