Protect Your Online Accounts with Two Factor Authentication

Gaining access to our online accounts with just a few clicks brings both benefits and drawbacks.

Sure, you can log into your Google, Facebook or Yahoo accounts from wherever you are. 

But so can someone else.

That's why always using secure passwords is a must.

But what else can you do to protect your accounts from nefarious hackers and data breaches?

Two Factor Authentication is the answer.

What?

Two Factor authentication provides an additional layer of protection when you log into your online accounts.

When you login with two factor authentication, you'll receive a special code sent by text to your mobile phone that also must be entered to provide access to your account.

That prevents someone who doesn't know both your password AND this special one-time code from gaining access to your account.

Many of your most popular sites such as Google, Facebook, YAHOO, Twitter and LinkedIn all provide this valuable security feature.

Here's how to enable two factor authentication for Google, Facebook and YAHOO:

Google

• Click HERE to start the Google 2-Step Verification set-up process for your Google account.

Facebook

To start the two factor authentication for your Facebook account:

• Go to your Security and Login Settings by clicking  in the top-right corner of Facebook and clicking Settings > Security and Login.
• Scroll down to Use two-factor authentication and click Edit
• Choose the authentication method you want to add and follow the on-screen instructions
• Click Enable once you've selected and turned on an authentication method

YAHOO

To enable two factor authentication for your YAHOO account:

• Sign in to your Yahoo Account info page.
• Click Account Security.
• Next to Two-step verification, click the On/Off icon .
• Enter your mobile number.
• Click Send SMS to receive a text message with a code or Call me to receive a phone call.
• Enter the verification code | click Verify.
• The next window refers to the use of apps like iOS Mail or Outlook. Click Create app password to reconnect your apps. See the section below for more info.
• Want to turn it off? Simply click the On/Off icon  under Two-step verification.
• Using two-step verification with apps
• Some apps (like iOS Mail, Android Mail, Outlook, and Yahoo messenger for PC) require a specific password to connect that app with Yahoo. If you enable two-step verification, you'll need to create a third-party app password to use in apps like these.

READ MORE

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• Trust with Verified Profiles and Pages on Facebook
• How to Download Your Facebook Data
• Beware of Duplicate Facebook Friend Requests
• Google Assistant Now on iPhone
• Is Your Anti-Virus Software Up-to-Date?

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#twofactor #authentication #Google #YAHOO #facebook #twitter #LinkedIn #security #password #hacker 

Trust with Verified Profiles and Pages on Facebook

With so much "fake news" on the internet, it can be hard to trust things you read on social media.

No where is this more true than on Facebook.

Scammers love to post fraudulent content that appears to be from reliable sources.  By slightly altering a person's or company's name, phony accounts and pages trick users into sharing personal information and clicking on spammy posts.  And your friends may share and share and share so much that it appears to be from a legitimate source.

So how can you be sure you are really seeing content from whom you think its from?

Facebook verifies certain public figures, media outlets, brands, businesses and organizations.

You can trust these legitimate profiles and pages on Facebook since they have been verified to let people know that they are authentic.

Facebook uses two icons to show this verification:

The blue badge on a Facebook page or profile means that Facebook has confirmed that this is an authentic page or profile for a public figure, media company or brand.


The gray badge on a Facebook page means that Facebook has confirmed that this is an authentic page for a business or organization using public records information.

Not all public features, celebrities and brands have Facebook blue badges. And fortunately, the blue badge can not be bought.

Businesses and organizations that want a gray verified badge can submit a request that is verified with public information by Facebook.  If you own want your organization to be verified, read more information from Facebook here.

Twitter also offers a similar feature.  We'll cover that in a future post.

READ MORE

• Facebook Introduces Trending News to Keep You Logged In
• How to Stop Facebook Videos from Automatically Playing to Save Data
• How to Download Your Facebook Data
• Beware of Duplicate Facebook Friend Requests
• How to Delete Your Facebook Search History

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#Facebook  #technology #verified #tech

Amazon's Alexa Now Features Named Multiple Timers

Beep! Beep! Beep! What was the timer for?

That's no longer a problem for Amazon's Alexa  on Echo speakers..

Alexa now allows you to name your timers.

For example, you can create a timer named "laundry" and another one named "pizza".

Just use your device's wake word (Alexa, Computer or Echo) and then "Create a 30 minute timer called Laundry".

When the timer goes off, it will also tell you the timer's name.

You can also create named reminders for a specific date and time.

Alexa is our favorite personal assistant.

And with her growing set of skills, Google, Microsoft and Apple need to up their game to match Amazon's lead.

READ MORE

• Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls
• Amazon Echo Now Plays Jeopardy!
• Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books
• Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule

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#Amazon #Echo #Alexa #timer #timers #reminder #reminders

Apple News Link: https://apple.news/A2waRtXO5SYSai-VXjCgAwQ

5 Steps to Prevent Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are on the rise and in the news again this year.

The recent WannaCry ransomware infected hundreds of thousands of computers around the world.  Most notably, the British National Health System (NHS) was severely impacted when thousands of doctor and hospital computers were rendered useless by WannaCry.

For the uninitiated, ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

Paying the ransom is no guarantee that you'll get your PC data back either.

So what can you do to prevent a Ransomware attack?

The best defense is a good offense.

Here are our recommendations to prevent a ransomware or other malware from infecting your PC or mobile device:

1. Keep Your System Up to Date

Ransomware attacks, like other malware and viruses, often exploit well-known operating system vulnerabilities.  In most cases, there are already updates available to patch the weaknesses of the operating system.  But you need to ensure that your PC is up-to-date.  Ensure that your PC is set to automatically install updates and check that your PC is current.

