A few well-chosen indoor plants do more than just look pretty. They help purify the air, regulate humidity, and give your eyes a much-needed break from the screen.
According to a study by the University of Exeter, plants in the workplace can improve productivity by up to 15% — not bad for something that asks for little more than occasional water and light.
And let’s be real: it’s also about mood. Small plants with green leaves just make the office feel a little less… office-y.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
If I could only recommend one office desk plant, this would be it — beautiful, sturdy, and impossible to kill.
Thrives in low light and indirect light.
Tolerates fluorescent lighting perfectly.
Needs minimal water — once every few weeks is plenty.
Grows tall with sleek green leaves that add instant polish to your workspace.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The ultimate “I forgot to water it” plant — Pothos forgives everything.
Great for low-light offices.
Trailing vines look beautiful on shelves or hanging near your desk.
Excellent for improving air quality.
Easy to propagate, so you can grow more plants for free.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The sleek, glossy leaves make this indoor plant look more expensive than it is.
Survives low light and even total neglect.
Needs watering only once the soil is completely dry.
Perfect for offices with fluorescent lighting or limited windows.
A go-to for anyone who wants a low-maintenance desk plant.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Elegant and calming, this one instantly softens a sterile office corner.
Prefers indirect light but adapts to lower levels.
Blooms delicate white flowers throughout the year.
Known for improving indoor air quality.
Keep soil lightly moist, but not soggy.
5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
True to its name — this one’s tough as nails.
Handles low light, dry air, and occasional forgetfulness.
Deep green leaves that stay glossy year-round.
Great for offices that get little to no natural light.
Minimal care required, making it perfect for beginners.
There is a metric called “observed exposure,” which tracks how ai is being used in real workplaces. About 30% of U.S. workers score a flat zero. Their tasks simply do not appear in AI usage data at any meaningful level. And before anyone assumes these are low-skill jobs, look at the list.
These are roles built around physical presence, sensory judgment, and reading the room in real time. A language model has no body, no hands, and no instincts. Those still matter.
Here’s the part that surprises people. AI could theoretically handle 90% of tasks in office and admin roles. But in practice, observed usage covers only about a third of computer and math jobs, which are already the most penetrated category. The gap between capability and reality is enormous.
These jobs already feel the pressure of AI
Computer programmers top the list at 75% task coverage. Claude is being used heavily for coding, and that usage is leaning toward full automation, not just helping programmers work faster.
Customer service reps come in second. Their core tasks are increasingly showing up in first-party API traffic, which is a technical way of saying companies are quietly replacing human agents with AI pipelines.
Data-entry workers are third at 67% coverage. Reading documents and entering data is exactly what AI does quickly and cheaply, and businesses have noticed.
Other high-exposure occupations include:
Financial analysts, whose modeling and number-crunching work is heavily covered
Office administrators, facing 90% theoretical exposure, even if real adoption still lags
Computer and math workers broadly, where observed exposure sits at 33% and climbing
Zero-exposure occupations highlighted in the research:
Cooks, whose work involves knife skills, tasting, and plating judgment no model can replicate
Motorcycle mechanics, who diagnose engines through hands-on inspection
Lifeguards, whose job is scanning water and executing physical rescues
Bartenders, who read crowds and social dynamics in real time
Dishwashers and dressing-room attendants, handling wet, physical, unpredictable tasks
Agricultural workers pruning trees and operating farm machinery outdoors
Courtroom lawyers, whose work demands physical presence and live advocacy
The BLS projects steady growth for blue-collar roles through the decade. Health care is adding roughly 40,000 jobs a month, with demand for nurses, therapists, and care workers running well ahead of anything AI is displacing.
Who faces the greatest AI threat, and what it means for the workforce
Here is where the story gets uncomfortable for a lot of people. The workers most at risk are not who you might expect.
Using Current Population Survey data from just before ChatGPT launched in late 2022, researchers found that the highest-exposure workers tend to be older, more educated, female, and significantly better paid, earning about 47% more than their zero-exposure counterparts.
