Keeping you safe and sound on the web.

With most of us having so much time for work and play because of lessened commute time, we may find ourselves developing a hobby. Some of us have taken refuge in that almighty app called Netflix, where we pass hours in a day finishing full TV series or movie franchises. There are also people subscribing to hours of online fitness classes to shake off lethargy and make sure their fitness gains pre-COVID are kept and maintained. There are those who keep on enrolling in online classes to upskill and use this time to make themselves more marketable in the job market. Then, finally, there are those who go back to an old habit, like writing in a notebook, cooking, or reading. If you are one of those people who missed reading because you didn’t have a lot of time during your work week to indulge in the written word, this pandemic may be giving you more time to go back and read as much as you want, from fiction to biographies, from crime thrillers to sci-fi and fantasy.

One thing you may be thinking of when wanting to read is how to get books when going to the library is not really an option and buying books isn’t that smart when you don’t have the space to put all these books. That’s where e-books and e-readers come in handy. With everything in electronic files, you can indulge in your reading habit without having to think about the space your books will take up and without having to leave your place. E-readers have come a long way, though and there will be things to look for when you are about to secure one for yourself. Should you go for a Kindle? A Kobo? A Nook? Or should you just go ahead and download an e-reader app on your tablet or phone and use your device as your e-reader? There are pros and cons to that, so do weigh your options.

Consider the screen type

You need to obviously consider the screen of your e-reader because you will be staring at that screen for as long as you are reading. Screens of tablets and phones are not really effective in reducing glare and will therefore strain your eyes even if you are just looking at it for a short time. E-readers employ e-ink and other technologies that do not really give off a lot of light, so you can comfortably read from it even for long periods.

Traditionally, eBook readers have been equipped with two kinds of screens: LCD displays and eInk. Depending on your needs and wants, choosing a reader with one or another is a principal decision as the type

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In this age of connectivity where transferring data is almost second nature for the majority of us, three letters have skyrocketed in popularity – USB. The universal serial bus, whether they be connectors or cables, have been a ubiquitous ingredient in our lives. Particularly nowadays where everyone still pretty much prefers staying at home to work rather than exposing yourself to the virus, knowing a thing or two about USBs may be required but handy knowledge.

But then, there is also quite a lot of things related to the USB cables and ports that might prove to be quite overwhelming especially to those who are not really technically proficient. There’s USB-A, B, C, mini-USB, micro-USB, and then USB 1, 2, and 3 (and even 3.1) that casual users may ask themselves if it is really worth knowing all of these. It is, so without further ado, here is everything you need to know about USBs:

Cables and connectors

Before you get overwhelmed, remember this: numbers for cable types (and their speeds) and letters for connector types. So, when you hear USB-A, B, C, mini- and micro, you are talking about the various types of USB connectors. On the other hand, USB-1, USB-2, and USB-3 refer to the data transfer speed of particular USB cables. As can be deduced by their names, the higher the number the faster the speed of data transfer. This means that nowadays, USB-3 is quite fast, and is already considered the standard when it comes to USB cables.

USB connectors come in different shapes and sizes. Most of the versions of USB connectors, including the standard USB, Mini USB, and Micro USB, have two or more variations of connectors.

(Via: https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/u/usb.htm)

Thunderbolt!

Like almost everything else, Apple likes to be different and quirky. Thus, the birth of Thunderbolt, which was, for most of its history, distinct from USB. That is, until Thunderbolt 3 happened, which uses a USB Type-C connector. So now, with the widespread use of Thunderbolt 3, the divide between Thunderbolt and USB may not be as obvious as before.

Designed in a collaboration between Apple and Intel, Thunderbolt is an alternative to USB that was brought to the market in 2011, but was initially shown off as Light Peak by Intel in 2009, running on a Mac Pro. Compared to USB, Thunderbolt aimed to offer considerable benefits, including multiplexing data lanes for PCIe and DisplayPort hardware together, namely mixing data with video, as well as a fast data rate of 10Gbps for each of two channels, 20Gbps in total.

