VPLS Public Relations, Author at VPLS

Cybersecurity Tips: Back-to-School Edition

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Schools are integrating more and more technology into their classrooms, requiring students to have computers, mobile devices, and other tech gadgets to be successful. As students become accustomed to technology in their everyday lives, they forget basic cybersecurity fundamentals.

The fear of being hacked should be the least of any student’s worry, especially during a stressful school year. VPLS offers these tips to help students stay protected throughout the school year.

Social Media

Social Media that uses Geo-tagging Make sure all your social media accounts are on private and not public to prevent strangers from stalking your social media accounts. In addition, don’t post any personal information on social media such as your school ID, dorm, or other private places. Be aware of the risks of geo-tagging and people having access to your current location. Click here to read our previous blog about Geo-Tagging Tips.

Secure Your Password

It is important to keep your account passwords secure. Make sure your passwords don’t include any personal information such as your name, birthday, etc. Passwords should include a combination of upper-case letters, lower-case letters, symbols, and numbers. Don’t forget to change your password periodically, to ensure ultimate security.

Another tip is to not use the same password for all your accounts. If one of your account’s password is hacked, the hacker now has access to your other accounts that use the same password. To avoid this problem, consider using LastPass. LastPass is a free password manager extension that remembers all your passwords used for different accounts. LastPass stores all the passwords in an encrypted vault which is secured by a master password.

Now you do not need to remember all your passwords while having the passwords remain secure.

Infected USB Drives

If you find a random USB drive or other similar hardware in public, do not insert it into your computer. Chances are that it is infected. Hackers can implant viruses into USB drives that can infect computers once they plug it in.

Hackers can access the infected computer and gain access to their private information. Only use your own USB drives or USB drives from a trusted source. Do not use one that is not your own.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing is when a scammer tries to trick users into giving them sensitive information by pretending to be a trusted source. Scammers can pretend to be a bank company, IRS, school, or a fan page and ask for your personal information. They can create fake websites, fake emails, or phone calls that seem very similar to the real thing.

Always double check where the source came from before inputting personal information. Remember, companies will never ask for your password. Be sure that websites are secure before adding personal information.

Public Wi-fi

Many shops and public places offer their customers free wi-fi. This may seem very convenient, but you are using unprotected public wi-fi. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities found in public wi-fi and gain access to your computer and personal information.

If you are using public wi-fi, make sure to use a VPN along with it. This makes public wi-fi act like a private wi-fi, making your information more secure. If you decide not to use a VPN while using public wi-fi, stay away from websites that give off private information.

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

Don’t forget, VPLS is a Fortinet Gold Managed Security Service Provider, to provide maximum security for all your web and database server needs.

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Cybersecurity Tips: Potential Risks of Geotagging on Social Media

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Geo-tagging has slowly integrated itself into modern day social media. Geo-tagging is a great way to keep up with friends and family, but you should learn these basic geo-tagging tips to protect your privacy and keep yourself safe.

What is Geo-tagging?

Geo-tagging is adding pieces of geographical information (geo-tags) for the ability to share location on social media.

Users can geo-tag via:

Snapchat geofilters
Yelp check ins
Instagram geostickers
Find My Friends on IOS
Many other social media options

But, sometimes the option of filling in the location can also bring many security risks. Here are some tips to protect your privacy and ensure your safety

Set Social Media Accounts to Private

Make sure all your social media accounts are on private, not public. Setting your account to private will allow established friends to see all your post. Private accounts prevent strangers from stalking your social media and knowing your location.

A common mistake people make is posting your current location on a social media post. If your account is not on private, strangers have access to your whereabouts.

Posting your current location on social media indirectly tells strangers you are not at home. Thieves and burglars can discover the times that you are not home, making your house a potential target for robbery. Wait until you are at home or at a safe location to post with geo-tags on social media.

Also, restaurants and shops sometimes give out rewards and discounts for those who check in on Yelp. Yelp can post your check in on your Twitter and Facebook account if they are linked to Yelp, giving away your current location. You can turn off Yelp’s option of posting your check-in and still receive check-in discounts.

Snapchat Geotags

Snapchat has a feature called geofilters. These are filters added on top of the user’s post to showcase the city they are in or even the specific location (restaurant, store, landmark, etc.) they are at. People use geofilters to show off to friends the places they are traveling to (Click here to learn how to use geofilters).

Unlike other social media platforms where you can add a geo-tag from a different location, people post on Snapchat from their current location.

