Tag: Web Renovators

5 search engine optimization trends for 2017

5 search engine optimization trends for 2017 by Vikas Agrawal.  Available from <http://thenextweb.com/insider/2017/01/11/5-search-engine-optimization-trends-for-2017/> [Jan 12, 2017]

With every passing year, search engine portals develop new algorithms and rules with the hope of combating spam links and people trying to play the system.

These new rules set by Google, Bing etc. means that every webmaster must stay abreast to the ever changing SEO landscape in order to help clients meet their search based targets.

According to Jayson DeMers, the new year offers a great opportunity for everyone to adjust their SEO strategy and here are some tips on how it can be done.

1. Take advantage of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

The need for more responsive pages in a bid to reduce bounce rate has been a driving force in Google’s 2016 SEO strategy.

One of the most practical solutions they came up with is the integration of AMP by webmasters.

It’s important to note that AMPs are open-source protocols that allow pages load instantaneously on mobile browsers. AMP has become a phenomenon in the SEO community for it allows consumers load pages instantly at a reduced data rate. The average webpage uses eight times more data than an AMP when loading content.

In 2017, this trend is expected to develop further, and you can take advantage of it to provide more responsive pages for your users.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes its presence known

Google search algorithms finally got a boost at the tail end of 2016. This boost came in the form of integrating machine learning into search algorithms with the aim of making them smarter.

The Google RankBrain concept is expected to make search more intelligent and provide only relevant information to users of its search engine. This means that to combat the rise of AI in search, webmasters and website owners must focus on adding a unique voice to the niche they operate in.

The possibility of conning the system with black hat SEO tricks will become even less effective in 2017. This means your new year content resolution should be to use taglines, write dense articles, and make a dent with the information you post.

3. User Experience optimization has emerged

The evolution of the World Wide Web – signified by the term Web 3.0 – is slowly becoming the standard for platforms that rely on the internet. In this new world order, user experience has begun to trump all other factors.

Websites now make more user friendly platforms and search engines are beginning to take note. Google as well as Bing have escalated the need for a better user experience by integrating these experiences into helping websites rank hire and webmaster most take advantage of this.

Since 2015 search engines have been partial to well-designed webpages that get people to spend more time viewing contents on them. This means the onus to increase both the user experience and the ease of access on your platform falls squarely on your shoulders.

To do this, you should design more user-friendly landing pages, integrate the use of infographics in your blog posts and simplify your website’s navigation process.

4. Personal branding is key

Carving out a niche in a crowded space is difficult everywhere including on the internet. And this has made Google focus on platforms creatively pushing their brands against all odds.

One of these techniques includes the use of branded URLs in carving out a unique perspective for your personal business on the web.

The advantages of personal branded URLs are diverse but the most important thing is that it helps your website score top marks with Google’s search algorithms which will greatly advance your SEO efforts.

5. Integrate short branded links

One of the most important KPIs that search engines take into consideration when ranking web pages is ‘iteration’.

Iteration in SEO means that the more a content is read and shared on the web, and the more unique and credible the information it contains. And the best way to get your content shared is via ‘short branded links.’

These new link format is currently been used by Fortune 500 companies — Pepsi (pep.si), NY Times (nyti.ms) etc — to push their agenda on the internet and it’s working. Research shows that using branded links increases CTR by 35 percent. Not to mention they’re crucial on social channels that limit post characters.

You’ll note that these five trends can be integrated interchangeably into your SEO strategy for the new year. So don’t get stuck trying to figure out which single one you’ll implement, but instead implement multiple techniques to ensure better visibility for your website.

This post is part of our contributor series. It is written and published independently of TNW.

