tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42323289644827550342024-03-12T20:48:55.463-04:00PC Doc's BlogCheck here for useful tips for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.comBlogger979125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-22582794379071948872016-08-23T21:16:00.001-04:002016-08-23T21:21:13.476-04:00Time to retire<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: cursive; font-size: large;">The PC Doctor is no longer in!</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: cursive; font-size: x-large;">I HAVE RETIRED</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: cursive; font-size: x-large;">Many thanks for your business over the years.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: cursive; font-size: x-large;">It has been fun for me, and I hope I helped you.</span></div>
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</div>
I will leave the blog intact in case there might be some tidbit that will help one of you sometime. Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-89099616230687067322016-04-18T06:11:00.004-04:002016-04-18T06:11:57.324-04:00Homeland Security warns Windows PC users to uninstall QuicktimeThe Department of Homeland Security and a top cybersecurity firm have
advised Windows PC users to uninstall Apple's Quicktime video player
immediately after two new bugs were found in the software.<br />
<br />
In a blog post published Thursday, the Trend Micro
security firm said that Apple was no longer issuing security updates for
Quicktime for Windows, despite the presence of the bugs. Trend Micro
said the bugs could be used to launch attacks on PCs if users visit a
compromised web page or open a tained file.<br />
<br />
Trend Micro said it was not aware of any cases where
the bugs had been exploited by hackers. The warning does not apply to
Quicktime on Mac operating systems.<br />
<br />
DHS's United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) put
out a similar alert Thursday warning that Windows PC users were
vulnerable to viruses and other threats due to the security flaws.<br />
<br />
"The only mitigation available is to uninstall QuickTime for Windows," US-CERT's alert said.<br />
<br />
There has been no public comment from Apple on the situation, though the company has posted instructions for <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205771" target="_blank">uninstalling Quicktime for Windows</a> on its website.<br />
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-37720688737310726552016-03-21T09:23:00.002-04:002016-03-21T09:23:20.446-04:00Updated ransomware can't be cracked, costing people thousandsTwo things to say:<br />
<br />
One, be sure you are backing up all of your data on a regular basis. I use <a href="http://www.sosonlinebackup.com/" target="_blank">SOS</a> backup, but there are many other ways to do this.<br />
<br />
Two, be careful out there and use extreme caution when opening files or attachments from unknown sources.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://kpmando.com/" target="_blank">Kim Komando's web site</a> today:<br />
<br />
"Warfare is a constant back and forth between offense and defense, and
the same rules hold true for cyberwarfare. A hacker finds a weakness in
a program, the developer patches the weakness, the hacker finds another
weakness, the developer patches the weakness, and so on.<br />
<br />
However,
that formula got flipped in the case of the TeslaCrypt ransomware. It
was a major problem last year, but then security companies figured out
its weakness and were able to decrypt and recover people's files without
paying hackers. Unfortunately, the hackers behind TeslaCrypt learned
their lesson and it's back and stronger than before.<br />
<br />
In the
original version of TeslaCrypt, the ransomware stored the key for
decrypting the files on the victim's computer. That let security
companies find it and use it to unlock the files. The new version of
TeslaCrypt, version 3.01, moves the key to the hacker's server and
deletes it off the victim's computer. That means there's no way for the
victim to get around the encryption.<br />
<br />
If you get TeslaCrypt on your
computer, you'll either have to pay to get your file back or wipe the
computer and start over. You better hope you backed up your files.
Although, the FBI is warning that new versions of ransomware are
starting to seek out and destroy local backups, so make sure you have an
off-site backup as well.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, <a href="http://www.komando.com/happening-now/351078/warning-sophisticated-ransomware-attacks-surging">ransomware threats are growing at a fast rate</a>,
so you're increasingly likely to encounter this threat. Your best bet
is to keep it an arm's length with strong security software.<br />
<br />
We recommend our sponsor <a href="https://goo.gl/g1nXyv" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window/tab">Kaspersky Lab</a>.
Its award-winning software is trusted by 400 million people and 270,000
business worldwide. It also has 3,000 security experts on staff working
to identify and defeat the biggest threats to your security.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://goo.gl/g1nXyv" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window/tab">Get Kaspersky Total Security today and save 50% just for being a Komando reader.</a> A single license of Kaspersky Total Security covers up to five gadgets, including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.<br />
<br />
Strong security is one critical part of staying safe from ransomware. <a href="http://www.komando.com/tips/301128/3-sure-steps-to-beat-ransomware">Learn some other things you'll want to do to stay safe."</a><br />
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-13249749932812797732016-03-09T10:11:00.003-05:002016-03-10T07:15:59.716-05:00Teenagers react to Windows 95, cannot imagine what their elders endured<div style="text-align: center;">
A fun article for those of us who remember Windows 95</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Bill Gates, chairman of software giant Microsoft, stands on stage during the launching of the new Windows 95 software to Spanish clients Sept. 5 at a Madrid theatre (Reuters). " src="http://a57.foxnews.com/images.foxnews.com/content/fox-news/tech/2016/03/08/teenagers-react-to-windows-95-cannot-imagine-what-their-elders-endured/_jcr_content/par/featured_image/media-0.img.jpg/876/493/1457387159937.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" height="360" itemprop="image" width="640" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The majority of teenagers alive today weren't alive in the 90s,
meaning the oldest version of Windows they're likely to be familiar with
is Windows XP.<br />
<br />
If that tidbit makes you feel old, you might not want to watch the latest <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ucCxtgN6sc" target="_blank">React video</a> from Fine Brothers Entertainment, in which a bunch of teenagers are exposed to the wonders of mid-90s <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/" target="_blank">computing</a> and Windows 95 for the first time in their lives. They're not impressed.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/03/08/teenagers-react-to-windows-95-cannot-imagine-what-their-elders-endured.html" target="_blank">More here........</a></b> </div>
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-88010636832269536862016-02-23T09:48:00.001-05:002016-02-23T09:48:32.824-05:00Microsoft's Windows Malicious Software Removal ToolIt is good to see this neat tool that scans your system for bad guys is still around, free, and downloaded to your system automatically by Microsoft.<br />
