How do I know if I’m being watched? Is there a way to tell if my computer is bugged? Is someone spying on me right now? These are some of the common questions people have started asking themselves (and Google). Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always clear.

For most of us, online surveillance has become a way of life: whether you’re downloading a new app, signing up for an online service or finding a faster route to work, your information is almost always being exchanged. In fact, it’s safe to safe to assume that everything you do online leaves a trace. Whether someone picks up the trail is a different story.

Consumer data has quickly become the next financial frontier, quietly surpassing oil to become the world’s most valuable commodity. This might leave you feeling a bit hopeless, but there are ways to actively fight back and regain control of your privacy.

Here are some of the main ways your privacy may be exposed—and what you can do about it.

Security settings missing from your smart devices

Studies show that the one in three consumers owns at least two smart devices. From your foldable tablet to your fitness tracker to even your smart TV, these gadgets help increase your day-to-day productivity at the expense of your privacy.

Case in point: Your smartphone tracks and records your physical location; your smart fitness tracker records any and all health issues; and your smart TV, which on the surface may seem innocuous, is secretly analyzing the shows you watch, and sometimes even recording your conversations.

The NSA (national security agency) routinely uses your smart devices to monitor and track your location. Perhaps worse, with the abundance of smart devices flooding the market, hackers are becoming more adept at finding flaws in the design software to monitor and track your every move.

The free apps you download may be making money off of you

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg was the subject of much ridicule after a seemingly innocuous Instagram post he made back in 2016 inadvertently showed his laptop with a piece of tape over the webcam. It may have looked amateurish, but for most privacy experts, a little effort goes a long way.

That’s because many apps—some you’re probably evening using right now—routinely access and monitor your device’s webcam and microphone. When you download a new app and you accept its request to access your webcam, you’re voluntarily handing over your privacy.

In a 2017 report, tech writer Felix Krause detailed all the ways these apps can secretly access your camera. Among the laundry list of examples, some of the most profound include taking pics and videos without notifying you, accessing your cameras remotely and more.

If you’re concerned about your apps accessing your mics and cameras secretly, it’s best to cover your devices when not in use. Fitted webcam covers are readily available online and usually cost less than $10; for your microphone, be sure to turn it off when you’re not using it.

Spying programs the government uses to keep track of citizens

There’s no question the government is spying on you. In fact, there are troves of data and documents that detail not only how the government conducts citizen surveillance, but also why. In the U.S., the NSA routinely collects the following: email information, social media activity,  info, and high-level metadata, which could include sites visited, time spent on a specific page and more. In the UK, citizens’ internet traffic is routinely collected and intercepted for government use.

When you combine these realizations with the onslaught of new services that require consumers to willingly hand over their intimate information, you’re left with a heavily saturated market that’s highly destructive to personal privacy.

DNA testing kits that require users to sign up by literally submitting their DNA is another example of a growing trend in cognitive dissonance. These companies collect troves of consumer data and then sell this information to pharmaceutical firms and other analytics companies.

And while there’s currently no evidence to suggest the government has access to these databases, it’s safe to assume they do.

Social media services that use your privacy as currency

It’s no surprise most internet companies routinely collect and market your personal details. Companies like Facebook have been in hot water recently over their growing list of data scandals. These companies have created an entire business model on profiting off your data. As CEO Mark Zuckerburg put it best, “Facebook runs ads.” These ads, which are highly targeted to your personal interests, wants, needs and desires, are developed by third parties that are collecting, scrutinizing and sharing your personal information.

In fact, a good rule of thumb is this: If you’re not paying for a service, then you’re the product. Make no mistake, Facebook and other social media sites make money off you, which they sell to analytics companies which, in turn, sell to marketers where they can profit again by making ads.

While there’s no denying the fact that sites like Facebook makes money off your private details, there’s still a disconnect as to who they sell your information to and how it’s used. The amount of interchangeable hands that touch your data also raises the question of security—or, more appropriately, how this data is handled. As proven time and again, even the biggest companies are vulnerable to hacking.