5 search engine optimization trends for 2017 by Vikas Agrawal.  Available from <http://thenextweb.com/insider/2017/01/11/5-search-engine-optimization-trends-for-2017/> [Jan 12, 2017]

Experts Share Vital Cyber-Security Tips For 2017

Experts Share Vital Cyber-Security Tips For 2017 release from SEO Shark.  Available from <http://prwire.com.au/pr/65209/experts-share-vital-cyber-security-tips-for-2017>

SEO Shark, Australia’s leading SEO experts, have put together a list of must-know Cyber-Security tips all website owners need to consider as we begin 2017. With more than ten years of experience in SEO and web design, SEO Shark’s suggestions include installing an SSL certificate and backing up your data regularly to ensure your data remains safe.

An SSL certificate is essential for every website, ensuring your data is kept safe and encrypted. SEO Shark recommends making the installation of an SSL certificate a priority in regards to Cyber-Security in 2017. SEO Shark also advocates using strong passwords and suggests never to use the same password twice. You can use secure services such as IPassword or LastPass to keep track of all your passwords.

Due to the rising number of hackers and spammers that roam the internet, it is extremely important to have Cyber-Security measures in place. The potential damage that hackers can do if they gain access to your information makes spending the time to put strategies in place well worth the effort.

“Data security and the threat of hackers is a critical component of web ownership in 2017,” says Lucas Bikowski, Managing Director of SEO Shark. “Simple but often overlooked measures such as having an SSL Certificate and backing up your data will go a long way to ensuring you avoid any potential headaches,” according to Bikowski.

Bikowski also recommends running an inside analysis of a threat beforehand to identify any shortcomings. “If an insider can uncover data and information then a hacker most certainly will. Performing an inside analysis is essentially like proofreading your work before you submit it.”

Further, SEO Shark advises using a few different verification systems to make gaining access more difficult for hackers, while encouraging website owners to learn from their past mistakes.

Experts Share Vital Cyber-Security Tips For 2017 release from SEO Shark.  Available from <http://prwire.com.au/pr/65209/experts-share-vital-cyber-security-tips-for-2017>

8 tech dangers every novice can avoid with these tips

8 tech dangers every novice can avoid with these tips by Eric Geier.  Available from <http://www.pcworld.com/article/3155460/computers/8-tech-dangers-every-novice-can-avoid-with-these-tips.html> [ Jan 11, 2017 3:30 AM PT ]

Tech novices need our help. They tend to run into the same pitfalls, and some of them make the same mistakes over and over. A novice friend may have cost you hours of informal tech support. Here’s something you can show them before that next desperate phone call. To the novices out there: Get smarter by reading this.

Don’t fall for a remote support scam

Remote support scams usually start when someone calls you out of the blue, saying you have some computer problem or have been hacked. You might see a dialog box pop up on your computer, prompting you to call or download something. The person who answers may say they’re from Microsoft or Windows support, or are certified from them.

The scammers typically show you a bunch of false or misleading issues, and they’re too often successful at scaring novices into believing their promise of a fix. They usually offer some type of long-term support plan, anywhere from $100 to $800 for one to four years of support.

Never trust them! Do not go to any website they mention, do not let them onto your computer, nor provide any payment information. No legitimate company will ever cold-call you, and no legitimate software will ever inundate you with pop-ups demanding you call them or purchase something to fix your PC.

Back up those files

Backing up your computer is one of those things most people put off and don’t appreciate until they lose all those important documents, photos, and other files. Don’t be one of them!

At the very least, grab yourself a good-sized external hard drive or a flash drive and use the backup features built into Windows. In Windows 8 and later, you could use the backup drive as the destination for File History. To further protect your data against fire or other local disasters that might destroy your drives, consider an online or cloud backup service.

Get extra malware protection

No one antivirus program can catch the millions of viruses and their variants out there. Many of them also don’t stop other junk, which may not officially be malware but can lead to other problems, commonly called potentially unwanted software (PUP). Therefore, it’s best to have some extra protection alongside your full antivirus, whether you’re running the built-in antivirus in Windows 8 and later or a third-party antivirus. My favorite for extra protection is Malwarebytes Antimalware. It’s free to run manual scans, but I recommend purchasing the premium edition for the active protection and scheduled scans.

