SIG Notes

A summary of topics discussed at the Internet SIG.

06 Mar 2012

Windows 8

Windows 8 will be the latest Windows OS (operating system) when it is released, probably in September or October. For now we have the Consumer Preview to play with. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview seem like a release candidate to me. It is very polished, very fast and not buggy at all.

Windows 8 is an OS for desktops and laptops of course but it is also going to be used on tablets similar to the iPad. I do not have a Windows tablet to try it out on so this review is just about using it on a standard computer. Read more…

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23 Feb 2012

Google And Privacy

Last month at the Internet SIG we talked about Google and their “privacy issues”. A few weeks ago Google was accused of crack the iPhone. Here’s Leo Laporte to tell you more about it… Read more…

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13 Feb 2012

Security and Privacy Tools

So far we have just dealt with privacy issues but what about Internet Security?

SSL and TSL

SSL or TSL are Internet Security protocols. They encrypt (make your communication secret) everything on the Internet point to point meaning from your computer to the web server, this includes your passwords. Whenever you login to a SSL or TSL session you will see the far left of the address bar of your web-browser change color. This should always be the case with your banking sites. If you do not see the bar change are being fished or the bank is not a good one and you should get a different one right away. It is most important that these protocols be observed when using a WiFi hotspot, if not everything you are doing can be observed. Read more…

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13 Feb 2012

Using Proxies

If you really, really paranoid you can always use Incognito or private browsing plus connecting through a proxy. Yes you can connect to websites using a proxy server. Proxies prevent the site at the other end from knowing that it is your computer that is connecting to their site.

Proxy Servers

How to setup a proxy using Firefox.

Other Security and Privacy Tools

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04 Feb 2012

Chromebook

A Chromebook is a notebook computer that runs the Chrome OS and its only function is to access web-applications via the Chrome web-browser. Chromebooks are manufactured by Acer and Samsung. They are sold at Newegg, Tiger Direct and Amazon. They are priced between $349 (Wifi only) to $499 (with WiFi and 3G connectivity). Amazon and NewEgg always seems to be sold-out so go to Tiger Direct. Read more…

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04 Feb 2012

Google Privacy Policy

In the past week there has been a lot of noise surrounding the issue of the new Google Privacy Policy to take effect March 1st. Right now Google has 8 different policies each for a different service. They have been combined the into one very readable document. No legal-speak. What this policy says is… Read more…

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04 Feb 2012

Break Up With Google

If you don’t trust Google anymore you can opt out and never be “spied on” again.

To delete your account  go to Google account settings. At the bottom under “Services” click “Close entire account and delete all services and info associated with it”. Read more…

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04 Feb 2012

Data Liberation

Google does not want to trap you into using their services so they’ve made it very easy to get your data out of Google. Although very easy it is sometimes not apparent so they have created the Data Liberation Front, a website that explains the various methods used to get your data. Read more…

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04 Feb 2012

Really Paranoid

If you are really uncomfortable never sign into any web service, they all do what Google is doing and a lot more.

If you really want to be sure no one is watching, use “Incognito” in Chrome or “Private Browsing” in Firefox. There will be no history and no tracking cookies. There will be no functionality as well! Read more…

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09 Jan 2012

My Web Apps

Many of the Chrome apps are just Web GL optimized web-pages. Of course all of the Google apps are available including Gmail, Docs, and Calendar.

The Huffington Post app is incredible. Also the Google Music App is pretty nice.

The best app of all I think is the Kindle app. It is just like the Kindle device but on your computer.

The 60 Minutes App is pretty good also.

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