The latest mantra ‘hands free’ technology has made possible the advantage of “wearing” your gadgets and receiving info uninterrupted, even without looking at the app. This is especially useful for cyclists, runners, trekkers, exercise buffs, mountaineers or any outdoor adventure sport, people on the go, time strapped professionals, home caretakers.

JawBone UP band


Jawbone UP is a new gadget, wearable as a band on the wrist. It helps people monitor their sleep cycles, move and eat better.

FitBit Flex

The Fitbit Flex is an electronic gadget worn on the wrist which helps you enjoy exercising by changing the boring daily routine into an enjoyable activity. Get fit without hitting a Gym.

NuMetrex Fabric Chest Strap This electronic gadget is a heart rate monitoring chest strap with heart sensing fabric technology and fits like a second-skin. NuMetrex strap has a small transmitter which snaps into a pocket in front of the strap. It can be used with heart rate monitoring sports watch, smart phones or cardio equipment.

Google Glass
Google Glass wearers can use the Internet to get whatever information you want on the small LCD screen fitted on the spectacle frame, controlled by both voice and touch. You can make calls, surf the Internet, record and share what you see. A perfect example of wearable technology.

GoQii
GoQiiis one of the latest gadgets. This fitness tracker and helps you work towards a healthier lifestyle. The motion sensors measure activity and sleep quality. This is a goal enabled fitness band which guides and motivates one to exercise and lead a healthy life.

LECHAL GPS Insoles Navigation apps on a mobile phone are a big support for the die-hard trekker. But walking the unknown territory with eyes glued to the smartphone's screen for navigation is dangerous. Bluetooth-connected Lechal GPS shoes are the latest and most wearable shoe insoles buckles which use touch controlled navigation and guide the user by sending mild vibrations in the right or the left direction shoe. The app monitors fitness also with a 99% accuracy since it resides near the feet while other fitness wearables are comparatively lesser accurate.

Fin Ring Fin Ring is an innovative electronic gadget wearable as a ring for controlling devices. It is Bluetooth enabledand helps control any smart device just by moving the thumb over the fingers. It can be used for playing games, making business presentations, hands on control while driving like controlling the AC without taking one's hands off the steering wheel. It can act as a camera and share files. A ring which has all the functions of a smartphone and more

Spotnsave Wristband
The Spotnsave Wristband is one of the latest gadgets which let you send an SOS when in trouble by activating the emergency alert system without touching your phone. Just install the Spotnsave app on your Android phone, and pair it with the wristband via Bluetooth. To activate the emergency alert, you will have to press a button on the wrist band twice. The app will then send an SMS every two minutes to your guardians by giving your location coordinates.

Apple Watch 2
Apple Watch Series 2 is improved and upgraded version of the Apple Watch with added water proofing and GPS and is faster than the earlier series. Features include fitness tracking, mobile phone with apps, a remote control etc. It is one of the latest gadgets and older Apple Watch owners can just upgrade to WatchOS 3.

Nike+ Fuel Band

The Nike+ Fuel Band is an electronic gadget that tracks the daily exercise activities. At every activity, the LED lights up and update progress. You can set goals, view detailed progress, or be active on the social networks via the iPhone app.

USB Cufflinks
These USB cufflinks are wearable new gadgets that add a professional image to a formal look. Each cufflink carries 2 GB worth of storage

Pebble Watch
The Pebble is a watch that is paired with your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth. This electronic gadget can receive notifications like Facebook messages and call alerts, messages and email. The Pebble is highly customizable and great for outdoor activities

These latest ‘hands free’ wearable gadgets save precious time for the people who are always on the go especially for lovers of adventure or outdoor sports, professionals with time constraints, fitness buffs. These gadgets can monitor almost anything. From heart rate to sleep cycles to navigation to fitness tracking and can also work as a mini computer.

Author Bio: My name is Taara! covers news related to Wearable Technology which includes Gadgets and GPS Navigation. My goal is to educate, support and empower everyone I work with! I will provide all the motivation and information you need to create a Technology Tips that works for your lifestyle.

