The Difference Between Grapes and Wine

During the French occupation of Syria a French Army Officer invited some Syrian dignitaries to a dinner. One of the invitees was an old Sheikh with his white beard. When the French officer saw the old Sheikh eating with his fingers, he asked:"Why are you not eating like us?"

The Sheikh replied: "Do you see me eating with my nose?"

The French officer replied: " I mean, why don't you use a fork and a knife?"

The Sheikh replied: "I am sure of the cleanliness of my hand, but are you sure of the cleanliness of your fork and knife?"
This shut the French officer up, but he made up his mind to get vengeance on the old Sheikh. At the dinner, the wife of the French officer was sitting to his right, and daughter to his left. The French officer, to spite the man of God, asked for wine to be brought, and proceeded to pour for himself, his wife and daughter, and proceeded do drink in a way to annoy the Sheikh.
He asked him: "Listen O Sheikh, you like grapes, and eat them, don't you?"
The Sheikh replied in the affirmative.  The French officer continued talking, pointing towards the grapes, hoping to beat the old Sheikh:"This drink is from these grapes, so why do you eat the grapes, but keep far from the wine?"
All the guests looked at the old Sheikh, (feeling that he would have no reply for this). The Sheikh, calmly replied: "This is your Wife, and this, your Daughter, is from her. So how is it that your Wife is legitimate for you but your Daughter is not?"
It is said that the French officer immediately ordered for the wine to be removed from the table.

20 Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen

Make muscle pain a memory with ginger

When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

 

Cure a toothache with cloves

Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

 

 

Heal heartburn with cider vinegar

Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.

 

 

Erase earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

 

 

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries

Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing’s Michigan State University. Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University. His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.

 

Fight tummy troubles with fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.

 

 

Prevent PMS with yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York’s Columbia University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University.

 

 

Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

 

 

End endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University.

 

 

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California’s Stanford University. The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.

 

 

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California’s Stanford University. That's because pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

 

 

Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.

 

 

Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.

 

 

Wash away pain injuries with water

Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York’s Manhattan College, say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

 

 

Heal sinus problems with horseradish

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

 

 

Beat bladder infections with blueberries

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University.

 

 

Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates. Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.

 

 

Fight breast pain with flax

In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.

 

 

Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.

 

 

Tame leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this  mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.

 

06 habits for career success.

Can adopting the behaviors of the top performers help you to be successful in your career? Yes it can. Career success deeply depends on how well you can identify and adopt the best qualities of a professional personality. The authors of the book "Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success" believe it can and they have suggested 6 tips for career success.

1. Stay focused on your future

You got to break the professional barricades through visualizing your future. You need to visit your default future that you want to reach at. Envisioning your future will power you so that you can keep going up regardless of any setbacks in life. Think of the amount of money and the opportunities for promotion you most likely to lose if you don't stay focused.

2. Invest in professional development

You have to incorporate the professional skill necessary for advancement of your career. You need to figure out the skill in the top performers and acquire them yourself with adequate training, by reading books and by spending time on reading books.
3. Be a friend with the hard workers

Some people might enable the bad habits in you. A few others may tolerate them. The only way you got to know the best ones is to spend time with colleagues and friends who work hard. You have to identify people who share the similar career goals as yours and avoid the slackers around you.

4. Have a mentor

You will have to change many of your habits to aim for a successful career. Hence, you need help, you need to have a mentor who can encourage you to progress and navigate your career opportunities within the organization.

5. Put skin in the game

Reward yourself whenever you achieve your short-term goals. Moreover, the book says the threat of losing something - notably, money - can be a powerful inducement to stay on track. These small tricks will boost you up to reach your next step and will hugely help you to meet your career goals.

6. Create a comfortable workplace

The physical structure of your workplace matters a lot. A comfortable surrounding can help you to adopt new habits very fast. You have to get rid of the distractions around you in the office, anything that prevents you from being hundred percent productive.

HOW TO Flirt with woman?

Flirting is extremely fun for everyone playing the game. Women love it because they feel special. Men love it because they get to play with different women and it's socially acceptable. What could be more fun!

A great smile is the first way to flirt. Nothing quite like smiling at beautiful woman that's with someone else who's smiling back at you. Women love being noticed by men. A smile is the easiest and safest way to flirt from across the room. You don't want that guy she's with coming unglued.

Make sure that you showcase your masculinity. I don't mean show off your masculinity as in be real macho. I mean let her see that you are a strong man who is secure in his opinion of himself How you carry yourself and interact with others says a lot for you.

Make and maintain eye contact. People believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul. More importantly they know instinctively that by looking someone in the eye you have nothing to fear. It means you're secure, honest and open. By looking them in the eye you're letting them know that they're eye candy for you. Who doesn't like that?

Don't plaster a sardonic smile on your face but make sure that you keep smiling, especially as you're making eye contact. That smile says that you're friendly and it's an open invitation to smile back. Smiling is infectious and if you smile she'll likely smile and that will affect her mood toward you.

Women love big square shoulders. It displays a man's virility. Women generally go for a guy that's taller. One that slouches gives the impression that they're weak or sickly. Stand up straight like your mother told you and square those shoulders.

Mirroring is the art of duplicating the body language of another person. Be observant of her body language. Then duplicate it so it looks like she's looking in the mirror. If she raises her left arm as she's facing you then you raise your right arm. Become the mirror image of her and it will convey a comfortable connection in her mind.

How Fast Does Human Hair Grow?

Human hair typically grows at a rate of around half an inch (1.25 centimeters) per month, and this rate of growth is consistent across the head. Several factors can influence both the rate and quality of hair growth, including diet, age, and general health. As a general rule, products which claim to increase the rate of hair growth are not effective, although such products can encourage the development of stronger, healthier hair.

