MDaggett Creative

05/07/2024

Want to know a secret for getting your company's posts in front of more people? Engage. Likes, comments, shares, and saves let the algorithms know a post is interesting to people and they will push those out to more people.

04/07/2024

We wish you a day full of magical celebrations with family and friends.

Happy Independence Day!

12/05/2024

02/05/2024

"Passwords are a hassle." "Nobody is interested in me, I don't have anything they would want." "I need an easy password I won't forget." "Nobody will figure out the name of my first pet or my birthdate." These are just a few of the excuses I've heard.

If you are going to put the work into building a strong social media presence, don't make it easy for hackers to take your channels over. Every day I see a post about someone losing access to their accounts by impersonators and it is very difficult and time consuming to get those accounts back.

Here are a few tips to creating a stronger password.
- The longer the password the better. Use at least 10 characters.
- Get creative and use upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Do not share passwords across accounts and do not reuse old passwords.
- Use a password manager to remember them for you.
- Add an extra layer of protection, use multi-factor authentication.
- Don't take the online quizzes. They are designed to get personal information from you to either build your profile to sell your information or provide the information needed to access your accounts.

22/04/2024

Celebrate Earth Day today and everyday by planting a pollinator garden.

Here are a few things you can do to set out the welcome mat.
- Increase biodiversity in your yard. Add pollinator favorites like alyssum, sage, basil, salvia, fennel, lavender, marigolds, oregano, and verbena.
- Eliminate or reduce the pesticides you use and replace them with natural predators.
- Wait until spring to do perennial garden cleanup, which will allow hibernating pollinators to stay cozy until the weather warms.
- Add rocks into water features so bees can get a drink and bug hotels for protection.

29/02/2024

It's not everyday that you get added time in your calendar.

This Leap Year...
- take a moment to work on that project you have been putting off
- write a goal or two that you would like to accomplish by the next leap year
- check in with someone you haven't spoken to in awhile
- spend 10 minutes reaching out to your audience online and 10 minutes with your industry thought leaders

15/02/2024

One of the easiest things you can do to get positive reviews is... ask! It's as simple as that. Make it easy for your clients and give them the links to your Google Business, Facebook, Yelp, or any site you would like to increase your reviews on. Include links in your newsletters and emails. If your client sends you a thank you message, ask them if they would be willing to leave you a review on Google or Facebook. Customers like to support their favorite businesses and it just starts with an ask.

26/01/2024

Sometimes I need a healthy dose of inspiration to reinvigorate my creative juices and help me focus on my businesses needs. Today, I had the good fortune to be invited to join the WIFS Portland Metro - Women in Insurance & Financial Services chapter members at their monthly meeting to hear Alice Tang speak on self worth and how to let go of limiting beliefs. One question really made me reflect, "What do you place between your goals and reality?" It seems a simple question, but truthfully, we aren't always aware of the answer.

Alice is a wonderful speaker with a fascinating backstory. I highly recommend checking her out at askalicetang.com!

25/01/2024

Last week's snow and ice really did a number on small businesses in so many ways. Even those who did not suffer any broken pipes took significant hits to their income.

Please support your favorite local businesses this week. You can help them by making extra purchases, buying gift cards for later, leaving a positive review online, or even just engaging with them on their social media channels. When you hit like, leave a comment, share with a friend, or even save it for future use, you help their engagement and get their posts in front of new audiences.

30/11/2023

Today, I have the privilege of celebrating the retirement of someone that I have had the pleasure of working with for 20ish years. To quote a popular movie, "She has real gumption!" She has guided her association through many industry changes and has worked with thought leaders as well as policy makers across our state. While she is giving one more month, retirements are like birthdays, there are many events along the way to mark her amazing career and this is just the beginning of my thanks to Deborah Imse, Executive Director of Multifamily NW. You have taught me so much and given me the opportunity to grow.

22/11/2023

We are thankful for our clients and our community for allowing us the opportunity to share your story and your journey.
Happy Thanksgiving!

