June Meetings 2021
June 3, 2021 - Things to Never Share on Social Media, Massive Phishing Campaign Attacks Windows, USPS Informed Delivery, Apple iOS 14.6,
What did the Unknown Link say to the Dummy? "Click me, Stupid"
Club Questions
What did the Unknown Link say to the Dummy? "Click me, Stupid"
Club Questions
Things to Never Share on Social Media
Social media helps you do a lot of great things, but only if you use it responsibly. Putting the wrong info out there can lead to all sorts of trouble, thanks to the number of bad actors living on the internet. There are some things that are so bad to post on social media, that HowToGeek put together a list of 'no share' items, to read more about it, take a look at this article.
Or maybe, you want to erase yourself from the internet altogether, if so, then take a look at this article with step by steps for removing yourself from most of the big social media platforms.
Social media helps you do a lot of great things, but only if you use it responsibly. Putting the wrong info out there can lead to all sorts of trouble, thanks to the number of bad actors living on the internet. There are some things that are so bad to post on social media, that HowToGeek put together a list of 'no share' items, to read more about it, take a look at this article.
Or maybe, you want to erase yourself from the internet altogether, if so, then take a look at this article with step by steps for removing yourself from most of the big social media platforms.
Massive Phishing Campaign Attacks Windows
A massive phishing campaign is distributing what looks like ransomware but is in fact trojan malware that creates a backdoor into Windows systems to steal usernames, passwords and other information from victims. To find out more about this attack and how to protect yourself from it, take a look at this article.
It turns out there is a mechanism in Windows Defender that can protect your files from ransomware. To learn more about this feature, and how to turn it on, take a look at this article.
A massive phishing campaign is distributing what looks like ransomware but is in fact trojan malware that creates a backdoor into Windows systems to steal usernames, passwords and other information from victims. To find out more about this attack and how to protect yourself from it, take a look at this article.
It turns out there is a mechanism in Windows Defender that can protect your files from ransomware. To learn more about this feature, and how to turn it on, take a look at this article.
USPS Informed Delivery
The United States Postal System has been with us from the beginning, delivering letters and packages thru all sorts of weather, as the saying goes. Their newest feature is Informed Delivery, which is a free and optional notification feature that gives residential and eligible PO Box™ consumers the ability to digitally preview their letter-sized mail and manage their packages scheduled to arrive soon. Informed Delivery benefits the entire household by allowing users to view what is coming to their mailbox whenever, wherever – even while traveling – on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. For more information regarding Informed Delivery, take a look at the USPS website.
The United States Postal System has been with us from the beginning, delivering letters and packages thru all sorts of weather, as the saying goes. Their newest feature is Informed Delivery, which is a free and optional notification feature that gives residential and eligible PO Box™ consumers the ability to digitally preview their letter-sized mail and manage their packages scheduled to arrive soon. Informed Delivery benefits the entire household by allowing users to view what is coming to their mailbox whenever, wherever – even while traveling – on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. For more information regarding Informed Delivery, take a look at the USPS website.
Apple iOS 14.6
Apple has had some issues with its rollout of iOS 14, but hopefully, they got it right with 14.6. They have fixed some recent bugs that iOS 14 created and have added some cool new features as well. C/NET has a great walk thru of the latest version from iOS. Take a look at this article.
Apple has had some issues with its rollout of iOS 14, but hopefully, they got it right with 14.6. They have fixed some recent bugs that iOS 14 created and have added some cool new features as well. C/NET has a great walk thru of the latest version from iOS. Take a look at this article.
June 10, 2021 - Online Scam Update, Incognito vs. Private Browsing, Windows 10 Fixed
An Unknown Link is like a Stinky Smell - No Good for Anyone.
Club Questions
An Unknown Link is like a Stinky Smell - No Good for Anyone.
Club Questions
More About Online Scams
We hear about online scams almost every day, because that's about how fast they change. It's hard to keep up with all the latest ways people are trying to steal from you online, one good blog from Navy Federal, goes over some really good points about the basic scams currently found online. Just skip past the opening blurb about the sponsor and start at the numbered points. Good, basic info about current scams.
We hear about online scams almost every day, because that's about how fast they change. It's hard to keep up with all the latest ways people are trying to steal from you online, one good blog from Navy Federal, goes over some really good points about the basic scams currently found online. Just skip past the opening blurb about the sponsor and start at the numbered points. Good, basic info about current scams.
Incognito vs. Private Browsing
Lately, all the big browsers feature a "private" or "incognito" browsing mode. Some claim to keep you invisible when online and other such safety brags, but what is the real difference? And what does Incognito mode have to do with a VPN? If you're interested in Internet safety, or wanna learn all about browser safety features, then take a look at this article.
Lately, all the big browsers feature a "private" or "incognito" browsing mode. Some claim to keep you invisible when online and other such safety brags, but what is the real difference? And what does Incognito mode have to do with a VPN? If you're interested in Internet safety, or wanna learn all about browser safety features, then take a look at this article.
Windows 10 Problems Solved
If you're a Windows 10 user, and dealing with uncontrollable scrolling, update problems or the cursor moving on its own, then I've got just the article for you. c/net goes thru those issues and more, and offers up some simple DIY fixes you can do for yourself. To find out more, take a look at this article.
If you're a Windows 10 user, and dealing with uncontrollable scrolling, update problems or the cursor moving on its own, then I've got just the article for you. c/net goes thru those issues and more, and offers up some simple DIY fixes you can do for yourself. To find out more, take a look at this article.
