text:
Pesky allergies – itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, fatigue – can completely ruin your day, week or month. Seasonal allergies affect 1 in 5 people; the numerous allergens in the air can penetrate the body’s defenses, triggering an overactive immune response.
An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance – ragweed, pollen, pet hair, etc. – that doesn’t typically cause a response in the majority of the population. The response by your immune system is to produce antibodies that target the foreign invader and mark it for destruction by your immune system. Unfortunately, adverse symptoms like stuffed-up sinuses, itchy eyes and fatigue also occur in conjunction with the immune response. This leaves you tired, struggling to focus and constantly rubbing your eyes or blowing your nose.
Seasonal allergies like itchy and watery eyes can’t be cured, but you can relieve symptoms with natural treatments.
While you can’t cure seasonal allergies, there are a number of conventional and more natural approaches to addressing the symptoms and the root cause. Before we look at your options this fall, let’s take a closer look at the most common (and not so common) symptoms of allergy, along with the worst offenders that trigger these reactions.
What causes these symptoms and the over-activation of your immune system? Here is a short list of the worst allergy offenders.
Ragweed is the most common allergen in the fall. If you struggle with spring allergies, there is a 75% chance you’ll also have reactions to ragweed in the fall. Ragweed begins to release its pollen in late summer, and the symptoms of watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and dark circles under the eyes typically start in September and continue on until the end of October. Think you’re in the clear because ragweed is not in your area? Think again. Ragweed can travel hundreds of miles in the air and if you react to it, you may also suffer from food allergies to bananas, melon, cucumbers, zucchini, and sunflower seeds.
Mold is another major allergy trigger. Damp basements and bathrooms, as well as the damp ground as the leaves change colors and tumble to the ground, are perfect breeding grounds for mold. The return to school for kids can also trigger seasonal allergies, as schools can often be damp with mold present.
Dust mites are most common during the hot summer months, but once you kick up the heating in your house as summer turns to fall, the dust mites will begin to circulate through your house. They can trigger similar symptoms to mold and ragweed above.
Dust mites start to circulate when you turn on the heat in the fall, triggering allergic reactions for some.
If you suffer from allergies and visit your doctor, they’ll typically diagnose you based on your symptom presentation, most commonly watery eyes and runny nose. If your doctor suspects multiple or severe allergies, they’ll likely send you to a dermatologist for skin-allergy testing.
This type of “skin-scratch” allergy testing is classified as an IgA (or “immediate”) immune reaction, and the doctor will typically place a series of allergens on your skin to determine which elicit a response. This type of allergy is different than a classic food allergy or IgG reaction, which is “delayed” and more subtle, taking hours or several days to elicit symptoms (such as fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, dark circles under the eyes, etc.).
The standard medical treatments for seasonal allergies are steroid nasal sprays to cool inflammation in the nasal cavity, antihistamines to reduce sneezing and itching, and decongestants to dry up mucous. Unfortunately, none of these therapies targets the “root cause” of the immune system glitch, but rather suppresses its expression (i.e., the symptoms).
Therefore, these can be effective treatments in the short-term – so you can get through your day, power through meetings and deadlines, or make it through your CrossFit workout or 5k run. However, in the long run, they’re not the answer. Adding in more natural support can enhance the effectiveness of these conventional treatments and often reduce the dose you need to get through your day. Let’s take a closer look at some great options.
The protein in cow’s milk and gluten can leave your immune system in a state of hyperactivity, leading to the worsening of seasonal allergies (1). They can also create more phlegm in your mucous membranes, which can worsen your runny nose, congestion and post-nasal drip. Steer clear of dairy if you’re struggling with allergies.
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid and potent natural anti-histamine (2). It’s also a potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, which means it can get to the root of your allergies by calming your overactive immune system and cooling unwanted inflammation (3).
The best Paleo-friendly food sources of quercetin include veggies and fruits (such as raw red onions and apples), followed by raw asparagus, peppers, tomatoes and leafy greens. Unfortunately, if you suffer from allergies, the 10-50mg of quercetin you might get from foods is likely not potent enough to curb allergies. Consider supplementing with 500mg 2-3x per day for 2-4 weeks, or consult with your local naturopath or functional doctor.
