Legal Law

What is the difference between: lawyer, solicitor, defender, lawyer, counselor and lawyer?

Have you ever wondered where all these somewhat confusing terms come from? Well, the answer is that all types of lawyers originated from various legal systems. Some of the terms are from the English legal system, some are from Scotland, and some are from the American legal system.

An attorney is someone who is legally empowered to represent another person or act on their behalf.

An attorney is someone who can give legal advice and has been trained in law.

Lawyer and Lawyer are synonyms? Basically yes, but they are not necessarily interchangeable terms, for example, you cannot say that I grant you the power of attorney, but you could definitely say that I grant you the power of attorney …

Look again at the previous definitions, does it make any sense now? Of course yes.

A de facto attorney is an agent who conducts business under an authority that is controlled and limited by a written document called a letter or power of attorney. An attorney is an official of a court of law authorized to represent the person who employs him (the client) in legal proceedings.

To the lawyer– One who requests, especially one who seeks trade or contributions. He is the chief law enforcement officer of a city, town, or government department, but does not act as an advocate in court, unlike the attorney who advocates in court. (English law).

A lawyer(Lawyer called in Scotland) presents the case in court. Most of the high ranking and distinguished attorneys are appointed attorneys for the king (queen).

A legal advisor– In the past, at least in some US states, there was a distinction between the term Legal Counsel who argued the case in court and an attorney who prepared the case but did not argue it.

Currently, an attorney is authorized to perform all the functions of a practicing attorney. All of them must, however, like the ordinary lawyer, be admitted to the bar association. The term attorney is also used for county, state and federal prosecutors such as county attorney, district attorney, and attorney general.

Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as advocates and advisers in our society. As advocates, they represent a party in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisers, attorneys advise their clients regarding their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Although all attorneys are licensed to represent the parties in court, some appear in court more frequently than others. Trial attorneys, who specialize in judicial work, must be able to think quickly and speak with ease and authority. Additionally, familiarity with courtroom rules and strategy is particularly important in judicial work. Still, trial attorneys spend most of their time outside of the courtroom, conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and handling other details in preparation for trial.

Typical attorneys:

The legal system affects almost every aspect of our society, from buying a house to crossing the street. Attorneys occupy positions of great responsibility and are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

The more detailed aspects of an attorney’s job depend on his or her field of expertise and position. Although all attorneys are licensed to represent the parties in court, some appear in court more frequently than others.

Lawyers can specialize in several different areas, such as bankruptcy, probate, international or elder law. Those who specialize in environmental law, for example, may represent public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction companies in their dealings with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and state agencies. . These attorneys help clients prepare and apply for licenses and approval requests before certain activities occur. In addition, they represent the interests of clients in administrative awards.

Some attorneys focus on the growing field of intellectual property, helping to protect client claims about copyrights, contract artwork, product designs, and computer programs. Still other attorneys advise insurance companies on the legality of insurance transactions, writing insurance policies to comply with the law and to protect companies from unjustified claims.

Most attorneys are in private practice, concentrating on criminal or civil law. In criminal law, lawyers represent people accused of crimes and defend their cases in court. Civil law attorneys assist clients with litigation, wills, trusts, contracts, mortgages, titles, and leases. Other attorneys handle only public interest, civil or criminal cases, which can have an impact that extends far beyond the individual client.

These issues can involve patents, government regulations, and contracts with other companies, property interests, or collective bargaining agreements with unions.

Other attorneys work for legal aid societies – private nonprofit organizations established to serve disadvantaged people. These attorneys generally handle civil cases, rather than criminal ones. A relatively small number of trained lawyers work in law schools.

Real life situations have created “specialties” according to business profitability. This is how terms like Vioxx Lawyer, DUI Lawyer, Lemon Law Lawyer, Structured Settlements Lawyer, and others came about.

Additional Information:

www.Lawyers-Best-Infoweb.com

Pets

Boxer characteristics

Is A Boxer Right For You?

Country of origin: Germany

First registration: 1904

Colors: Fawn, brindle with white spots.

Coat type: Short, shiny and smooth

Height: 21-25 inches

Weight: 66 to 70 pounds.

