Data Doctors Tech Tips

"PDF" which means 'Portable Document Format' is the industry standard for electronically publishing forms and documents. But when you download a form from the Internet or email, you generally have to print it out first, fill it out, then you have to scan it in order to email or, fax it back or worse, send snail mail. There are lots of programs that you can install that give you the ability to fill out the form using your computer, but unless you do it all the time, it's a bit more than you need. If you find yourself in this situation in the future, give a website called PDFescape.com a try. This web-based resource eliminates the need to download and install anything, so it allows you to modify and fill out PDF forms with any Internet connected computer. You simply upload the PDF to their website to fill out the available text boxes or use the tool that allows you to add any text you want, anywhere in the form. From there, you just save the filled out form back to your computer so you can transmit it electronically. http://pdfescape.com

Trying to learn a foreign language is often intimidating, since were generally so self-conscious about the exact pronunciation of the words we speak. Listening how others familiar with the language pronounce these words will greatly improve your confidence, but it isn't likely that we all have a bilingual friend available whenever we want help pronouncing a certain phrases or words. That's where the website http://Forvo.com comes to the rescue because it can help you pronounce words or phrases in over 300 languages. This crowdsourcing site allows folks from around the world to record words the way they would say them in their native tongues. If a word or phrase isn't yet in the playback database, you can submit the world to have someone record it for you. Anyone taking a trip abroad in the near future can also download the audio for words and phrases they plan on using on their trip. If you need to translate words from English before using Forvo, simply ask Google to translate it first so you can get the proper pronunciation from them. Check it out for yourself at https://forvo.com

Your smartphone has been relatively safe as it pertains to malicious apps as long as you make sure to download apps from your associated app store and don't jailbreak or root your device. Jailbreaking iPhones or rooting Android smartphones essentially sidesteps the security built into the device by the manufacturer and should be done only by tech savvy owners. A fairly new type of scam is actually changing these protection processes by loading malicious apps on your smartphone, even when you have not bypassed the factory protection. In most cases, it begins with well-crafted e-mail and sometimes even text messages with an accompanying link to an app that can be downloaded. When the link is clicked or tapped on, it can allow the download to occur automatically, which will exploit your phone in a whole new way. This underscores the importance of my constant advice: If you didn't seek it out, don't install it! The bad guys are constantly creating persuasive dispatches that can look like they are from your trusted friends because of hacked accounts, so be on the alert. A defense against potentially dangerous apps is available through a free security app called Lookout at http://lookout.com

It's most likely that your smartphone these days is your default music and navigation system when you're in your car. Having your phone in secure reachable place is also much safer than having to fumble around while you're driving. One possible tip for positioning your smartphone in a safer area can be found at https://Kenu.com Look for the AirFrame, which is a simple holder that can clip to most vehicle air-vents on the dash, which provides a much safer line-of-sight to your screen. No need for any adhesives or magnet or suction cups or any other special case because the Kenu AirFrame works with just about any size phone even one's that are in a case. They cost between $25 to $39 depending on your smartphone's form factor. Don't forget that blowing hot air through your vents can help to overheat smartphones, so keep that in mind if you use this device holder. Learn more at http://Kenu.com and REMEMBER, no texting when you're driving!

Anyone that has taken my advice and setup two-factor protection for their online accounts, needs to do one more thing especially if you travel a lot. Two-factor keeps hackers out by sending a small text code to your registered phone number when the site does not recognize a device or location. The problem is, if you happen to be on an airplane when you attempt to sign-in to your protected accounts, your smartphone can't connect to your cellular carrier which is the only way of you to get the text code. That's why you need to take the additional steep of getting backup codes for those accounts. Can you imagine paying for expensive in-flight wi-fi and being locked out of your accounts? These backup codes are accessible in the same location that you used in the setup process, so start by going back to where you set things up. You should make a copy of the backup codes, which can only be used one-time in most cases and store them in your travel gear. Here are the direct links to many of the major services: Google: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1187538?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/148104135383285 DropBox: https://www.dropbox.com/help/364 Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/articles/20170388-using-login-verification# Or you can simply search for 'two-factor backup codes' for XXXX (your online service).