When human hair grows, it goes through three states. The first state is the anagen phase, during which hair is actively growing, and it can last from two to six years. During this phase, cells in the hair follicle are actively dividing, pushing the hair out from the head. During the catagen phase, the rate of growth stops as the follicle grows dormant, and in the telogen phase, the hair falls out to make way for new hair growing in.

As human hair grows, nutrients can help to make it stronger and sleeker. Things like gelatin, keratin, vitamin E, and various mineral supplements can improve the overall health of hair, making it glossier, thicker, and less prone to splitting. Many people also use regular conditioners and hot oil treatments to keep their hair in good shape, especially when hair is long. However, nothing can actually speed up the rate of growth, because the growth rate is limited by cell division.

Some factors which can influence hair growth include age and medical conditions; people with thyroid problems, for example, often develop problems with their hair. Hormones associated with pregnancy can actually speed the rate of hair growth, and an assortment of other conditions may influence the condition and growth rate of human hair. In fact, hair health can sometimes be used as an indicator for general physical health.

As humans who have attempted to grow their hair out may have noticed, many people seem to have some sort of hair “set point,” beyond which their hair will not grow. After a certain point, human hair gets too old, and it becomes brittle, split, and unsightly. Some individuals are able to grow their hair out to immense lengths, especially when supplementing with vitamins, while others may find that their hair refuses to thrive much past their shoulders; in this situation, the best thing one can do is find a flattering cut for shorter hair, rather than enduring the frustration of cultivating long hair.

HOW TO Stop Body Odor Naturally with Baking Soda?

Millions of people suffer from embarrassing body odor. Fortunately, you don't need to spend a lot to solve the problem. Natural, 'green', cheap baking soda can solve your personal odor issue!

Instructions

Step 1 - DEODORANT

If your deodorant isn't able to stop body odor effectively for you, you don't have to buy a more expensive brand. Simply apply a slightly heavier coat of deodorant than normal. Then, apply baking soda on top of that layer, like you were applying baby powder. Be careful not to inhale baking soda. It's not toxic, but any lung contaminate can result in respiratory problems.

Step 2 - BAD BREATH

Try adding baking soda to your toothpaste, or purchase a toothpaste with baking soda as an ingredient. You can also mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with your mouthwash and use it to swish and gargle.

Step 3 - HAIR

Your hair traps odors and oils produced by your scalp. In fact, more body heat is released through your head than through any other part of your body. These oils not only look bad, but carry an unpleasant odor too.

Try adding a touch of baking powder to your grooming routine. In the shower, after washing and conditioning, mix a small amount of baking soda (2 tbs approximately) with enough water to create a paste. Apply this paste to your hair and massage in thoroughly. Allow to sit for 3 minutes, then rinse. Your hair may feel slick even after rinsing. This is because a small amount of baking soda will cling to your hair, helping to absorb odors throughout your day.

***NOTE*** If you are in a situation where showering is not an option, baking soda can be applied directly to your hair and combed through for a similar effect. Do not mix the baking soda with any water. Again, be careful not to inhale baking soda.

Step 4 - SHOES

You are probably aware that baking soda is a common additive to innersoles and other shoe inserts. However, you don't need to purchase the insert to have the same odor fighting effects.

Pour enough baking soda into your shoes to coat the inner sides. Spread the baking soda on all inner sides of the shoe as though you were coating a baking pan with flour. Allow soda several hours to absorb odors. Then, turn shoe upside down over a trash bin and pat with your hand to remove excess powder. Repeat as often as you need to keep up with foot odor.

Step 5 - LAUNDRY

Adding baking soda to your laundry will help stop body odor. This method works best with natural fibers like cotton, denim blue jeans, linen.

WASH METHOD ~ Wash clothes as normal with regular detergent, but add 1/4 cup baking soda to the wash.

DRYER METHOD ~ Wash clothes as usual. Moisten a clean washcloth, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add the washcloth to the load in your dryer. Dry as usual. ***This method works best for ongoing prevention of body odor***
Step6BATH

There are many benefits to adding soaking in a a baking soda bath. It will help relieve skin irritation, moisten your skin, relieve itch. It will also help fight odor.

Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a comfortably warm bath. Soak.

Step 7 - HAND ODOR

If you are one of many people who find that any odor your hands come in contact with is difficult to wash away, baking soda is the answer. Baking soda is highly effective in removing unpleasant smells like onion and garlic. Simply wet your hands, apply baking soda liberally, scrub, rinse. Odor is gone.

Tips & Warnings

- If skin irritation develops, discontinue use of baking soda.

- If you have existing skin conditions, consult your doctor before using baking soda in any of the methods described in this article.

- Do not expose eyes to baking soda.

- Do not inhale baking soda.

10 things only man can do

Ladies, prepare to get your panties in a bunch, as we relate the 10 things only men can do. Tired of hearing that you’re a member of the lesser gender? Take heart guys, there’s some things you do a whole lot better than women and we’ve compiled a list of the top 10. Each item on this list of things only men can do was evaluated on a particular genetic or social difference that gives us guys an advantage over women. Are you ready to see what you’re better at? Here’s our top 10 list of things only men can do.

1: Go topless

Sure, women can go topless on the beach, but we can do it whenever and wherever we please. Walking down the street? Off. Mowing the lawn? Off. Street ball? Skins. Rollerblading -- women can try it, but it might be painful. Still in doubt? What gender do you think is responsible for “No Shirts. No Shoes. No Service.”? Useless nipples and the lack of oversized sweat glands are the reasons for this entry on our list of things only men can do.

2: Hold our liquor

Sorry ladies, we’re genetically wired to pack it away a lot better than you. Men produce more of the protective enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol. This ultimately means that while you’re buzzing off one Cosmo and saying “I love this song” for five songs straight, we can enjoy another two whisky sours and continue to debate whether or not the world can be saved from global warming.

