April Meetings 2021
April 1, 2021 - Stop Using Texts to Receive Login Credentials, Apple Support, How to Take Better Photos with Your Smartphone,
Unknown Links are GOOD for You! (April fool's!)
Club Questions
Unknown Links are GOOD for You! (April fool's!)
Club Questions
Stop Using Text Messages to Receive Login Info
Apparently it's not very difficult for attackers to gain access to your text messages. They don’t need access to your phone; they don’t even need your SIM card. They just need to pay a trivial sum, convince a VoIP wholesaler that they’re a reseller (also a trivial matter), and sign a form swearing that they’re allowed to route messages to your number to another. And once this is done, they can see all your texts, including the ones you send with confidential personal info, like passwords and login codes. For more on how you can protect yourself, take a look at this article.
Apparently it's not very difficult for attackers to gain access to your text messages. They don’t need access to your phone; they don’t even need your SIM card. They just need to pay a trivial sum, convince a VoIP wholesaler that they’re a reseller (also a trivial matter), and sign a form swearing that they’re allowed to route messages to your number to another. And once this is done, they can see all your texts, including the ones you send with confidential personal info, like passwords and login codes. For more on how you can protect yourself, take a look at this article.
How to Use Apple Support
Apple is well known for its support system, they can help any Apple user with their phones, tablets or computers. The easiest way to access this support system is via their app. For more information on how to download and use this free app, take a look at this illustrated article.
Apple is well known for its support system, they can help any Apple user with their phones, tablets or computers. The easiest way to access this support system is via their app. For more information on how to download and use this free app, take a look at this illustrated article.
Smartphone Photography 101
It seems that many people now carry a smartphone in their pocket/purse, and among the many features these phones boast, a great camera is probably the most useful. But just because we're carrying around a fantastic camera doesn't make us good photographers. There are some simple tricks we can use to get the most out of this technology. CNET has created a comprehensive guide to a variety of photo techniques that will take your photography to the next level. Take a look at their article, then scroll down and click on the tip titles for more detailed instructions.
And just so you know that great photos can be taken with smartphone cameras, take a look at the slideshow below, every photo was taken with a smartphone camera.
It seems that many people now carry a smartphone in their pocket/purse, and among the many features these phones boast, a great camera is probably the most useful. But just because we're carrying around a fantastic camera doesn't make us good photographers. There are some simple tricks we can use to get the most out of this technology. CNET has created a comprehensive guide to a variety of photo techniques that will take your photography to the next level. Take a look at their article, then scroll down and click on the tip titles for more detailed instructions.
And just so you know that great photos can be taken with smartphone cameras, take a look at the slideshow below, every photo was taken with a smartphone camera.
April 8, 2021 - Dark Patterns, Fleeceware, Using your Smart Speaker as a Heartbeat Monitor
Unknown Links Steal Your Data - DON'T Click on Them!
Club Questions
Unknown Links Steal Your Data - DON'T Click on Them!
Club Questions
Dark Patterns
What is a "dark pattern" you might ask? A dark pattern is a user interface carefully crafted to trick users into doing things they might not otherwise do, such as buying insurance with their purchase or signing up for recurring bills. Dark patterns are used more and more all over the Internet and understanding what they look like and how they work will help keep you safer when you're on it. To learn more about what a dark pattern is and how to safely navigate them, take a look at this article.
What is a "dark pattern" you might ask? A dark pattern is a user interface carefully crafted to trick users into doing things they might not otherwise do, such as buying insurance with their purchase or signing up for recurring bills. Dark patterns are used more and more all over the Internet and understanding what they look like and how they work will help keep you safer when you're on it. To learn more about what a dark pattern is and how to safely navigate them, take a look at this article.
Fleeceware
Fleeceware is one of the worst things you'll have to deal with on your device, but unlike malware, fleeceware hides in plain sight. Fleeceware often uses dark patterns to confuse users into making bad decisions, often costing the user lot of money. Over 200 apps were discovered by Avast on the Apple and Google app stores. The fleeceware applications discovered consist predominantly of musical instrument apps, palm readers, image editors, camera filters, fortune tellers, QR code and PDF readers, and ‘slime simulators’. To read more about how to avoid such applications, take a look at this article.
