Should you change your password?

There have been a lot of well-publicized data breaches in the news lately, and I always wonder if I've been affected by them.  When credit card data is affected, you get a letter from your bank or card issuer (I've gotten a few), but when it comes to web site hacks that go after passwords, you never know.  Or do you?

I'd like to share a couple of resources you can use to find out whether you should be concerned, as well as a couple of things to help you increase your password effectiveness in the future.

Find out if you've been a victim

A site called "ShouldIChangeMyPassword.com" has aggregated (as of this post) 11,802,026 compromised passwords from a large number of the publicly disclosed data breaches.  If you go to the site and enter your email address, it will tell you if your email shows up in the list of compromised accounts.  In my case, I've been breached at least once, as the graphic below shows.

My password was compromised in the Gawker Media breach but, fortunately, I used a unique password so my exposure is very limited.  I also changed my password the moment I found out (Gawker was very responsible in their notification, and I knew within a few days).

Other sites you can use to find out if your password's been compromised include:

• LinkedIn leaked password checker
• eHarmony leaked password checker

 Stronger passwords in the future

If you want to protect yourself better in the future, here are some tips that can help:

• Use different passwords for each site you visit
• Use complex passwords (mixture of upper & lower case, numbers, random characters that aren't in the dictionary, etc.)
• Don't write your passwords down

The challenge with this is that it makes it nearly impossible to remember what password belongs to which site.  To make it easier, I recommend using a "password vault" that can generate complex passwords for you and then help you remember them.  The best ones are multi-platform, never store your data in an unencrypted form, and allow you to share your password data securely across multiple devices.

I've tried quite a few of them and the one I like best is called "1Password."  It works on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad, and I've been using it faithfully for a couple of years.  It stores an encrypted data file on your system (the makers of 1Password don't store your passwords on their own systems), and it easily shares your encrypted password data using Dropbox as the conduit.

1Password also has the ability to store other information such as credit card numbers, software license keys, and more.  It can also generate and stores secure passwords for you, which makes it easy to satisfy the tips I mention above.

If you want to take a more manual approach, there is a good "personal algorithm" method using Steve Gibson's "Password Haystacks" model, detailed on the Gibson Research Corp. site.  This is also a great educational site on how longer passwords offer exponentially more security.

Beeminder is keeping me on task

I'm roughly 100 days into my use of "Beeminder" and wanted to provide an update.  If you recall from my earlier post on Beeminder, it is a "put your money where your mouth is" kind of commitment tool.  I committed to blogging at least 4 times per month and, if I don't, I owe money.  Yep, cash money.

I got into this base purely on curiosity, but I am now a huge fan.  There is nothing like a commitment to someone else to keep you honest, and nothing like a commitment of money to get you to take things seriously. When I first found out about Beeminder, it was relatively unknown.  Last month, the Beeminder team (now located in lovely Portland, Oregon along with me) received some well-deserved publicity from LifeHacker.

Here is how my progress is going so far:

Basically, the yellow line is my "yellow brick road" and my goal is to stay above it - below it, I owe money.  This is a great system and I am growing addicted to it.

They do a great job of providing you with updates via an email from the Beeminder Bot.  You can provide updates via email or on the Beeminder site, and provide data to make your graph go, as mine has. Rumor has it they are working on even more mobile-friendly ways of updating your status.

Got a goal that could use some pressure / encouragement?  Head on over to Beeminder and give it a try.  You'll love it.

An easy way to play music from your phone over Bluetooth

My current car has an iPhone / iPod adapter built into it, which was really great when I had an iPhone.  Recently, however, I switched to a Samsung Galaxy S III which is Android-based, and not compatible with the iPhone jack.

I'm lucky enough to also have an Aux plug in my car, which means I can play any audio source that uses a 3.5mm stereo plug so that made switching to my Samsung was pretty easy.  For a week or so, I used a patch cord to connect the headphone jack on my Samsung to the Aux input on my car stereo.  

However, there were two problems with that approach:  

• First, I didn't like having an extra wire get in my way all the time.  
• Second, I got this "whining" noise along with my music, which happened anytime my phone was plugged into both the USB charger and the Aux input.

I've found good solutions to both of these problems, for a reasonable cost.

Solution 1: Use Bluetooth to play audio from your phone over your car's stereo

I found a device called the "Miccus BluBridge Mini-Jack RX: Bluetooth Music Receiver" which you can pair with your phone, plug into the Aux jack and play your music wirelessly.  It works very well, and I find the sound quality to be very good - I think the fact that Bluetooth is a digital signal contributes to very good quality audio.

The only (minor) inconvenience is that I have to push the button on the BluBridge to turn it on so it connects to my phone when I get in the car.  Aside from that, I'm very happy with this device.

