For most purposes, mobile phones have made cameras, clocks, computers, and many devices redundant. With their ever-expanding capabilities, mobile phones today have also become increasingly vulnerable to online threats like nasty, damaging cyber-attacks and data pilfering. As per a 2022 study, mobile phones face more than 60 percent of digital fraud via stolen passwords and phishing attacks. To stay clear of these, one needs to avoid making some of the following mistakes: Installing fake apps on smartphones Scammers can create apps that look legit but are just viruses or other threats disguised as actual mobile applications. To avoid this threat, one needs to complete software and security updates regularly, provide personal information only if it is necessary, check customer reviews for any app before installing it on their phone, and verify applications they want to download from the app store for duplicates. Fake apps are among the most common smartphone threats, and taking these simple precautions can prevent a person from exposing themselves to a cyber-attack or another kind of online fraud. Not being careful during online shopping Most people choose eCommerce apps on their phones to make purchases. However, online shopping sites can contain threats too. For example, an individual may fall into the trap of giving away their card details to scammers via the aforementioned fake or fraudulent shopping apps. Other than that, one may share the password of their shopping apps with their friends, thereby landing themselves in trouble. For this reason, one must only buy goods and services from trusted shopping sites and apps. Additionally, it is wiser not to save one’s payment details on such sites. Opening links/attachments in shady emails Emails from vague, potentially illicit sources need to be directed straight to the “spam” or “trash” folder on smartphones as they can cause data loss and software damage.

Google launched its first-ever Pixel smartphone back in 2016. Earlier, Google had collaborated with other manufacturers for the hardware of its previous phones known as Nexus. With Pixel, Google started using its own hardware as well as software. Moreover, the series of Pixel phones has stood out with a number of exceptional features that are difficult to find in other Android phones. For Pixel owners, there are several ways to use the phone and experience better. Tips and tricks to get the most out of Pixel phones The latest phones, such as Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and Google Pixel Fold, have a lot of advanced features that take the Pixel experience to the next level. But it is not necessary to upgrade to a new Google Pixel with every release to get the best out of the phone. These tips and tricks work well with older models, such as the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro. However, the older Pixel phones may require software updates. Whether one has a newer Pixel or an older model, here are some ways to make the best use of the features provided by the brand, improving user experience. 1. Ch ange the expression in a photo The latest releases from Google, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, have the Best Take feature. It is an AI-enabled feature with which a person’s facial expression can be changed in a photo. To use this feature, one has to click several photos of the exact moment in a row so that the software can create the most accurate expression. For example, if a person’s eyes are closed in a photo, the face can be swapped with another from any other photos taken at the same time. To use the Best Take feature, head over to the Edit menu, and Best Take will be found in the Tools section.

The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, is the governing authority that processes tax returns filed by individuals and businesses and issues refunds. The IRS has issued sizeable refunds worth thousands of dollars in recent years. Individuals can use the money to meet daily expenses and pay pending bills. But to be eligible for prompt refunds, here are some common mistakes you should avoid while filing your tax returns this year. Updating the wrong filing status The IRS lets you file as a single taxpayer, a married taxpayer filing jointly/separately, a qualifying widow/widower, or a sole head of the household. Entering this information correctly is critical while updating the return. Filing under the wrong section can delay processing and refunds. You might even be subject to penalties if there are errors in the calculation. Not reporting all taxable income Salaried employees working for an organization should properly mention any income subject to taxes on Form W-2. Freelancers can report their income using Form 1099. Different kinds of employment and earnings are subject to different tax slabs. The bottom line is that you should never underreport your earned income in the said financial year. If the IRS notes discrepancies, it can order an audit that will lead to subsequent penalties and interest. Filing late or on the due date Do not wait till the last minute to file your tax returns. Doing so can lead to errors and omissions, which you might be unable to rectify. Filing early allows the IRS to verify and check the refund status. If there are any irregularities, you will have time to deal with the rectifications and receive the eligible refund. Not taking expert advice Always consult with a professional if unsure about claiming deductions, arithmetical calculations, and even jargon mentioned in the tax forms. Tax attorneys file returns day in and day out and are thus in a better position to claim all the eligible refunds for your return.

