Favorite tech resources

Although I read tech "stuff" almost daily online, below are some of my favorite "go-to's" when I want to learn new skills or understand how something works.

GCFLearnFree - excellent lessons, both video and text, on a wide range of topics:  Microsoft Office, email,Using the Internet, Mac, Windows, and computer basics.

Steve Dotto - dottotech https://www.youtube.com/user/dottotech
Anson Alexander- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6P0T27tGd2YExINbzKR0Q

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Tech gifts for Christmas?

Is your Christmas shopping all done? Or are you still looking for ideas? Check out the items below.

For iPhones/iPads Anker Nylon Lightning Cable(2 pk) - 6 foot nylon charging cables for your iPhone or iPad (I love mine!)

For Android phones - Anker Power Cable - 6 ft nylon charging cable

For charging your devices-on-the-go - Anker portable charger  I was fortunate to pick up this item on Amazon Shopping Day in July for $19.99.  Presently they sell for $32, but if you do a lot of traveling, have an older phone that doesn't keep its charge, or just like having the security of knowing you can always plug in your device to charge it, then you might want to consider purchasing this (or wait until it goes on sale again).

We LOVE our Echo Dot(s).  We have 2nd Generation Dots, but right now the 3rd Generation Dots are on sale for only $5 more than the 2nd Generation.  We have an Echo Dot on each floor of our house and use them to turn lamps off and on, set timers and reminders, add items to our grocery list, play Christmas music, and even play an occasional game.  The possibilities are endless!

Keep moving forward with those passwords!

At this time of year when we check our smoke detectors, there is another task we should add to that list. It's a good time to do a check of our online security.

The newest operating system for iPhones now tells us when we have used the same password for multiple websites.  As annoying as that may be, it is a GREAT reminder that we should never use the same password for more than one site....especially when money is exchanging hands.

How in the world can we ever remember a gazillion different passwords?

1)  Start with a phrase or lyric to a favorite song:  Ex.: Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

2) Use the first letter of each word:  JttwtLic

3)  Add a number by replacing the word "to" with the number "2".  J2twtLic

3)  Add a symbol to meet some website requirements.  Use $ for "s".  J2twtL$c  Be creative!

4) Now that you have your 8-digit base password you can commit to memory, "personalize" it for each account by adding the first three letters of that account either to the beginning or end of the password.  Amazon?  J2twtL$cAma  Facebook?  J2twtL$cFac

If the thought of changing all your passwords is overwhelming, at least keep this tip in mind moving forward when you create new accounts.

Cleaning screens

Whether your TV, desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone need cleaning, you can follow the steps below:

1) Turn off the device.  It is easier to see the fingerprints and smudges if the device is off.  You also won't accidentally press any keys or buttons during the process.

2)  Using a soft, drycloth (think microfiber) or a dry eraser, GENTLY wipe the screen.

3) If smudges remain do not press harder (especiallyon a TV which is constructed differently than that of a "touch" device.)  Lightly dampen the cloth with water to remove remaining smudges.  Note:  Pushing harder on a TV screen can cause pixels to burn out.

4) Cleaning products can be used on the edges and case of a device, but AVOID getting any on the screen.

DO NOT use paper towels, rags, tissues, or your shirt to clean devices.  These can cause scratches.

DO NOT spray water directly on the screen.  Always just dampen your cloth to remove smudges.

Happy cleaning!

Medicare Part D plans

It's that time of year .....again!  You can review, compare and join a 2019 drug plan now through December 7, 2018.  It is strongly recommended that we seniors annually review our drug plans so there are no surprises.  Premiums change as do the tiers for drugs we presently take.  

There are 3 different methods you can use to review your plan:

1) Make an appointment with a local pharmacist and ask for their help in determining what is best for you. Be sure to take your Medicare card and your list of medicines with you.

2) For people living in this area - Make an appointment through the Lyon County Extension Office. Contact Rhonda Gordon at 620-341-3220 to make an appointment to verify that you have the best plan both financially and for your prescription needs. Be sure to take your Medicare card and your list of medicines with you to your appointment.

