According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Cybersecurity (or online security) is defined as the measures taken to protect a computer or a computer system against unauthorized access or attack. Those who gain unauthorized access to the data in the computer or the system are usually called as hackers.
Recently, I had been a victim of a Facebook malware attack. For those of you who are less tech savvy, a malware is any software used to collect sensitive information, harm computer operations, gain access to private devices or display undesired advertising. Needless to say, the experience was daunting and I had to take immediate actions. Firstly, I downloaded anti-malware softwares. Secondly, I changed all my passwords and added an extra layer of security. Lastly, I added other extensions that improved my privacy.
To avoid this scenario, here are some helpful ways to strengthen your virtual shield:
1. ADD THE PRIVACY BADGER
Remember the undesired advertising that I was talking about? You can block that as well as other third-party trackers by adding the browser extension called Privacy Badger for S$0. To the advertisers, it is as if you suddenly disappeared!
2. SCAN WITH MALWAREBYTES
As your information is golden, keep it safe with an internet security and anti-malware software called Malwarebytes. The free version will scan your entire computer, detect any malwares, and remove all the infections. Scans for the most dangerous and newest threats are done in the process.
3. FILTER YOUR EMAIL
Filter your email contents by not opening the spam mail. To avoid downloading virus or other malware, only open attachments that were given by your friends, family, partners, and clients. Delete the previous emails that are no longer needed so that no one can use them.
4. SECURE YOUR BROWSING
To make your browsing more secure, download the HTTPS Everywhere extension. It encrypts your communications to major websites on Firefox, Chrome, and Opera. Get it for free at eff.org/https-everywhere.
5. SEARCH WITH DUCKDUCKGO
Search engines, especially those with big names, track your search history and build personalized profiles to provide results based on your search history. To escape from this “filter bubble”, you must switch to a search engine that does not track your every move. Emphasizing on protecting the user’s privacy, DuckDuckGo is always my go-to safe search engine!
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
Yes! It is totally free with no sign-in requirements.
Singapore is considered to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. For outsiders, Singapore can come off as an exotic gateway to Asia. However, for all of us who live here, we feel crippled by the rising costs of daily lives, let alone spending on entertainment. We felt your pain, did some research and came up with the perfect list.
Here are twelve fun ways to blow off steam… all for under S$50.
Bring out Your Inner Hamilton at Kart World
For the price of $28, you can enjoy a 10 minute session around Kart World’s driving track behind the wheels of a furious Go-kart. Challenge your friends to a few rounds.
Hit the Sky at G-Max Reverse Bungy
For $45, you can hit the sky in heart-stopping seconds, with adrenaline gushing through your veins. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Singapore’s night lights over at Clarke Quay as you spin and whirl your way up.
Get the Ball Rolling at ZOVB
(Image: ZOVB Singapore)
Go zorbing at ZOVB Singapore and let your head spin wild as you roll down in your own zorba. For $50, you can roll down twice and for an additional $18, you can zorba your way down memory lane for another half hour.
Declare War with Crossfire Paintball
(Image: Crossfire Paintball Singapore)
Head down for a two hour paintball session at Crossfire Paintball for $40, with which you can buy yourself a whopping 250 pellet heavy ammunition. Don’t forget to take that friend along!
Pretend to Climb Everest at SAFRA Yishun Country Club
With 1,000 square meters of climbing and bouldering surface, SAFRA Yishun Country Club provides a wide range of rock climbing walls. The club is host to the first artificial ice-climbing wall in Southeast Asia.
If you get too bored, or tired, you can also get your adrenaline pumping with a parachute jump simulation from a height of 21 metres.
Get Your Observational Powers on at Tiger Sky Tower
Head over to Tiger Sky Tower in Sentosa, Asia’s tallest observatory tower, to get an unprecedented view of Singapore (S$18/Adult S$10/child).
Find Inner Peace at Gardens by the Bay
Reconnect with your natural self at the awe-inspiring and tranquil Gardens by the Bay. While all outdoor areas are free to wander, your credit card can buy an amazing $20 pass for it’s treasured conservatories.
Celebrate Independence with the SG50 Inter-Generational Package
Reconnect with your history by purchasing a treasured bundle of admission to Madame Tussauds Images of Singapore LIVE and an option of experiencing the Gogreen Segway Fun Ride (2 rounds) or Sentosa Merlion, all for $30.
Experience the Wildlife
For $28, you can buy yourself a 1 year unlimited entry pass to Jurong Bird Park. If birds aren’t your thing, then you can also choose to go for the exciting Night Safari for $42 or visit the local Singapore Zoo for $32. Go on, bring out your wild side!
