Shawn Mike

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Shawn Mike has been working with writing challenged clients for over five years. He provides ghostwriting, SMM and copywriting services. His educational background in the technical field and business studies has given him a broad base from which to approach many topics.

Stay On Top of the Trends: Machine Learning and Cybersecurity

Stay On Top of the Trends: Machine Learning and Cybersecurity

The digital world is constantly changing and evolving at a rapid pace. To stay at the top, it is important to get yourself updated with the latest trends and practices. Digitization has taken over processes and the introduction of new products and trends has caused massive competition in the market. Technological advancement has exposed people to security threats, mostly related to cybersecurity. Cyberattacks make people lose valuable data, money and sometimes their online identities as well.

Cyber-attacks have increased by a considerable amount in the past few years. Thousands of computers can be affected by a malware attack at the same time! Therefore, to keep your customer data secure you must incorporate the latest machine learning and cybersecurity technologies into your system. The different types of cybersecurity threat are:

  • Financial Crimes: Fraudulent activities including money such as credit card frauds, money laundering, etc.
  • Cyber Pornography: Several pornographic websites are a threat to users on the web. Certain cyber-attacks are made by gaining access to the webcam of the user and by getting hold of their private videos/pictures.
  • Illegal Sales: The internet is used to illegally carry out sales in the black market. The illegal sales include items such as weapons, drugs, and even hum trafficking.
  • Property Crimes: Cybercrimes related to the property include software piracy, violating trademarks, infringing copyrights, etc.
  • Cyber defamation/Cyber Stalking: The terms refer to using electronic means to defame or harass someone. Harassment can be done through instant messages, emailing or through different social media platforms.
  • Virus Attacks/Malware Attacks: A malware attack is one of the most common types of cyber-attacks. These attacks are caused by unauthorized personnel who penetrate the system and harm it. There are several types of malware attacks, each of them has distinct features. The most common types of malware attacks are ransomware and spyware, etc.

Cyber Security and Machine Learning 

There may be several ways through which one can experience a cyber-attack but at the same time technology has given us tools through which we can combat cyber-crime in the right way. Machine learning might just be the answer to solving all the cybersecurity problems now and in the future. The technology is a subdivision of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is focused on using complex algorithms to allow machines to undertake large amounts of data.

Let’s try to understand it this way, machine learning is enabling computers to deal with the natural flow of language and facial recognition. The computational speed and accuracy allows companies to effectively deal with crime. This could be highly effective in dealing with security of banks and eventually prevent money laundering.

The role of cybersecurity just doesn’t end there. There are several benefits related to using this technology. A few of them are mentioned below.

  • Classification of data through parameters that have already been determined can be done through AI and machine learning.
  • If the data does not fit into the parameters which were defined earlier, then the data be categorized based on the patterns.
  • A software that is using machine learning technology will also be able to work with different frameworks that can generate outcomes based on the system fed data. Through this feature, accurate predictions can be made.

Role of Machine Learning in Cyber Security

  • Detecting Anomalies

Machine Learning is widely known to detect anomalies. The algorithms are known to analyze millions of events and detect the ones which have unusual patterns. However, certain events may be unusual but harmless in nature. The algorithm is usually smart enough to register the harmless ones and in the future not notify the user of their detection in the future.

  • Fight Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that averts the users from retrieving their files. The software asks for a “ransom” payment in return to granting access. The author of the ransomware may ask for money through your credit card or other means of online payment. Machine learning helps to detect threats in the system at a very early stage and blocks the malware consequently.

  • Detecting Phishing Attacks

Phishing has been a common method of cyberattacks. However, in the past few years, phishing attacks have become more and more dangerous. The level of danger will probably increase in the coming year. Phishing attacks are mostly hidden inside emails. With a machine learning capability installed in your system, it is possible to track the phishing source and combat it. The best part about AI and machine learning is that they can identify attacks from all over the world.

  • Managing Passwords and User-Authentication 

Hackers are mostly focused on decoding passwords. A password is sometimes the only thing in between you and the hacker. The simplest way to protect yourself from a hacker would be to have a very strong password combination. Other than that, make sure that you regularly update your password to prevent a hacker from gaining access to your system.

Easy passwords make it extremely simple for the hacker to get access to sensitive information in your account. Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence have upgraded the facial recognition feature but it is still far from perfect. The facial recognition feature uses neural networks that are made up of Bi-directional amplifiers. An effective way to protect yourself from hackers would be to implement all of the strategies above to protect and safeguard your password.

  • Forecasting Threats

AI and Machine learning are capable of using historical data to make assumptions. They can be used as an effective tool to make predictions for the future. Predictions can allow quick analysis of data and recommend the necessary actions required to bring the system back on track. In conclusion, this technology can effectively be used to predict threats and take the necessary action required.

Final Thoughts

Artificial Intelligence coupled with machine learning is bound to have a lasting effect on the people in the future. Therefore, it would be prudent on your behalf to incorporate this technology into your system to be safe from outside threats and have edge over your competitors.