Lik Hon - a Chinese pharmacist - was the brain behind the first electronic cigarette that hit the market. A lot of things have changed ever since, and right now we have a wealth of companies manufacturing and selling e-cigs. The first modes launched didn’t look lie cigarettes at all, and many thought that they were too bulky and heavy to be used on a daily basis. Also, changing the parts, charging your e-cig, and even changing the liquid, seemed complicated at first. Fortunately, advanced technology has helped many new companies developed thinner versions. Right now, we have lots of manufacturers develop e-cigs that look just like real cigarettes.

From conventional to e-smoking

There’s a clear shift happening in the tobacco industry. Avid smokers who can’t quit, believe that electronic cigarettes might be a healthier way to feed their need for nicotine. Some of them only smoke normal cigarettes when they’re someplace outside. Others are happy with electronic cigarettes because they last longer, and they can be enjoyed in the comfort of one’s home without affecting the quality of the air their loved ones breathe.

When the first e-cig was released on the market, over a decade ago, everyone was crazy to know more about what it can do. How did it work? But as soon as they’ve understood the process, they started finding glitches. Liquid spills, faulty pens, and extra costs involved to purchase chargers had quite the impact on the industry. Fortunately, technology has advanced and today’s e-cigs are better than ever. They’re lighter, thinner and much easier to use.

E-cigs - an actual way to stop smoking

There’s actual proof that vaping can help people stop smoking. Many of those that stopped smoking cigarettes, claim that e-cigs are less harmful to the health. Even though they do contain nicotine, the side effects are almost nonexistent. However, the e-cig industry has grown in popularity because of the technology implemented in electronic cigarettes. A lot of smokers see vaping as a very coo trend, and e-cigs as a gadget they just need to have.


Experts estimate that about 20,000 people stopped smoking with the help of e-cigs. University College London mentions in a recent report that 18,000 in the UK stopped smoking in 2015 and switched on to vaping. Since e-cigs allow smokers to adjust the level of nicotine in their liquid – as well as choose from a wealth of different aromas – the chances one has to quit are incredibly high. Even though many still see e-cigs as a cool trend that sooner or later will fade away, some actually believe that the technology will advance even further.

Adaptive technology

There have been complains regarding the safety and efficiency of electronic cigarettes. Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the people from trying out the new technology. Smoking is a bad habit that affects millions of people every year. This means it’s no wonder some would do anything to quit. In the past few years, we’ve seen society embrace healthier lifestyle choices. The tobacco industry is taking a pretty hard beat, and the e-cig industry is the main culprit.

A conventional cigarette contains over 7000 chemicals. An e-cig only contains 4: nicotine, flavorings, glycerin, and propylene glycol. Plus, we have the water vapor that triggers the smoke, which has roughly 10-20 chemicals. Compared to the 7000 chemicals in average cigarettes, what would you choose? Even though it’s been over a decade since the first electronic cigarette was released on to the marketplace, it’s still too soon to predict where it will be able to take down the tobacco industry.


Truth be told, smoking is deadly and the numbers will keep growing up if nobody does anything. In 2011, over 19% of US people were avid smokers. The World Health Organization claims that the death percentage due to tobacco smoking might get to 8 million by 2030. E-cigs such as the Coil Master, and other popular brands, can help you quit. Rather than smoke tobacco, don’t you think you’re on the safe side with vaping? There are hundreds of different flavors you can try, as well as different nicotine liquids that you can adjust to get the right mix and satisfy your need for a cigarette.

Are you looking for great tips for your car battery maintenance? You have been looking for long but couldn't find definite tips so that you can maintain your car battery easily? Then set all your woes aside because in this article we are going to discuss some of the must know car battery care and maintenance tips. It is not something of a rocket science but some fundamental aspects need to be cleared. Let us begin with the article.

But before you begin, remember to have your safety glasses!

• Check The State Of Charge

The first thing to check on your car battery is the state of its charge. To check the charge, you got to have an instrument specifically made to check the battery charge on the automotive vehicle. With your instrument, check the level of charge on a car battery.


