#70 Online Security Audit

This was an interesting assignment and I did learn a few things. Some of the things, like the ARS Guide to Online Security was pretty technical for a layperson such as myself. I was hoping I could at least understand the section, Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe: A Beginner’s Guide to Web Safety (beginner’s being the key word), but even that was a bit over my head. Other things, like the article, How to Keep Your Passwords Safe, and the tools, How Secure is my Password and Secure Password Generator I found to be very practical and helpful. I am a part time librarian in a large system with an IT department. I don’t know much about our network or security issues; they just take care of it. I do know our computers will not allow people to download programs or save things to the hard drive, to protect the network. I do know that we run the antivirus software Symantec and Malwarebytes when we are infected with malware. At home I use Norton and Malwarebytes and I haven’t had very many issues, but I am pretty careful about where I go and what I do online. I have never seen or heard of any of the programs mentioned in Securing Public Access Workstations, but when I looked at the price I guess that didn’t surprise me. Maybe something like that would work for a smaller library without so many public access computers. We do have passwords, lots of passwords. They like to mix things up, so they are hard to remember, and now they are going to make us change them periodically. I am definitely going to checkout Keepass or Password Safe, both for work and personal use. I have different passwords for sites that require more security, but I have a system, and maybe that isn’t such a good idea. The good thing is that How Secure is my Password said it would take a PC 25,000 years to crack my password though, so at least it is a good one! They do regular updates at work, and I have my computer at home set for automatic updates. The one thing I am not very good at is backing up my computer regularly. I know I need to be better and after reading about the brilliantly evil hackers in How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to my Epic Hacking, I have vowed to do it weekly. The article also made me think about all the procedures we have in place at the library to protect our patron’s accounts, and is it enough? I know about unsecured wi fi networks and how that information could be intercepted with the right know how. I’m not so sure our library users understand that though. I’m not totally sure my information is safe, even using my secure wi fi at home or paying my cell phone bill with my phone. It is just getting so hard for most of us to keep up with all the technology and the methods people find to abuse it and do you harm. So in summary, I am definitely going with an encrypted database to keep my passwords safe. I am going research wi fi security a little more. I am also going to talk to our computer contact at work and ask him some questions about our network and security programs. Thanks for another great lesson!

#69 RSS After Google Reader

I was familiar with RSS readers and had signed up for a Bloglines account years ago, but didn't really have much use for it at the time. I have finally found several blogs that I enjoy reading and following, so recently I went back to Bloglines and updated my feeds. I did not like using it. It felt "old"-kind of awkward and clunky. That brings us to this month's assignment, finding a replacement for Google Reader (which I never used). Maybe I could just find a better RSS reader than Bloglines?? I kept hearing about Feedly, so I had downloaded the app on my IPhone, but it wouldn't work (which I have since read about what the problem is and am just waiting on a fix). I decided to check it out using my computer, and I am glad I did. It was so easy to use! I am a read the instructions/follow the recipe kind of girl, but it was pretty simple and intuitive. I didn't try to import my blogs (wish I had tried that just to see how it works) because I didn't have very many in the first place. I am usually a sequential kind of girl, but I kind of did things backwards this time. I went back and watched the RSS in Plain English video, just for fun and then watched the Feedly video, to try and pick up any tips/tricks. I pretty much had figured it out-yeah for me! What I like about Feedly is how easy it was to find the things I wanted to follow. I would find several feeds connected with a site in Bloglines, but it was difficult to figure out which one I was looking for. Many times I would have to go out and get the URL and bring it back to Bloglines in order to subscribe, but I did not have these problems with Feedly. It was also very easy for me to set up and name my feed categories and keep it all organized. My favorite feature though is the different way to view your feeds. I am very visual and I find that the magazine or card view is very helpful for me to see and scan through articles quickly. My other favorite feature is the app, once I get it working. My IPhone gets quite a bit of use, so this is another way to be able to quickly access my content on the go. I am not that picky, so I feel like Feedly has everything that I need from a RSS feed aggregator. I decided to go back and browse the 10 Google Reader Alternatives that will ease your RSS pain and the list and comparison of feed aggregators. Interesting thing, I did not see Bloglines on either one. Is it really that old school? Maybe no one else liked it either!

Lifelong Learning

I watched this same presentation a few years ago, when I signed up to participate in Nebraska Learns 2.0. That was the only thing I completed! Ugghh....I had trouble with the audio this time, which would have really enhanced portions of the presentation. I would have to say that the hardest habit for me is to view obstacles as challenges, and my biggest obstacle is making time for learning. I have gotten better about this over the years, but I don't think it will ever be natural for me to respond initially to an obstacle with positive enthusiasm. I DO get past this pretty quickly and I think I am pretty good at all the other habits. I really like to learn new things and teach them to other people. I teach computer classes and help people download ebooks at work, and it is fun to watch as they gain confidence in themselves and their new found skills. I am excited about the upcoming lessons-great introduction to new things!