In today's world, passwords are on almost everything. Online Journal sites, email, forums, message boards, and even chat rooms are sometimes password protected. Back when I was growing up, if I didn't want someone to see something I've written on my computer (this was back in the day of "IBM-PC clones), I came up with passwords that no one in my family could ever venture to guess, but if I wanted to get into something of theirs, the passwords were quite easy to figure out. The purpose of my blog today is to focus on passwords, and what you can do to minimize the possibility of your account being hacked into. One piece of information that I'd like to point out is that even the strongest password encryption is no match for the most sophisticated trojan virus. Keep your anti-virus definitions up-to-date and have the latest security updates and service packs installed. If you have trouble with this, please refer to your computer manufacturer for help.
So you might ask what makes a good password? What can make your password even better than what it is now? After reviewing a lot of information on various sites, and drawing from my own experience, here are (what I think) some good guidelines to go by for creating a password that is highly improbable to break or hack:
1) Use the KISS method - Keep It Short And Simple. In other words, creating a password that has 35 characters in it is NOT going to be easy to remember. Usually a password containing 6-10 characters should be sufficient enough.
2) Use both numbers and letters (alphanumeric) - I can't stress this enough. Using both letters and numbers in your password decreases the possibility of your password being hacked. A good example that I like to draw upon is when I used to watch Star Trek (TNG or DS9) and whenever a character calls the computer for protected information and uses their name and some military phonetic pronunciation of an alphabet letter with a number, e.g. "Picard 47 Alpha Tango" (one of my favorites) In this case, I would use Picard47AT. Again, just an example. I don't know who in their right mind would use that exact password to begin with, but you get the idea.
3) Don't Use Common Words - Words like bank, bird, flower, dog, or even children's names should never be used as passwords. First, they are easy passwords, and second, given time someone can and will figure it out. Also, avoid using the dictionary. Like my first suggestion, using the dictionary may not only end with you being frustrated that you can't remember your password, but now you'll have to go through an entire letter in the dictionary just to find it.
4) Rotate Your Passwords - This is sort of a personal suggestion. At any given time I have at least 5 passwords that I can use to replace a hacked one. I used to keep a list, but they're all in my head now. Well, most of them anyway. The point is, a good idea will be to keep a list of passwords somewhere safe, secure, and readily accessible. Creating 5 unique passwords should be sufficient enough, and rotate them every 3-6 months. Most employers who set up authenticated access usually require this step, anyway. So do yourself a favor and have a primary password in mind, and have at least 4 alternates. One quick note on this, I've worked for employers where after changing your password at the required interval, you cannot go back to your original password until at least 6 different passwords have been used. In this instance, I had to get creative with my password generating process.
5) Get Creative - If you've created your passwords list, and you've run out of them in a short amount of time (believe it or not, this has happened to some folks), then it's time to use a bit of imagination in creating your next password. In my experience, I've used the military phonetic alphabet full name, say "delta" and then a number from something in my 30 years of life like part of a phone number (either the first 3 digits, or the last 4 without area code), and area code, or even a zip code that only I've been to and no one else would figure it out. For example, sometimes I'll go with a password like "charlie702", or even better would be "tango89107".
6) Use capital letters and special symbols - Some sites require this step, and even some employers. While I admit that this adds a little more security in your password, I would recommend against it. Too many times have I used this type of password, and almost every time I forget to put in the symbol or capital letter. It goes without saying that I've even locked myself out of accounts because of this security step. But if it is required, just make sure to add a mental note of the special requirement. Write it down if you have to, but if you do, make sure to keep it stored somewhere safe and secure where no one else will find it.
I'd like to end this with a few quick tips to go by. First, never assume that someone needs your account information, including your password, for anything. In the wrong hands, someone can really have a devastating effect on your life just by knowing how to gain access to sites that you visit frequently, and with your information. Avoid at all costs giving ANYONE (even a friend or a family member) your login information for anything. Second, never assume that just because you have a strong password means you are invulnerable. Always make sure you have installed the latest updates to your operating system, especially security updates, and also make sure you have both a firewall and an anti-virus program installed. Lastly, some articles I've read suggest you use a password manager to help you with password-protected sites and managing your login information that way. This is both good and bad, and for many reasons on both. Personally, I'd recommend against using any such program, especially if your computer is shared with others.
