Iraq Future Media

Your smartphone may be smarter than you think

In my previous entry on the importance of Cloud PBX security, we talked about distressing Internet security breaches as discussed by ComputerWorld’s eyeopening An Interactive Eguide on Enterprise Security. Unknown to the common user, another disconcerting revelation in the article was how smartphones have actually doubled as the 007s of today.

Smartphones are vital in any virtual phone system. They’re the ultimate on-the-go gadget. What make them unique from your regular mobiles are the smartphone applications that offer added functionalities and make business VoIP transactions even more efficient. In our excitement to get hold of these apps, we ignore the possibility of inviting more security risks into an already vulnerable communication system.

Preston Gralla warns that apps can trace Web behavior and take your phone number and your phone’s unique ID number. What’s more, these data may be automatically distributed to mobile ad networks. I remember allowing a free SMS app in my Facebook account, and it automatically tagged contacts in an advertisement unrelated to SMS, using my name. The thing is, I was “warned”, just like many smartphone apps would too, before I authorized it. In our rush to use these apps, we don’t even think about the consequences. A joint research last October 2010 by Intel Labs, Penn State, and Duke University showed that 15 out 30 Android apps tested sent users’ geographical data to remote ad servers without users being aware of this. Seven of the apps sent the unique phone identifier, while some sent the phone numbers and serial numbers to app vendors. Research also revealed that 20 percent allowed third party access to users’ info, 5 percent could make phone calls and 2 percent could send text messages to a premium for-pay number without users’ intervention. This is not only relevant for Android users as the Apple iOS may also be affected.

Given these risks, what can you do to make your PBX phone system and devices more secure? Go on to part three, Simple Steps towards Internet Security.

Evan Zimmermann is an entrepreneur best known as the CEO as well as the President of Antiquorum Auctioneers, a Geneva based Swiss auction house that specializes in contemporary and vintage timepieces. Antiquorum is the largest auction house of the world that exclusively specializes in horology.

Evan Zimmermann has worked industriously to make sure Antiquorum is able to create its own place in the auction world and cater to the market for watch collectors by selling rare, prized clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches worldwide.

Evan Zimmermann initially joined Antiquorum as a company lawyer but realized soon enough that his heart lay somewhere else. He was a timepiece fanatic and realized early on that timepieces represented a timeless connection that deserved to be cherished. He quit his post as lawyer and came on as Managing Director instead.

Under Evan Zimmermann’s management, international sales and profits of Antiquorum witnessed quite a high in a mere two year span. Evan Zimmermann’s “reign” managed to see some famous pieces sold like the pocket watch owned by Gandhi and Einstein’s Longiness wristwatch. The Rolex Submarine owned by Steve McQueen fetched a price 20 times its original estimate and thus set a new world record.

Another notable world record was set when a rare 1939 Patek Philippe platinum wristwatch fetched a price that was more than twice of previous record holding price. There were so many other places when the most of the exotic designs made huge records and the people at that time were just crazy about those models. They always wanted to have one of their own and show off.

Evan Zimmermann himself is a distinguished watch collector. He owns and updates a wish list for exceptional and rare timepieces and plans on acquiring them the moment they become available. The Rolex Comex 1680 makes the top of this wish list since only 50 models of this type were made and only a few originals have survived. He never ceases to plan new approaches to further establish Antiquorum as the world leader in watch auctioning.

Evan Zimmermann believes in staying up to date with any advancement in horology. Thus, two hours of his day are devoted to surfing Timezone.com, a website very well known to watch collectors. This is a forum where watch buffs like him can share their opinions and take part in interactive discussions. Evan Zimmermann is also a frequent attendee of worldwide timepiece-related shows.

It seems that some business people always seem to be prosperous and successful and are able to easily attract clients and more revenue? While other business people seem to struggle constantly and despite their hard work and sincere efforts, they do not prosper and are not successful. Did you ever wonder about why this is true? Could it be an attitude or mindset? Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach recalls from several past books, seminars and workshops that the attitude or mindset one has toward his or her business plays a very critical role in the level of success in that business.

So how can we describe this mindset, which is an intangible thing? Perhaps, if we think about some positive characteristics we see in those we consider to be prosperous and successful, we can develop a mental picture of the attitude or mindset of successful people. Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach offers the following list of ten (10) characteristics that are common among successful business people.

Successful business people:

+ recognize and accept the value of their business and themselves

+ define and trust what they believe is their purpose in business and life

+ visualize and focus on positive outcomes in their business and their life

+ maintain a work and personal life balance

+ develop and maintain a support system of people with similar mindsets

+ maintain a level of self-confidence about their business and personal plans and actions

+ maintain a keen awareness of their vision, mission and goals for their business and their life

+ seek outside advice

+ recognize and admit their limitations

+ exhibit their passion in what they do in their business and personal lives