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Using a VPN hides your IP address and routes your traffic through a separate server, making your online experience much safer. A VPN could be useful in the following situations: When using public Wi-Fi A VPN is recommended when using a public Wi-Fi network, even if it is password-protected. If a hacker is on the same Wi-Fi network as you, they can easily eavesdrop on your data. The basic security provided by the average public Wi-Fi network does not provide robust protection from other network users. Using a VPN adds an extra layer of security to your data by bypassing the ISP of public Wi-Fi and encrypting all communication. When you are travelling If you are visiting a foreign country, such as China, where sites such as Facebook are blocked, a VPN can help you access services that are not available in that country. The VPN will frequently enable you to use streaming services that you have paid for and have access to in your home country but are not available in another due to international rights issues. You can use the service as if you were at home by using a VPN. Travelers who use a VPN may also be able to find cheaper airfare because prices vary by region. When you are working remotely This is especially important in the post-COVID world, where many people work from home. For security reasons, employers frequently require the use of a VPN to access company services remotely. When you are not in the office, a VPN that connects to your office’s server can provide you with access to internal company networks and resources. It can also do the same for your home network while you are away. When you just want some privacy Even if you are using the internet in the comfort of your own home, using a VPN is a good idea. When you visit a website, the server that you connect to logs your IP address and associates it with all the other information the site can learn about you, such as your browsing habits, what you click on, and how long you spend looking at a specific page. They can sell this information to advertising companies, who will use it to tailor advertisements to you specifically. This is why ads on the internet can feel strangely personal at times: they are. Even if your location services are turned off, your IP address can be used to track your location. Using a VPN prevents you from leaving digital footprints. Don’t forget about your mobile devices. They, too, have IP addresses, and you probably use them in more places than your home computer, including public Wi-Fi hotspots. When connecting to a network that you do not fully trust, it is best to use a VPN on your mobile device.

An IP address is a one-of-a-kind identifier for a device on the internet or a local network. IP is an abbreviation for “Internet Protocol,” which is a set of rules that governs the format of data sent over the internet or a local network. IP addresses, in essence, are the identifiers that allow information to be sent between network devices: they contain location information and make devices available for communication. The internet requires a method to distinguish between different computers, routers, and websites. IP addresses enable this and are a critical component of how the internet operates. What exactly is an IP address? An IP address is a number string separated by periods. IP addresses are expressed as a string of four numbers, such as 192.158.1.38. Each number in the set can have a value ranging from 0 to 255. As a result, the full IP addressing range is 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. IP addresses are not generated at random. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a division of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), generates and assigns them mathematically. ICANN is a non-profit organisation founded in the United States in 1998 to help maintain the security and usability of the internet. Every time someone registers a domain name on the internet, they go through a domain name registrar, who pays a small fee to ICANN to do so. How do IP addresses function? Understanding how IP addresses work can help you understand why a particular device is not connecting as expected or troubleshoot why your network may not be working. Internet Protocol communicates in the same way that any other language does, by following predefined rules to pass information. Using this protocol, all devices find, send, and exchange information with other connected devices. Any computer in any location can communicate with another by speaking the same language. IP addresses are typically used behind the scenes. The procedure is as follows: 1. Your device connects to the internet indirectly by first connecting to a network that is connected to the internet, which then grants your device access to the internet. 2. That network will most likely be your Internet Service Provider when you are at home (ISP). It will be your company network at work. 3. Your ISP will assign your device an IP address. 4. Your internet activity is routed through the ISP and returned to you via your IP address. Because they are providing you with internet access, it is their responsibility to assign an IP address to your device. 5. Your IP address, however, can change. Turning your modem or router on or off, for example, can alter it. You can also contact your ISP and have them change it for you. 6. When you are out and about, such as travelling, and bring your device with you, your home IP address does not accompany you. 7. This is due to the fact that you will be accessing the internet via a different network (Wi-Fi at a hotel, airport, or coffee shop, for example) and will be using a different (and temporary) IP address assigned to you by the ISP of the hotel, airport, or coffee shop.