3: Manscape

The playoff beard, the love canal, the Fu Manchu, and the goatee are strictly male innovations, and growing them are things only men can do. Plus we can wear chest, underarm, leg, ear, and nose hair as proudly and loudly as we like. Women? Sure they can imitate our Sasquatch look, but like the Sasquatch, they might limit their survival to a small band of tree huggers, who also share their “natural” beauty.

4: Navigate spatially

Men are much better at seeing things as they really are -- in 3-D. True, the fact that we can see Spy Kids 3-D in focus is no reward, but our superior ability to see shapes also improves our abilities in geometry and math. This explains why more men are math geniuses than women. Sure, the journal Science declared otherwise in 2008 and we are socialized to believe girls are less competent in this realm, but tradition is a hard thing to beat.

5: Shave our heads

Sure, Natalie Portman, Sigourney Weaver and Demi Moore all sheared their locks for Hollywood, but as a true lifestyle choice in everyday society, guys have mastered the bald top. From Michael Jordan to David Beckham to Samuel L. Jackson guys wear bald better. Still need more proof? Just look at bald Britney. Result: Shaving our heads is something only men can do.

6: Play real sports

Be honest; which of these would you prefer to watch: WNBA or NBA? NHL or women’s hockey? NFL or women’s rugby? MLB or softball? We understand that women play plenty of sports and, yes, they are good athletes, but their sports are a snoozefest to watch. An example, in the WNBA a slam dunk stops the presses, while in the NBA, unless it’s a back reverse through three defenders, it’s just another two points.

7: Fertilize eggs

Call it mankind, humankind or peoplekind, we have fertilized history. Yes, our swimmers are under siege from early scientific studies that show women can create sperm from their own bone marrow. And of course, studies are also underway to grow babies out of the womb. Are these studies headed by lesbians? Anyway, until our offspring are named 1765A and 1766B, our tadpoles will continue to hit the target.

8: Pee standing up

Full bladder, but there’s a line for the urinal? Just step outside and pee behind a dumpster. On a camping trip? Pee and lean against a tree to steady your flow. While women have to unzip, pull down and crouch before they can go, our process is pretty simple: Find some cover, unzip and go. And if we want to write our name in the snow, we can see exactly what we’re doing.

9: F*** things

Yep, we can stick ourselves into the middle of things better than anything else. Of course, some of us can do it better than others, but no amount of plastic pegs, rods or mambas can come close to our natural technique.

10: Age well

Sorry ladies, all your creams, moisturizers and youth-in-a-bottle remedies have nothing on us. Our male hormones give us thicker skin, which means we get fewer wrinkles and our skin stays younger longer. While women have Joan Rivers to look forward to, we have Sean Connery. Keith Richards? Well, we’ll just count him as a genetic anomaly.

How to Avoid Falling Prey to Online Scams

Most internet frauds result from poor customer awareness. Here's how you can guard against them

 

The biggest concern for online customers is the possible theft of their online credentials, especially those relating to net banking. This often happens without the customers' knowledge, enabling fraudsters to steal money from their accounts in a recurring manner.

 

IDENTITY THEFT

 

The basic security threat a net banking customer is exposed to while transacting online is the compromise of his/her login credentials and other confidential and personal information,� says Shalini Mehta, executive vicepresident, Kotak Mahindra Bank. One of the most common threats that customers face online is 'phishing'. Phishing scammers send fraudulent email disguised as an official request from a bank for account information. Recipients of the scam mail are lured to believe that the email is from the bank and are prompted to click on a particular link. The click causes the fake website to open in a browser and the recipient is usually asked to input the user ID and password of his/her net banking profile. The fraudsters capture these details and use them to their advantage.

 

Customers get deceived and part with confidential information like an IPIN or net banking password, making it easy for the scamsters to commit a fraud.
'Vishing' and 'identity theft' are some other ways through which customers are tricked to reveal their confidential information online. While 'phishing' is carried out via fraudulent emails, 'vishing' is orchestrated via bogus voice messages and phone calls. In 'identity theft' fraudsters try to obtain the key pieces of personal information such as date of birth, mother's maiden name, passport number, etc, to gain access to the customer's accounts, says Mehta.
In view of the increasing cases of online banking frauds, most banks have implemented 256-bit secure socket layer (SSL) encryption. It is recognised as the best industry standard for encryption of information transmission for net banking sessions.

 

SHUN PIRATED SOFTWARE

 

Pirated softwares on an end-user's desktop should not pose any harm to safety features of online banking unless they are injected with malicious codes (malwares) or viruses specifically meant to dynamically alter contents of the visited pages or user input fields, a net banking page, for example, asking additional information such as credit/debit card numbers, ATM PIN, CVV details on a login page, which is never asked by any bank. Pirated softwares sometimes contain malwares or some sort of an automated virus initiated at the time of optical copying.

 

The biggest risk in using pirated software is that there is no security upgrades available for them. This leads to the software being vulnerable, which can be exploited by the latest trojans. These trojans can then steal customer information from the PC and transmit it to a fraudster, says Vishal Salvi, chief information security officer, HDFC Bank. The solution to these concerns lies both with banks and customers. Bankers as well as IT experts believe it is not the security systems, but poor customer awareness that leads to most internet banking frauds.

 

Cyber cafes should be strictly avoided for online transactions. There are higher chances of viruses capturing your data from terminals in internet cafes, thereby increasing the scope of misuse. The line and systems of an internet cafe are usually not secure. There is no guarantee about the authenticity of the software on the cafe's system. Further, smart hackers will use desktop cookies saved in the system to access your bank account details. Some counterfeit software might inject key loggers, bots, spywares, which collect all the login credentials with keystroke entries or search locally for any password related files and send them to the fraudsters.

