Want to Control Privacy Online? Read this

Control Privacy Online With These Tips

Typing your own name into Google may prove an eye-opening experience.  Even if your personal information isn't easily accessible, your computer may be sharing information about your habits, preferences and activities that you'd prefer to remain private.  Here's how to keep a lid on what your computer shares about you with strangers.

Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have the right to change their privacy options at will and some exercise this right regularly (I'm talking to you, Facebook).  Even if you meticulously reviewed each setting when you activated your account, system updates can change default settings, or add new rules that effect posts.  The only way to make sure you aren't "over-sharing" is to regularly review your account's privacy settings in detail.  Aim to do a thorough audit every six months.

More information about how to audit your Facebook privacy settings can be found here: http://www.callnerds.com/control-facebook/.


The main option for Twitter users to consider is if you want to leave your account public (so that any Twitter user can see your posts) or make it private by selecting “Protect my Tweets” via the account settings menu.  If you check the box, future Tweets will only be visible to people you approve to follow you.  While you’re here, click the box next to “Always use HTTPS” to connect securely whenever possible.

AdjustYourPrivacy (http://adjustyourprivacy.com/) is a free resource that provides a collection of links that allow you to update the privacy settings on each of your major accounts, from YouTube to Yahoo.  This saves you hunting through each site manually for their privacy settings page and offers a great way to ensure that you don’t forget any of the accounts you have floating out on the web.  Their tools also allow you to conduct a detailed search to find out what information about you is publicly available.  It even offers suggestions for ways to beef up your privacy and keep it under control.

Don’t forget that apps you install on Facebook have access to your personal information, regardless of if you are using them actively.  Many can post to your Twitter feed, access your LinkedIn data or connect to your email, and it’s difficult to limit an application’s permissions individually.  MyPermissions (http://mypermissions.org/) can automatically scan your apps permissions so that you can choose which ones to ditch and it will send you alerts when applications obtain access to your private information.

If you’d prefer to audit your Facebook apps manually, click on App Center (left of your Newsfeed), then choose My Apps (at the bottom).  Delete using the X button that appears when you hover your cursor over one, or modify how the application interacts with your Home Page by clicking on Settings under each one.

The last time you were surfing the web, did you notice that advertisements seemed eerily targeted toward you?  Your internet navigation is most likely being tracked.  DuckDuckGo (http://fixtracking.com/) offers a tracking-free search engine, or links to add-ons for your favorite browser that block third-party trackers.  It also provides detailed instructions on how to adjust your Internet Explorer options to prevent websites from accessing your location information.

Deleting old accounts where you've stored personal information is a great idea, but can be harder than you might think.  AccountKiller (www.accountkiller.com) provides links and instructions to make account termination easy for all major websites around the Internet.  Before opening a new account, check their "whitelist" and "blacklist."  Those on the "blacklist" make deleting your profile very difficult should you ever want to do so in the future.  A few surprising sites to make the blacklist: Fox Sports, CNN, Starbucks and Whole Foods.  Who knew?

 

 

Spring Clean your Computer and Improve Boot Time

Improve Boot Time with Tips From Our Nerds

One of the most common questions I get from customers, family and friends alike is how to improve system start up time.  When your system was new it probably felt like you were able to boot up and get working at record speed.  Over time, as you install more programs and maybe collect a few malware programs, system boot up can take longer and longer.

Fully powering off your computer when you’re done using it for the day is a good idea - it saves energy and reduces hardware degradation.  But it may leave you feeling like you could make yourself a cup of coffee (or bake a batch of muffins) while waiting for your system to start up.  Before you resolve to leave your system in perpetual hibernation, here are a few things to try to speed up your PC’s boot time:

1. Run an anti-malware program. Viruses and spyware wreck all manner of havoc on your PC.  They cause it to run slowly, generate errors and even sometimes crash.  These programs run malicious code that hijacks your computer and forces your system to divert resources from what you want it to do (start up) to what the malware program wants your system to do (run the malicious code first and foremost).


Make sure that you first download any necessary virus definition updates. While your anti-virus program should be downloading and installing updates automatically, it doesn’t hurt to open the program and check for updates just to be certain.  If you don’t have an up to date anti-virus program, Windows users should consider Microsoft Security Essentials (www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security), a free program that will run automatically and scan for all types of malware.

2. Stop extraneous programs from launching automatically at start up. Every time you install software on your computer, whether its iTunes, Quicken or your new printer’s installation disk, the program’s default installation instructions typically direct your computer to launch the application whenever your system starts up.  From that point on, the program runs in the background, ready and waiting should you choose to launch it or run an associated function that it could “help with.”