To do this, you first need to set the voltage on your instrument at 20 volts. Then, you need to position the device on the positive and negative side of the battery and check the voltage. The fully charged car battery would show a voltage of 12.6 volts. If it is winter time, then your car battery might show the voltage of 12.5 or 12.4. You do not need to worry about this because it is quite normal. If this is the case, then your car battery is in good shape.

• Clean the battery

However, to make sure that your car battery service for a longer duration and will continue to serve the purpose well. You need to make sure that your car battery is maintained according to the standards required.

First of all, you need to make sure that there is not too much of dirt on your car battery. Over the period of time, the dust on your car battery will become conductive and they will drain your battery faster than the normal drain of charge. When you connect your equipment’s wires on the positive side of the battery and the other on the surface of the battery you will see some voltage indicating the loss of charge. This can be from anywhere zero volts to as high as 6 volts. If the voltage is there on the battery cap and you are losing the charge of the battery, then it is time to clean the surface of the battery.

To remove the car battery, remember to first remove the negative wire because that is the one which creates sparks if not handled carefully. Once you remove the cables you can remove the battery from the car and take it out. Remember that batteries are heavy and if there is no strap on the battery then you need to have some sort of equipment to get it off from the car.

To clean the outer casing of your battery, all you need is baking soda and some water. There are other products out in the market to clean your battery and if you want you can purchase those. Use cloth, baking soda and water to clean the upper cap and the surface of the battery so that there is no dust and it is clean.


To further make sure that the battery is clean you can use some of the market products and use it diligently on your battery case. If you are using some particular product from the market, then they might change the color to blue if there is any sort of leakage so you should be mindful of this aspect also. To make sure that there is no surface drain of voltage you can check with your equipment again and the voltage should show 0 volts.

• Check the level of electrolyte

Most of the modern car batteries are sealed and you do not have the access to the electrolytes inside a battery. If the caps of your battery is removable then you can remove the caps to see whether the level of the electrolyte has gone down. Remember to where you are safety glasses and safety gloves all the time when you doing this.


Remove the cap of your battery and look down carefully on the holes to check the level of the electrolytes. There are acid and water inside electrolytes and in the hotter climate, the water level goes down, however, the acid level stays the same.

If this is the case, then you can refill the level of water with some distilled water. When you put the water into the electrolytes you need to be careful not to do with haphazardly. Instead, you should be doing it in a very controlled manner.

Use suction device and manually suck in the water and carefully pour it down to individual electrolyte with extreme care. At last, you can also check individual gravity level of each electrolyte with the help of hydrometer. The measurement that you should be looking for is 1.27. Anything which is less than that is not a good indication. At last put the caps back onto the battery.

• Load test of battery

Next, you can do a load test of your battery. Up to this point, if there is no issue with the battery then your battery doesn't need any load test but to just make it sure, you can purchase an inexpensive load tester from the market.


When you test with your load tester, the voltage on the surface of the battery should be at least 9.6 volts. Anything below this is not a good indication. Every time you load test your battery it should be 9.6 volts and above. Make sure that you do not overdo this and limit the testing time to about 10 seconds only.

• Charging the battery

Now if you need to charge a battery what should you do? So if your testing shows that your battery needs charging then make sure that it charges your battery slowly and not in a jiffy. Charge your battery over a long duration of time on the lower amperage. When you charge your battery make sure that it is disconnected from your vehicle. This will make sure that the electronics of your vehicle are safe.

• Cross-check

Finally, before putting your battery back into the car, make sure that the terminals of the battery are absolutely clean. You can purchase from the market an inexpensive wire cleaner to clean the terminals easily.

Now is the time to put the battery back into the car. When you do this make sure that the battery holds on to the compartment pretty tight. If your battery is not properly placed, then when your car moves the battery will bounce and it will cause damage. Before putting down the terminals wires make sure that you clean them with wire cleaner. Remember the ground wire goes last.

