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March 5, 2020 By Nate Forant

Top 10 Internet Safety Rules You Need to Know

online safety

Here are the Top 10 Internet safety rules you need to know to avoid getting into trouble online (and off).

  1. Keep Personal Information Professional and Limited

Potential employers or customers don’t need to know your personal relationship status or your home address. They do need to know about your expertise and professional background, and how to get in touch with you. You wouldn’t hand purely personal information out to strangers individually—don’t hand it out to millions of people online.

  1. Keep Your Privacy Settings On

Marketers love to know all about you, and so do hackers. Both can learn a lot from your browsing and social media usage. But you can take charge of your information. As noted by Lifehacker, both web browsers and mobile operating systems have settings available to protect your privacy online. Major websites like Facebook also have privacy-enhancing settings available. These settings are sometimes (deliberately) hard to find because companies want your personal information for its marketing value. Make sure you have enabled these privacy safeguards, and keep them enabled.

  1. Practice Safe Browsing

You wouldn’t choose to walk through a dangerous neighborhood—don’t visit dangerous neighborhoods online. Cybercriminals use lurid content as bait. They know people are sometimes tempted by dubious content and may let their guard down when searching for it. The Internet’s demimonde is filled with hard-to-see pitfalls, where one careless click could expose personal data or infect your device with malware. By resisting the urge, you don’t even give the hackers a chance.

  1. Make Sure Your Internet Connection is Secure. Use a Secure VPN Connection

When you go online in a public place, for example by using a public Wi-Fi connection, PCMag notes you have no direct control over its security. Corporate cybersecurity experts worry about “endpoints”—the places where a private network connects to the outside world. Your vulnerable endpoint is your local Internet connection. Make sure your device is secure, and when in doubt, wait for a better time (i.e., until you’re able to connect to a secure Wi-Fi network) before providing information such as your bank account number.

To further improve your Internet browsing safety, use a secure VPN connection (a virtual private network). VPN enables you to have a secure connection between your device and an Internet server that no one can monitor or access the data that you’re exchanging. Read more about What is VPN

  1. Be Careful What You Download

A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather. As PCWorld advises, don’t download apps that look suspicious or come from a site you don’t trust.

  1. Choose Strong Passwords

Passwords are one of the biggest weak spots in the whole Internet security structure, but there’s currently no way around them. And the problem with passwords is that people tend to choose easy ones to remember (such as “password” and “123456”), which are also easy for cyber thieves to guess. Select strong passwords that are harder for cybercriminals to demystify. Password manager software can help you to manage multiple passwords so that you don’t forget them. A strong password is one that is unique and complex—at least 15 characters long, mixing letters, numbers, and special characters.

  1. Make Online Purchases From Secure Sites

Any time you make a purchase online, you need to provide credit card or bank account information—just what cybercriminals are most eager to get their hands on. Only supply this information to sites that provide secure, encrypted connections. As Boston University notes, you can identify secure sites by looking for an address that starts with https: (the S stands for secure) rather than simply Http: They may also be marked by a padlock icon next to the address bar.

  1. Be Careful What You Post

The Internet does not have a delete key, as that young candidate in New Hampshire found out. Any comment or image you post online may stay online forever because removing the original (say, from Twitter) does not remove any copies that other people made. There is no way for you to “take back” a remark you wish you hadn’t made, or get rid of that embarrassing selfie you took at a party. Don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t want your mom or a prospective employer to see.

  1. Be Careful Who You Meet Online

People you meet online are not always who they claim to be. Indeed, they may not even be real. As InfoWorld reports, fake social media profiles are a popular way for hackers to cozy up to unwary Web users and pick their cyber pockets. Be as cautious and sensible in your online social life as you are in your in-person social life.

  1. Keep Your Antivirus Program Up To Date

Internet security software cannot protect against every threat, but it will detect and remove most malware—though you should make sure it’s to date. Be sure to stay current with your operating system’s updates and updates to the applications you use. They provide a vital layer of security.

Filed Under: Tech Tagged With: Security, Tech Tips

October 28, 2019 By Nate Forant

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Phishing

Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to infect your machine with malware and viruses in order to collect personal and financial information. Cybercriminals attempt to lure users to click on a link or open an attachment that infects their computers, creating vulnerability to attacks. Phishing emails may appear to come from a real financial institution, e-commerce site, government agency, or any other service, business, or individual. The email may also request personal information such as account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers. When users respond with the information or click on a link, attackers use it to access users’ accounts.

You can read more here.

