August Meetings 2021
August 5, 2021 - What is Scareware? More Android Apps to Uninstall, iPhone WiFi Settings you should know about,
Watch out for Variants and Unknown Links!
Club Questions
Watch out for Variants and Unknown Links!
Club Questions
What is Scareware?
Dating back to the early 1990s, scareware has primarily been used to panic or worry someone into performing a task they otherwise wouldn’t have done. The standard procedure is to warn of infections via browser popups, or hijacked surfing and pages you can't navigate away from. Bogus security programs will run a fake scan, and warn of fake infections. They’ll also ask for payment to “unlock” the full version of software so cleaning can take place. To learn more about how to safeguard yourself from scareware, take a look at this article.
Dating back to the early 1990s, scareware has primarily been used to panic or worry someone into performing a task they otherwise wouldn’t have done. The standard procedure is to warn of infections via browser popups, or hijacked surfing and pages you can't navigate away from. Bogus security programs will run a fake scan, and warn of fake infections. They’ll also ask for payment to “unlock” the full version of software so cleaning can take place. To learn more about how to safeguard yourself from scareware, take a look at this article.
More Android Apps to Uninstall
There's trouble in the Google Play Store again, and yet another list of bad actor apps you can get there. "Joker" malware is at it again and making Android user's lives difficult. Google has been alerted previously about the malware’s presence. But as fast as it can remove it, new apps appear with the same ferocity. To learn more about Joker and see the latest list of Joker infected apps, take a look at this article.
And in case you didn't see it, here's a previous list of Joker infected apps that you should definitely delete from your Android devices.
There's trouble in the Google Play Store again, and yet another list of bad actor apps you can get there. "Joker" malware is at it again and making Android user's lives difficult. Google has been alerted previously about the malware’s presence. But as fast as it can remove it, new apps appear with the same ferocity. To learn more about Joker and see the latest list of Joker infected apps, take a look at this article.
And in case you didn't see it, here's a previous list of Joker infected apps that you should definitely delete from your Android devices.
Important iPhone WiFi Settings
Apple is constantly making iPhones safe to their users and more protected from all the bad actors out there. When it comes to using WiFi networks, there is an important setting that all users should be aware of. In your iPhone’s settings, click on Wi-Fi and then make sure that “Ask to Join Networks” and “Auto-Join Hotspots” are both set to “Ask”/ “Ask to Join.” To learn more about how to stay safe when using WiFi networks, take a look at this article.
Apple is constantly making iPhones safe to their users and more protected from all the bad actors out there. When it comes to using WiFi networks, there is an important setting that all users should be aware of. In your iPhone’s settings, click on Wi-Fi and then make sure that “Ask to Join Networks” and “Auto-Join Hotspots” are both set to “Ask”/ “Ask to Join.” To learn more about how to stay safe when using WiFi networks, take a look at this article.
August 12, 2021 - Cancel Streaming Subscriptions, Is the Dark Web Illegal? Browser Extensions are Looking at Your Bank Account,
If you click and Unknown Link, you just made a Mistake!
Club Questions
If you click and Unknown Link, you just made a Mistake!
Club Questions
How to Cancel Streaming Subscriptions
In a world where there seems to be a new streaming service starting up every week, you may have the need to quit one subscription so as to start another one. It's not as hard as you might think, take a look at these articles that go over how to get out of some popular subscription services on your phone or your computer.
In a world where there seems to be a new streaming service starting up every week, you may have the need to quit one subscription so as to start another one. It's not as hard as you might think, take a look at these articles that go over how to get out of some popular subscription services on your phone or your computer.
Is the Dark Web Illegal?
You've probably heard about the Dark Web, maybe you've heard it's for criminals, where bad stuff happens, and maybe even that it's illegal. Well, there's a bit more to it. So, what is the Dark Web and is it actually real? And is it illegal to access the dark web? To learn more about how the Dark Web works and whether or not it's just for criminals, take a look at this article.
You've probably heard about the Dark Web, maybe you've heard it's for criminals, where bad stuff happens, and maybe even that it's illegal. Well, there's a bit more to it. So, what is the Dark Web and is it actually real? And is it illegal to access the dark web? To learn more about how the Dark Web works and whether or not it's just for criminals, take a look at this article.
Browser Extensions Look at Your Bank Account
We've talked about browser extensions before and how they often have nearly unlimited access to your computer and what you do with it. Extensions may seem like they're making things easier for you, or even safer for you, but that is often not the case. If you've ever paid attention to the message you receive when installing a browser extension, you'll know that they often have full access to the webpages you visit. To learn more about how browser extensions work, take a look at this article.
We've talked about browser extensions before and how they often have nearly unlimited access to your computer and what you do with it. Extensions may seem like they're making things easier for you, or even safer for you, but that is often not the case. If you've ever paid attention to the message you receive when installing a browser extension, you'll know that they often have full access to the webpages you visit. To learn more about how browser extensions work, take a look at this article.
