Public Wi-Fi spots are free to use and available across the country. So you can easily connect and enjoy seamless browsing on the go. However, these connections are not completely secured and can easily be hacked by scammers and phishing sites. But you can ensure your browsing experience is safe and not vulnerable to online attacks in a few ways. Here are a few tips to secure your computer while accessing public Wi-Fi hotspots: Pick a secure network Don’t just click on the first Wi-Fi hotspot that shows up in the phone menu. Pick the correct network name if it’s at a coffee shop, as scammers and hackers duplicate these names. However, you should be able to spot the spelling mistakes in these decoy networks and avoid opening such links at all costs. Ask for the official Wi-Fi names at these places, and only then connect to a secure encryption network. Use a VPN A Virtual Provider Network (VPN) connection is one of the best ways to prevent hackers and scammers from publicly accessing your computer’s IP. A VPN is software that masks the real IP address of the computer connected to a public network by rerouting the connection to a private server. So, the real address is not visible as long as the VPN is active. Most premium VPNs provide access to servers across the globe. Configure device settings Laptops, smartphones, and smart tablets are all, by default, configured to locate and select the first available network on a public Wi-Fi hotspot. However, this is how scammers and hackers can quickly gain unauthorized access to your computer. Change the default discovery settings and disable these options. You should always manually choose the preferably password-protected network only after turning on the VPN software. These three simple steps ensure the connection remains private and safe.

A debit card makes it easy to access money from the bank or an ATM. One could easily spend what’s in their account without carrying cash or writing a check. However, each bank sets its terms and conditions associated with a debit card. Those who sign up for one online without a second thought might often incur unwanted charges. With this in mind, here are four mistakes to avoid when applying for a debit card. Going for the first available option Several banks offer a series of debit card options to customers. However, in a hurry to get things done, people apply for the first card they see online. Doing so may result in paying higher fees than one should or signing up for features that one does not need. Individuals must always take their time when applying for debit cards to ensure they sign up with a suitable provider. Not reading the fine print One of the common mistakes people make when applying for a debit card online is ignoring the fine print. While a bank may offer a debit card free of charge, it might be conditional on eligibility criteria. For example, one might incur charges if they do not spend a certain amount within the first year, such as $500. Reading the conditions also helps one better understand any important aspects of the debit card. Overlooking the ATM withdrawal fees Most individuals who prefer using cash overlook the ATM withdrawal charges levied by their bank. For instance, some financial institutions only offer up to five free transactions per month. Anything above that may incur a certain fee per transaction. In addition to this, banks may levy charges on transactions conducted at out-of-network ATMs. So, one should always check the ATM withdrawal fees when applying for a debit card online.

According to the FICO credit score model, those with a score below 670 are considered to have bad credit. The lower the credit score, the harder it is to get personal loans. However, it is not impossible. There are several lenders who have minimum credit score requirements. Shopping around and researching is one of the best ways to find offers and discover ways to get money with a bad credit score. Here’s how to do it. Check credit report and credit score thoroughly Before starting the process of applying for loans, pull copies of credit reports. These are usually available for free from the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Then, review all the information lenders often see while evaluating a loan application. Check for issues or patterns in the credit history, such as closed accounts and missed payments. If there are any errors, get them rectified. Once this is done, take the necessary steps to improve the credit score. Compare lenders and get prequalification Several online lenders offer loans even with bad credit scores. While traditional banks solely rely on credit scores, online lenders look at other criteria along with credit scores while approving loan applications. These criteria usually differ across lenders but often include the applicant’s job, income, and education history. Thus, one can check out these lenders and look at their various offerings. Shortlist a couple of the lenders and prequalify with them. Doing this will give a fair idea of whether one is eligible for the loan and what rates would be applicable if the loan gets approved. Add a co-signer A co-signer is a person willing to take equal responsibility for paying off a loan. Usually, a friend or family member with an excellent credit score is eligible to be a co-signer. Having someone co-sign is one of the easiest ways to improve one’s eligibility odds and lower interest rates when applying for a loan with a bad credit score.