Tablet computers are an innovation that has enabled consumers to use a wide range of productivity apps or stream their favorite shows and movies on the go. They are a natural extension of the smartphone, featuring the ultimate culmination of touch technology and computer processing power at an affordable price tag. While Black Friday 2023 sales have yet to be announced, customers can vet the devices that went on sale last year. 1. iOS tablets iOS is the leading operating system used on most tablets sold across the globe. The main reasons the Apple OS works so well include its simplicity of use and stunning graphical user interface. The fluidity of design and innovative features of the iPad are just some of the key highlights of the products. The most premium variant in this series boasts a stunning hardware configuration with an in-built M2 chip, iOS 16, a liquid retina display, dual camera systems, and even Wi-Fi 6E and True 5G support. Previous year’s sales indicate discounts in the range of $300 to $400 for the premium range of iOS tablets. 2. Android OS tablets Android is a major player in the smart tablet computer market. Its tablets can also be used as tablet PCs. Also, compared to premium iOS tablets, Android offers a more affordable range of products with premium, innovative technology. This is granted if some premium variants of the Android ‘Techverse’ are priced more than or equal to those of iOS products. However, Android continues to be a crowd favorite for every Black Friday sale, with exclusive trade-in bonuses offered by the top brands in the competing space. With average Black Friday discounts of $100 to $200 and trade-in bonuses that practically pay for the product, don’t miss out on the best tablet offers in the upcoming sales.

In today’s e-commerce scenario, improving supply chain visibility is critical. All parties, whether suppliers, manufacturers, or customers, want to know the ETAs of their shipments so they can plan what’s ahead. In that sense, GPS fleet tracking systems are worth their weight in gold in the fast and intense commerce industry. However, one must avoid these three common mistakes as far as possible when choosing GPS fleet tracking systems for business operations. Neglecting tracking range Companies delivering their goods over ultra-long distances must track their fleets throughout the route until they safely reach their destination. Therefore, people tasked with choosing GPS fleet trackers need to check the range of a given system before choosing it. Ideally, the range should be infinite if companies deliver their goods internationally. Even if a business delivers locally, it should choose a system with a long range. This way, it can track down its fleet accurately no matter how far away it is at any given moment. Neglecting the tracking range undermines the overall transparency of a company’s supply chain operations. Buying the cheapest/costliest option without thinking Usually, the costliest systems have the most fancy features and advanced capabilities. However, they may be useless to a small, local business just looking for a simple, no-nonsense fleet tracker. On the other hand, the cheapest systems may not have critical features and basic functionality, even for a small business. Therefore, one should consider the scale of operations and choose wisely. Ideally, one must purchase a tracker that performs well and falls within their budget. Failing to consider compatibility Most businesses use advanced ERP software to manage operations and become more efficient. A business’s GPS fleet tracking system must be compatible with such ERP systems to integrate all operations seamlessly. After all, fleet tracking is something that multiple stakeholders, such as suppliers, warehouse managers, and transportation partners, will need to have a finger on simultaneously.

Square Online provides e-commerce tools and services to help businesses set up an online store. Business owners can easily build a new website with the Square and begin selling their products. If your growing newly venture needs an e-commerce scale-up, you can create a fully functional digital store in minutes. Let’s look at what you can avail with a Square Online website. Features you’ll get with a Square website When you create a webpage with the Square website builder, you’ll be able to choose marketing features, interface customisation, and social media integration. The integrative features like syncing with Square POS lets you create an e-store that is set for growth, aling with the option of setting up contactless pay options for seamless transactions. Moreover, Square Online has a to-the-point dashboard that has great analytics so that you can easily map a customer’s journey on the site. The best part is that you don’t need any coding experience to set up a website with Square Online; it’s easy, quick, and efficient. Square website building costs If you want to simply try the platform to see if it works for your business, start by building a website for free with Square Online. There’s one condition though: you have to pay when you make a sale. Square will take 2.9% + 30¢ for every purchase made. There are other options too. like Professional, Performance, and Premium. We particularly like the Performance set up because it is economical at around $26 per month. And you get to publish customer reviews on the site and send emails to potential buyers who have abandoned their carts. The Premium option is the most expensive set-up costing around $72 per month, but you get additional cost-cutting features. Good alternatives to Square Online While Square Online has amazing features, it is not the only option for setting up an online store.

