How online scammers play on your emotions

Govind Rammurthy

Why online scammers play on your emotions and mostly succeed in defrauding you.

We have read and heard about Social Engineering Attacks, an art of manipulating in order to convince people to reveal their confidential information. Hackers and scammers indulge in such acts to wince-out information from unsuspecting users. However, have we ever thought on how they are able to achieve such a high success rate?

We all are aware of the fact that human can never be devoid of emotions. It is the driving force behind all our inventions and innovations that sometimes also leads to our very downfall. Social Engineering is not a technology like any other kind of cyber crime technique, but is an art of exploiting human tendency to trust using psychological methods. The methods used for this art include involvement of some or the other form of emotional pressure in order to obtain what is wanted by making victims do things which they would not ordinarily do.

Hence, while contemplating on the methods being used by hackers, we felt it was necessary to coin a new word – emotioneering -- an art of exploiting basic human emotions.

It was not very difficult to summarise the list of mental states which are actively being targeted by cyber criminals. These mental states are sometimes referred to as 'sins' by some and 'vices' or 'bad habits' by others. They could be greed, lust, anger, fear, etc. No matter, whichever words are used to describe these mental states, their core meaning has never been lost in translation.

In this world, instincts play an important role. One such basic instinct which rules over the mind and matter is 'curiosity'. Whether animals, or humans, all are subjected to curiosity in some form or the other. Curiosity is overwhelming in certain scenarios, especially when it is coupled with one of the vices.

A researcher or a scientist is curious and hence to satisfy his hunger for knowledge, he investigates to get into the deep roots of the cause or a particular subject. However, in order to safeguard themselves from accidents, they take necessary precautions. Though, in case of computing environment, not everyone will necessarily follow the recommended methods. Many IT users might be even unaware of the perceived threats that would be lurking in the internet.

At one end, there are cyber criminals who aim to obtain confidential information that will allow them to gain unauthorised access. While on the other end stands humans, who are born curious and would never miss on the opportunity that would satisfy their urge to delve into the unknown and mysterious. Hence sometimes, this human nature becomes the root cause for the downfall of all the security measures that have been deployed. Once the fraudsters get hold of the desired information, they can use it for unauthorised access to information or systems, to commit frauds such as identity theft, industrial espionage, and other criminal activities or can also be used to simply disrupt normal business processes.

Cyber criminals exploit humans very easily with their in-depth art of deception that targets nothing but the basic human vices or instincts which make up a human being. All they do is first try to analyse a person's behaviour by observing his/ her actions. Later, they tactfully try to alter their feelings by changing what they say and do accordingly, and gradually make the victim want to give them the information they need. Though, we as humans can try to control our emotions / vices / instincts; however, there is no replacement for curiosity.

Fraudster can play with victim's curiosity in many ways. For example in case of Facebook, many users must have come across the app which says, 'See who viewed your profile'. Any Facebook user may be curious to know how many people have viewed his/ her profile. Rather in most cases, users would even want to know who viewed the profile page specifically.

The fact is that the social networking site does not provide any such feature. However, there are some third-party applications that claim to facilitate Facebook users to view how many people have viewed their profile. To take benefit of this facility, Facebook users must allow the app to access their profile information along with friend's list. Many apps also encourage Facebook users to enter more detailed information. All such apps violate the terms of service of social networking site and hence, it encourages the users to report about it.

One of the most popular social networking sites, Twitter too has users who out of curiosity fall prey of cyber crime. Many a times Twitter users receive a direct message from someone they follow that says something like "Hello somebody is saying horrible things about you..." or "There is a rumour/blog going around about you [LINK] might want to read it." or "lol...OMG I'm laughing so hard at this picture of me someone found..." and in each such case, these mails are accompanied with a malicious URL that is just waiting to be clicked on.

There may be various versions of such links being circulated. Out of curiosity, once you click on it to know what it is all about, all your followers will be spammed with the same message and the nightmare continues.

