LastPass partnership with ExpressVPN

Today I am sharing this blog written by some friends from The Tech Fools. If you will remember LastPass is one of the good companies that has set up a Password Vault system that keeps track of your passwords. I have used Dashlane for years and it really helps me. LastPass has really great reviews and you may choose to use it. Whatever you do, have a way to keep track of difficult passwords. They are so important! The Tech Fools will tell you why and also why you want to use VPN.

LastPass partnership with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has taken privacy and security to another level with their new collaboration with the popular password manager LastPass. A VPN is a popular security tool that secures users’ internet traffic and improves their privacy and security. With both companies being at the top of their game, this move is bound to be very helpful to their customers. In an effort to promote this partnership, all ‘LastPass Premium and Families’ subscribers will receive a 30-day ExpressVPN free trial. LastPass has, in the past, received praise for being one of the best password managers in the industry. It's known for its simplicity and feature-rich platform. However, this is the first time it's offering VPN solutions.
ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is widely regarded as the best VPN in the market. It boasts of impressive security and privacy features as well as incredible speeds. Both companies complement each other’s services making this partnership really promising.

Benefits of using password managers

For years, there’s been a huge conflict on whether password managers are good for your security online. But the truth is, there has never been a better time to use a password manager.

Password managers not only store passwords but also help you generate complex passwords which are good for your security. This saves you the trouble of having to create and memorize all your passwords.

Good password managers can also store more than just passcodes. They can store credit card information and also make multi-factor authentication for all your accounts.

Additionally, a password manager also grants you fast access to your passwords through browser extensions and mobile apps. Benefits of using a VPN Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has become one of the best ways to stay safe online. Some of the main benefits you’ll get from a VPN includes:

● Improved security and privacy A VPN allows you to stay private by masking your IP address. It is especially good when you want to use your computer in the grocery store or on a public wifi connection. These public networks are often unsecured and hackers can spy on what you are doing online, including gaining access to your passwords. But a VPN adds an extra layer of security to your connection, making sure it is private and protected. ● Safe data transfer VPNs protect work networks, allowing businesses to share files remotely through their office networks. It enables employees to work from anywhere in the world – even if the location has some restrictions. ● Bypass georestrictions Georestrictions exist on the Internet, restricting access to content based upon the user's geographical location. For example, if you are in the US, you are unable to access Netflix listings only available to Netflix UK.

A VPN can overcome this limitation by replacing your IP address with a location of your choice. You will appear as if you were from another country, giving you access to exclusive content elsewhere. Implications of this collaboration to privacy and security ExpressVPN and LastPass's partnership is a real game-changer in the digital security landscape. The collaboration highlights the need for improved cybersecurity solutions, in a time when cyberattack cases are skyrocketing. If you’re using a VPN without a password manager, or vice versa, this partnership gives you a chance to rethink your online security decisions. Both tools are crucial in ensuring that you’re safe and protected when surfing the internet

I have had several emails approach me asking if I would like them to write up something for my blog. They are companies that want to advertise their products. Most times I tell them, "no, thanks", but there are two that I want to post because they are about computer security and I think they might be helpful to you. Here is the first one. It talks about Encryption, which is a big computer word, but is important.

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Hackers are violating people’s privacy every day via email. You may not realize it, but there is a lot of sensitive information in your email account. From banking details to personal information, you want to be sure your data is protected. Even if you are protecting your passwords, there’s a chance that someone especially crafty can get by. 

One way to protect yourself is by encrypting your emails. Email encryption is a way of disguising the content of the message to protect them from any unwanted eyes. With encryption, each person has a public and private key. The public key encrypts emails you send while the private key is used to decrypt emails you may receive. 

Some email providers such as Gmail and Outlook already have an email encryption feature built-in using the encryption protocol called S/MIME. Others like Yahoo or AOL need apps to enable the PGP/MIME encryption protocol. 

To help you understand how email encryption works, Panda Security has an infographic on how to encrypt email that details what you need to know about email encryption and notes some secure apps that can help you. 

Enjoying Your Computer During Covid 19

It is hard to imagine what it would be like if COVID 19 had come in the 80s when I did not have a computer. I know it can be unhealthy to be too connected to a screen and not to people. I don't think it should be a replacement for people at all. However, it allows me to do so many things that I would not be able to do while sheltering in place. 

