Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category
Monday, March 28th, 2016
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Experts say cybersecurity is 90% YOU and only 10% technology. What are you doing to protect yourself from hackers?
Newsflash! There is no privacy on the Internet. I repeat: There is NO privacy on the Internet. Anyone with a web browser can see everything anyone has ever posted online! That’s according to the e‑Management Chief Information Officer (CIO) team (and numerous other cyber experts). Cyber experts say online security is 90% user and 10% technology. I know it sounds like a lot of responsibility. But securing the things stored on your Internet-enabled devices that are important to you (e.g., finances, pictures, intellectual property, work products, family stories) may be easier than you think.
Clearly, you should invest in anti-virus and anti-malware software or services. But that’s just 10% (technology) of the solution. The other 90%, remember, is you. Here are a few simple considerations to help you protect yourself from hackers.
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Keep work and home separate. We are not talking about a work-life balance here. Keep your work and personal devices separate. Hackers will sometimes target you to steal valuable information about work projects or sensitive customer or client information. Oftentimes, the easiest way to hack a nonprofit, business, or government agency is through the organizations’ staff. Avoid using your smartphone for dual purposes, such as accessing your corporate enterprise network and visiting sites to download apps/games on the same device. Still, it may be best if you talk to your company’s or agency’s information technology (IT) or cybersecurity team about BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) policies and best practices before accessing work products from home or downloading personal-use entertainment on business devices.
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Be mindful of online phishing and social engineering scams. You’re only human. And that’s what hackers are counting on. They prey on admirable qualities in people, including being helpful and trusting of others. Clever and “social” hackers employ tactics such as having chats with you while claiming to be someone you would normally trust. In reality, their intentions are nefarious—potentially tricking you into giving away clues and facts to obtain sensitive information. Similarly, phishing scam artists carefully craft e-mails and posts on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. The phishing goal is to get you to click on links that launch malware, which downloads to your device and essentially gives hackers free range to your sensitive information and privacy. To protect yourself, never respond to online requests for personally identifiable information such as your full social security number. In addition, do not complete forms within the body of an e-mail message. And, avoid clicking on the links of sensational posts on social media sites.
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Avoid tricks that will hold your computer ransom. It’s true. Hackers have an arsenal of malware to infect your computer. Even your cloud files can be destroyed if you’re a victim to ransomware. That’s malware that holds your files hostage and demands payment for you to re-gain access. (As if the anti-virus subscription you paid for was not expensive enough). Hackers have even gone one step further with the encrypted CryptoLocker, which made ransomware headlines last year. How do you get infected? According to a Symantec blog posting, it’s the old enticing e-mail that you just gottah open trick AND then the ransomware infection downloads. The good news is that there is protection for malware/ransomware through security products like Symantec. Also, the e-Management CIO team recommends daily backups of your data to avoid the pain and inconvenience of losing or paying for access to your files.
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Get training. But before you sign up for a class, accept the fact that you are important enough to be a target for online predators. Next, take advantage of possible free training available to you. Several government agencies such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) offer free training. One best practice is continuous cybersecurity training. At e-Management, for example, we have a commitment to cybersecurity readiness. One of the first things our employees learn in the training is: There is the possibility that someone will deliberately or accidentally attempt to steal, damage, or misuse the data in our computer system(s).
Remember, online security is 90% user and 10% technology. By the way, if your company needs support figuring out where you may be at risk and what you can do to improve your level of readiness, do . We can help.
Knowledge is protection.
You get it. Cybercrime is on the rise and you have to do something to protect yourself from the cyber-crooks. The recently relaunched e-Management blog will focus on technology and cybersecurity, providing useful tips to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of apps, policy, privacy protection, and consumer tech. So, (1) how do you protect yourself from hackers? (2) Does the organization you work for have clear guidelines around cybersecurity? (3) What are other consumer technology or cyber-focused topics you’d like for the e-Management blog team to tackle?
Tags: CryptoLocker, cybersecurity, Dennis Powell, Hackers, Ola Sage, Phishing, ransomware, social engineering, tech
Posted in Corporate, Information Security, Internet/Intranet, IT Infrastructure, Lifestyle, Social Media | 22 Comments »
Tuesday, November 24th, 2015
Comfort Food Spotlight: Lentil soup is a nutritious meal that is packed with Vitamin C, fiber, zinc, iron, and protein. (Photo Credit: the kitchn)
By Dagmar Alayash
It’s this time of year again, and the Foodie Team at e-Management is asking how did we get here so soon? Many of us are reflecting on the past year, and with evenings drawing closer and cooler now, our thoughts turn to the holidays, family, and of course, an array of endless culinary delights.
