Home Telecom Internet - February 2013

Scam Alert – Ransomware Threat Demands PC Users Pay Or Else

A threat previously seen mostly in Eastern Europe has recently hit the United States. Known as ransomware, the scheme is essentially online extortion that involves infecting a user's computer with a virus that locks it. Users are told that the only way to get their machines back is to pay a steep fee — usually a few hundred dollars.

Security researchers estimate that about three percent of compromised computer owners fall for the scheme and pay. Why? They act impulsively due to fear and panic. These cybercriminals flash messages claiming to be from local law enforcement agencies accusing users of visiting illegal pornography, gambling, or piracy sites. Users may also be told that if they attempt to unlock the computer on their own, it will lead to the deletion of all files, videos, photos, and documents.

Victims' computers most often become infected with ransomware after people visit compromised websites that download the program to their machines without so much as a click. Security experts warn to NEVER PAY THE RANSOM; you'll lose your money and probably get nothing in return. If you do fall prey to ransomware, a number of legitimate security vendors offer solutions for unlocking machines. Talk to a local computer technician you trust for more information.

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13 Ways to Strengthen Your Online Passwords in 2013

The start of a new year is a good time to reassess the passwords you currently have set up for online accounts. To outsmart hackers, keep the following strategies in mind:

1. Never use the word "password" or any variant. It's the first thing hackers try.
2. Avoid recognizable strings of letters or numbers. We're talking about things like "abc123," "123456" or "qwerty."
3. Don't do the obvious. Common passwords, such as "letmein" make it easy for hackers.
4. Make it lengthy. Each added character in a password makes it more difficult for hacker software to break, and the difficulty increases exponentially with every character added.
5. Choose a variety of characters. Include both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols such as @ or &.
6. Avoid a complete word. Hackers check passwords against digital dictionaries to improve the odds of cracking them.
7. Words spelled backwards won't fool anyone. A common word spelled backwards is still a common word.
8. Break it up. To help remember your password, it's okay to use a known word for the base, then add numbers and symbols in the middle to break it up so dictionary software won't recognize it. You could start with the make of your car, for example, and create "cor1Ve%tte."
9. Stay away from personal data. Don't use your name, birth date or company.
10. Don't use the name of the website. This makes your password too easy to hack.
11. Change passwords regularly. Microsoft suggests you change passwords on your email, banking, and credit card websites about every three months.
12. Use different passwords. If you use the same password for many accounts, you're more vulnerable to identity theft. Instead, use a unique password for each.
13. Check your password's strength. Go to howsecureismypassword.net and enter a password in the text box. The site will instantly assess how long it would take your password to be deciphered and give you tips on ways your password could be improved.

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Go Pinterest-ing! – Cool Stuff To Pin On Your Pinterest Boards

Turn Tractor Seats Into Hardworking Stools		Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil		German Chocolate Cupcakes
You haven't started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started? If so, click here.

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This Month's FAQ – In The World Of Computers, What's A Supercookie?

Question: I'm familiar with the kind of cookie that tracks user preferences and browsing histories. But what's a supercookie?

Answer: Yes, there are many more kinds of cookies these days than chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin. As you correctly stated, a regular cookie is a bit of text stored on your browser that tracks user preferences and browsing histories. Cookies enable websites to "remember" information about you such as your name, preferences, and shopping basket contents.

Recently, some major online properties have been identified as using supercookies, also known as "Flash cookies" and "zombie cookies." Supercookies serve the same basic purpose as regular cookies but are stored in different locations on a user's machine — for example, in a file used by a plug-in such as Flash. This makes them harder to find and delete, especially since a browser's built-in cookie detection process won't remove them. Furthermore, some supercookies have additional capabilities, like regenerating regular cookies to prevent their removal by the user.

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Sites Of The Month – Great Sites To Check Out In February

Go Red For Women www.goredforwomen.org – February is American Heart Month and 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the Go Red for Women program. Check out this site to learn about heart disease, know the risk factors, and get heart-healthy recipes.

Learn From The Best www.ted.com – TED originally stood for Technology, Entertainment, and Design but has since broadened its scope. It features riveting talks by remarkable people (some now famous and others who may be famous someday). You're sure to gain information and motivation.

Quirky Consumer Content consumerist.com – When consumers and companies interact, strange and sometimes funny things can happen — like the Nebraska man who drove all the way into a pizzeria and then calmly ordered a pizza. If you're looking for fun fodder for conversation, look here.

Discounts Are Housed In This Cabin www.couponcabin.com – You'll find a comprehensive collection of coupon codes, printable coupons, freebies, and other great deals at this bargain-lovers site. Whatever you're getting ready to buy, it's worth stopping here first to see what you might be able to save.

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Two To View – A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don't Want To Miss

Precious Polar Bears At Play A couple of curious and energetic youngsters explore the outdoors while their concerned mother keeps her watchful eye on them. You'll be able to relate to the family dynamics in this adorable polar bear video.		Inside a McDonald's Photo Shoot Ever wondered why the burger in a McDonald's ad looks different from the one you're eating for lunch? It's because the photographed burger has been primped for the camera by food stylists, as shown in this behind-the-scenes look.

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Short Tutorial – How To Edit Your Facebook Timeline Cover Photo

On your Facebook timeline, your small profile picture is the picture that friends see next to your name everywhere on Facebook. Your cover photo, by contrast, is the large horizontal image at the top that offers an opportunity for you to feature an image that represents who you are or what you care about. For example, you might use a cover photo of a ski slope if you're a skier.
 
To keep your timeline fresh and interesting, it's a good idea to replace your cover photo regularly. Here's how to do it:

1. Log in to your Facebook account and go to your timeline.
   
   
2. Hover over your cover photo.
   
   
3. Click "Change Cover" at the bottom-right of your cover photo.
   
   
4. Pick one of the options from the pop-up menu. "Choose from Photos" lets you pick a photo from Facebook, and "Upload Photo" lets you select a photo stored on your hard drive. You also have the option to Reposition or Remove your cover photo.
   
   
5. Make your photo selections and save your changes.

The best Facebook cover photos tend to be original images that you took or created yourself. But if you'd rather get some help, a wide selection of Facebook cover template images are available online at stock photo sites.

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Best regards

The Home Telecom Internet Team
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