Newsletter — Page 3

April 2016 Newsletter

April 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our April 2016 Newsletter:

PHISHING ALERT – BEWARE OF SCAMS FROM DOWNLOADED APPS

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

SITES OF THE MONTH GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN APRIL

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – ELIMINATING ANNOYING YOUTUBE ANNOTATIONS

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

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PHISHING ALERT – BEWARE OF SCAMS FROM DOWNLOADED APPS

Given how much information is stored on our mobile devices, it’s no surprise that scammers have chosen to target these devices in their ongoing efforts to steal money and data. The latest threat to Android devices is a phishing app called Acecard that gets downloaded with certain legitimate apps. It then gathers information from your banking apps, or other common programs like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Skype, PayPal, and Gmail. This sneaky Trojan uses overlays, which are sign-in screens that look just like the ones you’d expect to see for the real apps. With overlays, the scammers capture your login or credit card information and use this data to steal from you directly or sell to others.

Acecard has been in use since 2014, but activity picked up in the second half of 2015, when experts noted 6,000 attacks in countries across the globe. Experts say different versions of the Trojan have been developed, becoming more of a threat over time.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid such attacks:

1. Note that Acecard is often disguised as a Flash Player, which is no longer used by Android. Don’t download anything that includes Flash as part of the package.

2. Avoid downloading anything from third-party sources.

3. Even on Google Store, only download apps from reputable sources, and avoid downloading any app you don’t really need.

4. Pay attention to the permissions each app asks for, and don’t agree to anything that seems suspicious.

5. Use a security app such as Kaspersky Internet Security, which offers free basic protection.

Remember, by being careful, you can outsmart the scammers.

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NEWS FROM THE SHOP

The Chasco Fiesta runs from April 1st – April 9th. Please drop by and see us when you come downtown. The Sertoma BBQ is not to be missed. Lots of other stuff will be available in the park and, if you want a sit-down meal, our downtown restaurants will be happy to oblige.

Looking for a new computer? Come see us. We have new computers starting at just $400.

We continue to see clients hit by malware. The nastiest of the current flock, called “ransomware” will encrypt your computer’s hard drive and then demand a ransom payment that exceeds the cost of a new computer. You can learn more from the US-CERT Website and their latest update, released yesterday.

The ONLY reasonable response is to reformat your hard drive and reinstall your computer’s operating system and restore your files. You need a recovery disk set for your computer and you need a recent backup.

You should have gotten a recovery disk set when you purchased your computer. If not, you need to create one. We can help you figure out how do create a recovery set, if you need one.

You should also take advantage of one of the online backup services for your files. We sell Carbonite subscriptions.

We continue to see folks who have been tricked by someone calling them and claiming to be Microsoft. Caught early enough, the damage can be limited. We offer our Safe Computing Packages so that our clients can have unlimited telephone support from someone they trust…us. Check out all the features of our Safe Computing Packages and pick the one that is right for you.

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GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Pretty And Delicious
Flavored Ice Cubes
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859393443/

Puzzle Pieces Make
Fun Kid Room Decor
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859393430/

Simple Crock Pot
French Dip Sammies
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859393309/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

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FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

Flixter

Flixter offers Rotten Tomatoes’ scores and descriptions for movies in theaters and on DVD and Netflix. Also, see what’s playing nearby.

Learn More Here: http://www.flixster.com/

Retail Me Not

Instead of clipping, download this app to get and use coupons from your favorite stores. Also, get alerts from local stores.

Learn More Here: http://www.retailmenot.com/mobile/

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SITES OF THE MONTH GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN APRIL

Keep America Beautiful
http://kab.org
April is Keep America Beautiful month, and this site will teach you how. The Keep America Beautiful organization has great ideas to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify communities. Find an affiliate in your area, make a donation, or find out how to volunteer.

Spring Weeknight Dinners
http://bit.ly/1Uh6Wqx
When the weather changes, so should your food. It’s time to eat lighter, do some grilling, and clean up faster to enjoy the extra daylight. This slide show offers great ideas for delicious spring fare. Try Roast Chicken With Spring Vegetables, Pasta Primavera, or Grilled Shrimp and Noodle Salad.

Take The Perfect Selfie
http://bit.ly/22A07VD
This fascinating site shares the “science of selfies” and guides you in presenting your preferred image to the online world. Just a few tricks include making sure your smile is real, learning confident body postures, and understanding what your image conveys when you’re photographed from certain angles.

