Tag Archive for Mobile device

| November 26, 2024
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Germs Infest 60% of Americas Phones

Germs Infest 60% of Americas PhonesWe all know that screen time and blue light can affect the quality and quantity of our sleep.  Another reason your mobile will keep you up all night is germs.  A UK survey revealed that  60% of Americans sleep with their phones each night, equivalent to 199.1 million people.  Seventy-four percent of the survey participants had to have their devices in bed.  However, experts have warned that doing so brings millions of unwanted bacteria into your bedroom and all over your bedding.

More germs than a toilet

Phones tend to go everywhere their owners do.  They carry more germs than a toilet.  The average user touches their phones over 2,600 times daily, making them very unhygienic.

phones leave cockroach feces on our handsPseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacteria found on smartphones and watches.  Cockroach poop also contains Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  That means our phones leave cockroach feces on our hands when we scroll and on our faces when we make calls.  The bacteria can infect humans, particularly those who are immunocompromised.  Regularly cleaning your phone is the best way to eliminate cockroach deposits.

Sadly, the survey by MattressNextDay found that 51 percent of people never clean their smartphones.  A further 10% said they only cleaned their phone once a year. This allows cockroach poop to accumulate on our phones, which we take to bed and hold against our faces. 

Sleeping with the germs

The researchers say that sleeping with your phone in a warm environment like a bed can provide the ideal conditions for bacteria to breed.  Martin Sealey, CEO of MattressNextDay, explained, “Remember, your bed should be a sanctuary for rest, not a petri dish for potentially harmful bacteria.”

How to fight back

How to fight backTo avoid this, experts recommend cleaning your phone regularly with a UV sanitizer or an alcohol wipe that is safe for use on electronics.  Correctly cleaning your smartphone is essential to keep it germ-free and functioning well.  Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1.  Review manufacturer documentation: Confirm it is safe to clean your smartphone.
  2. Turn off and unplug your phone: This ensures safety and prevents accidental inputs.
  3. Wash your hands: Use soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
  4. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth: Gently wipe down the outside of your phone, including the screen.
  5. Dampen the cloth if needed.  For a deeper clean, use distilled water, but avoid getting moisture in any openings.
  6. Avoid harmful products: Do not use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners.
  7. Optional UV sanitizer: For a deeper clean, use a UV sanitizer like PhoneSoap to kill germs.

In addition, if you sleep with your phone in your bed or underneath your pillow, experts recommend washing pillowcases twice a week and other bedding regularly.

 

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Ralph Bach has been in IT for a while and has blogged from the Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that has caught my attention since 2005.  You can follow me on Facebook or Mastodon.  Email the Bach Seat here.

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| January 26, 2021
Comments Off on Data Privacy Day 2021

Data Privacy Day 2021

Data Privacy Day 2021Data Privacy Day in the U.S. is January 28, 2021. It is an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. 

Why is Data Privacy Day important?

In this era with the rapid advancement in technology, having relevant data is the key to the success of any organization.  Almost every organization is collecting and combining the data in order to put the right content, in front of the right person, at the right time, and on the right platform. 

Why is Data Privacy Day important?The data is collected from the users or customers who submit their personal information trusting the firm will keep the data private. Users provide their personal information to the companies with the trust of receiving a better service and with the trust that their data is private, safe, and secure. But when the goes into the wrong hands and data privacy fails, bad things can happen. Data breaches result in cyber-criminals misusing user information for scams and identity theft. That is why everyone needs to “Own Your Their Data Privacy.” Here are resources to help you “Own Your Data Privacy.”

Update your Privacy Settings

Your purchase history, IP address, location, etc., has value – just like money. (How else does Mark Zuckerberg make his $100 billons?) Make informed data privacy decisions about sharing your data with companies. Consider the amount of personal information you are giving up and weigh it against the benefits you may receive. Use these resources provided by the National CyberSecurity Alliance (NCSA) to update your privacy settings on popular devices and online services.

Keep tabs on your apps

Keep tabs on your appsMany apps ask for access to personal information, like geographic location, contacts list, or photo album, before you can use their services. Be wary of apps that require access to information that is not required or relevant for the services they are offering. Use these tips from the Data Detox Kit, to protect your data privacy. Keep your apps up to date. Delete unused apps on your devices.

Manager your passwords!

You don’t need to be overwhelmed by all your log-ins and passwords. Use a password manager to keep your data private and track your strong passwords. Add an extra layer of protection by activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) whenever it is available. With 2FA, even if a cybercriminal steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account.

Take action!

  • Make sure your computer is free from known viruses, spyware, and discover if your computer is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Use these Free Security Check-Up resources from NCSA to protect your data privacy.
  • Check your online safety know-how with a privacy and security quiz. Get started with the National Privacy Test and Google Phishing Quiz. To measure how good you are at protecting your privacy.
  • Join the National Cyber Security Alliance – and LinkedIn on January 28, 9 a.m. for the signature video conference event Data Privacy in an Era of Change. It gathers data privacy experts from industry, government, academia, and non-profit for keynotes, panels, and discussions on current topics in data privacy – Register here.
  • Show your support for Data Privacy Day by using one of the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ official Data Privacy Day virtual backgrounds for video collaborations.