.PDF (Preferred for most files) PDF (short for Portable Document Format) is a file format developed by Adobe as a means of distributing compact, platform-independent documents. PDF captures formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient’s monitor or printer as they were intended. .EPS (Preferred for large signs and banners) EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a vector format intended for use with PostScript printers and imagesetters. It is widely regarded as the best graphics format for high-resolution printing of illustrations. Illustration programmes such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW are used to create and edit EPS files. Vector graphics are a resolution-independent, scalable format made up of individual objects or shapes. Vector images can be easily resized without sacrificing quality, making them an ideal format for initial logo designs and illustrations that will be used in a variety of sizes. JPG (Preferred for images) JPG (short for Joint Photographic Experts Group and pronounced jay-peg) is a file format that is best used for photo images that need to be very small files, such as for web sites or email. JPG employs lossy compression (lossy meaning “with losses to quality”). When JPG data is compressed and saved, some image quality is lost, and this quality can never be recovered. Most other file compression methods are lossless, which means “fully recoverable.” However, this integrity requirement limits efficiency, limiting photo image data compression to only a 10% to 40% reduction in practise (graphics can be smaller). .TIFF (Preferred for high resolution images) TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is an industry standard for dealing with raster or bitmapped images. TIFF files can be saved in a variety of colour formats and compression levels. TIFFs are commonly used for professional photography because they use lossless compression to maintain image integrity and clarity. .GIF and .PNG GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a file format used to store graphical images with up to 256 colours. It employs a lossless compression method, resulting in higher quality output. PNG (Portable Network Graphics) was developed as a more powerful replacement for the GIF file format. PNG files are not limited to 256 colours like GIF files and have better compression. A PNG file with a transparent background can be saved, allowing you to place your image on top of another without an outlining white box. GIF files are probably the most common on the web, where they are used in logos and colour images. Despite the fact that PNG files are widely supported, GIF remains the most popular. .ZIP ZIP is a data archiving and compression file format. A ZIP file is a collection of one or more files that have been compressed and bundled in order to reduce file size and facilitate file transfers. ZIP files can be created by right-clicking on a file or folder and choosing “Compress” (Mac) or “Send To > Compressed/Zipped Folder” (Windows) (PC). When a ZIP file is received (for example, via email), it must be “unzipped” or de-compressed before the files can be accessed. Other Formats While we prefer one of the above formats when submitting files, we do accept native files for the following software programs: Microsoft Word 2013 or earlier Microsoft Publisher 2013 or earlier Microsoft Excel 2013 or earlier Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 or earlier Adobe InDesign CC 2015 or earlier Adobe Illustrator CC 2015 or earlier Adobe Photoshop CC 2015 or earlier Adobe Acrobat 11 Quark Xpress 9 or earlier

Being too busy to take a break is a sure sign that you need to slow down and hit the pause button; here are the top five advantages of incorporating regular breaks into your working day. We’ve compiled a list of the most compelling reasons to take regular, well-timed breaks during your workday. Breaks aid in the processing and retention of information Our brains operate in two modes: focused and ‘diffused.’ Our brain is more relaxed and in a ‘daydream’ state when operating in diffused mode. Some studies have found that when we’re in this diffused state, we solve our most difficult problems – for example, how many times have you had a brilliant idea while daydreaming in the shower? Instead of forcing yourself to find the answer, try letting your mind wander and find its own solution the next time you have a difficult problem to solve. 2. You’ll gain a better understanding of the big picture. It’s all too easy to lose sight of the bigger, more strategic picture when you’re focused on the minutiae of a complex task. Take a break, take a step back, and reassess your goals and priorities to ensure that you’re focusing on the right tasks and projects. This broad perspective is especially important for managers, who must maintain their focus on strategic goals while avoiding distractions from process-driven tasks that could be delegated to other members of their team. 3. You will be more inventive. According to Kimberly Elsbach, a management professor at the University of California, Davis, “never taking a break from very careful thought work actually reduces your ability to be creative.” “It kind of exhausts your cognitive capacity, and you can’t make the creative connections you can when your brain is more rested.” If you’re skipping lunch in order to maintain a high level of cognitive capacity, you’re probably not doing yourself any favours.” Allowing your brain to rest and recharge, just as an athlete would allow their body to rest after a race or training session, will recharge you for the next task. 4. Breaks can help you develop healthier habits. When you’re stressed and busy, healthy habits like eating nutritious meals, exercising, and getting enough sleep can easily fall by the wayside. Taking a proper lunch break allows you to incorporate these healthy habits into your regular working day, whether it’s making time to prepare and eat a meal packed with fruits and vegetables (rather than grabbing a store-bought sandwich or ready meal) or running or walking outside. You could even try to fit in a 20-minute nap, which will free up space in your working memory for new information and assist you in committing new knowledge to long-term memory. Taking frequent breaks from your computer or smartphone screen can also aid in the prevention of computer vision syndrome, which commonly manifests as eye strain and headaches. Medical professionals recommend taking a 20-second break from your screen and looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. 5. Taking frequent breaks allows you to be more productive. Implementing a regular break schedule will also provide you with a series of mini deadlines to work towards, which can motivate you to complete a task more quickly. And all of the advantages of taking regular breaks that we’ve already discussed – aiding in information retention, understanding the big picture, cultivating creativity, and adopting healthier habits – will eventually combine to allow you to work more productively and effectively.

