Computer Security
“Hack Me” – OK, so maybe not such a good idea…
Kevin Roose is a technology columnist for The New York Times. His column, “The Shift”, focuses on the intersection of technology, business, and culture. Back in 2016, he went to DefCon, a big computer hacker conference in Las Vegas to see what happens when he challenges some talented people to hack into his accounts. The…
Read MoreExamining the Dangers of the “Internet of Things” (IoT)
You may, or may not, have heard of “the Internet of Things” with the acronym IoT. It refers to the many devices that are connected to the Internet. Examples abound, like security cameras, thermostats, smartphones, vending machines, smart speakers (we’re talking about you, Alexa and Siri!) and of course our computers, laptops, and notebooks. When…
Read MoreWe’ve been right all along – multi-word passwords are best!
We were pretty delighted to be listening to the news on the radio and hear that new password guidance is out that tells us that multi-word passwords are much better than hard-to-remember “complex” passwords. We’ve been advising users to choose long passwords made of multiple words, separated by spaces. Examples would be “its been a…
Read MoreCheck to see if your identity information has been lost in data breaches. Have you been pwned?
News about data breaches seem to be in the headlines all the time. Target, TJ-Max, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Anthem Healthcare, or various hotel and restaurant chains have all had big data breaches. Do you know if your identity information (login credentials) have been lost in these data breaches? You can check at Have I Been pwned? …
Read MoreAfter Receiving 65,000 Complaints, Microsoft Files Suit Against Tech Support Scammers
Technical Support Scammers – hang up on them. It’s probably happened to you, either at work or at home: A technical support scammer calls, frequently with a heavy foreign accent, says their “Steve from Microsoft” and they’ve seen a batch of problems (or virus, or malware) on your PC. This is always a scam.…
Read More“Apple Picking” – Don’t loose your iPhone
Smartphone theft, personal safety & data security As the technology landscape changes, so does crime. A new trend in crime has picked up the catchy title of “Apple Picking,” which refers to the theft of iPhones and Smartphones, (even tablets), often right out of the hands of the user/owner. Here’s some scenarios that have happened:…
Read MoreIt’s a jungle out there
Internet Safety For Kids We don’t need to stoke the fires of paranoia. Who hasn’t heard enough stories about the dangers lurking out there for kids on the Internet. That said, some accurate information goes a long way towards helping kids safer when they’re parked in front of the browser. SafeKids.com NetSmartz.org The FBI has…
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