3)  If you'd like to explore the Drug Plan options yourself, the medicare.gov website is excellent!  https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx  We've used it the past couple of years. Results were identical to those we received from the Lyon County Extension Office. The website is exactly the same one the SHICK program used last year (and my guess is that pharmacists also use the same website).
If you'd like help using the website, there are 5 video tutorials (anywhere from 1-5 minutes in length):

Getting Started
Entering Your Prescription Drugs
Selecting Pharmacies
Refining and Sorting Plan Results
Comparing Plans

Whatever method you choose, please review your present plan.  Costs can change dramatically from year to year, so even if you choose to stay with the same plan next year, at least you can know what the increase in premiums or drugs will be.

Facebook. No, you haven't been hacked.

Don't panic or worry.  Your Facebook account has not been hacked.

If you are a Facebook user, more than likely you've seen multiple postings in the past week from your "Friends" stating that their account has been hacked and not to accept any "Friend Requests" from them.  This has not happened, and they/you do not need to be concerned with it. You do not need to change your password.  And, please do not post any variation of that message on your own Timeline.  :-)

Want more information about this?  Check out this article.

Happy Facebooking!

Freeze your Credit Now.....Free!

If you're like me (do as I say not as I do), you did not follow through on your good intentions a year ago.  Even though the recommendation following the Equifax breach was to "freeze your credit" to be safe, only 17% of the nation's citizens did that.  

But, as of last Friday, freezing your credit at all three major credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - is free!  (Procrastination pays off in this case).  The process has not been shortened, but you can't beat "free."  Credit freezes restrict access to your credit file and make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

Want more information and the "how-to's"?  Here are two great links:
1) From the government website:  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/free-credit-freezes-are-here

2) For the "how-to's" and links:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/21/equifax-free-credit-freeze-new-law/1377815002/ 

Just set aside one hour and DO IT!

Updates

Should you install updates on your computer, your smartphone and your tablet when they become available?  Yes, as soon as possible.

Hopefully, the settings on your devices allow updates to be installed automatically as they become available.  If not or you don't know when updates are installed, you may want to look at your Settings or Preferences to make that change.  Some computers may have been set to install updates automatically upon shutdown, so if you leave your computer on all the time, your updates are not getting installed.

Why are updates important?  Software updates perform a myriad of tasks.  Updates may install new features, remove outdated features, update computer drivers, fix "bugs", but most importantly, fix security issues that have been discovered.

*Note for iPhone users:  Tomorrow Apple will unveil 3 new iPhones; that event will be followed next week by the release of a new operating system for all iPhones - iOS12.  Any new operating system usually has some "bugs", so once it is released there will probably be several quick updates as issues are discovered.  Make sure you are installing those updates. Look in Settings - General - Software Update.

Voice Memos

Have you ever wanted to remember something but don't have a piece of paper to write on?  Consider making a voice memo.

Voice Memos is an app I've recently started using on my phone.  It comes installed on iPhones.  On an Android phone the equivalent is Memos.  (There are also other voice memo apps available for download.)

For iPhones: 

1. Open the Voice Memos app that comes installed on your phone. 
2. Touch the Record button (red button).  Then begin talking.  
3. When you're done recording, press the Record button once again.  
4. Press Save and give it a name if you'd like.  
5. When you tap on the recording, you have the option to mail the recording or send it in a message to yourself or someone else.  Give it a try! 
6. For more information or to see picture instructions, click here. 

For Android phones:

1. Open the Memos app.
2. Tap the+icon.
3. Tap Voice.
4. Tap the red dot to begin talking.
5. When finished, tap the stop icon (square).
6. Give the recording a name, and click Save.
7. For more information, click here. 

This app came in handy when I received a call from my mother's doctor last week with instructions regarding a new medication.  As soon as I hung up, I opened the app and dictated everything the doctor told me.

What might be some other uses? Record a meeting? Conversation at a doctor's appointment? Grocery list? Conduct an interview? Can you think of other uses?  

Have a terrific Tuesday, a great week and a safe Labor Day weekend!

Don't click!

In the past 3 days, I've had two people tell me they clicked on a pop-up on their computer and are now suffering the consequences.

I've said it before but I feel this needs to be repeated:

Never click on a pop-up that warns your computer has been infected and don't call the number provided in that pop-up!  NEVER.  

Don't call, don't give your credit card, don't believe what you are told IF you do call that number.  It is a scam!  If you (or someone you know) falls prey to this scam:

1) Immediately shut down the computer (don't just close the top of your laptop).  If you can't do a normal shutdown, press and hold on the start button until the computer shuts down.

