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First AV-Test For 2021

1/26/2021

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The AV-Test November/December Windows 10 Home User test results are in! Here's how they test:

"During November and December 2020 we continuously evaluated 21 home user security products using their default settings. We always used the most current publicly-available version of all products for the testing. They were allowed to update themselves at any time and query their in-the-cloud services. We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats. Products had to demonstrate their capabilities using all components and protection layers."

The categories:
  • Protection: "Protection against malware infections (such as viruses, worms or Trojan horses)"
  • Performance: "Average influence of the product on computer speed in daily usage"
  • Usability: "Impact of the security software on the usability of the whole computer"

These products were certified as the top Antiviruses for Windows 10 home-user machines in the November/December 2020 tests.

Top Products that rated 6/6 (top score is 6) in all categories presented in alphabetical order:
  • Avira Antivirus Pro 1.0
  • Bullguard Internet Security 21.10
  • Eset Internet Security 14.0
  • F-Secure SAFE 17G Data Internet Security 25.5
  • McAfee Total Protection 23.4
  • Microsoft Defender 4.18
  • Norton 360 22.20
  • Trend Micro Internet Security 17.0
  • Vipre VIPRE AdvancedSecurity 11.0

These are also rated Top Products, but took a hit for slowing down computer during usage:
  • Avast Free Antivirus 20.8 & 20.9
  • AVG Internet Security 20.8 7 20.9
  • Kaspersky Internet Security 21.2
  • Northguard Security 20.0

Also of note:
  • Certified, but worst rated was eScan Internet Security Suite 14.0, taking hits in all three categories.
  • Also certified were PC Matic 3.0 and Malwarebytes, both taking hits in Protection and Usability.
  • K7 Total Security and Total AV took hits on protection, but were certified.
  • AhnLab V3 Internet Security 9.0 and Bitdefender Internet Security 25.0 took hits on Usability, but were certified.

To see the entire list and detailed scores go to AV-Test and click on the individual product for their summary. The IT security institute has detailed testing on a number of different products, including Mac, Android and the Internet of Things.
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Censorship Is Damage

1/22/2021

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"The Internet interprets censorship as damage and routes around it."

That's a quote I remember from the very early days of my online life. That's exactly what is happening now. Because of the very active censorship that's happening online, clever people are figuring out how to get around it.

I've been using Brave as my primary browser for a couple of weeks now. It's a fussy browser that requires tweaking, but I'm finally getting it to settle down. It's a good browser and the people who work on it seem to genuinely care about privacy.
They also have a unique way of making money, which is great. I'm more than willing to click on an ad that they send occasionally to keep the browser going.

The most recent update to the browser includes a peer to peer protocol that I am anxious to try out. I've been hearing about IPFS for some time now, but until the last couple of weeks, it seems to have moved slowly because it had little visibility. That changed when the mainstream tech giants did a giant sweep of accounts they didn't like.

I recommend Brave as a personal browser for both desktop and for mobile. The mobile version is particularly good. If you are on an older device, you can delete a lot of apps (from websites) that pull in a ton of ads that will slow your device to a crawl. You can access websites in Brave without the ads.

This is the article about what's going on with the peer to peer protocol. Even if you aren't a techie, it makes for interesting reading.
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Hello Monday - Telegram

1/11/2021

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I've recommended Telegram in the past and I continue to recommend it. If you need a way to communicate in a group or with another person in private, it is (IMO) the best way to go.

The GUI is smooth and easy, the privacy settings are simple to figure out. All you need is a telephone number to set it up. It does not have to be your personal phone number - Although, that's just fine too! You can set up an account with a temporary/disposable number, a number from Google Voice (not connected to your account) or with a number from a burner phone.

Telegram has a desktop version for Windows, Mac and Linux. It also works on iPhones, iPads and Android devices. You can also add it as an APK on Android from both F-Droid and APKPure (reputable APK sites) if it becomes unavailable on Google Play.

It's free and an excellent way to add some privacy to your social media.

If you need help with the download or the privacy settings, give us a call. Or check out the web version of Telegram and contact either Tim or Joy on Telegram!
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Warm Cup of Cocoa

12/21/2020

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A couple of 1200x1920 mobile wallpapers for your Christmas festivites. It can't be Christmas without Cocoa, right?
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Mobile Wallpapers - Thanksgiving

11/24/2020

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All are 1200x1920. Enjoy!
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Happy 25th Birthday GIMP

11/23/2020

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My favorite Free and Open Source Software image software turned 25 on Saturday! Happy 🎂 GIMP! (General Image Manipulation Program)

GIMP is the standard for people who either can't afford Photoshop or don't want to shell out hundreds of dollars to Adobe. I'm in both categories.

It's come a long, long way since the original version was released. Today it's a sleek image manipulation program that's not limited to Linux/BSD with versions available for Windows and Mac (There are also ports available for Android and iPhone, but they are not official builds and are not highly rated.)

Not going to lie, it has a learning curve and it can be quirky. By quirky I mean things like this: You can't have the multi-platform version of XNView open at the same time as GIMP. Both will crash. The quirks are just little things you learn and correct as you go along. There isn't a single piece of software in the world that doesn't have quirks and as long as the software is available on so many platforms (as Adobe isn't), there are bound to be little things that you need to work around.

It took me some time to get used to it (formerly a Paint Shop Pro user on Windows) and a bit longer to really get the hang of the tools. But, the manuals are clearly written and there are lots of user tutorials online to follow. YouTube is full of them. Once you get the hang of it, GIMP's a joy to use.

There are also a plethora of plugins and add-ons to make for a great experience. Many Photoshop formats work natively within GIMP.

It's a fantastic piece of open source and free software that works beautifully. Say Happy Birthday to the GIMP by downloading and giving it a try!
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Scamazon Alert

10/23/2020

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This is a video about a newish Amazon scam. It's from Jim Browning, a grey hat hacker from Ireland who infiltrates computer networks run by scammers. He also reports the scammers to the police, helps the victim and sends information to the banks involved.

Here's a summary of the video. It's stunning.

"I've been watching a few different scamming groups running the 'Amazon' refund scam and I've been disrupting their scams. You'll see how they run the scam and how best to deflect it. You'll also hear both the scammer and the victims - something I've not always been able to show in the videos."
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Halloween Wallpaper

10/21/2020

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Nasty Emotet

10/19/2020

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Please keep your eyes open for Emotet. It's not something you want to click on.

If you ever have a question about something odd that shows up in your inbox, give us a call - 5708828851. We're more than happy to figure out if the email or pop-up is legit 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 you click on it.

From Bleeping Computer:
"These spam campaigns pretend to be invoices, shipping information, COVID-19 information, information about President Trump's health, resumes, or purchase orders, as shown below."
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Mobile Monday - Summer Doggos

6/16/2020

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Mobile Monday! Some lovely summer doggos I found on Unsplash.
Photogs:
@john_cameron
@o5ky
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Curbside pickup/dropoff available at:​

421 1/2  N Keystone Ave
Sayre, PA 18840


24-hour Office/Message Number
570-882-8851

Email
Tim Clines

Joy Clines

Telegram
t.me/tee_cee
t.me/jclines

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