The support you need to curb your allergy symptoms may just come from the “pollinators” themselves. A recent study found that regular honey-eaters had markedly reduced allergy symptoms compared to those who abstained (4). Honey has incredible antimicrobial properties and if you source local honey, you’ll have the added advantage of fighting off your nearest allergens. Add it to your tea, mix it into warm water, or include it when making smoothies or shakes.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, and used commonly in medieval Europe to treat joint pain. The fine hairs of stinging nettle contain chemicals that irritate the skin when they come into contact; ironically, however, they can also act as agents to reduce inflammation in the body (acting much like quercetin as a natural antihistamine) (5).
Stinging nettle tea can reduce inflammation in the body, easing allergy symptoms.
Try drinking 2-4 cups of stinging nettle tea daily during allergy season (note: it’s also a mild diuretic, so drink a glass of water between each cup of tea) or add a supplement during an acute allergy attack. Go Paleo and cook the leaves, adding them to your greens with dinner (i.e., like spinach) or into your morning smoothie. If your allergies trigger joint pain, they could also be applied topically to the area.
Almost all cultures across the globe have ancestral recipes that use the broth from cooked beef, chicken or fish bones to support health and fight off colds and flu as the seasons change. Bone broth soup can also help support seasonal allergies by keeping mucous membranes in the nose and throat clear of mucous and providing key amino acids like glutamine to support a healthy immune response.
Eucalyptus is a wonderful essential oil that has antimicrobial properties (6). To help cool your overactive immune system and fight off allergy symptoms, try a warm steam inhalation. Start by placing 3-4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl, then pour about two cups of boiling water into the bowl. Place your face over the bowl (at a small distance so you don’t burn yourself) and a towel over your head… now breathe through your nose for 8-10 minutes and you’re all set! This is a great regular practice to get into to fight off allergies (as well as colds and flu) through the fall and winter seasons.
Clogged sinuses and mucous-filled lungs are the uncomfortable norm in allergy season for seasonal sufferers. Another essential oil, peppermint, has been shown to be an effective anti-spasmodic to relieve chronic coughing and respiratory congestion due to allergies (7). Peppermint oil can be diffused through the house or your bedroom at night to help ameliorate symptoms (i.e., 4-5 drops).
Fall allergy season is here; limit the foods that can worsen your allergic reaction (i.e., dairy and gluten), increase your intake of anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine nutrients (quercetin, stinging nettles, and raw honey), and reduce congestion and immune reaction with a warm eucalyptus nasal douche. These simple tips can help keep you and your health on track this fall.

tokenized:
Pesky allergies – itchy and watery eyes , sneezing , fatigue – can completely ruin your day , week or month . Seasonal allergies affect 1 in 5 people ; the numerous allergens in the air can penetrate the body ’s defenses , triggering an overactive immune response .
 An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance – ragweed , pollen , pet hair , etc . – that does n’t typically cause a response in the majority of the population . The response by your immune system is to produce antibodies that target the foreign invader and mark it for destruction by your immune system . Unfortunately , adverse symptoms like stuffed - up sinuses , itchy eyes and fatigue also occur in conjunction with the immune response . This leaves you tired , struggling to focus and constantly rubbing your eyes or blowing your nose .
 Seasonal allergies like itchy and watery eyes ca n’t be cured , but you can relieve symptoms with natural treatments .
 While you ca n’t cure seasonal allergies , there are a number of conventional and more natural approaches to addressing the symptoms and the root cause . Before we look at your options this fall , let ’s take a closer look at the most common ( and not so common ) symptoms of allergy , along with the worst offenders that trigger these reactions .
 What causes these symptoms and the over - activation of your immune system ? Here is a short list of the worst allergy offenders .
