Beauregard a Sud Uncategorized Repercussions of the Ashley Madison Hack Still Mounting

Repercussions of the Ashley Madison Hack Still Mounting

Repercussions of the Ashley Madison Hack Still Mounting

 

Up until July, 2015, the dating site Ashley Madison was known for it’s sleazy tagline, late night commercials, and oddly direct and explicit marketing towards married men.  But other than that, few people had much to say about the site: it existed since the early 2000’s as something of an immoral outlier in the internet dating scene, but most people just assumed that no one they knew used the site, or that the whole thing was some kind of sick joke.  Nowadays, Ashley Madison users and the general public alike have come to realize that the site was all too serious, as victims of the high profile “Ashley Madison hack” are beginning to feel repercussions from their involvement with the dating service.  Here’s what happened.

 

Ashley Madison Hack: a Brief Timeline

If you haven’t been following the news surrounding the Ashley Madison hack, here’s a quick look at the timeline of what’s transpired so far to get you up to speed.  On July 15th, 2015, a group of hackers called “Impact Team” announced that they had stolen Ashley Madison’s consumer data, and would release all of the information unless some demands were met.  Namely, “Impact Team,” had some big issues with the fact that Ashley Madison charged users who hoped to leave the service a $19 dollar fee to delete their data, and then apparently didn’t erase user information as promised.  “Impact Team” called for a total shutdown of Ashley Madison and sister site EstablishedMen.com.

 

When Avid Life Media, Ashley Madison’s parent company, did not take any measures to shut down either site, “Impact Team” followed through with their promise.  On July 22nd, the first user data was published.  By August 18th, all of the user data for customers of the site was made public.  Today, you can search through a number of online services to see if you or someone you know had their information released, and all of the customer information of everyone on the site is essentially now public knowledge.

 

The Repercussions of the Ashley Madison Hack

From a personal perspective, the individuals whose information was released through the Ashley Madison hack are facing a whole lot of scrutiny.  The site’s tagline is “Life is short.  Have an affair.” so it’s somewhat hard to argue that anyone with an account didn’t intend to participate in some extramarital activity.  Some user profiles were created with other people’s email addresses, so there are some entirely innocent victims in all of this.  But for the most part, most users who have had their information leaked had to know that their membership on the site wasn’t the most moral of choices.

 

Now, with the information being released, the lives of Ashley Madison members will be changed forever.  In some cases, families are getting pulled apart, as wives reasonably confront their spouses and demand a divorce.  In other cases, individuals are losing their jobs, as employers with morality clauses in their contracts point to the leaked information and demand resignations.  Just about no one who had their information leaked is going to come out unscathed, and the repercussions of the hack are still developing. 

 

Release of Private Information

Early search sites allowed anyone who was curious to plug-in an email and see if there was an attached Ashley Madison account.  But now, search indexes are releasing and cataloguing a lot more information, and you can easily and quickly pull up a whole ton of private information on anyone affected by the hack.  Some search sites are even publishing the home addresses of Ashley Madison members, ostensibly to get innocent people off of the hook whose emails may have been entered as a prank or incorrectly.  But what these search engines really amount to is a massive invasion of privacy, as so much private information being in the public domain has a big effect on victims,

 

Advertisers have already started taking advantage of this information to spam Ashley Madison members with junk mail and product offers.  Some search sites are even reaching out directly to those whose information is discovered, advertising the services of private investigators and other directed products as obscure as STD tests and as grim as divorce attorneys.  And this is probably just the beginning: with so much information being public, it’s only a matter of time before more people exploit it.

 

Is Your Data Ever Safe Online?

The short answer to this question is no.  No matter what kinds of sites you frequent online, your data is never entirely safe once it has been entered, especially when it is associated with a user profile.  Every website out there can be hacked; Ashley Madison is the most recent, but there are plenty of other example of hackers finding their ways into private personal data repositories.

