Understanding Your Web Browser Part II

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

Make Patching a Priority

Make Patching a Priority

There are three things I recommend you do to keep your devices and software better protected from online attacks. 

1. Update
2. Update
3. Update
 
Yes, no joke. 

Don't Get Exploited
A top priority of hackers is to exploit known vulnerabilities in software and hardware devices. Software vendors like Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, etc. and hardware manufacturers like Cisco, Netgear, Linksys, etc. release updates a.k.a. patches to fix security holes and bugs. Microsoft, for example, releases patches on a regular schedule for Windows - the second Tuesday of each month. That day is called "Patch Tuesday" in the industry.
 
Updates for Mobile Devices
On our mobile devices, updates should be notifying you, or automatically updating if you have the auto-update feature enabled. 

Be Proactive on Your Computers
On your computers you will get notifications for updates to programs such as Adobe Reader, web browsers, security software, iTunes, etc. However, not all programs notify you. So it's up to you to be proactive. Check in a program's menus for the command to check for updates. This is often under the Help menu.  

Patching the Internet of Things (IoT)
As I alluded, it's not just software that needs patching; hardware devices like routers do as well, as do printers, watches, X-boxes, smart-TVs, Internet-connected cameras, etc. Any device connected to the Internet, or which can connect to it in order to download data or programming, such as medical devices (which aren't always online), is part of the "Internet of Things", or IoT. Almost every IoT device can and should be patched when the fixes are released. 
 
When in Doubt, Get Help
So, as laborious as it seems, and can be, do NOT ignore the update notices of software you trust, and notices for your IoT devices. If you are ever in doubt, ask a trusted IT guy/gal or local store, or check the vendor's website directly, such as hp.com, adobe.com, etc. Don't just Google "update my such and such". That's risky, because there are bogus sites out there that will infect your system or scam you.
 
Updates Change Features
Here's one caveat to installing updates, especially on Apple devices: Updates can change the appearance, features, and security requirements of the system. Apple, like all vendors, will implement changes per their discretion, which is not always pleasing to the end user. 

Older, Incompatible Systems
Also, some older hardware and operating systems won't accept the latest software updates; they are no longer compatible with the latest release. Ultimately, this can translate into a vulnerability for a system with known issues, like old versions of Windows, which can't be patched. It's best to keep such computers offline, or replace them. Otherwise, each is a honey pot for a hacker.   

Thanks for reading!
-Sam

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Update Your Router To Boost Security

Update Your Router To Boost Security

You know those movies depicting the days of yore when the royals lived in a castle? Such a flick wouldn't seem authentic without a scene of people passing through the castle gates, complete with a drawbridge and a moat. Given such castles were built of solid, high walls, it's implied there was no way in or out except through the gate. 

Your modem is the castle gate
In the kingdom of the Internet, as far as homes and small businesses are concerned, there's only one way in and out, only one castle gate: the modem. On Hawaii Island, the modems are provided by Hawaiian Telcom, Spectrum, satellite internet providers, or cell providers like AT&T and Verizon. 

So the modem is THE conduit to the Internet. No modem, no Internet. (Here I'm limiting the scope to not include connecting on a cell phone to the Internet via a cellular data plan.)


Modem/router
Some of these modems are actually a modem/router combo. The router component is what allows multiple users to connect through one modem via a wired or wireless connection. Some folks have a modem from the telco provider and a router they bought off the shelf, like a Linksys or Netgear brand.

Castle gate, but no protection
Now here my catle gate analogy breaks down a little, becuase a modem by itself affords virtually no protection against Internet crooks. It's actually the router that provides gate keeping. The basic protection a router affords is a firewall, but there are other security features like WiFi encryption, etc. 

I highly recommend not connecting a computer to the Internet directly via a modem, even if you have only one computer. Install a router between your computer and the modem.  
Hacking Targets
Given that we depend on our routers for security, it's very important to know they are regularly the target of hacking. Cybercrooks are constantly on the lookout for router vulnerabilities. The cheaper and older a router is, the less likely the manufacturer is to "patch" it, which means to keep the software up-to-date against known threats. 