Money-Saving Techniques for Home-Based Businesses

Money-Saving Techniques for Home-Based Businesses

Running a home-based business gives you the freedom to be your own boss. Which means you call the shots at all times. You make all the big decisions such as supervising the operations, looking after supplies, maintenance, and most importantly managing the budget.

Saving money or cutting down expenses can be a tricky business, especially if you started out with minimal funding. Those who wish to launch their own business on a tight budget, or are just starting, will have to be considerate of their finances from the beginning. Fortunately, you always have the option to cut down unnecessary overheads and remain economical when you’re beginning your entrepreneurship.

During the early days, you need to be particularly careful about business overheads and lavish expenditures so you don’t run out of resources. By adopting a strategic and cost-effective approach, you can keep running operations even when you don’t bring in massive returns. To help you out, we’ve outlined the best approaches to remain lean while running a home-based business.

Don’t Spend Exceedingly on a Home Office

The first thought that comes to people’s minds when they wish to start a home-based business is setting up a home office similar to the one displayed in an elite magazine. While it’s nice to have a dedicated place as your workspace, you can achieve that without going overboard with expensive furniture and lavish carpeting. It’s best to start off simple. All you need is a spare room with a desk, your computer, printer (optional), and any other equipment related to your niche.

If you’re tight on cash flow then it’s in your best interest to be picky about where you spend your money. Instead of purchasing brand new furniture, shop at a local thrift store for a fraction of its original cost. You’ll find a variety of antiquities and maybe you can pick out a vintage carpet for your home office. It’s eco-friendly, cheap, and all you need to pay for is professional carpet cleaning and you’re good to go. If your home business is situated in the core of London, simply look up reviews online using the keyword “carpet cleaning London” and you can find reputable cleaners for your carpet.

Hire Remote Freelancers

A lot of entrepreneurs start out with a one-man business. As you gain customers and expand your business you might require assistance. The affordable and efficient solution to this is to recruit remote workers who can work from their homes as long as they have the required equipment and means to communicate with you. This way you don’t need to bring in employees to your office and fret over other additional costs. In addition, employees can work flexibly which enhances work satisfaction and productivity, and they also save money on fuel and traveling to the job location. In case there’s a personal emergency and you’re unable to work, your freelance employees can carry on with the business operations without a halt.

Utilize Social Media Marketing for Promotion

If you’re looking to effectively market your home business, then social media marketing is the ultimate solution. Nowadays, everyone checks social media before making a buying decision so if your business has a reliable online presence then you have a potential customer’s vote of confidence.

Setting up social media profiles on the most popular platforms must be the first step in your marketing strategy, followed by sharing quality content, and then engaging with customers. Once you’ve established a decent follower base, your priority should be to ensure customer retention. When you’re making efforts to offer valuable content to the readers and grasp their interest, it will help you to bring in more leads and convert them to customers. The better the social media marketing strategy, the more exposure your business will gain.

This cuts down cost on traditional marketing which is expensive as well as inefficient as compared to digital marketing. It empowers inexperienced entrepreneurs to reach a wider audience and bring in massive returns, without spending large sums of cash on advertising.

Supervise Equipment Regularly to Avoid Loss

Home-based entrepreneurs or small business owners are advised to closely supervise and protect their equipment, electronic gadgets, and backup their systems. This prevents any major part failure or data loss which can be debilitating for a business running on a tight budget. Replacing or repairing equipment takes time and money which is hard to spare when you’re just starting out. Therefore, it’s recommended to backup your data regularly and store important files in cold storage in case of emergencies. When you’re on a financial crunch, you can’t afford to spend on expensive maintenance so regular inspection of your belongings is vital.

Lose the Paper and Go Digital

Digital technology has created an opportunity for businesses and industries to minimize their overall paper consumption, thereby reducing pollution. Not only does is it cost-effective, but it also prevents individuals from misplacing important documents, and saves time in copying, writing, and filing paperwork. Many organizations put confidential information at a risk by losing or damaging important paperwork, leading them to lose clients and halt business operations.

To avoid this outrage, going digital is the best solution for home-based businesses and start-ups. People can store important records and documents on a protected cloud, hard-disk, flash drive, or any storage gadget of their choice and go paperless. Moreover, digital technology has empowered corporate offices across the world to lessen their environmental impact and carbon footprint.

Cutting down on paper waste will have a significant influence on cost savings and allow you to spend that money elsewhere. Business owners and employees can access digital documentation in a matter of seconds, and it facilitates the easy sharing of information as well. This improves the efficiency of workers and reduces wasted time as they don’t need to sift through piles of paperwork and spreadsheets to find the required files.

Wrapping Up

It’s always recommended to be wise about your spending when operating a business, but home-based entrepreneurs particularly should be cognizant of expenditure so their business goes about smoothly. Following these techniques will help your business make the most out of its budget, maximize profits, and seize better opportunities as time goes by.