Have you added up your technology bills recently? Proper research and price comparisons can save you a lot of money when it comes to the services and products you need. Many Americans don’t price-shop for their most basic technology purchases, and they end up overpaying. Here is a list of four technology services you are likely overpaying for.

Books, Movies, and Magazines

It seems we have all forgotten about our public library system. Many don’t realize it has even gone digital, with apps and tools available to sync your tablets to the world’s largest free library of books and magazines. Despite the fact it is easy to get these things for free, people still pay for e-book downloads, movie rentals, and magazine subscriptions.

Cloud-Based Storage

Today more than ever we are relying on cloud-based storage. That said, we tend to just buy into the services that are the most convenient vs. comparing cloud services and options. For example, iPhone users run out of space and Apple has the perfect solution with just a scan of your fingerprint. That service is one of the most expensive cloud storage solutions on the market.

A little research will help save on unnecessary bills. Dropbox, for example, offers a free account with 2 GB of storage and the option to increase your storage by linking your contacts and following their social feeds. If you are a Microsoft Office 365 user, you’ll be eligible for 1 TB of cloud storage with your yearly subscription.

Cable and Internet Packages

We’ve all heard the pitch — bundle your cable, phone, and internet services and save money. The problem is that once you’ve locked yourself into a company’s bundle, many don’t compare packages with other services. Understand the services you use most and how much you are using them. For example, many are streaming TV through services like Netflix and Amazon and watching less cable TV. We pay for expensive bundle packages without thinking about reducing the costs of these services by paying for what we use vs. an overpriced bundle.

When was the last time you sat down and compared all these cable and internet packages? Companies are always adjusting their promotions and offerings, and switching to a new carrier may get you a better deal.

Cell Phone Plans

Another area where many of us overspend is with our cell phone plans. When purchasing a plan, we ask questions including:

• How much data is included?
• How many minutes do I get?
• Can I get a “free” iPhone?

The questions we should be asking, however, are:

• How much data do I use?
• How many minutes do I use?
• What is the actual cost of that “free phone”?

When it comes to cell phone plans, we fall victim to the sales pitch vs. analyzing the actual costs. We don’t want to pay overage charges for data or voice minutes, so we buy packages that include minutes or data we don’t need. We want the latest and greatest iPhone and are willing to lock ourselves into a contract and spend more per month on a cell phone that would cost less if we just purchase it outright.

Once we are locked into these contracts, we tell ourselves that getting out will be too expensive as we will have to pay a termination fee. If you spend the time to research other companies, you will find that carriers like T-Mobile make switching carriers easy by covering early termination fees. Now that T-Mobile is the nation’s fastest network, you might even end up with better service than you had before.

How to Avoid Overpaying for Technology Services

Here are a few simple strategies to avoid overpaying for your technology services:

• Look for a free alternative.
• Track your usage and spending and understand what you need.
• Shop around and compare services from all competitors.
• Don’t assume that a bundle is always the best deal.
• Don’t get stuck in an expensive contract in exchange for a not-so-free product.
• Don’t be afraid to switch companies.

Doing a little research and weighing your needs vs. the costs of the service can save you money. Don’t be afraid to make the switch from a brand you’ve been with for a long time. Sometimes, they will even match a competitor’s price just to keep you.

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If you own a business, you will know that there are many obstacles in the way of keeping it safe and secure for both your employees and customers online. As the business world moves online, the cloud is offering numerous benefits for businesses, but it also comes with risks to data security. When your business processes sensitive information but needs the speed and storage of the cloud, you can find yourself in a predicament. Although finding your way around cloud security may be difficult, there are many tools and tips for you to put in place which will help you keep your business data safe in the cloud.

Follow password tips

With security, it is best to cover all your bases and start small. This means ensuring the safety of the first measure that keeps your data safe: your passwords. Passwords are often the first target that hackers try and crack. Passwords are used to make sure it is only you who can access what you need. This is why it is essential for you to follow tips to make your password more secure, such as never using the same password for multiple uses, and not using obvious information that people could guess at.

Control user access

Unless you are the sole person in your business, you will have at least a few employees in your office, or scattered across the globe in remote working positions. In any case, you need to make sure that they can access all the content they need, and that they are the only ones able to access it. Controlling user access is one of the main steps you need to take on the cloud, as you will be able to keep out any unwelcome visitors with a flawlessly designed service. This service will enable you to make new users, set limitations, and track what your workers are doing online.