10/11/2023

Thank you to the people who have served in our armed forces for your dedication, your courage, and your service.

16/05/2023

Many companies think a website is finished and checked off of their marketing to-do list. Instead, think of it as an organic document that gets updated regularly. Schedule regular updates of the web files and applications as well as updating content. You would be surprised how quickly a hacker can take over your webpage and lock you out if you ignore important security updates, potentially giving them access to valuable information - your company's, your employee's, your client's, your partner's, and more.

The most recent WordPress vulnerability affects the WordPress Advanced Custom Fields plugin and affects over 2 million active users.

Learn more about this exploit in CSO Online's article.

The exploitation of the vulnerability leads to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack in which a threat actor can inject malicious scripts, redirects, advertisements, and other forms of URL manipulation into a victim site.

03/05/2023

The newest technology is exciting and full of possibilities, but it also brings new problems. Hackers are using ChatGPT to spread malware across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp allowing attackers to steal browser cookies and multifactor authentication codes, and hi-jack open sessions. Beware of browser extensions available in official web stores that claim to offer ChatGPT-based tools and Facebook ads offering AI tools, especially if you have access to business accounts or use the "Log in with Facebook" option on other sites.

One bright piece of information, Meta announced it will launch Facebook at Work accounts later this year allowing business users to log in and operate Business Manager without requiring a personal account.

Meta's security teams have uncovered 10 malware families using ChatGPT-themed lures to spread malware on its platforms.

17/01/2023

If developing your personal brand is part of your 2023 goals or you are putting in the hours to develop your online presence and build your company's visibility, make sure you take the steps to secure your accounts. Hackers have been going after Twitter, Instagram, and other social media channel accounts of celebrities for a long time, but we are seeing more an uptick in small and micro-influencer accounts attacked.

The usual recommendations still apply - use strong passwords, don't share passwords on multiple sites, enable multi-factor authentication. Now Instagram has added a new feature if you lose access to your account and it's kind of like phone-a-friend. According to an Instagram blogpost, you will be able to choose two of your Instagram friends to verify your identity and get back into your account.

Learn about other steps Meta is taking to secure accounts.

Lost access to your Instagram account? This web site might be able to help.

21/12/2022

Thank you to our friends, clients, and community for sharing your stories with us. It has been a fantastic year and we look forward to helping you connect with your communities and put your best online presence forward in 2023!

15/12/2022

Everyone is rushing around trying to get projects wrapped up before end of year, taking off early for holiday parties, and preparing for festivities. Time is short and the last thing anyone wants to see is an email that says your social media accounts are going to be closed. I received one of these emails this week for one of my clients. Before you click in haste, take a moment and critique it.

First rule of security - Never click on the link in an email. This is the most popular way bad guys set up phishing attacks and get access to your devices, personal information, and even access to your company.

Hover. Move your cursor over the link (remember, don't click) and look in the bottom left corner of your screen. The address the link is taking you to will show up there. If it looks suspicious - It is.

Google it. Many scams have been documented and are easy to spot simply by typing in the message or contact info you have received. Try Facebook email scam or phishing attack.

Check it. Does it have spelling and grammar mistakes? While this tell-tale sign will not always be reliable thanks to improving technology, it is a great start in spotting a scam.

Report it. Social channels want to stop attackers on their sites and have set up ways to report scams. If you receive notification through a social channel that looks suspicious, you can usually report it using the three dots in the upper right corner of a post or message.

Do you have a story of a questionable email or message? Please share it in the comments so we can all be better informed.

A new phishing campaign uses Facebook posts as part of its attack chain to trick users into giving away their account credentials and personally identifiable information (PII).

24/11/2022

We have so much to be thankful for this year - new opportunities, fantastic friends, and a future full of adventures. Thank you to everyone who has joined us this year - old friends and new.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

17/11/2022

If you haven't heard the recent new, Twitter is going through a few changes right now - new owner, major staff changes, different priorities. Unfortunately, rather than taking his time and do a little homework, Elon Musk has chosen the 'move fast and break things approach.'