Planning A Family Reunion
http://bit.ly/1q5WJR8
Want to see your family all together, but dread planning a reunion? Visit this site for helpful hints on everything from activities for kids, to creative decorations, to the perfect location. Discover who to invite, appropriate budgets, and even a list of family reunion jokes.

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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://bit.ly/1604vidA
Flying Underwater
Take a dive under the beautiful waters of Belize and watch these swimmers skim along with help from boat-towed Subwings.

http://bit.ly/1604vidB
The Future Of Parking
This Chinese parking system gives a new meaning to the term “self-parking.” Drivers simply drop off their cars and let machines do the work.

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SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – ELIMINATING ANNOYING YOUTUBE ANNOTATIONS

Question: How can I get rid of those annoying pop-ups that sometimes appear during YouTube videos?

Answer: It’s more fun to watch videos without superfluous images and text (called “annotations”) getting in the way. Fortunately, getting rid of them is easy. You can eliminate annotations for one video using the following steps:

1. On the video you’re watching, click the gear icon.

2. Click the button next to “Annotations.” The checkmark should disappear, and you’ll no longer see annotations in that video.

To eliminate pop-ups for all videos, you must be signed in with a YouTube account. Here are the steps to follow:

1. In the upper-right corner of the screen, click the avatar icon. You’ll see your account information.

2. Within your account information, click the gear icon, which will take you to your Settings.

3. In the left-hand column, choose Playback, and you’ll see a new set of options. Under “Annotations and in-video notifications,” uncheck the box next to “Show annotations and in-video notifications.”

4. At the bottom of the screen, click Save.

Now you shouldn’t see annotations in any videos when logged into your account.

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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.
Thanks for your business!

Best regards,
Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

March 2016 Newsletter

March 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our March 2016 Newsletter:

SCAM ALERT – SPOOFED FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – IS PRIVATE BROWSING TOTALLY PRIVATE?

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

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SCAM ALERT – SPOOFED FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS

The latest Facebook scam takes advantage of users’ trust in their friends. Scammers are making duplicate accounts, and then sending friend requests to friends of the original Facebook account holder. For example, say you have a friend named Jane Smith, and you’ve been friends with her on Facebook for several years. Suddenly, “Jane Smith” (complete with a profile photo you recognize) sends you a new Facebook friend request. What’s going on here?

Scammers are betting that you’ll accept their request, thinking, “Oh, Jane must have accidentally unfriended me, and is now refriending,” or, “Maybe she was off Facebook for a while and has recently rejoined.” Unfortunately, it’s likelier that neither of these scenarios is true. What’s really happening is that someone has duplicated Jane’s account in order to friend her friends and gather their personal information or send them spam.

If you’ve already been fooled by this scam, immediately unfriend the fake account. You can also report the offense to Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/help/167722253287296/

To avoid falling prey to this con in the first place, always check with friends who send you seemingly duplicated requests, using a separate method (such as texting or email) to see if their request is legitimate. Also, inform your other Facebook friends because it’s likely you and Jane Smith have some friends in common that the scammer will also try to fool. Finally, to ensure your account doesn’t get copied, change your password and adjust privacy settings to something other than Facebook’s default “public” view.

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NEWS FROM THE SHOP

March brings spring cleaning… We are looking to sell some items that have been sitting around here for far too long. Make a point of dropping by and see what we’ve got.

We continue to hear reports of folks getting phone calls and popups claiming to be from “Microsoft Support” and offering to clean up an infected computer. These calls and popups are totally bogus! We offer a variety of “Safe Computing Packages” that make it easy for you to contact us and for us to solve your computer issues quickly. In many cases, we can check your computer for you remotely and save you the trouble of unplugging everything and dragging it in.

For more information on our Safe Computing Packages, visit https://home.gulfcoastnetworking.com/safe-computing/ or give us a call at 727-847-2424.

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GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Meatballs
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859044318/

Get Your Puppy Fix With These Pics
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859044304/

Southern Inspiration For Décor & Fashion
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859044345/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

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FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

White Noise Ambience Lite

Get a great night’s sleep with this app. It features 21 relaxing sounds and enables you to identify favorites, create a playlist, and more.

Learn More Here:
http://www.logicworks101.com/#!white-noise-ambience-lite/c1zb1

Autodesk Homestyler

Use this app to help you make smarter home design choices. See what real products will look like within a photo of your space by experimenting in 3D.

