Best Android Apps of 2017

Hi All,

So the year is almost ended and all the 'best of' articles are starting to come out in print and on the web.  One of the better ones - written in March 2017 no less - is this article titled '100 Best Android Apps of 2017', written by PC Mag.

The article subtitle states that these are 'The essential Android apps you need, whether you're outfitting the latest Pixel phone or plugging along with a much older device.'

The article has lots of subheadings....including the following Browsers, Health/Fitness, Personal Productivity, Reading/News, Shopping, Travel, Video, Food, Music/Podcasts, Photos, Security, Social Media/Communication, Utilities and Workplace Productivity.

Apps are that 'make the PCMag 'cut' are generally less thank $5 - with the majority of the apps on the list being free to download via Google Play. 

About 5 or so of the 'best' apps are listed in each category with a paragraph length description of the apps features and why it is included in the list of the 100 Best Android Apps of 2017.

Links to each app are on the site as is a rating - 5 solid red dots indicates the 'best' app. 

In the article PCMag suggests using the link for '10 Must Have Android Apps For 2017' if the 100 apps in the prior article are too many to go through.

So...what criteria did PCMag look for when reviewing apps for the article?  They looked for uniqueness, elegance, timeliness, design, price, security and popularity in an app for the list!

Enjoy the apps and the links and your phones' new found capabilities!

Regards,
Stu

How-To-Geek

Hi All,

Just found an interesting computer, geeky type site called 'How-To-Geek' (hereafter HTG). 

So, just what is HTG?  Its an online tech magazine that is dedicated to providing interesting articles, how-to's, and more to the audience of tech-type and not tech-type readers.  The site was founded in 2006 whose original goal was to bring a better how-to site to the internet - with content that's understandable for regular people, but geeky enough for more technical readers....(source: HT FAQ).

Click here for a link to the HTG Discussion Forum's.  

Click here for Windows articles and information. 

Click here for Mac articles and information about Mac OS. 

Click here for iOS article and for everything related to iPhone and iPad's.

Click here for Android articles and for everything related to Google and Android.

Other useful links on the site include Gaming, Security and Photography.  Click the links to follow them to that particular subject....

Enjoy the site and the new technology!

Regards,
Stu


 

Senior's Guide to Computers

Hi All,

Just came across - yet again! - another interesting website. Site name is 'The Senior's Guide to Computers' and can be found by clicking here, here and here.

What is the site about you ask?  Great question....the site is simple, useful, and uncluttered - and easy to use.   The site walks you through everything computer and web related with their easy-to-navigate “Learning Center”. Want to back up your data? You’ll get written instructions complete with screen shots and animation.  And there is much, much more.

There are simple links to using the audio/sound feature on your computer, Backing Up Your Data, Basics of Computers, Email, a helpful Glossary, information about computer Hardware, the Internet, computer security and computer software.

There is also a blog attached to the site - just click here for the 'Seniors Guide to Computers' blog.  One caveat - it hasn't been updated in over a year - last updated was on 7/7/16!

Whew.  That's a lot of links - and a lot of information to go through!

To learn about the fella who designed and maintains 'The Senior's Guide to Computers' click on this link - he seems like a very, very knowledgeable guy! And self taught when it comes to computers!

Enjoy the site and the information on it!

Regards,
Stu

Tech Tips For Techies - and Non-Techies!

 Hi All,

You might have heard Kim Komando's radio spots on CBS radio.  She talks about computer, technology and other similar issues on the radio.

But did you know that she has a website?  Billing herself as 'America's Digital Goddess' she  discusses the digital lifestyle in our digital age.   Click here for a bit more about Kim Komando. 

For today's article - at least on her website - click on this link.  In addition to the radio spots on CBS radio she hosts the Kim Komando Show on over 450 stations each week.  Click here to find a station.

On her website are all sorts of tools for techies and non-techies to become proficient in (if you are non-techie type) or more proficient in (if you are already a techie type) computers and tech.  Topics include Buying Guides,  Apps, Cool Sites, Columns, Downloads, Forums. 