One final piece of advice to close this blog. If you do share your computer with others, I recommend that you ALWAYS log out of sites and programs that you use or go to, even restart the computer if you have to, clean your internet cache and your browser cookies regularly. This prevents anyone from accessing your information after you've finished using the computer system. Also, never assume that you've been logged out completely from any visited site. Your friend might be respectful and log you out as a courtesy, but someone else may want to prod and poke around in your personal affairs. Putting it mildly, if you don't want friends or family to see what kind of porn you're into, either stay out of it completely, or make damn sure you've logged out and that your login information is not shared with ANYONE outside your brain.
Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Passwords and You
Born and raised in southern California, I've lived in many different places. I've worked as a customer service agent, technical support, billing, and as a "travel industry professional". My experience with computers is extensive, with experience in almost all computer systems, and I have the ability to adapt to new computer systems easily. I've also got plenty of peripheral experience (printers, cameras, scanners, USB hard drives, USB flash drives, etc). The point is that if you have a computer problem, I'll do my best to answer it, and if I cannot, I'll direct you to the people who can help. I provide this blog not to "out" anyone in the industry, but to help the common consumer understand what techs do on the other end of the phone. We're not just mindless drones, and we can do our jobs effectively if you'll let us. All I ask in return is that you give us patience, and the common sense to follow directions. And of course, read my blog before calling. It'll save you a lot of frustration, and possibly a lot of time arguing over something minuscule.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Troubleshooting Errors On Your PC
I will wager a bet that at some point we've all run into some sort of error on a PC or a MAC. Errors are inevitable, annoying, and they interfere with what we are doing on our computer system. Back in the day, the first thing most people would do is reach for the phone and dial the phone number to technical support, and have the person on the other end walk us through a seemingly endless array of tasks to narrow down the problem to find a solution. In today's world, we are a little more responsive to errors, and with the availability of the internet we can look up a solution to almost 95% of problems that occur. Depending on your level of expertise, these solutions can be relatively easy to very complex to the point where only an advanced user should be performing the resolution. There are some tips, though, that can be done by anyone of any usage level to eliminate some key suspects in a situation where an error comes up.
Once more, I have to caution the reader that this information is strictly guideline only. If you feel your error or problem is much too complex, please contact your system administrator, or go to your local computer repair outlet where a certified and trained computer technical professional can assist you.
As I said, most errors have a commonality to them, and most can be resolved with a few simple tricks. Listed below are some general tips that I think are the best possible tricks short of taking your computer in for a more thorough examination. Again, they are just general guidelines.
1) Document the Error - It should go without saying that if you encounter an error that you are unfamiliar with (and even if you are), you should definitely write it down, including all error numbers and codes as well as what you were doing when the error occurred. This can help you narrow the possibilities down to a minimum and work from there. The most frequent complaint of techs is the lack of documentation with an error, especially what transpired prior to and during the problem. Please do us techs a favor and give us as much detail as possible related to the error or problem. No, we don't need your life story, and no, we don't need to get into how new your computer is, and how much you paid for it. All we need are some basic items of information such as your Operating System, installed RAM, the program you are using, and what error occurred and what happened before and during that problem. If it involves porn, come clean and get it over with. We've heard it all, trust me!
2) COLD BOOT - This should be your first and last troubleshooting technique when it comes to error troubleshooting. One of my former technical supervisors had a small, but clear message on his emails that he sent out regularly to other techs, which said "If all else fails, COLD BOOT!". That seemed to always stick, and 65-80% of the time, this trick worked. Doing a proper shutdown of Windows (or whatever your OS is) is key, and once properly shutdown (if the computer doesn't turn off automatically), you should definitely power down everything on your computer. After 30 seconds, it should be turned back on until everything has booted successfully, including any background programs. Once up and running, try performing the task you were doing when the error occurred. If you are able to proceed, then there is no further need to troubleshoot.
3) Background Applications/Programs - Turning these off may either provide a temporary solution, or resolve the problem altogether. But, if you're like me, and want these background programs to come on, then you'll want to systematically, and methodically, turn off each program until you've found the culprit that conflicts with what you are doing. After identifying the cause, there are two things you can do. Either turn it off for good so that it doesn't interfere with what you are doing, or contact the provider of that other program to see if there is a fix or some other solution. My personal advice would be to do the former since background programs aren't really that necessary, and just clutter up memory.
4) Websites - Often a program vendor has a website that you can go to, and some even have user forums where you can chat with others who may have experienced the same error or problem. Forums often provide a rare opportunity to share knowledge to other users, and is a great way to earn friends. A word of caution though. Those same forums also have users who are simply there to belittle others for what they do not know. I've had the unfortunality of going to one such forum where my question had been met with ridicule from a few inconsiderate individuals with nothing better to do than to troll forums and be jerks. This avenue often offers patches for programs and applications that can solve a lot of frustration. Check to see if your application has a website that you can check to see if there's a new update to your program version.
