One-third of phishing attacks target money

According to a new report by Kaspersky Lab, approximately one-third of all phishing attacks are aimed at stealing money.

The study found that 31.45 per cent of phishing attacks in 2013 used the names of leading banks, online stores and online payment systems in order to fool victims into parting with their money - an increase of 8.5 percentage points from 2012.

Financial cyber threats in 2013 used data from the Kaspersky Security Network. It found that around 60 per cent of attacks mimicking bank pages used one of 25 organisation names and, of those attacks, 88.3 per cent used PayPal, American Express, MasterCard or Visa.

Reputational damage

The most used brand name for attempting to catch consumers out was Amazon, which was used in a total of 61 per cent of incidents. Amazon has been the most popular brand used for executing phishing attacks for a number of years now. Apple and eBay were the other two organisations comprising the top three.

Social media website are also increasingly being employed by phishers. Brands such as Facebook were used in 35.4 per cent of attacks during 2013, an increase of 6.8 percentage points.

"Phishing attacks are so popular because they are simple to deploy and extremely effective," said Sergey Lozhkin, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab. "It is often not easy for even advanced Internet users to distinguish a well-designed fraudulent site from a legitimate page, which makes it even more important to install a specialised protection solution. In addition, phishing causes reputational and financial damage to organisations that see their brands exploited in phishing attacks."

In Depth: What to do with your old Windows XP PC

Time is fast running out for Windows XP. Microsoft is ceasing all official support for it from 8th April. What happens next? You can, of course, continue to use your PC and XP as before, but at increased risk to your security and privacy.

Over time, support for your favourite apps will end too, so perhaps an alternative approach is called for.

That approach obviously means moving on from Windows XP, either to a new version of Windows or even a completely different platform.

But what does the future hold for your trusty old PC? Read on to find out what to do with it should you decide to finally part ways with XP.

1. Upgrade it to Windows 7 or 8

If you're still attached to your old PC – perhaps for financial reasons – then ask if you might be able to upgrade it to a later version of Windows. The obvious candidates are Windows 7 and 8, because both will be familiar to you, and don't have demanding system requirements.

If your PC has a 1GHz or faster processor, 1GB RAM, 20GB free hard drive space and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics card or chip, it'll work with the newer version of Windows. Performance won't be as fast as in XP, but it should be acceptable, particularly if you don't run too many programs at once.

Before taking the plunge however, download and run either the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor or Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant to get a more detailed compatibility report – you may find the cost of upgrading or replacing different parts of your PC is more expensive than simply replacing it.

2. Replace it

A new desktop PC with Windows 8 pre-installed can be purchased for under £265 (US$300, A$500). If you decide the end has come for your old Windows XP PC, make sure you dispose of it carefully and responsibly.

Once your new PC is up and running, wait until you're happy you've transferred over all the documents, files and other data you need from your old PC before taking steps to securely shred all personal data from the drive. If you're planning to pass the computer on to someone else, use a free tool like Eraser to wipe sensitive files from the drive, then restore it to its factory settings before using Eraser to securely wipe any free space for added security.

If you plan to dispose of the computer, use Darik's Boot and Nuke tool to create a bootable CD that will completely wipe the drive of all data, allowing you to then either take it to your local recycling centre or pass it on to a charity such as Computers 4 Africa.

3. Switch to Linux

If you're looking for a modern OS to replace XP that will run smoothly on your old PC, then Linux is the answer. We'd recommend that you choose Ubuntu as your Linux distribution of choice, and downloadthe latest LTS version, currently 12.04, which will be supported until 2017.

It's relatively straightforward to install and you'll find our 25 Ubuntu tips for beginners piece a handy starting point. Look out for a switcher's guide in a future issue of Linux Format.

4. Your personal cloud

One way to keep your old PC working for a while longer is to convert it for use as a dedicated server of some kind. If it's a low-powered laptop, then a great use for it would be as your personal cloud device, allowing you to back up, archive and store documents and other files away from your new computer.

Check out our guide to building a low-powered Linux-based file server, or take a look at ClearOS.

5. Build a media server

Another possible use for your old PC could be as the focal hub for your videos, photos and music, collecting them together in one convenient central location and then piping them over the network (and wider internet) to other devices, including computers, tablets, phones and even smart TVs and set-top boxes. Check out our guide to building a Raspberry Pi server, substituting your old PC for the Pi.

