Understanding Your Web Browser Part II
Keeping your web browser up to date is essential for security and smooth browsing. Up to date means having the latest version of the browser. In Firefox, in Windows, you can check if your version is current by clicking the three horizontal bars at upper right, then Help at bottom, then About. This should be ritual housekeeping for you - checking at least monthly that you have latest version of any browser.
Obsolete, say the tech giants
Those of you running older computers have noticed that some browsers refuse to run properly or complain that your operating system is out of date - or worse, the browser you want can't even be installed on your system. You can limp along with this condition, or bite the bullet and get a newer computer.
This shows the tail is wagging the dog, meaning Internet technology is dictating whether your computer is sufficient to surf the web. Your computer, though old, may be running just fine. I've seen this with 7 to 10-year-old Macs. They're humming along, but can't run current browsers and are limited on which sites they can access. This is proof that we don't really live in a consumer-driven society, but in a tech-pushed society.
Browser buddies
I usually recommend having at least two browsers, as different browsers perform better on certain websites. If you're using Gmail, I recommend Chrome as your browser. Another reason to have a second browser is a backdoor in case the first browser gets infected with malware. In this case, you may need the second browser to research and download a fix.
Try a new browser
It's also interesting to experiment with new browsers, like Brave. The Brave browser touts a built-in ad blocker, speed, security and privacy. It's produced by a team led by the inventor of JavaScript and a co-founder of Mozilla. You can get it at www.brave.com. I use it in addition to Chrome and Firefox.
Ad blocking
Speaking of ad blocking, recently some of my clients and I have been enjoying using a browser extension called Ad Blocker Plus. It's free and plugs in to your browser. It blocks many obnoxious ads and pop-ups. By default, it's not an ad-free solution, as the developer partners with advertisers who promise to play nice and not send annoying ads. Per their site, "... you may see some nonintrusive ads that adhere to strict criteria. We identify these ads as Acceptable Ads." But, dear reader, you can choose the option in Ad Blocker Plus to block all ads.
Privacy extension
Another useful browser extension is Privacy Badger. It's produced by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit that battles for digital rights. When you install privacy Badger it blocks invisible trackers that follow you as you surf from site to site.
In sum, I suggest that you find some browsers you like, keep them up to date, add extensions to them, and take them for test drives. You can always remove the one/s you don't like; but keep in mind, you may lose some of your bookmarked sites and history in that browser if it's uninstalled. Trying out other browsers applies to tablets and phones as well. You are not limited to what's installed as the default on those devices.
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
Showing posts with label privacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label privacy. Show all posts
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Monday, April 15, 2019
Keeping Track of Files in the Era of the Cloud
Keeping Track of Files in the Era of the Cloud
One of the main challenges of living in this fast-paced, tech-infused world is keeping track of where you are storing your data.
By data I mean the files you consciously make use of on any of your tech devices. This includes word processing documents, PDFs, pictures, music, videos, etc.
The usual places
In the "old days" it was obvious where you stuff was stored. You would turn on your computer, look in your Documents folder or on the Desktop or on a server drive and there were the icons for the documents; pictures were stored in the Pictures folder; music in the Music folder; server files in a shared folder, etc. This type of data storage is still commonplace.
Beamed to the cloud
But increasingly people are also putting their data on mobile devices and in the cloud, using such products as iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, One Drive, etc. This cloud storage can be done from any device, including the slimmest of smartphones. A giant spreadsheet for instance can be stored on your phone and synced with the cloud.
Cloud or device?
What does that mean when a file (word processing document, photo, etc.) is in the cloud? Is it only in the cloud, or also on the device? It depends, but usually the file is both on the device and sync'ed to the cloud. The cloud just means a provider's server in some building, hopefully in the U.S.A. (I mean, if we're going to be spied on, better the NSA and our corporations than Russia or China, right?)
The power of syncing
One benefit of storing files in the cloud is making them accessible on multiple devices. So, for example, one photo could be synce'd to your phone, your tablet, and your computer. Another bonus of the cloud comes into play if a device the file is stored on is damaged, because then you can recover the file from the cloud backup.
