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Defender for Chrome

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If you use the Chrome Browser and would like a little extra protection when you're on the internet, you can download and use Microsoft's Window Defender as a plugin for Chrome. This plugin will work on a PC or Mac. The Defender program is an integral part of the Windows OS, and has been improving over time in its effectiveness in catching malware. The following article explains more about what protection it offers: 

https://betanews.com/2018/04/18/mac-users-you-can-now-add-windows-defender-browser-protection-to-google-chrome/

'm trying it out and so far haven't received any malware alerts. Even though the program does 'call' home to compare a URL you might be getting ready to click with a known list of malware, this checking doesn't seem to slow down the browsing any. So I'll keep on using it nd maybe it will help protect me one day. I downloaded it from the Chrome web store here..

Jim Hamm

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Public WiFi

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Public wifi is certainly handy, especially when one is traveling. But there are risks involved, and the following article describes more about this risk:

https://thecorrespondent.com/1101/what-we-give-away-when-we-log-on-to-a-public-wifi-network/31040493-53737dba

Now, I'm not suggesting one doesn't use public wifi -- I use it frequently. What I do recommend is that you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) whenever you're on a public wifi network.  

hich VPN should one use, you might ask? There are many reviews available of VPNs on the internet. Here's one to read, if you have an interest: 

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp

f you're on public wifi, and not using a VPN, the first article above clearly shows how easy it is for hackers to snoop on your computer activity. So, just be careful when using public wifi.

Jim Hamm

9to5 Mac: New Survey

Interesting statistic!!

 

New survey finds 75% of enterprise employees with choice pick iOS over Android, 72% Mac over PC
9to5Mac

Jamf has released a new survey titled "The Impact of Device Choice on the Employee Experience". Among other findings, Jamf reports that about three-quarters of employees picked iPhone, iPad, or Mac over competing options when given a choice. Jamf's March 2018 survey is based on responses from 580 executives, managers, and IT professionals. When organizations give employees... Read the full story

Frank Croft

Best AV for a Mac

If perhaps you're looking for an AV program for your Mac, the following article from Macworld provides a review of several anti-virus programs:

https://www.macworld.com/article/3263722/software/best-antivirus-for-mac.html

Some might feel an AV program isn't necessary on a Mac, but if an AV program is effective, free, and has a minimal impact on a computer's performance, I don't see any downside to using one. Why not run one, I ask myself? It doesn't hurt, and it might help. 

In this particular article the free version of Avast is recommended. Avast usually comes out well in AV tests, and I've used Avast for years.

Jim Hamm

MacBook Pro Battery Replacement

If you have a Non-Touch Bar 13" MacBook Pro and it was produced within a certain time frame, it may be eligible for a free battery replacement. The following article provides more details:

https://tidbits.com/2018/04/22/apple-rolls-out-replacement-program-for-faulty-batteries-in-non-touch-bar-13-inch-macbook-pros/

I just now checked my 13" MacBook Pro and it isn't eligible -- nor does it need -- a battery replaced.

Jim Hamm

Opera's Free VPN

For some time Opera has offered a free version of their VPN (Virtual Private Network) for iOS devices. Soon it will no longer be available. Following is an article that discusses this:

https://askbobrankin.com/is_operas_free_vpn_going_away.html

It's expensive for any company to maintain a VPN network, and unreasonable for them to offer it free. How can a company afford to do this? The desktop version of the Opera Browser does continue to offer a free built-in VPN, but I'm guessing Opera is doing this to try to increase market share for their browser. How long they'll continue to do this is uncertain, though.

Jim Hamm

Glims Plugin for Safari

Because Safari may not be as versatile as other web browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, it needs plugins to expand its features and capability. One commonly used plugin for the Safari web browser is Glims. Glims’ main objective is to enhance the search capability of your Safari browser, but it also features other functionalities as well, like bookmark management, search suggestions, and more. But with these enhancements also comes advertisements, which can be a little too frequent and annoying. If you find these ads too intrusive when you’re doing searches, and already affects your browsing experience, you can just easily uninstall Glims, and remove it from your Safari web browser.

