Tag: Business

How to Build a Career or Business Around Your Passion for Personal and Professional Fulfilment

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

Turning your passion into a career or business can be both exhilarating and daunting. It is not just about doing what you love – it is about aligning your interests with practical steps that create lasting satisfaction and impact. The journey requires introspection, experimentation, and perseverance, but it can yield personal and professional fulfilment when approached thoughtfully. Many struggle with knowing where to start or how to validate their ideas, leading to stagnation or frustration. By following a structured approach, you can transform your passion into a sustainable career or business.

Reflect on Your Core Values and Strengths

Before taking action, it is crucial to understand yourself deeply. Reflect on what matters most to you, the skills you excel at, and the areas where your passion naturally aligns with your strengths. This self-awareness helps ensure your pursuits are authentic and sustainable, rather than driven solely by external expectations or trends. Mapping your values against potential career or business paths can reveal opportunities that not only excite you but also fit your personality and work style. By anchoring your decisions in your core values, you create a foundation for long-term satisfaction and resilience. For instance, someone who values creativity and autonomy might realise they are best suited to freelance graphic design rather than a corporate marketing role.

Validate Your Passion with Market Demand

Passion is important, but it must intersect with real-world demand. Consider whether others would pay for or engage with what you love to do. Research potential markets, observe competitors, and see if there is a clear audience for your offering. This validation step prevents wasted effort and provides confidence that your efforts can produce tangible results. Testing small experiments or side projects can reveal early signals of viability, helping you adjust your approach before fully committing. A former teacher, for example, tested a tutoring side hustle online and quickly found a steady stream of clients, confirming strong demand before transitioning full-time.

Leverage Education to Accelerate Your Journey

Structured education can provide a powerful boost when transforming a passion into a viable career or business. By earning an MBA, you gain access to practical management, strategy, and leadership skills that complement hands-on experience. The curriculum also offers decision-making and problem-solving frameworks that directly apply to entrepreneurial or career pursuits. Beyond skills, an MBA program opens networking opportunities with peers, mentors, and industry experts who can accelerate growth. Explore job opportunities with an MBA to learn more. One aspiring entrepreneur used insights from an MBA capstone project to launch a niche fitness startup that now serves thousands of customers.

Develop Relevant Skills and Knowledge

Even when you are passionate, success requires mastery. Identify the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your chosen field and make a plan to acquire them. Continuous learning – through courses, mentorship, or practical experience – ensures you remain competitive and capable of delivering real value. Building expertise also instils confidence, which is crucial when taking risks or entering unfamiliar territory. By committing to skill development, you increase both your marketability and the likelihood of long-term satisfaction. A hobbyist photographer, for example, began taking online lighting courses and quickly turned her side passion into a thriving portrait business.

Start Small and Scale Gradually

Launching a business or career based on passion does not require an immediate full-scale operation. Begin with manageable projects or pilot programs to test your ideas, gather feedback, and learn from experience. This approach allows you to iterate, refine your offering, and minimise risk. As confidence and understanding grow, you can scale gradually, expanding your reach and capabilities without overextending yourself. Incremental growth also gives you time to develop supporting systems, networks, and resources for long-term sustainability. A software engineer started by offering weekend coding workshops at local libraries before eventually opening a full-fledged online education platform.

Embrace Resilience and Adaptability

The journey will inevitably include setbacks, uncertainty, and moments of doubt. Cultivating resilience allows you to recover from failures without losing momentum, while adaptability ensures you can pivot when circumstances change. These qualities enable you to navigate shifting market conditions, feedback, and evolving personal priorities. Developing emotional intelligence, maintaining a growth mindset, and staying flexible are key strategies for sustaining energy and focus over the long term. Resilient, adaptable individuals are better equipped to turn challenges into opportunities. After her first café location closed during a downturn, one entrepreneur shifted to a mobile food truck model and found even greater success.