Wanda Greaves writes for BatteryChargersExpert.com – a great website dedicated to help people to find, use and do anything with their batteries, chargers or related electricity devices. Check out her latest article about choosing the best car battery charger.

Dating is something that will never go out of fashion. People have been using the dating apps for a long time. There was a time when there were no smartphones and only internet. Even at that time there were dating websites. However, with the smartphones have evolved and now we have the great dating apps like Tinder. In fact, Tinder is the most popular dating app around the world. Millions of people use Tinder today.

Tinder has many features that make it easy for you to find a match. This is one of the biggest reasons why it is so popular.

In order to use Tinder and find new people, you need a Facebook login. This means that you must have a Facebook account to use this app. But, many people are not comfortable using their Facebook account. So, what are their options? Let’s take a look.

Tinder without Facebook

First of all, let’s make one thing very clear. You cannot login to Tinder if you do not have a Facebook account. There is no workaround for this. If you wish to login to this application you will need a Facebook ID and matching password.

So, this must mean there is absolutely no way at all to use Tinder without Facebook. Yes, that is true. But there is one thing you can do.

You will need to login with your Facebook account to use Tinder. However, it doesn’t mean that you use your original account for that purpose. For whatever reasons you don’t want to use your Facebook account, you can avoid that now. You simply need to create a new Facebook account with a new email address. It will be like a clone of your original Facebook account. You can upload the same pictures as your original account. You can also have the same name. So, the only thing you will not have on the new Facebook account is your friends in the list.


Creating a new account doesn’t mean that you impersonate yourself as someone else. Since you are looking to date, you will want to make sure that you are being honest about it. You are simply cloning the account. You are not misleading anyone on Tinder.

Your original account is also fine

We will tell you why it is okay to use Tinder with your original account. Maybe you are concerned that Tinder will use your personal information and there will be a privacy breach. The truth is that Tinder is a reliable and trusted application and it will do no such thing. There are lots of trusted apps that use your Facebook login

If you are concerned that your friends will discover you are using Tinder, again you need not worry. This is because Tinder does not post anything on Facebook on your behalf. Even if any of your friends is using Tinder, they will not be able to see you. Tinder does not show the Tinder users from your friend’s list. So, again, you will remain undiscovered by your friends.

Security plays the major role in every innovation. Many new projects and innovations failed to meet the customer’s satisfaction because of the security issues. It is the duty of every developer, to develop bug-free software and take care of the security issues. A survey says that 41% of the products can’t meet the customer satisfaction, because, they found bugs in it.

The mobile devices are rapidly growing day-by-day. Using mobile phones has become the daily habits of many. Maintaining security is highly important in this scenario.

The security questions, which must be answered for sure, are as follows.

1. How the safety of the app is known?

An app can’t be judged by its look. Kaspersky, the well-known app for its security has some of the serious security issues. How to know, whether the app is safe to download? This is the question that runs in the minds of most of the people. People use Google to find out the tips for the trustworthy sites; sometimes, they may not find the expected answer. Here are some of the tips to find out the safe apps.

• Friendly app stores

Mac users use the App Store; Android users use Google Play Store. These App stores offer the guidelines about what can be developed on the app and what can’t be developed. The difference in the review process can conclude, whether the app is safe or not. Usually, most of the apps in the App Store will be safe. It is difficult for the developers to make the unsafe apps in the App store. The reason is not because of the guidelines, it is because of the cost. The company has to pay $99 per annum and they have to give 30% of the app’s profit.

• Do research on new apps

New apps should be carefully selected. It is not about learning code, opening packages and not to see how they actually work. But, users must try to know the basic information about the new apps. People try to get a good idea about everything that an app does.

People should do some deductive work on the creators and reviews regarding their previous work and about their status in the tech community.

2. What is the difference between the software risk on the mobile devices and the enterprise software?

The mobile software operates on the device outside the work environment. If the devices are jailbroken, then the source codes will be reverse engineered. The user will get an indication if someone is making a mess with their mobile. Attack prevention and detection should be based on how well mobile devices interacts with the internal servers.

