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The under-18 market is a rapidly expanding market in the wireless phone industry; parents with kids under the age of 12 have even jumped on the bandwagon and started providing their kids with mobile phones. Manufacturers of mobile phones, mobile phone accessories, and even the top carriers have realized this. They are all now taking steps to capture their share of this exploding market.

Carriers & Phones Just For Kids

It might seem almost unreal to many, but carriers and handset makers are targeting products specifically to kids. Firefly Mobile, a Florida based company, sells not only phones that are visually appealing to kids but pay-as-you-go packages for them that appeal to parents concerned about curbing costs on cellular bills. A built in feature that allows parents to restrict incoming and outgoing calls to specified numbers in the phone book has great appeal to parents concerned also about safety. Parents can enter up to 20 numbers into the address book and also place restrictions on adding to the phone book. Restricting who your child can call, and most importantly who can contact them is vital to parental peace of mind.

Even the large carriers, like Verizon, made the decision to capture a portion of the market by releasing the Migo. Manufactured by LG, the Migo offers a simple 7 button interface that is very kid-friendly. Modeled towards kids as young as 5, this phone offers great ease of use. An emergency button is accompanied by 4 speed dial numbers, making it very easy for a small child to understand and use.

Again, the ability to restrict incoming and outgoing calls is a great feature that appeals to all parents.

Another company, TicTalk, launched their own line of kid and parent friendly mobile phones that offered parents the ability to restrict incoming and outgoing calls while still allowing kids the ability to have a cell phone of their own. Using the AT&T mobile network, this prepaid phone with an unusual design form might not be as popular with the older kids but can offer great usability to kids under the age of 10.

One great bonus built into many mobile phones designed specifically for children is a GPS feature. This safety feature can offer incredible peace of mind to parents. Provider of mobile phones and plans, kajeet, offers a secure GPS Phone Locater website tool. They offer a web-based tool that allows parents to locate their child via their cell phone; parents have the ability to set up a schedule that can automatically locate the phone at specified times of the day. For parents who rely on others to pick up their schools from school or drop them off at sports practice it can be a huge relief to know they will receive automatic reports letting them know if their child made it to their destination as scheduled.

Disney had tried to capture the market; however, at the end of 2007 they shut down their kid-friendly mobile service (that made use of the Sprint network) due to their inability to capture a good profitable share of the market. Disney still continues to offer various products through the major carriers, however.

Perhaps not always ideal for every child, a mobile phone can be a very useful tool to help parents keep in touch with their kids. Phones and plans targeted towards kids offer features and functionality that can satisfy parental need to securely restrict incoming and outgoing calls while also allowing the kid to enjoy small amount of freedom with their mobile phone.

Find a fantastic selection of cell phone accessories and the perfect one you are looking for at http://www.wonderfulcell.com

In addition to the other proclaimed dangerous of cell phone use, like driving while talking, research is now being conducted into the possible addiction of cell phones. The thoughts behind it are that, in today’s increasingly reliant on technology society, we are unable to allow ourselves to be disconnected from not only technology but from everyone around us.

Who It Could Affect

Business Users

The ability now to conduct business from anywhere can be both a blessing and a curse. It means that you have a bit of freedom from being tied to the office, but it also can mean you are reachable even when you are out of the office, or on vacation.

Teenagers

Teenagers seem most susceptible to addictions in general, but the ability to be in touch with their friends at all times can be a major drawback to a teenager having the use of a cell phone.

None of us like to believe that we could be affected by any kind of addiction, but the fact of the matter is that addictions are not selective about who they affect, nor are they selective about the manner they affect us.

Learn The Signs

High Bills - People who are addicted to their cell phones often give little thought to the cost of their incessant cell phone usage. There are voice and data plans that allow for heavy usage; however, with addictions seldom does logic follow. The logical thing would be to increase voice and data plans to sufficiently cover the high use of the cell phone; but if someone is addicted they are most likely also in denial about their addiction. The thought process behind the denial is usually “I don’t use my phone enough to increase my plans that much!”

Eyes Glued To The Display - If a person is addicted to their cell phone, then the odds are they are constantly checking their phone for a missed call, a voicemail, or a missed text message. This can not only be annoying, but it can take a turn for the dangerous when the person is also driving a vehicle.

Behaviour - Anxiety like behaviour when separated from a cell phone has been reported as a major sign that someone might be addicted to their mobile phone. If you or someone close to you expresses high levels of anxiety or worry when they are unable to make a phone call or send a text message you might consider them to be addicted.