Filed Under: Tech Tagged With: Security, Tech Tips

October 22, 2019 By Nate Forant

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Social Media Cybersecurity

Now more than ever, consumers spend increasing amounts of time on the Internet. With every social media account you sign up for, every picture you post, and status you update, you are sharing information about yourself with the world. How can you be proactive to stay safe online and, “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.”? #BeCyberSmart and take these simple steps to connect with confidence and safely navigate the social media world.

You can learn more at https://bit.ly/2LLRe7R

 

Filed Under: Tech Tagged With: Security, Tech Tips

October 17, 2019 By Nate Forant

Online Privacy: What You Need To Know

privacy online

Online Privacy: What You Need To Know

The Internet touches almost all aspects of our daily lives. We are able to shop, bank, connect with family and friends, and handle our medical records all online. With all of that, there are people out there that will try to steal your information. In our ongoing commitment to educating people about online safety, security, privacy, etc.  we’re sharing helpful blog posts all month in honor of National Cybersecurity Month

#BeCyberSmart when sharing personal information online to reduce the risk of becoming a cybercrime victim.

Did You Know?

  1. 64% of U.S. adults have noticed or been notified of a major data breach affecting their sensitive accounts or personal data.
  2. Roughly half of Americans (49%) feel that their personal information is less secure than it was five years ago.
  3. 58% of Americans age 50 and older are more likely to feel that their personal information has become less safe in recent years: 58% of Americans in this age group express this opinion.
  4. 69% of consumers believe companies are vulnerable to hacks and cyberattacks.

There is so much information online about this topic. To help you get right to the information you need. I highly recommend this Online Privacy information sheet that you can download or print out.

Do you need help protecting yourself online? Need to update the security on your computer? Contact us. We’d love to help!

Filed Under: Tech Tagged With: Security, Tech Tips

July 1, 2019 By Nate Forant

Mac Shortcuts for Google Sites

From time to time we like to post ways to make things easier. Shortcuts are a great way to make that happen.

macbook pic

We covered keyboard shortcuts for PC users in the first part. These shortcuts will be very useful to Mac users who use Google sites.

Mac users

Basic shortcuts

Application
Open shortcut help ⌘ + /
Open shortcut help ?
Search /
More actions m
Site
Create page c
Toggle site subscription Shift + f
Manage site g then m
Share site Shift + s
Page
Edit page e
Edit site layout Shift + L
Revision history g then r
Toggle page subscription f
Page settings u
Print page ⌘ + p
Copy page Shift + c
Preview page as viewer g then p
Change page template Shift + t
Move page
(for pages besides Home)
Shift + m
Delete page
(for pages besides Home)
Shift + 3

Shortcuts in editing mode

Application
Open shortcut help ⌘ + /
Remove formatting ⌘ + \
Undo ⌘ + z
Redo ⌘ + y
Add or remove link ⌘ + k
Save page ⌘ + s
Cancel Esc
Menus
Open Insert menu Ctrl + Opt + i
Open Format menu Ctrl + Opt + f
Open Table menu Ctrl + Opt + t
Open Layout menu Ctrl + Opt + L
Open Help menu Ctrl + Opt + h
Text formatting
Strikethrough Opt + Shift + 5
Superscript ⌘ + .
Subscript ⌘ + ,
Bold ⌘ + b
Italic ⌘ + i
Underline ⌘ + u
Paragraph formatting
Heading 2 ⌘ + Opt + 2
Heading 3 ⌘ + Opt + 3
Heading 4 ⌘ + Opt + 4
Normal text ⌘ + Opt + 0
Align left ⌘ + Shift + L
Align center ⌘ + Shift + e
Align right ⌘ + Shift + r
Numbered list ⌘ + Shift + 7
Bulleted list ⌘ + Shift + 8
Decrease indent ⌘ + [
Increase indent ⌘ + ]

If you are someone who uses Google sites, there is plenty of useful information. We will continue our shortcut series, so there is more to come. Stay tuned.

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: Apple, Tech Tips

June 28, 2019 By Nate Forant

Keyboard Shortcuts for Google Sites

Do you use Google Sites for your website? If you love keyboard shortcuts like we do, then this will be very useful for you.
Keyboard shortcuts
This is part one of our shortcut series. We want to put out as much information as we can in different areas of technology. 