2) Then call the number on the back of your credit card immediately to tell the company what you have done.They will then either close the credit card or put a note on your account to prevent further fraudulent use.

3) When you start the computer back up, it should be fine, but you might want to run your anti-virus software.

Likewise, if you see a pop-up ad offering you "cheaper insurance in the Emporia area" or something similar, do not click on it, unless you want to be barraged with all sorts of junk mail (some of which you may not want anyone else to view!) It is usually just an attempt at collecting some of your personal information.

We can't live without the internet, so we have to stay vigilant in our use of it.

Email - real or a scam?

I continually get questions about how to tell if an email is "for real" or a "scam?"

Sometimes it is very obvious when reading an email that it is a scam - misspelled words, poorly designed, etc.  But other scam emails may be very professional and look like the "real thing."

So, how can you tell?  I recently received a very authentic-looking email from Apple.  It was a bill for something I had not purchased.  My immediate reaction was, "Oh, no, my account has been compromised."  But, before contacting Apple I decided to check out a few more things.

I made this 4-minute video to show you what I did (and what I recommend you do when in doubt): https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFj2Xgql1p 

Should I leave my computer on or turn it off?

Years ago, many of us learned to shut our computer down when we were not using it.  But, is that still the best practice today?

Yes and no.

I've just finished reading a lengthy article on this topic because every once in awhile this question comes up in a class discussion.

A line graph showing failure rates for computers resembles the shape of a bathtub:  equipment failures are high when a computer is new and again at the end of its' life.  During its' "teenage" and  "adult years" computer failure is very low.

So, the recommendations for computers todayare:

1) Since failure rates can be high on new computers, during the warranty period of a new computer you can/should turn it off when not in use. This speeds the "aging process" and allows any equipment failures to occur while under warranty.

2)  During the "teenage and adult years" of a computer, it is safe to leave a computer onand this will reduce wear and tear on components.

3)  At the end of a computer's life, most equipment failures occur during the on/off cycle, so it is recommended to leave it on.

Two caveats: 
1) If you have updates set to install upon shutdown and now decide that you are going to leave your computer on, you will want to change that setting to "automatically update".  It is imperative that you install updates as they become available.

2) Remember to always protect your computer by plugging it into a surge protector (this may need to be a topic for another week).  :-)

What about tablets and phones? I leave all my devices (computer, iPad and iPhone) on 24/7, but I do occasionally shutdown/restart them because I feel like it improves their operating speed.

Wrap your keys in foil?

Do you wrap your car key fob in foil?  Sounds far-fetched, doesn't it?  

But this suggestion came from a reputable source and after reading it I admit it is something of which to be aware.

If your car unlocks with the presence of a key fob nearby, then you should probably give some thought to the recommendation that you wrap your key fob in foil, put it in the refrigerator or place it in the microwave (don't turn it on!)

Why?  Because there are cheap relay boxes that allow criminals to be near your house, pick up the signal from your key fob, and then relay it to another  device in the hands of someone near your car to unlock it. Or, the same thing could be done in a parking lot.

If you don't mind spending a little money, there are also RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-blocking purses, wallets, and cases that will block the signal from your keys (and the chips on your credit cards).

And, if you want to read this information for yourself, check out this article by Kim Komando.

Have a terrific tech Tuesday and if you have questions about tech issues or suggestions for our weekly tech tips, send them my way!

Bill Gates recommends......

Retired Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates always recommends 5 books for summer reading (and 5 more at the end of each year).  They are books that challenge you to look at the world around you.

You may never be a billionaire but you can always read like one!  So take a look at this summer's recommendations; the first three can be checked out digitally on your tablet, phone or Kindle using your State of Kansas library card.

Leonardo da Vinciby Walter Isaacson.

Everything Happens for a Reason(and Other Lies I've Loved) by Kate Bowler.
Written after Kate was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.

Lincoln in the Bardoby George Saunders.
Mixes a bit of history with the supernatural.  This book has 166 characters; a read like no other.

Origin Story:  A Big History of Everythingby David Christian.
Gates says this book will leave you with a greater appreciation of humanity's place in the world.

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We are Wrong About the World and Why Things are Better than You Think by Hans Rosling.
"An indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world." Bill Gates

Amazon Profile Settings

It's just amazing how many things I didn't know I needed until Amazon Prime Day started yesterday afternoon!
Yes, I succumbed to the promotion (even though the first 4-5 hours were frustrating with their servers not being able to handle the load).