Our team at MDaggett Creative has been watching closely to see how the channel is going to evolve in this new era, but there have been things that have also caused early concern, specifically security. Apparently, Mr Musk has deactivated SMS Text multifactor authentication (mfa). We always recommend enabling security features on all social media channels, but some mfa methods are better than others. Using a mfa app from trusted sources like Google or Microsoft or using a security key like YubiKey are much safer methods than receiving a code by text on your phone.

If you are interested in learning more about multifactor authentication, drop me a message or leave a comment. I have some great resources.

Twitter users advised to delete private messages to lower risk of data leak

01/11/2022

The small blue checkmark gives legitimacy to brands, celebrities, and organizations. It was created to help users identify the real McCoy from the fake accounts. Now, the new Twitter is suggesting those accounts pay for the privilege and the Twitterverse is speaking out.

Elon Musk wants to charge Twitter users for verification. Here's what that means for people who have the blue checkmark, and those who want it.

25/10/2022

We are starting to wrap up Cybersecurity Awareness Month. One of the best things you can do to protect your social media accounts, as well as all of your important accounts, is to enable multi-factor authentication.

"Multi-factor authentication is a layered approach to securing data and applications where a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify a user’s identity for login. MFA increases security because even if one credential becomes compromised, unauthorized users will be unable to meet the second authentication requirement and will not be able to access the targeted physical space, computing device, network, or database." - CISA

Hackers are going after LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts through a variety of methods. Once they get in, they have full access not just to you and your personal information, but all of your contacts as well. Adding insult to injury, you will be blocked from your own accounts. Here is a great step by step for protecting your Facebook. Take a few minutes and protect yourself.

Applying two-factor authentication to Facebook is a useful way to protect it from being hacked - here's how to set it up.

07/10/2022

If an app is asking you to log in to Facebook or for any log in information, first ask why it would need it. It may be malware in disguise. Malware has masqueraded as cartoon filters, health and lifestyle trackers, horoscopes, VPNs, and more. Over 1 million users may have been targeted in the last year.

Rudimentary malware hidden inside fake photo editors, VPNs and even horoscope and flashlight apps has affected a large number of Facebook users, says a new report released by Meta.

05/10/2022

Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Impress your IT department and security teams by brushing up on some basic security hygiene. This month we will share tips to protect yourself online starting with - passwords.

A general rule is that your password should be at least 11 characters and use numbers, along with upper and lowercase letters. Anything less than that can and a hacker can brute force your privacy within minutes. If you have trouble remembering passwords, consider a password manager.

Do not share passwords and keys across sites. If a hacker breaks into one, they will try that password on all of your accounts.

Log out of accounts every time you leave a site. It is the equivalent of closing the door, turning off the lights, and locking the door to attackers when you leave.

Skip those cute quizzes on social media that tell you what kind of dog you are or who you were in a previous life. Those kinds of games serve two purposes, to scrape valuable information about who you are to give hackers clues for security questions and increasing credibility for questionable accounts which are often monetized for clicks.

Check if your email or phone has been breached at https://haveibeenpwned.com/ If you find it has, it is time to change your passwords.

16/09/2022

It was a wild day today at Multifamily NW's Spectrum Conference and Trade Show bringing back lots of wonderful memories and catching up with friends. The staff make it look effortless, but they put in incredible hours and their dedication is amazing. Thank you for trusting me with your social media.

14/09/2022

Helen Mirren was once approached at the back door of a West End Theater as she was about to go on stage. The play was about the rock 'n roll business and she was playing Janis Joplin. The strange visitor was a bit drunk and disheveled, but complimented her on her performance and offered to play in her band that night. Being the proper English actress, she explained to him that would not be acceptable on a West End stage, but thanked him for the offer and he left.

To this day, she regrets not saying yes and having her only opportunity to appear on stage with The Who's Keith Moon.
Don't pass up those opportunities to have your rock 'n roll moment.