How Do I Protect Myself When Using Wi-Fi?

Posted on 6/27/2012 @ 11:46 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Wi-Fi is everywhere. Whether you travel for business or simply need Internet access while out and about, your options are plentiful. You can sign on at airports, hotels, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, and now, even airplanes.Wi-Fi wasn’t born to be secure; it was born to be convenient. Wireless networks broadcast messages using radio and are therefore more susceptible to eavesdropping than wired networks.Today, with criminal hackers as sophisticated as ever, if you are using an open unsecured network on your mobile device, you risk exposing your data. There are many ways for hackers to see who’s connected on a wireless connection, and to gain access to your information including passwords, emails, and all the data on your device.To protect yourself and your data when using Wi-Fi, you should:Turn it off:the most secure Wi-Fi is one that is turned off. Disabling the Wi-Fi signal on your device prevents anyone from seeing your device and prevents your mobile from randomly connecting to just any available Continued...

Federal Investigators Bust Credit Fraud Ring

Posted on 6/26/2012 @ 11:32 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

A federal investigation dubbed “Operation Open Market” recently yielded 19 arrests in nine states, for crimes including identity theft and counterfeit credit card trafficking. The defendants allegedly participated in “Carder.su,” a Las Vegas-based transnational ring that bought and sold stolen personal and financial information and manufactured counterfeit IDs and credit and debit cards in order to commit fraud. This criminal organization has also been known to host online forums wherein members are encouraged to buy and sell counterfeit documents and stolen data.Executive Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations James Dinkins commented, “The actions of computer hackers and identity thieves not only harm countless innocent Americans, but the threat they pose to our financial system and global commerce cannot be understated.”According to theFederal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s latest update, “Fraudsters use keyloggers to steal the logon ID, Continued...

Devising a Family Emergency Action Plan

Posted on 6/26/2012 @ 11:24 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Tragedy happens. Mother Nature, manmade disasters, accidents and freak occurrences require families to have some form of emergency action plan or evacuation plan. The best defense to aver tragedy is having systems in place.The Red Cross is known for their disaster response strategy and they have put together a comprehensive list of steps to take:Create a Family Emergency PlanMeet with your family or household members.Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergencyChoose two places to meet:Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fireOutside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuateChoose an out­of­area emergency contact person. It may be Continued...

ADT Pulse: Remote Security Systems for Small Business

Posted on 6/25/2012 @ 9:52 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

The standard old school home alarm system covers monitoring, doors, windows, motion and glass. Today’s digital wireless home alarms are much more. Today’s small business alarms are much much more.While these remote security systems are very simple and easy to program, they are very complex, but user friendly. Once you dive into the system it gives you a tremendous amount of “awareness” of the goings on in and around your small business and the alarm system does it automatically.No matter the nature of your business, whether you have inventory, hardware, assets, or employee or client data, you need to make sure your business is protected by a security system.Remote Arm/DisarmFrom almost anywhere you can easily arm and disarm your system, giving added security when you can’t be there to lock up.Secured Remote Video MonitoringYou can view events in multiple areas of your facility, have greater control over loss, and oversee your business from almost anywhere.Office Equipment ControlSomebody leaves the coffee Continued...

Selling Your Old Smartphone? Not Smart

Posted on 6/25/2012 @ 9:39 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

It has become standard practice to upgrade to a newer device, and people often sell, donate, or discard the old one. Or maybe you’ve received a new computer or mobile phone as a holiday gift and need to get rid of the old one. You consider selling them so you can get some money back—maybe to purchase your newest device, but is this really worth it?After what I’ve seen, I don’t think so. I conducted a test where I purchased a bunch of used devices off of Craigslist and eBay to see if I could still find personal data on the devices. I found a startling amount of personal data including photos, phone numbers, addresses, emails, text messages and even passwords.While most of us would think we were safe if we did a factory reset on our mobile device, we also need to remember to remove or wipe any media like internal drives, SD cards, and anything else that stores data really should be destroyed. And for Android phones, even though some of the phones had done a factory reset, I was still able to find data on them. Continued...

Identifying Safety Hazards During Your Home Search

Posted on 6/25/2012 @ 9:21 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Buying a home is stressful. The whole process is overwhelming due to it being such a large dollar amount coupled with wondering if you’ll actually get the loan. Then on top of itall, you want to make sure the home you are buying is safe for your family.Studies show the major causes of injury in a home revolve around people falling, getting poisoned, home fires and choking. And then the concerns go to hazards and toxins like carbon monoxide, lead paint, mold infestation, asbestos and radon gas.When looking to buy a home and even looking around your own home notice:Falling: Outside,look for unsafe conditions that would facilitate a fall.Such as retaining walls or ledges without proper barriers, porches or stairs without proper railings.Inside,are the stairs to the higher floors safe? Is the wood rotted? How about the basement stairs? Are the windows on higher levels equipped with proper locks so kids can’t open them? Are there locks on doors to porches? How accessible is the attic and is the attic floor solid Continued...

