Quiz: What Type of Tech User Are You?

Are you a Power User or a Cyber Sucker?  

Take Our Quiz to Find Out

Are you a Power User, a Cyber Sucker, or something in between? Take this quiz to find out what type of user you are, and learn a little about internet safety in the process.

http://quizrevolution.com/ch/a251633

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If you have any trouble viewing or completing this quiz, please visit:  http://quizrevolution.com/ch/a251633 to take the quiz at Quiz Revolution itself. 

You may receive a warning about "Mixed content" if you are viewing techlaurels.com vis https.  This is because blogger uses https: protocol, but Quiz Revolution does not. You will not need to give ANY personal information to take the quiz, so the https: protocol is not necessary.

If your browser is set to block mixed content, you may need to visit http://quizrevolution.com/ch/a251633 to take the quiz.  Clicking this link will open the quiz at Quiz Revolution's website, in a new tab or window.

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Is it Safe to Take This Quiz?

This quiz is a part of our series on Privacy Issues and Internet Quizzes.  In previous posts, we have discussed the potential dangers of participating in these things, as well as some of the sites to avoid.

Tip: Convert That Old Computer to a Safer Internet Machine

Pre Windows 7 Machines are NOT SAFE for Surfing the Internet

Neverware's Cloud Ready is a Safer Alternative

If there's anything the recent ransomware attacks proved, older computers are just NOT the best choice for surfing the Internet.  Both Microsoft and Apple pushed users to upgrade their Operating Systems, due to security vulnerabilities that were currently being exploited.  Folks running Windows 10, and those who keep their Windows 7 systems updated had no worries.  The ransomware could NOT attack their systems.  However those running Windows XP and/or Vista were extremely vulnerable.  In fact, most viruses are designed to attack older operating systems and those that are not kept patched.

However, most older systems are unable to handle Windows 10.  Many users are stuck with 7, XP, or even (shudder) Vista, as their budgets do not allow for new machines.  Many people have older systems lying around they'd like to re-purpose for children or as spares.  Do you have to abandon all hopes of surfing safely with an older machine?  Heck no!  Neverware is here with a solution. It can convert that old computer into a much safer, Internet Machine.  Neverware will help you convert that dangerous old laptop into a Chromebook.

Privacy Implications of Sweepstakes, Freebies, and Like-Farming Sites

Sweepstakes and Freebies are great for Marketing Purposes;
They're Also Great for Mining Your Information

Be Smart When Entering Contests or Requesting Freebies

Our last few posts have focused on the privacy implications of Internet Quizzes.  We are currently evaluating SAFE quiz sites, and that series will resume when we've had a chance to complete our research. (The bad sites are MUCH more numerous than the legit ones.) But quiz sites are not the only data miners out there.  You must be just as cautious when participating in sweepstakes and contests, as well as when signing up for freebies of any kind.

Playing the "Sweeps"

I have been an avid "sweepser" since the they went online.  (Those of us who enter contests and sweepstakes as a hobby affectionately call it "Sweepsing."  People who do this are "Sweepsters.") Before there was a World Wide Web, I returned the occasional sweepstakes card, figuring I might get lucky for the cost of a stamp.  I foolishly dropped my business card in bowls at restaurants, promising a drawing for a gift card or exotic vacation.  Then I wondered where all that junk mail and those time share calls were coming from.

More on Internet Quiz Sites and the Associated Dangers

What Are You Giving Up When You Use One Popular Facebook Quiz Engine?  Maybe More Than You Think...

A Review of Nametests.com

This is the third part in a series on what you also give up when you take an Internet Quiz.  Part 1 focused on General Dangers.  Part Two reviewed the terms of use for one popular Internet Quiz site. Today, we're going to look at nametests.com.  I think about 75% of the quiz results that come across my own Facebook timeline come from nametests.com.  I think few folks visit the sire directly.  Most click-through friends' shared results to take the same quiz.  While there, they often fall into a click-hole, taking other quizzes suggested at the end of the one they just took. How many readers have taken a test at nametests?  How many of you have actually looked at their terms of services?