(Via: https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/08/24/usb-3-usb-4-thunderbolt-usb-c—-everything-you-need-to-know)

What’s compatible with what?

When faced with the selection of 1, 2, or 3 cables, you should not really be …

More than phishing scams and ransomware attacks, various text scams have been on the rise again, even during these times of a pandemic affecting the entire world. You would think that this disaster affecting millions across the earth would make scammers and criminals more considerate and this, let them ease efforts on defrauding people who are already suffering as it is. But no, so many scams have become commonplace these days, much to the disadvantage of victims who are already coping with so many other matters.

But then again, it might be that these scammers are ahead in their game. They feel like with so many problems besetting people these days, they might be too distracted to realize that they are being scammed. Alas, that may be true because so many people are complaining of their bank accounts getting wiped clean of money when all they did was to respond to texts or emails coming from what looked like authentic departments of their banks. So now, we have a huge problem.

Why the rise?

The anxious mix of people getting distracted by pandemic news, being not in touch regularly with family and friends, and the general uncertainty of the situation makes us all the more susceptible to these scams. Of course, scammers have taken advantage of this situation by also playing to our paranoia, as some schemes are using contact tracing and the virus itself to force people into revealing personal information, leading them to get scammed easily.  On the other hand, with people’s finances not in the best shape these days, scammers have also found ways to fool people into participating in get-rich schemes to improve their situation, unknown to these victims that they are about to lose more money.

We all get distracted and stressed out: The boss wants that report by noon. The kids can’t get the Zoom classroom to open while we’re on a conference call. The dog is barking nonstop. Make the phone stop dinging and just answer the text!

(Via: https://www.lifewire.com/why-we-fall-for-texting-scams-and-how-to-stop-5077031)

Scam here, there, and everywhere

One scam in the UK involves a government agency sending SMS messages to people that they are eligible for government aid because of the pandemic and after being led to a legitimate-looking website, they will be asked of their bank details where the supposed government subsidy will be deposited to and passport numbers to facilitate verification. In the US, text messages informing shoppers of “packages” to be sent to them also victimized hundreds in August. Lately, fake recruiter emails and schemes where work-from-home opportunities are provided to job seekers who can deposit placement fees to scammer have also occurred.

Over the past two weeks, people across the

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The thing about being on lockdown and avoiding too much of the outdoors is that everyone it seems has lost track of time. In case you are one of those people who has forgotten what date and time of the year it is, this is a reminder to tell you that it is already fall! Yes, that picturesque season with beds of falling orange leaves covering the ground, cool weather perfect for sweaters but not too cold that you feel lethargic, and of course, school opening! Many, if not all schools are welcoming back students to their fold, albeit everything being a virtual event as nobody dares to endanger the young by getting them to physical buildings where the risk of getting sick is higher.

With schools virtually opening come memories that flood back the minds of office workers who had to adapt to work from home strategies only months ago. And just like that event in March, school children and hapless parents are beset with challenges once again as they must adapt to this “new normal” of virtual classrooms and online modules. And just like office employees, students will also surely get used to learning in this environment, if only the learning and adaptation curve will be to their advantage very soon.

Studying is hard, studying online is harder

Just imagine, as an adult, having to sit still and appear very interested in your Zoom meetings with your office team, resisting the temptation to click on that N icon on your device and finishing the next episode of Money Heist you have promised yourself to watch as soon as the day ends. If that scenario is that challenging to supposedly mature and level-minded adults, imagine how much of a challenge that would be to kids and teenagers who generally have attention spans that can only be rivaled by Dory in Disney’s Finding Nemo movies. Confusion ensues when facial expressions and tones of teachers may be misinterpreted by children who may not be that equipped with enough maturity. Alas, there’s the challenge of intermittent internet connections. What’s a kid supposed to do?

But going to school on a laptop came with a litany of difficulties on day one: Parents were dealing with hangry kids who weren’t allowed to eat while on screen, demystifying confusing class schedules, and managing the various passwords needed to unlock an online education.

