Security Alert!

If you have not heard, LinkedIn was recently hacked and some passwords were posted on a hacker site.  LinkedIn has responded very well, but this is an opportunity to take the time to change all of your social networking passwords.  Additionally, download AVG Linkscanner, a free software that alerts you if a link you click on is a potential threat.

To make your password more secure;

• Use something you have not used in the past
• Use a combination of letters and numbers
• Use a capital letter
• Use one special character if allowed
• Don’t share your passwords.
• Don’t use your name or children or spouse names.

Online security is vital.  One small intrusion can create problems from your computer being used to route spam to depleting your life savings.

Make changing passwords part of your spring cleaning routine.  Or, use daylight savings time changes to cue you to update passwords.  Have one type of password for low level sites such as Facebook and Twitter and a much more complicated password system for online banking or personal information sites.

Surf Safely!

Techsnoop

Social Media Madness Strikes Again

Social media takes a hit again with the announcement that a couple with an 8-month old baby were murdered for un-friending someone on Facebook.  While all of the details are not known yet, the couple unfriended a single woman whose father and cousin then went and executed the couple with a gunshot to the head.  While the mother was holding the baby.  The baby was not harmed, but is now without parents over someone being “unfriended”.

Let’s face it.  They weren’t friends at all to begin with.

There is no circumstance where the act of taking someone off your Facebook page should lead to violence.  Social media is a tool to keep up with activities and events of your friends.  With Facebook, you may connect with people you don’t know well, or at all, through the games.  This is an area that Facebook needs to address.  While there are several levels of privacy settings, I personally don’t find them sufficient.

With the level of programming available today, it should be a simple matter to have a completely separate profile for gaming associates who only get game updates and no personal information.  Such a category would eliminate the grey area between actual friend and casual acquaintance.  Since this group would not have access to your truly personal information such as address, age, location and phone, it narrows the opportunity for personal space intrusions.

That said, please take every precaution to customize your privacy settings.  Choose carefully who can see your posts, and personal information.  When in doubt, do not accept the friend request.  True friends do not commit violence against each other.  Treat social media as a large public nightclub.  You have your friends you came with and everyone else is suspect.  Don’t turn your back on them.

Surf safely.

Criminals Stay Off Craigslist!

More Craigslist drama.

It’s just not right that a Marine who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and returned hale and hearty should get shot at home over a necklace.  But that’s just what happened in Florida.  A woman posted a gold necklace on Craigslist for sale and her fiancee met with the supposed buyers for a sale.  He thought he was meeting them at a mall plaza but it turned out to be an apartment complex.  Although he met them in the open, they snatched the necklace and took off running.  He chased them and then they shot him several times.

These two idiots had no intention of paying for this necklace.  They thought they were meeting with a woman alone and there were two of them.  They set the meeting up at an apartment complex they probably were familiar with since they took off running.  They didn’t anticipate being chased down by a Marine.  Well, now they are in jail on armed robbery and attempted murder.  Happy New Year.

Criminals; stay off Craigslist, it is a great resource and you are ruining it!!

Be safe, technology is a tool that should be handled with gloves and goggles.

Make sure you are in a public place.  If possible, set the place where you know there are policemen.  If possible, go to a restaurant where you are known.  Don’t let merchandise out of your hand until you have the cash.  Don’t meet with anyone from Craigslist alone, ever.

Safety is the Coolest Accessory

Tech gifts are the most requested on all gift lists from children to seniors. Everyone wants gadgets to communicate, play and be more productive. This means tablets, laptops and smartphones in most cases.

If you are fortunate enough to get one of your prized gadgets, don’t forget to accessorize with virus protection, screen protectors and cases. These seemingly small items can prevent tons of heartache later. A dropped phone can contain your entire life from phone numbers and e-mail addresses to precious pictures of family. Any items not backed up can be lost if the phone is damaged badly enough. A case can insulate your phone against shock in the event of a drop and save your information.

Also, antivirus protection is not just for computers anymore. Now most viruses are being written for smartphones and tablets. These devices are even more likely to have personal information saved and hackers are targeting this information in the quest for identity theft. Download a free antivirus program from your wireless or internet provider as soon as you get your new device.

Back up your information to a cloud service such as Google or iCloud. In the event your device is damaged or stolen, most information can be retrieved and downloaded to your replacement. For information on your SD card, be sure to back it up to your computer at least once a month.

These tips can keep you enjoying your new gadgets longer with no regrets.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Gear from Techsnoop!