The first few minutes, hours, and days following a cybercrime are often crucial for victims to recover their data and move on from the incident. Cyber blackmail, similar to hacking and other online crimes, tends to become a looping nightmare if not reported in a timely and proper way. People who experience a cyber-attack commonly make specific mistakes in a state of frenzy while reporting cyber blackmail. Here are a few of them to avoid: Not ceasing system activities that destroy blackmail evidence This mistake applies to a whole host of failed cyber-attack responses. The activities that destroy critical evidence for investigation departments include: Continued system usage after receiving a blackmail threat Multiple account lockouts due to multiple antivirus alerts Clicking on suspicious links Opening shady emails despite a cyber threat. Employees and desk staff not well-versed with cybersecurity protocols should pause all activities, including installing software, running antivirus or cleaning tools, or making various system adjustments. These activities can overwrite information that investigators may use as evidence of blackmail. To address this issue, the in-house staff of any organization must receive training to document any online activities. This documentation can be useful if those actions also become a part of the investigation. Nonexistent data The incident response process heavily depends on the pieces of evidence that an organization has saved after receiving a blackmail threat. A significant mistake is to complete a system reboot to ward off the threat. Unfortunately, this does nothing but erase the information the incident response team would have otherwise used to assess the impact, contain the cyber-attack damage within time, and track down the malicious element that set off the blackmail threat. As with the first point, evidence of an attack is the most valuable resource in the immediate aftermath of a cyber blackmail attack.

Since esports became integral to sports competitions globally, the gaming industry has witnessed some of the biggest brand booms. Avid gamers need to invest significant time and money to become the best-rated gamers in the circuit. And for that, consumers must purchase the best gaming consoles, accessories, and other supporting hardware. Here are the 10 best Black Friday offers on popular consoles and accessories one can look for this sale season. Gaming consoles with virtual reality Virtual reality gaming is still a fairly new concept requiring a dedicated console, accessories, and software to render the games for an immersive experience. Also, the genres of games that can be played using these gaming consoles are limited. So, only a few mainstream companies manufacture these consoles and design the devices that support these software and hardware configurations. Popular brands like PSVR offered up to $150 discounts on their virtual reality headsets and accessories for the gaming console in the previous black Friday sale. Gaming consoles with 4K support With popular game design companies introducing high-end graphics and an immersive playing experience, there are consoles that even support 4K games. A dedicated core process, enhanced graphics processing unit, and advanced neural engines can easily run 4K graphics and almost zero lag in terms of gameplay or latency. These premium devices are expensive and require a smart TV or monitor supporting 4K gaming resolution. Microsoft Xbox Series X, which supports high-end 4K gaming, was a popular selling product previous Black Friday with price estimates in the range of $500. Compact gaming consoles Mainstream companies like Nintendo first developed compact gaming consoles. These consoles could be connected to any television device to turn it into a gaming monitor. Even today, avid gamers reminisce about the nostalgia of playing their favorite games back in the day with upgraded versions of these compact consoles.

Making money online has never been easier! The ever-expanding online world is swamped with legit opportunities that’ll help add some extra bucks to your bank from the comfort of your home. And, the best part is that you don’t always need to have certain skills or qualifications to earn money. Don’t believe us? We’ve compiled a list of trustworthy websites that can help you make money online. Try them! Swagbucks If you have a hard time trusting online survey sites, you likely haven’t tried Swagbucks. It is one of the most popular and legitimate websites that will pay you for everything from filling out surveys to watching videos to shopping online. You will receive your earnings in the form of gift cards from top retailers like Amazon and Walmart or cash back from PayPal. Upwork Interested in taking up some freelance work? Consider creating an account on Upwork. It’s the world’s largest online marketplace to find great clients and grow your independent career. Regardless of what skill you have, be it writing, video editing, software development, graphic designing, or marketing, you can find work in no time. ThredUp If you’re looking for motivation to clean up your closet, then check out ThredUp. You can sell items you no longer wear or need for cash, such as jeans, shorts, tops, dresses, swimwear, shoes, handbags, and backpacks. Another great thing is that there is no shipping fee for sending them your package. Keep in mind that you will receive the payment only if your items are accepted. Gazelle Most of us have electronic waste lying around the house. So, why not make some money by selling them out? With Gazelle, you can trade your old Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, iPhone, or any other phone, and even iPads and tablets for money. They will also cover your shipping costs.

