Marriott announces data breach of up to 500 million Starwood guests

T'is the season to be busy.  This time of year is always hectic.   The holidays set in, the season of winter comes to visit, there's open season on enrollees for health insurance with annual premium hikes and everybody decides they need their IT project done by the end of the year.  There were eleven other …

Confessions of an IT Professional – Part 2 – Data Backups

This is part 2 in a series.  Rated E for Everyone.   I’ll admit that I bang the security drum a lot.  Those of you that know me will admit that I avoid risk.  I look for it and work to manage and reduce it as much as reasonably possible.  I don’t like risk.  Life has …

5 Tips for Buying a Computer

Many of you may soon be in the market for a new computer.  Black Friday & Cyber Monday are coming up.  Before you make a buying decision while mentally and emotionally impaired at 2:30 AM on Black Friday morning, let me give you some tips before buying your next PC or laptop deal. Let's talk …

“Your email account is hacked. Password must be changed.”

I received two emails recently sent to two different email accounts I've had for over 10 years.  What really got my attention was the subject line of the email address had one of my passwords in it--right there--my password.  And then they proceeded to tell me they were responsible for "cracking" my email account and …

Use Postal Mail? Get Informed Delivery!

Many businesses and financial institutions now provide e-billing and e-statements.  You can pay online using their secure website and even receive recurring bills or account statements sent directly to your email address.  No more snail mail!  If this sounds like you, you might check out earlier post about Work and personal email addresses related to the pros/cons …

Confessions of an IT Professional – Part 1

This post is rated E for everyone. These aren't deep, dark secrets--but they are confessions in two senses:  1) admission and acknowledgement and 2) a statement one's principles.  I have to confess that most of what we're doing today to protect ourselves from modern Internet threats is insufficient.  Before you bail on me banging the …

RECALL on Confessions of an IT Pro

For those of you following me via e-mail:  you got an email from me this morning with a password protected post.  My apologies for the newbie WordPress error.  I was attempting to publish for a peer review before going public. NEVERMIND that post... the real one is going to post at 6AM on Tuesday morning. …

Threatening Voicemail Scams

I got a phone call today from 951-387-3979.  I missed the call.  So glad they left me this informative voicemail.  I've attached the audio below followed by a transcript. This is not a solicitation call.  There is currently a motion being filed to suspend all bank accounts bearing your name and social security number.  To …

Work and personal email addresses (updated)

I was in church this morning and watched the class teacher login to a personal website to access content using a work email address. So with that, the occasion for this post: should I use my work or personal email address when signing up for an website or other online service account? Let's talk about …

Not all data backups are created equal

I see a lot of computers, servers and networks--both personally and professionally.  And there are a few things we've got to talk about and data backup is one of them.  Important questions to ask about your data backup system: #1 - What does it backup and how does it do it?  Does it backup files, …