Delete Facebook Account, Google Tracking WiFi, Internet Safety Practices

Delete your Facebook

GUIDE TO GET OUT

Regardless of Facebook’s effort to increase security and their attempts to control the damage caused by their recent privacy issues (though quite late), there are tons of people that are getting so sick and tired of Facebook that they are deleting their accounts altogether. As we previously mentioned in our blog, May 31 is the web’s “Quit Facebook Day”

Well, deleting your Facebook account isn’t totally a cakewalk, as Facebook buries the “delete” button under a pile of Help menus, and Facebook may bring your account back if you accidentally sign in or connect your Facebook account with a website or other software!

We posted a few days ago on how to COMPLETELY delete your Facebook account. It is a comprehensive guide. Make sure you read it through thoroughly!

If you get stuck and need help, give us a call at 877-MAKEITWORK. Mention the blog and get $25 off your first appointment!

Google Tracking WiFi

KEEP YOUR DATA SAFE!

Okay, what’s wrong with companies these days! Can anyone be trusted?

Google has been mapping the streets of the world with StreetView since 2007 and has been tracking the location of WiFi hotspots as well. They’ve been keeping track of network names and router serial number data, which they use for their location-based services (and really to get marketing data, such as how many WiFi access points they can pick up in a certain area).

Well, Google just admitted to tracking a little bit more data than they originally intended! They recently admitted accidentally grabbing “payload” data, meaning they acquired, logged, and stored users personal information, such as passwords and e-mail addresses from unencrypted, unsecure wireless networks.

With all the privacy stuff going on, it’s really scary to think that these big companies with whom we trust our information could be compromised!

Thankfully Google found the cause of the “accidental” data retrieval and has remedied the problem, but still!

The bottom line is: ENCRYPT YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK. Google’s not the only one that has the ability to sniff out and get your personal data off your wireless network if it is unprotected. Thankfully, every modern wireless router has the ability to add an access password. The easiest way is to use the CD that came with your router to install and configure the network completely, which will make it more secure. We at Make It Work recommend WPA2 encryption. Just remember what password you use when you get it set up!

If you need help with getting set up as securely as possible, give us a call!

Privacy Practices Roundup

STAY SAFE. ALL THE TIME.

Given the privacy issues we’ve been seeing way too much of lately, we thought it would be a great idea to give everyone our top tips for staying safe and secure on the Internet:

1. Keep strong passwords!

a. Use numbers, symbols, and capitalization…

b. Come up with an easy way to keep passwords memorable, yet different for different websites, such as by adding the name of each website to the end of your favorite password.

c. Use a password manager like 1password to keep locked up and to prevent forgetting them.

2. Watch out what data you post online! Anything you put on the internet could become public, even if you think it’s private!

3. Keep your computer operating system, Anti-virus, and Anti-malware up to date. Doing this vigilantly can prevent having your data or identity stolen. Really! We recommend NOD32 for Anti-virus and Malwarebytes for Anti-malware

4. Don’t click on links on websites or emails that seem suspicious, ask you for money, passwords, or other personal information. Also, try using a web browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome, which has built-in protection against identity scams.

5. If possible, DO NOT access personal information on public WiFi networks, such as online banking, unencrypted work e-mail, or online shopping sites.

6. Make sure when you are shopping online or are connecting to your private e-mail that the site has https:// instead of http:// before the web address (URL). This means you have an extra layer of security on what you’re viewing!

6. And lastly, make sure you keep your own Wireless network encrypted with a password, such as WPA2. This can keep hackers from connecting to your network and potentially stealing your personal information!

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