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Data Privacy Day reminds us of the value of our data and the rights for data transparency. It is the day that tells us to re-evaluate and identify the flaws in how we have been collecting, sharing, and using the data. The day persuades us to find a way to patch the loopholes so that our valuable data do not get tampered with malicious malware, misused, or lost.

 

Stay safe out there!

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| December 31, 2020
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10 Step 2020 Detox

10 Step 2020 DetoxI think we can all agree that 2020 sucked. Covid-19, Trump, COVID deniers, a plummeting economy, TP hoarding, Australia burning, U.S. wildfires, police shootings, civil unrest, anti-maskers, a derecho, murder hornets, 5,000 pets killed, and the fly. Now that 2021 is here it is time to detox from 2020. Here are some steps to take the help you welcome 2021.

Write it down – Review the events of 2020 the good, the bad, and the ugly. Write the highlights and the lowlights down on a piece of paper. Identifying the good as well as the bad brings them all to mind.

Let go – Let go of the good and bad with a fire ceremony. If you can, give thanks first. Summarize the challenges and then burn the lists. Or if you live in NYC the Times Square Alliance offers an industrial-strength shredder to detox the unpleasant 2020 reminders are printed and shredded.

industrial-strength shredder to detox the unpleasant 2020 remindersHome Cleansing – You may need a little extra help getting the 2020 bad juju out of your home. In Feng Shui, clearing is healing. So, cleansing our spaces is important to replace old or stagnant energy with positive and new energy. Cleansing will impact your physical and mental well-being activating the positive feelings and emotions we are looking for in 2021. Practitioners of Feng Shui believe clearing the energies at home brings peace, and connects you with your home so that together you can achieve your 2021 goals. New energies support and nurture each person who lives and spends time at home.

How to perform a 2020 cleansing

Step 1: Open the windows to allow the energy to move freely.

Step 2: Start the cleansing process from the back of the house to the front. Light a sage bundle and start walking from the back of each room to the front. Walk around the room covering as much of Light a sage bundleit as you can. Using a hand fan, waft the sage smoke into the corners of the room up to the ceiling. Make sure to go into every room as you move from the back of the house to the front. When you’ve reached the front, walk out the door and smudge sage around the door and frame.

Step 3: Sounds also clear up energies. Ring a bell to remove stagnant energy behind furniture, under the bed, and hidden spaces.

Digital detox – Technology dominates the way we live our lives. It is not hard to see how people are unable to go a few hours without using their phone or tablet. On average, a person in the US spends almost 5.4 hours on their smartphone while kids and teenagers spend 5.7 hours. A typical user taps, touches, or swipes their spends almost 5.4 hours on their smartphonephone a staggering 2,617 times per day. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania recently published research linking the use of social media sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram to decreased well-being. The results revealed that limiting social media use decreased symptoms of depression and loneliness. A digital detox is a way to stop being so dependent on technology, taking steps to cut out how often you check your phone or use it. Here are some key ways to detox yourself from your tech.

Step 1: Turn off push notifications – Turning off push notifications cut-down how frequently people check their phone. You won’t receive notifications from apps. Cutting out some parts of social media at the start of the detox can be crucial later when you only allow yourself certain times to check social media sites.

Invest in an alarm clockStep 2: Invest in an alarm clock– Most people use their mobile phone as their morning alarm. They have their phones in the bedroom with them every night. How many times do you check your phone through the night? Scrolling through Instagram at 3 am rather than getting 40 winks, is surely not the best way to spend the early hours of the morning.

Step 3: Delete social media apps – Uninstall the apps that you check most. Only check your favorite site from another device, or in a web browser. Schedule social media time that suits you, and stick to the schedule to cut down on how often you use them.

Step 4: Make your phone screen grayscale – Many phones offer the choice to have a color screen or not. Set it to grayscale. Colors can make you more likely to check apps and look at your phone. Sites purposely use blues in their design because the color communicates trust. Blue light is used to boost attention and moods. At night they can lead to lack of sleep and even bad skin. As simple as it sounds, switching your phone to black and white can stop you from using it so often!

Step 5: Designate phone-free times during the day – Start with one hour a day, at mealtime or before bed. Leave your device somewhere instead of carrying it around. Or turn it off. The more time you spend away from your device, the more likely it is that you will stop depending on it. There are simple ways around not using your phone for tasks like checking the time.

Welcome 2021

 

Stay safe out there!

