The Need for Smartphone Security

Introduction

With rapid breakthroughs in smartphone technology, it is safe to claim that smartphones have replaced computers and laptops as the number one preference around the world when it comes to internet access. However, increased use of smartphone devices has also increased their susceptibility to security risks as their popularity has gained users the attention of a horde of cybercriminals.

A security breach can subject smartphones to an array of problems such as identity theft, stolen passwords or compromise of sensitive personal information. Once cybercriminals have managed to gain unrestricted access to a smartphone, they literally have a carte blanche to wreak havoc.

Therefore, adoption of stringent smartphone security measures has become the necessity of the day.

Here are some important steps that can help internet users prevent their smartphones from being breached by predatory cybercriminals:

User-access Security

All leading smartphones have integrated options that allow users to set passwords on their device as well as the SIM. Unfortunately, most people are discouraged to make effective use of these simply because they need faster access to stored data. The need to set passwords on smartphone devices cannot be emphasized enough as password protection offers comprehensive security against snoopers. Smartphone manufacturers also advise users to change passwords frequently for optimum protection.

WLAN security

Keeping the smartphone Bluetooth or Wi-Fi switched ON for indefinite periods is common these days because of the many hotspots that have popped up around every corner. However, users should exercise caution when in public Wi-Fi hotspots as they subject smartphones to security risks; hackers, spammers and identity thieves are on the prowl in such spots. Switching OFF data transfer mediums such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth effectively eliminates the likelihood of a security breach.

Control location

Oblivious to many smartphone users, there are certain software programs that, once installed serve as geo-taggers, constantly sharing the geographical coordinates of a smartphone user with a third party. For those individuals who do not require a movement profile to be created, it is better to keep the use of integrated GPS function to a minimum. The GPS function can be reactivated in times of emergency when it is absolutely necessary. For added protection, installation of such software that demands access to an individual’s location information for no obvious reason should be avoided.

Trusted Apps Stores

Owing to the popularity of online application stores and smartphone software websites, the presence of software that compromise security or have unrestricted access to sensitive data have become more common. Doing thorough research on the internet for particular software before buying it is highly advisable as it provides users with essential information on the software and manufacturer. This can save them from imminent threats. It also helps to search for comments and testimonials of existing application users.

Install security updates

It is essential to keep smartphone software up-to-date as it generally arms the device with a range of the latest security tools. Many smartphone manufacturers also offer device blocking programs remote data-wipe features that can be upgraded with the installation of newer applications.

Erik Dreyer-Goldman is the owner of Ask Erik Computer Services in Seal Beach.

Your privacy is under attack!Every time you use a regular search engine, your search data is recorded. Major search engines capture your IP address and use tracking cookies to make a record of your search terms, the time of your visit, and the links you choose – then they store that information in a giant database.

Those searches reveal a shocking amount of personal information about you, such as your interests, family circumstances, political leanings, medical conditions, and more. This information is modern-day gold for marketers, government officials, hackers and criminals – all of whom would love to get their hands on your private search data.

Why should you worry?
Major search engines have quietly amassed the largest database of personal information on individuals ever collected. Unfortunately, this data can all too easily fall into the wrong hands. Consider the following story:

In August 2006, the online world was jarred when AOL accidentally released three months’ worth of aggregated search data from 650,000 of its users, publishing all the details in an online database.
That database is still searchable. It is an absolute eye-opener to see the potential for privacy nightmares.
—>Enter a query and find who searched for it
—>Then click on a “User ID” to find what else this user searched for

Shocked? You are not alone.
When we search, we share our most private thoughts with our computers.
These private thoughts should be safe.

Startpage’s position:
You have a right to privacy.
Your search data should never fall into the wrong hands.
The only real solution is quickly deleting your data or not storing them to begin with.
Since January 2009 we do not record our users’ IP addresses anymore.
We are the first and only search engine to do so.
Our initiative is receiving an overwhelmingly positive response!

Call today 562-212-2366 and say you want the Patch tune-up discount. Normally $150. With Patch.com discount $99

This week they’ve started to imitate Microsoft Update.

The page is nearly an exact replica of the real Microsoft Update page with one major exception… It only comes up when surfing from Firefox on Windows. The real Microsoft Update requires Internet Explorer.

The same site was also hosting the traditional Windows XP explorer scanner we have seen for years, as well as a new Windows 7 scanner.

Similar to spam messages that have corrected their grammar and use correct imagery and CSS, the attackers selling fake anti-virus are getting more professional.

They use high quality graphics and are using information from our UserAgent strings that are sent by the browser to customize your malware experience.

Just like visiting your bank you should only trust security alerts in your browser if you initiated a check with Microsoft, Adobe, Sophos or any other vendor for updates to their software.

Computer keyboard shortcuts are designed to save you valuable time and productivity. Yet, many computer users opt to stick to long-form commands, because they are afraid it will take too long to memorize shortcut combinations.

