Archive for year: 2018

Tips for Safe Online Practices

It’s the season for happy holidays, yet hackers are always out there raining on the seasonal parade. To this end, we’re sharing vitally important information shared with us by our longtime collaborator, Al Steed of Advanced Computer Solutions.

            Al notes that Citrix users received an email, coming from Citrix Share File, requesting a password reset. Please know – this is a legitimate email. Aiming to be proactive, Citrix intended to minimize risks and their email notification was far from the norm. But as we know, these are not “normal” times. Protecting one’s business and giving the best service to customers is always a priority, no matter what time of year. 

            If using Spotify, be aware that a phishing email is being spread, trying to hijack login credentials. This phishing email uses a fake hyperlink. The consequent page appears identical to the legitimate one. Use caution when at any site asking for confirmation of log in credentials. You just can’t be too careful these days.

            Al also informed us that the Strategic Security Survey performed by Dark Readings states most organizations are not prepared for negligent users. These will be the main sources of date breaches, even if the person is unknowing. A negligent user is defined as those who click on anything and everything and forget to take the utmost caution on the internet.

            How to prevent negligent users, insidious hackers and harmful phishing emails? Educate your employees. KnowB4 Security Training can help greatly in this area as it teaches methods to safely surf the net and use email.

            Keep it happy for your business this holiday!

It occurred to me while night sailing recently that as summer glides into fall, we change our perspective to focus on the immediate needs that arrive with the new season.

            When the moon shines on the bay, we can only see the few things that are illuminated- a swatch of water and a faintly lit, shadowy shoreline. There is a similarity in transitioning to fall, in that we now need to focus on the necessary routines that must and do occur each autumn. Getting kids back to school and starting up their sports and other activities are major events. There is often a rededication to work as well, prioritizing tasks and projects that may have been postponed due to vacations and the active summer months.

            The brief and often over-scheduled summer now settles down, and many fun distractions go away. No more parades, weekend festivals or days at the beach. There may be a slight sadness or disappointment as summer slowly becomes fall. And yet, who doesn’t love being cozy in sweaters, enjoying seasonal treats like warm cider and watching the colors change?

            There is a comfort to routine- we know what we need to be doing and when. Though some may find that limiting, to others it’s a relief and freedom of its own kind. Knowing what we have to do allows for scheduling in things we want to do. This is no longer a summer free-for-all, with an abundance of choices that we often feel rushed to include. Summer feels like a short season, and when we know the weather will change, each day the sun shines is the day we need to pack in as much as possible. Right? But it tends to be a headlong rush, leaving us breathless and a bit exhausted.

            Then there’s fall…cuddling up with a good book on nights that begin earlier, turning up the heat or lighting a fire, and planning for the seasonal events of Halloween and Thanksgiving.

We get the kids back to set bedtimes, put dinner on the table at a regular hour, and resume following a favorite sitcom. There’s a lot to be said for catching our breath, and recalling great summer memories while pulling fall’s shawl in close.

            The only catch about routines is not letting them define us, and making sure to keep spontaneity alive. Shake up your routine by taking a new class­ – maybe cooking or wine tasting. How about a workshop or training you’ve been meaning to do to improve work performance or get up to speed with social media, for example? And if you didn’t get a chance to pay a visit to one of the many lakeshore towns, autumn is the perfect time to seek out fall color with a little day trip. Another great nighttime activity to embrace the seasonal shift: mousing for big brown trout on the Manistee or Pere Marquette rivers.

            Just because we’ve embraced the inevitable change of season, remember to make time for something special, like a little night sailing!

          It’s finally here – spring! We waited through a winter full of varied weather, thinking it wasn’t too bad. Then came the late season, heavy snowstorms of April. Yet today, we look out upon a shimmering bay and see more sailboats each day, anchored and ready for summer sailing. Spring flowers are triumphant and glowing and cherry orchards are ready to pop out their fluffy blossoms. These gifts of nature in springtime are our rewards for living through the cold winter months.

            Great things are worth waiting for, and worth working towards. What are your challenges and aspirations? Spring is a perfect time for reevaluation and making plans for change. A change in lifestyle perhaps. Time for more biking and hiking – the weather is no excuse now! Time to throw off winter’s cozy yet anti-social coat and reach out to friends and family. Make plans for an outdoor gathering, bonfire or meet up for trivia night.

            With your business or other entrepreneurial venture, what new actions and ideas will motivate you to give your clients the best, or push your own endeavor to new levels? Now’s a great time to plan a business open house, meet the community and offer a package deal or discount for new clients. A creative, promotional ad would help support local media, whether it’s in a local paper or on the radio, as well as raise awareness of your business. Get your name out there and reinvigorate your passion for the work you do. Take a workshop or read a book in your field of expertise or interest. Or maybe it’s time to pursue a passion you’ve been putting off. Coaching a sport, pursuing art or photography, or volunteering for a cause close to your heart are all ways to jump start your life this spring.

            Whatever it may be, remember: there’s no time like the present, and time itself is a present. Happy Spring!