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… This InfoLine article has been updated. Please refer to the new version at: Protect your Email Account More information: Updated article Please remember that the InfoLine is free to share with your colleagues, friends and family. If you have questions about this, please let us know…
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…
Your browser needs to be kept up-to-date Your browser is arguably the most vulnerable piece of software on your computer or phone, since you use it regularly to access the Internet. Browser developers are constantly providing new features to keep you as a customer and to win new ones. This constant addition of new…
This is a dangerous time. Keep your eyes open. Along with the egregious physical attack on the ground in Ukraine, cyber-attacks are flying back and forth between the combatants. Unfortunately, these cyber-attacks are not limited to Russia and Ukraine. Parties trying for a peaceful resolution using sanctions are also viable victims in this battle.…
There is more to using a search engine then just typing in words… Entering a search word or phrase in a search engine is easy. But does the most relevant (to you) page show up in the first page of results? Do you spend too much time rummaging through the pages and pages of results…