Additionally, Sophos on my computer found four viruses in Glims. 

To find out how to remove Glim from Safari, see this article:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.wikihow.com/Remove-Glims-from-Safari%3Famp%3D

 

John R Carter Sr

Chrome Phishing Protection

If you use the Chrome Browser, you will want to read this article on possible phishing protection:

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3269264/web-browsers/microsoft-boosts-anti-phishing-skills-of-chrome-the-ie-and-edge-killer.html

Since Chrome will be doing extra work in scanning for phishing attempts, I wonder if this feature will somewhat slow down one's browsing experience? Best way to find out, I guess, is to try it, which I plan to do.

Jim Hamm

How Strong is Your Password?

A recent Wall Street Journal interview (https://curiosity.com/topics/the-real-rules-for-strong-computer-passwords-go-against-everything-youve-been-told-curiosity) about passwords indicated that a password like “correcthorsestaplebattery” is stronger than “Tr0ub4dor&3”. So I checked it out with a password strength checker (http://www.passwordmeter.com/). Wrong! The long password was rated weak with a score of 25 and the shorter password was rated very strong with a score of 100! The reason for the low score of the long password - no numbers or symbols and all lowercase. Just using one uppercase letter and adding one number gave it a rating of very strong with a score of 100. What this means is that you can use a string of unconnected words - at least three - with at least one uppercase and one number or symbol to make up a memorable password. Trouble is, you need to make up a LOT of passwords - one for every account you have. So the easy way out, as suggested by the article, is to use a password manager where that memorable password gives you access to the password manager and let the password manager make up complex passwords for each of your accounts. Done! Only one password that you need to remember.

And then I checked out my favorite combination password, a pattern like lllnlllnLLLn, where lll are lower case letters, n is a number, and LLL are uppercase letters. 12 characters in all. It was rated very strong with a score of 87. Adding just one more character, either another number or a symbol, changed the score to 100.

If you want to test your password, use the above link - but don’t use your password verbatim. Just use the same pattern with different letters, numbers and symbols.

Oh, did I say that you only need to remember one password? Not quite right. You need to remember your computer login password also.

John R Carter, Sr.

Apple Wireless Ear Buds

Do you have a pair of those very expensive wireless ear buds? If so, then you’re probably also wondering just how much power they use. I started with a fully charged pair and watched an hour long video with great sound coming through the ear buds. Then, when I opened the case and inserted the ear buds, I noticed a new graphic pop up on my iPad screen. With the case open and the ear buds inserted, it was showing me the amount of charge left on the ear buds and on the case. The ear buds were showing 94% charge. Now that’s not bad for a one hour video. And the case was showing 74% charge - and that was after topping off the charge on the ear buds.

So how do you find out when the ear buds have depleted their charge? Simple! First one ear bud stops working, and then soon after the other one stops working. And you’ll also notice that the quality of the sound - when talking on the phone - gets a little weird.

The ear buds can be programmed to respond to a double tap, and each one can be programmed for a different command. For instance, double-tapping on the right bud can answer a phone call and then hang up, or, if not answering a phone call, it will raise Siri. Double-tapping on the left bud can advance to the next song in your playlist - when you’re playing music, or, like with the right bud, will raise Siri if you’re not listening to music.

John R Carter, Sr.

Convert an old Mac to a new Linux

What can you do with an old Apple laptop or iMac that can’t be updated anymore?

You can completely uninstall the MacOS system and install a distribution of Linux. I did this on a MacBook Air recently that only had 2GB of RAM and a 60 GB internal drive. The system works incredibly well. The distribution that I chose was Ubuntu Desktop because it is most like the Mac.

To install Linux, you first need to download an ISO file from the Internet and install it on a CD  or bootable thumb drive. Okay, for most people, that’s not going to happen. So I am offering PMUG members to do the conversion of their old Mac to a new Linux for free. I do recommend Ubuntu Desktop.

Find out more about Linux Ubuntu here.

John R Carter Sr