"If you should decide to use two-step verification as a further protection from ransomware and other malware, here is an article with details on how to go about setting this up," writes Jim Hamm.
And John Carter sends this advice: "If you get a notice from USPS to click on a button to open a shipping label to print, don’t. Any email is safe to open. Just don’t click on anything unless you have verified what you are clicking on."
iPhone Security
"Some iPhone and iPad got a bit of a shock recently when their devices were hacked and held ransom. This article explains what you can do to prevent this from happening to you," Jim Hamm notifies us.
Security, Privacy, Anonymity Tips
Everybody wants to know more! Security and Privacy are huge topics these days. Today's PMUG meeting featured Ward Stanke, and his helpful notes with lots of links have already been posted by Mary Ann Clark to the PMUG page here: http://pmug.us/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/2014-05-17-PMUG-Security-and-Privacy.pdf
Another Search Engine for Privacy
Ginger Carlson passes along this information: "Here's another search engine that is supposed to protect one's privacy that a friend told me about. I have downloaded it and used it a few times.
"If you go to www.startpage.com it has a search block and beneath it "Add to Firefox" (which is her browser). It works for Safari, too. When I downloaded it I thought the download hadn't worked until I noticed the tiny little "SP" icon on the left side of the address bar."
Another Security Flaw — Again
Another security flaw surfaces. Read who is involved here http://www.cultofmac.com/277199/security-flaw-makes-easy-scammers-steal-data/
Info on Aviator
Jim Hamm shares some new info: "Are you concerned about security while browsing the web? Here is an article discussing a new browser: Aviator. And here is another article wherein the author discusses his use of Aviator.
"If you're all enthused now, here is the website where you can download this browser for either OS X or Windows.
"If you're all enthused now, here is the website where you can download this browser for either OS X or Windows.
"I've not tried this browser yet, as we're traveling and it isn't convenient to do so. However, one of these days I'll give it a try -- more out of curiosity than any real concern about browsing the web."
Apple's Fix for "Heartbleed"
"I was curious about 'Heartbleed' hearing a lot about it," David Passell acknowledged. He found some important info. "It apparently can infect Mavericks users and IOS 6.users. Since I am still in the "stone age" with Snow Leopard I am apparently not subject to it." Read zdnet
Sure enough, the article emphasizes that the fix is in Apple's 10.9.2 update for Mavericks. Vulnerability is not present in versions of OS X prior to OS X 10.9 Mavericks or iOS prior to iOS6.
Protect Yourself from "Heartbleed" Bug
Following up on the post just below, Jim Hamm sends this article with further info on the new security bug called "Heartbleed" bug. See it here.
WPA2 Security Cracked
" Here is an article describing a vulnerability found in WPA2 wireless security. After reading the article I suspect most homeowners needn't be unduly concerned. This vulnerability might be a bit more of a concern for commercial WiFi users, though." Thanks to Jim Hamm for this notification.
Gmail Messages Will Now Be Encrypted
"If you use Gmail, the following is some good news for you," Jim Hamm declares. The article from Gizmodo says, "Good news, security lovers. Google just announced that Gmail will be encrypted all the time." Read the article here.
Clip Art, Photos, Recent Discoveries
What a clever picture. It grabbed my attention and I just had to read what the article said. Ever said that?
Google to the rescue. Well, first I emailed John Carter to ask where he’d found the photo he posted to the pmug.us website.
So, I followed his directions and now I can show it to you.
Google makes it easy to bring up lots of illustrations, clip art, photos. Here’s a screen shot of the entry I made: (Click to enlarge this; click again to get back to this page)
In the search box I had typed “street sign, confused, lost, unclear” not knowing any more descriptive terms for what I wanted. The first search page allowed me to select “Images.”
A huge selection came up, and I could click Show More Results at the bottom of the page. Click on any illustration and see what the information says. Some will be stock photos with an embedded watermark. That means you’ll need to read about licensing, extended license, additional multi-seat License. Copyright info is on that company’s page. Click to view Photos, Vectors, Footage, Audio, Mobile, Pricing. See the company’s phone number, live help number.
One photo I looked at had a tiny icon in the upper right hand of the page. Here’s a screen shot of the list that came up.
It was fun, clicking to see how the various languages came up in the illustrations.
Try it out on some of your blogging or emails. Your family will be impressed with your knowledge of other languages.
Looking up “shepherd and sheep” I scrolled down and when I’d gotten to the 64th picture I found a photo of my son Peter, holding his sheep on his shoulder. I had posted it to my blog, www.EncouragingU.blogspot.com months ago and they’ve put it up for anyone to help themselves to the picture. Clicking on it brings up that page in my blog, with the verses I posted with it. And on the Google Image page a person can click, bringing it up as JPG 800x533 pixels.
We hadn’t thought that it would be automatically available to anyone else. Hopefully, if someone wanted a copy they’d write and ask for permission. Maybe that’s wishful thinking, on my part.