Shelf life: 10-12 years

Average litter size: 5 – 10

Health concerns:. You can have problems with heart murmurs, skin tumors, digestive problems, and hypothyroidism.

Temperament: good-natured, affectionate, sociable, stubborn, high-energy.

Active, playful, loyal, familiar, these are just some of the boxer’s characteristics. A breed full of love for people and zest for life, the Boxer can be an ideal family dog. The boxer is unlike any other breed. Often described as the “clown” of the canine community, boxers are in a class of their own. Those who own boxers can attest to their unique characteristics.

With his lean, muscular build, smooth fur, and square posture, the Boxer is truly an impressive-looking animal. Being a working-class breed, the Boxer demonstrates an instinctive will to please, while at the same time displaying alertness, caution, and courage in the face of the unknown.

However, the boxer is NOT for everyone. Being a high energy breed, they require a lot of love and even more patience.

So if you are considering owning a boxer, web-rover.com offers information on this wonderful breed.

Origin

Originally bred in Germany, the boxer is believed to be of Brabanter Bullenbessier descent. The Bullenbeisser was used by the elite to hunt wild boars around the 19th century. To avoid injury while hunting, the ears were cut off.

As time passed, the Barbanter Bullenbeisser was used by cattle traders and, in the late 19th century, it was officially recognized as a working-class dog. In addition to being known for being an intelligent working dog, the Barbanter Bullenbessier was recognized as an excellent companion dog that was always eager to please humans. When he was not working, the breed was known to be an excellent family pet, which was excellent with children.

It is believed that around 1830, the Babnanter Bullenbeisser was raised with an early breed of the English Bulldog, and thus the boxer was born.

In the early days of the breed, many changes occurred. Many old images show boxers as white. It is believed that white boxers were no longer accepted because a darker coat was required to be police dogs. Therefore, the Boxer Klub from Germany set the breed standard to not allow more white boxers. To this day, there is still a great debate about white boxers.

Typical boxer characteristics

– The boxer is a very high energy dog. As a result, they need a lot of attention and supervision.

– The boxer is an intelligent dog. As it should be with all dogs, the boxer needs obedience training on a regular basis from a young puppy. Being a bright and energetic breed, they will find many ways to get into trouble if not properly trained and observed.

– Boxers are usually great with children. If properly socialized from a puppy, the boxer is an ideal playmate.

The boxer is a natural guardian. Always alert, the boxer is on constant guard. Usually tired of strangers and always protective of his people.

– The boxer’s temperament is “fundamentally playful”, but if treated, he will show unwavering courage.

Here are some “other” boxer characteristics that you probably won’t find in any dog ​​book:

Lying on your back, feet up, it doesn’t matter!

GAS … bad gas

Beans (the boxer’s dance)

Woo Woo Song boxer brief

Catching bugs

Using paws in feline movements

Wandering the backyard for no apparent reason.

He bounces like a rabbit when he runs sometimes

The song “woo woo”

It rests its head on you like it’s too heavy to hold!

Constantly following his humans wherever they go.

So is a boxer right for you?

The Boxer is an affectionate loyal dog, which if treated with love and respect can make a wonderful addition to any home. However, the boxer is also a very energetic dog, who will need strict obedience and even more patience. The key is to properly socialize and train your dog from a young age. By doing so, you and your dog will enjoy your time together more.

So if you’re looking for a dog that will lie down at your feet, move only occasionally to eat, or stand alone and require little attention, then maybe a boxer isn’t exactly what you need. But if you want a dog that’s full of life and a constant source of entertainment, perhaps a boxer is exactly what you need.

For more information on the boxer, visit web-rover.com and check out the boxers forum.

Sports

Fumblitis

You won’t find “Fumblitis” in any medical journal, but it is an unfortunate ailment. It occurs in the fall along with the onset of winter, as do colds and flu. It is also a very serious affliction, which will bring migraine headaches to offensive coaches and coordinators. Sometimes fumblitis can be fatal, like an offense. It will also turn wins into losses.

Fumbled balls can kill an offense and even change games. Sunday saw an example, with the Vikings winning 405-137 over the NY Giants, but somehow they managed a 24-21 victory! 5 turnovers were the difference, which included a fumble. A fumble also turned the Patriots / Dolphins game upside down. With Miami leading late in the second quarter and already up 7-0, TE Randy McMichael lost the ball in the 9th after a long win. Instead of a 14-0 or 10-0 lead at Miami halftime, the Patriots marched down and kicked a field goal to get back into the game.

