Tech – for Everyone

Tech Tips and Tricks & Advice – written in plain English.

Holiday Friday Fun

Some folks are lucky enough that this is their first day of a four day weekend.

Others are counting the hours until they can start their three day holiday weekend. (Monday is a holiday.)

Either way, how about some Friday Fun?

And for that, how about a “blast from the past”? Namely, how about a video from the first all-female (instruments and vocals) band to have a Billboard #1 hit. And for even more fun, I’ll ask you your age (sorta).

Okay.. next: your age (I promise, this won’t hurt a bit).

Thanks for playing along and, let’s be safe out there. Have a great holiday everyone!

Today’s quote: “You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
~ Dr. Seuss

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 31, 2012 Posted by | computers | 4 Comments

Hackers Post One Million Account Details

More Good News.

Website ‘Hellfire’: Hackers release 1m accounts

“Hacktivist group GhostShell claims to have released one million account details from websites, in a project under the alias “Hellfire”.

The hacktivists, working with groups MidasBank and OphiusLab, posted online on Saturday what appears to be accounts and records gleaned from banks, government agencies, consulting firms, law enforcement and the CIA.” Read more

Today’s Geekspeak Translation: “Hacktivist” = Hacktivism is the act of hacking, or breaking into a computer system, for a politically or socially motivated purpose. (doing evil for what they think/believe is “good cause”.)(And I guess “gleaned” is the new “stolen”.)

Yippee yahoo.

Banks.
Government agencies.
Law enforcement.
And the CIA.

You’d like to think those guys have top-notch computer security.. wouldn’t you?

I mean.. like, bulletproof security.

Sigh.

Rather Important: Don’t let the UN steal the Internet

“If the UN seizes control of the Internet, they’ll take the Internet from the voices of freedom and give it to nations who’d prefer to either kill it or refashion it into another tool of state control.” Read more..

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 30, 2012 Posted by | computers, hackers, Internet, News | , , | Leave a comment

Security Warning: Disable Java Now

Security Warning: Disable Java Now

“Researchers report a new zero-day vulnerability in Java that’s serious enough we should all just disable Java for now–here’s how.” Read more..

Many now think that the “military grade” level that malware (aka “virus”) has now reached, has rendered our defenses useless. I am not sure that’s exactly true.. but maybe it will be by next week. Here is a very good read by one of the best writers on the subject: Is the death knell sounding for traditional antivirus?

“Antivirus developers need to run malcode in their labs in order to create malware-identifying signatures. What happens if they can’t?” Read more..

But I guess all the news is not dire..  friend and fellow blogger Rick Robinette has one today that I know you’re going to want to see: A Huge List of FREE Computer Security Products and Services

“One of my favorite tech sites is Gizmo’s – The Best Freeware…  Today, during a visit I came across a huge list of FREE computer security products and services that is maintained on their site. The list is not a list of specific recommendations, but is a “comprehensive documentation of the security products available”… I […] Read more..

But I have to be honest here folks; every week I learn more that has me seriously evaluating “going off the grid”. I have been ‘joking’ for years – if you knew what I knew about the Internet, you wouldn’t use it” – and each day that ‘joke’ gets unfunnier.

Go ahead. Read, and see why.

Important: Don’t let the UN steal the Internet

“If the UN seizes control of the Internet, they’ll take the Internet from the voices of freedom and give it to nations who’d prefer to either kill it or refashion it into another tool of state control.” Read more..

Today’s quote: “A word to the wise ain’t necessary – it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.” ~ Bill Cosby

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 29, 2012 Posted by | computers, cyber crime, Internet, security | , , , , | Leave a comment

QuickBooks Users Be Warned

I saw a new (to me) phishing scam targeting Quickbooks users. It says it is about an “important” update, but guess what?

Important QuickBooks Update

“Intuit Payroll Services” (who knows who that really is) is trying to scam you.

And probably trying to get you to click so a virus can load onto your machine.

I’ll say it again: you simply have to use paranoid common sense when on the Internet — because they are trying to get you. Every day and in every way. Be wary!

2012 is almost over. Computers have been in the home for 30 years. You should know the proper way to update your programs by now — and ABSOLUTELY it ain’t going to be because someone sent you an email.

Further: Only idjits and scammers use an (urgent) exclamation point in emails. Seeing one should be a big “red flag” to you.

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 28, 2012 Posted by | advice, computers, cyber crime, e-mail, Internet, Internet scam, Phishing, security | , , , | 2 Comments

4 Quick Tips — How to Protect Yourself Online

How to Protect Yourself Online

Internet users can protect themselves from cybercrime with the following quick tips:

• Only download mobile apps from official app stores, such as iTunes and the Android Market, and read user reviews before downloading them.

• Be extra vigilant when reviewing and responding to emails. (I call this “use paranoid common sense”.)

• Watch out for too-good-to-be-true offers on social networks, like free airline tickets. Never agree to reveal your personal information just to participate in a promotion. (Or get a free magazine subscription..)

• Don’t accept requests on social networks from people you don’t know in real life. Wait to post pictures and comments about your vacation until you’ve already returned home.

I am not sure I agree with the order McAfee chose to put these in.. but I assure you this is good information here.

Today’s quote: “The best helping hand that you will ever receive is the one at the end of your own arm.” ~ Fred Dehner

Today’s chuckle:

And if you believe that, I have a really wonderful – limited time – please don’t tell anyone else – price on the Washington bridge. Just click here to find out more!

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 27, 2012 Posted by | advice, Internet, security | , , , , | 3 Comments

Sunday Beauty 98 | Mac Security Basics

Folks, let me start out today with another pretty picture for your Sunday..

“Garden facade of the Palace of Versailles 3.jpg”, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

.. and then, Today’s reading reco: 8 Simple Tips for Mac Security

“Macs are secure, but they aren’t invincible. Here are eight ways you can increase the security of your OS X systems.” Read more..

Today’s quote: “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” ~ Carl Bard

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 26, 2012 Posted by | advice, Apple, computers, how to, security | | 6 Comments

World’s Shortest Online Article

You – Dear Reader – are worth it.

Do the right thing for yourself and others.

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

August 25, 2012 Posted by | advice | 6 Comments

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