The truth is, memorizing shortcut commands is easy and will eliminate unnecessary steps. Your hand muscles and cartidge will not have to work as hard and you will free up more time than you may think.

In this month’s newsletter, we’ve decided to feature our list of the top 10 keyboard shortcut commands we believe will be the most useful to you:

Ctrl + F
This command opens the Find function in any program you are using. This includes your Internet browser as well to find text on a page.

Alt + Tab or Alt + Esc
This command quickly switches between open programs moving forward. Pressing Ctrl + Tab will switch between tabs in a program. Adding the Shift key to Alt + Tab or Ctrl + Tab will move backwards.

If you are using Windows Vista or 7, you can press the Windows Key + Tab to switch through open programs in a full screenshot of the Window.

Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert
This command copy’s the highlighted text or selected item.

Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert
Use this command to paste the text you’ve copied from the clipboard to the spot your cursor is resting.

Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y
This command will undo any change you’ve just made. For example, if you paste text, pressing this command will undo that paste. Usually, you can press this command multiple times to continue to undo previous commands further and further back in the order they were performed. Pressing Ctrl + Y will redo the undo.

Ctrl + Left arrow / Right arrow
Use this command to move your cursor one word at a time instead of one character at a time. To highlight one word at a time, hold down Ctrl + Shift and then press the left or right arrow key to move one word at a time in that direction.

Ctrl + Backspace
Press this command to delete a full word at a time instead of a single character at a time.

Ctrl + P
This command will print the page you are currently viewing. This includes programs such as Microsoft Word and your Internet browsers.

Ctrl + Home / End
Use this command to move your cursor to the beginning or the end of your current document.

Page Up / Spacebar and Page Down / Spacebar
These commands will move your current document in either direction one full page at a time. When browsing the Internet, these commands will move your scrollbar one full page at a time in the direction you indicate.
These commands are easy to learn, and will save you a lot of time throughout your day. Every second that you waste in unnecessary steps adds up to minutes, hours, and days throughout the years you use your computer. Taking a few minutes to learn these commands now is well worth the investment for the long term.

As a fellow business owner, I understand the importance of maximizing profits and cutting costs to grow a company. That is why all of the business computer consulting services we offer are designed to help our client’s bottom line.

I decided to dedicate this month’s Business Computing Tip to other ways you can save money at the workplace to free up resources you can use in more useful places.

Consider these 7 tips the next time you are balancing your budget:

Migrating to laptop computers. Laptop computers consume approximately 90% less energy than standard desktop computers. Whenever possible, have your employees make the switch to laptops.

Printer ink alternatives. Are you paying retail prices for your printer ink? Refilling your used cartridges at places like Cartridge World, and buying recycled cartridges online can save you almost 50% off the suggested retail price.

Evaluate your phone systems and usage. It’s never too late to take a close look at your current phone plan and comparing your usage. Many times, business owners can reduce the number of lines they have or switch to an Internet-based phone system such as VoIP to reduce the costs of their bill.

Review your weekly spending. If you find yourself buying office supplies once a week, consider the benefits of buying in bulk once a month. Run a quick cost comparison to see how much you could save by simply re-arranging your buying procedures.

Hiring interns. Many colleges run a college credit program for internships. Simply contact the careers department and ask for information regarding their business partnership and intern programs. They are always on the lookout for opportunities for their students to work as interns in exchange for college credit.

Turn off the lights. Turning off the lights in unused areas in your office workspace can greatly reduce your monthly electric bill.

Leverage unused office space. If you have available space in your office that you do not actively use, consider subletting the space out. Sharing the rent and not paying for unused space are two great points to bring to the attention of your landlord.

First to explain, the motherboard is where all of hardware of the computer is connected to, including the USB ports. Sometimes the motherboard needs to be “rebooted” also because something can go wrong, i.e. all your USB ports suddenly stop working. The small microprocessor on the motherboard will reload the drivers and your USB ports should be back to recognizing all devices!

So first turn off your computer using Shut Down or pressing the power button and then UNPLUG it from the wall outlet. Let it sit for about a minute and then plug it back in.

Hope this helps someone fix that pesky “USB device not recognized” Windows error!

A few days after the advisory, security firm Sophos warned users of a website using the vulnerability to install malicious software on victims’ machines, and of possibly more exploits coming out soon. Users of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are advised to disable features within Help Center that allow administrators to remotely log onto their machines. For individual users, Microsoft has released a patch for the flaw.

Don’t know how to install the patch? Need help? Ask Erik! Of course our customers with Managed Services are automatically advised of these vulnerabilities, and patches are applied as soon as they are available. Contact us today to find our more.

Do you understand the risks of using WiFi hotspots? Make sure when you use a wireless network that you connect to a network that uses encryption such as WEP, WPA or using a VPN which gives you a secure tunnel over the internet. For more information contact Ask Erik Computer Services at 322 Main Street #3, Seal Beach, CA 90740