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!