IRS Cautions Tax Professionals About Spearphishing Scams | Small Biz Trends

April 19, 2024April 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The IRS recently issued a warning to tax professionals and businesses about a rise in spearphishing attacks aimed at stealing sensitive information. This alert is part of the IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” campaign, which highlights the top twelve scams targeting taxpayers and tax advisors each year.

Spearphishing is a type of email scam where criminals pretend to be potential clients to trick tax professionals into giving away personal and financial information. These attackers send emails that look real but are actually fake, trying to get access to computer systems and sensitive data.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stressed the importance of staying alert. “Cyberattacks pose a threat to not just the livelihood of the businesses, but the sensitive tax and personnel information that identity thieves can use to try filing fake tax returns,” he said. “The Security Summit partners continue to urge tax pros and businesses to be on guard and educate their employees. Taking simple steps by using extra caution when opening emails, clicking on links or sharing private client information can prevent tax professionals from being taken advantage of by cybercriminals.”

These 6 tweaks take MacBooks from great to nearly perfect | Digital Trends

April 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I love getting a new MacBook. The slow-opening box, the fresh install of macOS, even the enchanting new Mac smell (which people have been rhapsodizing about for decades) — it’s all part of the experience.

But you know what? MacBooks don’t arrive perfect out of the box. There are a few things that I always have to adjust, regardless of how powerful the laptop is. From changing the default apps to unlocking a few hidden extras, here are the first six things to do with your new MacBook before putting it to work.

Why you need to be excited about the Google Pixel 8a | Digital Trends

April 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

This is going to be a busy year for Google Pixel devices. In less than a month, Google is expected to launch its first new Pixel of the year with the Google Pixel 8a. Following that, we’re expecting a Google Pixel Fold 2, possibly another Pixel Tablet, the Pixel 9 series, and a Pixel Watch 3 later in the fall.

There’s plenty to look forward to with all of those Pixels, but if you ask me, I think the Pixel 8a is the most promising of the bunch. In a year when Google has exciting upgrades planned for its flagship and foldable phones, Google’s budget-focused omodel is what’s really on my mind.

Why Gen Z Should Be Your Small Business’s Next Big Focus | The Startup Magazine

April 17, 2024April 16, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you’re hoping to generate more customers within your business, it might help to take a step back and reevaluate it. For starters, what demographic are you targeting? Is there a certain age range? Well, if you’re not targeting Gen Z, then it might be time to move forward and do this! Now, a lot of businesses only see Gen Z as teenagers, but this generation started in 1997, so essentially, the older ones are in their late 20s, slowly creeping to their 30s.

They have just as much spending power as Millenials, so you’re only hurting your business if you’re not targeting them. But that’s not the only reason either; here’s exactly why Gen Z should be your small business’s next big focus and you should use effective Gen Z marketing!

How to Run Your Small Business Much More Efficiently | The Startup Magazine

April 17, 2024April 16, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Running a business is certainly not for the faint of heart. Between having to file taxes and hiring employees, not to mention managing client relations, you may find that you end up struggling more than you realize. Fortunately, there are ways that you can make running your small business a little easier. If you want some business efficiency strategies that will make your life easier then you simply need to take a look below.

Delegate the Small Things

At the end of the day, there are only a certain number of hours in the day. Regardless of your work ethic or even your intellectual ability, you will probably always have something that you could be working on. Most business owners struggle with things like delegation because they are doers. Even though you may delegate, you may find that you end up micromanaging and that this defeats the purpose of what you are trying to do. If you run your business properly and efficiently then you have to make sure that you trust others as much as you can.

Take the time to assess your knowledge and make sure that you take the time to monitor the process. If you can do this and if you can relax a little then you will soon find that you are able to become more efficient and that you are able to handle your responsibilities much better.

Jamie Dimon: Bank boss warns US interest rates could rise to 8% | BBC

April 11, 2024April 9, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The boss of one of the world’s biggest banks has warned US interest rates could climb to 8%.

Jamie Dimon, the head of JPMorgan Chase, said his bank has prepared for interest rates to jump because of “persistent inflationary pressures”.

Central banks around the world have been busy raising rates in a bid to dampen rising prices.

But with US inflation gradually easing, the overwhelming expectation is for the Federal Reserve to cut rates this year.

Markets are pricing in two quarter-point rate cuts in 2024.

Tesla: Elon Musk’s EV maker to settle over fatal Autopilot crash | BBC

April 11, 2024April 9, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Electric car giant Tesla has agreed to settle a lawsuit over a crash in 2018 which killed Apple engineer Walter Huang after his Model X, operating on Autopilot, collided with a highway barrier.

The case, brought by Mr Huang’s family, was scheduled to begin in the California Superior Court this week.

If the trial had gone ahead, it would have brought increased scrutiny of the firm’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technology.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed and reports have said the deal still needs to be approved by a judge. Tesla did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.

Before the settlement, Tesla argued that Mr Huang had misused the system because he was playing a video game just before the accident.

14 Best Deals From the Target Circle Week Deals Event (2024) | WIRED

April 9, 2024April 8, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

No, it’s not Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, but Target is back with yet another Circle Week deals event running through Saturday, April 13. Amazon had a spring sale two weeks ago, so it seems natural that Target would follow suit. The good news? Some of our favorite tablets, headphones, and kitchen items are discounted.

There’s a caveat: You need to be a Target Circle member. However, it’s free to join and nets you some solid savings throughout the year. Unlike prior Circle Week deals events that required you to clip the deals to your account first, these should automatically apply as long as you’re signed in to your Target account.