Steel is a material that has many uses. There are many types of steel and they can be used for steel framed buildings, garages, sheds, in vehicles and as window shutters as well as for many other purposes. As a material it has many advantages over others.
Steel is generally very long lasting. Unlike wood it will not rot which increases its chances of lasting many years. It doesn’t naturally age in the same way as other materials might. Of course it won’t last forever, but its longevity is impressive compared with alternatives.
Steel is a very strong material. It will not collapse under pressure the way that other materials can. Weather conditions exposing steel is a rarity. This is why they are often used for shutters protecting window of shops, for example. As well as from the natural elements, window shutters can also be used as a protective material from vandalism. Due to the strength it has it is very easy to maintain.
The environment is something that a lot of people take very seriously these days and being environmentally friendly is important to many. Steel is a sustainable material and can be easily recycled. This means that even after its long use for one purpose it can be used again for something else.
The ease of use is an important advantage in using steel as a building material. Building with it can be a quick process. It can be easily modified; if a building made from steel needs altering the interior walls can be easily moved to create a completely different interior. It is also easily transportable and even an entire building can be moved from one location to another. The quality of steel is also a benefit and it is consistent throughout unlike wood which can fluctuate.
Steel is more expensive than wood but cheaper than most other materials. But even compared to wood it can be cost effective. Because of some of the advantages outlined above, such as its strength and longevity, it can work out cheaper in the long run. Unlike wood, steel doesn’t need treating to keep it in good condition.
A final advantage of steel is safety. Again comparing it to wood, it is significantly more fire resistant. Fire cannot make its way through steel in the same way as wood, which can prevent it spreading from one room to another if used for a building. It is also less likely to give way unexpectedly compared to other materials.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Basic Principles of Employment Law
Employment Law can be a complex issue. It is important for employers to make sure they are acting within the law, while it is important for employees to know that they are being treated fairly. Here we look at some of the basic principles of employment law in the UK. They generally refer to permanent, full-time employees who are over the age of twenty-one and have been in the same job for more than three months.
Contract
Employees must have a contract of employment. Contrary to popular belief though, this does not have to be in a written form, although in most cases it is. It can simply be a verbal agreement. Both the employee and employer must follow the conditions set out in the contract. These effectively become the rules of the employment and it is against the law to ignore these.
Minimum Wage
In the UK there is a national minimum wage and all employees must be paid according to this. The minimum wage varies for those in different age groups up to the age of twenty-one, but for anyone over twenty-one it is currently £5.93 an hour.
Holiday
Everyone is entitled to at least four weeks annual holiday. For those working five days a week this accounts to twenty days a year. On top of these they must either be given bank holiday’s off, or have other days off to make up for these. So this affectively means twenty-eight days holiday a year.
Discrimination
Employees cannot be discriminated against for any reason. Among the reasons that come to mind is discriminating against gender, race, religion or any disabilities. It is also against the law to harass employees for any reasons, whether this is verbal abuse or inappropriate physical contact.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Both new Mothers and new Fathers are entitled to time off around the time of the birth of their child. Maternity leave can be taken for up to one year with the first thirty-nine weeks paid. The first six weeks must be paid at 90% of their normal wage with the rest paid at the fixed amount of £124.88 a week. Paternity leave can be taken for up to two weeks and is paid at £112.85 a week.
Rules Regarding Dismissals
After one year of employment someone cannot be dismissed without a valid reason. An employer must also go through the relevant disciplinary procedures before terminating an employee’s employment.
Sick Pay
Employees are entitled to sick pay if they are unwell or injured. This is not paid for the first three days but beyond this is paid for the next 28 weeks. It is paid at a fixed rate of £79.15 a week or the equivalent if not a full week. This includes any time off connected to a disability an employee may have.
Flexible Working Time
If an employee is the parent of someone under the age of seventeen then they can request flexible working hours. Examples can include asking to work part-time, work school hours, work from home or job share. Although employers do not have to accept the request they must consider it and have a valid reason to refuse.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Contract
Employees must have a contract of employment. Contrary to popular belief though, this does not have to be in a written form, although in most cases it is. It can simply be a verbal agreement. Both the employee and employer must follow the conditions set out in the contract. These effectively become the rules of the employment and it is against the law to ignore these.
Minimum Wage
In the UK there is a national minimum wage and all employees must be paid according to this. The minimum wage varies for those in different age groups up to the age of twenty-one, but for anyone over twenty-one it is currently £5.93 an hour.
Holiday
Everyone is entitled to at least four weeks annual holiday. For those working five days a week this accounts to twenty days a year. On top of these they must either be given bank holiday’s off, or have other days off to make up for these. So this affectively means twenty-eight days holiday a year.
Discrimination
Employees cannot be discriminated against for any reason. Among the reasons that come to mind is discriminating against gender, race, religion or any disabilities. It is also against the law to harass employees for any reasons, whether this is verbal abuse or inappropriate physical contact.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Both new Mothers and new Fathers are entitled to time off around the time of the birth of their child. Maternity leave can be taken for up to one year with the first thirty-nine weeks paid. The first six weeks must be paid at 90% of their normal wage with the rest paid at the fixed amount of £124.88 a week. Paternity leave can be taken for up to two weeks and is paid at £112.85 a week.
Rules Regarding Dismissals
After one year of employment someone cannot be dismissed without a valid reason. An employer must also go through the relevant disciplinary procedures before terminating an employee’s employment.
Sick Pay
Employees are entitled to sick pay if they are unwell or injured. This is not paid for the first three days but beyond this is paid for the next 28 weeks. It is paid at a fixed rate of £79.15 a week or the equivalent if not a full week. This includes any time off connected to a disability an employee may have.
Flexible Working Time
If an employee is the parent of someone under the age of seventeen then they can request flexible working hours. Examples can include asking to work part-time, work school hours, work from home or job share. Although employers do not have to accept the request they must consider it and have a valid reason to refuse.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Safe Online Shopping Tips
With Christmas coming up the number of people shopping online is likely to be the highest it has even been. With many great offers available internet shopping has increased significantly in recent times. Monday 29th November is expected to be the busiest even online shopping day in the UK. It is being dubbed ‘Magic Monday’.
There are advantages to shopping online. You can avoid the crowds, you don’t have to leave your computer, and there are many great deals available that you can’t get in the shops. However, there are also things to be wary of. There are people who use internet shopping to their advantage to carry out malicious attacks to either damage people’s computers, or to gain their payment details. This has made internet safety imperative.
