SUBSCRIBE
Home Blog Page 308

Changes in Bitcoin in the Recent Few Weeks

Claire James
-
0
Changes in Bitcoin in the Recent Few Weeks

Introduction

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency formed in 2009 by an unknown person or group of people using the pseudonym “Satoshi Nakamoto.” It does not rely on a central authority like a government or bank, and transactions are verified on a peer-to-peer network. Bitcoin has become gradually popular in recent years and is now accepted by many merchants and businesses worldwide.

Since its inception, Bitcoin has undergone several changes and has seen a lot of volatility in its price. It first gained traction in 2011, when it started being used in online transactions. Since then, it has become a popular form of payment, with more businesses and merchants accepting it. It has also become a popular investment vehicle, with many investors looking to capitalize on the potential of cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin works on a blockchain, which is a digital ledger that is used to record transactions. Transactions are noted on the blockchain and are verified by the network. The blockchain is maintained by a computer network that uses a proof-of-work algorithm to solve complex mathematical equations and confirm transactions. This process is known as “mining,” and miners are rewarded with Bitcoin for their work.

Overview of Changes in Bitcoin Over the Last Few Weeks:

Over the last few weeks, there have been several changes in the value of Bitcoin and its use. The recent upwelling in the value of the cryptocurrency has been attributed to several factors, including increased institutional interest, increased demand from retail investors, and the halving of the rewards miners receive for mining new blocks.

Overview of Key Events:

Several important events preceded the recent surge in the value of Bitcoin. In mid-May, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a letter approving banks and other financial institutions to use stablecoins to settle payments. This was followed by a statement from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stating that Bitcoin and Ethereum were not securities. These two events helped to increase the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies, and the value of Bitcoin surged as a result.

Impact of Events on Bitcoin:

The two events mentioned above significantly impacted the value of Bitcoin. The OCC’s letter increased the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies and institutional interest in the asset, increasing the price. The SEC’s statement that Bitcoin and Ethereum were not securities also helped increase the demand for these two cryptocurrencies, further pushing the price.

Analysis of the Recent Changes in Bitcoin:

Technical Analysis of the Recent Changes:

We used several technical indicators to analyze the recent changes in the value of Bitcoin. We found that the price was uptrend and had broken out of a long-term resistance level. We also observed intense buying pressure, and the RSI indicator showed that the market was overbought.

Fundamental Analysis of the Recent Changes:

We also conducted a fundamental analysis of the recent changes in the value of Bitcoin. We found that the increased institutional interest and the SEC’s statement positively impacted the cryptocurrency price. We also observed that the demand for Bitcoin has increased significantly as more people are looking to invest in the asset.

What’s Next for Bitcoin?

It is hard to expect what will happen next with Bitcoin, but it is clear that cryptocurrency is gaining traction and is becoming increasingly popular among investors and businesses. With increased institutional interest and the SEC’s statement that Bitcoin and Ethereum are not securities, the demand for cryptocurrency will likely continue to grow shortly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the recent changes in Bitcoin have been driven by several key events, including the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s letter approving banks and other financial institutions to use stablecoins to settle payments and the SEC’s statement that Bitcoin and Ethereum are not securities. These events have positively impacted the price of Bitcoin, and the cryptocurrency has seen a surge in value over the last few weeks.

The Advantages of Outsourced IT Support

Claire James
-
0
<strong data-src=The Advantages of Outsourced IT Support" title="The Advantages of Outsourced IT Support" />

If you’re like most businesses, consider outsourcing your IT support. Here are some advantages of working with experts:

1. Cost-saving – Perhaps the most significant advantage of outsourcing IT support is that it can save you money. When outsourcing IT support, you don’t have to worry about the overhead costs associated with maintaining an in-house team.

2. Scalability – One of the benefits of outsourcing IT support is that it’s easy to scale up or down as needed. If your business experiences a sudden surge in growth, for example, you can quickly add more support staff without making a long-term commitment.

3. Expertise – When you outsource IT support, you have access to a team of experts who can provide comprehensive services and resolve complex issues quickly and efficiently.

4. Flexibility – Outsourcing IT support allows you to choose the level and type of services that best meet your needs. You can also tailor the service delivery model to fit your unique business requirements.

5. Peace of mind – Knowing that your IT infrastructure is being taken care of by qualified professionals can give you peace of mind and help you focus on other aspects of running your business effectively.

Cost-effective IT support

Finding the right IT support that is both reliable and cost-effective can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Going without an in-house IT team can save you money and valuable time, allowing you to focus on what matters most: running your business more efficiently and effectively.

IT outs many services – from remote monitoring and asset tracking to data security and network protection – all available for one low price, whereas hiring internally would involve incurring considerable costs such as training, employee benefits, insurance, hardware/software purchases, and payroll. With today’s affordable IT support services, businesses of any size can benefit from professional technical help without breaking the bank.

Increased Productivity

You can improve productivity by providing your employees with the necessary technical support. Without a support team to take care of technical issues, employees will likely become distracted and spend precious time trying to fix any tech problems.