How to secure your router
What can you do to keep your router as secure as possible? There are several things, but one of the most important and oft-neglected is to update the firmware (the router software). The most common way to do this is login to your router via the router's IP address in a web browser, then locate the update option. Note: Only do this when you can afford for the router to be shut down, because the firmware update will reboot the device. You can check for specific firmware instructions on the vendor's site for your router, such as linksys.com or netgear.com, etc.

Additionally, if your router is older than two years, I suggest replacing it. A router's performance decreases over time; and as mentioned, security can be compromised if vendors don't keep patching the defects.
 
Get some help
Be sure to get some help configuring a new router, because out of the box it's not optimally secure. If the router is provided by your telco, they will upgrade you to the latest model for free. 
 

Here's another article with more info and tips on this subject:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-upgrade-your-wireless-routers-firmware-2487671

Thanks for reading!
-Sam

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Update or Remove Java - the Only Safe Options

Update or Remove Java - the Only Safe Options 

Oracle has released security updates to address vulnerability in Java SE versions 6, 7, and 8 for Windows. 

Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.

Before worrying about an update, however, consider this: If you don't need Java, you can uninstall it. Usually you would only need it for a gaming program or online database that requires Java. 

If you determine you don't need it, open the Control Panel, then Programs and Features, then locate all versions of Java on the list; uninstall each. Then close all open programs and reboot your computer. 

If you do need Java, you should only need the most current version, unless otherwise indicated by your specific software program that requires it. You can remove all unneeded versions as explained above. 

To check if Java is up to date on your system, visit the site below with Internet Explorer or Firefox, and then click the button: Verify Java version. Follow whatever prompts you receive. (The 32-bit Windows online version is fine for most applications. I recommend to not concurrently install third-party applications offered like Yahoo, McAfee etc.)

http://java.com/en/download/installed8.jsp

If you're curious to learn about Java, check this link:

http://java.com/en/download/faq/whatis_java.xml

This may all seem a bit of a hassle, but if you want to keep your computer as secure as possible, either remove Java or keep it updated. This pretty much applies to every program on your computer, whether Windows or Mac, smartphones, tablets, etc.

A good rule of thumb proposed by Brian Krebs, author of the book Spam Nation, is this: 1)If you didn’t go looking for it [software available online for download], don’t install it; 2)if you do want it, keep it updated; 3)if you no longer want it, remove it.

Please feel free to forward this tip to friends, family, colleagues, and others.  

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.

Thanks for reading, 

Sam

Microsoft Windows Updates - December 9, 2015

Installing Microsoft Windows Updates

As part of its monthly "Patch Tuesday" program Microsoft yesterday released 12 updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. 

Per Microsoft, exploitation of some of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.

I recommend you close all open programs and check for Windows Updates, then install them. 

You should be notified to reboot your computer so the updates can be installed. 

I recommend checking for updates a second time just after the first batch is installed to ensure you have acquired all the updates. 

Here's how to install updates in Windows 7:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-windows-updates

Here's how in Windows 8:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-update-faq

Here are update settings for Windows 10:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/getstarted-choose-how-updates-are-installed

And while you're in update mode, I suggest updating your security software as well (AVG, Norton, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes... whichever you use. And remember to run a full security scan weekly.)

Don't forget to update your browsers too: Firefox, Chrome, Opera etc. 

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. 

Thanks for reading, 

Sam

Update Your Firefox Plugins

Update Your Firefox Plugins

If you're a Mozilla Firefox browser user, like me, be sure to regularly check if you have the latest plugins. 

Plugins are third-party browser add-ons, like Adobe Flash Player, which provide additional features. 

To check the plugin status in Firefox, do this:

1. Open Firefox
2. Click the three horizontal bars at upper right
3. Click the Add-ons icon
4. In the next window, at left, click the Plugins icon
5. At the top of this window, click the link "Check to see if your plugins are up to date"

Firefox will now check for you, then notify you what is and is not current. I recommend updating any plugin that's not current. It's a security risk to not do so.

When finished updating your plugins, close Firefox, then re-open it, and check the plugins again, just to be sure you got all the updates. 

Thanks for reading. Your feedback is appreciated!