Treasure hunt
So now that you have a little background on cloud storage, play a game with yourself or a friend. Make a list of five random files. They could be music files, spreadsheets, whatever. Try find where they are located, including on which devices, and whether they are also in the cloud. To check the cloud, you can login to iCloud or Google or Dropbox or wherever you think the file is stored online. Then if you're feeling gutsy, take a file of low importance and delete it from the device. Then try to restore it from the cloud.
Freeze frame: find that file
Businesses and professionals ideally should be able to do a freeze frame at any point in time and ask, "Where is file X stored?" And know ALL the locations of that file.
Security and privacy
The next important questions to pose include inquiring who has access to a certain file, and if that access is limited to only those who should see it, including third parties (like cloud providers). Translation, is file X is stored securely and privately? If not, then move it somewhere safe at once.
We have a right and responsibility to keep track of our files and decide how to control access and protection. But this is just referring to the data you are aware of - files you consciously interact with like the PDF of your tax return.
The hidden data flow
There's a whole other world of files/data you may never see, i.e. those which flow from your computer and browser to an internet-based server whenever you are online, even when your devices seems idle. Keeping tabs on that data takes even more complex surveillance on your part, and is the subject for another article, or two or three!
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
One of the main challenges of living in this fast-paced, tech-infused world is keeping track of where you are storing your data.
By data I mean the files you consciously make use of on any of your tech devices. This includes word processing documents, PDFs, pictures, music, videos, etc.
The usual places
In the "old days" it was obvious where you stuff was stored. You would turn on your computer, look in your Documents folder or on the Desktop or on a server drive and there were the icons for the documents; pictures were stored in the Pictures folder; music in the Music folder; server files in a shared folder, etc. This type of data storage is still commonplace.
Beamed to the cloud
But increasingly people are also putting their data on mobile devices and in the cloud, using such products as iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, One Drive, etc. This cloud storage can be done from any device, including the slimmest of smartphones. A giant spreadsheet for instance can be stored on your phone and synced with the cloud.
Cloud or device?
What does that mean when a file (word processing document, photo, etc.) is in the cloud? Is it only in the cloud, or also on the device? It depends, but usually the file is both on the device and sync'ed to the cloud. The cloud just means a provider's server in some building, hopefully in the U.S.A. (I mean, if we're going to be spied on, better the NSA and our corporations than Russia or China, right?)
The power of syncing
One benefit of storing files in the cloud is making them accessible on multiple devices. So, for example, one photo could be synce'd to your phone, your tablet, and your computer. Another bonus of the cloud comes into play if a device the file is stored on is damaged, because then you can recover the file from the cloud backup.
Treasure hunt
So now that you have a little background on cloud storage, play a game with yourself or a friend. Make a list of five random files. They could be music files, spreadsheets, whatever. Try find where they are located, including on which devices, and whether they are also in the cloud. To check the cloud, you can login to iCloud or Google or Dropbox or wherever you think the file is stored online. Then if you're feeling gutsy, take a file of low importance and delete it from the device. Then try to restore it from the cloud.
Freeze frame: find that file
Businesses and professionals ideally should be able to do a freeze frame at any point in time and ask, "Where is file X stored?" And know ALL the locations of that file.
Security and privacy
The next important questions to pose include inquiring who has access to a certain file, and if that access is limited to only those who should see it, including third parties (like cloud providers). Translation, is file X is stored securely and privately? If not, then move it somewhere safe at once.
We have a right and responsibility to keep track of our files and decide how to control access and protection. But this is just referring to the data you are aware of - files you consciously interact with like the PDF of your tax return.
The hidden data flow
There's a whole other world of files/data you may never see, i.e. those which flow from your computer and browser to an internet-based server whenever you are online, even when your devices seems idle. Keeping tabs on that data takes even more complex surveillance on your part, and is the subject for another article, or two or three!
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Downsizing Your Online Identity
Downsizing Your Online Identity
We all have the physical identity we present with our bodies and attire when we interact with others. There's another kind of identity we in 21st century possess as well: the one we create online. It's a composite of our social networking accounts, our email accounts, our memberships with various online services, etc. The more accounts we have, the more data and detailed "personality" we create for ourselves, and hence a unique online identity.
