Anyone that uses a mobile device frequently will be familiar with the Secured and Unsecured tags on available Wifi networks.  These are also often represented by the presence or absence of a padlock icon.  Essentially a secured Wifi network is a network with a password or security key attached to it, ensuring that only users that are given the password can access it.  Unsecured, or Open, Wifi networks are the opposite: any user can connect to them if they so choose.

It’s easy to misunderstand how this can affect daily life.  Unsecured networks are obviously dangerous, yes?  Or on the flipside, if all these unsecured networks are being used by the people around all the time, then they can’t be that bad, right?  As usual, the answer lies somewhere in between.  To put it bluntly and far too simply, an unsecured network can be more dangerous because it’s easy for malicious users to access it, and through it the other devices that are connected to it. ∞∞∞ >>> Read the rest

Cyber Security has become an essential part of daily life in the modern world today.  In fact it’s almost a requirement, some devices and programs will refuse to work for you unless you are using their definition of appropriate security software and practices.  Fortunately security options aren’t hard to find; unfortunately there may be a few too many of them, and with a very diverse set of specialties to choose from.  The main distinction you will run across though is free vs paid security.  Most anti-virus, anti-malware, and defender software available on the market will come in both free and paid versions.  Vendors are often up front about the differences between the two offerings, but it’s still important to consider your specific browsing and operating needs when deciding what route to take.

Some articles that lay out what to think about when choosing*:
Free vs. Paid Antivirus: Should You Pay?
Free vs.∞∞∞ >>> Read the rest

Cloud storage is everywhere.  Companies and committees share documents and notes over Dropbox, specialists and experts publish data on Google Docs, and the list goes on.  Many devices we use in the home now get regular patch updates from remote servers, and management software like the kind used for printers is often acquired from producer websites.  With how easy it is to store and share information online, it’s no surprise to find the average internet user interacting with file downloads at least a few times per week, if not far more.

The dangers of downloading files from a remote source are well known and publishers, security systems, and network administrators have gotten pretty good at rooting them out.  Yet whenever you add another file to your computer from a source you don’t control, even an official one, there is always a chance, however remote, that a malicious program can get into your device through that download. ∞∞∞ >>> Read the rest

Home Wifi has become an essential, even critical, part of our daily lives now.  Not only is it convenient to have appliances respond to your remote commands, but daily communication with essential services like banks and medical technicians is a necessity for many modern residents.

It should be no surprise that, just like any other wireless signal, home wifi can be intercepted, translated, and examined by unrelated and potentially harmful third parties.  Not only is the traffic passing through the wifi vulnerable to spying, but hackers can even gain access to devices inside the home through a compromised wifi network.  It has pretty much become unthinkable to suggest unplugging in order to stay safe, so now the question is: if it’s not going away, how can it be made safe to use?

Fortunately there are a number of steps that any online user can take to fortify their wifi network.  Nothing can keep you completely safe, but taking responsible action to keep your personal wifi secure foils casual hackers and goes a long way towards convincing the crooks to look elsewhere.∞∞∞ >>> Read the rest

Spam email has become so common these days that a 24-hour period without a spam email makes one question if their email is still working.  Most of the time, thankfully, spam emails are harmless and little more than a nuisance to handle.  Yet sometimes they interfere quite heavily in an otherwise productive workday, and can even contain rude and/or offensive titles.

So why are these emails suddenly showing up when all you did was glance at a couple of shopping sites?  Is there anything you can do to avoid or mitigate them?  There aren’t as many options as we would like, but there are a few simple tips and tricks that can help reduce or avoid excessive spam traffic in your email, the first of which is getting educated on what methods spammers use to acquire information.

Below are several articles that spell out the many ways programs, advertisers, and the dark web use to get your email, along with practices and tips on how to avoid their grasp:

How Do Phishing Scammers Get Your Email Address?∞∞∞ >>> Read the rest

Passwords are the ever-present, love/hate accessory of the modern world. We need them for all of our data, everything from bank accounts to ordering a souvenir postcard. Perhaps the worst part about them, short of having to remember them, is how you end up having to use them everywhere!

It can be so tempting to save passwords when you first make them. Your browser or device will keep it safe from prying eyes, and be only too happy to supply it when you need it, but is that all there is to the story? Not quite. The more you spread your password around, the more likely it is to fall into the wrong hands. Sometimes a public or work computer left unattended is the source of the breach, but quite frankly anyone with access, legitimate or otherwise, to your browser or device can retrieve your password if they so desire.

There are some paid security services that are happy to offer you a safe way to keep your passwords locked up.∞∞∞ >>> Read the rest