<br />
It is a very easy to use tool and I use it every month to do a FULL SCAN of my systems. Note that if you do nothing with the tool, it will run a QUICK SCAN automatically and you will never know this unless it finds problems.<br />
<br />
I just ran a Full Scan today. Note that the version of the product is indicated at the top of the first screen you will see. In this case, it is February 2016.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiah7f8ahNOVguzVVkKNGszdbb8lLdUO1058yn9Eym75cVVSTVLecXY8e7lATEpeciERSqB4iZ_Wh3Rpbr2Uk9VhYvf_AbhzvZirUrh408dfu6ObGQ7pHYrPMQi8hB-FRbwSwa2ixqHfG_k/s1600/MRT+2-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiah7f8ahNOVguzVVkKNGszdbb8lLdUO1058yn9Eym75cVVSTVLecXY8e7lATEpeciERSqB4iZ_Wh3Rpbr2Uk9VhYvf_AbhzvZirUrh408dfu6ObGQ7pHYrPMQi8hB-FRbwSwa2ixqHfG_k/s640/MRT+2-2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It took about one hour and 45 minutes to run the full scan. It will not slow you down, so go ahead and do it. An ounce of prevention.......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWrU6sj84tAaeeZuTlAvBomzNtevBSbBdL2dl3jkqOF0btNgShJDQMmyvHJpfOOjkIFd2EKR7-Z_1Yr0mNrnA6YIN2kcGHTY-RLnzfVpOdt1ofhrHC0cU3xf4Lqkn9LbhXhKHSv9FsjcV/s1600/MRT+2-2016+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWrU6sj84tAaeeZuTlAvBomzNtevBSbBdL2dl3jkqOF0btNgShJDQMmyvHJpfOOjkIFd2EKR7-Z_1Yr0mNrnA6YIN2kcGHTY-RLnzfVpOdt1ofhrHC0cU3xf4Lqkn9LbhXhKHSv9FsjcV/s640/MRT+2-2016+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since the tool is installed every month along with the other Windows updates, it is already on your machines.</div>
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Simply click START then RUN then key in MRT and then OK to get it going. If you don't see Run, click on Start and then search for Run.</div>
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-1539010008097192752016-02-12T11:14:00.000-05:002016-02-12T11:14:57.683-05:00Downloading free programsI recommend <a href="http://www.filehippo.com/" target="_blank">http://www.filehippo.com/</a> for downloading free programs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/" target="_blank">http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/</a>
is their page for downloading CCLEANER. Once there, click on the green
bar in the upper right corner of the window to get the latest version..<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/" target="_blank">http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/</a>
is their page to download Malwarebytes. Once there, click on the green
bar in the upper right corner of the window to get the latest version.<br />
<br />
Above are two free programs I recommend to all Windows users.<br />
<br />
Questions, use the Comments feature of this blog. At the end of this post, click on Comments. Then sign in using your Google account or sign in as Anonymous. If you use Anonymous, please add your name at the end of your comment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-56477697464272850522016-01-26T10:27:00.001-05:002016-01-26T10:27:37.803-05:00Apps to Manage Passwords So They Are Harder to Crack Than ‘Password’More on password strength, this time from the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/technology/personaltech/apps-to-manage-passwords-so-they-are-harder-to-crack-than-password.html" target="_blank">New York Times.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="62" data-total-count="62" id="story-continues-1" itemprop="articleBody">
"It became official again this week: We are awful at passwords.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="332" data-total-count="394" id="story-continues-2" itemprop="articleBody">
Year
after year, studies show that many people still rely on passwords that
are so weak that even a 5-year-old could crack them. According to a
study released this week by SplashData, a developer of password
management software, consumers continue making the riskiest choices with
passwords by consistently using overly simple ones.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="141" data-total-count="535" itemprop="articleBody">
The highly unimaginative <a href="https://www.teamsid.com/worst-passwords-2015/">“123456” and “starwars,”</a> for instance, were among the most commonly used passwords of 2015, SplashData said.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="141" data-total-count="535" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="355" data-total-count="890" itemprop="articleBody">
Now
for a confession: I am no better than the rest of you. The password
management app Dashlane recently ran a security audit of all my
passwords — and what it found was ugly. It revealed that out of my 70
passwords, I had reused the same one 46 times. Twenty-five of the
passwords were flagged as being particularly weak, or easy for a hacker
to crack.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="355" data-total-count="890" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="355" data-total-count="890" itemprop="articleBody">
In my shame and embarrassment, I put together a guide of best practices
for passwords and tested some tools that would help manage them. Here’s
what it boils down to: To have the safest passwords protecting your
digital life, each password should be unique and complex. But since
memorizing 70 unique and complex passwords is nearly impossible, we also
need password manager programs to keep track of them all.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="355" data-total-count="890" itemprop="articleBody">
</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="332" data-total-count="1634" itemprop="articleBody">
Jeremiah
Grossman, the founder of WhiteHat Security, a web security firm, says
he memorizes only a few passwords, including one to unlock his computer,
and another to unlock an encrypted USB drive containing a file with a
list of all his passwords for dozens of services. None of his passwords
are memorable because they are random.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="332" data-total-count="1634" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="195" data-total-count="1829" itemprop="articleBody">
“I
select them quite literally by banging on the keyboard a few times like
a monkey,” Mr. Grossman said in an interview, adding, “My setup is a
bit more paranoid than the average person.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="195" data-total-count="1829" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="369" data-total-count="2198" itemprop="articleBody">
The
rest of us need password managers, a type of app that locks passwords
in a vault and allows access to them with one master password. I tested
three popular password management services — <a href="https://lastpass.com/">LastPass</a>, <a href="https://www.dashlane.com/">Dashlane</a> and <a href="https://agilebits.com/store">1Password</a>
— for several days. All were similar, with 1Password standing out as
the most cleanly designed (and least annoying) password management tool.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="369" data-total-count="2198" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="505" data-total-count="2703" id="story-continues-3" itemprop="articleBody">
To
put the password managers to the test, I began by cleaning up my
password hygiene. I spent two and a half hours logging in to all 70 of
my Internet accounts and changing each password, one at a time.
