Junk Food Ban in Schools and Playground

Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in a series of recommendations that junk food would not be sold in schools and playgrounds. The recommendation is part of the WHO strategy to promote healthy diet and reduce obesity levels in children.

Nevertheless, instead of directly denouncing the role of advertisements in attracting school going children towards harmful junk food, the WHO called for member states to “consider the most effective approach to reduce” such marketing gimmicks. In the upcoming General Assembly in September 2011, the non – binding recommendations will again be taken up for review.

The UN health agency said that their primary agenda is to make those settings safe where school children gather. By making it safe, the UN meant getting rid of marketing all those food items rich in trans-fatty acids and saturated fats. Among the settings UN targets are nurseries, pre-school centers, family clinics, children clinics, pediatric services, schools, playgrounds and places where sporting and cultural activities are held.

According to data made available to us by WHO, more than 43 million pre-school children are over weight and obese. Certainly, the numbers are increasing at an alarming rate. Discussing ways to reduce junk food marketing will be on high agenda in the September 19-20 General Assembly meeting in New York.

Forex Trading Education

Initially it is very important to understand what Forex is and how Forex trading works. Forex is an acronym for a very famous term Foreign Exchange, which is nothing but conversion of currency of one country/economy to its corresponding value at the given time of trade into the currency of the desired economy/country.

In other words the currency of one country is bought and sold for profit during its conversion into the required currency. This also known in Forex terms as “going long” on the currency bought/currency sold. Forex trading is normally carried out with the help of a broker or market maker.

An order can be booked with the broker even online very easily who would then pass the placed order to the Interbank Market with the help of a partner to fill a position for your order in the Interbank Market. The moment you close your trade, your position on the Interbank Market for the same will also be closed by your broker for you.

The broker would then credit your account with the loss or gain incurred during the period of trade. You can complete all this within very few seconds. To quote an example, you can buy 5000 Euros at the start of the year for 6000 USD and wait for the Euro vs USD value to increase during the period. So when you end your order after sometime if you get 6500 USD for the 5000 Euros you get a profit of 500 USD. Unfortunately if the Euro vs USD value decreases you could end up in a loss.

It is to be noted that many of the Forex traders face losses only. This fact makes it very clear that Forex trade is not a cake-walk business. One has to be very careful and logical to obtain profits and this is not impossible. Forex trading has yielded huge profits to those who have shown proper logic and careful approach.

Never get enticed by the cheap Forex robots that pose off with elegant promises of excellent profits with lesser drawdown. It is a total waste of time to get engaged with them. Forex trading is very easy to learn and requires no special talent. You just need to have proper observation of the exchange rates for Forex trading and decide the correct time to invest and withdraw. Maintain proper discipline and chose a particular system and follow it without any emotional influence on the system after going for it.

Why VeriSign SSL Certificate is Necessary?

Since 1995, VeriSign has been offering SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates for online transactions to ensure data theft prevention and security to the online purchases. The SSL certificate authority is a major requirement for websites that sell products and services online because without guaranteeing the transaction safety, it is next to impossible to convince buyers / consumers to purchase from a particular website.

99 percent of product and service based websites working today have the VeriSign SSL certificate seal or logo at the end of the page. It is an indication for the consumer to know that their personal data input on the site is kept safe and transferred to the merchant website in encrypted mode. In simple words, a VeriSign certificate means complete safety and security with the financial transaction in process. Other reasons for its necessity are:

Proof of Authentication

Not everyone is given the SSL certificate authority to publish the logo on their site. Before giving permission, the company performs authentication measures to ensure that the applicant for the certificate is the same person who will be operating the website. Only with satisfactory identification does VeriSign allow SSL certification license. This process helps in guarding against unauthorized access to the particular website.

Functional Indication

An encrypted web session between the customer website browser and the merchant website browser can only happen when the customer website browser acknowledges the validity of the VeriSign SSL certificate. When both the website browsers are linked, the merchant site browser gives the other browser an indication of its validity. Only when the validity is approved, the web session takes place. The data is encrypted and transferred to the merchant account securely.

Customer Satisfaction

How many times has it happened when a consumer wanted to purchase a product or service from a website but decided negatively at the last moment because there was no credibility in the transaction? By lack of credibility we mean the absence of VeriSign certificate authority on the website, which made the consumer withdraw the purchase. After all, a customer will always be worried about the safety of the transaction because he/she inputs sensitive personal and credit card information. Without any assurance from the merchant side about the credibility of the transaction, it is impossible to convince a buyer. It will only lead to business loss. However, if the website displays VeriSign SSL certification them the consumer will purchase with confidence. It will also give the merchant account a competitive edge against others.