June 17, 2021 - How to Protect From Ransomware, How to Mute a Browser Tab, Dangerous Android Apps
Le Unknown Link, c'est Horriblé!
Club Questions
Le Unknown Link, c'est Horriblé!
Club Questions
How to Protect From Ransomware
Ransomware has recently rocketed to the top of list for ways to get hacked. It is the Cyber attack du Jour. But there are ways to protect yourself and your data from this type of attack. A ransomware attack can't happen without some access to your system, which is usually achieved through a rogue application—be cautious about downloading or opening any files from the web or your email if you're not certain of their source. To read more about how to protect your data, take a look at this article.
Ransomware has recently rocketed to the top of list for ways to get hacked. It is the Cyber attack du Jour. But there are ways to protect yourself and your data from this type of attack. A ransomware attack can't happen without some access to your system, which is usually achieved through a rogue application—be cautious about downloading or opening any files from the web or your email if you're not certain of their source. To read more about how to protect your data, take a look at this article.
How to Mute a Tab
We've all had it happen to us, we click on something and some audio clip starts playing, but we can't see where it is and therefore can't turn it off. Very annoying. Each of the major browsers have an ability to mute this kind of audio interruption, but the technique is often complicated or hidden. To learn more about how to stop these annoying interruptions, take a look at this article.
We've all had it happen to us, we click on something and some audio clip starts playing, but we can't see where it is and therefore can't turn it off. Very annoying. Each of the major browsers have an ability to mute this kind of audio interruption, but the technique is often complicated or hidden. To learn more about how to stop these annoying interruptions, take a look at this article.
More Dangerous Android Apps
If you are an Android user you are probably familiar with the Google Play Store, it's where you get your apps. The Google Play Store hasn't been the greatest at vetting its app developers, so once again there is a new list of dangerous apps that you should remove from your devices immediately. To see the complete list of apps, take a look at this article.
If you are an Android user you are probably familiar with the Google Play Store, it's where you get your apps. The Google Play Store hasn't been the greatest at vetting its app developers, so once again there is a new list of dangerous apps that you should remove from your devices immediately. To see the complete list of apps, take a look at this article.
June 24, 2021 - Let's Talk About Amazon, Blocking Robocalls Revisited, Windows 10 Successor,
Q: I don't know where this link goes? A: Don't Click on it!
Club Questions
Q: I don't know where this link goes? A: Don't Click on it!
Club Questions
Let's Talk About Amazon
Like so many of the big tech companies, Amazon is all about your personal data, so it can better target you with relevant ads. In exchange for using their services, you give them lots of personal data. For those of you who care about your personal privacy, fear not, there are ways you can get Amazon off your back. To read about all the ways Amazon tracks you and how you can stop it, take a look at this article.
Amazon also is trying out a new thing called, Sidewalk, which basically connects your wifi with that of your neighbors, unless you opt out. To read more about how to opt out of Amazon's Sidewalk, take a look at this article.
And finally, for those people who have a hard time believing some of the reviews on Amazon, there's a good reason not to believe them, many of them are fake. Fake reviews are still a problem on Amazon, to read more about it, take a look at this article.
Like so many of the big tech companies, Amazon is all about your personal data, so it can better target you with relevant ads. In exchange for using their services, you give them lots of personal data. For those of you who care about your personal privacy, fear not, there are ways you can get Amazon off your back. To read about all the ways Amazon tracks you and how you can stop it, take a look at this article.
Amazon also is trying out a new thing called, Sidewalk, which basically connects your wifi with that of your neighbors, unless you opt out. To read more about how to opt out of Amazon's Sidewalk, take a look at this article.
And finally, for those people who have a hard time believing some of the reviews on Amazon, there's a good reason not to believe them, many of them are fake. Fake reviews are still a problem on Amazon, to read more about it, take a look at this article.
Blocking Robocalls Revisited
Speaking of things that annoy everyone, robocalls. Yes, they are still an ongoing battle on our phones, but as the smartphone operating systems have improved, so has our ability to block robocalls. Both Android and iPhone now offer built-in ways to help stop those annoying robocalls from reaching your ears. The best part of this solution is that it is built right into your phones, no need for any third party apps (which sometimes block robocalls, and sometimes they bring you more robocalls). To read more about how to block robocalls on Android and iPhone, take a look at this article.
Speaking of things that annoy everyone, robocalls. Yes, they are still an ongoing battle on our phones, but as the smartphone operating systems have improved, so has our ability to block robocalls. Both Android and iPhone now offer built-in ways to help stop those annoying robocalls from reaching your ears. The best part of this solution is that it is built right into your phones, no need for any third party apps (which sometimes block robocalls, and sometimes they bring you more robocalls). To read more about how to block robocalls on Android and iPhone, take a look at this article.
Windows 10 Successor
Microsoft has recently announced that it will end all support of Windows 10 in 2025, which means there has to be a new version in the pipe. So what will replace Windows 10? Windows 11? or will Microsoft move in a new direction? Read more about what Microsoft may have ready to replace Windows 10 in this article. The official announcement had not come out at the time of this posting, but there will be more news regarding Windows 10 replacement. Stay tuned.
Microsoft has recently announced that it will end all support of Windows 10 in 2025, which means there has to be a new version in the pipe. So what will replace Windows 10? Windows 11? or will Microsoft move in a new direction? Read more about what Microsoft may have ready to replace Windows 10 in this article. The official announcement had not come out at the time of this posting, but there will be more news regarding Windows 10 replacement. Stay tuned.
