Tech Tip Tuesday: I want to Shutdown my PC, Microsoft!

Tech is back again after a rough world changing week.  Even with everything going on I must press on and bring you a Tech tip (and finish my Thor and Justice League review).

Anyway, if you have updated your Windows 10 to Windows 10 Creative 1709, you may have notice that if you Shutdown or Restart your PC that whatever Window(s) you had open will re-open.  Microsoft claims this is innovative in helping people get back to work where they left off.  There is even a feature with Cortana where this works across devices, but something like this should be a choice and Microsoft did not give it with this latest update.

The whole purpose of shutting down and restarting is to get a fresh start.  How can I tell a use have you tried rebooting or turn it off and on again if it will just come back to the same? Well, many have complained in the Microsoft Community Page and where you can vote up to voice your concern, but Microsoft has yet to address the problem.

If you want to do a full normal shut down you open up your command prompt and use good ol shutdown /r command.

• Just type cmd into your Cortana search bar and hit enter to open the command prompt
• Then type shutdown /r and hit enter

• You will see this and yep as it says your PC will shutdown and restart with a clean slate.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Credit Card Hacked at the Pump?

This week I saw post saying don't get gas at any of the stations on this particular highway because their credit card had got hacked.  True, this could happen at any gas station but I wouldn't knock out all the ones on the same highway as this vulnerability can be done at any gas station or even at any place that takes debit and/or credit cards. 

The bad news is that the same technology is used when you swipe your credit card or make an order online is used.  Granted a gas station is an easier target since they are outside and can be easily tampered with or hacked from a distance.  This has made way for hackers.   

So how do you stay safe?  What should you do?

• Protect Your Credit/Debit Card

• Most Banks have protection that you can have put on your card that will detect suspicious activity
• Set up Alerts to where you are texted/and or email when your card is used
• Turn off your card if you suspect you have been hacked.

• Just use Cash

• This is the route most people take after one hack; personally I don't carry too much cash, but if you want a 100% guarantee use cash.

• Pay the Attendant with your card

• If you don't have cash, a safe way is to pay the attendant.  

Now if you still want to use your card at the pump there are a few things to look for at the pump:

• Look out for gas station credit card skimmers

• This is basically a device that is attached to the real credit card scanner that collects credit card information.  Look and see if the scanner looks different than the others; pull on it as most skimmers are easy to remove so that the thief can get away quickly.

• Look for tamper-evident stickers

• If the pump has this it may be torn or it may read void indicating that the pupm has been tampered with
• Check the edges to see any evidence of prying. 

• Look out for Hidden cameras 

• Cameras may be placed above the pump to see your credit card and the pin number you type in.  Look for anything out of the ordinary and cover your hand as you type in your number; or even fake press a few numbers...

• Electronic Pickpockets

• There are small devices that can hack a card if your card has an RFID chip implanted in it. Now this isn't to be confused with the chip read that is on most credit cards now.  RFID is radio frequency ID chip that allows you to tap your credit card to pay.
• This feature is being phased out as a hacker only need to to be a few inches away.  There were wallets and sleeves that came out to protect from these hacks, but I recommend getting a card with out it.

• Use the Pump closest to the cashier

• Just for the simple fact criminals are less likely to hacked these pumps.

All in all the choice is yours.  Just be careful and safe.  Now pray the evil known as sinuses leave Tech's body so he can breath and be free of pain again.

Credit to 7 ways to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud at Gas stations

Tech Tip Tuesday: Yahoo! I told yall....

I can't count the number of times that I have received an email from someone that says, "Hey, Check this out!"  And it be some ambiguous link.  Yea, I'm talking to you yahoo email users.  Time and time again I told those with yahoo emails to get rid of it, but no they still use it and I still get spammed.

Well today Yahoo reporter that ALL 3 billion of its accounts were hacked in a 2013 data theft.  Yes I said All making it the largest breach in history.  I guess Verizon  is having second thoughts since they lowered their offer to purchase Yahoo...

Ah, anyway my Yahoo users check your email, Yahoo said it would be sending an email to all accounts affected or just go with another email provider.  Outlook or Gmail are two of my goto's.

For more check out the MSN article here.

And check out the Rise and fall of Yahoo below

Tech Tip Tuesday: Fear of going to the Cloud? Never fear Microsoft is here!

