Category: Uncategorized

When it comes to technology, North America can be the perfect choice for booming companies. This is primarily because of the investments taking place in the region to promote technological integration. The United States is undoubtedly in charge. With a gargantuan budget, the country has made a name for itself as the choicest preference for many industries. But many tend to overlook Canada. Only those with the know-how to find the best are well-aware of the emerging tech scenes of the country. It has a huge space for custom software solutions to work on and custom software development is taking full advantage of it. 

In Canada, Toronto is the financial capital. In recent times, the region is witnessing an influx of various tech giants who are developing infrastructures in the region. For instance, Google invested USD 5 million in 2017 to help startups in developing AI. A lot of startups are finding these opportunities beneficial and their concentration in the city is growing. 

Custom software solution- tech-talk 

A custom software solution is something that understands the specific needs of a particular company and provides solutions accordingly. The software architecture, in this regard, has been designed to suit the specific purpose. This is way better than off-the-shelf solutions. Off-the-shelf solutions are cheap, but they can only provide some specific assistance and each company has a different combination of structure and demography. That is why the relationship between companies and off-the-shelf solutions lacks chemistry.

In custom software solutions, the structure of the software has been coded as per the needs of the client with the guidance of experts with in-depth knowledge of the field. These experts are, in a way, seers. They can see the technical lags the company may face in the future and design the systemaccordingly. What they add to the solution as a bonus is agility. The software can mold itself as per the requirement. In fact, it can be modified by an internal IT team. 

It has several advantages as well like: 

· better return of investment
· improved scalability
· the ability to provide the seamless performance and solve previously unsolved puzzles
· interactive features
· provision to develop better end products
· impress customers
· finding a better way to integrate data and sync it with the system
· build a brand value

What makes it better?

The interplay of technologies is creating scope for individual tools to perform better. For instance, custom software development integrates several technologies to provide a smooth experience.

· Open source can be defined as a technology that provides a platform to both public and development communities who can enhance the user experience of custom software solutions

· Cloud-based solutions are providing a cheaper platform that helps in design, coding, testing, integration, and others. Also, it provides opportunities to work on programs from a remote location

· Artificial intelligence (AI) is probably the most valued support system. It can mimic human behavior using which predictive models can be developed and tests can be performed to make the custom software even better

· Blockchain can be definitive in its ability to provide security. Its act as a digital ledger is reliable and transparent. Its ability to decentralize the core can also be used effectively using custom software solutions

· Analytics can be used to translate the vast amount of data sourced from various corners and then create responses accordingly to deliver solutions on time

How can Toronto help?

The custom software solution can thrive anywhere but to make it thrive better space is needed where all would come under one roof. 

Imagine a place where all the leading tech firms are creating a base. Be it AI masterminds or startups, or other companies with Agile technologies, DevOps, and more. In one go custom software solutions would get everything. Toronto has emerged as that one-stop solution. In fact, it has now become the home of several giants like Ecobee, Top Hat, Apple, Ubisoft, Cisco, Oracle, and others. 

The city has added advantages of immigration gains and better government support, which matter for a lot of new companies. Immigrants are making the workforce better and, in some ways, cheaper. This is helping many companies in increasing their profit margins. These immigrants are also bringing in a lot of expertise. A jump in international applicants from 2016 to 2017 would vouch for it. 

This would work well for custom software solutions in two ways. The demographic dynamics would help custom software solution startups in building their infrastructure. Their rise would inspire innovation and back new ventures who are looking for solutions for their workforce. 

What’s more? Toronto is getting lauded as the eighth-best city for tech companies by Dailyhive. Since the last few years, it has also lured in more companies than the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City.

Phishing and spear phishing are some of the most common tactics used by hackers to steal information from internet users and infect their hardware with malicious programming that could render it useless.

What is phishing? Phishing is the act of sending fake emails to a large number of recipients at random with the expectation that only a small percentage will respond. These emails consist of scams that attempt to trick the recipient into providing confidential information, like account credentials, to the attacker.

Spear phishing emails take this a step further as they are more targeted to the victim in nature. Hackers select an individual target within an organization, using social media and other public information and craft a fake email tailored for that person. This makes the victim more likely to interact with the email as they are tricked into believing it is legitimate.

Where did this all originate? How did phishing scams come to be? They are considered one of the most prominent forms of cyber threats out there today, which correlates with emails being one of the most popular methods of communication, such as in email marketing.

Origins of the Term

Internet records indicate that the first time that the term “phishing” was used and recorded was on January 2, 1996, in a newsgroup called AOHell.

Some of the earliest hackers in the game were dubbed “phreaks.” It’s no surprise, then, that the term phishing grew from the nickname. The use of “ph” in place of the “f” was common in the telecommunication field back in the day. For example, phreaking refers to the exploration, experimentation, and study of telecommunication systems. Phreaks and hackers have always been closely linked. The “ph” spelling in “phishing” was used to link the scams with these underground communities.

But why “phishing”? When you consider the definition of the term, one can see the metaphor clearly. Hackers capture information from users much like capturing a fish that is lured to a hook by a fake bait. In the context of phishing, the spoofy bait is the email.

Where Did Phishing Originate?

In the early 1990s, dial-up was king and American Online (AOL) was your go-to internet provider. During this time, millions of people were interconnected via the world wide web daily — granted, sometimes not at the same time if in the same household.

But not everyone intended to use the internet for good. Hackers and those who traded pirated software also communicated via the internet, forming bonds and schemes. This community became dubbed as the warez community. The warez community eventually made the first moves to conduct phishing attacks.

At first, phishers would steal users’ passwords and used algorithms to create randomized credit card numbers. These random credit card numbers were used to open AOL accounts, which were then used to spam other users and for a wide range of other things. In 1995, AOL finally interfered by creating security measures to prevent the successful use of randomly generated credit card numbers.

