M.E.A.N. Podcast #001

Thank you Jerry Hall for being the MEAN Podcast's first guest! As a network security specialist, and fellow D.M.I. Graduate, I am grateful that he shared his perspective on some very interesting subjects, like what is a Flim-Flam Man?

Have you ever heard of the phrase “flim-flam man” and wondered what it means? Well, wonder no more! A flim-flam man is a con artist. They are clever tricksters who can talk their way out of almost anything and often make money by taking advantage of people. If you know any flim-flam men - or women - then you know they have an amazing ability to spin stories, create elaborate scams and use their wit to get what they want.
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Where Does the Term Come From?
The term “flim-flam man” has been around for centuries. It first appeared in English literature in the early 1600s, when it was used to describe a person who was a master of deception. The phrase could also be used to refer to someone who was a bit of a trickster or even a con artist. In the 19th century, the phrase became increasingly popular in American slang, where it referred to someone who was adept at scamming people out of their money or goods.

How Do Flim-Flam Men Work?
Flim-flam men typically use false promises or elaborate schemes to get what they want from people. They may tell tall tales or create stories that seem too good to be true in order to entice people into giving them money or goods. Some flim-flam men will even take advantage of people's trust by pretending to be someone else or offering products that don't actually exist. It's important to remember that no matter how convincing these cons may seem, they are always illegal and can lead to serious consequences if caught.
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So there you have it - now you know what a flim-flam man is! These sneaky scammers often prey on unsuspecting victims with their clever tricks and deceptions - so keep an eye out for them! As long as we all stay aware and vigilant against potential cons, then there's no need to worry about falling victim ourselves! Have fun telling your friends all about these tricky characters, but be sure not to fall for any of their schemes yourself!

How to protect your business data?

1. Educate your employees about cyber security threats like phishing and how to avoid them.

2. Create strong passwords for all of your online accounts and make sure to change them regularly.

What is Data Cloud Storage and why you should use it?
Have you ever heard of cloud storage? It's a great way to store your data, but do you know what it means? In this blog post, we'll discuss what data cloud storage is and why it's important for storing your data.
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What is Data Cloud Storage?
Data cloud storage is an online service that allows users to store data off-site. It is accessible from any internet-capable device and can be used to store any type of file, including photos, videos, documents, music, and more. This makes it much easier for users to access their files from anywhere in the world without having to worry about physically storing them on a hard drive or other physical media.

Why You Should Use Data Cloud Storage?
Data cloud storage offers many advantages over traditional methods of storing data. The most obvious benefit is convenience—it's much easier to access your files when they are stored in the cloud than when they are stored on a hard drive or other physical media. Additionally, since the files are stored off-site in secure servers, there's less risk of losing them if something happens to your computer or device. Furthermore, many cloud storage services offer automatic backup capabilities so that your files will always be safe even if something happens to your computer or device.
Finally, some cloud storage services offer collaboration tools which allow multiple people to work on the same file at the same time from different locations. This makes it much easier for teams working remotely to collaborate on projects without having to worry about sending large files back and forth via email or other methods.

Data cloud storage is an incredibly useful service for anyone who needs reliable access to their data from anywhere in the world. It offers several advantages over traditional methods of storing data such as convenience, security, automatic backups, and collaboration tools. If you're looking for a way to securely store your data off-site and make sure it's always accessible no matter where you are in the world, then data cloud storage could be exactly what you need!

How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams
Blog Introduction: Phishing scams are a reality of the digital age. From fake emails to malicious links, bad actors are constantly looking for new ways to steal your data. But don’t worry, there are ways to spot and avoid phishing scams. With a little bit of knowledge and some common sense, you can protect yourself from these cyber threats. Let’s take a look at how it works.
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Spotting Phishing Scams
The key to avoiding phishing scams is being able to recognize them when you see them. Here are some red flags that should alert you that something’s amiss:
• The email contains incorrect grammar or spelling mistakes
• It requests personal information such as banking information, passwords, or Social Security numbers
• It includes an urgent call-to-action or threatens dire consequences if the request is not followed
• The sender claims to be from a legitimate organization yet has an unrecognized email address  
• It includes attachments or links that could potentially contain malicious software
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Avoiding Phishing Scams
Now that you know what to look out for, here are some tips on how to avoid phishing scams:
• Don’t click on any links in emails unless you know and trust the sender. If in doubt, do an independent search for the website URL before clicking on it.  
• Be wary of emails with sensational subject lines that promise free gifts or tax refunds; these are common tactics used by scammers.  
• Don’t open any attachments unless you’re expecting them – even then, verify with the sender via another medium (phone call or text message) first before opening it up.    
• If you suspect an email may be fraudulent, contact the company directly using a phone number from its official website instead of replying back to the suspicious email itself.  
• Always use strong passwords and two-factor authentication whenever possible; this adds an extra layer of security that makes it harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts.      

