12 Ways to Protect Your Smartphone from Cyber Attacks

12 Ways to Protect Your Smartphone from Cyber Attacks
10 Myths Small Business Owners Believe About Their Insurance
Twitter’s Vine Video App Presents New Opportunities for Businesses
9 Things that Will Drive Your Web Designer Nuts
Business Buying Tips Inspired By Sale of Twinkies

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST

smartphone cyber attack Every year security experts warn that our smartphones are due for a major attack.

This year is no different.

That mini computer you carry with you is a growing target for hackers. We use them to surf the Net, read email, watch news…not to mention they’re also being used as mobile wallets.

Heck. You’re probably reading this article from one now.

Smartphone Cyber Attacks: The Numbers

How serious is the risk?

According to a study by Lookout Security 40% of mobile users (or 4 out of 10) clicked on unsafe links with their smartphone in 2012.
According to RSA, the security division of EMC, mobile users are at least 3 times more likely to become victims of phishing attacks than desktop users.
Mobile users are much less aware of mobile security options.
Mobile users easily download games or look for an app they need without researching the developer or knowing what types of permissions they should suspect.
According to AVG technologies, 89% are unaware that smartphone applications can transmit confidential payment information such as credit card details without the user's knowledge or consent.
91% are unaware that financial applications for smartphones can be infected with specialized malware designed to steal credit card numbers and online banking credentials.
29% store credit and debit card information on their devices.
56% did not know that failing to properly log off from a social network app could allow an imposter to post malicious details or change personal settings without their knowledge

Scary, isn’t it?

But there’s good news too:

The 13,000 different kinds of mobile malware found so far is nothing compared to the 90 million threats detected for PCs.
Developers have learned from the long history of cyber-insecurity during the early PC era. As a result, smartphone operating systems are designed with much stronger security protections.
Most companies are already gearing up for the coming tidal wave of security threats (i.e Samsung investing in mobile security firm Fixmo.) The investment is being used to:

". . .advance research and development in the areas of mobile device integrity verification, data loss prevention (DLP), risk analytics and trusted mobile computing."

Ways to Prevent a Smartphone Cyber Attack

Here are a couple of suggestions you can use NOW to safeguard yourself:

1. Get rid of your phone: You could just go Enemy of the State and get rid of the thing. But who are we kidding? You’re not going to do that and I’m not doing that either. (I’m actually cracking up while writing this.) But the truth is, you won’t have to worry about security with that strategy.

2. Set a passcode: Set a password on your mobile device so that if it is lost or stolen, your data is more difficult to access. One of the the biggest security risks is old fashioned carelessness. Data is most often taken from mobile phones when they're lost or stolen and aren't protected by a password. It's an open invitation for thieves to go rummaging around.

3. Check your phone bill: Be on the lookout for unusual behaviors on your phone, which could be a sign that it is infected. These behaviors may include unusual text messages, suspicious charges to the phone bill, or suddenly decreased battery life.

4. Download from trusted sources: Before downloading an app, conduct research to make sure the app is legit. This includes checking reviews, confirming the legitimacy of the app store and comparing the app sponsor's official website with the app store link to confirm consistency. Many apps from untrusted sources contain malware that once installed – can steal information, install viruses, and cause harm to your phone's contents.

5. Backup and secure your data: You should backup all of the data stored on your phone such as your contacts, documents and photos. These files can be stored on your computer, on a removal storage card, or in the Cloud. This allows you to restore the information to your phone should it be lost, stolen or otherwise erased.

6. Understand app permissions before accepting them: You should be cautious about granting applications access to personal information on your phone or otherwise letting the application have access to perform functions on your phone. Make sure to also check the privacy settings for each app before installing.

7. Wipe data on your old phone before you donate, resell or recycle it: To protect your privacy, completely erase data off of your phone and reset the phone to its initial factory settings.

8. Make sure you have a security app: Download a mobile security app that scans every app you download for malware and spyware and can help you locate a lost or stolen device. Also, make sure the security app protects from unsafe websites.

9. Report stolen phones: If your phone is stolen, you should report the theft to your local law enforcement authorities and then register the stolen phone with your wireless provider. This provides notice to all the major wireless service providers that the phone has been stolen and will allow for remote "bricking" of the phone so that it cannot be activated on any wireless network without your permission.