Giving them access to a robust customer service team or IT professionals allows staff to focus on the job and get more work done. This increases productivity and offers peace of mind for your employees so they can work without worry and produce even better-quality work.

Improved Security

Working with an outsourced IT support team can significantly improve the security of your business. Cybersecurity experts have the knowledge and experience to identify potential threats in your current setup and take proactive steps to protect even the most vulnerable data from malicious actors.

By employing outsourced IT support, you’re not just buying protective services; you’re gaining access to a team that can provide regular security updates and maintenance, implement robust protection systems, monitor vulnerabilities and peripherals, investigate emerging issues, and regularly consult with leadership teams about improving their security posture in line with industry best practices. In short, outsourcing IT support has never been more critical – it’s an affordable way to ensure long-term security for your business.

Around-the-clock Support

Around-the-clock support is a necessity for businesses in the modern world. With IT issues occurring at any given time and remote work becoming more commonplace, it’s essential to have IT support teams on call 24/7.

This way, no matter what time of day or night, you can get assistance to help you address your IT issue promptly and keep business operations running smoothly. 24/7 support also brings peace of mind knowing that if there is an issue with your business systems, someone will always help fix it and get you back to work.

Flexible Services

The ability to customise your IT support package to meet your specific business needs is a huge advantage to any company. Being able to choose exactly which services you use, instead of having a standardised list, ensures that your time and money are spent on the IT services essential for success. Flexible services can also be easily updated or phased out as technology, and your business evolves. With flexible IT support packages, businesses can maximise their resources and optimise their IT solutions.

Outsourcing IT support can be beneficial in multiple ways, regardless of the size or type of business. It can save money on expenses as companies don’t need to hire an in-house support team. It can help improve employees’ productivity levels and increase their overall focus on their work. Security becomes a top priority when outsourcing IT support as experts in cybersecurity are brought in to protect businesses from online threats. Outsourcing also offers around-the-clock customer service, which can come in handy during unexpected technical issues.

Finally, flexible services allow businesses to personalise their IT packages and address any specific changes depending on how their needs might vary from time to time. All of these benefits make it easy for organisations to decide if outsourcing IT support suits them or not.

CDP’s Role in Accelerating the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

Josh Haines
-
0
<strong data-src=CDP’s Role in Accelerating the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)" title="CDP’s Role in Accelerating the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)" />

The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a global body that enables companies to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with climate science. As one of the founding partners of the SBTi, CDP is playing a crucial role in accelerating and institutionalizing this as global best practice.

A growing number of companies worldwide are taking bold action and setting science-based targets through the SBTi. Learn how you can get involved and join this movement.

What About Greenly?

Greenly.earth is a climate tech startup that makes it easy for SMEs to measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprint. It automates data collection and carbon analytics through integrations with 100+ enterprise software solutions, including accounting & billing systems, cloud services and electricity vendors.

Its platform allows users to track and control their carbon footprint, which includes both company-level GHG emissions activities and indirect emissions from purchased consumption. It also supports stakeholder engagement, emissions reduction planning and compliance management.

Unlike other carbon management tools, such as Sweep, Persefoni and Watershed, Greenly’s focus is on small and mid-size companies (SMEs). It recently raised a $22 million series A round led by Energy Impact Partners (EIP) and Germany and France-based investment fund Xange.

The startup has 400 customers and is building out a network of suppliers, with plans to expand into the US market. Its new “Supplier Engagement” solution helps businesses analyze the environmental impact of their suppliers and lower their carbon footprint.

This approach has become popular among SMEs, which often find it difficult to assess the environmental performance of their supply chain providers. The solution uses an in-depth database to generate supplier profiles and an environmental score for each supplier, based on their carbon maturity.

Founded in 2019, by Alexis Normand, Matthieu Vegreville and Arnaud Delubac, Greenly aims to simplify carbon accounting for SMEs and make it accessible to the entire PME ecosystem. With a strong team of complementary founders, the company is ready to change the game in carbon accounting tools.

The go-to carbon accounting platform for your business

The go-to carbon accounting platform helps companies track, monitor and reduce their GHG emissions. It also nurtures a circular economy by providing the sustainability information businesses need to make informed decisions about decarbonization.

Greenly, headquartered in France, offers a comprehensive set of carbon-tracking tools for SMBs. It’s designed for business-grade accounting needs, allowing you to calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions, match your procurement spend to the value chain categories associated with reporting based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and get climate expert support.

Net0 is a digital solution that enables businesses to measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint as they work towards a net zero future. It uses artificial intelligence to automate data capture from invoices and utility bills, ensuring accurate measurement and identifying areas for reduction.

As the climate crisis worsens, more and more companies are required to quantify their greenhouse gas emissions and report them in a transparent manner. They also need to be able to verify their climate action and prevent greenwashing.

Choosing the right carbon accounting tool requires thorough research and consideration. It’s important to look at the features, methodology and auditing methods a vendor has, as well as their industry experence and track record.