Gold Farming e-Guides Facilitate Banned Gaming Activities

Posted on 6/20/2012 @ 11:45 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Most MMO game operators ban the sale of in-game currency for real-world dollars. But that hasn’t stopped gold farming from flourishing into a full-fledged underground economy.ATelecoms.com article entitled “Killing Cash” addresses the ways in which virtual currency may be pushing old fashioned cash out of circulation altogether. One point is the prevalence of gold farming, which, according to a 2011 report by the World Bank’s InfoDev unit in 2011, an estimated 75% of all virtual goods sales involve gold farmers.“The vast majority of gold farms are based in developing countries like China, and the phenomenon has attracted the same kind of publicity as sweat shops, with imagery of banks of computers staffed by ill-paid workers who repeat the same in-game tasks in World of Warcraft for hours at a time to earn in game currency. These funds are then traded on illicit exchanges for real world money. The value comes from games players who support the system as an easy way to boost their in-game funds.”Numerous Continued...

17 Percent of PCs Are Exposed

Posted on 6/20/2012 @ 11:37 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Exposed as in streaking through life naked without a stitch of security. There are things I do and things I don’t do, and no security isn’t on my “do” list. Come on, people!McAfee used its Windows-based Security Scan Plus scan an average of 17 million PCs per month in 24 different countries. This was the first industry study of its kind, thought to be the most accurate snapshot of consumer PC protection to date.83% of computers scanned were found to be protected with the basics. Basic security protection includes working antivirus software, anti-spyware protection, and firewalls.That leaves 17% with no or essentially no protection from malware and other threats.Other key findings include:Finland is the most protected country with only 9.7% of PCs lacking any security protectionSingapore ranked at the bottom with 21.75% of consumer PCs completely unprotected11.75% of Singapore’s PCs have security software installed, but it is disabledSpain had the highest percentage of PCs without any installed basic security Continued...

Electrical Safety in Your Home

Posted on 6/20/2012 @ 11:31 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Electricity is an increasing presence in our modern lives. May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is promoting a healthy respect for electricity and increasing awareness of electrical hazards.Electrical incidents and fires disrupt countless lives and result in the loss of billions of dollars in productivity and assets each year.Week 1 –Cooking Up Safety in the KitchenThe kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where families gather to cook favorite recipes, share warm meals, and reconnect with each other, but it’s also the location where two-thirds of all home fires start. Identify and correct potential hazards in your kitchen before someone gets hurt.Week 2 –Plug Into Safety in Your Family RoomThe family room is an area of the home where many people go to unwind and relax, but there are certainly a lot of appliances powered there. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average home today has three televisions, two DVD players, at Continued...

Top 10 Warning Signs of Employee Theft

Posted on 6/12/2012 @ 12:26 AM in #News by RobertSiciliano 1 comments

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that employee theft costs American employers more than $50 billion dollars each year. In a study conducted last year by The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, executives of 60 percent of the companies surveyed said they expected their employees to steal money or equipment. Another study conducted by The Chubb Group in 2004 found that 39 percent of private companies had employees who stole company funds, equipment, or merchandise.Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to employee theft. Many dollars are saved when business owners and managers make prevention their top priority.Look out for:#1 Big spenders: Large purchases such as cars, TVs, jewelry, vacations and more, especially if they cry poormouth.#2 Violators: Employees who habitually violate company policies are breaking the rules in more ways than one. Often that means they steal too.#3 Drug abusers: Employees that have a substance abuse problem need to feed their habit and they steal to do it.#4 Liars: Continued...

5 Steps To Ensure Your Home Loan Is Safe

Posted on 6/12/2012 @ 12:11 AM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

Home loans are granted by banks who are FDIC insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency created by the Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system. The FDIC preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring deposits in banks and thrift institutions for at least $250,000; by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the deposit insurance funds; and by limiting the effect on the economy and the financial system when a bank or thrift institution fails. In essence the FDIC has your back.Problems with loans today generally revolve aroundloan modificationthat puts a borrower in a risky position. Many people are 30-120 days or more behind on their payments. Many face foreclosure and others get a temporary reprieve from their banks. The idea behind a modification is to get your loan to a point where you can afford it and keep up with the payments.Step 1: Before you get into trouble look at your Continued...

10 Tips How to Prevent Retail Shoplifting

Posted on 6/7/2012 @ 11:39 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 9 comments

People steal. Stealing is normal. That doesn’t mean it’s good, because it isn’t, but I’ll bet some scientist could prove stealing is in our DNA. We’ve been stealing to survive for millions of years. Today, you wouldn’t think stealing would be necessary, but still, millions steal because of need or greed. Store managers know this better than anyone.According to the Nation Retail Security Survey, small businesses often experience higher annual shrinkage than larger companies. In part because smaller businesses are not equipped withretail security systems. However, there is plenty you can do to reduce and/or preventretail theft.Make it Difficult forRetail Theftto Happen:#1 Instruct employees to be the first line of defense by greeting or acknowledging every customer who enters their department.#2 Provide personal customer service to as many customers as possible.#3 Instruct floor personnel to make frequent eye contact with customers who wish to browse on their own.#4 Assign zones for staff coverage so that floor Continued...