But wait, there's more.  You can watch a passel-load of her videos here, watch 'Live From the Studio', Tech News in the Morning, Flash Tips, Komando Reports and much, much more on the website.

Enjoy the site, the videos and the interesting way she imparts her wealth of knowledge to listeners, viewers and readers to her show!

Regards,
Stu

Gizmo's Freeware

Hi All,

If users want to review and rate the best free software a good site to visit would be Gizmo's Freeware. 

Click on this 'About' link to learn more about Gizmo's Freeware....note that the site is composed of a non-commercial community of users and the site is staffed by volunteers.

The site has links for freeware on a multitude of topics including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Online Apps, eBooks and Resources.

For example, when a user chooses the Windows option listed above another page of options appears.  All Windows desktop freeware is listed by category.  Some of the more relevant categories include Audio & Video, Cleanup & Tuning, Disk & File, Games, Photos & Graphics and Security & Privacy.

Another click on the topic that is needed brings the user to another page.  This page has a narrative about the specific freeware in question.  Note that a time stamp is included in the article.  In addition, the author of the article is listed. The site gives users the ability to track particular author's articles - and view them.

The site is much different than PCWorld or Cnet since its focuses completely on freeware.  The other sites deal with news, video, How-To and have software downloads...

Enjoy the links!

Regards,
Stu

Is This Site Safe?

Hi All,

Norton Safe Web is enables users to find out if a website has any computer threats, identity threats or annoyance threats to users.  Basically Norton Safe Web analyzes websites for safety and security problems and gives users a report for review.   The Norton rating is a results of Symantec's automated analysis system. 

Click here to learn a bit more about Norton Safe Web. Click this link to get information from Norton Safe Web's link to Community Buzz which discusses latest reviews, latest threats and most reviewed sites.

Enjoy the site.

Regards,
Stu

Password Managers For All Your Devices

Hi All,

A quick summary of an article entitled 'Review: The Best Password Managers for PCs, Macs, and Mobile Devices' from InfoWorld back in June of 2015.  '10 local and cloud-based contenders make passwords stronger and online life easier for Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone users.'

Password managers are good ways to securing your online identity.  They also help you increase the strength of your passwords that protect your online accounts by remembering the passwords for you.

Seriously - what are the odds of you remembering a random string of numbers, digits and characters for one account - let alone multiple accounts?  You won't - its that simple.

But wait, there's more...read this article titled, '10 Surprising Cyber Security Facts That May Affect Your Online Safety'.

Read on for the 6 best password managers to help protect you against id theft, online account security and privacy.

You might also want to read this article from NetIQ title, '84 Fascinating & Scary IT Security Statistics'.

In any event, the password managers that are covered in the initial article from InfoWorld include: 
1Password - Agile Bits
Dashlane
KeePass
LastPass
PasswordBox
SplashID Safe

The above links go to each vendors' website - in many cases there are free versions which don't offer the same level of security as the pay version....

Good luck protecting your passwords and staying secure online!

Regards,
Stu

Kaspersky Cyberthreat Real-Time - Get Your Computer Geek On!!!

Hi All,

This very short blog post is was written for the inner-geek in all of us.  Yes, you've probably read a bunch of my posts talking about computer security, spam, viruses and other privacy issues...well...this post is similar to that....

Check out Kaspersky Cyberthreat Real-Time Map (KCRTM hereafter in the post) to get your inner geek-on - and you might even learn a thing or two about cybersecurity. 

KCRTM is a way of visualizing cyberthreats on a country-wide level. 

Why is this important you ask?  Well, to the regular web-user it isn't that interesting.  But to professionals who deal with cybersecurity (think CIO or CTO - Chief Information Officers or Chief Technology Officers - of corporations) this is a vitally important topic.  Viruses, cyberattacks and the like are proliferating at a geometric rate....(just do a simple Google search for 'number of cyber attacks' and you'll find hundreds of links and articles and websites...) and that can slow down or cripple an organizations website and/or operations....