So what can you do to avoid being defrauded? Here are some tips for safe online shopping.
The first thing you should do is make sure your computer is up to date with the latest anti-virus software and spam filters. This will ensure you have the best protection possible against those wishing to attack your computer with viruses. It is important though, to make sure these are genuine products. Be careful as some software advertised as anti-virus can actually attack your computer with a virus, which will either damage your computer or gain access to confidential information stored on your computer.
Before purchasing through a website it is important to make sure you check it is safe. It is wise to make sure the company in question has a telephone number and address on their website. If they do not they may not be a reputable business. You might even want to give the company a call if you have any doubts. It is a good idea to use businesses that you know of, as you know you can trust them.
For any websites that you are unsure of you should carry out some research. It is a good idea to type the name of the website into a search engine and ask about it on relevant forums. If people have been fooled by them before you will usually find someone has written about it to warn others.
If a website has what seems like ridiculous offers then be wary. If prices are way under the norm then don’t trust it unless you are sure. Although it may be genuine it isn’t worth the risk if you are unsure.
When purchasing online you should ideally pay using a credit card, which gives you more rights should there be a problem. PIN’s are never required for online purchases so if a site asks for this do not enter it and use a different website instead. There are two things you should look for in the address box to make sure a payment is secure. For a secure payment the URL should begin with ‘https’ rather than the usual ‘http’. There should also be a lock symbol. If you have entered any card details and then realise you have made a mistake and are suspicious of the site, contact your bank immediately and explain the situation.
The most basic advice when it comes to internet shopping is not to take risks. If you have suspicions about a website, don’t use it. It is not worth the risk to save a little money or inconvenience if you are risking your computer being hacked into or your payment details being obtained by criminals.
Andrew Marshall (c)
There are advantages to shopping online. You can avoid the crowds, you don’t have to leave your computer, and there are many great deals available that you can’t get in the shops. However, there are also things to be wary of. There are people who use internet shopping to their advantage to carry out malicious attacks to either damage people’s computers, or to gain their payment details. This has made internet safety imperative.
So what can you do to avoid being defrauded? Here are some tips for safe online shopping.
The first thing you should do is make sure your computer is up to date with the latest anti-virus software and spam filters. This will ensure you have the best protection possible against those wishing to attack your computer with viruses. It is important though, to make sure these are genuine products. Be careful as some software advertised as anti-virus can actually attack your computer with a virus, which will either damage your computer or gain access to confidential information stored on your computer.
Before purchasing through a website it is important to make sure you check it is safe. It is wise to make sure the company in question has a telephone number and address on their website. If they do not they may not be a reputable business. You might even want to give the company a call if you have any doubts. It is a good idea to use businesses that you know of, as you know you can trust them.
For any websites that you are unsure of you should carry out some research. It is a good idea to type the name of the website into a search engine and ask about it on relevant forums. If people have been fooled by them before you will usually find someone has written about it to warn others.
If a website has what seems like ridiculous offers then be wary. If prices are way under the norm then don’t trust it unless you are sure. Although it may be genuine it isn’t worth the risk if you are unsure.
When purchasing online you should ideally pay using a credit card, which gives you more rights should there be a problem. PIN’s are never required for online purchases so if a site asks for this do not enter it and use a different website instead. There are two things you should look for in the address box to make sure a payment is secure. For a secure payment the URL should begin with ‘https’ rather than the usual ‘http’. There should also be a lock symbol. If you have entered any card details and then realise you have made a mistake and are suspicious of the site, contact your bank immediately and explain the situation.
The most basic advice when it comes to internet shopping is not to take risks. If you have suspicions about a website, don’t use it. It is not worth the risk to save a little money or inconvenience if you are risking your computer being hacked into or your payment details being obtained by criminals.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Benefits of Shutters over Blinds
If you are decorating the interior of your home you may be thinking about installing blinds or shutters. Both of these have many benefits. They can be custom made (which is the case most of the time with shutters) and are adjustable. Shutters also offer other benefits that blinds do not.
Shutters are usually made of wood and have louvres that can be opened and closed to keep air, light and the weather conditions out or let them in. When wooden shutters are installed they become a real part of the home. As with blinds they have a practical purpose, but they are not just there to keep the light out and to keep the home private. They are a real permanent fixture and add value to the home, something that certainly can’t be said of other window coverings. They are permanent, as in they are fixed to the building and usually remain in place when the house is sold. They are therefore taken into consideration during the valuation of the home meaning they are effectively an investment. Shutters are generally considered more aesthetically pleasing than blinds as they give a very homely and traditional feel. They are traditional but practical.
Shutters are sturdier than blinds. Blinds are fairly easy to break, something that cannot be said for shutters. They are long lasting, in fact can last a lifetime. They usually come with a lifetime guarantee which shows the makers confidence in their product and means that any unexpected problem will be covered free of charge. The solid nature of wooden shutters means they do not let any light in, something that blinds sometimes do. Due to the types of wood used noise is blocked out when the shutters are closed.
With shutters you have a large amount of choice regarding the style. They can be painted any colour a home owner wishes. There are also a large variety of styles available, from full-height shutters to solid shutters. The amount of customisation possible is particularly useful for those who have unusually shaped windows, something that ready-made blinds do not take into consideration.
Although shutters are more expensive than blinds, some of this can be clawed back as they help to insulate a home. They can keep the cold winters out, as well as keeping the heat out during the summer. Keeping the house warmer during the winter means that heating bills can be reduced.
There are many positives in choosing shutters. They give a home a traditional feel, but also have the practical advantages of allowing light, air, and the weather conditions to come into the home, or to keep them out.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Shutters are usually made of wood and have louvres that can be opened and closed to keep air, light and the weather conditions out or let them in. When wooden shutters are installed they become a real part of the home. As with blinds they have a practical purpose, but they are not just there to keep the light out and to keep the home private. They are a real permanent fixture and add value to the home, something that certainly can’t be said of other window coverings. They are permanent, as in they are fixed to the building and usually remain in place when the house is sold. They are therefore taken into consideration during the valuation of the home meaning they are effectively an investment. Shutters are generally considered more aesthetically pleasing than blinds as they give a very homely and traditional feel. They are traditional but practical.