 

Which begs another question: what exactly were Ashley Madison members thinking when they entered so much personal information on the site?  If you want to keep yourself safe, it’s a good practice to enter as little info as possible online, especially to a site as dubious as Ashley Madison.  And if you do enter your personal information freely around the internet, don’t be too surprised if that information is someday made public. 

 

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Which Is Better, Silk or Satin PillowcasesWhich Is Better, Silk or Satin Pillowcases

Gone are the days when people simply get any cotton pillowcases for their beddings. Nowadays, there are other alternatives for pillowcases that offer more advantages than the normal cotton pillowcases. Two popular options are silk pillowcases and satin pillowcases. Most believe that they are one and the same, but the truth is, they are various from each other. Wondering what the distinctions between the two are? Read on and understand everything about their distinctions, the benefits of each, and which one you should go for.

To begin, let’s talk about the resemblances of satin and silk pillowcases. Satin and silk pillowcases have similar textures and appearances. They are both soft and elegant looking and glamorous feeling. With regards to advantages, unlike cotton, both satin and silk don’t suck up moisture from your hair and skin. This implies that your skin and hair maintains their moisture. This likewise suggests that it is more sanitary, too!

Considering that the material of satin and silk are soft and smooth, this means that there is less friction on your mane. Tossing and turning is in some cases a part of our sleep practices and often, that triggers twisted and frizzy hair once you rise up from bed. With silk and satin, your hair can move seamlessly and does not tangle.

Now, on to the differences.

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms. Silk is related to royalty and high-end and can be rather expensive.

Satin on the other hand, is man-made. It exhibits the very same glossy surface and sleekness of silk. Satin is technically a type of weaving than a type of material (which silk is!) Typically, satin was made of silk but today, satin can be made from a variety of synthetic fibers such as polyester, rayon, acetate, and cotton. Satin’s use of artificial fibers does not imply that it is not good, in fact, it can be far more versatile and flexible than genuine silk. Silk as pillowcases likewise indicate that it can be smooth and permits you to move more perfectly.

The next question is, which one should you go for? 

People select satin over silk, mainly cause of the cost point. Satin generally costs a 3rd to half of the cost of silk. It is also quicker available than authentic silk. Satin is likewise easier to clean up as you can just clean it with the rest of your laundy, unlike silk that is more delicate and has more care directions. Satin can feel softer and silkier likewise and some individuals choose this.

Silk lovers prefer it since it is breathable which provides more comfort and can offer much better sleep. It’s likewise hypoallergenic as it is resistant to fungus, molds, termites, and other allergens. Aside from that, it can be actually good for the skin, particularly those that have acne, eczema, and sensitive skin as it won’t soak up moisture, oils, and items.

Silk and satin, despite having similar textures and looks are different from each other. Both do have terrific benefits and with regards to which one you should choose, totally depends on your choice. 

Prefer the luxurious feel and additional benefits of silk pillowcases? Head on over to https://poshey.com/ and get high quality, luxurious
Poshey Pillowcases and get that good night sleep. Wake up refreshed and pretty!

Affordable Auto Insurance Coverage Illinois – Exactly How to Find the very best CostsAffordable Auto Insurance Coverage Illinois – Exactly How to Find the very best Costs

Car insurance is required in Illinois, but it doesn’t need to break the bank.
Vehicle drivers can get budget friendly prices if they remain mishap totally free, improve their credit report and are excellent vehicle drivers.
You can likewise search for - discount rates if you bundle your house, vehicle, life and other insurance coverage with one business. These discount rates might save you a couple of dollars each month.

Buying 6 months or a year at a time

If you can purchase it, paying for 6 months or a year at a time with affordable car insurance Illinois is a terrific method to save on protection. Agencies can think about a number of aspects when figuring out premiums, consisting of your age, sex, credit rating and driving record.
For example, driving offenses such as a speeding violation or DUI can increase your insurance rates by up to 70%. These types of violations typically remain on your record for a few years, so you wish to keep that in mind when selecting your policy.
Motorists in Illinois who have a previous accident on their histories tend to pay greater prices than those without any. We found that a normal cost increase after an individual at-fault accident was $906 per year.