Well, well, well, when you thought Microsoft Office 2016 would be the last perpetual Office update, well think again.  Microsoft teased Office 2019 as a part of its Ignite Conference.

Still focused on the cloud, Microsoft still realized that not everyone is ready to jump to the cloud with Office 365.  Yea, they realize some of you still want stand alone software.

So now you may be asking what exactly should you do. What are the benefits of having the cloud version of office with Office 365 or the stand alone version with Office 2019?  In the end it is up to you and what you prefer.  When it comes to 365, Microsoft wants to be a part of your utility bill, something you need and budget for annual.  So like a Tech movie review let's go with the good the bad and Tech Worthy of each.

Office 365: The Good

• You always have the latest update and newest features for everything in the office suite
• 1 TB included of One Drive Space
• The ability to install the software on multiple devices (up to 5); laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc
• Access your software and data from anywhere
• Free Technical Support

Office Stand Alone 2016, 2019 etc

• One time Cost, you buy it its yours forever
• Get only what you need like Excel, Word, Power Point or pay more for the whole suite

Office 365: The Bad

• Giving up about 100 bucks a year

Office Stand Alone: The Bad

• Only security Updates; No new features or software upgrades
• Can only install on one device

The Tech Worthy

• Uh guess I didn't think this through, the good  can also be considered a part of the Tech Worthy.

Final Thought

Again its up to you.  For me I have 365 because I have multiple devices and use more products in the suite like publisher.  If you just need word, excel, or power point just go with the basic stand alone edition.  Or if you don't want to pay Microsoft anything check out  Apache Open Office.  It's free!  

"Apache OpenOffice is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose."

Tech Tip Tuesday: Nooooo not CCleaner! Update Now!

How Things are going...

via GIPHY
Despite it all Tech is back after a long hiatus.  With moving and work, life has been giving me quite the beat down.  So, yea its been mostly work eat sleep and repeat with some Madden 17 and 18 thrown in there.  I thought 18 would be better but it cheats worst than 17 especially in competitive mode.  Madden and its evil ways are for another blog or even podcast.  Maybe I can get the fellows of what Chill B has dubbed the Mut squad to talk about it. J Cizzly, T.O, Teflon Viper?

Anyway this ain't Tech Talk, this is Tech Tip Tuesday.  I once told you about a nifty bit of software called Ccleaner.  Well, seems good ol CCleaner was hacked and was installing malware on users PC's.  Don't panic, if you use the program you should have seen a pop up to update.  If not either uninstall or update the software.  Its that simple. 

Check your version:

Affected versions: CCleaner v5.33.6162 or CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 for 32-bit Windows PCs. The Android version for phones doesn't seem to be affected.  To be safe you can just hit check for updates at the bottom right of the program.


For more information check out: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ccleaner-hack-affects-227-million-computers-heres-what-to-do/ar-AAs8Ukp?OCID=ansmsnnews11

                                                                                                                                     

Tech Tip Tuesday: Why so many Faces?

Facebook, one of the most popular Social Media sites.  Ah, I remember when all Facebook was just a place to keep college kids connected and not about crushing candy, telling your business, what you ate, selfies, spoiling T.V. shows, ambiguous messages, NSFW pictures, live videos, meaningless arguing over battles between heroes from different genres, ruining social interaction.... ok, ok, I digress this tip is not about all that.

Have you ever got a request from someone already on your friends list?  Your first reaction may be, Great another fake account which it could be, but sometimes it is in fact that person.  Why did they make another account?  Most of the time its because they forgot their password...

Instead of making page after page, let's take some precautions to keep your account safe and accessible.

• General Settings.

• Contact: Make sure your primary contact is an email that you use regularly and have access to (Stop rushing and using junk emails or emails that you don't plan on using on a regular basis)
• You can also add multiple email addresses, so that if you forget your password, you can have it reset and sent to one of your emails.
• Add your Phone Number as another way to reset our find your lost account.

• Security and Login Settings 
  
• Here you can choose 3 to 5 trusted friends to help if you get locked out of your account.
• Also, its a good idea to turn on Get Alerts about unrecognized logins

Take the time to go through your Facebook Settings.  Make sure that it is secure to your liking and that only the information you want is made public.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Tech Soup

Let's face it, when you are a non-profit organization or a church trying to help the world you face the challenge of having the necessary funds and equipment to serve.  Computers; hardware and software cost and you may not have the technology you need to accomplish your mission.