Can  you imagine how many packages will be shipped in the next couple of days after this 36-hour marathon of shopping??  There's still time to shop, too! There were some great bargains so I've now officially started my Christmas shopping.  :-)  

While waiting for some deals to become active, I began looking at my Amazon account settings and found a few privacy settings to change. One of those is on my profile.  I thought it might be easier to show you what I changed rather than tell you, so here is a screencast made just for you! https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFibXKFCrB

Prime Day 2018

if you have an Amazon Prime account and love getting some good deals, you may want to check the Amazon website next Monday for some great buys! 

Prime Day starts Monday, July 16 and continues for a day and a half.  Some prices will be below what you see on Black Friday.

You can find a preview here- https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Day/b?ie=UTF8&node=13887280011 

Want to know more about Prime Day?  Check out this article.

Sending Email to Undisclosed Recipients

Sharing email addresses of friends is not considered good netiquette (without their permission.)  So, how can you send an email to a large group of people without disclosing their emails?

1)  Create a new contact in your email address book.  For the name, use Undisclosed Recipients.  For the email address, use your personal email address.

2)  Then create your email and in the Tofield, add the Undisclosed Recipientsentry.

3) Put the addresses of your recipients in the BCC (BlindCarbonCopy)field, notthe To or CC fields.

When the recipients open your email, it should look similar to the image below; showing that it was sent from you to Undisclosed Recipients. They will not be able to see all of the addresses you added to the BCC field.


Questions?  Check out this article for more information.

Netflix? Hulu? Amazon Prime?

There's never been a better time for streaming video.

Whether you are cutting the cord or just want additional options, there's never been a better time than now to do that.

I'm often asked about Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon vs. Roku vs. other options and I don't have enough experience with all of them to give a knowledgeable answer.  We occasionally use our son's Netflix account, I've watched free movies through my Amazon Prime account and, we use our Apple TV to display the iPad on our TV or download a movie, but that's about it.

So, if you're interested in learning more or have a question about streaming video, I think you may want to click on and read this article.

And, if you do have experience with different streaming options, I'd love to hear from you!

Is there a new Facebook algorithm?

In the past week, I've seen two of my Facebook friends ask people to post a comment so they will be able to see posts from them more often.
Both posts blamed a new Facebook algorithm for this problem:

"Hi everyone 😘 Jumping on the bandwagon... Fighting this Facebook algorithm change, because I’m totally noticing I am not seeing so many of my friends’ posts. 😐
This post explains why we don't see all posts from our friends. Your Newsfeed recently shows only posts from the same few people, about 25, repeatedly the same, because Facebook has a new algorithm."

Is this for real? A new algorithm? No. No.

How do I know this?

1)  Most instances where I am asked to share something on Facebook are not "real" (aka fake).

2)  And, I check Snopes.com!  Snopes is the website I always use to check if something is True or False.  I simply copy part of the text from the posting and paste it in the Snopes search box.  (If you are bored and want something to read for entertainment, spend some time reading recent entries at Snopes.com)

Just remember - if it sounds strange, don't share it.  Or at the very least, check it out on Snopes first.

PayPal

If you shop online OR need to send money to someone, then you may want to consider signing up for a PayPal account (free).  

I use our PayPal account whenever given the choice at checkout online.  Why?

1) The real advantage for me is that by using PayPal, I don't have to give my credit card to the company I am purchasing from.  Only PayPal has that information which they use to charge your credit card upon your purchase.

2) PayPal provides 24/7 fraud monitoring and alerts if there is a suspicious charge.

3) PayPal's faster.  You don't have to enter all of your financial details (name, card  number, expiration date, etc.) when you checkout.  You enter it once in PayPal when setting up your account and then speed through checkout thereafter.

4) If you like to accumulate the rewards on your credit card (like our Southwest Visa that we use for the points to fly to Pennsylvania), you keep earning those points/rewards because PayPal uses that credit card each time you make a purchase.

5) It is also very easy to give/send money to individuals using your PayPal account (however, to send money internationally with PayPal is much more expensive than some other options).

We've had a PayPal account for quite a few years and enjoy using it. If you're looking to protect and speed up your online purchases, give it a try!

