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Outdated OS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.