Protect Your Digital Self: Tech Brawta

It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world.

Until that changes, and I strongly recommend no breath holding, we have to take the securing to our digital identity into our own hands.

There is no foolproof way to protect our digital identity, but every step towards tighter security is a step further away from digital danger.  So, let’s take a few steps together.

Step 1:  Strong, Unique Passwords

By now, you’ve heard it a million times, but it is clear that some of us, including Kayne West, simply do not listen.  Having a strong, unique password for every account and every device is both necessary and effective.

I no longer expect you to remember every password.  I expect you to use a good password manager like Last Pass or 1Password.  If you’re a Mac, consider using Keychain.  Each of these options will help you create long and complex passwords, keep track of account login information, and add an extra layer of protection for your data.

Step 2: Turn On 2FA

Two Factor Authentication requires you to use a secondary, separate verification method to access your account.  Often, an access code is generated by, or sent to, your mobile phone.  Alternately you may have a dedicated physical device, often called a token.  There are even further options.

Regardless of the 2FA methodology, the short version is, it makes it harder for bad guys to get into your account because it is less likely that they would have both your password and access to your secondary authentication method.

Step 3: Use a Secondary Email Account

Speaking of secondary, do not use your primary email for social media and other non-mission critical website or accounts.

Take the time to set up an alternate email address specifically for registrations.  This account would not be for friends and family, nor would it be for correspondence with your financial institutions.  This account would be exclusively for the ‘other stuff’.

Step 4: Keep Your Devices Updated

You don’t need the latest device, but you do need the latest Operating System (OS) and apps.  Developers are always on the hunt for bugs and vulnerabilities.  They fix these with updates.  Without updates, you may be leaving your system open to hackers.  Close up all possible loopholes by updating your OS, your anti-virus software, your firmware and your applications across all devices.

Step 5: Review and Refresh Settings

Something else developers do, change privacy policies, terms and settings.  Often, without telling you.

So, you may think your profile is private and unable to be shared with third parties, only to find out the hard way that six months after you took nearly an hour to perfectly tweak your privacy settings that the website you visited is using your clever content in a not so clever marketing campaign.

Put to stop to this, or at least try, by periodically reviewing your settings and refreshing where necessary.  Look closely to ensure you didn’t 'opt-in' to something you wish you’d never heard of. Double check to make sure that the privacy policies match your expectations.

These five steps are the first steps, to maintaining the credibility of your identity online.  Execute.  Repeat.




Tune in to @RJR94FM every Wednesday morning at 8:15 AM for #Tech4Life

Seven Must Know Facts about the Samsung Note 7 Recall

I am a declared Apple Fanboy, but even I initially loved the Galaxy Note 7.  And I was not alone. Early reviews of the device were VERY positive, to say the least.  After all, the phone/tablet hybrid Android device with a highly functional, fully integrated S-Pen (stylus) combined design and performance into one powerful package. *slurps back drool*

But then, the first reports came in.  Then a few more.  And within weeks of its triumphant launch, the highly anticipated phablet sales were no more.

So, what went wrong and what do you need to know.  Here’s a primer (so you can impress your friends).

1. What is wrong with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7?

In brief, they can blow up, literally.  Due to a potential malfunction related to the charging of the Lithium-ion batteries which power the handset, the device may over charge, over heat and then combust into flames.  This may occur even when the phone is off when charging.

2. How many Note 7’s had a problem?  How much damage can a Note 7 cause?

Though no one knows exactly how many handsets were faulty, we do know that as many as 36 devices burned, exploded or otherwise combusted while charging.  The reported damage ranged from mild to severe burns to the body and property damage (including one garage).  In short, depending on when and where a faulty handset is changing, the damage can be extensive.

The Wall Street Journal

3. How do I know if my Note 7 is faulty, and if yes, what should I do?

At this point, it is better to assume that your brand new Note 7 may be faulty.  Immediately switch off (power down the device) and don’t turn it on again.  Then, return your Note 7 to the retailer for a replacement.

Replacement units have black sticker on the bar code portion of the box.  There are changes to the display on the new units too.  Per Samsung: The new green battery icon will be visible on: 1) the Status Bar; 2) the Always On Display screen; and 3) the Power Off prompt screen, which can be accessed by long-pressing the power key.

4. Were there reports of Note 7 spontaneous combustion in Jamaica?

The Note was introduced in ten countries at launch, Jamaica was not one.  So the device was not available from authorized dealers locally.   Fortunately, there have also been no local reports of damage.

5. What is Samsung doing about the problem?

The South Korean manufacturer issued an unprecedented recall of all 2.5 million handsets globally.  Hardware and software changes were effected and for those who have not participated in the recall, Samsung is attempting to use software updates to cap charging at 60%.

