Protect your device by always installing the updates

No matter what operating system you use, you will always want to have the latest version installed.  Hackers work around the clock looking for vulnerabilities; not keeping your computer/device up-to-date is an open invitation to an attack from the outside.

Usually you are alerted when updates are available, but remember to follow through by downloading and installing them because they are designed to protect you from the latest threats.

Want to see if you have any updates available?

1) On a Windows 10 machine: Click on Start (window icon in the lower-left corner of your screen) >> Settings >> Update & Security >> Check for Updates.

2) On your Mac: Click the Apple logo at the top left of your screen >> About this Mac >> Software Update.

Happy Thanksgiving and if you are in the market for a new computer, keep your eyes on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday ads.  There will be some great deals BUT read the specs carefully to make sure it is the model you want.  :-)

Scroll down a webpage....quickly!

If you are reading a rather long article on the internet OR if you want to skim a webpage, DON'T pick up the mouse and use the scroll bar to scroll down the page!  That takes too much energy and time.  :-)

Simply tap the space bar on your computer to scroll down one page at a time.  Want to scroll back up the page--- hold down the Shift key and tap the space bar.  Give it a try!

Maybe you'll have time for an extra cup of coffee/hot chocolate with the time saved from this little tip!  Enjoy.

Motel/hotel scam

I usually feel that I am pretty good at recognizing a scam, but when I read about this one online yesterday, I felt it was something I might have fallen for. I tried to verify the scam but couldn't find any conflicting information, so I think it is accurate.  Knowing that many of you travel, I want to share the scam with you.

The phone rings in your motel/hotel room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following: ‘This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card numbers and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.’

Not thinking anything wrong, since the call seems to come from the front desk you oblige. But actually, it is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel. They have asked for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card and address information. 

The complete article is located here - http://www.thedailyberries.com/beware-new-hotel-scam-checking-hotel/   It seems that some hotels have safeguards in place to prevent this from happening, but not all.  We just need to continually educate ourselves about ways to protect our personal information.

Snipping Tools for Computers and Smartphones

Do you ever wish you could save just part of a webpage (maybe a recipe or news item)?
Or maybe you are having problems with your computer/phone and want to save or send a "picture" of what the screen is displaying?  If so, these tips are for you!

Easy Ways to Take a Screenshot or Snippet Using a Computer or Smartphone:

A) For Windows computers:

1. From the start menu search for Snipping Tool and open it.
2. Click on New.
3. Using the + draw the area you would like to snip. Or from the Mode drop-down arrow select the snip type: Free-Form, Rectangular, Window, or Full Screen.
4. You can annotate the snip by using the pen or highlighter. There is even an eraser in case you need to make a change.
5. From the menu you can choose to save the snip, copy it, or email it. 

B) For Macs (Apple computers):
To snip a section of the screen

1. Simultaneously type Command, Shift, 4.
2. When the cursor changes to a cross +, drag a box around the section you want to copy and release the mouse.
3. The screenshot is automatically saved to the desktop. 

To snip the entire screen

1. Simultaneously type Command, Shift, 3.
2. This will save an image of the entire screen.
3. The screenshot is automatically saved to the desktop.

C) For iPhones  - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200289

D) For Android phones - https://www.greenbot.com/article/2825064/android/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-your-android-phone.html

Small pdf - online converter

Sometimes we want to convert files; from pdf to Word, from Word to pdf, JPG to pdf, etc.  This is a handy website to use to do that and much, much more: https://smallpdf.com  No account is needed.

Just give it a quick try then you may want to bookmark it for future use.

2018 Drug Plans for Seniors - Which One is Best for You?

It's that time of year again!  You can review, compare and join a 2018 drug plan now through December 7, 2017.  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) Make an appointment through the Lyon County Extension Office for SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counselors of Kansas) ; they start making appointments today, Oct. 17.  Be sure to take your Medicare card and your list of medicines with you to your appointment. Phone number:  341-3220

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 used it last year for us, and then I used it for my mom BEFORE we went to an appointment with the SHICK program for her. Results were identical. 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.

Equifax, Part 2

What have you done to protect yourself?

The number of affected consumers has reached over 145 million according to the findings of the cybersecurity firm who completed their investigation into the Equifax breach.  The big difference between this breach and others that have occurred in past years is that criminals may have stolen your birthdate and your social security number.  You can't just get replacements for those pieces of your personal data!  It will be "out there" forever.

Many articles have been written with recommendations as to what we as consumers should do, and there seems to be some consensus, although you will have to decide yourself as to what you want to do.  Remember,  hackers and cybercriminals count on us being lazy with our online accounts. So, do what you can to maintain your security!  

1)  Check out www.equifaxsecurity2017.com to see if your data was compromised.
2)  Consider enrolling in the free 1-year monitoring provided by Equifax for ALL consumers whether their data was compromised or not.
3) Monitor your credit card and online accounts regularly for unusual charges.
4) Change your passwords, especially on financial accounts.
5) Be extra careful about emails, links, and phone calls.  Equifax will NOT call you.
6) Enable two-factor authentication on online accounts if given the opportunity.
7) File your taxes as soon as you get the needed information; file before a criminal uses your personal information to do this.