Considering an increased deductible

When purchasing low-cost car insurance Illinois, picking a greater deductible can conserve you money. However, you should be able to pay for the deductible if you need to file a claim. If you’re living income to income or do not have an enough emergency fund, this may not be a wise choice.
Another way to save on insurance coverage is to shop around. The best way to do this is by reviewing insurance quotes from various providers.
One of the most important factors in determining your rates is your driving record. Motorists with a clean record are less likely to file claims and have lower insurance coverage costs.
Getting insurance coverage can be pricey in Illinois, so it is essential to look around and get the most affordable feasible premiums.
Other key factors that impact your prices are your credit report and place. You ought to likewise buy discounts, which can conserve you a considerable amount of cash.

Finding a much lower level of coverage

Choosing a more affordable level of protection can save you money in the long run. However, prior to you go cheap on your insurance, make certain you have the right type of coverage.

Drivers in Illinois must bring liability insurance to cover the expense of injuries to others and property damage. Those who do not have adequate coverage can deal with major penalties.
This is why it’s a good concept to review insurance quotes from multiple providers prior to you commit to a policy. The best way to do this is to shop both nationally and locally.
In addition, you’ll wish to think about discount rates Lots of insurance provider use discounts for car drivers with good driving histories, own a home, and more.
If you’re looking for a method to cut costs on your Illinois car insurance, you might wish to select a policy with a higher deductible. This can save you cash on your prices but only if you make certain you can pay for the deductible if you enter into a mishap.

Finding discount rates

Everyone knows that their driving practices and claims record play a huge part in determining their fees, however there are also other elements that can affect how much they pay. These consist of age, gender, credit rating, marital status, and the amount of protection they select.
Discounts are actually an exceptional method to save money on your car insurance policy. Many insurers have a range of discount rates for drivers who qualify, such as great students, veterans, homeowners, and those individuals who want to go paperless.
You can likewise select liability-only coverage at the state minimum level instead of full protection, which is much cheaper. This will assist you conserve cash on your rates, but you must still ensure that you have enough protection to safeguard yourself in case of an accident.
In addition to looking at nationwide companies, it’s important to inspect rates with local Illinois business too. You’ll discover that some regional insurance companies have lesser prices than their national equivalents, plus equivalent client complete satisfaction rankings.

Hiring a Professional vs. DIY: What Every Atlanta Homeowner Should Know About PlumbingHiring a Professional vs. DIY: What Every Atlanta Homeowner Should Know About Plumbing

In the era of YouTube tutorials and home improvement TV shows, it’s no surprise that many of us have adopted a do-it-yourself (DIY) mentality. From painting walls to installing shelves, DIY projects can be fulfilling, cost-effective, and sometimes, a fun weekend activity. However, when it comes to the complex network of pipes that make up your home’s plumbing system, it’s important to pause and ask: When should I roll up my sleeves to tackle a plumbing issue, and when should I pick up the phone to call a plumbers?

Not all plumbing issues are created equal. Some are simple fixes you can confidently carry out with the right tools and a little patience, while others require the expertise and skills of a professional plumber. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of DIY vs. professional plumbing tasks, helping Atlanta homeowners like you make informed decisions about maintaining and improving your home’s plumbing system. Read on to learn how to navigate the sometimes tricky waters of home plumbing projects.

Overview of Common DIY-Friendly Plumbing Tasks

Every homeowner knows that small plumbing issues are inevitable. But, not every issue requires you to immediately dial your local plumbing installation number. Some plumbing tasks are simple enough that with a bit of knowledge, the right tools, and a dash of DIY spirit, you can resolve them yourself. Here are a few examples:

Unclogging Drains: 

If you’ve noticed that water is draining more slowly from your sink or shower, it could mean you have a clog. In many cases, you can remove clogs by using a plunger, a plumber’s snake, or a hand auger. For kitchen sinks, consider using a sink plunger or a sink drain wrench. Remember, it’s crucial to avoid chemical drain cleaners as they can damage your pipes over time.

