September transitions us from summer to fall. As the month progresses, we may experience cooler temperatures, more colorful leaves (especially if you vacation in Georgia or points north), and seasonal changes to daily routines. To get you in the spirit, this September issue is sprinkled with fun, fall-related resources.
But first, we share important information on the Russian data breach that’s been in the news lately, and what you can do on a regular basis to help protect your data. We also provide tips for how to turn off Facebook notification sounds and how to add the Pin It button to your browser.
Could your home use back-to-school touches this fall? Check out the Pinterest section. Want to turn free leaves into fabulous crafts? Rake up ideas in Sites of the Month.
We think you’ll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience.
Here’s what’s inside our September 2014 Newsletter:
DATA BREACH ALERT – RUSSIAN HACKERS STEAL 1.2 BILLION PASSWORDS
NEWS FROM THE SHOP
GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS
THIS MONTH’S FAQ – HOW CAN I TURN OFF FACEBOOK’S NOTIFICATION SOUNDS?
SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN SEPTEMBER
TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO ADD THE PIN IT BUTTON TO YOUR BROWSER
The Gulfcoast Networking Team
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DATA BREACH ALERT – RUSSIAN HACKERS STEAL 1.2 BILLION PASSWORDS
Have you heard of the CyberVor hackers in Russia? Hold Security, the Milwaukee firm that discovered the hack this summer, gave them the name CyberVor since “vor” means “thief” in Russian. These thieves stole 1.2 billion usernames and passwords, along with 540 million email addresses across 420,000 sites.
To do it, they used a botnet, which is a network of computers infected with a virus or malware that lets a hacker control or monitor them to some degree. Whenever a user on an infected computer visited a website, the computer tested the website to see if it was susceptible to hacking. If it was, the criminals flagged the website, and returned later with a hack called an SQL injection, which reproduces the website’s database contents.
This data breach prompts us to again remind you to regularly change your passwords. If you use the same passwords for multiple websites, quit this practice. Reusing passwords makes it easier for hackers to get into many of your accounts and access key information like your credit card data.
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NEWS FROM THE SHOP
We’ve got some seriously cool projects underway here.
The most noticeable project has been our transition from our old email mailing list to three new lists. The new lists are running on a new platform that will let me experiment with formatting and graphics to make the messages more interesting.
Less noticable, but incredibly cool, is a project Tim has been working on: Tim has been logging long hours spinning up a new server that features lots of processors and memory. The server supports virtual servers and desktops, making it possible for us to set up an emergency backup for our corporate customers that can be switched on with little effort in the event of a catastrophic failure of a customer’s server.
We have been evaluating a number of new cloud based solutions for our customers. Look for these products and services to announced over the next few months.
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GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS
Build Organization With Backpack Central
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775851445244/
Pencil “Cake” Makes A Sharp Decoration
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775851980640/
Cake Batter Cookies Feature Funfetti Flair
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775851980654/
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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THIS MONTH’S FAQ – HOW CAN I TURN OFF FACEBOOK’S NOTIFICATION SOUNDS?
Question: I’m getting tired of hearing notification sounds every time I have Facebook activity. How do I turn off the sounds?
Answer: There’s a quick-and-easy fix for this problem that will reduce the noise in your life! To turn off Facebook’s notification sounds:
1. Go to your Facebook page.
2. Click the upside-down triangle in the upper-right corner of the blue bar, then click the “Settings” link.
3. In the left column, select “Notifications.”
4. Where it says “On Facebook,” click the “View” link and uncheck “Play a sound.”
5. Click the “Save Changes” button.
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SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN SEPTEMBER
Is Your Fireplace Ready for Fall?
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/fireplace.shtm
With temperatures dropping, you may be in the mood to start a fire in your fireplace or woodstove. Before you do, take a quick look at this site. It offers reminders on the importance of inspections and cleaning, using the proper wood, and more.
Recipes for a Better Morning
http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy/quick-breakfast-recipes
September is Better Breakfast Month and a great time to try some quick and healthy breakfast recipes. Take a look at delicious options including Blueberry Power Muffins, Greek Yogurt Parfaits, and Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese.
Understanding Ebola
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
The recent West African outbreak of Ebola has captured headlines and understandably raised concerns. This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a great resource for learning about transmission, signs and symptoms, risk of exposure, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Rake Up New Craft Ideas
http://www.bhg.com/halloween/crafts/fall-crafts-with-leaves/#page=1
Those gorgeous fall leaves in your yard can be showcased in your home, thanks to this collection of simple craft projects. Use leaves as ornaments. Frame them like artwork. Or turn them into a wreath. The options are “tree-mendous.”
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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2014/1409_VIDEO_A.htm
Trombonist Serenades Cows
Who knew cows loved trombone music? Watch an entire herd of them come up over the horizon and run toward the trombone-playing farmer.
http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2014/1409_VIDEO_B.htm
Baby Tears Up When Mother Sings
When this mother sings a beautiful, yet sad, song to her 10-month-old baby, the baby reacts by crying sweet tears sure to melt your heart.
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SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO ADD THE PIN IT BUTTON TO YOUR BROWSER
The Pin It button makes it easy to Pin things to Pinterest that you find on the web — like a recipe from your favorite food blog or a photo from a travel site. You can get this button from the Pinterest Goodies page at http://about.pinterest.com/en/goodies#browser
Here are the steps to adding the Pin It button to Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari:
Chrome
1. Go to http://about.pinterest.com/en/goodies#browser from Chrome (or get the Pin It button at the Chrome web store at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps).
2. Click “Install Now.”
3. After installing, you’ll see a Pin It button any time you mouse over an image. Or, click the red P at the top of your browser whenever you find something on the web you want to Pin.
Firefox
1. Go to https://about.pinterest.com/assets/ext/Pinterest-Firefox.xpi
2. Click “Install Now.”
3. After installing, click the red P at the top of your browser whenever you find something on the web you want to Pin.
Internet Explorer
1. Go to http://about.pinterest.com/en/goodies#browser
2. Drag the button to Internet Explorer’s bookmark bar.
3. After installing, just click Pin It from your bookmarks whenever you find something on the web you want to Pin.
Safari
1. Go to http://about.pinterest.com/en/goodies#browser from Safari.
2. Click “Install Now.”
3. After installing, you’ll see a Pin It button any time you mouse over an image. Or, click the P at the top of your browser whenever you find something on the web you want to Pin.
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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.)
©2014 Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
Portions ©2014 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc., used with permission.