IT Archives - ACOMSDave

Be Aware

Be aware Be safe

We all take the new technology at our fingertips for granted, whether it be mobile phones, apps to do anything, tablets or laptops. We also all make use of the various ‘free’ WiFi hotspots, but we all need to be more security conscious – be safe be aware.

Be Safe

Firstly Password

Don’t, repeat, Don’t use the same password for every device. With social media scamming these days, you would be surprised on how easy it is for someone to get your second middle name or birthday date which surprisingly so many use! Be aware Be Safe

Remembering different passwords is difficult, but if you must write them down, do so in an address book under a fictitious name and disguise. Or use a memorable sentence and exchange some of the letters for numbers or special characters e.g. E becomes 3, S becomes 5 and also throw in as I said a special character if allowed. Be safe Be aware.

Be Safe Outside

For those of you who know how never make your phone or tablet discoverable by other devices. When connecting to different WiFi outlet, use a different password each time!

Protect Your Device

Whenever possible have an anti-virus on your device, and keep it up to date. If in doubt ask, better still learn, BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!

USB Memory Sticks

USB - Be Safe Be Aware We all probably have at least one on which we have phtos etc for giving to our family or friends, or we may use them for transferring documents between computers. But again, we rarely have these USB devices password protected or even better encrypted.

A free program like ‘Veracrypt’ is one of best programs currently available for this job. There are others, and if you need help then please get some.

And lastly, if you find a USB stick anywhere and it is not yours, or if you lose your own and then refind it, never assume it is safe. An old trick is to add malware or a virus to a stick – you gain a problem and/or they gain access to your device(s). Be safe Be aware.

Today saw the AGM of the U3A Oliva – this event held just before the close down of most groups for the summer, and a time for people to review the past year, look at the finances and vote in the new committee.

John Melville, our President of the U3A Oliva

We had an interesting talk from Daniel, a local accountant, who advised us on how the various taxes applied to both residents and non-residents – if you haven’t sorted your taxes out please do so, the penalties can be severe. Make certain you keep your records up to date, and pay your taxes

After this meeting, I met with Iain Mumgall so that he could continue guiding me ontaking over the U3A Oliva website – with over 40 groups, other events, a selling page and also a wanted page, never mind the admin for over 540+active members – this is no small job, but I look forward to developing my skills and also to hopefully writing a ‘Dummies Guide to Working On Our Website’ over the next year.
Then my evening first aid call was to a lovely lady, whose laptop seemed to have stopped working. When I called down, I found Windows 7 frozen, a mouse with a battery dead, and also the laptop was unplugged from its charger. A quick ten minutes and all was back in line with what it should have been – however, I expect there will be more calls.

Computer when happy battery resuscitation

Be Aware, Be Safe