Blow off Steam with Some Drinks
There’s nothing better than grabbing a few drinks on a friday evening in order to blow off some steam. Grab your friends and head over to the various bars and clubs which come alive as the sun sets to rest. Although a night out in Singapore is often expensive, there are still more than enough places that offer extremely attractive happy hour deals.
For example, For an approximate $30, men and women can buy themselves the right to drink all they can at Idle-bar/lounge/bistro. At Five Izakaya, you can get yourself a house pour or a snack for a measly $5++, while The Cider Pit provides you a pint of beer for $10, all day, everyday. Some other places with great deals consist of Loof at Odeon Towers, Lobby at 9, Wine Connection and Wine Bos on Stamford Road. So, take your pick!
Everywhere we go, all we see are malls and stores and malls and stores. Well, if you’re a shopper with a card, budget, and purpose, we recommend Far East Plaza. Located on Orchard Road, this mall has over 600 stores filled with affordable fashion.
We also recommend for you to go to the more manageable Editor’s Market. Also on Orchard Road, this is the only brick-and-mortar store which offers cheaper items with every extra purchase you make.That’s right, the more pieces you buy, the cheaper each piece gets! Now that’s a pie we’re willing to taste.
Eat Your Way through Singapore
There are so many ways to save money on dining in Singapore. If you would like a little bit of Paris on your plate, we recommend you head over to Saveur, a reasonably priced French restaurant with a simple ambiance and a beloved menu. The food is incredibly delicious and patrons swear by it.
If you’d like to head over to North America, then nothing spells Mexico like Piedra Negra, a charming little Mexican restaurant in the middle of Haji Lane.Much like Much like Saveur, the menu consists of dishes which mostly cost S$30 or less.
You can also cater to your oddly houred breakfast cravings at Club Street Social, where you can indulge in an all day breakfast menu, or your need for comfort Italian food at Prego and Pasta Brava. For under $40, Prego offers a festive four-course Italian set lunch at the Fairmont while Pasta Brava helps one indulge in fresh, handmade pastas.
(Image: brazilchurrasco.com)
We also recommend Brazil Churrascaria, a haven for meat lovers. For $40++, you are provided with delicious barbequed meat in unlimited quantities. Similarly, Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant provides one with an eat-all-you-can ala-carte Japanese buffet with an extensive selection of sake and shochu for the unbelievably reasonable price of $39++.
The best part about the list? It’s not exhaustive! That’s right, we’ve done our research and found an unimaginably large number of exciting things to do in Singapore, all for less than $50.
One of the things Singapore is abundant of is food. The diverse food selection extends to the vegetarian options. From organic snacks to vegan Western food, this list has you covered!
1. VEGGIE COTTAGE
Camouflaged within the neighboring grocery stores is a beautifully casual cafe called Veggie Cottage. It serves a wide array of Asian and Western vegetarian food such as Avocado Salad, Claypot Tofu Rice Set, and Spaghetti Bolognese. They also sell cupcakes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
With seriously inexpensive prices ranging from S$2.50 to S$10.80, you will surely wear a smile while browsing their menu – here.
Fusing Indian cuisine with other yummy vegetarian meals, GOKUL Vegetarian Restaurant boasts with over 100 food items. From bite-sized munchies such as Samosa Chaat and Dosa to health main courses such as Tom Yum Noodles and Paneer Fried Rice, they have it all for you. Furthermore, all of these are free of onion, garlic, and egg.
Nestled at the bustling streets of Chinatown is a humble treasure of an eatery called Ci Yan Organic Vegetarian Health Food. This place serves nothing but organic ingredients without the use of MSG.
With an uncomplicated menu of only 4 to 6 dishes that vary per day, it will take your taste buds to a healthy adventure. The quality of the dishes makes up for the lack of choice. However, if you are a picky eater, you may call them up in advance at 6225 9026. Worry not about their prices, as the average plate is S $7 while the noodle dishes are about S $5.50.
If I were asked to name a place perfectly suited to a health conscious Singaporean, I would definitely suggest Real Food. Known for serving organic and vegan yet really tasty food, Real Food consists of affordable meal selections.
All of the Real Food outlets showcase a contemporary setting with relaxing lighting. What separates it from other eateries is that the Killiney Road outlet has a 3-in-1-concept design featuring a Cafe and Restaurant, a grocery, and a bookstore. Everything you need in one delightful space.
The recommended dishes include Steamed Dumplings (S$9.80), Beet Millet Burger ($13.80), Genovese Pesto Pasta (S$11.80), and Rise-n-Shine Breakfast ($8.80). End your meal with one of the cold-pressed fruit juices priced as low as S$6.50.