10. Read the FCC’s Smart Phone Security Checker: The Commission released an online tool called the "Smartphone Security Checker" in December. It outlined a 10 step action plan mobile users can follow to prevent their personal data from being exposed. Experts believes it is one of the most comprehensive set of rules for safeguarding smartphones.

11. Watch out for pirated apps: Be careful of apps that offer a typically paid app for free or an app that claims to install or download other apps for you. Remember: you get what you pay for.

12. Never wire money to someone you don’t know: This goes without saying, doesn’t it?

Are there any other ways you can think of to protect your smartphone?

Cyber Photo via Shutterstock

The post 12 Ways to Protect Your Smartphone from Cyber Attacks appeared first on Small Business Trends.

10 Myths Small Business Owners Believe About Their Insurance

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST

small business insurance Small business owners have a lot on their plates. In addition to being CEOs, they're often CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, and just about everything else. On top of that, their personal finances are usually mixed with the business finances, making each dollar they spend or save that much more important.

This means that small business owners are often skeptical of new products and services (decidedly a good thing). But it also means small business owners have a heightened need to mitigate the many risks they juggle. The right business insurance can provide excellent protection, but small business owners should understand the truth behind these insurance myths before deciding on their coverage.

1. You Don’t Need Errors & Omissions Insurance if You Only Provide Advice

As a subject matter expert, you can be held liable for any negative impact that your advice causes a business. In fact, even if your work simply fails to live up to the expectations you set, a client could bring a lawsuit against you.

E&O policies provide funding for the legal services required to defend yourself against claims of negligence, even if those claims are frivolous. This is essential, since the legal defense costs (including lawyer's fees) are often the most expensive part of an E&O lawsuit – they can easily range into tens of thousands of dollars.

For example, consider a marketing consultant who tells a client he can help them increase marketing ROI in a six week time frame. Even if the consultant does everything right, the client could be engaging in practices that decrease ROI, and by the end of the contract, could have a lower ROI than they did prior to hiring the consultant. Without a carefully worded contract and proper Errors and Omissions Insurance, the consultant could be at risk of a lawsuit for failure to perform his services.

2. You Don't Need Workers' Compensation Insurance if You Are the Only Employee of Your Company

Some states (New York, Nevada, and Utah) require all businesses to carry workers' compensation insurance. Translation: even if you're a sole proprietor, you could still be required to carry workers' comp, depending on where you live.

In other parts of the country, your coverage needs will depend on how many employees you have, how those employees are classified, and what kind of work you do. For example, some states do not require business owners to carry workers' comp insurance for contract (1099) workers, but do require coverage for full and part time employees (W2). An insurance agent can clarify the laws for your industry where you live.

3. You Don't Need Business Coverage Because You Work at Home

Actually, most homeowner's insurance policies don't cover business-related damages that occur in a home office. Too many home based small business owners find this out only after they go to file a claim.

Even if your homeowner's insurance protects some of your business property, chances are good that that coverage won't be in effect when you are traveling for work, whether that means running to a client lunch or flying across the country for a conference.

A simple general liability insurance policy or business owner's policy can offer home based business owners the protection they need for both basic business property (such as laptops) and certain types of injuries clients can suffer (such as slander), whether the incidents occur at home or on the road.

4. You Don't Need Business Auto Insurance Because You Drive Your Personal Car

Many personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage for commercial (a.k.a. business) use. That means if you get into an accident while running to Staples or the airport for your business, you might run into difficulties with your insurance provider.

The insurance needs for your car will depend on how it is primarily used. In other words, if you use it most often for business purposes (but sometimes for personal uses), it will likely require commercial coverage. If you use it most often for personal purposes (with the occasional business errand thrown in), it will likely require only personal coverage.

An insurance agent can explain this to you in more detail.

5. You Don't Need Property Insurance Because You Work at Your Client's Location and Use Your Client's Equipment

Your property insurance needs will depend on the terms and conditions outlined in your client contracts. Some clients provide coverage for physical damages for work done at their locations, and some do not.

For example, imagine a contractor who repairs a client's dishwasher but leaves the hose loose after finishing. Say the hose causes a flood at the client's house; even if the client has flood insurance, the contractor's insurance would most likely be responsible for covering the damages.

This is because insurance companies provide coverage based on who is responsible for a device or piece of equipment: if you are in charge or in control of the equipment, your insurance is likely responsible for covering any related damages.