We suggest you avoid adding geofilters to posts that give off private information such as your home, school, work, gym, etc. Before adding a geofilter, think about whether you want people to know where you are. If you feel that you are safe, feel free to add a geofilter to your Snapchat post. Just remember that you are giving away your current location whenever you use a Snapchat geofilter. Geo-tag with caution!

Turn Off Share My Location

There are apps that have a share my location feature which allow you to track your friend’s location and vice versa. Find my Friends (iOS) and Snapchat (Snap Map) are examples of these apps. These apps require users to add each other on their respective platform before being able to use the share my location feature, preventing strangers from gaining access to your location.

Share My Location can be used as a safety feature when traveling, so loved ones know that you are safe. At the same time, the people you add on these apps will have access to your location 24/7.

If you want privacy, turn off the share my location on the app so people cannot find you. Another option is to set your share my location so only certain people have access to your location. You can choose trusted people to see where you are while blocking your location from other users.

Geo-tagging is a great way to show off to your friends and family about the places you have been to. Just make sure you have proper geo-tagging etiquette to keep yourself and others safe.

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

Don’t forget, VPLS offers Cloud Replication with Zerto services to best automates your recovery process!

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Blizzard Launches World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth

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Battle for Azeroth World of Warcraft 2018

The Battle for Azeroth Begins!

Launching in late 2004, World of Warcraft is still one of the largest and most popular gaming communities found worldwide. As of this week, Blizzard releases a new chapter to the series, Battle for Azeroth, bringing with it new features, captivating storylines, and (hopefully) resulting in more exciting gameplay.

VPLS discovers the latest updates, features, and whether or not your latest PC build has the potential to run the expansion without any hiccups.

Blizzard Entertainment

Battle for Azeroth Release 2018 and what to expect

August 13th marked the official release date for Blizzard’s latest expansion pack, Battle of Azeroth. The expansion pack aims to bring new features and a change in gameplay, making fans both excited and nervous. What changes are about to take place in this new world of chaos?

Most recently, fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with Blizzard’s move to ignite yet another war between Horde and Alliance factions. For a better understanding of upcoming changes, let’s take a look at what you can expect with the latest expansion pack.

Voice-Chat System

World of Warcraft introduces a voice chat system! It’s true that many of the players today can already be found on the favored voice-chat app, Discord, but it’s nice to have an alternative. This is especially important when connecting with users that you only plan to encounter once or twice in game.

War Mode

In the past, players were forced to choose between a Player-versus-Player (PvP) or Player-versus-Environment (PvE) server. A choice that few found favorable as it split friends apart. In Battle for Azeroth, all servers are now PvE by default. The option is now in the hands of the player, as they can choose to toggle PvP mode on/off.

Character Customization

New options to change the appearance of some characters are now available. Players can select new faces for their Bloof Elf characters, including golden eyes. Male Orcs will now have an upright posture option to choose from.

Community Feature

Another great feature to strengthen connections is the community feature. Communities are available through the Blizzard launcher, meaning players are able to connect with friends and players that may be located within other games, such as Destiny or Overwatch.

Teldrassil Burns

Players will complete new quests and learn that in order to survive this new world, there will be wins and losses on both sides. The powerful and magical island and great tree of the night elf, Teldrassil, is targeted and made to burn.

Meanwhile, the Alliance responds by taking back one of the Horde’s most beloved capitals, Undercity.

System Requirements - Windows

Battle for Azeroth is packed with content, so be sure to check out the mimimum and recommended requirements for World of Warcraft and the Battle for Azeroth expansion pack.

Battle for Azeroth System Requirements Blizzard Note: System Requirements may change over time.

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!
Don’t forget, VPLS offers Cloud Replication with Zerto services to best automates your recovery process!

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Enterprise Mobility Management Strategy: Cost-Effective Solution To Increase Employee Productivity

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There’s a long list of reasons for why an employer will choose to subscribe to Enterprise Mobility Management services for their big (or small) business needs. Afterall, this cost-effective solution saves businesses money without having to sacrifice any of the essentials.

What Are Enterprise Mobility Management Services?

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) services use the latest in technology to help employees stay connected to most (if not all) company applications, documents, and more. Employees are able to access company applications and information through any device, any time of the day, and from any place in the world. EMM services help employers and their employees focus on important tasks and spend less energy focusing on the minutiae of everyday life.

What Features Are Included With EMM Services?

Today’s EMM technology services come loaded with features. These features vary and are customizable according to your business needs. However, it’s important to understand some features are dependent upon the provider and can vary.

