by Dave Moore, 1-12-2020 A client wrote me recently, concerned about news stories stating the Department of Homeland Security had issued a warning that Iran could be launching a cyberattack against the United States, one that could possibly disrupt critical...

by Dave Moore, 1-5-19 As if the world wasn't crazy enough, now we need to protect our PII (Personally Identifiable Information) from exploitation and exposure on the Internet. It's a serious situation, one where dealing with it is no longer optional. If you don't deal...

by Dave Moore, 12-29-19 If you use a computer, wow, have I got a good deal for you: come to the new Central Norman Public Library on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. and I will teach you how to stay out of trouble on the Internet and drive the Internet bad...

by Dave Moore, 12-22-19 I received an unusual email today, one I was glad to see. The email's subject line said, "Holiday fraud alert." Usually, when I see "alert" messages in my Inbox, they turn out to be based on a hoax. These messages often start when somebody's...

by Dave Moore, 12-15-19 If your computer uses Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, and you are not prepared, you may be in for a shock, next month. My first official notice was four months ago in August, and this will be my final notice on the subject. Next month,...

by Dave Moore, 12-8-19 Seems I'm blocking five to ten scam calls a day, now that the holiday shopping season is upon us. The Internet bad guys always ramp up their scams this time of year. Fake credit card offers, bogus alerts from the IRS and scary Windows shutoff...

by Dave Moore, 11-17-19 Is there life after computing? What happens when a computer dies? Will its information be resurrected some day in a different form, or does it simply vanish forever? Can you live without your computer? Most individuals could live without their...

by Dave Moore, 11-10-19 Like Star Trek’s Mr. Spock, an eyebrow was raised today when I read the subject line of an important-looking email. It said, ”VERY URGENT - PLEASE READ - NOT A JOKE.” “Oh boy, here we go again,” I thought, but I read the email, anyway. It...

by Dave Moore, 10-20-19 "Pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween and National Cyber Security Awareness Month" reads a promotional graphic at the Cyber Security and Information Systems Information Analysis Center (CSIAC). The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency...

by Dave Moore, 10-6-19 Many years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, back when Apple Computers was a super-innovative company run by Steve Jobs, users of Apple Macintosh computers began living in a bubble. The name of this bubble was, "Apple computers are magic. Apple...

by Dave Moore, 9-29-19 Few computer users remain who don't know their computer should have some sort of antivirus protection. Whether it's a Windows PC or a once-thought-to-be-immune Apple Mac, good antivirus protection is a must-have. Like most things related to...

by Dave Moore, 9-22-19 Tornado season in Oklahoma. There I was, years ago, watching our local weather expert pointing at a map on the TV that included the area where I live. "There it is," he said, pointing to an area a few miles from my house. "The tornado is right...

by Dave Moore, 9-8-19 Computer virus. According to Lexico, "powered by Oxford," (yes, the world-renowned Oxford English Dictionary), "a piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying...

by Dave Moore, 8-25-19 If your computer uses Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, and you are not prepared, you may be in for a shock, come next January. On January 14, 2020, Microsoft will end all support for its still widely-used and wildly popular  Windows 7...

by Dave Moore, 8-18-19 A discussion on Facebook reminded me of two words: caveat emptor, a Latin phrase often translated as, "Let the buyer beware." In this case, I would have changed the phrase to "Let the downloader beware." The discussion centered on a notice that...

by Dave Moore, 8-11-19 Internet Exploder. That's what we used to call it in the I.T. security community, back in "the day." Microsoft's browser, called "Internet Explorer," was so buggy, so insecure, so problematic and prone to crashing that it seemed to blow itself...

by Dave Moore, 8-4-19 I have learned over the years there are two words that should not be used in the same sentence: "automatic" and "updates." All of our computerized, Internet-connected devices need frequent updating in order to fix software flaws and security...

by Dave Moore, 7-28-19 As I was preparing to push the button on the self-help machine at the local post office, I heard a voice over my shoulder.  “Do you need some help with that?” came an impatient, young female voice.  I turned to see the face associated with the...

by Dave Moore, 7-21-19 I have learned over the years that the only thing you can count on with computers, the Internet, and technology in general, is that things will always change. They will never stay the same. This infuriates people to no end. As soon as you...

by Dave Moore, 7-14-19 Ransomware: somehow, somewhere, the Internet bad guys trick you into clicking the wrong thing, installing virus-like software that locks you out of all your important files. Suddenly, all your documents, spreadsheets, emails, bank statements and...