Other Recent Discoveries:
Planning on selling that nice, older Mac and upping to something new? You might get some helpful info here: http://www.mactip.net/how-to-securely-wipe-your-mac-hard-drive-before-selling-it/
We did decide to go for a new iMac to replace the G4 laptop that Don’s been using.
What do do with a 10 year-old that’s still running, but is before Intel? We saw the PC column in Courier about recycling or donating. Asked for info from Prez Art Gorski and John Carter. John was first to reply, suggesting we donate it to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in Prescott. A very knowledgeable man there was happy to take it, and we’re delighted to be able to help someone that way.
Curious about all those nifty computers from Apple before you took the plunge and bought yours? http://apple-history.com/pg4 lists highlights from 1976 to 2012.
Wondering about the security of your Contact list, alias Address Book? http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/10/how-apples-address-book-app-could-allow-the-nsa-to-harvest-your-contacts/
Keeping up with the latest info posted to our PMUG newsblog? Look into NetNewsWire https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10350/netnewswire I didn’t see a date on this page.
http://mac.appstorm.net/reviews/internet-reviews/netnewswire-4-beta-a-giant-among-mac-apps-has-returned/ this is dated 6-27-13.
With schools and businesses using iPhones and iPads here’s what’s new with features to help the IT shops lock iOS down and make it easier to manage. http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/02/apples-new-management-features-help-locked-down-ipads-stay-locked-down/
IT’S ALMOST TIME for nominating PMUG officers for the May election. Give it some thought. Your experience could mean some encouraging help for others. You know how much we appreciate your time and your willingness to step up to this challenge. You help make PMUG a success!
Have a chat with Prez Art Gorski, or Vice Prez Dave Rothgery, or Secretary Bobbie Pastor, or Treasurer David Passell. Or talk to one of the appointed Chairs: John Carter, Ward Stanke, or a Past Prez: Jim Hamm or Howard LaPittus. Each of them has survived as they served our friendly organization! * * *
This was today's handout from Elaine Hardt at the PMUG meeting. See you next time!
Practical Privacy
"Here is an interesting article on browser privacy mode," remarks David Passell. "A use that really stood out for me was the way to circumvent the NY times 10 article/month limit. I will have to try that since I used to get a lot of news from NY Times site before they began charging. Now I use the freely available BBC news site." Look here.
If you're using Safari and have clicked Block Cookies Always, and are continually aggravated at the number of Cookies noted, you might see if Private Browsing works for you.
Security Flaw Warning
Jim Hamm informs us, "Here is an article about a vulnerability in iOS and OS X on a shared network you should be aware of." http://gizmodo.com/why-apples-huge-security-flaw-is-so-scary-1529041062.
Secure From Hackers?
The headline brought attention to a new hackers' method: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/12/12/computers-can-be-hacked-with-high-frequency-sounds/?intcmp=obnetwork
Time to get John Carter's opinion of the serious possibilities. This is what he has to say, "This technique takes advantage of the audio input/output on the computer. Most notably, the computers mentioned were a Lenovo business computer. Also mentioned was Linux. Now, if Linux computers can be hacked like this, so can a Mac or any smart phone or tablet.
"The security measure mentioned is to turn off the audio and mic, and this can be done just by muting both the mic and sound. (No, I hadn't heard of this before.)"
But then John goes on, " Now, if you really want to be afraid of your computer being hacked—even a Mac—look at method #3 in this link.
"The hackers are teaching each other how to break into any computer by posting their findings on the web." So, what can we do? Keep alert to what's going on, so we can take action to avoid these problems.
Adobe Security Breach
"The recent hacking of passwords stored by Adobe seems to have expanded," declares Jim Hamm. He goes on to say, "Take a read on this article. This is one reason why I haven't stored any passwords in the 'Cloud" -- I'm concerned about security breaches such as this. I like to keep my passwords close to me."
Flash Player on Mavericks
Now that we know what "sandboxed" is read this good news about Flash Player found by Jim Hamm here: http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/24/adobe-confirms-flash-player-is-sandboxed-in-safari-for-os-x-mavericks-
You Can Sandbox Flash Player
You can Sandbox Flash Player in Safari for OS Mavericks as described and explained in this article http://techland.time.com/2013/10/24/finally-you-can-sandbox-flash-player-in-safari-for-os-x-mavericks/
What’s an “app sandbox?. Here’s Apple’s guide to this protection for your security. https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/Security/Conceptual/AppSandboxDesignGuide/AboutAppSandbox/AboutAppSandbox.html
Prevent Google From Monetizing Your Face
"Here's an article that may be of interest. I opted out (deselected) from permitting Google to use my picture or opinion for anything. Also, In iOS 7, I turned on 'Limit Ad Tracking' as well in the privacy settings," Jim Hamm informs us.
Password Problems
After speaking to the PMUG meeting this morning, Jim Hamm informs us, "Here's another article about the NSA after our passwords again. As I discussed in my presentation today, articles about passwords and password hacking are increasingly in the news.
"It's a tough call to balance the needs of national security with the needs for personal privacy."
Privacy Settings in iOS 7
"Here is an article with some suggestions for privacy settings in iOS 7," Jim Hamm wants us to know.