There are two things which need to be understood. First, Twitter allows you to protect your tweets and only your followers can read them and second, when this setting is not enabled, there is an option for the twitter-user to auto-follow. The moment your twitter account receives the 'Follow' request, if auto-follow setting is enabled, then you will also start following the account automatically.

The Direct Message or DM feature allows twitter users to send DM without the messages getting reflected in their time-line. Hence, by taking advantage of this scenario, bad guys will send a 'Follow' request with a hope that you have not yet disabled Auto-follow.

Many a times we have received an e-mail from a courier company about the status update of the delivery of your package with subject as 'Postal notification' or 'Delivery status is changed' or 'Failure to deliver' or 'Delivery limit is exceeded' or 'Delivery address needs to be confirmed' or something similar to this. When we receive such e-mails, many of us do not even give it a thought if we really are expecting any couriers. Thirst to know about the delivery leads many of us to trouble.

Bad guys also use another trick of sending e-mails that not only invoke curiosity but also give rise to fear. These e-mails seem to be legitimate though are sent with an intention of gaining unauthorised access of our bank accounts. With increasing use of mobile phones, now have another option of Smishing, i.e. initiating phishing scams through text messages.

In addition, Baiting is another technique in the list that is used by fraudsters. It involves deliberately leaving physical device such as USB/ CD/ DVD somewhere from where it can easily be discovered. Many computers 'autorun' USB/ CD / DVD, so when malware such as Trojans or keyloggers are bundled with such devices, victim's system can be easily infected, while the fraudster simply sits back and waits until someone makes use of the device.

Techniques for conducting social engineering attacks are not limited to what has been mentioned in this article. Many new scams and tricks are designed by fraudsters regularly. Hence, the only way to stay safe is when curious, question everything!

Source: How online scammers play on your emotions

10 ways to make your day healthier

Plan to be healthy

Like most things worth having, a healthy lifestyle sadly won’t fall into your lap without any effort. To make healthy lifestyle choices a regular part of your day it is important to make a plan and schedule them in, at least until they become second nature. Rather than making vague plans to “eat more healthily” or “do some exercise”, make a menu for the day ahead detailing exactly what you will eat, or schedule in a date for exercise, establishing an exact time, activity and location. Whatever your health intentions, set your purpose for the day ahead and factor in some time to make it happen.

Ditch your alarm clock

Few of us would class the alarm clock as our favourite household appliance. However, if you find yourself waking up feeling sluggish and miserable and repeatedly pressing snooze, it may be worth investing in a gentler wake-up call. Ideally, our bodies our wired to wake up to natural light; however it is not always possible to do so. Instead, try purchasing a wake-up light which will wake you up gently as it gradually brightens, helping to regulate sleeping patterns and boost your mood and energy levels for the rest of the day.

Don’t overdo your morning workout

While a daily workout is great for your health, research suggests that it may be best to leave your exercise session until later in the day. A study by a researcher from Brunel University, Middlesex, found that heavy training sessions early in the morning compromise the immune system and put athletes at increased risk of infection from bacteria and viruses. While a morning jog or gentle exercise session is unlikely to put you at great risk, try to save heavier workouts for later in the day.

Start your day on a positive note

Many of us start the day with a morning newspaper or by listening to the news. However, while it’s good to stay informed of what is happening in the world, it can also start the day off on a negative note. If you find yourself struggling to get in a positive frame of mind, try following your morning news update with some motivational reading, an inspirational quote or an email from a friend. Not only will starting your day with a more positive outlook help to boost your mood and productivity, but studies have shown that positive people are less likely to die of heart disease or stroke.

Don’t eat at your desk

Having a busy day? Try not to give in to the temptation to skip your lunch break and eat at your desk. Refusing to take a break is not only bad for your mental health, but eating while distracted may mean you are more likely to overeat. On top of this, spending your lunch hour at your desk can compromise your health by lengthening the time you are physically inactive and exposing you to bacteria. According to a study by the University of Arizona, your work station contains nearly 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat, making it a less than ideal place for dining.