Never Ending Use - A person who is addicted to their cell phone will find it difficult to put it down, in a variety of different situations. How often do you see someone talking loudly on a cell phone while in a restaurant? Or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room while talking on their cell phone? The worst cases reported have been people even talking on their cell phone while using a public restroom!

Addiction to a cell phone can affect personal relationships, with partners and even kids believing they are not as important as your cell phone; even work performance can be dramatically affected by the use of a cell phone if the addicted person is constantly checking voicemail, or sending text messages.

Treatment

As is the case with many addictions and behaviour disorders, antidepressants and anxiety medications can often do a great job in easing the reliance on a cell phone.

If your job requires you to have the use of a cell phone you may find it difficult to wean yourself away from it after hours; however, with a bit of persistence and determination you will find that this is possible. Try to separate the usage of the cell phone for business reasons from the rest of your life.

Find a fantastic selection of cell phone accessories and the perfect one you are looking for at http://www.wonderfulcell.com

An estimated 9 million drivers in the U.S. alone are believed to use their cell phones while driving. This almost unbelievably high number of users is worrying when you consider the number of users that are not using a hands-free device while on the phone. In the U.S. several cities, and even states, have now banned the use of a cell phone while driving; unless the driver incorporates a hands-free device.

In New York State it is illegal to drive and talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device. In Flower Mound, Texas, it is now illegal to drive through a school zone while talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device.

Many countries around the world, the United Kingdom & South Africa to name two, have banned the use of mobile phones while driving; all in the name of safety.

The data to support the dangers of cell phone usage while driving is somewhat mixed; but there is no doubt that any form of distraction while behind the wheel is a serious concern.

Consider the following safety tips to help keep you, your passengers, and your fellow drivers safe on the road.

When possible avoid making or answering calls during bad weather; rain, snow or even high winds can be hazardous enough on their own without the added complication of you being distracted!

Sitting in rush hour traffic during your morning and afternoon commute is certainly incredibly boring, but the distraction of making calls in heavy traffic can be very dangerous. A large majority of fatalities on the road happen during the morning and afternoon rush hours; do your part to avoid an accident!

If you absolutely must make or answer a phone call while driving, and you do not have a hands-free device or kit consider asking your passenger to help.

Speed-dial or speak-dial features can be very useful when driving. The ability to either press one button to dial home or to simply say “Home” can greatly reduce your need to look away from the road.

Hands Free Kits

A hands free device or kit allows you the freedom to drive safely with both hands on the wheel. A few years ago the devices were of really poor quality, making cell phone users rather reluctant to use them. Technology has now improved to the point that you can often hear better through the hands free device than you can through the earpiece on your cell phone.

Bluetooth devices are rapidly gaining in popularity. A Bluetooth wireless device eliminates the need to carry the phone; a small earpiece that fits over your ear it transmits a signal over short distances to your mobile phone. It is a simple procedure to get your Bluetooth device to sync with your phone, a lot of phones are now programmed to detect when there is a Bluetooth device in close proximity.

Teenagers & Driving

Knowing that your teenager is on the road is a scary enough proposition for a parent, but knowing that your teenager is also texting or talking excessively on their cell phone while driving can be nightmarish. Be sure to communicate important safety guides to your teenager before letting them behind the wheel with their cell phone.

Find a fantastic selection of cell phone accessories and the perfect one you are looking for at http://www.wonderfulcell.com

There is a difference between a universal remote controller and the typical remote controller. What sets the universal remote controller apart from the typical one is its ability to adapt to different signals.

Universal remote controllers are an advanced version of remote controllers. Typical remote controllers are designed to issue commands from a distance to a specific electronic apparatus. Universal remote controllers also serve the same function, but with the addition that it can be used with multiple types of apparatus. This is because of the universal remote controller’s ability to adapt to and use any frequency or signal that might be used by a particular electronic signal receiving appliance.

There are two types of remote controller signals. These are the infrared and the radio frequency type. Infrared types of remote controllers must be aimed directly towards the target electronic device’s infrared receiver for it to be able to communicate commands. The radio frequency type remote controller enables the user to control appliances that are out of sight, as long as it is in within range of the controller’s radio signal. This is best used with electronic appliances that do not require visual attention such as when the user listens to their audio system or component.

