Heartbleed Bug - What to do...

This story will tell you what websites have been threatened by the Heartbleed Bug and at which websites you should change the password for.

http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/

Windows XP ending / more about Windows 8

Windows XP Support to send (AP)

Guide to Upgrading, Using XP Computer

Windows 8 information from LCCUG's member page:  http://lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks

With support for Windows XP being discontinued as of April 8th, hopefully you've made plans on either upgrading or replacing your Windows XP computers.

If you haven't, this article may help. It is targeted towards non-profit organizations, but personal users can glean good information from it as well.  The No Excuses Guide to Getting Rid of Windows XP:
http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/community/b/tsblog/archive/2014/03/27/the-no-excuses-guide-to-getting-rid-of-windows-xp.aspx


In this next article, Security experts were asked whether third-party antivirus software will support XP after April 8. Here's what they said:
http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/community/b/tsblog/archive/2014/02/07/windows-xp-supported-third-party-anti-virus.aspx


Here are a few more articles concerning the demise of Windows XP:

This article is about What to do if you love Windows XP and hate Windows 8:
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/what-to-do-if-you-love-windows-xp-and-hate-windows-8/

Does security matter to you? Ditch Windows XP for one of these upgrade options. Andy Wolber takes a look at some conventional and alternative OS options.
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/deciding-to-ditch-windows-xp-here-are-your-options/

Sticking with Windows XP? Here are your options. If you're a Windows XP stalwart, you may decide to stick with Windows XP, even after Microsoft officially ends support. Scott Lowe discusses some of your options for making things work with what you have.
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/sticking-with-windows-xp-here-are-your-options/


And, finally, if you decide to replace your Windows XP computer, please call one or more of ournewsletter sponsors to ask about availability & pricing of new or refurbished Windows 7 or Windows 8 systems.  If your needs aren't very high, a refurbished system may be the best upgrade option for you.

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Shredding Day April 19

WinX DVD Copy Pro Giveaway

WinX DVD Copy Pro Giveaway

Greatly improved the DVD burning module with better compatibility. Clone any DVDs to DVD disc for collections, copy DVD to ISO image and MPEG 2 file without any quality loss. Support 9 DVD copy mode and Mount ISO image, burn ISO or DVD folder to DVD.

They are giving away a limited number of copies of their software that will copy your DVDs.

Check it out at http://www.winxdvd.com/specialoffer/spring-giveaway-promo.htm

How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Attacks (as seen on Katie Couric)

How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Attacks

by David Kennedy, Founder & Principal Security Consultant for TrustedSec

Is your computer at risk to be cyber-hacked? Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf was shocked to find out that someone had allegedly taken nude photos of her … with her own webcam! Learn more about her story on Wednesday, and get tips below to make sure your private computer activity stays that way.

1. Avoid Java
Java has been a major focal point for attackers right now, the point here isn’t just with Java but in general on applications that you may not need. If you don’t need an application on your machine, disable or uninstall it. The fewer number of applications, the lower the footprint an actual hacker has for getting into your systems. Consider reviewing your installed applications at least every 6 months to a year to see if you need something you’ve installed in the past.

2. Download EMET
Download EMET, (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit), a free tool from Microsoft. Anti-Virus only detects a small fraction of malicious software. EMET is free, easy to configure, and makes it harder for hackers to break in. It does this by profiling how hackers actually break into your system and blocking them in the early stages.

Also in conjunction with EMET – always ensure that you are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

3. Create a Separate Account
Create another account on your computer that is separate from your administrator account. If a hacker breaks into an administrator account, he or she will have free reign over everything on your computer, whereas if they hack another account they will not have access to all of your data. When you use your computer, use that limited account.

4. Delete Your Cookies
Delete cookies in your browser (Internet Explorer, FireFox, etc.) upon closing your browser. You can make it automatic by changing setting in Internet options.