"However you do good in the world, there's something for you at TechSoup"

TechSoup is a non-profit product donation program that help charity, public library's, churches, and other non profits with tech products and services!  All you have to do is sign your organization up and you will have access to reduced price or even free latest technology solutions and tips, how-tos, and webinars!

For example as of writing this you can get Microsoft office Professional Plus for only $40.00 vs paying $399.99 from the Microsoft score... Yea that's a big difference.  You can even get a reduced subscription price to Office 365.  It doesn't stop at Microsoft as they have Adobe products, Anti Virus software, Cisco, Quickbooks... just to name a few.  And its not just Software, you can also choose from refurbished and donated Hardware.

This is a great community that can help get your nonprofit started or,if you are well established and can do so, you can become a donor and/or volunteer.

It you're ready to get started or want to know more visit http://www.techsoup.org/

Tech Tip Tuesday: Wanna Cry

I wanna cry!!!!  That may be what you say if your device is affected by the WannaCry ransomeware virus.

A nasty virus that attacks outdated Windows Devices.  What does it do?  Well its another form of the crypto virus; it will encrypt (basically change your data into unreadable files) and then charge you like 300 - 600 dollars to get them decrypted.

I'm a little late to the party as this all started back in May 2017; that is why in last week tip I talked about keeping your devices updated.



Especially in this case, you need to make sure your Windows device is updated.  Make sure Automatic updates are on.

• For Windows 10. Go to Settings > Update & Security.  You will See your status there. 
  
• For Windows 8.1 go to Settings > Change PC Settings > Update and Recovery
• For Windows 7 go to Control Panel > Windows Update

Windows XP?  You still on that?  Why?  If you are, Microsoft went ahead and released a patch for it for the Wannacry, but keep in mind XP is no longer in service and does not receive updates regularly.  I highly recommend you update or get a new device.

I really hate ransomeware; they basically hold your data hostage.  Another thing to do is keep regular backups of your data.   Weather it be an external hard drive or using the cloud always have more than one copy of your data in a secure place.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Stay Secure, Stay Up to Date

If there something strange, in your PC, who you gonna call?  Tech Support! If your PC's acting wierd, who you gonna call? Tech...

Well, actually you can subscribe to the blog and follow Tech on Twitter and CNTNation.

Now on with the tip... the Tech Tip!  No matter what device you own or have, PC, laptop, phone, tablet, gaming console, Smart T.V. and or watch, the key to keeping it working properly and to keep it secure is to keep it updated.

Now, I am speaking of security updates and patches and not necessarily operating system update.  Sometimes for those it is fine to be patient and wait till all of the bugs are worked out.  Most devices will ask you before jumping to the next operating system, but having an out of date operating system can be dangerous too (If an operating system is out of date it is no longer providing security updates i.e Windows XP) Always be sure when it comes to security updates and patches automatic updates should be turned on.

Side Note, Yes, Windows 10 has taken a new approach to this and will touch on it in a future Tech Tip.

Reason being there has been many hacker attacks as of late and one way to be save is to stay updated; so that you are protected against viruses and hacks.

I will in the future break down updating certain devices.  More to come in future Tech Tips!

Tech Tip Tuesday: Congratulations Graduates; What's Next?

Its me, its me your favorite CNT Nation member and self proclaimed leader of Tech Nation.  Today I am here to introduce two segments coming to your week from Tech Nation and CNT Nation.  Tech Tip Tuesday's and Tech Talk Thursdays.

What is that you say?  Well, Tech Tip Tuesday will be the return of Tech Tips.  Easy to understand Tech Tips for everyone no matter your tech level or experience.  Tech Talk Thursdays will be reviews, rants, and thoughts on everything from comics, movies, T.V shoes, video games, etc, in blog form, podcast, and YouTube....

Now with that said, today marks a milestone for many in our hometown, graduation.  A day 12 years in the making where we at CNT Nation and Tech Nation see our little cousins and nephews make it even after the beatings.... I mean advise and counseling that we gave them.