In the rush of filing taxes, it can be easy to overlook deductions that could help you save money. Tax deductions are expenses you can subtract from your taxable income. Knowing which expenses can be claimed as deductions is the key to limiting the hard-earned money you owe the government. From student loan interest payments to health expenses, here are some of the most overlooked tax deductions you should know: How do deductions work? Tax deductions lower the amount of tax you owe. A standard tax deduction—a single deduction of a fixed amount—is determined by your filing status: single, married, head of household, or filing jointly. You can claim the standard deduction without providing additional documentation or expense receipts. In contrast, itemized deductions are specific expenses you can deduct from your taxable income, such as clinical expenses, charitable contributions, and mortgage interest. Most overlooked tax deductions Job hunting expenses If you are looking for a new job in your existing field, you may be able to deduct expenses such as those incurred in resume preparation, traveling for interviews, and career counseling services. Charitable contributions Many know that cash donations to charity can be claimed as deductions but often overlook non-cash contributions like clothing or household items. Clinical and dental expenses You can deduct expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for clinical and dental care. Moving expenses If you move for a new job, you may be able to deduct expenses such as transportation and lodging from the tax amount. Student loan interest If you are paying interest on a student loan, you can claim a deduction of up to $2,500. Tax preparation fees Taxpayers can deduct fees paid to tax professionals, tax software charges, and other tax-related expenses. Sponsoring a child The money you give an organization supporting underprivileged children can be tax deductible.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution has started altering how we interact with technology. For example, humanoid robots can engage in conversation, while natural language processing (NLP) chatbots can write entire lines of code or essays in seconds. And while the improvements in AI are exciting, they also bring about nervousness, primarily because they may overtake jobs created for humans. So here are six such jobs that Artificial Intelligence might impact. Salespersons Companies have started to substitute salespeople with AI for advertising and retail activities. Advertising software allows advertisers to create custom content for various types of audiences. Moreover, the implementation of AI instead of a salesperson has enabled customers to research products for themselves without the help of another person. Taxi and truck drivers Autonomous driving has become an emerging trend in the country and globally, with cab and truck aggregators switching to robot drivers instead of hiring humans. Apart from savings costs, it also fills the void of the shortage of such drivers because of the relatively low pay structure. Proofreaders and translators Today many AI-powered tools help writers self-check their writing. While it has not reached perfection yet, the natural processing capability of these AI tools allows writers to check their work for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and readability issues. AI can also translate writing or speech into other languages within seconds, which voids the need for a human translator. Customer service representatives Most customer queries and concerns are usually similar. Answering these may not require high social or emotional intelligence. Therefore, AI could offer automated responses to questions that are frequently asked. For example, AI might be able to handle queries, including payment confirmations, order cancellations, and refund statuses. Accountants Unlike traditional methods where a human being would keep track of accounts, companies today have started using robots for bookkeeping practices.

Smartphones like the iPhone have become an integral part of our daily lives in this increasingly digital age. These devices are incredibly useful tools and offer a range of benefits. However, despite paying a substantial price for the phone, most individuals develop several usage habits that can harm the iPhone’s performance, longevity, and security in the long run. So, here are a few bad iPhone habits and how to break them: Ignoring software updates Failing to update the iPhone’s operating system and apps may leave devices vulnerable to security threats and performance issues. Users should stay proactive by enabling automatic updates or regularly checking for updates in the App Store and Settings. Not utilizing the iCloud backup Several individuals do not utilize the iCloud backup feature on the iPhone. This feature provides a seamless and secure way to safeguard crucial data, such as photos, contacts, apps, and settings. With iCloud Backup, users can restore their entire data in case of loss or damage, ensuring minimal disruption to their digital lives. Skipping AppleCare Skipping insurance coverage like AppleCare for the iPhone might seem like a cost-saving measure, but it could be risky. iPhones are valuable investments, and accidents can happen anytime. Without insurance, repair or replacement costs could be substantial. AppleCare plans offer peace of mind, covering accidental damage, theft, and hardware issues. Overlooking “Screen Time” notifications iPhones provide valuable insights into screen time habits through the Screen Time feature. Ignoring these notifications may prevent users from recognizing patterns of excessive usage. It’s important to review these reports regularly to make informed decisions about app usage. Neglecting battery well-being As time passes, batteries naturally deteriorate, and disregarding their condition could lead to diminished battery longevity and unforeseen power cuts. To overcome this tendency, individuals could utilize the integrated “Battery Health” function to keep track of their iPhone’s battery capacity.