Weekly Tech Tips and News for October 26, 2018

Gilda Radner as Rosanne Rosannadanna

One of the late, great, Gilda Radner's memorable characters on Saturday Night Live was Rosanne Rosannadanna Here's a link for those of you who don't remember her. It will be worth a YouTube search or two. One of her catchphrases was "It just goes to show ya, it's always somethin'!" Well that's true with this week's phishing warning. It seems like there's a new one every week or so, but it's important to be aware so you don't accidentally fall for them when you are in a hurry or tired or distracted. In addition to this warning, are several other useful tips, such as the importance of backing up your computer and  how to do it, helpful rulers when setting up tables in Docs, easier margin control for headers and footers in Docs, how to make the header of your G Suite files smaller, and my favorite, the ability to quickly create new files from the URL bar. Read on for full details, news and tips.

• Phishing/Email Virus Alert:  Email Contains "Unable to Display" Message
• G Suite Updates:  New Vertical Ruler Helps Table Creation, Better Headers and Footers Margin Control, Create New Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites and Forms Faster
• Chrome 70 Released With Revamped Google Account Login System
• Once Click Provides More Room to Work in Google Docs
• How to Use Automatic Captioning in Google Slides
• What's the Best Way to Back Up My Computer?
• Why Do Websites Make You Login In So Much?

Phishing/Email Virus Alert:  Email Contains "Unable to Display" Message

Phishing/Email Virus Alert:  Email Contains "Unable to Display" Message, from UNC Greensboro Technology News
If you receive any messages with a green "click here to view message" box, don't click it!

G Suite Updates

New Vertical Ruler Helps With Tables

My friends, if you haven't yet embraced the wonderful world of Tables in Docs to help you line up columns and rows, you are missing a HUGE time saver. They make your document look so much more professional, are easy to set up and use...and they just got even easier. Google will be adding a vertical ruler to Tables so you can easily see how tall your rows are, and adjust them. This feature will be rolling out anytime between now and the next two weeks. If you'd like to read all the details, check, out the G Suite Updates Blog.

Easily Set the Size of Your Margins for Headers & Footers

Headers & Footers in Docs are how you quickly include page numbers, file names, or anything else that you want to appear on the top or bottom of every page in your Docs file. (You can also exclude the first page from Headers & Footers.) Within the next two weeks, a new feature will appear when  you are setting up your Headers & Footers, which will allow you to set the margin. All the details are in the same G Suite Blog post as above.

Create New Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites and Forms Faster

This trick works like a charm! In the Chrome URL or Omni bar (that's where you enter a website address at the top of your browser -  not the Google Search bar) enter docs.new and you'll instantly create a new Google Docs file. The same trick works for Sheets, Slides, Sites and Forms. Some variations of those terms work too, such as sheet or spreadsheets for Sheets, and deck or presentation for Slides.

Chrome 70 Released With Revamped Google Account Login System

Chrome 70 Released With Revamped Google Account Login System, from ZDNet by Catalin Cimpanu
Do you dislike the fact that on a Windows computer, you still have to login to Chrome after you've already logged in to Mail or Drive? When your Chrome browser upgrades to v. 70 this week, it will take care of that. At that point, when you login to Gmail, you'll automatically be logged in to Chrome as well (and see the magical ASA bookmarks folder!). Some critics view this as an overstep on Google's part, and don't necessarily want to be automatically logged in to Chrome. If you also feel that way, this article will show you how to turn this feature off.

Once Click Provides More Room to Work in Google Docs

Once Click Provides More Room to Work in Google Docs, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Do you think the title, ruler and toolbars at the top of Google Docs files takes up room? Do you wish you had more space to work in your document? Did you know you can shrink everything at the top to give you more work space? Read on!

How to Use Automatic Captioning in Google Slides

How to Use Automatic Captioning in Google Slides, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Last week Google introduced the automatic captioning in Google Slides. This week Richard Byrne presents a demonstration on how to use this new feature.

What's the Best Way to Back Up My Computer?

What's the Best Way to Back Up My Computer? from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
If the hard drive on your computer fails tomorrow, will you lose all your family photos and important files? If you were faced with a ransomware message and couldn't get to your photos and files, would you have to pay hundreds of dollars to get them back? I cannot stress enough the importance of backing up your files, photos, videos, music, etc. on your device. Learn about all the ways to do so, and decide which is right for you. It doesn't matter which method you choose, but by all means back up! Today!

Why Do Websites Make You Login In So Much?

Why Do Websites Make You Login In So Much? from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Have you ever noticed when you are browsing along in Facebook or Twitter, you find a link to an article you want to read and it makes you sign in to that article's site? That's in-app browsing - you're accessing that website from inside the app you're using. There are several other reasons, and instances, when you have to log in repeatedly.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for October 12, 2018

It's definitely been a weather whiplash kind of week. We were literally running air conditioning at the beginning of the week, and they've mentioned the S word for tonight. (I don't want to speak it into existence!) While I'm whining about the inconvenience of the Fall weather, my thoughts and prayers go out to those in Florida who have lost everything in hurricane Michael. While we are praying for their safety, there are a few concerns we need to deal with regarding a different kind of safety - cyber safety. If you have been presented with a pop up message prompting you to update Adobe Flash - do not play along, it will load malware on your Windows PC. If you have already received this pop up and downloaded/installed the file, the second post below will show you how to get rid of it. We can never be too vigilant!