Seek Support and Build a Network

Even the most independent ventures benefit from connection. Mentors, peers, and collaborators can provide guidance, accountability, and encouragement. Networking opens doors to opportunities you might not find alone and allows you to learn from others’ experiences. Engage with communities in your field, attend events, and cultivate meaningful relationships. A strong support network helps you overcome obstacles and enriches your journey, offering perspectives that strengthen both personal growth and professional decision-making. One software founder credits their business growth to a weekly mastermind group that helped troubleshoot technical challenges and refine product strategy.

By taking a structured approach – reflecting on your values, validating your ideas, leveraging education, building relevant skills, starting small, embracing resilience, and seeking support – you can transform your passion into a career or business that is both fulfilling and sustainable. Each step strengthens your foundation, reduces risk, and increases the likelihood of achieving lasting satisfaction. Pursuing a passion-driven path is a marathon, not a sprint, but with patience, reflection, and deliberate action, it can become a profoundly rewarding journey.

Elevate your academic path with perspectives rooted in resilience, balance, and cultural awareness. Explore Knowledge Vault now and start transforming your learning journey through meaningful engagement.

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Brought to you by Gloria Martinez

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

The Art of Failing: The Importance of Embracing Failure and Trying Again

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

We have all heard the phrase “failure is not an option,” but in reality, failure is not only an option but also a necessary part of success. That’s right! Failure is not the antithesis of success; rather, it is a pathway to success. In today’s society, failure is often seen as a negative thing. From a young age, we are conditioned to avoid failure at all costs, and those who experience failure are often stigmatised as incompetent or inadequate. But what if we approached failure differently? What if we saw it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and try again? As Noonan (2019) indicated, experiencing failure is a normal aspect of life and is crucial for achieving success if accepted. Noonan’s work provides reassurance and confidence in embracing failure as a path to success.

The concept of embracing failure and trying again is based on the growth mindset theory developed by Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University. According to Dweck, individuals with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed and improved through hard work and dedication. They see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a reflection of their intelligence or abilities. Studies have shown that individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere through challenges and achieve their goals. They are less likely to give up after a setback or a failure and are more likely to try again and learn from their mistakes.

Furthermore, embracing failure and trying again can lead to creative breakthroughs and innovation. In his book, “The Myths of Innovation,” author Scott Berkun argues that many great inventions and discoveries were the result of multiple failures and iterations. Thomas Edison, for example, famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” referring to his numerous attempts to invent the light bulb. J.K. Rowling: The author of the wildly popular Harry Potter series faced rejection after rejection from publishers before finally landing a book deal. She could have given up after the first few rejections, but instead, she kept trying until she found success. Another great example is Michael Jordan: Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Instead of letting this failure discourage him, he used it as motivation to work harder and improve his skills. How about Abraham Lincoln? Before becoming one of America’s most beloved presidents, Lincoln failed at several business ventures and lost numerous elections. Despite these setbacks, he never gave up and eventually found his way to the White House.

So, what am I trying to communicate: the importance of embracing failure and trying again cannot be overstated. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is a necessary part of the journey. When we approach failure with a growth mindset, we become more resilient, more determined, and more likely to achieve our goals. Therefore, the next time you experience a setback or a failure, remember Thomas’s, Harry’s, Michael’s, and Abraham’s stories. Don’t give up. Instead, use the experience as a learning opportunity and try again.

Remember, failure is not the end of the road; it’s an opportunity to try again, learn from our mistakes, and grow. Best wishes

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Edited by Temitope Adelekan

Reference: Noonan, D. (2019). Failure found to be an essential prerequisite for success. Scientific American.

A Pathway for Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Lay a Strong Foundation for Success

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

Venturing into entrepreneurship offers an exhilarating journey, requiring careful consideration and thorough preparation. This guide explores essential steps to help you identify the ideal business, empowering you to make informed decisions and lay a solid foundation for success. By following these critical steps from Temitope Adelekan, you’ll be equipped to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence and clarity, setting the stage for triumph in your endeavours. Embrace the journey ahead with enthusiasm and dedication as you embark on this exciting path of entrepreneurship.

Aligning with Your Passions

Identifying a business that resonates with your personal interests and passions is vital. Engaging in a field you are deeply passionate about ensures that you find joy and fulfilment in your endeavours. This alignment significantly boosts your determination to overcome obstacles, sustaining your drive during challenging periods. Your enthusiasm for your work will be evident, attracting customers and inspiring your team, thereby laying the groundwork for a thriving business.