 

Computers with pirated software can sometimes behave erratically. The worst scenario is when you have downloaded a counterfeit software that may be infected with viruses that will damage your hard drive or cripple your network. Also copying or using pirated/counterfeit copies of software at work or at home puts the entire company or individual at risk of copyright infringement, which may lead to civil penalties and criminal prosecution, Mehta of Kotak Mahindra Bank says.

 

In view of this, banking sites are regularly scanned for any such injection of malwares or bots by pirated softwares to prevent malware from being downloaded from the banking site itself.

 

VIRAL ATTACK

 

The most common trojan impacting bank customers in India in Zeus. This trojan gets downloaded on a user PC when the user clicks on a link, opens an attachment from an unknown user or accesses a website which has the trojan. Once installed in the user's PC, the trojan waits for the user to open the bank's net banking site. As soon as the user opens the site, the trojan starts collecting all the user information, including the user ID, password, account details, etc, and transmits it to a drop site manned by the fraudster. The fraudster is then able to use the compromised credentials to carry out fraud on the customer's account,� says Salvi of HDFC Bank.

 

USE VIRTUAL KEYPAD

 

While accessing net banking from public computers or internet cafes there is the risk of the customer's password being captured by malicious 'spyware' and 'trojan programmes' designed to capture keystrokes.

 

To mitigate such risks, banks have implemented the dynamic 'virtual key pad'. Virtual keypad is an online application, which substitutes the physical keyboard with a mouse. When you click on the virtual keyboard option at the time of net banking, the monitor flashes a keyboard on your screen. You have to use the mouse to click on the relevant keys to sign into your net banking ID.

 

Changing passwords often helps in protecting your account, especially after you may have inadvertently disclosed it to someone. Moreover, avoid passwords that could be obvious, like your spouse's or your pet's names. Alpha-numeric passwords, along with some special character like * or #, are the safest bet.
Lastly, whenever you have to submit sensitive information online you have to check if the site uses encryption to protect your personal data. The URL in the address bar should start with 'https://' and not just 'http://'. So the next time, do not get wary of online transactions. Just follow these security measures for a safe online banking experience.

 

Safe Way to Internet Transaction

 

Win32/Bancos and Zeus are among the most common banking malwares, known as trojans, used to steal bank details to perpetrate fraud. Here is how you can prevent any damage

 

WHAT TO DO

 

* Make net banking passwords difficult to guess, change them regularly

 

* Before keying in sensitive information, ensure the site is running in a secure mode by looking for the padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser

 

* Scan email attachments for viruses before opening them. When unsure about the source of an attachment, delete it

 

* Tear or shred any old cheques or account statements before discarding them

 

* Don't share your password or CVV details orally with banks. Bank never asks for confidential information like user ID, password, credit card number, CVV, etc, via mail, SMS or bank initiated phone calls.

 

* Customers should install a good anti-virus system on their PCs and ensure that it is updated regularly.

 

WHAT NOT TO DO

 

* Do not share passwords with anybody, including family members, friends or bank employees

 

* Don't access bank website from a link provided in an email from any source. Instead, type the address of the bank website in the address bar of browser to access the bank account

 

* Don't click on any link provided in emails, they may redirect users to a fake/phishing site.

 

* Never note down user ID, password on piece of paper, documents or phones for easy retrieval.

 

* Customers should also never use the 'remember password' feature provided by browsers to save their net banking passwords.

 

* Don't access net banking from cyber cafes. If you have to, use the virtual key board to key in details and ensure you log out of the system once you are done.

5 Things To Do If You Lose Your IT Job

As the financial crisis plays itself out across global markets, pink slips are flowing like Mountain Dew at a WOW tournament. And while it's only natural to feel apprehension about IT job security, some are discovering opportunity in the wake of unemployment.

When Robert Fleming was laid off from his job as an IT administrator for an Ottawa software firm two months ago, he went through a period of three weeks doing nothing but trying to cope emotionally to his situation. Then he followed the time-honored advice of experts. "I made looking for a job my job," he said. Even so, he found he had plenty of time left over to spend with friends and family.

Good thing, too. In the end, he got his current job -- working the help desk at a government agency -- from his mother's hairdresser's son. "I was visiting my mother, and she came home from the salon and said, 'I think I have something for you,'" he said. "It's six degrees of separation out there, and your opportunities can come from unlikely places."

Laid off. Downsized. Words that are heard often these days. That you would devote a significant amount of your time to finding another job -- as Fleming did -- is a given. But even the most aggressive job hunt won't take all your waking hours. There are only so many jobs ads to answer on Monster.com and Craigslist. Only so many recruiters who will take your calls. So to ward off what Fleming calls "the utter crazies," most unemployed IT workers are finding other outlets for their physical, intellectual, and emotional energy.

1. Get Smart: Learn New Skills

David Christiansen wasn't technically laid off, but the writing was on the wall. Christiansen, who writes the TechDarkIT.com blog -- which he calls a "corporate IT survival guide" -- had an IT position at a Portland, Ore., company that was struggling.

Budgets were being cut, projects canceled, and little by little his department was getting chiseled away. For reasons he still can't figure out, he was allowed to stay. But there was -- literally -- nothing to do.

Having had a deep-seated ambition to work for a startup, he decided to learn more leading-edge technologies. "I'd literally show up in the morning with a book and study all day," he said. Among other things, he taught himself Ruby on Rails, which helped him land his current job as senior software developer at the Collaborative Software Initiative, in Portland. "There are so many opportunities to pick up new skills -- classes, books, Web sites -- no one has any excuse for not refreshing their capabilities," he said. In fact, he wrote "Slacking Off During A Recession" for his blog, in which he recommended that IT workers take a little time during their current workday to learn new skills that will actively advance their ability to survive should there be a layoff.

