Since I work in the area of Information Technology, one of my activities is to help people resolve computer issues.
If an issue cannot be resolved over the phone or remote desktop support, I get the opportunity to stretch my little legs and walk over to someone’s desk for a personal look, poke and click.
Within my volunteer work and circles of friends, I am often asked for advice on web site hosting, email oddities and “How do I set up a Facebook page?”. Even with their offers of lunch or dinner in their homes, I just don’t have the time or energy for personal attention. If I had reliable transportation, I suppose I could offer this as a paid service. Seems like there’s plenty of opportunity around Ottawa.
The following list will provide information for free computer training in the Ottawa area – and mostly geared towards the fairer sex:
I’m pretty sure that with any of these free, basic programs, they teach you to keep passwords as confidential information and not to share with others. You never know who will drop by your desk with a camera… [Sophos – Prince Harry RCAF].
I would hope that trainers also advise NOT to write passwords on a postit and slap it on or near the computer. I’m pretty sure they would also advise people NOT to use their child’s name, spouse’s name OR to use the same password for different online services. These are tips I provide repeatedly as part of personal and professional security awareness.
It’s one thing to get on a computer, on the web and many services available. It’s another to protect your online security especially with the use of secure passwords. Personally, I would not trust an online service that offers to rate the security level of a password that you can type into a form offered on their web page. Ummm, no thank you!
Unfortunately, it seems that no matter how security conscious you are, some online services you use have flawed password recovery programs and identity check processes. It happened to this tech savvy guy and he wrote an article about it.
Geneva Tabby snooping around old Mac
Even sneaky Geneva Tabby knows it’s silly to leave password information in one’s work area. Perhaps all she was only looking for was a tasty mouse.
Safe computing, all.
Shewrite63 