Archive for the ‘Security’ Category

Gmail Spam Folder – New and Improved

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.

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Pinterest Users Beware – Scammers Crashing the Party

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).

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Did You Forget Your Password AGAIN – Time for a Super Password

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.

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7 Computer Security Resolutions for 2012

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!

7 Computer Security Resolutions for 2012

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Stuff Breaks & People Steal! – The Guide to Gift Protection

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Broken iPad - Not covered by AppleChristmas 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.

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Are Your Photos and Important Documents Safe.. Backed Up?

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.

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Protect Yourself – Strong Password Tips and Tricks

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:

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When You Think It’s Too Late, AVG is There

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…)