3. How do the mobile apps collaborate with the internal servers?

Media mainly focus on the mobile security as the primary factor. At present, when the mobile devices interact with the externally facing servers, there is a high possibility of risks to occur. An organization should concentrate on its threat modeling and testing.

4. What are the ways the developer can be attacked?

Before building the app, the developer must ask himself, what things he will steal from the new app if he is the hacker. At such situation, they will not think of any single area or point of attack. By doing so, the developer will have list of items that they should concentrate to eliminate the security issues

5. What is the apt way to avoid an attack on a mobile app?

The common misunderstanding about the mobile security is that people implement a single solution for it and believing that it can be protected from most of the security issues. This expectation can lead to a trouble. A mobile will have multiple features; each feature has the possibility of attack. So all together, a mobile device will have many possibilities of attacks. With proper and clear research, the developers can prepare different types of attacks and find solutions for them accordingly. They must be prepared for any kind of attacks with a measure to provide security coverage.

6. How to educate the users?

When it comes to the matter of security, developers must educate their users regarding the security threats and create awareness among them. Not all the users are the have the technical background, the information must every user and they must know something regarding the security and the how they enter the software. All the users must know some basics regarding security issues. Users must be educated about the primary principles of the safety and security so that they can prevent the business from the bigger loss.

7. Is data encrypted?

The built-in mobile operating System security is reliable on the devices, which are non-jailbroken and non-rooted. These devices have set a passcode for themselves. To mention the point in a clear view, they should not be trusted.

The libraries such as common crypto and javax.crypto should be used to encrypt the sensitive data by themselves. The encryption should include the personally identified information, passwords, tokens, cookies, protected health information, log files and much more.

All these things don’t apply to the data written within the file system. For the effective encryption, it has to be pervasive.

8. Will the app use HTTPS encryption for enforcing it?

Transferring to the HTTPS is the best choice, but, it should not stop with that. Apps should always have the SSL certificate. Above all, it should build trust; for which, the apps should be pinned with the SSL certificate or they should use the two-way SSL authentication.

The responsibility of the back-end developers is to make sure that the server supports powerful protocols and ciphers; so that, it will not support the less secure ones.

9. Is the internet connection always safe?

The answer will be no. the cellular carriers of the 3G or 4G networks should be a secure one. The Wi-Fi hotspots may create a problem. The virus in the Wi-Fi will affect the entire devices, which have that Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi network can seize all the data, which the person has, sent out of the air.

The FDIC has founded some cases, where cyberpunks have swiped some bank login information from the Wi-Fi users.

For this issue, not even the mobile security apps can be protected against that.

10. Whether the password lock is necessary on the phone?

Yes. A Password is necessary to unlock the phone. It protects the phones from the case of theft. It can be hacked off, but still, it remains as a security gate.

11. Read the app’s privacy policy

How the data is used is something tricky. The data is recorded for everything; it starts from, how much coffee the user drinks to the dance moves the person use. The data is being collected every time the user downloads the app. This data includes email address, social media login info, contacts and the time of the day the person uses the app.

Most of the companies will not get the specific data about the user. But they can use the data in the number of ways. The user must know about, what information the app is tracking and for what purpose the company uses your data.

The security has to be considered as the main aspect because the failure of many projects is due to security issues. Both the users and the companies have to take care of their security in all their technical aspects.

Author Bio: Smith Felix is a senior copywriter in Dectar, a best PHP script developer in India which provides mobile app services for the past 3 years. He is also an expert in digital marketing and web development who writes articles on the latest topics covering valuable information on cloning scripts.

The iOS users still remember the excitement Siri stirred when it first hit the market in October 2011. This excitement never faded as Apple continued to update it from time to time with features that users lovingly embraced. However, with the grand appearance Google Assistant made, it became evident that Siri has got some serious competition.

Google Assistant and Siri are more alike than different, which makes picking one out of them a strenuous task. They both handle most of the duties you require an assistant to do, such as calling someone from your phone-book to setting reminders and managing your applications. They act as voice assistants too, and are quick to start up and respond when you request something. However, at one point, their similarities end.

