Data Doctors Tech Tips

Targeted hacking known as 'spear phishing' is on the increase but lots of victims don't realize when it's happening to them.and#160; Nowadays, when you get a random message from some bank that you don't do business with, claiming than your account has a security issue, It's easy to quickly figure out that it's a scam.and#160; But what about when you get email messages from your company's human resources department that includes an important policy update notification or ruling on your vacation time. You'll generally click on it because you assume it's from your company. Today's hackers are using spear phishing techniques using your own company name because they know most victims don't think about opening a message that comes from someone in the same company. So, how can you tell when a message is a spear phishing attempt? It's impossible to provide absolute indicators, but we should all know enough to avoid clicking on any links or attachments included with the message.and#160; Watch out for spelling errors and bad grammar, which are often the tip off of a scam message. You can also check the validity of any links by looking for mismatched destinations by simply hovering the mouse pointer over the link and watching the status bar at the bottom left corner of the message to see if it matches. If it doesn't, you'll know it's a scam message for sure.and#160;

Anyone that wants a solid photo editing program, but doesn't want to spend $700 to get it or need a cheap alternative to Microsoft Office should know about a website that offers alternatives. The options in the software world are a lot wider than just the popular commercial ones that you've heard of and in many cases, there may even be some free alternatives. Programs known as 'open source' are collaborative efforts that allow programmers from around the globe help in the ongoing development and most often offer the programs for free for anyone to use. An excellent resource for discovering all those cheap alternatives to expensive software programs is a website called https://alternativeto.net By typing the name of the program that you want an alternative for into the search box at the top, you'll get alternatives that you probably had no idea ever existed! The options are based on other user's recommendations, so finding great alternatives to the applications you want is easy. The suggested programs are for Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad, Android, Linux and even Blackberry devices The next time you seek an alternative to any program, just pop over to https://alternativeto.net to find it!

Anyone that wants a solid photo editing program, but doesn't want to spend $700 to get it or need a cheap alternative to Microsoft Office should know about a website that offers alternatives. The options in the software world are a lot wider than just the popular commercial ones that you've heard of and in many cases, there may even be some free alternatives. Programs known as 'open source' are collaborative efforts that allow programmers from around the globe help in the ongoing development and most often offer the programs for free for anyone to use. An excellent resource for discovering all those cheap alternatives to expensive software programs is a website called https://alternativeto.net By typing the name of the program that you want an alternative for into the search box at the top, you'll get alternatives that you probably had no idea ever existed! The options are based on other user's recommendations, so finding great alternatives to the applications you want is easy. The suggested programs are for Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad, Android, Linux and even Blackberry devices The next time you seek an alternative to any program, just pop over to https://alternativeto.net to find it!

Today's tip could an literally change the way you keep up with concert dates for your favorite bands. Instead of having to remember to visit their website or Facebook page to see when your band will be in town, checkout https://BandsInTown.com You can either checkout the bands coming to your area or download their app, which connects to Facebook and starts alerting you in the news feed when your bands are booked for a gig in town. No more remembering to follow you favorite artists, as Bandsintown will notify you and alerts you to similar artists in town; then RSVP for any show or even buy your tickets. With BandsInTown you will never have to miss a concert again because the app knows which groups you like...HOW? Automagically! The app can gather your music preferences from iTunes, Pandora and other popular music services by scanning your most listened to, preferred, and liked artists, and then suggest concerts going based on that info. With BandsInTown, you no longer have to go searching for concerts, the concerts will be looking for you. https://bandsintown.com

Today's tip could an literally change the way you keep up with concert dates for your favorite bands. Instead of having to remember to visit their website or Facebook page to see when your band will be in town, checkout https://BandsInTown.com You can either checkout the bands coming to your area or download their app, which connects to Facebook and starts alerting you in the news feed when your bands are booked for a gig in town. No more remembering to follow you favorite artists, as Bandsintown will notify you and alerts you to similar artists in town; then RSVP for any show or even buy your tickets. With BandsInTown you will never have to miss a concert again because the app knows which groups you like...HOW? Automagically! The app can gather your music preferences from iTunes, Pandora and other popular music services by scanning your most listened to, preferred, and liked artists, and then suggest concerts going based on that info. With BandsInTown, you no longer have to go searching for concerts, the concerts will be looking for you. https://bandsintown.com