Fraud Prevention

To protect online shoppers, the FBI has directed consumers to only use those websites that display SSL certificate authority. Only an SSL certificate ensures safe and secure transaction. A website this certificate will have web URL starting with ‘https’ and also display the safety ‘lock’ icon on the transaction page. Without these two indications, a consumer should never make a purchase. Fraudulent practices are a huge problem with internet these days and authorities are trying their best to make online shopping a safe method.

Overall, a website with VeriSign SSL certificate authority ensures consumer safety while shopping and also ensures the legitimacy of the merchant account.

How to Copy Xbox Games Successfully?

Xbox games are expensive. It is a big investment and if you want to secure the investment for long-term use, you need to know how to copy Xbox games to another DVD. Copying the Xbox games are perfectly legal. One basic reason for copying the Xbox games is to extend its use. In other words, playing the games 24×7 can literally wear out the system and secondly, CDs are not indestructible. Therefore, whatever the reason maybe, you need a copy of Xbox games in case anything happened.

There are numerous products online ‘claiming’ to teach how to copy Xbox games but most of the time, they are either scam or their product is not worth a dime. For legitimate and copying of your Xbox, check out Game Copy Wizard. The Game Copy Wizard is the one – stop solution to backup any video game. The Wizard makes use of CD and DVD burner to product legal copies of Xbox and other video games.

How Does The Product Help?

Firstly, unlike the scamming and fake products in the market, this one is real. Secondly, the product can copy any of your favorite video game into the computer system without any hiccups. Unlike competing software, this one copies Xbox and other video games fully into the computer system and works like the original CD. Thirdly, no matter what kind of unbreakable protection applications are applied to the original gaming software, this can break into the application and burn them on a writeable media. To summarize, if you want to know how to copy Xbox games, this is the place to be. Memberships are available instantly.

Conclusion

Copying your precious and expensive Xbox games is essential to keep playing the game even years after the original CD is not working. Know how to copy Xbox Games through software like Game Copy Wizard.

How Does PCI Compliance Help In Fraud Prevention?

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance policies were created to prevent internet fraudulent activities. With internet, the rate of fraud and malicious activities increased manifold. The huge amount of data theft possibility led to the creation of PCI compliance policies. The VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, JCB and American Express card adheres to its policies. It is required from every merchant that stores and process payment information that they maintain the “minimum security standard”, according to PCI guidelines. Non adherence to the guidelines results in additional fees or debarring from credit card processing facility.

Therefore, it is necessary for a merchant to comply with the PCI and help fraud prevention activities. To help in this, the PCI has developed a 5 – point guideline for the merchant to follow:

To protect the credit card information by creating a safety network –

The network in which the consumer card information or even the names are stores should be kept in a secure place. For instance, if the consumer is paying through online transaction then the web server page should be encrypted and contain SSL certificate authority. Or, suppose that the merchant uses personal laptop for storing information then the laptop should be kept secure behind computer firewall. Basically, the PCI compliance means crating the minimum and effective security standard for fraud prevention.

To implement measures limiting access to the stored information –

The card holder data should be accessed by those only who needs to use them. Even if all the technological applications are in place to prevent information theft, one cannot discount the possibility of human breach in security. Therefore, PCI compliance guidelines strictly imply giving control measures only to those who really need them. Otherwise, no other person should have access.

To maintain the safety network by regular monitoring and testing –

Regular monitoring and testing is necessary to detect security scams or any fault with the security. This does not necessarily mean any fraudulent activities; it only throws light on any potential security risks that can become a big issue later on if the security risk is detected my any scam or phishing sites. The merchant can sign up with security testing and auditing services to check the security system.

To create a management program to deal with any credit card information crisis –

This PCI compliance is easy to adhere. Create a management program that needs to be followed regularly. In this, the person or merchant operating the computer containing sensitive cardholder information needs to update the computer security systems or browser now and then to erase any scope of data loss. Ensure that the security check system installed is always up to date.

