The hacking group calls themselves “Turkish Crime Family.” They are demanding $100,000 in gift cards, or $75,000 in cryptocurrency by April 7, or they will wipe all the Apple accounts. It is easy to see why people who have Macs, iPhones, and iPads are concerned.

Apple says that Apple has not been hacked, but it is likely that any compromised passwords are the result of Apple users who may have used the same password at other websites as they do for their Apple account.

What should you do?

Perhaps the best solution to protect all your online accounts, Apple and other companies as well, is to set up two step verification.

You may have experienced going to a website, entering your username and password, and then your mobile phone buzzes and tells you to enter a code such as 777888 to complete the login process. That’s one type of two step verification.

When you use that kind of two step verification, an attacker would need to steal your mobile phone too before they could log on with your username and password. So, keep your phone with you. It will be difficult for people, especially those thousands of miles away, to access your phone even if they already know your username and password.

Another, even easier to use method for two step verification is called one tap login. Then, instead of needing to enter a code that comes via text message, all you have to do is tap an app on your phone to approve a login attempt.

To set up two step verification to protect your Apple devices, follow the instructions you will find when you google the following text. Either use copy and paste or manually type these words into a Google search:

two factor authentication for apple id site:apple.com

Always keep your devices upgraded with the latest security patches. If you have an older iPhone or iPad that cannot be upgraded to at least iOS 9 or newer, or a Mac that cannot be upgraded to El Capitan or newer, then follow the instructions you will find when you google:

two step verification for Apple ID site:apple.com

Drobox, PayPal, Google apps, and many other sites already support two step verification. You just have to turn it on. Do it today for all of your sensitive accounts.

To set up two step verification on your Google accounts, visit www dot google dot com/landing/2step/

Another way to find that page is to google this text, including the first word google:

Google 2 step verification site:google.com

For instructions to set up two step verification at Dropbox, google this text:

enable two step verification site:dropbox.com

Use similar searches to find instructions for your other services. It is important to use the word site followed by the actual website of your service if you want to get the information straight from the service, not somewhere else.

But you may wonder what to do for all the sites that you use that do not support two step verification.

Remembering passwords is too much trouble, so many people, even non-technical people, use a password manager to remember the different passwords for them. When they visit a site that asks for a password, the password manager quickly and automatically fills in their username and password for them.

But of course, you can never feel positive that password managers will keep your passwords secure. So, separate your passwords into two groups:

Put the passwords that you need to keep really secure, such as bank passwords, into the first group. You may choose to omit those sensitive passwords from your password manager. You might choose to remember them in your head. Or if you don’t like that idea, then you can write them down on paper that you keep in a secure location. Writing them down isn’t as good as memorizing them, but at least it is difficult for people thousands of miles away to read the paper on which you wrote the passwords. Or, if you feel you must store those passwords in a file on your computer, then encrypt the file, and name the file something other than “my passwords”.

The second group of passwords contains passwords, such as airline website logins, that it will not devastate you in the unlikely event that your password manager gets compromised. The passwords in this group are great candidates for your password manager.

Many people put the vast majority of their passwords in the password manager. The automatic filling in process sure speeds up the login process. Additionally, since you needn’t remember passwords anymore, using different passwords at different sites is easy. In fact, people sometimes trust password managers with even their most sensitive passwords, but only if those sites use two step verification too.

And, for a sometimes fun/sometimes scary experience, if you want to see if your password might have been hacked, follow the instructions you will find in The Foster Institute blog when you google:

How to Find Out if Your Password Might Have Been Hacked site:fosterinstitute.com

Please forward this to anyone you know who uses Apple devices, as well as anyone you know who wants to make their user names and passwords much more secure.

The post Your iPhone and iPad are in Danger appeared first on Foster Institute.

Have you ever, when using your iPad, wished that the iPad could do some things that only a “real computer” can do?

Ditch your iPad when travelling. Just carry the same Surface Pro you use for work with you while you travel. Why? With the Surface Pro, you still have your C: drive (and more if you use a VPN to your office). Outlook, Word, Excel and all of your favorite Windows apps still run on the Surface Pro.

When you are on a web site that says, “Click here to watch the video” the video actually plays (unlike in some cases when the iPad can’t play the video). The iPad is kind of “instant-on.” So is the Surface Pro.

