Adelaide's Techguy On Today Tonight
On monday the 17th June I participated in a story on Today Tonight on apps on smartphones and tablets and are we aware of the information that they share.
Here is the video
Radio Segments For 19th June
This week is National Consumer Fraud Week so lets talk about online fraud.
What Are The Key Traps
- Treat emails with great suspicion, if it looks too good to be true it probably is
- Banks do not send you emails asking for credit card details , password log ins etc , there are numerous ones around currently mostly with the Westpac logo
- You will not receive $50 for completing a customer service survey , it is there to get your credit card details
- Anything to do with Western Union in an email is usually fake
- The Australian tax office does not send messages via email telling you that you have a refund
- Your internet provider does not ask you to change details via an email
- Parcel delivery companies do not advise you via email
- You have not won a lottery
- Investment opportunities are not done via email
- Online casinos and giving them your credit card details are a disaster waiting to happen
- Dating companies and your credit card – do some research on the company – that is what Google is for
- Paypal will always use your first and last name , if not its fake
- eBay – Gumtree – use Paypal as an intermediary – beware of fake responses to your postings
- Do not respond to phone calls from Microsoft etc , its all about your credit card details
- Horse racing laptop investment schemes
Many of these traps will ask you to click a link in the email, which will usually resort in malware being downloaded to your computer if you have not kept your operating system up to date
Website Of The Week
How long would you live if you are bitten by a zombie?
Click on the image to take you to a site to calculate your chances.
5 Things You Should Ensure You Do
One
Do your Windows Updates , yes i know you have automatic turned on but you need to check the optional ones on a regular basis.
Two
Update your software , Adobe and if you use Java , that to
Three
Stop installing drive - by software , if you are installing a new version of Adobe you dont need the McAfee Security Scanner , take the tick out and just install Adobe.
Four
Stop installing toolbars that may enhance your browsing experience , it wont , and some will install malware in the background
Five
Do not install any program that promises to speed up your pc , speed up your internet , clean up your pc . They do not work.
Why Cant I Access Flash On My iPad / Tablet
I regularly get an enquiry saying when i open a website on my iPad / Tablet with the browser ( Chrome , Safari , Firefox ) and want to watch certain sites it says i need the latest " Flash Plug-In " or it does not support my device.
That is because they want you to use their app first so find out whether the site you are using has an app. For example , want to watch " The Block " you need to go to the "Jump In " app not the Ninemsn Page.
The reason flash is not used on portable devices as it is basically insecure and sucks the life out of batteries and therefore is not used on portable devices such as tablets (iPads / Android)
Please Note: Older Android tablets may still run flash but the newer versions of Android do not.
Get Off Outlook Express
I have seen several machines in the last few weeks that are still running Outlook Express with their Windows XP computer and they all are having issues.
Time has well and truly passed Outlook Express by.
It really is time to switch for features and security enhancements as Outllok Express is a nightmare.
So what are the free options now?
The paid option is obviously Outlook , a part of Microsoft Office
Here is a link to help you with the transition from Outlook Express and getting your emails and contacts out of Outlook Express.
How Many Antivirus / Malware Software Solutions Do You Need
One
If you need a free solution use Microsoft Security Essentials
If you need a paid solution use Nod32
The days of using multiple solutions such as Super AntiSpyware etc are over.
Remember your first line of defence is keeping Windows up to date and software up to date and stop clicking links in emails
Radio Spots For 12th June
Apple Announcements
iOS 7 , the new operating system for iPhones , iPads , iPods
With all the changes to Android and Windows moblie operating system and that the design of iOS had not changed that dramatically since 2007 - was it time for a change – yes - does it look good - yes
Key Features
- Look - completely revamped. Everything from the typefaces to the built-in applications to the colour schemes to the icons.