Following the advice of security experts, I created long, complex
passwords consisting of nonsensical phrases, lines from movies or
one-sentence summaries of strange life events, and added numbers and
special characters. (Samples: My favorite number is Green4782# or The
cat ate the CoTTon candy 224%.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="350" data-total-count="3053" id="story-continues-4" itemprop="articleBody">
Then
I turned to the password managers, which store your passwords and make
them accessible with a master password. Naturally, your master password
should be rock solid. So for each of the three apps, I created a complex
master password and jotted those down on a piece of paper. After a few
days I memorized those passwords and threw away the paper.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="199" data-total-count="3252" id="story-continues-5" itemprop="articleBody">
I
recommend 1Password for several reasons. The app consistently and
automatically detected whenever I logged in to websites or created new
passwords to ask if I wanted to add a password to the vault.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="472" data-total-count="3724" itemprop="articleBody">
When
logging in to a site, I clicked on the 1Password icon in a computer
browser or opened the app on a phone, entered my master password and
selected the service I wanted to log in to in order to plug in the
password. (1Password can be set up to require the master password after a
certain amount of time, say five minutes, if you don’t want to keep
entering it; on iPhones it can be configured to unlock the vault with
your fingerprint instead of the master password.)</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="472" data-total-count="3724" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="531" data-total-count="4255" itemprop="articleBody">
Of
the password managers I tested, Dashlane was the most frustrating
because it nagged me with too many questions. After I used Dashlane to
log in to <a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/">TicketWeb</a> to order
movie tickets, the app asked if I wanted to save a copy of the receipt
inside its vault. In the process of doing that, it froze the browser and
I lost access to the web tickets for a moment. Also, whenever I created
a new password, Dashlane sent notifications asking if I wanted the app
to automatically generate passwords for me — which was not my
preference.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="130" data-total-count="4385" itemprop="articleBody">
Dashlane
said the app was proactive about notifications partly because it was
designed for users who may not be technically savvy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="297" data-total-count="4682" itemprop="articleBody">
“With
password management becoming something that mainstream consumers care
about, the simplicity of the product needs to be completely different,”
Emmanuel Schalit, Dashlane’s chief executive, said in an interview. “We
tried to build a solution that a not sophisticated user could use.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="297" data-total-count="4682" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="250" data-total-count="4932" id="story-continues-6" itemprop="articleBody">
The
third app, LastPass, was less annoying than Dashlane, but in multiple
instances it did not detect when I was logging in to a website to add
the password into its vault. That required me to manually create a new
password entry to add to the vault.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="250" data-total-count="4932" id="story-continues-6" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="329" data-total-count="5261" id="story-continues-7" itemprop="articleBody">
Each
of the apps offers the ability to share password vaults across multiple
devices, like smartphones, tablets and computers. Wireless
synchronization for passwords is a necessity: You don’t want to be
locked out of a service on your smartphone because you left your laptop
containing all your passwords at work, for instance.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="329" data-total-count="5261" id="story-continues-7" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="383" data-total-count="5644" itemprop="articleBody">
What
distinguishes the password management apps is how they share your
passwords among different devices, and how much they charge. Dashlane is
initially free and hosts its own cloud server to share passwords across
your devices, but it costs $40 a year to use the cloud service.
LastPass is also free up front; it offers the ability to share passwords
across devices for $12 a year.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="383" data-total-count="5644" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="361" data-total-count="6005" itemprop="articleBody">
The
app 1Password came out on top because it offered the most value for the
money. For a one-time payment of $50, you get a license to use
1Password on a computer. You can use the core features of 1Password on
iPhones or Android devices free — if you want to unlock extra features,
like the ability to store serial numbers for software licenses, it costs
$10.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="361" data-total-count="6005" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="389" data-total-count="6394" itemprop="articleBody">
The
downside is that AgileBits, the developer of 1Password, requires users
to set up their own cloud syncing with third-party services like Dropbox
or Apple’s iCloud, which are free to use. Fortunately <a href="https://support.1password.com/guides/mac/sync.html">it’s not difficult</a>
to set up password synchronization over the cloud. There is also an
option to synchronize your password database over a Wi-Fi network, but
that’s not as seamless.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="389" data-total-count="6394" itemprop="articleBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="394" data-total-count="6788" itemprop="articleBody">
Mr.