Fixing a Running Toilet: 

A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day, not to mention the annoying sound it makes. Often, this problem can be fixed by adjusting the float height or replacing the flapper or fill valve inside the tank, all tasks manageable with basic tools and parts available at any hardware store.

Replacing a Faucet or Shower Head: 

If your faucet is leaking or your shower head isn’t performing like it used to, it might be time for a replacement. With careful instructions, this can be a simple task. Always turn off the water supply before you begin and remember to seal all connections to prevent future leaks.

While these tasks can typically be handled by a determined homeowner, it’s important to approach them with patience and caution. Always make sure to do your research before you start, use the correct tools for the task, and when in doubt, consult with a professional. DIY can be a great solution, but remember: it’s always better to seek help than to risk causing a larger problem. In the next section, we’ll delve into the potential risks of DIY plumbing and why it’s crucial to know your limits.

The Risks of DIY Plumbing

While there’s a certain satisfaction in fixing things around your home with your own two hands, it’s essential to recognize that DIY projects also come with their share of risks, especially when it comes to plumbing. Here are some of the potential pitfalls of taking the DIY route for plumbing repairs:

Damaging Pipes or Fixtures: 

Without the proper training and experience, it’s easy to make a small problem worse. You might over tighten a connection, use the wrong tool, or apply excessive force, all of which can lead to leaks, cracks, or even broken pipes.

Making the Problem Worse: 

Misdiagnosing a problem or applying the wrong solution can exacerbate the original issue, turning what was a minor, manageable problem into a serious, costly repair. For example, using a snake to unclog a pipe might puncture the pipe if not used correctly.

Non-compliance with Local Building Codes: 

Every city, including Atlanta, has specific building and plumbing codes to ensure the safety and efficiency of home systems. DIY projects risk non-compliance with these codes, which could affect your home insurance or become a problem if you ever decide to sell your home.

Health and Safety Risks: 

Plumbing involves more than just pipes and water. It can also involve gas lines and sewage systems. A mistake can lead to dangerous situations like gas leaks or exposure to harmful bacteria.

Tackling DIY plumbing repairs can seem like a way to save time and money, but it’s crucial to consider these risks. There’s a fine line between a simple repair and a complex problem, and crossing that line can lead to stress, unexpected expenses, and even safety hazards. In the next section, we’ll guide you through recognizing the signs that it’s time to put down the wrench and pick up the phone to call a professional plumber.

Understanding When to Call a Professional

Knowing when to call a professional plumber can save you from a world of stress, not to mention a hefty repair bill. While small fixes like unclogging a drain or replacing a shower head are manageable for most homeowners, there are plumbing problems that are simply too complex, too risky, or too time-consuming to handle on your own. Here are a few situations that call for the expertise of a professional plumber:

Leaky Pipes in Walls or Floors: 

If you have a leak in a pipe that runs inside a wall or under a floor, it’s definitely time to call a professional. These leaks can be difficult to locate and repair, and the work often involves cutting into walls or floors.

Sewer System Backup: 

Signs of a sewer system backup include multiple drain clogs, bad sewage odors coming from the drains, and water pooling around the basement floor drain. This is a serious issue that can lead to major damage and requires a professional plumber.

Low Water Pressure Throughout the House: 

If your home’s water pressure is consistently low and it’s not a city-wide issue, the cause might be hard to diagnose and could involve replacing pipes or adjusting your home’s water pressure system.

Installing New Plumbing Appliances: 

While it may be tempting to install that new dishwasher or water heater yourself, improper installation can lead to leaks, malfunctions, and even safety hazards. Professionals have the knowledge and experience to do the job correctly and safely.

Professional plumbers have extensive training, experience, and access to specialized tools, which allow them to handle complex tasks efficiently and effectively. Plus, they can spot potential issues that the average homeowner might miss. By hiring a professional, you’re investing in the longevity of your home’s plumbing system, the value of your home, and your peace of mind. Next, we’ll examine the potential costs of DIY vs. hiring a professional, and why the cheapest option isn’t always the best in the long run.