The Surface Pro, with Windows 8, comes with arguably robust firewall and anti-malware protection – or you can use your favorite third party security tool.

But I do miss the iPad. The iPad is thinner than the Surface Pro. When you are away from Wi-Fi, an iPad automatically connects to ATT, Verizon, or whatever service to which the owner subscribes. With the Surface, you need an external mobile card. You can also use Wi-Fi to tether to your phone or use a personal hot-spot such as a Verizon MiFi.

With the executives I meet, most of them still use iPhones. Some are Android users. And, with early adopters, The Surface Pro’s being their “only device.” Not only the Surface Pro, but very capable “look-alikes” from other manufactures are becoming popular as well. Remember – I’m talking about corporate executives, presidents, and owners of businesses.

Fact: Microsoft has a huge user-base in the offices of the workforce of the planet; Apple doesn’t. Emphasize “most offices.” I feel that the success of the iPads, and Android, is one of the long needed kicks in the backside that Microsoft’s needed.

Apple may continue to rule in the personal device world. But expect Microsoft to make a strong comeback in the business world!

If you are one of those “rip the adhesive bandage off fast!” people, then dive in, retire your iPad, move to the Surface Pro, conquer the obstacles you encounter along the way, and emerge victorious at the finish line. You may find yourself at the head of the pack.

Your comments and questions are welcome and even invited – let’s have another lively discussion.

The post Ditch the iPad and Get the Surface Pro? appeared first on Foster Institute.

Your problems are over. Think of the Microsoft Surface Pro as being an extremely powerful laptop computer packed into a very small size. Because that’s what it is.

When you edit a Microsoft Office document on your Surface Pro, you are actually using the real live Microsoft Office.

While Drop Box is a phenomenally useful app and you’ll continue to use it for other purposes, there is no need to use Drop Box to transfer files between your non-Microsoft devices and your Windows machine that sits on your desk. Since the Surface Pro is running Windows, you’ll see all of your familiar folders including “My Documents,” your C: drive, and even the network drives you use when connected to your network.

In fact, why not get rid of your old computer and just use the Surface Pro at your desk from now on. You can connect large monitors, keyboards, printers, and just about everything you want via a USB hub that you plug into the Surface Pro. Nobody even needs to notice since you keep using your same screens and keyboard as before. Then, when you are ready to leave the office, just unplug the single USB cord and head out carrying everything you need—all in a small portable device that is a “big laptop” packed into a very small package.

The post When a Surface Pro Computer is Better than an iPad appeared first on Foster Institute.

Second: Use a stylus designed for note taking. Writing on the face of your tablet with a finger, or even a normal stylus, can be very frustrating. Executives find that the Adonit stylus works very well for them. The stylus is shaped like a pen and has a protective plastic disc at the end to help avoid scratching the surface of your tablet’s screen. Just know that using a stylus does NOT improve anyone’s handwriting.

Third: Have a way to share the notes between devices. Of course, the standard for saving, sharing, and synchronizing files is still the app named Dropbox. Not only does Dropbox offer inexpensive storage, it runs on just about every platform for tablets, smartphones, and computers. Additionally, many apps already natively support saving and opening documents directly to and from Dropbox.

Note taking can be very helpful, and these three tools can help ensure the best outcome for you and your teams.

The post Apps for Taking Notes in Meetings appeared first on Foster Institute.

Rather than improving the old app, LinkedIn opted to generate a new app from the ground up that is worth checking out. If you’ve elected to use an iPad, the app for LinkedIn is especially neat.

Be sure to notice the ‘LinkedIn Today’ section at the top. You’ll see that LinkedIn provides you with popular and useful news and updates.

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post New LinkedIn App appeared first on Foster Institute.

Can you add more items to the list?

Please post your comments, and other items not on this list, on this blog.

The post Lighten Your Load–78 Items your Smartphone replaces appeared first on Foster Institute.

• A secure lock code
• Keeping all Apple patches up-to-date
• Setting up the Find iPhone in iCloud (allows remote wipe. In mid-November, someone stole my iPad and I was able to pinpoint the location and have the iPad back with me safe and sound.)

