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Wjoan

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2024-03-22, 14:15:18
Domestic Goddess: Pollock Fillets seasoned with Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper, Bush's Best Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans, Green Grapes and Chocolate Chip Cookies that my husband prepared.  Sorry about the previous type error with my last post.

2024-03-22, 14:03:04
Domestic Goddess: Pollock Fillets seasoned with Mrs. Dash

2024-03-22, 09:31:45
Domestic Goddess: Is this correct, if one would like to post/share a recipe, we do so here?  If so, was searching to see if there were separate recipe categories?

2024-02-21, 22:30:59
Oldiesmann: The chat can be accessed from the menu but I don't kow how often anyone is in there

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alpiner1: Is the chat live ?

2024-02-19, 23:20:20
junee: Junee

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2024-01-29, 20:17:44
mycheal: Love the chat  off and on

2024-01-14, 21:12:20
Oldiesmann: Just curious. Does anyone still use the chat? It doesn't make any difference to me since it's a free service. Just wondering

2023-11-28, 19:23:29
JeanneP: Stiil trying to let Julee know that my EM is   gmjeannep2@gmail.com  and that the  old Comcast on is no longer work, it was to old and they dont do EM anymore


avatar_RAMMEL

General Computer Q & A

Started by RAMMEL, March 29, 2016, 01:39:14 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

angelface555

#1050
Verizon has like a lot of other companies, been buying up bankrupt companies besides AOL and Yahoo. They may want to look back at Sears, Whole Foods, and others to see some pitfalls of bankrupt acquisitions.

RAMMEL

#1051
I think, at times, that they are just removing the competition.

Just noticed my weather "bug" is working now. It wasn't at a prior unknown date.  I have made NO changes to it. 
It's the WINDMILLS

          THIMK

halkel

It has always been a mystery to me why Montgomery Ward and Sears got in trouble financially.  Especially when you look at Amazon.  Amazon is based on their business, mail order.

I know part of Sears problem, their customer service and service period, at least in Texas.  Sears was always right and the customer was always wrong.  Just the opposite of what made them.

But look at AT&T they developed UVerse cable and put it out before it was really ready (and still has many glitches) then went out and bought Direct TV to compete against themselves and us UVerse customers are left suffering, they want us to switch over to satellite from cable and I don't want satellite with all the trees around my house and other problems with it.
AT&T is now in the process of putting in their fiber in our area, about 10 years behind Time Warner, but customer service still sucks at TW (now Spectrum). 

I often wonder how computers are all going to end up, with all the security problems associated with them.  If we ever go into a full scale no holds barred war I suspect we all better get used to having no utilities of any type and we will be back in the days of my youth, coaloil lamps, water wells and outdoor toilets and the old wash tub in the kitchens on Saturday night.... ;)

wjoan

Mars Gal, I also have an old Yahoo mail account.  Use it now for spam.  LOL  Got upset when they kept changing things so switched to Gmail.  Like you the account is so old whatever info they can get off it is 20 years old or more.  LOL

jane

#1054
HalKel...my experience many years ago with "Monkey Wards" was the same.  They continued to bill me $30.00 or something like that for my account when I had the canceled check for it.  Every time I went to Customer Service, I was told..."Oh, that'll show up on the next billing cycle."  NOPE. IT. DIDN'T.  Then I started getting nasty letters that they were turning it over to a collection agency, etc. NASTY stuff.  I made 4 or so trips to Customer Service...always the same old story..."next billing cycle."  Finally, I went with the check and got someone who knew something. She was aghast that I'd gotten such a run around.  She said they hired temp workers who knew nothing and wouldn't ask someone who did.  She did get it fixed...and a letter of apology from the main hdqts billing place. I never shopped there again.

We here in rural area can get almost everything we need from our family room delivered right to the door. No longer need to go to a "city"...70 to 144 miles roundtrip and then store to store looking for what we want.  With a computer and internet access, life got easier for us. 

I have a friend who only does forwards of email...she can't imagine using a computer to find information or products or...gasp...shop online.  She's in a minority, I guess, from the numbers Amazon is posting.

jane

joan...me, too, on yahoo.  It's good for those places who insist on an email.  Nowhere does it say I have to read those emails there in a timely fashion.  And, as you say, the spam there is horrendous.


wjoan

Jane, when they changed MY color scheme and started putting video ads I decided it must be THEIR email  now not mine.

jane


angelface555

#1058
Okay, I worked at Sears twice, first in Shoes, Women's, then Babies' and finally in Paint & Hardware. My second foray, years later, started in Bed & Bath, Purses then Jewelry and then floor department heads. I ended up in the Cash Office.