Shutters are sturdier than blinds. Blinds are fairly easy to break, something that cannot be said for shutters. They are long lasting, in fact can last a lifetime. They usually come with a lifetime guarantee which shows the makers confidence in their product and means that any unexpected problem will be covered free of charge. The solid nature of wooden shutters means they do not let any light in, something that blinds sometimes do. Due to the types of wood used noise is blocked out when the shutters are closed.
With shutters you have a large amount of choice regarding the style. They can be painted any colour a home owner wishes. There are also a large variety of styles available, from full-height shutters to solid shutters. The amount of customisation possible is particularly useful for those who have unusually shaped windows, something that ready-made blinds do not take into consideration.
Although shutters are more expensive than blinds, some of this can be clawed back as they help to insulate a home. They can keep the cold winters out, as well as keeping the heat out during the summer. Keeping the house warmer during the winter means that heating bills can be reduced.
There are many positives in choosing shutters. They give a home a traditional feel, but also have the practical advantages of allowing light, air, and the weather conditions to come into the home, or to keep them out.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Can Web Hosting Reviews be Trusted?
Deciding on web hosting is an important aspect for any website. Amongst the tools that some use to decide upon their hosting are online reviews. But can these be trusted?
There are both positives and negatives of using online web hosting reviews. It is always useful to know of other people’s opinions and if you read a positive online review it is effectively a recommendation. It is useful to know which hosting companies others would recommend and the strong points of different hosts. It can be even more valuable though, to know of services that customers have been unhappy with. If you read of potential problems that would affect you then this can warn you to stay clear of that company. An online review can be more impartial than reading a testimonial that a web host has on its own website, as they are only likely to include the positive reviews.
Although online reviews can be helpful, they are reasons why they cannot always be trusted. You can’t believe everything you read online as anyone can post what they like. This can include a company posting a positive review of themselves or competition posting a negative one. Even for genuine reviews it doesn’t necessarily give an accurate portrayal of the service you will receive. Some people may have had one bad experience with a particular host, and their review may give an unfair negative impression based on just one factor for one customer.
One online review does not give a definitive answer as to whether a host is a good or bad one. Whether a review is good or bad, it may just be a one off or the host or competition posting the review. If something is repeated again and again across a number of online resources though, then it is quite possible that it gives an accurate impression.
When looking into web hosting you need to consider what is important to you; the type of web hosting you need and the aspect of it that you see of as most important. This will help you choose the hosting that fits your needs. It is the same for hosting reviews. If a company seems to have certain weaknesses if may not matter if it is something that will not affect or matter to you, while if it will affect you, you know that you should disregard that company. The same goes for their strengths. If it is something that is important to you then it can be a major plus point in you choosing that hosting company but if it is not important to you then it doesn’t really matter how good they are at it. It may be that a particular host is good at some things but not others, for example good at colocation hosting but not shared hosting, or good at business hosting but not personal hosting. This will allow you to make a decision based on the quality they offer for the type of hosting you require.
You can never be completely sure that an online review is accurate but you can use it to assist your decision making. It is best not to trust one single review but if reviews are consistent across a number of sources and written by a number of different people then it is likely to be accurate. Reviews can be a good tool for establishing the strengths and weakness of different aspects of a host’s service.
Andrew Marshall (c)
There are both positives and negatives of using online web hosting reviews. It is always useful to know of other people’s opinions and if you read a positive online review it is effectively a recommendation. It is useful to know which hosting companies others would recommend and the strong points of different hosts. It can be even more valuable though, to know of services that customers have been unhappy with. If you read of potential problems that would affect you then this can warn you to stay clear of that company. An online review can be more impartial than reading a testimonial that a web host has on its own website, as they are only likely to include the positive reviews.
Although online reviews can be helpful, they are reasons why they cannot always be trusted. You can’t believe everything you read online as anyone can post what they like. This can include a company posting a positive review of themselves or competition posting a negative one. Even for genuine reviews it doesn’t necessarily give an accurate portrayal of the service you will receive. Some people may have had one bad experience with a particular host, and their review may give an unfair negative impression based on just one factor for one customer.
One online review does not give a definitive answer as to whether a host is a good or bad one. Whether a review is good or bad, it may just be a one off or the host or competition posting the review. If something is repeated again and again across a number of online resources though, then it is quite possible that it gives an accurate impression.
When looking into web hosting you need to consider what is important to you; the type of web hosting you need and the aspect of it that you see of as most important. This will help you choose the hosting that fits your needs. It is the same for hosting reviews. If a company seems to have certain weaknesses if may not matter if it is something that will not affect or matter to you, while if it will affect you, you know that you should disregard that company. The same goes for their strengths. If it is something that is important to you then it can be a major plus point in you choosing that hosting company but if it is not important to you then it doesn’t really matter how good they are at it. It may be that a particular host is good at some things but not others, for example good at colocation hosting but not shared hosting, or good at business hosting but not personal hosting. This will allow you to make a decision based on the quality they offer for the type of hosting you require.
You can never be completely sure that an online review is accurate but you can use it to assist your decision making. It is best not to trust one single review but if reviews are consistent across a number of sources and written by a number of different people then it is likely to be accurate. Reviews can be a good tool for establishing the strengths and weakness of different aspects of a host’s service.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The End of the Child Trust Fund
The Conservative – Liberal Democrat coalition have begun to make changes to the Child Trust Fund, and will be scrapping the scheme altogether in the new year. The Child Trust Fund was bought in by the previous Labour government with parents given a £250 voucher to invest on behalf of their new born children, following by another £250 voucher when their child turns 18. Both of these amounts have been double for children in families earning a combined total of less than £16,190 a year. There are three different types of account where parents are currently able to place this investment. Family and friends can invest a further £1,200 a year. The idea was to build up savings for children that they would then be able to use once they became an adult. Only the child is allowed to take the money out, and only once they have passed their eighteenth birthday. With £500 invested by the government plus up to £1,200 a year (£21,600 in total) by family and friends, once interest has been added this could lead to a significant sum of money after 18 years.
Both the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats were against the Child Trust Fund is the form it was in, and stated so in their pre-election manifesto’s. The Conservatives wanted to scrap it for all but those who are less well off, probably those earning less than £16,000 per year, while the Liberal Democrats wanted to scrap the scheme altogether. It seems as though the plans are closer to what the Lib Dem’s wanted.
