Ways To Keep A Blog Secure

If you run a blog of your own, you no doubt want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to keep it as secure as possible. As long as it is secure, you won’t have to worry about your data being stolen, your blog being taken over by someone else, or anything of the sort. But it is not always straightforward to make sure that you are keeping your blog secure, and you might find that you struggle to know how to approach it. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the best ways to keep any blog secure for good.

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Learn Some Network Security Essentials

If you want to look after your blog and the attendant website in this way, then it is going to be no bad thing to make sure that you are learning some network security essentials along the way too. That will go into informing your security protocols, and you will find that you feel much more clued up in terms of what you need to be doing in general to keep your blog secure. Learning more about Network Security Administration is something you can do in many ways, whether it’s taking an online course or merely researching it yourself. But make sure that you are doing it, one way or another.

Keep Everything Updated

One of the most basic things that you can always do if you want to keep yourself protected online is to make sure that you are always using the latest version of whatever software or other application you might be using. This applies to blogging too - if you are using a Wordpress plugin or app, for instance, then you need to make sure that you have updated it to the latest version at all times, otherwise you are going to be much more vulnerable to all kinds of attacks and problems from outside. Keeping everything updated is vital in ensuring that you are securing your blog.

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Backup

You can also take some preventative measures, just in case something should happen that means that you would lose a lot of data. Given that you depend on your blog posts themselves to draw in readers and keep the blog alive, you need to make sure that you have saved them elsewhere at some point too, even if that is just on an external hard drive, flash drive, or in a cloud server system somewhere. Backing up your files will help you to feel much more secure in general, and yet it is such an easy thing to do as long as you remember to do it.

Use Strong Passwords

It might sound simple, but given that password cracking is one of the major problems here it is also one of the most important things to think about. As long as you are using strong passwords, you can be sure that you are going to be protecting your blog much more effectively, so that is absolutely something to consider.

Being You Even When You Become A Parent

Becoming a parent is something that many of us really look forward to, and some of us are surprised by how much of a shock to the system is. Lots of people talk about the struggles parents face and keeping their identity, and becoming a new parent. Things that we used to do we aren’t able to do quite so easily, such as going out for an evening from a meal with friends. But this doesn’t have to mean that you lose your identity, and you don’t have to be yourself anymore. There are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself and your identity clear, and there’s nothing wrong with making your choices for yourself, as long as We don’t forget our children in the process of course. So what can we do to keep our choices and our personality clear?

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Clothing

When we have children there is undoubtedly a change in our budget for clothing, and also a practicality side of things to consider now. Clothing can be quite important for our self-identity, and self-confidence too. And choose in items from The Mountain, for example, is going to help you stay bold and personalised in your style. Whatever used away before you had children, can be customised to become comfortable and practical for your everyday use now. Also taking advantage of the fact that you may be returning to work, or taking part in an activity that doesn’t involve your children, and dressing for the occasion appropriately can be good for your self-esteem.

Music

The music that you enjoyed before your children arrived may not be considered something that is important to yourself as a parent. But remembering those gigs that you used to go to, and maybe even planning for one in the near future, is no bad thing. Maybe even introducing your children to your style of music could bring you together. Putting on an old album that you used to enjoy years ago, in the car, and allowing your children to singalong (if it is appropriate) Can be fun, and introduces your children to a wide range of music as well. Eventually, you may find that your children are keen to enjoy the same music as you as well, which is great when you need to make decisions about what to put on your playlist at home.

Hobbies

It’s important not to lose ourselves too much when we have children, and if you had a hobby or a sport that you took part in, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t continue these. Yes, money may be a bit tighter, and time definitely isn’t as easy, but making time for yourself can make the world of difference to your parenting. Feeling as though we have some time and space to enjoy ourselves can improve our mood dramatically, and something that can help us be the best parents that we can. This is a win-win situation it’s enjoyable for us and beneficial for our children.

The Best Gift Ideas whilst on Vacation

Anytime you go on vacation, it is always a fun idea and something nice when you bring back gifts from your travels. It is a way for you to explain your travels and what you go to do, and also gives your friends and family a little flavor of the location you just visited. But, it can always be a little tricky to find the best gift ideas for all your family members, this is where this article comes in!

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Gifts for the Kids

It is always difficult to buy presents for the children. Depending on their age it can be really tough. Teenagers may be a lot less receptive of a sentimental gift, but will also not be very interested in a gift that is suited to younger children. Younger children will not really understand a fully sentimental gift but would love something like a soft toy. Something that is always a real treat, is to surprise them with a present of something like a soft toy and explain in layman terms the location of where you brought it. Then in years to come when they see that toy, they will remember it was the gift they brought me from Argentina, for example. At the end of the day, young children and children alike love gifts, so whatever you decide to get them from your trip away will be sure to excite them!

Also, do not forget, kids are very intelligent. They will want to hear your stories, whether they will remember them straight away is a mystery, but it will stay with them, and a gift is a perfect way to keep that memory alive as it is something they can touch and feel.