Crafting a Strategic Plan

The essence of a successful venture lies in a thorough business plan that sketches out your goals, identifies your target audience, evaluates competitors, formulates marketing strategies, and projects financial outcomes. This plan acts as your venture’s compass, steering your decisions and facilitating investment acquisition. It allows you to anticipate and prepare for any business scenario, ensuring a steady course toward your objectives.

Establishing Contingency Strategies

Preparing for unforeseen challenges is a hallmark of a prudent entrepreneur. By identifying potential threats to your business and devising strategies to counter them, you ensure your venture’s resilience. These contingency plans equip you to handle unexpected situations with poise, ensuring the longevity and stability of your business in the face of adversity.

Laying Financial Groundwork

Ensuring your business’s financial health is crucial for its success, with adequate capital as a key pillar. Your credit score plays a vital role in accessing diverse financing options, making it essential to aim for a high score to secure loans on favourable terms. Achieving financial readiness allows you to fuel your business’s expansion and easily tackle monetary hurdles. This foundation sets the stage for sustainable growth and financial stability.

Setting Attainable Goals

Setting goals is essential for guiding your business’s direction and fostering its growth. Establishing clear and achievable objectives, then breaking them into actionable steps, allows for effective progress monitoring and keeps your venture on course. This systematic approach ensures you stay focused on your business vision, driving you toward your goals with clarity and determination. By adhering to this process, you maintain momentum and steadily advance toward success.

Fostering Industry Relationships

Cultivating connections within your industry is instrumental in accelerating your business’s growth. Engaging in networking events, conferences, and online communities opens doors to valuable insights, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities. These relationships can be a source of support, advice, and partnerships, enriching your entrepreneurial journey with diverse perspectives and experiences.

Trusting Your Intuition

In business decision-making, relying on data and thorough analysis is crucial, but your gut instinct often provides invaluable insights. Your intuition may uncover innovative ideas and opportunities that conventional data overlooks, serving as a vital tool for differentiation in a competitive market. Trusting this inner voice empowers you to foster innovation and make confident decisions even in complex situations. Embracing your intuition can lead to strategic advantages and propel your business forward.

Choosing the ideal business demands thoughtful consideration, detailed planning, and a willingness to face risks with an open mind. By following critical steps carefully, you place yourself on a path to entrepreneurship filled with purpose and clear direction. Trust your abilities and remain flexible in your approach, ensuring your journey is rewarding and successful. Keep your objectives in clear view, guiding every decision you make. This approach empowers you to thrive in the dynamic and exhilarating realm of entrepreneurship.

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Brought to you by Justin Wigg

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

3 Ways for Small Business Owners To Improve Company-Wide Collaboration

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

Read more engaging articles on the Knowledge Vault today!

If you own a small business, you’re keenly aware of every employee’s role in your enterprise. What may be missing, though, are the significant gains that come from group efforts. Consider these ideas from Knowledge Vault for transforming your company culture into one where everyone works separately (or even remotely) to one that shifts from solo work to collaborative work with ease.

1. Foster a Pro-Communication Culture

It should go without saying that if you want your employees to feel comfortable sharing ideas and offering constructive critiques, you should foster an environment of open communication, non-judgmental discourse, and respect. Positivity begins with the business owners and leaders, but it’s also reinforced by your meetings, training, company policies, and feedback you give to your employees.

If your employees work in the office, do your best to create a comfortable physical environment. If your employees are remote-only or hybrid teams, ensure that they have what they need to thrive including proper office equipment and a way to communicate with everyone. This could include Slack or another popular workplace messenger app to ensure that no one gets left out of a discussion.

It’s also important that you and your team are open to hear difficult feedback from coworkers, including points like, they don’t feel heard, are not comfortable with one another, or simply don’t trust each other. You cannot address problems if you don’t know they exist, so this kind of open communication is vital, even if it is painful. Ask one another how you can gain each other’s trust, and own up to your mistakes. Never make excuses.