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.

For holiday goers and frequent vacationers, cruise holidays around the North American continent are an excellent choice. Cruising along the west or the east coast of the beautiful continent is truly a delightful experience and lets you experience the culture uniquely. Fortunately, there is a myriad of different cruise vacations available all around North America. Here are our top choices: Eastern Coast of North America There are several things to do during your cruise holiday to the eastern coast of North America. It is not only ideal for a memorable cruise holiday, but is also a great pick for luxury holidays, family trips, honeymoons, luxury holidays, and even an activity-based holiday. In the cruises around the eastern coast of America, you’ll mostly cover South Carolina, Boston, Florida, New England, as well as New York in the United States of America, and Nova Scotia and Montreal in Canada. Western Coast of North America As for the Western Coast of North America, there’s an equally exciting range of things to do. On your cruise, you can take an exciting and fun family trip to Vancouver, venture the lively and vibrant San Francisco city, relax and unwind on the beaches in California, enjoy a wholesome experience along with fantastic music in Seattle, or take a tour around various ports like those in British Columbia, Oregon, or Washington. Tips to find the best cruise around North America Now, how do you pick the right cruise for yourself? Let’s find out. Family cruisers Are you traveling with children? Well, the little ones are naturally more excited about cruises than adults. There are some cruise lines that cater to the children much better than the others. Unfortunately, there are also a few who completely overlook the needs of child travelers. So, if you are seeking an incredible family cruising experience, then Disney should be your top-pick.

Conference calls have become necessary, especially as companies expand and onboard employees from different parts of the world. Besides, as the work-from-home culture gains momentum, the reliance on video-calling software has witnessed a further increase. Here, we’ll look at some of the top video conference web software and their pricing options. Zoom Zoom has become one of the most popular video conferencing software recently. You can use it not only for official meetings but also for informal catch-ups with friends and family. The basic plan is free, and you can add up to 100 participants in one call; however, the time limit is capped at 40 minutes. If needed, you can upgrade to a better plan. For instance, the Pro plan costs around $150/year and offers group meetings for up to 30 hours. You can also go for the Business plan or Enterprise plan, which cost $200/year and $240/year, respectively. The former includes recording transcripts and company branding and can host up to 300 participants, while the latter offers unlimited cloud storage and up to 500 people. Google Meet A Google-owned enterprise, Google Meet is famous and easily accessible to anyone with a Gmail account. Like Zoom, Google Meet also offers different pricing and plans besides its free version. The starter plan provides 30 GB of cloud storage and 100 participants for $6/month. The other options include Business Standard and Business Plus for $12/month and $18/month, respectively. With each upgrade, you get better cloud storage and the ability to admit more people. Google Meet also has an Enterprise plan, for which you can contact them directly for pricing. BlueJeans Meetings A Verizon product, BlueJeans is another top video conference web software. As far as the pricing goes, BlueJeans Standard costs $120/year for 100 participants and unlimited meeting time. The Pro account allows you 150 participants and 25 hours of recording limit for approximately $170/year.

Cholesterol is a naturally-produced essential fatty substance in the body. The type of fat found in the blood helps the body build healthy cells, thereby ensuring it functions smoothly. However, excess cholesterol is harmful as it can lead to fatty deposits in the blood vessels, narrow or clog the arteries and increase the risk of heart conditions. Below are six foods that help lower cholesterol levels and also improve heart health. 6 superfoods that help lower cholesterol levels Apples Apples are rich in a type of soluble fiber called pectin that brings down cholesterol levels by about 10 percent. It also helps reduce triglycerides, which is a type of fat in the blood. In addition to their fibrous content, apples also contain polyphenols, which could help control cholesterol levels. Avocados Avocado contains monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs, which keep the cholesterol levels in check and help in keeping the heart healthy. This fruit contains about 10 grams of fiber. You can pair it with whole grain, pumpernickel, or rye toast to make it even more fibrous. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or sprinkle some herbs like oregano for extra flavor. Dark chocolate Cocoa in dark chocolates contains flavonoids that control blood pressure levels and lower cholesterol. However, dark chocolates contain sugar and fats, so it is advisable to opt for unsweetened variants and have them in limited quantities. Fatty fish Having salmon, mackerel, and sardines regularly helps prevent serious heart conditions. The omega-3 fats in the fish are full of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and polyunsaturated fats that prevent cholesterol from shooting up and decrease triglycerides in the bloodstream. This maintains heart health. Nuts and seeds Almonds, walnuts, cashew, hazelnuts, pistachio, peanuts, pecans, and other varieties of seeds are full of vitamin E, protein, magnesium, and potassium that lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart ailments.