- Control Centre Just swipe up from the bottom of the device, and you can access Settings, Brightness, Music and Flashlight. From there you can toggle flight mode, control your music, access your camera, your calculator, put it in sleep mode, and toggle Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- New multitasking Until now, multitasking in iOS has been fairly limited. Now, it’s going to work for all apps — and it’s going to provide background updates to all apps. Apple says those background cycles aren’t going to hurt your battery life.
- Camera and Photos apps reworked Apple has reworked the look and design of the camera and photos applications to make navigation smoother and simpler. Now with filters.
- Siri – new look , now siri will return calls for you , play messages , search twitter , can have a male or female voice
- New Apps section for children based on their age
- Find My iPhone - Turning off find my iPhone requires you to enter your Apple ID and password and if they try and erase it , someone else finds your iPhone , it requires them to enter your Apple ID and password – Great security feature
- Facetime audio calls only available
Key Features Of Mavericks - Successor to Mountain Lion
- iBooks will be available for Apple computers – think education long term
- Maps will be available on the desktop
- New Calender that suggests travel time and gives a weather forecast
- Passwords- encrypted on approved devices with a password generator for online accounts
- Tag folders and files
Windows 8.1 Is Coming - What Is Coming Back?
The Start Button
Checkout this post from the WinSuperSite for all the details.
There will be a preview of this released in June , if you install this you may lose what you already have installed on your computer so read the instructions.
App Of The Week
Dots - this is a great game
Get points by connecting the dots vertically and horizontally
A very addictive game
iTunes Link for Dots : Click here
Why I Setup iCloud On Apple Devices
I always turn on iCloud on clients devices ( computers , iPhones , iPads ) for the following reasons:
Backup
iCloud will keep a copy of your contacts , calendar information , reminders , emails , photos and documents ( created with pages , numbers and keynote ) in the cloud
Its All About The Sync
Get an iPhone and only ever had an iPad , iCloud will get and sync your information with your new device.
Change a contact on one device , its changed on all devices
Change an appointment on one device it's changed on all devices
Access
Need to get into your iCloud account from another computer , just log into www.icloud.com with your Apple ID and password and you can access all your data.
Where Are My Devices?
Want to know where your devices are ? Just log into iCloud and if you have turned on " Find My iPhone / iPad: you can see the location of your devices.
Really handy if they have been stolen or misplaced.
Virus / Malware On Tablets , Smartphones Should You Be Concerned
The following are some notes and personal thoughts on a discussion I gave last week.
Antivirus companies used to be dominant a few years ago
Then tablets and smartphones came along , started to dominate and PC sales started to decline.
Microsoft bought an antivirus company in 2005 and labeled it theirs and it has developed into , Microsoft Security Essentials which in Windows 8 is called Windows Defender.
Antivirus companies sales went down even further as this was available free to consumers.
Then the hype started about virus / malware on tablets and smartphones as their sales began to rise
So what are virus / malware infections ? They are malicious software that are designed to damage / disable / the operating system of the device they are on.
Security Companies have been trying to capitalise on the " supposed " vulnerabilities of tablets and smartphones as their sales have declined.
Most security threats to tablets and smartphones are mentioned by the security companies advertising their products.
So What Are My Chances Of An Infection On A Tablet / Smartphone ?
Apple Devices
Apple you have little to no chance due to the operating system design and Apps are bought from a secure site where they have been checked.
Android Devices – ( Samsung etc )
Android devices people need to get their apps from the Google Play store , not from outside sources. Care should be taken when introducing files from usb sources.
So what would happen if you had malware on your tablet / smartphone - may result in , can result in , accessing data , sharing phone details etc
If you have " rooted " your android tablet or “jailbroken” your apple device , means you have bypassed the operating system , you are on your own
So What Can You Do?
Keep checking for updates for your device
On an Android device you “may” want to put on one of the “ free “ solutions
Read the terms and conditions of any app you install
There is little need to be concerned " currently" as the cases of infection of a tablet / smartphone are remote when compared to the amount of computers that are currently infected around the world.