(If you set up an account and want to try sending money to someone, I'll gladly be your "test" recipient!)    ;-)

P.S. Yes, I wrote about PayPal a little over a year ago, but I thought it might be time for a reminder!

Restart your router

The FBI recommended yesterday that we all restart our routers to keep our home networks secure.  This is not a joke nor something to ignore.

How do you restart your router?  Check out this 30-second video.

Why should you do this?  To disable Russian-linked malware

When should you do this?  Immediately.
Their recommendation is also to change the password on your router and to update the firmware if any updates are available.

Both the video and the accompanying news item can be found here - http://abc7news.com/technology/video-how-to-reboot-your-router-to-avoid-malware/3531630/

And, yes, I restarted our router as soon as I saw the news story on TV yesterday morning.  I didn't even think twice about doing it!

Business hours?

I'm in Kansas City this week with two long-time friends from college and several times we have wondered about business hours of a store or the best time to go to a restaurant.

We've found the Google app on our phones to be very helpful!

We've simply "Googled" the name of a business, clicked on it, then expanded the view to locate the business hours of both stores and restaurants.  As part of those results there is usually a chart to show the "Popular times" of the day or week, so we've planned our visits occasionally.

The same search can be done using your browser at home. Often, those results automatically appear on the right-hand side of the window.  Or, you can always ask Siri or Alexa to help you.  :-)

Health websites

You are probably familiar with several of these websites, but if not, please take a few minutes to look at them.  There is so much information on the internet, it is good to know where you can go to find high quality and reliable information on health issues.WebMD - webmd.com 
Their articles are authoritative and are often written by doctors and easy to read!

Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.com
Get the basics or click on the "in-depth" tab for more information.  Resources include slideshows, videos and resources for further reading.

National Institutes of Health Senior Health - nihseniorhealth.gov
Basics, risks, treatment options, and additional resources for further reading.

Medicare - medicare.gov
The government has created a wonderful website for Medicare.  Compare medical and drug plans. Find medical facilities and doctors. The "Care and Support" section has great information on health issues, too.

Free Annual Credit Reports

I mentioned this right after the Equifax breach last fall, but in case you haven't done it yet---

Did you know that you can get free annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (the three major credit reporting agencies) at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/ ?
It is STRONGLY recommended that you do this to make sure you recognize all accounts that have been opened in your name.

Our financial adviser recommends staggering our requests.  For example:  We get one from Experian, four months later we get one from Equifax, and four months later we get one from TransUnion. Four months later, we go back to Experian.  Put the reminders on your calendar.

If you did not put a lock or freeze on your credit reports after the Equifax breach, this is something you really should consider doing......beginning today.

Google Flights

Before you book your next flight, take a look at Google Flights.

The website will check major airlines and provide information on the cheapest flights, best days to travel, etc. and even alert you when prices are about to change or have changed.  It will even check alternative airports that may have better prices. If you want to receive alerts about price drops, changes, that is an option, too.
Sound like something you might be interested in using?  Check out this article for more information.  

Should I close apps on my phone?

No longer is it recommended that we should close apps on our phones when they are not being used.  In fact, your phone may run better if you leave apps open.

The only time you should be concerned with closing an app on your phone is when it seems to be unresponsive.  Other than that, whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, there is no reason to close out of the apps.

So, mark that off your list of "tech things to do" today and have a terrific Tuesday!

KansasCash.com

Are you broke after paying taxes?  Have you checked to see if you have any "unclaimed" property?  Over $350,000,000 dollars is sitting there waiting to be claimed by its rightful owners.
Check out this website--it is legitimate!  kansascash.com If you do find something that belongs to you be sure and let me know.   (No, I won't charge a commission!)  :-)

Should I shut down my computer?

We've had this discussion in class before - should you turn your computer off when you aren't using it or can you leave it on 24/7?
In the early days of computer use, we learned to always shut down our desktop computers at night to give the components a chance to "rest."

However, today's computers are different.

Is it safe to turn your computer on and off each day?  Yes, until it reaches its "old age" in which case you will want to leave it on to keep equipment failure from preventing startup of the device.

Is it safe to leave your computer on all the time?  Yes.  There is  no harm in leaving your computer on 24/7 with the provision that you are protecting it from voltage surges, lightning strikes, etc. (which you should be doing even if you shut it down daily.)

Want to read a LOT more about this topic?  Check out this article.

