Anti-virus questions from two different people this week have prompted this topic today. :-)
1) For PC users (non-Apple products), Avast Free remains the anti-virus program of choice. You do not need pay for this. NEVER click on any of the promotions from this company to say that you want to Upgrade. You don't need anything more than the free version. It may ask you to renew annually, but at that time all you need to do is Select the free version....nothing more. Avast is available at avast.com.
2) More is not better. Running two anti-virus programs does not give you twice the protection. It usually only causes conflicts within the computer and a possible slowdown. (Although I have read the Windows Defender, a component of Windows 10 can run in the background while Avast, but I''m not 100% convinced.
3) Mac users (devices are from Apple) do not need to run anti-virus protection. It is not needed and you may experience a slowdown in your computer if you install protection.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Facebook email - real or scam?
Facebook users, have you ever received an email from Facebook like this one below? On Saturday, I received two of these emails within a couple of minutes of each other. I had been on Facebook earlier that day but had not had any trouble logging in to my account. So, why did I get these emails? Hmmmm.
Were they scam emails? That's what I thought at first, but after looking at the actual "From" address and googling some of the key words in the email, I found that the emails had indeed come from Facebook. Hmmmm.
Then I wondered, "Had someone else been trying to log into my account?" Possibly.
So, I decided the best thing to do was to change my password. I did NOT clink on the link in the email (a definite no-no), but I accessed the settings of my Facebook account, and immediately changed my password......just in case. (Settings - Security and Login - Change Password)
Lesson of the day for me: If in doubt about security of my accounts, change password......but NOT by clicking on the link in an email. I know, I know, it's a pain--- something new to remember or write down. And, remember, you will then have to login with the new password on each device you own. Ugh. Safety comes with a price...either financial or in time. But, it's the price we have to pay for all the conveniences provided by today's technology.
Were they scam emails? That's what I thought at first, but after looking at the actual "From" address and googling some of the key words in the email, I found that the emails had indeed come from Facebook. Hmmmm.
Then I wondered, "Had someone else been trying to log into my account?" Possibly.
So, I decided the best thing to do was to change my password. I did NOT clink on the link in the email (a definite no-no), but I accessed the settings of my Facebook account, and immediately changed my password......just in case. (Settings - Security and Login - Change Password)
Lesson of the day for me: If in doubt about security of my accounts, change password......but NOT by clicking on the link in an email. I know, I know, it's a pain--- something new to remember or write down. And, remember, you will then have to login with the new password on each device you own. Ugh. Safety comes with a price...either financial or in time. But, it's the price we have to pay for all the conveniences provided by today's technology.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Capturing the Lunar Eclipse
Do you plan on taking photos Monday during the lunar eclipse?
Many of us will probably have our cameras or phones out during the lunar eclipse on Monday, but very few of us will end up with photos of the moon and sun that are very satisfactory. Much information can be found on the web for "photography tips and tricks" for this big event, but most successful pictures will be created by cameras and phones with special attachments and filters purchased specifically for this event.
So, what does that mean for us amateurs?
1) Enjoy the event.
2) Get your protective glasses now if you don't already have them. Use them throughout the whole event unless you travel to a location that will have 100% coverage area for a couple of minutes.
3) Take photos and video of what is happening around you during the eclipse. Record people's reactions and comments during the event. (Go to the zoo to observe how this affects the animals).
Caution: DO NOT USE A FLASH OF ANY KIND! You will ruin the dark adaptation of everyone's eyes, and will spoil the show for them all!!
4) Or, just savor the experience. Use your eyes and senses to experience this once in a lifetime event.
Many of us will probably have our cameras or phones out during the lunar eclipse on Monday, but very few of us will end up with photos of the moon and sun that are very satisfactory. Much information can be found on the web for "photography tips and tricks" for this big event, but most successful pictures will be created by cameras and phones with special attachments and filters purchased specifically for this event.
So, what does that mean for us amateurs?
1) Enjoy the event.
2) Get your protective glasses now if you don't already have them. Use them throughout the whole event unless you travel to a location that will have 100% coverage area for a couple of minutes.
