Be Safe With Facebook Mobile

Nearly 75% of all Facebook users utilize Facebook mobile.  That means they access Facebook through a tablet or a smartphone.  But are they 'safe' with their mobile Facebook?  You're probably wondering, what is there to worry about...

Well, stop to think about what it is you have on your Facebook page.  I'll use myself as an example...  My Facebook page is private.  I am an anomaly, as I am only friends with actual friends and acquaintances (I have met each and every person on my friend's list).  But because of the privacy of my page and its limited number of viewers, I share information about myself and my family quite freely.  So, if someone where to gain access to my Facebook page, they would probably be able to get some pretty good information about my family, our usual activities, when we're going to be out of town, private conversations with friends, photos of my family, and probably some private information about my friends (like the address to walk my friend's dog, when they'll be away, and where they hide their extra key).  Now, is that information that you want getting into the hands of strangers?  Probably not.

However, if you use Facebook mobile and don't take some precautions, there is a very good chance that it could happen.  So, what do you need to do to help protect yourself?

1. Use a passcode on your mobile device!  Putting a passcode on your mobile devices will make it significantly more difficult for a person who finds or steals your phone to gain access to any of the information stored in your phone or tablet.  If the 4-digit passcode utilized on most smart phones isn't enough for you, many have the option to change it to a longer code of your choice.
2. Be a secure browser!  A secure browser, means you are utilizing HTTPS instead of HTTP.  This makes it significantly more difficult to hack your cell phone or tablet when you are utilizing an unsecured wireless network (such at your local coffee shop or in a hotel).
3. Have a different password!  Don't use the same username and password for your Facebook, email, online banking app, etc...because it makes it really easy for the phone hacker to quickly gain access to all of the information you have stored in your phone.
4. Set up your trusted contacts!  Although it is a bit of an annoyance to use it if you ever need to, Facebook has set up a way for you to gain access to your blocked Facebook account...such as if someone got into your phone and changed your password.  Facebook will send a text to a couple of your friends, and then you will need to get the code from each of them to unlock your account.  The downside, you have to keep your friend's numbers up to date and they have to be reliable reply texters.
5. Maybe get an anti-virus with wipe?  There are many anti-virus programs designed for mobile devices.  A lot of them come with the ability to wipe your information remotely (kind of like a factory reset done from a computer).  That means if you did lose your phone or have it stolen, you could immediately remove all of your private data from it.

Win Big With iTunes!

You may or may not remember what happened back in February 2013...  iTunes had their 10 billionth song download, Johnny Cash's "Guess Things Happen That Way".  Phillip Lupke, the guy that downloaded that song, was given a $10,000 iTunes gift card as a thank you from Apple for supporting them.

Well, it appears that Apple is quickly approaching the download of their 50 billionth app, and they want to say thank you again!  This time they want to give to 51 lucky downloaders.  The 50 billionth downloader will receive a $10,000 iTunes gift card and the 50,000,000,001 through 50,000,000,050 will all receive a $500 iTunes gift card.

So, when do you buy to be the lucky winner?  Although there is a countdown on Apple's website, it's for

entertainment purposes only.  That said, at the rate apps are downloaded, they are expecting the win to happen sometime on Wednesday, May 15th.  To make it a little more difficult, you are automatically exempt from winning if you download more than 25 apps per day.  So, make your best guess at when 50 billion is coming very carefully!

What is required to win?  You simply need to be over the age of 13 and live in a country that has a supported iTunes store.  If you don't want to purchase or download apps, that's fine too.  You can enter without downloading online at Apple.

Top 3 Android Anti-Virus Programs

Yesterday we published a blog about viruses and smartphones.  In it, we shared that the majority of viruses for mobile devices are designed to affect Android phones.  Today, we're going to give you the best options to protect yourself with our Top 3 Android Anti-Virus Programs.

1.  AVG Anti-Virus for Android - Free through $14.99 (one time fee)
AVG Anti-Virus is available in both a FREE and PRO version.  Both of these programs help to keep you protected from viruses and malware.  They also help you find your phone if it is lost.  Even better, you can remotely wipe your phone, which removes all of your personal information if it is lost or stolen.  AVG mobile comes with Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff's recommendation, as we utilize AVG and AVG CloudCare for our personal and business PCs.

2. Kaspersky Mobile Security - $14.99 (one time fee)
Kaspersky is another great anti-virus option.  It will automatically scan all apps as they are being installed to scan them for possible virus threats.  For those that actively surf the web on their smartphone, it will also alert you to malicious website...hopefully, prompting you to stop prior to becoming infected with a virus.

3.  Lookout Antivirus & Security - Free through $29.99/year
Lookout is a new anti-virus on the market, but it is receiving rave reviews from PC Mag, CNET, and its users.  It has the same features as AVG and Kaspersky; it also has 'scream'.  Scream allows you to activate an alarm from your dashboard (on your computer) helping you to find your missing phone...a great feature for those who mindlessly misplace things or who have kids who shove it in the couch cushions when they finish streaming Phineas and Ferb.

Unfortunately, having an anti-virus isn't enough to ensure that you don't get a virus on your smartphone.  You also need to use the same due diligence that you would use on your computer.

