Technology - Staying Protected

Do you own a smartphone, tablet, phablet, e-reader, or other electronic device? How about a desktop computer or laptop? There are many choices available, and the list continues to grow. For those that may be new to these electronic devices or are unfamiliar with them, selecting the right one can seem almost overwhelming. Let's look at some of these devices and explore one thing they all have in common - keeping the device safe and secure.

Owning a computer or mobile device should be a fun and rewarding experience. There are certain things we can do to help keep it that way. One is to install security software (and, in some cases – security hardware). Almost all new computers, smartphones, tablets, and the like come preinstalled with security software. If you're unsure, refer to your device's documentation for specifics on what it has or has not preinstalled. You may discover that there isn't any antivirus, anti-malware, or security software. Not to worry - several choices are available in the Play Store (Android) and App Store (iPhone, iPad)!

When you purchase a new computer (Windows or Mac), there's a good chance it will come preinstalled with antivirus software. Most often, these are trial versions and will expire if not purchased. You can also delete them to install an antivirus solution of your choice. For more information, perform an internet search for antivirus software or check with your local computer store. Installing antivirus software on your computer is a must to help keep you and your files safe and secure.

The same applies to phones, tablets, and other devices. Typically, iPhones and iPads don't require antivirus software due to the features and protections built into the operating system. However, to be better protected, it's a good idea to look in your device's app store and select an antivirus solution that meets your needs.

With more and more of our daily lives, from banking to work to healthcare, taking place online, it's never been more essential to protect your electronic devices. Remember, keep your devices safe, and they'll keep you safe too.

Posted by Bryan Scheerer

Is Your Data Private?

Data Privacy Day is an international effort to empower individuals and encourage businesses to respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust. Almost everyone knows someone who has been hit by identity theft or had their credit or debit card used by strangers. Some experts argue that it is inevitable that an individual will 'get hacked' at least once in a lifetime. But you can take steps to make it less likely that someone will access and use your  data.

Start with your passwords. Don't be daunted by those long passwords the systems all want you to create. Use a sentence than is meaningful to you or linked in your mind to the account. "JiMf+3lr!" is just "Jessica is my favorite teller!"   "pfd$Rck16" is "pet food discounts rock" for the pet you got in 2016.

Want to review and maybe tighten up your privacy settings? Try this Stay Safe Online link.

It can seem overwhelming to keep track of all the things that can go wrong. But if you bank online, use a debit card, and have a smart phone, you need to take responsibility for your data.

Challenge yourself to check one privacy setting or change one password each week. Take notes and keep them in a secure place. It might be the best resolution of 2020.

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Freedom...to gather, to speak, to read...Banned Books

Infographic from geediting.com

September recognizes several anniversaries or 'celebrations' that we like here in libraryland.

In honor of Constitution Day, September 17, please take a moment to appreciate the 230th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Unite to celebrate what was then a phenomenal new type of government, and likely a great risk.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Despite our problems and divisions, it has worked out pretty well. In the 230 years there have been 27 amendments; how many can you name? That averages one amendment every 8.5 years.

The Bill of Rights, Amendments 1-10, grant us many freedoms that the founding fathers thought warranted articulating. Amendment One makes clear that we have to right to speak and to publish without interference from the government. Most states, including Virginia, have laws that also make clear that we have the right to read what we wish and that what we read is a private matter. Your library borrowing record is private, protected information; nobody looks at it without a court order. (You're welcome.)

To celebrate our right to read as we please, libraries celebrate Banned Books Week September 22-28. You may be surprised to learn that many of your favorite books have been censored, if not banned, including the Bible. Follow the links and see how many banned books you've read. Also interesting is this blog about Forbidden Books from around the world.

September is also Library Card Sign-Up Month. Yes, libraries made this one up. Stop in to get a card or renew yours. We aren't just print books anymore. We are downloadable music, ebooks, emagazines, craft sessions, and games and trivia at neighborhood eateries...and real, live authors come October 12. Pop in, use the wifi, and say hello.


Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Making Sure Your Personal Data Stays That Way

"We have updated our privacy policy."

Chances are you’ve recently seen this message in emails and on your favorite websites. And chances are you’ve given it the same amount of thought you always give privacy policies: very little. Most of us just want to check the little box and get on with it. But privacy breaches such as the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal are a reminder to take personal data privacy seriously.

On May 25, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect in the European Union. This new law is designed to give EU residents more control over their personal information and how companies use it. While GDPR doesn't apply to residents of the United States, all companies that handle EU residents' data are required to comply or face heavy fines, which is why you've seen all of those privacy policy updates.

Political and practical concerns make similar legislation in the US highly unlikely for now, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. You can start by changing your default privacy settings. The Washington Post has a good starter guide for managing your accounts with Facebook, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. While this will result in a less personalized user experience with some features like Google Maps, Microsoft's Cortana, and Facebook's eerily relevant ads, you can rest a little easier knowing at least some of your personal data is just that: personal.

Google: We really value your privacy

Twitter: We’d never collect anything

Apple: We securely encrypt everything on-device.

Facebook: Literally gives you an ad for something you dreamt about

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) December 31, 2017

Choose Privacy Week

We share much about ourselves these day. Our email addresses may proclaim our hobbies or self image (buckhunter or sexygranny!) Some things we share friends might guess about us (buck hunter) while other things friends might not want to know about us (sexy granny.)

When does the sharing become too much information? And not just too much information (TMI) because it makes us squeamish. (You don't really want to know why your grandma thinks she's still sexy, do you?!) When are you sharing information that you might regret? When should you choose privacy over sharing?

You are correct that no one really cares about your Pinterest account. But thieves and scammers are happy to use the information you do share to access valuable accounts like your bank or credit card. Never share information that can be used to open or verify an account--a bank account or a Facebook or Pinterest account.

Perform this little task. May 1-7--Choose Privacy Week--set aside time to review the privacy settings on your social media accounts. Make sure that no setting is Public (unless you are a celebrity.) That is a great first step.

And stop by the Lebanon Library Tuesday, May 2;  staff are available to explain what some of those privacy settings mean.

Identity Theft...Computer Security...oh my!

There is a day to 'celebrate' or 'recognize' everything now. Today is national Computer Security Day 2016. And as we approach the holidays with all the buying and traveling so many of us do, it is a good time to review some of the best practices to keep the holidays safe and secure, at least digitally.

1. Change your password. Hackers will try 123456 first. Using the first or last letter of each word in a sentence is more secure. Take the sentence "my dog is so cute." First letters are m-d-i-s-c; now add a number and some symbol on the keyboard. That can make your password mdB!14isc (my dog Buster is so cute--hint: you got Buster in 2014.) Make sense?

 2. Don't use the same password for everything. Yes, different accounts should have different passwords. You can use a similar sentence for different accounts. My cat or kid instead of dog. The number can be the year you established the account. Just make it simple enough to remember and individual enough that even your spouse might have trouble figuring it out.

3. Update your software. Update all your software, but especially any that deals with security, viruses, malware, or spyware. Do this on all your devices--laptop, tablet, phone, etc. Don't forget the kids' devices or your parents'.

4. Back up your files. Back them up on another device (portable hard drive or USB drive) or to the cloud (online web services available from companies like Google.) Encrypt them if you want real security. 

5. Be careful where & when you click.  Lots of nasty software is buried in enticing looking stories and 'great deals.' Spyware may be in the ads on reputable sites and many bogus sites closely mimic reputable sites. 

More information can be found on reputable sites like PC Magazine and Stay Safe Online