Guide to protection from cybersecurity risks in Canada

When the entire world was shut down, the digital world was afloat and how. But at the same time, some malicious acts were being warranted by suspicious scammers all across the world. The risks in Canada, however, catapulted into another epidemic of some kind.

Basically, scammers and hackers were in full swing during the COVID-19 pandemic as they continued to exploit victims by tricking them into falling prey to malware scams. This was done viciously via phishing campaigns and compromised credentials. Of course, other methods were also optimized, resulting in havoc on the digital space.

It’s one thing to suggest that cybercrime was at an all-time high during the pandemic and a completely different story when you look at the facts. Did you know that roughly 57% of Canadians have reported falling prey to cybercrime activity during the first year of the pandemic?

These schemes were malicious to another level and led to all sorts of disruptive outputs for individuals as well as businesses and organizations. The most common victims were the health sector because it was not only under the spotlight at the time but also under tremendous amounts of pressure.

If only, Canadians had used at the time, the problem wouldn’t be as big as it turned out to be in the end. VPNs are the best tool to protect yourself against online threats. However, those who’re running low on budget can get free VPNs to secure your privacy in Canada by VPNRanks.

Mind you, free VPN services might not work the same way as the premium ones. They may lack security features, server infrastructure, or limit you with bandwidth cap or whatnot. If you want to way have limitless security without any compromises, we always suggest premium VPNs.

But if you still opt for a free VPN service, make sure to get it from a trusted source, as mentioned above. In this article, we will discuss how Canadians can protect themselves from such cybercrime activities and run their operations online smoothly.

The 3 Most Common Types of Cyberattacks on Canadians

When you get to start studying the world of cybercrime and digital intricacies, you’ll come to the realization that cyberattacks are extremely complex and difficult to pull off. They are also the most common form of criminal activity in the current day of digital supremacy.

Once you understand that, you’ll be interested in knowing the most common types of cyberattacks that were being targeted at Canadians during the pandemic. Well, we have explained all three for you below.

Health Sector – Brutal Ranson Attacks

As we said earlier, the pandemic was a rough period for Canada as its digital space was a constant target of cybercrime activity. Now, the health sector took a massive beating as it was being targetted for ransomware regularly. In fact, these attacks were elevated to new heights, and honestly new lows, when they held patient medical records and medical research. The attempts were made to hijack operating devices and steal information to commit fraud on hospitals, labs, and clinical funding.

Relief Payments Were Stolen

GCKey is an online portal local to the Canadian Government that the hackers targeted to steal all the relief payments transferred through the credentials stuffing. Wondering how these attacks occur so easily? Well, there’s always a loophole in the system that these hackers find out so efficiently. These hackers opted for stolen usernames and passcodes that were made available on a variety of websites.

This information was then used to find the email accounts, and tracking was done via similar log-in credentials. This was made possible since these websites don’t seek the two-factor authentication key.

This is exactly why online privacy should be taught in school. There are so many ways you could at least increase your privacy online and protect yourself from compromising and vulnerable situations. If only people understand the importance of using fake email addresses while surfing third-party websites or shopping online.

And if only, these sites conducted two-factor authentication models, such advances would never be made in the world of hacking and malware.

Fake COVID-19 Tracing Apps

Now this one was not done without planning due to the sophisticated nature of the malware. This was obviously a massive ransomware threat that played with the sensitivity of the situation and the vulnerability of the victims at the time. People were obviously tricked into believing that there was an app that could help them trace whether or not they have been in contact with a person carrying the COVID-19 bodies.

It obviously worked because people ended up downloading it, which eventually encrypted their data and locked them out of their own devices. Now the only way they were given access to their device again was by paying the ransom.

Of course, these attacks are pre-planned and attack organizations targeting confidential data, funding, and much more. Thus, it’s best to practice protection and apply filters and security checkups regularly.

How to Increase Protection and Secure Yourself from Cybercrime?

Now that we’re made aware of the malicious activities that go down when we put our guard down, we’re prepared and enlightened enough to know that cybersecurity is a matter of priority. And so, here are some ways you can ensure utmost protection and safety online.

Backup Infrastructure

The most important method to implicate here is to have a backup infrastructure. This is extremely important for businesses and industries where information is power. If you have a backup infrastructure in place, you wouldn’t have to worry about paying ransom to gain back its access.