• Only install verified software (such as from the Google Play store)
• Do not click on links prefaced with "you must watch/see this"
• Listen to your anti-virus's warnings and stay away from websites when it tells you they are malicious

Viruses And Your Smartphone

Currently smartphones are used by 49% of the population.  With half of all cell phone users walking around with internet readily available in their pocket, it was only a matter of time before hackers started to create malicious content and viruses that would directly affect your mobile devices.

The big question is, is your smartphone at risk?  Should you have an anti-virus program?  Lets review the three most popular smartphone systems for the general user.

Windows Phone
Although the vast majority of computer viruses are created for the Windows operating system, they haven't fully gone mainstream for Windows Mobile yet.  The reason?  Currently, Windows phones are only used by about 7% of the smartphone population so the viruses would only affect a very small percentage of smartphone users.  That said, AVG does make a Windows Mobile Anti-Virus.  And it never hurts to have an anti-virus program.

iPhone
With the iPhone making up about 40% of smartphone users, one would think that the chances of getting a virus would be high.  The truth...yes and no.  We'll start with the no.  A iPhone that utilizes that iTunes app store has a very small (to non-existent) chance of getting a virus.  Apps are scrutinized for viruses and malware, the iOS system is constantly updated, and very few viruses are actually released mainstream to attempt to infect iPhones.  However, the yes answer is a little different...and relates to phones that are have been jailbroken.  A jailbroke phone uses third-party apps that have not been approved or verified as virus free by Apple.  They also do not get iOS updates which help to protect you from possible security issues.  Apple currently does not support any anti-virus system for their phones, although there are several options available in the iTunes store.

Android Phone
Brace yourself...99% of mobile viruses are created for the Android phone.  Why?  The Android phone trusted anti-virus software on it prior to utilizing it for the internet or social media.  To attempt to keep your Android phone virus free, stay away from third-party apps and only download your apps from the Google Play store.
makes up nearly 50% of the smartphone population and the Android operating system is easily corrupted.  The ease in infection comes from the fact that users can easily add third-party apps to their phone.  That said, the Google Play store has been found to have virus infested apps from time-to-time as well.  If you have an Android phone, it is highly recommended that you install

Microsoft Phone Scam Alert

This scam alert is for an older scam that was pretty popular back around 2008 and 2009.  However, based on a huge increase in computer repair services and phone inquiries, we're pretty sure that there are a few varied versions of it actively going around.

Nowadays when we think computer scam, we worry about viruses, trojans, adware, spyware.  However, his scam starts out low-tech...they call you on the phone.  When you answer they introduce themselves as Microsoft technical support and inform you that they want to check on or fix your computer problem, infection, or a virus that has been detected by Microsoft.  They will generally ask for payment to assist you in fixing the issue.  According to our customers, they've been asked to provide payment of anywhere between $50-$200.   From there you will be directed to a website that will allow them to take remote access of your computer.  They'll play around on your computer and make it look like they are doing a lot of work to remove a virus.  Often times they'll attempt to sell you an overpriced anti-virus program as well.  Then, they inform you they have completed the service and finish the call.

As an unsuspecting computer user you think that you just dodged a huge bullet and have fixed your computer.  In reality, you've probably just had a bunch of adware, spyware and viruses installed on your computer, which can continue to monitor your activities (including your user name and passwords for your online banking).  Even worse, you have just provided a criminal with your credit card number or your bank account information.  Information that they will use to make a lavish purchase or large withdraw.

So, what do you do if you receive a call that sounds something along the lines of, "I'm calling from Microsoft.  We've had a report from your internet service provider of serious virus problems from your computer."  You hang up!  It is a scam.  Microsoft does not make consumer (or business) calls to inform you of viruses on your machine, ever.

Hide Your Folders & Files in Windows Vista & 7

Did you know that you can hide your files and folders on your desktop in both Windows Vista and Windows 7?  This means you can finally write down that birthday list for the one of the kids and they'll never see it on the computer!  Or, you can hide anything else that you want to hide.

So, how do you do it?

1. Create a new folder - Right click on the desktop, select new, and select new folder
2. Type Character Map into the Start bar and select U+0080 Undefined, then select and copy.  Then close the Character Map.
3. Right click on the folder you made in Step 1, select rename, right click and paste, and hit enter
4. Right click on the folder again and select properties, select the customize tab, and select the change icon button
5. Scroll to the right and select on one of the hidden icons and click Apply and Ok.
6. The folder is now only viewable when it is highlighted over with the mouse.
7. This folder can be filled with any documents, photos, or programs you want to hide.

If you'd like a walk-through tutorial of how to make the hidden file, just watch the video below.

3-D Street Art Gets a Little Oomph

I work in the field of technology and I am blown away probably once a month by some new type of technology.  I am forever shocked by the things that people manage to conceptualize and create.  It's even more interesting when technology is used to amp up something that is already amazing!

Even if you don't know who he is, chances are you have seen Leon Keer's work somewhere on the internet. Leon is a phenomenal 3-D street painter.  His work is has a very realistic 3-D look and is all hand-sketched and painted (or chalked) directly onto streets and sidewalks.

As if the amazingly realistic 3-D view isn't enough, Keer is working on kicking it up a notch this year!  He is currently working on the development of smartphone integration in his work, allowing you to actually interact with his work!  Check out the video to learn more!