GeekSugar

If Sarah Palin Read geeksugar, She May Have Known Better

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00:44 -0700

I can't tell you enough how important email and online security is! I've been a little obsessed with the recent Sarah Palin email hacking scandal, but have put off saying much about it - until now. The suspected hacker - a 20-year old University of Tennessee student, and son of state representative Mike Kernell - was seen in front of the Grand Jury on Tuesday, and was let go without an indictment. Although there aren't many details as to what was or was not found, I suspect that the search for the real hacker continues.

Although hacking into anyone's personal account is a violation of the law and should be prosecuted accordingly, what really makes me uncomfortable is knowing how easy it was for the hacker to break into her account! Just by guessing a few password reset questions and some research on Wikipedia, they were in. I've talked in length about protecting your log-ins, but it's only a few security questions that separate hackers from your personal email when a password reset has been requested. Be diligent in keeping those questions and passwords hard to guess, and you won't have to worry about your emails displayed on the web, or your identity being stolen!

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Have You Ever Had Your Information or Identity Stolen?

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:39 -0700

I couldn't believe it when I read on SFGate that it is very common for major websites like MySpace and MSNBC to be attacked and hacked, and how there's no way for users to know. Just this month, Israeli security firm Finjan uncovered a server full of consumer information, including social security numbers, bank account info, recorded keystrokes from online shopping in Malaysia.

Even though I'm tech-savvy and think I'm being careful online, I'm also totally paranoid sometimes that one false click or download will lead to a drained bank account or worse. In fact, I have several friends and family members who've experienced this - have you?
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Tech Terror: Hackers, Viruses and Bugs, Oh My

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 09:08:11 -0800

I've been asking readers to submit their worst tech terror stories so we can revel in our shared horror tech stories and learn from one another's experiences. Teamsugar user Bookworm1 recently admitted she adores using computers, but is always on the lookout for a bug.

I love computers because they are so practical and fun to use. However, in this age of internet there's always the threat of being hacked or getting viruses. Even though I am very careful with where I go and what I do I am still a terrified little bunny.

For my tips for making sure you aren't susceptible to hackers, just read more

For the most part, the average internet user isn't terribly vulnerable to hackers, so long as he or she takes the proper steps to prevent an open window, but PC virus attacks on the other hand seem to be a constant problem.

E-mail protection: When you create your e-mail account make sure your password is a genuine password. As in, something that your friends or enemy (a hacker) couldn't guess. It helps to combine letters and numbers. Also, if you're going to be logging in at a public computer make sure you always log out.
Virus protection: Make virus scanning a regular part of your online life and never click on popups, e-mails or downloads from unknown or mysterious sources. If you think you're vulnerable to viruses, set up a firewall, and run your scanner religiously.
Website protection: If you have your own website or blog, make sure all your passwords are as strong as your e-mail passwords, but not the same.

For more information, check out the Microsoft Virus page.

Join my Tech Terror group and share your worst tech stories. I'll feature the best of the worst on geeksugar with my prevention suggestions.

Geek Tip: Stave Off Social Identity Theft With KnowEm

GeekSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:50:55 -0700

Needless to say, I have a ton of active social networking accounts out there. Sometimes I even forget which ones I belong to! So when I discovered KnowEm, I was relived to be able to check a plethora of social networking sites for my user name, not only to remind me which sites I have an account with but to also make sure someone isn't going around stealing my moniker or worse - my identity.

KnowEm makes it easy to stay on top of user name squatters and identity stealers and is a quick way to jog your memory about which sites you belong to so you can delete, cancel, or bookmark those for future use. I sometimes get weirded out about how many open accounts I've forgotten about which are ripe for a hacker's picking, so keeping tabs on your online accounts is a good idea for all.

Do You Ever Have Difficulty Making Out a Site Security Code?

GeekSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:05:55 -0700

You know those little encrypted passwords and codes you're sometimes required to enter before paying for something or accessing a certain feature of a website?

Gone are the days when they were actually legible, because now I can hardly read them! I realize that they are used to block spammers, hackers, and bots, but they are getting so sophisticated that I can barely make out the numbers and letters.

I mean this one isn't that bad, but it did take me a few seconds to make out what the letters were - just frustrating and slows me down when I'm trying to make a split-second purchase!

Are you noticing that they are getting increasingly more difficult as well?

Gossip Girl: The Top Tech Moments of Season 2

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:50:41 -0700

Looking back, I think that one thing is clear (besides Chuck and Blair's relationship status, finally): Season two of Gossip Girl was totally techier than the first. Hackers, apps, and fresh new gadgets surfaced in the drama, and I couldn't have been more pleased. Check out my favorite geek moments of the last season. Photos courtesy of The CW

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It Had to Happen. . . Eventually: A New Virus Attacks Macs

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:46:21 -0700

Part of the Mac appeal to new computer users is that they are (or have been) virtually free from viruses. Since the large majority of the population uses Windows, hackers design viruses and worms to attack PCs to get more bang for their virus buck. And although there's no reason to panic just yet, researchers have found a virus that can attack your Apple computer now too.

It's not like there haven't been viruses designed for the Mac before, but this one, called iBotnet, has been successful at wiggling its way into thousands of computers around the country since January. And once the virus makes its way into your system, your computer will then be part of a large network which can be controlled buy the virus's author. How can you avoid this virus? Find out when you read more.

Thankfully, a large majority of Mac users won't have to worry about this virus, since iBotnet is contracted by downloading pirated versions of iWork. So if you don't want iBotnet on your machine, you should steer clear of any extracurricular file sharing activity!

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The Cheapest, Simplest Ikea Laptop Stand

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:03:27 -0700

I thought my lovely Dave was cheap ($20) for a laptop stand, but I've been proven wrong by Ikea Hacker, who has taught me that a genius trip to Ikea can be accomplished by looking at products with a mutable, creative eye.

Here, a user submitted this hack for the Lamplig trivet ($6) - accustomed to keeping hot pans off surfaces - where the hacker simply affixed $2 rubber feet to the trivet and achieved an angled laptop stand with airflow underneath. You'd have to use this on a surface though, otherwise I'm getting a visual (and a physical, ouch) of a metal grid print on your thighs.

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Has Your Tech Ever Eaten Your Homework?

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0800

I remember my excuses for not having or doing my homework to have been pretty lame, but as for tech excuses, like my computer "ate" the file - well, let's just say I'm sure I made them do it too. A study found that these days, the new homework excuses are tech-related, such as blaming hackers for getting into your laptop to snag just your 10-page paper on 12th century witchcraft.

So has one of your gadgets ever eaten or ruined your work, somehow? Or have you just made the excuse?

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Ever Wonder How the Geeks Get Thin?

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:00:39 -0800

So FitSugar may have all the tips on getting slim and trim for swim suit season or getting Jennifer Garner's bod, but have you ever wondered what geeks do to keep their physiques so hot? According to Buzzfeed, you too can unencrypt their secret to weight loss, without taking a single computer science course (unless, of course, you need some thinspo).

Buzzfeed's Best Links About How Geeks Get Thin