This can have advantages – it’d be annoying to have to launch your printer software manually every time you want to print something.  If your printer software starts up when you boot up your computer, it’s ready and waiting to print whenever you click the printer icon.  Unfortunately, the more tasks your system has to start before you can get working, the longer you have to wait for your computer to be functional.

Review the programs that your computer is starting and running automatically every time you boot up by going to Start – Run – and typing msconfig in the small window that appears (the command line is “Open:”).  This launches a window titled System Configuration.  Select the tab titled Startup to see a list of the applications set to auto-start.  Before you start un-checking boxes, be cautious.  Sometimes necessary functions are listed in terms that are difficult to recognize and turning them off can break things you want to work automatically (like your bluetooth mouse or your printer) or worse, cause your Operating System not to load properly.

Stick to obvious programs that you would prefer to launch by hand when you want them instead of running constantly.  Some examples would be music or editing software (like Roxio, Spotify, or Photoshop), iTunes (provided you’re ok with having to launch iTunes manually when you want to sync your iOS device), software that came pre-installed by Dell, Sony or HP that you can’t easily uninstall (like their integrated remote support software), etc.  It’s best to err on the side of caution than to get too hasty un-checking boxes.

3. Consider installing more RAM. Determine how much RAM your system has installed and how much it can support using a tool such as the “System Scanner Tool” on Crucial’s website (www.crucial.com/systemscanner/loader.aspx).  Most Windows 7 users that surf the net and do basic document management functions should be served by 4GB of RAM, but if your system can support more I’ve never had anyone complain that their system runs too fast.”  If you regularly edit videos or run a lot of applications simultaneously, you should consider 8 to 12GB, or maximizing the amount that your system can support.

 

Windows Blue Details - What to expect

Windows Blue - Big Changes to 8 Ahead?

If you’re using Windows 8, you’re about to get a big upgrade. In June, Microsoft will roll out some big changes (Windows Blue) to their operating system that will significantly help the user. While it’s not available for download yet, a development version was leaked on the internet and us Nerds have had the time to check it out and analyze the features.

Refined Metro UI:  The first improvements come on the surface. Most of the tweaks to the operating system are refining the metro UI, and not the base of the operating system itself. The upgrade, nicknamed Windows Blue, adds the ability to make the home screen tiles smaller. It also allows you to change color options, including primary and accent colors.


IE 11:  Internet Explorer 11 is getting a new download manager as well as the ability to sync your tabs across all your devices, a feature pioneered and standardized by Mozilla and Google. However, Microsoft has expanded this experience to the start screen as well as your paired devices, like headsets or mice.  That means if you have a Windows 8 desktop, tablet, and phone, you can keep your experience the same.

Quiet Hours:  You’ll also have the ability to set quiet hours for the notification center, a feature common on Android phones. Many of Microsoft’s improvements to this operating system focus on making a unified user experience – that is, people using Windows 8 will be able to recognize their content no matter which device they are using.

In A Snap:  On the desktop and tablet side, Windows Blue is also getting improved snapping options. You’ll be able to snap at ¼, ¾, as well as ½ in both directions. Previous versions only had two snapping options. This upgrade allows for more efficient multi-tasking.

Aside from cosmetics, Windows Blue offers mostly security updates, but also adds four new apps: an alarm, a sound recorder, a calculator, and a video trimmer. All have very basic functionality but will likely evolve with the operating system, as this version is a very early test version.

When the final upgrade rolls out in June, expect to see a lot more features!  Which makes us computer repair Nerds very happy!

 

About Facebook Home - The Next Big Thing

All About Facebook Home

Facebook has taken one of the requisite steps to becoming an established software company – their first into the world of hardware.

While it isn’t the Facebook phone that had been rumored for a few months, it’s close. It’s called “Facebook Home” and it’s a piece of software that comes on a phone manufactured by HTC, called the “First.” The app will also be available to download on other android phones.


The app itself is essentially a Facebook operating system that provides a suite of apps and new features to the android operating system. The most touted feature of the app is the cover feed, which sets itself as your device’s “screen saver.” It displays things such as photos and statuses that your friends have posted whenever you glance at your phone. Whenever you receive a notification while using your phone, a message pops up on the screen in the form of a floating box. You can respond to the notification without leaving the app you’re using. The same feature applies to chats: when you receive a message from a friend, a bubble with their face on it and a message appears. You’ll be able to turn Home off at any time though, in case you’re lending your phone or don’t want to be disturbed.

In addition, the software will connect to apps that also connect to Facebook. The apps Spotify, Pandora, and Instagram are some of the most popular apps used by Facebook users.

In Canada, Facebook is testing free calls through its messenger app when the phone is connected to wifi, and can already send SMS messages through the service. No word as if to these will be available upon release.