6. Convert it into a home security hub

If you've got a big hard drive installed and are willing to shell out £40-50 for a wireless security camera, you could convert your old PC into a dedicated CCTV system using Ubuntu Server and the free Zoneminder CCTV software following our guide.

It's designed to run headless, which means you won't need to connect a monitor or keyboard/mouse to use it; instead you'll access the system through a web browser on another device to remotely administer it as well as take a peek at what the cameras have recorded.

7. Install a cloud-based OS

These days you'll find most of the apps and services you need for your day-to-day computing life can be found on the internet, so why not transform your ageing laptop, desktop or netbook into a cloud-based terminal using Joli OS? You can install it alongside Windows, but if you're ditching XP you may want to go the whole hog and download the ISO file for burning to CD.

Installation is simple, and you'll soon have access to all the services and apps you need through a lightweight, user-friendly alternative to Windows or Linux.

8. Host websites yourself

If you're happy to leave your old PC on 24-7, you could turn it into a web server, letting you avoid the expense of paying for a web host and serving your website directly over your home internet connection. A tool like Turnkey Linux would allow you to do this without any software cost, but bear in mind you'll need a fast, unmetered broadband connection. You should also check your Internet Provider's T&Cs to make sure they allow this kind of use.

9. Gaming server

If you're into your network gaming, pressing your old PC into service as a dedicated gaming server will take the load off your main PC and let it concentrate on delivering the best possible performance. A gaming server doesn't require any meaty graphics or much RAM, but a fast processor will be helpful if you plan to play against lots of other users.

Depending on the age of your PC, you may find it's not capable of handling large numbers of players, while the speed of your broadband connection (as well as your ISP's T&Cs) may hobble any plans you have to play over the internet.

But for small-scale gaming parties where three or four of you fancy shooting the heck out of each other using a classic game like Counter-Strike or Unreal Tournament, your old PC may be just the ticket, particularly if the game in question runs on Linux, allowing you to ditch XP at the same time.

Google working on new Android TV platform: Report

It appears that Google has not given up on the idea of creating its own TV box even after a tepid response to its Google TV offering. 

The Mountain View giant is reportedly working on a new platform called, Android TV, to compete with Apple TV and Amazon's recently unveiled Fire TV offering. 

According to The Verge, which claims to have access to documents related to the development of Android TV, Google's new TV platform will be "an entertainment interface and not a computing platform." 

Unlike Google TV which used to power television sets, Blu-ray players and media boxes of companies like Sony, Logitech and Intel, Android TV will be like the current crop of set top boxes on the market, such as Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku. 

The report elaborates that while Android will power the platform, the user interface will feature scrolling "cards" for movies, shows, apps, and games placed on a shelf. 

Google wants developers to create simple apps for Android TV and is stripping the box of features like telephony, cameras, touchscreen support and NFC to keep developers focused, adds the report. Google has also created ready-made interfaces for developers to integrate shows, games, photos, music, and films. 

Navigation will be through a remote control with a four-way directional pad to scroll left and right through different suggestions, or up and down through different categories of content. The controller will also have Enter, Home, and Back buttons and similar to Amazon's Fire TV there will be "optional" game controllers. It will also support voice input and notifications. 

The Verge also mentions that it has seen screenshots of Google's own apps like Play Movies, YouTube, and Hangouts; and of third party apps like Vevo, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, and games. This means that Google is already working with content providers for the service. 

Google did not comment on the matter. 

It is not the first time that we're hearing about Android TV. In October 2013, a GigaOO report had suggested that Google was integrating the Google TV platform with Android and renaming it, Android TV, citing an executive working for a consumer electronics manufacturer that makes Google TV devices as a source. It had mentioned that Google TV partners like Sony, STMicroelectronics and LG had stopped using Google TV name with their latest devices. 

It's worth pointing out that Google already offers the Chromecast, a $35 HDMI dongle that allows users to access online video services like Netflix, YouTube and other content. It uses the cloud for mirroring content played on mobile devices and computers. The device was US-only for a long time but Google has now started selling it in other markets.

Choosing the right camera

Compact point-and-shoots 

Range: Rs 4,000 - 20,000

Regardless of what smartphone manufacturers will tell you, a compact point-and-shoot is almost always better than the one on your handset. These cameras come with easy to-use functions like auto focus, filter effects and photo modes that allow novice users to click good pictures by simply using the proper one-touch auto settings. Besides, these shooters handle low-light photography better; are equipped with optical zoom (which is the only type of zoom you should consider when buying a camera); and superior quality lens.