 Ragweed is the most common allergen in the fall . If you struggle with spring allergies , there is a 75 % chance you ’ll also have reactions to ragweed in the fall . Ragweed begins to release its pollen in late summer , and the symptoms of watery and itchy eyes , runny nose , sneezing , coughing and dark circles under the eyes typically start in September and continue on until the end of October . Think you ’re in the clear because ragweed is not in your area ? Think again . Ragweed can travel hundreds of miles in the air and if you react to it , you may also suffer from food allergies to bananas , melon , cucumbers , zucchini , and sunflower seeds .
 Mold is another major allergy trigger . Damp basements and bathrooms , as well as the damp ground as the leaves change colors and tumble to the ground , are perfect breeding grounds for mold . The return to school for kids can also trigger seasonal allergies , as schools can often be damp with mold present .
 Dust mites are most common during the hot summer months , but once you kick up the heating in your house as summer turns to fall , the dust mites will begin to circulate through your house . They can trigger similar symptoms to mold and ragweed above .
 Dust mites start to circulate when you turn on the heat in the fall , triggering allergic reactions for some .
 If you suffer from allergies and visit your doctor , they ’ll typically diagnose you based on your symptom presentation , most commonly watery eyes and runny nose . If your doctor suspects multiple or severe allergies , they ’ll likely send you to a dermatologist for skin - allergy testing .
 This type of “ skin - scratch ” allergy testing is classified as an IgA ( or “ immediate ” ) immune reaction , and the doctor will typically place a series of allergens on your skin to determine which elicit a response . This type of allergy is different than a classic food allergy or IgG reaction , which is “ delayed ” and more subtle , taking hours or several days to elicit symptoms ( such as fatigue , joint pain , brain fog , dark circles under the eyes , etc . ) .
 The standard medical treatments for seasonal allergies are steroid nasal sprays to cool inflammation in the nasal cavity , antihistamines to reduce sneezing and itching , and decongestants to dry up mucous . Unfortunately , none of these therapies targets the “ root cause ” of the immune system glitch , but rather suppresses its expression ( i.e. , the symptoms ) .
 Therefore , these can be effective treatments in the short - term – so you can get through your day , power through meetings and deadlines , or make it through your CrossFit workout or 5k run . However , in the long run , they ’re not the answer . Adding in more natural support can enhance the effectiveness of these conventional treatments and often reduce the dose you need to get through your day . Let ’s take a closer look at some great options .
 The protein in cow ’s milk and gluten can leave your immune system in a state of hyperactivity , leading to the worsening of seasonal allergies ( 1 ) . They can also create more phlegm in your mucous membranes , which can worsen your runny nose , congestion and post - nasal drip . Steer clear of dairy if you ’re struggling with allergies .
 Quercetin is a bioflavonoid and potent natural anti - histamine ( 2 ) . It ’s also a potent anti - viral , anti - bacterial and anti - inflammatory , which means it can get to the root of your allergies by calming your overactive immune system and cooling unwanted inflammation ( 3 ) .
 The best Paleo - friendly food sources of quercetin include veggies and fruits ( such as raw red onions and apples ) , followed by raw asparagus , peppers , tomatoes and leafy greens . Unfortunately , if you suffer from allergies , the 10 - 50 mg of quercetin you might get from foods is likely not potent enough to curb allergies . Consider supplementing with 500 mg 2 - 3x per day for 2 - 4 weeks , or consult with your local naturopath or functional doctor .
 The support you need to curb your allergy symptoms may just come from the “ pollinators ” themselves . A recent study found that regular honey - eaters had markedly reduced allergy symptoms compared to those who abstained ( 4 ) . Honey has incredible antimicrobial properties and if you source local honey , you ’ll have the added advantage of fighting off your nearest allergens . Add it to your tea , mix it into warm water , or include it when making smoothies or shakes .
 Stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ) has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant , and used commonly in medieval Europe to treat joint pain . The fine hairs of stinging nettle contain chemicals that irritate the skin when they come into contact ; ironically , however , they can also act as agents to reduce inflammation in the body ( acting much like quercetin as a natural antihistamine ) ( 5 ) .
 Stinging nettle tea can reduce inflammation in the body , easing allergy symptoms .