Here are a handful of features available with EMM services that you won’t want to skip out on:

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is exactly what it sounds like. EMM providers that offer this feature allow for employers and their employees to carry over their preferred devices, regardless of the device’s platform. This includes Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.

The ability to access important company information is great but it may come at a cost, if not cared for properly. EMM providers that use VWware AirWatch technology are a sure sign that your company data will always be available and always be safe. No shortcuts here!

Endpoint management is a breeze with one management console across all major operating systems. Employers will have the ability to manage the entire lifecycle through one system. If a device goes missing, simply wipe the device remotely. Endpoint management helps protect intellectual property.

Why Should I Consider EMM Services?

If you read last week’s VPLS blog, Top 5 Benefits on Working From Home, you learned that more and more businesses are choosing to offer their employees a remote option, even if it’s only once or twice a week. Why? Here are a few reasons:

The option saves employers and their employees a lot of money.
Gallup studies show continue to show a rise in this trend.
Less need for sick or personal days.
Higher employee satisfaction and a rise in work productivity.

Additionally, top-notch providers like VPLS are able to stack on additional security features and resources to guarantee seamless service. VPLS is a proud partner of VMware, meaning your company data is always secured with the best in technology. The best part? It won’t cost you much more than one or two cups of coffee a month.

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

Don’t forget! VPLS offers VMware Hybrid Cloud services that can seamlessly integrate data, applications, and functions up to the cloud!

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Does Your Business Need A Managed Service Provider?

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In this week’s VPLS blog, we discuss the what, how, and why of a Managed Service Provider and the many ways an MSP can help you manage your business technology through budget-friendly IT services and solutions. Take a closer look at how your business can benefit and why you should consider employing a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to fit all your IT Service needs.

What is a Managed Service Provider?

Managed Service Providers (MSP) exist to help businesses of all sizes, take care of day-to-day activities that are normally handled by the business’ IT department. Ask any IT director in the business and they’ll tell you the workload amount on any given day can stack up pretty high, pretty quickly. Not to mention any unexpected fires that may cause the entire department to spring into action.

MSPs help alleviate IT department workloads by taking over much of the tedious, yet essential tasks, that keep the business running smoothly.

Daily or weekly IT tasks may include:

Update and maintain daily performance of computer systems
Respond to technical queries posed by company staff
Draft and implement disaster recovery and solutions plans
Test and evaluate new technology
Implement and support new software applications
Assistance and support related to software and hardware issues

How can my business benefit from a Managed Service Provider?

As mentioned, MSPs can supplement an established IT department by focusing on maintaining, securing, and resolving any hardware or software issues that may arise on a day-to-day basis. MSPs are also beneficial to small businesses that do not have the budget for an entire IT department, yet still need the service and care of professionals to keep things running perfectly.

Depending on the scope and quality of the MSP, IT support may be available 24/7, assuring your business never leaves your customers in the dark. Additionally, MSPs can shield your confidential business and customer billing information by evaluating cybersecurity weaknesses and needs.

Why should I consider an MSP?

Now that we understand the importance that MSPs play in the business world, let’s take a look at why you should consider partnering up with a MSP to meet your business needs.

Don’t waste more time, energy, and resources battling daily IT tasks. With a MSP, the IT department can shift their focus on innovation and build momentum towards bigger profits.

No vacation days. No sick days. If and when a technical problem arises, you can trust your MSP to be on the job, or just a phone call away towards better news.

IT labor and staffing costs are expensive. Even small businesses with a single “IT” guy on staff can rack up heavy bills, especially with sophisticated technology and on-going training.

In today’s world, cybersecurity is of huge importance as hackers and their tools continue to evolve. Staying up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity vulnerabilities is a full-time job.
Consider partnering up with a quality Managed Service Provider that prides itself on customer satisfaction. VPLS offers a variety of options and flexible prices to fit all IT budget needs, with many years of experience in securing confidential data and maintaining security compliance.

Be sure to check out VPLS Managed IT Support Services or VPLS Co-Managed IT Solutions for more information. VPLS is a worldwide IT Solutions leader, located in Orange County and Los Angeles County, California. Questions or concerns? Email us and a friendly VPLS support team member will be in touch shortly!

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

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VPLS Essential Tips: 2018 Orange County Fair

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OC Fair of Costa Mesa California 2018 Guide

Technical Flair of the 2018 OC Fair

Summer is in full swing with the Orange County Fair in town! Prepare to indulge in fun rides, carnival games, petting zoos, live music and of course, mouthwatering food and treats! Let’s not forget a variety of hands-on activities and innovative showcases.