Carnival junkies
We have only ourselves to blame as we fall victim to the dizzy carnival-like playground we call the Internet. We get dazzled by the bright lights, the colors, the clamor, the intense energy, and so what do we naturally do? We buzz like moths near the flame. It's instructive to get our wings singed a few times to help wake us up - in this case to the risk of being hyper-exposed online, to growing an overinflated online persona. The more exposed you are, the easier it is for hackers to target you.
Zap the unwanted accounts
The good news is the online identity that we have wittingly or semi-consciously created for ourselves can also be dismantled by us, the owner of the identity. We have the power to close our accounts at any time. Goodbye Facebook! Sayonara AOL! Adios newsletter subscriptions! There are consequences and trade-offs, but we can do it.
Withdrawal pains
The real challenge in downsizing one's online identity is the same any type of addict goes through when breaking free of that which usurps willpower: withdrawal pains. Physical pains are bad enough for drug addicts. But it's the emotional ones that linger, that haunt and torment, because the ego has to redefine its identity, which to any ego is an existential threat.
Google yourself
If you're up to the challenge of downsizing your online ego then besides scrapping any obvious and unwanted aspects of your persona try Googling yourself to learn what else the Internet knows about you. Then start unplugging from places you don't want to be.
It may take time to reduce your imprint, but for the average Joe and Jane, not too long. After all, a carnival doesn't want bystanders, it wants big spenders. Save your ticket money for the attractions you like best, not what others want you to see and do.
Get off the hackers' radar
As mentioned earlier if you head towards the down low you'll also reduce your visibility to hackers, which will lessen your anxiety and make life more fun, whether online or off. In the long run, that's a better high than any carnival can provide.
Here's a related article with step-by-step guidance on removing yourself from high profile sites:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/remove-delete-yourself-from-the-internet
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
We all have the physical identity we present with our bodies and attire when we interact with others. There's another kind of identity we in 21st century possess as well: the one we create online. It's a composite of our social networking accounts, our email accounts, our memberships with various online services, etc. The more accounts we have, the more data and detailed "personality" we create for ourselves, and hence a unique online identity.
Carnival junkies
We have only ourselves to blame as we fall victim to the dizzy carnival-like playground we call the Internet. We get dazzled by the bright lights, the colors, the clamor, the intense energy, and so what do we naturally do? We buzz like moths near the flame. It's instructive to get our wings singed a few times to help wake us up - in this case to the risk of being hyper-exposed online, to growing an overinflated online persona. The more exposed you are, the easier it is for hackers to target you.
Zap the unwanted accounts
The good news is the online identity that we have wittingly or semi-consciously created for ourselves can also be dismantled by us, the owner of the identity. We have the power to close our accounts at any time. Goodbye Facebook! Sayonara AOL! Adios newsletter subscriptions! There are consequences and trade-offs, but we can do it.
Withdrawal pains
The real challenge in downsizing one's online identity is the same any type of addict goes through when breaking free of that which usurps willpower: withdrawal pains. Physical pains are bad enough for drug addicts. But it's the emotional ones that linger, that haunt and torment, because the ego has to redefine its identity, which to any ego is an existential threat.
Google yourself
If you're up to the challenge of downsizing your online ego then besides scrapping any obvious and unwanted aspects of your persona try Googling yourself to learn what else the Internet knows about you. Then start unplugging from places you don't want to be.
It may take time to reduce your imprint, but for the average Joe and Jane, not too long. After all, a carnival doesn't want bystanders, it wants big spenders. Save your ticket money for the attractions you like best, not what others want you to see and do.
Get off the hackers' radar
As mentioned earlier if you head towards the down low you'll also reduce your visibility to hackers, which will lessen your anxiety and make life more fun, whether online or off. In the long run, that's a better high than any carnival can provide.
Here's a related article with step-by-step guidance on removing yourself from high profile sites:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/remove-delete-yourself-from-the-internet
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Safer Cell Phone Use for Kids
Safer Cell Phone Use for Kids
It's back to school time again. Ah the memories… some good, some bad. The worst for me was dealing with the jerks who wanted to ruin your day.