Get more active, more often

According to a number of research studies, sitting for long periods of time puts you at risk of dangerous illnesses such as heart disease – regardless of whether you are otherwise physically active. To safeguard your health while in the office, make an effort to move more often throughout the day in any way you can. Set up an alert or write a post-it note reminding you to get up and stretch, take more trips to the water cooler, or organise your workspace so that things are out of reach. Even the smallest activities done regularly can make a difference to your health.

Listen to music

Whether you’re travelling to work, sat at your desk or having a workout, listening to your favourite music could do wonders for your health. Not only can playing music help you relax and boost your mood, research has also shown that listening to music you enjoy can promote good heart health, help manage pain and boost the immune system too. Furthermore, research by Brunel University found that listening to music while working out can boost exercise endurance by as much as 15 per cent.

Watch some comedy

While in an ideal world we would all opt to shun the TV in favour of going for a run or doing something productive, if you simply can’t resist the lure of an evening in front of the box, you can still look after your health by being selective about what you watch.  According to research by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, comedies are the way to go, with research findings suggesting that watching a funny movie or show is beneficial for your heart, while watching horror or war movies can cause mental stress.

Stop mindless snacking

Many people find themselves snacking during the day or evening out of boredom or habit. However, not only is this an easy way to pile on the pounds, but often we may not even enjoy what we’re eating. According to researchers from the University of Southern California, once people have established an eating habit they will continue eating that food whether or not it tastes good and regardless of whether they are hungry. To help stay trim, try being more aware of your eating habits and ask yourself why you are eating; whether it’s through hunger, boredom or simply out of habit.

Keep a diary

If you can’t remember the last time you poured out your heart into the pages of a diary, it may be time to get back into the habit. Research has shown that regularly writing in a diary can boost the immune system, ease stress and depression and help you recover more successfully from traumatic events. Furthermore, reflecting on the good things in your life can help you to think more positively. Try to take a few minutes at the end of each evening to reflect on your day, taking time to count your blessings as well as reflecting on the things from which you can learn.

Source: 10 ways to make your day healthier

Einstein's 'average sized' brain 'exceptionally complicated'

A comparison with 85 other brains showed that although his brain was only of average size, certain areas contained an unusually high number of folds and grooves

London: Albert Einstein’s brain, which was although of average size, contained an unusually high number of folds that may have provided him with the ability to think in “extraordinary ways”, researchers say.

Although the Nobel Prize winner’s brain was divided into 240 blocks and distributed to researchers after his death in 1955, most of the specimens were lost and little was written about its anatomy.

Now scientists have used photographs of the brain before it was segmented to produce a “road map” connecting the 240 sections and the 2,000 thin slivers into which they were later split.

The photographs, taken from the private collection of Thomas Harvey, the pathologist who divided the brain up, reveal a number of peculiarities about Einstein’s brain.

A comparison with 85 other brains showed that although the great scientist’s brain was only of average size, weighing 1,230 grams, certain areas contains an unusually high number of folds and grooves.

In each of the brain’s lobes, anthropologist Dean Falk of Florida State University found regions that are exceptionally complicated in their convolutions.

The finding confirmed reports in two previous papers, which suggested that an unusual pattern of ridges in the brain could have been linked to Einstein’s remarkable ability to solve problems in physics, but which were based only on a handful of images.

Falk and colleagues also observed that Einstein’s brain was enlarged in regions which transmit nerve impulses to the face and tongue, and in the prefrontal cortex, which is linked to concentration and forward planning.

The extra matter in areas linked to the face and tongue could explain a comment by the scientist that his thinking was “muscular” rather than taking the form of words.

“It may be that he used his motor cortex in extraordinary ways,” the Telegraph quoted the researchers as saying.

As well as using the photographs to examine the brain, the team were also able to map out the 240 brain sections in the hope that other scientists could use them for future projects.

“What’s great about this paper is that it puts down … the entire anatomy of Einstein’s brain in great detail,” Albert Galaburda, a Harvard Medical School neuroscientist, told the Science journal. The findings of the study have been published in the journal Brain.

Source: Einstein's 'average sized' brain 'exceptionally complicated'

Bedroom workout sessions

Did you know that sweat-driven pheromones are one of nature’s best aphrodisiacs? Research shows that your partner gets turned on when they see you sweat it out. Let this thought make you happy when you plan to start these sensual bedroom workout sessions with your love.