Learn More Here: http://www.homestyler.com/mobile

WebMD

Get medical advice on the go with WebMD. Use the symptom checker to find out possible causes or learn about side effects of various drugs.

Learn More Here:
http://www.logicworks101.com/#!white-noise-ambience-lite/c1zb1

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Celebrating Irish-Americans
http://irish-us.org
March is Irish-American Heritage Month, and this site is a great resource for all things Irish. Learn about the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany, New York. Discover some delicious Irish recipes, find out how to research your Irish ancestors, and much more.

Scrumptious Sweets
http://bakerella.com
Get ready to wow your friends and family with the bakery-quality recipes on this site. Start with Cinnamon Rolls or Double Chocolate Pancakes for breakfast and work your way up to scrumptious brownies, cheesecakes, and cookies. Oh, and how about some tarts, pies, or ice cream creations for dessert?

Easy Easter Decorating
http://bhg.com/holidays/easter/decorating/easter-table-setting-ideas/#page=1
Need some inspiration for Easter decorating? This slideshow offers many great ideas for pretty centerpieces and table settings. They include egg-shaped place card holders and beautiful bouquet napkin rings. From the simple to the ornate, you’re sure to find at least one idea for your Easter table.

Tons of Fun Facts
http://zidbits.com
Finally, the answers to all of life’s pesky questions, like, “Can your hair turn white from fright?” Learn fun facts in the areas of science, health, history, entertainment, and others. Check out the Top Ten section to learn about the Top 10 Biggest Things in the Universe and much more.

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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1603_VIDEO_A.htm
Wonders On Wheels
The word “can’t” doesn’t exist for the wheelchair-bound dancers in this video. Watch as they participate in a beautiful ballet.

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1603_VIDEO_B.htm
New Perspective On Hide-And-Seek
Watch from a toddler’s point of view as he searches for his parents, with help from the family dog, in a cute game of hide-and-seek.

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SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – IS PRIVATE BROWSING TOTALLY PRIVATE?

Question: Is private browsing totally private?

Download Graphics to View Answer: Maintaining your privacy online is difficult because everything you do is tracked in some way and leaves an electronic “footprint.” To counteract this phenomenon, each web browser has something called private mode. When you browse in this mode, the browser doesn’t record where you go. Here’s how to browse in private mode in Chrome. (If you use a browser other than Chrome, check its help section to find out how to browse privately.)

1. Open a Chrome window.
2. In the top right corner, click the Menu icon (stacked horizontal bars).
3. Select New Incognito Window.
4. A new window will open with a gray “incognito” icon in the top left corner.
5. When you want to close incognito mode, just click “X” in each incognito window.

This method allows you to browse the Internet privately without Chrome saving the sites you visit. You can also try using an entirely private search engine like DuckDuckGo https://duckduckgo.com/. The company’s privacy policy is as follows: “What you search for is your own business and we’d like to keep it that way. That’s why we don’t collect any personal information and therefore, have none to share.”

Just remember that neither of these methods are foolproof. Your Internet service provider can still detect the sites you visit, and there is still evidence on your computer that a tech-savvy person could find. Plus, if your employer monitors your computer for work, they can see the sites you visit, as can those sites themselves.

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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

February 2016 Newsletter

February 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our February 2016 Newsletter:

SCAM ALERT – CRAIGSLIST EMAIL SCAMS

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

FEATURED WEBSITES

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY HOME’S WI-FI SPEED?

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

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SCAM ALERT – CRAIGSLIST EMAIL SCAMS

Tech Support Scams Scammers are always looking for easy opportunities to fool you, and they frequently try to do it by using a popular site. Due to this, Craigslist is often a target. The scams involve various ways to get your email address. Why do scammers want just your email address? Because it can provide more information about you than you think, especially if it’s a work address. For example, scammers can determine the company you work for, your geographic location, and your approximate income … all information that can be sold to unscrupulous marketers.

The scammers harvest this information in several ways: by seeing the email address you include with your Craigslist ad; by replying to your anonymous ad and seeing your address when you email back; or by seeing it when you reply to a phony ad of theirs. Sometimes they’re looking for more than an email address, such as when they ask for financial information.

You can avoid these scams by taking a few simple precautions:

*Create an alternate email address to use for Craigslist transactions, such as doglover@gmail.com. Don’t include your actual name.

*Never provide financial information of any kind and never send money anywhere via Western Union.

