Phishing scams typically involve scammers sending emails, messages, or websites that look like they came from legitimate organizations or individuals. They often lure victims into clicking on malicious links, downloading harmful attachments, or providing personal information. By understanding how phishing scams work, you can recognize suspicious activities and protect yourself effectively. In this blog, we will identify a couple of ways to avoid phishing scams.
Strengthen Your Passwords:
Create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information such as birthdays or pet names. Furthermore, consider using a reputable password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords.
Be Wary of Suspicious Emails and Messages:
Exercise caution when receiving emails or messages, especially from unknown senders or unusual sources. Look out for red flags such as misspellings, grammatical errors, generic greetings, or urgent requests for personal information. Legitimate organizations typically address you by name and use professional language.
Verify the Legitimacy of Websites:
Before entering sensitive information on a website, ensure that it is secure and trustworthy. Look for “https://” in the URL, indicating a secure connection, and a padlock icon in the address bar. Double-check the website’s domain name for any variations or misspellings that may indicate a phishing attempt.
Be Cautious of Unexpected Attachments or Links:
Avoid clicking on attachments (.ZIP, .JAR, .JS) or links in emails or messages unless you are confident in their authenticity. Hover over links to preview the URL before clicking on them. Be wary of shortened URLs or suspicious domains. When in doubt, contact the sender through a trusted communication channel to verify the legitimacy of the message.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Utilize two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a unique code sent to your mobile device, in addition to your password. Even if your password is compromised, the attacker would still need the second factor to gain access.
Keep Your Software Updated:
Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, and security software to ensure you have the latest security patches. This helps protect your devices against known vulnerabilities attackers may exploit to launch phishing attacks.
Educate Yourself and Stay Informed:
Stay informed about the latest phishing techniques and scams. Keep up with cybersecurity news and be aware of new threats. Educate yourself and your team about the risks of phishing and the importance of practicing safe online behavior.
Use Antivirus and Anti-Phishing Software:
Install reputable antivirus and anti-phishing software on your devices. These tools can help detect and block known phishing websites or suspicious activities, adding an extra layer of protection to your accounts.
Report and Delete Suspicious Messages:
If you receive a suspicious email or message, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as your email provider or the organization being impersonated. Most email providers have mechanisms in place to report phishing attempts. Delete the suspicious message without interacting with it further.
Phishing scams pose a significant threat to our online security, but following these essential tips can greatly reduce the risk of falling victim to these fraudulent attacks. If you think or are worried that you’ve been targeted by a phishing scam, be sure to run a virus scan and also change your account password. Stay vigilant and be sure to educate yourself and others!
In today’s digital age, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. Being active on your Google Business Profile will help in being found on a Google search. While optimizing your website and leveraging search engine optimization (SEO) techniques are essential, another powerful tool at your disposal is Google Posts. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Google Posts and provide practical tips on how to add posts effectively to enhance your online visibility and engage with your target audience.
Understanding Google Posts:
Google Posts is a free tool that enables businesses to manage their online presence across Google search results and maps. Google Posts allows you to share relevant and timely information directly on your Google My Business profile, ensuring that potential customers can find your content when searching for your business or related keywords.
Key Benefits of Adding Posts on Google:
a) Increased Visibility: By regularly adding posts to your Google My Business profile, you have the opportunity to appear in Google’s local search results, knowledge panels, and even Google Maps, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
b) Improved Engagement: Google Posts enable you to share updates, promotions, events, product highlights, and more, directly in search results. This helps to grab the attention of users, entice them to click through to your website, and engage with your brand.
c) Enhanced Brand Perception: Posting relevant and valuable content on Google helps establish your brand as a credible and authoritative source. It allows you to showcase your expertise, share customer testimonials, and create a positive impression that sets you apart from the competition.
Tips for Adding Effective Posts on Google:
a) Be Concise and Engaging: Google Posts have a character limit, so make sure your content is concise, compelling, and provides a clear call to action. Use eye-catching images, compelling headlines, and well-crafted copy to grab attention and encourage users to take an action.
b) Include Relevant Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your Google Posts to improve your chances of appearing in relevant search results. Use natural language and ensure the keywords flow seamlessly within the post’s context.
c) Utilize Multimedia: Include high-quality images, videos, or GIFs in your posts to make them visually appealing and encourage user interaction. Visual content tends to capture attention and improve engagement.
d) Regularly Update Your Posts: Keep your Google Posts fresh and relevant by updating them frequently. This demonstrates to both users and Google that your business is active and provides value to customers. It is incredibly important to consistently upload posts since your most recent post won’t be highlighted in your Business Profile if it’s older than 6 months.