A Review of Quibblo, a Quiz Creating Tool, and A Quiz: How Facebook Savvy Are You?

This is the second in a series of articles discussing the privacy implications of Internet Quizzes.  The first, The Dangers of Internet Quizzes, is available at https://techlaurels.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-dangers-of-internet-quizzes.html

Quibblo: A Review

WWW.Quibblo.com

NOTE: Our quiz  (see the bottom of this page) is hosted over on Quibblo.  Quibblo is supposed to be a free source for creating quizzes that can easily be shared on Social Media.  If you are following the "journey" of this blog, I originally headed over to Quibblo to investigate its use as a resource.  Supposedly, you can embed the finished quizzes on your blogs or Social Media Pages, and several sources touted it as a good resource for bloggers. My research does not necessarily concur.

Quibblo is supposed to generate content that is easy to share and easy to embed, either on your own web site or on one of the major blogging platforms.  And quizzes can be good traffic generators for Social Media. Before you start, Quibblo promises your creation efforts will be rewarded with a widget in the sidebar to help you share, embed, or promote your content. But alas, the promised code-generating widget is absent in all three browsers!  I have contacted Quibblo to see how to get the embed code.  I will update this post when I hear back.  In the meanwhile,  the quiz is linked from the bottom of this post.  That, of course is NOT the ideal situation. Generated content should be as easy to embed as the giveaway widget featured on our giveaway post.  It is not.

This post was going to be a fun quiz about Facebook Savviness.  But it evolved as I was developing the quiz and writing the post.  The quiz is no longer the highlight of this article.  Rather, the post transformed into a warning about these quiz generators, and a review of Quibblo specifically.  I am kind of sorry my research lead me to consider Quibblo as a good option.

IMPORTANT: Patch Available for Older Windows Systems

Slew of "Ransomware Attacks" Cripple Businesses Worldwide;
Microsoft issues Patches in Response

Windows XP, Vista and 8 Users Need to Update

Despite the fact  official support for XP ended YEARS ago, Microsoft has issued an important patch. On may 11-12, 2017, many businesses were hit with ransomware attacks, due to a flaw in Windows that recently became public.  This attack hit mostly outside of the US, with healthcare affiliated businesses hit the hardest.   Most home users should not worry too much.  However, if you are running a version of Windows earlier than 10, including Vista, XP, and 8.x, you NEED to download this patch.

Users running Windows 10 will receive the patch automatically, if needed.  You may want to manually check for updates to be sure.  (Settings...Update & Security...Windows Update.)  Details on the patch are available from Microsoft at this link:

• (https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2017/05/12/customer-guidance-for-wannacrypt-attacks/)

Of course, I do NOT recommend you use a computer running XP or Vista to access the Internet. However, I recognize that not everyone can afford to upgrade their systems.  For those stuck running older versions of Windows, consider running Neverware to access the Internet.  You can install it to dual-boot, or you can run it from a USB stick or CD.  Neverware basically turns older computers into pseudo Chromebooks.  If you can use Chrome and Google Services, a computer running Neverware is a MUCH safer internet machine than one running XP or Vista.

Even if you DO run Neverware to access the Internet, get the patch.  Seriously.  Get it today and get it fast.

Link to Patch: http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4012598

Quick Tip: What "Refresh" Means in Windows 10

Refreshing Your Operating System is
NOT Similar to Refreshing Your Screen

The term "Refresh" has been around since the days of MS-DOS. We've learned that the circle with an arrow icon stands for refresh, and that refreshing or reloading may help when things go wonky.  If you keep getting that "more stories" link on Facebook, images aren't loading, or your desktop suddenly looks strange, refreshing your screen has become almost second nature.  If things just don't look right, refresh.  99% of the time, that fixes things. We right-click and select "refresh," hit the F5 key, or click that circle with an arrow icon all the time to fix issues.