To scan the data quarterly to remove any vulnerability –

Whether a large or small firm / company, every establishment needs to scan the data quarterly to remove any possibility of security breach. If there is a big company involved, every employee needs to be trained on the PCI compliance rules and also should follow them strictly. Any discrepancy needs to be immediately sorted out.

Before a merchant is allowed to process credit card payments, they are checked first and then authorized. The authorization can be cancelled if the merchant company does not adhere to the PCI compliance policies.

Working of Authorize.Net Payment Processing Gateway Services

In the age of e-commerce business transactions, easy and instant payment processes is a requirement. In the last few years, the payment process gateway services have become the norm. The gateways are e-commerce application service provider, which authorizes e-business and online retail payments. One can understand the gateway services as equivalent with the terminal or physical points of sale in retail outlets. The upsurge of credit card user facility for online shopping or purchases has revolutionized the e-commerce business.

Authorize.Net – Introduction

A 1998 establishment of Cyber Source Corporation (subsidiary of VISA), the Authorize.Net provides payment processing gateway services to merchants. With their services, merchants are given the authorization to settle and manage credit card or any other electronic financial transactions through mobile applications, telephonic orders or online purchases.

A merchant can create free Authorize.net account online within minutes. The website offers easy integration facility to online merchant and their clientele spans across all the major industries such as education, foods, government, communication, information technology and any other businesses. The payment processing gateway services also help merchants through value added services in order to minimize or reduce the financial cost of transactions and thus, make an impact on the revenue generation.

Authorize.Net – Its Working Structure

The Authorize.Net payment processing gateway services are associated with other ISO (Independent Sales Organization) and MSP (Merchant Service Providers) organizations to enlarge their reselling networks.
Connecting the websites’ service with the merchant account is not the work of a novice. It requires technical expertise and resourcefulness to connect with the online merchants. But with the Authorize.Net account, they claim to make this process easier by letting the merchant connect the account easily. The service providers use an internet connection and not phone line to commence the financial transactions. The programming is secure, fast, reliable, competent, and safe from any fraudulent intrusions.

All the accounts are in cognizance with the legal support system. Their in-house payment mechanism works like traditional card swipe machine that we still see in retail stores. The transmission of data through their payment gateway is completely secure. To help build the consumer confidence, the service providers allow the merchants to place a free Authorize.Net logo on the website.

Moreover, the merchants need not download or install any software. The merchants are given Merchant Interface browser to generate account statements and manage the transactions easily through the browser – based interface. The cost of account memberships depends on the reseller valuations and also the type of business being connected with.

Authorize.Net – Summary of Payment Gateway Working

The total time taken to start and finish a payment process typically takes about 5 seconds, provided the browser and internet speed is fine. When a customer submits the payment or purchase details, the browser page automatically encrypts the information that passes between the browser and the merchant server through the SSL technology. This information is again transferred to the payment gateway services and then again, it is forwarded to the merchant’s bank or the card association.

On receiving the transaction request, it is either approved or declined and the status is rerouted to the payment processing gateway services portal. This information is forwarded to the website user, confirming whether the payment was accepted or declined.

Fraud Control and Prevention for Merchant Services Online Accounts

Sometimes a merchant can also become vulnerable to online frauds and internet theft. In e-commerce business, it is not uncommon to experience situations wherein the consumer denies ever making the purchase and asks for cash back on the goods ‘supposedly’ purchased. In this situation, the consumer became the target of online identity theft and the merchant also suffers losses at the same time. Not only the merchant has to return the money to the authorized bank but also incur heavy cash back charges.

Another reason for charge backs issue is when the consumer is not satisfied with the purchased product. Maybe the product got damaged in transit or got lost, but the responsibility falls on the merchant services online to refund the amount.

However, here we are dealing with those cases where the consumer never makes the purchase and as the merchant, you have no proof to show otherwise. To make the e-commerce transactions more fruitful, the USA e-Pay has devised a solution, known as Cardinal Centinel Authenticated Payments. With this application, merchants can take advantage of the safety that is usually reserved for ‘brick and mortar’ retails because there the consumers are signing the bill in their presence.

Similarly, the USA e-Pay solution will allow the merchant to authenticate or verify the credit card holder while they are on your site for shopping. Right now, the Cardinal Centinel Authenticated Payments verifies Visa and MasterCard users online. This step will make the merchant services online really safe and secure. There will be no danger of charge backs and the merchant is assured of the legitimacy of the buyer. USA e-Pay comparison with any other merchant service solution providers is incomparable.