The Child Trust Fund will be completely scrapped from 1st January 2011. Until then vouchers at birth will still be given but only at £50 instead of £250. This is again doubled for those families earning less than £16,190 a year. Parents of children not born yet will receive the voucher if born before January but not if born afterwards. Vouchers contain an expiry date and parents whose children are born prior to January have until the expiry date to invest the voucher even if this is after the Child Trust Fund cut-off date. Vouchers at the age of 7 have already been discontinued, so are no longer received. This was scrapped in August.
Existing accounts will continue as they are until they mature. Therefore those who have already received both the voucher at birth and at age seven will be unaffected by the changes. Those have received the initial voucher but not the second one will have the same benefits minus the second £250 investment by the government. In both these cases family and friends will still be able to make the £1,200 annual investment into the account.
It is children of the future who will be impacted. However a new government scheme is set to be bought in, called the Junior ISA. The Junior ISA will work in a similar way to the Child Trust Fund but without the government investment. Amongst the advantages will be tax free investment, but the restrictions will also remain in place with a maximum investment of £1,200 a year. The future of child savings by parents on behalf of their children looks like it could be the Junior ISA.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Both the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats were against the Child Trust Fund is the form it was in, and stated so in their pre-election manifesto’s. The Conservatives wanted to scrap it for all but those who are less well off, probably those earning less than £16,000 per year, while the Liberal Democrats wanted to scrap the scheme altogether. It seems as though the plans are closer to what the Lib Dem’s wanted.
The Child Trust Fund will be completely scrapped from 1st January 2011. Until then vouchers at birth will still be given but only at £50 instead of £250. This is again doubled for those families earning less than £16,190 a year. Parents of children not born yet will receive the voucher if born before January but not if born afterwards. Vouchers contain an expiry date and parents whose children are born prior to January have until the expiry date to invest the voucher even if this is after the Child Trust Fund cut-off date. Vouchers at the age of 7 have already been discontinued, so are no longer received. This was scrapped in August.
Existing accounts will continue as they are until they mature. Therefore those who have already received both the voucher at birth and at age seven will be unaffected by the changes. Those have received the initial voucher but not the second one will have the same benefits minus the second £250 investment by the government. In both these cases family and friends will still be able to make the £1,200 annual investment into the account.
It is children of the future who will be impacted. However a new government scheme is set to be bought in, called the Junior ISA. The Junior ISA will work in a similar way to the Child Trust Fund but without the government investment. Amongst the advantages will be tax free investment, but the restrictions will also remain in place with a maximum investment of £1,200 a year. The future of child savings by parents on behalf of their children looks like it could be the Junior ISA.
Andrew Marshall (c)
The Impact of the Proposed Legal Aid Changes
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has been laying out proposals for changes in legal aid that will limit the types of cases where legal aid is available, therefore savings significant costs. Currently over £2 billion a year is spent on legal aid in the UK, an amount that is more than ten times that of France. Areas where legal aid will no longer be available will include claims against hospitals, doctors and schools, immigration, benefit and employment disputes and family law cases. Also in the proposals is that fees for legal aid solicitors will be cut by 10%. It is being seen by supporters as removing legal aid where it is being wasted but keeping it where it is really seen as necessary, while critics say that it will mean the poorest members of society will in some cases be unable to get justice.
So, what will be the impact of these changes should they go ahead?
One area of law that has significantly increased over the last decade is no-win no-fee suits. Currently the costs, and therefore solicitor’s fees, are recovered from the losing side. This is something that will no longer be possible.
In most cases legal aid will no longer be available in cases against public institutions such as doctors, hospitals and schools. Cases that will be affected will include those seeking legal action after medical mistakes. With regard to schools it is likely to limit the number of accident claims and appeals against school entrance. Some would argue that not being able to take legal action for genuine accidents is a good thing while other say it means that institutions will no longer be held responsible for a lack of care.
Family Law is seen as an area that will be impacted most by these proposed changes. Half of the total money saved will happen in the area of family law alone. Legal aid will still be available in cases that involve domestic violence, forced marriage and child abduction, but in a relatively straight forward case it will not be the case.
In general it is expected that the number of so called minor legal disputes will be less commonplace. This is something supporters see as a major plus points, on top of the obvious fact that it will save public money. The changes may put to an end (to an extent anyway) the increasing culture of looking for blame to profit from unfortunate situations, such as minor accidents. Some see certain cases as people taking advantage of legal aid where they would not pursue the case if they had to pay for it themselves, even if they could afford to. This will therefore reduce unnecessary legal action.
There are, of course, potential problems. Some are worried that the less well off will suffer unfairly, that there will be situations where people will not get justice where someone better off, and able to afford legal advice themselves, will be able to carry a case forward. It could also lead to irresponsibility with businesses, organisations and individuals held less responsible for their actions.
Andrew Marshall (c)
So, what will be the impact of these changes should they go ahead?
One area of law that has significantly increased over the last decade is no-win no-fee suits. Currently the costs, and therefore solicitor’s fees, are recovered from the losing side. This is something that will no longer be possible.
In most cases legal aid will no longer be available in cases against public institutions such as doctors, hospitals and schools. Cases that will be affected will include those seeking legal action after medical mistakes. With regard to schools it is likely to limit the number of accident claims and appeals against school entrance. Some would argue that not being able to take legal action for genuine accidents is a good thing while other say it means that institutions will no longer be held responsible for a lack of care.
Family Law is seen as an area that will be impacted most by these proposed changes. Half of the total money saved will happen in the area of family law alone. Legal aid will still be available in cases that involve domestic violence, forced marriage and child abduction, but in a relatively straight forward case it will not be the case.
In general it is expected that the number of so called minor legal disputes will be less commonplace. This is something supporters see as a major plus points, on top of the obvious fact that it will save public money. The changes may put to an end (to an extent anyway) the increasing culture of looking for blame to profit from unfortunate situations, such as minor accidents. Some see certain cases as people taking advantage of legal aid where they would not pursue the case if they had to pay for it themselves, even if they could afford to. This will therefore reduce unnecessary legal action.
There are, of course, potential problems. Some are worried that the less well off will suffer unfairly, that there will be situations where people will not get justice where someone better off, and able to afford legal advice themselves, will be able to carry a case forward. It could also lead to irresponsibility with businesses, organisations and individuals held less responsible for their actions.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Monday, November 15, 2010
Steps in Starting Up a Business
Starting up a business can be a difficult process. There is much to think about and it is important that you get things right. This article details some of the aspects that those looking to start a business need to consider.