Every previous automation wave hit lower-wage workers first. This one is lining up differently, aiming squarely at white-collar professionals who spent years and money building credentials for office-based careers.
That said, there is no unemployment crisis to report yet. The study finds no measurable rise in joblessness among high-exposure workers since ChatGPT launched.
Even a “Great Recession for white-collar workers” scenario, where unemployment in exposed fields doubled from 3% to 6%, would show up clearly in their framework. It has not appeared.
The crack is showing up in hiring instead. Among workers aged 22 to 25, the monthly job-finding rate in high-exposure occupations has fallen roughly 14% since ChatGPT’s arrival.
The drop is barely statistically significant, but it echoes what separate researchers tracking ADP payroll data have been flagging for months: Young people trying to break into exposed fields are finding fewer doors open.
The honest answer right now is that AI-fueled mass displacement has not arrived. But the early signals are pointing in one direction, and anyone paying attention to where younger workers aren’t getting hired should probably take note.
Employers added 178,000 jobs in March, blowing past forecasts
Hiring across the U.S. rebounded in March after falling sharply the previous month, with employers adding 178,000 jobs, according to new data from the Department of Labor.
The health care sector helped spur job growth, with 76,000 payroll gains in March. That came after nurses returned to work following strikes earlier in the year. The construction and transportation and warehousing industries also saw gains, adding 26,000 and 21,000 jobs, respectively.
Federal employment continued to decline, falling by 18,000, according to the Labor Department.
The strong March numbers signal that there are pockets of strength in the labor market, economists noted.
Layoffs remain relatively muted for now. A recent report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that employers cut roughly 60,000 jobs in March, up from February but down year over year.
Are a new graduate trying to figure out how to get a leg up in your career, or a mid-career professional looking to secure your next promotion, you might be wondering what the 10 most important skills you need to get where you want to go in the business world.
Here are the 10 essential skills that you need to succeed in the world of business
1. Learnability
We’ll begin with learnability because it is arguably the most important 21st-century skill you will need to succeed. Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” That’s because, in an environment where new skills emerge as fast as others fade, success is less about what you already know and more about adapting your skills by growing and expanding your knowledge base, so you can use new information and skills to respond to whatever is happening.
2. Resilience
Setbacks and failures are a part of life, but how you choose to deal with those roadblocks is what is critical to your success. Resilience is the ability to bounce back in the face of obstacles and failures. When you are resilient, you don’t focus on the ups and downs. Instead, you stay focused on your long-term goals, and you never lose confidence in your ability to prevail. By helping you face challenges and difficulties, resilience also enables you to handle stress more positively.
3. Negotiation
Whether you’re in salary discussions, finalizing a deal with a client, or trying to find common ground with your teammates during a project, having strong and effective negotiation skills are extremely important. Being a good negotiator allows you to get to reach goals while you build relationships, which is a significant part of being successful in your career.
4. Collaboration
In our increasingly hyper-connected world, we’re no longer expected to work just as individuals or only in silos. Our projects have become more complex, so the ability to work effectively as part of a team has also grown in importance. Given the increasingly global nature of work, your ability to collaborate, share knowledge and contribute to teams that can capitalize on a diversity of thinking and perspective in ways that everyone can benefit and drive to the shared outcomes is critical.
5. Verbal communication
Advancing in your career is not just based on what you do. There’s a good chance that at some point in your career you’ll have to use strong verbal communication skills so you can sell others on your ideas, products, or services. Whether you’re needing to explain your value when you are being considered for a promotion, presenting as part of a team project, or speaking on stage, you need to be able to communicate well and convey strong, persuasive ideas.
6. Written communication
We live in an era of tweets and sound bites, but good written communication skills still matter when it comes to your career. Whether you are sending professional emails, communicating with a client, trying to deliver a coherent business plan, or anything in between, you should be able to communicate quickly, accurately and effectively.
7. Empathy
The ability to empathize with others or see things from their perspective by understanding their emotions and reactions, is a fundamental part of how we interact with one another. Communicating genuinely and authentically with others is vital because even in instances when you disagree with your coworkers on elements of a work project, for example, empathy allows you to demonstrate to others that they are seen and heard.