Keep sensitive data offline

When much of your business data is kept on the cloud, it is easy to want to keep even the most sensitive information in the same place. While you can encrypt files that contain such data, these are still easier to access than those kept on your hardware or written down for safe-keeping. However, no matter how safe you are, there will still be times when sending sensitive data across will be an essential part of the business, so be careful about who you are sending it too, and make sure your files are kept under wraps.

Implement security training

You can follow such safety measures all you like, but unless your workforce knows anything about them, your business will remain a target for cyber threats. Although it may seem a waste of time, having an engaging training program is definitely worth it in the long run. This way, employees can learn about the dangers of the cloud, as well as become well versed in what they can do to stay safe online, is the best way to get this important message across. If they are safe when using the cloud, then your business has an extra layer of protection added to it from day one.

Working hard to get the right job is good, but if you are not moving in the right direction, it will be difficult for you to be satisfied with the job. So, be careful while looking at the job offer and even while meeting the representatives of the company. Apart from this, the tips noted below will help you in choosing the right job and being happy about it.

1. Understand what you are looking for

Every individual has their set of requirements, and accordingly, they look for a job that can satisfy their needs in the short run as well as in the long run. Most of us are happy with the basic facilities we enjoy while working for a company but if you are a person who cannot compromise on things that shouldn’t be compromised, it will be extremely important for you to look for a job opportunity that is ideal for you.

2. Look for a recruitment agency to help you

It is a fact that most of the recruitment agencies will tell you that they can help you in finding a job you are looking for. However, most of them try to lose you with the jobs they have on their list, and that can lead you in the wrong direction. So, don’t simply carry any recruitment agency that tells you that we can’t help you in finding the job you have been looking for over the years. Instead, do some research and find a reputed recruitment agency like Potentia to be sure that the job you find will be the best opportunity for you.

3. Avoid giving priority to money

Money can force you to make compromises that are unnecessary at the moment, and if you compromise because of money, you’ll regret it later on. It will be difficult for you to get back to what you have always wanted to do. Understand that money has the power to make you feel good in the short run but you’ll soon regret your decision, and at that point, it is possible that you might not get the opportunity to choose what you have always wanted to do. For example, if you have always wanted to be an artist, the corporate job might give you the package that will keep you satisfied for the moment, but you’ll soon regret being in the corporate world. So, make a smart choice and decide for yourself whether you want to be an artist or work for a company or create something of your own.

Protecting your business is good for you, after all, it keeps your reputation and profits safe. It is also good for your customers, as it keeps their details away from criminals, plus it boosts their trust in you. There are many threats which can come from the digital and online world, and anything you can do to ensure that those threats don’t harm your business is what you should be doing first and foremost. So what are the best ways to protect your business from serious online problems?

Don’t Allow Malware

Not allowing malware is something that is much easier said than done, but it is possible with the right software and the right knowledge. You wouldn’t leave your home’s back door open when you go out, so why leave your computers open to an intruder? It’s better to lock them and make them secure so you can be happy that everything is safe.

Malware is exactly that kind of intruder. It is software designed to damage a network or individual PC, and often the harm is done before you even realize you have a problem. Therefore, it’s best to prevent the attacks in the first place. You can do this by installing a good firewall and then also protect the PC itself using additional software including spam filters on your emails. You should also ensure that any mobile apps you use in your business are safe. Understanding how fintech app development works, for example, can help you to get a better idea of what to do and how best to serve your customers safely.

Educate Your Team

You can have plenty of protection on your computers, but if your team aren’t aware of the rules that will help to keep the company safe from online attack, then they might accidentally still allow a piece of malware or a virus to get onto your network. In this case, it’s important to write a computer usage policy book that everyone needs to read and sign.

Policies that you should include are letting employees know which applications can be used and installed and which need permission (or cannot be installed at all). It should have tips on how to create a strong password and internet usage information. As well as email education (for example, what attachments are safe, which ones should never be opened), and appointing someone as the ‘go to’ person when it comes to issues with computers.