Well, nowadays those jerks aren't just at school. Yes, they can be near - or far, far away... anywhere there's internet service.
Cell phones with internet access put kids in touch not only with the bully down the hall, but also a sociopath in Eastern Europe, or a creepy adult in town.
Have "the Talk"
Yes, cell phones are a great way for parents to keep in touch with their children before, during, and after school. But it's important to have a conversation with kids about potential risks.
Tips from the FBI
Here are six tips offered by the FBI to help keep your child safe on his or her cell phone. And for readers without kids, some of these tips apply equally to you. We're all more vulnerable online if we're not proactive about security and privacy.
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
It's back to school time again. Ah the memories… some good, some bad. The worst for me was dealing with the jerks who wanted to ruin your day.
Well, nowadays those jerks aren't just at school. Yes, they can be near - or far, far away... anywhere there's internet service.
Cell phones with internet access put kids in touch not only with the bully down the hall, but also a sociopath in Eastern Europe, or a creepy adult in town.
Have "the Talk"
Yes, cell phones are a great way for parents to keep in touch with their children before, during, and after school. But it's important to have a conversation with kids about potential risks.
Tips from the FBI
Here are six tips offered by the FBI to help keep your child safe on his or her cell phone. And for readers without kids, some of these tips apply equally to you. We're all more vulnerable online if we're not proactive about security and privacy.
- Parents should know every password to every device, and every password to every app on that device. Parents pay the bill, and as long as that child is a minor, he or she is your responsibility. You should be able to login to all devices, sites, and services to check for safety issues.
- Check all accounts for disturbing content. You and your kids should have a non-negotiable understanding that your access is a requirement for continued cell phone use.
- Learn about how photos are geotagged. Do you want just anybody to know what school your child goes to or what field his team uses for soccer practice? You should be able to turn this feature off in settings. Here's a related link for changing geotagging settings for iPhone and iPads:
https://www.techbout.com/turn-off-geotagging-for-photos-iphone-ipad-8738/ - Teach your kids to never respond to calls, texts, or emails from unknown numbers or people. Scam artists and predators will victimize anyone, regardless of age.
- Talk to your kids about what constitutes appropriate language and photos. One sexually explicit photo can change a life forever. It is crucial that your kids understand that just because something starts out as a private communication between two people does not mean that it can't be shared with thousands of people in seconds.
- Teach your children to program the privacy settings on social media feeds to the highest level and to reject any "friend requests" from those they don't know and trust in a face-to-face relationship. Parents should also consider forbidding any new "friend requests" by their kids, without parent approval. Here's a link with info on Facebook privacy settings:
https://www.facebook.com/help/325807937506242/
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
Monday, May 15, 2017
Get Your Guard Up! We're in the Data Surveillance Age
Get Your Guard Up! We're in the Data Surveillance Age
Remember back in the day when we were worried about Big Brother government's intrusiveness into our personal affairs? Well nothing's changed. We know this, thanks in part to Edward Snowden's heroic disclosures. It's just been made much easier to tap us because of our online lifestyles.
In my opinion, though, as for spying and privacy violations, the average citizen has more to worry from the private sector. (Unless of course you're Muslim, affiliated with one of our enemies du jour, or cross swords with government policies.)
Your browsing habits are now for sale
Case in point: If you've been following the news, President Trump signed a bill in April that permits ISPs (Internet service providers), like Oceanic Time Warner and Hawaiian Telcom, to sell your browsing habits to marketers. This is akin to your phone service provider listening to your phone conversations, then selling those transcriptions to telemarketers.
Here are some tips to protect your privacy in this age of exploitation and plunder of personal data.
Use a VPN
If you don't want ISPs or others (like governments or hackers) to examine the details of your Internet usage, you can surf anonymously by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. Of course, you have to trust the VPN provider. Here's one site that recently reviewed VPN services: https://goo.gl/jVqcrB. (I'm currently test-driving a VPN service called NordVPN.)