8. Creativity
Creativity is a crucial skill we all need because, in our fast-changing times, employers value employees who can look beyond the present and imagine future possibilities for their company. Creative workers are the ones who ask why. They question, they are curious, and in so doing, they develop new ideas and solutions.
9. Problem-solving
How often do you go beyond your immediate job as assigned and instead, use more knowledge, facts, and data to see gaps and solve problems? Being a good problem solver is essential because employers value people who can work through challenges on their own or as an effective member of a team by defining the issues, brainstorming alternatives, sharing thoughts, and then making sound decisions.
10. Leadership
The importance of building the right culture at companies cannot be overstated, so having the skills to be able to coach and empower others, and to motivate those around you do their best work, is highly valued for success.
Technical Competence
While soft skills are vital, maintaining technical competence is also essential. In a rapidly evolving market, employees must stay up-to-date with the latest tools, technologies, and industry best practices to remain competitive.
Developing these ten essential skills in yourself is crucial for navigating challenging business times.
Questions to ask yourself
Do you have the necessary skillset to succeed now?
Do you have skills in more than one area?
In which category do you have the most skills?
What are the skills needed for the jobs that you are interested in?
Do the skills you have match the skills needed for those jobs?
Are there some skills that you would like to have but don’t have right now?
What education and/or training might you need to develop those skills?
Regardless of your chosen career path, building your skills is critical so you can set yourself apart from others in a competitive landscape. Investing in these skills not only helps your career survive short-term challenges but also sets the foundation for long-term success.
This website is your go-to page for finding yourself.
Website Purpose
Hello! The purpose of this site is to help you discover you. Your goals, finding your passions in life, and what it is that you want to do with this thing called your life.
Some lucky people have known since childhood what their calling was to be. Today’s teachers, at an early age, would gather a group of neighborhood kids together and play teacher. Firemen as youngsters, would hang out at the nearest fire station dreaming of the day they would help put out fires. Writers as kids, would jot everything and anything down on a diary, journal, pad of paper, notebook, laptop, or whatever could be found to get their thoughts down for posterity.
Have you found your calling yet?
How about you? Found your calling yet? If so, bravo for you. If not, don’t despair. Many people find themselves wondering what to do with their lives. Not just in terms of employment, but in all areas of life. Where to live, who to marry or not, hobbies, self-care, education and the goals and achievements you want to identify and pursue.
I’m hoping that viewing posts on my website will give you a sense of direction and identity after reading. However, some posts will require some work and thought on your part. But hey, it’s YOUR life that’s calling you to do something right now.
I hope you find value in reading them, and I wish you all the success in the world in your journey of discovery.
DH
Begin your discovery journey by clicking the link to the first of 5 pages, all about helping you find your passion. Good luck!
With customers more willing than ever to jump ship for a better deal, insurance companies are finding ways to lower rates, offer discounts and, in State Farm’s case, hand out cold hard cash to existing customers. Are you eligible to get part of the $5 billion dollars in dividend checks?
Car Insurance Rates
Car insurance rates have been soaring since the pandemic. But now, some drivers insured by State Farm could soon receive a share of the company’s profits, tied to those higher premiums. The news comes as loyalty in the insurance industry declines in response to those surging rates.
In 2025, the number of customers who re-shopped car insurance hit a record high of 57%, according to a J.D. Power analysis. Even Rates of switching rose among customers thought to be the most likely to stay put, those who bundle multiple policies with one insurer.
Here’s the Deal
With customers more willing than ever to jump ship for a better deal, insurance companies are finding ways to lower rates, offer discounts and, in State Farm’s case, hand out cold hard cash to existing customers. Here’s everything we know so far about the dividend checks, including eligibility criteria and payment amounts.
Dividend checks and rate cuts coming for millions of State Farm customers
In February, State Farm announced $5 billion total in cash back payments to car insurance policyholders, the largest dividend payout to customers in the company’s history. The exact dollar amount each eligible customer will get will vary, but State Farm says the average check will be $100 per vehicle.
