Technology
3 Ways to Boost Your Home Business’ Security Posture

Remote work has been on the rise recently, but many people — especially small business owners — have been operating out of their homes for years. Technology has made it possible for almost anyone to start a successful small business and enjoy the benefits of running it from home.
However, that same technology also comes with risks. Cybercrime is also becoming more common and not every business owner can hire a high-tech IT professional to keep things safe 24/7.
That doesn’t mean that you need to live in constant fear of cyber threats or worry that your business could experience a data breach at any moment. While you might not be able to completely prevent a cyberattack, there are proactive steps you can take to protect the digital security of your company and your employees. Let’s take a look at a few of the options that can help boost your business’s security posture.
1. Get “Smart” With Your Security
Smart home devices are nothing new, but they’re becoming more popular and more advanced. Not only do they make it easier to run your business, but they can also help you stay more comfortable at home. Though convenient, smart devices still pose security risks. It’s important to use them safely to keep your data secure.
The more smart tech items you install, the more risks you’ll experience, including things like:
- Targeted attacks
- Password exploitation
- Location tracking
- Secret recordings
You can protect yourself and your business information by having a professional install any smart technology you’re using at home, especially for your business. Additionally, make sure you use a secure network, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and trustworthy third-party apps. If you hire workers who do their job remotely, encourage them to manage their passwords effectively and never use public Wi-Fi.
2. Protect Your Passwords
Password protection is one of the most essential components to keeping your home business safe. Anything you have to log in to regularly should have a strong password, including your Wi-Fi network, your computer, and any sensitive documents. You can boost password security on most things by enabling two-factor authentication and avoiding using the same password more than once.
However, for specific documents you’re sharing with others, it’s worth it to have a different strong password for each one. For example, if you’re sharing a document with a specific employee or even a client, you don’t want it to have the same password as your network, or even as other documents. Password protect individual PDFs, documents, and files, using unique credentials for each one.
It’s also important that you can safely share the password, through an additional email or message — but not in the same message as the protected document. By sharing password-protected documents, you’re less likely to experience a data breach on those particular pieces of information. As long as you implement the best practices for keeping your passwords hidden and only share them with trustworthy individuals, you’ll have greater peace of mind every time you send out a new document.
Finally, make sure you train your employees about their personal password protection efforts. If your business is home-based and most of your workers are remote, you can’t control the security they have on their personal Wi-Fi networks or computers. However, by educating them on the importance of password protection and giving actionable advice, you’re less likely to experience a breach or data loss due to a weak employee password.
3. Back Everything Up
No matter what type of business you run, you undoubtedly have some kind of data that’s important to its daily function and overall success. If you experience a data breach, not only can that information be compromised, but it could potentially be wiped clean from your network.
One of the best ways to boost your security posture and ensure you don’t lose everything from a cyberattack is to ensure your data is backed up. Critical data examples include:
- Databases
- Financial files
- Word processing documents
- Accounts receivable/payable
Ideally, you should install a program that automatically backs everything up right away. If you have to do it manually, commit to backing up your data at least once a week. This is also another training and teaching opportunity for your employees, especially if they work remotely. Either make sure your data is all cloud-based so it backs up from your network, or encourage your employees to save and backup whatever they’re working on that isn’t shareable in the cloud.
As a small business owner, you have to wear multiple hats. You probably didn’t think about how well-versed you needed to become in cybersecurity when you started your business. However, if you want to protect what you’ve worked for, being able to boost your digital security at home is essential. Keep these tips in mind to keep your business, employees, and any customer data you might have on file, as safe and secure as possible. The more precautions you have in place, the less likely it is for your business to fall victim to a cyber attack.
Industry and Service
Best Practices for Using Composite IBC Totes