Fumbled balls can kill an offense. Here’s a current list of the team with the most fumbles in the NFL: New Orleans (14), Chicago (12), Washington (12), NY Jets (11), St. Louis (9), San Francisco (9) , Tennessee (9), Arizona (9), Minnesota (8), Miami (9). Two of those teams have a winning spread record (Bears, Redskins) and the combined spread records are 35-53 ATS.

Sometimes more fumbles can mean the team likes to run the ball more. This would be the case with the Bears and Redskins, who are actually decent teams. But others have stumbled a lot this season, both directly and against numbers, and too many fumbles are a big reason.

Let’s go back to 2004. The teams that finished with the most fumbles were the Bears, Browns, 49ers and Bucs. Those teams didn’t even get anywhere near the playoffs, with the Browns and 49ers battling for last place in the NFL. Holding onto football is a matter of concentration and effort, and those teams lacked in 2004.

Turnovers can change everything. Take a look at Sunday’s Jets / Carolina box score. Total yards: NY 214, Carolina 220. The Jets held the advantage in rushing yards 137-101. It looks like a defensive game, maybe a final score of 13-10? Be aware enough. Test Carolina 30, Jets 3. You can guess what will come next: Jet’s 6 turnovers, including 2 fumbles. The Panthers weren’t wrong at all.

Arts Entertainments

Learn to be awesome in bed – Warning! Lovemaking Tips Most Men Are Neglecting

In this article I would like to teach you how to be great in bed. It’s pretty simple … and it does NOT require some astronomical feats of physical strength, stamina, or other things that you CAN believe she really wants you to show off. The truth is, MOST women just DON’T enjoy sex with their male partners AS MUCH as they want you to believe … and if you’re like most men, you’re most likely NOT doing the job. As good as you think! I know, I know … a lot of guys get mad when I say this and think I’m full of you know what … but the FACTS don’t lie … and up to 90% of women claim they MISSED an orgasm with their current partner. (And HALF admit they prefer shopping to sex!)

Be Better in Bed: Simple Tips, Great Results

The number one secret to becoming a better lover is actually very simple. Decelerate. Aspire. Take your time. Learn the landscape! The foreplay is fabulous. Does this sound trite and cliché? I hope so … because it’s TRUE! Most men are under the wrong impression that a woman’s body can keep up with yours from the point of view of erotic arousal and orgasmic speed … and it’s just NOT true!

The real key to giving her an experience that is at least EQUALLY as powerful as yours is learning to understand the silent signs, cues, and sensual stories that YOUR body tells when you are in those most intimate moments.

The atmosphere is important too!

A woman is often much more driven by the senses than a man when it comes to the environment and environment for lovemaking. Learning to increase her pleasure by igniting her senses is a VERY easy way to accelerate her sensuality and keep her fire burning at the same temperature as yours! How? Music. Mood. Color and light. They are ALL part of the amazing vortex of visual and sensory stimuli that a woman desperately craves. Give her all this and more and BLIND the rewards of a very happy woman!

Home Kitchen

Mahogany Hardwood Floors: Advantages and Disadvantages

In prehistoric times in South and Central America and the Caribbean region, this type of wood was used to make canoes. This shows that mahogany wood is durable and strong. It is not only used to make boats, but also to make musical instruments, doors, and furniture. Hardwood floors are one of the most popular uses for mahogany wood. It is also known to have a long life. It has a reddish brown color that radiates warmth and works great on all styles and types of furniture. Having this type of flooring can give your home a classic or rustic look.

Advantages of mahogany wood flooring

• It is harder than hardwoods such as pine or oak. For example, it is approximately 28% more stable and 70% harder than oak. Mahogany hardwood floors are scratch and water resistant due to their hardness and have no pockets or slots.

• Quarter-cut logs are used to cut the planks, ensuring their durability. Because how strong mahogany hardwood floors are, there is less chance of them sagging due to heat.

• The grain textures are uniform, making for beautiful patterns that go with almost any furniture.

• Mahogany hardwood floors don’t fade as easily because wood absorbs sunlight.