Being an exceptional employee entails much more than your work quality and ability to meet deadlines (though these are critical!). It also includes how well you behave at work, how considerate of others you are, and your manners. Let’s go over five workplace etiquette rules that will not only help you be more liked at work, but will also help you reduce conflict and contention. 1. Watch Your Noise Levels You want to keep your noise level low whether you have your own private office or work in a sea of cubicles. This means you should avoid having loud conversations, playing loud music or podcasts, rocking a squeaky chair back and forth, and so on. This is especially important if you have a loud voice that carries. You should be aware of how much noise you’re making and where you’re going. 2. Be Mindful of Smells It is critical to be aware of your smells no matter where you are in the office. This frequently involves the food you consume. You don’t want to bring in food with strong and lingering odours, such as Thai food or tuna fish. This also applies to the types of perfumes and colognes you may wear, as well as bodily functions and personal hygiene. 3. Your Clothing and Appearance Those around you are made uncomfortable when you do not take care of yourself. Dress like you want to be there every day when you go to work. If your workplace has a dress code, make sure you adhere to it completely. Even casual attire should be clean and in good condition, even if it is worn on a daily basis. Make time to pamper yourself as well. Personal hygiene products can help you look good while reducing odours. Remember that when you look good, you feel good, and your performance improves. 4. Maintain a Clean Work Environment Respect for your co-worker’s time is one of the best workplace etiquette rules to follow. You don’t want to hold up meetings by making snide and snarky comments or attempting to crack a joke. You don’t want to be late for meetings or fail to meet deadlines. Your co-workers are just as busy as you are at work. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you must be mindful of everyone’s time. By following the five workplace etiquette rules outlined above, you will notice that you are less stressed, there is less conflict, and you are happier at work. Remember that a little courtesy and respect can go a long way. 5. Maintain a Clean Work Environment Maintaining a clean and tidy workspace may not be a top priority in your day, but it should be something you think about and do on a regular basis. When your workspace is clean, you are more organized, and it is easier to find specific documents and supplies. You also have a greater impact on your co-workers and managers. Even better, keeping your workspace clean eliminates a lot of the stress and frustration that comes with working in a cluttered and dirty environment. You contribute to the happiness of yourself and your co-workers.

