December 22, 2021 By yclmanager5

Back Up Your Files NOW!

Here’s the rule of thumb for when and where to back up data.

The more important the information

The more often you should back up and

The more distant those back up files should be.

I back up my QuickBooks data every 2 days and every time I do a lot of input. I don’t want to re-build or re-do a lot of entries. So the time it takes to do the back up is a savings compared to the frustration and time required to re-do the work.

If YCL does more than 1 hour of input on a website, we back up the site immediately. No need to risk losing that work!

Really important information like a password list, payroll records, client info, photos of grandchildren, etc. should be in 2 or 3 different places. Maybe a copy on a thumb drive in your office. A copy on Dropbox. A copy on iDrive.

If the thumb drive gets corrupted, you can pull from Dropbox or iDrive. If Dropbox crashes, you can pull from the thumb drive or iDrive.

Yes, even files stored on the cloud should have back ups!

Case in point, I store all of my passwords with LastPass. It’s a great software that I’ve recommended to many of you. A month ago CenturyLink had a nation-wide system disruption that affected the LastPass servers. I couldn’t log in!! The info was still there but I couldn’t get to it. Now I am exporting the passwords once a month and storing them in Dropbox.

I highly recommend that at least one of your back ups be automated. Sync everything with Dropbox. Use iDrive. Buy an external hard drive with back up software. Automating the process will save you time and give you protection even on those super busy days where little tasks get missed.

You can set up Dropbox to automatically sync files from your computer. You can use iDrive or Google Drive to schedule back ups.

Don’t wait for a disaster to happen. Plan and implement your system now for peace of mind.

April 7, 2021 By yclmanager5

Smart Phone Use

Here is an excellent article about steps YOU can take to control your phone usage. It cites studies about improved relationships, mood, mental health.

Click here to read the article.

October 27, 2020 By yclmanager5

Common Ways Attackers Are Stealing Your Password

Today passwords are a part of our everyday life. It is critical to protect our information from getting into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, a weak password is a weak defense against hackers. Here are a few ways hackers are trying to get a hold of your information and how you can help stop them.

1: Credential Stuffing

This happens when an attacker already has your login info – typically from a data breach at a large company like Target, Bank of America, etc. who store credit card and login info for their clients. They will log in as you and impersonate you to make changes on your account. If you have used the same password on different accounts, they now have access to all of them. Your best defense is to make sure you have strong passwords and different passwords for every site.

Read how to use a password pattern.

2: Password Cracking Techniques

These are techniques that attackers use to “guess” passwords to accounts. They have algorithms that can crack a weak password. The best way to prevent this is to make sure you have strong passwords that aren’t repeated for logins to other sites. Use a mixture of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and characters. Never use names or real words. Not even your favorite cat’s name!

3: Shoulder Surfing

Shoulder surfing is when someone around you watches to see the private information you type on your keyboard or on your screen from over your shoulder. It can happen at the grocery store or the ATM. We have to be aware of our surroundings whenever we are typing in sensitive information in a public place.

4: Social Engineering

This is when someone tries to get you to reveal sensitive information by pretending to have clearance for it. If a customer service agent is calling you and wanting to verify your credentials, make sure you verify them first! Never give passwords or private info to strangers no matter who they claim to be.

Microsoft, Google, the IRS, Dell will never call you. Never.

5: Phishing

Phishing is similar to social engineering but it’s more specific to email. Hackers will create an email looking like it’s from a legitimate source prompting you to type in information. If you are ever questioning the legitimacy of an email, call the person sending the email. If it’s a large corporation, open a new browser window and log in directly from their website. Never click the links in the email to log in.

6: Wireless Sniffing

This happens when a hacker collects data that is being sent between your computer and someone’s server. If a site isn’t using a TLS/SSL Certificate, the information being sent isn’t secure. You should see a closed padlock symbol on the left end of the site’s address telling you it is a secure site. If the padlock isn’t there, don’t give them any information! Not even your email.

7: Man-in-the-Middle Attack
This is similar to wireless sniffing but the information continues on to the server and back to your computer while the “man in the middle” is observing it. Once again, your best protection is to make sure the sites you visit have an updated TLS/SSL certificate. If you are using the Chrome browser, Google will alert you as to when a site’s certificate is bad and if it does you shouldn’t input any information.

Your Computer Lady recommends Last Pass as a storage vault for passwords and private data. Visit their website.

The information for this article was found here.

July 27, 2020 By yclmanager5

Zoom Apnea

It’s a real thing! Zoom apnea. Read about it and STOP it!

Click here to read the article!

July 13, 2020 By yclmanager5

Zoom Room Exhaustion is Real

I have felt it myself and talked to several people experiencing total exhaustion after a day of sitting in front of the computer in a series of Zoom meetings. How can sitting be soooo hard?! Here is a good explanation of what is happening and some tips to prevent it.

June 29, 2020 By yclmanager5

Clean House

Get rid of your old electronics and eliminate some clutter.

Decluttr.com	Phones, gaming consoles, video games, tablets, Apple and Samsung wearables, MacBooks, CDs, DVDs
Gazelle.com	Phones, tablets, iPods, Apple computers
Amazon.com	In-store credit for phones, Kindles, gaming consoles, smart speakers, media players, tablets
BestBuy.com	In-store credit for phones, tablets, MP3 players, video games, gaming consoles, Apple computers, PC computers, cameras, wearables, TVs
Target.com	Phones, tablets, gaming consoles, wearables, smart speakers
Walmart.com	Phones, tablets, all types eReaders, gaming consoles, smart speakers, MP3 players

Visit their websites for details or call for assistance.

Donate

CellPhonesForSoldiers.com – accepts all types of cell phones and accessories, tablets, MP3 players. You can also buy pre-paid minutes for active and recently returned service members.

Too old for re-use

Staples.com will take any electronic and recycle

AZStRUT.org (Mesa) will take any electronics, accessories, cables, etc. etc. They re-use what they can and recycle the rest.

June 24, 2020 By yclmanager5

PayPal

PayPal has a new “Smart” button to use on your website. It offers PayPal, Venmo, major credit cards in one easy click. Much easier for your clients! There are other options you should check out too.

April 15, 2020 By yclmanager5

Let’s Meet Remotely!

Business Can Continue With Online Meetings!

Your Computer Lady was an early adopter of online meetings. It’s often my preferred method of meeting for its simplicity and time-savings.

But with COVID-19, online becomes more important. You can keep your business functioning in many ways with online meetings.

Yes, you can email but using video calls or online meetings allows easier, more clear communications.

What’s App

This is an app for iPhone or Android that allows chat as well as video calls. I work with a programmer in Germany and we meet 2-3 times a week via video. After you download the app, you place a video call just like you would a phone call. Apple provides a similar service called FaceTime. (What’s App is free!)

Zoom or GoToMeeting

Online meetings give you video, chat, screen sharing with 1 or 1000 people. There are free accounts with limited features and more robust plans that have monthly fees.

Your Computer Lady can help.

You can use my account for a one time meeting.
I’ll help you set up your own account.
I’ll be your tech support during a meeting.
I’ll train you to use the meeting service.

We are all going to need to make changes and adjustments during this crisis. But there’s no need to panic. We can do business! We can find work-arounds and hacks to make it happen.

Call me if you have questions or need assistance.

PS – You can use the same online meetings to stay in touch with family and friends. If you can’t do an in-person visit, jump online. Share those smiles!

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