Bluetutor Blogs

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/password-strategy/

Do You Have a Password Strategy?

One of the most common ways that hackers break into computers and mobile devices is by obtaining passwords. Although, I realize that it is easy to have one password for all your sites, this approach significantly increases your risk of identity theft.

 Here is my 10 top list of simple password rules:

  10 – Do not share your passwords

   9 – Avoid using birthdays, family names, addresses, or any other obvious personal information 

   8 – Include letters (at least one capitalized), numbers, and symbols

   7 – Do not use the same password for your e-mail and web based accounts

   6 –  Do not reuse the same password for all your accounts

   5 – Change your passwords every 6 months or as soon as you suspect any unauthorized activities on any of your accounts

   4 – Do not respond to ANY requests (e-mails or text messages) for personal information

 3 – Do not enter password information at any free wi-fi locations such as coffee shops, public parks, hotels, airports, etc. 

   2-  Always log off when you leave your computer or device, and if you are using anyone else’s equipment

  And my number one recommendation:

  1 – DO NOT KEEP A LIST OF YOUR PASSWORDS ON YOUR COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/spam-phone-and-texts/

Are You Being Overwhelmed by Spam Phone Calls and Text Messages?

Unwanted calls and spam texts are annoying, but you can do something about them. The New York Times has reported that there are steps you can take to block and report spam calls and texts. Here are some basic recommendations.

– Block and report individual numbers.

– Don’t dial any numbers in an automated menu, don’t reply to any text messages with “STOP,” don’t even talk.

– You can put your number on the Do Not Call list and report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/what-is-malware/

What is Malware?

Wikipedia describes Malware as any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server or computer network.

PC Mag reports that the following are the most common signs that your computer has been infested with Malware.

Popup Ads Start Popping Up Everywhere

Your Browser Keeps Getting Redirected

An Unknown App Sends Scary Warnings

Mysterious Posts Appear on Your Social Media

You Get Ransom Demands

Your System Tools Are Disabled

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/3642/

Concerned about your iPhone battery life?

Business Insider reports on the 5 common myths about iPhone battery life

Myth #1: Closing apps you’re not using can save battery life

Myth #2: Charging your phone overnight can hurt the battery

Myth #3: Apple’s $29 battery replacements are guaranteed to improve your device’s battery life

Myth #4: Turning off settings like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi will always save your battery life

Myth #5: Letting the iPhone adjust brightness automatically hurts battery life

Click here to read the entire article from Business Insider

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/how-to-review-and-delete-your-alexa-history/

How to Review and Delete Your Alexa History

Alexa records everything you say and stores it all in the Alexa app.

Want to review what you’ve asked Alexa (and maybe delete some of the more embarrassing inquiries)? Here’s how.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/have-you-recently-left-corporate-life/

Have You Recently Left Corporate Life?

What You Need to Know

Have you recently left corporate life either by choice or the result of downsizing?

Do you have the right tools for your job search?

Do you have the most cost effective system for your home office?

Are you an effective “Road Warrior?” Does your technology support your mobile needs?

Since you no longer have a support desk, do you have someone to help you with maintenance issues?

What about security issues, backup, and a disaster plan?

Setting up a Home Office

Equipment selection

Software

Services

Maintenance and security

On the Road – Mobile Needs

Laptops

Internet access

Smartphones and tablets

Minimizing communication costs

Online services (cloud computing)

Maintenance and security

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/seniors-and-tech/

Do You Need Help With Tech?

The Wall Street Journal reports that seniors are relying too heavily on their children to solve their technology problems.  “Older adults are wising up to how iPads, smartphones and fitness trackers can improve their lives. But a key to conquering fears and thriving with new technology is knowing where to get help that won’t run out of patience.”

Writes Geoffrey A. Fowler,  “Click what?” “Plug where?” Asking your offspring for tech support is… just asking for it. Their responses, often accompanied by an eye roll: “Why is that so hard?” or “I already showed you!”

If you need tech support , find help from people who are technically sound and most important, patient.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/why-you-need-a-vpn-virtual-private-network/

Why You Need a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Your internet connection may not be as safe as you’d like to think. If you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi network (coffee shops like Starbucks, hotels, airports, public parks, etc.), it’s possible that another person on the same network could be sneaking a look at your internet traffic.