Get ready for some action!

It’s not just in the sack that you can lose calories by involving your partner. You can both put your heads together to think of an exercise routine that tones up your body and helps you stay healthy at the same time. The routine has to be fun, energetic and engaging. Always start by warming up with some slight stretching. Involve touching your partner in these exercises that you do together. Lunges where you switch positions with your partner and keep repeating the positions alternately help you strengthen your muscles and target your thighs and hips. When you perform the forward lunge with your left leg, let your partner do the reverse lunge with her right leg.  During this workout you must hold your partner’s hands, and keep your arms and hands elevated to support your partner.

Other than lunges you can always try squats, crunches, and chest or shoulder press, etc. to stay healthy together. A common health goal is also known to drive boredom out, leaving less room for stagnancy. When the feeling of ‘nothing happening at all settles in’, you tend to drift away from each other and this leads to an increase in relationship woes.

Anahita, a young call centre executive working in Delhi admits her relationship with her husband has improved tremendously post their experimentation with some couples’ exercises a few months back. “I read a blog about how couples can benefit from exercising together and the moment I read it, I knew I was game for it. The tough part was getting my husband to follow this routine. The first month was not at all smooth and there were days when we found it extremely difficult to do these exercises together but gradually we started enjoying it. It was our new playtime!”

She’s not the only one; there are many more who have found these couples’ exercises stimulating and rewarding. Some couples prefer dancing to music to stay fit rather than practice crunches with their partner. “It’s so much more romantic to be able to sway and move in your partner’s arms rather than hold them while doing squats. It’s not just our workout time; it’s our time to relax and explore each other,” says Vishal who’s been in a relationship for 3 years now.

Research suggests couples who spend more time in bed are also likely to lose more calories. This ‘time in bed’, however, does not imply time spent sleeping. You have to be creative. Sexercise! That’s what you need to do. Sex is a great mood enhancer and you can use it as a form of exercise by incorporating different positions. It gets your heart rate up and releases endorphins, which are the ultimate feel-good chemicals!

Use these workout ideas, or be innovative and create your own. The benefits of exercising with your partner are many and there are plenty of reasons for you to give it a try!

Source: Bedroom workout sessions

Bill Gates Quotes

Bill Gates is not only extremely wealthy, donates a lot of his money and time to charity, but is also the reason the world is using personal computers.

Let's take a look at some of his best quotes.

Source: Business Insider

On being a 'business man'

"Of my mental cycles, I devote maybe 10 per cent to business thinking. Business isn't that complicated. I wouldn't want to put it on my business card."

On how he defines 'smart'

"It's an elusive concept. There's a certain sharpness, an ability to absorb new facts. To walk into a situation, have something explained to you and immediately say, 'Well, what about this?' To ask an insightful question. To absorb it in real time. A capacity to remember. To relate to domains that may not seem connected at first. A certain creativity that allows people to be effective."

On telling employees the truth, quickly

"If I think something's a waste of time or inappropriate I don't wait to point it out. I say it right away. It's real time. So you might hear me say 'That's the dumbest idea I have ever heard' many times during a meeting."

On using fear as a motivator

"In this business, by the time you realise you're in trouble, it's too late to save yourself. Unless you're running scared all the time, you're gone."

On Steve Jobs

"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely."

On unhappy customers

"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

On youthful entitlement and self-esteem

"The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself."

On boring parents

"Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room."

On comparing yourself to others

"Don't compare yourself with anyone in this world... if you do so, you are insulting yourself."

On success

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."

On religion

“Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There`s a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning.”

On nerds

"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."

On fairness

“Life's not fair, get over it!”

On failure

"It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."

On the short term versus the medium term

"We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction."

On capitalism

"Capitalism is this wonderful thing that motivates people, it causes wonderful inventions to be done. But in this area of disease of the world at large, it's really let us down."