Finally, if you've exhausted all other avenues, it's time to call technical support and be guided through some other procedures. A tech support agent will most likely walk you through steps that you may or may not have done before. If this happens, please do us techs another favor and don't get all bent out of shape about it. We're just doing our jobs, and would appreciate a level of respect during the phone call. Just let us do what we do, and we'll get you the quickest possible resolution.
Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!
Once more, I have to caution the reader that this information is strictly guideline only. If you feel your error or problem is much too complex, please contact your system administrator, or go to your local computer repair outlet where a certified and trained computer technical professional can assist you.
As I said, most errors have a commonality to them, and most can be resolved with a few simple tricks. Listed below are some general tips that I think are the best possible tricks short of taking your computer in for a more thorough examination. Again, they are just general guidelines.
1) Document the Error - It should go without saying that if you encounter an error that you are unfamiliar with (and even if you are), you should definitely write it down, including all error numbers and codes as well as what you were doing when the error occurred. This can help you narrow the possibilities down to a minimum and work from there. The most frequent complaint of techs is the lack of documentation with an error, especially what transpired prior to and during the problem. Please do us techs a favor and give us as much detail as possible related to the error or problem. No, we don't need your life story, and no, we don't need to get into how new your computer is, and how much you paid for it. All we need are some basic items of information such as your Operating System, installed RAM, the program you are using, and what error occurred and what happened before and during that problem. If it involves porn, come clean and get it over with. We've heard it all, trust me!
2) COLD BOOT - This should be your first and last troubleshooting technique when it comes to error troubleshooting. One of my former technical supervisors had a small, but clear message on his emails that he sent out regularly to other techs, which said "If all else fails, COLD BOOT!". That seemed to always stick, and 65-80% of the time, this trick worked. Doing a proper shutdown of Windows (or whatever your OS is) is key, and once properly shutdown (if the computer doesn't turn off automatically), you should definitely power down everything on your computer. After 30 seconds, it should be turned back on until everything has booted successfully, including any background programs. Once up and running, try performing the task you were doing when the error occurred. If you are able to proceed, then there is no further need to troubleshoot.
3) Background Applications/Programs - Turning these off may either provide a temporary solution, or resolve the problem altogether. But, if you're like me, and want these background programs to come on, then you'll want to systematically, and methodically, turn off each program until you've found the culprit that conflicts with what you are doing. After identifying the cause, there are two things you can do. Either turn it off for good so that it doesn't interfere with what you are doing, or contact the provider of that other program to see if there is a fix or some other solution. My personal advice would be to do the former since background programs aren't really that necessary, and just clutter up memory.
4) Websites - Often a program vendor has a website that you can go to, and some even have user forums where you can chat with others who may have experienced the same error or problem. Forums often provide a rare opportunity to share knowledge to other users, and is a great way to earn friends. A word of caution though. Those same forums also have users who are simply there to belittle others for what they do not know. I've had the unfortunality of going to one such forum where my question had been met with ridicule from a few inconsiderate individuals with nothing better to do than to troll forums and be jerks. This avenue often offers patches for programs and applications that can solve a lot of frustration. Check to see if your application has a website that you can check to see if there's a new update to your program version.
Finally, if you've exhausted all other avenues, it's time to call technical support and be guided through some other procedures. A tech support agent will most likely walk you through steps that you may or may not have done before. If this happens, please do us techs another favor and don't get all bent out of shape about it. We're just doing our jobs, and would appreciate a level of respect during the phone call. Just let us do what we do, and we'll get you the quickest possible resolution.
Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!
Born and raised in southern California, I've lived in many different places. I've worked as a customer service agent, technical support, billing, and as a "travel industry professional". My experience with computers is extensive, with experience in almost all computer systems, and I have the ability to adapt to new computer systems easily. I've also got plenty of peripheral experience (printers, cameras, scanners, USB hard drives, USB flash drives, etc). The point is that if you have a computer problem, I'll do my best to answer it, and if I cannot, I'll direct you to the people who can help. I provide this blog not to "out" anyone in the industry, but to help the common consumer understand what techs do on the other end of the phone. We're not just mindless drones, and we can do our jobs effectively if you'll let us. All I ask in return is that you give us patience, and the common sense to follow directions. And of course, read my blog before calling. It'll save you a lot of frustration, and possibly a lot of time arguing over something minuscule.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Anti-virus Software and You
Okay, so we all know by now (one would hope) to have a good, solid anti-virus program installed on your computer, whether you use a MAC (heaven forbid! Just kidding!) or a PC. If anyone has taken the time to read up on reports throughout the tech world, you'll know that hundreds of viruses are created every day that can have devastating impacts on your computer, and your wallet. As a computer tech, I know the risks involved not having in place a software program to protect my PC, so I make sure to have one installed and active at all times.