Then along comes Windows 10. Windows 10 was the first Operating System distributed primarily by downloading an update.   Few users have install disks, even if they bought a PC with Windows 10 pre-installed.  And Windows 10 looks A LOT different, confusing a lot of users.  All of the Tech Gurus tell new Windows 10 users not to worry, because it operates just the same.  All of the things that worked in previous versions of windows work in Windows 10.  The same keyboard shortcuts and right-click commands are there, and they perform just like they always did.

And so your PC starts acting up, and you're sure you should try the same old tricks you've tried in the past to avoid a visit from your Computer Person.  You start exploring the settings menu,  You click on the settings menu to try a system restore, when you come across the option to refresh your system. "Okay, let's try that," you think.  You tell Windows to refresh your PC, thinking it will just log you out of everything and reload it, similar to the way refresh works in every other situation.  Your PC reboots itself, and EVERYTHING is gone.  You panic.  "Where is my Quicken?  Where is my Outlook and all of my e-mails...it's can't be just all gone?  My games are gone, and I'd just reached that impossible level.  UGH!"

The Dangers of Internet Quizzes

Are Facebook Quizzes Really Harmless?

People LOVE taking Social Media Quizzes.  Sites like Buzzfeed have entire sections devoted to quizzes.  Facebook timelines are filled with results shared from various quiz-hosting sites.  Quizzes and tests can be great traffic drivers, and from a marketing standpoint, they can be very beneficial to your site.  But what about from a user standpoint?  Are there any dangers of taking these internet tests and sharing the results?  The answer, unfortunately, is neither yes nor no.  There can be great dangers in taking these internet quizzes, or they may be completely harmless.  If you scrutinize before you click, you can easily learn the difference.

What Are Some of the Dangers of Taking a Quiz?

The dangers fall into several categories.  Again, a quiz site may be harmless, and none of these dangers may apply.  Or it may be a complete and total scam site, out to cause you harm.  Most quiz sites fall somewhere between these two extremes. The trick, as with any internet activity, is to be savvy.  You need to arm yourself with the knowledge to evaluate the risks of each individual quiz. This list is by no means inclusive.  It only describes SOME of the dangers you may encounter.

May the Fourth Be With You Flash Drive Sweepstakes

Techlaurels is sponsoring an Amazon Giveaway 

for a Stormtrooper Flash Drive

to Celebrate "Star Wars Day."

May the Fourth Be With You!

Techlaurels had so much fun with our last Amazon Giveaway, we've decided to sponsor another one!  This time, one lucky winner will receive an 8 gb, USB 2.0  Flash Drive, shaped like a Star Wars Stormtrooper.  Like I've said previously, I LOVE novelty flash drives, so long as they work.  I have several Star Wars Flash Drives in my collection.  (C3PO resides in my car and is filled with music.)

Entry is handled through the Amazon Widget. Entry requires both an Amazon Account and a Twitter Account.  Techlaurels has paid all fees for the prize, including shipping and handling fees.  Prize will be shipped directly from Amazon to the winner, upon completion of the sweepstakes.  Amazon will select the winner randomly. The contest closes on May 10, 2017.

This is a cute flash drive, even if you are not a Star Wars Geek.

Click here to enter, or visit https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/d050a9e12908b575

And if you want to purchase one of your own, I'll post the link below.

Good luck!  Be sure to share this giveaway with your friends!

Technology For The Beach

My Favorite Beach Technology

Underwater MP3 Players, Kindles, and Dry Bags

Summer is upon us.  And for many of us, that means Beach Season.  Here in Florida, we go to the beach all year long, even if it is not warm enough to go in the water.  Many of us like to read on the beach.  We like to walk and listen to music.  But sand and water can kill electronics if you do not protect them.

Believe it or not, one can safely take their tech to the beach with the right accessories.  You can purchase waterproof electronics.  You can also purchase cheap accessories to protect the gear you already own. Today, I am going to review what I carry in my own beach bag.

An Underwater MP3 Player

Did you know you can buy inexpensive MP3 players that you can wear while you swim?  I think my all time favorite piece of Beach Gear is my Underwater MP3 player.