Has your Facebook account been hacked?

Quite frequently I see a Facebook post from a friend that says "I've been hacked.  Don't accept any friend requests from me," or something similar.  Then there is a comment about changing their password.  In reality, that probably won't take care of the problem.

More than likely, their Facebook account has been cloned, not hacked, so changing the password will probably not make any difference.  What's the difference between hacking and cloning?

If an account is truly hacked it means the password has been compromised and someone is actually using your FB account, and yes, your password should be changed.

BUT, if you are already friends with someone on Facebook you will not get a second request from them to be their friend.  When that request occurs it is coming from a cloned Facebook page.  A cloned FB account is one that someone has created using the information that is publicly available from your "real" FB account, things like personal information, your profile picture, friends list, etc.  Then "Friend Requests" are sent out from this new FB account, not your "real" one.

What should you do if that happens?  People who get the Friend Requests can report it to FB or you yourself can report it.  Begin by clicking here:  https://www.facebook.com/hacked

How can you better protect your "real" Facebook account from both hacking and cloning?  Read through the 4 tips below.
1)  Make sure your password is secure and change it every 6 months.
2)  Make your Friends list Private.
3)  At the very least, choose to make your posts visible to just Friends, NOT Public.
4) Set up 2-Factor Authentication so that if your account is logged into on a different computer, you will be notified.

Next week, I'll share some additional information (how-to videos) about securing your Facebook account and answer the question - "Why does someone want to clone my Facebook account and send out friend requests?"  But, in the meantime, here is a really good article if you'd like to read more today:  https://www.ricksdailytips.com/beware-duplicate-friend-requests/

Hope you have a terrific Tech Tip "Thursday."  Looks like we have another cloudy day here, but one with warmer temps.  52 days until Spring.  :-)

Wordle

Have you played Wordle?  It is found here:   https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/   I'm not a gamer so maybe that is why I didn't know anything about Wordle until last week; I may have just ignored any reference to it.  Once I heard about it I became hooked, along with millions of others it seems.  I am not a person who enjoys playing games on the computer or phone, but I am enjoying the challenge of Wordle.  Part of its appeal is that it is short, challenging, and there is only 1 puzzle per day.  The goal is to figure out one five-letter word each day.  Sound easy?  It isn't.  I'm getting better, I think, but I'm not finding it easy.

Below is what my screen looked like on yesterday's puzzle when I completed it.  Each day you begin with a 5 x 6 grid of empty squares.  You then enter words trying to guess the 5-letter word for the day.  With each try, squares turn green if you have the correct letter in the correct place.  Squares turn yellow if you have a correct letter but it isn't in the correct place in the word.  Squares turn gray if the letters you entered are not found in the word.  You only get 6 tries to enter the correct word; if not successful, you are done and must come back the next day for a new puzzle.  There is not a time limit and you are only in competition with yourself.

Some cautions:

1. Wordle is only available on the web at this address: https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/  Unfortunately in the Google Play store and the Apple Apps store there are fake Wordle apps; DO NOT download any of these. Wordle can only be played using a web browser.
2. There is an option to share your success on social media.  As tempted as you might be to do this, I would encourage you to refrain from doing so. 

Give the game a try. Take your time; there is no rush.  You can even leave the webpage open while you think about possible solutions.  Enjoy expanding your vocabulary!

Don't hang up!

Has your smartphone ever called someone without you purposely placing the call? Smartphones and watches sometimes seem to have minds of their own, don’t they? Most of us quickly disconnect when we discover we’re unexpectedly calling someone, BUT if you accidentally initiate a call to 911 on your phone or watch, please stay on the line and talk with the dispatcher to let them know you are okay. 

What happens if we hang up before they answer? It will mean extra time and work for emergency services because they have to follow up on ALL calls from mobile phones with a call and text.  Even if you quickly disconnect, Emergency Services have already received the call and are then tasked with making contact with you. Staying on the line and assuring them you are okay will allow the dispatcher to be more efficient and continue to serve others who may be in need. 

Happy 2022! Did you receive any new technology as holiday gifts? With most pieces of new technology there is a learning curve so take some time to explore and learn about any new gadgets so you can really use and enjoy them!

Jeline

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Which Nonprofit Should I Choose?

In the past couple of months, has your mailbox been filled with a  multitude of requests from different charitable organizations?   This time of the year - Giving Tuesday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas - seems to generate many requests for monetary donations.  How do we make the decision about which entity to support?  We want our money to go to causes that will benefit others who might not be as fortunate as us, but how can we be sure it actually does?