Most of the Universal Remote Controllers available in the market are pre-programmed for a wide range of brands and products so the code for a specific brand of appliance must be established and emulated for the remote control to work. But with the advancements in technology, the self-learning type of universal remote controller was invented. The self-learning type of universal remote controller has the ability to search and identify the control signature signal of the target brand of electronic product.

There are high-end universal remote controllers that allow the user to control several appliances or features at the same time. For example, a person can go inside a room and with a touch of a button, turn on the lights, play some music and turn on the air conditioner all at the same time. Most of these remote controls have an LCD screen for easier programming and usage.

Having a Universal Remote Control is very convenient in the fact that it allows the user to require only one controller for almost all of their electronic appliances. There are many available brands and models of Universal Remote Controllers today. Several things must be taken into consideration when choosing a Universal Remote Controller. Testing the item and reading its specifications will be helpful in analyzing if the remote will be useful to one’s needs. Keep in mind that a Universal Remote Controller’s purpose is to provide convenience. Another factor in choosing one is that it will be used often. Comfort in holding the remote controller must be considered.

Check if the buttons are soft. If watching the television in the dark is a habit, it is preferable to get a controller whose buttons glow in the dark. You may want to use a radio frequency type of remote controller instead of an infrared universal remote control if most of the time spent is listening to the music for relaxation. This is since the remote does not need to be aimed directly at the receiver and its signal can penetrate barriers. A brand backed with a warranty will be helpful in decision making since it eliminates the worry of buying a defective product. But be aware that some warranties are not customer friendly. An excellent warranty will include a money back guarantee. It may take some time and effort to finally decide to choose a desired Universal Remote Control, but it may prove to make one’s usage of electronics a breeze instead of a chore.

For more information on Universal Remotes please visit our website.

Smart phones are mobile phones with computer-like features making them versatile to substitute a plethora of devices. For manufacturers they are about design and software, for users they are about functionality.

Smart phones are mobile phones with advanced features, generally combining standard communications capabilities with rich data applications and enhanced connectivity. As such, smart phones have as much in common with computers as they do with mobile phones. Smart phones often have fully enhanced applications that allow them to perform tasks that are above and beyond the functions of a regular mobile phone that us supplemented only by sandboxed applications. For the manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Sony-Ericcson, Blackberry, Motorola, BenQ, LG and Apple, they are a question of design and software.

The IBM Simon was the first smart phone made commercially available in 1993. It was designed by IBM in collaboration with Bellsouth, introducing it first as a concept product in a computer trade show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, circa 1992. Simon combined the features of a mobile phone, a pager, a PDA and a fax machine, with the following specific applications: calendar, address book, world clock, calculator, notepad, e-mail, a sending and receiving fax, and games. Users could navigate through these applications by an on-screen “predictive” QWERTY keyboard.

By today’s technological advance of smart phones, the Simon would be fairly along the lower end of the spectrum. Smart phones presently have a general versatility to substitute a plethora of devices, handheld or otherwise. Any present-day smart phone may be a datebook or planner, a Web browser, an MP3 player, a video and/or still camera, an FM radio tuner, an audio recorder, or a GPS navigator, among others. Additionally, modern smart phones have enhanced connectivity with the use of Bluetooth and Infrared technology, and even wireless Internet capability for high-end models. These technologies help smart phones connect to other devices such as other phones or computers.

For the end-users, smart phones are all about functionality. The looks of the phone help as recent models are sleeker and more appealing to the eye, however for smart phone connoisseurs, the main selling point is still the number of things it can do.

Smart phones have become a necessity for a great many individuals, particularly those who spend a great deal of time away from their homes and/or offices. The main target market for smart phones are professionals who need constant and regular access to e-mails, pertinent files as well appointment books and contact details. Executives are often inseparable from their smart phones as it contains a great deal of their work life. With recent developments in onboard multimedia features, smart phones have also become media players for those constantly on the road as well as tools for people in the creative field who need regular access to media playing and media capturing devices.

Prospective buyers should consider that purchasing a smart phone is not just about the latest model, the sleekest look or the price of the model. The smart phone should fit the demands of that buyers’ life, enabling them to maximize the use of the phone and complementing their everyday demands.

Certain smart phone models may not have all the latest applications or the most modern operating system, but its capabilities may fit the needs and requirements of a professional photographer or a yuppy. A certain model may not have sufficient memory to hold a large number of documents but its versatility and speed in performing other tasks may make it a necessary tool in someone’s life.

Whatever the case may be, smart phones are only as good as their owners. Once a user decides to pick up one type of smart phone and that smart phone fits the user’s needs perfectly then that makes it a very useful phone.