Okay...back to the KCRTM site...users can rotate and manipulate a globe on the screen to focus in on a particular country.  Users are treated to a bevy of computer security acronyms like OAS (on-access scan), ODS (on-demand scan), WAV (web anti-virus), MAV (mail anti-virus), IDS (intrusion detection scan), VUL (vulnerability scan) and KAS (Kaspersky Anti-spam) which are all Kaspersky security products and services that they sell.   Basically the site is showing the user the number and location of various types of cyberthreats all over the world - in real time.  That is the unique part of the site - the real-time nature of the information!

And of course, the graphics are just way cool.  Check it out.

Finally, click on this link which goes to the US Cyber Security Command entry on Wikipedia.  The formal US Cyber Command website is restricted, so, while I have the link to the site here, users won't be able to get in since the domain has restricted access....

Enjoy the links!
Stu

Keeping the Kids Safe When They are Online

Hi All,

The world has changed - that's for sure.  Now kids can access the internet from not just a desktop computer, but from a smartphone, tablet or even a laptop.  And, of course, they can get to the web via the 'traditional' desktop computer.  The web is everywhere - its ubiquitous!

So how do you keep kids safe when they are online?  Great question - here are some steps and some sites to help you keep the kids safe when they use the computer and the internet.

This interactive site (called Kidsmart) offers videos, tips, activities, and ideas that teach kids to be smart and be safe online. Categories such as file sharing, social networking, games, chat, safe searching, digital footprints, and competitions allow kids to learn more about the areas they use most often.  Notice the tabs at the top of the homepage for 'I work with kids', 'I have kids' and 'contact'...

PCMag had an article titled 'Keep Your Child Safe Online' back from 2011.  The article still has decent content and is helpful for parents and educators.

PCWorld (a competitor to PCMag) had an article called 'How to Child-Proof the Internet'. Its a bit more current, but again, is a decent starting point for parents.

Even the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has gotten into the act of child safety on the internet with this link. 

This comprehensive site has links to Cyberbullying, Talking to Your Kids about Being Online, Kids and Computer Security, Kids/Mobile Phones and Kids/Socializing Online, Kids and Virtual Worlds and, finally, Kids and Texting/Sexting. It is a central repository for lots of valuable (and useful) information for parents whose kids use the internet!

Enjoy the links and the sites.

Regards,
Stu

Smart Phone Security

Hi All,

Many of us know that smartphone usage is increasing exponentially.  Seriously, they are everywhere - and they are awesome in that users can text, email, search the web, play music, watch movies and much, much more.

But there can be a downside to smartphone use...(sorry).  eWeek.com came out with an article back in February 2014 entitled, '10 Mobile Security Issues That Should Worry You'.  Its a slideshow so it won't take long to take a peak - its worth your time and effort.  

Click on this next link from Verizon.com for an entry called '9 Tips to Keep Your Smartphone Security'.  Some of the highlights in the article include locking your smartphone with a pin and installing an Android security app. 

Alternatively, you can click on this link titled '7 Best Practices For Smartphone Security (from Cnet.com)'. (Enabling 'Do Not Track' and Avoid answering spam calls are my faves!)

And, finally, click on these two links for more info on how to keep your smartphone safe and secure!
'How to Keep Your Smartphone (and its data) Secure' - ComputerWorld.com
'Smartphone Security Tips' - Kaspersky.com
'10 Best Ways to Secure Your Smartphone' - Androidcentral.com

Enjoy the links - hope your phone and data are more secure after you read this blog post!

Regards,
Stu


  

What the Sony Corp Hack Means to You?

Hi All,

You might have heard the the Sony Corporation's computers were hacked before November 24th...click here for a brief overview of the event.

Eventually, U.S. officials figured out that North Korea was behind the Sony hack....click here for more information about that part of this event. 

The New York Times also wrote an article about North Korea and how they were behind the Sony computer hack...

Now, besides for reading all the gory, scandalous, behind-the-scenes stories of the hack and the various executives' emails that were strewn across the internet  (for example, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Amy Pascal), there are a bunch of lessons for computer users - both as employees and as regular folk who use computers on a daily basis...

For example,  an article titled, '4 Things Every Single Person Can Learn From the Sony Hack'. Simply put, don't email your passwords, don't open suspicious links in your email, don't email your passwords,, and encrypt your most sensitive data....