• There are minor color variations ranging from dark brown to orange, but the most consistent tint is reddish brown. Due to this range of colors, it allows various combinations of furniture and floors.

Cons

• Due to the hardness of this type of flooring, it is not easy to shape, cut or sand. This will affect the way the wood can be worked, so it is recommended that in cutting and installing these floorboards, you hire a skilled floor professional.

• Colors will become darker and richer when exposed to sunlight for overtime. You should choose a mahogany wood floor that is light in color so that it will turn darker in time.

• Dark-colored floors will show pet hair, footprints, dust, and other debris, so they should be cleaned regularly with a dust mop or soft bristle arm.

• It is more expensive when compared to different hardwood floors. Per foot of the bed, it can cost up to thirty dollars, but you’re paying for its rarity and durability.

• There are a variety of trees that have “mahogany” in their name, so these trees are considered mahogany, but they are not the same trees that are used to make this type of durable flooring. Because they are not that expensive, many people are tempted to buy them due to the low price, but they are not true mahogany wood flooring.

Auto

2018 BMW X2: the new crossover sports SUV

It is only the beginning of 2017 and BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), one of the world’s best-selling luxury car manufacturers, is ready to sensationalize the global market with one of its best crossover models in the coming year of 2018. Groomed to perfection, the new SUV is ready to step between X1 and X3 and therefore gets its name: BMW X2 SUV. First unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, it is speculated that the preview model of the 2018 BMW X2 will stay true to its design principles, as detailed last year, with only a handful of changes anticipated, albeit with a positive ending. It will be the third and smallest product launched in its category. Let’s have a detailed view.

2018 BMW X2 Concept

According to the design creators of BMW, the idea of ​​X2 has been conceptualized along the lines of offering a combination of enjoyment with practicality. The car amalgamates a perfect blend of fast-moving body language along with the low proportions of a coupe that makes it a sturdy build from its X1-series counterpart.

Design and exterior of the BMW X2 2018

Speaking of the front end of the 2018 BMW X2, it features a large kidney-shaped grille bordered by distinctive slim LED headlights. The large front bumper and silver bottom trim, on the other hand, give the car its much-talked-about rugged SUV look. In addition, at the rear, the SUV coupe speaks of a low roof line with narrow windows that do justice to the X2 design concept. Although it looks more like a hatchback than a sports car, it is said to offer the best of both worlds.

Moving forward, the wide wheelchairs add to the 2018 BMW X2 a muscular look. While, at the same time, the wide 21-inch wheels give the car its completely rugged profile. At the rear, the hatchback, however, isn’t exactly what we’ve seen BMW incorporate into their previous hatchbacks like the X4 or X6. The BMW X2 tends to offer a more realistic appeal despite its elegant styling.

Additionally, the X2, as modeled at the Paris Motor Show, should have a centrally located BMW badge delimited by slim taillights and a license plate that is attached to the bumper. Very similar to what we have seen in the first series of hatches of the car brand.

Interior of the 2018 BMW X2

The interiors of this roaring beast are expected to be inspired by the sleek cabin of the new BMW 5 Series. A separate infotainment screen that sits on top of a simple center console and comes equipped with new BMW gesture control functions. The dashboard will come in two variants: wood effect or glossy metallic finish.

The roofline of the X2 can be a bit annoying, especially for tall passengers; don’t expect to feel comfortable in the back when it comes to long trips. Legroom is lagging here too.

2018 BMW X2 engine

X2 will feature the same UKL1 platform as its BMW X1 and Mini Countryman counterparts. As a result, it is likely to boast front-wheel drive and be available in four main variants: three diesel engines and one gasoline. Entry-level cars will feature a six-speed manual gearbox. While, on the other hand, drivers will be offered the benefits of also choosing a smooth eight-speed automatic.

2018 BMW X2 Driving

The 2018 entry-level BMW X2 will target a 148PS diesel, while mid-range SUVs will likely feature 187PS and 227PS. To give you an idea, the current X1 model has a 148 hp diesel that returns a remarkable 68.9 mpg. The 227 hp model runs between 0 and 100 km / h in just 6.6 seconds. These figures give us a rough idea of ​​what X2 can reflect or exceed.