As blogger Doria Teo puts it:
“Everything is vegan and organic and especially for someone health conscious like me, this is a rare gem. I hardly find food that tastes so good and yet is so healthy at the same time.”
There are women in this world that are willing to work tirelessly for others, are willing to teach young minds, are willing to forgive failures and are willing to put someone’s else’s happiness ahead of their own. Remarkable in every way, these women are called mothers.
With less than three weeks more under your belt, it is about time to think of a precious gift to reward your beautiful mother on Mother’s Day (May 8). The good news is that you do not have to spend loads of cash since you can just use the materials you already have at home!
Here are some inexpensive yet very heart warming ideas for you:
1. FOR YOUR CRAFTY ARTSY ANGEL
If the angel of your life is into creating artistic items than receiving them, plan an afternoon crafts session. While sipping your tea, you can create lovely jewelry with the materials on promotion at Spotlight such as Pony Beads (S$4.99), Pom poms (S$2.99), and Quill Feathers (S$5.99).
Alternatively, you can grab a DIY kit from Typo to make the stylish and useful items such as a tote bag (S$34.99) and a scrapbook (S$29.99).
2. FOR YOUR POETIC PARENT
Celebrate the essence of Mother’s day by capturing the moment through a poem. Describe her in the sincerest of ways. A unique gift such as this will flatter her heart and make her feel how much you are thankful that she is in your life. You can also put a melody and turn your poem to a song if you want to.
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
3. FOR YOUR CINEMA CHAMP
My mother is one of those people who are fond of films. From romantic comedies to action, she is delighted to watch any flick as long as she has her family along. Apply this concept at home by purchasing a few DVDs from the yesteryear. As much as possible, select her favorite movies. Gather your family in the living, as having everyone present is valuable to the occasion.
4. FOR YOUR WORKAHOLIC WARRIOR
The best way to reward your workaholic warrior is by giving the present of an enjoyable bath time filled with relaxing fragrance. Achieve that by making bath bombs that are similar to the ones sold at Lush Singapore.
Welcome to the wonderful world of currency collection!
History manifested coin and banknote collection as a pastime for scholars. Nowadays, being a scholar is not a mandatory feature of a collector. It is the interest towards currency collecting that drives this hobby into motion.
Banknotes are unique collectible pieces thatembody arts, culture, politics, history, and distinct serial numbers. Coin collecting, on the other hand, has been popular since the medieval times (collected by the European monarchs in 1500s).
As a start, you can collect the banknotes and coins available in Singapore and in the neighboring countries. If you have a limited budget, it is more inexpensive to collect currencies in lower denominations. Joining a currency collection club and attending related exhibitions are useful ways to update your knowledge. For instance, the Singapore Historical Banknote Collections’s Facebook page announced the “Singapore International Coin Fair” last April 1-3. It is a coin and banknotes exhibition that happens only once a year. Follow their page to stay informed.
Newbie collectors are advised to specialize not only because of a tight budget but also because of the opportunity to become an expert on a certain series. Currency collection with a face value can both signify a hobby and an investment.
TYPES OF BANKNOTES
UN-CIRCULATED COINS: These notes are taken out from a pack of unused banknotes and are placed carefully in protective holders.
COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES: These notes are issued to honor a special event such as the ones issued to celebrate SG50.
RARE NOTES: These were created with misprints or errors. Being one of its kind, these are sold at a high premium.
NOTES WITH DISTINCTIVE MARKS: These are notes with distinctive logos, commemorative text, and serialized numbering of notes printed.
NOTES WITH LIMITED CIRCULATION: These are sought after notes due to its limited supply.
NOTES WITH AUSPICIOUS NUMBERS: In the Chinese culture, there is a widespread belief of auspicious or lucky numbers. These auspicious feature can only be found in notes where numbers are serialized.
TYPES OF COINS
SINGAPORE CIRCULATION COINS: A complete set of all the coins in Singapore must start in 1967. There are 6 denomination of coins in circulation such as 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, and $1.
CIRCULATION COINS: One of the least expensive and the most popular collection among beginners.
EARLY COINAGE OF SINGAPORE: These are the coins issued before the formation of the Republic (expanding way back to 1819).
NUMISMATIC & COMMEMORATIVE COINS: These are released occasionally at various times of the year.
COINS BY THEME: These are collectible coins with themes such as people, endangered species, sports, and many more.
BULLION COINS: These coins are mainly minted with gold, silver, and other precious metals. They are sold at premiums marginally above their “gold content” to entice investors.
Anna Agoncillo
MoneyDigest
