What is SSL Certificate for websites?

What is SSL certificate and why do we need it for websites?

SSL stands for "Secure Sockets Layer", which is the standard security technology for creating an encrypted link between a Web server and a Web browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the server and browser remains private and secure. 

SSL Certificates serve two purposes:

• They assure customers that a website is legitimate and that the online business running the site is a real licensed business.
• They encrypt data transferred between a customer's Web browser and the online business to help prevent theft of sensitive information such as credit-card numbers, account numbers, and passwords.

The certificates are issued and validation assured by third-party companies called Certificate Authorities (CA). When a properly issued SSL Certificate is present on a website, the visitor's Web browser shows an image of a closed padlock and an "https" in front of the Web address.

There are 3 main types of SSL Certificates. The diagram below explains:

For a basic introduction to internet security, please also take a look at these short videos on SSL Certificates and Public Key Cryptography.

SSL Certificate Explained

Public Key Cryptography

How to Get Windows 10 for Free After July 29th

Windows 10 Free upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8 will be coming to an end soon.

Windows 10 Free Upgrade ending 29 July 2016

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10’s free upgrade offer will expire on July 29, 2016. After that, you’ll have to pay USD119 to upgrade on any computer that hasn’t already made the leap. But with a few simple steps, you can “reserve” that free copy now, so you can upgrade after July 29 without paying.

We know not everyone wants to upgrade to Windows 10 right now, and that’s fine. But one day, you’ll probably have to. And you don’t want to have to pay $119 for it. By upgrading a computer now and then rolling back to Windows 7 or 8, you’ll get to keep your original version of Windows, but “reserve” that free Windows 10 license for all your PCs.

This article from How-To Geek explains how to "reserve" your free Windows 10 even after July 29, 2016 deadline.

When you upgrade to Windows 10 from a PC running a genuine and activated Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 operating system, your PC receives a “digital entitlement.” Basically, Microsoft notes on its servers that your particular PC’s hardware is eligible for Windows 10 going forward.

Once your PC is eligible, it’s always eligible–you can reinstall Windows 10 from scratch and it’ll automatically activate, without you even entering a product key. 

Note that this is tied to your computer’s specific hardware, not your Microsoft account. The free Windows 10 license you receive will only work on that PC–if you upgrade the motherboard or try to install Windows 10 on another PC that doesn’t have the digital entitlement, it won’t work.  

Get Windows 10 for Free After July 29th, with a Little Prep Now

Google blocking Flash contents

HTML5 taking over Flash

Google aims to make HTML5 the primary experience in Chrome and will take steps to further block Flash content. Why is Google doing this, and what does it mean for Flash elearning contents? 

Read this brief report from Elucidat to learn more.

Meanwhile, here's a video on a brief introduction to HTML5:

Are you a teacher in need of funding for classroom project?

Are you a teacher in need of funding? You may wish to make a better classroom environment, fix the faulty LCD projector or speaker, upgrade the science Lab, upgrade the old PCs in computer Lab or getting addition resource to improve a specific subject...etc.

Now there is a better way to get the funding. Founded by the three young entrepreneur who has a heart in education, 100% Project (www.100percentproject.org) is able to help you. They are removing the barriers that teachers face in providing the best learning experience for their students by allowing the general public to discover and support impactful classroom projects.

100% Project was founded to shift power into your hands - to initiate change by empowering great teachers to do more for their students. With this initiative, hopefully we no longer have to wait for change to come.

100% Project believes that great strides can only be made in education through collective impact. This means that everyone has to work together - corporations, foundations, start-ups, social enterprises, schools, parents, teachers and individuals to move education forward in Malaysia.

If you have a project in mind that needs funding, head to www.100percentproject.org now.

TM Unifi Free Upgrade from 5Mbps to 10Mbps for VIP5 users

TM Unifi

After subscribing to TM UniFi 5Mbps (VIP5) for a few years now, I suddenly received an SMS from TM (Telekom Malaysia Berhad) congratulating me that my UniFi speed will be upgraded to 10Mbps! And it is FREE upgrade, No contract. I half suspect this is another SPAM message.

TM's Congrats SMS! 

Out of curiosity, after getting home from work. I restarted my modem, router and the HyppTV. I quickly run a speed test at www.speedtest.net and to my surprise, the TM Unifi broadband speed is now at almost 10Mbps! 

TM Unifi speed test after FREE upgrade to 10Mbps!