Protecting yourself from cyber threats doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming—just remember these key tips and stay vigilant when online! With just a few simple steps and some common sense, you can easily spot and avoid phishing scams and keep your data safe from prying eyes. So arm yourself with knowledge and start browsing smarter today!

But let's not forget about psychographic Marketing...

Have you ever heard of psychographic marketing? It's a powerful tool used by marketers to understand and engage with customers on a deeper level. In this blog, we'll take a look at the basics of psychographic marketing and why it's so important for businesses.

Understanding the Cambridge Analytica Scandal

We've all heard about the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the immense impact it had on social media. But what is the Cambridge Analytica scandal all about?

The Cambridge Analytica scandal was a major data breach that occurred in 2018 when political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica, illegally obtained personal data from over 87 million Facebook users. This data was then used to target political ads during the 2016 US presidential election. The scandal revealed how vulnerable our personal information is online, and how easily it can be abused by unethical actors.

The scandal has also raised questions around how our data is being used by companies such as Facebook, Google, and other popular social media platforms. It highlighted the need for more robust privacy laws and regulations that protect user rights and ensure that companies are held accountable for any misuse of user data. This has become an even more pressing issue since then as many countries have moved to implement more stringent privacy laws, such as GDPR in Europe, in order to protect their citizens’ personal information online.

In response to the growing concerns around privacy and user data protection, many tech companies have implemented measures to make sure they are compliant with these new laws. For instance, Apple now requires app developers to explicitly ask users for permission before collecting their personal information or tracking their activity across apps. Other companies like Facebook have implemented measures such as two-factor authentication and encryption of user passwords to make sure that their users' data is secure.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal changed the way we think about our digital footprint and opened our eyes to the possibilities of misuse of personal data. It has prompted us to take a closer look at how our personal information is being collected, stored and used by companies like Facebook or Google. It has also led us towards greater transparency when it comes to how our information is being protected online, prompting tech giants like Apple to implement measures that ensure user security while still allowing them access to their products and services. Ultimately, this scandal serves as a reminder that we should always stay vigilant when it comes to protecting our online security and privacy rights!

How Cambridge Analytica Affected the Trump Election
‍It’s no secret that the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States in 2016 was a shock to many. But how did he win? Was it because of his campaign strategy, or had something else been at work? Enter Cambridge Analytica, an analytics firm that used data from Facebook to target potential voters with ads and personal messages. Let's take a closer look at how Cambridge Analytica played a role in the 2016 US election.

How Did They Affect The Election?
In 2015, Cambridge Analytica acquired access to millions of Facebook profiles through a third-party app created by Aleksandr Kogan, a professor at Cambridge University. This gave them access to user data such as age, gender, location and interests. By analyzing this data they were able to create detailed profiles on potential voters so they could tailor their ads accordingly. This allowed them to target those most likely to be swayed by certain messages and arguments – something traditional polling methods can’t do. This allowed Donald Trump’s campaign team to focus their attention on those most likely to vote for him while ignoring others who are less likely or unwilling to support him.  

The ability for Cambridge Analytica to use big data and targeting techniques certainly made a difference in the 2016 election results for Donald Trump – but only time will tell if it will make a difference in future elections as well. It’s clear that data-driven marketing has become an important tool for political campaigns around the world – but it remains unclear just how much impact it has had on elections overall. Whatever your opinion may be on Cambridge Analytica's involvement in the US election, one thing is certain – big data is here stay and will continue shape our electoral process going forward.

‍What is Psychographic Marketing? ‍

Psychographics are the psychological characteristics that help inform consumer behavior. This includes factors like lifestyle, values, interests, beliefs, attitudes, personality traits, and other demographic data. By understanding these characteristics, marketers can create targeted campaigns that will appeal to their target audience.

For example, let's say you're selling outdoor camping gear. You could use psychographics to determine which types of people would be most interested in your product – those who love hiking and camping trips or those who prefer the comforts of home. With this information in hand, you can craft more effective campaigns that are tailored to the needs and interests of your target audience.

Benefits of Psychographic Marketing
The ultimate goal of any marketing campaign is to reach the right people with the right message at the right time. Psychographic marketing helps make this possible by providing valuable insights into customer behavior that can be used to create highly targeted campaigns. As a result, businesses are able to reach more qualified leads and increase their conversion rates. Additionally, psychographics provide valuable insights into customer preferences that can help businesses improve their products and services.
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Psychographic marketing provides businesses with invaluable insight into customer behavior that can be used to create more effective campaigns and better serve their customers’ needs. By leveraging psychographic data in their marketing efforts, businesses can ensure they’re reaching the right people with the right message at the right time – which ultimately leads to higher conversion rates and increased profits! If you haven't already started using psychographics in your business' marketing efforts, now is definitely the time to start!

I've found the best place to use psychographic marketing techniques on websites, and through email. Give me a call if you wanna chat about it on a future podcast. Adam@MeeksLLC.com (580)401.5190‍