Do you know how to keep your computer safe from security threats? Every day, hackers are creating more and more viruses designed to slip around anti-virus software and infiltrate your system. Although most people are aware of the internet security risks, computer users continue to fall victim to digital infections.

In order to keep your computer safe, you need to keep up to date on internet security measures and fortify your machine with quality anti-virus software. Here are a few more tips that will help you protect the security of your computer:

Choose Strong Passwords
Many of your services and files are password protected, including your email account, online banking and social networks. A lot of private information is held within these types of password protected services and so it is worth taking the time to choose a strong and secure password.

Don’t use the same password for all of your services, because if a hacker obtains one password they can access all of your information with it. Also, refrain from using obvious personal information such as your date of birth or your name. People who are trying to hack your account will try different combinations of words they glean from your personal data.

To create a secure password, choose one that is at least eight characters long and uses numbers, letters and symbols.

Always Use Protection
Whenever you are accessing the Internet, you should always ensure that quality anti-virus software is installed on your computer. There are several to choose from, and once they are installed on your system they will automatically protect you from incoming threats. Make sure that you update the software whenever it asks you to, so that you can receive information about the newest virus threats. Otherwise, you could miss up-to-the-minute virus information and get infected by a new type of malware.

Watch Out for Unsecured Wi-Fi
Did you know that when you log onto the Wi-Fi at your local coffee shop, you could be logged onto an unsecured network where anyone in the area could see your personal data? This situation could lead to identity theft, especially if you are using your online bank account or making transactions while connected to public Wi-Fi. Before using public wireless internet, check out whether or not you are on a secure connection which is password protected, or an open network.

Know What You Are Doing
When a pop-up window comes up on your screen giving you a warning message, do you actually read it or do you simply click “OK” so that you can continue your task? Many people simply don’t understand how their computer’s security systems work and they miss certain warnings that they are doing something dangerous. Then one day, their computer self-destructs suddenly due to a virus and they wonder what has happened. If you can be more aware of what all of the pop-ups, warnings and other information on your computer screen means, then you can spot security risks before they compromise your system.

Take the time to learn about your browser settings, what the warning pop-ups mean and how to properly use your anti-virus software. You can read about it online, in a book, or even get a computer-savvy friend or relative to explain how everything works for you. You might find it a bit boring and geeky to learn these details, but they are important to know if you want to be aware of the health and security of your device.

These are just a few ways that you can improve the security of your computer and protect yourself from any threats.

There are many ways that you can protect your computer from threats, such as by installing a reliable McAfee internet security program.

Why should you learn more about referral marketing and brand advocacy? Because it works and it’s one of the fastest, inexpensive and most effective means of finding new business.

A referred prospect comes to you as a hot lead, not only pre-disposed to buying your product or service but also with a certain amount of goodwill towards you, bestowed by word-of-mouth. Because a friend, coworker, mentor or family member has recommended you, this new customer already has a sense of what they are getting and a baseline of trust established. This makes them ripe for easy conversion from prospect to client. There really is no better kind of lead.

Referral Marketing Systems
Studies show that the majority of customers would be happy to give a referral, if they had only been asked. That means that to increase your sales, you simply have only to ask your existing clients for a referral. If you don’t already have one in place, it would really serve you to implement a referral marketing system.

A referral marketing campaign can be done through e-mail, phone calls, direct mail or even social media. But whatever you do, get started today. Then automate as much of it as possible to help you leverage your time and resources. The more automated your system, the easier you make it for you and your employees to ask for those sought after referrals – and easier means it’s more likely to be done consistently.

Brand Advocacy
Want to know the top reasons people “friend” or “follow” a brand? Often it’s to give feedback, praise or complaint, but the overwhelming reason nearly two-thirds of people “like” a brand, is to receive special offers and promotions or to participate in contests. This represents quite a marketing opportunity for savvy business owners.

There is nothing quite like brand advocacy. At what other point in time could you so easily identify, engage and recognize fans of your brand? With social media, your brand advocates seek you out and gladly hand over their information in exchange for engagement, input and perks.

This is where you can be most effective – your social media presence can act as a loyalty program for your fans. Remember, fans are potential brand advocates waiting to be asked for their opinions, referrals and opportunities to be your brand ambassador. Social media allows for easy market research, the chance to encourage and reward brand advocacy activities and reaffirm customer loyalty to your brand.
It’s an exciting time to be in business, never before could you so easily and inexpensively market to your ideal segment, earning quality referrals and loyal brand ambassadors – you have only to act.

Recently, we were tasked with designing a new site for a well-known clinic in Minneapolis called Kass Clinics. Every project has its challenges and for Kass Clinics, the challenge was how to equally show the diverse services that Kass offers without making the design clumsy and not user-friendly.

Kass Clinics offers four distinct types of services:
Varicose Veins Treatments
Treatment for Hemorrhoids
Cosmetic Care like Botox, Adult Acne & Treatment for Sun Damage
Healthy Aging Treatments like hormone replacement therapy

We wanted to design a site that was easy to navigate, elegantly designed, SEO friendly & provides the content people are looking for. We choose to create a homepage with four entrances that link to landing pages for each specific service group. All of the areas are equally represented, nothing is buried below the fold and the design is clean. Mission accomplished!