Basic PC keyboard shortcuts

Application
Open shortcut help Ctrl + /
Open shortcut help ?
Search /
More actions m
Site
Create page c
Toggle site subscription Shift + f
Manage site g then m
Share site Shift + s
Page
Edit page e
Edit site layout Shift + L
Revision history g then r
Toggle page subscription f
Page settings u
Print page Ctrl + p
Copy page Shift + c
Preview page as viewer g then p
Change page template Shift + t
Move page
(for pages besides Home)
Shift + m
Delete page
(for pages besides Home)
Shift + 3

Shortcuts in editing mode

Application
Open shortcut help Ctrl + /
Remove formatting Ctrl + \
Undo Ctrl + z
Redo Ctrl + y
Add or remove link Ctrl + k
Save page Ctrl + s
Cancel Esc
Menus
Open Insert menu Alt + i
Open Format menu Alt + f
Open Table menu Alt + t
Open Layout menu Alt + L
Open Help menu Alt + h
Text formatting
Strikethrough Alt + Shift + 5
Superscript Ctrl + .
Subscript Ctrl + ,
Bold Ctrl + b
Italic Ctrl + i
Underline Ctrl + u
Paragraph formatting
Heading 2 Ctrl + Alt + 2
Heading 3 Ctrl + Alt + 3
Heading 4 Ctrl + Alt + 4
Normal text Ctrl + Alt + 0
Align left Ctrl + Shift + L
Align center Ctrl + Shift + e
Align right Ctrl + Shift + r
Numbered list Ctrl + Shift + 7
Bulleted list Ctrl + Shift + 8
Decrease indent Ctrl + [
Increase indent Ctrl + ]

We will cover keyboard shortcuts for Mac users in part two. These shortcuts will be very useful to Mac users who use Google sites.

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: Microsoft, PC, Tech Tips

September 25, 2016 By Nate Forant

How To Create A Battery Power Plan

battery-power-plan

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Love “How-to” posts? We’re sharing some of our favorite How To posts to help make it easier for you to work with your laptop or desktop. Our first “How-to” is a step-by-step guide is how to create a power plan for your laptop or desktop. No matter which Windows OS you have, you can create a plan the same way.

laptop-batteryStep-by-Step Guide

1 – From the START screen or desktop, right-click the battery 

Screenshot (18)

2 – Click Power Options

 

Screenshot (18)

3 – Click Create Power Plan

You can also set a power plan from the mobility center when you right click on the battery icon or from the start menu.

4 – Click a power plan and then click NEXT

Screenshot (10)

5 – Choose the sleep and display settings that you want to apply

6 – Click Create

If you need help or additional instructions, we provide one-on-one training at SOBXTech. Please don’t hesitate to contact us through Facebook, email or by phone.


About Us

SOBX Tech is Eastern North Carolina’s leader for computer services, computer repair, software installations and software upgrades.  SOBX Tech serves the Southern Outer Banks community and surrounding areas. Located in Eastern North Carolina, along North Carolina’s beautiful Crystal Coast, we’re happy to provide on-site service in your home or business, at no extra charge!

Filed Under: How To Tagged With: Tech Tips

July 21, 2016 By Nate Forant

Monthly Meeting – Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast

Geek breakfast

Our monthly meeting is Friday, July 29, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at Southern Bread Bakery & Cafe and you are all invited.

We’re pleased to bring the local tech community together for our Geek Breakfast, right here along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. If you’re interested in technology, blogging, work in the industry or just want to learn what’s going on in the area, come on out and let’s connect.

What’s a Geek Breakfast?

A Geek Breakfast is a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees congregate over breakfast foods and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, blogging, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities through technology.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone, attendance is free (excluding food, beverage, and gratuity).

You’ll meet bloggers, tech lovers, and social media enthusiasts like –

  • Trish, NC Blogger Network’s Chief Blogger in Charge
  • Allie, our Photojournalist, of AMillerFoto
  • Ragan, our Campaign and Event Manager
  • Nate of SOBX Tech
  • Sherry of  Blind. Not Invisible
  • and a bunch of other locals who have a love for social media, tech, etc.

Can we count on you? Will you be there? It’s fun, informal and a great way to get to know the bloggers and tech-lovers in your community.

Where?

This breakfast will be held at:

Southern Bread Bakery & Cafe
4050 Arendall St
Morehead City, NC 28557

When?

Friday, July 29, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

What’s the Hashtag?

Our official hashtag for this event is #GeekBreakfastSOBX if you can’t make it but would like to follow along online. Pictures, audio and video are licensed under Creative Commons and tagged using “CrystalCoastGeekBreakfast” and “GeekBreakfast” and we encourage you to add them to the Geek Breakfast Flickr Group.

What’s Next?

Though registration isn’t required, please take a moment to RSVP the Facebook Page at: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – May so we can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

Questions?

For more information, call Trish at (252) 226-0885 or you can post your questions on the Facebook page. We’re looking forward to meeting you, March 25, 2016 and getting some great conversations started!