6. Are the new Note 7’s now safe?

The jury is still out.  Sadly, there have been reports of the “safe” Note 7’s experiencing the same problems in China and South Korea.  Be safe and wait for the ashes to settle, so to speak.

7. Has there been anything like this before?

Lithium-ion batteries are great, but they can present problems with overheating, especially in devices without a cooling fan like a phone or hover board.  Last Christmas, airlines banned the self-propelled, self-balancing scooter board after numerous reports of fires and explosions.

Bonus: Are other Samsung devices safe?

Yes.  No.  Chances are, yes.  Though there has been the errant report or two of problems with the flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, there is nothing to suggest that other Samsung devices suffer the same glitch as the Note.

Made in Value: LASCO's Huawei Product Range Has Options

Sure Apple and Samsung dominate the market when it comes to handsets and tablets.  They offer great high end devices with matching prices.

So, is there an option?  Huawei.  Yup.  Huawei recently rose to the the #3 spot in the mobile market with a suite of devices that includes handsets, tablets and even wearables.

Bang, Bang Features

Locally, the Chinese brand has partnered with LASCO Financial Services to make the line available to Jamaica.  As a special bonus, all Huawei phones distributed by LASCO are unlocked, making them perfect for a post number portability landscape.   Bang!

Many handsets are also dual SIM; this is great if you have a work and personal number, like to have a number with both Digicel and FLOW or if you just like to show off with two numbers. Bang!

Value Handsets

The impressive range of seven featured handsets on offer include the G7 and G730, P8 and P8 Lite, the G Play Mini and the very affordable Y520, Y525 and Y535.  All handsets take advantage of the Android OS and have a clean, un-cumbersome user interface (UI).  Gram for gram, Huawei devices offer comparable features to their top rivals.

Talk About Range

Huawei TalkBand B2

Sure, handsets are sexy.  But Huawei takes it further by offering tablets and wearables.  At LASCO, you can pick up the Media Pad 2 for a lot less money but with excellent build quality - a feature often absent from budget tablets.

Most notable however are the TalkBand B1 and TalkBand B2, exclusively offered by LASCO.  The device is a trendy looking smart watch and activity tracker that pops out to become a bluetooth headset … a headset!

This awesome functionality makes the TalkBand more than just a another smartwatch.  For someone like me who tends to lose small gadgets often, I think its one of the best new tech features in recent times.

But wait!  That is not all.  The TalkBand B1 and B2 works seamlessly with Huawei gear … AND iPhones.  Amazing!

T4L: Low Tech Cleaning

Some tech threats are decidedly more low tech than others.  Germs, parasites, microbes and quick frankly plain old disgusting gunk, can accumulate on our devices.  Worse, because we are afraid to clean them, we sometimes leave these dregs to fester.

Well, no more!  Let us resolve to scrub away any crud that may have built up on our electronics.

All devices can be cleaned, just in different ways.  For example, monitors require a different approach than keyboard.  So let’s break them down by categories.  But first, let us gather the needed supplies.

Electronics Cleaning Supplies List

• Lint free Microfibre cloth (terrycloth texture)
• Cotton swabs
• Distilled, filtered or boiled water
• Vinegar
• Rubbing alcohol
• Compressed air or vacuum
• Elbow grease

Never apply liquids directly to electronics.  Never use paper towels.

Electronics Cleaning Dump List

• Windex and other solvents
• Disinfectant
• Paper towels and tissue paper

Monitors and LCD TVs
If your TV or computer monitors screen looks spotty, smudges, marks and dried saliva are the common culprits.  Rub them with a clean microfibre cloth and light elbow grease.  Be firm, but don’t press too hard or risk damaging the liquid crystals inside the screen.  Dampen - never wet - the cloth with diluted vinegar, to amplify the effects of the elbow grease as needed.

Phones, phablets, and other mobile devices
Since mobile device screens are made to be touched (for the most part), feel free to add more elbow grease for maximum cleaning power.  And, since  mobile device screens tend to touch our faces, feel free to replace the diluted vinegar with diluted rubbing alcohol to power punch gems to oblivion.

Keyboards, mice and other input devices
Input devices are generally quick hardy, after all, they were designed to handled.  They also tend to be a reservoir for spilt juices, coffee and other liquids (read as nesting ground for slime).  Feel free to pull these devices apart and attack with compressed air or a vacuum depending on your preference.  Next, hit them with cotton swabs dampened rubbing alcohol.  Then wipe them down using the microfibre cloth.  Then hit them with air again before reassembling.


Whether your motivation is aesthetic or antiseptic, a cleaning regimen is definitely rewarding.