VPLS has crafted the perfect guide to satisfy your curiosity for science and tech at the OC Fair 2018.

Heroes Hall: Bravemind Exhibit

Heroes Hall Bravemind Exhibit

Technology to discover at the OC Fair is the Bravemind Exhibit at Heroes Hall. Built by USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies, Bravemind is a virtual reality experience that enhances pre-existing therapeutic techniques for post-traumatic stress. Individuals who are currently serving can also use this VR for resilience training before they are deployed.

The Bravemind exhibit will be held at Heroes Hall, a space dedicated to the veterans of Orange County. The VR segments of this first-hand exhibit consist of a virtual world of war along with other scenes designed to help veterans recover from PTSD. In addition to learning about the technical aspects behind Bravemind, visitors will also hear testimonies from those who were helped with the use of this technology, thus making it a valuable resource for helping military personnel and veterans.

Details:
Admission is free. Hours: 11 am – 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday). Closed holidays.

Did you know? Admission to the OC Fair is free for military & veterans!
Check out OC Fair General Information (below) for details.

My Fair Selfie Exhibit

Is your selfie game on point? Score double the likes with OC Fair’s newest exhibit, My Fair Selfie!

This must-see attraction features dozens of creative artwork to give your photos that extra fun and unique flair. And the best part? Visitors can meet Conrad the Unicorn! One of the OC Fair’s most friendliest mascots, Conrad does his very best to bring smiles everywhere he goes. Can you blame him?

Pro Tip: Conrad loves popcorn! Tag and follow #myfairselfie for a taste of what you can discover at this year’s OC Fair.

Details:
The exhibit opens July 20th.

OC Fair General Information

OC Fair Hours:
Wednesday – Friday, 12 PM to Midnight
Saturday – Sunday, 11 AM to Midnight
Monday – Tuesday, Closed

Single-Day Admission Prices:
Wednesday – Friday
General Admission: $12, Senior: $7, Youth: $7, Children 5 and under: Free

Saturday – Sunday:
General Admission: $14, Senior: $7, Youth: $7, Children 5 and under: Free

Active Military & Veterans:
Receive FREE OC Fair Admission, as well as 50% off additional general admission tickets (up to six tickets).
Promotion is valid all 23 days of the OC Fair. Military ID required.
Visit the official OC Fair website for more details.

Parking:
General passenger car: $10, General buses and limos: $20
Parking is cash only.

For more information, be sure to visit the official site for the OC Fair 2018.

The OC Fair never fails to attract crowds of all shapes and forms. Whether you are there for the food, rides, games, music, or even technology – it is a feast for all your senses that will leave you completely satisfied.

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

Don’t forget, VPLS offers AirWatch services and has four affordable enterprise mobility management suites that can help your company streamline your enterprise mobility needs!

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June 2018 | VPLS Monthly Newsletter

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VPLS Highlights for June 2018

As the official Summer month comes to an end, the VPLS team is happy to reflect and share our favorite moments as they made the month of June sparkle and shine. VPLS reached company milestones, established major sales, and eagerly celebrated employee anniversaries!

Let’s take a look at how VPLS used every opportunity to grow and succeed together as a family.

VPLS Welcomes Summer Days

VPLS is not your average run-of-the-mill tech company; we support and help one another thrive in an incredibly fast-paced environment.

Take a look for yourself and check out the VPLS Top 3 Memorable Moments, as they took place this past month!

VPLS Celebrates Father’s Day

In a recent VPLS blog, we interviewed a variety of employees and asked them to describe their most fondest memory as a father. Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the office. We discovered a sweeter side to these wonderful fathers and learned some of the most rewarding aspects of fatherhood.

Every story is unique and bound to move you, so be sure to check it out!

VPLS Thailand Employee Earns Employee of the Month

What makes this achievement of VPLS Employee of the Month different from the rest? It’s the first award given to an employee of our sister company, VPLS Thailand!

Anthika Bhincharern, Operations Manager, ensures the VPLS Bangkok office runs smoothly on a daily basis. A job that can prove to be quite stressful at times.
According to Anthika’s peers and team members, she has shown again and again to be tactful and caring, even during the most hectic of times. Anthika does all she can with her team’s best interest in mind and her contribution to the VPLS brand is tremendous.

VPLS is proud to award her hard work and leadership.