In my mind and in others who worked there, Sears had a string of CEOs and CFOs that came from nonretail backgrounds and had short terms with Sears. It was a time in the mid-nineties and early two thousand when they were still doing well, flush with success and started doing cash acquisitions of bankrupt companies such as Kmart, PrettyPlus and a number of auto parts and garages. Instead of breaking those companies up and selling the parts, they just became bloated.

The thing about Yahoo is not just their emails. Yahoo also owns other parts such as email groups of photography, PSP, quilting and computer gamesmanship, and many different others or sites such as Flickr for photo storage. If they can get your information, they have access to your contacts, no matter how old. And remember that many folks still do not change their passwords or arrangements that often or at all. Each little bit that scammers score opens up more and more possibilities and advantages.

Whole Foods was recently acknowledged to have been successfully attacked twice so that all their private company info, not just customers or financials, but all that information has long been shared and sold. Theirs and what the spammers can get from Whole Foods information on other companies and those who are competitors or those they do business with. It's a multi, worldwide, billion dollar industry.

As a famous poet once said, "No man is an Island."

jane

Very true, Angelface.  And, there are probably things we don't know. 

MarsGal

What I really liked about Yahoo was their "My Yahoo" feature where you could set up pages with just the feeds you wanted, and you could arrange them in the order you wanted, not to mention I liked the background scheme I chose. They changed all that, naturally. As far as I am concerned, they are no better than AOL news features.

Also, I noticed that more and more sites appear to be setting themselves up smartphone style. I don't have a smartphone and am not likely to get one. I am thinking of sites like Pintrest, Facebook, and even my local online newspaper has changed some. Lots of big pictures with a little text and, of course, the comments section. In truth, I think the comments on my local newspaper site are often more amusing and interesting that the news item itself.

I heard, yesterday, that Amazon is looking to do its own deliveries now, but I haven't looked into that yet to confirm. Amazon is taking over the world. Maybe they could get people to stop fighting? An Amazon Army? HAH!

Cottoncandy

I have had malawareBytes...free..for a long time...yesterday..I did update/scan....when it finished...showed to be a trial...which I did not ask for....anyone know if it's NOT free anymore...and a suggested replacement...thanks CC

angelface555

CC, Malwarebytes has always had both free and paid subscriptions. It sounds to me like you have somehow switched or been switched over to the paid version. I would email and tell them you want to be placed back with the free version of the program.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/contact/

angelface555

#1063
These company data  breaches are almost hourly anymore.

"A breach of Sonic's payment system has caused over five million credit cards numbers and customer/industry information placed on the dark web. "In September, various entities were breached, including Equifax, the SEC, even the fast-food chain Sonic.  In mid-September five million of credit and debit card numbers were loaded to the dark web.  It is believed, some if not all of, these numbers came from a breach within Sonic’s payment systems.  Experts believe these numbers were obtained by Sonic’s payment system because two different batches of these numbers were recently used at various Sonic’s throughout the nation."

"Sonic has over 3,900 stores in 45 different states.  If their entire payment system was breached, that could mean victims across the nation.  However, at this time, the stores impacted have not been identified. "

"Joker’s Stash is where these credit cards can be found.  The cards have been categorized based on city, state and zip codes.  This is allowing buyers to obtain credit/debit cards that are near their area; therefore, decreasing the likelihood of being flagged as fraudulent transactions.  The prices for these cards are higher than usual too, ranging from $25 to $50.  The price increase is due to how recent the breach is believed to occurred, meaning few cards have been reported as compromised.

If you are concerned about your information being breached, you will need to check your credit/debit card statements carefully for any fraudulent purchases.  If you see any unauthorized purchases, it is important you report them to your financial institution immediately."

https://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2017/10/02/sonic-breach-leaves-customers-vulnerable/?5maccountsdumped=&ad_id=505255&share-ad-id=1


JeanneP

Wish there was a way that I could cancel out my Gmail acct. It has really gotten into a mess. Had it for at least 6 years. Be nice if could just start over and register again using different Email address and PW.  If you try it just says already registered..
JeanneP

angelface555

JeanneP.;  Google is your friend. Just remember to use a different name and password on the other Gmail account and slowly change the email contact list over time. You can use the malfunctioning Gmail as an address for suspected spam

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+have+more+than+one+gmail+account+open+at+same+time&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS753US753&oq=how+to+have+more+than+one+gmail+account&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l5.19636j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

.