Here, you can expect to pick a camera with...

A 10-megapixel sensor and above. Optical zoom starting at 5x, going up to 20x. A 2.7-inch to 3-inch LCD display. Features such as smile detection, panorama, miniature effect (tilt-shift photography), as well as shooting modes such as sports, portrait, close-up, landscape, night shot, indoor, outdoor, etc. Rugged exteriors that are shockproof, waterproof, dustproof and freezeproof.



Who should buy?

Easy, intuitive controls and autofocus make these cameras ideal devices to take along on a holiday or to click birthday party pictures and shoot HD home video clips. Their compact size lets you carry them along easily on a belt clip, and their low starting price makes them perfect for first-time users and children. The output of these cameras is more than ideal to get 6x4-inch prints for your photo album.

Super zoom 

Range: 18,000 - 35,000

Super zooms are a step up from the basic point-and-shoot. Like the entry-level compact cameras, these shooters are equipped with easy-to-use options like auto focus, filter effects and photo modes. Additionally, many devices also allow for manual settings, where the photographer can control the focus on the subject, while softening the background. Importantly, super zooms come with advanced image stabilization technology important when shooting subjects with high zoom—that reduces blurring in photos, mostly caused by the slight wavering of a photographer's hands.

Here, you can pick a camera with...

A 14-megapixel sensor and above.

Optical zoom starting at 20x, and going all the way up to a whopping 60x.

A swivel LCD that allows the photographer to adjust the angle of the display, allowing to shoot from difficult angles, including from over the head, and even around corners.

Optical image stabilisation (OIS). It should be noted that different manufacturers refer to OIS differently. Nikon, for example, uses the term 'Vibration Reduction', while Sony uses 'Super Steady Shot' (avoid super zooms with digital image stabilisation).



Who should buy?

Super zooms are ideal for wildlife photos and bird spotting, landscapes, and sporting action from budget stadium seats. Also, since these cameras come with a fair level of manual control, they're good for people who're looking to graduate from their compact cameras, but are still not confident about going fully manual with a mirrorless or DSLR.

Cambridge in colour

If you're a budding photographer, seeking some guidance in the art, then CiC can prove to be an indispensable resource. The site is packed with detailed tutorials that can be browsed by categories: Concepts & Terminology, Using Camera Equipment, Editing & Post-Processing, Colour Management & Printing, and Photo Techniques & Styles. It is also home to tools such as calculators for natural lighting, focal length and shutter speed. But the best part is its Forum section that's buzzing with photographers from around the world, where you can post queries, interact with enthusiasts, and even help others like yourself. www.cambridgeincolour.com



Interchangeable lens (DSLRs and mirrorless) 

Range: 24,000 onwards

Compact mirrorless cameras and full-sized DSLRs allow for absolute flexibility in photography. Users can control variables like aperture size and shutter speed, as well as choose the right type of lens - whether macro for extreme close-ups, pancakes for portraits, wide angle for panoramas or telephoto for distant subjects - to get exactly the kind of output they desire. If used properly, you can get the best quality of photos from these shooters. Besides, these cameras also let you shoot in digital formats that lend themselves well to image-processing techniques (in software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, etc) for professional output.



Here, you can expect to pick a camera with...

A 12MP+ sensor that's larger in size than the ones found on compact cameras and super zooms. A standard 18-55 mm stock lens that's sufficient for everyday photography, and enough to learn the ropes (additional lens cost extra). A viewfinder (only on DSLRs) that allows for proper framing of the subject. Additionally, some models also come with a swivel LCD. A 'Guide' mode (found in the Nikon D3000 series) that help novices understand manual operation. Most cameras also come with an Auto mode. A range of compatible lens for different types of photography.

Who should buy?

These shooters work well for those who are willing to invest time to learn the art of photography, and spend on additional lens for their cameras, which can be quite an expensive proposition. Mirrorless cameras give you most of the benefits of a DSLR and make for superb travel shooters. DSLRs, on the other hand, are capable of better low-light photography ; promise faster focus time, and are supported by a greater range of lens. If you're ready to graduate from auto mode, or perhaps, looking to attend a photography course, then these cameras are the ones you should be looking at. savio.dsouza@timesgroup.com

Memory card 

If you're buying a point-and-shoot camera, you should buy a 'Class 4' or 'Class 6' SD memory card (check packaging for details). But if you've invested in a DSLR, or a mirrorless camera, buy a Class 10 card that supports the 'write' speeds required for Full HD video recording and burst mode photography. Ask your dealer for help in picking up the right card.