Your iPhone or Android mobile device can’t protect your data as it travels the internet. Using a VPN keeps your information safe and private, even when you’re connected through an insecure Wi-Fi hotspot.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a network technology that creates a secure network connection over a public network such as the Internet.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/unlimited-data-plans/

What You Need to Know About The New Unlimited Data Plans

US wireless customers (Verizon. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) have released a range of “unlimited” plan choices. This is the latest in an outgoing price war that has been raging for years.

Before you start evaluating which plan will save you the most money, remember that you must determine which provider offers the best service in your area.  Are you frequently getting disconnected in the middle of a call?  How is the voice quality of the calls?  Quality and Coverage, not price, are the primary factors in picking a cell provider.

Click Here to read my blog on How to Select a Cell Phone Provider.

Having overcome quality and coverage concerns, which plan is the best? Although the basics for each carrier are similar, there are different trade-offs.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/vpn-networks/

How to Safely Access The Internet On The Road

You probably take for granted that no one else is able to see when you are using the Internet.  A Virtual Privste Network (VPN) allows you to create a secure connection as a shield for your browsing activity from others on public Wi-Fi, and more.  VPN is a technology that creates an encrypted connection over a less secure network. An example is an unsecured Wi-Fi network that is used by hotels, airport terminals, hotels, coffee shops, and other free Wi-Fi areas.

The protection provided by a VPN offers many advantages. It prevents anyone on the same Wi-Fi hotspot (or anywhere else) from intercepting your Web traffic. This is especially handy for travelers and for those using a public Wi-Fi network. VPNs also cloak your computer’s actual IP address, making it harder for advertisers (or spies and hackers) to track you online

Over 100 million Americans have their personal information placed at risk of identity theft every year. One of the major reasons of identity fraud is a result of entering personal information such as user names and passwords, credit cards purchases on unsecured Wi-Fi locations.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/phone-scam/

Can You Hear Me Phone Scam

The scam involves an automated call that asks “Can you hear me” and when the person receiving the call indicates “yes,” the response is recorded and used to authorize unwanted charges on your phone bill through cramming or other accounts.

Never respond with an affirmative declaration, such as “yes” to any automated call or telemarketer.

If you want to avoid such telemarketing calls, you can do so by going to www.donotcall.gov/, and enroll in the Do-Not-Call List

Are you getting “Robocalls” on your cell phone?  Robocalls are phone calls with prerecorded messages. To can avoid robocalls by enrolling in nomorobo, which cuts off robocalls after one ring.  You can enroll at www.nomorobo.com/

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/how-to-minimize-your-communication-costs-when-abroad/

How to Minimize Your Communication Costs When Abroad

Planning an overseas trip and want to be able to keep in touch with family, friends, and business associates back in the US without incurring large telephone and texting charges? Having an “international” smartphone doesn’t mean you can automatically use it to make and receive calls as if you were still at home. Just last week I received a call from a client who was appalled that he received a bill from his mobile phone carrier for $1200 after returning from a ten day trip to Europe.

I have written many times that it’s impossible to recommend a computer, program, and service that fits all. The same is true regarding a communication plan. Here’s a list of some of the things that must be considered before selecting the best strategy to manage your communication costs.

– Do you have an international phone?

– Where will you be traveling to?

– How long will you be away?

– What will be your primary means of communication (phone, text, e-mail)?

– How important will it be for you to access information (using your data plan) such as news, social networking, etc.?

– Will your hotel/residence have Internet access, and is there a cost for it?

– Will you have access to wi-fi?

I have written a number of times about the different ways of using your phone overseas at no cost.  I have suggested you look at Viber, WhatsApp, MagicJack, and Skype. All have the ability to communicate for free from anywhere you can access the Internet through a wireless connection.

With many smartphones, you can purchase a simcard in many countries that will fit in the side of your phone, allowing you to use a local number; thereby, reducing the cost of each call. 

However, each of the major mobile phone providers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) offer international plans that, for a fee, will substantially reduce, and in several cases, let you use your phone as if you were in the US. For example, for either a daily or monthly fee, Verizon Wireless lets you use your phone in many parts of the world as if you were still home.