Measure Performance and Optimize:
Track the performance of your Google Posts through insights provided by Google My Business. Analyze metrics like views, clicks, and engagement to understand what content resonates with your audience. Adjust your strategy accordingly and experiment with different post types to optimize your results over time.
Google Posts present a valuable opportunity to enhance your online visibility, engage with your target audience, and drive traffic to your website. By consistently adding relevant and engaging posts, optimizing with keywords, and utilizing multimedia, you can effectively promote your business and establish a strong brand presence on Google. Remember to measure your performance, adapt your strategy, and reap the benefits of increased visibility and customer engagement. Start leveraging Google Posts today, and watch your online presence soar to new heights.
Elizabeth Guerrero has always had a passion for tattooing. She began experimenting with permanent markers as a kid and then began grooming and styling her friends and family as she got older. She has always had a natural talent for helping people look their best and is very passionate about boosting others’ confidence. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to volunteer in the nursing homes at least once a month where she performs henna brows, mini facials, and other special holiday services to uplift them. She also enjoys spending time with her three children and taking them hiking or camping. She appreciates the martial arts of Jiu jitsu and combines it with nature.
Elizabeth shares her experience as a client with EGBI.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself A fun fact about me is that on top of owning a beauty salon I am a full-time tattoo apprentice.
How did you first get involved with EGBI? I was searching for local business support and I found this amazing place!
Why is it important to support organizations such as EGBI? It’s imperative to support local organizations like EGBI. For many local small businesses EGBI is making the difference between sink or soaring to success. As entrepreneurs we understand we have a vision, but EGBI gives us the guidance to execute our goals to make our vision a reality.
How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally? I have only been involved with EGBI for a short period of time so far but so far, I have met brilliant financial advisors, marketing experts and incredible instructors. I have had the opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs who are eager to grow their businesses.
If you would like to find out more on how EGBI can assist you in starting or growing your small business, please click the link for information in English or Spanish.
Luis Salinas is the owner of 24hr Passports and Visa Services. Born and raised in Austin, he graduated from St Edwards University with a degree in Business Administration in May 2021. He started his passport expediting business in April 2022 and has been in business for over 7 months. Luis says EGBI has been instrumental in his business’ success and has helped him every step of the way.
Luis shares his experience as a client of EGBI.
Do you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
I started my first business when I was 8 yrs old. I sold glow sticks and toys to kids at events where my mom was the photographer.
How did you first get involved with EGBI?
I got involved with EGBI through a friend’s recommendation, who was also a business owner. He told me how much of a positive influence EGBI has had on his business and convinced me to check it out.
Why is it important to support organizations such as EGBI?
It’s important to support organizations like EGBI because they support the wellbeing of our community, as well as foster economic growth and advancement.
How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?
My involvement with EGBI gave me the confidence to start my business and take a leap of faith. Thanks to them, I finally got the ball rolling.
Why is it important to learn information in your primary language?
Spanish is my first language and I believe it’s very important to embrace your roots. I was born in the U.S. and have lived here my entire life, but my parents are originally from Mexico. They would only allow me to speak Spanish at home and instilled a very deep sense of pride for my Mexican heritage. That is why I embrace learning in Spanish, and why I continue to develop my ability to communicate with others that share the same language.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Christina worked in Social Work for more than a decade and earned a Master of Science from UT-Austin. Christina then went on to work for the next decade serving the mentally ill population in various agencies in Austin. Though she thoroughly enjoyed supporting her clients and empowering their agency for change, she felt she needed to transition to living her dharma by teaching various aspects of Spirituality. During this time, Christina began to experience a spiritual awakening that transformed her view of the world and her role in it. Christina enjoys spending time in nature so you can find her on the hiking trails in Austin.
Aaron Gobert is also a University of Texas-Austin Alumni, who previously worked as an Audio Engineer with his own record company, “ATX Recording”. Aaron later pursued a career in the medical industry and worked for various agencies in the Austin area. During this time, Aaron began to educate himself about the Alkaline lifestyle and its benefits. Aaron went on to share this valuable information with Christina and they founded Natural Healing Wellness Co. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys educating others about genetics and human history.
Christina shares her experience as a client of EGBI.
Do you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
My husband and I are both University of Texas Alumni.
How did you first get involved with EGBI?
I attended one of Monica’s Marketing classes online first. Then I started coaching with her and took the 90 day goals course later.
Why is it important to support organizations such as EGBI?
I love the work that EGBI is doing to support small businesses in Austin. Starting a business is a challenging task, but it is nice to know I can call Monica or Joni to point me in the right direction.
How has EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?
EGBI has helped me to step out of comfort zone in advertising my business and reaching my goals.
I especially loved the 90 day goal course. Though I did not reach all my goals, I was able to create some serious momentum that propelled my business forward, in a way I may not have accomplished on my own.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
