9 things that are damaging your brain and you did not even know about

Ever wondered what our brain needs and what it can benefit from? These are a few things that I do or people close to me do which has caused them (or is causing them) permanent brain damage. I am not implying that I have unintelligent friends - just that I know, now, the reason(s) why they act .. for act of better word .. 'brainless'

Twitter down - how often can you see this?

Just when you think that Twitter is the best real time news provide - this happens.

Twitter currently down

This screenshot was taken minutes ago. Now, a lot of people think only Google can handle the kind of load that is required - hence advocating for Twitter to be purchased by Google.

I leave it up to you to make up your mind

Three reasons to NOT use SiteGround - Review as a customer

So, we have been using SiteGround for web hosting. There were several issues that came up during hosting - but most of them were quickly resolved by the technical support. What went unnoticed that the issue resolutions were not permanent fixes but were 'patches'.

Anyway, two days, I realised that I am not assured an FTP slot to Siteground at all times! I do have a shared server but still, I do not think it is fair to me that I am denied FTP access to my server at any point in time.

The explanation given to me involved talking about number of possible connections and perhaps SiteGround increasing the limit of users -- should it concern me how Siteground manages issues internally? I mean, I have my stuff to take care  -- I do not need to worry about things that should be working normally!

To be fair, I was quite happy with a LOT of things that SiteGround tech support team did.
Tech Support Review:
1) Fast response time - Awesome
2) Helpful responses - Awesome
3) More than one person handling your request (at times) which means you need to explain your issue again because there is a good chance that the third developer (perhaps in the next shift) does not know what transpired before - VERY BAD.
4) Supervisors try to not say things straight up when they know they are mistaken. (This could be a personal observation)

Anyway, the sales team at SiteGround should make it abundantly clear that when a customer signs up to use semi-dedicated hosting services, it does not mean that we are able to connect to the server using FTP at all times. When we are able to connect, it cannot be assured that connections wont drop (given that you are not inactive). However, from observation - I have seen that once I am connected to the server, I am normally able to stay in without a problem.


Conclusion: Be careful of what you are getting into when you begin using SiteGround as your hosting service provider. Their lack of
1) Transparency and inability to give straight answers
2) Resources to ensure seamless functioning and
3) Servers not doing 99% availability. (I have reported several times when our blogging platform was not available - this was reported by customers -- imagine how embarassing it is for a new start-up?)

I have not decided who I am going to approach but I will move out of SiteGround's services very soon.

5 tips on how to engage customers using social media marketing

Have you decided to jump on the social media bandwagon (good for you) ? Do you find yourself complaining that no one comments on our posts, no one shares your updates or re-tweets your tweets, etc.  Without any interaction or payoff, it is normal to begin to wonder if social media is really worth the effort.

What’s lacking is ‘customer engagement’.  Without customer engagement, social media becomes tiresome and boring. Over time, people will stop paying attention.

Question: How do you stimulate engagement?
If you're a small business, before you throw in the towel, I’d like to encourage you read the following engagement suggestions and test them out with your social media audiences.

Fading away into the night

While London may have many beating hearts, Camden beats harder and faster than most, and it never stops beating. By day the markets are crawling with shoppers hunting for that one of a kind accessory, eager shouts follow you from market kitchens of all cuisines, tempting you to taste there fare, while the clinking of a hammers from the traditional craftsmen beat a rhythm.

But when the shopping is over, Camden keeps it's tune. The dance floors carry on the rhythm into the night, and with the hallmark of Camden being endless variety, you're sure to find something to your tastes. And if your tastes are more inclined to the traditional British pub, then however many you fall in love with, there are always more to be discovered.

Like the Canal that curves it's way amongst the markets and clubs, the rhythm of Camden never stops flowing, and it's hard for any that hear it to resist joining in the dance.

As day fades into the night, I find myself leaving the weight of my shadows on the bridge over the canal and reaching out to join the spirit of Camden.