Some people have asked me repeatedly what good antivirus programs they should use. Naturally, I tell them what I use, and people seem to go with it. Is that enough, though? Are you asking the right questions to your computer technician when it comes to your computer? The average person will settle for something that is "out-of-the-way" at a reasonable cost, and does its own updating on its virus definitions/database. For the advanced users, like myself, we tend to go with products that allow for more control, flexibility, and above all reliability. If the antivirus program doesn't detect things that could harm our computer, we don't want it. That's numero uno on our list!
There are many good programs to use out there on the web. Some are free to use, and some have a try-then-buy string attached. Whatever you decide on using, there are some good ideas to keep in mind before using a new antivirus program, or switching your existing program for another. What I'd like to do is go over some brief points to consider. Please keep in mind these are guidelines.
1) Price - I'm sure most of us will agree that price is usually at the top of anyone's list. Obviously, we'd all like our software to be free, but free isn't always effective. After shopping online and in stores, I've found that most antivirus programs are between $25-$50 depending on where you shop. Some of them are really reasonable, and offer relatively good protection. There are a few that, even after purchasing, you have to purchase a separate subscription to get updates. So it's up to you how far you are willing to go to protect your computer.
2) Features - A lot of programs offering antivirus protection also offer many side-benefits such as anti-spyware, malware protection, etc. Some are packaged as a suite of security products that include a firewall, parental controls, and it just goes on. This is where you should write down what your computer needs and compare those needs to what features are offered. Obviously, if you are single and have no kids, you really don't need parental controls, unless you're that much of a control-freak that you have to control your own movements.
3) Reviews - These can be both good and bad. It should be noted that not all reviews are created equal, so do your own research, and read carefully what these reviews tell you. Maybe what one person experienced won't apply to you, or maybe it will. It's almost like movie reviews. Sometimes, critics will rave about a movie that you absolutely hated, but give poor marks to a movie you simply loved, and would see again and again. My advice is to never go off of reviews alone, even professional reviews. In my view, reviews are just biased ways of altering the public's perception of a product, regardless of the intent. I've even read some that go as far as to bash a program-maker, i.e. McAfee, Norton, Microsoft, Avast, etc. I know, they don't go and outright bash those companies, but if you read carefully the reviews, it can be more obvious than a turd in a punch-bowl.
4) Simplicity or Complexity - This is sort of related to number two. Do you want a simple program to just locate, quarantine and destroy unsanitary files, or do you enjoy fiddling with settings like an amateur advanced user? For some, a simple yet effective program is all they need for their computer's protection needs. Others want a more advanced, fully-featured, complex program where they can actually manipulate how the program behaves when a virus or other potentially harmful file is found.
I could go on and on about some of the other guidelines, but these are the four core ideas. When asking a tech to give you a recommended product, make sure they know what you use your computer for. An obvious thing would be to avoid telling the tech how much you love internet porn! Yes, believe it or not, I've heard that one unfortunately. Also, let the tech know if you have children who will be accessing the computer as well, since this could mean the difference between your computer running smoothly, and the kids downloading something... errr... not-so-safe.
Just a little note from me (the author), I've used many different antivirus programs over the years, and one thing that I can say is that there's always going to be an anti-virus program that seems bigger, better, and more advanced than the last, but remember that all good things do come to an end. I can't begin to count how many times I've had to switch my anti-virus program because it became outdated very quickly.
Again, don't just go off of what the tech tells you. Do your own research, and find out what program is best for you. Remember that cheap isn't always a good deal, and all the fancy features aren't for everyone. My best advice would be to talk with tech friends who have experience with such dilemmas, and ask them what their best anti-virus experience was.
Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!