Food that comforts us…
Speaking of amazing food, we’re taking a look at dishes that are considered comfort food and ask why they are comfort foods? Wikipedia says comfort foods are traditional staples that bring feelings of nostalgia. These foods usually have a “high carbohydrate level” and are simple to prepare. Think chili, soup, and stew dishes. Why do we love these foods so much? Well, the long slow cooking of these dishes intensifies the melding of ingredients, enhances the flavors, and makes for overall delicious satisfying meals.
Soups for the soul…
Becoming more popular are soups and dishes that include ingredients from the ‘Superfood’ category, resulting in not only nutritious, but also very tasty hearty meals. For example , , and . All of these soups are very flavorful and filling. Yes, it can be a lot of chopping, but they are so easy to create, and once you taste the foods, you’ll know it was worth every minute making them. The spinach soup is described as ‘restorative’ in the recipe, which is perhaps what we are looking for in comfort food, something that will give us a lift, make us feel good, and essentially help to restore our energy reserve, which around the holidays can feel depleted at times!
More comforting…
, a comfort food if there ever was one; and one of the best recipes that always receive rave reviews from the Food Network. Like one of the kings of comfort foods Macaroni cheese? Try this cholesterol-free and unimaginable tasty – described as luxurious, savory, mega satisfying and altogether dreamy. Do these words capture most of what we’re looking for when we seek out comfort foods? Sweets and desserts also count as essential in the comfort food arena. Hot chocolate comes to mind and warm cinnamon rolls with the must-have sweet and creamy icing…. the list of comfort sweets is endless.
Morning comfort…
Hearty breakfasts can also be a truly comforting way to start your day, especially at this time of the year. FoodNetwork.com recently listed ‘50 States 50 Breakfasts’, that includes an found in Boise Idaho, Red Feather Lounge, so popular that they frequently sell out within a couple of hours of opening – perhaps 2016 is the year of a foodie vacation planned around visiting Boise Idaho. 
Your favorite…
All of a sudden we are hungry. Why is that? Now, we invite you to join us with your own thoughts: (1) How do you define the meaning of comfort foods? (2) What are your favorite comfort foods? (3) What comfort foods will make it to your holiday dinners?
Tags: Dagmar Alayash, diet, , foodie, holidays, nutrition, Ola Sage, Thanksgiving
Posted in Dining, Lifestyle | 15 Comments »
Thursday, September 10th, 2015
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Autumn can be a spectacular. It can also be a stressful time for many professionals, parents, and families. (Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons)
September is here, which means meteorological summer will soon be but a distant memory. Autumn can be a stressful time for many professionals, parents, and families. Why? Students and workers are returning from summer break and vacations all at once, adding volume to traffic and increasing gridlock throughout various communities across the country. Plus, work life for many go from zero to 100, making professional life busier and often more hectic. *take a deep breath* Well, the e-Management blogging team sympathizes and has pulled together a short list of how to deal with all of the headaches, anxiety, and stress that are often associated with the beginning of Autumn and the back to school season.
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Eat well, stay active, and get plenty of water: Whether you are a student, parent, or professional, maintaining optimal health through a healthy diet and regular exercise is a great way to deal with autumnal stress. Nutritionist Michelle Stewart, MPH, RDLD/N, CDE, confirms that dehydration can make the body work extra hard when dealing with stress. In addition to drinking ample amounts of water as a way to lower stress levels, she recommends making “wise food choices” by consuming less high saturated fat foods and more whole (non-processed) foods like vegetables, grains, and fruits. Finally, fitness experts agree exercising including Zumba, swimming, cycling, jogging, yoga, and weight training is an effective tool for reducing the effects of stress.
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Keep the lines of communication open: For parents of anxious students who are starting classes or a new school, Elizabeth Scott, stress management expert and author of the , recommends parents talk and listen to their children’s anxiety around starting or returning to school. She advises that parents take the time to understand what their daughters’ and sons’ misgivings are around a new school year. Scott also suggests this may be a great time to talk about potential “bullies” and peer pressure. Essentially, she asserts that keeping the lines of communications open for your children can go a long way in their success.
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Prepare for the next day, the night before: For folks who are returning to work from vacation or employees preparing for a busy season at their jobs, planning may be the thing to relieve workplace related stress and anxiety. Jason Mannino, career coach and executive recruitment program manager at University of California (UC) Berkeley, recommends getting your clothing ready every evening. This simple act can actually reduce morning stress, which can carry over into the workplace. Mannino also recommends going to bed early and offers up tips for improving sleep, such as making the bedtime process an hour of unwinding down. Experts confirm benefits of sleep to include improved academic performance, fewer accidents, and yes less stress.
