Category Archives: Security

Safe and Secure Again

Happy to report the site is all safe and secure once again.  You can go back to using https://BoiseNeus.org and feel all warm and fuzzy that some Russian basement dweller isn’t gathering your personal data.  With that said there is no cause for concern since I do not gather any data, sensitive or otherwise, from visitors to the site. I set https up to prevent your browser from displaying an ominous message/icon indicating the site could be potentially dangerous.  Google is pushing that all sites implement https. Of course implementing https can incur additional costs.  Good news is my host provides a free certificate.  The bad news is that certificate does not cover my sub-domain site ppcs.BoiseNeus.org.  I am researching a couple no cost options to cover both.   Stay tuned.

Equifax • Are You Impacted?

 Go figure another data breach from a major establishment you think would have strong, robust and impenetrable security mechanisms in place.  I have already paid a visit to Equifax and enrolled in the free monitoring service resulting from this hack.  For what good that will do.  Haven’t received confirmation as to whether Paula or I have been directly affected.  The list of hacks that I have been a part of now totals nine.

• Equifax – 2017     [Trusted ID Premier]
• Idaho Dept of Labor – 2017     [not known]
• United States Office of Personnel – 2015     [ID Experts]
• Anthem – 2015     [AllClear ID]
• Home Depot – 2014
• Target – 2013
• Hewlett-Packard – 2009
• BNY Mellon – 2008
• Fidelity – 2006

Continue reading Equifax • Are You Impacted?

Geek Alert: Tech Tip 2!

Umbrella by OpenDNS

Do you want to speed up your Internet surfing?  Do you want an extra layer of protection from “bad” websites, phishing and other assorted nastiness?  Then give OpenDSN a try.  Without getting to techie let me explain what this service does.  DNS (Domain Name System) is a bunch of servers working in conjunction to direct your browser to your chosen website.  It takes a human friendly string like Google.com and finds its’ computer friendly IP address (74.125.199.103).  Try it – enter in that IP in your browser and see what you get.  If you are so inclined you can read more here.

When implementing OpenDNS on your device you will be directing your browser to use OpenDNS servers.  This is where a slight enhancement to speed can happen.  Your typical Internet service provider’s (ISP) servers aren’t as fast as OpenDNS servers.  That isn’t an ISP’s focus area.  In addition OpenDNS servers block all known bad guys which can help prevent you being given an fake website that will give you all kinds of grief.  Another feature of using OpenDNS is you can configure the level of filtering desired.  Want to block adult sights?  Tell it to and you or others on your network can’t get to them.

Don’t panic on trying to implement this.  They have done a really good job of making it easy.

Geek Alert: Tech Tip!

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Are you tired of managing umpteen passwords?  Are you using weak passwords across multiple sites just because it is easier?  If so may I suggest this password manager tool.  I have been using the “free” version for over a year and must say it has made it so much easier.  No longer do I have to pull out my five page document to find a password.  Now my passwords can look like this F7siuWikBf3f& rather than this spamola because I don’t have to have them memorized.  As the tool’s name implies your LastPass account password is the only password you will need to commit to memory.  Visit the site to learn more.  If you have questions feel free to contact me.