Here 10 reasons to hide your IP with a VPN: https://goo.gl/n39uE9
Use HTTPS Everywhere
This browser extension is provided freely by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. When installed, it forces encrypted connections to https (encrypted) websites you visit, and when fully enabled, will block all unencrypted requests. You can read about this tool and get it here: https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
Disable Third-party cookies
Be aware cookies are little pieces of data sent by a website and stored in your browser. Third-party cookies are cookies placed in your browser by a website other than the one you're visiting. This occurs when you visit a website and their advertiser(s) set a cookie, which allows that advertiser to track your visits to other websites. Here's a link explaining how to block third-party cookies. https://goo.gl/PnAXt3
Read provider privacy and data use policies
Do this for any service you use, including Google, Facebook, travel booking services, your ISP, etc. They all BADLY want to know as much about you as possible so they and/or their partners can get you to open your wallet and spend, spend, spend! As an example, here's what Google does with their users' data: https://goo.gl/LPEHv2
Of course whatever measures we take to shield our privacy will be met with countermeasures. There's too much money at stake to expect otherwise. So if data privacy is important to you, you've got to stay current with protection measures.
Wishing you an inconspicuous day in cyberspace!
Thanks for reading.
Remember back in the day when we were worried about Big Brother government's intrusiveness into our personal affairs? Well nothing's changed. We know this, thanks in part to Edward Snowden's heroic disclosures. It's just been made much easier to tap us because of our online lifestyles.
In my opinion, though, as for spying and privacy violations, the average citizen has more to worry from the private sector. (Unless of course you're Muslim, affiliated with one of our enemies du jour, or cross swords with government policies.)
Your browsing habits are now for sale
Case in point: If you've been following the news, President Trump signed a bill in April that permits ISPs (Internet service providers), like Oceanic Time Warner and Hawaiian Telcom, to sell your browsing habits to marketers. This is akin to your phone service provider listening to your phone conversations, then selling those transcriptions to telemarketers.
Here are some tips to protect your privacy in this age of exploitation and plunder of personal data.
Use a VPN
If you don't want ISPs or others (like governments or hackers) to examine the details of your Internet usage, you can surf anonymously by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. Of course, you have to trust the VPN provider. Here's one site that recently reviewed VPN services: https://goo.gl/jVqcrB. (I'm currently test-driving a VPN service called NordVPN.)
Here 10 reasons to hide your IP with a VPN: https://goo.gl/n39uE9
Use HTTPS Everywhere
This browser extension is provided freely by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. When installed, it forces encrypted connections to https (encrypted) websites you visit, and when fully enabled, will block all unencrypted requests. You can read about this tool and get it here: https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
Disable Third-party cookies
Be aware cookies are little pieces of data sent by a website and stored in your browser. Third-party cookies are cookies placed in your browser by a website other than the one you're visiting. This occurs when you visit a website and their advertiser(s) set a cookie, which allows that advertiser to track your visits to other websites. Here's a link explaining how to block third-party cookies. https://goo.gl/PnAXt3
Read provider privacy and data use policies
Do this for any service you use, including Google, Facebook, travel booking services, your ISP, etc. They all BADLY want to know as much about you as possible so they and/or their partners can get you to open your wallet and spend, spend, spend! As an example, here's what Google does with their users' data: https://goo.gl/LPEHv2
Of course whatever measures we take to shield our privacy will be met with countermeasures. There's too much money at stake to expect otherwise. So if data privacy is important to you, you've got to stay current with protection measures.
Wishing you an inconspicuous day in cyberspace!
Thanks for reading.
Sam
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Friday, July 15, 2016
Which Browser is Best?
Which Browser is Best?
I get asked this loaded question frequently. It's loaded because there is no one right answer, and because whichever one I propose will soon likely have some flaw reported that smears its good name.
So instead of pointing to one, I usually answer like a psychotherapist, tossing a question back: What do you use the browser for?
Because practically speaking, that's what matters most. For example, some of my clients found Internet Explorer worked best when viewing certain sites they liked. So there it is: use that browser for that purpose.