*Always deal with local people, meet them in person, see the item (if you’re buying), and pay or receive payment in cash.

*Be wary of ads or emails from outside your local area, especially those requesting payment.

*Don’t trust mentions of third parties, as Craigslist is meant for person-to-person transactions.

If you do become the victim of this type of scam, contact the FTC (https://www.ftc.gov/) or your state’s attorney general (http://www.naag.org/naag/attorneys-general/whos-my-ag.php).

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NEWS FROM THE SHOP

We continue to look out for great deals on computers. We recently picked up three very nice HP Slimline desktops with i3 processors, 4gb of memory, 500gb hard drives, and Windows 7 / Windows 10. All of this for just $399.95. As I write this, we only have two left. Check them out, along with other cool stuff, in our online store: https://home.gulfcoastnetworking.com/specials/

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GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Beautiful Valentine Tree For Your Mantel
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775858551804/

Make Your Own Cute Valentine’s Day Card
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775858551793/

Tasty Heart-Speckled V-Day Cupcake Treats
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775858551877/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

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FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

Google Photos

Google Photos stands out among photo storage services with amazing features including easy search, group albums, movies, GIFs, and timelines created from your photos.

Learn More Here: https://www.google.com/photos/about/?page=home

Star Wars

This stellar app offers you Star Wars-related announcements, themed weather forecasts, the ability to take a “selfie” with your favorite character, and much more.

Learn More Here: http://www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-app

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FEATURED WEBSITES

Tax Season Scams
http://irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts
Tax season is yet another opportunity for scammers to do their thing. This IRS page shares information about scams to look out for including someone calling, claiming to be from the IRS, and telling you that you owe them money and how to pay it.

Get Ready For The Oscars
http://oscar.go.com
Consider this site your resource for all things gold! Leading up to the big event on February 28, you can get all the latest news about this year’s nominations, host Chris Rock, memorable acceptance speeches, and, of course, the best celebrity fashion from past events.

Simply Recipes
http://simplyrecipes.com
This friendly site offers recipes from blogger Elise Bauer and her family. While each post tells a story, you can also search for information — as you would on other food sites — by the types of food you want to make. Featured sections include chicken, fish, gluten-free, vegetarian, and budget.

Mental_Floss
http://mentalfloss.com
Many fun facts on a wide variety of topics can be found at the Mental_Floss magazine site. Learn about science, economics, and show business, just to name a few. Check out the Job Secrets section to learn everything you ever wanted to know about bartenders, TSA agents, and more.

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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1602_VIDEO_A.htm

“Uptown Funk” Goes Old School
This delightful video features dance scenes from old movies that somehow sync perfectly to the strains of the modern hit, “Uptown Funk.”

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1602_VIDEO_B.htm

A New Perspective On Hockey
Hockey’s fast pace makes it exciting to watch, and it’s even more so when you see it from the on-ice perspective of NHL pro Sidney Crosby.

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SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY HOME’S WI-FI SPEED?

Question: I’m not getting the Internet speeds I thought I would from my home’s Wi-Fi network. Are there things I can do to speed things up?

Answer: If your Wi-Fi router is out of date or not set up correctly, it could be slowing you down. Here are some tips to help you maximize router performance and enjoy the Internet speed you ordered:

1. Choose the right channel. Slow Wi-Fi speeds may be the result of interference from your neighbors’ Wi-Fi networks as all the devices compete to use the same channel. For example, if neighbors are downloading a Netflix movie using the same Wi-Fi channel as your home’s WiFi router, you’ll need to wait for their data to be downloaded before your router can “talk.”

Routers have many channels, and you can switch to a different one to reduce the risk of congestion. Channel 6 is the default setting for most routers, and it has a higher risk of being congested, especially in apartment and condo buildings. We suggest you select one of the other non-overlapping channels – 1 or 11. Your router may automatically take care of this for you; many models have an auto setting and simply rebooting the router causes it to find a cleaner channel.

2. Move your router to its ideal position. For the best signal and coverage, put your router in an open space near the center of your home. Keep it away from thick walls made of brick or concrete, and make sure it’s not around metal items which can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. It may also help to position the router’s antenna vertically rather than horizontally.

3. Check for interference from a nearby cordless device. Baby monitors, older cordless phones, microwave ovens, wireless speakers, and some security cameras are among the common household gadgets that also use the 2.4Ghz frequency. These can interfere with the wireless signal from your router. Deal with the conflict by moving the router away from these devices.