HiYa Caller ID and Block

Robocalls have become more frequent on my smartphone so it is with interest I recently read about several new blocking apps that are available for both Android and iOS devices.  

Some apps come with a cost but the free one below is highly recommended by several sources.  I only recently installed the app and don't have enough experience to share, but if Robocalls have become a nuisance for you, you may want to try it.

HiYa Caller ID and Block 
Android phones (Google Play store)
iPhones (App store)

• Identifies and blocks robocalls
• Warns you if incoming call is spam or telemarketer
• Reverse phone lookup

You will want to use the free version, although later if you want to add on some premium features, those are available in-app for $2.99/mo OR $14.99/year.

Disclaimer: I have no association with this company and am not receiving monetary reimbursement for this recommendation.  :-)

WIBW 13 Weather App

You probably already have a favorite weather app on your phone or mobile device, but you may want to add the free WIBW 13 Weather app.  

I've been using it the past couple of weeks and have appreciated the alerts as well as the video that has been provided.  The Weather Channel app (free) and Radar app (paid) are the other two apps I have used.

To download, look for the WIBW 13 Weather App in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad or in the Google Play Store on your Android device.

From the WIBW webpage:
The WIBW Mobile Weather App includes:

• Access to station content specifically for our mobile users;
• 250 meter radar, the highest resolution available;
• High resolution satellite cloud imagery;
• Future radar to see where severe weather is headed;
• Current weather updated multiple times per hour;
• Ability to add and save your favorite locations;
• Daily and Hourly forecasts updated hourly from our computer models;
• A fully integrated GPS for current location awareness;
• Opt-in push alerts to keep you safe in severe weather;
• Severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service

Check it out! Be prepared for spring storms!

Is it time for new antivirus software?

If you have a Mac/Apple computer, you don't need to read this.  It is just for PC users.

Avast remains the antivirus software that Sharol Cutrell recommends people use on their PC's.  However, if you've not been satisfied with it or want to see what other "free" applications are recommended, take a look at this article.

Recommendations in the article:
Avira Free Security Suite

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Adaware Antivirus Free

Avast Free Antivirus

Panda Free Antivirus

Latest tax scam - they pay you first!

There are lots of tax scams out there, but this is one that pays you first!
The text below is taken from this article at wired.com.

Here's how it works:
Attackers use a taxpayer's stolen identity information to fraudulently file their returns for a refund. They allow that refund to direct deposit into the victim's actual bank account. Then the real fun starts. The scammers—posing as the IRS—call the victim, demanding that they return the wrongfully allocated refunds. Since the victim presumably hasn't yet filed their own taxes, it's easy for them to assume a mistake was made—and send their money to the crook.
That's right. They give you the money, and hope they can trick you into voluntarily passing it along to them.

The crucial thing to remember is that the IRS will basically never call you on the phone, and certainly not to demand payment. A call to discuss taxes owed would always be preceded by multiple paper bills, and the opportunity to appeal the amount owed. The IRS also never requires one specific payment method, and doesn't ask for credit/debit card numbers on the phone. Finally, the bureau never threatens to bring in law enforcement during a phone conversation.

Want to do a background check?

In this day and age, there is a lot of information "out there" about you and me.  You might find it interesting to do a background check on yourself....or others.

Here is a quick screencast to show you 3 ways to do that.

Phishers send a fake invoice

This past week I received an email from one of you sharing a caution about a new phishing scheme:

Scammers, posing as a well-known tech company, send a phony invoice showing that you have purchased some music or apps from them.  The email tells you to click on a link if you didn't authorize the purchase. Do not click on the link!  It is the scammers attempt to get some of your personal information.  

Interested in more information about this scheme?  Check out this page.

Print Friendly

Do you ever wish you could print a webpage or even download it to your computer without all the extraneous stuff/ads on the page?  If so, bookmark this website for future use - https://www.printfriendly.com 

PrintFriendly takes all the extra "stuff" off a webpage and creates a print friendly page.  Just copy the URL of the page you want to print and paste it into the field on this website.  You can preview your document before printing, and you can also create a PDF to download to your computer.

This service works better for some websites than others, but for a "free" service, it works pretty well.  Just give it a try!

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

Create a "junk" email address for creating online accounts

When signing up for something online, do you get asked if you'd like to sign in using your Facebook account or your Google account?  Don't do it.