Grossman of WhiteHat Security, who does not use a password management
app, said he preferred LastPass for its security features. LastPass
supports <a href="https://lastpass.com/multifactor-authentication/">multi-factor authentication</a>,
meaning that when you log in with your master password, you will
receive a newly generated code on another device, like a smartphone,
that you have to enter to unlock the vault. It’s an extra layer of
protection.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“We’ve been very popular among security professionals and I.T. folks,” said Amber Gott, a marketing manager for LastPass.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="222" data-total-count="7137" itemprop="articleBody">
There is always a risk that password management companies themselves will get hacked. LastPass <a href="https://blog.lastpass.com/2015/06/lastpass-security-notice.html/">reported last year</a> that its network was breached and that hackers gained access to user email addresses and password reminders.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="222" data-total-count="7137" itemprop="articleBody">
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To
avoid that, you may want to skip password managers. If that’s your
preference, Mr. Grossman said there’s always a low-tech way to keep
track of passwords: Jot them down on a piece of paper and keep the list
in a safe place. The best part about that approach? It’s free.</div>
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-91653208590962439752016-01-20T11:15:00.006-05:002016-01-20T11:16:48.985-05:00World's Most-Used Passwords Are Still Awful, According To 2015 DataGet smart folks! Found this on Huffington Post:<br />
<br />
<div class="content-list-component text">
You already know this: passwords are the first line of defense against cyber criminals, who are only <a data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"entry_text","lnid":"citation","mpid":0}}" href="http://lifehacker.com/5937303/your-clever-password-tricks-arent-protecting-you-from-todays-hackers" target="_blank">getting smarter and more devious</a> with each passing day.<br />
<br />
So why do people still insist on using easy-to-crack passwords? According to SplashData’s annual “<a data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"entry_text","lnid":"citation","mpid":1}}" href="https://www.teamsid.com/worst-passwords-2015/" target="_blank">2015 Worst Passwords</a>” list, it seems some folks just never learn.<br />
<br />
The list, which ranks the most commonly used passwords by Internet
users, reveals just how terrible many people’s password choices are.<br />
<br />
“‘123456’ and “password” once again reign supreme as the most
commonly used passwords, as they have since SplashData’s first list in
2011, demonstrating how people’s choices for passwords remain
consistently risky,” wrote the password management applications company
on its website.<br />
<br />
Other awful passwords in the top 25 include “qwerty,” “welcome,”
“letmein” and “monkey;” “starwars,” “princess” and “solo” also made this
year’s list:<br />
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">123456 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">password </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">12345678 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">qwerty </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">12345 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">123456789 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">football </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">1234 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">1234567 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">baseball </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">welcome </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">1234567890 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">abc123 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">111111 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">1qaz2wsx </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">dragon </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">master </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">monkey </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">letmein </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">login </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">princess </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">qwertyuiop </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">solo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">passw0rd </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.231em; line-height: 1.5em;">starwars</span></li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
The list, compiled from more than 2 million leaked passwords last
year, indicates that “many people continue to put themselves at risk for
hacking and identity theft,” SplashData wrote.<br />
<br />
The company said it hopes its list will be a wake-up call for people to start using more secure passwords.<br />
<br />
“We hope that with more publicity about how risky it is to use weak
passwords, more people will take steps to strengthen their passwords
and, most importantly, use different passwords for different websites,”
said SplashData CEO Morgan Slain in a statement.<br />
<br />
Most experts agree that strong passwords are random (no obvious words
and combinations); long (more than 12 characters); and use a mix of
numbers, letters and symbols. Also be sure to change your passwords
periodically.<br />
<br />
Using random password generators and password managers can also be useful. <i><a data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"entry_text","lnid":"citation","mpid":2}}" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/24/perfect-password_n_5773358.html"></a></i></div>
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</div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-39507131034767813232015-12-29T20:59:00.002-05:002015-12-29T20:59:53.996-05:00Malwarebytes - Final DecisionIt is a little over a month now since I last wrote about Malwarebytes.<br />
<br />
I have been continually nagged by the company to renew my Premium license, but as I said on 11/19, I would probably not renew.<br />
<br />
<div class="title-text ">
I have decided not to renew. I have uninstalled the Premium version and installed the Free version. If you are inclined to install the free version, and I do recommend that you do, you can download <span itemprop="name">Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.2.0 from the good old reliable download site, Filehippo. The url is <a href="http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/">http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/</a></span></div>
<div class="title-text ">
<span itemprop="name"><br /></span></div>
<div class="title-text ">
<span itemprop="name">Click on the green box in the upper right hand corner to download the latest version.</span></div>
<div class="title-text ">
<span itemprop="name"><br /></span></div>
<div class="title-text ">
<span itemprop="name">Here is why I decided to go with the free version: in the year that I had the premium version installed on our 3 machines, it never found one problem on any of the 3 machines. This was a surprise to me. I have been singing the praises of Malwarebytes since was back, maybe 7 years or more. In a year 2008 blog post I stated "</span>I have learned that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is better than SuperAntispyware."</div>
<div class="title-text ">
<br /></div>
<div class="title-text ">