Subscribe To A VPN

By investing in a VPN, you can solve many issues simultaneously. The most crucial gift that a VPN offers is that of encryption and security. If you have subscribed to a premium VPN, no matter what you do online, your presence will be protected at all costs.

You may be tempted to use a free VPN service, but they don’t perform as efficiently as the premium ones. Besides, who are we to complain? We are not paying for it, or are we? Hence, your safest bet is to trust a legitimate and premium VPN service provider for robust and utmost security.

Keep Different Passwords

This is obviously one of those nerdy tips out there but an essential one at that. We touched bases with this tip earlier but it must be emphasized once again due to the level of significance it brings. If you have different passwords for different accounts online, it will be difficult to track your secured personal information and trap you into hacking or ransomware.

Two-Factor Authentication

Alway enable and activate the two-factor authentication method on your online accounts. This is a security measure that functions as a second layer of protection and gives you time to gain access back. This trick quickly notifies you if your account is ever vulnerable to threats.

In Conclusion

Online security is of utmost importance in this modern-day age. You’re constantly being threatened with extortion and ransomware and you must heighten your security measures to ensure safety. By following the tips mentioned above, you can upgrade your safety measures and potentially save yourself from embarrassment, anxiety, or any other difficult situation.

Todayville Content Team

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Todayville Content Team works with a wide variety of clients to develop compelling content solutions. Our experienced team develops strategic campaigns that use video and storytelling, digital advertising and social media to help our clients position and distinguish themselves in the market.

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Understanding Slot RTP and Variance: Which Slot Game Is Right for You?

Published on December 20, 2024

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When it comes to playing slots, luck plays a huge role, but there’s more to winning than just spinning the wheels. Checking the variance and RTP of a slot game beforehand can help you find one that matches your style and strategy. Whether you’re a casual player or chasing a jackpot, understanding these factors can improve your experience. For Canadian players looking to try their luck, Tenexcasino.com is a top choice among crypto casino sites, offering a great platform to explore these games.

What is RTP?

RTP or Return to Player shows how much of the money you bet goes back to you over time. It also shows you the “house edge,” or how much of your money goes to the casino over the same period. If a slot has an RTP of 90%, 90 cents of every dollar you bet goes back to you. The remaining 10 cents is the “house edge” or the profit the casino will likely make.

RTP is measured over time and doesn’t tell you what will happen with each spin. But it can tell you which slot games to pick if you want to minimize risk.

What Is Slot Variance?

Variance also shows the risk of playing each slot game. But unlike RTP, it determines how often you can expect to win and the average size of each payout. Will you see small, frequent wins or rare but potentially huge payouts?

Depending on your preference and budget, you can opt for low, medium, or high-variance slots. Low-variance slots offer frequent but smaller payouts, medium-variance slots provide a mix of frequent smaller wins and occasional bigger winnings, and high-variance slots give rare but significant payouts.

What’s the Right Type of Right Slot Game for Me?

Variance and RTP can help you select the slot games that suit your style and the risk you’re
willing to take.

High RTP Slot Games

High RTP games are an ideal choice if you’re on a small budget. They will give you the best chance to build your bankroll and get more from your investment. You should look for games with at least 97% RTP, like Mega Joker (99%), Codex of Fortune (98%), and Starmania (97.87%).

While these games ensure you get more of your money back in the long term, they won’t necessarily help you maintain your bankroll. If that’s what you’re looking for, you should ensure the slots also have low variance.

Low Variance Slots

Low-variance slots are a perfect choice if you’re looking for steady gameplay with minimal risk. They allow you to play longer without large swings in your balance. But it’s not without its thrill.

If you like frequent wins, these games certainly keep the excitement alive. Some of our favorite low-variance games are Starburst, Jack Hammer, and Blood Suckers.

Medium-Variance Slots

These are a sweet spot. Medium-variance slots are perfect if you want steady payouts with the occasional thrill of big wins. They allow you to avoid the risk of high-variance slots while enjoying some of the excitement. Temple of Iris, Wolf Gold, and Golden Winner are great medium-variance slots worth checking out.