• This Cryptojacking Mining Malware Pretends to be a Flash Update
• How to Remove Viruses and Malware on Your Windows PC
• G Suite Updates:  Get Google 2-Step Prompts on All Phones, Google Slides Adds Automatic Captions, Consumer G+ Going Away After Bug Revealed, Easily Add Images and Charts From Other Files to Google Docs and Slides
• Microsoft Fixes the October Windows 10 Update
• EDU in 90:  Google Drawings in the Classroom
• How to Create Personalized Certificates in Bulk Through Google Sheets

This Cryptojacking Mining Malware Pretends to be a Flash Update

This Cryptojacking Mining Malware Pretends to be a Flash Update, from ZDNet by Danny Palmer
Here's a new word for our vocabulary...cryptojacking. Good luck using that in a sentence three times today, but your friends will be so impressed when you do! Cryptojacking is when hackers infect a computer so they can use it to mine cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Monero, Zcash, etc.). The latest cryptojacking malware making the rounds is disguised as a pop up notice on your Windows PC prompting you to update Flash - don't click on it to download and "update". It is actually malware, which will quietly run in the background and you may not even know it's there. In this case, it is mining Monero, which is another cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin. FYI:  Flash typically updates itself in the background and doesn't ask you to download and install. While this malware doesn't harm your files, it will use your computer's resources, run down the battery and hog your internet bandwidth. What to do if you think you've accidentally installed this malware? Download the free version of Malwarebytes and run daily scans. It will find malware files and prompt you to quarantine them.

How to Remove Viruses and Malware on Your Windows PC

How to Remove Viruses and Malware on Your Windows PC, from How-To Geek by Lowell Heddings
So, let's say you did accidentally install that cryptojacking mining malware mentioned in the previous article, or maybe your computer isn't acting right. Now what? This article will walk you through exactly what you should do if you think your Windows PC is infected and your anti-virus didn't catch it.

G Suite Updates:

Get Google 2-Step Prompts on All Phones

I've said it before, if you are not already using 2-step verification for your Google accounts - especially your school account - I strongly recommend you set this up. It makes it much harder for your account to be hacked, and Google makes it pretty painless - especially now that you can turn it on for all the phones you login to. What is 2-step verification? When you login to your Google account, you will receive a prompt on  your phone to verify it's you logging in. You simply tap Yes, and you're logged in. When setting up 2-step verification in Settings, simply turn on the feature in the image above. Full details for this new upgrade are available in this G Suite Update blog post. This feature is available now. Incidently, 2-step verification is available for most of your online accounts - banks, credit cards, social media, shopping sites, etc. Just check the settings for each account.

Google Slides Adds Automatic Captions

Do you ever find yourself presenting in a noisy room...or classroom? Do any of your students have a hearing impairment? In about two weeks, Google Slides will be able to automatically show closed captions in your slide show as you present. You will need to turn captions on before using this feature. The microphone in your computer will be used to record the presenter's voice. Check out this G Suite Updates blog post for full details.

Consumer G+ Going Away After Bug Revealed

If you use Google +, it will soon be going away for consumer accounts. This means the G+ account associated with your personal Google account will be going away, but not for business customers. It's still unclear if it is staying or going for Education accounts. Google is taking these measures after finally revealing there was a bug that would expose personal data to 3rd parties if you gave apps access to your profile data. This bug has been around for several years, but Google just became aware of it and patched it last March, so there is no current threat. Unfortunately, they didn't pass along this tidbit of info until now, because there was no evidence that the data had been mined and misused. If you would like to delete your Google+ account only, and not your entire Google account, here are step-by-step instructions. If you use your school G+ account as a learning network, you may want to hang on to it until it is clear whether or not it is sticking around for Education accounts.

Easily Add Images and Charts From Other Files to Google Docs and Slides

Using the Explore tool, which is built in to Slides and Docs, you can look through Google Drive to find images and charts from other files to insert into your Doc or Slide. Check out the full description and screen shots here. You should begin to see this new feature in the next 2 weeks.

Microsoft Fixes the October Windows 10 Update

Microsoft pulled back their October update last Friday, and fixed the file-deleting bug in it. They reissued the update this week, and it is now safe to install the update when you are prompted. This month's update is more than a routine monthly security update. It is a feature update, that installs new Windows 10 features. This update will take longer than the normal monthly update, so make sure you have some time before starting the installation. My upgrade took 15-20 minutes - not too long, but longer than normal monthly updates. Several of the new features were outlined in last week's blog post.

EDU in 90:  Google Drawings in the Classroom

How to Create Personalized Certificates in Bulk Through Google Sheets

How to Create Personalized Certificates in Bulk Through Google Sheets, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This is a huge time saver. It can be used for more than just certificates. I use it in the fall to email Infinite Campus set up letters to parents. I'm sure you can also think of several ways to use this trick. Also included in this post, is a way to send certificates via Google Forms.

