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We’ve all done it. Clicking on “Agree” without reading the terms (and installing some great malware).

Doing a little online shopping while using free public WiFi. Downloading files from sketchy websites. And, of course, creating easy-to-guess passwords, because “no one is interested in hacking my accounts.”

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. But that doesn’t mean you should keep justifying your risky online actions.

While there are countless ways you can put yourself in trouble online, these 20 dangerous Internet habits are too common to be ignored. So let’s roll up our sleeves and fix them one by one.

1. Using the same password for everything

Never do that. If a hacker somehow manages to get that single password you use for every login, they will have no trouble accessing all of your online accounts. So don’t be lazy and think of a strong, unique password each time you create a new account, especially for banking or shopping sites. You can also get a reliable password manager to help you remember all your unique passwords.

2. Ignoring antivirus updates

You, me, and the majority of users find software updates annoying as they tend to pop up exactly when you don’t have time to deal with them. So what you normally do, is hit the “Postpone” button thinking you will get back to it later. But you never do.

Keeping antivirus/antimalware programs up-to-date is crucial to make sure your device stays protected from malicious threats. If you don’t feel like checking for updates regularly, just enable your applications to do it automatically.

3. Having too many browser extensions

There are tons of extensions that claim to improve your browsing experience, but do you really need them all? The thing is, the more extensions and plugins you have in your browser, the riskier it gets. If you aren’t careful, you may easily download an extension that is aimed at collecting your data or even worse – infecting your device with malware.

So choose your extensions wisely – get only those that can help you with daily tasks and protect your privacy.

4. Not using two-step authentication

While 2FA makes it extremely difficult for hackers to get into your private files and emails, too many people still don’t use this awesome security feature.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account and is available on many account-based services, including Gmail, Google Drive, Apple’s iCloud, Twitter, and Facebook. I personally don’t see any reason not to use it.

5. No lock screen protection

Unless you take your phone everywhere you go, without leaving it unattended even for a tiny second, you simply must use some sort of lock screen protection: pattern, PIN code, or password.

If you don’t lock your screen, anyone can install malware or spyware on your phone without you noticing. Also, enable remote location and wiping if possible, so that if someone nabs your phone, you can erase all your private information remotely.

6. No computer password

People store much more private and sensitive information on their computers than anywhere else but often do nothing to protect it. Don’t make it easy for someone to install spyware or steal your private information. Put a password on your computer and lock it when you leave—even for a few minutes.

7. No antivirus and anti-malware

While ignoring antivirus updates is a bad idea, not having any software that protects you from malicious threats is even worse. Therefore, now it would be a perfect time to do some research and get yourself reliable antivirus and antimalware programs. On top of that, install a VPN as well for an extra layer of protection and always keep those three updated.

8. Writing down or texting passwords

If you create a strong password and then write it down on a sticky note, you’re essentially defeating the purpose. Don’t write down your passwords – just remember them or use a password manager to help you with this task. And never send your passwords or any other sensitive information via email or messages, as there can always be someone snooping on your communications.

9. Clicking on links in strange emails

A lot of hacking and malware is successful because people open emails they receive from random strangers. This is known as phishing, and it happens to more people than one could expect. The purpose of phishing emails is to lure users into visiting fake websites. From there, hackers can easily install malware on their victim’s device or steal their passwords, credit card details, and other private information.

So the lesson here is simple: if you don’t know or trust the source, don’t click the link.

10. Downloading attachments without thinking

While we’re at it—don’t download any sketchy attachments either. If you don’t know the sender, just don’t click on anything in the email you’ve received. This is especially true if you’re at work, as hackers can gain access to your company’s sensitive files.

11. Using HTTP sites

If you haven’t paid attention to the website URL when browsing the Internet, you should start doing it. HTTP in the prefix of the address indicates that your connection is not secure, meaning that snoopers can see the data you share with that website. That is especially dangerous for online payments and cases when you need to provide personal information. To stay on the safe side, only browse sites that use an SSL-encrypted connection, indicated by HTTPS.

If for some reason you need to visit unprotected websites, enable the NordVPN extension first. It will secure your HTTP traffic with strong encryption.