The must-have features of the best carbon accounting tools include clear quick summaries (to understand immediate areas of risk and opportunity) and itemized granular data (for transparency, auditing and to take targeted action). They should provide useful data visualizations, snapshots and summaries, and they should have a variety of reporting and data export options.

When did SBTi begin?

The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) began with an initial desire to motivate others to mitigate climate change. It has since grown to include 3,000+ organizations, including 1,000 net-zero commitments.

The science tells us that global warming must be capped at 1.5degC, or lower. This means that businesses must urgently reduce their emissions, as well as those of their supply chain.

Fortunately, it’s possible to set science-based targets that align with these requirements and help companies achieve their goals. This will benefit them in many ways, including increased innovation, reduced regulatory uncertainty and improved profitability and competitiveness visit here.

What is the main objective of the SBTi?

The main goal of the SBTi is to help companies reduce their emissions in line with climate science. This helps to ensure that businesses can effectively reduce their carbon footprint and fight against a drastic global temperature rise.

The SBTi is a joint initiative between the World Resources Institute (WRI), CDP, the UN Global Compact and WWF. It aims to promote science-based target setting and provide a range of target-setting tools and guidance.

To become a part of the SBTi, companies must submit a commitment letter and commit to reducing their emissions through science-based targets. Then they can start developing their emissions reduction targets based on the SBTi criteria. Once they have developed their targets, they can submit them to the SBTi for validation.

What is the application process for joining SBTi?

Companies that join the SBTi must submit emissions reduction targets in line with science. The SBTi approves and endorses these targets in a rigorous manner.

The SBTi provides a range of resources and guidance to help organizations develop their science-based targets. Thousands of businesses are now leading the zero-carbon transformation by setting targets grounded in climate science through the SBTi.

Having robust, science-based carbon targets will improve brand reputation among customers and investors and strengthen the competitiveness of companies that adopt them. They also help drive positive ‘ambition loops’, reinforcing climate action and driving governments to take bolder action.

Why should I join the SBTi?

The SBTi helps companies to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by establishing and achieving emission reduction targets that are aligned with levels that the scientific community says are necessary to limit global warming. This is a vital step in limiting climate change, and has the potential to make a company more sustainable.

The initiative is part of WRI’s Center for Sustainable Business and a collaboration between WRI, CDP, WWF, and the UN Global Compact.

By establishing science-based GHG emission reduction targets, companies can protect their reputation among key stakeholders such as investors, customers and employees. This reputational protection can help to accelerate the low carbon transition and reduce uncertainty for businesses.

How successful has the SBTi been?

As the world’s biggest companies are implementing carbon accounting and sustainability measures, it is becoming more important that they set their targets in line with science. That is where the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) comes into play.

The SBTi is an initiative led by the World Resources Institute (WRI), CDP, and WWF that supports companies to set science-based emissions reduction and net-zero targets in line with climate science. The target setting process is independent and unbiased, and the science behind the targets are carefully assessed and validated.

While the SBTi has had a positive impact on target setting, it is still important to keep in mind that many of these targets are only being achieved within the first year of their approval. This can be a sign of poor ambition or that the company’s current reporting methodology does not track progress well enough against their science-based targets.

Investments in Renewables Reached Record High, But Need Massive Increase and More Equitable Distribution

ABC Staff
-
0
Investments in Renewables Reached Record High, But Need Massive Increase and More Equitable Distribution

The report Global Landscape of Renewable Energy Finance 2023 reveals that global investment in energy transition technologies last year—including energy efficiency—reached USD 1.3 trillion. It set a new record-high, up 19% from 2021 investment levels, and 50% from before the pandemic in 2019.

The joint report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Climate Policy Initiative (CPI)—launched on the side-lines of the Spanish International Conference on Renewable Energy in Madrid—also finds that, although global investment in renewable energy reached a record high of USD 0.5 trillion in 2022, this still represents less than 40% of the average investment needed each year between 2021 and 2030, according to IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario. Investments are also not on track to achieve the goals set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Since decentralised solutions are vital in plugging the access gap to reach universal energy access to improve livelihoods and welfare under the 2030 Agenda, efforts must be made to scale up investments in the off-grid renewables sector. Despite reaching record-high annual investments exceeding USD 0.5 billion in 2021, investment in off-grid renewable solutions falls far short of the USD 2.3 billion needed annually in the sector between 2021 and 2030.

Furthermore, investments have become concentrated in specific technologies and uses. In 2020, solar photovoltaic alone attracted 43% of the total investment in renewables, followed by onshore and offshore wind at 35% and 12% shares, respectively. Based on preliminary figures, this concentration seems to have continued to the year of 2022. To best support the energy transition, more funds need to flow to less mature technologies as well as to other sectors beyond electricity such as heating, cooling, and system integration.

Comparing renewables financing across countries and regions, the report shows that glaring disparities have increased significantly over the last six years. About 70% of the world’s population, mostly residing in developing and emerging countries, received only 15% of global investments in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa for example, received less than 1.5% of the amount invested globally between 2000 and 2020. In 2021, investment per capita in Europe was 127 times that in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 179 times more in North America.