Lapses in software security 

And then there’s the issue of whether your particular devices are secure. Malicious software is on the rise, and it’s one of the easiest ways for hackers to access a victim’s network.

Common types of malware include trojan horses, spyware and adware. While each example operates in a different fashion, they all work to collect, expose and manipulate your privacy.

Trojan horses, which occurs a user is tricked into installing harmful software, are usually found in the form of a phishing email or random link. Hackers typically go to great lengths to make their fake emails look and read as authentic as possible, even copying a company logo or using the same type, size, and style of the text. The user, thinking the attachment is from a friend or a known company, opens the emails, clicks on the link and inadvertently grants the hacker access into their network.

Spyware and adware, on the other hand, are both created outside the victim’s purview and tend to gather collect and distribute their information. Spyware needs to be manually implanted in the victim’s device, while adware can typically be blocked with a reputable ad blocker.

Regardless of how harmful or harmless the various types of malware are, they are all created and used to spy on you in some way or form.

Outdated devices, older models and more

While they may be seen as a burden for most, system updates and software patches are one of the most efficient and well-rounded ways to help keep your devices safe.

Whenever a security breach or design flaw is exposed, system engineers work quickly to fix the issue, which is then usually rolled up in the form of a software patch or system update. While some updates may be automatic (Mac devices routinely go through automatic updates every few months), others require a manual installation.

Continually putting off the system update, or refusing to patch your computer could inadvertently open your network up to attackers. In fact, the WannaCry ransomware attack, which ravaged some 230,000 PCs back in 2017, was only able to target computers running older versions of Windows because the newer system updates had already corrected that flaw.

Checking in on unsecure connections

Sure, you may have your firewall set up and your security software up to date, but that doesn’t really matter when you’re browsing on a public network. Coffee shops, airports, and restaurants are all known for providing free WiFi. However, once you’re connected, there’s really no way to tell which networks your data passes through or which third parties have laid eyes on it.

Experts suggest users refrain from accessing financial sites or entering personal details on an open network. In addition to the added online congestion, the risk of data theft is typically much higher. If you’re connected to an open network for work reasons, you may want to think about using a VPN (virtual private network).

Simple tips to help protect your privacy

Keep your devices updated, cover your webcams, turn off your microphones and limit the amount of information you divulge online. Yes, that’s a good start, but you can go even deeper.

Setting up 2-factor authentication so hackers can’t access your personal accounts, limiting the types of applications your apps are able to access, and using a VPN each and every time you connect to a public network can all go a long way toward helping you remain more secure.

But more than anything else, it’s best to approach new trends, products and developments with a heavy dose of skepticism. Studies have found a direct link between the number of smart devices hitting the market and the rise of data theft.

With so many companies touting new and easy ways to stay connected, it’s best to take the time to look over the settings and ensure your personal information—from the sites you visit to the apps you use—remains private.

With so many new technologies on the horizon and already in our hands, it has become normal to hear about data breaches, or security breaches. Our information is no longer even assumed to be our own. We freely give it away to social media platforms, whether that be Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Snapchat or Pinterest, and watch as we get matched up with ads of things we were JUST searching for in Google. This can make anyone a little ill at ease. It’s creepy, right? Just the other day a friend told me she was browsing for memory foam mattresses on Amazon and the next minute was being shown multiple ads on Facebook and the news site she was scrolling through for the exact same mattress. Most of us being ignorant to the ins and outs of this kind of technology, we don’t realize what we’re up against as far as data and privacy.

The truth is as we buy more devices, the more accounts we create, and the more accounts we create means way more data. Location data, profile data, credit card data, consumption data. You name it. And this data is not usually secure. This can cause some concern to users and consumers. When you create an online account with a business, such as a cell phone company or ecommerce store, you are also giving away data and are vulnerable to any attacks on the company’s systems. The equifax data breach in 2017 is one of those that got a lot of attention. Even Uber and Verizon have had issues with their systems getting hacked. There have been many safeguards put in place for new devices to ensure security, such as face or fingerprint recognition. But those have already proven to be vulnerable to hacking, too.