The major insurance provider is in a good position to offer these payouts. Consistently ranking as one of the most popular car insurance companies, State Farm reported an underwriting gain in 2025 of $1.5 billion. The last three years were losses prior to last year. The gain came despite losses in its home insurance segment and was driven almost entirely by growth in car insurance policies.
Lower Premiums are Coming
Alongside dividend checks going out to customers, the company also announced lower premiums. The rate cuts announced will result in $4.6 billion in savings nationwide, with each eligible customer seeing an average of 10% lower premiums. Still, it’s always worth shopping for car insurance ahead of each renewal to make sure you’re getting the best deal available for the coverage you need.
Even with a 10% rate cut at State Farm, you still might find better rates elsewhere. Insurers are competing on price in a market where customers are more willing than ever to switch. There’s no harm done by shopping around. In the worst-case scenario, taking a few minutes to compare quotes before renewing will confirm you’re getting the best price for your car insurance.
Who is eligible for a dividend check from State Farm?
According to State Farm, 49 million insured vehicles qualify for the one-time payouts expected to arrive this summer. As mentioned, the average payout will be $100 per car, but the exact amount you get depends on the state you’re in and the amount you pay in premiums.
For example, in Oklahoma eligible customers are those who have an active private passenger auto policy as of December 31, 2025. And the dividend payment those customers will receive will amount to 10% of the premiums paid during a predetermined period, for an average of about $112 per car.
Look for a Summer Payday
The company has not yet specified exactly how or when customers will get paid, but a spokesperson told CBS that payments will go out this summer. More details will be announced in the coming months and confirmed that the cash payments will not come in the form of a statement credit.
This article will be updated as more details come to light to make sure anyone eligible has the information they need to get their payout.
Part of the reason so many lottery winners and heirs blow their windfalls shortly after getting rich is that they never learned the skills to manage, guard and grow that kind of money. The other reason is that they never had to sweat, sacrifice and risk the fortunes that fell in their laps.
But self-made millionaires know just how hard it is to build riches worth seven figures — and they’re in no rush to return to where they started. Toiling your way to wealth tends to breed financial discipline, which means passing on things that you might want and can afford. That’s how you turn a small fortune into a large one.
A Millionaire Guards His Wealth After Almost Losing It All
Brian David Crane is the founder and CEO of Spread Great Ideas, a multi-million dollar fund that invests capital “and sweat equity” into digital businesses and e-commerce brands. He’s helped launch four multi-million-dollar companies, including Archives.com, which Ancestry.com acquired for $100 million three years after its launch.
His hard work paid off, and he’s now a self-made millionaire — but you wouldn’t know it by looking at his lifestyle.
“I learned the hard way very early in my entrepreneurship journey that splurging without the correct checks and balances can make one a pauper,” said Crane. “When I sold my first company in my late 20s, I made some foolish investment decisions that brought me close to bankruptcy. I am lucky that I learned fast.”
Here are the things he doesn’t splurge on to ensure he doesn’t repeat his early career mistakes and risk all that he’s worked so hard to build.
Designer Luxury Brands
Movie, music and sports stars are infamous for squandering their fortunes on shiny things and status symbols that social media influencers peddle without mentioning that they’re depreciating assets.
Crane wants nothing to do with any of it. His favorite status symbol is one you can’t wear, drive or fly — a bulging bank account.
Mansions
The ultimate status symbol is an opulent house tricked out with premium décor and pricey tech. But giant houses come with giant bills — and they can be very hard to sell once the nouveau riche realize they’re in over their heads.
“Most millionaires invest in luxury houses, only to find a way to flip them at a higher cost or rent it away and make some side money from the asset,” said Crane. “There is no point in splurging on huge houses if you are never going to use the eleventh bedroom or bathroom. The truly rich people become rich not by splurging but by investing in profitable, money-making assets that give them favorable returns over time.”
Ultra-Luxe Leisure and Entertainment
The recklessly rich all share a proclivity for two things that advertise their wealth. The first is stuff — high-end designer bags, apparel and accessories, fast cars, fancy houses and the rest, like the kind that Crane described.