2. Consider Your Collaborative Platforms

The fact that life has increasingly moved online in the past decade has increased the need for high-quality virtual platforms and messaging systems. Consider the size of your entire company as well as the usual number of people in your collaborative teams to determine which platforms will suit your business.

Here are a few options that are especially suited to remote or hybrid work:

  • Zoom: you likely know and love (or hate!) this virtual meeting platform. Video calls are necessary in the age of remote work, and they can often save an employee who has to stay home with a sick child or care for an aging relative.
  • Slack: this app is essential for day-to-day communication with your office staff as well as for collaborative efforts in smaller teams. 
  • Trello: make project management easier by using a visual board to envision everyone’s duties and due dates. Everyone is able to see their personal to-do list and understand where the project is in terms of completion.
  • Workfront: collaborate in real time with this project management software that also comes with some handy automation features.

3. Keep Your Project Teams Small

LinkedIn reports that creating teams of over 15 individuals (although 10 is better) can decrease employees’ motivation to collaborate and work as a group. Too-large groups result in a few hardworking employees assigning duties to the rest of the group and picking up slack. It may also cause a phenomenon where some employees render themselves invisible by not communicating or offering any input — and letting others do the heavy lifting for them.

Make it a point to split large teams into small groups. In groups of three to eight, your employees have more incentive to speak up and work with their teammates. The Art of Teamwork recommends assigning five or six employees to a collaborative team. Employees may feel more comfortable collaborating and expressing their thoughts when working in smaller groups as well.

Finally, take the time to cultivate healthy communication practices. Company culture isn’t invented overnight. It takes time to build, and it takes into account your employees’ personalities, your leadership style, and your vision for the future. If you feel that your business isn’t as collaborative as you had wished it would be, use the tips listed here to adjust to a culture that works for everyone.

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Brought to you by Lisa Walker

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

Guest Networks 101: A Simple Guide

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

In today’s uber-connected world, having a solid Wi-Fi connection is key to not only spending solo time at home but also having friends and family over. It can be a pain to sift through papers to find your Wi-Fi password that guests inevitably ask for when they walk in your door.

One workaround is to set up a dedicated guest network. A guest network is an alternate access point to your internet router that’s separate from the main network to which you connect your phone, TV, and computers. So your main network is meant for your trusted devices, and your guest network is meant for unfamiliar devices belonging to your friends and family.

A benefit of setting up a guest network is that you can grant internet access to devices that may be at a greater risk of falling victim to data breaches or other types of cyberattacks. Plus, some Wi-Fi routers allow you to limit the speed available on your guest network, so your main network connection is never lagging.

Norton has created this helpful step-by-step infographic (see below) on how to set up a guest network. It also offers tips for setting up your guest network for success so that you can keep your devices and data safe while providing your friends and family Wi-Fi access.

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Brought to you by Lydia McAllister

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

Coping Up with the New Normal at Home

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

http://www.temitopeadelekan.com

You may have often heard people say that change is a part of life, and one of the best things to do is to embrace it with an open mind. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing drastic changes in every aspect of your lifestyle, how are you coping up with the new normal?

Adjusting to change isn’t always easy for everyone, especially with something as drastic as the global health crisis. Wearing a mask outside, physically distancing yourself from people, filling up personal and health information forms at public places, having limited access to transportation, and so on—it will take time before you get used to these things.

Then again, the indomitable human spirit is such a powerful force that helps everyone rise above challenges, especially if it’s business survival that’s at stake. Whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur, you can still be productive and profitable despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Here are tips to help you continue with your work or business under the new normal:

1. Choose the remote work or business setup

You’re safer working or running your business from home because you don’t need to go out and travel where you are going to be with other commuters or motorists. This reduces your chances of being exposed to the virus and getting sick. So if you have the means to stay at home, take advantage of the remote work or business setup.

You’ll need a smartphone, laptop, and desktop computer, as well as reliable Wi-Fi service, as basic productivity tools. It will also help if you create a dedicated workspace, so you feel as if you’re still in a real office.

2. Create a new normal routine

Setting up a routine offers a sense of normalcy and certainty, so it’s a good coping mechanism during this time of chaos. Your new normal routine can be as creative and flexible as you want, as long as it lets you organize your day-to-day schedule, which will help you have a proper work-life balance.