High-variance Slots

High-variance games are your best bet if you dream of hitting the jackpot. The risk is undoubtedly high, but you can win a massive payout. However, these slots may not be the best choice for prolonged gaming sessions. They can, however, provide convenient and enjoyable entertainment when traveling or during your lunch breaks.

High variance slots often include progressive jackpots. Some of our favorite high-variance slots include Rome: The Golden Age, Twin Spin Megaways, and Jack in a Pot.

Having a healthy bankroll is necessary here. But even more so, you need patience. You may go through several spins without a win, but the payout can be significant when you do win.

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Since its appearance in the 1980s, precision agriculture has revolutionized farming, offering innovative solutions to age-old challenges. One of those is Variable rate technology (VRT), which plays a key role in improving efficiency and sustainability in today’s farming methods.

By applying inputs like fertilizers and water in different quantities across the field, VRT helps optimize crop yields and reduce costs. This technology relies on data collection and analysis to create detailed VRA prescription maps, allowing for customized input applications.

With the right equipment and technology, VRT can significantly improve agricultural productivity. Today’s advanced tractors, equipped with built-in terminals and specialized software integrated with a precision agriculture platform, use prescription maps to accurately apply variable rates of water or chemicals based on GPS location and management zones.

Variable Rate Technology In Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a game-changer, moving far beyond traditional farming methods. Often called satellite farming, this approach focuses on crop condition monitoring, measuring, and responding to variability within fields. One of its standout innovations is variable rate application (VRA), which has caught the attention of farmers worldwide for its immense potential.

Why is VRA so important? It goes beyond simply fertilizing, seeding, and applying pesticides. It’s about utilizing technology to apply various expendable materials on and beneath the field automatically.

Farm management software simplifies contemporary farming by combining data and technology to improve farming efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Precision agriculture platforms consolidate operations, crop health monitoring through satellite imagery, and offer real-time suggestions, enabling farmers to make informed decisions for the best use of resources (through VRA) and increased productivity.

Variable rate application offers numerous advantages for modern agriculture:

VR fertilizer enhances farming efficiency.

Adjusting rates based on soil health and plant needs helps save resources and increase yields. Research shows this method can lead to higher net income and healthier soil compared to using uniform rates: “The net incomes of VR management zone were 15.5–449.61 USD ha−1 higher than that of traditional spatially uniform rate fertilization.”

VR irrigation saves water, time, and fuel while reducing machinery wear.

Applying the correct amount of water to different parts of the field based on soil moisture levels and crop requirements reduces wear and tear on irrigation equipment compared to uniform irrigation.

Studies claim: “Variable rate irrigation (VRI) can increase water use efficiency and productivity by applying water based on site‐specific needs.”

VR seeding increases crop yield by adjusting seeding rates based on soil fertility.

VR seeding adjusts seeding rates based on soil fertility and other factors to optimize plant populations and yields. It is commonly used alongside variable rate fertilization as part of a comprehensive precision agriculture strategy.

Findings show that: “The application of VRS to the seeding of various crops shows positive agro-economic trends, additional yields, and higher economic returns.”

VR pesticide reduces environmental pollution and improves pesticide efficiency.

VRT helps farmers target pests more accurately and use less pesticide.

Studies have found that “VR management zone reduced the use of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers by 22.90–43.95%, 59.11–100%, and 8.21–100%, respectively, and it also increased the use efficiency of N, P, and K by 12.27–28.71, 89.64–176.85, and 5.48–266.89 kg/kg, respectively, without yield loss.”

This demonstrates the ability of variable rate technologies to improve pesticide effectiveness and reduce environmental pollution in agriculture.

Using Various Technological Means For Informed Decisions

Applying different technological tools is essential for implementing variable rate technology in agriculture. This includes smart machinery, fertilizers, seeders, soil sensors, geographic information system (also called GIS), and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications for field mapping. Additionally, having supporting infrastructure, which helps manage and analyze info from different sources, is crucial for successful implementation.

Understanding the location, timing, and methods for seeding, fertilizing, and harvesting is key in remote crop monitoring and precision agriculture, where data plays a vital role in managing resources effectively.

This information is taken from a wide variety of data sources.

