Like many businesses, we have always given small gifts to clients at Christmas time as a thank you for their custom. This year, when we were compiling the list of recipients and the budget, we asked ourselves whether we could do something better with the money.

Did you know that every two minutes someone faces losing their home? Recent figures show that the levels of homelessness in the UK have risen by 17% in 12 months. No one should have to endure having their lives torn apart by homelessness, especially at Christmas time, and in these uncertain economic times it’s all the more important that we do what we can to help.

Managed Networks decided to make a difference and help those in need this Christmas. We took our gift budget, doubled it, and donated the whole amount – £2,000 – to Shelter, a charity that works to combat homelessness and bad housing. Instead of gifts, our clients will be receiving an insert in their Christmas cards letting them know how they’ve helped alleviate homelessness in the UK.

Tracy Griffin, Shelter’s director of fundraising, said: “We are thrilled that Managed Networks has chosen to support Shelter this Christmas. Every two minutes someone faces the nightmare of losing their home. All the money raised will go towards ensuring that Shelter can reach more people who need our help to stay in their homes this Christmas.”

Ben Rapp (CEO) and Nick Caplan (Chairman) handed over our cheque for £2,000 to Shelter on the 8^th of December 2011. Our donation will prevent twenty families from being unlawfully evicted from their homes. We would like to inspire other small and medium-sized companies to follow our example. We may not have the impressive budget of a big corporate, but we can certainly do something significant this Christmas.

“We wanted to find a way to make a difference and set an example. Homelessness is a real and pressing issue where charity can have an immediate and lasting impact” – Ben Rapp, CEO, Managed Networks.

Phishing emails attempt to gain personal information such as bank account details or personal login information.They are designed to look like a genuine email sent by a well-known business like your bank, a delivery service or social networking site. The company logo and layout may be very convincing.

Characteristics

1. Asks for personal information
   Most companies never ask their customers to submit confidential data through email.
2. Urgent or threatening
   Lots of phishing emails demand immediate action and threaten account closure if the demand is not met. Legitimate companies would not take this approach.
3. Generic salutation
   Phishing emails often start with ‘Dear Customer’ instead of your name.
4. Attachments
   Malicious software is often disguised as an innocent attachment. Do not open unexpected attachments from suspicious or unknown senders.
5. Fake links
   Links to a website included in a phishing email may show a legitimate address but then take you somewhere different. You can see the actual address by hovering your mouse over the link but do not click.
6. Bad spelling or grammar
   Email scammers are often sent from abroad and may contain poor English or unusual phrases.

What can you do?

 Do not click on a link in an email that asks for personal information.

 Do not open attachments from unexpected senders.

 If an email seems suspicious, phone the company to verify or log onto your account from their website in your normal manner

Phishing email example:

You can now download PDF with our top tips to your computer- Top tips to avoid phishing scam