Check out this ancient blog post at <a href="http://pcdocsblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/learning-teacher.html">http://pcdocsblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/learning-teacher.html</a></div>
<div class="title-text ">
<br /></div>
<div class="title-text ">
So the bottom line is still that <b>I love Malwarebytes</b>. I will run the free version weekly on our machines, and I recommend that you do too. I just can't recommend the Premium ($) version. The Free version does the trick for me.</div>
<div class="title-text ">
<br /></div>
<div class="title-text ">
I feel I must add that I have used Microsoft's free anti-virus program for years now, and it is my first line of defense against viruses and malware, and it does a fabulous job. Net, I do not pay for an anti-virus either.</div>
<div class="title-text ">
<br /></div>
<div class="title-text ">
Microsoft's free anti-virus had been known as Microsoft Security Essentials, but Microsoft changed its name to Microsoft Windows Defender. Believe me, DEFEND it does.</div>
<div class="title-text ">
<br /></div>
<div class="title-text ">
Happy New Year to all! </div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-64147636570653233852015-12-24T17:41:00.005-05:002015-12-24T17:41:57.404-05:00Merry Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas everyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oF6gsCccDy4sSW69-ot7ODUwJMsYV-dyjICIrkdWru4-N3q0i0CEjtpIhQ_U5hTjAxT9Jfi9Ski9GeBj0NRBHRozTZNmjUMPMovI8mti-Bq8bKT3sNwUtGN9k06aEiAi418ctVyZC0Es/s1600/creche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oF6gsCccDy4sSW69-ot7ODUwJMsYV-dyjICIrkdWru4-N3q0i0CEjtpIhQ_U5hTjAxT9Jfi9Ski9GeBj0NRBHRozTZNmjUMPMovI8mti-Bq8bKT3sNwUtGN9k06aEiAi418ctVyZC0Es/s640/creche.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-22767789102270097272015-12-04T09:52:00.002-05:002015-12-04T09:56:33.965-05:00CCleanerI still cannot say enough about CCleaner. In my opinion it should be installed on every Windows system.<br />
<br />
It is still free, but be forewarned that the company, Piriform, now offers two versions that come at a cost. I do not use either of the fee-based programs - I should say YET! In some cases when I have downloaded the latest version I am reminded of, and encouraged to buy, one of the fee versions. To date I have not succumbed to the temptation!<br />
<br />
This program used to be called "Crap Cleaner" until they gave it a less offensive name of CCleaner. That is what it dies, it cleans the crap from your system, and that is good. It is small and very fast. If you run it once a week it will probably take 30 seconds (after your initial run which will likely be longer) . <br />
<br />
I encourage all Windows users to get CCleaner. I can only recommend the free version because I have no experience with the fee versions.<br />
<br />
You can download the free version here: <a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner" target="_blank">http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner</a> or on my favorite web site for downloading stuff: <a href="http://www.filehippo.com/" target="_blank">http://www.filehippo.com/</a>.<br />
<br />
If you do not use this tool and if you do download it and have any problems or questions, write me at pcdoc@our4sons.com.Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-12743655182229727272015-11-25T13:48:00.001-05:002015-11-25T13:48:03.986-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEkxjl1Hxuke81P7Hi2egEDYACT1md17b2x_m5SDhDoQWthpTw4k-Rg3pzRbx1w-F3bT8X5Rb7XMesThvH0A5CxVOKY8eDBAK0QbsAXEVhLmktGLagasMxxgTIIdO-eI8jtUn4kKsbzcT/s1600/images.duckduckgo.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEkxjl1Hxuke81P7Hi2egEDYACT1md17b2x_m5SDhDoQWthpTw4k-Rg3pzRbx1w-F3bT8X5Rb7XMesThvH0A5CxVOKY8eDBAK0QbsAXEVhLmktGLagasMxxgTIIdO-eI8jtUn4kKsbzcT/s640/images.duckduckgo.com.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-9080472253739503042015-11-24T11:40:00.001-05:002015-11-24T11:47:13.116-05:00Windows 10 - AgainI finally figured out how to get the "Get Windows 10 APP", visible to the PC user by the icon in the system tray, on my desktop. These icons started to appear on our systems back in (about) June or July 2015. However, it did not appear on my desktop PC. It did appear on our two laptops, and W10 was subsequently successfully installed.<br />
<br />
So this week, after puzzling over this for many moons, I did a manual Windows Update and selected an Optional update to install Internet Explorer 11. I restarted my system afterwards, and the Get Windows 10 App icon immediately appeared in my system tray! Very strange I thought.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I went ahead and installed W10 replacing the W7 installation already there.<br />
<br />
The installation of W10 went very well and without any hitches.<br />
<br />
I really do like W10, and that is why I decided to leave the older systems behind.<br />
<br />
I recommend W10 wholeheartedly and without hesitation for most users. I would say that IMHO you should have 8 GB of RAM. This is not required, but based on my experience I would not recommend W10 until/unless you have at least 8 GB of RAM.<br />
<br />
I worked on a customer's machine that had upgraded to W10 but had only 4 GB of RAM. It works. It doesn't complain, but I believe W10 will be much happier with a minimum of 8 GB of RAM.<br />
<br />
BTW, my PC Doc e-mail address has changed, and it is pcdoc @ our4sons.com (drop the 2 spaces).<br />
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-80822292422194221082015-11-19T05:50:00.002-05:002015-11-19T06:36:26.697-05:00Malwarebytes PremiumI received this renewal notice from Malwarebytes this morning. I wrote herein a year ago that I had bought their Premium version. It covered 3 systems (what we have) and was only $23 at the time. I thought it was a good investment. I still do, but I think I will take a pass on renewing. It's not the $24, it's the idea. I have always hated paying for software and avoided it with very few exceptions.<br />
<br />
I will let the current version stay installed and see what happens when it expires. I do expect several more notes pleading for my renewal, but I shan't renew. I expect they will turn off the realtime monitoring but hope they will continue providing me the updates free of charge. If not, I will uninstall and download the free version if it is still available. If it is not I will rely on good old Super Antispyware which is still, I hope, free.<br />
<br />
Happy Thanksgiving all.<br />
<br />
Your old PC Doc <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="padding-bottom: 20px;">
<a href="http://click.cbsmc.malwarebytes.org/?qs=6efe8a350f817382ebdff6cfe2ed0461744d1fb614e2765a5fc947eeab0e1fdf02ba31f953dc0a30" target="_blank"><img alt="Malwarebytes" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjmAgfi1MauZ9bRN5ELWrilG8Ay5T9FXO-OdczamOVw6zWGKh0mPvGX2okhYRoqLMdm-zmD50bhgZ_QinzuDN7taaCbFoTlXy9sGNOgIHcGY8kz3BbYQ0fxQCK-9U4kQuau6LqpWCRRfunkJimsHouqmhbRZjv-FlR5uNpA_xT4GhcPPtEZkA=s0-d-e1-ft" style="max-width: 235px; min-height: auto; width: 100%;" width="235" /></a>
</div>
Hi Tom,<br />
Your Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium order, Reference # 82752772, is set to automatically renew itself on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_313702679" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">December 19, 2015</span></span>, for $24.95.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your support. Just a reminder that Malwarebytes
Anti-Malware Premium protects you against zero-day malware, ransomware
and other threats 24/7/365. Automatically and without hassle.<br />
<br />
We look forward to continuing to crush malware on your behalf.<br />
If you would like to manage your subscription, click here.
