Old School and Hi-Tech Ways to Keep Track of Passwords

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Old School and Hi-Tech Ways to Keep Track of Passwords

In 2017, nearly one-third of internet users reported being victim to online hacking or similar suspicious activity on their accounts. But, as anyone who regularly uses a computer—especially for financial transactions—knows, keeping track of passwords can be a time-consuming task. Even so, it is necessary to ensure your personal and financial information is kept private and secure. 

Unfortunately, one of the biggest inconveniences that has emerged is trying to keep track of different passwords for different websites. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that many websites require you to change your password every three to six months. Trying to keep up with which password is current at which website is mind-boggling and aggravating. 

Here’s one easy trick. If you ever want to find your passwords while online, look in the Settings for your browser. For example, with Chrome you log in, go to Settings, Advanced Settings, Passwords, Manage Passwords and click on the “eye” icon to see the username and password for each website. Similarly, with Safari you can log in and click on Preferences, Passwords, and the asterisk to the right of the username to show the password for each website. Most browsers have similar procedures. 

However, what is convenient about the ease of finding your passwords is also reason for alarm. If you leave your computer unattended while logged into your browser, anyone can find your passcodes. 

For this reason, it’s important to keep your computer password-protected and always within reach. Bear in mind, too, that there are other ways to keep track of passwords. For example, if you’re old school you might write them down in a notebook, crossing them out as you periodically update them. Some folks keep them updated in a spreadsheet software program. However, these tactics are susceptible to theft if, say, your home is burglarized and the thief takes both your computer and your password notebook. It can also be cumbersome if you are away from home and want to log in to websites from your smartphone. 

Today’s smartphones typically provide a way to store password information in their settings or options menu. For example, on the iPhone go to Settings, Accounts & Passwords, App & Website Passwords, (input security protocol for access), then click on the individual websites and apps for each user name and password. 

There also are apps designed to help you keep track of passwords. The following are highly recommended for their ease of use and security measures. 

LastPass – Import saved login credentials from Firefox, Chrome, Safari, etc. If you opt for the Premium suite for $2 a month, you also get the ability to sync information between your desktop and mobile devices, enhanced authentication options and tech support. 

Dashlane – This app is known for it simple, intuitive interface accessible with two-factor authentication. The app lets you change passwords across multiple sites with just a few clicks, and also keeps track of receipts of transactions so you can go back and review them. 

Roboform – This old-school password manager that can generate strong passwords, store and encrypt them, and sync them across multiple devices. It’s an older app that’s recently been updated with a more intuitive interface and features an autofill function. 

There are scads of apps designed to track passwords, so you can search for reviews and rankings to see which one offers features best suited to your needs. One of the perks of apps is that many are free to download and try out. If you don’t like it, delete and install another. When you find one you like, you might want to check out any premium features that are available for a fee.

End of the Traditional Office: Fact or Fiction?

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End of the Traditional Office: Fact or Fiction?

Brick and mortar versus the virtual office. It’s a dynamic that’s been ongoing for a couple of decades. But you might be wondering: how much has the traditional office really changed? 

Some Facts to Consider 

For perspective, consider data gathered by the International Workplace Group (IWG). IWG’s study, which included more than 18,000 professionals across 96 companies, found that 70 percent of employees worked at least one day a week somewhere other than the office. (While they didn’t specify, one could guess that this might be home or a “third destination” like Starbucks or a bookstore.) The study also revealed that more than half of the people surveyed worked remotely for half of the week or more, while 11 percent worked somewhere other than their company’s main office location five days a week, which could be a smaller, satellite office. 

In addition to flexible work schedules, which presumably made employees more productive and happier, the study highlighted several tangible benefits: 

  • Business growth (89 percent; up from 67 percent in 2016)
  • Competitiveness (87 percent; up from 59 percent in 2014)
  • Productivity (82 percent; up from 75 percent in 2013)
  • Attracting and retaining top talent (80 percent; up from 64 percent in 2016)
  • Profit maximization (83 percent)¬†

As you can see, the effects of working outside a traditional office can be beneficial both physically (to the employee), as well as fiscally (to the company). 