Cottoncandy

I decided to try and download the free malwarebytes from their site again....it shows free version which I clued on...but when it starts downloading says trial version....guess I will have to find another..,CC

wjoan

CC, they have been trying to get me to switch for some time now and I just refuse.

Cottoncandy

WJoan....I didn't have a choice...I clicked on free version...but when it started downloading it was the trial version....I just uninstalled it and will go without I guess...cc

angelface555

Disqus.com announced this morning that their files had been breached. It deals with web dialog in that if you want to comment on a number of sites such as a magazine, news, YouTube or similar sites, you first become a member of Disqus and then you are able to comment on videos and articles.

Everyone, belonging to Disqus, is urged to change their passwords to a different stronger one at this time.

jane

#1070
Darlene....it says the Trial becomes the Free version after 14 days:

I did a google for MalwareByte Free version and found sites that say the trial version becomes the free version after 14 days.  I know they probably bug you that whole 14 days to buy it. I also found the following.


Convert from Trial to Free Version - Malwarebytes 3   Once the trial period is over you will be able to revert back to the free version If you do not wish to have the trial at all you can follow the instructions below for a clean install

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/101446-convert-from-trial-to-free-version/

That above may help.  You lose some of the features of the trial, of course, when you go to just the free version.


Cottoncandy

Thank you Jane...I will reinstall and try that CC

halkel

If you have nothing else to worry about, well, toy with this for a while.  Seems all wi-fi networks are now vulnerable.  Only redeeming thing, they have to be within range of your wi-fi network, the way I read it.

Every Wi-Fi network at risk of unprecedented 'Krack' hacking attack

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/10/16/every-wi-fi-device-risk-unprecedented-krack-attack-security/

And no easy fix.


angelface555

#1073
You can clean your computer several times a week, use a good antivirus and a good secondary antivirus and still have issues. You have to stay educated and delete so much daily spam.

Also be careful of posts sent by good friends recommending stuff that is very unlike the person sending the email. Delete these without even opening them as spam.

There is a NY hospital that spent 10 million to rebuild rather than pay a ransom. The US Government no longer uses Kaspersky after Israel warned them of Russian hacking using that program with substantial evidence included. If you use Kaspersky, you are at risk.

Recently in Montana, the Flathead Valley and Columbia Falls School Board were hit up for millions in demands. This directly effected thousands.

This is becoming commonplace because people don't care or shrug off any responsibility saying there is nothing they or we can do. There is a lot we can do. Stay educated, use a strong antivirus and a strong secondary antivirus.

Keep the crud out of your email and don't click or pass on odd email posts. Choose a weekly or biweekly time to clean your computer and keep up to date on both your security and your computer system updates. Pay attention.


angelface555

This goes along with what Hal posted earlier.

https://www.techlicious.com/tip/how-to-protect-your-privacy-on-public-wifi-networks/?utm_source=Techlicious+List&utm_campaign=b69fe6f4f0-techliciousdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ee95b0b14-b69fe6f4f0-189582833

"Before you connect, be sure you know whose network you're connecting to so you don't fall prey to Wi-Fi honeypots. If you're not sure what the public network at a business is called, ask an employee before connecting.

Check to make sure your computer or smartphone is not set up to automatically connect to unknown Wi-Fi networks â€" or set it to ask you before connecting â€" so you're sure you know what you're connecting to when you connect.

Make sure to connect to websites via HTTPS, which encrypts anything you send and receive from the website. While a VPN service encrypts everything you send, HTTPS ensures that communication to and from a particular website is secure. To verify if you're connected via HTTPS, look at the address bar of your browser window; you should see "HTTPS" at the beginning of the web address (or, on some web browsers, a lock icon). Looking for HTTPS isn't enough, though. Hackers have been able to acquire legitimate SSL certificates for sites with names that are slightly off those of major financial institutions and also bear the HTTPS at the front of the URL. Site names include banskfamerica.com, paypwil.com and itunes-security.net.

Recently, hackers have taken advantage of a loophole in the HTTPS handshake, so they can highjack your HTTPS session. Mobile device (smartphone, laptop, tablet) and router manufacturers are working on rolling out patches to fix this (check this list to see the status of your device manufacturer). In the meantime, the way to ensure all of your data is protected is to use a VPN.

If you use a VPN service, anyone trying to steal your data will see only encrypted data that they can't get into. There are many services that can do this, including Freedome and NordVPN (Disclosure: we have an affiliate relationship with NordVPN). VPN services charge a fee for their use, with pay packages ranging from day passes to year-round protection. Keep in mind that services like Netflix may not let you connect if you're using a VPN service. Check out our tips on how to use a VPN and still access Netflix.