Initial test after the upgrade is great. I can watch Youtube video without buffering pause now. I hope this free Unifi upgrade is a stable one as i have to restart the TM UniFi modem and router again as the net became unresponsive after a few hours of usage. After restarting, the net is working fine again. And it is still at almost 10Mbps! 

Note:

TM UniFi confirms that this is not a prank. Apparently this upgrade is FREE and only target for selected users only.

Users who meet the following requirements are eligible for this free upgrade:

• Active TM UniFi subscribers who currently subscribed VIP 5 plan for more than 30 months.
• Have a good payment record

THE DNA JOURNEY: WE ARE ALL CONNECTED

When I first saw the video for The DNA Journey, I think I have to share with all the people I know. "These are everyday, real people who have their own opinions about different cultures, and they are all so proud of who they are and where they come from. The shock on their faces when they see how far their roots go shows not only how much love they have but also how much they are willing to share." Isn't true for us living in a multi racial and multi cultural country like Malaysia? 

The DNA Journey: a journey into who we are and how we are all connected as a global family. We asked 67 people from all over the world to take a DNA test, and it turns out they have much more in common with other nationalities than they would ever have thought. 

You can spread the word by sharing this video, and get a chance to win your very own DNA journey to travel to all the countries found in your DNA from at letsopenourworld.com. 

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes at UPM - CEO@Faculty Programme

Inspiring video lesson by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia. Highly recommended to all high school students, undergraduates, graduates and post graduates in Asia.

Watch this video to know the fantastic life of Tan Sri Tony Fernandes of AirAsia. He shared his life from younger days, his days in boarding school in UK, Virgin Records and then Warner Musics, and how he starts AirAsia and he knew nothing about airline business. It's all about business, about cashflow, about people. Walking management.

My Online Learning experience with OpenLearning.com

Online Learning - will it be effective for me?

OpenLearning.com

I am signing up a new online learning course with openlearning.com. Since i am involved in the development of online courses i think this "Instructional Design for Effective Learning" should be relevant to my field.

What is OpenLearning?

OpenLearning is an social online learning platform that goes beyond content delivery to focus on community, connectedness, and student engagement.

Here's a brief introduction video to OpenLearning.com by Adam Brimo, Chief Executive Officer of OpenLearning.com.

For more info, visit www.openlearning.com.

Learn How to Code - Hour of Code

Learn to Code at Code.org

Launched in 2013, Code.org® is a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. We believe computer science should be part of core curriculum, alongside other courses such as biology, chemistry or algebra.

Check out this video on how the Bill Gates (Microsoft Founder), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder and CEO), Jack Dorsey (Founder of Twitter) and others got into coding. 

Check out code.org to start learning how to code.

Life Story of Bill Gates - Documentary

Biography of Bill Gates

William Henry (Bill) Gates was born on October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington. As the principal founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates is one of the most influential and richest people on the planet. Recent estimates of his wealth put it at $56 billion, this is the equivalent of the combined GDP of several African economies. In recent years he has retired from working full time at Microsoft, and has instead has concentrated on working with his charitable foundation “The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”

PIN and Pay for Credit Cards in Malaysia

PIN and Pay for all credit cards, debit cards and ATM cards

If you are a credit card, debit card or ATM card user in Malaysia, most likely you already aware that our financial institutions are moving to the new PINs enabled cards as banks are asking card users to replace their old cards. 

All existing signature-based cards will gradually be phased out. With the new upgraded PIN-based cards (PIN & Pay Cards) all you need to do is enter your PIN instead of signing a transaction receipt when paying at a point-of-sale terminal in Malaysia.

From 1 July 2017 onwards, signatures will no longer be accepted when you use your card to make a payment in Malaysia.

Say goodbye to your signature...

PIN and Pay Cardholder's guide

Have you change your credit/debit/ATM cards to PIN and Pay type?

7 Ways Learners Can Improve Their English with Technology

With the advancement of technology, there are more ways for learners to improve their language skills by using technology. In this post, we share 7 Ways Learners Can Improve Their English with Technology.

Learning a language takes practice, practice, practice! Our students become more fluent the more they speak, listen, read and write in English outside our classes. Below is an infographic and list of web tools and apps for your students to improve their English. 

7 Ways Learners Can Improve Their English with Technology:

- Games

- Podcast

- Videos

- Apps

- Musics

- Social Networks

- Comics

Read more