In addition to the obvious technologies like conference calls and video conferencing, which have influenced work styles for some time now, what else is going on that’s causing this shift? In a word: millennials. 

Millennials: What They Want 

According to the U.S. Census, millennials (born between 1982 and 2000) make up one-third of the workforce and outnumber baby boomers. Millennials place a premium on happiness and a good work-life balance. They believe the more comfortable and satisfied they are, the higher their productivity will be. In fact, these employees who were born in the last decades of the 20th century were pivotal in contributing to the advent of a brand-new work configuration: shared office space. 

The Rise of Shared Office Space 

If you don’t know what this is, here’s another way to explain it: it’s an independent, satellite co-working space that allows for many different individuals and companies to carry on their daily job tasks. These spaces may include perks like a gym, for which they can pay a monthly fee, along with access to resources such as meeting rooms or special equipment. Not a bad setup. 

This phenomenon is not just the flavor du jour. According to Forbes, it is projected that 26,000 new spaces will host 3.8 million workers by 2020. So, what’s the attraction? These shared, open venues allow for more businesses to collaborate, which is attractive to these young professionals, many of whom are entrepreneurs. Here are a few other reasons shared offices spaces are all the rage: 

  • Lower costs. They don‚Äôt have to clean them and keep them maintained.
  • Less commitment. They don‚Äôt have to be shackled to a lease.
  • Start-up friendly. With the small budgets of start-ups and the low rent of shared places, it‚Äôs the perfect combination for this entrepreneurial demographic.
  • Urban-centric locales. According to Nielsen, 62 percent of millennials like cities. They want to be where the action is, such as trendy restaurants, grocery stores and theaters.
  • Reject traditional offices. Yes, they are rebels; they are very much into individual expression.¬† ¬†¬†

However, this is not to say traditional offices are becoming obsolete. The buildings that pierce the sky in most major cities aren’t going anywhere and chances are good we’ll still see plenty of new construction. It’s just that these work places might not be as fully occupied. In terms of long-term growth potential, that’s a positive. 

Sources

https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/the-end-of-the-traditional-9-5-iwg-new-study-finds-70-per-cent-of-us-skip-the-office-to-work-elsewhere

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-end-to-the-traditional-office-space

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryalton/2017/05/09/why-more-millennials-are-flocking-to-shared-office-spaces/
http://www.smallbizlabs.com/2016/08/coworking-forecast-44-million-members-in-2020.html

Questions to Ask Before You Change Your Prices

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Questions to Ask Before You Change Your Prices

Creating price points for your products usually starts with looking at the prices of similar products within your industry.

This article explains how your perception as a seller is valuable, and discusses three questions to ask yourself about your pricing strategy.

To view this article, click the following link to access the original content.

https://www.inc.com/debra-mald…

Using Blockchain in Your Business

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Using Blockchain in Your Business

As the blockchain revolution begins, businesses are finding new ways to implement the technology into the products or services they offer.

This article discusses ways that blockchain will eventually change your business, and why your business should be prepared for the blockchain revolution.

To view this article, click the following link to access the original content.

https://www.inc.com/alisa-cohn…

Developing Productive Employees

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Developing Productive Employees

As a business leader, motivating employees starts with understanding their workload and doing everything possible to keep your workforce happy.

This article explains why keeping employees happy through commitment and creativity should be a top business priority that will lead to sustained success.

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https://www.inc.com/jeremy-gol…

Succession Planning in a Family Business

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Succession Planning in a Family Business

As baby boomers begin to leave the business world and move towards retirement, it is important to consider the transition of the next generation.

This article discusses key questions to consider when creating a succession plan that is right for your business.

To view this article, click the following link to access the original content.

http://www.northbaybusinessjou…