When creating an online account consider using a "junk" email address.  A "junk" email address is one that you create specifically for signing up for offers online.  It is different than your regular email address so that your regular Inbox does not get filled with spam or unwanted advertisements.

How do you get a "junk" email address?  Simply go to mail.google.com and create a new email address specifically for this purpose (or any of the other providers - Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.)  You don't need to feel obligated to check this email account ever.......unless you get curious about the types of emails that are being sent there. :-)

Caution - If you are signing up for an account that you want to receive notifications from go ahead and use your personal email address (credit cards, banks, online retailers, etc.) You don't want to miss out on those types of communication!

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

Those pesky pop-ups!

"The Russians have taken over my computer. I can't get them to stop."  Well, that is what I was told by someone this morning in all seriousness (not one of you reading this email).  
The person did not click on the pop-up displaying the message about the Russians, BUT she did call the number on the pop-up.  No, No, No, Never, Never, Never.  When they began asking her for her contact information and telling her they could "fix" this problem for $200, she hung up.....thankfully.

So, what SHOULD you do if this happens to you?

1) Don't click.

2) Don't call.

3) Shut down your computer.  If it won't let you shut it down, press on the Power key/button for 2-3 seconds and that should shut it down.

4)  After a couple of minutes, restart your computer.  If the pop-up appears again, shut the computer down again.  This time, I'd let it stay shut down for a couple of hours before restarting.

5) If the issue persists and you know how to run a scan of your computer, do so.  If not, then I'd recommend calling a tech or taking in your laptop to have it looked out.

Pop-ups are not usually a serious problem; they are a nuisance.  Just remember to never, never, never click on them or call any number on them.

Be safe in 2018!

We've talked about it before....protecting our digital privacy.  But, it seems there are always questions.  So, let's review 5 ways to protect your digital privacy in 2018:

1) Keep all of your devices updated.  Updates often contain "patches" to repair your phone or computer's security vulnerability.

2)  Use two-factor authentication(TFA).  Yes, this means an extra step to login in to accounts, but is well worth your time.  Don't know how to?  This article will give you some tips.

3) Freeze your credit. (remember our conversations after the Equifax debacle?)

4) Install a password manager. (Lyle Hayslett has used one for several years and highly recommends it!)

5) Make privacy a priority; don't just automatically give your computer or your phone "access" to your contacts or to other apps.  Take a look at your settings on Facebook, on your browser, and at your privacy settings on your smartphone.

If you'd like more detail about the 5 items above, check out this great article from Consumer Reports.

Brrrrrr! It’s cold!

Today is one of those days where you're probably just going to stay inside and try to stay warm.  However, if you venture out with your laptop, tablet, or smartphone don't leave them in the cold for any extended period of time.

There are a couple of different issues with our devices when it comes to extremely cold temperatures.  

1)  After a laptop has been in the cold and is back in the warmth, condensation can form inside and possibly cause some damage.  To minimize this, shut your laptop down before taking it outside and let it remain off for a period of time when bringing back into the warmth.  (same is true in the summer when moving it from extreme heat into a cooler area).

2) Cold temperatures can also affect the performance of our smartphones and tablets and even shut them down altogether.  (Most phones are designed to be used in temperatures between 32 and 95 degrees).   If you notice your phone isn't responding or the battery is draining rapidly, it could mean this frigid air is getting the best of it.  The best way to ensure cold weather doesn't permanently damage your phone is to shut it off.  Smartphones will be fine when powered down if the temperatures remain above zero.  Just remember that body heat is an excellent way to keep your phone warm; so if you have to be outside, tuck it in closely to your body!

Stay warm; spring is only 63 days away!  :-)

Time to do some cleaning!

Happy New Year!  Time to do some cleaning!

As you begin a new year, you may want to consider:

• deleting old emails 
• unsubscribing from companies you no longer want/need to hear from
• clearing out your viewing history on the browser (Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox) you use

Don't know how to do this?  Check out today's screencast!

Zoom in / Zoom Out

Good morning!  If you find the text to be too small on a webpage to easily read, you may want to remember and use these keyboard shortcuts:

To zoom in (enlarge the text on a webpage) -
Windows computer: CTRL and +
Mac:  Command and +
To zoom out (decrease the size of the text on a webpage) -
Windows computer: CTRL and -
Mac:  Command and -
To return to the default size of the text on a webpage -
Windows computer: CTRL and 0
Mac:  Command and 0