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.