(Via: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/16/metro/its-bizarre-its-how-were-doing-it-parents-students-adjust-virtual-classrooms/)

Where to study?

As with how adults had to face that challenge of having to work in the kitchen or in their beds during the early weeks of the lockdown, the same challenge is faced by students who may be more susceptible to getting distracted by even the slightest of …

With the pandemic still in full swing, most of us have taken so many hobbies and activities that occupy us, allow us to pass the time, and in a way reminds us that there is still that big, outside world we can connect to and just can’t explore for the meantime. Some of us have held monumental marathons on Netflix, some of us have explored skills in the kitchen, while others have honed their (or verified that they don’t have a) green thumb. Yet others, to remind them of those days of commuting to work and having a drink with colleagues after office hours, continue to listen to podcasts that we have been loyal to even before COVID-19 disrupted our lives.

But then, has it ever occurred to you that you can also do a podcast? There has been a surge in the amount of content people publish. Whether it is to bring some semblance of normality in their lives or to remind others in their network what they’ve been up to in these boring times, sharing podcasts can be quite therapeutic and effective as a social activity these days. If you are currently thinking, “Why not? That sounds like a lot of fun,” then maybe you should read on and check whether you and the people you want to do podcasts with have these already. Of course, it goes without saying that you would need an internet connection and a laptop or desktop computer in order to stream a podcast. Here are other items you would need:

Get a microphone
A microphone is a must so that you can put your voice into the computer for recording. The variety of microphones run from affordable to high-end, and the good news is you really don’t have to go for the more expensive mics to ensure great function. The more basic microphone models can also do a good job with reasonable quality. The thing to remember is to check the quality of the sound with the mic you are going to get. The better the quality, the more professional you will sound, the higher the likelihood of people listening to you. Suffice to say the basic mic or headset you use for Zoom and Skype calls may not really cut it.

Whether you’re picking podcasting up as a hobby or a new venture, one thing’s for sure: Low-quality equipment could make or break even the most compelling content, as otherwise interested listeners might be too distracted by background noise. The best podcast microphones will ensure rich, clear vocals, so even if you’re a one-person show, you won’t sound like one.
(Via: https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/electronics/best-podcast-microphones-1061917/)

Get a headset
A headset is a must …

In this era of fake news, it’s almost a given that you’ve come across videos like Jon Snow apologizing for the rather underwhelming finale episode of Game of Thrones, Mark Zuckerberg boasting of being the owner of people’s stolen data, and Steven Buscemi attending the Golden Globes wearing what people remember as Tilda Swinton’s gown. These videos have been our exposure to deepfake, the 21^st century equivalent to photoshopped pictures. These videos are possible through artificial intelligence that produces fake images of events that have never happened. Most deepfakes have become tools for personalities to be embarrassed and have their reputations ruined, with some becoming effective in “fooling” unsuspecting viewers and in millennial-speak, “canceling” personalities.

Given how gullible we have all become to these fake videos, we need to inform ourselves of them lest we are fine with being unresisting victims. How they are made, how to know the difference between real and deepfake graphics, what the consequences of deepfake are, and possible solutions are some things we need to know. After all, there will come a time when technology becomes more common and accessible to just about everyone. When this time comes, deepfake will not only victimize celebrities and world-renowned personalities but even ordinary citizens like you and I. You definitely wouldn’t want to be left scratching your head when you fall target to a deepfake item.

What do you need to make a deepfake?

As of the moment, it takes a lot to produce deepfake. A standard laptop or desktop PC won’t do. You need a high-end desktop armed with professional-grade graphic cards and storage capacity. After all, one deepfake video alone may need a least 40,000 high definition pictures of the person you would like to be put in the video. HD photos are huge files that cloud storage is actually preferred. Fast computing power is also a must, or you will end up taking a month just to come up with a video that’s two minutes long. You also need tools and apps, which cost according to the quality of their outputs.

Right now, it’s actually not difficult to make deepfake videos, thanks to free apps and programs that allow even ordinary people to make them. Cost-free source codes and machine-learning algorithms are abundant online, and the only things you need to make yourself a video are time and materials.