Whenever you can, use two-factor authentication, which requires both a password and a secondary code that changes regularly, for websites. This makes it very difficult for hackers to get at your accounts because even if they can get your password, they won't have the secondary code. Though not all services support it, many popular sites offer this level of security including Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Apple and Microsoft.

Make sure your computer isn't configured to share access to files or be seen on public or guest networks. When you're at home, it may be convenient to keep things in a folder you share with other members of the household, but that's less safe when you're connecting to public Wi-Fi."

Jeanne Lee

I suppose it might help if I understood any of that.   :2funny:

Click for Corinth, New York Forecast

jackwv

Jeanne Lee   :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:  Good one, I agree.  Two days ago Comcast came to put a filter in their box.  The man said it was to keep my Channel box from talking to other boxes, over my head but just go with the flow. :)

angelface555

It's very basic. It prevents such incidences such as where a Texas woman I know had clicked on an email advertisement that she thought was from a friend. Soon afterward, her less than a year old computer began to run sluggish, and she asked me what to do. I told her to call Gateway as it had to still be under warranty. They dismissed her claims, so she took it in locally.


Long story short, that supposed email from a friend allowed her computer, along with some others,  used as an IP address for 70 or more very graphic porn videos sent out to daily "subscribers." They, the porn vendors who were operating out of Lagos, Nigeria, were using her' computer and hundreds of others to ship their product. She had left her networking door open, and the vendors had merely piggybacked on. She had to deal with the FBI, and her computer confiscated.

I don't think I ever saw her online again. If you don't have anyone to explain things to you, then at least be sure you know you are not open on a public network or sharing a network with anyone. That you use a good antivirus that is automatically updated and secure. That you clean your computer at least bimonthly and don't use over half your memory. Otherwise, as with the lady from Texas, the NY Hospital or the Montana County, someone else will be using your bandwidth.

Jeanne Lee

Patricia, that doesn't help much.  For instance what does this mean "She had left her networking door open, ". 

So far as clicking on links provided by other people, whether here or in emails, or wherever...  basically, I don't.  And I never, never, click on anything that has already been forwarded, no matter by whom.  Does that help?

Click for Corinth, New York Forecast

angelface555

#1079
Jeanne Lee, a network is a path or method used to get on the web or Internet. Your home Internet is provided by the one you pay for access to the Internet. You may see other names or screen names perhaps when you sign on. Those are other people in your area who may also use your Internet provider.

Sometimes more than one person such as a relative who may be in your home or close also uses your network or a second computer, phone or Kindle. That is a private, shared or home network. For example, when I sign on, there are some other names listed. Those are folks in my building or close who use the same network provider as I do. None of us may log on to another account without the correct password.

You have the option in your settings to open or close your network. Someone who gains access to your system may open your network to others you haven't authorized.

Now, if I go to an office, a library, a hotel or a store and use my phone, tablet or laptop, I am using a shared public network that is made available for general use. You do not want to do anything extremely private on an open system because it may or may not be encrypted.

What the woman from SeniorNet did was click on an email sent by someone she knew even tho she knew that person probably wouldn't post these types of averts. That is how they were able to get in her system and had access to all her contents and contacts as well.

Last year I got something on my system and used Hal's recommendation to get it remotely cleaned. There are so many ways, and there are always new ways for these hackers to gain access to your system. The Flathead County in Montana was hit up for millions of dollars by hackers who held their system for ransom. Russian hackers have recently been discovered having free access to the Department of Defence's network. Yahoo recently had three billion subscribers information stolen and put up for sale by area and by Socia Security number!

People need to keep and stay educated.

Use a good antivirus, not just one free or available, but one checked by a known reliable source. A second antivirus also checked and a bi-monthly cleaning either by your computer tools or a reputable cleaner. Hitman and Malwarebytes are both excellent second antivirus systems. Do not use CC Cleaner has it has been taken over by scammers and do not use Kaspersky as that was the antivirus used to break into US Government systems.

Your system about forwarding sounds good but what about people wanting you to post photos? I use an app that allows me to download all PSP items onto their site, scan it on their website and open the files on their site. I can even link my PSP program to their site to use my items there thus getting the added protection of their systems as well as mine. Anything I open is opened on their website.

Now I use Dropbox, but there are others. I do pay for the service with a monthly fee. Some sites formerly good have now been compromised which is where the keeping up comes in.