4. Make sure your router is secure. Putting a password on your router or limiting which devices can access your network will keep other people in the neighborhood from using your network and slowing it down.

5. Buy a new router. One of the best ways to make sure your network is as fast and reliable as possible is to use up-to-date hardware. With the proliferation of connected home products, smartphones, smart TVs, and other mobile computing devices, it’s more important than ever to equip your home with a wireless router that can handle the increased demand for Wi-Fi connectivity. When choosing a new router, you should consider the size of your coverage area, number of users, and types of devices. All of the new 801.11ac routers are dual-band, enabling faster connections. We suggest you get one of these routers to improve your Wi-Fi performance.

6. Get a wireless signal extender. If your home is larger than about 3,000 square feet, getting good Wi-Fi signal from one corner to another can be a challenge. Multistory homes can also be difficult if the router isn’t plugged into the broadband line somewhere on the middle level. In these cases, you may want to consider using a wireless access point which boosts your Wi-Fi signal to hard-to-reach places. Ideally, you can have one ethernet run from the router to the access point. Some access points also allow you to use homeplug technology to transmit the signal over your electrical wiring.

There are also wireless repeaters available, which regenerate the Wi-Fi signal. You might put a repeater halfway between your router and your device. You can expect, however, to get about half the speed off the repeater than what you get off the original router.

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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping
you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek

Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

January 2016 Newsletter

January 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our January 2016 Newsletter:

SCAM ALERT – MYSTERY SHOPPER SCAMS

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN JANUARY

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – HOW CAN I GET RID OF FACEBOOK ADS?

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

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SCAM ALERT – MYSTERY SHOPPER SCAMS

Believe it or not, getting paid to shop is a legitimate way to make money. “Mystery shopping” involves going under cover as a typical consumer to help stores learn more about their customers’ experiences. Mystery shoppers are usually reimbursed for their purchases, and often given a small payment. There is even a company called Secret Shopper that facilitates this service for businesses.

The problem comes in when scammers pretend to be a legitimate provider of secret shoppers to take advantage of people who want to pursue this line of work. They use email and newspaper ads to lure victims, then give them an initial “assignment” of checking out a money wiring service. They send a check, which the “shopper” is instructed to deposit into a bank account, then wire part of it back. Of course, the check is bad so the victim is left in the position of having to pay the bank for the missing funds.

If you’re interested in becoming a mystery shopper, follow these suggestions to avoid this scam:

~Legitimate mystery shopper requests appear online for free so don’t respond to newspaper want ads or emails promoting these positions.

~Never pay a fee or wire money to an unknown source.

~Mystery shopping doesn’t require certification so don’t be fooled into paying for it.

There are resources available if you do become a victim: Contact your local police department, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state’s Attorney General.

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NEWS FROM THE SHOP

Looking to start the year out with something new? Drop by and talk to us. If we don’t have it, we can most likely get it or aim you toward the best bargains out there.

2016 will continue our emphasis on becoming more proactive and less reactive.

For our business clients, this means more emphasis on becoming our clients’ IT department and fully managing things so that our clients can avoid crises. We offer a complete managed IT solution and our goal for 2016 is to convince more of our business clients that being proactive is less expensive than asking us to respond to a crisis after their business grinds to a halt because of something that could have been prevented.

For our consumer clients, this means that we are going to encourage you to consider one of our Safe Computing Packages. It is the same idea, but in an affordable package designed for individuals.

We want to be the folks you call when you have a question about that phone call you got from “Microsoft” or somewhere else telling you that your computer has problems. We want to be able to keep the con artists from being about to take advantage of you.

We want to be the folks you depend on to keep your computer running smoothly and that you come to at the first hint of a problem rather than waiting until things break completely.

Look for more security notices and helpful hits to go out to our email list in 2016. If you aren’t on our email list, be sure to sign up here.

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GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Creamy Hot Cocoa With Cute Snowflakes
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775858253254/

Snow Angel Cupcakes Are A Holiday Treat
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775858253299/

Beautify On A Budget With DIY Wall Décor
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775858253413/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

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FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

PlayerFM

With PlayerFM, you can find, subscribe to, and play podcasts with an easy interface. Use the “Play Later” feature to save episodes for later listening.

Learn More Here: https://player.fm/
GrubHub

Just when you thought getting food delivered couldn’t be any easier, there’s GrubHub. Find your favorite places, order, and pay — all through the app.