In the future, no such details are yet available about the powertrain of the 2018 BMW X2. However, internal reports suggest that the production model will feature a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, while its top-end models should. receive a more powerful 2.0-liter engine and a four-cylinder unit with twin-turbo technology from BMW.

2018 BMW X2 release date and price

The Munich-based automaker is expected to begin delivery of the 2018 BMW X2 early in the second quarter of 2017. The crossover is expected to be priced close to its X1 counterpart at a cost of $ 35,000 (base model). The biggest crossovers will come in for around $ 38,000. The cost will also fluctuate between the diesel and gasoline variants.

Digital Marketing

Will the United States ever once again be the VOICE of freedom and rights?

What has happened, with the basic premise, of our Founding Fathers, that it was, would be, a nation, founded on certain principles, including the right to enjoy certain freedoms, rights and privileges, including equal justice, etc.? How can we continue to be proud of our history, of being the VOICE freedom and genuine human rights? If we don’t do all we can to strengthen and support them, what does the United States stand for? This means enforcing all of our constitutional guarantees, rather than merely, selectively, and trying to unite Americans, for the common good, rather than the antagonistic and polarizing approach. With that in mind, this article will briefly attempt to consider, examine, review and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it is important.

1. Visions / visionary; virtues points of view: What should our vibrant and vital vision be, and what would visionary leadership mean and represent? Shouldn’t it be certain virtues, a necessity, to be a public official, and shouldn’t the official public opinions, which we express to the rest of the world, be representative of the protection of human rights, freedoms and justice?

2. Options; open minded: Instead of focusing on any personal / political agenda and / or self-interest, we can only maintain our legacy, if viable options are considered, with an open mind, and human rights, etc., become the top priority!

3. Integrity; ideas; ideals / ideology; imagination; innovate: When the leader of the free world articulates a message containing shifting narratives, the integrity and leadership of our nation is challenged and weakened! Our leaders must align any idea, with the ideals and ideology, expressed in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and common sense, for the common good! However, as times change and evolve, leaders must have the imagination to innovate, when necessary, to protect what we have always had, most loved, and most proud of.

Four. Character; clarity; candor: We must constantly demand absolute frankness, from our public officials, and a demonstration of the quality of character, which it clearly demands, protection and strengthening of all our basic American principles, etc.!

5. Empathy; emphasis; put up with; to enrich; effort; Excellence: Elected leaders must listen effectively, learn, and proceed, with genuine empathy, placing their emphasis on the needs, goals, priorities, and perceptions of all of our citizens. When we elect a president, he must represent everyone, and not just his main supporters. If we hope that the legacy of freedoms and rights will endure, we must demand that each leader enrich society, with their efforts and personal commitment, with the highest excellence, rather than the good, enough!

We are currently living a battle for the soul of our nation! If you don’t want our legacy, our freedoms and our rights to be diminished and / or lost, you must demand better, sooner rather than later!

Business

Promoting Business Models With New Apps

Promoting Business Models

In the coming years, the number of professionals opting for Blockchain jobs London will increase. The main attraction of this new industry is the opportunity it gives to stay connected with a global network of experts. The new industry in this context is the peer to peer lending market. This service is provided by a network of financial institutions, which enable members to access loans that are based on peer-to-peer lending principles. The concept is very similar to that of the traditional stock exchange, but here there is a twist.

The new online job listing site lets one to search out a particular job name while simultaneously writing down their location. The site then matches the description to the most matching candidates and shows the most promising jobs as soon as they are added. Through its simple and user-friendly interface and its intuitive search functions, many individuals have already bagged the right job opportunities at excellent pay grade. For instance, if an individual wants to become a banker in the future London, the search engine will show the bankera jobs in the city. Upon clicking on one of them, the person gets to know the details such as salary, number of years of experience and other important things.

Blockchain Jobs London

The platform has created a distinct image for itself and is fast becoming popular among both the experienced and inexperienced developers. The team at the bankera platform has also made it easy for investors to participate in the business. The job board provides a gateway to potential investors and startups that may be interested in hiring professionals for developing new applications or services based on the technology of the Blockchain.