Upon closer inspection, Google Assistant not only proved to have a better memory than Siri, but also have the ability to come up with more accurate answers for random questions you throw at it. You’ll find it easy to love too, with its friendly nature and ability to crack jokes.

The following infographic by Zlated will uncover the entire story behind the battle between Siri and Google Assistant before the winner was announced.

We live in a world of internet and we are dependent on internet for all our activities. The internet has changed our lives in numerous ways. The internet helps in both positive and negative ways. Internet has a dark side because we have observed many security issues and people have begun to lose their personal privacy which leaves people at risk. Individuals, companies and security agencies are at risk of internet safety.

The internet gives people around the globe convenience. However, the convenience of the Internet is also associated with safety risks. Internet users can find out safety issues starting from wireless networks to websites that have inadequate security for login information. Without a doubt, online risks can expose your business and client information in danger. With social media channels like Facebook and Twitter and online businesses are flourishing online, cyber criminals have found all the means to gain access to personal information online.

What is Internet Security?

Internet security is all about the safety of data from data or information theft, loss or illegal access, use or amendment. Internet security is a huge problem in the modern era because personal information and other important data are stolen by hackers. Since the popularity and use of internet is increasing day after day, it is vital that users incessantly look after their information and files. In order to tackle internet issues and keep up internet security, most of the big firms used to hire security experts. It lets them to maintain network security. The following tips will help you to track the hidden places of risks in internet security:

Hackers

Hackers are one of the main threats of your internet security. Computer hacking have turned into a common issue in the present day. Computer hackers are illegal users who break and enter computer systems with the intention of stealing, amending or destroying information. Hackers used to install unsafe malware devoid of your knowledge and approval. The smart methods of hackers and thorough technical familiarity aid them to gain access to information that is secret to you. Hackers always break into information that you in actuality don’t need hackers to have.

Crackers

Crackers are people who make illegal access to a network, a computer, or data owned by someone else. Sometimes Crackers can cause harm to information, take away information or bring agony to the owner of the information. A cracker purposely breaches computer security and he does it for profit, nastily, for some altruistic purpose, etc. The motivations of crackers can vary from profit, a reason they believe in, common meanness or just because they are fond of the challenge.

Cyber Extortion

Cyber extortion is a growing and very common threat. Security industry warns of rising cyber extortion attacks. Cyber extortion is an emergent security risk to companies around the world. The extent of the cyber extortion practice is mostly hidden and can take many forms. Attacks against business websites are the most common method of cyber extortion. The majority of cyber extortion attempts are instigated through malware in e-mail attachments or on cooperated websites. The extortionist's prey usually gets an email that can mislead you. Cyber extortion can be profitable and netting attackers millions of dollars per annum.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of deception in which the attacker seeks to obtain information and useful data such as login ID or account information by masked as an upright thing or person in email, IM or other communication conduits. It is a general ploy utilized on websites that have been hacked or are imagining being lawful. The general targets for phishing scams are PayPal and eBay. Phishing is the effort to gain receptive information including usernames, passwords, and credit card details. The act of phishing is carried out often for nasty causes. Phishing is common with cybercriminals as it is far easier to ploy someone into clicking a malevolent link that look as if legal one.

Scams

Scams are very common thing in online world. A lot of businesses and people have become prey to the scammers which led them to lose their important files and information. Popular social networking sites such as Facebook are main targets for scams. Predators, cyber criminals, bullies, and corrupt businesses will aim to cash in on the credulous visitor. Malware, botnet, Computer Viruses, Computer worms, Ransom ware, Scare ware, Spyware, Trojan horse, etc are some of the other hidden places of risks in internet security. Internet security is a necessity. The checking of tools that will keep up caution on your hardware and software security has to be of prime importance.

Author Bio: I am Scott Justin, an experienced freelance writer. My areas of interests are very wide, but mostly I write for educational websites, essay writing websites, journals and blogs. My aim is to share innovative ideas with potential audience and provide useful tips for readers. I used to concentrate on all sorts of academic writing especially with regard to best essay writing service reviews.