So is there any light at the end of the tunnel? There is, shopkeepers and business owners need to start investing in security for their online platforms. One of the best ways to do this is via a legitimate web development agency, which will be able to best suggest what systems would work best for your line of work. Aside from protecting your users from attacks, it would also help you save on capital – many business owners invest in an app when all they needed to do was build a mobile friendly website. This would ensure that your website runs smoothly over various screens – whether viewing from a mobile device or on a desktop.

Security and privacy are becoming a top concern of many end-users as they become more aware of data protection and the like. As the world becomes technologically dominated, the people of the world need to be tech-savvy in order to survive and not be taken advantage of.

في الوقت الذي أصبح فيه تداول الفوركس أحد أكثر الأسواق المتداولة نشاطاً في العالم، فمن المهم أن يكون كل من ينوي بناء تجربته في هذا السوق ملمّاً بأبرز جوانبه، ولعل الاطلاع على التحليل الفني للتداول يعد أساساً لا يمكن تجاهله إذا ما كنت تستهدف خوض تجربة تداول ناجحة ومربحة، وفي هذا الخصوص يمكن إجمال أبرز ما يتعلق بالتحليل الفني على النحو التالي:

• ما المقصود بالتحليل الفني؟

يشير مصطلح التحليل الفني إلى ما يمكن اعتباره نظام لتوقع اتجاه الأسعار في سوق التداول مستقبلاً، ويعد بمثابة أداة لمتابعة أسعار وأحجام التداول عبر الوقت، ويتم ذلك بإجراء دراسة لبيانات السوق التاريخية، فيُستخدم التحليل الفني مع كافة أدوات سوق التداول التي تتأثر بقوى الطلب والعرض في السوق؛ كالأسهم والعقود الآجلة والبورصة وسوق العملات وتشمل العملات الرقمية في السوق الرقمي.

• مؤشرات التحليل الفني الشائعة

يعتمد المحللون الفنيون في عملهم على مجموعة من المؤشرات التي تعتمد على تغيرات السعر التاريخية في سبيل تحديد اتجاهات السوق المستقبلية، ومن بين هذه المؤشرات:

• مؤشر القوة النسبية (RSI): يتبع هذا المؤشر لفئة المؤشرات المعروفة بالمذبذبات، ويعمل على تتبع تغييرات الأسعار عبر الوقت، ويقوم على تطبيق معادلات رياضية لبيانات التسعير ينتج عنها قراءات تقع ضمن نطاق يتراوح ما بين 0 – 100.
• مؤشر نطاقات بولينجر Bollinger Bands (BB): يتبع هذا المؤشر لفئة المذبذبات أيضاً، ويستخدم لدراسة تقلب السوق وتحديد الحالات الأكثر شراءاً أو مبيعاً، ويتكون من نطاقين جانبيين يتحركان حول خط المتوسط المتحرك.
• المتوسطات المتحركة البسيطة (SMA): يُحسب المتوسط المتحرك البسيط بناءً على أسعار إغلاق الأصل خلال فترة زمنية محددة.
• المتوسط المتحرك الأسي (EMA): هو نسخة معدلة من المتوسط المتحرك البسيط (SMA)، ويعطي وزناً أكبر لأسعار الإغلاق الحديثة عن الأسعار الأقدم.
• مزايا التحليل الفني

كما يمكن استنتاجه من خلال مؤشرات التحليل الفني فإنه يعتمد أساساً على البيانات الكميّة، ويعتبر بذلك إلى حد ما إجراءاً موضوعياً لدراسة وتوقع البيانات السعرية بعيداً عن عنصر التخمين، ولكن مما يجدر الانتباه له أنه ومن الممكن للمحلل الفني استخدام المؤشرات والتلاعب بها في سبيل تأكيد وجهة نظره ورأيه الشخصي، وقد يكون ذلك إما عمداً أو دون وعي في أغلب الحالات.