Aloha, Sam

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Google Chrome Browser Security Update - 43.0.2357.65

Google has released another update to its Chrome browser, now version 43.0.2357.65.

This update applies to Windows, Mac, and Linux to address multiple vulnerabilities. 

Per Google, exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities may allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.

I recommend updating Google Chrome if you have it.

To update the browser: 

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click at upper right on the three horizontal bars.
3. Click Help, About Google Chrome near the bottom.
4. Chrome will then check for updates and install if any.

While you're in the update mode, I suggest you check for OS (Operating System) updates for Windows, Mac, or Linux, whichever you are running (on all computers you own); and update your AV (Anti Virus) software.

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Adobe Acrobat Reader Security Update - 11.0.10

Adobe has released a new security update for Acrobat Reader, now version 11.0.10

I recommend that you install it. 

Before doing so, close all open programs and save your work, as you may be prompted to restart the computer when the update installation is completed. 

You can check if your version of Adobe Reader is current by opening the program. 

Then click the Help menu at upper right. 

Then click Check for Updates. 

Adobe will check for updates, and download if needed. Note: You'll see the Updater at lower right of your screen. 

Once the Updater has downloaded the updates, click the Updater icon to install, then follow the prompts. 

You may be prompted to click Restart Now to complete the procedure. This will restart your computer. 

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Adobe Flash Player Security Update - 17.0.0.188

Adobe has released a new security update for Flash Player, version 17.0.0.188.

I recommend you install it. 

You can check if your Flash is current on the site listed just below. (Do so in each of your browsers, i.e., Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. Note: if you update Google Chrome, it includes the latest Flash version.)

Check your Flash version:

http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about

If you need to update, here's a link to Flash on Adobe's site:

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions

Again, be sure to install Flash per the version needed for each of your browsers.  

And very important, now and forever: Don't download Adobe Flash Player from any other site except the adobe domain (adobe.com)

Last, when updating Adobe products don't install any optional offers, such as McAfee. Just uncheck the box and proceed to download and install Flash, or Reader, etc. 

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Mozilla Firefox Browser Security Update - 38.0.1

Mozilla has issued another security update for its Firefox browser. 

I recommend you install the update. 

To do this, open Firefox. Then at upper right, click the three horizontal bars. At the bottom of that menu click the ? symbol (help). 

In the next window click About Firefox. The browser will check if it's up to date. If not, it will download updates and prompt you to install. 

Then Firefox will restart and be current (version 38.0.1). To verify, you can follow the above steps again. 

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Mozilla Firefox Browser Security Update - 37.0.2

Mozilla has issued another security update for its Firefox browser. 

I recommend you install the update. 

To do this, open Firefox. Then at upper right, click the three horizontal bars. At the bottom of that menu click the ? symbol (help). 

In the next window click About Firefox. The browser will check if it's up to date. If not, it will download updates and prompt you to install. 

Then Firefox will restart and be current (version 37.0.2). To verify, you can follow the above steps again. 

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Adobe Flash Player Security Update - 17.0.0.169

Adobe has released a new security update for Flash Player, version 17.0.0.169.

I recommend you install it. 

You can check if your Flash is current on the site listed just below. (Do so in each of your browsers, i.e., Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. Note: if you update Google Chrome, it includes the latest Flash version.)

Check your Flash version:

http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about

If you need to update, here's a link to Flash on Adobe's site:

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions

Again, be sure to install Flash per the version needed for each of your browsers.  

And very important, now and forever: Don't download Adobe Flash Player from any other site except the adobe domain (adobe.com)

Last, when updating Adobe products don't install any optional offers, such as McAfee. Just uncheck the box and proceed to download and install Flash, or Reader, etc. 

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Mozilla Firefox Browser Security Update - 37.0.1

Mozilla issued a security update for its Firefox browser. 

I recommend you install the update. 

To do this, open Firefox. Then at upper right, click the three horizontal bars. At the bottom of that menu click the ? symbol (help). 

In the next window click About Firefox. The browser will check if it's up to date. If not, it will download updates and prompt you to install. 

Then Firefox will restart and be current (version 37.0.1). To verify, you can follow the above steps again. 

You can subscribe to email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send.