Android Vulnerabilities and Exploits in the Wild!

Android garden

Time to Do what?

When I was researching this on the web I didn’t expect to find so much stuff, but I do think IOS has more vulnerabilities then Android but it isn’t as bad as Apple IOS problems!

I am not going to talk about all of them but just a few that have peaked my interest!

The ‘Master Key’ Exploit

A simple but yet easy way to fool your Operating System and gain more access than it should.  The name doesn’t mean they actually have the master key to your device.   It is using what all Android devices use in the APK.  The MANIFEST.MF, which if done right, will have two more copies in the APK (Zip file).   When the Android OS installs this APK it will use the the last MANIFEST.MF and thus it can gain more access than you once thought.   Be able to communicate with a server  or copy your contacts.   I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that 3rd party apps are dangerous now and I will not use anything but Google or Maybe even Amazon US app store!  

The ‘Webview’ JAVA Exploit

If you don’t use JAVA you will need to consider disabling it in Android.  While this one is a little more trickier and harder to avoid if you use Java, you best bet is to install Dolphine Browser, FireFox, and/or Chrome.   Then install a java an Addon or and Extension that does not allow Java to be used unless you specify.   This exploit can send SMS, or send out emails from you to spam your friends and family.   So this is one that you must start worrying about to a point.

The ‘Scarevertising’ Exploit

This last one I have seen become very prevalent and thus you should be on the lookout for this!   They claim in either a push notification or in some kind of inside application banner that basically tries to scare you into thinking you have a virus.   I’m not sure which advertising networks are being used but you can bet this will be a constant problem.   Some rules of thumb are install only from the Google App Store and never install any third party apps, which some call side along install.  

If your worried and you want to protect your Android Device, here are a few free applications that will help and hopefully keep you safe:

The last thing I can say is there are more than 100 different anti virus apps out there but it all depends on the end user (you) to know and trust vendors who are reputable and you can trust.   If you don’t know the Anti virus Company than maybe they shouldn’t be used.   I do hope I have helped you find what your looking for and we will discuss more in the future on Android Exploits!

 

Scare advertising hitting android Devices!

androidantivirusfree.org

I Think NOT!

I was doing some stuff and this little advertisement appeared on my tablet:

Phone is Infected, Remove Virus Now! (Scare Tactic)

As you can see there is a lot to this that you can’t really, even though I know Androids aren’t immune.  This seems to indicate the advertising of malware is on the rise.  So I intend to help those who want to be helped.  Let’s by chance think you have a virus on your tablet or phone.   How do you get it off, there are a few ways.   One you can do a hard reset and restore you phone or tablet to factory settings.   Essentially wiping all information from the phone.  

Don’t install any 3rd party applications!

Use coupon code “Savenow15” and Save 15% off the lifetime of your account!One of my common rules is not to install any third party applications unless I trust the source and just because they look legitimate doesn’t always mean they are.   For example, the picture looks convincing enough but home site (androidantivirusfree.org) has nothing there which indicates to me that it is designed to install malicious software to make you buy there cure for their android virus or malware!

Although this is the beginning of this, I am just going to.  I have already talked about this in a previous post so I will just say this.  Don’t do anything without consulting a geek! 

Paul Sylvester

 

Best Advertising Practices for Affiliate Marketing!

Advertising is an Art form!

267232_300x250NewYearNot all things you do will be perfect and that goes along with Adsense.  Even the most professional blogger out there will tell you that how to put your Ad placements and which ones work.   It is after all more of person preferences than what works and what doesn’t.   It is something that will take a lot of time and patients to find out how to make money with Affiliate Marketing.  I’m however going to give you tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Affiliate Marketing in terms of making money!  

What is a blogger to do?

When you think of a blog do you think it is people who are scheming to get your money.   Some would argue that this is the fundamental prospect of working on the Internet.   There by getting the clicks and the money for a link.  I am probably one of the few bloggers who want to be honest about my Affiliate Links but that is only because I think my readers should have the choice to click or not click on products that I recommend.   I will not recommend anything without at least doing all the research I can.   I have even tried some products out like the Glasses USA [Affiliate Link] and believe they are the best  choice out there for good quality frames and lens.

Recommendations for Other bloggers:

  • Be Honest — Honesty is the best policy!
  • Be transparent — Don’t try to sneak a link here and there hoping you get a few extra bucks.
  • Have Integrity — Don’t recommend something that you know anything about.
  • Commitment — Think of your readers and don’t over do the ads placement.
  • Create loyal readers — make connections and try to keep them wanting to come back and use your links.

These are what I call the simple truths to making money with your affiliate links.   I don’t think this is something that should be overlooked.   You will be more happier and make far more money if you try to keep an honest commitment to your readers.

Don’t be afraid to ask for support!

I occasionally like to remind my readers that supporting this site helps me keep this website alive and also helps to support my efforts.   So never be afraid to ask for help, you will be surprised what your readers will do to support your blog.   Don’t underestimate your readers because they are a valuable asset and should be treated as such.

Got any more tips?  If so just drop a comment.   I’m sure someone will find that useful maybe I will find it useful.  

Paul Sylvester

 

 

How Small Business can increase profit in 30 days!

Google Chrome Google Chrome (Photo credit: thms.nl)

Always speak the truth, think before you speak, and write it down afterwards.     Lewis Carroll

Imagine yourself  wanting a certain item or service but you really don’t want to waste gas looking around.   So you pull up you Ipad or your computer to Google for that particular subject.   If you want to get the most value of the item or services that you are going to pay for, then keep reading.     Most Small businesses aren’t thinking that way, they are expecting people to walk in and buy their stuff without first seeing what is available.   I’ve come to the realization that 9 out of 10 small businesses in my local Evansville, Indiana aren’t using their business to the fullest on the internet.