VPLS Welcomes New Talent and Recognizes Excellence

This past month, we welcomed a handful of new team members to the VPLS family. With every new individual, we make sure to make them feel right at home with a celebratory company luncheon and warm introductions.

VPLS aims to help every team member reach their professional goals and become the best version of themselves. Please take a moment to recognize some of the new faces that will represent the VPLS brand, as well as familiar faces that uphold VPLS values:

We hope that you enjoyed reading our company highlights for the month of June. We will continue to share more of our favorite moments in the months to come, so please stay tuned!

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

Don’t forget, VPLS offers Proofpoint Essentials services for industry-leading email security!

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The History Behind VPLS

Blog Post / By VPLS Public Relations

Wondering what VPLS stands for and how the acronym became a company name? Rest assured that it most certainly does not stand for Victor, Paul, Larry, and Scott. As you may have guessed, VPLS stands for Virtual Private LAN Services, a type of virtual private network technology.

But how did a tech acronym transform itself into the name of a worldwide leader in Managed Services and IT Services? Read more to find out!

Branding and name selection play a huge role in a company’s identity. When we look back at the history behind VPLS’ establishment, we, of course, must identify the major contributors to its name selection and brand.

Ted Mektrakarn and Tim Mektrakarn, both brothers and founders of VPLS Inc., recall the reasoning and process as if it were only yesterday.

[

Ted Mektrakarn, CEO of VPLS Inc.

Tim Mektrakarn, COO of VPLS Inc.

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

VPLS began as a hosting provider labeled, Krypt. Operating out of a home office, Krypt provided hosting services that allowed young entrepreneurs amble opportunity and freedom to host and play their favorite game, CounterStrike. After a long workday, the Mektrakarn brothers would rush home to care and maintain expensive servers and equipment. Together, the duo paved a path that would ultimately lead to the establishment of a global business.

As the number of servers, services, and aspirations continued to grow, the Mektrakarn brothers quickly grasped their reality; the company was ready to adapt and take its customers beyond current services. Krypt was in need of a new paint job… and a new name.

Staying true to the Mektrakarn’s desire to be more than a hosting company and wanting to provide layers of services, the Mektrakarn brothers named the new company after layers of services and technology. In 2005, the transformation was complete with the inception of VPLS Inc., with Ted Mektrakarn acting as CEO, and Tim Mektrakarn acting as COO.

Much like the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, the Mektrakarns strived to offer a comprehensive stack of services and solutions. Each layer linked and supportive of the last.

In the years to follow, VPLS transformed itself from a hosting provider to a worldwide leader in dedicated cloud and managed services. Then, in 2010, through high demand from international clients, VPLS opened offices overseas and became known as VPLS Thailand.

John Minnix, Co-Founder of VPLS Solutions

In 2012, John Minnix entered the picture and helped establish VPLS Solutions, a provider and premier technology systems integrator. VPLS Solutions opened its doors and broadened the scope of services that VPLS could offer. As a result, Minnix established himself as a co-founder and became the Vice President of Sales within the VPLS family.

VPLS Timeline

Krypt is a leader in providing high-quality hosting. Thousands of customers around the world choose to rely on Krypt because of our excellent infrastructure, network, and technology.

VPLS Inc. is located in Southern California, we serve a diverse group of businesses throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County of Southern California.

VPLS Thailand offers technology consulting, managed services, web design and programming expertise. As well as Cloud-Hosted products such as CloudMail, Cloud Servers, and Backup solutions to serve Southeast Asia.

VPLS Solutions is a premier technology solutions provider and systems integrator that leverages all the components that VPLS Cloud Services and Networks are built upon.

FOLLOW, LIKE & SHARE VPLS!

If you want to keep up with the latest security trends and other IT related products and services, please visit the VPLS blog and stay current with the latest news!

Don’t forget, VPLS is a Fortinet Gold Managed Security Service Provider, to provide maximum security for all your web and database server needs.

Protect Mobile Devices and Tech from Sun and Heat

Guide to Surviving the Summer: How to Heat-Proof Your Technology

Blog Post / By VPLS Public Relations

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With the first day of Summer making its debut today, it’s time to break out the hats and sunscreen to prepare ourselves for triple-digit temperatures. And let’s not forget our favorite tech devices… they need protection from the heat too!

The summer heat can cause damage to your mobile devices when left out in the sun. VPLS is here to drop some knowledge and help you prevent a total device meltdown. Let’s read on to find what these simple methods are.