Sensors. Moisture, soil nutrients, compaction, weather stations (humidity, temperature, wind speed)
Drones and satellite photography. Field hyperspectral imaging.
GNSS. Event coordinates, also points and times for obtaining time-series data
Spatio-temporal data sources. Spatio-temporal specific data (trajectories of agricultural machinery, spatiotemporal points, event points, time-series information)
Maps. Field boundaries, soil type, surface levels)
AI solutions. Prediction of weather conditions, detection of plant diseases.

However, simply collecting raw data is not sufficient. It is necessary to process this information to extract valuable insights, make informed decisions, and enable automatic alerts and control signals for agricultural equipment. Thus, you must have the capability to:

Gather data;
Transform the data to extract valuable insights for precision farming gear;
Upload the data into agricultural equipment;
Retrieve real-time data from tractors, seeders, fertilizers, and other machinery.

By following these steps, farmers can make the most of modern technology, optimizing their farming practices and boosting efficiency.

Use Of Satellite Images In Building VRT Maps

Satellite crop monitoring imagery can be used to generate different kinds of VRA maps for various purposes. As nitrogen is one of the most critical elements plants need, building map for its proper application is a major task.

Nitrogen fertilization maps play a crucial role in optimizing the application of water, nitrogen, and crop protection products.

When creating a VRA map for nitrogen fertilizer, you can choose from various indices that provide valuable insights:

MSAVI is sensitive to uncovered soil and, therefore, is ideal for planning VR fertilizer application in the early stages of growth.

Example: Early in the growing season, a corn farmer uses MSAVI to detect patches of uncovered soil in their field. This helps them apply fertilizer more accurately, ensuring that nutrient-rich areas receive the right amount of input and promoting uniform growth.

ReCI measures chlorophyll content in leaves, helping to identify field areas with faded and yellowed vegetation that may need additional fertilizer.

Example: A soybean grower notices using ReCI that certain sections of their field have yellowed leaves, indicating possible nutrient deficiencies. They apply additional fertilizer to these areas, restoring plant health and boosting overall yield.

NDVI indicates biomass accumulation zones and areas with low vegetation that might demand larger amounts of fertilizer.

Example: A cotton producer uses NDVI to map out zones with varying levels of biomass across their field. They adjust their fertilizer application rates, applying more in areas with lower vegetation to support growth and maximize their harvest.

NDMI is well-suited for VR irrigation by identifying areas that are under water stress.

Example: During a hot summer, a vineyard uses NDMI to pinpoint areas suffering from water stress. They adjust their irrigation system to provide extra water where it’s needed, ensuring the vines remain healthy and productive.

- NDRE helps identify stressed or dying vegetation in the middle to late stages of a season, aiding in effective fertilization strategies.

Example: During the season, a wheat farmer uses NDRE to identify patches of the field where the wheat plants are showing signs of nutrient stress or poor growth. By applying a mid-season nutrient boost specifically to these stressed areas, the farmer improves the overall health and yield potential of the wheat crop.

Field Productivity Maps

Field productivity maps can be created by analyzing satellite images to pinpoint areas with high or low crop yields. By using the NDVI index and advanced machine learning algorithms, different productivity zones can be identified.

Key applications of productivity maps include:

Potassium and phosphorus fertilization

Historical productivity zones data can help avoid excessive application in areas where these nutrients may have accumulated with time.

Variable rate planting

Farmers can apply different seed amounts in various productivity zones to either maximize yield or achieve uniform distribution across the field.

Land evaluation

Field productivity can be assessed before purchasing or renting land; it helps reduce risk and enhance profitability.

Targeted soil sampling

Soil sampling efforts can be focused on key areas indicated by productivity data, rather than relying on generic grid sampling.

As you see, variable rate application (VRA) is a cost-effective method that can save you 10% on planting and cultivation costs based on the characteristics of the soil. To fully benefit from VRA, it’s important to understand the technologies involved, such as sensors, GNSS, earth observation pictures from drones and satellites, and digital maps, which provide crucial data for analysis and implementation. We sincerely hope that you succeed in your farming endeavors with modern technology!

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Author Vasyl Cherlinka

Vasyl Cherlinka is a Doctor of Biosciences specializing in pedology (soil science), with 30 years of experience in the field. With a degree in agrochemistry, agronomy and soil science, Dr. Cherlinka has been advising on these issues private sector for many years.