If Malwarebytes doesn’t float your boat, similar programs worth checking out include Spybot Search & Destroy, HitmanPro, and SUPERAntiSpyware

Don’t buy the cheapest computers and tablets

Don’t get me wrong—I love a good deal and consider myself an economical shopper. But I also know you get what you pay for, and novices often get short-changed by buying supercheap computers and tablets. Before making a tech purchase, ensure you do your research and have a knowledgeable friend or family member to help you find the real deals.

Ultra-low-cost PCs typically have very low-end processors and also skimp on USB ports, expansion slots, and other features you might need over time. Low-end Android tablets might look appealing, especially when on sale for under $100, but they could have a poor touchscreen, an inadequate battery, or a mediocre interface.

The CPU in that computer or tablet matters more than anything else, yet it’s one of the hardest components to compare due to the variety of naming and numbering schemes. Here’s a pro tip: You can use a third-party benchmarking website to compare the performance. Simply find the processor model number from the specs and search for its Passmark CPU Mark number. The higher the number, the faster the processor should be. Avoid the more sluggish CPUs, as they’ll end up frustrating you.

Compare online and in-store prices

It’s not true that you’ll always find something cheaper online (on Amazon, Newegg, or eBay). Brick-and-mortar stores run sales or put products on clearance, and they don’t charge for shipping, a frequent catch with online purchases.

Restocking fees are another online danger that you’ll rarely encounter in a real store. Always read the fine print on returns before buying from anywhere.

Comparing prices is the first step to shopping smarter for your tech, and you could also save on shipping if a local retailer’s willing to match a price.

If an online price is cheaper, ask a local retailer if they’ll price-match. It’s a great way to get the product sooner while still saving money.

A note about online reviews: They can be helpful, but read carefully to make sure you’re getting sound advice rather than an unjustified rant.

Reboot before you call your tech

One of the first troubleshooting steps for just about any computer or tech issue is to reboot all the affected computers or other devices. Better yet, it’s something a novice can do as easily as any expert.

For instance, if you’re having an issue with printing, reboot both the computer and printer. If your Internet connection disappears or becomes sluggish, reboot the computer, Internet modem, and router if you have a separate one.

Speaking of rebooting, you should make a habit of rebooting your PC or shutting it down completely. Gone are the days when simply letting it sleep was a good idea. All you’re doing is burning extra electricity and letting your RAM accumulate leftover bits of programs and files like your kitchen’s junk drawer.

I usually suggest doing a full shutdown of your computer when you’re done using it for the day, instead of letting it sleep. If nothing else, reboot every few days.

Set up remote locating on mobile devices

As you may know too well, smartphones and tablets are easily misplaced or stolen. Taking a couple of minutes to set up remote locating may help prevent a major headache in the future. Depending on the device and its operating system, you may be able to do some of all of the following:

  • Pinpoint the device on a map from another device or computer.
  • Make the lost device sound an alarm to help find it.
  • Remotely lock or wipe a lost device.
  • Display a message for those who find it.

You can access the remote capabilities of Apple and iOS devices via the iCloud and Android Device Manager. But you might want to double-check it’s set up and working now, before you really need it. For both platforms, there are also many free and paid apps that provide remote functionality.

Don’t get oversold on Internet and data plans

I often see novices with higher-than-needed Internet speeds at home. What a fast-talking salesperson won’t tell a novice is that buying a faster Internet speed won’t make the computer faster, or even make the Internet faster in some cases.

If your browsing or downloading speed seems slow, consider the computer speed itself, the quality of the Internet connection, and the quality of the connection to the computer.

Check the speed of your Internet connection with a free online service like Speedtest. Ensure you’re getting the Internet speeds you’re currently paying for before moving to a higher speed. Most households can get all the web content they need with Internet speeds in the 5 to 20 Mbps range.

Buying a faster data plan won’t help you if there’s a bottleneck somewhere else, such as a slow computer or a flaky Internet connection.

