6 minute read
Ask Cappie the Computer Cat
ASK CAPPIE THE COMPUTER CAT AVOID GETTING HACKED
I got hacked while on vacation — got virus … malware …who knows what else! When I returned home, my computer geek friend had to restore both my PC and smartphone to factory settings and I had to change all my passwords plus get a new credit card. I lost a lot of photos and other files too. What can I do to avoid this in the future? Mark, SCG (love our community!)
Dear Mark, You did not mention if you were away from your devices for any length of time, misplaced or left them alone, or if you used free wi-fi in airports, hotels, or other establishments—but for your future trips and vacations here are some valuable suggestions. n Avoid using public computers in hotels, business centers, corporate lounges, libraries, etc. because there is always a possibility that cyber crooks and hackers could have secretly installed software to capture whatever you typed, such as passwords, pin numbers, etc. If you do choose to utilize these facilities for just browsing the Internet, remember to log out of the browser as well as the computer and restart it before leaving.
Using public printers for sensitive information is also a no-no because these devices could also be compromised by hackers. n Avoid connecting your own device to public Wi-
Fi, especially at hotels and airports. You may think you are joining the airport or hotel network, but in fact it could be a fake network (referred to as a
“honeypot”) set up by cyber crooks nearby trying to access your personal data.
These honeypots are easy to set up without much special equipment—it could be done just using a laptop or phone. Also, just because the hotel or
cafe has a password to access their free network, that password is given out to everyone, so it’s not much safer than having no password at all. Each time you connect to free hotspots (coffee shops, cafes, airports, hotels, etc.), you risk getting hacked and having your personal information compromised because data from your devices sent over a public network is not encrypted. Anyone on that network—with just a few simple software tools—could easily spy on your data. They could capture your username and password or take over an open session (called “session hijacking”) that you have with an online service like email or social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Hackers can steal browser cookies, pretend to be you on these sites, and then find your login and password information stored inside the cookie. It could get even worse if you reuse the same password for multiple sites. n If you use a device in a public area, make sure your device 1) is not set up to automatically connect to WiFi networks other than your home or work or 2) is set to the option to ask before connecting automatically. Better to use your smartphone’s cellular connection by creating a personal hotspot for your laptop but be advised the time usage does count towards your mobile phone minutes and possible
roaming rates may be added if you are out of area or out of the US. n Connect only to websites with HTTPS connections even if you are using a
VPN (virtual private network) because they are then secure on both ends. n For further safety, use twofactor authentication for websites and apps when offered, which requires both a password and a secondary code that changes regularly. n Disable file sharing so that access to files or your laptop cannot be seen on public or guest networks.
For PC or Android, go to Control Panel>
Sharing Center to turn off file and printer sharing and network discovery.
Then save changes. On a Mac, go to Systems
Preferences>Advanced
Settings and uncheck File
Sharing. n Lock your smart phone and computer when not in use or when the device is away from you (hotel room, locker, B & B).
To access your devices, create a pin (4 to 6 digits), password, code, pattern, or biometric logon (facial scan or fingerprint). Then, if you leave your device unattended, no one can easily get in and access your information. n Before you misplace or lose any of your digital items, set up and utilize the “Find
My Phone/Tablet/iPad” service on your device. This not only locates your device but can wipe all of your data— hopefully you back up your data regularly. In addition, purchase some trackers (Tiles,
Air Tags, Smart Things, etc.) to help locate missing items in addition to your PC or phone-- like keys, wallet, luggage, purses, thumb drives, etc). These simple tips will help to keep you safe and your data more secure.
View the digital version of “Ask Cappie” monthly column by going to www.grandinfo.com. Click on the More News>Grand Lifestyles Magazine> to choose the month you want to view. Special thanks to Jack & Rhonda Heinricher for sharing this photo of Sami Teri, age 12. In 2009, Rhonda and her sister were looking for their grandfather’s grave and came upon a very tiny starving kitten. They looked for its litter and then for a nokill shelter, with no luck … or perhaps WITH luck because Rhonda decided to bring the kitten home to Arizona. Jack and Rhonda are still in love with this adorable tortoise kitty named “Sami Teri” because it sounds a bit like where she found her!
SEPTEMBER FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Each month, we are proud to provide GrandKids Corner, a varied list of activity options for you, our Residents, and your families. FREE MUSEUM DAYS
Offered specific days throughout the month. Please visit the various websites for any updates and safety guidelines.
HEARD MUSEUM
Discover the region's American Indian culture through history and art. Free admission is 6 p.m.–10 p.m. every first Friday of the month (except March), and the fourth Sunday of the month 11 a.m.–5 p.m., June through September.
heard.org
PHOENIX ART MUSEUM
The Southwest's largest collection of classic and contemporary art offers free admission every Wednesday from 3 p.m.– 7 p.m. and the first Friday of the month from 3 p.m.–7 p.m.
phxart.org
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
This must-see Phoenix attraction houses thousands of desert plants on acres of trails. Admission is free all day the second Tuesday of every month.
dbg.org
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX
Kids up to age 10 can crawl, play and create at this imaginative museum for free from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. the first Friday of the month.
childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
PENSKE RACING MUSEUM
Check out this collection of cars, trophies and racing memorabilia chronicling the career of one of the most successful dynasties in all of sports, including a replica of the 1963 Pontiac Catalina which Roger Penske drove to victory in the 1963 Riverside 250. Admission is always free.
penskeautomall.com/penske-racingmuseum
ARIZONA CAPITOL MUSEUM
Free historical and and educational exhibits are housed in the Capitol Building under a dome made from copper, the state's official metal.
azlibrary.gov/azcm/about
MESA ARTS CENTER
Arizona's largest arts center is located in Phoenix's East Valley city of Mesa. The five art galleries in its Contemporary Arts Museum are always free to browse.
mesaartscenter.com
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM
Don't be fooled by the fact that this museum is housed on ASU campus in Tempe — it's one of the best local museums for contemporary art. Even better is the fact that it's always free to check out.
asuartmuseum.asu.edu/