Don't Fall For The FedEx Email
Haven't kept your computer up to date.
Then be careful about what you click in emails as by clicking the FedEx email that I have shown you below but one that ends up in your inbox means you will be infected .
Parcel delivery companies do not notify customers this way.
Looking To "Refresh " Windows 8
Windows 8 comes with a refresh setting if your computer is not performing as well as it once did .
It will not delete your personal files and settings HOWEVER it will remove :
- Any software / apps that you installed from other websites or from DVDs
Windows will put a list of these removed apps on your desktop after " refreshing " your computer.
So if you are going to do this make sure you have the software ready to go back on.
Adobe Flash - Adobe Reader - Keep Them Updated
Adobe Reader & Flash are required pieces of software for most computer users but you should always be looking for a new version especially when a reminder appears on your computer saying there is a new version.
Adobe Flash is a required piece of software for most computer users but you should always be looking for a new version especially when a reminder appears on your computer saying there is a new version.
When you see the reminder for installing the new version of Adobe Flash just follow the instructions and download and install.
The new version of Adobe Flash will have an automatic update option which will keep this updated and you should select this option so that updates will be installed and updated without you being reminded.
Adobe Reader is probably the most used piece of software for reading PDFs and you should also get a reminder occasionally saying there is a new version.
When you see the reminder for installing the new version of Adobe Reader just follow the instructions and download and install.
Installing the new versions of Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash also assists in keeping your computer free from the potential security vunerablitites that can be associated with running out of date Adobe software.
Radio Spots For 5th June
Malware On Tablets / Smartphones
Should we be concerned with virus / malware infections on smartphones / tablets , no.
Most discussion on this emanates from the antivirus companies who warn us that without protection we may get infected and should buy download some sort of protection.
This can be directly related to the decline in PC sales and the rise in sales of tablets and smartphones and the decline in antivirus sales due to Microsoft doing a better job keeping things patched and introducing the best free solution Microsoft Security Essentials.
Currently you have little reason to be concerned , Apple devices there is little to no chance due to apps being vetted before going into the apps store . Android again little chance if you get your apps from the Google play store.
If you have "rooted" or "jailbroken " your device then you have increased your chances as you would be downloading from outside approved sources.
You can however have your information shared with the app makers and give them access to your device when installing especially Android apps. Read the information when installing.
App Of The Week
Anything After , find out if there is anymore movies after the credits
More information can be found here:
Stop Your Children Racking Up Huge Bills On iTunes
Are you having trouble with your children spending money through iTunes on your iPhone / iPad by buying games and then purchasing the in-app add ons to complete or enhance the game ?
First make sure you do not tell them your iTunes password.
Next you can set restrictions for In-App Purchases
First go into Settings and General
Then scroll down to Restrictions and press on Enable Restrictions
Then put in a 4 digit password ( make sure you remember this !!!!!)
Then turn on In-App Purchases
Then change the Require Password to Immediately
How Do I Run The Malicious Software Removal Tool?
Every month with Windows updates you may notice update's to the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool which Microsoft updates with all their updates on "update Tuesday"
"The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows 7 and 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found.
When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malware was detected and removed."
But here is the problem.
It is not in the programs on your computer , so how do you run it?
Here is the answer.
Go to the start menu and type run , then a dialogue box will appear and then type MRT.
It will then prompt you to do a scan from quick , to a full scan and if you have any doubt you should do the full scan.
A full scan may take a full night so let it run overnight.
Remember this is no substitute for an antivirus program.
Windows 8 Training Manual
If you have upgraded to Windows 8 or thinking about buying a computer with Windows 8 then Microsoft have a PDF that gives you a 36 page guide to Windows 8 interface and how it works.
Download by clicking here and saving to your computer: Windows 8 Training Brochure
Radio Spots For 29th May
PowerFM
We discussed the Telstra T-Box which I think is the easiest set top box to use but it is so much more.
