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How to Fix the ‘Message Blocking is Active’ Error on iPhones

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A lot of people owning iPhones still prefer the standard Messages app for sharing thoughts with their friends and loved ones, even though WhatsApp is gaining more and more fields. Apple updates its Messages app often, but still, the software can become annoying sometimes due to several factors.

One of the most annoying errors that iPhone users can face is the one called ‘message blocking is active.‘ You may have already guessed why such an error appears: you either blocked the person you’re trying to send a message to, or the person has blocked you.

However, there’s another common possibility that you might not know about: parental controls have established that your iPhone cannot send messages to a specific person.

There could be even more reasons why the ‘message blocking is active’ error occurs. But hopefully, you won’t need to know about them. So how can you get rid of the annoying error? We’ve made a list of a few possible fixes, so try them each one at a time to see if the problem goes away:

The first steps

We have no intention to offend you, but the first things you should do in order to try to solve the issue are the most simple ones. Don’t worry; it can happen to anybody to forget them, regardless of how aware we are of their importance:

  • Restart your iPhone to see if the error goes away or not. A lot of errors are solved by simply restarting your device.
  • Make sure you have enough cellular signal. Maybe you’re in a forest or a desolated area; if so, the pesky error can occur.
  • Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version. A lot of software issues can occur as well if you’re using an outdated operating system. To update, simply head over to the Settings menu, then tap General, and choose Software Update.
  • Check your list of blocked contacts. As we said, the ‘message blocking is active’ error can appear if you’ve blocked the person you’re trying to contact. Therefore, if that person is on your block list, you must tap the unblock option. To verify this, simply go to Settings, then tap on Phone, and hit the Blocked Contacts option.

Mistyping the number

If you accidentally type the number of the person wrong, don’t be surprised if the ‘message blocking is active’ error occurs. This means that you should simply check the phone number twice or more to find out if you’ve typed it correctly or not. Don’t neglect this step, regardless of how useless you may find it! A lot of people have to deal with the aforementioned error just because they weren’t careful enough when they were typing the phone number of a friend.

You can simply meet your friend face to face and ask for his number once again and check if it’s the same as the one you’ve added to your phone.

Don’t be afraid to ask!

Simply asking the person who you cannot contact if they’ve blocked you can save the day as well. If you think that the person gets intimidated fast, you can ask nicely something like, “did I bother you so badly that you blocked me?”. A lot of people usually don’t admit that they’ve blocked somebody if you ask them face-to-face. But hey, it’s their right to remain silent!

Of course, you need to physically meet the person in order to ask if you’ve been blocked. Or, you can use a friend’s phone to call or message the person from another number.

Keep calm and remain patient! You can certainly continue the connection with that friend or love of your dreams that has blocked you!

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10 Creative Office Wall Art Ideas To Recreate

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We’ve all been there before, wondering how to solve the lack of creativity in the office. There are so many tasks that need to be done and with such little room for creativity or personalization, it can feel like every day is just a dull routine. However, you can still make your workplace look a bit more exciting by trying some creative office wall art ideas to ignite productivity.

Creative office wall art ideas don’t have to be expensive or difficult to install. You just need some time to create something unique that will stand out from the rest and provide you with endless inspiration for your next project. If you’re looking for ways to liven up your office without spending an arm and a leg, these creative office wall art ideas should help!

Tips for Installing Wall Art

  • Wall Hooks

This is a great option for those who want to add a bit of pop to their office wall. It’s not expensive and you can decorate it however you want. This is a great option for those who want to add something functional to the space.

  • Floating Picture Frame

This type of picture frame is pretty cool because it looks like it’s floating on the wall! It makes an impactful statement and will definitely get people stopping by your desk to take a closer look. You can customize this type of picture frame with the colors and patterns that work best for your décor. This is also a good option if you’re looking for office wall art ideas that won’t take up too much space on your wall or take up too much time in installation or decoration.

  • Clothing Pinboard

If you’re looking for some unique office wall art ideas, this is an especially good option because of how easy it is to mount onto the wall as well as its versatility in terms of styling and colors! Plus, it’s easy for guests to find and use! If you’re not sure about how much clothing pinboards would cost, make sure to check out some inexpensive options first before making a decision.

Elephantstock.com

Hanging Decor on the Wall

  • Hanging a large framed oil painting

Try hanging a large framed oil painting on one of the walls. The beauty of this idea is that you can find great pieces at thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales for cheap! You can also create your oil paintings with a little bit of paint and some paper.

  • Sticking a piece of artwork to the wall

Hang up an interesting piece of art by sticking it on the wall with double-sided tape or tacks. You can also try using Command Strips, which are strips of strong adhesive designed for stretching wallpaper without damaging it. They come in a range of sizes and finishes and will allow you to hang artwork easily anywhere in your office with just about any type of surface! However, be careful not to use them on anything other than wallpaper or drywall as they are not meant for use on wood or metal surfaces.