The report emphasises how lending to developing countries looking to deploy renewables must be reformed, and highlights the need for public financing to play a much stronger role, beyond mitigating investment risks. Recognising the limited public funds available in the developing world, the report calls for stronger international collaboration, including a substantial increase in financial flows from the Global North to the Global South.

“For the energy transition to improve lives and livelihoods, governments and development partners need to ensure a more equitable flow of finance, by recognising the different contexts and needs,” says IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera. “This joint report underscores the need to direct public funds to regions and countries with a lot of untapped renewables potential but find it difficult to attract investment. International cooperation must aim at directing these funds to enabling policy frameworks, the development of energy transition infrastructure, and to address persistent socio-economic gaps.”

Achieving an energy transition in line with the 1.5°C Scenario also requires the redirection of USD 0.7 trillion per year from fossil fuels to energy-transition­-related technologies. But following a brief decline in 2020 due to COVID-19, fossil fuel investments are now on the rise. Some large multi-national banks have even increased their investments in fossil fuels at an average of about USD 0.75 trillion dollars a year since the Paris Agreement.

In addition, the fossil fuel industry continues to benefit from subsidies, which doubled in 2021 across 51 countries. The phasing out of investments in fossil fuel assets should be coupled with the elimination of subsidies to level the playing field with renewables. However, the phaseout of subsidies needs to be accompanied by a proper safety net to ensure adequate standards of living for vulnerable populations.

Barbara Buchner, CPI’s Global Managing Director says, “The path to net zero can only happen with a just and equitable energy transition. While our numbers show that there were record levels of investment for renewables last year, a greater scale-up is critically needed to avoid dangerous climate change, particularly in developing countries.”

This is the third edition of the biannual joint report by IRENA and CPI. This report series analyses investment trends by technology, sector, region, source of finance, and financial instrument. It also analyses financing gaps, aiming to support informed policy making to deploy renewables at the scale needed to accelerate the energy transition. This third edition looks at the period of 2013-2020 and provides preliminary insights and figures for 2021 and 2022.

These are the Internet’s most Googled investment questions – and the answers to them

ABC Staff
-
0
These are the Internet’s most Googled investment questions – and the answers to them
  • “How do I invest in cryptocurrency?” is searched an average of 150,400 times each month around the world
  • The second most searched investment question is “How can I start investing?”, which is Googled 137,000 times each month 

 
The Internet’s most Googled investing question is “How do I invest in cryptocurrency?”, new research has revealed.
 
The study by Investing Reviews analysed thousands of investment-related search terms to see which is Googled the most, with the most common phrase questioning how to invest in cryptocurrency.
 
The data indicated that the question is Googled on average 150,400 times every month around the world.  
 
The second most common phrase is “How can I start investing?” which receives an estimated 137,000 average monthly searches online.  
 
In third place is “How much should I invest when I start?” which is Googled 64,000 times a month on average. 
 
The top five is rounded out by “What should I be investing in right now?” in fourth with 56,600 monthly searches, followed by 49,500 searches each month for “What is passive investing?”.
 
“How is return on investment calculated?” ranks as the sixth most searched investment question, thanks to an estimated average of 39,600 searches each month globally, followed in seventh by “Is cryptocurrency a good investment?” on 31,100 monthly searches. 
 
Rounding out the eighth and ninth most asked investment questions is “How can I trade safely?” in eighth with 27,800 global monthly searches and “What is the safest investment to make?” with 19,200 global searches each month.
 
In tenth place is the question, “What are investment bonds?” which is Googled 9,400 times around the world each month on average.
Simon Jones from Investing Reviews provides the definitive answer to each of these key investment questions:
 

  1. How do I invest in cryptocurrency? – 150,400 combined monthly global searches

Investing in cryptocurrency is primarily done online, via major cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase or Binance. Usually, you will need to deposit some money, with different platforms requiring a different amount so make sure to do your research if you don’t want to deposit a larger sum to begin with. Take some time to research which cryptocurrencies you’d like to invest in as the cryptocurrency market can often be volatile and you should take caution before investing.

2. How can I start investing? – 137,000 combined monthly global searches

How you start investing can entirely depend on what you what to invest in. Similar to investing in cryptocurrency, you can trade and invest in stocks on the stock market via apps and websites which can provide a more autonomous experience to trading where you remain fully in control of where you invest your money. However, speaking to a broker can help if you’d rather have a professional handle any of your investments, this can make investing a lot easier if you’re considering investing a large amount of money.

3. How much should I invest when I start? – 64,000 combined monthly global searches

There isn’t a specific amount of money that will automatically “work” when it comes to seeing a return on your investment when you begin. The important thing is to trust your instinct and do your research. If you are feeling hesitant to invest, start off with a smaller amount of money so that you’re not in a risky situation.

4. What should I be investing in right now? – 56,600 combined monthly global searches

There is no “right” thing to invest in at any one time as there are many factors that can contribute to whether the value of a stock or an item increases or decreases. However, there are steps you can take to see what might be worth investing in. Following the news, particularly business news, can give you an indication on what stocks you should invest in.