On to today's Tech Tip, Getting a Computer for college!  In general Tech recommends these MINIMAL specs for PC and/or Mac:

• I5, I7 processor
• At least 8gb of ram
• At least 250 gb ssd drive 
• Windows 10

But when it comes to buying a laptop for college first visit that schools web page.  There you can see what recommended models they have along with a spec sheet. For example you can look at the 2016 National Champions recommendations here: Clemson University CCIT Recommended Laptops for 2017-2018

Example from that page:

Windows Mainstream Laptops

	Lenovo ThinkPad 13	Dell Latitude 5480	Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga G2
Price	$872	$1459	$1422
Processor	Intel Core i5-7200U	Intel Core i5-7300U	Intel Core i5-7200U
RAM	8GB 2133MHz	8GB DDR4	8GB 1866MHz
Storage	256GB SATA3 SSD	256GB M.2 PCIe SSD	256GB PCIe SSD
Wireless	Intel Dual Band AC (2×2) 8265	Qualcomm QCA61x4A 802.11ac Dual Band (2×2) Wireless Adapter	Intel Dual Band Wireless AC (2×2) 8265, Bluetooth 4.1 VPro
Screen	13.3″ HD (1366×768) Anti-Glare	14.0″ FHD (1920×1080) Anti-Glare	14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
Video Card	Intel HD Graphics 620	Intel HD Graphics 620	Intel HD Graphics 620
Battery	3 cell 42Whr	3 cell 42Whr	4 cell 56Whr
Weight (starting)	3.2 lbs	3.52 lbs	3.2 lbs
OS	Windows 10 Enterprise	Windows 10 Enterprise	Windows 10 Enterprise
Other	Silver color		Stylus included, Touchscreen, Convertible
Purchasing Info	Purchase at campus Computer Store Order directly from Lenovo (available soon)	Purchase at campus Computer Store Order directly from Dell (available soon)	Purchase at campus Computer Store Order directly from Lenovo (available soon)

Ok, I suppose I can also list those chickens page as well, but they just give links to sites like Dell and have their requirements which is a little low for my taste, but to each his own; everyone can't be National Champions :).  I kid, kid as since I have one cousin going there to play football I may be in the stands for a game or too...
Anyway, University of South Carolina Technology Services.

Any questions, comments or concerns hit me up here, twitter, or email.

And as always Like, Follow, Subscribe CNT Nation!

Tech talks Black History Month: Repost

Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States[1] and Canada[2] in February and the United Kingdom[3] in October. Wikipedia

Carter G. Woodson

Tech back again to celebrate Black History Month.  Who knew that not only Canada celebrated it but also that the United Kingdom does in October.  Where did it all start?  Well, it wasn't even a month at first, it started of as just a week, the second week in February and it was called Negro History week.  Historian, author, journalist, and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History Carter G. Woodson announced the celebration and said that the week was chosen because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (dates that were already celebrated together in black communities).  

Woodson believed that teaching black history was essential in preserving the value of the black race in society: 

"If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization."

From the initial start up, the enthusiasm to learn and celebrate the accomplishments of blacks grew with mayors across the US endorsing it as a holiday.  Black History Week became Black History month when leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University proposed it in 1969.  The first celebrated month took place there in 1970. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the whole month of February as Black History Month.

Before in another blog, I highlighted African Americans who change the world through technology:

Gerald A. Lawson
 Created the first home Video Game System

Mark Dean
Launched Modern Computer Age

James E. West
Developed microphone tech

Roy L. Clay Sr.
The Black godfather of Silicon Valley
Build HP's first marketable Computer

Marc Hannah
Invented the Geometry Engine
(Used for CGI Special Effects)

To get more details on each of these guys check out the  blog post by Clicking Here!

Microsoft is Winning: Windows 10 is Awesome!

On January 21, 2015,  Microsoft had their briefing of Windows 10 and wow did they show some amazing stuff. Now I have been on the preview copy of Windows 10 for the last few months and have been very happy with it.  What's different?  What is it like?  Well, I would describe it as if Windows 7 and Windows 8 came together and had baby.  That's right, Windows 10 takes the best of both and gives the users finally what they have been asking for!  So weather you are coming from Windows 7 or 8 the transition will be smooth and easy!

The Start Menu is back!  Yes, many did no like the full screen tiles that represented the start menu and longed for the old one; leaving third parties to make one like windows classic shell.  Windows 10 still has the live tiles but now you can view your programs like in the old start menu or you can expand it to full screen like it was in Windows 8; a handy feature when going from desktop to tablets!