To update your payment, click here.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
- The Malwarebytes Team<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11px;">
P.S. Questions? Need help? Head over to our <a href="http://click.cbsmc.malwarebytes.org/?qs=6efe8a350f817382752369bb4ebb9819db370b3ba06636069599497331f5cbea0f3faeebaaf1c7e1" target="_blank">Help Section.</a></div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-35070091325837210992015-09-18T12:16:00.002-04:002015-09-18T12:16:36.712-04:00SOS Online BackupI continue to use and favor SOS Online Backup. All of my priceless family photos and videos, along with documents important to me, are reviewed weekly by SOS and if there are new files that have been added since last week or files that have been changed, they all get backed up to the SOS servers.<br />
<br />
I have been a customer for maybe 5 years now and have never had a problem. Occasionally I will select a file on the SOS servers and download it just to make sure all is well. Having an SOS Online Backup account is like having a safe deposit box for all of my computer files. I hold the key and can go there anytime I wish to doubecheck that everything is as I expect it to be.<br />
<br />
I have set up my account to run weekly backups automatically, and the system works like a well-oiled machine. I started out having these auto runs on a daily basis, but as my confidence grew with SOS I have found weekly runs are just fine. Each week I get an e-mail reporting the weekly activity, so I know things are working smoothly.<br />
<br />
If you have computer files you would rather not lose, you should be backing them up.<br />
<br />
I use and recommend SOS Online Backup.Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-33672197782016871742015-08-08T10:41:00.002-04:002015-08-08T10:41:18.252-04:00I did it againI installed W10 on my wife's laptop last night. It is so satisfying to me to have now installed W10 twice without a single problem. Microsoft has done it right!<br />
<br />
I started the install just before I went to bed last night. When I got up this morning, it had finished. I have no idea how long it took, and I don;t know what sort of magic they have included,but it sure worked like magic.Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-68417354977419415472015-08-06T10:18:00.001-04:002015-08-06T10:18:21.121-04:00Windows 10 & the MVPS HOSTS FileI have to say that I really like W10 so far. I am only using it as a staight replacement for W8.1 so far, and it performs flawlessly.<br />
<br />
I also just installed the August 2015 MVPS HOSTS file. It went in with no problem at all.<br />
<br />
Don't be shy people. I think you will like W10.Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-52792518620909930672015-07-30T19:48:00.002-04:002015-07-30T19:48:52.178-04:00I did it and it was easy!<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
I
am now running Windows 10. It was a very easy transition. I am able to
easily do the things I have been doing, and there is so much new stuff
to explore.<br />
<br />
The upgrade from 8.1 to 10 was flawless. No problems
at all. I can't really say how long it took because I started it and
left the house for a few hours and it was done when I returned.</div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-81985841134350173092015-07-21T06:12:00.003-04:002015-07-21T06:14:31.738-04:00When can I upgrade to Windows 10? I received this as an e-mail from Microsoft this morning. <br />
<br />
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</td>
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<td style="background: #ffffff; padding: 15px 0 25px;" width="150"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f18fff157c255cb078f6c9c09f0fd7b25fa7e0d2f0b6356fe82a5cdc44152a54d1676c10565b74fb5" title="Windows"><img align="left" alt="Windows" border="0" src="http://image.email.microsoftemail.com/lib/fed216717264067c/m/2/33547_HeaderLogo150x35_2015-07.png" height="35" width="150" /></a>
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<td align="right" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; padding: 15px 0 25px;" width="400"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195fc82c14964801a16810c47c1729d6cb32d40f6d3ffc2efe3aea3a1bca6d9dd0a8f50384bcee9ea48b" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" title="Home">Home</a> | <a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195ff1b696c810d06f58680ca908a3fbafae7136c0881966e602052a88a3e3f14decf1858449ec116b72" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" title="Upgrade FAQ's">Upgrade FAQ's</a> | <a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f8ac3ca29d1d93d7274fe66a229b6643666d65271aee84060f47f3cd8fb8e2d524c661fddccce2d72" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" title="Windows 10">Windows 10</a> | <a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195fc40b6f43afa33941aa9f33c568328bc430a132bd7b9a0a4afc2f291127665c332b08f7453bb56ac9" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" title="Latest Devices">Latest Devices</a>
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<td align="center" style="color: black; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" valign="middle" width="600"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195fbb13ff3fd533fd1ee5fd1f7e2224671244751fa45172a67ec3beb1d543afe82bbac48e8104d84d79" style="color: #fffffe; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" title="Windows 10">
<img alt="Windows 10" border="0" src="http://image.email.microsoftemail.com/lib/fed216717264067c/m/2/33547_Win10_Upgrade_Reserve_Hero.png" height="356" width="600" /></a>
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<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 600px;"><tbody>
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<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 5px 0px 15px 0px;" valign="middle" width="560"><span style="color: #0078d7; font-family: 'Segoe UI Light','Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 100; line-height: 40px;">When can I upgrade to Windows 10?</span>
<br />
<br />
We want to give every customer a great upgrade experience,
so we’re rolling it out in an organized way to manage high demand and to
make sure that the upgrade is right for your device. After July 29,
when Windows 10 is ready for your device, it will download in the
background. You’ll then get a notification to schedule your upgrade
right away or at another time that’s convenient for you.