5. What is passive investing? – 49,500 combined monthly global searches

Passive investing is a strategy wherein the aim is to maximise your returns whilst minimising your buying and selling. Typically, this works as a ‘buy and hold’ strategy and is a long-term form of investment. The benefit of this the simplicity in that there isn’t a lot of active buying and selling, however this can have its drawbacks in that it’s so limited that quick returns aren’t always guaranteed.

6. How is return on investment calculated? – 39,600 combined monthly global searches

Return on investment (ROI) is relatively simple – it’s subtracting the initial investment cost from its final value before dividing this number by the cost of the investment. Calculating ROI is beneficial as you can spot trends, and see what is working and why, making all your future investments easier to strategize on.

7. Is cryptocurrency a good investment? – 31,100 combined monthly global searches

The cryptocurrency market is notoriously volatile and whilst this can mean you can get a fast return and make money quickly; you can risk losing it just as fast. Therefore, cryptocurrency investing can require a lot of time and effort and if this isn’t something you’re able to commit to, it might be worth looking at investing into something else. There are cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin that are generally considered more ‘stable’ than others such as Dogecoin, however caution should still be practised.

8. How can I trade safely? – 27,800 combined monthly global searches

If you have any reservations when it comes to any form of investment, the best recommendation is to talk to a professional. There are steps you can take on your own too that can protect you and your money:
 

  1. Read reviews: If you’re not sure what site or platform to use to trade on and invest your money on, then research a site and read user reviews. If there are many negative reviews, then this is a major red flag. Even if it’s something as simple as glitches which may not be a massive issue on a social media app occasionally, but when it comes to trading your money quickly and safely, even a few negative experiences from other users can be an indicator that it might not be the right place to spend your money.
  2. Don’t invest too much at once: It can be tempting to keep investing money if the stock market or cryptocurrency market appears to be offering you good returns but always make sure you have reserves. A single business deal at a certain company can impact your whole trading portfolio, making investing unpredictable at times, so don’t be encouraged to invest all your money at any one time.
  3. Study the market: Research and stay up to date on the market where your investment lies, whether this is the cryptocurrency market or the housing market. This can help you forecast your returns and know when to stop investing more money where you’re likely to lose it.

9. What is the safest investment to make? – 19,200 combined monthly global searches

Every investment pose risk and reward without a guarantee, therefore it can be difficult to determine what is a “safe” investment. That being said, there are investments that have a generally more reliable track record when it comes to growing your money – such as property, however these are usually long-term investments that may require a lot of time and research.

10. What are investment bonds? – 9,400 combined monthly global searches

An investment bond is a medium to long-term investment strategy. It involves putting your money in a single-premium life insurance policy with the benefit being that the investments are held in a tax-efficient way. Whilst you may not even see a return on your initial deposit as the value of the bond can fluctuate, it’s generally considered a relatively low-risk strategy.
 
This study and the answers given were provided by Investing Reviews, which provides in-depth reviews on investing platforms, trading apps, cryptocurrency exchanges and more.

5 Ways to Build a Positive Digital Footprint And Minimise Data Misuse

Claire James
-
0
5 Ways to Build a Positive Digital Footprint And Minimise Data Misuse

A “digital footprint” is the mark that a person leaves behind when using the Internet. The websites you visit, people you follow, content you like, share or post and comments you make all add to your digital footprint and shape your reputation. 

In today’s world, your online reputation has a significant impact on your career. Up to 70% of employers will likely screen applicants according to their digital footprint. What’s more, employees who have privileged access to an organisation’s sites, sensitive data or assets need to be vigilant of their digital trace as it can be valuable for cybercriminals and other malicious actors. 

What follows are five effective ways to start improving your digital footprint and minimising data misuse. 

Find out what information is available to the public

Search yourself to find out what information is available to the public. A quick Google search will display all the public profiles, images, videos, blogs and other type of content linked to your name. If there is something that should remain private, make sure to change your account’s privacy settings. Or, if there’s content that makes you feel uncomfortable, contact the webmaster or post owner and request for it to be taken down. 

Post positively online

Before sharing something publicly online, carefully think whether you wish for that photo, blog, tweet or video to be visible to your employer, colleagues, business partners or even loved ones. Remember, once it is online, it’s difficult to erase. 

Focus on sharing content that highlights your skills, interests and achievements. Depending on the social network or digital platform you may be using, you can upload an article or opinion piece approaching an area of your expertise, or share a photo of an important conference you attended. 

Review your privacy settings 

Knowing who can see the information you share on the websites you use is crucial. Most social networks allow its users to manage the content they share – whether it is with friends and followers, or with the wider public – through their privacy settings. However, those settings are constantly updated, which can expose your data without your explicit consent. 

Visit privacy settings pages frequently to review what your profile looks like. Do this especially, after a software update. 

Protect your passwords

Recent reports reveal that about 81% of company data breaches are caused by poor passwords and 44% of individuals re-use passwords. A strong password should be a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. It’s recommended to change passwords constantly and not to re-use the same password for multiple accounts, as this can leave you vulnerable to hacking attacks. 