The second is a good life, in which you can watch influencers living and faking all day long on social media.
“Eating from gold-plated cutlery may look good on Instagram, but splurging to maintain your appearance and leisurely activities can waste resources,” said Crane. “High-end entertainment, like going on costly offshore vacations, eating from the choicest restaurants or splurging on private jet travel, may look good in magazines, but the rags-to-riches millionaire always keeps a check on what he puts money on.”
Another Avoids Little Luxuries That Add Up Over Time
Jared Bauman has nearly 20 years of experience in business management and digital marketing. His company, 201 Creative, counts corporations like Disney and Universal among its clients, and Bauman — who has started and sold several businesses — is an in-demand speaker.
He’s also a millionaire, and, like Crane, he shuns flashy advertisements of personal wealth. “Luxury cars and watches are fleeting status symbols I avoid,” he said.
But saying no to the obvious, big-ticket extravagance is the easy part. The true test of his financial discipline is in day-to-day life, when it comes time to say no to the affordable splurges that bleed you slowly over time.
“Overpriced coffee shops are an indulgence I skip,” said Bauman. “At the end of the day, I steer clear of anything that depletes my savings without providing real, lasting personal value. The habits that got me here keep me grounded while still enjoying the important things.”
While it may not be a secret that $2 bills are rare and valuable, it’s not the only currency worth more than its face value. Dimes, America’s smallest coin, can be worth some big bucks.
What are some more valuable dimes?
1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime: $5,000
1914-D Mercury Dime worth more than $3,000.
1916-D Mercury Dime worth more than $10,000.
1968-S no-S proof Roosevelt Dime worth $7,500.
1975 no-S Roosevelt Dime sold for about $450,000.
How to determine if my coin is valuable
Obviously, the older a dime is, the more valuable it is. So, definitely be on the look out for any from the 19th or early 20th centuries.
Gainesville Coins says to keep an eye out for all pre-1965 Roosevelt dimes because they contain a 90% silver composition and are worth much more than the face value. Currency with mistakes can also be worth a lot, so be on the lookout for modern dimes without the S mark.
Here are some more tips from Gardening Soul:
Use a magnifying glass to inspect the date, mintmark, and overall condition of the coin.
Consult a coin expert for a professional evaluation.
Reference Online Resources: Websites like the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or PCGS CoinFacts can help you assess a coin’s value.
Get It Graded: Send your coin to a certified grading service to determine its official condition and market value.
A surge protector guards against brief electrical spikes, offering extra outlets for convenience. But it’s not meant to handle heavy or constant loads.
When too many powerful devices draw current through it, internal parts can overheat or burn out. That heat buildup can melt insulation, cause electrical failure, and even ignite fires if left unchecked.
Avoid plugging high-wattage appliances
Appliances that use over a thousand watts, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, or heaters, should never share a surge protector.
These draw a massive current that the strip’s circuits can’t safely sustain. Even short bursts of high demand can trigger overheating or a short circuit. Always connect high-wattage devices directly into a grounded wall outlet.
Refrain from plugging heating devices
Anything that generates heat, such as hair dryers, toasters, or portable heaters, puts a surge protector under strain.
These gadgets constantly pull high amperage, which quickly wears out the strip’s wiring. As components struggle to keep up, the temperature climbs, risking melted plastic or fire hazards. Plug these items directly into a properly rated outlet.
Don’t attach microwaves, coffee makers, or kitchen appliances
Plugging high-powered kitchen appliances into surge strips can cause overheating, tripped breakers, or even damage to the surge protector. Give these devices their own outlets to handle the high load safely.
Many countertop kitchen appliances, especially those with heating elements or motors, can draw significant power during operation or startup.
For always-on devices like routers and DVRs, it’s important to use surge protectors rated for continuous use or consider whole-home surge protection for added safety and reliability.
Steer clear of plugging in space heaters
Don’t plug in large power tools or workshop gear
Stay away from plugging in window air conditioners
Avoid surge strips for always-on appliances
Over time, internal parts can degrade without warning, causing a sudden failure. For always-on devices, choose wall outlets or consider a whole-home surge protector for steady, long-term protection and peace of mind.
