GeekSugar

Protect Your Info With Your Fingerprint

GeekSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:30:35 PST

Although there are other ways to secure your passwords and data that live on your computer - like say a password manager or even (yikes) a notebook - I can't think of a cooler or more futuristic way to protect all your personal info than with your fingerprint.

This Eikon To Go digital privacy manager for your Mac or PC, keeps all your stuff under wraps from prying eyes by locking your laptop, and will only unlock when you put your unique fingerprint on the reader.

But if you aren't the computing on-the-go type, you can also pick up Eikon's desktop fingerprint scanner to lock away all your files at home as well. The best part? The mobile manager is only $50 dollars. It's the perfect gift for the business traveler that really needs some protection - of the digital kind, of course.

Password Reminder Book Kinda Makes Me Nervous

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:30:45 PDT

I came across this Open Sesame Password Reminder Book on Outblush yesterday, and at first I was like, "That's kinda cute," but then after more consideration, I realized it probably isn't a good idea. Here's why: Security! Remember how I was telling you about how important it is to have complex passwords, or possibly run the risk of someone ruining your personal record, or worse, stealing your identity? All that is out the window if someone gets a hold of your password reminder book. Unless I kept it under strict lock and key, I would be a nervous wreck thinking about what would happen if I lost it.

But, of course, if I lost the key, I'd be totally screwed.Maybe it's a better idea to keep your passwords in a protected file in your computer, or better yet, a secure password storage device!

Do You Still Have a Lame Password?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:00:33 PDT

So remember how last year I told you about the top ten most used and abused passwords? Well, apparently some of you weren't paying attention, cause the list is just as lame (and essentially the same) this year! When I read USA Today's report, I had to chuckle. "Abc123," really? "Password," are you kidding - have you not learned a thing?

All joking aside, someone could do some major damage to your personal records if they just so happen to figure out that your password is "qwerty" (like it's hard) and you use it for everything from online banking, to your Myspace log in, email, and online credit card accounts. You don't have to tell me what it is, but admit it: you still have a lame password. Any savvy geek should have a pretty complicated password for Joe Schmo to figure out so he doesn't go on a buying rampage and take that trip to Fiji you've always dreamed of. . . on your dollar!

Source

The Most Used and Abused Passwords On The Net

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:00:09 PDT

This list is surprising and shocking at the same time - do people honestly think these passwords are safe to use? They may be easy to remember, but in terms of being secure and difficult to crack- not so much. This list, which appeared in the May 8th edition of PC Magazine shows the 10 most commonly used online passwords, none of which surprised me. Although monkey- Am I too geeky to get this one?

password
123456
qwerty
abc123
letmein
monkey
myspace1
password1
blink182
(your first name)

Security Tips For Data Privacy Day!

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:30:34 PST

It's Data Privacy Day, so we're here to give you 10 tips to keeping your computer safe, secure, and totally private. Nothing is worse than having your computer hacked into, your personal information stolen, or becoming a victim of fraud. We've rounded up all of our best tech advice to help keep your computer protected and free from hacker malice. If you haven't implemented these 10 tidbits yet, today is the perfect day to begin to take charge of your computer's safety.

Avoid fraud: Be wary of emails, calls, and log-in screens that ask you to verify all of your information. Always air on the side of precaution when sharing more sensitive information like banking passwords. If a company reaches out to you (rather than you personally reaching out to them), don't give your personal information out. Redial the number or email the company using the information posted on their website.
Set up a hack-proof password: When logging in to websites, come up with difficult and different passwords for each site, using a variety of letters, numbers, and symbols. Change it every couple of months for additional safety.
Double-check your firewall: Most computers have a built-in firewall that protects your computer by stopping hackers and malicious software from accessing your computer via the Internet. Make sure to keep your firewall setting on, and you could even customize what websites, domains, and IP addresses you want to access from your computer.
Forget about free public WiFi: Hackers often create fake networks, titling them "Free Public WiFi" in hopes of stealing your personal data. Even if the WiFi is legit, it's still dangerous to access private information in an unsecured network. Always opt to pay the small fee for a service that requires you to log-in to an official network.
Safely search for celebrities: Googling your favorite celebrities can be a dangerous business if you don't recognize the sites you are clicking on. Many Google results of famous celebrity names lead to infecting your PC with malware and viruses.

See more tips to better privacy.

Passwords: the Promise Rings of a Digital Generation

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:11:18 PST

Once you've gotten to a comfortable point in a romantic relationship, how do you recognize mutual trust and respect for one another? With our private lives stored within emails, Facebook photos, and Netflix queue preferences, many young couples now see the final pillar in solidifying trust in a relationship is sharing the password into a partner's virtual world.

