Technology – Page 12 – Intelligent-Ware.com the Blog

A Reminder: Login using Google, Facebook, LinkedIn or Microsoft

November 2, 2016

1:38 pm

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Many websites are offering alternative login methods. This is important since internet security must be our 110% focus these days. Why use them? Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Microsoft all offer 2-factor authentication meaning that if someone guesses, steals or cracks your password then they still can’t get in to your account without the second piece of authentication (e.g. SMS).

It also helps you from remembering all those individual passwords. I created a document and put all my password and sites on that, and I’m not so trusting of password software to depend on recording those. We have to face the fact that unless we unplug our computers from the internet we’re at one time or another going to be a victim.

Using multi-part authentication is a start and many of the newer programming languages offer the developer to use those technologies right out of the box. On the technical side, authentication tokens are passed back to the asking website from the 3rd party sites (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Microsoft), with a pass or fail, so no important login information is kept and in most cases you define what you want to share with the new site.

Thanks for reading. Remember if you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth area now through the end of 2015 we offer a complete virus removal and system clean up for only $75.00 per computer. Call today 972-571-4808.

-Thanks!!!

Windows 10 – Let it All Hang Out – Big Brother

by Dale

November 28, 2015

12:28 pm

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Technology

Security Settings, Windows 10

I recently got a new notebook that came pre-installed with Windows 10. I had heard that the new Windows 10 operating system included a lot of features that communicate my personal information to Microsoft, and when the installation screen came up to setup using “Express Settings” DON’T DO IT! Instead select “CUSTOM INSTALL”.

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After you select Custom, you’ll see the following page:

Make sure you read each item and select your appropriate response. I bet you’ll be surprised as I was about what information they use and collect. You’ll be glad you didn’t just select “Express settings”.

Here is Custom Settings Screen 2:

Once again, find your appropriate response to each question.

Depending on your answers there is one other setting you might want to also change (after setup is complete). If you decided to not “Send error and diagnostic information,” you really only turned it down from “Full” to “Enhanced.” To really reduce the amount of information sent to Microsoft, you need to go to the Start menu, select Settings, choose Privacy from the list of settings, and then go to the Feedback and Diagnostics section:

Choose “Basic” and that will set the information Microsoft gets to a minimum.

Remember if you live in the Dallas / Ft. Worth Area and have software or hardware issues I come with 20 years of FREE experience and most issues are just $75.00 plus parts when you mention you saw my blog. So give me a call 972-571-4808.

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Don’t trust that mobile alert text is from your bank!!

by Dale

November 10, 2014

11:06 pm

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Technology

Mobile Phones, Smishing, SMS, SPAM

I’ve set my bank up to send me mobile alerts when anything happens about my account. Most likely many of you have too. Well, I received a text alert the other day to call the bank and it included a number to call back.

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When I did I got a recorded voice that said to key in my 9 digit social security number to verify my identity. DON’T DO IT, this is a new identity theft tactic to get your SSN. This is referred to as “Smishing”.Here are the FACTS from some popular banks, but this is most likely the policy of all banks:

If you bank with Bank of America see this page

If you bank with Wells Fargo see this page

More information is available here.

In the Dallas / Ft. Worth area and need to remove a virus, or just clean up your PC. Now through December 31st 2015, just $75.00 per PC, call 972-571-4808. Thanks!

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