6. Your Personal "Umbrella" Policy Will Cover Everything

Personal umbrella insurance will not cover everything. In fact, umbrella policies come with explicit limitations and exclusions. Read over your contract to determine what is and is not covered.

7. You Need Insurance for Each Client Contract

In many cases, your business insurance will be sufficient for multiple client contracts. There are some exceptions, though. fidelity bonds, for example, may need to be renewed for each new client, and contracts that involve high or complex risks may require supplemental insurance.

While it's a good idea to verify that your insurance policies cover you for each new contract you secure, there's a good chance you won't need a new policy for every new client. Most policies define the services covered very broadly.

More likely, your insurance needs will change when you add new services, move the business' location, or change the number of employees who work for you.

8. You Don't Need Insurance Because You No Longer Have the Client You Purchased it For

Insurance protects you as a business owner. While not every client you work with will demand that you have coverage, carrying insurance regardless of your client's demands puts you in a better risk-management position.

More important, though, canceling and restarting coverage as you need it may trigger red flags at insurance companies and can make it difficult for you to get coverage in the future when you need it.

9. If You Get Sued, You Can Simply Shut Down the Business

Closing your business will not necessarily protect you from a lawsuit. Courts tend not to care whether or not a business is currently operational. In a worst-case scenario, you could be required to cover settlements or judgments from your personal assets.

10. You Don't Need Business Insurance Because Your Contract Protects You

Contracts are put in place to outline the specific terms of a project and delineate whether or not lawsuits are available. In the event that you breach your contract somehow (for example, by missing a deadline or failing to perform on a key deliverable), the terms of the contract could be voided, opening you up to a lawsuit.

As a small business owner, the health and future of the business is among your primary concerns. While insurance protects against an uncertain future, it gives you the peace of mind you need to plan and manage your business.

Insurance Myth Photo via Shutterstock

The post 10 Myths Small Business Owners Believe About Their Insurance appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Twitter’s Vine Video App Presents New Opportunities for Businesses

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 07:00 AM PST

Vine, Twitter's new video app, was recently released to the public, giving users the ability to create short, looping videos and distribute them to their social networks.

The looping videos, which act a little more like GIFs, can only be up to six seconds long, so it may not be enough time for some brands to share any meaningful messages to consumers. However, years ago it might not have seemed possible that brands could get through to consumers with a series of 140-character blurbs, but now using Twitter seems almost essential for businesses.

Vine could present just another opportunity for brands to connect with consumers on social media and possibly make a quick impression or give a teaser for a new product. The app could also simply be used to give previews of full-length videos that can actually present more of a complete message to consumers about a brand or product.

vine video app

For the long term, Vine could also mean new advertising opportunities for brands on Twitter. Twitter hasn't announced any official plans for a Promoted Tweets type of offer for Vine media, but such an offering could have some benefits for certain brands, as well as giving Twitter more revenue streams.

Videos from Vine's Make-a-Scene app appear in expanded tweets, as shown in the photo above, and play automatically. Within the Vine app, videos include sound. When the videos are embedded in tweets, the sound is automatically muted but users can press a button to un-mute them.

Vine videos can also include different clips stitched together into one video, rather than just allowing one continuous shot. This sets it apart from some of the other mobile video apps that have launched recently, all looking to grab the title of "Instagram for video."

Vine was originally a three-person startup that Twitter acquired in October 2012. The service never launched publicly until Twitter took over and unveiled the app this week.

Currently, Vine's Make-a-Scene app is just available for free on iOS devices, but Twitter says that it is working on bringing the app to more devices in the future.

The post Twitter’s Vine Video App Presents New Opportunities for Businesses appeared first on Small Business Trends.

9 Things that Will Drive Your Web Designer Nuts

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST

Website development is not easy for the web designer or for the client, but there are things you can do to make things easier for your designer. There are also things that you can do that will make them very agitated and angry.

Because the web development process can be difficult and tedious I am going to tell you about some things to avoid doing so your working relationship with your developer will be better. (Side note: I am fully aware that there are web design companies that drop the ball; perhaps we will touch on that in a different article.)

1) Expecting A Designer to Be at Your Beck and Call

Anyone in the web design or developing business has to have a good number of clients at one time to make a living. Just think about this – you pay half up front and you don't pay the other half until the site is completed (which could be 3-6 months depending on how long the process takes). The deposit you put down is not going to pay the bills for a web designer for months; they need other clients to pay the bills.