Opt out of data collecting sites 

Unbeknownst to many users of the Internet, certain companies collect, analyse and sell their data. Consequently, your personal information may be used by HR companies to run background screenings or by people search sites that provide an extensive background profile of you – all without your informed consent. 

To try to remove yourself from an information collecting site, you can contact them individually and, in some cases, fill in an opt out form. You can also consult guides listing opt-out procedures and try out automated data removal tools by companies such as Incogni. 

Winding up

Nowadays, your digital footprint is closely tied to your reputation, which can have a detrimental impact in your professional life. Googling yourself, posting positively online, reviewing your privacy settings, protecting your passwords and opting out information collecting sites are effective strategies to build a positive digital footprint and minimise data misuse. 

Scraping at the Next Level: The Role of Proxies in Data Collection

Claire James
-
0
Scraping at the Next Level: The Role of Proxies in Data Collection

Call it web scraping, data collection, or information harvesting, businesses small and large use it for a variety of reasons. Data scraping gets a bad name because it has the potential to be used for negative purposes such as spamming, but it can be used legitimately too for market research for instance.

Scraping data can be hugely time-consuming and slow, especially when it is done manually. This method is ineffective and costly, to say the least. Therefore, automated tools and lines of code are used to scrape the necessary information from websites instead of copying and pasting manually.

However, there is a problem here; no website owner wants their data collected, analysed, or re-used for good reason. 

Why use proxies for data collection?

Because website owners don’t want you to scrape their product list and pricing data, or their email marketing lists, they monitor suspicious activity. This invariably leads to IP addresses being blocked.

To avoid this, data collection proxies can be used to bypass blacklists or limitations on website access. Fingerprinting is used to detect the activity of users accessing websites, and this can, along with other monitoring techniques, lead to IP addresses being blocked. When this happens, it becomes impossible to continue accessing the website from that particular IP address.

Blacklisting and blocking happen for many reasons, and some are quite arbitrary. Russia has made a habit of blocking millions of IP addresses in a scattergun approach to censoring websites.

If someone wants to scrape data and bypass restrictions, then a proxy can help by masking the real IP address and providing multiple new ones.

How do you take your scraping to the next level?

The best way to scrape with no detection is to use residential or mobile proxies. When you use data centre proxies you will be using IP addresses provided by the vendor. These can be recognized and traced far easier than any residential proxy can.

Constant blocking of IP addresses will hamper your data scraping program, so to take it to the next level you need undetectable rotating residential proxies. And when you can set these to specific geographical regions you can access geo-restricted content for market research.

For example, USA proxies for scraping will let you see the website that is specific for that market, even when you are based overseas. This is very useful for anyone involved in ecommerce or someone wanting to see their SERP results in the US.

How do proxies help with data collection?

Proxies help by allowing the scraper to hide their location and real IP address. Then, the scraper can. with the right tools, scrape thousands of websites all at once.

While scraping isn’t technically legal, it isn’t popular with the owners of websites either, even though many of them will be indulging in data collection themselves, For example, Meta was hit with a huge fine of $275 million for a data-scraping breach.

When you have a reliable proxy server in place, you can then collect data to help with the following areas:

  • Market research
  • Content scraping
  • Email marketing lists
  • Pricing data
  • Lead generation
  • SEO

You can use a proxy to help you find out how your competitors are pricing their products, and understand best practices across your particular sector. Lead generation can be assisted through the scraping of email lists also.

Do proxies negate the risks of scraping?

There are no real legal risks from scraping, but there are still laws to consider. If you are data scraping, then you aren’t actually breaking the law according to several cases that have been dismissed. But, what you do with the data you scrape is another matter.

Businesses need to protect data from breaches, and a reverse proxy can help with DDoS attacks, and add an extra layer of security. Forward proxies can aid with data scraping projects, and as long as these are done with no ill intentions then you should be ok.

However, stealing and re-using content is not only unethical, but it could break copyright laws, and this can result in legal actions which may not just be financially damaging, but your reputation can tank too. As can your search engine rankings as your content is flagged as plagiarised.

How important are proxies going to be for data collection in 2023?

Residential proxies are going to be of great importance this year as data collection and analysis takes on a bigger role in staying ahead of the competition. And residential or mobile proxies are the only way of moving to the next level and collecting information without being blocked.

There are indeed many interesting uses of VPNs, and they can be used to scrape data as well as increase security, but they can be detected, and their use is limited.

Using rotating residential proxies is the most logical way to take scraping forward, as long as they are used ethically.

Summary

All proxies can provide IP addresses so that you can switch your geographical location, and they will mask your real address also. However, data centre proxies are far easier to spot, and many subnetworks are already on certain websites’ blacklists.

Thus, it leads to residential and mobile proxies for any business that is serious about data collection through scraping. Your business can gain greater insights through data scraping than through other forms of information collection, and it can be automated to save time and cash.