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Gifts for Friends and Family

When it comes to your friends and family, this is where the sentiment and cultural education comes in! After going to explore a new part of the world, or maybe visiting another part of the world you have seen before. Gifts from these places will always mean a lot to those who receive them. Some ideas may include some tobacco from Florida Tobacco Shop, to maybe a new book from a book store in Europe. Or maybe a great gift could be something that connects to the heritage of the location you had just visited. The best gift ideas no matter whether you got them whilst on holiday, or just on a random day of the week, are gifted with meaning. 

It gives you a chance to again, share your experiences, and involve your friends and your family during your vacation. Tell them of the wonders that you saw, and the stories that you can tell.

Lastly, do not get yourself stressed over what is the best gift to get anyone. At the end of the day, this is your vacation, no one else’s. If the perfect gift is the perfect gift, it will make itself known to you. So, just relax, enjoy, and take in the sights and smells of the location of your choice and leave the gifts to when you are getting ready to leave and make your way home.

Ways to Protect the Family Financially

As a parent you will always be looking for new ways to protect your children from the dangers of the world. One of these ways is financially. Many people may be unaware of just how to do this. Going to work and ensuring that there is enough food on the table, is a good start, but is it enough? There are many unknowns, and possibilities in the world. So, protecting the family in the event of something unexpected happening is important. What if something happened to you, for example? Here are some methods to help mitigate future financial worries:

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Debt

The first thing you need to do is pay off any debts if you have them. You may feel that you should be saving. However, if you have credit card debts or loans hanging over your head, it makes the process of saving a little useless as you will be probably losing more in interest. Concentrate on wiping out the debt first. If you have several debts, it may be worth consolidating them. If you are struggling, speak to someone, a financial advisor, or at least a friend or family member. To protect your family against the unforeseen, then you need to be debt-free.

Get smart with spending

You have to ensure that you are aware of your spending. How many of you have no idea where all the money you had went? If you are an impulse buyer, you need to work on delayed gratification. Usually, if you wait a few weeks, you no longer want the product. Also, if you tend to pick up food anywhere after you get paid, try to make yourself lunches, for example. Have a look at your bank account in the morning, so you know how much you have. Anyone who has a smartphone can see a banking app, so there is no excuse not to know. If you become more aware, you will find you will have more money at the end of the month, which can be used to start that rainy day fund or pay off more of your debts or get that thing the kids desperately need.

Buy insurance

There are not many better ways to protect your family against unforeseen circumstances than buying insurance. If you are the main breadwinner, and something does happen to you, imagine how much better you would feel if you had income protection insurance, even life insurance. Insurance can make you feel more secure, as well. So, if you don’t have it, you should consider purchasing it.

Get help if you need it

If you are really are struggling financially, ask for help. There is no shame in this; you could speak to a family member, or some kind of professional, like a charity. If you do not ask, you have no idea what kind of help can be offered. Also, if something has happened to you and you are out of pocket financially, get a lawyer such as Pyrros & Serres LLP to fight your corner and get you the compensation you deserve.

Health Habits: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

When it comes to our health, most of us have good and bad habits. The choices we make on a daily basis may seem innocuous, but they can actually have a dramatic impact on our health and wellbeing. If you’re eager to improve your health, you should find this guide useful.

Health habits: the good

It’s not always possible to avoid illness, but there are several steps you can take to protect your body and mind. One of the best examples of positive habits is exercising regularly. Inactivity is one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. Exercise can also be hugely beneficial for mental health, as it lifts your mood, reduces stress and anxiety and improves sleep patterns. If you don’t already exercise for 150 minutes per week, start taking steps to become more active. Simple changes like going for a walk every evening and taking the stairs instead of the elevator can make a difference. You could also look into enrolling in classes or joining the gym or rediscover a passion for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, climbing, cycling or open water swimming. 

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-running-run-fitness-sports-1822459/

The bad

Eating well can do wonders for your health, but all too often, we associate changing our eating habits with losing weight. If you’re looking to drop dress sizes, it is important to keep an eye on what you eat, but in most cases, fad diets are not good for your health. You might find that you lose weight rapidly if you restrict your calorie intake dramatically or cut out entire food groups, but the results won’t be sustainable. Instead of dieting to drop weight quickly, focus on improving the quality of your diet and planning balanced, nutritious meals. Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables, protein sources, fiber and whole grains and avoid processed foods that are high in salt, sugar and saturated fats. Using a food diary app or seeing a nutritionist can help you plan and stick to a healthy eating menu that works for you. 

Picture source: https://pixabay.com/photos/breakfast-muesli-healthy-grain-1209260/

The ugly

Some habits are detrimental to our health. One example is smoking. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes, and it can also have a negative impact on dental health. Giving up smoking will benefit your health, as well as your bank balance. It’s difficult to quit smoking, especially if you’re used to smoking frequently, but there are ways to make life easier. Some smokers find switching to vaping effective, while others benefit from going to support groups with fellow smokers who are trying to quit and using nicotine replacement therapies. If you’re thinking about trying vaping, have a look at sites like The Vape Mall and read about vaping online to make sure you understand what it is and how it could help you. It’s also wise to ask your doctor for advice and to take advantage of support systems and treatments that are available to you. 

Image via https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-smoking-cigarette-2827798/

We tend to think of bad habits as leaving the toilet seat up or not putting the milk back in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, some habits can have a more profound impact. Hopefully, this guide will help you turn bad habits into positive lifestyle changes.