5. Cover Your Webcam
This may seem silly and not needed – however, covering your webcam with sticky notes or putting a piece of tape over it may prevent someone from eavesdropping on your camera. This isn’t a fix for everything else that we’ve mentioned, but this can help in the event your machine becomes hacked. Note that this doesn’t stop any type of audio attacks where a hacker may have access to your microphone on your computer. Also note that the light does NOT need to be on in order for the webcam to be recording.

http://katiecouric.com/features/how-to-protect-yourself-against-cyber-attacks/

Paper Shedding Event

On Saturday, April 19, 2014 and Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 9 am - 12 pm, Lorain County residents will be able to bring unwanted paper documents to the parking lot of the Lorain County Collection Center, 540 S. Abbe Rd., Elyria and have them shredded for free.

Residents will need to bring identification showing proof of residency in Lorain County and are limited to 5 boxes / 5 blue grocery bags. They will also need drive into the facility and must take their empty boxes with them; residents should not exit their vehicles. For information, call 1-800-449-5463.

World Backup Day is World Back up day.

DON'T BE AN APRIL FOOL.

March 31st is world back up day!!

http://www.worldbackupday.com/

World Backup Day is a day for people to learn about the increasing role of data in our lives and the importance of regular backups.

This independent initiative to raise awareness about backups and data preservation started out — like most good things on the internet - on reddit by a couple of concerned users. Let's make this happen!

Check the above webpage for more information and special offers.

Presentation on Backing up your Computer

At our February 11 meeting we had a presentation on backing up your computer.  Our presenter, Gene Barlow, was in Utah and shared with us some useful information on this important topic.  You can find a lot of that information here:     http://www.ugr.com/nl0713.html

The program that Gene recommended, Acronic Backup, is one that  that Sandee and Micky have experience with and can also recommend.

LCCUG members have an opportunity to buy Acronis BackUp at 50% off for the next 30 days.  The form to use is here....    https://www.dropbox.com/s/wopkqog8seeunn7/UGR.pdf

Let us know if you have any questions.

info@lccug.com

Steps to thwart ID Thieves

from January 11, 2014 Plain Dealer - Teresa Dixon Murray

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/after_the_latest_information_b.html#incart_river

Teresa lists 39 ways to protect your ID from Theft. compiled from  the ITRC, the FTC and her own experiences. Some of them are long-standing advice; some may surprise you.
Good info - check it out.

Bruce Bishop's Drones

Bruce Bishop

I've had so many people asking about getting photos I have shot with the drone that I need a way to make it easy for people to get them. We started a gallery at the Chronicle. All you have to do is go to this link and select any photo or photos that you like and download them. I maintain all rights but you are free to use them for prints, screen savers, or wallpaper. They are mostly all sized to print really good 11x14, some are odd sizes and might require a different mat or frame. I'll be adding more later.

Bruce also has a lot of his photos on his Facebook page.

Amazing pictures taken from his drone!

Windows 8.1 Update

Here is a useful article to get us excited about Windows 8.1:

"How to spend your first hour with Windows 8.1   from Windows Secrets"

https://windowssecrets.com/top-story/how-to-spend-your-first-hour-with-windows-8-1/

Special Film Showing

Former LCCUG member, Keith Kuhn, has made a film that will be shown at the Lorain Palace Theatre on September 14, 2013 at 7pm.....

Read all about it:

http://www.morningjournal.com/lifestyle/20130829/local-producers-experiment-heads-to-the-lorain-palace-big-screen

At the March meeting, our webmaster, Richard Barnett's son gave us a great presentation on online music.  Assisted by Georgina Karim, they explored the major options available to users today.

The presentation is available here:  http://prezi.com/hr9luod7r3bv/all-about-online-music/

Update of Bill Gates / Paul Allen picture

This is pretty  awesome. Bill G. and Paul Allen got together this week to recreate a classic Microsoft photo they took 32 years ago. 

