Archive for the ‘Security’ Category
Friday, April 27th, 2012
RePost: It’s been over a year since this article was first published here on JumpstartMyPC, but the subject matter is still as relevant (if not more) as it was the day it was first posted. If you EVER use public WiFi, you need to read on and take action.
Take a look around you and count the number of portable, WiFi enabled devices that you currently own. Of course, there are obvious choices like your laptop, iPod touch and iPad, but there are a few you might be forgetting. Chances are that your cell phone, portable game system, e-reader (Kindle, Nook, etc.) and netbook are also capable of using WiFi when you need it.
Now ask yourself how many times you have connected to a free WiFi hotspot at a coffee shop, fast food restaurant, book store or other establishment. That number is also the number of times that you have opened yourself up to identity theft. That’s right, using free WiFi could very well be an open door for hackers to spy on your internet activity and steal personal information or even take over your Facebook account.
(more…)
Tags: cyber security, Free WiFi, Hackers, hotspot, https, internet connection, login, Password, personal hotspots, public WiFi, sharing, vpn network, WiFi
Posted in Security, Social Networking | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
Gmail users rejoice – there’s something new waiting for you the next time you log into your account. Spam now comes with an explanation.
What? Did you even remember that there is a Spam folder? If you’re anything like me, the answer is probably no, but that doesn’t mean that this update is not important. If nothing else, let this article serve as a reminder that your Spam folder is not to be ignored. Take a few minutes to review and test it out.
(more…)
Tags: email, Gmail, identity theft, messages, spam, spam folder
Posted in Security, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized, Viruses | No Comments »
Monday, March 5th, 2012
The new social media phenomenon Pinterest has seen an unprecedented rise over the last few months and, based on the numbers, 1 in 5 of the women reading this article are already using the service to collect photos and link to some of their favorite products. Daily users have increased by more than 145% since the start of 2012 and Pinterest is generating more referral traffic to websites than YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn combined (taken from this infographic).
Impressive numbers indeed, but there is one number that you’ll need to prepare yourself for if you plan on using Pinterest any further, one! That’s the number of uninvited guests that it takes to spoil the party and in the case of Pinterest, those uninvited guests are spammers. That’s right, your beloved Pinterest (well, mine too) is starting to deal with it’s first real challenge (other than growing so fast).
Tags: coach, harmful, malicious, photos, Pinterest, scam, scams, Social Media, spam, spammers, starbucks, web of trust
Posted in Security, Social Networking | No Comments »
Friday, February 3rd, 2012
For years now, I’ve preached to people about the importance of using strong passwords. My posts have included tips like: make it complex, make sure it is lengthy and change out common letters for numbers. I’ve considered these to be golden rules for creating a password, and I stick by the fact that they can help protect you from the “bad guys,” but a recent article on Gizmodo.com has me rethinking a few things.
As the author of Why That Fancy Password Isn’t Nearly as Safe as You Thought puts it, that password you created is super complicated (which is good) but “You know who else loves it? Computers!” A strong password is necessary, but are the rules we have lived by really helping us to create a VERY strong password? Also, how difficult have we made it on ourselves to remember that password. Personally, I have to hit the forgot password link on at least one website a week now, simply because I tricked myself, and I am getting really tired of it.
(more…)
Tags: forget password, forgot password, Gizmodo.com, Online, Password, safety, Security, Strong Password, super password
Posted in Security, Tips and Tricks | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
It’s a new year and you need to make some changes.
You’ve started back at the gym, started eating like a rabbit and quit ________________ (fill in the blank as you see fit), but you haven’t made any changes to your computer habits. The folks at Defence Intelligence have put together a simple set of resolutions that you can begin using today.
There isn’t really much need for explanation here – just read, rinse and repeat!
Click for Larger Version
Tags: anti-virus, click, defence intelligence, Malware, Mobile, online security, Passwords, Security, share
Posted in Security, Tips and Tricks | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Over recent months, hackers have been busy exposing security flaws in some very well known organizations. In most cases, the information stolen from these high profile breaches was then immediately shared on the web. With log-in and personal information taken from sites like Sony, Fox, Nintendo, PBS, AOL and even the CIA (just to name a few) it is entirely possible that one or more of your passwords is now available to millions of people on the internet.