 Try drinking 2 - 4 cups of stinging nettle tea daily during allergy season ( note : it ’s also a mild diuretic , so drink a glass of water between each cup of tea ) or add a supplement during an acute allergy attack . Go Paleo and cook the leaves , adding them to your greens with dinner ( i.e. , like spinach ) or into your morning smoothie . If your allergies trigger joint pain , they could also be applied topically to the area .
 Almost all cultures across the globe have ancestral recipes that use the broth from cooked beef , chicken or fish bones to support health and fight off colds and flu as the seasons change . Bone broth soup can also help support seasonal allergies by keeping mucous membranes in the nose and throat clear of mucous and providing key amino acids like glutamine to support a healthy immune response .
 Eucalyptus is a wonderful essential oil that has antimicrobial properties ( 6 ) . To help cool your overactive immune system and fight off allergy symptoms , try a warm steam inhalation . Start by placing 3 - 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl , then pour about two cups of boiling water into the bowl . Place your face over the bowl ( at a small distance so you do n’t burn yourself ) and a towel over your head … now breathe through your nose for 8 - 10 minutes and you ’re all set ! This is a great regular practice to get into to fight off allergies ( as well as colds and flu ) through the fall and winter seasons .
 Clogged sinuses and mucous - filled lungs are the uncomfortable norm in allergy season for seasonal sufferers . Another essential oil , peppermint , has been shown to be an effective anti - spasmodic to relieve chronic coughing and respiratory congestion due to allergies ( 7 ) . Peppermint oil can be diffused through the house or your bedroom at night to help ameliorate symptoms ( i.e. , 4 - 5 drops ) .
 Fall allergy season is here ; limit the foods that can worsen your allergic reaction ( i.e. , dairy and gluten ) , increase your intake of anti - inflammatory and anti - histamine nutrients ( quercetin , stinging nettles , and raw honey ) , and reduce congestion and immune reaction with a warm eucalyptus nasal douche . These simple tips can help keep you and your health on track this fall .


text:
Prize Soundproofing will be there for your needs involving Soundproofing in Solano, NM. You expect the most sophisticated modern technology in the market, and our staff of highly skilled contractors can provide exactly that. Our supplies are of the best quality and we know how to conserve your costs. We intend to help you make choices for the task, address the questions you have, and arrange a meeting with our contractors once you contact us by dialing 844-222-4922.
At Prize Soundproofing, we know that you must keep in budget and save money when you are able to. You will still want top quality results for Soundproofing in Solano, NM, so you can depend on our staff to save you a little money while still providing the very best quality work. Our attempts to save you money will not eliminate the high quality of our results. We work with the highest quality materials and practices to make sure that your task is going to tolerate the years, and we save you money in ways which don't affect the excellence of the mission. We can do this by providing you with the very best bargains in the field and eliminating pricey mistakes. Choose Prize Soundproofing when you need the highest quality service at a minimal price. Dial 844-222-4922 to speak with our customer support staff, now.
Soundproofing are available in Solano, NM.
You should be well informed with regards to Soundproofing in Solano, NM. We won't let you put together poor judgments, because we know just what we are doing, and we make sure you know very well what to look forward to from the work. You won't confront any sort of unexpected situations if you do business with Prize Soundproofing. Start off by calling 844-222-4922 to talk about your work. We're going to explore your concerns once you call and help you get arranged with a meeting. We work together with you throughout the whole process, and our team can appear on time and ready.
When you find yourself preparing a process regarding Soundproofing in Solano, NM, there are many reasons to prefer Prize Soundproofing. We'll be the best choice if you need the most beneficial cash saving strategies, the finest products, and the greatest rate of customer care. We'll be there to assist you with the greatest practical knowledge and competence in the market. When you need Soundproofing in Solano, get in touch with Prize Soundproofing at 844-222-4922, and we're going to be pleased to help.

tokenized:
Prize Soundproofing will be there for your needs involving Soundproofing in Solano , NM . You expect the most sophisticated modern technology in the market , and our staff of highly skilled contractors can provide exactly that . Our supplies are of the best quality and we know how to conserve your costs . We intend to help you make choices for the task , address the questions you have , and arrange a meeting with our contractors once you contact us by dialing 844 - 222 - 4922 .
