Month: November 2008

Secure your Google Mail

Posted by Shane – November 10, 2008

Keeping your email secure is probably the single most important aspect of your online life. Every web-based service that you use, more than likely, will send allow you to reset your password using your email. Imagine if someone was able to access your email, they would be able to reset the passwords for your bank, cell phone, water bill, etc…

To help thwart would be attackers take a few moments to ensure that your Google Mail is secure (the same goes if you aren’t using Google Mail).

  • Google now has a feature that forces the use of HTTPS when accessing Google Mail
    1. Login to Google Mail
    2. Click on “Settings”
    3. Select “Always use https” in the “Browser Connection” section
    4. Save changes, log out and back in
    5. Verify that you are using a secure site (there should be a lock icon next to the URL)
  • Use a strong password that is unique from your other services
  • Do not provide access to your email to any 3rd party (no Facebook, MySpace, or LinkedIn). While it may be convenient to have these sites look through your contacts, it is like handing them the keys to your kingdom

If you follow these simple steps, you will make it much more difficult for people to hack into your email.

High Speed Trains

Posted by Shane – November 7, 2008

We Californians just passed Proposition 1A which provides funding to build a high-speed rail network throughout California! There is some information on the rail system at http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/. I can’t wait for this to happen. I think that the outdated system of freeways and the current lack of viable public transportation is a terrible thing. Finally we can catch up to where we should have been 20 years ago.

Democracy delivers

Posted by Shane – November 5, 2008

Record voter turnout, relatively accurate elections and a Presidential race that was tempered with respect and fairness (for the most part). I am pleased with the outcome and hopeful for our future.

I was impressed with Senator McCain’s conciliatory speech. Had he ran his campaign in the same manner, the outcome may have been different. He spoke well and truly seemed sincere in his support of his new President Elect.

President Elect Obama’s speech was, as I have come to expect, nothing short of eloquent and moving. His unrivaled ability to motivate people to better themselves and their community is most welcome.

I read an interesting article on Time.com with statements from a variety of foreign leaders and prominent members of foreign society that reflects the hope that the entire world shares for Barack Obama.