How the online verification does take place?

When the buyer wants to pay for the goods, the USA e-Pay installed system will prompt the buyer to enter the password created with the issuing bank. If the password is correct, the system will mark the buyer ‘verified’ and the rest of the transaction will take place. However, if the password is incorrect or the buyer does not enter the password, it is reason enough to sense fraudulent intervention.

With the USA e-Pay comparison verification procedure, there are two benefits in actually – on one hand, the authenticity of the buyer is proved and on the other hand, the merchant services online account holder is exempted from any charge back cases. Once the sale is completed, it is ‘done’; there will not be any returned goods.

Other Alternative Measures

If a merchant cannot or does not wish to use USA e-Pay fraud prevention services now, they can take recourse to alternative measures. When a merchant services online account receives orders, verify the order by calling the buyer or sending an email to reconfirm the purchase. Fraudsters who acquire the credit often do not have complete or correct details of the ‘real’ owner of the card. Therefore, by calling and reconfirming, a merchant can ensure whether the buyer is authentic or not. If not, cancel the order instantly.

In conclusion, it is possible for merchant services online accountholders to get embroiled in cash back charges for goods not bought by the real owner of the credit card. A merchant can then use USA e-Pay services to ensure future security.

Benefits of iPhone processing for making Payments

iPhone credit card terminal services have taken e-commerce business transactions on an entirely new platform. It is a technological advancement that simply makes receiving payment anywhere and anytime, no matter what the point of sale is. With the new Apple iPhone or the iTouch application, you can turn the iPhone into a credit card terminal and process payments instantly – it is reliable, safe, and flexible to use.

Credit Card Usage

With iPhone processing, a user can use any kind of credit card for the transactions. All the major cards such as the Discover, MasterCard, American Express and the VISA are accepted for payment processing. Just like any other card swipe machine, the iPhone credit card terminal works similarly. The new technology makes seamless iPhone interface possible for people anywhere in the world.

A Complete Mobile Solution

With the iPhone processing application, it has become the most comprehensive tool in the hands of new generation of entrepreneurs and buyers. Every installed application is in the compliance of the PCI standards. Moreover, there are no Set Up costs. In other words, you have the world in the palm of your hand, literally! You can make payments and also accept check cards, e-checks and other major credit cards (some mentioned above).

It Is Universally Applicable!

iPhone processing users do not have to wait endlessly to authorize payments. The application can be used universally. Whether you are at an antique show or you need to pay for cleaning services, just swipe the card on the iPhone credit card terminal. Moreover, with such a powerful application, there is basically no need to carry hard cash. This way one need not worry about theft too.

Of course, a concern with the credit card information safety may still hover over your mind but know this – the data transferred during the payment transactions is totally encrypted. There can be no data theft. It is secure, fast, reliable and efficient. All the merchant account data have clean – cut security, meaning that none of the information is ever stored in the phone memory. All the data and information is directly transferred to the payment gateway service provider instantly. The internet link used for this transference is secure as only the merchant and the payment gateway service provider has access to it. There is no danger of hacking from outside sources.

Adds to Business Credibility

The iPhone processing merchant account transactions with real time data and speedy transactions will add to the business credibility. Customers will have confidence in dealing with you. They will not be worried about not receiving payments for services. Since the merchant need not pay anything for setting up the credit card terminal with any phone line or internet network and for conducting transactions, there is no limit to the number of transactions done daily through iPhone.

It will also give a boost to customer sales. The acceptance or decline of iPhone credit card terminal processing request is made known to the buyer instantly and even if there is any problem with credit card transaction, it is solved within minutes. Overall, the iPhone processing technology is a complete safe package for business – instant payment and no data theft issues.

5 Types of Bank Associates Merchant Services

The Bank Associates Merchant Services (BAMS) is a globally renowned electronic transfer processing service provider, dealing with both debit and credit authorizations. The company provides merchant accounts a mixture of payment options to help them advance their business. There are five basic types of BAMS accounts. A brief detail about its use follows every category:

Retail Merchant Services

Available in Retail Package and Power Package, it provides a host of features such as no setup and application fees, free PCI terminal application, next day funding, specialized consultation with merchant account expert, easy account reconciliation and others. The Retail Services is useful for better consumer – merchant interface. No matter what kind of business the merchant has, this package makes payment acceptance a lot easier. Moreover, with the next day funding policy, the credit card transactions are cleared within 12 hours of processing request.