Being a little sleepy isn’t a big deal if you’re able to stay at home and relax for the day. However, being tired at work can have serious consequences. You may miss deadlines or fall behind on your work. If this becomes a pattern, your job may be jeopardised. Treating the underlying cause of daytime sleepiness, such as sleep apnea, can help you gain energy and improve your cognitive function. Even if you take steps to improve your mood, daytime sleepiness may not improve overnight. Here’s how to deal with sleepiness at work during the day. 1. A caffeine shot If you’re feeling sluggish at work, a shot of caffeine may be just what you need to get things done. Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it stimulates brain and nervous system activity. It can help you fight sleepiness and improve your thinking ability and mental performance. Take a coffee break in the break room or a short walk to a nearby cafe. Take care not to overdo it. Too much caffeine can overstimulate you and make you jittery, which can reduce your productivity. 2. Take a quick power nap Getting some shut-eye is sometimes the only way to overcome daytime sleepiness. If you must close your eyes, take a quick power nap during your lunch break. Close the door to your office and rest your head on the desk. Alternatively, sit in your car and recline the seat. A 15- to 30-minute nap may provide you with enough energy to get through the day. Remember to set your alarm clock or you will oversleep! 3. Get up from your desk. Sitting in one position for an extended period of time can exacerbate daytime sleepiness. Rising from your workstation and walking around on a regular basis gets your blood flowing. It can also help you stay awake and focused on your work. Granted, you probably can’t be away from your desk for too long. You might have to get creative and move around at your desk. Fidget or shake your leg while sitting in your chair. Pace the room while talking on the phone if you have your own office. 4. Listen to upbeat music Working in silence can be a chore if you’re sleepy at work. You might feel as if you’re going to fall asleep at any moment. Listen to upbeat music to wake up your brain. First, get permission from your boss. Your boss may be fine with you listening to music as long as it doesn’t interfere with your productivity. If you can’t listen to music through earbuds, get permission to do so — the more upbeat the music, the better. 5. Consume a light lunch If you suffer from frequent daytime sleepiness, a heavy lunch may aggravate your condition. Try to avoid sugary snacks, sodas, and carbohydrates such as white bread and white pasta. Consume a light lunch to maintain your energy levels. You want to be full but not stuffed. Choose healthier sources of energy when packing your lunch. Boiled eggs, chicken, berries, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains are all examples.

5 Tips to Improve Your Workplace Top tips for enhancing your remote work environment You can feel more engaged in your work and excited to collaborate with other employees if you create a comfortable office environment. Here are 20 ways to improve your work environment for yourself and your co-workers: 1. Give yourself proper lighting If possible, find a place in your office that promotes a positive atmosphere to improve your mood and motivation at work. On busy days, exposing yourself to the appropriate amount of light can boost your productivity, make you feel healthier, and increase your relaxation. If getting enough natural light is difficult, try bringing in lamps to provide plenty of light to keep your mood and energy levels up. 2. Sit next to a window Sitting near a window allows you to take in fresh air while working. This can provide more uplifting energy, potentially increasing productivity. If you can’t sit next to a window, take your breaks outside or next to other office windows to get some fresh air before returning to work. 3. Organize your workspace and desk Take the time to develop an effective organisational system if you want to reduce clutter and feel more organised at work. Place files and documents in labelled folders inside your desk or another storage location in your work area. Label digital files clearly and place them in labelled folders on your computer to make it easier to find your documents. Making your office space feel less crowded can help you feel more focused and allow you to complete tasks more efficiently. 4. Put plants on your desk While working, pleasant scents can improve your mood. Place flowers on your desk to add a fresh scent and feel to your workspace. By keeping plants at your desk, you can continue to provide a more positive and energetic environment. Purchase simple plants that are low-maintenance and can live at your desk for extended periods of time. 5. Keep proper posture Sit up straight in your chair to maintain proper posture. This can help to alleviate any back pain you may experience throughout the day and keep you comfortable. Another way to keep a healthy body while working all day is to use a fitness ball or a standing desk. These can assist your brain in remaining active, focused, and productive throughout the day.

Is a Refurbished Printer or Photocopier Reliable? Photocopiers and printers are expensive, but they are an office necessity. Any company, paperless or not, would struggle to function without them. The cost can vary depending on your requirements. They can cost as much as RM17,800, and sometimes even more. It’s no surprise that some businesses prefer to purchase refurbished photocopiers or printers over new ones! WHAT IS A PHOTOCOPIER OR PRINTER REFURBISHED? Some people easily confuse the terms “used” and “refurbished.” However, there are distinctions between the two. Used printers are machines that were previously new but have since been used. They’re being sold “as is,” and while the parts are all original (meaning they’re the same ones released by the manufacturer), there’s no telling how much wear and tear they’ve taken. A refurbished printer or photocopier, on the other hand, has been brought back to life. Some old parts may have been replaced—and in some cases, a complete internal overhaul—to make them run like new again. CAN REFURBISHED PHOTOCOPIERS AND PRINTERS BE TRUSTED? There is one significant advantage to purchasing refurbished photocopiers and printers: they are significantly less expensive than new ones. The question is whether they can be trusted. A professionally serviced refurbished photocopier or printer can perform almost as well as a brand new machine. It can also last a long time because many of its parts are new. You’d be much safer if the refurbished printer or photocopier came with a quality repair guarantee and service warranty, but where you buy it really matters. Purchasing refurbished printers or photocopiers from reputable sources makes all the difference—so only buy from authorized dealers. Otherwise, you risk having a machine that doesn’t work properly, which could cost you even more than buying a new one.