Apple is, in my estimation, working hard to get the iPad accepted and implemented in offices. To that end, Apple has adopted some security measures. This blog is directed at senior executives, so some of these terms may not make sense—and that is okay:

• Support for WPA2 for Wi-Fi security (both PSK and Enterprise)
• Support for VPNs
• Password support including options for complexity, length, forced changes, lockout, etc.
• Integration with Exchange
• Ability for the IT department to enforce policies
• Remote data wipe
• PKI support including code signing requirements

If you, or IT, want to know more, check out Apple’s security overview. In particular, their iPad Security Overview and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync document.

I expect lots of posts on this blog. This is such a hot topic—so many more of these devices are in the hands of executives, and especially after the holidays.

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post Connecting iPhones, iPads and Macs at your office appeared first on Foster Institute.

There was no sensitive data on the iPad, just in case something like this ever happened. Security features are enabled anyway.

When I arrived hours later the receptionist said they hadn’t heard anything about any missing devices. I checked and now Find my iPhone showed the device’s location to be about 30 miles away, complete with an address and a satellite view of a residence.

I asked if they had any idea why my iPad would be at such and such address. The helpful person at the desk said, “Can you wait a moment? I need to call the owner of my company.”

I was told that the address was that of an employee whom they’d had other problems with before. They informed me that, after the phone call, the owner had actually driven to the home, recovered the iPad, and terminated the person on the spot. Hopefully the owner isn’t the kind of terminator that Arnold Schwarzenegger portrayed in the Sci-Fi movie. I told them not to fire the guy—maybe he is just trying to feed his family and losing his job wouldn’t help him. It was just nice to know I’d have the iPad back soon.

Your device can tell you, “I’ll be back!” with that thick German accent, “Ahl be bock!”

Turn on a locating service for your device today.

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post Be sure to enable device tracking on your mobile devices appeared first on Foster Institute.

Expecting Microsoft to be the top performer in personal devices and/or expecting Apple to rein in the business networks of the world is, in my opinion, unreasonable. Yes, before Apple fans get their feathers all ruffled, there are exceptions to Apple working in business—especially for individual users connected to the corporate network. Additionally, new managed services can help solve the problems some people notice associated with centrally maintaining several Apple devices on the same network.

Apple is, in my estimation, working hard to get the iPad accepted and implemented in offices. To that end, Apple has adopted some security and business integration measures. For security in particular, refer to this informational PDF.

In summary, security features include:

• Support for WPA2 for Wi-Fi security (both PSK and Enterprise)
• Support for VPNs
• Password support including options for complexity, length, forced changes, lockout, etc.
• Integration with Exchange
• Ability for the IT department to enforce policies
• Remote data wipe
• PKI support including code signing requirements

Many of our clients are integrating the iPad into their organizations.

Will you or have you already used the iPad and/or another slate device on your corporate network?

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post Are iPads welcome in your office? appeared first on Foster Institute.

In fact, because I arrived early for a meeting and have time, I’m typing this blog entry using the sleek Apple Bluetooth keyboard connected to my iPad. I often find that I use my iPad more than a computer on any given day.

Besides e-mail, I also use OmniFocus extensively. OmniFocus allows a listing of “to do” items based on your whereabouts. This allows me to accomplish ordered tasks in places with the following situations:

• No phone or Internet connection
• No Internet access, but I have phone access
• My laptop’s 4G card has a signal
• Using Wi-Fi or standard Ethernet connection
• I am using a lighting fast fiber connection

My effectiveness skyrocketed with this tool.

As many of you know, I frequently travel five days a week and notes in Evernote track all the reservation details and confirmation numbers for ten flights, four hotels, four rental cars, and the time and address of all the locations I need to visit.

Even though Kindle is an Amazon tool, the Kindle app allows me to carry many technical books without the weight and size of the printed versions.

The travel apps for airlines are very helpful too—especially for people who travel frequently.

The instant-on feature, small size, and ability to easily connect a “real” keyboard are some of the most valuable features to me.

I never see my slate device as replacing my Windows machines; however it is a nice compliment. Of course, if and when all services move to the cloud, then slates may be tools that practically eliminate the need for a laptop.

How do you feel about the iPad or other slate devices? What are the applications you use the most?

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post Why chief executives get an iPad or another slate device appeared first on Foster Institute.