 At Prize Soundproofing , we know that you must keep in budget and save money when you are able to . You will still want top quality results for Soundproofing in Solano , NM , so you can depend on our staff to save you a little money while still providing the very best quality work . Our attempts to save you money will not eliminate the high quality of our results . We work with the highest quality materials and practices to make sure that your task is going to tolerate the years , and we save you money in ways which do n't affect the excellence of the mission . We can do this by providing you with the very best bargains in the field and eliminating pricey mistakes . Choose Prize Soundproofing when you need the highest quality service at a minimal price . Dial 844 - 222 - 4922 to speak with our customer support staff , now .
 Soundproofing are available in Solano , NM .
 You should be well informed with regards to Soundproofing in Solano , NM . We wo n't let you put together poor judgments , because we know just what we are doing , and we make sure you know very well what to look forward to from the work . You wo n't confront any sort of unexpected situations if you do business with Prize Soundproofing . Start off by calling 844 - 222 - 4922 to talk about your work . We 're going to explore your concerns once you call and help you get arranged with a meeting . We work together with you throughout the whole process , and our team can appear on time and ready .
 When you find yourself preparing a process regarding Soundproofing in Solano , NM , there are many reasons to prefer Prize Soundproofing . We 'll be the best choice if you need the most beneficial cash saving strategies , the finest products , and the greatest rate of customer care . We 'll be there to assist you with the greatest practical knowledge and competence in the market . When you need Soundproofing in Solano , get in touch with Prize Soundproofing at 844 - 222 - 4922 , and we 're going to be pleased to help .


text: Every Melozzo da Forlì painting is 100% hand-painted on canvas by talented artists. All oil paintings are free worldwide shipping, 90-day Money-back Guarantee. Order the paintings you like online!

tokenized: Every Melozzo da Forlì painting is 100 % hand - painted on canvas by talented artists . All oil paintings are free worldwide shipping , 90 - day Money - back Guarantee . Order the paintings you like online !


text:
When Kelly calls, you might want to hang up.
A week and a half ago, my 92-year-old father received a call from his eldest granddaughter. “Hi Grandpa, how are you feeling?” she asked. He responded that he was doing well, and that his most recent doctor appointments had gone as expected. “Was there any new news after your last hospitalization?” she went on to inquire. “No, it is the same situation, but look, I am 92 years old, so these things are to be expected. How are you doing?” Then the conversation shifted.
She shared that she had been arrested for speeding, and that while the police were willing to release her, she needed money to pay the ticket before they would do so. “I’m really in trouble, Grandpa. Can you help me out? I need $750 sent right away.” Having been well prepped in telephone security and scams by his daughter (me!), he then asked “Kelly, what authorities pulled you over?” She shared that she was in Iowa and that a local constabulary had her in their offices. He immediately hung up. He has no granddaughter named Kelly.
It comes as no surprise that scam phone calls are on the rise and scammers are becoming even more savvy in their attempts. From spoofed calls broadcasting inaccurate caller ID information and vague but believable discussions with your eldest granddaughter, or the “IRS,” there is big money to be made and the scammers are all vying to be first in line. Yet, while scammers can certainly be a threat to your family, their impact on your personal life pales in comparison to the impact they can have on your enterprise telecom.
According to the Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA) in their 2017 survey of telecom fraud loss, organizations and carriers were hit with losses of $29.2 billion in 2017. Interestingly enough, this represents an almost 25% decrease from 2015, but it doesn’t mean the situation is improving. It simply means that, just like on the consumer side, enterprises and service providers are becoming more savvy at detecting and stopping some incidences.
One of the leading causes of telecom fraud at the enterprise level is PBX hacking and toll fraud. Representing greater than 13% of the reported 2017 losses, it isn’t a new scam by any means, but it does point to a very significant issue: Security of the enterprise phone system is still not a big enough priority inside the enterprise. In fact, the simplest of fixes are still often overlooked.