What else you ask?  Another great fix that bothered the adopters of windows 8 is that your Apps Now Float on the desktop!  What does that mean?  In windows 8 the desktop itself was like an app so when you opened another app it took up the full screen.  Now, with Windows 10 the Apps appear on your task bar within the desktop environment that everyone knows and loves.  And on top of that the apps will have an icon for more options.  Thank you Microsoft for combining the desktop with the Modern UI!

They even made snapping Windows easier with Snap Assist.  Not only can you snap to the left and right but you can snap to the top right and bottom right and do the same on the left side.  Also when you drag something to snap on one side the other side will have a window with everything you have open and you can then choose which one of your open programs to snap.







And for those of you who are fans of Halo, Master Chief's trusted AI assistant Cortana makes her way to Windows 10.  That's right just as she has on the Windows phone she will be able to assist you.  Living beside the returning start button she will be able to search the web and files on your computer!  She can also dictate emails, control music, and open apps.






This is Spartan!  That's right, Cortana is not the only thing coming from Halo as Microsoft's new browser has been code named (for now) Spartan.  Spartan will be a faster and smoother browser that will allow you to annotate web pages and sync em to OneDrive and share with others!  Oh and yes, Cortana will also be a part of Spartan helping as you browse the web as if you were Master Chief himself.  Don't worry Leonidas didn't kicked internet explorer into the hole it will still be available with windows 10

Speaking of the gaming side, Windows 10 has the new Xbox app (looks to be a more fleshed out SmartGlass) allowing you chat with your Xbox Live friends, view achievements and view, comment on, share, and like game DVR clips.  Not only that but their will be games where PC and Xbox gamers will be able to play together.  Microsoft used Fable as one of the games that will be able to do this bringing the console and PC gaming community together!  Let's hope more games are to follow!

Now another gaming feature that blew my mind is the ability to Stream from your Xbox to your PC or tablet!  Meaning from your laptop, tablet, or desktop you will have access to you Xbox gaming library and will be able to play your games!  One question that was not answered is that would this be on a local network only (meaning just in your house where all devices connect to the same network) or would you in fact be able to play from anywhere around the world.  Either way its awesome and I believe the latter will happen at some point!  Microsoft more details would be revealed later...


If you think Xbox integration is something. Windows 10 will be the same across all platforms.  Work on one device and pick up where you left off on another.  Apps will be the same across them all making it easy for developers (they only have to make one and it will work on the phone, pc, tablet,etc)

Sooooo, when can you get you hands on it?  Well right now you can download the Windows 10 Preview.  As of now this does not include some of the above features, but you can experience the new start button and snap features. Click here to download (As I right this the link now says Coming Soon)  I recommend doing this on a device that you don't care if something goes wrong or messes up, i.e don't use your main device.

Next week they will release an update that will include more including some of the features I listed above.  As time goes on more updates will come and the full version will be released later this year.

Now the question you may be asking is how much?  Well, I am happy to tell you that if you own Windows 7 or 8 Windows 10 will be a FREE upgrade!  Yeah, that's right free.  You will have a year to take advantage of this.  How much will it cost after and for those needing a new copy is not yet known...

Now you think that was all Microsoft had to say, but no Windows 10 was not the only thing revealed.  Two new brand new, future technologies were revealed.  Microsoft Surface Hub and Microsoft HoloLens.  It is 2015 and we are getting our self lace shoes and hover boards so why not holographic technology?


Yea, that's right get your Tony Stark on with Microsoft HoloLens.  Granted, you will need to wear the glasses to see the holograms, but they don't need a PC and there are no wires!  You will be able to view high definition holograms and hear in surround sound!  Your hands and voice will be your mouse and key board as you open and slide windows around your environment.  Create, learn, access info and entertainment in new futuristic and exciting ways.



Next up is something else that is out of my price ranger but on my wish list is the Microsoft Surface Hub.  Maybe I will see it on the job since it is designed for the Workplace.  The Microsoft Hub is a 84" or 55" touch screen beast of presentation software.  A digital white board if you will where you can have instant remote conferencing and multiply people can share and edit content on the screen from their own device,

I am definitely geeking out and excited for whats to come from Microsoft.  Stay tuned for more, subscribe to this blog and follow me on Twitter.

And don't forget to Like, Follow, and Subscribe to G Nation Radio.  A lot to come in 2015 like new shows and a Pod Cast!  Stay Tuned!!