Marketing guru and author Seth Godin also recommends slacking. "Become an expert. For free, using nothing but time, you can become a master of CSS or HTML or learn Python," he recently wrote on his blog.

2. Jump-Start A New Venture

Hyatt. Burger King. FedEx. And, of course, Microsoft. What do these companies have in common? They were all started during recessions. Which illustrates the point that for Type A people, there's probably just one way to fill up those days: Keep working. Although there's less seed money, and venture capitalists are being tight with the purse strings, opportunities with Web 2.0 technologies, new handheld devices, and other innovations are bountiful.

The tools you'll need to build your empire are plentiful, and many of them are FREE. Investing time and earning sweat equity could be the path to your next job -- or even independence.

3. Get In Shape

Long hours behind a desk can lead to flab, fatigue, and mounting stress. The best remedy is physical activity, but who's got the time when deadlines loom and the BlackBerry never stops blinking?

After being laid off from his long-time job at Liz Claiborne, Tom Reeve -- who had been a senior IT manager in charge of planning and implementing new technologies and business processes -- decided to put an emphasis on his health. "I'm in the habit now, if I don't go to the gym every day, that I really feel it," Reeve said. "I've focused on changing my lifestyle, so hopefully when I go back into the workforce I will have gotten into a much healthier daily routine."

Although he's also spending more time with family, his sons are well into the teenage years, "and progressively want less of my time," he said. Still, they've taken small family trips and engaged in activities of mutual interest, like history.

Reeve is looking for an executive-level IT position, and, "fortunately for me, I can still wait it out a little bit more. So I've enjoyed the stress-free time." Reeve said he looks younger, feels younger, "more like 35 than 49," as well as rejuvenated. "I'm ready to go back to work when I find the right situation," he said.

4. Spend More Time With Friends, Family

Mike Boyarski has a much more relaxed attitude toward his now-free days. He received a generous pension when downsized from his job as director of partner relationships for a large Silicon Valley company. He's taking his time looking for work. "I'm not going to jump at the first thing that comes my way," he said. "I have the time to wait for the right opportunity." In the meantime, he has lots to keep him busy: two small children, aged two years, and four months, respectively.

"I'm spending a lot of time hanging out with them, going to the park, really enjoying myself," he said. Because he and his wife have always been conservative with money, they were prepared for such an eventuality. Boyarski estimates he has six to nine months he can spend in this fashion "before worrying."

5. Volunteer To Help Others

Phil Freeman was a quality assurance manager at NetApp when reorganization forced him out in early February. He's currently doing all the right things to dig up opportunities. Networking. Answering ads. Talking to recruiters. But to fill what would otherwise be empty days, he's also doing a lot of volunteering.

He goes down to the senior center at the City of Sunnyvale, in California, where he lives, and helps organize and supervise activities, serve meals, and otherwise do what he can to help. "It's energizing," he said. "Helping other people is the best way to keep your mind off your own problems."

It's also a good way to put your new skills into practice. If you're learning a new programming language, or honing your MySQL abilities, taking on a project that forces you to apply what you're learning in a real world way might look good on your updated resume. It will almost certainly feel good to have acquired new knowledge, and to have helped someone else in the process.

Nintendo Wii may work as well as real workout

The new active Wii video games from Nintendo may be creating a healthier generation of couch potato, according to a new study presented on Monday. Some of the Nintendo Wii sports games and activities included in the Wii fit series, both of which require video- game enthusiasts to get up off the couch, may increase energy expenditure as much as moderate intensity exercise without ever leaving the TV room, researchers said at the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific meeting in Orlando.

"It's a very easy and fun way to start exercising," said Motohiko Miyachi, head of a physical activity program at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo, who led the study.

The Nintendo-funded study found that about one-third of the games and activities included in the Wii sports and Wii fit packages require an energy expenditure of 3.0 METs or above, which is considered to be moderate intensity exercise, according to AHA exercise guidelines.

METs are metabolic equivalent values — a standard method of estimating energy expenditure, researchers said.

While this study does not prove health benefits of these games, Miyachi speculated that increased time spent playing them "may contribute to prevention of cardiovascular diseases."

The most effective exercise in the study was the single-arm stand featured in the Wii fit, which came in at 5.6 METs — just shy of vigorous activity defined as 6.0 or greater.

If that too closely resembles actual exercise for the calisthenically challenged, then the Wii sports boxing game is the way to go with an energy expenditure of 4.5 METs.

Both the Wii tennis and baseball games produced moderate intensity expenditures of 3.0 METs. But would-be golfers looking to get exercise are still going to have to walk the course as the video version produces only 2.0 METs.

Miyachi, who said he enjoys the Wii tennis and baseball games, hopes to measure the physical activity expended playing the new Wii resort games and called on other video game makers to develop more active entertainment.

Noting the growing obesity epidemic in the United States and Japan, Miyachi said some physical activity, even of the video variety, is better than none.

How to Find Stocks for a Recession?

Investors are as worried about recession as the Federal Reserve is about inflation, and at the first signs of a slowdown, stock pickers and regular investors start thinking about how to protect their portfolio from the incipient slowdown. While a recession doesn't necessarily mean all sectors perform poorly, it is a challenging time to hold stocks. However, if you know how to invest during rough patches, you can survive, if not thrive, during a recession.

Instructions

Step 1 - Pick stocks that have huge double- or triple-digit growth. In spite of other drawbacks a company may have, if you invest in stocks with massive growth, a slowdown will not affect the growth of the stock very much. Make sure this growth, however, is not at the expense of other factors.

