Blog

Oct
17
2008
Can viruses really steal ID information?

A good friend told me that some viruses and trojans that you get, can actually find confidential personal ID information on you computer like SSN or credit card info, and send it to scammer who then can rip you off?  Is this true? What can be done about it? 

I have and anti-virus program called Cyberdefender on my computer, is that enough protection? Well there are viruses that implement keystroke logging; basically they record keystrokes that you’re typing into your computer. These keystrokes can include anything that you type, including any personal information you might enter into a website, application, or document. Once the keystrokes are recorded, they may be sent over the internet to a malicious third party. Antivirus programs are certainly one line of protection. Some are better than others; none of them work well unless they’re continually updated. Firewalls also help by limiting communication between the trojan and the miscreant who hopes to recieve your data. Changing passwords frequently can help foil an attack.

Best of all is to avoid getting a virus in the first place. Be wary with attachments in email (especially multimedia files such as videos!), make sure your operating system has all security updates applied.

Web-surf with care. 
Michael



Oct
12
2008
Focus on PR … Not Advertising

This is not to say both are not important but many companies waste millions of dollars trying to establish brands through advertising. When it comes to branding, too much money is worse than too little, because when you have a lot of money, you spend a lot of money on stupid things, like commercials or spot advertising. Brands are built on what people are saying about you, not what you’re saying about yourself. People say good things about you when 1) You have a great product, and 2) You get people to spread the word about it.

 

In other words be smart about all your business moves.



Oct
12
2008
How to Make a Million… 7 industries hold the Potential

These 7 industries hold a seven-figure potential. Let me share with you how to get started in each one–and take you one step closer to a richer life.

So you want to be a millionaire. You dream of going from rags to riches with money to spare. You brainstorm ideas, searching for the one that’s going to catapult you to success and add six zeros to your bank balance.
Though we can’t do the work for you, we can direct you down some promising paths. Here are seven industries hand-selected not only for their position in the current economic landscape, but also for their potential. And since the best ideas often spread nationally thanks to entrepreneurs who transform them into franchise concepts, opportunities abound.

Read More…



Oct
12
2008
Speak English

It doesn’t necessarily have to be English, but speak in nonjargonese. If your position statement uses any acronyms, the odds are that 1) Most people won’t understand your branding, and 2) Your branding won’t last very long.  For example, “Best JPEG decoder” assumes that people understand what “JPEG” and “Decoder” mean. And 10 years from now, who knows if JPEG will even matter anymore? Not to be an ageist, but a good test is to ask your PARENTS if they understand what your positioning means. It’s a good idea to understand technology .. but it’s a better idea to know how to explain it.



Oct
10
2008
Flow With The Go

As much as I love marketing, at the end of the day, it’s your customers who ultimately determine what your brand name means. To a great degree, you take your best shot and see what sticks. Or, more accuratley, you see what your customers make stick for you.

For decades, Apple Inc. has tried to make the Macintosh brand stand for power. For decades, consumers have believed the Macintosh brand stands for easy to use. Ultimately, you flow with what’s going and you’re thankful that it’s flowing at all.




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