You are not the only client. Because of that, the designer and their team cannot be available every single time you want something. Please understand that they have responsibilities and obligations to many people, not just you. If it takes 24 hours to get a call or email back, that is a respectable time. In the mean time, take notes on all the issues you want to discuss so you can get everything out in one conversation.

Another important note: web designers may work all hours of the day, but that doesn’t mean they are available to talk after working hours or on the weekends just because that is when you are free. They deserve family time like everyone else.

2) Failing to Gather Materials Which Results in Slower Progress

As I mentioned earlier, web designers get a certain amount of money in the beginning. They need to make that money last for a period of time and also finish a website in a certain period of time to receive their final payment or they start to lose money.

Businesses, sometimes, are not in a big rush to finish a website and they are fine with it taking 6-12 months. This is not fair to a designer because they have to keep the job on the books and pay attention to it even if you are not. They are losing money and time and also paying for your site to be on development server. Plus, they deal with your emails consistently which takes a lot of time. The designer is losing time and money. You can’t expect them to be happy about a project if they are losing money.

It is really important to remember that designers have families and bills to pay. They need jobs to get done in a reasonable amount of time. Help them do that by sending them the requested documents, content and images they need so they can effectively develop your website. The website getting finished in a timely manner is good for you and the developer.

3) You Disappear for Three Months & Suddenly It Is Urgent That the Site Gets Finished

A web designer is depending on finishing a website to get the money that they need to make a living. Say a business owner disappears and does not respond to emails or phone calls. The web designer then must take on another job to offset the money they will possibly not be receiving. (How do they know if you are coming back?) Other clients are anxious to get the work done and are helping the designer consistently to finish the project(s), so the business owner that disappeared gets put on the back burner. This is logical.

However, the absent business owner suddenly realizes that they need their site, comes to the designer and complains that the site isn't finished and demands it be finished quickly. Anyone that does this should know that they have essentially killed a good working relationship with the designer. The designer may be polite, but they were screwed financially by the disappearing act and on top of it they are now receiving demands. I highly recommend businesses avoid this.

If you have to disappear tell the designer why. Offer to pay a holding fee monthly to keep the project going or apologize for the disappearing act and ask them what you can do to get the project running again.

4) Giving Content on Paper and Expecting a Designer to Re-Type All Your Content

A developer or designer works very hard on coding and design. Trust me when I say that the coding and design take a lot of hours and require tedious work. When they add content to your website, they also have to format that content so it looks nice and this is also very time consuming work.

Typically copying and pasting content saves some time. When you expect a web designer to re-type your content, it is just rude. They are not being paid to type out content, but to make you something wonderful. Typically with a web design, a business pays for a certain number of hours of work and usually they want to stick to that number and not pay more. If someone insists on a designer re-typing, I can assure you that the designer will deduct some time from other work they needed to do to offset the cost.

Please send them documents where designers can copy and paste. Ask them how they would like the content sent so time and money is saved on both sides.

5) Sending Lots of Images with No Organization

Images are a ton of work. Every image that goes on a site is resized, named and uploaded. An image-intense website can double the cost of a website because the images alone are so much work.

When businesses send a disk or flash drive of images with no organization or names and they expect the web designer to figure out which images go where, they are adding a ton of time to the designer's already long list of tasks. This drives designers insane. If you have images you want on a certain pages you could organize them into folders that name the page so they designer knows where they go.

You can also label images if you are emailing. No matter how you get images to your designer, I highly recommend you find a way to organize the images so things are easier for the designer. It will save you a ton of time answering questions and it will also save the designer a lot of time. Ask your designer how they would like to receive images from you.

6) Asking 19 Questions in 14 Emails

I already established that web designers have more than one client. So if every client emails many times (and they do), the designer has to spend a lot of time sifting through emails. They often have to go back to each one to make sure each question is addressed and readdressed.

It is wiser to sit and create a list of questions and send them all in one email so the designer only has to look at one email. Often designers have to go back to the email conversation when working because requests are in there. It is a lot easier to look at one email of conversations verses 14 emails with conversations.

Always keep in mind how much time an email or emails take. Do you want your designer spending hours answering emails or do you want those hours spent on your website?

7) Not Trusting the Web Designer

The thing that used to eat me alive the most was the fact that my partner and I would make recommendations based on usability principles, design, SEO and over-all knowledge based on experience and clients would not listen or trust the advice. We had absolutely no reason to offer advice that had no merit, but businesses wanted to ignore the advice and believed their way was better.