The Basics and a Business Plan
The first step is obvious but not necessarily simple; decide what the business is. You need to decide which products or services you will be providing and the basic processes of the business. Deciding on the target market is important, whether it be local, national or international. You have to make sure there is a potential market for this type of business and therefore a potential customer base. There is no point targeting just the local area if most of your customers are likely to be in America, while it is a waste of resource to target a global market if what you provide is only relevant within the local area or within the country.
A business plan is an important part of any business. It will be required if applying for loans or investment, but is also a useful tool in figuring out your particular plans and how different aspects of running your business will fit together. A number of areas should be covered in a business plan. You need to analyse the market and the competition. Looking at the competition allows you to see the positives of how they operate, and could therefore give you ideas, while you will also be able to discover areas where you may have an advantage. Looking at a combination of the market and competition will give you an idea of whether or not your business is viable. If the market is too small then the opportunities for profit will be limited while if there is a large amount of competition the market may already be over saturated. One of the most important areas of the business plan is forming a financial plan. For this you need to decide upon how much you will charge and how much you realistically think you can sell. You will then be able to work out a projected year-on-year turnover.
Legal Issues
You need to set up the legal structure of the business. Depending on the type of business there will be a number of different legal issues. For some health and safety will be a major part (for example a building related business) while for others it will only be a small consideration. As well as the legal aspects related to the type of business you also need to decide on the type of business you will be, for example a sole trader or a limited company. There are then legalities related so these regarding a number of issues.
Business Premises
The premises that you will work from needs to be established. Firstly you must decide what is necessary and appropriate. If manufacturing is involved you may need a factory but it may just be an office that is required. If this is the case working from home may be an option. Once you know what you need you have to think about location and price to help you decide on the best premises.
Tax
Dealing with tax is not everyone’s idea of fun but it something that needs to be done. Most businesses hire an accountant for this which could simplify things but it is more expensive. Getting this right is crucial though, with things such as corporation tax, VAT, and Tax Returns to deal with.
Employees
Before starting a business you need to work out your requirement for employees. What do you need people for and how many do you need? Once you have employed people you need to go through the legal processes which include the setting up of contracts, deciding on wages and making sure you adhere to employment regulations. Moving forwards there is employee tax and payroll to take care of.
Marketing
Marketing is crucial for all businesses. Brining in customers is the most important part of a business as without them it is impossible to make a profit. You need to form a marketing strategy and decide on how you are going to advertise. You will probably decide that you need a website. This is a good way of generating business as it is a way of customers who are interested in the products or service you offer finding you. With a website you will need to decide on web hosting, with many different Business Hosting options available. You may then want to invest in SEO, which will help your website to appear higher in the search engines and therefore improve the chances of your website working as a marketing tool. As well as online marketing you will need to decide which off-line advertising techniques you wish to use. Some business owners will decide that one particular type of advertising is best to focus on while others will use a variety.
IT
IT is an increasingly important part of businesses of all type; it is no longer just computer related businesses that need IT. The specific type of IT systems required depends on each individual business. Some will take care of their IT in-house while others will hire someone for their Business IT Support.
There are many issues to think about for start-up businesses. It is a complicated process with many aspects important to get right to put you in a position to form a successful business for the future.
Andrew Marshall (c)
The Basics and a Business Plan
The first step is obvious but not necessarily simple; decide what the business is. You need to decide which products or services you will be providing and the basic processes of the business. Deciding on the target market is important, whether it be local, national or international. You have to make sure there is a potential market for this type of business and therefore a potential customer base. There is no point targeting just the local area if most of your customers are likely to be in America, while it is a waste of resource to target a global market if what you provide is only relevant within the local area or within the country.
A business plan is an important part of any business. It will be required if applying for loans or investment, but is also a useful tool in figuring out your particular plans and how different aspects of running your business will fit together. A number of areas should be covered in a business plan. You need to analyse the market and the competition. Looking at the competition allows you to see the positives of how they operate, and could therefore give you ideas, while you will also be able to discover areas where you may have an advantage. Looking at a combination of the market and competition will give you an idea of whether or not your business is viable. If the market is too small then the opportunities for profit will be limited while if there is a large amount of competition the market may already be over saturated. One of the most important areas of the business plan is forming a financial plan. For this you need to decide upon how much you will charge and how much you realistically think you can sell. You will then be able to work out a projected year-on-year turnover.
Legal Issues
You need to set up the legal structure of the business. Depending on the type of business there will be a number of different legal issues. For some health and safety will be a major part (for example a building related business) while for others it will only be a small consideration. As well as the legal aspects related to the type of business you also need to decide on the type of business you will be, for example a sole trader or a limited company. There are then legalities related so these regarding a number of issues.
Business Premises
The premises that you will work from needs to be established. Firstly you must decide what is necessary and appropriate. If manufacturing is involved you may need a factory but it may just be an office that is required. If this is the case working from home may be an option. Once you know what you need you have to think about location and price to help you decide on the best premises.
Tax
Dealing with tax is not everyone’s idea of fun but it something that needs to be done. Most businesses hire an accountant for this which could simplify things but it is more expensive. Getting this right is crucial though, with things such as corporation tax, VAT, and Tax Returns to deal with.
Employees
Before starting a business you need to work out your requirement for employees. What do you need people for and how many do you need? Once you have employed people you need to go through the legal processes which include the setting up of contracts, deciding on wages and making sure you adhere to employment regulations. Moving forwards there is employee tax and payroll to take care of.
Marketing
Marketing is crucial for all businesses. Brining in customers is the most important part of a business as without them it is impossible to make a profit. You need to form a marketing strategy and decide on how you are going to advertise. You will probably decide that you need a website. This is a good way of generating business as it is a way of customers who are interested in the products or service you offer finding you. With a website you will need to decide on web hosting, with many different Business Hosting options available. You may then want to invest in SEO, which will help your website to appear higher in the search engines and therefore improve the chances of your website working as a marketing tool. As well as online marketing you will need to decide which off-line advertising techniques you wish to use. Some business owners will decide that one particular type of advertising is best to focus on while others will use a variety.
IT
IT is an increasingly important part of businesses of all type; it is no longer just computer related businesses that need IT. The specific type of IT systems required depends on each individual business. Some will take care of their IT in-house while others will hire someone for their Business IT Support.
There are many issues to think about for start-up businesses. It is a complicated process with many aspects important to get right to put you in a position to form a successful business for the future.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
How Will Tuition Fees Work in the Future
The 10th November saw the first public protests against the new British government since it came into power in May. The protest was against the changes to tuition fees that are due to come in for those starting higher education courses in 2012 and beyond. An estimated fifty thousand people took to the streets of London in a protest that was marred by violence as the Conservative Party Headquarters was stormed, banners were set on fire and missiles were thrown.