Your new normal routine can look something like this:

  • Start your day with a cup of coffee that you yourself made, instead of buying it from your favorite coffee shop near the office. Eat a healthy breakfast to fuel your mind and body for the day ahead.
  • As you begin your workday, make sure to check your inbox to know what’s happening in your team and reach out to your teammates if there’s something that needs to be discussed. Pick the online communication channel that you feel comfortable in or use video conferencing to stay connected with your colleagues or catch up over lunch.
  • Try to resist the temptation of going to bed late at night. Staying home can give you a false sense that you have enough time in your hands, but this can also disrupt your body clock and leave you feeling tired in the morning.
  • If you’re not able to go to the gym, you can work out at home on your own or with your family to make it as fun as your regular gym sessions.
  • Spend your weekends doing your family’s favorite things or having your me-time so that you can remain happy and positive.

3.  Discover new opportunities for yourself or your business

If your employment or business has been severely affected by the pandemic, this is the perfect time to reassess your options. Take a step back to help you see the bigger picture clearly. Perhaps you’re finding it a challenge to sell your products or services, which are considered non-essential during a pandemic.

What new offerings can you provide to consumers in your target market to make your business more relevant during these times? If your salary has been reduced due to limited operations in your company, perhaps you can look for a second job to make up for lost income.

Closing Message You can survive and thrive despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic. The key is to have a mindset that focuses on the things you can do and control under the new normal.

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Brought to you by Chellsea Reyes

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

Why use Anti-Phishing Attack Software to Ensure Cybersecurity?

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

Phishing

A phishing attack is a process in which an imposter or an attacker sends emails to the users at large claiming to be someone they know or belonging to a brand/ services they use. Most of these emails ask users to share their personal information such as the bank account details, credit card number and pin numbers, or other such information which can lead to identity and financial theft. The emails would also ask the users to open a link or the attached document and download a file. When the user falls prey and performs any of the said actions, the malicious virus hidden in the email will enter their computer. It will provide the attackers access to the computer and allow them to steal the information stored on it without the user’s knowledge.

Over the years, many antivirus software products, spam and malware filters have been developed to detect such emails and prevent the users from being duped. Enterprises have become a hot target for the attackers. Even if one employee in the entire organization would become a victim, the attackers could access and control the entire system of the enterprise.

Almost every enterprise has antivirus software installed along with firewalls, spam filters, and other such email security systems. Yet, a good number of phishing emails slip past the filters and end up reaching the employees. Many employees have been duped and as a result, the enterprises have suffered losses in more ways than one.

If we wonder why, the answer is quite simple. Despite the claims, the traditional antivirus software packages do not successfully detect and prevent all kinds of phishing attacks. With changing technology, attackers are creating innovative methods to slip past the security filters.

What the companies need is phishing attack software that will provide all-round protection by identifying every suspicious and fraudulent email and alerting the users. The attackers not following the old methods of sending easily detectable fake emails. Instead, they are targeting a certain section of employees with highly intelligent email techniques. It is more or less impossible for the traditional antivirus software that relies on a standard database to compare the emails to identify and detect the latest phishing attacks.

If we consider Zero Day Attack as an example, it is one of the newest phishing attacks in the market that doesn’t get detected by most software packages. On average, about 1.5 million new phishing sites and email ids are created. To keep up with the ever-increasing list of fake websites is not a solution. It takes 24-48 hours to create a signature of complex malware, while it takes less than 82 seconds for an employee to fall victim to the phishing attack.