Promoting Business Models With New Apps

The major attraction of the London based platform is the simple application process that does not include any complex applications. The process is simply designed to filter the candidates according to their geographical location, educational background and other essential parameters. The simple application process further enables the users to search for jobs london according to their qualification, expertise and skills which further makes the job searching easier for users.

The platform also offers a unique proposition wherein it links monolith ai developers to provide the best solutions. The bankera project is managed by one of the leading developers in the industry who have developed a number of cutting edge open source mobile and web based technologies. This ensures that the developers are able to deliver new features and applications quickly and in an efficient manner. The developers are also expected to deliver complete solutions according to the project requirements.

The developers of the platform are expected to deliver cutting edge applications in the coming months. The projects being developed by the team include the dlt portfolio tracking system which enables financial services companies to efficiently manage their dlt portfolios. This functionality helps in reducing cost and operational impact while making the data more manageable. Other technologies like the fnz Blockchain architect solution helps in managing the business accounts, working with the supply chain networks, enterprise architecture and supply chain development in a hassle free manner.

Business

How to Rank Higher on Google with My Top 5 SEO Tips

If you’ve come across this article, chances are you want to rank higher in search engines, and in particular how to rank higher on Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Well here’s the good news first: you can!

But of course, all good news comes with a downside, and that’s this: Reaching # 1 on Google takes a lot of time, a lot of work, and there are no shortcuts (sorry!). There aren’t even many “SEO secrets” that most webmasters don’t know. However, there are 5 very simple SEO tips that I can give you, a webmaster, if you are looking to increase your search engine exposure and get to the first page of Google’s SERPs (search engine results page):

1) Title tags. If you were to ask me, “What’s the easiest and fastest way to improve my ranking on Google? I’d say you’re optimizing your title tag. Your title tag is the title of the web page you want to rank higher for. The title of the page you’re on now is probably something like “How to rank higher in Google with my top 5 SEO tips.”

If you are trying to rank a site that is about Jungle Gyms, you probably want your title tag to be something like “Jungle Gyms – Safety and Maintenance” or if you are looking to sell Jungle Gyms, maybe something like “Buy Jungle Gyms at a cost. off “. You get the idea.

Here’s the rundown – find out what your potential readers / customers will search to find you and make your title tag something very, very much like that. Google believes that title tags are extremely important and you should too.

2) Content site. Even if your title tags are optimized, the content on your site should closely match what your audience is looking for. If you sell Jungle Gyms, but you don’t have the words “Jungle Gyms” anywhere on your site, Google will think your site is about something else and will not show your site to people searching for “Jungle Gyms.” . “It’s especially important to put your target keywords in your heading tags (H1, H2, etc.), as Google sees them as especially important pieces of content on your site.

3). Internal link. Try everything you can to link to every page on your site, within your site. For example, if you have a page on your site that is about Jungle Gym safety, include a sentence on that page about maintaining Jungle Gym and link your readers to that page as well. This not only helps readers navigate your site, it also helps Google spiders crawl your site, and this helps your sites rank. Also, be sure to include the proper anchor text. Therefore, do not include a link that says “Click here”, otherwise Google will think your site is about “click here”. Make your anchor text something like “Jungle Gym Maintenance”.

4) Backlinks optimized for anchor text. Speaking of backlinks, you are going to need them. Many of them. Backlinks are the most important factor for SEO. If you don’t have relevant high-quality anchor text backlinks, you’ll never make it to the top of Google’s SERPs. In addition to having a great website that other webmasters will naturally link to, the best way to get high-quality backlinks is to create them yourself.

You can get backlinks from article directories like this, you can post in forums with your site in your signature, you can blog, you can submit your site to various online directories, and much more. Spend most of your time strengthening your backlink profile (and invest in SEO software, if necessary), because that’s what Google looks for when it wants to decide whether or not your site is legitimate.

5) Patience, patience, patience.. This is probably the best advice I can give you. 99.9% of site owners try to understand SEO and eventually abandon it, because ranking their site took too long. It’s a cliché, but it’s true: search engine optimization is a marathon, not a sprint. It won’t be number 1 overnight. It never happens. Always. You’ll need persistence on everything, and with the right SEO tools, SEO training, and SEO strategies like the ones I’ve given you above, you too can be one of the top ones.

