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TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Are the Most Common Passwords?


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Question: What passwords do people use most?

Answer: Nordpass, an online password manager, released its list of 2024’s most used passwords. Here are the top 10:

  1. 123456
  2. 123456789
  3. 12345678
  4. password
  5. qwerty123
  6. qwerty1
  7. 111111
  8. 12345
  9. secret
  10. 123123
It will come as no surprise that these passwords are also the worst ones to use, since they’re extremely easy for hackers to guess and for automated software to quickly “crack.” People choose simple passwords because they’re easy to remember, but that convenience comes at too high of a price in terms of security.

If you’re using any of the passwords on this list (or similar ones), it’s time to do better. Create longer passwords that are a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols such as “%,” “!” and “@.” Don’t include easily guessable information like names, birthdays, and common words, and never use the same password for multiple accounts.

Consider using a password manager, a software application that securely stores all your online account passwords in one place. This allows you to generate strong, unique passwords for each site and access them with only one “master password” you need to remember.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Fake PayPal Invoice Scams are on the Rise

Watch Out For Charity Scams The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline has recently seen a rise in reports of PayPal scams. Cybercriminals use the payment system’s invoicing tool to send victims fake invoices for large purchases. When the invoices are sent, PayPal sends an official notification email to the recipient, which makes the otherwise fake invoices appear legitimate. The scammers include an official-looking message in the “seller note to customer” section of the fake invoice, encouraging the victim to call a fake customer service line to prevent the charges from being processed.

If the victim calls this line, the scammers attempt to fool them into paying the invoice or giving them credit card or bank information. In some cases, victims are asked to install software they claim will help with the recovery process. Instead, this software records the victim’s keystrokes or gives the cybercriminals remote access to the victim’s computer.

How to avoid PayPal scams:
  • If you receive a suspicious invoice or money request, don’t pay it.
  • Don’t call any phone numbers in the invoice note or open suspicious URLs.
  • Never send money to a cryptocurrency wallet mentioned in an invoice or money request.
If you receive a suspicious invoice, you’re encouraged to report it by logging into your PayPal account at paypal.com or by using the PayPal app.

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Can I Do With My Old Tablet?

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Question: What can I do with my old tablet?

Answer: If you don’t want to sell your old tablet, you can always find a new purpose for it around your home. Take a look at these ideas:

  • Cookbook. Place your old tablet on a stand in your kitchen. Then load it up with all your favorite recipes. Scan paper recipes and place in convenient file locations or create bookmarks for those that are online. This way, there won’t be messy cooking hands on your new tablet!

  • Jukebox. In conjunction with a dock and speakers, you can use your old tablet to play all your favorite tunes, either stored on your device or through online streaming services such as Spotify (spotify.com). It’s even better if you have a smart speaker system such as Sonos (sonos.com), which allows you to play different tracks in different rooms.

  • Baby monitor. With your old tablet in your baby’s room acting as a microphone and an app like Dormi (dormi.sleekbit.com), you can monitor activity and noise.

  • Digital photo frame. Display your old tablet with a stand and set it up with LiveFrame (iOS) or Dayframe (Android) to create a slideshow of your favorite photos.

  • A child’s tablet. An old tablet can be a great idea for a child, since they don’t need all the latest bells and whistles. Just load your old tablet with age-appropriate movies and game apps and you’re good to go.

  • E-reader. Create a book library on your old tablet using Kindle, your local public library, or the many resources for free e-books online.
Should your old tablet be “on its last legs,” research the options for electronics recycling in your community.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – How Criminals Try to Steal Life Savings

Watch Out For Charity Scams According to the FTC, people are losing big money to criminals running complicated scams. Here’s how it works: A scammer pretending to be from a company you know contacts you, saying they supposedly spotted fraud on one of your accounts and your money isn’t safe. They connect you with someone else to supposedly help you move your money to “protect” it. The “helper,” who often claims to work for the government, is really a scammer trying to steal your money.

If someone tells you to do any of these things, IT’S A SCAM:
  • Put your money in a secure account to protect it.
  • Transfer your money to a cryptocurrency account to protect it.
  • Get cash and I’ll send a driver to pick it up.
  • Deposit cash at a Bitcoin ATM to protect your money.
  • Buy gold and a driver will come get it.
No one from the government will tell you to do these things — only a scammer will. Never transfer or send money, cryptocurrency, cash, or gold to someone you don’t know in response to an unexpected call or message.

To learn more, visit this link.

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – How Can I Find a Lost Smartphone?

Download Graphics to View Question: When I’ve called my lost smartphone but can’t hear it ring, what should I do next to find it?

Answer: Since we depend so much on our smartphones — and they contain lots of personal information — it’s easy to see why panic can set in when we lose them. This is especially true if we fear our smartphone could be miles away.

Fortunately, the tech industry offers easy and reliable ways to track down your lost smartphone. Both Apple and Google feature built-in phone retrieval technology as part of the native software package that works via your device account — iCloud for your iPhone and Google for your Android account. Both allow you to remotely lock and wipe your phone, make it ring, and set up special messages to alert whoever finds it.

Here’s where to learn more:

Apple Support

Google Support

Exercise caution when communicating with the person who has found your smartphone. Don’t reveal personal information, such as your home address. Stick with sending phone numbers or email addresses to communicate how a finder can safely return your phone.