About Us

SOBX Tech is Eastern North Carolina’s leader for computer services, computer repair, software installations and software upgrades.  SOBX Tech serves the Southern Outer Banks community and surrounding areas. Located in Eastern North Carolina, along North Carolina’s beautiful Crystal Coast, we’re happy to provide on-site service in your home or business, at no extra charge!

 

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast, Tech Tips

May 16, 2016 By Nate Forant

Meetup – Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – May

Geek breakfast

Our monthly meetup is Friday, May 27, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at Southern Bread Bakery & Cafe and you are all invited.

We’re pleased to bring the local tech community together for our Geek Breakfast, right here along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. If you’re interested in technology, blogging, work in the industry or just want to learn what’s going on in the area, come on out and let’s connect.

What’s a Geek Breakfast?

A Geek Breakfast is a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees congregate over breakfast foods and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, blogging, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities through technology.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone, attendance is free (excluding food, beverage and gratuity).

You’ll meet bloggers, tech lovers, and social media enthusiasts like –

  • Trish, NC Blogger Network’s Chief Blogger in Charge
  • Allie, our Photojournalist, of AMillerFoto
  • Ragan, our Campaign and Event Manager
  • Nate of SOBX Tech
  • Sherry of  Blind. Not Invisible
  • and a bunch of other locals who have a love for social media, tech, etc.

Can we count on you? Will you be there? It’s fun, informal and a great way to get to know the bloggers and tech-lovers in your community.

Where?

This breakfast will be held at:

Southern Bread Bakery & Cafe
4050 Arendall St
Morehead City, NC 28557

When?

Friday, May 27, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

What’s the Hashtag?

The official hashtag for this event is #GeekBreakfastSOBX if you can’t make it but would like to follow along online. Pictures, audio and video are licensed under Creative Commons and tagged using “CrystalCoastGeekBreakfast” and “GeekBreakfast” and we encourage you to add them to the Geek Breakfast Flickr Group.

What’s Next?

Though registration isn’t required, please take a moment to RSVP the Facebook Page at: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – May so we can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

Questions?

For more information, call Trish at (252) 226-0885 or you can post your questions on the Facebook page. We’re looking forward to meeting you, March 25, 2016 and getting some great conversations started!


About Us

SOBX Tech is Eastern North Carolina’s leader for computer services, computer repair, software installations and software upgrades.  SOBX Tech serves the Southern Outer Banks community and surrounding areas. Located in Eastern North Carolina, along North Carolina’s beautiful Crystal Coast, we’re happy to provide on-site service in your home or business, at no extra charge!

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast, Tech Tips

March 22, 2016 By Nate Forant

Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – March

Geek breakfast

You’re invited to join us for a monthly Geek Breakfast, Friday, March 25, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at Southern Bread Bakery & Cafe.

We’re pleased to bring the local tech community together, right here along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. If you’re interested in technology, blogging, work in the industry or just want to learn what’s going on in the area, come on out and let’s connect.

What’s a Geek Breakfast?

A Geek Breakfast is a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees congregate over breakfast foods and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, blogging, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities through technology.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone, attendance is free (excluding food, beverage and gratuity).

You’ll meet bloggers, tech lovers, and social media enthusiasts like –

  • Trish, NC Blogger Network’s Chief Blogger in Charge
  • Allie, our Photojournalist, of AMillerFoto
  • Ragan, our Campaign and Event Manager
  • Nate of SOBX Tech
  • Sherry of  Blind. Not Invisible
  • and a bunch of other locals who have a love for social media, tech, etc.

Can we count on you to be there too? It’s fun, informal and a great way to get to know the bloggers and tech-lovers in your community.

Where?

This breakfast will be held at:

Southern Bread Bakery & Cafe
4050 Arendall St
Morehead City, NC 28557

When?

Friday, March 25, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

What’s the Hashtag?

The official hashtag for this event is #GeekBreakfastSOBX if you can’t make it but would like to follow along online. Pictures, audio and video should be licensed under Creative Commons and tagged using “CrystalCoastGeekBreakfast” and “GeekBreakfast” and we encourage you to add them to the Geek Breakfast Flickr Group.

What’s Next?

Though registration isn’t required, please take a moment to RSVP the Facebook Page at: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast – March so we can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

Questions?

For more information, call Trish at (252) 226-0885 or you can post your questions on the Facebook page. We’re looking forward to meeting you, March 25, 2016 and getting some great conversations started!

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Crystal Coast Geek Breakfast, Tech Tips

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