TT.iNFo

Crucial Security Settings to Implement on Your Router

5/11/2014

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It's important to make a few security changes to your router, so that you can better protect yourself from attacks.

Crucial Changes to Implement:

The router administrator password and username should be changed from their default settings.
The name of your wireless network (SSID) should be altered from: Actiontec, Linksys, etc.
Change the wireless security mode to WPA2 and utilize a long password.

"Your router is the first line of defense against hackers trying to access all the internet-connected devices in your home. Sadly, many of the top Wi-Fi routers are easy to hack. You should be concerned—and also make sure your router is set up properly." -Melanie Pinola

Read The Full Article on Lifehacker >

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Bring Your Keurig Coffee Maker Back From The Dead

4/18/2014

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You can find quite a few help videos on Keurig's website showing you how to clean your coffee maker.

However, Katie B. has a slight twist when cleaning your brewing system that might bring it back from the dead.

I wonder how many people have thrown away their coffee makers because they didn’t know how to clean a Keurig, particularly one that doesn’t pump water any more? -Katie B.

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Read Full Article on Housewife How-To's >

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Five VPN Services You Should Consider

3/24/2014

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A VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, is a great tool to protect your privacy and security while you use the internet. Whether you're at home or using public Wi-Fi while traveling, the best combine great pricing with security features and privacy guarantees that make them worth your trust. -Alan Henry

Read Alan's Full Article on Lifehacker >

View My VPN Choice >

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Does Your VPN Takes Your Anonymity Seriously?

3/16/2014

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Millions of people use a VPN service to protect their privacy, but not all VPNs are as anonymous as one might hope. In fact, some VPN services log users' IP-addresses for weeks. To find out how secure VPNs really are TorrentFreak asked the leading providers about their logging policies, and more. -Ernesto

Read Ernesto's Full Article on TorrentFreak >

View My VPN Choice >

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Furry Companions Welcome but People are Optional

3/10/2014

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We love our menagerie of fuRRy cOmpaniOns and we'll do absolutely anything for them.

The pictures and verbiage below came to me in an email and I decided to share it with our audience.

"A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest
town he planned to visit on his vacation.
He wrote: I would very much like to bring my dog
with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved.
Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my
room with me at night?"

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote:

SIR: "I've been operating this hotel for many years.
In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels,
bedclothes, silverware or steal pictures off the walls
or use them as a coloring book.

I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night
for being drunk and disorderly.
And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill.
Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel.
And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to
stay here, too."

Click on a picture to enlarge (hover your mouse over the enlarged picture to view the arrow to advance).

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VPN Services You Should Know About

1/10/2014

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VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are no longer just for work. VPN prevents snoops from eavesdropping on your online activity, whether that's marketers, someone malicious, or even the government. -Fahmida Y. Rashid

Read Full Article on PCMag.com >

View My VPN Choice >

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Are You Positive Your VPN Service Is Anonymous?

1/4/2014

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It’s taken a long time but today we bring the first installment in a series of posts highlighting VPN services that take privacy seriously. Our first article focuses on anonymity and a later installment will highlight file-sharing aspects and possible limitations. -Enigmax & Ernesto

Read Full Article on TorrentFreak >

View My VPN Choice >

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Top 7 Reasons That I Prefer Private Internet Access

6/14/2013

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VPN = Private Internet Access (PIA)

I've used several different VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) over the years, but ever since I started using Private Internet Access in January 2013... I've never looked back.

Top 7 Reasons That I Prefer PIA

Simple to use interface.
Not a computer/smartphone resource hog while it runs in the background.
Does not store log files of your internet activity, ever.
Inexpensive yearly cost.
Can be used on 5 of your devices simultaneously (eg: PCs, laptops, smartphones & tablets).
Encrypted WiFi.
Unlimited bandwidth (over 5 devices).

Of course there are many other features that are useful but you can read through those on Private Internet Access' website.

Unsecured Public WiFi Connections

Whether you travel a lot or just prefer using public WiFi, you should definitely consider using Private Internet Access to secure your connection.

Who should consider adding strong public WiFi security encryption layers to protect your privacy and data?

That's an excellent question and the short answer is, "YOU".

Do you perform any of the following activities while using an unsecured public WiFi access point (eg: cafe, library, bookstore, airport or hotel)?

Check email.
Login to social network websites (eg: Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or Pinterest).
Share sensitive data.
Login to banking or credit card accounts.
Login to apps on your smartphone to watch programs/movies via; Netflix, Hulu+, M-Go, VuDu, Crackle, etc.

If you answered, "Yes" to one or more of above then you should sign-up without further delay to enjoy all the same benefits that I do.

Low Cost Peace Of Mind For 5 Devices

I recommend paying for the $39.95 yearly subscription because then you'll receive the lowest price possible.

Now, if you take the $3.33/month cost a step further and divide that by 5 devices, it's a mere $0.67/device each month.

If you're not 100% convinced, then sign-up for a month initially ($6.95). You can always pay the yearly subscription after your 30 day test drive.

Computer Settings Once PIA is Installed

Click on a picture below to enlarge and read the captions (hover your mouse over the enlarged picture to view the arrow to advance).

Smartphone App Settings

Below left picture shows the settings that I use, naturally you can choose whatever settings fit your needs. Picture on the right shows what it looks like in the notification bar when connected through the VPN app.

Watching Netflix With PIA App Loaded via 4GLTE

I load the Private Internet Access app on my smartphone even when I watch programs on Netflix via 4gLTE (while sitting in our vehicle and my wife is shopping).

It protects my privacy in 2 ways:

Stops nearby prying eyes who may be using spy software to intercept login information.

