Privacy! VPN

        What about privacy using your computer when you're not home?  Jim Hamm has something to say about that.  "Although I don't need a VPN (virtual Private Network)  all the time, we do travel frequently and use public wifi in places such as RV parks, restaurants, motels, airports, libraries, etc.          

        "For the added security, occasionally a VPN would be handy when I'm on a public wifi network. To that end, I recently purchased, installed and am using a VPN called VPN Unlimited. For a short period of time a lifetime subscription is available for just $39. Look here. 

         "This VPN comes from a company called Simplex Solutions. Look here. 

        "After doing some research, in theory I've got the following with my VPN: a lifetime license (the app says 100 years when I open it...(grin); unlimited data -- no cap; no throttling of internet speed (I haven't experienced any slowdown); adequate servers around the world (the one I'm using now is in California); available on 5 devices (one can be deleted if a new one is to be added); the program is available for OS X, Windows, iOS, and Android; and, best of all, so far it works...(grin).

        "Now, I'm not a poster child for VPN Unlimited, nor a commissioned salesperson. Since the $39 deal is a limited time offer (at least I think so), I just wanted to pass this on in case you might have an interest in trying this VPN."  So, give Jim a grin when you see him.  He's sharing lots of good info with PMUG. 

What THEY Don't Want You to Know

         On the lookout for helpful info Jim Hamm steps up to the plate with this one:  "Here's an article that provides some interesting information about your cell phone. We use AT&T, — just look at the 'generous' offer they made to us for only $29/month...(grin)"

        Check out this article from USA TODAY:  What cellphone companies don't want you to know  http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2015/03/13/cell-phone-privacy/70202468/

        Kim Komando goes into some detail about "super cookies,"  how Facebook and cell phone companies AT&T and Verizon track and sell your information, how to turn off tracking — she likes DuckDuckGo.  Read the whole thing. 

Good-bye, Privacy

        In an article dated February 17, 2015 the writer goes into detail about your latest lack of privacy in your home and in your car.  The site shows photocopied information from the various companies' “privacy policies.”  
        The companies discussed are: Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Xbox Kinect, Amazon Echo, GM’s Onstar, Chevrolet’s MyLink and PDRs, Google’s Waze, Hello’s Sense, and Hertz cameras in its rental cars. 
        Got one of these?  Did you read the fine print? 

http://fusion.net/story/49352/all-the-smart-gadgets-are-spying-on-you/  

        (You could also add Safari which lets you check "Block Cookies and Other Website Data ALWAYS."  And soon you'll find 30 cookies (and other website data) have been added and info collected from your computer via the Internet.)  Well, more or less . . . 

Seen the New Web Browser?

        "Want to play around with a new browser? You might give Vivaldi a try," says Jim Hamm.  "I've been using it for awhile, and it seems OK. But nothing special, at least so far. Just something to try and play around with. 
        "Why Vivaldi? See here to find out."  http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/03/hands-on-with-vivaldi-the-new-web-browser-for-power-users/?utm_source=howtogeek&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

What''s the Life of a Thumb Drive?

        The earlier post from Jim Hamm's email piqued our interest.  What's the life of a thumb drive? we asked.  Two shakes later his reply flew through the air:  "A long time. See here: http://www.getusb.info/what-is-the-life-cycle-of-a-usb-flash-drive./  "

We Need Better Batteries

        Jim Hamm asks an interesting question: "Although Apple's new MacBook is really thin and small, the big hangup now is the battery -- how to get it smaller? 
        "Look at the inside of the new MacBook and see how small the computing stuff is (especially after getting rid of a spinning hard drive and optical drive), and all the room left for a battery. Although the running hours before recharging have improved by about 50% for a computer battery, the improvement isn't as impressive as for all the electronic stuff." 
        And Jim declares, "Way down the road, Graphene may be the answer for a significant improvement in batteries."  Take a look at the link he sends:  http://thenextweb.com/opinion/2015/03/11/apples-new-macbook-reiterates-how-desperately-we-need-battery-innovation/

SSDs Last Far Longer Than Rated

      "If you were worried about the life of the SSD in your computer, worry no more.  Just

like the famous bunny rabbit, they take a lickin' and keep on tickin'  -- or something like that...(grin)…" Jim Hamm informs us.  

        SSD, you’ll remember, is solid-state drive, not an actual disk, nor a drive motor to spin a disk.  You could read the whole description and history of SSDs at Wikipedia. 

       Here's the link from Jim: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/03/consumer-ssds-benchmarked-to-death-and-last-far-longer-than-rated/

"Freak" Bug Update

        John Carter passes along some VERY important info.  "Both Microsoft and Apple have announced that they have released a patch for the FREAK bug. See full article here.
        "In this article, it explains a lot more about the 'Freak' bug and what you can do to find out if your browser is safe to use and even if a website you want to visit is safe to use. The article is written for Mac users, but the method for determining if your browser is safe is essentially the same." 

        John continues, "For all users, check this site to determine if the website you want to visit is secure. The sad news is that your favorite website may fail. It could be only because the site does not have an updated security certificate, or it may be vulnerable to an attack by some issue other than FREAK, so you’re just going to have to take your chances if you insist on going there. For example, my personal website is vulnerable because the hosting service is vulnerable.

        "I have tested the latest Safari browser and have determined that it is safe to use - and this was confirmed after the latest Apple security updates have been installed. I have also just updated Windows 8.1 and tested MSIE and found it to be safe. 

        "The Win 10 Beta with the latest updates is secure for MSIE, Firefox, and Chrome.

        "However, Windows 7, even with the latest update, still has the vulnerable MSIE, and this also applies to both the latest Firefox and Chrome browsers on Win 7. Please continue to monitor your Windows 7 update for updates.