More here: http://www.geekwire.com/2013/bill-gates-paul-allen-reprise-classic-microsoft-photo-decades/

Regina Brett on Typing

"Smartphones could spell the end for typing as we know it"
 Regina Brett wrote in the March 20 Plain Dealer.
Regina calls it exactly the way I see it.  She ponders the merits of touch typing that we learned when we were in school and how that is not valued any longer.  Then she remarks that, lik me, she is not able to text with her thumbs as the young people of today can do.

Interesting observations!


http://www.cleveland.com/brett/blog/index.ssf/2013/03/smartphones_could_spell_the_en.html

Computer Scam - beware

Local computer users have been receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or a large computer company offering to help you with your computer.  Please do not talk to these callers - it is a scam.

For more information see this Plain Dealer story  http://www.cleveland.com/consumeraffairs/index.ssf/2013/03/three_calls_you_should_never_t.html

Windows 8 Resources

The links to the resources we mentioned at the Windows 8 program can be found here:
http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks#Windows8
they include the link to the YouTube videos I suggested

FYI - The speaker I used during program was the HDMX Jam Wireless Portable Speaker.  http://www.hmdxaudio.com/products/jam-wireless-portable-speaker.html 

Windows 8 Links

The links that were referred to at the March 12  meeting can be found at the members' page at http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks .  At the top of that page is a link to the Windows 8 section near the bottom.  The links to the YouTubes Sandee selected on learning to use Windows 8 are at the very bottom there.

Links from January Meeting

We reviewed websites that are posted on the member's page "Presentation Weblinks and Useful Info" section of the club's Member's Page.  You can go directly there by using this link:
     http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks

You will find links from other LCCUG presentations at that webpage.  You will also find information posted by Micky.  This is information that he is frequently is asked about.  This is a great resource and you will find it useful to be familiar with the kinds of things that can be found here.

The favorite links that we looked at during the Janaury meeting can be found there at the link in red named 01/08/2013 presentation web sites  or you can go directly there by using this link:
http://justpaste.it/lccug_websites  .

Update to Windows 8 Deadline

the following is an email sent out to all members on January 20:

Windows 8 Pro upgrade pricing will jump from $40 to $200 on Feb. 1

Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system is about to become a lot more expensive. An upgrade of Windows 8 Pro will go from costing $40 in a promotional offer to a much more expensive $200 at the beginning of February.

While the price of Pro jumps up considerably, Microsoft will offer an upgrade to a more basic version of Windows 8 for $120. That’s still quite a bit more money than the $40 offer — and you get less features.

Read more at http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/18/windows-8-pro-upgrade-pricing/#Wxpxb8y3gjGx18Ic.99 

So should you upgrade?  

Here is an excellent article on making that decision:

http://www.zdnet.com/how-to-decide-should-you-upgrade-to-windows-8-7000008186/

In that article David Gewirtz of Zdnetcom  gives some basic reasons on why you should upgrade now or should you  wait.  He considers which operating system you are currently using and gives you good suggestions on how to decide.

I found it particularly useful to read what he said about Windows XP:

I'll put this quite simply: if you're running an XP machine and you're reading email or browsing the Web, you need to upgrade immediately. XP is enormously vulnerable to exploits, you can't run Internet Explorer later than IE8, and your PC is a calamity waiting to happen.

So you should upgrade to either Windows 7 or Windows 8. Period. Now, as it happens, it's probably actually a better choice to upgrade to Windows 8. First, again, you can get the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for only $39.99 and any Windows 7 upgrade will cost you more.

The upgrade link is at:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/buy  

Remember if you buy it now, you don’t have to install it till later if you prefer to wait.

Reminder if you have a new computer purchased between June 2 and January 31, that had windows 7 PC you are eligible  to upgrade to Windows 8 for $15, you need to register before the end of the month.
(Read more at the venturebeat.com  link above._) 

Also useful might be this free ebook from Microsoft that you can download called  Introducing Windows 8: An Overview for IT Professionals.  http://tinyurl.com/ccoy84g