When it comes to printing, some mistakes can prove more costly than others. It is important to learn to recognize mistakes early and correct them so that you can get the best quality prints. From leaving the right margins to choosing the correct print quality, being aware of minor details can help. Here are four common printing mistakes and ways to avoid them, so you get a quality print each time. Not creating bleeding space Even though machines have become far more precise in cutting artwork to its intended size, you may still find 1-2 mm of inconsistency. Not adding bleeding space will result in a thin white border around your artwork. To rectify this, create a bleed or extra space of 5 mm around your image, so even if the paper moves, there won’t be any white space on the print. Printing in RGB If you’re wondering why your print doesn’t match the colors on the screen, it may be because you are printing in RGB color mode. Artworks and documents set in RGB are meant for digital viewing, whereas those set in CMYK are meant for print. To avoid this error, ensure that the color mode of your design is set to CMYK. Typos and errors Grammar, spelling mistakes, missing fonts, and smaller font sizes can hurt your print’s appearance. Documents with these errors can appear unprofessional or even illegible. To avoid this, set the smallest font size of the document to at least 6 pt. You can rasterize or convert your text to a Smart Object, if you are using Photoshop, or to outlines, if you are using Illustrator. Proofread your document several times. You can even ask a friend to do it for you, or use an online spell check program to avoid any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

When considering low-risk investment options, a certificate of deposit (CD) is one of the most common options. CDs offer a safe way to grow savings while earning a fixed interest rate over a set period. However, like any financial endeavor, opening a CD requires careful consideration and knowledge to avoid common pitfalls and get the most out of the investment. So, here are five common mistakes to avoid when opening a CD: Not exploring all options One of the most common mistakes while opening a CD is not shopping around for the best rates. Banks and credit unions offer varying interest rates on CDs. Failing to compare rates could make one miss out on higher returns. So, one must explore various financial institutions and choose one offering the most competitive interest rates. Ignoring the fine print All financial products come with terms and conditions, and CDs are no exception. Ignoring the fine print could lead to unexpected surprises and financial losses. Some CDs have penalties for early withdrawal, while others may automatically renew at less favorable rates. So, it is crucial to read and understand the terms of the CD agreement beforehand to ensure it aligns with individual financial goals. Not diversifying investments Another mistake is putting all savings into a single CD. While CDs are safe investments, they offer lower returns than other options like stocks or bonds. Relying solely on CDs may limit the ability to grow wealth over time. So, one should diversify their investment portfolio by allocating funds to different assets, including stocks, bonds, and CDs. This can help in creating a balanced and robust financial strategy. Choosing the wrong term CDs can offer various terms, ranging from a few months to several years. Selecting the wrong CD term can negatively impact the financial goals. For instance, if one needs access to their funds before the CD matures and they have chosen a longer term with penalties for early withdrawal, they may face financial setbacks.