I also see a lot of tech novices with larger-than-needed data plans for their smartphones and other mobile devices. Take a look at the history of your data usage to gauge what’s needed and make changes accordingly. Also, remember that using Wi-Fi connections can help reduce the amount of cell data needed.

8 tech dangers every novice can avoid with these tips by Eric Geier.  Available from <http://www.pcworld.com/article/3155460/computers/8-tech-dangers-every-novice-can-avoid-with-these-tips.html> [ Jan 11, 2017 3:30 AM PT ]

Tips on securing your Wi-Fi network

Tips on securing your Wi-Fi network by Vincent Chang.  Available from <http://www.straitstimes.com/tech/pcs/tips-on-securing-your-wi-fi-network> [January 18, 2017]
CHANGE THE DEFAULT CREDENTIALS

The first and easiest step to protect your router is to change the default user ID and password information used to access the router.

To do so, connect your PC to the router via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, start your browser and point it to the URL or IP address provided in the router’s setup guide or manual.

You will be asked to enter the user name and password, which can be found in the manual. To change these, locate the Admin section of the router’s settings. Some routers helpfully prompt you to change the default password when you log in for the first time.

Create a strong password by having a mix of letters, symbols and numbers. Make it at least eight characters long.

Having a strong password is especially important if you are planning on enabling the router’s remote management feature that exposes the router login to the Internet.

After tweaking the router settings, you should log out of the device. Staying logged in puts your router at risk of being hit by cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks from malicious websites. These are attacks that attempt to issue requests to the router via the authenticated information stored in the browser.

Having a strong password is especially important if you are planning on enabling the router’s remote management feature that exposes the router login to the Internet.

CHANGE THE DEFAULT WI-FI PASSWORD

While you are logged in, you should probably also change the default Wi-Fi passwords. Although manufacturers usually generate unique default Wi-Fi passwords for each router, often stickered on the device, you probably want to change the password to your own rather than trying to remember another Wi-Fi password.

RENAME THE WI-FI NETWORK

You should rename the default Wi-Fi network name (SSID) too. Doing so will make it easier for you to find your SSID, especially if your neighbours also happen to own a router from the same manufacturer. It may even indicate to would-be hackers that you are tech-savvy enough to change the SSID, and perhaps they will look for an easier target.

On a related note, security experts agree that hiding your SSID does not help against would-be hackers as it is not difficult to unmask a concealed SSID. It just gives a false sense of security and inconveniences legitimate users.

UPDATE YOUR ROUTER’S FIRMWARE

Keeping your router updated with the latest firmware is essential, as such updates usually happen when manufacturers patch security vulnerabilities. New firmware may also fix other bugs and even improve the router’s performance.

Most modern routers let you download the latest firmware directly from the router settings. If not, you can find the updates on the manufacturer’s website.

PREVENT WEB SCRIPTING ATTACKS WITH BROWSER EXTENSIONS

Browser extensions like NoScript (Firefox) and uMatrix (Chrome and Firefox) can prevent CSRF attacks by blocking JavaScript or Flash code from being executed by malicious websites. These extensions also offer the ability to whitelist trusted sites so that you can use legitimate Web pages like your bank’s websites normally.

An additional step to prevent CSRF attacks is to change the default IP address used by routers, such as 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 to your choice of IP address. This makes it harder for hackers, especially if they are using a generic scripted attack that targets certain router models.

TURN OFF UNNECESSARY FEATURES

Some networking features, such as Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), and Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) are useful, but they can be exploited under certain circumstances.

To err on the side of caution, you should check that they are disabled in the router’s settings.

Most modern routers turn off UPnP by default.

WPS poses less of a risk as it requires the hacker’s device to be physically close to your router.

BUY AN ENTERPRISE-GRADE ROUTER

Networking vendors devote more resources to their enterprise products as businesses have higher security requirements.

These routers will cost more than consumer routers, but the added security features, such as a built-in firewall with intrusion detection, may be worthwhile.