12. Checking your bank account on public WiFi

This one is especially painful since we all love free WiFi. However, public wireless networks usually lack proper protection, leaving their users open to man-in-the-middle attacks and other nefarious ways for hackers and snoopers to get your information.

When on public WiFi, don’t check any sensitive information, especially if it’s work- or money-related. Or better still – get yourself a VPN and keep your communications safe even on public WiFi.

13. Clicking on virus warning pop-ups

When visiting certain websites, you may face threatening pop-ups claiming to have found malware or viruses on your computer. Don’t click on them as they will more often than not try installing malware or adware on your device.

14. Using “123456” as your password

While we all know that we need stronger, better passwords to keep our data safe, the most common passwords found in data breaches are “password” and “123456.” Don’t become a victim of cybercrime – get creative and think of a good, uncrackable password that will keep your data safe from prying eyes.

I know this is hard, as you need to use a selection of weird symbols, numbers, and associations. But don’t worry – this guide will help you to create a good password in no time.

15. Downloading files from sketchy sites

Downloading free pirated movies, games, and programs is not cool at all, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get yourself malware. Be very careful on sites you don’t trust, even better – don’t go there at all.

16. Weak WiFi password

If you don’t have a strong password on your home WiFi, you may be susceptible to easy hacking. If cybercriminals hack your network, they can snoop on you and collect your private information.

One of the best ways to create (and more importantly – remember) your passwords is to use passphrases. You can use the words of that song that you like, or come up with an original phrase and then shorten it, using special symbols and numbers. For instance: “I care about my privacy. My VPN provider is NordVPN” phrase could be converted to a very strong password “1camp.MVpiN”

17. Agreeing to all terms on software install

Reading terms and conditions every time you want to install a new app is a real pain, and I’m not surprised that you hit “Agree” without bothering to look at what’s written there. However, you should try to make reading those terms a new habit.

By agreeing to the terms without reading them, you may be allowing the software to do pretty nasty things: collect information about you, listen to your conversations, installing Trojans, viruses, malicious adware, and much much more.

18. Dismissing privacy concerns

If you have a feeling someone may be watching you through your webcam, you are not paranoid. Things like snooping, webcam hacking, and location tracking happen every day, but we are still not used to taking all the warnings seriously.

If you suspect someone is accessing your webcam without your consent, don’t ignore your sixth sense. Better read this article to find out if your camera has been hacked, and take some steps to get out of this mess.

19. Thinking your smartphone is inherently secure

As you probably take your phone everywhere you go, it knows you better than your diary or any living person. So why do you still keep it unprotected?

With so much sensitive information residing on your phone, securing your mobile traffic should be the first thing you do after you get a new phone. Start by managing your security settings, adding lock screen protection and downloading the NordVPN app for your iPhone or Android.

20. Not using a VPN when using public WiFi

We have already talked about the dangers of open WiFi networks, so why are you still on that free hotspot with no VPN protection?

Source: withinnigeria.com

By Zhong Sheng

The 12th round of the China-U.S. high-level economic and trade consultations concluded at the end of July, and the negotiating teams of the two countries agreed to intensify trade consultations in August to prepare for the meetings of chief trade negotiators from both sides in September.

However, the U.S. had a sudden turnabout and unilaterally claimed to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting from September 1.

This move goes against the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries during their meeting in Osaka, Japan, posing serious problem to the trade talks.

In fact, it was not the first time that the U.S. went back on its own words and challenged the fundamental norms of international relations.

On June 29, the U.S. promised in Osaka that it would not add new tariffs on Chinese goods, which was regarded as quite a relief for the international market.

However, on August 1, just 27 hours after the White House published a statement acknowledging the 12th round of China-U.S. high-level economic and trade consultations as “constructive” meetings, the U.S. once again picked up the big stick of tariffs and wielded it against China.

The U.S. decision hurt the confidence of the international market, causing a sharp fall in the American stock markets that further led to a slump in global stocks – obviously an inevitable consequence of the arbitrary and capricious acts of some American officials.