(Via: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/17/features/deepfake-artificial-intelligence-pornography/20200517190700189.html)

 

Can you tell the difference?

Prior to 2019, when technology experts were asked how one can detect a deepfake, they will readily answer that it’s all in the eyes. Eyes in deepfake videos don’t naturally move, much less blink. After all, you can’t really see a lot of photos where a …

While our ancestors have braved pandemics before and we have also had our fair share of crises and dealing with them, I do not think the world has faced a disaster of this magnitude. The various ways we cope with the COVID-19 calamity are quite pragmatic, as this is the first time we are facing problems like this. There is no blanket, one-size-fits-all solution yet, so we try to manage the best we can.  But then, there may be suggestions on how we can secure our survival that we can all try and apply. Thousands are losing their means of income with mass layoffs happening daily. Businesses have contracted, with some deciding to shut off permanently.  We can try and extend a hand to everyone in need of help, but before we can do that, we need to look out for ourselves as well. After all, if we are not that strong ad secure financially, how can we help others?

Thus, with still months (and even years, according to some) to go before we adopt a “new normal”, let us assess ourselves and see whether we can be confident with our state of fiscal being. That way, we can ease mental stress, focus our energies on the more important things such as keeping physically healthy, and be our full selves so we can possibly have something to give other people. Here are some ways we can be assured of strong financial health during this COVID-19 crisis.

 

Try to scrap unnecessary expenses

As you may already be working from home for the past weeks, if not months, try to do an inventory of your expenses since the lockdown started. See which areas you can cut down and calculate how much you can save. Be detailed down to the last cent. Remember, you should already have been saving on gas and transportation costs since you haven’t been using your car anywhere. But then, you might already have been using your savings to buy something online or add to the grocery budget. Set aside these savings instead of funneling them on things you don’t necessarily need.

There are ways to boost your saving skills while you’re stuck at home, though, to get your finances looking a little healthier (even if only to blow everything you have on holidays, pub trips, and fast food the second this is all over).

(Via: https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/24/simple-ways-cut-spending-save-money-lockdown-12604973/)

 

Get reminded of how important an emergency fund is

Remember when you were encouraged to set aside a portion of your income so that you can have something “for a rainy day’? Well, that rainy day is the present, with people losing jobs and getting their salaries cut. If …

We are indeed living in some of the most interesting times. There have been some events in the history of the human race that has changed the way we live, that is true, but these happenings took years to effect drastic changes. Wars raged on for years before affecting the entire world, whole continents used to be spared from medical pandemics. Now, COVID-19 has affected each and single country directly or indirectly. In a matter of weeks, the way we lived has changed. What is exciting and a bit scary is that months from now when we will eventually come out of our lockdowns and quarantines, there is a huge possibility that there will be no going back from the way we live only months ago.

The new normal as pundits have coined the period pos-COVID-19, will indeed be new and will be markedly different from how we used to do things in February. The COVD-19 pandemic is one for the history books – so devastatingly major that we humans may already define our lives as everything that happened pre-COVID and months from now, post-COVID. This can be both good and bad. The environment’s condition has improved, we now have a deeper appreciation for personal relationships, health has become a priority. But then, freedoms we used to take for granted such as mobility and assembly have been curtailed. The new normal does have pros and cons to it.

Our current lockdown situations are serving as a dry run for the major effects the COVID-19 will eventually impose on our lives after its reign. The question is, are you ready for this “new normal”? Here are some changes you need to be aware of now:

Commerce and the nature of work

Not only has this pandemic changed the nature of business and work, it has forced some of its facets to mature. COVID-19 has created a survival of the fittest scenario among commercial and work practices, and what remains will not only survive, but will compose what will be the “new normal.” And we realize that some of our pre-COVID habits are actually impractical and don’t make sense, so that’s good. After all, there’s really no need to constantly use the ATM and get cash, drive to a store to buy things, and use your cash to pay for your purchases when you can have anything delivered to your house. Why waste an hour of two to commute to work when you can finish everything at home and even extend your work hours for an hour or two?

