Deter
-shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
-protect your SSN. Don't carry your SS card in your wallet or write your SSN on a check. Give it out only if you absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
-don't give out your personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
-never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; them them up-to-date.
-don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your SSN.
-keep your personal information in a safe place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
Detect
-be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
--bills that do not arrive as expected
--unexpected credit cards or account statements
--denials or credit for no apparent reason
--calls or letters about purchases you did not make
-inspect your credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com)
-inspect your financial statements, looking for charges you did not make
Defend
-place a "fraud alert" on your credit reports and review the reports carefully.
--Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
--Experian: 1-888-397-3742
--TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
-look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your account that you can't explain.
-close accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently
--call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or charged without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
--use the ID Theft Affidavit (ftc.gov/idtheft) to support your written statement.
--ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
--keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
-file a police report to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
-report the theft to the federal trade commission
--ftc.gov/idtheft
--1-877-438-4338
Common Ways ID Theft Happens
-dumpster diving
-skimming
-phishing
-changing your address
-"old-fashioned" stealing
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Clips from PC Magazine
November, 2007
Net Disaster
-www.netdisaster.com
-"trash" the web site of your choice by nuking it, having dinosaurs stomp it, or sending aliens to attack
Fuzzster
-www.fuzzster.com
-give your furry or feathery buddy an online personality with the social networking site for pets.
Hack Yourself: test if your network is secure
-NetStumbler (go.pcmag.com/netstumbler): Wi-Fi tool that lays out the network "land". Helps find unsecured networks, dead spots with weak signals, and rogue access points that fool unsuspecting users, and sorts out wireless interference.
-Wireshark (www.wireshark.org): comprehensive network protocol analyzer. Usually used to troubleshoot network issues, but also a packet sniffer (pull data out of any live network stream over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB connections) and can try to decrypt traffic on WEP and WPA networks.
-Cain & Able (www.oxid.it/cain.html): password cracker program for Windows XP, NT and 2000 systems, using algorithms like Dictionary, BruteForce, and Cryptanalysis.
Software Inspector
-www.secunia.com/software_inspector
-looks for potentially vulnerable applications on your system
December, 2007
Online reputation
-TrustPlus (www.trustplus.com): provides holistic reputation rankings that travel with users as they move from site to site.
-RapLeaf (www.rapleaf.com): similar service
Loosr
-www.loosr.com
-share your embarrassing (yet hilarious) stories with the rest of the world anonymously. You can also read and vote on other users' stories.
Cyberhomes
-www.cyberhomes.com
-for parents looking for local school and community information before they move.
Tunesquare
-www.tunesquare.com
-music site that lets you download free music (ad-supported).
ThinkFree Online
-go.pcmag.com/tfonlineupdate
-effortlessly opens almost any MS Office file. 1GB of free storage on their server.
-can be confusing, limited features, slightly buggy.
OpenOffice.org
-go.pcmag.com/openoffice2_3
-high compatibility with Office formats and interface (through 2003), full-featured word processing, spread sheet apps. Powerful macro language. Exports PDFs.
-dreary, overcomplicated interface. Can't open Office 2007 files. Can slow down some Windows systems.
Ustream.tv
-go.pcmag.com/ustreamtv
-YouTube of live, streaming video. Turns webcam owners into video broadcasters. Register, name your show, and click "Create Show". You have a cam-specific URL to give to friends. And it's free.
Tubes
-www.tubesnow.com
-upload and share files
Excel 2007 tips
-nonlinear series: type the first value, right-click and drag on the fill handle
-custom lists: office button > Excel options > popular > edit custom lists
-drop-down: type of list of entries > select it > name it > in new worksheet, select cells for data > click on data tab > choose data validation > settings tab > allow > list
-forms: office button > excel options > customize > choose commands from > commands not in the ribbon > form > add > click in table of data > click form button
January, 2008
Retrevo
-www.retrevo.com
-online clearinghouse that offers reviews and ratings for consumer electronics from thousands of expert and user reviews
TV Trip
-www.tvtrip.com
-detailed photo and video tours of hotel destinations around the world
Songza
-www.songza.com
-web jukebox that lets you play virtually any song from any artist you can think of
Net Disaster
-www.netdisaster.com
-"trash" the web site of your choice by nuking it, having dinosaurs stomp it, or sending aliens to attack
Fuzzster
-www.fuzzster.com
-give your furry or feathery buddy an online personality with the social networking site for pets.
Hack Yourself: test if your network is secure
-NetStumbler (go.pcmag.com/netstumbler): Wi-Fi tool that lays out the network "land". Helps find unsecured networks, dead spots with weak signals, and rogue access points that fool unsuspecting users, and sorts out wireless interference.