Evidently, these American officials are anxious about the economic problems their country is currently facing.

According to the latest data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. GDP grew at a 2.1 percent annualized rate in the second quarter this year, slower than the 3.1percent figure in the first quarter, signaling insufficient drivers of economic growth.

In addition, the economic and trade frictions with China also aggravated the vulnerability of U.S. agricultural products in global market.

A drowning man will clutch at a straw, but he should never blame the others for his own awkward situation.

To every economy in the world, the global market, which is interdependent and coordinated, is like an ecological system. In such system, any act that runs counter to the fundamental laws will lead to catastrophic results. This also applies to the global market.

The uncertainties created by the additional tariffs would inevitably shatter the confidence and ecology of the market. Under such circumstances, no enterprise will take the risk to place orders of American products without hesitation.

China is a market economy where whether to increase imports from the U.S. is ultimately decided by the market entities, as market behavior is determined by market conditions and expectations.

The crux of the current problem is that the U.S. side keeps reneging on its word, making trade a dangerous game for marker buyers who dare not to make a purchase.

Obviously, to boost the Chinese purchases of U.S. products, Washington should faithfully safeguard the order and stability of the market, rather than waving the big stick of tariffs.

The tragedy of the present American agriculture is exactly an outcome of the wrong decisions made by the U.S., and has nothing to do with other countries.

The situation was totally different before the China-U.S. trade frictions broke out. The market was free from destructive interference, and both sides enjoyed common benefits from the supply chain on which the U.S. generated huge production and China saw huge demand.

Unfortunately, it will not be easy to restore this supply chain after it had been severely impacted. The story indicated the wisdom drew by ancient Chinese 2,000 years ago – unvarnished truth is better than a cunning ruse.

China has always regarded the consensus reached between the heads of state of the two countries as an important guideline for resolving economic and trade issues, and is willing to actively expand imports according to the demand of domestic market and its people.

The two sides have agreed to open market to each other. China will, in the process of furthering its new round of reform and opening-up, work to gradually resolve the reasonable concerns of the US side. Work teams of both sides will step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs so as to reach a specific agreement with mutual benefit and win-win results at an early date.

Honoring promises and following the consensus between China and the U.S. would no doubt benefit the development of the two countries and the well-being of the two peoples, and contribute to the stable growth of world economy, which accords with the interests of various countries.

As Chinese idioms go that “a promise is weightier than one thousand bars of gold” and “people should suit their actions to their words”, Chinese people have always attached great importance to keeping promises and honoring commitments.

“Honesty is the crux of all standards of conduct.” Such philosophy is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and is still cherished by the Chinese people as a defining principle when it comes to dealing with relationships.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)  

Irrespective of how much you earn, being heavily in debt doesn’t speak well of you. Poor management of debt can render your income insufficient as well as disturb your peace of mind which is why it is important you make efforts to clear your debts or reduce the amount of money you owe.

Agreeably, it is ok to borrow money if the need arises, but with shrewdness so that you don’t owe more than you earn or have so many people breathing on your neck for their money.

Here are 5 ways to manage your debt:

1. Know who and how much you owe
It is very important to know how much you owe. Create a list of all the debt you have not settled, including the amount.

This is the first step to managing and settling your debt. Knowing how much you owe will help you stay aware of all the debt you have unpaid.

You need to know how much you owe. Check your debt list occasionally to know what debt you have left to pay.

2. Pay your bills on time each month
Another way to manage your debt well is to pay your bills on time each month. Late payments make it more difficult to pay off debt.

Debts are accumulated when you refuse to pay or you do not pay quickly.

You should not wait until the deadline for a payment to be due before you pay your debt.

Create a calendaring system on your smart phone or computer which would alert you when your payment is due.

3. Prioritize your debts
To manage your debt well, you need to prioritize which is more important on the list to pay.

Use your debt list to prioritize and rank your debts in the order of importance and how you want to pay them off.

You can also choose to pay off the debt with the lowest balance first.

4. Use a monthly budget to plan your expenses
Keeping a budget helps ensure you have enough money to cover your monthly expenses.