<br />
<br />
Here are some common questions about the upgrade process. Click on the links for answers.
<br />
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<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="40"> </td>
<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="520"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f422aca434e88ce7c61cd3902cec2e955505c420559548a848e7d7d05e6ba4fc7b4ecf81ff37c74a3" style="color: #0060ac; text-decoration: underline;" title="How long does it take to install the upgrade?">How long does it take to install the upgrade?</a><br />
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<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="40"> </td>
<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="520"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f1d01f23f08c6d6f207297c37c05970e38981d9497408383db58f7cd619b922efb168d837b3dd252a" style="color: #0060ac; text-decoration: underline;" title="What if I have more than one Windows device – can I upgrade them all?">What if I have more than one Windows device – can I upgrade them all?</a><br />
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<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="40"> </td>
<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="520"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f1aec705eb5d76ee1a4937164cb772f780448841b1c52058f4696af1f30b24ceb1045ed4179cdc9f0" style="color: #0060ac; text-decoration: underline;" title="What edition of Windows will I get as part of this free upgrade?">What edition of Windows will I get as part of this free upgrade?</a><br />
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<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="40"> </td>
<td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;" valign="top" width="520"><a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f4b33b3076d0568a827c4b927c464d59eb8f3a43e14e6d44951e2534e309e9dbc7a46d17032a55ae2" style="color: #0060ac; text-decoration: underline;" title="Will my PC or tablet be compatible with Windows 10?">Will my PC or tablet be compatible with Windows 10?</a>
</td>
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<br />
Should you need any help or have any additional questions after upgrading, a <a href="http://click.email.microsoftemail.com/?qs=6af5cdbe3cd6195f16f311165a0b0afd349d972a16dfc6b3cec9d621ae23c1b11bac9e9f3ba1e1040813ffc84bec7de6" style="color: #0060ac; text-decoration: underline;" title="Microsoft Answer Tech">Microsoft Answer Tech</a> will be available to assist you.</td><td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 5px 0px 15px 0px;" valign="middle" width="560"></td><td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 5px 0px 15px 0px;" valign="middle" width="560"></td><td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 5px 0px 15px 0px;" valign="middle" width="560"></td><td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 5px 0px 15px 0px;" valign="middle" width="560"></td><td align="left" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; padding: 5px 0px 15px 0px;" valign="middle" width="560"></td></tr>
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-17361514676632166892015-07-05T06:07:00.001-04:002015-07-05T06:07:23.417-04:00Independence Day 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YzDhXMBntNTRFCFU6-6i4i2N9ZfKc4kyIGfX7To486El_2C1WMEWwh9e0KYgpFy9K6P2GZ36RfRbTUPei4BHhEDD-3TE3DCyqIBHm2IkZHMoAmyq3vloF6xYflCpyLwfjUcU8sclzSke/s1600/us+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YzDhXMBntNTRFCFU6-6i4i2N9ZfKc4kyIGfX7To486El_2C1WMEWwh9e0KYgpFy9K6P2GZ36RfRbTUPei4BHhEDD-3TE3DCyqIBHm2IkZHMoAmyq3vloF6xYflCpyLwfjUcU8sclzSke/s640/us+flag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-3071509608338771042015-06-16T06:46:00.004-04:002015-06-16T06:46:43.546-04:00Irony alert: Password-storing company is hacked"No one's safe from hackers -- not even LastPass, a company that stores people's passwords."<br />
<br />
It's true. Putting all of one's eggs in one basket may not be the prudent thing to do.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/15/technology/lastpass-password-hack/index.html?iid=Lead" target="_blank"><b>Story here</b></a> </div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-77641089489687796802015-06-15T06:02:00.000-04:002015-06-15T06:03:41.524-04:00The secret behind why Windows 10 is so good"Microsoft listened to you. More than anything else, that's why Windows 10 won't be another Windows 8 or Vista."<br />
<br />
In conversations with CNNMoney, top decision makers at Dell, Hewlett-Packard (<span class="inlink_chart"><a class="inlink" href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=HPQ&source=story_quote_link">HPQ</a></span>, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/technology/tech30/index.html?iid=EL">Tech30</a>) and Toshiba noted that Microsoft requested their input throughout the process of creating <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/01/technology/windows-10-release-date/index.html?iid=EL" target="_blank">Windows 10</a>.
They said Microsoft listened to their feedback -- and, vicariously, PC
customers' feedback -- and made a better operating system as a result.<br />
<br />
<b>Responding to customer demands. </b>The PC makers said that process was vastly improved from the way that Microsoft (<span class="inlink_chart"><a class="inlink" href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=MSFT&source=story_quote_link">MSFT</a></span>, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/technology/tech30/index.html?iid=EL">Tech30</a>)
conducted its business ahead of the Windows 8 launch. They said Windows
8 felt forced on them while Windows 10 felt like more of a
conversation.<br />
<br />
"It's pretty cool how responsive Microsoft has
been to feedback," said Mike Nash, HP's head of product strategy. "We
were right there in the room planning Windows 10 with them from very
beginning."<br />
<br />
"There's a new dawn at Microsoft," said Allison
Dew, Dell's marketing chief (and a former Microsoft employee). "What
we've seen in terms of development and cooperation with Microsoft this
time around is unlike what we've seen in past years."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Windows is good again. </b>The
result, they say is a much more refined operating system that customers
will get excited about. That's a very different experience from Windows
8, which literally had customers calling their PC companies in droves
wondering how to get to the desktop or turn their PCs off.<br />
<br />
"We're more excited about this launch than we have been in a really long
time," said Dew. "I've been through amazing windows launches and some
that weren't quite as amazing. This has the feel of something amazing."<br />
<br />
"Windows 8 was a difficult out-of-the-box adjustment to consumers,"
said Jeff Barney, head of Toshiba's U.S. PC business. "Windows 10 has
good features and is generating some buzz -- that's enough to get people
back to the PC market.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/12/technology/windows-10-pcs/index.html" target="_blank"><b>Whole article including video here</b></a> </div>
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-71440771962637264672015-06-10T05:58:00.000-04:002015-06-10T05:58:06.984-04:00MVPS HOSTS File for June available nowOkay, I sound like a broken record, but this is important!<br />
<br />
The MVPS HOSTS file should be an integral part of your Windows security.