For more information on Smart Phones please visit our website.

Sending text messages have gotten expensive, which is why there are sites willing to provide people with a means to text their friends for free.

Text messaging is often used as a means for communicating with other people. Also known as Short Message Sending, or SMS, text messages are words and characters that make up one message that can be sent from one mobile phone to another.

Text messaging was developed with the emergence of the new mobile phone handsets that were part of the GSM series. The first phones that were enabled to send and receive text messages were created in 1985. Since that time, the technology for text messaging as well as the development of phone models which emphasize the texting feature of the phone.

Recent phone models now have features that enhance the texting capabilities of the phone. Some features used for texting are predictive text, which tries to guess what word the user is trying to spell out, as well as graphics, emoticons and animations, icons that can be added to the message to enhance the emotions of the text.

There are still some phones whose main functionality and features are for making telephone calls. However most modern phones cater mostly to texting, enabling users to efficiently compose, store and edit text messages.

There used to be no charge for text messages. Now, because of a marked rise in usage, companies have placed rates on sending text messages. It is understandable that users would be resistant to the expenses brought on by text messaging. After all, it is another quick way to get in touch with friends. Given this, there have been endeavors to make other options available to users who do not want to pay just for sending text messages.

Several instant messaging applications have already tried to integrate sending text messages to their functions. They often enable their logged on users to send text messages to their listed contacts. One common drawback to this is that the contact has to register their mobile numbers before their friends can send them text messages.

Another option is the presence of online text message sites that allow people to send messages from the website directly to a mobile number. These sites often cater to mobile phone service providers from a specific location. Most of them cater to mobile phone owners in the USA or the UK.

All the user needs to do at these sites is put the complete mobile number of the one they want to send the message to. Complete mobile number means including the area code, and sometimes even the country code. There are also sites that do not support all service providers so it is best to check with the online guidelines to make sure that the phone company is supported. Once the number is in place, the user can then put a subject line and compose the message. Once this is done, the message can be sent.

Some websites are not secure in that they send spam to the used number or they sell that number to third party companies. Other sites allow the first message to be sent for free, however to send more messages, the recipient needs to reply to the site. When searching for a site to try and send a text message for free, it is best to find one that has no hidden fees and gimmicks as well as no ulterior motives.

For more information on Free Texting Service please visit our website.

A text script allows for the creation of an SMS messaging box in a user’s website, blog, or Myspace, harnessing the free service offer by website providers.

A script is a series of commands using a particular programming language that tells the computer and its applications what to do. If an application is scriptable, it will have its own set of commands that are available for scripting. To create a script, a script editor is typically needed. A script editor can usually show which applications are scriptable and what commands can be used with them. It is also a good tool for making properly formed scripts. Other programs such as text editors may also be used.

SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a communication protocol that allows mobile phone users to send and receive short messages, which contain letters, numbers and certain characters to and from another mobile phone. This service is also called text messaging or texting.

Texting is now an increasingly popular thing to do, even in countries where sending text messages are more expensive than actual calls. One reason why people like sending text messages instead of calling is that because it is so non-intrusive and casual, particularly as compared to a phone call.

Particularly common among teenagers, texting is an easy way to communicate to someone else. It is easy and fast to send a text message to someone even if youa re busy doing something else.

Texting has also recently developed due to new phone models that allow users to ad emoticons or animations to the text and send them off, giving them an idea how to feel about the text message they received.

Because of this spike in popularity, there became an increase in the sales of mobile phone models that are capable of handling a huge amount of messages. The charges involved with texting have also increased, as some countries consider it as a non-essential thing.

As a reaction to that, one new service being offered by several websites to Internet users is the free Short Message Service (SMS). The service is typically used by visiting the website concerned and keying in the SMS message and the mobile phone number of the intended recipient. Some sites require additional information such as the email address, name and mobile number of the sender. Other sites are free for the first couple of messages, while succeeding messages would require a reply from the recipient.

More liberal provision of the free SMS messaging service has now been to allow users of the service to add free SMS messaging box to their MySpace profiles, websites, or blogs. Such messaging box would allow not only visitors or viewers of a user’s MySpace, website, or blog to utlilize the free service, but will also allow the user to receive SMS message through his Myspace, website, or blog.

The addition of an SMS messaging box is basically done through text scripts which the service providers themselves have created or which they have allowed users to create. Roughly, the text script commands the application for the Myspace page, website of blog sites to incorporate the SMS messaging feature of the providers website, among others, a method similar to linking.