"Creative capitalism takes this interest in the fortunes of others and ties it to our interest in our own fortunes in ways that help advance both. This hybrid engine of self-interest and concern for others can serve a much wider circle of people than can be reached by self-interest or caring alone".

On intellectual property

"Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana."

On using technology to make a business more efficient

"The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency."

On education and poverty

"Until we're educating every kid in a fantastic way, until ever inner city is cleaned up, there is no shortage of things to do."

On getting good grades

“I failed in some subjects in exam, but my friend passed in all. Now he is an engineer in Microsoft and I am the owner of Microsoft.”

Source:

• 10 quotes reveal how Bill Gates became so rich
• http://luxpresso.com/photogallery-lifestyle/quoting-the-second-richest-man-in-the-world/17814/14

8 ways money can buy you happiness

Psychologists have suggested eight simple ways to lead a life of happiness.

Buy experiences not things

The secret to happiness according to the psychologists is to buy experiences instead of things, the Independent reported.

The pleasure derived from a new possession has a short lifespan, but experiences can be enjoyable in the moment, and leave memories that are a source of happiness for a long time, they said.

Spend money on others

Another way, according to them, is to help others instead of yourself.

Pointing out that "human beings are the most social animals on the planet", psychologists cite numerous studies that show people who do more "pro-social spending", such as buying gifts and donating to charity, tend to be happier.

"Spending money on a friend or romantic partner… provides an opportunity for positive self-presentation, which has been shown to produce benefits for mood. Giving to charity may facilitate the development of such positive self-presentation as well," the paper quoted the psychologist as explaining.

In other words, give money, but make sure people know about it.

Buy small pleasures

Buy many small pleasures instead of a few big ones, the psychologists stated.

"Happiness," the psychologists claim, "is more strongly associated with the frequency than the intensity of people's positive affective experiences."

People are therefore advised to spend their money on series of little treats -- a fancy meal, a weekend break, tickets to a concert -- rather than blowing it all on a sports car and plasma screen.

Buy less insurance

Again, they suggest people to buy less insurance. Spending obscene sums on extended warranties and insurance policies can be a waste of money -- we should instead rely on our innate, primal coping strategies when a something conks out -- they said.

Pay now enjoy later

Their sixth principle is pay now and consume later.

Delayed gratification is a source of "free happiness" that not only ensures our new purchases give us pleasure for longer, but also stops us from buying things on the spur of the moment that will end up making us unhappy, the psychologists said.

Think about your purchases

One of the psychologists' less intuitive offerings involves thinking about the negatives in order to be happy.

Their theory is that if we think about new purchases -- be they a television, car or holiday -- within the context of mundane reality, we may realise that they are not the route to happiness they may have seemed.

Beware of comparison shopping

The psychologists have warned people of comparison-shopping.

"Comparison shopping," psychologists said, "may distract consumers from attributes of a product that will be important for their happiness, focusing their attention instead on attributes that distinguish the available options."

Check what makes others happy

The best way to know whether we are going to derive pleasure from something is to see whether others have done the same, the psychologists said.

The psychologists suggest that reading user ratings on websites is a sure fire way to pick the best films, gadgets, cars and holidays.

Source: 8 ways money can buy you happiness

Airplane Etiquette

When traveling by air, you're sometimes forced to rub elbows (literally) with people you don't know. In close quarters and for extended periods of time, a little consideration can go a long way. To make a flight as smooth as possible for both yourself and others (and to avoid dirty looks) practice airplane etiquette as follows.

1.    Carry your bag in front of you and low to the ground as you walk down the aisle in search of your seat. Holding it up and at your sides will inevitably knock seated passengers on their arms, shoulders, and heads. You can pull it along if it has wheels.

2.    Utilize the overhead space above your own seat row. Do not place your bags in the overhead at the front of the plane unless you are sitting in that row. Don't put your bag in a bin near the front of the plane for a quick exit -- it means someone else will have to wait until the entire plane has emptied to walk back to get their bag. Taking the storage space of other passengers is rude and can potentially delay departure as they search for storage.