Megapixel myth 



Given that a 3MP shooter is more than enough to click print-worthy 4x6-inch photos, you shouldn't concern yourself with this specification when buying a camera. Also, pictures shot at higher megapixel settings tend to occupy a larger space in storage, so more is not necessarily always better.

In fact, the size of the sensor inside the camera plays a bigger role in picture quality. Most entry-level compact shooters come with what is known as a 1/2.3-inch (6.1x4.55mm) sensor, while entry-level DSLRs like the Canon 1100D, and the Nikon D3000 range come with an APS-C (23.60x15.60mm) sensor.

Simply put, an 18MP compact, with its 1/2.3-inch sensor, isn't as good as a 10MP DSLR with an APS-C sensor.

How to Fix Most Xbox One Problems in 3 Steps

How to Fix Most Xbox One Problems in 3 Steps is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

The Xbox One, Microsoft’s new entertainment box, has proven to be both a powerhouse and a fickle beast. Each day millions of users play games, watch live television shows and video chat with friends and family on the $499 device. Unfortunately, it’s still early days and like any other product there are Xbox One problems and bugs that stop users in their tracks. Thankfully, there’s a simplistic and easy way to fix them.

So how do you fix most Xbox One problems? Shutdown, unplug the power cable and all related accessories and wait two minutes.

Shutting down your Xbox One is simple. Don’t use your controller, Kinect sensor or SmartGlass app to shut down the console. By default, these options don’t really turn the console off. Instead they leave it in a low-power state. Place your finger on the glowing power button at the front of your console. It’s shaped like an Xbox logo. Hold your finger there until your console turns itself off.

Now unplug anything you have running directly to your Xbox One. That includes any television sets, cable boxes and the power cord itself.

Wait two minutes before plugging the console back in. Then reconnect everything that was plugged into your console before.

Power the system on and wait for it to boot. This could take some time. In our experience rebooting after restarting everything took about a minute. Be sure to turn your television off, too, if you previously configured your Xbox One console to control your television set.

Now use your controller or to see if the Xbox One problems you were having are still there. So far we’ve used this method to fix the Xbox One Dashboard not loading despite it being connected to a network, the Xbox one not detecting the Kinect 2 sensor despite it being plugged in and some overall dashboard sluggishness after we mistakenly left a game running in the background for too long in earlier software releases.

The hope is that Microsoft will address these Xbox One problems in future updates quickly. So far that seems to be the case; for example the Xbox One Dashboard not loading isn’t a problem in the latest preview version of the Xbox One software.

5 Reasons Buyers Need to Wait for the New MacBook Air Release

5 Reasons Buyers Need to Wait for the New MacBook Air Release is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

The new MacBook Air release will likely come this summer at WWDC 2014 in early June, and there are several good reasons to wait two months to buy a new Macbook Air.

There is nothing wrong with the MacBook Air 2013 models sold in Apple stores right now, but signs point to several very nice upgrades for a MacBook Air 2014 refresh that could arrive as soon as June.

Multiple trustworthy sources claim the new MacBook Air release is set for mid-2014, which makes the Apple WWDC 2014 event that starts on June 2nd a promising date to look at. Apple announced a new MacBook Air at this same conference in 2013 as well.

With two proven sources pointing to a new MacBook Air release in the next several months it’s a good idea to hold off on your purchase simply to get the latest model, but we’ll also outline five reasons you should wait for the new MacBook Air release in 2014.

A new MacBook Air release date could arrive soon with a new 12-inch MacBook Air.

Putting all rumors aside, there is a history of a new MacBook Air release in the summer, with four of the last five Macbook Air update coming in June or July. It is almost 300 days since the last MacBook Air refresh and Apple often updates the new model once a year with new features. According to the MacRumors guide, there are 340 days between MacBook Air announcements on average, which lends support to a 2014 MacBook Air release in June.

5 Reasons to Wait for a New MacBook Air Release

If you need to replace a broken computer it may not work out to wait two months, but for anyone that is able to wait there are a number of new features and advantages to waiting for the new MacBook Air to arrive for 2014. Thanks to a collection of rumors and reports we can share a look at potential MacBook Air 2014 model features that are worth waiting for.