3) Take photos and video of what is happening around you during the eclipse. Record people's reactions and comments during the event. (Go to the zoo to observe how this affects the animals).
Caution: DO NOT USE A FLASH OF ANY KIND! You will ruin the dark adaptation of everyone's eyes, and will spoil the show for them all!!
4) Or, just savor the experience. Use your eyes and senses to experience this once in a lifetime event.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
A little computer humor!
One of you recently forwarded this email to me. I laughed out loud while reading and then when I read it to John I could hardly read for all my laughing. Don't take it too seriously; enjoy this conversation between a customer and a pizza parlor. :-)
Hello! Is this Gordon's Pizza?
No sir, it's Google's Pizza
Did I dial the wrong number?
No sir, Google bought the pizza store.
Oh, alright - then I’d like to place an order please.
Do you want the usual?
The usual? You know what my usual is?
According to the caller ID, the last 15 times you’ve ordered a 12-slice with double-cheese, sausage, and thick crust.
Okay - that’s what I want this time too.
May I suggest that this time you order an 8-slice with ricotta, arugula, and tomato instead?
No, I hate vegetables.
But your cholesterol is not good.
How do you know?
Through the subscribers guide. We have the results of your blood tests for the last 7 years.
Maybe so, but I don’t want the pizza you suggest – I already take medicine for high cholesterol.
But you haven’t taken the medicine regularly. 4 months ago you purchased a box of only 30 tablets from Drugsale Network.
I bought more from another drugstore.
It's not showing on your credit card sir
I paid in cash.
But according to your bank statement you did not withdraw that much cash.
I have another source of cash.
This is not showing on your last tax form, unless you got it from an undeclared income source.
What the heck? Enough!
I'm sick of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
I'm going to an island without internet, where there’s no cellphone line, and no one to spy on me ...
I understand sir, but you’ll need to renew your passport ... it expired 5 weeks ago.
What do you think? Is this the future? I'm not concerned, but I guess it is something to think about.
Hello! Is this Gordon's Pizza?
No sir, it's Google's Pizza
Did I dial the wrong number?
No sir, Google bought the pizza store.
Oh, alright - then I’d like to place an order please.
Do you want the usual?
The usual? You know what my usual is?
According to the caller ID, the last 15 times you’ve ordered a 12-slice with double-cheese, sausage, and thick crust.
Okay - that’s what I want this time too.
May I suggest that this time you order an 8-slice with ricotta, arugula, and tomato instead?
No, I hate vegetables.
But your cholesterol is not good.
How do you know?
Through the subscribers guide. We have the results of your blood tests for the last 7 years.
Maybe so, but I don’t want the pizza you suggest – I already take medicine for high cholesterol.
But you haven’t taken the medicine regularly. 4 months ago you purchased a box of only 30 tablets from Drugsale Network.
I bought more from another drugstore.
It's not showing on your credit card sir
I paid in cash.
But according to your bank statement you did not withdraw that much cash.
I have another source of cash.
This is not showing on your last tax form, unless you got it from an undeclared income source.
What the heck? Enough!
I'm sick of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
I'm going to an island without internet, where there’s no cellphone line, and no one to spy on me ...
I understand sir, but you’ll need to renew your passport ... it expired 5 weeks ago.
What do you think? Is this the future? I'm not concerned, but I guess it is something to think about.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Problems? Restart!
Having problems with your digital devices - TV, desktop, laptop, tablet, phone? Restart.
We've been having a variety of connectivity issues here at our house recently with our TV, internet, and smartphones. In every instance except one, a restart of the device solved the issue. So, before you call a technician, remember.....Restart. Restart. Restart. (yes, try it more than once).
Don't you wish we could "restart" our bodies? Hmmm....maybe that is what sleep is for?? :-)
We've been having a variety of connectivity issues here at our house recently with our TV, internet, and smartphones. In every instance except one, a restart of the device solved the issue. So, before you call a technician, remember.....Restart. Restart. Restart. (yes, try it more than once).
Don't you wish we could "restart" our bodies? Hmmm....maybe that is what sleep is for?? :-)