Since their random credit card number generating scheme was shut down, phishers decided on an alternative that would wind up enduring. They decided to send messages to users as if they were AOL employees communicating through the AOL instant messenger and email systems.

These messages consisted of requests for users to verify their accounts or to confirm their billing information. This scam tricked many people, especially since nothing like it had ever been done before. The problem intensified when phishers set up AIM accounts through the Internet since they were outside AOL jurisdiction.

AOL’s solution? The internet provider decided it would include warnings on its email and instant messenger clients to keep people from providing sensitive information on those platforms.

How Has Phishing Evolved?

Soon after the AOL schemes died down and e-commerce rose to the forefront of the online space, phishers turned their attention to online payment systems. The first recorded attack was on E-Gold in June 2001, although it was unsuccessful. By late 2003, phishers registered dozens of domains that imitated legitimate sites like eBay and PayPal to those who were not paying enough attention. They then sent out fake emails to PayPayl customers using email worm programs. These led users to spoofed sites, where they were asked to update their credit card details and other identifying information.

Fast forward to the start of 2004, and phishers are riding a huge wave of success that includes attacks on banking sites and their customers. They began to use tactics like popup windows, which were used to capture sensitive information from victims. Since then, many other sophisticated methods have been developed, including:

• Links (change your password, click for discount, etc.)
• Attachments
• Impersonations of someone the recipient knows
• Requests for sensitive data

These days, phishing is alive and well. It continues to be a hot topic of discussion among cybersecurity experts as they work to find better solutions to combat hackers daily.

Rand Fishkin, Neil Patel, Barry Schwartz, Jeff Bulas- legends in the sphere of digital marketing. And for good reason. These guys pioneered the industry and have provided the educational framework on which hundreds of thousands of digital marketers have built their careers.

These legends aside, we’ve compiled a list of digital marketers- from solidified veterans to emerging standouts, who’ve shown ninja-like skill-sets in their respective niches.

Eric Sharp (ericsharp.com) 

We recommend checking out Eric Sharp. He’s the CEO and founder of Protofuse, an agency specializing in website design and strategic marketing strategies for big-name companies like Stanford University, the Dixon pencil company, Carefree Communities (a $1.68 billion dollar company), and for many other companies — ranging from 1 Million to 1 Billion in revenue. Check out Eric’s interesting story on his website.  

Juan Merodio (juanmerodio.com) 

We chose Juan Merodio as our first choice for anyone interested in Spain and Latin American markets. He specializes in Social Networks and Digital Transformation, is a regular speaker at conferences, business schools and universities, and has offered customized training to companies such as IBM and Microsoft. 

Mel Carson (melcarson.com) 

Take a look at Mel’s website, and you’ll see the sheer amount of knowledge this guy has. An experienced digital powerhouse, Mel is a Digital Marketing Strategist, Consultant, Coach, Public Speaker, and author. His consultancy company, Delightful Communications, helps companies successfully implement marketing strategies that focus on Social Media, influencer marketing, Content Marketing, Personal Branding and PR.

Stephen C. Murphy (sbcmurphy.com) 

New Jersey’s Best 40 Under 40 Marketer in 2015, Stephen has 10+ years marketing experience and specializes in Marketing Strategy & Planning, process development, digital training and Digital Foundation Package for Startups. He’s also been featured in Business Insider Magazine, which is awesome on its own. 

Daisy Quaker (hiredaisy.com) 

Among many other reasons, we chose Daisy for the transparency and quality of her website- a site we favoured over the other marketers on this list. Really, check it out! She has over eight years of digital marketing and specializes in pitching, building and executing customer acquisition campaigns, inbound Marketing, SEO/SEM, Conversion Optimization, Email Marketing, and Social Media Marketing. She’s managed million-dollar digital marketing budgets and driven double-digit revenue and traffic growth.

Errol Vas (errolvas.com) 

We found this guy niched-up and operating overseas in China. Specializing in cross border international marketing, content-driven SEO, data-mining (apparently has a huge 3million+ database of sellers on China’s e-commerce giant Taobao), and running highly profitable email campaigns, his consultancy has helped companies in USA, China, Canada, India, and Australia improve their overall digital marketing strategies for Western markets. Ask him for a free consultation. Top-notch stuff.

Michael Costin (michaelcostin.com) 

Check out Michael Costin, a digital marketing consultant with 7+ years experience who specializes in SEO, CRO & Ad Words campaigns. His boutique agency has worked with UNICEF, Chem mart, Colgate, Konica Minolta, Netgear and ActronAir and also offers services to smaller local service businesses. He also posts AdWords tutorial videos on his website. Definitely worth checking out. 

Suganthan Mohanadasan (suganthan.com) 

If you’re looking to Europe, then Suganthan is your man. He’s a freelance digital marketing consultant helping medium and large companies around the world. His specialties include SEO, paid search, social and native advertising. Check out his site. He’s worked with some big names and is endorsed by some well known marketers, such as Hubspot’s Matthew Barby. Oh- and if you’re looking to work with him, plan to wait a couple months. He’s in high demand. 

Lisa Schwartz (lisa-schwartz.com) 

Experience talks, especially in the B2B marketing world. Lisa has 15 years of professional multi-channel marketing experience from strategy and development to execution and measurement. She currently works for the largest e-commerce and cloud computing company on Earth, but still manages to offer training and services to upper-level managers and marketers. Check out her site. Right now. 

Connor Corzine (connorcorzine.com) 

Worth checking out is Connor Corzine, a branding and Digital Marketing Consultant who specializes in SEO content writing, website design, corporate and personal branding, and social media marketing. Another marketer who excels in their niche, Connor is a great pick for startups looking to find their footing in the digital world. Check out his site.