Yes, the bulk of PBX hacking still occurs the old-fashioned way. Hackers deploy scripts that look for open ports on your telecom system. Once found, they deploy standard passwords (you know, those “default passwords” or generic ones that are easy to crack?), and then control the traffic passing through the system. And it’s not just legacy PBX systems that are being compromised; IP systems are just as easily targeted. The takeover script then routes calls to premium services or uses the system to provide extensive toll calling to continue the fraud. The fix? Close the ports and change the passwords. Simple enough, yet many organizations fail to do so.
An area where organizations are focusing but feel like they are swimming upstream, is the marked increase in robocalls. According to the Washington Post, the number of robocalls in America reached the 26.3 billion mark in 2018, and these robocalls are estimated to account for 50% of all calls received in 2019. The result on the receiving end? An unanswered phone. On the surface, this seems like a “so what” moment, correct? Not necessarily, because many large enterprises, including medical providers and banks, use outbound auto-dialing protocols, and now their calls go unanswered as well.
Unlike PBX hacking’s simpler fixes, robocalling fixes are much more complex -- so much so that the FCC and carriers have established a technical protocol – SHAKEN/STIR – to attempt to address it. Using a digital certificate-based public key cryptography to provide call authentication, SHAKEN (Secure Handling of Asserted information using tokens) and STIR (Secure Telephony Identify Revisited) protocols are the strongest shot across the bow of robocalling spammers that the FCC and the industry have taken to date; hope is high that the carriers – through SHAKEN/STIR -- will be able to stem the robotide.
Often launched through a bot attack that tests login credentials (again attempting those common, simple passwords) to look for ways to gain control of accounts to order devices and costly services, these scammers look a lot like the credit card fraudsters of five years ago. Thankfully, the carriers have taken notice of those financial protections put in place to stem the credit card fraud tide, and have begun to deploy behavioral analytics and device intelligence in the form of digital identity-based verification to detect and deter this seemingly easy target (ThreatMetrix, 2018).
These three fraud threats – PBX hacking, robocalling, and subscription fraud – account for $12 billion in fraud losses according to the CFCA. That’s a pretty hefty portion of the $29.2 billion in estimated losses for 2017. But the solution to each of the three has something in common: The fix must come from within.
Just like that simple question asked by my father -- “Kelly, what authorities pulled you over?” -- the key will be to quickly identify the source, then terminate the scammer’s access. First and foremost, ensure that your passwords are changed. That’s a “duh” statement to be sure, but don’t be surprised if you find that it hasn’t been changed. Simply change it.
Additionally, take the time to learn about the SHAKEN/STIR protocols. Demand that your own carriers adopt this authentication protocol and adopt it quickly. Ask your mobile and landline carriers which protocols they have in place to digitally identify fraudulent orders placed on your behalf. Put SLAs around it in your contracts.
Finally, if my “niece” Kelly calls, hang up.

tokenized:
When Kelly calls , you might want to hang up .
 A week and a half ago , my 92 - year - old father received a call from his eldest granddaughter . “ Hi Grandpa , how are you feeling ? ” she asked . He responded that he was doing well , and that his most recent doctor appointments had gone as expected . “ Was there any new news after your last hospitalization ? ” she went on to inquire . “ No , it is the same situation , but look , I am 92 years old , so these things are to be expected . How are you doing ? ” Then the conversation shifted .
 She shared that she had been arrested for speeding , and that while the police were willing to release her , she needed money to pay the ticket before they would do so . “ I ’m really in trouble , Grandpa . Can you help me out ? I need $ 750 sent right away . ” Having been well prepped in telephone security and scams by his daughter ( me ! ) , he then asked “ Kelly , what authorities pulled you over ? ” She shared that she was in Iowa and that a local constabulary had her in their offices . He immediately hung up . He has no granddaughter named Kelly .
 It comes as no surprise that scam phone calls are on the rise and scammers are becoming even more savvy in their attempts . From spoofed calls broadcasting inaccurate caller ID information and vague but believable discussions with your eldest granddaughter , or the “ IRS , ” there is big money to be made and the scammers are all vying to be first in line . Yet , while scammers can certainly be a threat to your family , their impact on your personal life pales in comparison to the impact they can have on your enterprise telecom .
