I was recently staying at a hotel that offered  Wi-Fi. On the network with my Macbook, I noticed the other computers on the network. Curious, I clicked on one, expecting to see a password prompt or an access denied message. Instead, I saw the computer’s public folder and another folder. Interested in what files someone would publicly display to anyone on the network, I opened it to see files that were highly sensitive, including financial data. My mind was blown.

What kind of person would do this? Perhaps a person who had no idea how to use their computer. Perhaps a person that didn’t realize the security flaws at risk. Perhaps a person that was not reading this article.

Mac Security

If you use a Mac, there are at least two different settings you should adjust to make sure your computer is secure. The first is the firewall. Unbeknown to most, the firewall on the Mac is not on by default. This means that when you first start using your Mac, you need to activate the firewall. To do this, go into your System Preferences, Security, and into Firewall. Turn the firewall on.

This means that all applications accessing the internet must be approved. If a rogue application gets on your computer, it cannot access the internet without your permission.

The second and perhaps more important setting is Sharing. From System Preferences, click Sharing, then make sure that what you want is checked. Most should un-check File Sharing and Screen Sharing, unless this is something that you use. If you do use these, go in and tweak the settings, to be sure that no one can access your files with out permission.

Auto Fill

I recently tried to switch from Firefox to Chrome, a task that I will detail in a later article. Finding replacements for my Firefox extensions was not difficult, and to replace my Auto Fill ability in Firefox, I grabbed LastPass. I began entering the information I would want to be autofilled. Then, I came across a box, requesting my Social Security Number. WHAT!?! Why on earth would you ask that?!?

Your Social Security Number is highly sensitive information. Giving it to someone else could wreak havoc on your life, entering you into the world of fraud, and identity theft. Which brings us to the over arching solution to this is never put anything into a form that you would not want the general public to see.

Rant

Hermia (an obviously fake name to protect the innocent) is the most computer illiterate person I know with a computer. She pays Aol for her free email account. She gives out her friend’s contact information to almost any telemarketer (I’m still receiving calls), and her computer is probably part of several botnets. People like Hermia make the internet more dangerous for the rest of us.

While, I could, like so many before me, demand “computer tests” that you must pass before you can use a computer, I’m not going to. Instead, here is one thing you should take out of this: Do not give out your personal information to people that you do not know. Preserve your identity and your privacy.

What do you do to protect yourself? What massive security flaws have you seen in the past? Let us know is the comments!

Photo: chefranden

The writer of this post compiles the latest tech news and more at Squealing Rat, and writes about tricks and tips of deception, trickery and survival at Lone Iguana. Find him on Twitter.

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LostInTechnology is hiring again, and we are looking to bring aboard 2 or 3 more writers to help fill out our staff.

Requirements

My requirements are pretty simple.  Just have a passion for technology and a will to work hard.  If you don’t have writing experience, it’s not a big deal.  The passion to learn and succeed is what I’m looking for.

Compensation

I pay $10 per post, offer flexible schedules and provide bylines so you can link to your blog in each post.

Contact

If you are interested in a writing position or have any questions, email me at kyle.judkins@lostintechnology.com.

Image by color line

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VLC is my favorite video player, mainly because of its light weight, open-source nature and the extensive list of features it has. Being open-source gives VLC many advantages over other media players, and this shows up the most in its codec support.

Today, I’m going to tell you about three features of VLC that aren’t found in most other media players.  These features are another reason in a long list of why you should check out VLC.

Converting Video Files

Convert/Save using the Media Menu

To convert a video, use the convert/Save option from the media menu (Shown in the image above). When you choose Convert/Save, a new “Open media” Window will appear as shown below. Click on “Add” to choose the file you want to convert and then click the convert/save button.

You will then be presented with a “Convert” Window that tells you the source of the file want to convert and allows you to choose the destination and name of the file you want to convert to by clicking browse and renaming it to whatever you want but make sure you include the extension you want to convert to .