Have you ever wondered how some people are capable to creating amazing collages with their images? Do they have exceptional editing skills or are they using a special app that makes great collages easy? The Photo Grid app is one option for creating collages easily with up to 9 images on your smartphone (both Android and iPhone). You can make appealing collages the very first time you use it. When you launch the app, it asks you to choose the type of collage you wish to create from options that include free form, single image, grid, high - photo booth-style strip - or wide - a horizontal strip. This app makes it very easy to swap images, crop, zoom and even change up the orientation along with border and background options as well. When you feel like your masterpiece is done, simply save it to your smartphone and post it wherever you want! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roidapp.photogridandhl=en http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photo-grid-collage-maker/id543577420?mt=8

Have you ever wondered how some people are capable to creating amazing collages with their images? Do they have exceptional editing skills or are they using a special app that makes great collages easy? The Photo Grid app is one option for creating collages easily with up to 9 images on your smartphone (both Android and iPhone). You can make appealing collages the very first time you use it. When you launch the app, it asks you to choose the type of collage you wish to create from options that include free form, single image, grid, high - photo booth-style strip - or wide - a horizontal strip. This app makes it very easy to swap images, crop, zoom and even change up the orientation along with border and background options as well. When you feel like your masterpiece is done, simply save it to your smartphone and post it wherever you want! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roidapp.photogridandhl=en http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photo-grid-collage-maker/id543577420?mt=8

As the holiday gift giving season rolls in, lots of us are going to be making as many purchases online as we can to avoid those crazy crowds. After making your purchases, you have to aware of how the items will be delivered. In most cases, it'll be you front door usually when no one's home. This can lead to the growing problem of 'porch pirates'. Thieves are going to tail delivery vehicles to stalk the best packages to grab after they determine that no one's home. To fight this problem, it's best to have your packages sent to a neighbor or a friend that you konw will be home or if not, have the packages sent were you work. Consider providing special delivery instructions for hidden places at your house or leave a note on your door if there's an alternative location for delivering the package. Anyone that gets packages delivered regularly all year long should really install a motion-sensing camera or doorbell at the front door so everything is recorded any time motion is sensed at the door. You'll also get a text or email notification whenever anyone is ever at your door.

As the holiday gift giving season rolls in, lots of us are going to be making as many purchases online as we can to avoid those crazy crowds. After making your purchases, you have to aware of how the items will be delivered. In most cases, it'll be you front door usually when no one's home. This can lead to the growing problem of 'porch pirates'. Thieves are going to tail delivery vehicles to stalk the best packages to grab after they determine that no one's home. To fight this problem, it's best to have your packages sent to a neighbor or a friend that you konw will be home or if not, have the packages sent were you work. Consider providing special delivery instructions for hidden places at your house or leave a note on your door if there's an alternative location for delivering the package. Anyone that gets packages delivered regularly all year long should really install a motion-sensing camera or doorbell at the front door so everything is recorded any time motion is sensed at the door. You'll also get a text or email notification whenever anyone is ever at your door.

Being a huge fan of dual displays on my work computer, working without them just seems unimaginable. But when I hit the road and need that extended display space, it isn't practical to lug a second display around, unless that second display is an iPad.and#160; Mac computer users have been able to use an iPad with their Macbooks as a second screen, but did you know that Windows users can do the same thing? It's possible through an app called 'Duet Display'.and#160; Just install the program on your computer and the app on your iPad to start using it as a second computer desktop display. This setup allows you to drag anything you're working on from your desktop to the iPad, which is helpful when working with large spreadsheets or when you need to do a lot of copying and pasting.and#160; Duet Display will work with Mac or Windows systems and iPads or your larger iPhones using the charging cable as a connector.and#160; It's quick to setup and free atand#160;https://www.duetdisplay.com