Step 2 - Look for stocks that are undervalued based on the company's assets and cash flows. Find good stocks that are disliked during a recession because of external factors and not because of the viability of the company.

Step 3 - Opt for companies that have economic independence and are not vulnerable to the fluctuations of the U.S. economy. Good examples are debt collection agencies and companies that have a good part of their revenues coming from overseas.

Step 4 - Select defensive stocks that focus on drugs or food. These goods are necessary even in down times, and people don't stop eating just because there is a recession.

Step 5 - Protect yourself with dividend stocks. Companies that offer a high dividend yield will be like shelter in a storm and will give you income even in difficult times.

Tips & Warnings

- Know that even in a recession, there is always a part of the economy that is working. Try to find the sector that is healthy in downtimes.

How to Clean Digital Camera Lens with a Vacuum Cleaner?

Sometimes dust enters the inside of the lens of digital cameras and results in black spots visible on the display and on pictures. This trick involves getting rid of them with a vacuum cleaner, when all else has failed and the costs of cleaning the inside of the lens are prohibitive compared to the cost of buying a new camera.

Steps:

1. Roll up the plastic wrap, forming a thin sausage and leaving a section unrolled.
2. Wrap the plastic wrap around the opening so that the sausage is on the opening of the vacuum hose.
3. Turn on your camera and schedule auto off time, if enabled, on a long time, or disable it so the camera won't shut off (and cover the lens) during the operation.
4. Connect the vacuum hose and camera so that the camera completely plugs the opening. The plastic wrap will help create an airtight seal.
5. Turn on the vacuum cleaner at the lowest power and wait a few seconds. Make sure that the appliance is perfectly joining the opening.
6. Turn off the vacuum and pull it off of the camera. Take a few test shots and see if it worked! If it did not, try again with the vacuum on a higher setting.

Warning:

This is a last resort method for cleaning the inside of a lens, not the outside, it may well break your camera.

Things You will need:

• Camera
• Plastic wrap (cling film)
• Vacuum cleaner with hose with no accessories attached.

8 Gifts You Should NEVER Give to Your Boss or Co-Workers

There are no formal business etiquette “rules” that require anyone to give a gift to a co-worker or boss, but many people do exchange gifts at work. It is important to remember that giving the wrong gift can convey a message that is too personal, romantic, or even offensive. You also run the risk of making the recipient feel uncomfortable if they do not offer you a gift in return, or alienating co-workers if your gift is showy.

Deciding on the right gift to give can be difficult, but the following gifts are never right:

1. ”Adult” Items: Items that could be considered sexual in nature are inappropriate (and may even be illegal) in the workplace. Anything “adult” in nature should never be given in the workplace setting – even to the closest of co-workers. This not only includes the obvious like pornography and adult “toys,” but also includes artwork, books, and any image or rendering that depicts nudity or that may suggest a sexual act.

2. Gifts That Carry a Discriminating or Demeaning Message: Never give gifts that could be considered offensive to women, minorities, or any race, culture, groups, or individual with disabilities – even if presented in the “spirit of fun.” This includes cards, gifts, artwork, caricatures, publications, and any other item that could be interpreted as stereotyping or discriminatory.

3. Politically-Oriented and Religious Gifts: Unless someone has specifically asked for a particular political or religious item, book, or gift, do not try to guess on one. If you do honor a specific request, keep in mind that the item could still offend someone else in the office and give it wrapped and in private.

4. Personal Care Products: Grooming items and sundries are generally too personal to give, especially when given to a member of the opposite sex. This includes body and skin care products, perfumes, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and shaving sundries. That scented hand lotion you love might seem like a good idea but when given to a person with allergies or asthma you are giving a gift that cannot be used.

5. Intimate Clothing: All under garments, and in most cases, any articles of clothing except for hats, scarves, or gloves are not good gifts to give co-workers or your boss. A corporate T-shirt is acceptable, but may seem a bit on the “cheap” side.

6. Romantic Jewelry: If you give jewelry, stick to small, casual items and give them only to members of the same sex unless the gift is being given by a group.

The key to remember when giving jewelry is that some items may be interpreted as a romantic gesture, especially if the jewelry is expensive. The best jewelry items to give are inexpensive or moderately priced watches (including pocket watches) or simple, trendy bracelets or pins. Pearls, diamonds and gemstones are generally not a good idea if the gift is intended as a casual gesture.


7. Flowers: Do not give roses. It is better to give poinsettias, “lucky” bamboo, or other plants instead of flowers. They last longer and cannot be interpreted as a romantic gesture.

Casual flowers like daisies, wildflowers, or bulbs the turn into blooms are also fine. (Hint: No one really likes a chia pet.)


8. Cash: Never give your boss or a co-worker cash (but gift cards are acceptable). Cash should only be given by the company or employer when it is given as a taxable bonus, not as a personal gift.

Business Gifts Etiquette Tips: Giving no gift at all can be better than giving the wrong gift. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if the gift is something you would let a child see (even if they would not enjoy the gift itself). If you would not let a child see the gift, it may not be appropriate to give to someone at work.

10 Workout TIPS....

 

1. Get on a good, general workout.
2. Begin! Start if you haven't, start again if you've stopped.
3. Know what you are training for (objective, goals).
4. Train consistently, regularly.
5. Train hard but wisely.
6. Know what to leave out of your training.
7. See nutrition as part of your training, not something apart (and vice versa).
8. Individualize your training.
9. Learn and apply what you know and learn.
10. Experiment and change.

Workout Tip 1. Get on a good, general workout. There are plenty of good routines, basic or otherwise, which you can use to make progress. Most of these are neither deep secrets nor are highly innovative, but are those which have produced good results for many drug-free trainers when applied with reasonable effort. A routine doesn't have to be perfect, ideal, or the ultimate routine to work. It simply has to be good to be productive.