So, perhaps the conversation that we should be having as a society isn’t about where we are going to work after the post-covid

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If the death toll of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is not giving you serious bouts of depression, here’s something scarier: For the past month, 10% of the US workforce, or close to 15 million people do not have jobs anymore, also thanks to the pandemic. As of the end of April, over 26 million people have looked into unemployment benefits, and the figure is not showing any signs of decline. This is millions of us who are struggling on multiple fronts: how to stay healthy, how to pay the bills, and how to keep sane with everything that’s going on.

With the job market at its rockiest in history, laid-off employees may want to use this lockdown period as an opportunity to reassess themselves in terms of their careers, what they really want to do as work, what their skills are, what the job market needs, and what skills they can develop to make themselves more “marketable” when the “new normal” kicks in.

The same goes for you, still working reader. You may be “secure” in your current job, but with the way the world economy is going, no one is dispensable. The business and commercial landscape is evolving, all the more because of the COVID-19 crisis. Demands from companies are changing, and if you plan to stick around in the employed sector of the economy, you need to keep your skillset updated to these demands. It doesn’t matter if you are “not so technical” and past your prime; if you want to stay employed, you have to reskill, upskill, and get your available skills in line with what the market needs.  What skills are these? Take note of these skills that you need to acquire as soon as possible:

 

Up your critical thinking and problem-solving skills

According to a Society for Human Resource Management survey, the top soft skill that is absent among candidates according to 37% of employers is critical thinking and problem solving. The chance of someone with demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking skills getting hired is very high, as they are valued for providing options and solutions when companies face problems such as the current one everyone is facing.

Employers say they need a workforce fully equipped with skills beyond the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic to grow their businesses. These skills include critical thinking and problem solving, according to a 2010 Critical Skills Survey by the American Management Association and others.

(Via: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/problem.pdf)

 

Up your social media and digital marketing skills

With the current lockdown forcing businesses to shift to methods that do not require physical contact and the near future most probably seen to continue with this, efforts to …

Every time you browse a website for the first time, information from it is stored in temporary files, and these files are called cache.  Why is there cache, you ask? Isn’t this a little invasion of your privacy because your browser or gadget retains some information about the sites you have visited? Shouldn’t this be prohibited? Cache files, terrible as they may seem when it comes to your security, is helpful when it comes to your browsing speed. See, those temporary files allow you to load the website faster and directly the next time you visit it, leading to a more satisfying browsing experience from you since you don’t have to wait that long for the site to load. If cache files are not present, the browser would need to connect to the site’s server again for proper reloading.

But then, security is not the only downside to cache files, as helpful as they may be. They also slow down your apps and device systems since they use memory and RAM.  Besides, a good number of sites only get visited by a user once, so there is not really a necessity for the cache of these sites to be saved.  Now, the question is, is it a good habit to clear your device’s cache? The answer is yes, and regularly. Why?

You will not see all changes made to the webpage if you rely on the cache. If you frequent a website and are religious in clearing the cache memory of your device, the browser, or the app you are using will be alerted to fetch the webpage’s latest version all the time. Also, when you are using a device that other people may have access to, as mentioned earlier, the next user may get access to your information, as the cache can store information such as your payment modes (e.g., debit and credit card information) and log-in credentials. That’s an additional privacy threat!

So, how do you clear your cache? With a laptop, since most online activities are done through browsing, then clearing the cache of your web browser is the way to go. Otherwise, you can also clear the cache of your iDevice or Android device. Here’s how:

 

Remove your cache in Chrome

Personal laptops run on Chrome. I mean, who uses IE or Microsoft Edge on their personal laptops? To remove cache on your Chrome browser, here are the steps:

To clear the cache and cookies in Chrome, you’ll need to access the browser’s Settings menu. There are three different ways you can get here.

The first way is to click the three vertical dots icon in the top-right corner of the screen, hovering over “More

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