Weekly Tech Tips and News for October 5, 2018

Photo from 123RF

There are just a few more G Suite updates this week, one of which you may have already noticed in Gmail. Google has become such a good friend, it's now completing your sentences when you are composing messages. You may, or may not, appreciate this new BFF. If you don't want to be that close with Google, check out the article to learn how to turn it off. Also coming soon, is the big fall update for Windows 10. Read on for instructions, as well as what new features the update will bring. As of Friday, Microsoft has pulled this update because it was deleting all of some users' files. Watch for it to be re-issued when the bug is fixed. Rounding out the posts, are cautionary tales to help you protect yourself against Phishing attacks, as well as social engineering, which explains all the ways others may try to fool you into revealing your passwords or other personal information. Arm yourself with the knowledge to protect yourself!

• G Suite Updates:  Avoid Editing Conflicts with Microsoft Office Files in Drive, Smart Compose in Gmail
• Windows 10's October Update is Out Now: The Best Features
• Anatomy of a Phishing Scam
• Information Security and Pop Culture:  How Real-Life Social Engineering Techniques are Used in Movies and Television
• 6 Bad Habits That Are Destroying Your PC
• EDU in 90:  Google Science Fair

G Suite Updates:

Avoid Editing Conflicts With Microsoft Office Files in Drive

As you may, or may not, know, it is possible to upload Microsoft Office files (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) files to Google Drive and edit them in their Office format with the Office Editing for Docs Sheets and Slides Chrome extension. This extension works well for those files that cannot be converted to G Suite format for whatever reason. The downside to this method is the collaboration doesn't happen in real time. In other words, if some one else is editing the file at the same time you are, you won't see it happening. An update coming in mid-October will change that. Real-Time Presence in in Microsoft Office will let you kow if someone else is editing or viewing an Office file in Drive. Here are the full details and features for this update, including a video showing how the feature will look and be used.

Smart Compose in Gmail Similar to Autocorrect

In a couple weeks, Gmail will start to autocomplete our emails when we are composing them. This feature is similar to autocorrect on a smart phone.  As you are typing, it will predict and complete the rest of the phrase or sentence. This may be either a huge time saver or very annoying, depending upon your preference. If you find you dislike this feature, you can turn it off by clicking the gear in gmail (upper right), select settings, looking for Smart Compose, and turning Writing Suggestions off. Full details can be found in the G Suite Updates blog.

Windows 10's October Update is Out Now: The Best Features

Windows 10's October Update is Out Now: The Best Features, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Windows introduces new features to Windows 10 twice each year:  spring and fall. The October update is one of those major feature updates. The monthly updates every other month include bug fixes and security patches. Per the previous article, don't worry about how to get the new update, let it come to you and back up your files first. Some new features include a Clipboard History (so you can paste more than just the last thing you copied), a dark theme, touch keyboard that now uses Swiftkey just like your phone keyboard, and a new Snip & Sketch tool to take screen shots and mark them up.

Anatomy of a Phishing Scam

Anatomy of a Phishing Scam, from Medium by David Koff
The most important lessons any online user can learn is how to protecto yourself online and via email. One of the most common situations to watch out for are phishine emails. On the surface, these emails look like they are from a person or company you know and trust, but there are always tell-tale signs that things aren't as they seem. Arm yourself with knowledge and read this post to protect yourself from accidentally giving away personal information or passwords. Tip:  to verify a URL, you can also hover over it, and it's true path will be displayed in the lower left corner of your screen.

Information Secuirty and Pop Culture:  How Real-Life Social Engineering Techniques are Used in Movies and Television

Information Secuirty and Pop Culture:  How Real-Life Social Engineering Techniques are Used in Movies and Television, From Better Cloud, by Christina Wang
We unwittingly give away our passwords and answers to our security questions on a weekly basis. Think about all those quizzes on Facebook, or the memes asking if you remember your first car/pet/street, etc. These are all forms of social engineering, designed to glean information from you to access your online accounts. Even the fun "what's your leprachaun name" games that use a letter from your name, the month or year you were born, or anything else along those lines, to come up with your fun, new name are mining information that will provide answers to your security questions that are designed to access an online account if you forget your password. There are several videos in this post that clearly illustrate how quickly we reveal personal information without realizing it. Pretty much all the different types of social engineering are represented here. Although these examples are from movies, they are based on tactics used in real life. It's so important that we all remember to be very protective of our information. It's OK to be suspicious online!

6 Bad Habits That Are Destroying Your PC

6 Bad Habits That Are Destroying Your PC, from PC Magazine by Whitson Gordon
We just expect our computers and devices to work, but as with any other complex tool we use regularly, there is some care and feeding on our part that needs to happen. Just like getting routine oil changes in our cars, not letting the car run in a closed garage, or cleaning the oven, there are certain things we need to keep in mind when using our computing devices to keep them running well.

EDU in 90:  Google Science Fair