Fleeceware is one of the worst things you'll have to deal with on your device, but unlike malware, fleeceware hides in plain sight. Fleeceware often uses dark patterns to confuse users into making bad decisions, often costing the user lot of money. Over 200 apps were discovered by Avast on the Apple and Google app stores. The fleeceware applications discovered consist predominantly of musical instrument apps, palm readers, image editors, camera filters, fortune tellers, QR code and PDF readers, and ‘slime simulators’. To read more about how to avoid such applications, take a look at this article.
SmartSpeaker Heartbeat Monitor
Most of us know what an Amazon Echo or a Google Home speaker does, but did you know you might soon use it as a contactless heartbeat monitor? Scientists have developed an A.I. system that allows smart speakers to monitor a nearby person's heart rate via sound waves. The research team says it’s the first time that both regular and irregular heartbeats can be monitored without physical contact. To read more about how this new invention might work for you, take a look at this article.
Most of us know what an Amazon Echo or a Google Home speaker does, but did you know you might soon use it as a contactless heartbeat monitor? Scientists have developed an A.I. system that allows smart speakers to monitor a nearby person's heart rate via sound waves. The research team says it’s the first time that both regular and irregular heartbeats can be monitored without physical contact. To read more about how this new invention might work for you, take a look at this article.
April 15, 2021 - The Facebook Breach, What Does a VPN Actually Do?, More on Passwords, How to Create an Anonymous Email Account,
Unknown Links Steal Have Been Found GUILTY, of stealing your data.
Club Questions
Unknown Links Steal Have Been Found GUILTY, of stealing your data.
Club Questions
Security Week
The Facebook Breach
If you are a Facebook user, you might not be aware of the major security failure the site suffered just recently. Over 500 million Facebook users had their personal data (including phone numbers, emails, and more sensitive data) stolen by hackers. This data has also been released to the public and many of these 533 million people might still have the same phone numbers and Facebook IDs, information that other people with malicious intentions can use for nefarious purposes. To learn if your Facebook data has been exposed, take a look at this article.
And some breaking news, there has apparently been another Facebook data breach involving even more users phone numbers. To read more about the latest FB leak, take a look at this article.
If you are a Facebook user, you might not be aware of the major security failure the site suffered just recently. Over 500 million Facebook users had their personal data (including phone numbers, emails, and more sensitive data) stolen by hackers. This data has also been released to the public and many of these 533 million people might still have the same phone numbers and Facebook IDs, information that other people with malicious intentions can use for nefarious purposes. To learn if your Facebook data has been exposed, take a look at this article.
And some breaking news, there has apparently been another Facebook data breach involving even more users phone numbers. To read more about the latest FB leak, take a look at this article.
What Does a VPN Actually Do
We've talked about VPNs (virtual private networks) before in these notes, and we know that a VPN can make your online experience safer and more private. But what does a VPN actually do, and is there anything else we can do to make our online lives more secure? HowToGeek has an excellent article detailing exactly what VPNs guard you from and other steps you can take to protect yourself online. To read more about VPNs, take a look at this article.
We've talked about VPNs (virtual private networks) before in these notes, and we know that a VPN can make your online experience safer and more private. But what does a VPN actually do, and is there anything else we can do to make our online lives more secure? HowToGeek has an excellent article detailing exactly what VPNs guard you from and other steps you can take to protect yourself online. To read more about VPNs, take a look at this article.
More Password Help
Your online security may benefit from using a VPN, but it starts with your choice of password. We all know that passwords such as, "1234" or "password" are very weak and therefore dangerous to use on any online accounts, especially accounts that handle money or your important data. But one of the worst mistakes people make with their passwords is to re-use the same password on multiple accounts. To learn more about what makes a good password, take a look at this article.
Your online security may benefit from using a VPN, but it starts with your choice of password. We all know that passwords such as, "1234" or "password" are very weak and therefore dangerous to use on any online accounts, especially accounts that handle money or your important data. But one of the worst mistakes people make with their passwords is to re-use the same password on multiple accounts. To learn more about what makes a good password, take a look at this article.
How to Create an Anonymous Email Account
If you are tired of Gmail and Yahoo mail constantly collecting your data (as do most free email services), you might want to consider using an anonymous email provider. PC Magazine online goes over all the details on how to create anonymous email accounts, from a variety of providers and some of the benefits of using such services. To read more, or view the how-to videos, take a look at this article.
If you are tired of Gmail and Yahoo mail constantly collecting your data (as do most free email services), you might want to consider using an anonymous email provider. PC Magazine online goes over all the details on how to create anonymous email accounts, from a variety of providers and some of the benefits of using such services. To read more, or view the how-to videos, take a look at this article.