Below is a list of the major mobile providers. Click on your provider, and you will be able to review the different plans available to you.

Verizon International Calling Plans

AT&T International Calling Plans

Sprint International Calling Plans

T-Mobile International Calling Plans

Keep in mind, the plan you select is based on where you will be travelling, the length  of your trip, and the availability of wi-fi.

Lastly, you can always rent an international phone here in the US from a company such as Cellhire.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/child-off-to-college-this-fall-what-you-should-know/

Child Off to College This Fall? What You Should Know

As a parent, do you have the basic computer skills to maintain contact with your college student? Does your technology support your efforts, and do you have the most cost efficient systems in place?

The following are some points that you should be thinking about before the move-in date:

– Will you need to upgrade either your equipment or services?

– How do you determine your child’s equipment needs while in college?

– Does the cell phone provider that you use at home (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.) have a strong network at your child’s school?

– What can you do to keep your communication costs down?

– What are the most cost efficient ways to stay in communication with your child in college?

– How do you keep in contact with your child who is studying abroad without incurring large telephone charges?

– Has your child’s school granted you online access to key school resources?

– Does your child know how to reach you 24/7?

The chances are that your child may be more up-to-date on the latest technology than you. It is important that you discuss a strategy to communicate in a cost efficient manner.  If your child is studying thousands of miles away, or perhaps in any country, you do not want to incur telephone charges that approach the cost of tuition!

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/how-to-increase-the-life-of-your-smartphones-battery/

How to increase the life of your smartphone's battery

Is your smartphone’s battery lasting half a day? Is your phone dying in the middle of an important call, playing a game, or while you are streaming a video or music?

Here are several tips on how to improve the life of your smartphone’s battery.

– Avoid keeping your screen’s brightness all the way up. Do not use the brightness of the screen as a flashlight. Your phone probably comes with a flashlight app.

– Reduce the amount of time you are playing Candy Crush, Pokemon Go and other games

– Keep an eye on how much you are checking your Social Media apps.  Social media is great for keeping up with your friends but constantly checking your Facebook page will kill your battery by midday.

– Disable Bluetooth when not using it. Unless you are using apps that need it or using your auto’s Navigation System, turn it off.

– Streaming music sites such as Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody, and more  are the biggest battery killers. Listening all day will require numerous battery charges.

– Watching videos from services such as Netflix, Hulu and others drains your battery

– Check to see how many of your apps are using location services. This service is necessary when using GPS or location-based services. However, is it really necessary for your news and search apps to know where you are?

– Be careful how often you use Facebook Messenger emojis. Sending them constantly in the course of the day will kill your battery.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/how-to-select-the-fastest-wireless-carrier-in-your-area/

How to Select the Fastest Wireless Carrier in Your Area

I have written many times about how to select the best wireless carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.).  There is an ongoing price war being waged between the carriers offering discounted phones, unlimited data and phone plans, and other perks. However, remember, coverage is the key factor in selecting a wireless carrier. Click here read my recent blog regarding selecting a carrier.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/streaming-videos-and-pictures-from-your-iphone-to-your-tv/

Streaming Videos and Pictures From Your iPhone to Your TV

I recently downloaded a new app onto my iPhone, ALLCAST which is allowing me to cast all my videos and pictures on my phone directly to my large screen TV. Previously, the app was only available for Android devices.

The ALLCAST app also permits you to stream them from cloud providers such as Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive and Instagram. Simply launch the application, grant permission for it to access your photos and videos, hit the familiar cast icon in the lower left, pick a target, select smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox. and you are ready to cast.

To read more about ALLCAST, CLICK HERE.

New Post has been published on http://bluetutor.com/are-you-still-paying-for-a-fax-line/

Are You Still Paying for a Fax Line?

There are a number of reasons why you should be using an Internet based program instead of a fax machine.

From a cost standpoint, you will be able to save money spent on:

fax paper

toner cartridges

fax machine repair

an additional phone line

As for convenience, all faxes will be received as an e-mail attachment which means you can receive all faxes on a computer, tabloid, and cell phone. With a fax machine, you have to be in your office/home to receive documents.