  • Creating a unique photography frame

Frame up one of your favorite photographs with a fun frame that is completely different from what anyone else has hanging around their office! You could use any number of materials like yarn, buttons, glitter, beads, ribbons–anything you have lying around that would work well.

Elephantstock.com

Transform Your Ordinary Desk

  • A DIY scrapbook wall

Spend some time and make a scrapbook to place on your desk. You can use old magazines, scraps of paper, photos, or anything else you want to create a personal album that will be fun to look back on during breaks.

  • A personalized photo frame

Take a photo of yourself or your family and put it in an empty picture frame you already have at work. This is also a great way to add some personality if you’re just getting started with the idea of creative office wall art ideas!

  • A DIY calendar

Creating your personalized calendar is a fun way to include your coworkers in the excitement of the day-to-day events happening in your office! Try using different colors for each day, or you could simply display motivational quotes throughout the month.

  • DIY collage wall

If you have plenty of wide space available at work, try making a collage wall for everyone to enjoy! Choose pictures that are meaningful and inspirational for everyone who works in the office and build something beautiful together.

Sometimes, creativity doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. It can be quite simple. Having a creative office is no exception. With these simple, yet creative ideas for office wall art, you’ll have a room full of color, vibrancy, and personality in no time!

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Have you got stuck on your plans for when you retire? Check out these six retirement planning tips.

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To have a successful retirement, you’ll need to plan various aspects. It is not sufficient to simply have a pension plan. However, you’ll be glad to know that you can be pretty creative when it comes to planning your retirement.

Whether your retirement is imminent or you have several decades of work remaining before you retire, it’s a good idea to start your retirement planning immediately. Financial planning can be complex. It is always recommended that you use the services of a regulated advisor like Portafina when making financial decisions. Here are six retirement planning tips to get you started.

Tip 1. Get rid of your debts.

Eliminating your debt is not the first tip by accident. Having debt is never beneficial to your financial situation, and it could jeopardise your retirement plans.

Therefore, eliminating your debt should be your number one priority. When paying off your debts, you should start with those with the highest interest payments. Clearing these debts first will leave you with more cash available to pay off the smaller loans.

Once you’ve cleared your debts, you’ll be able to save more in the run-up to your retirement. This additional money will ultimately allow you to have a more comfortable and stress-free retirement.

Tip 2. Get mortgage-free

Although your mortgage is still technically a debt, it is not the same as a commercial loan. However, it’s still beneficial to become mortgage-free as soon as possible.

Doing so will provide you with the security of knowing you have a roof over your head. It will also allow you to save more, as you’re effectively living rent-free.

Tip 3. Take stock of your investments

Having covered your debt now is the time to think more positively about your financial situation. You can start to organise your investments to serve the financial needs for your retirement.

If your retirement is imminent, you may well have some or all of the following investments in place:

  • Stock market investments.
  • Pension plan.
  • Regular savings.
  • The State Pension.

You may have established these investments many years ago. Therefore, you must check up on them to see how they perform. You can get a forecast of your state pension entitlement from the gov.uk website.

Tip 4. Develop a financial plan

Developing a financial plan will help you tie all of your finances together. A good start is to create a budget, using a realistic record of your income and expenses.

Budgeting will help you manage your spending, avoid taking on your debt, and help maintain your standard of living. It will also provide you with clarity of the level of income you need for your retirement.

When you make a budget, you must be honest. For instance, if you like taking holidays, you should include these in your monthly outgoings. Also, ensure you consider other small luxuries you know you cannot do without.

Tip 5. Work part-time

Some people view their retirement as a time to stop working altogether. However, for some giving up work can be more of a challenge. In such cases, it is common for people to continue working part-time during their retirement.

Working part-time when you retire has several benefits. For instance, it will allow you to continue saving for when you fully retire. Also, it enables you to do something that you enjoy or try something new and get paid for it.

Tip 6. Get mentally prepared.

Even with considerable preparation and planning for retirement, many people find the transition from working life challenging. Therefore, it is crucial to get mentally prepared for your retirement.

Although you cannot predict precisely how you will feel when you retire, you should understand that things will be different. You will have a more enjoyable retirement if you accept these changes rather than resist them.

Conclusion

Your retirement can be an exciting time in your life. You can have the opportunity to do new things and explore a side of yourself you thought did not exist.

To maximise the chances of having a comfortable and enjoyable retirement, you need to do some planning for it. Hopefully, the six retirement planning tips will help you prepare for your post-working life.

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The Complete Guide to Application Security

When it comes to developing software applications, many people assume that it’s as simple as plug-in and go, but as developers know, there is more to applications than that. The security of your applications is vital in order to provide a safe and user-friendly experience, and this complete guide will cover some of the best practices for how you can achieve this for your application.