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Talk to yourself. It’s not necessarily a sign of mania. Instead, it can be a helpful tool in managing stress. The American Heart Association recommends highly stressed people incorporate “positive self-talk” into their daily routines. When faced with stressful situations, positive self-talk phrases like, “I’ve got this” or “Someday I’ll laugh about this” can control stress levels.
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Consider getting professional counseling: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports in the that two out of every five employees say their job is “very” or “extremely stressful.” A survey from the American Psychological Association warns that young students who cope badly with stress may carry those ineffective habits into adulthood. It is important for youth and adults to find healthy ways of coping with stress and anxiety. Naturally, students and adults who are overwhelmed by life’s stress and anxiety levels should seek support from certified counselors or experts in stress management. Check out WebMD’s Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center for resources to assist in finding counsellors.
What do you think?
Hopefully, those tips were useful. Still, there are certainly more ways to reduce stress. So, we want to hear from you. (1) Does Autumn bring about more or less stress for you, your coworkers, or your family? (2) How to deal with school, home, or workplace stress?
Tags: anxiety, autumn, Dennis Powell, , fall, Family, NIOSH, Ola Sage, parents, seasons, stress management, students
Posted in Entertainment, Family, Lifestyle | 21 Comments »
Tuesday, August 11th, 2015
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
e-Management supports A Wider Circle, a charity focused on eliminating poverty. What are your favorite causes or charities? #mypriority #AWiderCircle
Charitable giving which includes financial support, in-kind donations, and volunteering can be one of the most fulfilling things anyone can do. Yet, there are actually some charities that take advantage of the public’s generosity. How are a few nonprofits getting over on donors? Well, CNN reported that the “nation’s 50 worst charities” wastefully paid fundraising companies almost $1 billion during a 10-year span. Even more concerning, these same 50 charities gave “less than 4% of donations raised to direct cash aid.” In other words, if I give $100 to my favorite cause, only four dollars go to programs that support real action.
So, how can consumers find charities that focus on maximizing donations for people and causes rather than consultants and executives? e-Management has gathered a few tips that may help anyone who is thinking about giving to charities…
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Confirm that the charity is real. The Charity Navigator—a nonprofit with the mission to help empower people to give intelligently—recommends donors confirm the 501(c) (3) status of charities prior to committing any dollar to a cause. In the United States, 501(c) (3) organizations are tax-exempt nonprofits that meet special requirements under Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)). Donations to these organizations are tax-deductible. According to the Charities Review Council, consumers may also be able to deduct expenses incurred while volunteering at these nonprofits as well as get a deduction on some of the cost of attending a charity event sponsored by 501(c) (3) organizations.
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Request an annual report. Not all 501(c) (3) organizations are run efficiently to maximize dollars that support their causes. CNN exposed a Florida based charity that raises millions of dollars every year, yet it spent “less than 3 cents on the dollar helping kids.” In contrast, e-Management works with , a 501(c) (3) with only 2% overhead (operational expenses) and the charity is committed to using fundraising dollars to directly “serve those in poverty.” Clearly, A Wider Circle is putting its donations toward advancing its mission! Donors can get financial information about charities by requesting an annual report or a statement of activities. An annual report gives donors insight into how a nonprofit uses its resources and oftentimes showcases the successes of their programs. Some annual reports will even explicitly list top donors, which may offer additional peace of mind for donors.
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Build a relationship with your charity. Charities are living organizations that may experience highs and lows. Many nonprofits rely heavily on private donations. Once a charity has been qualified as a 501(c) (3) that provides services to advance its mission, consumers may want to consider setting up automatic and periodic donations (e.g., monthly, annual) to their trusted charity. Donors may even consider volunteering a few hours every week or month. Another option for donors is to find out how they can become social media advocates to help their cause secure additional supporters, volunteers, and donors. Supporters of charities may also want to attend annual fundraising events and invite their family and friends to buy tickets. Seasoned leaders, managers, directors, or executives may want to consider joining planning committees or boards of advisors/directors of their favorite charities to ensure of the organizations’ long-term success.
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Learn about new charity scams. It seems as if every day there is a new online or telemarketing charity scam that targets people who want to make the world a better place. The good news is that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the consumer protection agency, makes identifying such scams easy. Donors can visit the FTC website, which gives consumers a Charity Checklist to help them avoid costly scams. Click for more information. It’s that simple!
What charities or causes are right for you?
Forbes magazine ranks the in the countries based on private support and other criteria. The on the list are United Way, Salvation Army, and Feeding America. (1) Did your favorite charity make it on the Forbes list? (2) What are your favorite causes? (3) What do you look for in an organization when you donate?