Plan far enough in advance and you can take early action if it looks like you won’t have enough money for your bills this month or next.

A budget also helps you plan to spend any extra money you have left after expenses are covered. You can use this extra money to pay off debt faster.

5. Stay out of debt
When you are sure you have settled all unpaid debt, the next thing to do is to stay out of debt totally.

This would be possible by working and sticking to a budget plan afterwards.

Apple is set to launch its own credit card, Apple’s credit card. The Apple’s credit card is already highly anticipated and it seems it will come with some specific rules in respect to handling the credit card. Although, many of the rules are what you would expect to find on any other credit card, its notably different rule is the explicit forbiddance of credit card users from jailbreaking their iPhones.

Goldman Sachs, which partnered with Apple on the card, published the customer agreement, revealing a few new details about the iPhone maker’s new offering;

“If you make unauthorized modifications to your Eligible Device, such as by disabling hardware or software controls (for example, through a process sometimes referred to as “jailbreaking”), your Eligible Device may no longer be eligible to access or manage your Account. You acknowledge that use of a modified Eligible Device in connection with your Account is expressly prohibited, constitutes a violation of this Agreement, and could result in our denying or limiting your access to or closing your Account as well as any other remedies available to us under this Agreement.”

In other words: don’t jailbreak your phone unless you want to risk having your account closed abruptly.

That may be an annoyance to jailbreak enthusiasts (however many are left, anyway), but there are likely practical reasons for the rule as well. Unlike most credit cards, where the actual physical card is key to most purchases, Apple Card incentivizes you to use your iPhone for most transactions, rather than the flashy titanium card you might put in your wallet. If you were to jailbreak your iPhone, it could affect your ability to use Apple Pay or prevent the Apple Card software from functioning properly.

Another rule that has raised some eyebrows is that the card agreement expressly forbids users from purchasing cryptocurrency, which it considers a “cash equivalent.” Most credit cards prohibit “cash-like” transactions as these can be used to game rewards programs, though it’s somewhat notable that Apple and Goldman explicitly name cryptocurrency as a cash equivalent.

The card also comes with a few rules specific to Apple’s ecosystem. You’re required to have an Apple ID and iCloud account “in good standing” and have two-factor authentication enabled (which is always a good idea). And, just in case there’s any question as to whether that means you need an iPhone or not, the agreement states you need an iPhone or iPad with a passcode. And don’t think you can sign up with your iPhone and switch to Android later on.

“Without a Required Device, you will only be able to manage your Account by contacting us by phone or mail, and your Monthly Statement will only be sent to you by email or mail,” the terms of service state. “If you do not maintain a Required Device, we may close your account.”

The rules come as Apple Card is expected to launch soon. CEO Tim Cook said during the company’s earnings call last week that Apple employees have been testing it out, with the official launch set for sometime in August.

Source: withinnigeria.com

Relationship can be simple yet complicated, and this depends on the individuals in the relationship. However, here are secrets that could possibly destroy a relationship if revealed to even a seemingly openminded partner.

1. Past relationships with a married person

Married people cheat and they cheat a lot. It is a fact of life and there are quite a lot of people out there who have slept with a married man or woman. The fear of being labeled a home wrecker is enough to make most people lock up this secret and throw away the key. How will you feel if you discovered that the person you just fell madly in love with is capable of sleeping with a married person? It is natural to want to know the motivation behind the decision to sleep with a married person in the first place. Was he or she aware that the person was married? Did he or she sleep with the married person for financial gains or for sexual gratification? Any and every reason one offers for sleeping with a married person will never be good enough so why disclose the encounter.

2. Past relationships with Sugar daddies and sugar mummies

The concept behind a sugar daddy or sugar mummy arrangement is pretty simple. If you are a young lady or man, a rich old man or woman who is not necessarily married will agree to take care of all your financial needs in exchange for your company and sexual services. These arrangements have been around for decades and no one in their right mind will admit that they ever had a relationship with a sugar daddy or sugar mummy. The first question should you disclose that you dated a sugar daddy will go like this; “So you allowed an 80-year-old wrinkled and flabby dead wood inside your rainforest in exchange for a trip to Dubai?” The next time your new girlfriend mentions that her non-existent rich uncle bought her the latest iPhone or laptop, you may have to wonder if she is really talking about her sugar daddy from a previous life.