3.    Keep your chair upright at least until you're told it can be reclined. Don't lean your chair back as soon as you get on. When you do recline your chair, do it slowly. Otherwise, you risk bumping the head of the unsuspecting passenger behind you who's getting something from the bag at her feet, or you could knock over the drink on his or her tray. Remember to return the seat back to the upright position during meal and drink servings, or if possible, wait until food and beverages are finished being served and cleaned up.

·         Check behind you—is that person tall, or do they have a child on their lap? If so, consider keeping your seat upright out of consideration, especially if it's a short flight. By reclining, you're taking space away from the passenger behind you; you may be more comfortable, but at someone else's expense. You can also ask them if reclining your seat would be all right. If you're someone who can't make yourself comfortable without reclining, then do your best to choose an aisle, bulkhead, or exit row seat when booking the flight so the person behind you has extra space.

·         If you are traveling with one or more children, keep a close eye on them. Children have a tendency to bump, kick, or yank the seat in front of them without realizing it throughout the flight, which can make the person in front of them very uncomfortable. It's difficult enough to control some children on a long flight, but it's even more difficult to deal with an angry passenger in front of you. If your child(ren) has difficulty flying, do everything you can to relax the child so you do not disturb other passengers near by. Bring plenty of books, games, snacks and other things to keep your child quietly occupied. You can also try walking to the galley area of the plane to stretch your child's legs. Change diapers in the restroom on the plane. In most restrooms there are changing tables and trash bins for diaper disposal. When breastfeeding, use a drape, both for your own privacy and for the comfort of other passengers.

·         If another passenger breaches etiquette by, for example, constantly thumping or yanking your seat back, and refuses your polite request not to do so, don't get any further involved. Ask a flight attendant to handle the situation, and if they can't or even won't (this does happen), ask politely but insistently for the chief flight attendant (purser) to handle it.

·         Don't get drunk during (or before) the flight. You may be having the time of your life, but your fellow passengers may not think so (there are airlines which don't allow any passengers on board suspected of being over the limit on alcohol consumption).

4.    Avoid grabbing the back of the seat in front of you. Grabbing the seat back as you walk in the aisle or in your row, can be unpleasantly jarring to the person sitting in it. Copy the flight attendants who balance themselves in the aisle by grabbing the luggage compartments above their heads, rather than the seat backs.

5.    Respect personal space.

·         No matter how much you love to make new friends on the plane, the person next to you might rather get some work done, or simply may not feel like being chatty. If a friendly comment gets a minimal answer, take the hint and leave them be. If you're traveling with children, try to avoid letting them think of passengers as playmates. Some passengers will smile to be polite, but may not be interested in playing "peek a boo" with the child.

·         If you want to watch a movie on your personal DVD player, keep in mind your screen is visible to those behind you. If your movie has nudity, graphic violence, etc. it may offend the more sensitive viewers (e.g. children) looking on. Using a smaller, handheld device to view movies, such as on an iPod Touch, may be more practical in this situation.

·         Watch your elbows. If you're reading a newspaper or using a laptop, try not to let your elbows "spill over" onto someone else's personal space. Do your best not to hog the arm rests, especially if the person next to you is in the middle and has limited space to begin with.

·         Make use of your own arm rest and headphone plug outlet. Don't use someone else's because it's more convenient for you.

·         Keep your stuff close. If you put a bag or a jacket at your feet, don't let it spill over onto the legs or feet of the person sitting next to you.

·         If you're stuck in an aisle seat but still want to enjoy the view, don't lean over the person next to you to look out the window.

·         Get your own reading material--don't read theirs. They'll notice, and it's nosy and rude.

·         Pack headphones for any portable electronics, especially games and DVD players. Hearing someone else's music and sounds can be very irritating.

6.    Avoid hogging the aisle. Remember that space is limited on board. Always be swift and alert while putting things in the overhead lockers, as other people need the aisle space to get around you and to their seat. Place the items that you will frequently use in your seat back pocket or under the seat in front of you. Get up to use the lavatory or to walk around only when necessary. Go through your carry-on luggage at intervals. If you need something, think ahead and retrieve items you might need later on during the flight.