Here are some more specific tips:
Google Chrome
For users of Google's Gmail and Google Docs, I recommend Google Chrome. It seems to work best for that purpose.
Mozilla Firefox
For general browsing, I recommend Firefox. It's mostly stable and Mozilla is intent on keeping it as secure as possible.
Microsoft IE (Internet Explorer)
I have always found Internet Explorer kind of clunky; but that's just me. If it works well for you, then use it. It's pretty much built-in to Windows.
Microsoft Edge
This comes with Windows 10. It's sleeker than IE and many users report liking it once they get used to it.
Update and Refresh
The most important aspect of using any browser these days is keeping it updated. This provides protection against the known exploits that target a specific browser's weak points. You can also refresh/reset browsers when they get buggy. You may lose some of your customization afterwards, but the performance boost is worth it.
Minimize plug-in use
Another rule of thumb is to minimize the plug-ins you install in a browser, such as the Adobe Flash Player plug in. These are also exploited when not kept current. (I do recommend the Privacy Badger and HTTPS Everywhere plug-ins.)
A Brave new browser
Recently I've been test driving a new browser called Brave. It is a cleanly designed browser with easy-to use privacy and security settings.
Brave is open source and blocks online ads and other trackers. Unlike traditional browsers where ad-blocking takes place via a third-party add-on or extension, Brave’s browser has this technology built in, which should offer users more privacy and increased speed and performance.
Segmented browsing
My current approach to using browsers is to limit what I do with each one. As mentioned above, I use Chrome primarily for Gmail and Google Docs, and a few other business-only sites. I use Firefox for my personal email, calendar, and personal banking.
I use Edge and Explorer for some other personal Gmail accounts.
I use Brave for all other browsing, web research etc.
Why segment? For one, it keeps me focused on the kind of tasks I'm doing based on which browser I'm in. Chrome=work. IE=youtube watching. Brave=websurfing.
Also, if I visit a poisoned site which infects my browser, the damage may be limited to that browser, so I can sanitize the infection more easily. (A counter argument could pose that using several browsers enlarges the "attack surface" for malware and hackers, as having more software means more attention to keeping it current.)
A separate tablet or laptop
Another type of "segmenting" I recommend for professionals like doctors, lawyers, etc. is to dedicate one computer to work-related web use. Then use either a tablet or a small laptop, like a Chromebook, for personal websurfing and email while on the office network. The Chromebook is less likely to get infected or hacked due to its operating system, and even if it were, there would be minimal data on it. Plus it can easily be "power washed" to remove any infections.
Use what works best and is safest
With the rapid evolution of a variety of web services as well as rampant hacking and malware distribution, browser makers are hustling to keep pace by providing sound software products. We users just gotta keep up with what works best and is safest for our purposes. There's no one best solution.
I get asked this loaded question frequently. It's loaded because there is no one right answer, and because whichever one I propose will soon likely have some flaw reported that smears its good name.
So instead of pointing to one, I usually answer like a psychotherapist, tossing a question back: What do you use the browser for?
Because practically speaking, that's what matters most. For example, some of my clients found Internet Explorer worked best when viewing certain sites they liked. So there it is: use that browser for that purpose.
Here are some more specific tips:
Google Chrome
For users of Google's Gmail and Google Docs, I recommend Google Chrome. It seems to work best for that purpose.
Mozilla Firefox
For general browsing, I recommend Firefox. It's mostly stable and Mozilla is intent on keeping it as secure as possible.
Microsoft IE (Internet Explorer)
I have always found Internet Explorer kind of clunky; but that's just me. If it works well for you, then use it. It's pretty much built-in to Windows.
Microsoft Edge
This comes with Windows 10. It's sleeker than IE and many users report liking it once they get used to it.
Update and Refresh
The most important aspect of using any browser these days is keeping it updated. This provides protection against the known exploits that target a specific browser's weak points. You can also refresh/reset browsers when they get buggy. You may lose some of your customization afterwards, but the performance boost is worth it.
Minimize plug-in use
Another rule of thumb is to minimize the plug-ins you install in a browser, such as the Adobe Flash Player plug in. These are also exploited when not kept current. (I do recommend the Privacy Badger and HTTPS Everywhere plug-ins.)