You can use this device with anything that has a 3.5mm stereo input jack, not just in the car.  It comes with a number of cables to allow you to connect it to things like the RCA plugs on the back of your home stereo, too.  That means you can pipe your phone's music into external speakers, the input on a home stereo, etc.  It has rechargeable batteries that last about 8 hours in continuous use.  

In my case, I leave it in the car so I plug it into my car to keep it charging anytime the car is running (I have a USB charging adapter that plugs into the 12v adapter in my car - the jack that we used to call the cigarette lighter in the olde days).

Oh - and by the way (on my car, at least) I can still take calls over the Bluetooth handsfree gizmo built into my car, since Bluetooth only classifies the BluBridge as a "Media Device" so the phone still sends phone calls to my car.  When the call comes in, the music pauses, then starts up again when the call hangs up.

Solution 2: Stop the whining noise when your phone is plugged into the charger

Initially, when I had my phone connected to the Aux jack with wires, I got whining over the speakers any time my phone was plugged into the charger.  Apparently, this is engine / alternator noise that bleeds through.

When I switched to the BluBridge it didn't matter if my phone was plugged in, but I still got that same whining anytime the BluBridge was plugged into the cigarette lighter to charge.

For both of these cases, the solution to getting rid of the whine is pretty easy - I bought a device called a "PAC Ground Loop Isolator for 3.5 MM Applications," which is an inline noise filter.  You plug your audio source into one end of this device, then connect the other end into your Aux jack and the whining noise magically disappears.  OK, so it's science, not magic, but the sound is still gone.

If you have either or both of these challenges in your car audio life, I recommend these solutions - I'm very pleased with them.  Now I can listen to my music, or catch up on podcasts during my drive time.

Oh - the phone? I love the Samsung Galaxy S III, as well.  The iPhone was great, but I found the screen to be too small for me (I have large hands) and I like the big, bright AMOLED screen.  It's also fun to tinker with Android.

A compact keyboard case for your iPad

In previous posts, I've written about the ZaggFolio keyboard for my iPad and how much I loved to use it with Evernote.  That keyboard totally changed how I used my iPad, and made it very easy for me to take notes and increase my productivity on my iPad.

A successful quest for less travel weight and bulk

Recently, I began to look for ways to lighten the weight of my laptop bag, and the ZaggFolio eventually became a target - it was a little bulky and thick compared to my MacBook Air.  A month or so ago, I discovered a new, lighter keyboard for the iPad called the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, which is made for the iPad 2 and the New iPad (aka "iPad 3").

The Logitech Ultrathin is a bluetooth keyboard like the ZaggFolio, and has a similar key layout.  However, instead of a vinyl case, this one attaches directly to the magnetic apparatus used to attach the Apple SmartCover.  As you can see in the picture below, the Logitech Ultrathin goes very well with the iPad and has a similar snap and powdered aluminum finish.  The magnetic hinge along the size of the keyboard holds the keyboard to the iPad very well but still makes it easy to remove the iPad so you can place it in the keyboard for use (see the other picture, on the right).

The good stuff

There is a lot to like about this keyboard.  Here are some examples:

This keyboard is slightly smaller than a "normal" desktop keyboard, but I find that you get used to it in a few minutes with no trouble.  As a touch typist, the adjustment was pretty quick and painless.

The battery life is very good, as well - I used it for nearly a month of pretty heavy use without having to recharge the keyboard (you can use any microUSB cable for this - one is included with the keyboard, as well).

There are a number of shortcut keys built into the keyboard to give you quick access to iPad functions like Search, Safari, cut, copy, paste, volume controls, play / pause, etc.  You have to press the "fn" (Function) key to access these.

While in use, the keyboard is very stable - one thing I like about the design is that the little "trough" you use to prop up the keyboard has some magnets in it to hold the iPad in place so you can move it around, type on your lap, etc. without having to worry that the iPad will fall off the keyboard.

You can "dock" the iPad in either portrait or landscape mode, depending on the best orientation for the app you're using.

The keyboard has magnets built into it that automatically turn off the iPad's screen when you close it (the same way Apple's SmartCover does).

Stuff to be aware of

While I am very happy with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard for iPad, it isn't perfect.  Here are some things you should know:

The shiny finish on the inside of the keyboard is a fingerprint magnet (not they keys themselves - they are a matte finish).  Doesn't bother me, but it comes with a microfibre cloth to wipe them off it the fingerprints bother you.

