Ask Leo! #381 - Is The Cloud Dangerous? Outlook versus Outlook, Skype, Kindle, Facebook & more... - Confident Computing

The Ask Leo! Newsletter

*** Featured

Is the Cloud dangerous?

One of the comments I received recently to my article on lessons learned from a recent and fairly public online hacking was very concise:

"That's why the Cloud is dangerous."

That actually sums up what I think a lot of people are starting to feel to varying degrees.

And I think it's wrong.

I also think believing so prevents you from taking advantage of the things that the Cloud can do for you. Things like protecting your data.

As well as things you've already been doing. For years.

Continue reading: Is the Cloud dangerous?
http://ask-leo.com/C5701

* * *

*** Answercast

Answercast #44 - Outlook vs. Outlook, Hard Disk Problems, Floppies, Kindle, Skype and more...

Still confused about Outlook and Outlook.com? Think you have a failing hard drive or illegal copy of Windows? Wonder about security with a Kindle and privacy on Skype? Want a peek behind the scenes? All that and more in this Answercast from Ask Leo!

Continue reading: Answercast #44 - Outlook vs. Outlook, Hard Disk Problems, Floppies, Kindle, Skype and more...
http://ask-leo.com/C5694

What are my options when even a reformat won't fix my failing drive?
The options are to replace or repair. How to do that conveniently is the big question.
Continue reading: What are my options when even a reformat won't fix my failing drive?
http://ask-leo.com/C5695

Can I restore a smaller drive to a larger replacement?
Restoring a backup to a larger drive is not a problem. You may end up needing to do some partition management.
Continue reading: Can I restore a smaller drive to a larger replacement?
http://ask-leo.com/C5696

Why can my Sony camera not display jpg files created by a Nikon?
A camera is not engineered as a display device, so you may need a different method of displaying your photos.
Continue reading: Why can my Sony camera not display jpg files created by a Nikon?
http://ask-leo.com/C5697

Can I copy a multi-floppy install to a single CD and have it work?
An old program on floppy disks may be formatted to expect only floppy disks, or even to expect a certain number of disks. But there are a few things you can try.
Continue reading: Can I copy a multi-floppy install to a single CD and have it work?
http://ask-leo.com/C5698

Do I need to download Outlook.com if I have Outlook 2010?
Outlook (from Microsoft Office) and Outlook.com (the new look of Hotmail) are two different things. It's not surprising that you are confused!
Continue reading: Do I need to download outlook.com if I have Outlook 2010?
http://ask-leo.com/C5699

Are there privacy or security issues when using a Kindle over WiFi?
The security issues in using a Kindle on an open Wi-Fi are the same as for using a computer. Follow some critical rules and you'll be safe.
Continue reading: Are there privacy or security issues when using a Kindle over WiFi?
http://ask-leo.com/C5700

Will my machine stop working if it's determined to be an illegal copy of Windows?
It is critical that Windows is able to keep itself updated, even if that means verifying your installation with Microsoft.
Continue reading: Will my machine stop working if it's determined to be an illegal copy of Windows?
http://ask-leo.com/C5702

Are reverse phone number sites legitimate?
Reverse phone number lookup services can be good. They might not be able to find unlisted numbers and should offer a refund.
Continue reading: Are reverse phone number sites legitimate?
http://ask-leo.com/C5703

Are my Skype conversations private?
Someone sniffing a Skype conversation would just find digital noise. But I guess it depends on... how paranoid are you?
Continue reading: Are my Skype conversations private?
http://ask-leo.com/C5704

Why aren't Facebook page visits showing up in my history?
Some applications keep you on the same page as you browse – even though it looks like you are moving around. That might be happening here.
Continue reading: Why aren't Facebook page visits showing up in my history?
http://ask-leo.com/C5705

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*** Last Issue's Articles

*** Comments

Can I stop or 'un-send' an email I sent by mistake?

Joe F. writes:

So why haven't the other email providers implemented an unsend feature? If the corporate systems can do it, so can the others. It seems like a desirable thing to have.

Corporate systems can do be because they control both ends of the conversation - sender and receiver. For it to work elsewhere would require cooperation between all possible email systems and clients, and that's just not going to happen. Besides, the very concept is flawed - someone could read it before you unsend it, leaving you with a false sense of security.

-Leo

Why do so many people forget their password? (And how do I avoid becoming one of them?)

Gord Campbell writes:

Someday, lastpass will be down, and you won't be able to log on anywhere. If lastpass has a catastrophic failure, you will have "a situation."

I keep my passwords in a file folder, and I've memorized the most important ones by always typing in the password.

My broker thinks a SIX-character password is just right, but that just lets you log on, you can only look at things, you can't move money or place trades.

Lastpass will work if you're not connected to the internet. All information is cached - encrypted - on your machine or device.

-Leo

Has LastPass had a security breach?

Lester writes:

I installed LastPass only to discover that the free version won't work with their iPhone app. Sort of disappointing. I guess I'll have to try RoboForm

Correct - the free version of Lastpass does not include mobile device support. $12/year gets you premium and in my mind it's worth every penny.

-Leo

Do I need a router if my modem has a firewall?

Scott Currier writes:

It may be helpful to check your outside or WAN ip address using a website such as www.myipaddress.com or similar site. You can then compare that with the address of your computer. To get the address of your computer you can open a command prompt and type in ipconfig and the address will be displayed.

If they are the same then your modem does not have a built in router or if it does, it's disabled.

If your local computer has an address in the following blocks....

10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

there is a router built into the modem and it's turned on.

If your modem has four ports on the back then you can be sure that it has a router built in. However, I have seen many 1 port devices also have a router built into them as well.

My preference is to have the modem in bridge mode, disable router and firewall, and to use a router/firewall/Wireless AP of my own choosing.

At times this is essential because I need VPN capabilities.

*** Leo Recommends

Dropbox - Share files across machines, with friends and publicly for free

I've been using Dropbox for a quite some time now and recently came across perhaps the most compelling reason to finally recommend it to you.

One of the common questions I get is "how do I share [files, photos, documents, whatever] with my [friends, business associates, contacts] without using email, and without having them show up on the public internet?

Dropbox solves that, and a lot more.

Continue reading: Dropbox - Share files across machines, with friends and publicly for free
http://ask-leo.com/C4540

Each week I recommend a specific product or resource that I've found valuable and that I think you may as well. What does my recommendation mean?

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