Keep Out of the Sun and Keep Your Cool

Extremely warm weather can have negative effects on your smart device. If left out in direct sunlight for a long period, your LCD screen will crack or become unresponsive to touch.

Additionally, the heat will drain your battery quicker since the battery fluid will evaporate faster when in use or even damage your device altogether.

The solution? Store your device in a cool place and out of direct sunlight, such as a handbag or backpack.

If your phone already shows signs of overheating, place it under the shade to gradually cool off. Remember, do not put your device in the refrigerator or freezer; the rapid temperature change can cause condensation buildup that could damage the circuit.

Wrap and Protect Devices

Water damage is another summertime concern to look out for when it comes to your electronic devices.

While you frolick by the water or play in the sand, the well-being of our phones is still compromised. Splashing water or kicked-up grains of sand can enter into the nooks and crannies of our device.

A good way to ensure that your device is protected both from water or sand damage is to wrap it! This skin-tight sheath around will make sure nothing gets in!

Though the concept may be humorous, these thermoplastic coverings are no joke! These sheaths can prevent water, sand, dust and other debris from wreaking havoc in the small openings of your device.

Safeguard Against Water Damage

If boating and swimming are on your to-do list this summer, then you will need a fool-proof way to protect your technology from major water damage. A waterproof case such as one from DryCASE will do just the trick! These cases will not only keep your devices dry and safe but will float if you accidentally drop your phone in the water. DryCase also makes backpacks suitable for bigger tech devices like cameras or laptops, and it will withstand thunderstorms at any tropical destination.

Bonus: If you happen to drop your phone in water during this summer, don’t fret! Just remove the battery and SIM card from your device, then place your phone in a bag or bowl of white rice overnight to remove excess moisture.

Summer is a time where you should have fun and experience new things. You should be able to take along your devices to whatever adventure you embark and not let anything, including the heat, stand in the way of your best summer ever.

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Truths and Misconceptions of Cybersecurity

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Afraid that your social media accounts, like Facebook or Instagram, might be held hostage by a hacker? Not to worry! VPLS explains how to protect yourself from cyber attacks and hackers.

Stealing Your Private Data is Easy

Hackers are trying to steal private data and perform cyber attacks. Don’t expect to find James Bond behind that computer monitor, lurking from an unsuspecting corner of the web.

In general, hackers are individuals that exploit vulnerabilities and take advantage of unsuspecting members of the public. This might be surprising to learn, but a large amount of the public does not have basic knowledge of the internet and computers.

How Do Cyber Attacks Occur?

The most common methods that hackers use to gain access into personal devices and online accounts are through theft, phishing, and malware. Let’s take a closer look at how these processes unfold.

Stolen passwords can be obtained in various ways and can be used to log into websites you most frequent. Hackers can gain access to your email account, such as Outlook or Gmail.
This sneaky tactic is used to steal your password with your active participation! Hackers will lure you into providing your password through fake emails from your bank or other institutions.

Similiar to phishing, hackers can gain access to your password with your help. But, unlike phishing tactics that lead you to an unsuspecting website, hackers will include an email attachment that comes with hidden ransomware.

Worried About Becoming The Next Victim of a Cyber Attack?

Here are a few guidelines to follow when wanting to safeguard your online accounts and private data:

As mentioned, hackers exploit vulnerabilities to gain access of account passwords and private data. Regular software updates are one of the most important and simplest ways of protecting yourself from hackers. Nearly all devices that you use on regular basis contain software, such as computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, routers, and the list is endless.
Set up automatic download and installation to make the process easier.

STRONG PASSWORDS:
Using the same password for every online account? We’re all guilty of it. Avoid gifting hackers access to all your online accounts by making the passwords harder to crack.

Try using a passphrase instead of a password. For example: My favorite movie is Se7en
See? Passwords don’t have to be hard for you to create!

USE PASSWORD MANAGERS:
Rather than trying to remember every password for every online account you’ve ever created, try using a password manager. These handy tools keep your passwords in one vault and secures them with one master password.

What happens if the master password is stolen or used? It’s happened. Luckily, thanks to various protection methods and encryptions, all passwords were still safe under lock and key. We recommend checking out LastPass or 1Password.

POST WITH CAUTION:
Be careful with what you post on social media sites. Taking pictures of a passport, state ID, or concert ticket and posting them online is enough for some hackers to scrape private information from you, such as an address or date of birth.

Your name, address, and date of birth are enough to open new lines of credit.

Remember the golden rule, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

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