Category Archives: Safety & Privacy

Hacked! Time to Get Serious About Passwords

By Marilynne Rudick on March 21, 2012

Does creating strong passwords for dozens of accounts seem like too much work? Not if you’ve been hacked. At the least, you’re inconvenienced. At the most, your bank account is cleaned out, your identity stolen. Here how to create strong passwords that thwart cyber criminals.


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Google’s New Privacy Policy: Better Service or Big Brother?

By Marilynne Rudick on March 16, 2012

Google’s new privacy policy means that Google will now compile the information it has about you from its 60+ apps–Gmail, Maps, YouTube, and Picasa– into one giant profile. Google uses this data to sell targeted ads to sponsors. Are the free apps Google provides worth your compromised privacy?

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Ten Tips to Make Your Online Shopping Merry and Safe

By Marilynne Rudick on December 2, 2011

A growing number of people do their holiday shopping online. Cyber Monday sales were up 22% from last year. But more than online sales are soaring. So is online fraud—bogus websites selling counterfeit goods, and scammers who steal your identity while you hunt for bargains.

Does this mean giving up online shopping this holiday season? No! The vast majority of sales are legitimate and hassle-free. But it does mean taking precautions. Here are ten tips for making your online shopping merry and safe.

Also posted in E-Commerce, Saving Money
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Why Offsite Backup Is a “Must”

By Marilynne Rudick on August 25, 2011

If your computer has never crashed, you’re living on borrowed time. Protect your irreplaceable data and photos by backing up your data in the cloud–on an offsite server. It’s easy and inexpensive.

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8 Tips for Using Email Safely

By Marilynne Rudick on April 8, 2011

Over50s seem to worry a lot about privacy breaches on Facebook. But the latest announcement from EpsilonData Management that its email system was hacked makes me wonder if I should worry more about the safety of email and less about Facebook. Epsilon’s breach means spammers and con artists may have access to tens of millions of email addresses.

What can you do to safeguard your email? Here are 8 tips for using email safely.

Also posted in E-Mail & Messaging 4 Comments

WikiLeaks: Is Anything Private?

By Marilynne Rudick on December 11, 2010

Is WikiLeaks founder a terrorist or folk hero? Regardless, he has done us two favors: disclosed information U.S. citizens have a right to know, and exposed astounding weaknesses in our computer security. Equally disturbing: If top secret security can be so easily breached, what chance do we have of safeguarding our own privacy and identity?

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Fear of Facebook? Use NING to Create Your Own Social Network

By Marilynne Rudick on December 2, 2010

Do privacy concerns keep you from using Facebook? NING is a simple and safe social networking alternative. Using their design templates, you can create your own social network in minutes.

Also posted in Facebook, Social Networking 1 Comment

Who Is Craig and What’s His List?

By Marilynne Rudick on October 8, 2010

Craigslist is the world’s largest online classified ad service. Use it to find a job or sell an item. It’s appeal–mostly free and ads are posted to a specific geographic area (currently 700 locations and more than 70 countries). Sellers as well as scam artists flock to Craigslist. Learn how to use it, and how to avoid being scammed.

Also posted in E-Commerce, Saving Money, Social Networking Add a comment

Using Facebook Safely: What Advice Should You Give Your Kids?

By Marilynne Rudick on September 4, 2010

Your kids may think there’s nothing wrong with posting pictures of boobs and booze on their Facebook page. But decision-makers—college admissions staff and potential employers—may disagree. Long after the party, inappropriate photos and content could turn up in a Google search. What advice can you give your kids about safe social networking?

Also posted in Facebook, Social Networking
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Should You Join Facebook Now?

By Marilynne Rudick on June 15, 2010

In response to an uproar from Facebook users about the complexity of privacy controls and concerns about how personal information was being used, Facebook revised its privacy controls. But did it solve the problems? The response is mixed. Bottom line: wait and see.

Also posted in Facebook, Social Networking
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Six Tips for Taking the Social Networking Plunge

By Marilynne Rudick on June 13, 2010

Ready to take the social networking plunge? These six tips will help you dive gracefully.

Also posted in Facebook, Fun!, Social Networking
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Social Networking: The Basics

By Marilynne Rudick on June 7, 2010

There are thousands of online social networks–from the “big box” Facebook and MySpace–to niche networks for business, travel, love–just about any topic or cause. All social networks are rooted in common tools. Once you’re up to speed, you are ready for wherever cyberspace takes you.

Also posted in Facebook, Fun!, Social Networking
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