So, we need something uses a different technique to detect fake URLs without spending hours of time on it. Only then can the employees and enterprises be saved from phishing attacks. The latest and advanced phishing attack software used artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to scan and recognize the hidden malicious code in the emails and alert the employees. The most common type of Zero Day attacks are-

  • Microsoft Office Marcos
    • Macros are one of the most helpful tools offered by Microsoft. With one click, the repetitive tasks can be automated, thereby saving time for the employees.
    • When the attacker sends an email attachment with an Excel or other Microsoft file, the macros are coded to install malware throughout the system.
    • Using the machine learning technology, the latest anti phishing software identifies the hidden code and alerts the users about the email be a phishing attack.
  • Malicious Links
    • Embedded links within emails make it easy for websites to share information with their customers.
    • The same feature is used by scammers. They include links that will lead the user to a fake website. The IP address and domain names are similar to the brand they impersonate making it impossible for users to detect it as fraudulent at a single glance.
    • The anti-phishing software uses computer vision technology to read the minute changes in the domain names and also checks the final page which the link leads to.
  • Infected PDFs
    • The attackers take advantage of the features offered by Adobe Acrobat to include malicious software in the PDF files and send them to their victims.
    • The phishing attack software identifies the malware and blocks the email.
  • Embedded Code
    • HTML emails allow employees to include code in the email, which will be executed when the email is opened.
    • The next-generation anti phishing software detects this hidden code and stops it from being executed.

The anti-phishing software works on any device in any location. It can be deployed throughout an enterprise within a matter of minutes.

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Brought to you by David Neeble

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

Hot Desking is the Office Trend that will Save Your Business Money! (Infographic)

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

GettyImages-530933176_how-does-hotdesking-work

This new office trend saves space, increases flexibility, and adds one more benefit for your employees. In concept, Hot Desking is similar to ride sharing, but for workstations.

As more and more people begin working from home, less and less office space is necessary.  Even when in office, many people prefer to take a laptop to a more comfortable location (or to a collaborative space) in order to get things done. These trends result in a majority of dedicated workstations sitting vacant for much of the time.

Hot Desking creates an efficient way to handle the flexible office, by offering workspace only where and when people actually need it. Employees schedule days where they will work remotely so that there are enough work stations for those who want to come in the office.

The capital you save through this innovation will certainly impress donors. Everyone is excited about this new trend and it’s definitely something to mention when presenting a business plan or looking for a startup loan.

The main Hot Desking strategies are known as Zone and Hoteling.

Zone: This is when specific areas are designated as work areas for teams putting together cooperative projects. These can be reserved by groups who need to work collaboratively.

Hoteling: As the name might suggest, hotelling is having individual workers reserve specific workstations for the times they need them.

In both of these main options, Hot Desking requires some pretty extensive organization. Luckily there are apps already out there that cater to precisely this business strategy. The other major issue that has to be considered when Hot Desking is cleanliness. With so many people using one terminal, germs are bound to spread. It’s important to have a plan in place to keep workstations clean, so illness doesn’t spread around the company. If you’ve seen the statistics on how dirty work computers are… well, you’ll certainly want to keep stations as clean as possible.

Ultimately, Hot Desking is a great way to add convenience and coordination to a modern office.

Check this infographic from Fundera for more information on how Hot Desking can work for you and your company.

Fundera_HotDesking_IG

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Brought to you by Fundera

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

 

How to remodel a store to boost sales

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

StoreRemodel1

In a time where more and more consumers conduct the majority of their shopping online, brick-and-mortar stores need to exploit their advantages. Physical stores can offer a cohesive branding and shopping experience that eCommerce simply can’t.

Of course, brick-and-mortar stores can’t beat the convenience of ordering products online, but they don’t have to. Consumers visit physical stores for the entire experience, rather than just buying an item. Small businesses should cater to this desire to boost sales.

Remodeling your store can be quite the undertaking, however, it will propel your brand forward and raise your bottom line. From colors to floorplans, create an enticing customer journey that will drive purchases. Learn how with the visual below:

StoreRemodel

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Brought to you by Bigrentz

Edited by Temitope Adelekan

6 Ways to Tell if Your Website Was Hacked

Posted on by Temitope Adelekan

5

If you have the slightest suspicion that your website is hacked or has been hacked for some time, then that’s probably the case. At that point, you should act as soon as possible. Most of the times, people will complain that their browser is alerting them of the hack when they visit their site. It’s either that or the hosting provider took the site offline. This could reveal one scary truth – the hackers have invaded the site for quite some time now, and they might have done considerable damage. Ideally, you should invest in some security products to safely encrypt your website. You should do anything to avoid hackers and invasive attacks. But first, let’s take a look at how you should check whether your website’s health bar. We’ll talk about outside sources here, taking into consideration that even the most vigilant system administrator could overlook certain aspects.