March Madness: The NCAA’s gold mine

Claire James
-
0
March Madness: The NCAA’s gold mine

Every March, sports fans go wild at March Madness, one of the most significant sporting events held in the United States, with a worldwide impact. March Madness often surpasses the Super Bowl when it comes to sports betting.

So much so that the money generated by this tournament is genuinely exorbitant, making it a highly anticipated sports phenomenon and a significant business for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Yes, March Madness is a billion-dollar business for the association since every year, it raises around one billion dollars thanks to ticket sales, broadcasting rights, sponsors, commercials, etc.

However, this kind of competition not only means business for the NCAA, but the sports industry also benefits from this “sports madness” since millions of gamblers generate around 3 billion dollars by betting and using the best sportsbooks bonuses for march madness every year. However, our primary focus is the NCAA’s earnings from this tournament. Let´s take a look.

How much money does the NCAA make from March Madness?

March Madness is arguably the NCAA’s golden goose. Not surprisingly, men’s basketball is the association’s primary revenue. In 2021 the NCAA broke a revenue record, earning $1.16 billion, and March Madness generated 90% of that revenue.

The most lucrative contracts negotiated with this event are those for broadcast rights. The NCAA has billion-dollar contracts (around $10 billion) with Turner Broadcasting and CBS Sports, which had a 14-year term (since 2010) but, as of 2016 were extended through 2032 for an additional $8 billion.

Where does the money go?

One of the most significant controversies about NCAA earnings is that none of the March Madness players get paid. Yes, unbelievable but true; those who put their bodies into generating billions of dollars around the tournament must do it for free.

That is what the NCAA is responsible for, financing the athletes’ scholarships during college. However, it could be argued that what is distributed is closer to 60%.

The distribution of money is complex, as there are many areas to cover. Still, the main pillars are payments made to the conferences that play in March Madness, tournament expenses, and scholarships.

How is the money divided among the conferences that participated in March Madness?

There are currently 68 teams competing in the tournament, and each team’s conference receives a portion of the proceeds from the Basketball Performance Fund, which is usually around $170 million.

The conference receives a payment for each game the team plays, but the amount of that payment depends on the team’s performance over six years. To measure this performance, each conference is assigned “units” for participating in the tournament. Each game is worth one unit (with a few exceptions), regardless of whether the team wins or loses. This means the maximum a team can collect is six units if it makes it to the final from the first-four bracket. A few years ago, each unit was worth $280,000 per year, which means $1.6 million if the six-year payout period is taken into account. However, although the current record needs to be more accurate, that number is growing yearly.

For some conferences, the smaller ones, the NCAA payments are the most significant income they have throughout the year. However, for other larger meetings, NCAA payments are a small portion of their annual revenue.

Amateur is the main rule

As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of controversies regarding the fact that the NCAA does not directly pay the players who participate in the tournament. The NCAA argues that such athletes are primarily students and should first focus on their studies and then on being athletes. They refer to the players as “student-athletes.”

The association asserts that students should be amateur athletes participating in an intercollegiate sport and that health and education should be the basis for this participation. The compensation students receive is scholarships and coverage of school expenses such as books, tutors, etc.

Conclusion

March Madness is an event that generates tons of passion and also millions of dollars. The tournament has become a significant business for the NCAA (since it represents the largest of its revenues) and the rest of the sports industry.

Finland driving 6G development for a safer, more sustainable, and connected planet

ABC Staff
-
0
Finland driving 6G development for a safer, more sustainable, and connected planet

The golden era of 6G technology is tantalizingly close – and with it a safer, more sustainable, and connected planet that promises to shake up the future of mankind. Finland is a global forerunner in developing 6G – indeed there are already numerous research initiatives and industry vertical specific visions to help support companies and societies around the world.

From Noccela’s UWB-based IoT technology linking the real world to its digital twin and Mentura Group routing messages between TETRA, LTE and IP to Omnitele’s powerful AI tool for optimising RAN network investments and quality, Finnish solutions are developing building blocks for meeting the multifaceted future needs of a 6G world.

Finland’s 6G trailblazing did not occur overnight. Indeed, this northern nation has a long and successful history in the field of wireless mobile technologies, and has pioneered the development of mobile communications since the first mobile phone launched by Nokia in 1982. Nokia’s massive success peaked internationally in 2006, when it had captured 41 per cent of the global mobile phone market. The company’s powerful legacy remains: numerous former Nokia employees have since founded successful startups that have become game changing companies in their own right. Finland’s strong tech expertise, high level of education, vibrant startup scene and the unique collaborative spirit shared by businesses and academia together create an innovative digital ecosystem.

This is the engine driving Finland’s forerunner status in the 6G arena. The world’s first large-scale 6G research program, 6G Flagship was founded in Finland back in 2018 having now 500 academic partners from 71 countries and 400 industry partners from 31 countries. Finland also leads two European 6G flagship projects: Hexa-X, and its successor Hexa-X-II with Nokia being the project leader in both, and plays a significant role in other EU 6G research.