• ماذا عن إشارات التداول؟

يتم التعرف على إشارات التداول اعتماداً على مؤشرات التحليل الفني للفوركس، حيث يتم التعرف على الحالات الأكثر شراءاً عند وصول المؤشر على الرسم البياني إلى مستويات أعلى من 70 مثلاً، والحالات الكثر مبيعاً عند هبوطه لمستويات أقل من 30، يضاف إلى ذلك مساعدة المتداول على تحديد نقطة انعكاس اتجاه السعر. وما تجدر الإشارة له في هذا السياق أنه كلما امتاز السوق بارتفاع حجم التداول والسيولة فإن التحليل الفني سيكون أكثر فعالية وموثوقية؛ وذلك بسبب مستوى عرضة السوق هذا لمحاولات التلاعب بالأسعار أو المشتتات التي قد تجعل التحليل الفني خاطئ، أما بالنسبة لأسواق التداول الصغيرة كأسواق العملات الرقمية على سبيل المثال، فإنها تمتاز بتقلبها المستمر، مما يجعل من عملية التحليل الفني لها غير دقيقة.

Home technology trends change each year, and 2019 seems to be an impactful year for new and improved home technology systems. Many consumers predicted what it would someday be like to own a smart home, but those fantasies were often romanticized by movies and television shows where the house talked back to the human. Although we aren’t far from that, having the house actually control the human was the continued narrative in those story plots. Today, tech savvy individuals looking to increase their home technology game are investing their money into digital assistants, home security systems, better wifi, and even robotic technology that helps clean the home. From robot vacuum cleaners to a tiny speaker that tells the news each morning, technology continues to amaze the minds of consumers and impress those making revenue from the profits.

Digital assistants are seemingly affordable depending on the one that is purchased. They may start as something like a portable speaker and then work their way into a large screen that looks like a tablet. Depending on the size and functions, these types of assistants are able to help homeowners with varying facets of their day. They are similar to asking questions to an assistant on a smartphone. Homeowners are able to check the daily weather and news while also using it as a workout tool or a way to talk to family and loved ones. The digital assistants with screens have the ability to video chat. Some users of digital assistants may simply use it as a speaker. With many apps available to connect to the digital assistant, it can be hard to think of things that it cannot do.

Another home technology trend is utilizing technology with design. From motorized blinds  to voice controlled lights, there are many ways to integrate technology into a home. Voice command technology can be coupled with digital assistants when it comes to the overall design of a home. Some movies have demonstrated humor in voice commanded showers. Although this technology may seem too far in the future for some, the reality is that it is here for many and will continue to grow. Dimming the lights can now be done by simply saying “dim lights” to a virtual assistant. Opening a blind can be done by simple saying “Open blinds”. Making a phone call can be done with voice commands as well. If there is an app for it, there is a command for it with digital assistants. When it comes to the overall design of a home, it is easy to customize blinds, shades and many other parts of the homes with remote and voice command technology. This eliminates the manual process of doing things.

Other upcoming trends deal with the internet itself, which allows much of the technology to continue to evolve within homes. Wifi speeds are not a frequent concern of many internet users, but the extent that the wifi travels is. Bandwidth seems to be an increasing problem, especially in larger homes. With new innovations if wifi technology, users should see a cost-effective way to increase bandwidth in the home.

Computer devices are central to any business activity in today’s times. All computer drives and storage devices have one thing in common; the data stored can turn inaccessible due to physical damage to the device, logical damage to the file system and malware attacks. Data loss can lead to huge downtime costs and loss of crucial information. Data Recovery provided a way out of this conundrum.