The main thing for me is connecting with other people. Here are the things I do that connect me to other people:

• I use Facetime to read books to my granddaughters.
  
  
  
• I met my new grandson! It is so sad to not be able to meet him in person. We got to know him through Facetime since he was born to about 5 month when we decided we could not stand it  anymore and drove to see him. 
  
  
  
• I talk with my family in California and New York with Zoom.
• My husband and I often have Happy Hours with friends. We even had one with friends who live in Denmark!! We could have done that years ago, but we didn't. Somehow, experiencing the same thing in such different locations made connecting really important.

I exercise regularly:

• I do a zoom Yoga class with my instructor from pre-COVID days twice or three times a week. She is even able to teach it when she goes to Santa Fe to get away!
• I can also find thousands of other yoga classes, as well as other types of exercises on YouTube. My favorite online Yoga instructor is Adriane. https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
  

• I also do Silver Sneakers exercises on YouTube. True admission - I am now a senior and the exercises I find there are more helpful for coordination and balance.
  
  
  
• The one I have not done yet, but am planning on trying is Paul Eugene dancing to Motown. https://youtu.be/rn1r39YHfrE

I participate in a couple of other things

• There is a weekly Feldenkrais session. This is a unique system of small movement intended to help you with pain caused by movement. It works by changing your brain pathways from old habits to better ways of movement. 
• I am in a Creative Women's Circle that meets for a couple of hours every two weeks.

I have not even mentioned the boring regular things like email and reading the news online. 

• I get my library books online and read on my kindle.
• I order vegetables online that arrive weekly.
• I do the Times Crossword puzzle online (I am really good on Monday's puzzle)
• I do some phone calling to encourage people to vote online. 
• I work with clients remotely!  I actually have several past clients who call regularly and a few new ones!

It is amazing! If you want to get some help from I'm not a Geek.com you no longer have to live in Austin, TX. We can connect from anywhere and I can help you as long as you have regular people problem issues with technology!

Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10

It is time to upgrade to Windows 10 whether you want to or not. Microsoft will not be supporting Windows 7 as of January 14th!  That is only 11 days from now. If you are still running Windows 7 on your computer you have two choices. You can upgrade to Windows 10 on the same computer OR you can decide to upgrade to a new computer. 

If you go to the Microsoft website to upgrade to Windows 10 it will cost $139 for the home version. When it first came out Microsoft offered an upgrade free for one year. If you did not upgrade at that time both Techdator News and CNET tell you how to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 still.

Techdator News
https://techdator.net/heres-how-to-upgrade-windows-10-for-free-before-microsoft-ends-windows-7-support/

CNET
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/upgrade-to-windows-10-free-heres-how/

In order to upgrade you need to have a computer with some basic capabilities. 

• A 2-GHz processor
• 4 GB of RAM
• 100 GB of hard disk space

To find out if your computer has these
1. Go to the START MENU and left click on the word Computer on the right side.
This will open a thermometer looking gauge that shows how much storage space there is on your computer and what you have used so far.

2. Go to START again, but this time right click on the word Computer. This will open up a window where you can see information about your Windows Operating system. It will tell you there how many GHz your processor has and how much RAM your computer has.

p.s. I just tried this on a computer that had Windows 7 Pro. I was able to do it for free!  It took a while, but it worked!!

Making a Contact into a Favorite on your iPhone

MAKING A CONTACT A FAVORITE
ON YOUR IPHONE
This morning I was wanting to add someone to my FAVORITES list in my phone contacts. I could not figure out how, so I used Google searching to find the answer and it came right up:
Here's how it's done:

1. Launch the phone application and click on favorites in the lower left corner.
2. Tap the + button in the top right.
3. Find the contact you wish to add as a favorite and tap on their name.
4. Select the information you wish to favorite (phone number, email, FaceTime, etc)
5. That's it!

So this tip is a double tip.  Now you know how to make a contact your favorite and also how to find out about just about anything you need to do!

The only thing I have not included so far is WHY to make a contact your favorite.  It may be obvious, but there are a few people that I contact often. If I put them in my favorites list calling them is much faster.