Are you a sudoku fanatic? Even if you've never tried this numbers game, it's worth a peek! It's a logic puzzle that keeps your mind sharp and here you can play for free, including printing out a puzzle!
http://www.websudoku.com/
Monday, April 28, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Free Computer Learning
I just found this site: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/
It includes free "how to" tutorials on topics like:
It includes free "how to" tutorials on topics like:
- How to unsend an email in Gmail
- A typing tutorial
- Computer basics
- Internet safety
- Windows 7 and Windows 8
- Digital photography
- Facebook 101
- Skype
- And a TON MORE!
There are also non-technical topics. Fun!!!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
"Heartbleed"- should you worry, or not?
What is it?
It's not really a "virus," but rather a sort of "hole" in the code that is behind up to two thirds of all websites. They're calling it a "bug" as in "a bug in the code."
This "hole" means that if you go to that website, you become vulnerable, because if someone exploits that "hole", then the site could be forced to reveal passwords and in principle let others create a bogus version of the Web site
Should I worry?
According to CNN, sort of yes:
http://www.cnet.com/news/heartbleed-bug-undoes-web-encryption-reveals-user-passwords/
According to ZDNet, you probably shouldn't panic.
What should I do? How?
Experts seem to agree on a two step process:
1. Figure out if a website has already updated its code, essentially closing the "hole."
2. Then, change YOUR password for that site.
If you are not sure if the website has already closed the hole, they generally are suggesting you change your password anyway, and perhaps change it again in a week or so, to give that site a chance to update its code.
Here's a list you can look at that gives some good indicators of which sites you SHOULD change your password for right away:
http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link
http://www.zdnet.com/sans-warns-end-users-against-heartbleed-patch-panic-7000028361/
Lastpass.com, as well as some others, has created a nifty tool so you can check websites to see if they are places that are dangerous for you:
https://lastpass.com/heartbleed/
And, if you already subscribe to Lastpass.com (which is not affected by this bug, by the way), they have a free tool that actually analyzes your sites/passwords and creates a list with links to click to easily change passwords. That's what I did- and I have a LOT of passwords! I guess it was a pain, but then again, you're SUPPOSED to change passwords periodically anyway, so I'm chalking this up as an opportunity to do some "spring cleaning!" If you decide to sign up for Lastpass,can you please use this referral link? It gets both of us a month of premium use... https://lastpass.com/f?2882976 Thanks!
It's not really a "virus," but rather a sort of "hole" in the code that is behind up to two thirds of all websites. They're calling it a "bug" as in "a bug in the code."
This "hole" means that if you go to that website, you become vulnerable, because if someone exploits that "hole", then the site could be forced to reveal passwords and in principle let others create a bogus version of the Web site
Should I worry?
According to CNN, sort of yes:
http://www.cnet.com/news/heartbleed-bug-undoes-web-encryption-reveals-user-passwords/
According to ZDNet, you probably shouldn't panic.
What should I do? How?
Experts seem to agree on a two step process:
1. Figure out if a website has already updated its code, essentially closing the "hole."
2. Then, change YOUR password for that site.
If you are not sure if the website has already closed the hole, they generally are suggesting you change your password anyway, and perhaps change it again in a week or so, to give that site a chance to update its code.
Here's a list you can look at that gives some good indicators of which sites you SHOULD change your password for right away:
http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link
http://www.zdnet.com/sans-warns-end-users-against-heartbleed-patch-panic-7000028361/
Lastpass.com, as well as some others, has created a nifty tool so you can check websites to see if they are places that are dangerous for you:
https://lastpass.com/heartbleed/
And, if you already subscribe to Lastpass.com (which is not affected by this bug, by the way), they have a free tool that actually analyzes your sites/passwords and creates a list with links to click to easily change passwords. That's what I did- and I have a LOT of passwords! I guess it was a pain, but then again, you're SUPPOSED to change passwords periodically anyway, so I'm chalking this up as an opportunity to do some "spring cleaning!" If you decide to sign up for Lastpass,can you please use this referral link? It gets both of us a month of premium use... https://lastpass.com/f?2882976 Thanks!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Safe to play in the Sandbox(ie)?
Here's a way you can continue using Windows XP and be safe!
Run everything (your browser, downloaded games, videos, etc.) inside a "sandbox" on your machine!
I use Sandboxie, a long-time, well-known program (free version available) that sets up a "safe zone" on my computer so I can safely use programs or download things, or surf... and no "bad guys" can get in or out.
I have had it for a while.. but it was not until I read this article that I really got the hang of it!
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/introduction-and-quick-guide-sandboxie.htm
Run everything (your browser, downloaded games, videos, etc.) inside a "sandbox" on your machine!
I use Sandboxie, a long-time, well-known program (free version available) that sets up a "safe zone" on my computer so I can safely use programs or download things, or surf... and no "bad guys" can get in or out.
I have had it for a while.. but it was not until I read this article that I really got the hang of it!
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/introduction-and-quick-guide-sandboxie.htm
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Getting rid of an old computer? Here are important safety tips!
First, you celebrate! You got a new computer!!
Then, you consider whether you want to park that old machine somewhere in the far reaches of your basement....
Right. Me either. I'd rather get rid of it.
Even if it is at least a dual core machine (in which case, hint-hint, you'd want to consider donating it to a nonprofit!)... you want to clear your hard drive.
It's not hard.
Here are some links to help you out:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/safely-dispose-computers-and-devices.aspx
http://www.wikihow.com/Safely-Get-Rid-of-an-Old-Computer
Three ways to get rid of an old computer (Microsoft)
REMEMBER: Deleting stuff from your hard drive isn't enough. Deleted files often can be recovered. At the very least, you should format the hard drive. See my article, Clean the hard drive before dumping your PC, for instructions on how to do this.
You're safest if you overwrite the disk. There are free programs that will make the disk unreadable. PC Inspector's e-maxx meets U.S. military standards. Another good program is Eraser, free through Heidi Computers.
Then, you consider whether you want to park that old machine somewhere in the far reaches of your basement....
Right. Me either. I'd rather get rid of it.
Even if it is at least a dual core machine (in which case, hint-hint, you'd want to consider donating it to a nonprofit!)... you want to clear your hard drive.
It's not hard.
Here are some links to help you out:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/safely-dispose-computers-and-devices.aspx
http://www.wikihow.com/Safely-Get-Rid-of-an-Old-Computer
Three ways to get rid of an old computer (Microsoft)
REMEMBER: Deleting stuff from your hard drive isn't enough. Deleted files often can be recovered. At the very least, you should format the hard drive. See my article, Clean the hard drive before dumping your PC, for instructions on how to do this.
You're safest if you overwrite the disk. There are free programs that will make the disk unreadable. PC Inspector's e-maxx meets U.S. military standards. Another good program is Eraser, free through Heidi Computers.
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