Resources

General Safety Tips 

• If you see something suspect on a site, text or email, don’t click or tap, just close the app. (Ask me how!)
• Keep up with backups, and cleaning out your storage, or you’ll continue to be hit with charges
• Set up multi-factor authentication, change your passwords every 6 months, and use a cryptic system to store them
• Use your mind frequently and your tech mindfully… tech-life balance is key!

Tips to Avoid Scams

More and more emails, texts, and popups are coming at you these days. Please click and tap with care, and if you are not sure, just ask us. We will tell you what's real and what's fake.

1. Don't click on any links or suggested downloads if you are not sure where it will take you and what might get installed on your device.
2. If you receive an email from what appears to be your bank, doctor's office, your favorite store, an airline, etc., first check the sender's email address by clicking or tapping on the arrow next to the address. Is it really coming from a legitimate sender? 
3. If you are on a computer, hover over links in an email before clicking. Would the link really take you to the purported website? 
4. Read the email subject and text with the eye of an English professor. Bad grammar, spelling and punctuation in email is a red flag for scams!
5. If it is a phishing email, simply delete it and empty the trash or the deleted items folder.

Viruses, Malware, Ransomware, Adware, Spyware and the like

1. Use the latest Operating System and software updates for Chrome, Microsoft, Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. We offer a remote or on-site monthly update service to our clients.
2. Use Malwarebytes Premium www.malwarebytes.com to protect your devices from malware, ransomware, spyware, adware, viruses, etc. Alternatively, use Vipre www.vipre.com for larger offices.
3. Teach your users and family members about viruses and other potential infiltrations on your devices.
4. The main sources of viruses, malware, ransomware, adware and spyware are through links, downloads and attachments.
5. Viruses, spyware and malware can cause your computer to freeze, redirect your browser, share your personal and financial information, erase data, and make your computer stop working with ransomware.

Electronics Recycling Links

Want to recycle your old electronic equipment – including cell phones, computers, TVs? Important: please clean off all the data first! We can help you strip and remove all your data safely.

Check these links for local recycling and donation options. 

DC’s Department of Energy & Environment

Maryland’s Department of Environmental Protection

Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality

Nationwide electronics recycling options

Please consider donating electronics, computer equipment and phones to our service members and your local organizations that support children and marginalized people who would not otherwise have access to these valuable resources.

Tips for Families

When I first wrote this page, I wasn’t a parent yet. Now that I am a parent, my advice as an IT consultant is keep your child as far away from technology as possible for as long as possible. Stay off your devices when you are with your child. They study you, they model you, when they are little they want to be just like you. Put your phone in a "sleeping bag". –https://www.nationaldayofunplugging.com

Internet Safety and Courtesy

You should not reveal your identity, phone, or address to any individual or company on the Internet. People prey on elderly, unsuspecting users, and children through your devices.

1. Ask your children to show you any content they receive that seems inappropriate or scary. It is very important that they show you any and all content that contains invitations from individuals on the Internet.
2. If you suspect illegal or inappropriate activity, take action to curb it.

• Report the activity to your local police department immediately.
• Forward messages containing suspicious invitations, indiscretions, or illegal activity to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/, the Postmaster of the sender's Internet Service Provider or email service by writing to postmaster@______._____, for example, postmaster@gmail.com.
• Send comments from a chat with the user's screen name in a message to the postmaster of your Internet Service Provider or email service.
• Lastly, when online decency is the key and the Internet is forever.

Software

1. Have your employees and family members ask you to approve the software they want to install.
2. Purchase software from a reputable site or store.
3. Use the computer’s parental settings to set limits on the amount of time your child can spend on your/their devices. It’s hard not be a hypocrite on this one. So parents have to set limits themselves.
4. If you don't have unlimited service, set time limits on your devices to avoid additional charges.