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

Category: Holidays | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| May 5, 2017
Comments Off on Over Half the World Connected to the Internet

Over Half the World Connected to the Internet

Over Half the World Connected to the InternetNew statistics show that over half of the world’s population is now using the Internet. The 2017 Q2 Global Digital Snapshot Report on social media and digital trends released by Hootsuite, a social media management platform, and We Are Social, a social media agency, found that more than 3.8 billion people around the world now use the internet. This means that global internet penetration is 51%. The report’s author flips the number and points out that people who don’t use the Internet are now in the minority.

How are these people getting online? The report says that the total number of unique mobile users now stands at 4.96 billion. The use of a mobile phone is now ‘normal’ around the world. Almost 66% of the entire global population regularly uses a mobile phone. More and more of these users now own a smartphone too, and the latest data suggest that more than half of the world’s population now uses one of these powerful devices.

2017 Global Digital Snapshot

2017 Global Digital Snapshot Report by Hootsuite

The rapid spread of smartphones has led to significant growth in the number of mobile internet users. The number of people around the world accessing the internet via mobile reached almost 3.4 billion during early April 2017 according to the author.

Additionally, 93% of all internet users now go online via mobile devices (phones or tablets), and with the majority of new internet users now ‘phone first’, mobile’s share is likely to increase even more.

With all of this increased access, We are Social, writes that global social media users total to more than 2.9 billion users. This means that social media users are still increasing at a rate of more than 1 million per day – that’s 14 new users every second.

2017 Internet use

2017 Global Digital Snapshot Report by Hootsuite

The article observes that mobile social media continues to see the fastest growth across all our key data points. In the past 3 months, mobile social media users grew by more than 1.6 million new users every day. The total number of people around the world accessing social media via mobile devices now stands at just under 2.7 billion, representing global penetration of 36%.

Where do all of these mobile social media users go? Of course, they go to Facebook (FB). The research says that Facebook dominates the social media world. The latest data suggests that the world’s favorite social platform adds more than a million new users every day.

Facebook usage 2017

2017 Global Digital Snapshot Report by Hootsuite

Asia is the center of Facebook’s growth. Much of that growth came from India. With almost 250,000 new users in the country every day, the author speculates there’s a good chance that India will overtake the US to become Facebook’s most active market by July 2017.  Bangkok is Facebook’s most active city, with roughly 30 million people in Thailand’s capital using the platform.

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It should be obvious to any marketer that firms need to remake their customer engagement plans and implement real-time interaction with their customers. Simon Kemp, We Are Social said.

“Half of the world’s population is now online, which is a testament to the speed with which digital connectivity is helping to improve people’s lives … Given this latest data, it’s probably time for us to stop referring to social as new media, and integrate it more seamlessly into our day-to-day activities.”

I think Mr. Kemp is too optimistic when he says that “digital connectivity is helping to improve people’s lives.” Followers of the Bach Seat know that too much social media is bad for you.

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| June 16, 2015
Comments Off on Michigan Cell-Phone Spying Legislation Stalled

Michigan Cell-Phone Spying Legislation Stalled

Michigan Cell-Phone Spying Legislation StalledA warrantless cell-phone spying bill recently introduced in the Michigan House has stalled – for now. MLive is reporting that House Bill 4006 has been pulled from the legislative agenda a second time. The bill would require cell phone companies to disclose call location information when requested by a law enforcement officer. The bill would grant legal immunity to cell phone companies for making the disclosures.

Michigan Cell-Phone Spying Legislation StalledIn a flash of rationality, Gideon D’Assandro, a spokesperson for the Republican majority, said new questions about jurisdiction and proposed immunity for wireless providers have popped up. D’Assandro told MLive, “… There are still questions.”

The legislation, sponsored by Republican Rep. Kurt Heise of Plymouth Township, has prompted push back from some conservative lawmakers and other privacy proponents in the state Legislature after advancing out of committee. “It’s been a heated discussion, a passionate discussion, just about the civil liberty issues that are all wrapped up in this,” said Rep. Cindy Gamrat, R-Plainwell. “My concern is … we’re setting precedent authorizing government to access our technology devices, such as phones or computers or GPS in cars. Where do you end up drawing the line?”

Cell-phone spyingState Rep. Todd Courser, R-Lapeer, said he understands the value that location information could provide in some emergencies. However, made clear this week that he could not vote for the bill in its current form. He told MLive, “I think we also need to make sure we’re giving people the constitutional protections that are supposed to be afforded by our founding fathers.”

In typical goobermental double-speak, Republican Heise told MLive that allowing warrantless access to private citizens’ phones could actually strengthen civil liberty protections. Heise told MLive said he does not necessarily think that a 48-hour notification for cell phone owners is warranted.

SpyOf course, law enforcement groups and Verizon Communications indicated support for the proposal. Of course they do, they get even more access to citizens’ private information. MLive states that as now written, the snooping does not require a warrant. All a police officer needs to access a private citizen’s phone records, is to have a note signed by a supervisor.

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Well, maybe they don’t need to bother with any legislation to spy on us. Recent reports are that the goobermint has new ways to collect our personal data without a warrant. Stingray? FBI Spy planes? So much for the Constitution.

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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