The HTC First is sold exclusively through AT&T for $450 or $99 with a contract and ships on April 10. The Facebook Home app will be available to download on April 12.  There’s no tablet version, but Facebook has said that it’s working on a version for android tablets. Facebook Home is not compatible with iOS devices.

This announcement comes shortly after another in which the company revealed a new visual direction for their flagship website. Facebook appears to be taking on some of Google’s territory with this move, reflecting more thought put into design as well as the push towards totalitarian app networks.

According to a study commissioned for this project, 70 percent of smartphone users use them to browse Facebook. According to their marketing for the software, they hope to see people using their phones solely through Facebook. This move is one step toward Facebook becoming the “Windows” of smartphone. We’ll see on April 10^th.

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Looking for a Weather Site? Try Forecast.io

Great New Weather Site: Forecast.io

If you’re not a Nerd constantly combing the web for new info, you’ve probably missed the release of yet another app in the sea that seems to surge in daily. But those of us who spend our days wading in that briny ocean occasionally find a pearl worth bringing back to land to show off. Today’s pearl is called forecast.io.
Forecast.io is a new way to get your weather. Rather than go through a major corporation like weather.com for your weather, forecast.io gives you real-time coverage of the weather in your area as well as minute-by-minute forecasts for the next week.

And…when we say minute-by-minute, that’s what we mean. You can use the site to track down to the minute when it will start raining or snowing and how long it will last. Now you can plan around those surprise storms!


Now this already is pretty impressive – but there’s more. Forecast.io allows you to play an animation of current weather trends, just like on TV. The site plays smoothly on any modern browser, thanks to the HTML5 technologies in use. Translated from Nerd-speak, this means that if you’re using Chrome or a similar modern browser, you’ll be able to keep up on the weather just like your local news station. The site can also be used on your Smartphone, which will automatically detect your location.

In addition, it includes a “time machine” feature. This allows you to look at historical data from various locations. You can check what the weather was in hundreds of places over the globe for any date back almost a hundred years! The impressive part about that data though, is that the website creates a model of how particular dates in the future might occur. This means that if you’re planning an outdoor even in six months, you’ll be able to make a much more educated guess on what weather conditions will be like then.

Forecast.io is made by the same developers as Dark Sky, a popular app for Apple devices that includes the basic functionality of predicting and displaying weather patterns, but this makes the data available to all, not just iPhone and iPad users. The company is planning to expand the product’s features in the coming months.

How much does it cost to subscribe to this service? Nothing at all. Just visit Forecast.io on your web-enabled device to get started!

Maintain Public WiFi Safety: Some tips

Tips for Public WiFi Safety

It seems every shop and gathering place proclaims “Free WiFi,” but is it safe to check your email at the airport, library or McDonalds?  There are risks to accessing private data while connected to an unsecured, community network.  Here’s how to surf safely when you’re on public WiFi.

When you access the Internet on a public network, your computer or Smartphone is at risk of being accessed by other users on the same network.  It’s surprisingly easy for the person sipping the macchiato next to you to run simple programs to collect passwords and information entered by fellow patrons.  Most WiFi “hotspots” are unencrypted since it’s a hassle to make every customer find out the day’s WiFi password, meaning even if you’re alone in the store someone sitting in the parking lot could be connected to the network.


It may seem unlikely that your data will be hacked, and that’s probably true.  But just like you might be able to leave your car unlocked and never suffer a beak-in, is it worth the risk?  Anyone who’s had their Facebook account hacked or banking password compromised can attest that it can take months or more to put your online identity back in order.

Luckily there are some easy steps you can take to protect yourself on public WiFi.  Since logging on to a network gives other users on that network access to your shared folders, the first thing to do when you’re on a public network is to turn off sharing.  Windows users should navigate to the Control Panel, then Network and Internet.  Select the option to “Choose homegroup and sharing options” and then select “Change advanced sharing settings…” Turn off file and printer sharing and public folder sharing.  If you’re using a Mac, go to System Preferences and then Sharing.  Make sure all boxes are unchecked.

Consider also disabling network discovery as it prevents others from seeing your machine on the network.  You can re-enable it when you’re no longer logged on to a public network.

Next, enable your system’s internal firewall.  Windows users should go to Control Panel and then System and Security.  Select Windows Firewall and choose “Turn Windows Firewall on or off” from the list of options on the left.  Mac users can turn on their firewall via System Preferences.  Choose Security and then Firewall to activate.  This won’t keep out a skilled hacker, but it can deter a casual snooper.