Workout Tip 2. Begin! Start if you haven't, start again if you've stopped. Reading, studying, thinking and planning about working out can be good, but sometimes, it's just procrastination in disguise. "After I straighten out my (fill in the blank with anything) in two (weeks, months, years), I'll start working out (again)." We've all gone through this; there are legitimate things in life that prevent working out, then there are excuses. You have to be your own judge of this. Sometimes, if you just begin (or return) to your workouts, other problems will take care of themselves and you'll figure out what you need in training as you go along.

Workout Tip 3. Know what you are training for (objectives, goals). Most times, it's better to have, at least eventually, some idea of why you're hitting the gym for these workouts. Goals, objectives, reasons-call them anything you like, but if, as an example, you know you want to gain ten pounds in six weeks, this energizes your training and gives you something to shoot for, keeps you focused, rather than the vague, "Gee, I guess I'll work out today." Strong desires and motivations help immensely in bodybuilding, or training for any purpose, and are far superior to drifting.

Workout Tip 4. Train consistently, regularly. Many will say when they hear or read this, "I already know that. Tell me something about training I don't know." Yet often these people don't train consistently enough or regularly enough, something which for all but the most gifted, is essential to progress. This consistent, regular approach to training sometimes requires several years to reach goals. Doing this, not just knowing this, is what's required.

Workout Tip 5. Train hard but wisely. Use your intelligence when you train. If you have nagging injuries or low energy, don't take a super-hard workout. Back off, go lighter, do less, or rest completely. Don't struggle with poundages which are beyond you to handle at your current strength level. Beware of following a professional's workout, or training so hard that you can't recover or, even worse, you injure yourself. Common sense is essential for longevity and success in bodybuilding, so use your head and train with appropriate effort, not a killing effort, for what you are trying to do.

Workout Tip 6. Know what to leave out of your training. Sometimes knowing what not to do is much more difficult than what to do. Leaving out unproductive exercises, or certain principles and techniques, may sometimes be what you need to improve your training. Leaving stuff that never works for you out of your workouts is a positive principle, not a negative one.

Workout Tip 7. See nutrition as part of your training, not something apart (and vice versa). Many will say, "nutrition is the most important aspect of bodybuilding" (some have said it's the least), or will assign percentage values to its importance. It's better to see nutrition & training as allied, married, inextricably together, partners which instead of twin masters, are two connecting pathways to help you arrive at your bodybuilding destination. Otherwise, you're like the centerfielder in baseball who only cares about his hitting, not his fielding, or vice versa. Bodybuilding has two major components for participants: training and nutrition. Excel at both.

Workout Tip 8. Individualize your training. There are many good, general workouts to select which will be appropriate for any stage of your training. As good as these may be, the workouts that are always the best, the most result producing, are the ones which may begin as a template but which you eventually modify, adapt and change so they become even more suited to you. The best workouts are the ones which become your own.

Workout Tip 9. Learn and apply what you know and learn. Some people train without learning very much about what they are doing. In bodybuilding, you better have been born a virtuoso with enormous genetic potential if you are to have any success with that approach. Others learn quite a bit, yet never seem to apply or understand what to do or when they need to apply what they learn. You can always learn more; you can always learn to apply more of what you learn to your bodybuilding.

Workout Tip 10. Experiment and change. Some people never seem to develop a consistent way of working out. Others slavishly stick to the same routines, nutrition, even when they are getting little or no results. In the days before drugs, years ago, all training was essentially experimental. The pioneers of bodybuilding from the Muscle Beach days and before were basically inventing the sport, the training, nutrition and everything else as they went along. They were creative and they learned. Learn, try new things. Experiment with workouts, exercises, techniques, sets and reps-you may come up with something that uniquely benefits you. You may even come up with something new and creative that contributes to better bodybuilding for everyone.

Why do women cheat on their men?

Benjamin Franklin once mused that there are three things men are most likely to be cheated in: "A horse, a wig, and a wife." While I'm quite certain Franklin was right on the money about the horse and the wig (although these days it's more likely to be hair plugs or Rograine spray), when it comes to a wife, there is current speculation over who is really at fault.

For centuries, men have been labelled as the home-wreckers, philanderers and the shagging swindlers. After it, it's their biological urge to spread their seed as far and widely as possible, right blokes?

Recent tales like that of Christie Brinkley's sex-addict ex-husband (who screwed his 18-year-old secretary and subscribed to the world's largest Swinger's website despite being married to one of the world's most beautiful women), or Bill Clinton's deluge of ever-growing female mistresses that continue to come out of the woodwork as you read this, doesn't quite help the male reputation either. But nowadays it seems that the philandering tables could be turning, with more women than ever before getting caught doing the dirty behind their man's back ...

If the statistics are anything to go by, 40 per cent of married women cheat which, according to an article published in Newsweek magazine titled "Marriage: The New Infidelity" accounts for a 50 per cent increase in female infidelity. Yet despite more women than ever before thinking it's okay to stray, the story still manages to blame the men, the internet, the workplace and anything but the women themselves for the increase in their philandering ways.

"Overscheduled lives and inattentive husbands," is what the Newsweek article puts down to the growing female cheating trend, with its conclusion being that it's "no wonder more American women are looking for comfort in the arms of another man."

"No wonder"? Is it really "inattentiveness" which drives women into the arms of another man? And since it's the bloke's fault after all, does this mean that it's actually okay for women to stray?

One of the world's best known agony aunts Deidre, who writes for the UK Sun, says she's done extensive research into exactly why women cheat. And after surveying a record 10,000 respondents on their reasons for cheating, her findings aren't too surprising either.