Like many internet users today, chances are you tend to store a lot of your files on an online storage service for convenience. And why wouldn’t you? You can snap a photo with your smartphone and with a tap of a button have it uploaded to your Dropbox account almost instantly.

There’s not much of a need to plug your phone in to your computer to transfer your files anymore, saving you a lot of time and hassle. However, there are a few things to consider when you choose to use an online storage service over just manually uploading your files to your computer. First, are you doing this on the go?

If you prefer to use the internet while sipping on coffee at a local cafe, the possibility of a cyber-criminal getting into your device--and perhaps your accounts--is very real. Hackers sometimes hang out in and near shops offering public WiFi, as those using unsecured internet connections are easy targets for them. In fact, they could gain access to your device in as little as 10 minutes.

So what can really happen if this occurs and they make their way into your accounts, such as the one you use for your online storage service?

Invasion of Privacy

This may be a given, but just think of what it could really mean. A cyber-criminal could not only see all of your files (including any photos of yourself, family or friends that you’ve stored), but also distribute them across the net however they please. Sure, your photos may not make the headlines like those of celebrities who have had their accounts hacked, but it can be embarrassing nonetheless!

Photos aren’t the only things commonly stored on online storage services though, so what if someone were to gain access to your files? For some people, that might mean that a hacker just got a hold of some of their medical records, their address, and perhaps even their phone number (if they did not already get that from hacking into your smartphone) or other sensitive information.

Identity Theft

Sometimes having access to your online storage service is all a hacker needs to commit identity theft. Your medical records or even files you personally created and stored could include your full name, address, date of birth and even your Social Security number. What’s worse is that if you tend to save word documents with your passwords listed in order to remember them, they could potentially access your online banking account as well.

It’s always best to avoid saving any of these sort of details online or on your computer and/or mobile devices. Hackers don’t always need very much information to pose as you, whether for financial gains or to “catfish” people online. Also, some financial institutions may be inclined to believe the hacker if they call up posing as you.

When they have your personal information, it’s possible for them to alter your account over the phone (for example, if they call in to change the address on the account or request a replacement credit card). Changing the address associated with your credit card can actually be as easy as logging into your online banking account as well, so even if they only access your login details, they can stir up quite a bit of trouble.

Loss of Your Files

Although sometimes less of an issue (at least for those who keep backups of their files stored elsewhere),the loss of all of your stored files can be a probable outcome of cyber-criminals getting into your online storage service. Once they’re in, they can basically decide what they want to do and some of these cyber-criminals are actually more interested in trolling than they are in committing identity theft.

Losing all of your data can be a real pain, and what better way for hackers to amuse themselves than to ruin your day! Consider keeping backups of all your files, whether they’re stored online or not. Simply save copies on more than one (secured) device to protect your data.

How to Avoid All of the Above

The most important step you can take is to safeguard your internet-enabled devices before a cyber-attack even occurs. When it comes to your online storage service, the service itself is generally pretty safe, but the problem lies in the fact that you’re always logged into your account if you use a service such as Dropbox.

Anyone who uses your computer, smartphone or tablet, whether by force (hacking) or with permission, can access your online storage service if you’re always logged into it. To avoid your devices from being hacked in the first place, secure them with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and an anti-virus program. Most importantly, the VPN will encrypt your connection, so you’ll be safe using the internet from any location.

There are additional benefits to using a VPN too, such as added privacy when browsing the net since it masks your IP address. By properly securing your devices, you’ll be able to avoid the worry of someone spying on your online activities and sneaking into your online storage service from afar. Luckily, you can simply secure both computers and mobile devices, allowing you to get the most out of your online storage service from wherever you are.

Have you ever encountered any security issues with the online storage service you use? If so, what happened? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Author Bio: Cassie has been an internet user for over a decade and has learned of a variety of different cyber threats during this time, as well as ways to avoid them. She commonly writes on the topic of net security to help other internet users. Read more of her work at SecureThoughts.com.