The downside is that these routers are not as easy as home routers to configure and use.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 18, 2017, with the headline 'Tips on securing your Wi-Fi network'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Tips on securing your Wi-Fi network by Vincent Chang.  Available from <http://www.straitstimes.com/tech/pcs/tips-on-securing-your-wi-fi-network> [January 18, 2017]

5 simple steps to boost your digital hygiene in 2017

5 simple steps to boost your digital hygiene in 2017 by Bill Snyder.  Available from <http://www.cio.com/article/3155093/consumer-advice/5-simple-steps-to-boost-your-digital-hygiene-in-2017.html> [Jan 6, 2017 7:27 AM PT ]

January is a good time to stop making excuses and get your digital life in order. Here are five inexpensive, money-saving, aggravation-reducing ways to maintain tech, and protect yourself and the environment in the New Year.

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. Let’s face it, no one keeps them.

Instead of resolutions, here are five simple ways to help you save money, avoid digital disasters, and get your personal technology into top-flight condition. None of the tips are complicated, and I’ve used them all during the past few years so I know they work.

Audit digital subscriptions

These days, many digital services have auto-renew subscriptions. It’s wise to regularly check your credit card statements to see what you’re billed for. You may find a charge for a streaming-video service, magazine or newspaper you forgot about but still pay for. You don’t have to get all compulsive about it, but you might even put reminders on your calendar to cancel services before trial periods expire or keep a list of all of your paid subscriptions. If nothing else, the list will come in handy at tax time if you itemize deductions.

Buy (and use) a can of compressed air

This one sounds goofy, I know, but the vents on your laptop and the spaces between keys on your keyboard collect what technical experts call “schmutz.” Clogged vents can cause overheating, and that can kill your laptop. Junk inside a keyboard can cause keys to jam. A 3.5 ounce can of compressed air costs $4.99 at Best Buy, and Amazon charges $7.34 for a 12-ounce option. Both are a lot cheaper than the new laptop you’d need if you fry your system’s motherboard.

Find a password manager to love

Hacking is an epidemic today, but most folks simply aren’t going to make and keep track of different passwords for every site. No one can track dozens of passwords without writing them down somewhere, and that, of course, defeats the purpose. But a good password manager can be a lifesaver.

I use LastPass, and its free version now let’s you share your passwords across multiple devices. LastPass finally supports Microsoft’s Edge browser, as well as Chrome and Firefox. The service generates complex passwords for each site you visit and stores them in what it calls your “vault.” You only need to remember one master password. A couple more password mangers that get good reviews are LogMeOnce and 1Password.

Backup, backup and backup again

You’ve heard it over and over again, but many users are left without their data, music and photos when a drive fails or malware corrupts their systems. Backing up can be a pain, but so can locking your door and keeping your money in a bank. If your digital stuff is important to you, you need to back it up to the cloud or buy a roomy external drive — or both.

I use Google Drive, and it offers 15GB of free storage and 100GB for $1.99 a month, while Microsoft OneDrive gives you 5GB for free and 50GB for $1.99 a month. Upload speeds are generally slow, so the first time you backup to the cloud will likely take a while. Another option is to buy an external drive. A 2TB drive (or 2,000GB) now costs well under $100, and most of them come with software to automate the backup process.

Recycle old electronic junk

By now, most Americans recycle newspapers, bottles and cans, but many old electronic devices still wind up in a landfill. That’s a real problem, because they contain heavy metals and other pollutants than can get into the water table. Instead, take them to an electronics recycler. Most cities have them. To find yours, simply Google “electronics recycling” in your community and you’ll quite likely find more than one. If you ditch an old smartphone or over-the-hill PC, make sure you wipe the hard drives and get rid of any personal data.

5 simple steps to boost your digital hygiene in 2017 by Bill Snyder.  Available from <http://www.cio.com/article/3155093/consumer-advice/5-simple-steps-to-boost-your-digital-hygiene-in-2017.html> [Jan 6, 2017 7:27 AM PT ]