A Brave new browser
Recently I've been test driving a new browser called Brave. It is a cleanly designed browser with easy-to use privacy and security settings.
Brave is open source and blocks online ads and other trackers. Unlike traditional browsers where ad-blocking takes place via a third-party add-on or extension, Brave’s browser has this technology built in, which should offer users more privacy and increased speed and performance.
Segmented browsing
My current approach to using browsers is to limit what I do with each one. As mentioned above, I use Chrome primarily for Gmail and Google Docs, and a few other business-only sites. I use Firefox for my personal email, calendar, and personal banking.
I use Edge and Explorer for some other personal Gmail accounts.
I use Brave for all other browsing, web research etc.
Why segment? For one, it keeps me focused on the kind of tasks I'm doing based on which browser I'm in. Chrome=work. IE=youtube watching. Brave=websurfing.
Also, if I visit a poisoned site which infects my browser, the damage may be limited to that browser, so I can sanitize the infection more easily. (A counter argument could pose that using several browsers enlarges the "attack surface" for malware and hackers, as having more software means more attention to keeping it current.)
A separate tablet or laptop
Another type of "segmenting" I recommend for professionals like doctors, lawyers, etc. is to dedicate one computer to work-related web use. Then use either a tablet or a small laptop, like a Chromebook, for personal websurfing and email while on the office network. The Chromebook is less likely to get infected or hacked due to its operating system, and even if it were, there would be minimal data on it. Plus it can easily be "power washed" to remove any infections.
Use what works best and is safest
With the rapid evolution of a variety of web services as well as rampant hacking and malware distribution, browser makers are hustling to keep pace by providing sound software products. We users just gotta keep up with what works best and is safest for our purposes. There's no one best solution.
Thanks for reading.
Sam
p.s. if you're hungry for more detailed info on the browsers mentioned in this article and the many others omitted, check this wikipedia link.
Sam
p.s. if you're hungry for more detailed info on the browsers mentioned in this article and the many others omitted, check this wikipedia link.
---
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Friday, March 11, 2016
GWX means Get Windows 10 - And Yes, You Still Have A Choice - Resistance Is Not Futile
GWX means Get Windows 10 - And Yes, You Still Have A Choice
Resistance Is Not Futile
Way back in June of last year I posted a piece titled "Windows 10 - Upgrade Optional, Can Wait And See." You can see it here.
The clock starts ticking
My post was written in midst of the buzz around Microsoft trumpeting the official release of their latest operating system - Windows 10 - and how they were graciously offering it as a free download to existing customers, beginning July 29, 2015. (You could upgrade as long as you were running Windows 7 or 8.1, that is.)
Many early adopters jumped on the bandwagon. Some had problems, some didn't. Some were impressed, some weren't. Most organizations wisely didn't bite the hook - they played the wait and see game. (This is mainly because they have much more to lose if new software doesn't play nice on their systems.)
Pushing the product
Microsoft has been pushing the Windows 10 upgrade pretty aggressively ever since that hallowed day last July. One of their main tactics to influence users is to run a little icon in the system tray at lower right, tempting one to install the upgrade.
Fiasco
One of my clients felt so pestered by this icon that she did the install. Sadly, it didn't go well. I had to spend hours afterwards making things right, including calling Microsoft tech support to get the upgrade to recognize her previous Windows license, which it should do seamlessly. What a fiasco! And it cost her money, i.e., my time.
On the other hand, after due consideration to hardware and software versions, and to appease the desires of certain clients, I've installed the Windows 10 upgrade on several computers, upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1, and haven't had any issues. This I've done on my home systems too - my version of beta testing.
Businesses, be careful
But again, for organizations, especially those which may have legacy (older) programs or equipment, the last thing they need is the headache of dealing with a post-Windows 10 upgrade snafu.
Blocking the upgrade
If you want to play it safe and prevent the pernicious little GWX (Get Windows 10) agent from harassing you, you can do this: Install a free program named GWX Control Panel. I've been successfully doing this for many of my business clients. (After all, we want do the upgrade on our terms, not because Microsoft is bugging us.) You can get this program here.