For more information on Text Scripts please visit our website.

Script and programming services offer primarily writing, testing, debugging/troubleshooting, and maintaining scripts for websites and other applications. They also involve secondary software and script development and database or content management.

Nowadays, our lives are easier and more convenient than they were even just a few years ago. This is because of the onset of technology and computers into our lives. Computers and technology just seem to advance faster and faster as time passes. We have to learn how to adapt and make the most of the technological advancements we are experiencing in our daily lives.

There are many useful programs out in the market that strive to help us in our lives. Be it in learning, communication or commerce. But as technology advances, we who ride the wave of computer technology sometimes surpass the benefits and use of the software made available to us commercially. When this case occurs, it is time to learn a little more about programs and programming.

Programs are all made up of scripts and codes using different programming languages. Programmers who try to develop something which will, when utilized properly, give more convenience to the client write scripts and codes.

Script and programming services mean that programmers undertake the creation and checking of scripts or source code for websites and other applications. Programmers begin the applications and build their script to give the application its functionality. Once the application or site is up and running, the programmers will remain on board to do any necessary maintenance checks for the application or website.

Scripts and source codes are written in specific programming languages. They may be modifications of existing scripts or codes or something completely new. The purpose of programming is to develop a process or application to exhibit a programmer defined action. The practice of creating source script and source of writing source codes and scripts needs several special skills. Those doing the writing should know the type of application, as well as other specialized computer programming skills.

Organizations or companies that offer script and programming services generally undertake software and script development as well. They also usually venture into database or content management.

These organizations specialize in script installation and custom script development and address whatever concerns arise during application development or with specific programming functions. Particularly, script and programming organizations provide a service that involves the following and similar concerns:

•Application development, including Php script installation, Mysql installation, database customization, CGI installation, and Helpdesk installation and setup;

•E-commerce setup, including installation of checkout systems, installation of payment gateways (single page, google and paypal), and product uploading;

•Content management, involving CMS installation and Joomla installation;

•Forum development such as involving Phpbb installation, Vbulletin installation, themes, skins and plugins;

•Blog development, in regard to wordpress installation, plugins and customization; and

•Design, such as professional website redesign, SEO designs, banner and logos graphics and buttons Dreamweaver designs, Photoshop, PSD Wordpress Themes.

There is a discussion on the extent to which the writing of scripts or programs is an art, a craft or an engineering discipline. Good scripts and programs, however, generally entail the measured application of all three, with the goal of producing an efficient and maintainable software solution or application enhancement.

For more information on Script and Programming Services please visit our website.

What can UPS Power Solutions prevent ? Less begin with the most common-’Brownouts’, while not a total loss of supply can also affect the normal running of installed equipment causing it to malfunction due to insufficient voltage available to their power supplies to operate correctly and possibly cause overheating.

There are other forms of line conditioning which can alleviate some of the problems caused by ‘brownouts’ and ’spikes’ by supplying a constant voltage output to the operational equipment.

What they cannot do is to provide a supply in the event of the utility mains supply failing for even a period of time as short as 30 milliseconds. This type of break is enough for the equipment power supplies to shutdown and for the operation of the equipment to fail. So now you understand why you require Uninterruptible Power Supplies or commonly referred to as UPS Power Systems.

To overcome this problem where the equipment cannot stand a loss of supply for longer than 10 – 15 milliseconds we have the UPS Power Solution. The type of UPS Power Solutions is entirely dependent upon the load in question.

For further information regarding uninterruptible power supplies please visit our website at http://www.powercontinuity.co.uk

At one end of the scale we have the home/small office user where; if the computer failed due to a malfunction caused by the utility mains the operator could lose their data, possibly without the benefit of current backup being available. UPS Power Solutions for this type of operational status would be a line interactive UPS.

During normal operation the UPS would be regulating the incoming utility mains supply, often by a transformer tap changing circuit, against ’spikes’ and ‘brownouts’. Should the utility mains supply deviate outside the limits set in the UPS for correct regulation the UPS would switch the output to its inverter and run on battery until either the utility mains returns within the preset operating tolerance of the UPS or the battery falls to its lower safe operating limit at which point the UPS can transmit a signal to the computer telling it to carryout a controlled shutdown to prevent loss of data.