So what is the new scheme for funding higher education and how will it work? Currently the maximum that universities are allowed to charge in tuition fees is £3,290 per year, but this cap is going to rise to £9,000. Some were predicting the cap will be removed altogether but this has not been the case and those who charge over £6,000 a year will have to take measures to encourage poorer student to attend their courses. The government has claimed that they can only charge more than £6,000 in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
The loan scheme will continue in a similar way as it currently does in terms of former students paying back 9% of what they earn over a threshold until they re-pay their loan. The threshold is being raised though, meaning former student who earn less will benefit. At present those earning over £15,000 a year have to pay 9% of their earnings above this amount, but this will be raised to £21,000. This means those who earn £20,000, for example, will not pay anything, saving them £450 compared with former students at present. Whatever the income of a former student they will be paying less than they currently do per year but will need to pay it back for longer because of the higher tuition fees and the decrease in yearly payments.
Here is a comparison comparing the current and the new systems for students borrowing the amount of the maximum tuition fees (but not including other loans such as those for living costs) who earn the national average of £24,000 a year:
Under the current system those with an annual income of £24,000 pay back £810 per year, but it future this will only be a third of that at £270 a year. This means former students under the current system are worse off than they would be under the future system. However, it will take longer to pay back. Using this same example it would take 12 years to pay back a total loan of £9,870 (£3,290 for three years) but under the future system of paying less per year and more in total it would in theory take 100 years to pay it back, more than double the average working life. In reality this will not be the case though as the loan is written off after 30 years, meaning those earning £24,000 for the duration of these 30 years (although salaries do rise over time) would only pay back £8,100, which is less than the current tuition fees.
There has been much debate as to the merits of the new system, something that is likely to continue for some time. It is generally accepted that students should contribute towards their education but opinions differ as to how they should contribute and how much. Depending on students’ future income the future system will mean some are better off while others are worse off. Those who earn under £25,000 a year throughout their lifetime will be better off under the new system, while those earning more will still pay back less per year but will be paying for longer and more in total. To pay back the full amount under the new system former student will have to earn around £32,000. The majority of former students will eventually pay more under the future system but it will be spread out over a longer period so it may have less of a direct impact due to the smaller monthly payments.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Stone King are Education Solicitors with offices in Bath, London, Cambridge and Melksham.
So what is the new scheme for funding higher education and how will it work? Currently the maximum that universities are allowed to charge in tuition fees is £3,290 per year, but this cap is going to rise to £9,000. Some were predicting the cap will be removed altogether but this has not been the case and those who charge over £6,000 a year will have to take measures to encourage poorer student to attend their courses. The government has claimed that they can only charge more than £6,000 in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
The loan scheme will continue in a similar way as it currently does in terms of former students paying back 9% of what they earn over a threshold until they re-pay their loan. The threshold is being raised though, meaning former student who earn less will benefit. At present those earning over £15,000 a year have to pay 9% of their earnings above this amount, but this will be raised to £21,000. This means those who earn £20,000, for example, will not pay anything, saving them £450 compared with former students at present. Whatever the income of a former student they will be paying less than they currently do per year but will need to pay it back for longer because of the higher tuition fees and the decrease in yearly payments.
Here is a comparison comparing the current and the new systems for students borrowing the amount of the maximum tuition fees (but not including other loans such as those for living costs) who earn the national average of £24,000 a year:
Under the current system those with an annual income of £24,000 pay back £810 per year, but it future this will only be a third of that at £270 a year. This means former students under the current system are worse off than they would be under the future system. However, it will take longer to pay back. Using this same example it would take 12 years to pay back a total loan of £9,870 (£3,290 for three years) but under the future system of paying less per year and more in total it would in theory take 100 years to pay it back, more than double the average working life. In reality this will not be the case though as the loan is written off after 30 years, meaning those earning £24,000 for the duration of these 30 years (although salaries do rise over time) would only pay back £8,100, which is less than the current tuition fees.
There has been much debate as to the merits of the new system, something that is likely to continue for some time. It is generally accepted that students should contribute towards their education but opinions differ as to how they should contribute and how much. Depending on students’ future income the future system will mean some are better off while others are worse off. Those who earn under £25,000 a year throughout their lifetime will be better off under the new system, while those earning more will still pay back less per year but will be paying for longer and more in total. To pay back the full amount under the new system former student will have to earn around £32,000. The majority of former students will eventually pay more under the future system but it will be spread out over a longer period so it may have less of a direct impact due to the smaller monthly payments.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Stone King are Education Solicitors with offices in Bath, London, Cambridge and Melksham.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Advantages of Investment Trusts
An Investment Trust is essentially a company that invests in shares and bonds of other companies. Individual investors can purchase shares in the investment company (or investment trust) who use the income generated from selling their shares to invest in other companies. Depending on these investments the share value of the investment trust can either go up or down, but will usually go up in the long run.
There are a number of advantages of using investment trusts as opposed to other investment options. One of the key advantages is the expertise of the investment managers. Their job is to choose the best investments on behalf of their shareholders; in other words those who they are investing on behalf of. They will be experienced investors who understand the markets they are investing in. Therefore utilising investment trusts is a wise idea if you want to invest but are not confident in deciding where to invest yourself. They do charge a fee and take a cut but if this leads to a better investment then it is worth it.
Investment Trusts allow small investors to invest where they may not be able to otherwise. They may not have the funds available to buy shares alone, but in an investment trust the money of different investors is combined to result in larger investments. This is beneficial to those who are not investing enough to accrue significant returns if investing alone as the combined amount increases the total.
Investment trusts will spread investments around different assets. This has two benefits for investors; it spreads the risk and adds to the diversity of the investment portfolio. This means investors are investing in a range of assets. This might not be possible if investing alone, especially if they do not have a large amount that they are able to invest. The range of expertise amongst investment managers means that they are able to invest in this range of different investments.
There are many people who would like to invest but do not have the time to research the best investments. With investment managers using their knowledge and making the investments this is less of an issue with investment trusts.
For many investment trusts are a good alternative to investing in company shares as individuals. The combination of the expertise and experience of investment managers, and the fact that there are several people investing together means that many choose this option above others.