Make sure that websites that contain private data (like your email or bank) have https:// preceding the web address.  This denotes a secure (i.e. encrypted) connection which makes it more difficult for someone who gets a hold of the data sent or received by your computer to decode it into usable material.  If you’re just catching up on your celebrity gossip, surfing http sites isn’t a big deal; just make sure to look for the https before entering any passwords.  If the web address changes from https to http while you’re navigating between pages, log out immediately and wait to check your bank balance when you’re on a secure network.

Instruct Gmail to automatically connect over https by logging into your email account and selecting the icon on the upper right that looks like a cog.  Choose settings, then General and under “Browser connection:” choose “Always use https.”

HTTPS Everywhere (https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere) is a browser extension for Firefox or Chrome that encrypts your communication with sites like Google Search, Facebook, Twitter and more.  It can even redirect you to the secure version of a page you access via another person’s or site’s link.

If you still turn off WiFi when in range of a public network, drop me a note for more advanced protection options.

For April Fools': Best of the Web

April Fools Online: Best Online Tech Spoofs

Last year, I completely forgot about April Fool's Day until I was listening to a news story on the radio and thought, "That's odd.  Is that really true?"  Two seconds later, I remembered "Oh, that's right, it's April Fools!"

The big day is right around the corner.  Love it or hate it, the tricks will be out there.  If, like us, you’re looking forward to some of the best spoofs the Internet has to offer, here are some of our favorites from last year.  These sites are sure to offer some gems you won’t want to miss this April Fools.


Google went to quite a lot of trouble with their major prank.  They introduced an 8-bit version of Google Maps, called "Quest" (www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rznYifPHxDg#!), referring to it as "our first product for Nintendo Entertainment System."  Quest was designed to generate all maps in 8-bit format (think early 1980s Donkey Kong or Frogger).  The gag provided instructions for inserting the cartridge into your old NES game system, hooking it up to the Internet (complete with the old dial-up phone connection sound), then searching for your hometown.  You could even find a route to your destination and watch the tiny character follow the blue line, Legend of Zelda style, anywhere in the world.  "Blow on the cartridge to fix bugs!"

All in all, Google kept people guessing with at least sixteen pranks last year.  They introduced the Google Really Advanced Search which let you filter your Internet searches by everything from "rhyming slang" to font size.  Chrome Multitask Mode allowed you to browse the web using two mice at the same time.  Gmail Tap turned your overly-cumbersome keyboard into just two keys and a spacebar, bringing Morse code back into the mainstream.  Google Voice for Pets revolutionized pet communications, complete with a collar designed to record audio from your dog or cat and translate it into human speech. Brilliant!

Pet spoofs were all the rave.  Kodak LivePrint technology claimed to have created the first kitten printer, promised to be "Fast, fun and easy!"  Select your favorite breed, wait 90 seconds and voila, your own live kitten.  Ads went on to state that select locations would be offering a limited Easter promotion: “Buy 2 bunnies and get 10 free!”  Nationwide "Bring a Puppy Home for the Holidays" was slated for Christmas.

Adblock, the software that allows you to surf the Internet without all those ads blocking your viewing space introduced CatBlock (http://adblockforchrome.blogspot.com/2012/03/inturdusing-catblock.html).  Supposedly designed by Adblock's developer's cat, the offending ads were replaced with pictures of adorable cats instead.  It actually proved to be so popular (really!) that people were begging for it to be real.  This led to the designer creating a standalone version he would send to users that supported Adblock with a monthly payment.

Lynx introduced the “Lynx Spray App” (www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PM5bCgP479c) which promised that guys on the prowl could select the body spray scent of their choice on the go via the app and then spray themselves down using their Smartphone.  If only phones and liquids were more compatible.

New electronics were introduced, too.  Toshiba announced a new line of tablets called Oblong, Amoré and Rhombus offered in, you guessed it, oval, heart and rhombus shapes: "more than a convex quadrilateral."  Sony unveiled their Vaio Q, the world's most portable Ultrabook.  Available in full HD with “exceptional picture quality and 2D and 3D graphics support”, all on the super tiny 0.75 x 1.25 inches screen.

Skype promised to simplify itself for users who don't like to use a computer, mobile device or Internet connection with Skype for String.  Simply give friends and family members a cup that's connected to yours for unlimited calling.  To make a video call, you must be within eyesight of your friend.  It was promised to work with any cup and string, but Skype recommended their certified set for best results.

Every year one of our favorite sites for tech toys and fan gear, Think Geek (www.thinkgeek.com), brings out their best for April Fools.  My favorite from last year was Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos iPad Game.  Simply attach the four plastic hippos to your iPad and use it as the game board.  Multiple electronic game boards are offered with several marble styles.  Scoring modes come in standard, Vegas and Regulation Tournament.  Coming soon, Hungry Hungry Hippos: Space!