        "It is still recommended that Firefox be the browser to use (instead of MSIE or Safari)."

        John concludes with this, "In addition, Apple has just release iOS 8.2 for the iPhone and iPad, and this release fixes the FREAK bug for those devices. See full article here."

Do You NEED an Apple Watch?

        Here's something from Jim Hamm to think about: "Although the upcoming Apple smart watch may not be in your future, you may enjoy reading this article discussing how Apple wants to convince people to wear a watch again, after the iPhone helped convince people they didn't really need to wear a watch at all if they have a smartphone. The article was written by a watch aficionado, who writes a blog about watches, and he makes some good points

on how Apple will convince people they need to wear a watch again. 

        Jim closes with, "As I said previously, it will be interesting to see how well Apple's new watch is received in the marketplace."  

Is iOS 8.2 Killing Your Battery Life?

Here is a tip that might help the battery life on your iPhone or iPad if you've installed iOS 8.2."  Jim Hamm explains, " I checked the Fitness and Tracking app on my                                                       devices, and it was turned on in both. Why or how it got turned on, or why it's even there, I don't know, but I turned it off. Might help the battery life as the article states." http://bgr.com/2015/03/10/ios-8-2-battery-life-trick/

About That New Connection

     "If you're into the Mac world of computers, USB-C may be coming your way.  What, you very well ask, in the world is a USB-C?  A good question, and the following article attempts to explain what it is, and why Apple is doing this.

     "It can be a big confusing, to be sure, and change is frequently painful.  But change is inevitable, so take a read on the article," says Jim Hamm.  http://www.macworld.com/article/2894423/thunderbolted-usb-c-is-our-new-connection-overlord-get-used-to-it.html

Apple Watch! Info! Pictures!

        "Here is an in-depth article, with many pictures, of Apple's new watch."  Jim Hamm goes on to comment,  "I suspect it will be a hit with the younger crowd, and it will be interesting to see how well it sells. At the Apple stores, where the watches will be displayed, I suppose people will be able to pick them up and look and handle them. I'm sure they will be well-secured somehow."

First Look: Apple Watch May Be All It's Clocked Up To Be

        "Although an Apple watch isn't my future (I prefer the older, mechanical, auto-wind watches), perhaps someone in PMUG will buy one and give a presentation on it," says Jim Hamm.  
        Check out this article from USA TODAY:
        First look: Apple Watch may be all it is clocked up to be
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2015/03/09/first-look-baig-apple-watch-ticks-closer/24665289/
        "I've heard that one of our active and geeky members (hint: John C) has money he hasn't spent yet, so maybe...(grin)….."  Jim

Search Privacy

        Here's some input from Jim Hays,   "In a recent posting David Passell mentioned using "duck duck go" to ensure search privacy. Another option is Startpage (https://startpage.com/) which claims to be 'the only third-party certified search engine in the world that does not record your IP address or track your searches.' 
        "StartPage is compatible with a broad range of browsers including Firefox, Safari and Chrome. StartPage can also be used to visit third-party websites with total privacy by using the StartPage Proxy."

Adware is Coming

        "Here is a link to the story about adware on the Mac," David Passell writes.   "I have noticed the 'Ask...' banner for search. I use Mozilla and i can select search engine. I use 'duck duck go.' 
        "I haven't used Safari for some time. I wonder if it defaults to the search engine and browser described in the article."  Take a look and see how it affects you. 
http://www.zdnet.com/article/oracle-extends-its-adware-bundling-to-include-java-for-macs/ tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
        As always, keep aware and keep alert. 

Are You at Risk From This?

        A very serious warning comes from John Carter.  "GIGAOAM, CNN Money, BBC News, and others have released a notice that there is a bug called 'Freak' that was found in software used to encrypt data passing between web servers and web users. 
        "Browsers so far noted to be affected are Safari, Google Chrome, and Windows Internet Explorer. Initially, the flaw was thought only to affect some users of Android and Blackberry phones and Apple’s web browser. For sure, every version of Internet Explorer is at risk.

        "What is at risk is personal and financial data open to attackers. This bug only allows attackers to capture data, but that includes passwords which then opens up the possibility of the attacker stealing all your money and your identity.

        "The horror part of the story is that this bug is the result of the government insisting on 'weak' encryption so that it could break in wherever it wanted."

        Of course you will want to read the full story yourself.  See  here, here and here.

        John closes with these final remarks, "It might be wise to limit Internet browsing using only Firefox until things settle down.  The news broke as early as March 4, 2015."

With Our Heartfelt Regards

        We've just found out that David Passell's wife, Betty, has passed away.  David has served PMUG in a variety of positions and is currently treasurer.  Give him an encouraging smile or pat on the back when you see him.  

Hurry! Save $ on Computer Courses

        This is just in from Jim Hays, "Udemy (http://tinyurl.com/mxwz7jk) offers its top 300 courses for $10 each via coupon code 'FEB1010.'  Alternately, take 75% off site-wide via coupon code '775LEARN.' 
        "The offer expires March 10, 2015. 
        "Udemy offers courses in web development, iOS development, photography, Excel, programming (Java, Javascript, VBA, Python, Ruby, Swift, etc.) as well as many other topics."

Problem Solved: Trash!

        How to empty the Trash?  Delete or Secure Delete?  What if “you don’t have permission”?  How to delete “locked” files?  Frustration?  
        Take a deep breath and read this  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201583   then happily fix that problem. The report was last modified 2-12-15.    

Improving Photo Lighting

        Today John Carter writes, "I needed to get a really good photo of my office this morning, but the lighting was fairly poor with one side in near shadows and bright windows on the other side, and the room was bathed in white LED lights. I looked to see what was possible with Photoshop CS6, and sure enough, right here is a published review and tutorial on how to get the best results using three bracketed photos.  I am really happy with the result."