How to Respond in a Medical Emergency

Posted on 6/7/2012 @ 11:35 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 4 comments

First, I’m no doctor so this advice is not intended to be substitute for consulting with a medical professional. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention.But I am a Dad and these things interest me. So I hopped on over the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and took a page out of their book “What to do in a Medical Emergency” They have information on everything fromAbdominal PaintoSnake BitestoVomiting. But what interests me the most is the fundamentals like “Is It An Emergency?” because before we go diving into the particulars of specific emergencies, its’ good to look at it from 30,000 feet.AECP says it is essential to know how to recognize the signs of a medical emergency – because correctly interpreting and acting on these signs could potentially save the life of a loved one — or your own life — one day. Many people experience the symptoms of an emergency, such as a stroke or a heart attack, but for various reasons (such as fear), delay seeking Continued...

15 Screening Tips for Hiring Honest Employees

Posted on 6/7/2012 @ 11:03 PM in #News by RobertSiciliano 1 comments

Being a small business myself, I know how difficult it is to find the right employees. And everyone I speak to who is in business has the same problem. Unfortunately too many people lie, cheat and steal and when they come to work for you, they drain company resources until they are fired. It’s best to use prescreening services; otherwise the screening tips below will help you to hire honest employees.#1 Job Classifieds: Place and ad that says what you want: “Seeking HONEST employees with high moral integrity who seek to thrive to in a motivating environment with many opportunities for advancement and higher pay. Applicants will have a background check and psychological test, reference checks, drug testing and additional screening to determine eligibility.”#2 Look for incongruence. Resume are often “false advertising” and outright lies, look for red-flags and exaggerations.#3 Appearance is telling. Someone who is disheveled and unkempt is a sign of character.#4 Ace interviewees: Interviewees who are Continued...

Hiring Employees: How to Perform a Criminal Background Check

Posted on 6/5/2012 @ 12:34 AM in #News by RobertSiciliano 1 comments

Background checks are a necessary tool in today’s sometimes violent and certainly litigious society. If a rug installation company was to hire an installer, who eventually rapes and kills a client, then the rug installation company would be held libel for the animals actions. This example is one that happens all too often.It’s common sense to require employment background checks for school volunteers, coaches, teachers, janitorial staff and really, employees of all kinds. As a small business, one the worst thing you can do is hire an employee who becomes a legal liability or has a history of crime that comes back to bite you.There are two ways of going about getting a criminal background check for employment:#1 Private companies: These are information brokers who have huge databases containing public records and records from private sources. The information on a background check might include all the addresses you’ve lived at, those you are related to, marital status, social media profiles, current and past Continued...

Concert Season Coming: Don’t Get Scammed

Posted on 6/5/2012 @ 12:24 AM in #News by RobertSiciliano 0 comments

As spring is in full swing, so are the advertisements for upcoming concerts. I, for one, look forward to getting on my Harley, snagging easy parking, and taking in a few shows this year. And, as with all seasonal activities and events, scammers are gearing up to take advantage of another opportunity to prey upon unsuspecting victims looking for a last-minute deal.There are many options for purchasing tickets online, but not all are safe and secure. OneForbesblogger revealed how he wasscammed when attempting to purchase NFL tickets. And how did he encounter these scammers? Through Craigslist.“The seller had a Gmail account and a cell phone number and a plausible-ish explanation about why he couldn’t use them, and he was willing to meet her in person to hand them over, and they looked more or less like the last tickets I bought. So we bought them. And we went to the stadium gate, where the guy who scanned our bar codes told us we had to go to Will Call, and the lady at Will Call took one look at our tickets and Continued...

Workplace Safety Tips: Identifying Fire Hazards

Posted on 6/5/2012 @ 12:17 AM in #News by RobertSiciliano 1 comments

TheOccupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) provide an exhaustive (and exhausting) detailed reference of fire safety standards here. Many states such as IOSHA (Indiana) have adopted these workplace safety tips and summed them up different fire hazards in a convenient way:General Fire Safety TipsTo eliminate fire hazards, you can install afire alarm systemand look for potential sources of fire ignition which may exist in your facility, such as:Electrical Failures and Misuse of Electrical EquipmentYou can reduce electrical fire hazards by ensuring proper installation, maintenance, and use; conducting regular inspections; and, providing job training to employees. Also, be sure to replace worn electrical cords and avoid overloading electrical circuits.Housekeeping and MaintenanceYou can reduce the potential for fires through attention to housekeeping. Immediately dispose of flammable wastes and scrap in metal containers with metal lids. Avoid excessive stockpiling, and put trash and paper in proper Continued...