Retina Display

The biggest reason to wait for a new MacBook Air 2014 update before buying is for a Retina Display. Rumors suggest Apple is planning a MacBook Air Retina release for mid-2014 which will offer a higher resolution display that looks better than the current display.

A MacBook Air Retina release could bring a better display to the MacBook Air in 2014.

Rumors point to a MacBook Air Retina with a 2304 x 1440 resolution according to NPD DisplaySearch. While users should be able to access this full resolution, the Retina quality comes when the display offers less room for windows. The Retina resolution is Apple’s recommendation of what looks best, but users can adjust it to gain more space for running two apps at once.

Better Battery Life

Wit the MacBook Air release last year Apple boosted Battery life to incredible all-day levels and a new report suggests the company is planning to boost battery life again.

Users may see better Macbook Air battery life again in 2014.

This time instead of depending on a new Intel processor and OSX software the RAM could help deliver better battery life. A report from Matt Margolis predicts Apple will use new LPDDR4 DRAM in the new MacBooks for 2014, which can increase battery life in standby and while in use.

New 12-inch MacBook Air

For users that want a larger screen, but love the small size of the 11.6-inch MacBook Air, a new device could be just what they want to buy. Rumors suggest Apple is working on a new MacBook Air with a 12-inch screen that is the same size as the 11-inch MacBook Air.

A new MacBook Air 2014 model could come with a new 12-inch option.

KGI Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo describes the new MacBook Air in a note to investors from late 2013 stating, “We expect the unprecedented 12-inch model will boast both the portability of the 11-inch model, and productivity of the 13-inch model.” Kuo adds details about the design and screen stating, “The high resolution display will also offer the outstanding visual experience of the Retina MacBook Pro. The offering will likely be lighter and slimmer than the existing MacBook Air.”

If you want the latest and greatest, it is a good idea to wait until June 2014.

Thunderbolt 2 & 4k Support

The MacBook Pro Retina arrived with Thunderbolt 2 ports and support for 4k monitors. Apple is still ironing out 4k support in an update to the OS X 10.9 operating system, but the current MacBook Air is not on the list as supported devices even if the Intel GPU supports a higher resolution.

A new MacBook Air for 2014 could bring 4k support with Thunderbolt 2.

It is very likely that Apple is planning to include the new Thunderbolt 2 ports on the new MacBook Air to support 4k displays. There is a chance that Apple will announce a 4k display later this year, but for now the company sells a Sharp 4k display in the Apple Store. A growing number of companies are bringing $700 4k displays to the market, offering a more affordable 4k price point.

Better Performance

With each new MacBook Air release we see improved performance for day-t0-day use and even video processing. While this new MacBook Air will not likely arrive as a video editing powerhouse it looks like we will see some performance improvements.

A new type of RAM could contribute to better Macbook Air performance, Image via Margolis

In the same report, Margolis shares details of improved performance thanks to a new type of RAM that Apple is likely to include in the new MacBook Air 2014 update. The numbers shown are fairly abstract in terms of what it means for the average user, but combined with the other reasons listed, small performance gains are worth waiting for.

5 Windows 8 Annoyances You Can Fix in 2 Minutes

5 Windows 8 Annoyances You Can Fix in 2 Minutes is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

A lot has been said about Windows 8, Microsoft’s first attempt at meshing what users expect from modern operating systems running on today’s devices and what users loved about previous versions of Windows. Even Microsoft is now willing to admit that it may have gotten the exact formula wrong and is preparing to even bring the Start Menu back at some point. That won’t help confused users today, but hopefully a few quick fixes to common Windows 8 complaints will.

Doing any of these things will require Windows 8.1, the free software update that’s available to everyone running Windows 8 in the Windows Store. Check to see if it’s available in the Windows Store by looking for a banner the moment you enter it. If you don’t see the banner, Windows 8.1 is already on your device.

Turn Off The Windows 8 Start Screen and Charms

Ironically, the biggest complaint users have about Windows 8, that its new colorful Start Screen that comes filled with new Windows Store apps, is fairly easy to fix without any downloadable tools or extras. It’s still impossible to get rid of the screen entirely — users won’t be taken there but will have to go there to search for apps — but it’s a start. To do that, read our tutorial on How to Turn Off the Start Screen in Windows 8.1.