Privacy concerns
If, however, you do take the leap and upgrade to Windows 10, and you are satisfied with the upgrade (you can always roll back if not, at least for short period of time), I suggest you check out the default privacy settings. These are disconcerting to me, because they give too much information and control Microsoft and its bevy of installed apps. I suggest you turn off all the privacy slider bars that concern you.
If, however, you do take the leap and upgrade to Windows 10, and you are satisfied with the upgrade (you can always roll back if not, at least for short period of time), I suggest you check out the default privacy settings. These are disconcerting to me, because they give too much information and control Microsoft and its bevy of installed apps. I suggest you turn off all the privacy slider bars that concern you.
To see the privacy settings in Windows 10, click the Start button, then PC Settings, then Privacy. You can go item by item and turn off whatever you don't feel comfortable giving Windows access too. If you turn off anything that disables another program, such as Skype, you can always turn it back on. I have turned off everything with no ill effect.
Upgrade deadline
A last word: The latest news is that Microsoft is providing the Windows 10 upgrade for free until July, 29, 2016. If you want to upgrade after then, you may have purchase Windows 10 from the Windows Store, likely for over $100.
My suspicion is that Microsoft will somehow extend the free offer. They really want the entire Milky Way Galaxy to migrate to Windows 10 so they can better monitor people's computers and "provide what consumers want" from the "mother ship" in Redmond. Those privacy settings mentioned above have a lot to do with revenue streams collected from being in "close" (i.e. creepy) partnership with you as long as you are online.
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Thanks for reading.
SamThursday, October 15, 2015
Add-ons for Firefox
In this post I recommend three add-ons to my favorite web browser, Mozilla Firefox. (Why my favorite? It's produced by a non-profit company; it's open source; and it's mostly secure, fast, and very customizable.)
So, what's an add-on? It's a mini program, also called an extension, that you download and "add-on" to Firefox for more functionality. (Before you try any of the add-ons suggested below, be sure to update Firefox first, getting the latest version. If you don't have Firefox, you can get it here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US)
Here are three add-ons to try:
1. uBlock Origin. Are you tired of obnoxious pop-up ads interfering with your web browsing experience? Then try this add-on. There are plenty of customizations available with this extension, but installed as is, it should provide a more streamlined browsing experience. After installing it, watch the icon in the browser bar at upper right as uBlock Origin counts the ads it blocks. This add-on was created by Raymond Hill.
Here's one good reason to install an ad pop-up blocker: some ad networks have been (inadvertently) serving malware. This means if you visit a page that displays an infected ad, your computer may become infected too, without your having to click or download anything. Sadly, that's the state of our Internet.
2. Privacy Badger. This add-on is produced by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), of which I'm a member. Privacy Badger automatically blocks spying ads and invisible trackers as you browse the web. It's there to ensure that companies can't track your browsing without your consent.
After you install Privacy Badger you can click the icon for this add-on at the upper right of your browser bar. Then you will see one of three states for each tracker: Red means block the tracker; Yellow means Privacy Badger won't send cookies or referrers to the tracker; Green means unblocked. You can click on this same Privacy Badger icon if you'd like to override the automatic blocking settings.
3. HTTPS Everywhere. HTTPS is an abbreviation for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. It's the Internet standard for encrypting data transfer on websites, such as banking and e-commerce sites, and increasingly a variety of sites that want to honor user privacy and security. (Another Internet-wide movement in the wake of Edward Snowden's government spying revelations.)
Many sites on the web offer some limited support for encryption over HTTPS but make it difficult to use. For instance, they may default to unencrypted HTTP, or fill encrypted pages with links that go back to the unencrypted site. The HTTPS Everywhere extension fixes these problems by rewriting all requests to these sites to HTTPS. This add-on is also produced by the EFF.
To find these three or other Firefox add-ons, please visit this website: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox. At upper right on this page you'll find a search box. Type in the name of the add-on you'd like to try, find it, then install it.
Wishing you safe and secure computing.
If you haven't already, you can subscribe to our email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send.
Sam
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