I've been continually reminding everyone I can to setup two-factor authentication on all of your critical accounts because it continues to be an excellent additional layer of protection. You're actually used to using two-factor protection every time you've ever used your debit card because it requires you to have the physical card and the PIN you setup for it. Can you imagine a debit card with direct access to all your money that didn't require a PIN??? It's essentially what you're doing with any of you accounts that don't have two-factor protection setup on them. Remember, when you turn this protection on, a hacker would not only have to steal your username and password, they would also have to steal your smartphone at the same time in order to gain access to your accounts. This tool also acts like an early warning system when someone steals your login information. It's rare these days for important online services not to offer this added layer of protection. For a complete list of sites that offer it as well as instructions for activating it for each of them, go here: https://twofactorauth.org

Search engines such as Google and Bing are helpful for getting to what we may be searching for, but in exchange, they gather lots of valuable marketing info as we use them. With all of today's privacy concerns, many of you may be looking for a more private way to search for things online. Startpage.com is a search tool that knows that people have a need for privacy at times and promotes what they call "the world's most private search engine". Most search engines will capture your IP address along with what you were searching for, any sites you may have come from and the links you clicked in the results. Startpage.com does not capture any of these items, but still gives you the results from the powerful Google search system. It's kind of like the Harry Potter 'invisibility cloak', because it provides a barrier to your details when you use it to generate search results. Check it out for yourself at https://Startpage.com

If cyber-criminals can gain access to the e-mail app on your smartphone, it allows them to get password reset links sent from any of your online accounts back to your phone. Your smartphone is chock full of sensitive personal info that can make acquiring your sign-in credentials a snap, so anyone that hasn't setup the access passcode on their smartphones should do it immediately. Equally, if you plan on trading-in, selling or simply discarding any smartphone, it's critically important that you ensure that a factory reset is performed to wipe your personal info. Resetting your smartphone to its factory settings is simple to do through the 'Settings' menu. Android users that have an expansion micro SD card should be sure to remove or reformat it before the device leaves your possession. You should also remove the SIM card as well because it won't be of any value to the next user. If you need instructions on how to reset any smartphone, just search Google with the word 'reset' and the name of your device. For more instructions, go to: http://www.datadoctors.com/help/columns/21892-Wipe-Before-You-Get-Rid-Of-Your-Old-Smartphone

Making sure that you use long, complex password that is different on every online account is a crucial step to protecting yourself online. Trying to remember dozens of these complex passwords is going to be impossible, so it's important to use a password management program to help you stay safe these days. If you still haven't found management software program that works for you, here's another one to look at: http://RoboForm.com The RoboForm system not only provides a solid password manager option but it also helps you fill forms online with your personal information, which is a big time saver for hardcore online shoppers. Another useful feature is the ability to use batch logins which will automatically open tabs and log you in to your commonly used sites, all with one click. Just like other password managers, after you get everything setup, you simply need to remember just the one main password for the Roboform account to safely access all your online accounts. The basic version is free and they also offer mobile apps at http://RoboForm.com

Tax preparation season is often referred to as 'Xmas for Crooks' because of all of the tax refund fraud scams that pop up during tax season. A common scam that's been increasing is filing fraudulent refunds because more than 70% of US tax returns are eligible for an average of almost $3,000 according the IRS. The growing scam is a form of tax related identity theft because criminals are making use of stolen social security numbers to file a tax return before the actual tax payer does. When it happens, not only will it result in spending a ton of time clearing up the fraud, it will also delay any refund checks due until after the mess has been cleaned up. The 2 actions everyone should take to minimize the chances of it happening to them is protect your SSN as best you can and when you know you are due a refund, be sure to file your taxes as quickly as you can every single year.