3. Past sexual encounters with friends

There are always one or two friends in your boyfriend or girlfriend’s life who simply give you pause and make you question if they are covering up a past tryst. It gets scarier if the friend in question is still single and very good looking. Your lover will certainly not disclose if he or she boned a close friend at some point in time. Why should they? Should you ask, the response may go like this “He or she was around before I met you. If I was interested, I would have been dating him or her by now.” Yes, that is a good response but tell me about that time when you both got a little tipsy and ripped each other’s clothes off. Most will deny and cover up any past trysts with a close friend who is still lingering around.

4. The number of past sexual partners

Each and every time I have broken my own rule and asked a woman how many sexual partners she has had; I end up regretting asking in the first place. Everyone knows most will have an opinion no matter how high or low the number is. High numbers for a woman may signal to a new boyfriend that she is easy or promiscuous. Most will rather not bring up the topic at all. Women are known to shave a few men off their number, while men are likely to add to it. The number of past sexual partners is still a touchy subject that can make or break a relationship.

5. Abortions

Abortions is a very serious life decision and most will like to keep that chapter of their lives shut forever. It is a tough decision to make and no matter the reason or reasons, it is never easy bringing up the subject again. A past abortion is not a question which comes up at the onset of a relationship because neither party raises it. In reality, you may never find out that your girlfriend had an abortion or that, your boyfriend had a previous lover who had an abortion.

Understand that most secrets do not stay secret for long, especially if others know about it. The problem occurs when the secret is disclosed by someone other than your lover.

Secrets are kept at the beginning of a relationship because being totally honest with someone means that you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position. A position which may lead a lover to misjudge you or break off the relationship altogether.

When you build enough trust and you are ready to open up to your partner, the secrets you kept will start to become shared secrets. Shared secrets are much better because someone else is helping you carry the load.

According to bigeye.ug, here are 5 ways to make your long distance relationship work:

1. Share the nitty-gritty
Communication is vital to any relationship, but it’s even more important when you don’t have the option to meet for dinner, hit the gym, or spend the weekend together. Spend time every day talking on the phone, chatting on FaceTime, or Skyping. Texting is great, but it isn’t enough. Ask about your partner’s day and actually listen. Be creative with how you communicate. Surprise your special someone with a love letter, a video, and picture messages. Be constantly present in each other’s lives, even from afar.

2. Talk about the big stuff
According to this study, there’s a reason why people in long distance relationships were no more likely to break up in the first three months than in traditional relationships, yet 40% of long distance relationships end after four and a half months. You need a plan and a goal to work toward. Ask the big questions. Why are you in a long distance relationship? What does it provide you with? Is there an end date? Maybe it’s about following your own ambitions or taking time to decide if this relationship has what it takes to make it. Talk openly about what you both want now and in the future.

3. Plan, travel, repeat
There is nothing like the anticipation of an upcoming vacation together or a firsthand peek into each other’s lives. Stay focused on these trips. Spend time planning the details, counting down the days, and preparing for that moment you’ll see each other (fireworks, I promise). Rather than focusing on how much being apart sucks, talk about how much fun you will have on your next trip together.

4. Talk dirty
Just because you’re a million miles away doesn’t mean you can’t turn each other on. Send sexy text messages, video chat, and talk dirty. Nothing is as good as the real thing, but you need to make an effort to maintain sexual tension from afar. Feel out what you both are comfortable with and be open in expressing what you need. When you do finally see each other, make out like teenagers and enjoy the wild excitement of uninhibited love.

5. Have a life
Your long distance relationship will require effort and time, but don’t let it take over your life. Take this time apart to invest in yourself. Do what you love and spend time with friends; anything that keeps you from moping around and sending sad-face emojis to your significant other. Being in a depressed state isn’t good for either of you. Make an effort to live your life to the fullest while ensuring you make time for each other.