A favorite website of mine is Charity Navigator - charitynavigator.org  I would encourage you to take some time to look at the website (if not now, bookmark to return to after the holiday season).  You can use their many tools and resources to inform your giving to nonprofits throughout the year.  A Charity Search box allows you to enter the name of your favorite nonprofit to view information about its rating.  Not all charities receive ratings; many religious ones are exempt.  However, there are over 195,000 nonprofits that are rated.  Also, on the website, there are some Top Ten lists which are interesting to peruse. You can also browse charities by categories of your interests. Charity Navigator also offers the option to donate to charities through their website.

A quick introduction to their rating system can be found here:  https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=8077

Enjoy this Tech Tip Tuesday! We've returned from the snowy wintry weather of Munich to 60+ degree days here.  Kinda crazy! 

Jeline
All previous weekly tips are located here:  http://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com
If you have a friend who wants to subscribe, feel free to share this link:  http://bit.ly/tuesdaytechtip2021

Grandchildren, Germany and Great Fun!

I really thought I'd be able to share some tech tips while we are away but I'm finding most of our days are taken up with helping with the care of our 7-week-old grandchildren in Munich.  Sleepless nights, daily strolls even though the temperatures are in the 30's and 40's, sterilizing bottles and pacifiers, preparing meals for the adults, baths, snuggles, etc. are claiming most of our waking (and nighttime, too, as we take over so the babies' mom and dad can get some sleep.)  

It's a good reminder to grandma and grandpa about how time-consuming little ones can be.  But, oh, the smiles, the cooing, even a few laughs make it ALL worth it! 

I probably won't write another Tech Tip until after our return home from Germany on December 9.  

I am attaching several photos to share some of our adventures this past week. Note the beautiful old cemetery; it is really a beautiful park with many walking paths.

Have a wonderful Tech Tuesday; winter is almost here in Munich, much unlike the weather most of you are experiencing today!

Jeline











All previous weekly tips are located here:  http://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com
If you have a friend who wants to subscribe, feel free to share this link:  http://bit.ly/tuesdaytechtip2021

Doing your holiday shopping online? Be cautious.

Have you started your holiday buying? Most reports say the best time to buy is right now to ensure product availability and lower prices. Many Black Friday sales are underway. As online buying continues to increase, unfortunately, so do the number of scammers.  

You may have seen ads for holiday decorations online. The Better Business Bureau warns about those. The ads appear on social media and online search results and depict beautiful decor at very low prices. 

If you buy your decorations ....or any item..... through these ads, you probably won’t get what’s advertised. What you will get are low-quality items. You may even get nothing at all and have no way to contact the company for a refund. 

Take the following precautions if you see something you want in one of these type of ads:

• Don’t click on the link in Facebook or social media. Check out a company before buying anything. Type in a company or website’s URL to look for a solid website with contact information. 
• If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look elsewhere. 
• Use your credit card for online purchases. This way you can dispute fraudulent charges.
• Look up company business ratings and customer reviews on BBB.org. 

I love the convenience of online shopping but I’m very cautious about where I buy.  Purchase from companies you are familiar with, and stay clear of those enticing online ads.

Shop safe. Be wise. Don't be lured in by ads on your social media.

Have a wonderful Tech Tuesday; get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.

Use the correct phone to call 911!

Have you ever needed to call 911?  In the case of an emergency we probably don't give much thought about which phone we use; we just call as quickly as possible.   However, earlier this week I learned you should use the cellphone of the person who needs assistance, not your own phone, unless it is you who needs assistance.

Why does it matter which phone you use?  The director of the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center shared this week in my class that they have access not only to your location but also to the medical information on your phone once the 911 call has been made.  It gives them a lot more information about the person in need very quickly which can assist them in providing the appropriate care.  

This medical information can also be accessed on any locked phone by anyone, if needed.  If you aren't sure you have your medical information on your phone and that you have "enabled" that information to be shared in case of an emergency, check out these "how-to" articles:

On an iPhone: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207021   Make sure you follow Step #5 to enable the sharing with emergency services.

On an Android phone:  https://support.google.com/android/answer/9319337?hl=en  AND https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-add-emergency-info-to-your-phones-lock-screen (scroll about halfway down the page for Android information)

Hopefully, this is a tip that is good to know but you will never need!