"Some 64 per cent of men said it was because they had the opportunity while 60 per cent of women said it was more exciting and because they wanted someone to talk to," she writes.

Mira Kirshenbaum, author of When Good People Have Affairs (St. Martin's Press), concurs. She also adds that it's a combination of boredom, dull sex and no conversation that pushes women to do it. (Which, once again, seems to be blaming the men, but more on that later.)

Of course what constitutes infidelity is a whole different discussion altogether. Is it lunch with someone from the opposite sex? A clandestine pash at a seedy bar? Or the full nine yards at a cheap motel room during the office lunch break?

If the media is anything to go by, then it doesn't really matter how an affair is defined because modern folks don't believe in monogamy anyway. As Frank Pittman, author of Private Lies: Infidelity and Betrayal of Intimacy (W. W. Norton & Company) told USA Today; "I run across people who think everybody is messing around and something is wrong if they're not doing it, too ... People get the idea from the media that it's a normal thing and anyone not doing it is missing out on life's goodies."

Pop singer Madonna certainly doesn't seem to be missing out on life's goodies since she's reportedly ensconced in a steamy affair with 32-year-old Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez (better known as A-Rod).

And while the affair may be put down to needing to scratch the seven-year-itch that could inevitably be the cause of a marriage breakdown, I'm sure the media will find some way to blame Guy's inattentiveness to the pop starlet for it all ...

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath?

There are many ways to cover up bad breath, but if you're tired of quick fixes and want to banish halitosis once and for all, take these instructions to heart--or should we say mouth?

Steps

1. Clean your mouth thoroughly, regularly. Two major sources of mouth odor are bacteria and decaying food particles. There are hundreds of nooks and crannies in the landscape of your mouth where these offenders can get lodged. Brushing is not enough.

- Clean your tongue. Your tongue, unfortunately, is like a shaggy carpet where all kinds of smelly stuff can hide.[1] When you brush your teeth (which should be at least twice a day) use your toothbrush, the edge of a spoon, or a tongue cleaner to "scrape" your tongue. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, you might not like this task. You need to clean your entire tongue, including the part close to your tonsils. Read How to Suppress the Gag Reflex for some tips.

- Floss. Make it as much of a mindless habit as brushing your teeth. At first, your gums might bleed as you dislodge chunks of food that have "stuck" to your teeth and gum for who knows how long. But take a second to smell the floss after you pass it through your teeth, if you dare. You'll see (or smell) where the bad breath is coming from.

2. Keep your mouth moisturized. A dry mouth is a stinky mouth. That's why your breath is worse in the morning; your mouth produces less saliva as you sleep. Saliva is the enemy of bad breath because not only does it physically wash bacteria and food particles away, but it also has antiseptic and enzymes that kill bacteria

Chewing gum stimulates saliva production (in addition to covering up the odor with some kind of scent). Mints do not encourage saliva production. Drink water. It won't necessarily increase saliva production, but it'll wash out your mouth and it's good for you. See How to Drink More Water Every Day.Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications and medical conditions. Ask your doctor about switching medications, or addressing the underlying condition.

3. Choose your gum carefully. As mentioned in the previous step, any gum will help with bad breath because the chewing action results in more saliva being produced. Some gums, however, have better bad-breath-fighting abilities than others:

Cinnamon flavoring seems to be especially effective in reducing bacteria counts in your mouth.[1]Look for gum sweetened with xylitol. For one thing, sugar's not good for your mouth. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that actually works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth.

4. Eat a banana You probably already know to avoid notorious stink foods like onions, garlic, cheese, and coffee (or at least brush vigorously after eating them). But did you know that if you're on a low-carb diet, you might have "ketone breath"? Basically, as your body breaks down fats instead of carbs for energy, it creates ketones, some of which are released in your mouth. Unfortunately, ketones smell bad, and so will your breath. If you're on a strict carb-restricting diet, or any diet that forces you to burn fat instead of carbs, consider throwing healthy carb-rich snacks into the mix, like apples or bananas.

This will also happen to anyone who fasts, whether for religious reasons, or because they are anorexic. If you are anorexic, bad breath is only one of the reasons to stop starving yourself. Read How to Cope if You Want to Become Anorexic.

5. Talk to a doctor. If you've followed the above steps diligently and the bad breath persists, you may have a medical issue that needs to be treated. Here are some of the potential culprits:

Tonsil stones. These are lumps of calcified food, mucus and bacteria that appear as white spots on your tonsils. If seen, they can be mistaken for a throat infection, although sometimes they are not visible to the naked eye. You might also notice a metallic taste in your mouth, and/or pain when swallowing. Diabetic ketoacidosis. If you have diabetes, it may be causing your body to burn fat instead of glucose, creating the ketone breath referred to in the previous step. This is a serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Trimethylaminuria. If your body can't break down a chemical called trimethylamine, it will be released in your saliva, causing bad breath. It'll also be released in your sweat, so persistent body odor might be an accompanying symptom. Constipation is also cause of bad breath. Constipation bad breath could be due to several causes from dietary to hormonal or be even a side effect of medications and anatomical. Incidentally, normal bad breath (that is, bad breath not caused by digestive problems) may also be due to a side effect of drugs you are taking, which could dry up the mouth, causing bad breath.Treating constipation bad breath consists in treating the constipation itself. If the problem is dietary in nature, then changing your dietary habits, laxatives, and fiber therapy could help treat the constipation and in the process the symptom of constipation bad breath. Enemas and surgery though rare may also be used to treat acute cases of constipation.A sinus infection can also cause persistent bad breath. When blowing your nose, if the mucous is consistently dark or has a greenish cast, there's a chance you may have a sinus infection. To get rid of it, you will need to be treated by a doctor.