The T-box is a digital set top box that connects to your TV.
The key features are , if you are a Telstra customer:
- Record live free to air TV, up to two channels at once. Also set to record series.
- Download and rent movies, around 6,000 movies.
- Watch you tube videos through it.
- Selection of games to play on it.
- Added bigpond channels including 24/7 music, afl, news, horse racing.
- Tunein radio application that allows you to listen to radio stations.
- Can plug USB or Hard drive in to T-box to play media.
You can also get foxtel on the T-Box with the Telstra Bundles, there are a selection of "Entertainer Bundles" which are bundles that include home phone, internet, t-box and 11 foxtel channels.
You must have a Bigpond ADSL service to run the t-box, you can also buy it outright for $360.
See your Telstra store for more details or visit Telstra T-Box
FiveAA
Its All About Photography Today
Google through Google Plus and Yahoo through their application Flickr have made some big changes to their software which budding photographers should love
- Google have introduced some great new features to their suite of online software
- Google Plus – is Googles equivalent to Facebook
- One of the great new features that Google Plus introduced is new software and options for your photos
- Download the app to your smartphone / tablet so that when you take photos they will upload to Google or upload from your computer
- Google will let you store 15GB of photos online which equals 3000 photos ( approx.)
- Uploading photos makes a great backup solution
- 15GB free equals 3000 photos
- Google will tag where you took those photos – take a photo with a landmark in the background and it will tag that landmark
- They will even delete the out of focus ones and look for the photos where everyone is smiling
- Edit your photos online
- Has facial recognition so that it can remove skin blemishes
- Auto Awesome setting : Upload a set of photos and Google will create a new image based on a set of photos ,for example they will find everyones best smile and stitch into one shot , they can even animate a set of photos
- You need a Yahoo account
- They now give users 1TB ( terabyte) of storage
- That’s over 500,000 high resolution photos
- Upload from any device , computer / tablet / smartphone with the Flickr app
- A great solution to backing up your photos
Get Rid Of Toolbars - Browser Add-Ons
AdwCleaner is a free tool that will scan your computer and efficiently remove Adware (ads softwares), Potentially Undesirable Programs , Toolbars, Hijackers of your browser's homepage. It works with a Search and Delete mode.
Just install then close any browsers you have open and press "Delete"
It will then scan all your browsers , Internet Explorer , Firefox , Google Chrome
You then reboot / restart your computer and a report will be displayed on all the items it has removed
It can be easily uninstalled using the mode "Uninstall".
It can be installed from this link :Toolbar Remover
Preview Of The Apple Store In Adelaide
I was lucky enough to get an invitation to a preview of the Apple Store in adelaide
Here are some photos
Radio Spots For 22nd May
Cyber Security Discussion
Children And The Internet What Are The Options
You can only have some control over what happens in your home ,as with all the devices we have now , as soon as they are outside the house it is up to them.
You need to have a relationship with your children about making them understand the internet.
For the home computer a separate user account / log in for each child allows you to have some control over what they are doing on the computer and the internet using the built in restrictions from Microsoft / Apple
Younger children should have a standard account, which will not allow them to install software without a password that you would have set – it will defeat the purpose if you give them the password
The big problem I am always contacted about is when parents and children share the same iTunes account so your childrens music and messages ends up on all iPhones , iPads on that account. Have a separate iTunes account for each user.
Parents / schools should turn on age restrictions for tablets / smartphone / Android / Apple / Windows
Apple have this locked down more than Android when it comes to their devices
There is a solution to controlling the content that your children can access on the internet while at home and that is OPEN DNS which is free
You start an account at Open DNS then change one setting in your router – that is all , there is no installing software
Open DNS will allow you to control exactly what is searched for or what you may want to block – such as adult content , social media ( facebook etc ) and because it is done through your router and devices that access the internet ( gaming devices , phones , tablets ) will be subject to the settings in OPEN DNS