Social Media

Now that social media is so prevalent and so important for businesses; it opens up new channels where problems can occur. You will need to appoint just one person in your company to use the social media platforms as your representative, thus reducing the potential for problems to occur. Have a backup name in case that person is sick or on vacation, of course, but it’s far better to have just one person answering queries and comments online.

When working with social media, it’s important to define what is confidential and therefore shouldn’t be typed up on an open page or forum. These are the kinds of details that criminals can get hold of and use for their own gain, at the expense of the company. Make sure there are guidelines in place that your employees can follow. This includes what they say about the company on their own blogs and social networking sites too.

Use Passwords

Passwords are essential for most programs and pieces of software, but they can also be the downfall of many businesses because they are not strong enough and can easily be hacked. To truly make a strong password, it should contain at least eight letters, numbers, and symbols. This will prevent attacks aimed at the company passwords that simply try to guess what the most obvious ones might be.

As well as this, it’s important to change passwords regularly (every six months or so should be fine) so that it becomes even harder for hackers to find out what they are. Passwords should always be kept safe and never written down, so make sure that your employees are aware of this fact and of the consequences for letting anyone see their password, and that includes storing it on their cellphones.

Think About Personal Devices

These days, many employees are using their own personal devices for work. It means they can always be available and many employers like the idea because it costs less in equipment. However, these devices are used for both personal and business use, and it means they are harder to keep control of when they are out of the company’s time and space. In turn, that means there are higher security risks associated with them.

As with all internet guidelines, there should be a written policy that directly relates to personal devices and how to use them for work. Data shouldn’t be stored on them, for example, and they really should only be used as a communication device for out of hours work.

Be The Example

The more careful you are as a business owner when it comes to your online security, the better because it is always good to lead by example. It only takes one person to let their guard down, and a virus can spread across the entire company’s network so being vigilant at all times is a must.

If you hear about something that could offer better protection to your business, then make sure you share that information. Discuss the idea with your team to see if it is something that needs implementing. Equally, if any of your employees have a thought or an idea about additional safety measures, listen to what they have to say as it could help you immensely.

Keep Up To Date

Once you have installed antivirus software or you have changed your passwords and encrypted your files, you still need to stay alert. There will often be updates for your apps and other software that means better security measures in place for you, so if something is out of date, make sure that it gets updated as soon as possible so as not to cause a breach.

One of the most basic yet important parts of creating videos is being able to combine the raw footage from multiple videos. Generally videos are rarely recorded in a single take, and in most cases you will record them in shorter segments then combine them later.

If you are looking for an easy way to do that, you should try Movavi Video Editor. To be honest it will make is so easy to combine videos that you will be able to get the job done in a minute or so.

Assuming you already have two or more videos that you’d like to combine, go ahead and launch Movavi Video Editor then select ‘Create project in full feature mode’ to open the editor. Next, click on the ‘Add Media Files’ button in the main window and select all of the videos that you’d like to combine.

Once you select the videos they’ll appear in the ‘Timeline’ in the lower part of Movavi Video Editor’s interface. In the ‘Timeline’ you will be able to rearrange the videos that you added so that they’re in the right sequence, by clicking on them and dragging them around.

If and when you’re satisfied with the sequence the videos are in, you can then click ‘Export’ to save the video. In the dialog box that appears you can then select the format, or use one of Movavi Video Editor’s built-in presets to automatically optimize your video for a specific device or platform.

That is really all it takes to combine videos with Movavi Video Editor, and as you can see it is very straightforward, easy, and can be accomplished quickly. Aside from combining videos however, it can also help to know how to trim out any parts you don’t need – and that isn’t difficult either.

If you’d like to trim out part of a video in Movavi Video Editor all you need to do is split the video to isolate the part that you want to remove. To do that, click on the video in the ‘Timeline’ to select it then move the marker to the point where you want to split it then click on the ‘Split’ (i.e. scissors) icon. Once the segment has been isolated, click to select it then hit the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard to remove it.

Now that you know how to combine videos in the right order and remove any parts you don’t want, you should be able to compile videos of your own. Keep in mind there are lots of other useful features that you may want to take advantage of in Movavi Video Editor, as they’ll let you add background music, enhance the video quality, apply special effects and filters, insert captions, and more.

Rest assured even the more advanced features in Movavi Video Editor are designed in such a way that they’re easy to use and require no prior experience. All you need to do is give it a try for yourself, and you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with its features in no time.