Learn More Here: https://www.grubhub.com/

Finding Rover

Like insurance for lost dogs, Finding Rover allows you to enter your buddy’s photo into a database for easy identification in case he gets lost.

Learn More Here: https://player.fm/

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SITES OF THE MONTH

West Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Development Week
http://www.westpasco.com/pdf/BDW%20Brochure-Web.pdf
A full week of presentations designed to help local business owners step it up to the next level. Most of the programs are free. (Meal events have a charge.)

Dream Home Giveaway
http://hgtv.com/design/hgtv-dream-home
Here’s your chance to win not only your dream home, but also complete furnishings, a new car, and $250,000 in cash! Just enter the HGTV Dream Home 2016 sweepstakes before February 18. Meanwhile, you can browse photos of this Florida paradise, check out videos, and vote for your favorite space

Expand Your Knowledge With Bite-Sized Courses
http://gohighbrow.com/
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to broaden your knowledge of the world, this site offers an easy way to do it. You sign up to get free content emailed to you each morning that can be digested in just five minutes. Choose from 62 courses across 10 different categories including art, health, history, science, and more.

Restaurant Copycat Recipes
http://food.com/package/copycat-recipes?pn=5
Craving some of your usual restaurant picks but don’t want to go out to get them? This site features user-submitted recipes for many classic favorites. Brew up some Dunkin’ Donuts Iced Coffee, prepare Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi, or create Denny’s-style French Toast. Complete with directions, reviews, and nutrition information.

Clever Ideas For Repurposed Storage
http://bobvila.com/slideshow/get-organized-25-clever-ideas-for-repurposed-storage-5752#.VmdX2mSrRhF
>From lunchbox-turned-electronics-organizer to dishrack-turned-file-holder, this slideshow gives you 25 great suggestions for using old storage items in new ways. Looking for a way to round up art supplies? Look no further than an unused cake tray. Want a unique wall shelf? Try an old suitcase.

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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Lighting Up The Slopes
You’ve never seen night skiing like this! Suits of LED bulbs and beautiful colored lights on the mountain make the skiers’ decent something to behold.

Firefighter Rescues Kitten
Prepare yourself by getting out the tissues before watching this heartwarming video of a firefighter saving a kitten from a burned house.

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SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – HOW CAN I GET RID OF FACEBOOK ADS?

Question: The ads on Facebook are really annoying, and there are so many of them. Is there a way to eliminate them?

Answer: The reason Facebook is free to users is that the company makes money by selling ads. As much fun as Facebook is, remember that its true customers are its advertisers, and the product they’re buying is your attention. So, Facebook would be doing a disservice to its customers if it removed all ads. However, you can reduce the number of ads you see and make them less annoying. Here’s how:

~When you see an ad, move your mouse pointer to the upper-right corner and click on the “X.” Then you’ll see some options for how you want Facebook to treat similar ads in the future. Pick the one that makes the most sense for you. You can use a similar method for sponsored posts in your news feed – in this case, you’ll see a down-arrow in the upper-right corner.

~Many Facebook ads are customized for your interests based on your online browsing behavior. (This is why you might notice ads for that cute scarf you were looking at on Amazon right after you viewed the item.) Tools on the Digital Advertising Alliance Consumer Choice Page allow you to learn which companies use this method and opt out from them.

~Facebook gives you an option to adjust your ad preferences within its settings. To access these options, go to your home page and click the down arrow in the upper-right corner of your screen. Select “Settings.” In the left-hand column, choose “Ads,” then make your selections from there.

If all else fails, consider trying a browser extension like Facebook Ad Block, which claims to remove all ads from your Facebook page.

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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping
you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published
herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability
for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors
or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

December 2015 Newsletter

December 3, 2015 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our December 2015 Newsletter:

SECURITY ALERT – FACEBOOK PRIVACY HOAXES

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN DECEMBER

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – SHOULD I SIGN IN TO OTHER SITES WITH FACEBOOK OR GOOGLE+?

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

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SECURITY ALERT – FACEBOOK PRIVACY HOAXES

Two Facebook hoaxes play on users’ fears about content ownership and privacy on the social media site. One of them is a “legally-binding message” that you are encouraged to post on your profile, stating you don’t give Facebook permission to use your content, and your information is to remain private. It claims that not posting this notice gives tacit permission to Facebook to use any of your content.