Gaming

How to avoid being hacked: two-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes it much more difficult for a hacker to access your stuff online, and the most common form of consumer MFA is two-factor authentication (2FA). A very common form of 2FA is the debit card. One factor is the card itself, which contains magnetic identification information (these days, a chip) and a PIN that you provide when you put the thing in an ATM. It’s simple and pretty good at keeping others out of your accessible cash at ATMs. 2FA is important for your online accounts, like email and your iCloud accounts.

While I admit that it can be a bit annoying having to do something extra to get into your account, it is far less annoying than having your identity stolen, losing access to your email, or replying to your friends who wonder why you have. Said such crazy things about them (unless, of course, you said those crazy things!). Or, God forbid, someone like you to log into one of your gaming accounts.

Here’s how 2FA or two-step authentication works for a couple of different types of online accounts. (Note that these services change things from time to time, so it’s good to be aware of those changes.)

Set up Google 2-Step Verification

First log in with your username and password (we’ll get to choosing smart passwords in Part 3) into your Gmail account. There should be an avatar in a circle near the upper left corner of the window. Maybe it’s even a photo of you. Click on it and you will see “My Account”. (By the way, this changes every two years) In the new window that opens, click on “Sign in and security”. Click “Two-Step Verification” and then “Get Started”. It is time to re-enter your username and password. Enter a phone number and click if you want to receive a text message or a phone call. Then, magically, you receive a text message or phone call with a 6-digit verification code. Write it down and select the option to activate 2-Step Verification. It is easy. Okay, it’s several steps, but not that difficult.

You may prefer to collect your Gmail with some other application, such as Outlook, rather than using a browser to go to the Gmail page for your mail. If so, it is possible that after you’ve turned on 2-Step Verification, Outlook (or another app) might keep telling you that you have the wrong password, even though you know very well that it is the correct one. This has happened to me. You will probably need Google to provide you with a specific application password that Google will generate for you. You’ll need to go to the app’s passwords page, which is here at the time of writing.

Select the app you want it for (if it’s Outlook, then you’d select “Mail”), then the device you’re using (Google magically presents a list of the devices you use with their services). Then select “Generate”. It will show you a 16-digit number in a yellow bar for you to use as your new password for that app (Outlook, for example) on that device (don’t enter the spaces). You can save that password in your app and you may need that number again in the future.

Yahoo!

Yahoo! it’s similar: log into your account, go to the account security page, click “two-step verification” and toggle the button there to activate it. Select an option to receive a text message or phone call for verification. Enter the code that comes to you by text message or phone call. At this point, you can create an app password, similar to Google’s process above for its various apps like Outlook or Apple (iOS) Mail.

iCloud

Now, let’s set up 2FA in your iCloud account. First, you must have a passcode set up on your iPhone or iPad.

Click on the Settings app. If your device uses iOS 10.3.3, click on your name (or the name of the account you use to sign in), then on “Passwords and Security.” Did I mention that this will change as Apple keeps us on our toes by changing everything once we’ve gotten comfortable with the old version? In the most recent old version, you would have clicked Settings, then iCloud, then your name, then Password and security. But I digress …

Now tap on “Turn on two-factor authentication”. Be prepared to answer a few security questions, which we will discuss in a future article, and then enter the phone number where you want to receive the code for 2FA and, as before, select whether you want a phone call or a text message.

Macintosh

For a Mac, open System Preferences, select iCloud and then “Account Details.” You may need to sign in with your Apple credentials. As stated above, answer your security questions if prompted, enter the phone number where you want to receive calls or text messages for verification. Once again, a magic robot instantly sends you the code and you must enter it in the field that awaits your response.

Once it’s on, you will receive a message requesting approval if an unknown device or location logs into your account. Note that on a Mac, that notification can sometimes be in a window that’s hidden behind another, so look for that if you find you’re having trouble getting the approval request.

Speaking of issues, it seems like it takes a lot of work to have two-factor authentication, but once it’s set up, it’s not a hassle and will add considerable security to your accounts, as well as considerable barriers to potential hackers. So do it!

Next time, we’ll discuss passwords, access codes, and why you shouldn’t fill out those fun quizzes all your friends send you.

Next, in part three: Choosing smart passwords and secret questions (also known as giving away the form).