Software Patches And Updates

The first step to ensuring your application is secure is by providing regular software patches and updates. As technology grows and changes each year, it is imperative that you are using the latest tools and code, which will make sure you don’t have any gaps that can be exploited by malicious users or hackers looking to steal the data from your application. Many of the components in your application may be subject to licensing agreements, and it is essential that you keep on top of any updates those companies have for the aspects you are using, which will not only increase your application’s security but enhance the user experience.

Train End-Users And Developers

Security should be part of the company culture, and to produce this, you will need to provide thorough training to both the end-users of an application and the developers creating it. Awareness of security will help end-users spot problems with their processes which could lead to data breaches even with a well-maintained application. Furthermore, security training benefits developers as they will be able to establish secure coding practices and implement them into their work; this will create fewer errors in the code and reduce the number of vulnerabilities that need to be fixed at a later date.

Utilize Automation

Automation is the ideal solution for a developer as it helps to reduce the risk of human error in performing long, manual tasks. Daily security checks are among the functions that can be automated, such as configurations or firewall analytics, to provide more coverage than can be achieved when done manually, which also frees up your team so they can focus on other areas of their work. Furthermore, you could also benefit from implementing application security testing to periodically check for vulnerabilities that may have occurred due to updates or any gaps in the code that could lead to data breaches; if you’re interested in which tests you need in order to improve application security, head over to ForAllSecure for more information on application security testing.

Reduce User Permissions

A common problem in many organizations is end-users having too many permissions and access to data not relevant for their job roles. In order to remove the risk of too many people with access to aspects of the business they shouldn’t have, which could lead to accidental data leaks or leave the company open to cyber-attacks, it is imperative that you reduce the user permission. Provide end-users with only the permissions they need to perform their roles, and in the event they need access to more, it can be altered for that specific user even on a temporary basis when they are working on a unique project. This will reduce the gaps and vulnerability in your application and ensure that there are no breaches further down the line.

Create An Incident Response Plan

No matter how perfect your code or security practices are, there is always a risk of a cyber-attack or data breach, which means you need to ensure an incident response plan has been created to assist you in the event something goes wrong. An incident response plan will provide you with the perfect way to respond to any issues that occur and how to limit the damage to not only your application but the business as a whole.

Develop Detailed Security Policies

As well as having an incident response plan, you should also develop detailed security policies. Additionally, once these policies have been developed, it is good practice to create a knowledge base when they can be used by your team whenever they need to refresh their memories on specific policies or train new staff. These policies will provide the foundation for your security strategies that will allow you to create more secure applications as well as maintain security following the release to end-users.

Limit Movement With Segmentation

Creating segmentation and using it to limit movement within the network is the ideal way to reduce the damage that can be done in the event of a cyber attack. In order to do this, you will need to identify where the data is stored and create segments with limited traffic that only specific users can access, which will reduce how the likelihood of a cyber-attack being successful. End-users won’t need access to these areas of the network, which means if a weak password allows an attacker in, your application’s network is protected as the hacker’s movements will be restricted to what that user can access.

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How to Make Money as a College Student

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Heading off to college is an exciting chapter for students young and old. Narrowing down your options and deciding on the college for you can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you have never spent more than a couple of days away from home at one time.

Add the prospect of funding your way through college, and you have a whole new challenge emerging into the equation. Interested in finding out some of our tips and tricks on making money as a college student? Read on for more.

Get a Part-Time Job

Having full-time employment throughout your college days just does not seem feasible. Even if you have a lot of spare time on your hands when you are not attending lectures, you will need to use most of this time to complete assignments. That being said, nothing stops you from using some of this time to get a part-time job role.

You will likely be able to find available vacancies across your campus and in establishments close to your college campus. For the most part, this is the most obvious way of making extra money as a college student but is not the only way of doing so.

Using the Internet

The internet has provided us with a myriad of opportunities in all walks of life. No matter where you turn, you are sure to find something to benefit you and your current situation. The same goes when wanting to make money as a college student; the internet will be your best friend.

What’s more, using the internet to generate income fits well into any schedule; you do not need to worry about sticking to strict timeframes. Investing in stocks, shares, and virtual currencies is a way of making money and is becoming increasingly more popular over the years.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have made a vast majority of people better off financially and takes minimal effort. When looking to learn about how to buy and sell Bitcoin as a means of generating income, check out the helpful guide from the folk at Paxful.

Educate and Tutor Others

Another popular means of making money as a student, you have ample opportunity to tutor other people when attending college. Whether you offer your services to other students on your course or to those who might still be in middle or high school, this is a great way of making extra money while also putting your knowledge to good use.

At the same time, you could also look into combining our previous suggestion and this one by selling any lecture or assignment notes online. Naturally, you will need to ensure these notes are your own and are not the work of others, for that could land you in a whole heap of trouble. That being said, you would be passing on notes that you no longer need to someone who does while adding some extra cash to your account. What more could you want?

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