Avoid plugging power bricks into the strip end-to-end
Bulky adapters, such as those for laptops or consoles, can block neighboring sockets and trap heat. Stacking several side by side restricts airflow and causes uneven current flow across the strip.
Know when to call a licensed electrician
If breakers keep tripping or there aren’t enough outlets, don’t rely on surge strips to patch the problem.
Be safe. A licensed electrician can install new outlets or circuits that meet code and handle your home’s power demand. It’s safer, more reliable, and eliminates the hazards caused by overloaded or chained surge protectors.
One of the security recommendations we give frequently is to have strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts because your password can get cracked almost instantly. A new table of password data from the cybersecurity firm Hive Systems demonstrates exactly why this is such a cornerstone of internet safety.
The table shows exactly how much time it would take for hackers to brute force their way into an account depending on the number of characters, and the combination of numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols used in a password.
Due to the increased use of artificial intelligence and other sophisticated methods currently being employed by threat actors, hackers can break into many passwords almost instantly. Any password combination that only contains four characters doesn’t stand a chance, and any password that doesn’t also use symbols are easy targets for hackers
Stronger passwords are needed
The strongest options are longer, very complex passwords that are between 14 and 18 characters that also contain a variety of numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols. These passwords could take potentially billions of years to crack according to the password table.
The password table does assume that the hackers in question are working from a “black box” situation where they are starting from scratch to crack your password, which would show the maximum amount of time. If your password has been reused on other sites, or compromised in a previous data breach, it is obviously much easier to crack.
How to create stronger passwords
First, use the Leaked Password Checker to see if any of your current passwords have been breached and if they have, update them immediately. If you’ve been reusing passwords across sites, now is the time to stop doing that altogether and change those as well. It’s a bad habit and it’s putting you – and your accounts and data – at risk.
Stick to creating your own passwords and make sure you follow the recommendations of the Hive Systems password table. Make each password 14 to 18 characters long, with numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols. Many people like to use a phrase or a sentence to help them remember their passwords too.
If you don’t want to remember all of your passwords, you can save yourself the hassle by getting one of the best password managers. It will help keep your accounts protected by giving you a place to securely store all of your credentials. Some online accounts will also let you set up a passkey or use a biometric login as well.
Phishing is like fishing for your password
Phishing attacks aim to steal or damage sensitive data by deceiving people into revealing personal information like passwords and credit card numbers. You want to make sure you know the common signs of phishing scams and don’t share your passwords with anyone – especially not over social media, the telephone or in unexpected emails or texts. Most companies will never ask for your password, and you should be suspicious of anyone who requests it.
Common types of phishing attacks
Phishing attacks come from scammers disguised as trustworthy sources trying to facilitate access to all types of sensitive data. While this pervasive type of cyberattack continues to evolve along with emerging technologies, the tactics remain consistent: Cunning communication Attackers are skilled at manipulating their victims into giving up sensitive data. They do so by concealing malicious messages and attachments in places where people are not very discerning, such as in their email inboxes. It’s easy to assume the messages arriving in your inbox are legitimate but be wary—phishing emails often look safe and unassuming. To avoid being fooled, slow down and examine hyperlinks and senders’ email addresses before clicking. Perception of need People fall for phishing because they think they need to act. For example, victims may download malware disguised as a resume because they’re urgently hiring or enter their bank credentials on a suspicious website to salvage an account they were told would soon expire. Creating a false perception of need is a common trick because it works. To keep your data safe, operate with intense scrutiny or install email protection technology that will do the hard work for you. False trust Bad actors fool people by creating a false sense of trust—and even the most perceptive fall for their scams. By impersonating trustworthy sources like Google, Wells Fargo, or UPS, phishers can trick you into taking action before you realize you’ve been duped. Many phishing messages go undetected without advanced cybersecurity measures in place. Protect your private information with email security technology designed to identify suspicious content and dispose of it before it ever reaches your inbox. Emotional manipulation Bad actors use psychological tactics to convince their targets to act before they think. They build trust by impersonating a familiar source, then creating a false sense of urgency. Attackers exploit emotions like fear and anxiety to get what they want. People tend to make snap decisions when they’re being told they will lose money, end up in legal trouble, or no longer have access to a much-needed resource. Be cautious of any message that requires you to “act now”—it may be fraudulent.