Data Recovery is a process of retrieving corrupted, damaged and formatted data from files and storage devices. Data can be salvaged from a variety of storage media, including internal and external hard disk drives (HDDs), USB flash drives, magnetic tapes, CDs, DVDs and other electronic devices. Data deleted from storage devices is never lost forever. It lingers around the storage devices and can be recovered with the help of data recovery tools and services. Data recovery tools employ algorithms to scan the storage areas of a device, collect pieces of deleted and formatted files from MBR (master boot record) of the storage device, let the users preview files and subsequently proceed with the actual recovery.

Data loss can be classified into 2 categories, viz. logical and physical. A logical problem takes place when the computer hard drive is in perfect working condition, but data has been lost due to file deletion, drive formatting or some other human errors. A majority of the data loss cases are a result of logical problems, and software solutions can be used to recover files in such cases. Recovery software recovers and repairs data files, databases and corrupted partitions, and restores the existing file formats such as images, documents, videos and compressed files. In the event of extensive damage to the file systems, data retrieval algorithms will usually reconstruct the files. Data recovery softwares for both windows and apple environments, such as R-Studio for Mac, are specifically designed for the Mac OS environment.

A physical problem is a situation whereby the mechanical and electrical components of a drive have been driven out of action by a physical issue. Data is written by actuator arms and stored on hard drive platters spinning at the rate of 800 to 15000 RPM. In the wake of increased demand for storing capacity, manufacturers tend to compress a large amount of data within small hard drive surfaces. This makes the data recovery process complex and time-consuming, and a failure in the actuator arms and platters can extensively damage the stored data. All such devices have to be sent to specialized data recovery services, which execute the data recovery process in clean data recovery rooms and labs. Computers may sometimes give a warning of an impending hard disk failure or a system crash by suddenly rebooting, displaying a blank screen or not recognizing a disk partition and these situations merit immediate attention.

To end, Data recovery should not only be regarded as a solution to an existing issue, but also as a protective measure to pre-empt a problem.

Though it may not look like it, the minute we’re surfing the internet, we open ourselves to identity theft, fraud, and viruses. Now the internet doesn’t sound like as fun of a place as we once thought. But, you can still enjoy surfing the web, instead, you need to take a couple of extra steps to ensure your privacy is protected.

Passwords matter

You’ll hear stories of CEOs of their computers hacked and stripped of their information. The funny part is their passwords are always extremely simple. Using the word ‘password’ as your password isn’t going to cut it. Though this isn’t going to mean you’re completely protected, it will reduce the risk. People get lazy with passwords and usually end up choosing simple ones. Make sure your passwords contain a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers.

Create a secure network

If you ask any computer wiz, they’ll tell you the most important thing is to make sure you’re using a secure network. Without a secure system, you open yourself up to identity theft and privacy invasion. A virtual private network (VPN) ensures all your data is routed through a proxy server, making sure your IP address is protected from hackers. Now, you may be thinking, is VPN safe? And the answer is yes. It’ll hide your original information, making it difficult for people to see your identity.

Check your privacy settings

Most of us never check our privacy settings when we’re using social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. However, these public platforms are an excellent place to start when looking into privacy protection. This is because most of the information on these platforms are automatically default to sharing your information publically. The more information you provide to the public, the easier it is to invade your privacy. When using public platforms such as social media, make sure your information is only accessible to your friends and family.

Update your software

No one wants to update their software. It takes too much time, and it can be annoying when you’re in the middle of using your computer. But delaying your software updates can really affect your computer’s security system. The updates are there to fix bugs which could be exploited by hackers. 

Back-up your information

You can do everything suggested above to secure your privacy online, but it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. The minute you’re connected online, you’re vulnerable. It’s essential you back-up all your information – if you value your data. Whether your computer is hacked, the hard drive broke down, or your laptop was stolen, you’ll still have all your data. You can back-up your data in three ways: cloud storage, external hard drive, or an online backup service.

The internet may seem like a lot of fun, but it’s also a place where you need to keep your eyes open and stay protected. Use these tips to protect your computer and your privacy from hackers.