Change the Destination and rename your file

Snapshots

VLC lets you take snapshots of your video while it is playing.  Just go to the video menu and choose Snapshot, VLC will take a snapshot of the current frame. By default Snapshots are saved in “My Documents”, but this can be adjusted in the preferences by going to Tools > Preferences and choosing Video settings

Edit the preferences for your snapshots

Record DVDs

VLC allows you to record DVDs while playing them using its Advanced options that contain a record button, however Advanced options are hidden by default, and you have to enable them by going to View > Advanced options and clicking on it . Now you can see the Record button along with a couple other handy controls like snapshot and looping.

Now, when you start up a DVD or other video, simply click on the record button and hit it a second time to end the recording.While it is recording, notice that the record button will be blue.The recorded video is in MPEG format and stored them in the Documents folder labeled as VLC Record with the date and time. VLC also offers DVD ripping as well using the convert/save option, but we’ll keep this for another time.

Record Button as part of the advanced options

Conclusion

These three handy tricks and features alike add to an arsenal of neat and tiny little things that make VLC a very powerful all in one media player that can tackle all your files with great ease and offer you the best set of tools to work on them. Do you use VLC? Do you find these features useful? What are your favorite features of VLC and what would you like to see in future versions?

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I’m happy to announce that the seven winners have been picked using the Random.org random number generator.  The winners should be receiving their activation code for the software in the near future.

Thanks again to everyone that entered!

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There’s only a couple of days left to enter the contest to receive a free copy of CopyTrans 4.  Just head over to my previous post about the contest to find out how to enter.

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It’s the end of the year, and most blogs are throwing together a few top 10 lists for their readers.  I really enjoy those types of lists, because it helps me track down any great posts I may have missed.  If you have any favorite top 10 lists you’ve found the past few weeks, feel free to share them in the comments (you can even share a list from your blog if you like).

I’d love to find some great new content, and if we get enough responses, I might make another top 10 post filled with reader recommendations.  Anyways, here are the most viewed posts of the year.

1. 5 Great and Free First Person Shooter Games
2. Use the Internet to Get Free Stuff
3. 5 Great Alternatives to the Twitter Interface
4. 7 Things to Do After Installing Windows 7 RC
5. 5 Steps to Cleanup Your Computer
6. 10 Great Ways to Use Evernote
7. 5 Best Firefox Add-ons for Better Privacy and Security
8. Ultimate Freeware List: Application Launchers
9. 5 Applications Your Google Android Phone Should Have Come With
10. 20 Best Free or Freemium Alternatives to Popular Paid Software Programs

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This post is more holiday related than technology related, but I had to share this with my readers.  I went to my parents’ house for Christmas and was told about some type of helicopter that we had to go see.  The explanation about why it was so cool wasn’t very convincing, but my wife and I said we would go check it out.

The following video is what we saw, and it’s truly amazing.  Here is a helicopter made out of Christmas lights.

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Disclosure: Copytrans currently advertises with LostInTechnology.

Earlier today, we told you about CopyTrans 4 and how it can import all your music and settings from your iPod to your PC.  This afternoon, we are giving away 7 copies of CopyTrans 4.  In order to enter the contest, just follow these simple steps.

• Join the LostInTechnology Facebook Fan Page
• Leave a comment telling me you joined or how you are already a fan.

That’s it.  The contest will run until January 3rd.  This should give everyone enough time to enter.  Good luck!

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LostInTechnology is hiring again, and we are looking to bring aboard 2 or 3 more writers to help fill out our staff.

Requirements

My requirements are pretty simple.  Just have a passion for technology and a will to work hard.  If you don’t have writing experience, it’s not a big deal.  The passion to learn and succeed is what I’m looking for.

Compensation

I pay $10 per post, offer flexible schedules and provide bylines so you can link improve the number of links to your blog.

Contact

If you are interested in a writing position or have any questions, email me at kyle.judkins@lostintechnology.com.

Image by TMAB2003

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I’m trying something a little new this holiday season.  I’ve put together a list of holiday gift ideas using the Amazon Affiliate program.  Buying gifts is never an easy thing, but I hope my list will help you find something worth buying.

The gifts are divided up by price range, so you can look for the items that are within your budget.  Here are the different ranges.

• $100 or less
• $500 or less
• Over $500

Each group only includes a few items, but they are all items that are either on my wish list or that I already own.

What does everyone think of this idea?  Do you like my suggestions?  Add your suggestions in the comments, and I will make another section with reader suggestions.

Image by ginnerobot

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