Change the Windows 8 Default Apps

Hiding the Start Screen is just the first step for users who plan on ridding themselves of Windows 8’s Start Screen. The next important task is to stop Windows 8 from launching the apps that can only be seen there and take up the entire display by default. To do this users need to change the default apps that are opened for different tasks in the Settings. To do that, read our tutorial on How to Set Apps to Open in the Desktop in Windows 8.1.

Stop Windows 8 App Notifications From Keeping You Up

Windows 8 notifications can be both useful and a pain. They’re great because they immediately alert you to something urgent, whether that be email or changes in your other apps. They include sounds that alert users even when they’re not in front of their device. It’s that chime that may become a liability in some situations, like when you’re sleeping.

Thankfully, the Windows 8.1 update also introduced a setting called Quiet Hours. With it, any device can be set to not make a sound when a Skype message arrives, letting you continue your night without any disturbances. Follow our directions about setting up Quiet Hours here in this tutorial on How to Stop Notifications in Windows 8.1.

Stop Hunting for Apps and Pin Them to the Taskbar or Start Screen

Regardless of whether a user likes the Start Screen or not, Live Tiles themselves can be a bit of a hassle. There’s only so much space on a single screen and pinning every essential app could leave users with a very unwieldy Start Screen that requires way too much horizontal scrolling. Some users have solved this problem by splitting where they pin their apps to.

Users should pin Desktop apps to the taskbar in the Desktop, since they open there anyway and leave all of your important Windows Store apps on the Start Screen. This keeps down on the clutter and allows them to use the Desktop as one big short cut to things that require it, like iTunes.

A complete list of installed apps is accessed by pressing the down arrow in the bottom-left corner of the Start Screen or swiping up on the Start Screen on touch devices. Users can pin items by right-clicking on them in the app list if they have a keyboard and mouse, or tapping and holding on them if they have a Windows 8 device with touch.

Turn On SkyDrive Syncing

SkyDrive syncing is one of the best features available to Windows 8 users and it’s easy to see why. In previous versions users with two or more PCs were forced to make in changes in setting twice. Something as simple as changing a background or setting up email accounts in the mail app had to be done every time a user upgraded or moved between devices. Windows 8.1 killed off that problem for good and added complete settings syncing for any user who has a Microsoft Account. It’s a godsend and something that truly sets Windows 8 apart from other operating systems.

India Inc eyes poll booster to create 2 million new jobs

The upcoming general elections are set to play a key role in the job market, with HR experts pinning their hopes on a stable government to help create over two million new jobs and boost hiring activities by 30-40 per cent this year.

As per estimates of various human resource consultants and executive search firms, India Inc need to hire 12-14 lakh new workers in 2014 to meet their existing business needs.

However, hiring activities may accelerate substantially if the Lok Sabha polls results in a stable government with minimal alliance partners and consequently more than 20 lakh new jobs can be created during 2014, consultants say.

Across various sectors, companies in India are estimated to have created over 10 lakh new jobs last year, but weak economic trends also resulted in large-scale layoffs and considerably cut into net job market addition during 2013.

In the run-up to polls, which begin tomorrow and will continue till May 12, the job market has already seen a major upsurge in demand for professionals in areas like media, PR, event management, market research and social media as political parties spend big-time to woo voters.

However, most of these hirings are temporary in nature and any major boost for permanent or longer-term employment opportunities would largely depend on poll results, which will be announced on May 16.

Experts believe that future hiring activities would get a major boost if verdict is for a stable government with minimum allies, as such an outcome would lead to an increase in investments and add to the economic growth momentum.

"A stable government with minimal allies shall definitely contribute towards a positive job landscape," said Rituparna Chakraborty, Senior VP & Co-Founder of leading HR consultancy firm, TeamLease Services.

Chakraborty, who is also President of Indian Staffing Federation, said that India needs to create jobs in excess of two million this year.

Echoing similar sentiments, leading executive search firm GlobalHunt's Managing Director Sunil Goel said that new job creation may witness 30-40 per cent growth if the polls results in a clear verdict.

"A full majority for any political party will bring the firmness and long-term good policy impact to grow the economy and create job opportunities in the market rather than just having the policy to get vote bank," Goel said.

Going by various employment index, the Indian job market is showing an improvement on a month-on-month basis since the start of this year.

The Monster.com Employment Index, a monthly gauge of the country's online job demand, is on an uptrend since October 2013.