More types of phishing attacks
Email phishing The most common form of phishing, this type of attack uses tactics like phony hyperlinks to lure email recipients into sharing their personal information. Attackers often masquerade as a large account provider like Microsoft or Google, or even a coworker. Malware phishing Another prevalent phishing approach, this type of attack involves planting malware disguised as a trustworthy attachment (such as a resume or bank statement) in an email. In some cases, opening a malware attachment can paralyze entire IT systems. Spear phishing Where most phishing attacks cast a wide net, spear phishing targets specific individuals by exploiting information gathered through research into their jobs and social lives. These attacks are highly customized, making them particularly effective at bypassing basic cybersecurity. Whaling When bad actors target a “big fish” like a business executive or celebrity, it’s called whaling. These scammers often conduct considerable research into their targets to find an opportune moment to steal login credentials or other sensitive information. If you have a lot to lose, whaling attackers have a lot to gain. Smishing A combination of the words “SMS” and “phishing,” smishing involves sending text messages disguised as trustworthy communications from businesses like Amazon or FedEx. People are particularly vulnerable to SMS scams, as text messages are delivered in plain text and come across as more personal. Vishing In vishing campaigns, attackers in fraudulent call centers attempt to trick people into providing sensitive information over the phone. In many cases, these scams use social engineering to dupe victims into installing malware onto their devices in the form of an app.
Lastly, enable multi-factor authentication on all of the accounts you can; it can make a huge difference in keeping them and the data they contain protected if all else fails.
Prepare your shovels and your heavy coats—the moment winter enthusiasts and dreaders alike have been waiting for has arrived. Farmers’ Almanac has released its winter forecast for 2025-2026, and the predictions are sure to create a flurry of anticipation across the country. While the publication’s track record is a subject of debate, its annual outlook on the cold season has become a yearly event, and the upcoming forecast is no exception.
According to the publication, parts of the country are in for a freeze. The Almanac’s forecast warns of cold for a massive portion of the United States. “The season’s coldest temperatures will be found from the Northern Plains to New England,” the forecast states. Readers in the Northwest, particularly in Idaho and Washington, are also told to “prepare for a cold winter.” The bad news for those who loathe the cold doesn’t stop there. The Almanac points to a few specific dates to circle on the calendar: “A significant cold snap in mid-January will keep most shivering. Winter’s wrath continues with another pronounced cold spell predicted for mid-February.”
But what about snow? While some areas will be shivering, others will be digging out from a potential winter wonderland. “When Will It Snow?” the report asks, and it has some very specific answers. The forecast promises a dream come true for snow lovers in the Northeast, noting, “Frequent snowstorms in New England should keep snow lovers happy.” For those further south, the news is a bit mixed, with “Areas up and down the Atlantic Coast [seeing] significant rain, mixing with snow from time to time.”
The snow forecast continues for the nation’s midsection: “The Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and North Central states are set for a classic winter wonderland, while the Pacific Northwest mountains are gearing up for some impressive snowfall totals.” Meanwhile, winter in the Southeast is predicted to be a wetter affair, with “average temperatures with many wet periods.” However, even in the south, hope for snow isn’t completely lost, as “Northern portions, particularly in the Appalachian regions, may see occasional snow events.”
The predictions then shift to the nation’s vast middle, where “Texas and the Southern Plains… are on tap for a wetter-than-average winter with periodic cold snaps.” While the snow may be a no-show, the region will still face winter’s sting: “While snow will be limited, the region may face several cold rain events and occasional freezing precipitation, particularly in northern areas.” Finally, the forecast wraps up its journey in the nation’s west, where “A wet winter is also predicted in the Southwest with near-average temperatures.”
So, whether you’re stocking up on firewood or planning a ski trip, the time to prepare is now.