When it's closed, this keyboard will protect the iPad screen from bumps, but it is not a protective case that will cushion the iPad if you drop it.  If that is what you need, the ZaggFolio is probably a better choice for you.  As for me, I (knock on wood) haven't ever dropped my iPad so I care more about protecting the back from scratches.  For that, I have a Zagg InvisibleShield cover on the back (it is clear, but makes the back a bit more "grippy" to make it easier to hold on to the iPad while I carry it).  I don't have any kind of shield on the Logitech keyboard, though.

A couple of thoughts in closing

If you have an iPad and you take a lot of notes or want to work on the go, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover deserves serious consideration.  It is such a productivity booster (at least for me).

One comment I get from time to time is, "You have a MacBook Air - why don't you just use it instead of this contraption?"  There are a couple of key reasons:

1. Battery life:  I can use my iPad in meetings all day and never even come close to running out of juice.  My MacBook Air lasts a long time, but not as long as my iPad.
2. Focus:  While I can task switch on the iPad, I can't really multitask.  On my laptop, I start off with the best intentions and open Evernote to take notes.  Then, suddenly, in a moment of weakness I find myself in a web browser, or in email, or on Twitter, or…  On the iPad, I can switch to another app, but it takes more effort and forethought.  The fullscreen nature of the iPad helps keep me more focused.

MacBook Air field guide: privacy and safety

A couple of months ago, I switched to using an Apple MacBook Air as my primary system and I really like it (I have the 13" version, and was moving from the a MacBook Pro).  The Macbook Air is a very small, light computer with great battery life and a very nice screen.

Since this switch has driven a few changes in some of my accompanying accessories, I thought I'd share some of the accessories I've found that I really like.

Note:  All of the items below are available for other computers - if you don't use a MacBook Air, simply click one of the links below and adjust the search to find one for your computer.

I like my privacy

I spend a lot of time on airplanes, as well as working with my computer in public spaces.  For years, I've been a big fan of 3M's privacy filters to keep curious eyes out of my business.  When I first switched to the MacBook Air, I ordered one of the 3M privacy filters, but I wasn't happy - the filter fit just fine, but I got this strange moiré pattern on the screen and couldn't stand it, so I ended up returning the filter.  I don't like to travel with a "naked" screen, so I continued to do research on this.   

I found that 3M makes a specific model number that works with the MacBook Air, as these computers have a higher-res screen than normal notebook computers, and they need a special filter to prevent screen distortion.  I ordered one of these higher-resolution filters and I really love it.  I also moved from the standard, grey-toned privacy filters I've always used to the newer, gold-toned privacy filter and I think I like the gold ones better.

If you have a MacBook Air, the correct privacy filter will include "…MA…" in the model number - those are the ones specifically for the MacBook Air.  You can find the 3M Gold Privacy Filter for the MacBook Air (GPFMA13 for 13" computers, and GPFMA11 for 11" computers) on Amazon.  You can also get it in the "normal" grey-tone filter if you don't want the shiny gold effect (PFMA13 for 13" computers, and PFMA11 for 11" computers).

If you haven't seen these in action before, they do a great job of limiting the opportunity to shoulder surf while you're working on your computer.  If you look at the computer screen straight-on, you see a normal screen, but as you move to the side, the image becomes unreadable.  Be aware- you will have to turn up your brightness a notch or two while using these, as they do absorb some of the light, but I think it is worth it.  You can easily remove the screen if you want to allow others to see what is on the screen.

I like to protect my screen

One of the unfortunate drawbacks of using these privacy filters is that they add a bit of thickness to the screen, which can make the screen rub against the keyboard.  Over time, this can cause a key-shaped abrasion pattern on the privacy filter, with a buildup of scratches up over time.  

To prevent this, I've always used RadTech's Screensaverz - microfiber screen protection cloths.  Not only do they prevent abrasion between the keys and the screen, they also prevent the transfer of finger oil (from the keyboard to the screen), and they double as cleaning cloths.

This is another area where a MacBook Air-specific version of the product makes a big difference.  I tried to repurpose my RadTech Screensavrz cloth from my previous computer, but it was too thick for the MacBook Air and prevented the screen from closing fully.  You can order the RadTech Screensavrz from Amazon, as well - I got the "Indigo" version.

And, I like to protect the computer itself

One of the main draws for a MacBook Air is its light weight.  I decided to try another RadTech product to help protect the computer as I carry it around:  RadTech Radsleevz (yeah, I know - funky spelling…) in matching Indigo.  Man, was this a good choice.  These are extremely thin, and make it easy to hold on to my computer while I carry it around.  It is form-fitting for the computer, and adds almost zero bulk to my MacBook Air.  That means I can stick it in my bag without taking a lot of room, and its TSA-friendly design means I just drop it in the bin in the interrogation line at the airport.

So, if you're a MacBook Air user like me, I hope this gives you a few ideas on how to travel light while protecting your privacy, your screen, and the pretty silver case of your computer.