The New York Times recently profiled what they see as a growing trend of teenagers showing their security in a relationship by sharing the passwords for email, Facebook, instant messenger accounts, even their phone with a girlfriend, boyfriend, or close friend. It's easy to get lost in the euphoria of a new love, believing they should be privy to your every digital thought. The hindsight of a relationship gone sour suggests that sharing a password can lead to a slippery slope where the no-longer-significant other has access to potentially embarrassing information on the former love.

If you've had either a positive or negative experience with sharing passwords in the past, chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

Woman Finds Facebook Photos on Porn Site: How to Keep Your Pics Private

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:32:39 PDT

Talk about a nightmare! A 20-year-old Minnesota woman found her Facebook account had been hacked. Not only was she denied access, but also she found her Facebook photos had been stolen and posted to a porn site. Getting hacked is just like being robbed - you feel totally violated - but she wasn't the only one being taken advantage of online. Turns out, the same hacker had gained access to at least 100 other Facebook accounts, posting names and places of residence alongside photos on sexually explicit sites.

Not only is this kind of incident bad for your online reputation, but for your reputation as a whole. Imagine if a potential employer decided to Google your name, only to find photos of you on a not-so-savory website promoting pornography! The good news is there are steps you can take to lower your risk of being hacked on Facebook, Twitter, and other online destinations. Get the tips when you read more.

How to Create a Hacker-Proof Password in 5 Easy Steps

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:51:22 PDT

You've heard it a hundred times before: you need to create a hacker-proof password to keep from falling victim to cybercrime. But not only are you supposed to choose a hard-to-guess password, it's best to have a different one for each website you've registered with. This fact was reinforced after the recent hacking of Gawker, which allowed hackers to gain access to Gawker user accounts, as well as any other online account that used the same password. Even more worrysome: this weekends massive email data breach.

Talk about confusing! So how do you go about creating a hacker-proof password that's easy to remember? Find out after the break.

4 Things You Should Do When You Arrive at a Hotel

SavvySugar — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:51:54 PST

It's tempting to make a beeline for the resort pool when you first reach your hotel, but there are a few things you should try to do first if you want to make the most of your vacation. Stay healthy, prepared, and adventure-ready by performing these four must-dos as soon as you arrive.

Cozy up to the concierge. Before you race to your room, take the time to meet with the concierge and gather any necessary maps, brochures, and handouts. Avoid spending unnecessary cash by asking about local deals or special offers available through the hotel.
Investigate the WiFi situation. Is it free or is there a daily charge? Don't wait until there's a must-get-online crisis to call the operator. Find out the hotel's Internet policy right away and set up all user and password information on each of your devices to dodge any complications or hidden fees.

Read on for more handy hotel tips.

7 Ways You Can Avoid Internet Fraud and Phishing Scams

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:53:32 PST

The holiday season is here and millions of Americans are heading out to tackle their last-minute shopping lists. Though doing the lions share of your shopping online can save you time, there are many dangers lurking out there on the Internet, especially where there are credit cards involved.

One recent Internet phishing scam involves Apple fans, and a so-called "Christmas Awards" program. This email-based scam sends you a message from a non-Apple email address (like rediffmail.com) asking you to download an attachment to learn more about the awards program. The attachment is a Word document, which is a red flag for downloading viruses and malware. While the download doesn't appear to host any viruses, it does say that you've won $250 million dollars and a commemorative iPhone 4S. All you need to do to claim the "prize" is hand over all of your personal and sensitive information. Don't! If you get this email, don't open it and be sure to report it to the FTC.

Stay safe while shopping this holiday - and beyond - by following these tips that will keep your personal info out of the hands of hackers.

Don't be fooled by fake log-in screens: If you're already signed into Twitter, Facebook, or your email, you won't be asked to sign in again unless you've logged out. Even if the screen looks like the normal log-in, it probably isn't.
Don't be fooled by emails: I've been asked to reply to my "banking institution" with my account log-in information before. The email is formatted to look legit, but if you check the sender's address, most likely it's from a third-party account like Gmail, Yahoo, or MSN. Be diligent and never reply to emails with your bank log-ins or passwords and always check where they are coming from first! When in doubt, call instead.
Reset your passwords often: Too often, people have some pretty lame passwords, which allow their accounts to get hacked even without a phishing scam. Make sure your passwords are tough to guess, and try to change them every few months.

See the rest of the tips after the break.