According to the International Organization for Standardization (IOS), totes are classified into two categories. Let us take a closer look:
First, there are intermediate bulk container (IBC) totes that are described as rigid. These are often made from metal, wood, or fiberboard. They are designed as a single unit and do not call for additional support when they are filled up.
Then there is the composite kind. These are made up of a cage that supports and protects the inner lining when weight is added. As a result, the lining and the cage work in tandem as one unit.
In this read, we are going to dive into the gist of things and explore practices that you should implement when it comes to using your 330 reconditioned IBC totes. Keep in mind that these are general requirements and you should seek specific advice from your supplier as your needs may be different.
-If you intend to store products meant for human use, ensure the totes are food grade. This helps ascertain harmful interactions or reactions do not happen during transportation or storage.
-When handling items with extremely low flashpoints, store them in totes that are explosion-proof. Some materials, however, will need permeation barriers to prevent them from diffusing through the lining.
-In regards to hazmat transit, the container’s material as well as filling material compatibility should undergo thorough testing. These tests, however, can differ between European and American regions. They are put into place to determine the best material to use for your situation and so, is imperative to allocate enough time for comprehensive testing.
The Best Practices for Filling & Handling/Shipping IBC Totes
- Filling
In order to fill a tote, the following three things should be done:
-Close the outlet valve
-During filling, the process should be performed at atmospheric pressure, and shouldn’t go beyond 70ºC/158ºF. Therefore, the tote should not be pressurized.
-During the cooling stage, the receptacle should be vented. This is to prevent vacuum deformation from occurring. Once this is done, ensure the cap is screwed in tightly.
- Handling or Shipping
-The totes should be well-secured to make sure no damage occurs during transit
-Never use tie ropes on the totes with the intention of moving them this way.
-If you are using a pallet jack or a forklift to handle the IBC totes, the forks should reach the pallets’ entire length.
- Storage or Stacking
-Prior to stacking, it is imperative to identify the plate for stack testing. This helps determine whether the IBC totes are stackable.
-Always put nesting into consideration. It means arranging the totes in a way that they fit closely together. An effective way to do this is by using a two on two configuration.
-During transportation, the stack should not go beyond two layers
- Emptying
-When emptying a tote, only do it through the lower outlet valve.
-Open the top before emptying to avoid a vacuum collapse
-If you are emptying through a pipe or a pump, make sure that it is supported and does not rely on the cage. If you use the cage to support the pump or pipe, the vibrations are likely to cause damage to the cage.
The Takeaway
These are some of the general practices when handling composite IBC totes. It is also important to note that these practices are just the tip of the iceberg. As such, we recommend forming a relationship with a supplier that has been in the field for years to ensure that you always make informed decisions.
Geek Culture
Activision Blizzard and the US Justice Department reach a settlement over accusations of esports wage suppression

The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint against Activision Blizzard on Monday in the District of Columbia, accusing the company of underpaying esports athletes, a claim that has apparently already been resolved.
Activision Blizzard was accused by the Justice Department of enacting a “competitive balance tax” in order to reduce competition for professional Call of Duty and Overwatch players in esports leagues. This would act as a salary cap by penalizing a team if player compensations went over a certain limit (established by Activision Blizzard).
Activision Blizzard’s representative issued the following in a statement: “We have always held the opinion that the Competitive Balance Tax was legitimate and had no negative effects on player pay. We still hold this opinion today. The leagues voluntarily removed the tax from our rules in 2021 because it was never imposed.”
Activision Blizzard has reiterated its commitment to “leading the esports industry and fostering opportunities for players to earn fair pay and benefits,” as well as to refrain from enacting the competitive balance tax or any other kind of ceilings or restrictions on the pay of esports players in the future.
In other Activision Blizzard news, UK authorities no longer worry that the ongoing acquisition narrative would have a significant influence on console competition, so it appears to be nearing to some sort of conclusion.
Gaming
Players of The Condition of the Outer Worlds on PS5 are requesting refunds

The RPG The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition was recently published on the PS5, but even in its specialized performance mode, it performs poorly. As a result, several players have already requested refunds in threads on the game’s subreddit.
Even though problems probably aren’t to blame for the game’s performance issues, customer service has told affected players (who appear to all be PS5 users) to report bugs to the publisher, Private Division, which is having trouble.
The parent company of Private Division, Take-Two Interactive, announced layoffs on Monday, citing the need for “another long period of success” as the reason. The Twitter account for The Outer Worlds sent players looking for information to the troubled publisher, Obsidian Entertainment, which is now owned by Microsoft.
We're sorry to hear that The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition is having performance issues. We recommend submitting a bug report to Private Division. https://t.co/J4NhnR4iac
Thanks, and sorry for the frustration that this issue has caused!
— The Outer Worlds (@OuterWorlds) March 8, 2023
It is unknown if Sony or Private Division will offer refunds. It’s true that it’s not the complete disaster that Cyberpunk 2077 was at first, but we’ll monitor the situation as it changes. The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition on the PS5 bothered you?
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