The Cost of DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

One of the main reasons homeowners turn to DIY is the potential for cost savings. It’s true that doing it yourself can sometimes be less expensive upfront, but it’s important to consider the long-term costs and potential risks as well.

Potential Costs of DIY: 

On the surface, DIY repairs seem like the cheaper option—you only have to pay for the parts, not the labor. However, if something goes wrong, the cost to fix a botched DIY job can be significant. You might accidentally cause additional damage or find that the problem reoccurs because it wasn’t properly fixed the first time, leading to more parts and more of your valuable time invested in the project.

Cost Benefits of Hiring a Professional: 

When you hire a professional plumber, you’re paying not just for their time but also their expertise, the assurance that the job is done right, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is in good hands. Professional plumbers can also spot and address potential issues that might lead to expensive repairs down the line, potentially saving you money in the long run. Plus, many professional plumbing services, like RS Andrews, offer warranties on their work, providing additional protection for your investment.

When considering the costs, it’s crucial to look beyond the immediate price tag and consider the value of the services you’re receiving. A successful DIY repair might save you some money today, but a professional repair will ensure a solution that lasts and can prevent costly future problems. In the next section, we’ll provide tips on how to find and select a reputable plumbing service in Atlanta.

How to Choose the Right Plumbing Professional in Atlanta

When you decide it’s time to call a professional plumber, finding the right one is crucial. You want to ensure you’re choosing a licensed, experienced professional who will provide high-quality service and treat your home with respect. Here are some tips to help you find the right plumbing professional in Atlanta:

Check for Licensing and Insurance: 

Always confirm that a plumber is licensed and insured. This ensures they’ve met certain standards of professionalism and knowledge, and that they carry insurance to cover any potential damages or accidents that occur on the job.

Look for Experience: 

An experienced plumber will have a proven track record of high-quality work. They’ll also be better equipped to handle unexpected problems or complications that may arise during a job.

Read Reviews and Ask for References: 

Online reviews can provide valuable insight into a plumber’s reliability, quality of work, and customer service. Don’t be afraid to ask for references as well. A reputable plumber will be happy to provide them.

Ask About Warranties or Guarantees: 

Many professional plumbers offer warranties or guarantees on their work. This offers you added protection and peace of mind.

At RS Andrews, we’ve been providing top-tier plumbing services to the Atlanta area for decades. We’re proud of our experienced team of licensed and insured plumbers who are committed to delivering the highest quality work. Whether you need a minor repair or a major installation, you can trust us to do the job right and stand by our work. We offer warranties on our services, and we’re always ready to assist you with your plumbing needs.

Choosing the right plumbing professional is a key part of maintaining your home’s plumbing system. By following these tips, you can ensure you’re making an informed choice and investing wisely in your home. In our conclusion, we’ll reiterate the importance of understanding when to DIY and when to call a pro.

The world of home improvement can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to recognize when a project is beyond your scope and when it’s time to call in a professional. Plumbing issues vary in complexity, and while some tasks can be tackled by a savvy homeowner, many require the expertise and skills of a professional plumber.

Understanding the difference between a DIY job and a professional task can save you time, stress, and potentially, a significant amount of money. By attempting a repair you’re not prepared for, you risk causing further damage and creating a more costly problem down the line. On the other hand, knowing when to call a professional plumber like RS Andrews can provide peace of mind, knowing the job is done correctly and efficiently.

Ultimately, maintaining a home’s plumbing system is about balance. Striking the right balance between DIY projects and professional services can help ensure your home’s plumbing is functioning effectively and efficiently. So the next time you encounter a plumbing issue, consider the task at hand, assess your skills honestly, and don’t hesitate to call in the pros when needed. Your home – and your wallet – will thank you.

At RS Andrews, we’re always ready to assist you with your plumbing needs. From minor repairs to major installations, our team of professionals is dedicated to providing you with top-tier service and peace of mind. Get in touch with us today for professional advice or to schedule a service. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always better to call a pro!