  • Your browser gives you a warning

1

If you or any other visitor stumbled upon this when accessing the website on Chrome, then your site is most probably infected with a healthy dose of malware. For example, this warning tells you that your website has been used as a den for phishing attempts. Links to your website are being sent to other people, tricking them into doing what the hacker wants once they visit the website. How does the hacker achieve this? Malware.

2

The same goes for this warning. It’s self-explanatory, I think. Someone has access to your website’s internal structure, and they installed specific malware programs which infect the devices of your visitors.

  • The hosting provider takes your website offline

Your hosting provider might receive complaints from other users that your site is hacked, or their own autonomous screening programs have detected something wrong. Either way, they’ll immediately cut off your website from the internet. Keep in mind that some hosting providers might also format your server to prevent the infection from spreading to other users. It would be good to have a back-up close-by, just in case this happens. After they’ve closed down your website, you’ll usually receive a notification on your email.

  • Google search results show your website as potentially harmful

If you see this message right next to your website on the Google searches, then you’re probably dealing with hackers.

3

Sometimes, Google will remove your website from the search results altogether, if they have strong reasons to believe the malware is very risky. At times, they’ll still show it, but accompanied by a warning notification. They’ll either say that “This site may be hacked”, when they’ve noticed strange changes made to the website, or that “This site may harm your computer”, which means they’ve successfully detected the malware and they’re reminding you of this. It’s also possible for your website to display different content in different countries as part of a hack. The only way you can detect this is if you use a VPN to check your website from different countries.

  • Your Malware Scanner warns you of an infection

If you’ve been listening to me and decided to employ a malware scanner, then most likely, this is where you’ll first find out that your site is being hacked. With a malware scanner, the time between the infection and its discovery is kept to a minimum, hence its efficiency and my advice. Check your email daily, so you don’t miss any warnings when they do come.

  • Customer complaints

The truth is, your customers get to use your website way more than you do, and if you have thousands of visitors per day, this could be a very handy warning system. Quite cynical, I know, but it gets the job done. If someone informs you of fishy things related to your website, don’t wait and allow things to get out-of-hand! Take it offline if need be!

  • Google’s Search Console warns you of any infections

This console is the former “Google Webmaster Tools”. The name says enough, I think. Use it to check for any inconsistencies Google may have found when it’s indexing your website. It will even provide you with a few statistics with customer visits. As usual, you’ll receive the notifications by mail. So, if you see something like this, then your website is probably hacked.

4

How you can detect a hack before anyone notices

Visiting your website regularly should be your first and foremost prevention solution against malware and hacks. Just make sure to check the code and the databases regularly, and perform a couple of security checks as well. By using a Source Code Scanner, you can inspect all the PHP code and all the other source code to check for any known malware patterns. These programs will either check for any malware signatures that match their database of known infections or compare the suspicious code with a good version of it.

In this way, both old and newer types of malware can be safely detected before the infection gets to spread forth. You can also monitor the site traffic and check for any spikes. These appear when hackers use your website for a spamvertizing campaign. In plain language, they’ll include your link in spam emails which they send to people. Then, they get redirected to the true serpent hiding in the bushes. However, your website will still record a spike in traffic when the users first access the initial link. Searching for these traffic spikes with tools like Google Analytics will cut your time in half, and get you to the bottom of the issue. You’ll quickly have a general idea of whether your website has been hacked or not. Most hacked sites have these traffic spikes, so it’s quite a good hint in that direction.

Conclusion

Keeping your website malware-free is not that hard to accomplish, especially if you proactively search for any issues beforehand. Be vigilant, and you won’t be taken by surprise, that’s the golden rule. Build a routine of constant security check-ups, use Google’s Search Console, and remember to check your email daily for any warning notifications.

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Brought to you by Bogdan Patru – is a cybersecurity news analyst at VPNTeacher. He has a passion for international data policy and how it affects citizens’ privacy.

Edited by Temitope Adelekan