SAFETY TIPS FOR USING PUBLIC COMPUTERS

Public computers in libraries, Internet cafes, airports, and copy shops can be safe if you follow a few simple rules when you use them.
Read these tips to help keep your work, personal, or financial information private.


• Don't save your logon information
Always log out of websites by clicking "log out" on the site. It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address.
Many programs (especially social networking websites, web mail, and instant messenger programs) include automatic login features that will save your user name and password. Disable this option so no one can log in as you.


• Don't leave the computer unattended with sensitive information on the screen
If you have to leave the public computer, log out of all programs and close all windows that might display sensitive information.
 
• Erase your tracks
Internet Explorer 8 offers In Private browsing that leaves no trace of specific web activity. For more information, see Browse privately.
Internet Explorer also keeps a record of your passwords and every page you visit, even after you've closed them and logged out.
Disable the feature that stores passwords
Before you go to the web, turn off the Internet Explorer feature that "remembers" your passwords.
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
2. Click the Content tab, and then click Settings, next to AutoComplete.
3. Click to clear both check boxes having to do with passwords.
Delete your temporary Internet files and your history
When you finish your use of a public computer, you can help protect your private information by deleting your temporary Internet files. For information on how to delete temporary Internet files on Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8, see Delete temporary Internet files.
 
• Watch for over-the-shoulder snoops
When you use a public computer, be on the look out for thieves who look over your shoulder or watch as you enter sensitive passwords to collect your information.
 
• Don't enter sensitive information into a public computer
These measures provide some protection against casual hackers who use a public computer after you have.
But keep in mind that an industrious thief might have installed sophisticated software on the public computer that records every keystroke and then emails that information back to the thief.


Then it doesn't matter if you haven't saved your information or if you've erased your tracks. They still have access to this information.
If you really want to be safe, avoid typing your credit card number or any other financial or otherwise sensitive information into any public computer.

10 TIPS TO FIGHT DEPRESSION

During the phase of depression sometimes we become pessimist and our negative thoughts make it hard to attain back the peaceful state. As we are already depressed due to tough circumstances, these negative thoughts add fuel to fire and steal our peace of mind making it really hard to concentrate even on routine things. So what should be done to fight the depression and negativity? Below are the tips to be considered:

1-    Try not to think about problems and rough circumstances again and again; instead focus on the solution. Think what needs to be done to fix the issues.
2-   Change your environment. Take a break from your routine life and visit some relative or explore some new city/country.
3-   Stay away from negative people. Remember, if someone is negative, he/she is spreading negative germs. Keep yourself germ-free.
4-   Read news paper or a good book on daily basis.
5-   Go to market and buy yourself something you like. Feel good about it.
6-   Surround yourself amongst happy people. Spend quality time with joyful and colorful friends
7-   Adopt some good hobby and spend time on it. (gardening, blogging, book reading)
8-   Visit Orphan house and spend time with children. Help them financially if possible. Give gifts. This act gives real inner happiness.
9-   Think about the positive events of your life. About your childhood, education, fun trip, a friend's wedding etc.
10- Go to Mosque/church and spend time in prayers to get peace of mind.

TOASTED SKIN SYNDROME

Gambling on Google

Gambling on Google

By Joyce Sunila

I just returned from the Multi-Specialty Cosmetic Surgery Symposium in Las Vegas. In addition to the medical sessions, it included 4 full days of practice management sessions covering a range of topics from marketing to consultation skills to staff training.

Every year, one topic seems to dominate the marketing talks. This year’s buzz was reviews and reputation.

·         How Google’s new algorithm favors those with the best reviews.
·         How bad reviews can bump you off the first page of Google.
·         How to counter bad reviews. (A few schools of thought on that one …)
·         How to get your patients to write good reviews for you.
·         How to protect your reputation (that is, your Reviews).

Google, Google, Google

Google’s been the Big Bad Wolf of the marketing sessions for years. Its ever-changing algorithms sweep ferociously across the Internet, forcing abrupt changes in rankings and, thus, SEO strategy. This year the Big Bad Wolf had a henchman: The Godfather. Online reviews have become so powerful that “protection rackets” have sprung up to counter them.

Internet marketing companies now promise to protect your reputation by squeezing good reviews out of your patients and trying to negotiate away your bad ones—all in the name of higher Google rankings.

Step Back - What’s the Goal of Marketing?

Not all of the presentations were about reviews and reputation. There was a panel discussion about how to handle consultations. During the question-and-answer period, a young doctor in the audience took the microphone and confessed he spent quite a long time with prospects, and that he enjoyed getting to know them.

He was quickly cut down by a panelist. “You’re wasting the practice’s time. After 30 minutes you should close the sale.”

He protested. Everyone on the panel nailed him. They suggested he attend a session about “closing skills.”

The Irony of It All

No one mentioned that the onslaught of “bad reviews” doctors are getting might be related to treating patients like cash cows instead of human beings.

Next year, I’m hoping the Symposium will include a panel about how doctors can spend more time listening to their patients. People who are listened to carefully and sympathetically tend to be happy campers. They have neither the time nor the inclination to complain on the Internet (and they are also a whole lot less likely to sue you).

Just saying …

Joyce Sunila is the president of Practice Helpers, providing e-newsletters, blogs, and social media services to aesthetic practices. You can contact Joyce at joyce@practicehelpers.com or visit the Practice Helpers Web site at www.practicehelpers.com.