by Amy Nutt

With more people using the internet everyday, there has been a significant increase in the threats of online criminals attempting to steal personal information. When you use email, surf the net, and provide financial information to retailers, you have to make sure no one can steal your information. Fortunately, technological improvements in computer security and implementing safety precautions can drastically reduce the chances of having your information stolen.

The following tips are designed to help you protect personal information on your computer:

- Acquire Security Software: It is important that you have the appropriate security software to protect your computer from viruses, hackers, worms, spyware, spam, identity theft, and Adware. A quality and renowned security software program will protect your computer from a variety of security risks. Some software provides a combination of protection methods while others provide just one security function.

- Implement Wireless Security Protection: If you access the internet through a Wi-Fi network, make sure you have the appropriate protection from hackers. With wireless networks, the radio waves travel in the surrounding area, so a hacker sitting nearby can access your connection and hack into your computer.

- Use a Firewall: A firewall adds a security obstruction between a personal computer and the internet. It helps prevents hackers from accessing your computer. It will block any suspicious and unauthorized entry into a computer system.

- Email Encryption: When you use email encryption, it reduces the chances of someone intercepting and accessing your information.

- Beware of Phishing Scams: Many online criminals will send fraudulent emails and use fraudulent websites to gather a person’s personal information. Never provide personal information to unknown businesses. Confirm the site is legitimate by either checking with the Better Business Bureau or online sites that expose fraudulent sites and emails. Purchase products from sites that encrypt transaction payments. Encrypting payment information will code your personal and financial data after you submit the payment.

- Beware of Certain Free Download Programs: Some free download software can contain harmful programs. They can allow the person who sent it access to your computer. Security software can prevent these programs from installing. Adware and Spyware are software that can contain these malicious programs.

- Backup Information: Back up and store your information in case your security barrier is breached so you will not lose important information. Store it on a CD or an external hard drive.

- System Security Configuration: Configure your browser or operating system to manage pop-ups, delete cookies, and block specific web sites.

- Change Passwords Regularly: Change your passwords at least every 30 days to reduce the chance of a hacker accessing your online personal and financial information.

- Monitor your Credit Report: You should regularly check your credit report history. This will let you know if anyone has been using your financial information.

When you use the internet for shopping, banking, emailing, and sending instant messages, there are shady people who may try to access your computer to steal your information. Using the latest security software and practicing safe security practices, will reduce the chance of having your personal information stolen and used for illegal purposes.

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Why Businesses need to be PCI Compliant

We all want to know that our financial information is protected when shopping at online and traditional businesses. Unfortunately, many people have learned the hard way about fraud after they have lost thousands of dollars. Although businesses have taken a number of measures to improve their security, there are still many online shady individuals engaging in credit and debit card fraud. Online criminals are constantly seeking new ways of gaining access to people’s financial and personal information. The financial cost of fraud is massive. Any business that accepts credit and debit card payment information should comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Businesses need to assure their customers that they are protected by complying with the PCI DSS.

Consumer confidence in how personal information is managed is one of the most critical elements required for a businesses success. Creating and fostering a good business reputation can take years, but destroying it can be instant. A multi-million dollar business can be irrevocably harmed by the loss of their reputation. With the creation of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), the assistance that has been much needed has now been developed to secure the use of credit and debit cards. Businesses that process and store customer credit and debit card data are now required legally to be PCI compliant and to conduct business practices under a strict set of rules. PCI compliancy has boosted confidence in spending by implementing twelve strict regulations which protects their customers’ personal and financial information from such threats as hackers, viruses, worms, Trojans and more.

PCI compliance covers a number of areas such as that installing a firewall, including encryption during transmission of card data, implementing regular updates of anti-virus software, and implementing computer maintenance and protocols such as monitoring and testing the networks in order to reduce security breaches.

PCI compliance has provided consumers and businesses with the security and assurance to trust in carrying out business transactions safely and securely online and in person. PCI DSS drastically reduces the risk of identity theft and fraud, thereby reducing customer loss and profit loss.

Increased knowledge of the PCI system and the implemented safeguards and regulations, tells customers that the risk of having their information stolen is significantly reduced. As well, the sizeable fines for non-compliance are a huge deterrent for one who fails to maintain compliancy. Smart Shoppers look for a secure site that is a PCI compliant company. Most people will not do business with an unprotected company.

