Amber Reeves | Komando.com, © Krupal Ghori | Dreamstime.com
No one knows for sure, but 10,000 steps per day might be the suggested standard based on the Japanese character for 10,000. Looks like someone running or walking to me.
Scammers are using photo copyright laws to scare you - Don't fall for it
You never know how scammers are going to target you. They will throw tons of crazy tactics at you to try and rip you off. A recent example is when criminals targeted Instagram users with bogus copyright claims.
The private messages supposedly came from the photo-sharing app’s Copyright Help Center, detailing the issue. But when users logged in through the fake link to dispute the claims, scammers captured their details and hijacked their accounts.
Unfortunately, criminals are again targeting people with copyright claims — this time with a twist. Read on to see how this scam works and what you can do about it.
Here’s the backstory
The previous version of this scam informed Instagram users that some of their photos were subject to copyright claims. But in a new twist, criminals are now sending copyright infringement notices to anyone using free or stock images.
But unlike other scams, the criminals in this one don’t want money. Instead, they want the offending website or person to link back to the “original” site where the image originates. It gets a bit complex, but Swedish photography magazine Kamera & Bild recently received one of the phony copyright claims.
The publication received an email supposedly from lawyers representing an online surf gear shop and claimed an image it used belonged to the shop. Instead of demanding financial compensation, the lawyers insisted that Kamera & Bild place a link and proper attribution on its website.
By doing so, a substantial website with thousands of monthly users would see the link to the surf shop. The shop would eventually rank much higher in search results through Google’s algorithms, and the owners never spent a dollar on SEO tools.
Before giving in to the demand, the publication did some digging. While it legally downloaded the image from a stock photography website, the actual photographer never did. How the photo ended up on a stock image site is a mystery, but neither the surf shop nor the lawyers own the photo or its copyright.
What you can do about it
If you receive a claim such as this on Instagram, the best thing is to ignore it. If you took the photo and uploaded it, there is no legal reason anyone could dispute the copyright. The same advice goes for website owners. If you acquired an image through legitimate means, there can’t be a claim against it.
Here are some tips to stay safe:
Tech how-to: Colorize old black-and-white photos
Does your family have a collection of vintage photos you’d like to modernize with color? Maybe you have some old black-and-white pictures to which you’d like to add color for creative effect.
No matter the why, transforming an image with the addition of color can make all the difference in the world.
5 branding tips for creating the perfect logo for your business or side hustle
If you’re a small business owner, you know that standing out can be one of your most challenging tasks. Attracting new clients often comes down to your presentation. You can have the best product in the world, but if your logo is sloppy and unprofessional, customers will flock to your better-prepared competitors.
Need some extra cash? How to make money selling photos
If you’re a photography enthusiast, you’re likely familiar with all those stock photography companies. And you know you can sell your photos as stock images.
But that’s not the only way you can make money through stock photo sites.
9 ways to take better photos with your same old camera
Anyone in the creative community can tell you what it’s like to hit that visionary wall. It’s the moment you’re staring at that blank page and ideas refuse to come to mind. You just can’t figure out where to start.
3 ways to make money selling your photos online
Dreamstime is the world’s largest community for stock photography. It’s also a great way to make some cash — even if you’re a new photographer. Content creators online are always hungry for new content; after all, engaging images can pull in traffic like a magnet.
7 photography myths you should stop believing
Whether you’re an amateur shutterbug or a semi-pro photographer, you probably have some strong ideas of what makes a photo (or a photographer) good.
Maybe you think it’s all about the right equipment or the right software. Photoshop isn’t the only tool in town, though. Tap or click here for some free alternatives that may have all the features you need.
Does your motherboard have a secret Chinese spy chip?
A recent Bloomberg report has stated that their might be evidence that some Chinese computer manufacturers may be putting a spy chip within the servers that could give Chinese hackers a backdoor.