Seamless telecommunication also directly impacts the development of other industries and the digital infrastructure of society. 6G will provide tools for the digitalization and automation of society in the 2030s, merging the physical and digital worlds with human interaction. Eventually, the networks and the applications they support should also be ready for the quantum era.

“6G research and innovation offer the fundamental tools to achieve a secure, resilient, and carbon-free European future,” says Pekka Rantala, Head of the 6G Bridge Program at Business Finland.

“The crucial green transition cannot happen without digitalization, as this helps industries reduce emissions and minimize energy use. Finland offers the world’s best innovation ecosystem for 6G development and an excellent quantum ecosystem supplementing it that is verified by large global companies.

“We currently have outstanding testing infrastructure for 5G and we will create the very first 6G testing network”, Rantala adds.

The eventual launch of 6G will arrive on the heels of some of the most turbulent world events in recent memory. The pandemic, war, climate change and cyber-attacks have collectively underlined our vulnerability. Secure and wireless data transfer is now more vital than ever before and the need for reliable partners and developed technologies is pressing. ​Companies worldwide are currently looking for reliable and safe connectivity solutions to effectively communicate with their customers and employees.

The solution to many – if not all – of the above challenges can be found from Finland.

“The future is all about 6G and 6G is all about Finland,” Rantala states.

Notice of Deficiency

Claire James
-
0
Notice of Deficiency

The IRS gets your tax reports from various financial organizations and employers. After that, they crosscheck your information for tax deficiencies. However, tax deficiency is when the amount of taxes your report on your return differs from what the IRS calculates you owe. In case you file a tax return different from the income your employers reported, it is called a tax deficiency. When you declare tax deficiency, you will receive a notice of deficiency from the IRS. In addition, most taxpayers panic after getting notice, especially when they have inconsistent tax returns. It can cause anxiety to the taxpayer. This short guide will give you complete information about the IRS notice of deficiency. If you are looking for immediate help, you may want to seek the services of an experienced tax debt relief company.

What is a Notice of Deficiency?

The IRS sends a deficiency notice to you after accessing documents and tax reports. However, a notice of deficiency is also known as a 90 days letter or a ticket to the US tax court. It is an official return claim or legal determination by the IRS for those owing additional income taxes. Therefore, you don’t want to panic. Instead, this notice outlines your tax information received by the IRS and proposes new changes. The reason why people called it 90 days letter is because it needs a response. In addition, it also allows dispute assessment within 90 days in a tax court. You must file a petition within 90 days starting from the date of a letter without extension. 

How Does a Notice of Deficiency Work?

A notice from IRs for deficiency informs you that the IRS knows you owe traditional income tax. It happens when information on a tax return differs from the information the IRS has in its records. Before you get a formal notice of deficiency, the IRS needs to determine the need for the notice and notify you. However, the IRS will start the process in the following situations. The IRS finds that you owe more tax than you reported on their tax return. If you are not filing a tax return, the IRS determines that you have a tax liability. If any of the above factors are true, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send you letters and notices. Generally, these initial communications instruct you to file the missing tax return. In addition, it also requests you to provide documentation to the IRS that supports positions taken on your tax return. Moreover, it also informs you that your return has been chosen for an audit. 

Types of Notices of Deficiency

You will get various notices of deficiency from IRs depending on your situation, which is as follows:

Notice 3219:

The IRS sent this notice of deficiency to you if they conducted a correspondence audit with you. It is a request for additional information about a particular issue or item on your tax return that didn’t result in an agreement with the taxpayer.

Letter CP3219A:

You will receive this letter as a notice of deficiency from the IRS if they find that you underreported your tax liabilities on your tax return. Depending on the information IRS received on tax documents prepared by third parties.

Notice CP3219B:

IRS sends this notice of deficiency to business taxpayers whom it finds underreported their tax liabilities on their tax returns.

Letter CP3219:

If the IRS believes your withholding or refundable credits amount reported on your tax return may be inaccurate or falsified, they send notice 4800C to you. If you don’t respond adequately or respond adequately, you will receive this type of notice of deficiency.

Conclusion

When you are sure that the notice from IRS was sent to you by mistake, there are some things you can do to resolve the issue. Get a written statement that fully explains why you want to appeal. When in doubt, consult with a tax debt relief company. They help you defend yourself from the IRS. In addition, they also determine the validity of your reason for the appeal and help save you processing time.

1...307308309...931Page 308 of 931

ABC Money 2025 - 1st Edition

Magazine - 2025 Edition

Explore the latest insights, trends, and expert analyses in finance with ABC Money 2025. Stay ahead in 2025!

LEARN MORE

Leading news network for crypto, finance and business.

More from ABC

Contact

Contact: advertise@abcmoney.co.uk © ABC Money Team @ 2006

  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 94,613.00 0.29%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 1,786.31 0.81%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 1.00 0.01%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 2.29 0.97%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 604.15 0.01%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 147.43 1.21%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999962 0%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.702732 1.19%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.247681 0.32%
  • staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 1,785.60 0.73%
  • avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 21.94 0.24%
  • the-open-networkToncoin (TON) $ 3.24 2.14%