Saving energy for photocopiers Saving energy on office photocopying is a terrific method to lower your expenses and minimise your environmental effect, especially with rising energy prices and the growing need to make company both environmentally friendly and efficient. While copying, you may save money and resources without affecting the output of your business. Make sure you are completely familiar with how your printing equipment operates. Recent photocopiers frequently come with printing, faxing, scanning, and sometimes even internet connectivity. You might be surprised by how much more your current photocopiers can perform. Once you are fully aware of its capabilities, it will be simple to determine whether you can save. If you are replacing your photocopier and it lacks all those features, using a multipurpose printing device may be more economical and energy efficient for you. When utilised properly, multifunctional printers (MFPs) can reduce the number of photocopies and prints you create and frequently spend less money and energy than running many single function printing devices independently. It’s crucial to make sure that everyone in the office only uses the printers and copiers when absolutely required. Even at first glance, you will notice that significantly more paper than is necessary being wasted across most organisations, frequently just as a result of bad habits employees have developed. A document might be copied even if it might just as easily be scanned in and forwarded to co-workers through email. Every time paper is used, it is crucial to get your employees thinking so that you may significantly reduce your energy and operating expenses.

Can Your Copier Scan to the Cloud? Even if you have no interest in technology, you have probably heard of “the cloud.” Cloud services, which are frequently discussed with a sense of reverence and the promise that they will cure your technological problems, may really significantly increase both individual and corporate productivity when utilised properly. In its simplest form, the cloud refers to a platform that is hosted by a third party and from which you access cloud services through the Internet. Examples of such platforms include Office 365, iTunes, and personal productivity tool Evernote. The further you go into the cloud, like with everything IT-related, the more convoluted it becomes. If you’re interested in learning more, this article on Cloud Computing 101 is a fantastic place to start. Scan to the Cloud It’s simple to scan to the cloud using your copier (the specifics WILL be different for different models and manufacturers, but the basic steps are similar). What you should do is: Decide the document(s) to scan. Decide where you want to go on the control panel. Scan your paper Now that your document is available in the cloud, you may view it from any location with an Internet connection. Box, Dropbox, Evernote, GoogleDrive, and document management services (like Laserfiche or Canon’s Therefore) are popular cloud storage options. Other places to scan may be an FTP server, a shared disc, or email. Can Your Copier Scan to the Cloud? Even if you have no interest in technology, you have probably heard of “the cloud.” Cloud services, which are frequently discussed with a sense of reverence and the promise that they will cure your technological problems, may really significantly increase both individual and corporate productivity when utilised properly. In its simplest form, the cloud refers to a platform that is hosted by a third party and from which you access cloud services through the Internet. Examples of such platforms include Office 365, iTunes, and personal productivity tool Evernote. The further you go into the cloud, like with everything IT-related, the more convoluted it becomes. If you’re interested in learning more, this article on Cloud Computing 101 is a fantastic place to start. Scan to the Cloud It’s simple to scan to the cloud using your copier (the specifics WILL be different for different models and manufacturers, but the basic steps are similar). What you should do is: Decide the document(s) to scan. Decide where you want to go on the control panel. Scan your paper Now that your document is available in the cloud, you may view it from any location with an Internet connection. Box, Dropbox, Evernote, GoogleDrive, and document management services (like Laserfiche or Canon’s Therefore) are popular cloud storage options. Other places to scan may be an FTP server, a shared disc, or email.