Some people have asked me repeatedly what good antivirus programs they should use. Naturally, I tell them what I use, and people seem to go with it. Is that enough, though? Are you asking the right questions to your computer technician when it comes to your computer? The average person will settle for something that is "out-of-the-way" at a reasonable cost, and does its own updating on its virus definitions/database. For the advanced users, like myself, we tend to go with products that allow for more control, flexibility, and above all reliability. If the antivirus program doesn't detect things that could harm our computer, we don't want it. That's numero uno on our list!
There are many good programs to use out there on the web. Some are free to use, and some have a try-then-buy string attached. Whatever you decide on using, there are some good ideas to keep in mind before using a new antivirus program, or switching your existing program for another. What I'd like to do is go over some brief points to consider. Please keep in mind these are guidelines.
1) Price - I'm sure most of us will agree that price is usually at the top of anyone's list. Obviously, we'd all like our software to be free, but free isn't always effective. After shopping online and in stores, I've found that most antivirus programs are between $25-$50 depending on where you shop. Some of them are really reasonable, and offer relatively good protection. There are a few that, even after purchasing, you have to purchase a separate subscription to get updates. So it's up to you how far you are willing to go to protect your computer.
2) Features - A lot of programs offering antivirus protection also offer many side-benefits such as anti-spyware, malware protection, etc. Some are packaged as a suite of security products that include a firewall, parental controls, and it just goes on. This is where you should write down what your computer needs and compare those needs to what features are offered. Obviously, if you are single and have no kids, you really don't need parental controls, unless you're that much of a control-freak that you have to control your own movements.
3) Reviews - These can be both good and bad. It should be noted that not all reviews are created equal, so do your own research, and read carefully what these reviews tell you. Maybe what one person experienced won't apply to you, or maybe it will. It's almost like movie reviews. Sometimes, critics will rave about a movie that you absolutely hated, but give poor marks to a movie you simply loved, and would see again and again. My advice is to never go off of reviews alone, even professional reviews. In my view, reviews are just biased ways of altering the public's perception of a product, regardless of the intent. I've even read some that go as far as to bash a program-maker, i.e. McAfee, Norton, Microsoft, Avast, etc. I know, they don't go and outright bash those companies, but if you read carefully the reviews, it can be more obvious than a turd in a punch-bowl.
4) Simplicity or Complexity - This is sort of related to number two. Do you want a simple program to just locate, quarantine and destroy unsanitary files, or do you enjoy fiddling with settings like an amateur advanced user? For some, a simple yet effective program is all they need for their computer's protection needs. Others want a more advanced, fully-featured, complex program where they can actually manipulate how the program behaves when a virus or other potentially harmful file is found.
I could go on and on about some of the other guidelines, but these are the four core ideas. When asking a tech to give you a recommended product, make sure they know what you use your computer for. An obvious thing would be to avoid telling the tech how much you love internet porn! Yes, believe it or not, I've heard that one unfortunately. Also, let the tech know if you have children who will be accessing the computer as well, since this could mean the difference between your computer running smoothly, and the kids downloading something... errr... not-so-safe.
Just a little note from me (the author), I've used many different antivirus programs over the years, and one thing that I can say is that there's always going to be an anti-virus program that seems bigger, better, and more advanced than the last, but remember that all good things do come to an end. I can't begin to count how many times I've had to switch my anti-virus program because it became outdated very quickly.
Again, don't just go off of what the tech tells you. Do your own research, and find out what program is best for you. Remember that cheap isn't always a good deal, and all the fancy features aren't for everyone. My best advice would be to talk with tech friends who have experience with such dilemmas, and ask them what their best anti-virus experience was.
Have a comment? Suggestion? A topic you'd like to have discussed on my blog? Email me at halfblind79@gmail.com. And if I don't know the answer, I'll post up information on who to ask, where to go, or what to do to get your answer. :) Until then, have a great day, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my computer tips so far!
Born and raised in southern California, I've lived in many different places. I've worked as a customer service agent, technical support, billing, and as a "travel industry professional". My experience with computers is extensive, with experience in almost all computer systems, and I have the ability to adapt to new computer systems easily. I've also got plenty of peripheral experience (printers, cameras, scanners, USB hard drives, USB flash drives, etc). The point is that if you have a computer problem, I'll do my best to answer it, and if I cannot, I'll direct you to the people who can help. I provide this blog not to "out" anyone in the industry, but to help the common consumer understand what techs do on the other end of the phone. We're not just mindless drones, and we can do our jobs effectively if you'll let us. All I ask in return is that you give us patience, and the common sense to follow directions. And of course, read my blog before calling. It'll save you a lot of frustration, and possibly a lot of time arguing over something minuscule.
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