The other end of the scale would be a Data Hall where there would be multiple rows of server cabinets. In this instance the proposed UPS Power Solutions for this situation would undoubtedly be a parallel ‘double conversion’ UPS power system. The use of a ‘double conversion’ UPS system means that the inverter is on line constantly and requires no switching action as described previously. The use of a parallel system also provides greater resilience to loss of the utility mains supply, as the parallel system would be in an N+1 configuration.

Therefore, irrespective of the number of UPS power solutions required to supply the load there would always be a spare module instantaneously available in the event of either a module failing of being taken off-line for service.

UPS Power Solutions are not confined to supporting computer systems. Whenever there is a requirement for short-term power during a utility mains failure the UPS Power Solution can be the preferred answer.

In some instances the UPS power Solution can be used as a emergency supply for opening or closing electrically operated doors, in this instance there is no requirement to provide uninterruptible power just a power source in the event of losing the utility mains supply.

Equally UPS Power Solutions would be suitable for running smoke exhaust fans within a building. In the event of fire the utility mains supply will be turned off therefore the UPS Power Solution is ideal for running fans to clear the area of smoke, again the requirement is for a means of operating equipment for a finite time without the benefit of utility mains power.

The UPS Power Solution on its own is an ideal method of providing a temporary power solution in the event of a utility mains failure. Its limitation is governed by the battery autonomy and is suitable where the equipment it is supporting can be shutdown safely before the end of autonomy or where the requirement is for a short-term supply to operate vital equipment under controlled conditions.

Let PowerContinuity calculate your UPS Power Solutions requirement at no cost to yourself, entirely free of charge and get the peace of mind that only preparation can offer.

PowerContinuity Means Business Continuity

For further information regarding our range of uninterruptible power supplies,, such as diesel generators, please visit our website at http://www.powercontinuity.co.uk

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard or PCI DSS levies requirements on credit card merchants to safeguard consumers’ credit information from malicious behaviour from identity thieves. The payment card industry providers such as VISA, MasterCard and American Express are now enforcing PCI compliance. Non-compliance can result in fines, restrictions or possibly permanent expulsion from card acceptance programs. If your business depends on accepting credit cards, then you have no choice than to become PCI compliant.

The new Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards are network security and business practice guidelines developed by Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card. They were developed to establish a ‘minimum security standard’ with regards to the protection of cardholders’ account and transaction information.

What are PCI DSS requirements?

The PCI Data Security Standard represents a common set of industry tools and measurements to help merchants and credit card processors that store, process or transmit cardholder data ensure the safe handling of sensitive cardholder information. The standard provides an actionable framework for developing a robust account data security process that includes preventing, detecting and reacting to security incidents.

What are the benefits of working with a PCI Compliant Service Provider?

By working with a PCI compliance service provider you can ensure that cardholder account data being processed across your technical environment is protected. PCI DSS protects cardholders and minimizes the risk to your business. The main benefits of implementing the PCI CSS for your organization and working with a provider that is compliant are: - Protecting customer personal data - Increasing customer trust by demonstrating your commitment to the security of their personal information - Protecting your business from financial penalties - Leveraging a hosting provider’s existing PCI DSS compliancy investment i.e. your technical infrastructure resides in a data centre that has already been audited - Potential savings starting at $100,000 in capital expenditures by outsourcing to a managed service provider that is PCI compliant

Who has to comply?

- The credit card companies have made it clear that ANY entity that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data regardless of their transaction volume, are required to comply with the PCI requirements. Failure to comply with the PCI security standard may result in substantial fines or permanent expulsion from card acceptance programs. Recent studies on financial fraud have indicated that hackers are increasingly targeting small, commercial Web sites, increasing the need for all merchants and service providers to become fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS).

What do I need to do to meet the PCI standards?

The PCI standard comprises two basic steps: 1. Pass quarterly remote vulnerability scans conducted by a Visa and MasterCard “Qualified Independent Scan Vendor”. Scans are required for all Internet connection points whether they are office networks or home/office connections (dial-up, DSL, cable or wireless) or permanent Internet servers such as your web site and email server, etc. 2. Successful completion of a security self-assessment questionnaire. The self assessment questionnaire asks specific questions about your internal security practices, both on your web site and in your office.

For e-commerce sites that involve online credit card payments, this PCI DSS certification will provide greater security features for business and customers. PCI compliance service providers assure that your confidential data is totally protected.

For e-commerce sites that involve online credit card payments, this PCI DSS certification will provide greater security features for business and customers. PCI compliance service providers assure that your confidential data is totally protected.