If you are given a recommendation don't dismiss it outright. Ask why the recommendation is being made and really listen to the thoughts you are given. It is perfectly alright to disagree, but at least give the designer and their team the respect to listen to their thoughts.

8) Having a Bad Day and Taking it Out on the Designer by Sending Nasty Emails

We all have bad days and sometimes we take it out on others, but when you have someone killing themselves coding and constantly thinking about what is best for you and your business you want to avoid hurting feelings.

Often the nasty emails that come in are because someone is having a bad day. They are irritated already and they look at something about the website, write a crappy email and somehow forget that the person that receives that email is a human with feelings.

Please try to avoid this in all business dealings. Web designers sit all day and work on code and design. I can't really explain in words how much that exhausts the brain, but it does. Nasty emails just don't come across well to people that are mentally exhausted because they are creating something wonderful for you. Also keep in mind that emails don't show the emotion on your face so the reader can't tell if you are joking or attacking at times. Be careful how you word things.

9) Allowing Anyone in Your Business to Be Adversarial to the Web Design Team

Sometimes there is one person that just has to say negative things all the time or attack ideas. Some people have an ego problem and sometimes they even do things to slow down the project. This one person can destroy a good working relationship. This one person can make the designers life very un-enjoyable.

If you notice that one person is always being negative about the project or the designer you need to put a stop to it. Pull the negative person off the project or ask them what they problem is. The bottom line is: you need to finish the project and you need the designer to be on your side. There are always things that need to be addressed after a website launches, so you don't want the designer to launch your website and walk away.

You will need a good working relationship with your designer in the future. Make sure respect is given on both sides.

Conclusion

As someone that has worked with many web design clients, I highly recommend you share this with anyone that is in the process of creating a new website. These 9 issues I have listed are so common, but they also cause a lot of problems for designers and working relationships.

The most important suggestion I have is to make sure everyone’s time and effort is respected. When there are issues, let go of anger and just ask what is going on. Most issues can be resolved if respect is there.

What issues have you seen with either web design clients or web designers?

Web Designer Photo via Shutterstock

The post 9 Things that Will Drive Your Web Designer Nuts appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Business Buying Tips Inspired By Sale of Twinkies

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 02:30 AM PST

Business buying tips arise from the sale of Twinkies. Hostess Brands, the company responsible for the famous treat, shut down in November after a baker’s strike. Now the Hostess is looking to sell brands like Twinkies and Wonder to other companies. Buying an established business is tricky. Here are some business buying lessons we all can learn.

Business Buying Ideas A-Plenty

Snack food success story. There are many lessons to learn from the sale of Twinkies. The company says it may be near finding a buyer, but nothing is official yet. Plenty of information exists on profits, costs, distribution, and marketing. The value of some businesses is a little harder to calculate. Make sure you know what the business you buy is worth. CNN Money

The fan factor. Strong sales are one thing, but not many businesses can claim an artist has created hundreds of pieces of work based on their product over four decades. Buying a business that has become an institution has definite advantages. Yahoo! News

A question of value. Still, calculating value can be harder than it looks. For example, some say Twinkies isn’t the brand it once was. Hostess failed to anticipate the shift in American eating habits toward healthier snack choices. Popularity of Twinkies ironically peaked again as the product disappeared from shelves. Time

Business Buying Can Be Tricky

Business buying mantra. Harry and Sally Vaishnav have five tips you’ll want to remember when buying a business. Keep these principles in mind or you may get more than you bargained for. Be sure to get the right advice, don’t be in a hurry, and leave your emotions at the door. Read on for the rest of these helpful tips. Small Biz Viewpoints

Work, luck, and timing. Learn more about what your average person trying to buy a business goes through. This article follows the efforts of Cory Pettersen, vice-president of a residential property management company. Pettersen decided to buy the company he was working for. Here’s what happened. The Vancouver Sun

How to buy a franchise. Those interested in owning their own business could consider buying a franchise instead. The process is similar in some ways to buying an established business. There is a ready-made product, a business plan, and a developed brand. Small Business Trends

Tips for buying a business blog. Lahaul Seth shares these suggestions for buying a blog. They begin with some tips to consider before making the purchase. Afterwards, as when buying any other business, your work is far from done. Seth also includes a to-do list for protecting your investment and growing your new business. Lion Blogger

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