Andrew Marshall (c)
There are a number of advantages of using investment trusts as opposed to other investment options. One of the key advantages is the expertise of the investment managers. Their job is to choose the best investments on behalf of their shareholders; in other words those who they are investing on behalf of. They will be experienced investors who understand the markets they are investing in. Therefore utilising investment trusts is a wise idea if you want to invest but are not confident in deciding where to invest yourself. They do charge a fee and take a cut but if this leads to a better investment then it is worth it.
Investment Trusts allow small investors to invest where they may not be able to otherwise. They may not have the funds available to buy shares alone, but in an investment trust the money of different investors is combined to result in larger investments. This is beneficial to those who are not investing enough to accrue significant returns if investing alone as the combined amount increases the total.
Investment trusts will spread investments around different assets. This has two benefits for investors; it spreads the risk and adds to the diversity of the investment portfolio. This means investors are investing in a range of assets. This might not be possible if investing alone, especially if they do not have a large amount that they are able to invest. The range of expertise amongst investment managers means that they are able to invest in this range of different investments.
There are many people who would like to invest but do not have the time to research the best investments. With investment managers using their knowledge and making the investments this is less of an issue with investment trusts.
For many investment trusts are a good alternative to investing in company shares as individuals. The combination of the expertise and experience of investment managers, and the fact that there are several people investing together means that many choose this option above others.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Features of Managed Hosting
When choosing a type of web hosting there are many options available to you. Amongst these is Managed Hosting. With Managed Hosting the hosting of a website is, as the name suggests, managed for the client by the hosting company. There are a number of features of managed hosting that benefits clients.
With managed hosting the hosting company provides a dedicated server for a website, something that isn’t the case with other types of hosting, where either the client provides the server themselves or the server is shared with other clients. Depending on the size of the website having a dedicated server can have major advantages as hosting is not affected by other websites. Other variables, such as bandwidth, can be easily managed with managed hosting. If website traffic is exceeding expectations then it can be extended more easily, with unlimited hosting sometimes available.
Administration is something a lot of people dislike. It is something they see as a waste of time and they would rather be concentrating on their own business rather than be worrying about hosting admin. With many providers this is taken care of for clients which takes away a major headache for some.
Another useful feature of managed hosting is 24-hour monitoring, whereby the host monitors the website hosting constantly. They have good processes to make sure this is done on behalf of their clients so they can identity any problems either before they occur or as soon as they become an issue. This is something clients may not have the resources to do for themselves.
For some websites security can be a major issue, especially for those who deal with confidential information and data, such as bank details. Security is something that clients may not be able to handle themselves, something that can potentially lead major problems. With a Managed Hosting Provider clients can be confident that security is taken care of. An area that overlaps with security is the backup of data. This is something that may not be possible for clients to do for themselves.
The basic feature of managed hosting is simply the expertise that is provided. This is possibly the main reason people choose managed hosting for their website. Most clients do not have the expertise to handle advanced web hosting unless they hire someone for the job which can be expensive. This expertise means clients can be confident that their hosting is being managed for them by people who know what they are doing.
Andrew Marshall (c)
With managed hosting the hosting company provides a dedicated server for a website, something that isn’t the case with other types of hosting, where either the client provides the server themselves or the server is shared with other clients. Depending on the size of the website having a dedicated server can have major advantages as hosting is not affected by other websites. Other variables, such as bandwidth, can be easily managed with managed hosting. If website traffic is exceeding expectations then it can be extended more easily, with unlimited hosting sometimes available.
Administration is something a lot of people dislike. It is something they see as a waste of time and they would rather be concentrating on their own business rather than be worrying about hosting admin. With many providers this is taken care of for clients which takes away a major headache for some.
Another useful feature of managed hosting is 24-hour monitoring, whereby the host monitors the website hosting constantly. They have good processes to make sure this is done on behalf of their clients so they can identity any problems either before they occur or as soon as they become an issue. This is something clients may not have the resources to do for themselves.
For some websites security can be a major issue, especially for those who deal with confidential information and data, such as bank details. Security is something that clients may not be able to handle themselves, something that can potentially lead major problems. With a Managed Hosting Provider clients can be confident that security is taken care of. An area that overlaps with security is the backup of data. This is something that may not be possible for clients to do for themselves.
The basic feature of managed hosting is simply the expertise that is provided. This is possibly the main reason people choose managed hosting for their website. Most clients do not have the expertise to handle advanced web hosting unless they hire someone for the job which can be expensive. This expertise means clients can be confident that their hosting is being managed for them by people who know what they are doing.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Contract Law – What Should be Included?
Employment Law refers to all things in relation to the terms of employment, both from employer’s point or view and employees point of view. An important part of this is an employment contract which is a legally binding agreement between employers and employees. It can be a verbal contract but is usually a written one signed by both parties. Below are some of the specifics that are usually included in an employment contract.
Pay
An important part of an employment contract is how much an employee is paid. This can be an hourly wage or an annual salary. There are rules as to how much an employee should be paid; they must be paid at least the minimum wage. The minimum wage in the UK is currently £5.93.
Hours
The number of hours an employee is expected to work per week or month should be clearly stipulated in their contract. Typically this is 37.5 hours per week for those in full-time employment. If the hours of work are the same every week (for example Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm) then this should be stated. If the hours vary week on week then this should appear in the contract and if someone is expected to work weekends this should also be mentioned. If relevant, overtime should be in the contract, for example when overtime may be required and the rate at which this should be paid.
Holiday
The number of days holiday entitlement per year needs to appear in a contract. The minimum by law this must be for a full-time employee in the UK is 20 days plus bank holidays, or 28 days in total. If employees are expected to work some or all bank holidays this should also be mentioned as should the rates of pay for these days.
Breaks
There are laws stipulating the minimum number of breaks and the length of breaks that employees are entitled to, so employers must make sure they are given at least these minimums. The contract must specify the company policy in this area.
Responsibilities
There may be specific employer and employee responsibilities that are stated in a contract. A good example of this is health and safety responsibilities, especially if working in a potentially dangerous environment such as on a building site.
Notice Period
Another element that needs to appear in the contract is the notice period. This is the amount of notice either the employer or employee need to give if they wish to terminate the employment contract. This is typically two weeks or four weeks although it can be shorter or longer.
Disciplinary Procedures
The specific disciplinary procedures should an employee need to be disciplined should be in the contract, especially if these differ to the basic law.