2. Don't Click Suspicious Emails, Attachments or Social Media Links

Stop an attack by avoiding suspicious and unexpected emails, attachments and unknown links on social media.  Ransomware often spreads from PC to PC by email.  Always be wary of suspicious or unexpected emails and attachments.  And with the rise of social media, be sure of attachments and unknown websites from social media posts on Twitter and Facebook.

3. Back Up, Back Up, Back Up

If you love it, back it up.  Don't let your cherished family photos,  videos and financial records disappear.   Back up your data consistently.  And keep copies in other locations than where your computer is located.  You should also retain all operating system disks in case the it needs to be reloaded.  If you own a business, be sure you have a disaster recovery plan in place that also requires backups and offsite storage.

4. Install and Update Anti-Virus software

Maybe you think it can't happen to you.  Whatever the reason, be sure to have a legitimate up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your PC.  And check periodically that it is still active and has the most current virus signature files loaded to discover the latest viruses and malware.

5. Disconnect PC if infected

If you think you've been infected by Ransomware on your PC or other PCs on your home or business network, you can limit the damage by disconnecting each PC from WiFi and/or the cable connection.  This will help to limit the spread of the infection to other machines, especially via email and contacts.

Hopefully, you'll never face the harsh reality of a ransomware attack.  But with these precautions, you limit your risk.


READ MORE

• Is Your Anti-Virus Software Up-to-Date?
• Where's My Laptop?  Be Prepared Before Your PC is Lost or Stolen
• Invoke God Mode in Windows 10
• How To Turn Off or On Emergency Alerts on Your Phone
• Try These Two Gmail Address Hacks

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#ransomware #wannacry #cryptolocker #virus #bitcoin #malware

Court Rules Against Registering Drones

Earlier this month, a federal appeals court ruled against the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy for registering drones.

This decision should mean that most hobby drone pilots will not need to register their drones with the FAA or even keep their current registration up-to-date. (*See legal note below)

We previously wrote about this harsh requirement two years ago.

In the ruling from May 19, 2017, John A. Taylor v Federation Aviation Administration, the court ruled against the FAA's regulations.   Specifically, the court found that the agency does not have authority to regulate model aircraft:

In short, Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act prohibits the FAA from promulgating “any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft.” The Registration Rule is a rule regarding model aircraft. Therefore, the Registration Rule is unlawful to the extent that it applies to model aircraft.

But the court's ruling is not all inclusive.

Pilots of drones used for commercial use--- even piloted by a hobbyist -- still appear to need to register and maintain a drone registration for their model aircraft.

Most importantly, all drone users must continue to pilot their drones in a safe, responsible and legal manner.

The FAA released a statement on the ruling:

FAA Statement Regarding US Court of Appeals Decision 

We are carefully reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals decision as it relates to drone registrations. The FAA put registration and operational regulations in place to ensure that drones are operated in a way that is safe and does not pose security and privacy threats. We are in the process of considering our options and response to the decision.

We continue to encourage registration for all drone operators.

###

So have fun with your drones.  Be safe out there!

* Legal notice.  We're not lawyers.  We don't even play lawyers on TV.  Heck, we don't even watch actors playing lawyers on TV anymore.  So, nothing in this post or on the One Cool Tip site should be construed as legal advice.  Seek qualified legal advice regarding flying your drone.  Seek qualified legal advice on living your life.

Sources:  FAA press release, John A. Taylor v Federation Aviation Administration

READ MORE

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• Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls
• Google Assistant Now on iPhone
• iPhone Calculator Hack You Never Knew
• Try These Two Gmail Address Hacks
• The Many Searches of Google

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Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls

Amazon's internet-connected speakers now lets you call other Echo devices hands-free.

Using the Alexa-powered skill is easy.  You just have to ask Alexa to call one of your contact and your contact's device will start ringing.

To work, you'll need to register your Echo device using the Alexa app.

And your contact also needs to have a registered Echo device connected or use the Alexa app for iOS or Android.

You can also send audio messages to your contacts.

Contacts who also have an Echo device and have registered for the calling feature will be listed in your Alexa app.  You can also call them directly from the app.

At this time, Alex can't call regular telephone numbers.

Not surprisingly, Google announced voice calling to regular phone numbers for their Google Home device.  But calling other Home devices is not yet supported.

To learn more about Alexa calling, check out the Alexa Calling Help Site from Amazon.

READ MORE

• Amazon Echo Now Plays Jeopardy!
• Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books
• Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule

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iPhone Calculator Hack Your Never Knew!

The Apple iPhone has a hidden feature that's been hiding in plain sight for years.

Do you know this secret hack?

To backspace as you are entering a number, just swipe left or right on the calculator's display line.

Doing so will wipe out the last number character you entered.

And for all this time we were clearing the entire number!

The iPhone still has secrets to give up.

Now don't we feel silly we didn't know this sooner?



READ MORE

• Google Assistant Now on iPhone
• Secret Trick to Reach the Top of Your Larger iPhone
• This Hack Will Let You Use Siri Hands-Free Even on Older iPhones and Not Be Connected to Power
• "Hey Siri" What Flights are Overhead?
• How to Turn Off or On Emergency Alerts on Your Phone
• Blocking Calls on Your Smart Phone
• How to Extend Your Smart Phone Battery Life

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