The other is a notice claiming that Facebook will charge money to keep your subscription status private (unless you post this notice on your site, in which case you can keep your information private for free), but otherwise all your posts will soon become public.

Don’t allow these messages to scare you; they’re both false! Facebook’s Terms and Conditions state that you own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you control how it’s shared. Essentially, all of the content you post is considered intellectual property. Based on your settings, Facebook may use some of your public images across the application, but it can no longer do so if you delete the content or your entire profile. In addition, Facebook’s policy is that the site is, and always will be, provided free of charge.

If you’re still concerned about privacy, revisit your privacy settings from time to time and refrain from posting anything, even to “safe” groups of friends, that you wouldn’t want the world to see.

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NEWS FROM THE SHOP

Just in time for Christmas gift giving, we have updated our popular Safe Computing Packages. The remote package now includes unlimited telephone and remote support for just $149.95 a year. This is the perfect gift for that senior or student on your list, even if they live far away.

We also have a huge selection of stocking stuffers available at great prices. Come in and check them out.
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GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Delicious & Festive Caramel Dipped Pears
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775857820903/

Create An Adorable Pine Cone Elf
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775857820779/

Moss Makes Pretty Seasonal Décor
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775857820754/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

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FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

QuizUp

This fun quiz app allows you to play against friends in real time, as you find out who knows more about your favorite topics.

Learn More Here: https://www.quizup.com/en

Santa Spy Cam

Are your kids starting to doubt the existence of Santa? This app allows you to give them “proof” that he (and reindeer and elves!) exists.

Learn More Here: http://www.santaspycam.com/

PicsArt Photo Studio

With this popular photo editor, you can make amazing photo edits and collages, capture images, create digital drawings, and more.

Learn More Here: https://www.quizup.com/en

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SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN DECEMBER

New Year’s Through The Ages
http://history.com/topics/holidays/new-years
New Year’s means the Times Square countdown and making a list of resolutions, right? Yes, but there’s more. This fascinating HISTORY video provides a fun and interesting look at when the New Year has been marked throughout the ages, and how different cultures celebrate it now.

Complete Holiday Party Planner
http://cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/holiday-entertaining-tips-ideas.html
Have a holiday party to plan but not sure where to start? Look no further than this site, which is packed with ideas guaranteed to make your gathering a hit. You’ll find how-tos, videos, and mouth-watering photos for holiday drinks and cocktails, amazing appetizers, main dish recipes, and more.

100 Ways To Make Life Easier
http://lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
From travel to cooking to electronics to home maintenance, this site seems to have the answers to all of life’s little problems. Just one example: “Before you throw away a post-it, run it between the keys on your keyboard to collect crumbs and fluff.” Brilliant!

Get To Know The Peanuts
http://peanuts.com
Whether you’re inspired by seeing The Peanuts Movie or are a fan from way back, you’ll love this site. Get to know the characters, view classic Peanuts comics, shop for Peanuts merchandise, learn about the Charles M. Schulz museum in California, and connect with other Peanuts fans around the world.

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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2015/1512_VIDEO_A.htm

Now This Is A Traffic Jam
When your commute gets bad, just remember, it could be worse! Watch how vehicles and pedestrians navigate this crazy intersection with no signals.

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2015/1512_VIDEO_B.htm
A New Breed Of Holiday Dinner
This video takes treating pets as family members to a whole new level. Watch dogs (and one cat) eat their own special holiday meal, human-style.

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SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – SHOULD I SIGN IN TO OTHER SITES WITH FACEBOOK OR GOOGLE+?

Question: Sometimes when I go to websites that I have an account on, I am asked if I want to sign in with Facebook or Google+. Is this a good idea?

Answer: Unfortunately, the jury is still out on this one. Points in favor of using this process include the convenience of signing into a site using credentials you already remember, and leveraging the security power of known providers like Google instead of relying on the questionable security of less familiar sites.

However, there are experts who express concerns about what kind of information the new site is getting from your Facebook or Google account when you use them to sign in. Some say Facebook only hands over your name and profile photo, while others say third-party sites may have access to your entire account. Either way, when you use this process, you’re putting at risk any accounts associated with your Facebook or Google account in the event the social media account is compromised.

To be on the safe side, only use this process with third-party sites you trust, and never use it in conjunction with sensitive information like your Social Security number or financial details.

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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Gulfcoast Networking
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published
herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability
for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors
or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

Contact Info: