Traveling with Technology: December 2014

Desert Trails Class Dec. 11 2014

Don’t Get Overexposed…

On-line Security
Traveling in the World of Public Wi-Fi

Personal {On-line} Safety for the Road

•Don’t assume that the Wi-Fi connection is secure. Most hotspots don’t encrypt the information you send over the Internet.

• Avoid connecting to hotspots that don’t seem legitimate or are misspelled.

• Watch out for pop-up windows that prompt you to accept and install software updates when using public wi-fi.

•A 3G/4G connection is safer than an unsecured Wi-Fi connection when shopping, banking and using other websites that access personal information.

•Turn off the automatic network joining function on your devices.

•Turn off Bluetooth when not in use.

Safe-tips for Public Wi-Fi

Encryption is the key to keeping your information secure online. When information is encrypted…… it’s scrambled into a code so others can’t get it.

•Only log in or enter personal information on secure sites that use encryption. Look for a web address that begins with “https”.

•Don’t use the same user name and password for different sites. It could give someone who gains access to one of your accounts access to many of your accounts. including credit card, Social Security, and checking accounts numbers, even if the network and website are secure.

•Don’t stay permanently signed into accounts. When you’ve finished using a site,

•The bottom line? Secure Wi-Fi hotspots require a password. Secure websites start with https.

Information Safety

•Turn off your computer. You will protect yourself and you will save energy.

•Buy a security suite. Your computer will come with a few security components, such as a firewall that you can turn on. You should turn on all of the security elements that your computer comes with. However, it is also a good idea for you to purchase a security suite that adds even more security for you. Make sure, however, that your computer has enough power and memory--at least one gigabyte--to support a security suite, since it takes a lot of power to run one.

•Be careful with your downloads. Just because a site says that it is approved by the Better Business Bureau , or because it says that it is secure, does not necessarily mean that it is. Also, even if you think that you are downloading something from a safe site, a lot of downloads come with spyware and other things that compromise your security. Only download from a site that you trust,

•Don't use a wireless connection for any personal or financial business. Also don't use any public computers for any personal or financial business.

•Get some disposable email addresses. You can use these disposable email addresses for any sort of web site that you have to register for, like a chat room or a social networking site. Also, you can use your disposable email addresses for contacts with business or people who you don't want to know your actual email address, thus preserving your identity and keeping your business private.

Slam the Spam

•Disposable Email Address

–When you want to subscribe to a newsletter or other web information, your email address and you become the recipient of lots of spam. Then you have to shut down the account to avoid the spam. A disposable email address will allow you to sign up but avoid giving your actual address. Most of the disposable address service are not free. The article below tell how you can use Gmail or your own service to create disposable emails.

•Overview article with Resources http://science.opposingviews.com/set-up-temporary-email-23553.html

•Article on creating disposable email with your own mail service.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,990137,00.asp

•Creating a G-mail disposable address

http://www.spxtech.com/creating-disposable-emails-using-gmail/

10 Steps to Prevent Identity Theft

•Shred, Shred, Shred.

•Secure Your Documents.

•Power Up Your Passwords. Mum's the Word.

•Lock Your Phone. That smartphone in your pocket is an identity thief's dream.

•Phishing Is No Phun. Phishing websites mimic banking and other sensitive sites, in hopes that some poor sap will enter his username and password.

•Install a Security Suite.

•Avoid Oversharing. Check your privacy settings from time to time, as the social media sites are fond of making changes.

•Get Those Free Credit Reports.

• Don't Be Fooled. ..by supposed tech support agents who phone or otherwise contact you. eventually they'll start asking for passwords and other details. Hang up.

You don't have to totally change your life in order to protect against identity theft. Follow these ten simple tips and you'll have a very good chance of thwarting theft.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2472639,00.asp

Before You Download

•These countries have the biggest groups of hackers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Internet_top-level_domains

–.cn China,

–.hu Hungary,

–.ru Russia

–.ro Romania

–.tw Taiwan

•If you don’t recognize the company – don’t download.

•If it is on a pop-up or wants you to install something in order to continue... Don’t!

How to Avoid Hackers