Tags: #mypriority, A Wider Circle, cause, charity, CNN, Dennis Powell, , , Forbes, fundraising, nonprofit, Ola Sage, Salvation Army, United Way
Posted in Entertainment, Family, Lifestyle, Social Media | 22 Comments »
Thursday, July 9th, 2015
San Miguel de Allende is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, great food, pleasant summer climate, and incredible vistas. So, when do you plan to book your trip there? Photo Credit: Jiuguang Wang (https://goo.gl/bDa73z)
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
July 4th has come and gone. While many people limit their days off to Independence Day week, August, and perhaps Labor Day, the e-Management Travel Team knows that July is a great month to travel; so we got together and created our vacation recommendations for summer travelers. Check them out!
Try the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Located approximately 100 miles north of Seattle, the scenic islands are popular in July. Surrounded by pristine blue ocean and made up of spectacularly lush green terrain, summer temperatures on the islands are in the comfortable 70-degree range. The islands are also known for their small towns and villages, vineyards, and fine cuisine prepared from local food sources. Nature and marine life enthusiasts may find orca whale watching fascinating. Known for its annual Tour de Lopez (on Lopez Island), the area is great for cycling. The San Juan Islands may be one of the country’s best kept summer secrets.
Explore La Fête Nationale in France. For those who fancy international travel destinations, France in July is a wonderful option. Americans who enjoy Independence Day celebrations on July 4th should certainly check out how the French party and celebrate their Bastille Day (officially La Fête Nationale). The July 14th holiday commemorates the start of the French Revolution. Events are nationwide, but visitors may want to visit Paris for the Military Parade on the Champs-Élysées. Visitors will love the annual concert on the Champs-de-Mars. As with any big celebration, there are major fireworks lighting the sky around the Eiffel Tower. Traveling on a budget? The has a page for finding deals in France.
Visit the Heart of Mexico. Time magazine picked July as a great month to visit San Miguel de Allende located in the heart of the Mexico and we agree. Named after General Ignacio Allende (a prominent leader in Mexico’s quest for independence from Spain), the town is rich in history and charm. For those who love architecture, the town is known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings and edifices. San Miguel offers low humidity and comfortable temperatures during the day and cool nights. Foodies will love a sundry of rooftop restaurants that provide stunning views of the town. July also offers lower lodging costs for budget-conscious travelers. *** Great food, low prices, and amazing views…what are you waiting for, call your travel agent today. J ***
Discover Maui. Ranked at the top of the U.S. News & World Report Best Summer Vacations list, Maui is a great destination for those looking for a happy medium between upbeat nightlife and complete tranquility. First of all, the island has over 30 miles of celebrated beaches. Travelers who enjoy a good game of golf may be interested to know that the island has some of the best courses in the world. Nature lovers may want to take a day trip to Haleakala National Park, the perfect destination for hiking, camping, and viewing stunning sunsets and sunrises. For nightlife and a fine dining, check out Kihei and Lahaina. Each is known for singalong bars, dance clubs, and sports pubs. Visitors can relax in the tiered Pools of Oheo, which are filled by waterfalls.
Enjoy San Francisco. Contrary to popular belief, Mark Twain never said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Hopefully, that revelation alone should encourage visitors to consider this picturesque city in the summer. Besides, most people don’t go to San Fran for the weather. They go for the variety of options for fun. What’s so great this town? Everything! You get to ride on vintage-style cable cars that are popular with visitors of all ages and backgrounds! There’s the scenic Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps the most famous overpass in the nation. Other tourist attractions include one of the country’s most infamous prisons Alcatraz, the eclectic Fisherman’s Wharf, and the charming Palace of Fine Arts. Traveling with young ones or teens? Check out the Walt Disney Family Museum. Its Tomorrowland: Walt’s Vision for Today exhibition runs from July 22 through December 7, 2015! San Francisco has a little bit of something for everyone.
The Best of July
That’s our shortlist of places to visit in July. The Travel Channel lists other options like Barbados, Provincetown (Massachusetts), and Pamplona (Spain). Those are certainly on our bucket lists! (1) Do you plan to travel this summer? (2) What are your favorite summer destinations? (3) What other times of the year are great times to travel based on your experiences?
Tags: Bastille Day, Champs-Élysées, Dennis Powell, , Eiffel Tower, foodie, France, Golden Gate Bridge, golf, Hawaii, Maui, Mexico, Ola Sage, San Francisco, San Juan Islands, San Miguel de Allende, summer, Tomorrowland, tourist, Travel
Posted in Dining, Events, Family, Lifestyle, Travel | 24 Comments »
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