 According to the Communications Fraud Control Association ( CFCA ) in their 2017 survey of telecom fraud loss , organizations and carriers were hit with losses of $ 29.2 billion in 2017 . Interestingly enough , this represents an almost 25 % decrease from 2015 , but it does n’t mean the situation is improving . It simply means that , just like on the consumer side , enterprises and service providers are becoming more savvy at detecting and stopping some incidences .
 One of the leading causes of telecom fraud at the enterprise level is PBX hacking and toll fraud . Representing greater than 13 % of the reported 2017 losses , it is n’t a new scam by any means , but it does point to a very significant issue : Security of the enterprise phone system is still not a big enough priority inside the enterprise . In fact , the simplest of fixes are still often overlooked .
 Yes , the bulk of PBX hacking still occurs the old - fashioned way . Hackers deploy scripts that look for open ports on your telecom system . Once found , they deploy standard passwords ( you know , those “ default passwords ” or generic ones that are easy to crack ? ) , and then control the traffic passing through the system . And it ’s not just legacy PBX systems that are being compromised ; IP systems are just as easily targeted . The takeover script then routes calls to premium services or uses the system to provide extensive toll calling to continue the fraud . The fix ? Close the ports and change the passwords . Simple enough , yet many organizations fail to do so .
 An area where organizations are focusing but feel like they are swimming upstream , is the marked increase in robocalls . According to the Washington Post , the number of robocalls in America reached the 26.3 billion mark in 2018 , and these robocalls are estimated to account for 50 % of all calls received in 2019 . The result on the receiving end ? An unanswered phone . On the surface , this seems like a “ so what ” moment , correct ? Not necessarily , because many large enterprises , including medical providers and banks , use outbound auto - dialing protocols , and now their calls go unanswered as well .
 Unlike PBX hacking ’s simpler fixes , robocalling fixes are much more complex -- so much so that the FCC and carriers have established a technical protocol – SHAKEN / STIR – to attempt to address it . Using a digital certificate - based public key cryptography to provide call authentication , SHAKEN ( Secure Handling of Asserted information using tokens ) and STIR ( Secure Telephony Identify Revisited ) protocols are the strongest shot across the bow of robocalling spammers that the FCC and the industry have taken to date ; hope is high that the carriers – through SHAKEN / STIR -- will be able to stem the robotide .
 Often launched through a bot attack that tests login credentials ( again attempting those common , simple passwords ) to look for ways to gain control of accounts to order devices and costly services , these scammers look a lot like the credit card fraudsters of five years ago . Thankfully , the carriers have taken notice of those financial protections put in place to stem the credit card fraud tide , and have begun to deploy behavioral analytics and device intelligence in the form of digital identity - based verification to detect and deter this seemingly easy target ( ThreatMetrix , 2018 ) .
 These three fraud threats – PBX hacking , robocalling , and subscription fraud – account for $ 12 billion in fraud losses according to the CFCA . That ’s a pretty hefty portion of the $ 29.2 billion in estimated losses for 2017 . But the solution to each of the three has something in common : The fix must come from within .
 Just like that simple question asked by my father -- “ Kelly , what authorities pulled you over ? ” -- the key will be to quickly identify the source , then terminate the scammer ’s access . First and foremost , ensure that your passwords are changed . That ’s a “ duh ” statement to be sure , but do n’t be surprised if you find that it has n’t been changed . Simply change it .
 Additionally , take the time to learn about the SHAKEN / STIR protocols . Demand that your own carriers adopt this authentication protocol and adopt it quickly . Ask your mobile and landline carriers which protocols they have in place to digitally identify fraudulent orders placed on your behalf . Put SLAs around it in your contracts .
 Finally , if my “ niece ” Kelly calls , hang up .


text:
The syntax or format of the registry entry is incorrect. Check the registry settings and compare the registry for this extension to other extensions in the registry.
To work around this problem, follow these steps.

tokenized:
The syntax or format of the registry entry is incorrect . Check the registry settings and compare the registry for this extension to other extensions in the registry .
 To work around this problem , follow these steps .