Day or Night, London is the place to be in 2012

Visit London in 2012 and take a bit of the magic back home with you.

The components of this picture were taken over 3 days and at the end of composite combining 64 image slices, the spirit of Camden has been captured along with why any traveller would absolutely enjoy the 6 markets during the day and at the same time have a smashing time at night.

Traditional markets in London

What is the deal with traditional markets in London? 

Fact - Traditional markets are the oldest form of exchange – and are not just a key part of the British heritage. Successful markets deliver many diverse benefits to local towns and communities and while economic benefits are perhaps the most obvious, the social value of markets and the community cohesion they encourage are equally important. Markets can also help regenerate town centres, promote healthy eating and support 'greener' lifestyles and more sustainable patterns of commerce.

What is Smishing and how to stay protected?

What is Smishing?

Smishing is a form of phishing attack, combination of SMS and phishing as the mode of fraud is the Short Messaging Service (SMS) in this case. Also known as SMS Phishing (SMiShing) is the social engineering scam which the attackers use to attract the users.

How does it work?

Any user can receive a SMS from the attacker stating that his/her account is suspended and needs a payment of some amount instantly, if he doesn’t reply soon the payment will be deducted. The SMS have either the number to call back which is powered by the Interactive Voice Response system (IVR)to show the genuineness or have some URL listed which is some genuine looking fake URL.

The hackers will then ask for your credit card info, or other personal info and create a duplicate card for the same. After they have captured your information, you are sure to lose your money. The SMS have no number of the sender as it is usually sent using computer or email service, making it hard tocatch them.

How to stay protected from Smishing?

The only method to stay safe from smishing is by staying attentive and never ever replying to the unknown calls (vishing) or messages (smishing). Your security is in your hands, unless you reveal your information, no one can find it and remember genuine organizations like Banks will never ask your private info as they already have it.

In case you are in doubt, then open the webpage directly only, never click on the URL or links provided to you via email or texts as they will redirect to some similar looking website which will hack your details.

Courtesy: QbOhayo

What is Vishing and how to stay protected?

Vishing, is also one of the types of Phishing attacks made using the practice of social engineering over the telephone system. Vishing, too follows the same principle of fooling people and gaining their important details like PIN and bank information.

Vishing is the combination of the terms “Voice” and “Phishing” as it incorporates the use of voice for phishing people.

How does it work?

The attackers call the people with some prior information about them and act to be some official people from some organization, thereby asking for your other personal information. The little information that they have like your birth date etc is enough to break your trust and fool you, as the users feel that they are some officials only.

If the user gets caught in their web, then they asks them for their personal information like bankaccount number, PIN etc and may also provide you some fake webpage asking you to pay certain amount to keep your account running. The attackers call from some number that is not easy to detect even from the Caller ID facility.

How to stay protected?

Well, since this fraud happens over phone there is no software that can help you, and you will haveto keep yourself safe by yourself. Stay cautious if you receive any call from an unknown number, or from someone asking your private information whether or not they claim to belong from some organization.

If you are having some doubt about the identity of the caller, then you should call the official number of the organization from the statements/bill etc but not the number provided by them.

Courtesy: QbOhayo

Just because you do not see it does not mean it is not there

Believe!

Just because you do not see it does not mean it is not there

Christmas shopping in Camden Town

Are you as excited as I am this Christmas? London packs a lot of fun and frolic on the period leading up to Christmas break. It should be a lot of fun meeting friends and buying presents for the Christmas tree.

Rudolph and friends

This year, I have decided to support small businesses by going online to MyMzone and purchasing unique and handmade products from Traditional markets in London like Camden Town.

The reason is this: TFL has announced that the TFL employees are going on a strike for 60 hours starting Dec 24 8PM until Dec 26. This means that traveling in London will be cumbersome during Christmas and Boxing day holidays.

For this reason, I will do my purchases online this Christmas on MyMzone! =)