Scared? Hopefully a little bit. In addition to accessing the sites that you have created accounts on, criminals can use that personal information to open bank accounts and get credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports and driver’s licenses in your name. There are some steps you can take to check on your information and limit any potential issues, but you must act quickly, like now!
(more…)
Tags: change, hack, Hackers, identity theft, log-in, nintendo, Password, personal information, protect, Security, shouldichangemypassword, shouldichangemypassword.com, sony, Strong Password, user name, username
Posted in Security, Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 16th, 2010
Christmas is here and in just a few days millions of people will begin opening their presents from one another. Many of us will unwrap gadgets and/or electronics, but very few of us will be prepared for the inevitable. Those flashy new gizmos and whatnots will eventually meet with mechanical malfunction, a fatal fall, a catastrophic crack or even theft. Stuff Breaks and People Steal!
iPads. iPods. Smart phones. Laptops. Desktops. You name it. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of expensive gadgets on the lists of “must have” Christmas gifts this year. If you, or a loved one, receive one of these gifts there are steps that you MUST take to protect your new gift from the inevitable. We’ve got you covered.
Tags: Case, Christmas, ebay, gift, Holidays, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Lock, passcode, Protection, Screen Protectors, skinit.com, smart-phones, SquareTrade.com, Warranty, warrantyelephant.com
Posted in Free Programs, Security, Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Every week 140,000 hard drives crash in the United States.
That fact alone should be enough to frighten every computer owner on the planet. We all have photographs, movies, important documents, emails, etc. that we do not want to lose for any reason, yet I find very few PC users who regularly backup the contents of their computer(s). Every one of us has experienced a moment when we thought our PC had crashed and the first thought was “I should have backed up my files!” Why is it then that so few people perform regular backups? Is is Time…. Money…. Knowledge?
Whatever the hurdle is, it is time to overcome it and protect our important files from permanent deletion. There are several theories on what makes a “safe” backup, but we are going to focus on online backups. Why? Because external hard drives or CD/DVD backups are great, but they are almost never stored in an off-site location. Natural disasters and fires don’t show any mercy when it comes to destroying a home or an entire community, so let’s prepare for the worst scenario and secure our files in a secondary location.
(more…)
Tags: backup, crashplan, Dropbox, important documents, mozy, off-site, offsite, online backup, unlimited storage
Posted in Free Programs, Security, Technical Issues, Tips and Tricks | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Passwords are a necessary evil that we cannot escape and, as we have pointed out again and again, you are responsible for creating and remembering/storing all of the passwords you use. As recently as March 31, in the article Online Security Begins or Ends With Your Choice of Password, we provided readers with some frightening data about “consumer password worst practices” and explained the idea of strong passwords. In that post, and several others before it, we provided some tips on creating strong passwords, but only skimmed the surface of possibilities.
Today, sparked by a recent article on Lifehacker.com, I will share with you a list of methods that you can use to create strong passwords. These methods are taken from sites all over the web and are merely suggestions on how you can protect yourself from crimes like identity theft. Before you jump down to the list, remember that EVERY password you use should follow these rules:
(more…)
Tags: complex, different, identity theft, Lifehacker.com, Password, secure, Security, strong
Posted in Security, Tips and Tricks | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
An increasing trend in malware is the “fake anti-virus” program. There are hundreds of names for these programs, but the story is always the same. You are essentially locked out of your computer by a program that promises to help you remove….. itself. Unsuspecting PC users are forced to fork over $50 or more to simply regain control of their computer.
Possibly the most frustrating part of these malware programs is that there are tools out there to help you remove them IF you could gain enough control of your PC to install and run them. Unfortunately, you have no control. Whether you are tricked by one of these “fake anti-virus programs” or your real anti-virus program simply lets one get by, you are going to need some help. Luckily, the folks at Avast have developed a FREE Rescue CD that can be used to scan your system and remove these pesky programs with ease. (more…)
Tags: antispyware, Antivirus, AVG, CD, Malware, PC, rescue, USB, Vista, Windows, XP
Posted in Free Programs, Security, Viruses | No Comments »