Check Merchant Services

For merchants receiving payments for goods and services through checks, the BAMS Tele-Check service is a useful account. Through this, merchants can see whether there is scope of fraudulent activities. The Tele-Check service has risk assessment technology and activity databases to evaluate the risk of accepting a check. Moreover, if the merchant accepts sales order over telephone, online or any other mode, the BAMS ACH service is the best way to offers consumers convenient payment options. Applicable to both options, the company also provides Warranty and Verification services to help determine the establishment’s risk coverage. Through this, merchants can also accept e-checks.

Mail and/or Telephone – Based Processing (MOTO) Merchant Services

BAMS MOTO merchant services are for those who prefer Card Not Present (CNP) payments. The company enjoys the largest database of CNP products. The products can help a merchant to increase their present payment processes by optimizing, expanding or integrating the MOTO payment capabilities. Additionally, the BAMS also helps the merchant business evaluate whether MOTO payments will be beneficial or otherwise. Each of the MOTO products are customizable and merchant accounts specialists on their panel can help merchants choose the right product.

Mobile Merchant Services

If a merchant hopes for a payment strategy useful on the spot, no matter where the sales take place, the mobile merchant services are the best. Not only will mobile payments feature will give the merchants an edge over competitors but is also convenient. All the payment transactions are cleared within 12 hours. BAMS offers the PAYware Mobile software application for the 3G or 3GS iPhone user. It is wireless and does not require a payment processing terminal.

Wireless Merchant Services

Wireless payment transactions are processed over the AT&T and Cingular cellular networks. BAMS provides a range of POS terminal and peripherals to conduct the wireless payment transactions in a matter of minutes. Faster processing time and increased security cover makes the wireless merchant services a preferred option. In other words, this is good for on the spot credit card processing transactions.

The Bank Associates Merchant Services empowers the 21st century merchants and makes their e-commerce an easy process. Payments made and received are completed through secure and reliable software technology.

Funding with American Express OnePoint

Before the BAMS (Bank Associates Merchant Services) introduced the American Express OnePoint program, merchants were skeptical of using American Express for online credit card transactions because the transactions would take a maximum of 120 hours for the sales amount to be deposited into the merchant’s account.

Making Difference with American Express OnePoint

In the new system, the merchants can now receive the payments within a maximum time of 12 hours. Also known as next day funding, the merchants can receive the cleared payments the next day if they submit all the credit card sales details by 7pm EST. From the time of submission, the funds are transferred by 7am EST. Though the program is names for American Express card holders, it is also available with other major merchant service providers like MasterCard, VISA and Discover. The American Express OnePoint program is unique so far in the finance industry.

Merchants’ and Buyers’ Benefit

Due to the long clearance time of American Express transactions, merchants were wary of using it for online sales. But with the amount of time reduced at least 10 times, the sellers will undoubtedly benefit from this. The next day funding has made it easier for the buyers as well. Surveys show that almost 99 percent of American Express card holders like to shop online but with the limitation posed by the merchants, using the cards was a rarity. So, now that the time period has been reduced, increase in the use of American Express cards should be facilitated.

Costs Involved

Again, before the American Express OnePoint program was introduced, the merchants received a separate statement for American Express dealings whereas for the other card types, the transactions were clubbed together. This too has been changed. Now the merchants will receive only one statement with all the transactions from the four major credit cards. Though the Bank Associates Merchant Services (BAMS) does not change for the monthly bank statement, the American Express did but with the OnePoint program, merchants can save the $5 per month on bank statement, that is, $60 for the whole year. All the statement details are explained in simple and concise manner so that there arises no need for reconciliation.

One Point Contact

Before the OnePoint next day funding, merchants had to keep track of customer service codes and IDs for all the four credit card processing services. In case any problem arose, the merchant had to contact the card company separately and sort out the issue. But with the American Express OnePoint program that merchant’s avail via Bank Associates Merchant Services (BAMS), all the transactions can be sorted out at one point. All the data are stored in one place and BAMS becomes the one point contact between the merchant and the credit card company.

Scope of Late Payment

The program is so secure and full-proof that there is no scope for late payment. Once the transaction request is placed by 7pm EST, the bank at the other end begins to process the payment. The entire batch for next day funding is uploaded for release before the stipulated time. Within 12 hours, the cash is in the bank account.