It begins with Thinking outside the box!

No small or big business will ever be making their true potential by being like everyone else.   I am not saying that you have to go to the extreme but there are ways you can make it more  accessible to the clients that your looking for or who are looking for you.   It takes 7 times for anyone to actually buy something from you or your company.   If your not doing the Rules of 7 right now, you are not going to make the most out of your business.   I recently found this out because I was looking for a job online trying to find business that I might be able to work for and I had a really good brain storm.   Most of the local business here aren’t following the Rules of 7 and I am here to volunteer my services to anyone who might want help converting clicks into profit.

Social Media

If you haven’t hired someone to do this then you are just asking for donations sort to speak.    Not having a Twitter account, a Facebook account, a Foursquared account, and a website promoting the products or services, just makes your work that much harder.  Just like Glasses USA [Affiliate Link], if you look at their website you will see they have a Facebook, Twitter, Email newsletter, and a Youtube account.   Each of them are making Noise and make sure people see there product to click and buy.  Just because you have them, doesn’t mean you should ignore them or not use them.   You might have to pay someone to blog about your product or service but if you don’t then you are loosing potential from your product or even service.   The harder someone has to look to find you the less likely they will find you, this is something that I’ve always believed in and will always blog about.

Customer Reviews

Another thing to consider when having a business is what are people saying about you on the internet. If your not monitoring these things then you are not going to fully understand your customers and that might hurt you in the long run.  It is essential to have customers who will proclaim your product, for example Glasses USA [Affiliate Link]. On their Customer Testimonials Page [Affiliate Link], you can see that their constantly putting up the good things people are saying about their products.  Thus they are showing potential customers just how well they are doing.  It is however a good indication also when it comes to employees and if customers aren’t happy with someone’s performance this is also a great way to re-enforce the idea of customer loyalty.

Customer Loyalty

This is something you must always strive for because without that you will not make any money or profit won’t increase.  Customers who are loyal to you might pay a little bit more if they feel your company is working hard for them, whether it be groceries or buying a car.   If they feel like the company is the best they will go out of the way to tell people and also keep coming back, this I think is the best model to  strive for.   Nothing sells like word of mouth advertising but that also means you have to know your customers and make an effort to show them you are one of them.   If your just trying to push your product then you are just trying to make money but if your showing them you care, then you are showing your potential customers more than just wanting to make money.   Your showing them you care about your product or service and that you believe in it!

Know when you’ve done wrong!

Let’s face it, no company in the history of time has ever been a 100% right.   There will always be times when a company did something or said something that makes them look EVIL.   If you ignore that then you are telling your customers you don’t care, but if your acknowledged it and ask for forgiveness then you are telling your customers you really do care.  Most small businesses aren’t hearing what is being said about them on the internet because they are blind to the idea that it isn’t something they should worry about, but I tell you this if your not worrying about it then you are risking your business to the word of mouth customers.  There will always be two sides to the coin, even if you didn’t know now.  You will know sooner or later because a customer might just bring it up when they call you asking why this other customer said that.   If your not prepared what people are saying then you can’t possibly have a answer  to the question and might even loose a potential customer because of it.

Some Local business to mention are:

I’m going to share with you some of the local businesses that I see that could benefit from this web post and encourage them to contact me if they are looking to make even more profit then they are now.   I am willing to discuss in detail what they are doing wrong and help them improve their customer experiences for a small fee!

  • Bucks and Jakes Outfitters — Great website and Business location just needs to improve on what they are already doing!
  • Baumberger’s Furniture — One of those business that had to shrink down because they were not doing some of this already!
  • Penske Truck Rentals — I’ve check them out and they are good but they could do better!
  • Paradiseink — This is a new site but seems they need a lot of different things to help promote their service and products!
  • Desktopdoctors — This business has some stuff already doing that but could do even more!

These are just a few that I’ve been looking at the last few hours and realized that they could be doing some stuff really differently and bringing in even more customers.   I think if you have read this article you probably are asking your self how you could make your business grow.   If you follow these tips you could make even more money but it is all how you do it.  If you like what you read please consider re-tweeting this and also posting it on Facebook and other social media sites!<

Paul Sylvester

 

 

 

 

Adblock No more!!

If you are a returning visitor to my site you may notice that Adblock Plus isn’t blocking my advertising.

bypass-adblock

Let me start off saying I use Adblock Plus and enjoy it when it comes to those Annoying Pop ups and Pop unders that happens when you visit sites that aren’t that bright.  Even those annoying ads that come and speak to you saying you have won something.   These types of ads I am so glad to block.

When it comes to my site, I have worked hard on creating this content and it will help me pay for the server and domain name.   I fully understand why people want to block ads but on the flip side I also know about how they can help support a site.

Often times, I turn Adblock Plus off for places like HULU to make sure they stay free.   This is one way I can support having free shows is watching ads because there might be something I could be interested in.   This is how I show respect for advertising publishers.

I know how hard these places have worked to get people to use there service and respect the idea of having the service paying for it through ads.

I have learned how to prevent Adblock Plus from blocking my site and I intent to keep doing it.    As you know these ad blocking programs tend to break the site from showing properly.   This is one reason I decided I should bypass Adblock Plus and I will be doing more later on to tweak it.   I however won’t be doing those annoying ads on my site, that is just tactless, in my eyes.  These ads will not be POP UP or POP UNDERS.  They will not be to flashy and annoying, but they will be there.

I ask if you like a product on my site to buy it to show your support, this will keep the site running.   I hope you understand, and thank you for your patronage.