Clothes do more than just enhance one’s look – they protect the body from external factors and provide warmth and comfort. Thus, while shopping for outfits, it is important to consider not only the esthetic appeal but also the fit, durability, comfort, and texture. With a variety of outfits available today, fashionistas are spoilt for choice in every outfit category. In this scenario, it makes sense to avoid certain types of clothes that may affect one’s overall health: Underwire bras Although underwire bras are intended to uplift and support the breasts, these bras increase one’s risk of skin conditions like rashes and fungal infections. They can also cause problems like chest and neck pain and block milk ducts among lactating mothers. Hence, it is advisable to limit the use of underwire bras, replacing them with comfortable wireless cotton bras, bralettes, and sports bras, among other options. Tight jeans Skinny jeans may accentuate one’s figure and enhance one’s appeal, but their continuous friction with the skin may cause potential skin problems like rashes. Moreover, tight jeans can prevent blood circulation and trigger nerve and muscle damage. Trying alternative types of trousers, such as palazzos, capris, and culottes, is a good idea. They are loose, comfortable options and do not stick to the skin while not compromising on esthetics. Clothes made of nylon and polyester Research studies suggest that synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are treated using several toxic chemicals during the manufacturing process. For instance, nitrous oxide is released during the manufacturing of nylon, and this chemical is regarded as significantly more harmful than carbon dioxide. Similarly, polyester’s manufacturing process involves the release of carcinogens. Ill-fitting outfits Any outfit that is too tight or too loose can cause health issues in the long run. While tight-fitting clothes may trigger rashes, itching, and skin problems, loose clothes involve the risk of getting entangled in sharp objects, causing falls and accidents.

Medigap is additional insurance one can buy to cover costs that are not covered under Medicare. Also known as the Medicare Supplement Plan, Medigap helps one reduce out-of-pocket expenses, i.e., co-payments and deductibles. One can access these insurance services through private companies. However, one must already have a Medicare Part A and Part B plan to buy Medigap. To understand Medigap plans better, here are a few things to know: What is a Medigap plan? Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover all medical expenses. So, private companies can offer Medigap plans to help cover these costs. Nevertheless, Medigap plans generally do not offer long-term, vision, or dental coverage. They also do not cover the cost of hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private nursing. Medigap Plans are aimed at covering costs such as co-payments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Some specific costs that may be included in these plans are: About 20% of out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by Medicare Part B Coinsurance for Part A Hospital coverage up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up Part A hospice or respite care copayment Some plans may also cover emergency medical care while traveling abroad. How much do Medigap plans cost? As Medigap plans are offered by private companies, the prices can vary, ranging from $44–$392 per month. However, in an attempt to standardize the process, the federal government requires private companies to offer similar policies. So, there are 10 standard policies to choose from, lettered A–D, F, G, and K–N, offering different levels of coverage. Standard plans differ in three states, so one should review the benefits offered in their state before signing up for a plan. Who can get a Medigap plan? Medigap plans are available to all seniors over the age of 65 who are currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

E-commerce platforms continue to grow, which makes it crucial for a business to meet customer demands. One may require a more sophisticated order management system (OMS) in such situations. The system functions immediately after a customer places an order, from locating and picking up the item in a warehouse to packing and shipping the product to its final destination. For businesses still unsure about venturing into this automated space, here are five reasons to get an order management system. Maintain low inventory costs A key benefit of using an order management system is that it can take control of inventory management by simplifying the process with automation. The system uses in-location stock movements by setting rules to automate what happens to orders during packing based on triggers such as the delivery option selected, weight, and value. This reduces time spent manually on such tasks, which will help keep expenses low. Centralized customer service An OMS helps centralize customer service requirements by keeping all customer and order information in one location. Therefore, users are better informed about their orders through a complete view across all sales channels and fulfillment centers to address inquiries about shipping, delivery, and cancellations. The system helps build transparency in this avenue, which customers expect and appreciate when shopping online. Automatic order processing Most orders are placed in the later hours of the evening, usually when teams are not present to process them. Here’s where an order management system could help. One could set specific orchestration rules for non-working hours. With this, one could automate various tasks, including automatically allocating an online order to the warehouse, printing labels, and processing payments. The order processing speed increases and the stock inventories are updated in real-time. Versatile system An OMS is a versatile tool that can assist a business of any size through its growth.