Other Entitlements
There are many other potential entitlements depending on the business, and these need to be detailed in the contract. For example, there may be a company pension scheme. Sick pay policy and bonus schemes are other things that can be included.
Any legal requirements that are not stated in the contract still need to be abided by. For example if no health and safety issues have been specified the employer is still responsible for the safety of employees.
An employment contract is essentially the terms and conditions of employment that both parties agree to and must follow. It is a safeguard for both employers and employees as the terms and conditions of employment are stated in black and white. Both parties know what their rights are and neither can break the terms set out in the contract.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Pay
An important part of an employment contract is how much an employee is paid. This can be an hourly wage or an annual salary. There are rules as to how much an employee should be paid; they must be paid at least the minimum wage. The minimum wage in the UK is currently £5.93.
Hours
The number of hours an employee is expected to work per week or month should be clearly stipulated in their contract. Typically this is 37.5 hours per week for those in full-time employment. If the hours of work are the same every week (for example Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm) then this should be stated. If the hours vary week on week then this should appear in the contract and if someone is expected to work weekends this should also be mentioned. If relevant, overtime should be in the contract, for example when overtime may be required and the rate at which this should be paid.
Holiday
The number of days holiday entitlement per year needs to appear in a contract. The minimum by law this must be for a full-time employee in the UK is 20 days plus bank holidays, or 28 days in total. If employees are expected to work some or all bank holidays this should also be mentioned as should the rates of pay for these days.
Breaks
There are laws stipulating the minimum number of breaks and the length of breaks that employees are entitled to, so employers must make sure they are given at least these minimums. The contract must specify the company policy in this area.
Responsibilities
There may be specific employer and employee responsibilities that are stated in a contract. A good example of this is health and safety responsibilities, especially if working in a potentially dangerous environment such as on a building site.
Notice Period
Another element that needs to appear in the contract is the notice period. This is the amount of notice either the employer or employee need to give if they wish to terminate the employment contract. This is typically two weeks or four weeks although it can be shorter or longer.
Disciplinary Procedures
The specific disciplinary procedures should an employee need to be disciplined should be in the contract, especially if these differ to the basic law.
Other Entitlements
There are many other potential entitlements depending on the business, and these need to be detailed in the contract. For example, there may be a company pension scheme. Sick pay policy and bonus schemes are other things that can be included.
Any legal requirements that are not stated in the contract still need to be abided by. For example if no health and safety issues have been specified the employer is still responsible for the safety of employees.
An employment contract is essentially the terms and conditions of employment that both parties agree to and must follow. It is a safeguard for both employers and employees as the terms and conditions of employment are stated in black and white. Both parties know what their rights are and neither can break the terms set out in the contract.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Internet Safety – What to Look Out for
With Internet usage growing all the time Staying Safe Online has become an important issue. There are those who look to take advantage of the internet for criminal activity. There are many things that internet users need to look out for, among them the possibility of identity theft and fraud, viruses and unsafe emails.
Identity theft has been an issue off-line for a long time but it is now just as much of an issue, if not more so, online. A good example of internet identity theft is someone gaining your bank details and using them to purchase goods or services online. Some attempt to use other people’s details to open bank accounts or credit card accounts. This allows them to spend using a credit card that is then billed to the person whose details it was set up with. So if this happens to you it could ultimately lead to you being in debt. There are even examples of people getting mortgages using such techniques. It is therefore always important to be careful with where you submit your information to. Never submit your personal information or bank details to a website you are suspicious of.
There are many types of Computer Virus that criminals use for a variety of reasons, from simple malicious intent to inconvenience others to gaining access to others personal information or finances. Some viruses infect computers with spyware. The aim of this is to spread a computer virus from computer to computer. The objective of this can be to cause irreversible damage to yours and others computers or it can be to expose personal information. Some will send emails with the intent of spreading viruses. Clicking on the link within the email may infect that particular computer and send the same email to all of that persons email contacts, meaning the potential for their computers to also be infected. Another type of virus are called Trojan Horse Viruses which moved around your computer and expose personal information and transmit these details to the virus’s creator.
There are many examples of ways in which spam email are used for fraudulent activity, some of which overlap with some of the issues mentioned above. A common example of spam emails are emails that imitate organisations such as banks. These emails are sent to individuals claiming to be their bank. They state that the individual has entered the incorrect pin for their bank account three times and asks them to click a link to choose a new pin. They often claim that failure to do this will mean the account is disabled. The aim though, is for you to click the link and then enter your bank details, giving these criminals your details and therefore access to your account. A genuine bank would never email customers asking them to enter their details. Links in emails from someone claiming to be a bank should never be clicked on and attachments should not be opened. If in doubt you should forward the email onto the bank in question.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Identity theft has been an issue off-line for a long time but it is now just as much of an issue, if not more so, online. A good example of internet identity theft is someone gaining your bank details and using them to purchase goods or services online. Some attempt to use other people’s details to open bank accounts or credit card accounts. This allows them to spend using a credit card that is then billed to the person whose details it was set up with. So if this happens to you it could ultimately lead to you being in debt. There are even examples of people getting mortgages using such techniques. It is therefore always important to be careful with where you submit your information to. Never submit your personal information or bank details to a website you are suspicious of.
There are many types of Computer Virus that criminals use for a variety of reasons, from simple malicious intent to inconvenience others to gaining access to others personal information or finances. Some viruses infect computers with spyware. The aim of this is to spread a computer virus from computer to computer. The objective of this can be to cause irreversible damage to yours and others computers or it can be to expose personal information. Some will send emails with the intent of spreading viruses. Clicking on the link within the email may infect that particular computer and send the same email to all of that persons email contacts, meaning the potential for their computers to also be infected. Another type of virus are called Trojan Horse Viruses which moved around your computer and expose personal information and transmit these details to the virus’s creator.
There are many examples of ways in which spam email are used for fraudulent activity, some of which overlap with some of the issues mentioned above. A common example of spam emails are emails that imitate organisations such as banks. These emails are sent to individuals claiming to be their bank. They state that the individual has entered the incorrect pin for their bank account three times and asks them to click a link to choose a new pin. They often claim that failure to do this will mean the account is disabled. The aim though, is for you to click the link and then enter your bank details, giving these criminals your details and therefore access to your account. A genuine bank would never email customers asking them to enter their details. Links in emails from someone claiming to be a bank should never be clicked on and attachments should not be opened. If in doubt you should forward the email onto the bank in question.
Andrew Marshall (c)
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