Prevents Netflix from tracking my actual location through their app.

Click on a picture above to enlarge and read the captions (hover your mouse over the enlarged picture to view the arrow to advance).

Yes, I'd Like To View PIA's Pricing Choices >

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How to Keep Your Snow Blower From Clogging

11/10/2012

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All of us may not have an awesome snow blower like the one you see to the right but there is something we can do to improve the output of the one we do own.

My main frustration each year when snow-blowing is that mother nature doesn't always offer dry, fluffy snow. More than most snow falls have quite the opposite ingredients; wet, slushy and heavy snow that just barely chugs out of the chute. This not only creates a dangerous situation in order to keep it clean but is extremely time consuming.

What would normally take 30 - 40 minutes for me to clean our driveway can take as long as 60 - 90 minutes depending upon how much snow we receive.

There is one simple improvement that can help a new or old snow-blower from clogging and throw the snow twice as far as before. Please watch the video below.

See Other Helpful Videos From SixtyFiveFord >

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Reasons You Should Start Using a VPN

9/7/2012

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You may know what a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is; you probably don't use one. You really should be using a VPN, and even if you don't think so now, at some point in the future you may consider it as important as your internet connection. -Alan Henry

Read Alan's Full Article on Lifehacker >

View My VPN Choice >

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MagicJack Plus Is An Inexpensive Landline Alternative

1/9/2012

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No matter what cellular service provider you may have, there are some areas that just have bad service coverage. If you live in one of those areas, then you know first hand the frustration of not being able to make phone calls from the comfort of your home.

I don't know about you, but I'm not willing to sit on a cell tower in order to make phone calls. Nor do I want to dance around in my house or drive at high speeds in order to capture that ever-elusive signal.

Of course having a landline seems to be the only solution that will guarantee good service from home, but that comes with an additional monthly cost. For example, our landline has an approximate cost of $38/month with only 30 minutes of long distance included; that's $456.00 per year.

That Price Must Be a Misprint...

Now, there's a much less expensive alternative to a landline called MagicJack Plus. It has an unbelievably-low renewal rate of $35.00 for the year with unlimited long-distance calling to the USA and Canada.

But before you start jumping up and down, I must warn you that this may not be a good fit for everyone, especially if you have:

Dial-up or satellite service.
Under 5 Mbps broadband download speed (based on my experience).
Under 128 kbps upload speed (higher is better of course).
1-port-only modem from your ISP (internet service provider).

Click on above picture to view a comparison chart.

The older version of the MagicJack had to be connected to a computer which bogged down the overall performance of that computer. The MagicJack Plus connects directly to your modem/router, not your computer, which is a possible security risk in my opinion.

Be aware that you have to register with MagicJack once you have the device so you can choose your personalized phone number.

Since there are 12 months of service included with your MagicJack purchase... you can look at it as $59.95 - $35.00 (service) = $24.95 for the MagicJackGO device (not counting any taxes).
After the 12 months of included service, you pay $35.00 per year (plus applicable taxes).

Android App

One of their newer features is that they have an Android App (or iOS) available that can be used on your smartphone. Using the app in conjunction with the MagicJack device allows you to receive incoming calls and make outgoing calls from your smartphone.

Your smartphone just has to be connected to your home WiFi to make/receive calls via the app. Of course if you have problems using the app for whatever reason, then you just hook up a regular phone to the MagicJack device.

Test Drive Android App without a MagicJack Device/Account

You can test drive the free android app without a MagicJack device/account, but only to make OUTgoing calls.

I've used the android app many times via my home WiFi without any problems at all (DSL - 15 Mbps/768 kbps). I can hear every word that's being spoken to me and vice-versa, even if I'm walking around the house.

Just be aware that when using the free android app without a MagicJack device/account, the receiver of the call will see an unknown phone number. That can have an advantage if you want to call someone without your real cell phone number appearing on their caller I.D.

As an example, when I call someone, or when people have called me, using only the free android app, I've seen 2 different numbers (1 digit difference - see below screen captures).

If you want to give it a try... download the android app, make sure your smartphone is connected to your home WiFi (not 3G/4G), then call someone to see how it works.

Reminder: You need a high-speed broadband connection in order for the app to work properly (dial-up will not work).

Where Can I Purchase The MagicJack?

The least expensive places to buy one is usually from Radio Shack or Walmart.

The $59.99 cost is the normal price but their s/h is free ($59.99 - $35.00 for 12 months service included = $24.99 for the device).

The $48.91 cost at Walmart does not include s/h but you could have sent to a store near you to pick-up in person ($48.91 - $35.00 for 12 months service included = $13.91 for the device).

Other option is to purchase it from MagicJack's website.

Helpful Guides

How To Install Your MagicJack:

Click on the square icon located in the lower right-hand corner, then print from the browser screen.

How To Register Your MagicJack:

Click on the square icon located in the lower right-hand corner, then print from the browser screen.

How To Access Your Voicemail:

Click on the square icon located in the lower right-hand corner, then print from the browser screen.

Blog Post Updates:

January 3, 2014:

Updated a few lines of verbiage
Added more recent pictures
Changed YouTube video to "The Chase"
Added 3 PDF documents

March 6, 2014:

Added Radio Shack current sale price for online purchases

March 19, 2014:

Removed Radio Shack's sale pricing.

August 3, 2014:

Updated screenshot.
Added MagicJackGO information

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Which VPN Providers Are The Best At Protecting Your Anonymity?

10/8/2011

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There are dozens of VPN providers, many of which carry marketing on their web pages which suggests that the anonymity of their subscribers is a top priority. But is it really? Do their privacy policies stand up to scrutiny? We decided to find out. -Enigmax