-Wireshark (www.wireshark.org): comprehensive network protocol analyzer. Usually used to troubleshoot network issues, but also a packet sniffer (pull data out of any live network stream over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB connections) and can try to decrypt traffic on WEP and WPA networks.
-Cain & Able (www.oxid.it/cain.html): password cracker program for Windows XP, NT and 2000 systems, using algorithms like Dictionary, BruteForce, and Cryptanalysis.
Software Inspector
-www.secunia.com/software_inspector
-looks for potentially vulnerable applications on your system
December, 2007
Online reputation
-TrustPlus (www.trustplus.com): provides holistic reputation rankings that travel with users as they move from site to site.
-RapLeaf (www.rapleaf.com): similar service
Loosr
-www.loosr.com
-share your embarrassing (yet hilarious) stories with the rest of the world anonymously. You can also read and vote on other users' stories.
Cyberhomes
-www.cyberhomes.com
-for parents looking for local school and community information before they move.
Tunesquare
-www.tunesquare.com
-music site that lets you download free music (ad-supported).
ThinkFree Online
-go.pcmag.com/tfonlineupdate
-effortlessly opens almost any MS Office file. 1GB of free storage on their server.
-can be confusing, limited features, slightly buggy.
OpenOffice.org
-go.pcmag.com/openoffice2_3
-high compatibility with Office formats and interface (through 2003), full-featured word processing, spread sheet apps. Powerful macro language. Exports PDFs.
-dreary, overcomplicated interface. Can't open Office 2007 files. Can slow down some Windows systems.
Ustream.tv
-go.pcmag.com/ustreamtv
-YouTube of live, streaming video. Turns webcam owners into video broadcasters. Register, name your show, and click "Create Show". You have a cam-specific URL to give to friends. And it's free.
Tubes
-www.tubesnow.com
-upload and share files
Excel 2007 tips
-nonlinear series: type the first value, right-click and drag on the fill handle
-custom lists: office button > Excel options > popular > edit custom lists
-drop-down: type of list of entries > select it > name it > in new worksheet, select cells for data > click on data tab > choose data validation > settings tab > allow > list
-forms: office button > excel options > customize > choose commands from > commands not in the ribbon > form > add > click in table of data > click form button
January, 2008
Retrevo
-www.retrevo.com
-online clearinghouse that offers reviews and ratings for consumer electronics from thousands of expert and user reviews
TV Trip
-www.tvtrip.com
-detailed photo and video tours of hotel destinations around the world
Songza
-www.songza.com
-web jukebox that lets you play virtually any song from any artist you can think of
Hate working out? Get the ball rolling with...
Kick-start your heart
i) Jog: start on grass or gravel to take it easy on your legs.
ii) Climb: jog up the stairs of your office or apartment for 20 minutes at a stretch. Going down can be tough on knees and shins, so walk.
iii) Ride: use flat, even terrain to take it easy on your ankles. Go for 30 minutes.
Dust off your muscles
i) Prone bridge: get on your elbows and toes, hold yourself prone for 10 seconds, then lower it back down. Works on your abs and lower back.
ii) Modified push up (on your knees, with feet crossed): lower for two counts, raise for two counts, and repeat. Gets you ready for the bench press.
iii) Alternate Superman: lie facedown on your stomach, raise your right arm and left leg, hold for several seconds, lower and repeat on the other side. Preps you for deadlifts.
Consume wisely
i) Stick to H20: unless you're working out for more than an hour, you don't need anything but water to stay hydrated.
ii) Fuel your body wisely: eat a piece of fruit 20 minutes before you work out.
iii) Don't fall into old patterns: exercise isn't a free pass to eat whatever you want. Jogging for 3 miles will only burn off about 1 slice of pizza. Instead, eat wheat bagels and low-fat peanut butter.
i) Jog: start on grass or gravel to take it easy on your legs.
ii) Climb: jog up the stairs of your office or apartment for 20 minutes at a stretch. Going down can be tough on knees and shins, so walk.
iii) Ride: use flat, even terrain to take it easy on your ankles. Go for 30 minutes.
Dust off your muscles
i) Prone bridge: get on your elbows and toes, hold yourself prone for 10 seconds, then lower it back down. Works on your abs and lower back.
ii) Modified push up (on your knees, with feet crossed): lower for two counts, raise for two counts, and repeat. Gets you ready for the bench press.
iii) Alternate Superman: lie facedown on your stomach, raise your right arm and left leg, hold for several seconds, lower and repeat on the other side. Preps you for deadlifts.
Consume wisely
i) Stick to H20: unless you're working out for more than an hour, you don't need anything but water to stay hydrated.
ii) Fuel your body wisely: eat a piece of fruit 20 minutes before you work out.
iii) Don't fall into old patterns: exercise isn't a free pass to eat whatever you want. Jogging for 3 miles will only burn off about 1 slice of pizza. Instead, eat wheat bagels and low-fat peanut butter.
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