August 19, 2021 - How to Delete Old Online Accounts, 8 New Google Maps Features, Windows 10 Features You Lose When Upgrading to Windows 11,
Only Rinky-dink finks click on Unknown Links!
Club Questions
Only Rinky-dink finks click on Unknown Links!
Club Questions
How to Delete Old Online Accounts
We all have accounts we no longer use, but some apps and websites make deleting your profile a pain. In those cases, simply ignoring them is an easier option. However, unused online accounts can be a major security risk. To learn more about why you should delete your unused online accounts, and how to do it, take a look at this article.
We all have accounts we no longer use, but some apps and websites make deleting your profile a pain. In those cases, simply ignoring them is an easier option. However, unused online accounts can be a major security risk. To learn more about why you should delete your unused online accounts, and how to do it, take a look at this article.
New Google Maps Features
Even tho Apple Maps has improved greatly since it first came out, Google Maps still has the edge on mobile navigation. Most of us smartphone users are familiar with the way Google Maps works, but Google doesn't want to overwhelm its users with a cluttered interface, so many of its best features lie just below the surface. To learn eight cool features you might not already know, take a look at this article.
Even tho Apple Maps has improved greatly since it first came out, Google Maps still has the edge on mobile navigation. Most of us smartphone users are familiar with the way Google Maps works, but Google doesn't want to overwhelm its users with a cluttered interface, so many of its best features lie just below the surface. To learn eight cool features you might not already know, take a look at this article.
Features You Lose When Upgrading to Windows 11
Windows 11 has plenty of new features to offer, but there are a few that will be going by the wayside. If you're considering upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10, take a look at this article to see just which features won't be making the trip from Windows 10 to the new operating system. If none of these changes bother you and you just can't wait for Microsoft's new OS, then take a look at how you can download Windows 11 free in this CNET article.
Windows 11 has plenty of new features to offer, but there are a few that will be going by the wayside. If you're considering upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10, take a look at this article to see just which features won't be making the trip from Windows 10 to the new operating system. If none of these changes bother you and you just can't wait for Microsoft's new OS, then take a look at how you can download Windows 11 free in this CNET article.
August 26, 2021 - T-Mobile Gets Hacked, Staying Safer Online, Millions of Home Wi-Fi Routers Under Attack,
Unknown Links, How do I Hate Thee, Let me Count the Ways...
Club Questions
Unknown Links, How do I Hate Thee, Let me Count the Ways...
Club Questions
T-Mobile Gets Hacked
T-Mobile said in an update on its latest data breach, issued Wednesday August 18, 2021, that the personal data of more than 40 million customers was stolen by hackers. The data, which belonged to former and prospective customers, included names, dates of birth, driver's license details and Social Security numbers. If you're a past, present or future T-Mobile user, take a look at this article.
T-Mobile said in an update on its latest data breach, issued Wednesday August 18, 2021, that the personal data of more than 40 million customers was stolen by hackers. The data, which belonged to former and prospective customers, included names, dates of birth, driver's license details and Social Security numbers. If you're a past, present or future T-Mobile user, take a look at this article.
Keeping From Getting Hacked
There's no perfect cure for staying safe online, as we all know the Internet has become a bastion for thieves, spies and crooks, but there are some basic things you can do to make your online life safer. From making sure that all your devices are running the latest available software to getting a security key, Gizmodo has a great rundown on all the best ways to stay safe (it's in an easy to view slideshow too).
There's no perfect cure for staying safe online, as we all know the Internet has become a bastion for thieves, spies and crooks, but there are some basic things you can do to make your online life safer. From making sure that all your devices are running the latest available software to getting a security key, Gizmodo has a great rundown on all the best ways to stay safe (it's in an easy to view slideshow too).
Home Wi-Fi Routers Under Attack
Millions of home Wi-Fi routers are under attack by botnet malware, just a week after a researcher put up a blog post showing how to exploit a vulnerability in the routers' firmware. This flaw has been fixed, but the problem is that at least 36 other models of routers distributed by 20 different companies have identical or very similar flaws, and firmware patches may not be available yet for all of them. Few people even know that you need to update your router's firmware just as you need to update your computer or phone. To see if your home router is on the list, take a look at this article.
Millions of home Wi-Fi routers are under attack by botnet malware, just a week after a researcher put up a blog post showing how to exploit a vulnerability in the routers' firmware. This flaw has been fixed, but the problem is that at least 36 other models of routers distributed by 20 different companies have identical or very similar flaws, and firmware patches may not be available yet for all of them. Few people even know that you need to update your router's firmware just as you need to update your computer or phone. To see if your home router is on the list, take a look at this article.