Because business today depends on electronic transactions and payment processing for the majority of their payments, PCI compliance needs to be the highest priority. A business that fails to register for payment card identity compliancy will fall behind in an extremely competitive business world.

With the expansion and constant development of the internet, consumers are now demanding high quality goods and services with a minimum risk of fraud. Being PCI compliant allows a customer to feel confidant and secure about the purchases they make. Knowledgeable and cautious shoppers look for security when shopping so it makes sense that a business becomes PCI compliant. The result will be repeat customers and an increase in conversions which will lead to an increase in profits.

As credit card fraud is increasing, businesses are becoming PCI compliant. In addition, SAS 70 Type II is practicing audits on a regular basis, combined with Data Centres Canada, a high degree of security is being offered to customers so they may be able to obtain a peace-of-mind to customers.

It’s clear that social marketing on MySpace, YouTube, and Facebook is the wave of the future for chiropractic marketing and garnering residual income, but what people don’t realize is that it’s tremendously important to market yourself correctly from the beginning. You need the right guidance to make sure you develop proper credibility within your community, and you need your guide to have experience. Don’t spend thousands to get off on the wrong foot, wasting time and precious energy. There are some secret rules that you must learn to correctly navigate the journey ahead.

Communication will never be the same in our lifetime thanks to the almost overnight boom of social media. Chiropractors and small business owners are now asking whether social networks are only for teenagers, and you better realize that the answer is NO! There is a much wider demographic on these social media sites daily. Employers are pulling their hair trying to figure out how to get their employees off the sites during working hours! I sensed the great potential in this boom, took advantage of it, and my life has been radically transformed.

The internet is a vast ocean that offers the means to a much easier life. Chiropractors need to update with the changing times, as outdated and expensive ways of marketing and crippling the profession. Online web 2.0 methods have shaken the traditional chiropractic marketing paradigms at their roots and there has never been an easier time to build a massive practice or establish multiple sources of income.

I can show you exactly how to use social media to get tons of new patients into your office each month. And here’s the real prize: you aren’t going to pay one dime on advertising to do it! Your current consultant or practice management “guru” likes to pretend like they know what I’m talking about, but in reality they have no idea about what I teach, and they wish they did.

When you commit yourself to my program, you’re committing yourself to being at the very forefront of this marketing trend that is about to sweep the nation. It hasn’t taken hold yet, and that means that you get first dibs! My students are the ones surviving and even thriving in these difficult times, and you can too. On one of my profiles, I have in excess of 6,400 friends, 3,000 of which are members of my local community who I can communicate with via blogs and bulletins. I’m honored to be the absolute first and only consultant to use social media’s power to unleash unbelievable wealth and attention, and only my students are privy to this priceless information.

I’m now established as the chiropractic expert in my community’s niche, and automatically receive countless referrals monthly. My reputation will endure just about anything, and my business practically runs itself. When people are looking for a chiropractor in my community, on Google they will come up with my profile, first and foremost. I have endless speaking engagements around the country, and that is due to the proven success of my program. I’m here to improve the lives of my students through the health and prosperity of their business.

Begin to brainstorm on what you want to be known for in your community and you can even start to create simple videos that will showcase your talents and let the people know that you are a real person. Keep the videos under five minutes, as people have a short attention span. Also, make them fun, interactive, and interesting so folks want to hear about your next adventure or health tip of the day. If you are unsure about how to create a video and the technical aspects, my video training course will bring you up to speed in no time.

And all of this is easier than you ever imagined. You don’t even need a camera to start, but you might want one down the line. When I first began, I made my video with screen capture software, and the success I achieved from that was amazing. Those doctors paying through the teeth for pay-per-click would love to have the free advertising tricks that I teach. It’s time to dominate Google with this free advertizing technique, and ditch the dollar-per-click trap. You’re going to achieve results that you never imagined possible.

Harness social networks to simply get truckloads of new patients every month with easy Chiropractic Marketing strategies. Learn how to make in excess of $30,000 / month with this social media Chiropractic Internet Marketing training series.

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