When you go online, your internet browser is your gateway to the internet. But are they all the same? No! Browsers 101 “But doesn’t everyone use ________?” No! So we talk about the basics of internet browsers! What’s the pros and cons of different browsers? Who are they meant for? And what is Google doing that is getting ad blockers mad?
Its Charity Season! Its Scam Season! Its a 101! (12/15/18 Part 2)
Its holiday season! Its a time for giving, peace on Earth, and goodwill to your fellow human beings. And sadly, its a time the bad guys try to take advantage of your good nature. Charities and Scams! But we’re here to help! Charity watchdog sites https://www.charitywatch.org/home https://www.charitynavigator.org/ http://www.give.org/ https://www.guidestar.org/ Charity scams https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2017/charity-check-scams.html https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search http://www.nasconet.org/resources/state-government/
Passwords and… SANTA! (11/24/18 Part 2)
First off, Mr. and Mrs. Claus came in to join us this hour! They talk about where they’ll be this month, plus where you can find them! Want to find out more? Passwords and Santa! They’ll be at the Kihei Public Library on Saturday, December 8th 2018 from 10:30am til 12:30pm. They’ll also be at Maui Makers on Sunday, December 9th 2018 10am til 2pm. Then there’s the Hansen Toy Drive on Saturday, December 1st 2018 from 4pm til 8pm! Look them up and get more details at https://www.facebook.com/mauimrandmrsclaus/ Anyhow: Recycling is good unless you’re talking about passwords. Reusing a password is bad internet hygiene (dare we say unsanitary!) and can cause all sorts of problems for you. So, what do you do about that? Well, glad you asked! Time for a 101 on Passwords and Password Managers! https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-password-managers/ https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407168,00.asp https://www.wired.com/2016/01/you-need-a-password-manager/ https://www.xkcd.com/936/
Bad News and Fake News (11/10/18 Part 1)
Look! Bat Boy is cheating on Marilyn Monroe with an Alien Elvis Clone! It used to be that bad news was confined to the pages of the supermarket tabloids. Aliens! Secret Conspiracies with Lizard People! The Pope is a 1,000 year old Vampire! Fake News! – Part 1 Likewise, some “news” were more sensationalist in nature. Remember Y2K? How many times have “its the end of the world!” come up as a headline? There might’ve been a kernel of truth or just an opinion at the core, but it got spun up to be more headline grabbing. Now? Not only is it easy to find bad and sensationalist stories online, its exploded. Additionally, you can find anything you want. Got an opinion? Someone out there will cater to it. Chances are, there’ll be dozens of sites out there. Is it fake? Is it bunk? Why would we make this up? Oh, right, there’s money to be made. Join Jonathan, LD, Sam, and special guest Tracey as we talk about bad and fake news!
Protecting yourself against Fake News (11/10/18 Part 2)
Self-defense isn’t just a physical thing: it relates to your mind as well. While you can’t judo-chop lies and flim-flamery, you CAN go through your due diligence. Fake News – Part 2 Fact checking! Axios as a nice list of some of the initiatives out there to help sift the wheat from the chaff. https://www.axios.com/fake-news-initiatives-fact-checking-dfa6ab56-3295-4f1a-9b38-e61ca47e849f.html If you have library near by, you might be able to get a groovy bookmark to help you with this! What’s on there? A short little list to help you karate-kick fake news! Want to buy the bookmark for friends, your classroom, work place, or group? You can get it online at https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/fact-or-fiction-bookmark You can also download and print or buy ready-made posters with logical fallacies, cards with critical thinking skills, and more! https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/shop
Q&A Second Story is OPEN! (11/3/18 Part 1)
Your skill are one of your biggest assets! And, thanks to the wonders of your brain, you can learn new things, new skills, update things and more! Some people can learn great on their own, but some folks really benefit from time with a teacher. Welcome to Maui Computer Learning with Ben! Q&A now has Q&A Second Story! Its a classroom where you can learn more about a variety of subjects with one of the best teachers on Maui! Got a business or a non-profit? You can invest in your greatest asset: your people! https://www.inc.com/chad-halvorson/5-reasons-you-should-be-investing-in-employee-development.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/01/29/why-development-planning-is-important-neglected-and-can-cost-you-young-talent/#5c9bf9d56f63 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-10-reasons-keep-learning-all-time-deb-calvert https://www.inc.com/aj-agrawal/4-reasons-why-we-should-never-stop-learning.html
Stingrays! Security! Phones! YOU! (10/27/18 Part 1)
What is a Stingray? Its a fake cellphone tower that law enforcement can deploy to intercept cell phone signals. And frankly, if the bad guys have it, then the spies probably do. And we’re sure the organized crime bad guys do too in some places! Why Encryption? Maybe you don’t feel you’re important enough to worry about this sort of thing, but our elected officials do. And some of the things they could/should be doing you can do too! What to learn more about Virtual Private Networks? Go to https://thatoneprivacysite.net/ Want to encrypt your phone? Best check with your smartphone’s manufacturer!
“I am a red-blooded [insert country] just like you!” (10/20/18 Part 1)
So, Eastern European trolls are keeping busy. How busy? Very. And they’re possibly expanding! Trolls are a-Trollin’ So, elections 2018 and movie season… what fun for the trolls!
Security? It has us on PINs and needles! (10/20/18 Part 2)
Personal Identification Numbers (or PINs) are a part of modern life. Using an ATM, a debit card at the store, and unlocking your phone all use PINs. So, do you need a good one? Heck yeah you do! Not just for protecting your stuff, but legally as well! Passwords! – Part 2 https://www.thebalance.com/pin-number-definition-and-explanation-315344 https://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/why-biometrics-are-bad-for-your-constitutional-rights.html https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16298192/apple-iphone-face-id-legal-security-fifth-amendment https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/01/court-rules-against-man-who-was-forced-to-fingerprint-unlock-his-phone/
Cord cutting is great, but don’t forget your NETWORK! (9/22/18 Part 2)
So, you cut the cord, what else is there? Well, you need the internet obviously! Networks, and Updating Them You’re going to want to make sure your home network is up to snuff for streaming, gaming, downloading, uploading, and more! Going to have guests? Got kids? Trying to save data on your cellular plan? All these things matter!