What to look out for Tech support scams are attempts by scammers to use scare tactics to trick you into fake technical support services to supposedly fix device or software problems that don’t exist. At best, the scammers are trying to get you to pay them to “fix” a nonexistent problem with your device or…
Patches are available for zero-day Apple security vulnerabilities Apple has released iOS security updates for both new and old devices, starting with iPhone 6s. These updates contain no new features but will protect you against multiple zero-day vulnerabilities which Apple claims have already been actively exploited. For more information, please read the rest of this…
If possible, limit a business email to a single topic Many people find it frustrating to receive emails with multiple topics. They may not be ready to respond to each topic at the same time, leading to potentially fractured email chains. And if they don’t address each topic, how do you file it? This…
If your Windows computer locks up, try the Emergency Restart. If your Windows computer is not responding, there is one last option to try before pressing and holding the power button (OK, two last options if you are a client of HDF and can call us for help): Try using the Emergency Restart. This article…
Review your passwords (at least the important ones) A recent study that reviewed 15 billion passwords found that the top 10 most popular passwords still include “123456” and “qwerty”. Before you gloat, thinking that you’re too smart to use one of those, ask yourself if “Diane2021!” is that much better? Remember, hackers have plenty of…
Get clean, unbiased, untracked search results through any browser with DuckDuckGo If two people enter the same search term in Google, would you expect them to get the same results? This article provides the answer and explains how Google’s tracking system skews each person’s results. It also provides details of an alternative search engine…
LastPass, one of the biggest online credential managers was breached. Should this scare you away from online credential managers? No Should this scare you away from LastPass? Yes Please read this article to learn what to look for in a credential manager and why you should get one now. More info: Secret Key: What is…
How to clean your laptop without damaging it Does your laptop look like it should have crime scene tape across it? Over time your spiffy new laptop will get a little grimy. You will want to be careful when you clean it to not damage the sensitive electronics and display. There are many sites…
It’s time to get a Password Manager What if you could get into all your accounts with one click, using any of your devices, and have a unique, very long complex password for each account? Does this sound too good to be true? A password manager lets you follow the best security measures without having…
This is the season to be merry and enjoy the special people in our lives. But, since this is also a spending season, we must be even more vigilant about our purchases. This article provides tips from the FBI on how to be careful. More info: ‘Tis the season for holiday scams FBI Ho, ho,…
Passwords stored in your browser are not safe. Wait, what? Saving passwords in your browser is a weak link. When you enter a password while using Chrome, it prompts you to save the password. You click “OK”, because now you don’t have to worry about entering the password for that site again. You may…
Please update your various devices/systems. Major vulnerabilities have been discovered in several systems, including Windows, Mac, and Chrome. We suggest that you update your systems ASAP to protect yourself. This article has answers… More info: Update Windows HDF InfoLine Update your browser HDF InfoLine TAKE HOME MESSAGE Please keep your devices up-to-date to remain…
What are computer cookies, and what do I need to know about them? Should I be worried about cookie notices on websites? Are they tracking me? Is my computer infected? This article has answers… More info: What are Cookies and how do they work? Dale McManus Youtube video How to delete Cookies HDF InfoLine…
Those so-called “Security” questions are punching holes in your account defenses Let’s say your friend puts a high-security deadbolt on his front door. He then writes “Only for my mother” on an envelope, puts the key in it and tapes it on the door. Would you feel comfortable storing your family silver at his…
There’s more at risk than just your email… Its important to protect the confidential information in our mail box, but there is an even greater danger to you if hackers get into your email account. Do you know what it is? What if I give you a hint: “forgot my password”? This article provides…
Be extra careful with MS Office documents A security hole has been discovered in Windows which allows hackers to bypass protection measures by configuring a malicious MS Office document (Word, Excel, etc.) and tricking you into opening it. Microsoft has not yet fixed the vulnerability, so we need to be extra vigilant about receiving…