·         When you get up, don't yank on the seat in front of you for support; use the seat armrests.

·         If you want to get up but there is one or more passengers between you and the aisle, politely request that they get up to let you pass. Don't try to clamber over them; apart from the discomfort this will inevitably cause, you might injure yourself/them if you lose your balance and fall.

7.    Be considerate of other passengers when you exit the plane. Resist the urge to push your way out first; let those nearest the exit disembark the plane first. When your turn comes, move quickly so people with connecting flights can make it in time.

·         Take care when retrieving luggage from the overhead compartment! It may be positioned to fall on you or someone else.

·         If you have a lot of bulky, heavy luggage in the overhead bin, wait until others have left before standing and blocking other people from leaving the plane (they may have another flight to get to), or ask somebody to help you get your luggage down while everybody is waiting to leave the plane. This will help with traffic flow and allows all passengers to leave the plane as fast as possible.

·         If you know you'll need a connecting flight, think ahead and book your flight early so you can get a seat up front and exit quickly.

Tips

·         Make sure that you don't smell overpowering. Wear deodorant, but do not wear a strong perfume or cologne. If you're a smoker, try not to smoke too much the day of the flight and take a mint. The smell of cigarette smoke can be unpleasant for some people.

·         If you have a habit of removing your shoes because you're flying a long distance, make sure you don't have foot odor.

·         Always bring a tissue or handkerchief with you in case you sneeze or cough. In close quarters, it's especially important that you don't spread germs.

·         Keep your conversations to a low whisper if you're traveling with someone. If you speak too loudly, you'll interrupt someone's sleep or annoy your fellow passengers.

·         Do not put your feet up on the bulkhead if you are sitting by it. It's ill-mannered. If you must raise your feet, put your bag on the floor and put your feet on that.

·         When movies start, ask the passenger next to you if they'd prefer to have the window shade down. The sun's rays can create an annoying glare on the television monitor, making it harder to see a view from a specific seat in the airplane. The person next to you may or may not be bothered by this; sometimes they'd prefer to have the light from the window.

·         At the baggage claim, stand back from the carousel until you see your bag approaching, then step forward to retrieve it.

·         Listen to the instructions of the flight attendants. The rules regarding no head phones during take off and landing, no cell phones, luggage stored in bins or under the seats, tables stored seat upright are not only for the other passengers, they are for you as well.

·         Make sure you are aware of the new security rules (amount of allowable liquids in a small plastic ziplock bag etc). Security checks are delayed every time somebody tries to get through with items which are not allowed.

·         If you snore, don't fall asleep on the plane, or at least try not to. No one wants to hear snoring during the flight. This is especially important if you are an extremely loud snorer.

·         Remember that babies and children don't understand airplanes and pressure differences in their ears. Even the best behaved baby will cry during the takeoff and descent portion of the flight. Feeding a baby or giving him a pacifier can help; the sucking motion can help equalize pressure.

·         Clean up after yourself. Don't leave your trash stuffed in the seat pocket, blankets and pillows thrown about, crackers littered all over the seat and floor, etc. An airplane seat should be left as close as possible to how it was found. This will make "flipping the airplane" much faster for the maintenance crew and keep flights on time.

·         At security, the fewer "things" you are carrying, the better. Leave all your jewelry, keys, spare change, iPod, phone, newspaper etc, in your bag. If you think your belt might set off the metal detector, take it off before security, put it in your bag, so you can put it back on afterward.

·         If you have an empty seat next to you and there is an adult traveling with a baby in lap, it is nice to offer them your seat so they can spread out a little.

·         If you plan on taking a sleeping pill, opt for a window seat so passengers aren't required to climb over you in order to access the restroom.

Warnings

·         Do not pack strong smelling foods (e.g. tuna sandwiches, anything with onions, deli, etc.) to eat on the plane. Your fellow passengers may be sensitive to the smell.

·         Remember that even if you wear headphones while you listen to loud music, your direct neighbor can hear it, and will likely be less than pleased about it. Turn your music player to a more moderate level for the flight.

Source: How to Practice Airplane Etiquette