It will keep you, or anyone using your machine, from going to known
problem web sites. A new version comes out once a month and I always try
to make sure I have the latest. Did I mention it is FREE?<br />
<br />
You can download it from here: <a href="http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm">http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm</a><br />
<br />
The current version became available on June 4. On the above page, right
click on hosts.zip and select Save Link As and download it (I recommend
downloading to your Desktop because you will use this file and delete it
after you install the current version). Once downloaded to your
desktop, right click on the zipped folder and select Extract All. This
will create another folder named HOSTS. Open up that folder by
double-clicking on it and then right click on the file MVPS.bat, and
select "run as administrator". The new HOSTS file will then be
installed, replacing our old HOSTS file (yes, you will always have one,
even on a new machine, since an empty and useless HOSTS file already
exists on your system). The blue window that next appears will inform
you that the new file has been installed.<br />
<br />
Lastly delete both of the HOSTS folders on your desktop. They have served their purpose and are no longer needed..
Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-62549865946882497612015-06-02T07:20:00.001-04:002015-06-02T07:20:23.391-04:00IRS Using 13-Yr. Old Microsoft SoftwareOops! This is hard to believe.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">
By <span itemprop="name"><a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/archive/gerri-willis" itemprop="url" rel="author"> Gerri Willis</a></span></div>
<time datetime="2015-06-01T12:44-04:00" itemprop="datePublished" pubdate="">Published June 01, 2015</time><div itemprop="sourceOrganization" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization">
<a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/index.html" itemprop="name">FOXBusiness</a></div>
<div itemprop="sourceOrganization" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization">
</div>
</div>
From <a href="http://foxbusiness.com/">foxbusiness.com</a>:<br />
<br />
"IRS computers are still running the 13-year old Microsoft (<a class="hover" href="http://quote.foxbusiness.com/symbol/MSFT/snapshot">MSFT</a>)
Windows XP operating software which Microsoft stopped supporting a year
ago with security updates. Even the agency’s fraud-catching software is
two decades old. The outdated software may have played a role in the
breach the IRS announced last week in which thieves hacked into the
agency’s online service and gained access to more than 100,000 taxpayer
accounts.<br />
<br />
The criminals used personal data obtained from other sources,
including Social Security numbers, street addresses and dates of birth
to get into the IRS’ “Get Transcript” service. The service was
subsequently shut down. The thieves gained access to tax returns and
other tax information on file with the IRS.<br />
<br />
<div class="mod-16 active">
<div class="ad-container">
</div>
</div>
During an IRS budget hearing in April before the House Financial
Services and General Government Committee, the chairman, Rep. Ander
Crenshaw, questioned why the agency had been so slow to upgrade to
Windows 7. “Now we find out that you’ve been struggling to come up with
$30 million to finish migrating to Windows 7, even though Microsoft
announced in 2008 that it would stop supporting Windows XP past 2014,”
the Congressman said. “I know you probably wish you’d already done
that.”<br />
<br />
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen has said budget cuts have kept the
service from upgrading, telling Congressional members that “we still
have applications that were running when John F. Kennedy was president.”<br />
<br />
The news comes as cold comfort to the tens of thousands of Americans
who have had their identity stolen as a result of filing their taxes.
And, the breaches can be no surprise to the IRS itself which has been
warned repeatedly by the <a href="http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-337" target="blank">Government Accountability Office</a>
over limited security controls. In the most recent report, the GAO
found 69 potential problems, including weak employee passwords.<br />
<br />
The tax reporting agency is embroiled in several scandals. The agency
used its powers to delay or deny non-profit status applications by
groups with “tea party” and “patriot” in their names, an overreach of
power that has led to a criminal investigation by the agency’s inspector
general. Further, its aggressive hounding of small businesses,
including seizing bank accounts of businesses the agency suspects of
involvement in criminal activity was halted because of complaints late
last year." Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232328964482755034.post-75537992631583344012015-06-01T05:59:00.001-04:002015-06-01T05:59:39.026-04:00Windows 10Here we go! Starting down the road to Windows 10. I reserved my free upgrade.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jHFNRk_iZJ1Sm_DZSJUZKDEHALWHGhVjSADz1OqvECtf4d-DcPqya_uCUl_uB2iQ2-_J6y94y0S3fmYSxG3PiJqh0BDND5ygYV0oslVtOfwq8f8aEMyghytXhU2JuIY04koxS7mJFd4T/s1600/Windows+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jHFNRk_iZJ1Sm_DZSJUZKDEHALWHGhVjSADz1OqvECtf4d-DcPqya_uCUl_uB2iQ2-_J6y94y0S3fmYSxG3PiJqh0BDND5ygYV0oslVtOfwq8f8aEMyghytXhU2JuIY04koxS7mJFd4T/s640/Windows+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tom McGonegalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740266503664720253noreply@blogger.com0