Here are some other excellent links to help you protect your privacy, data, email and search history while you use the internet.

Privacy Rights.org - Online Privacy: Using the Internet Safely
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: Children's Online Privacy - A Resource Guide For Parents
PC Magazine - Computer Security Reviews and Prices
Stay Safe Online.org -  Tips and Advice - Stop-Think-Connect on the Web
Palo Alto Medical Foundation - Safety on the Internet
WikiHow - How to Be Safe on the Internet
Hubbard Township - Stay Safe Online

Enjoy your time on the web!

Regards,
Stu

Electronic Medical Records - What You Should Know About Them...

Hi All,

Today I’m going to talk about something you might have heard about in the news, but didn’t quite understand.  Or you might not have heard of the topic – it might just be new to you.  But….if you go for your annual checkup in the next few years, you might be faced with this at that point.  What am I talking about, you ask?

Electronic Medical/Health Records…Click here for a link to Wikipedia.which discusses what Electronic Health Records are – and what they are NOT. This extensive Wikipedia article covers terminology, patient considerations when Electronic Medical/Health Records are implemented, unintended consequences of using EHR, privacy and confidentiality issues and much more.  Click on this link for an article from the New York Times in October 2012. Finally, for a more mainstream explanation of EMR's, click on this link from HealthIT.gov

CNN and Money combined resources a few years back to create a website called CNNMoney. On this website readers can find an insightful article (from 9/16/13)  entitled ‘5 Things To Know About Electronic Health Records’.  

One of the important issues the article discusses is privacy and security with respect to EMR's.  Click on this link from the US Department of Health and Human Services  for an article on 'The Privacy and Security Risks of Electronic vs. Paper Health Records.'  

The other main point of the article '5 Things To Know About Electronic Health Records' is that they can save money. Click on this link from the New York Times for an OpEd piece from March 2012 entitled 'Do Electronic Medical Records Save Money?' 

Finally, readers can follow this link to IHealthBeat.org to read May 2013 article entitled, 'Don't Forget: Electronic Health Records Are Benefiting Patients'. 

So there you have it.  A very quick primer on EMR's and how they will affect you as a consumer and as a patient in the coming years.  Hope this helps - enjoy the links.  And if you have any questions about the post or the links, you can send me email by clicking on this link. 

Regards

Stu

Computer Security and Passwords

Hi All,

Check out this article from the New York Times (title is: Even Big Companies Cannot Protect Their data) concerning computer/internet security:

It is very interesting article. Internet users should just ignore this issue - it seems like every week another company comes out and discusses a breach in their data. Click on this link from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) for lists of companies that have had data breaches over the past few years. Wow - this is scary stuff!

So, what can users do to protect their data online?

From the University of Texas Information Technology Services comes this article that suggests that strong passwords are an essential way to keep computer, data and accounts safe. Some tips for creating and using safe passwords are included: use both upper/lower case letters, use special characters like !@#$%^&*()_+ and others and don't use sample passwords that are give on different web sites...

The Microsoft website has an interesting feature called 'Password Checker' - basically the site grades how strong - or, weak - a particular password is. It is very interesting to see what they consider a strong password has...let's just say that the password has to have a LOT of letters and numbers and unique characters included.

Also, this site comes from Microsoft as well. It explains how users can create strong passwords online. Useful, interesting and it cuts to the chase - no extraneous material included.

Symantec is one of the world's largest computer security firms. As a result, I went to their website and dug up this webpage titled, 'The Simplest Security: A Guide to Better Password Practices'.

Many computer users have wireless networks at home now that they are easier to install. This means there is a whole new way for hackers to compromise your computer security. Click on this link from About.com which discusses Wireless Network Security. Note that on the About.com there are many links on the left side of the page for readers to get more information about wireless networking...

Finally, this link from OnGuardOnline.gov discusses multiple issues about computer security. Topics like encrypted websites, password protection, treating personal information like cash and using security software that updates automatically are discusses. And it is from a reputable source - the US government.

Enjoy the links I've included - hopefully they'll save you a lot of grief and repair time from fixing a compromised computer or computer network.

Regards,
Stu