Newsletter Archives

• Don’t patch while traveling

  Posted on June 17, 2024 at 02:41 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Recently, a Plus member asked whether they should patch before leaving for vacation or could patch while on vacation.

  Then a coworker let me know about their own imminent multiweek vacation and wanted to know the same thing.

  Both requests reminded me of my stance on updating machines right before, during, or just after travel. Don’t.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.25.0, 2024-06-17).

  Patch Watch AuthLite, Azure, CVE-2024-30078, CVE-2024-30103, KB5002600, KB5039211, KB5039212, KB5039214, KB5039217, KB5039227, Master Patch List, Newsletters, NTLM, Patch Lady Posts, Travel

• More Microsoft Rewards tips and tricks

  Posted on August 14, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Mary Branscombe • Comment in the Forums

  MICROSOFT

  

  By Mary Branscombe

  You can earn points by playing games on Xbox — even if you don’t have a Game Pass subscription — or even by learning about new games!

  Last week, I looked at all the ways you can earn daily and weekly Microsoft Rewards points by using the Bing search engine and the Edge browser. But if you have access to an Xbox, you can earn significantly more points, even if you’re not a regular gamer.

  The number of apps involved depends on where you live and how much you travel, because the Rewards program has become attractive enough to exploit.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.33.0, 2023-08-14).

  Microsoft Bing, Edge, Loyalty Programs, Microsoft, Newsletters, Rewards, Travel, Windows, Xbox

• My day on jury duty

  Posted on July 31, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  The last time I was called upon to perform my fundamental American civic duty was years ago. It hasn’t changed much, except for technology.

  There were bar codes, large displays that broadcast PowerPoint slides, and a YouTube video that explained jury service. That video went so far as to explain who sat where in the courtroom. (I thought that was obvious, but apparently I have watched way too many Perry Mason episodes.)

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.31.0, 2023-07-31).

  On Security Android, iPhone, Lockdown Mode, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Routers, Travel, Wi-Fi

• Traveling with security

  Posted on July 10, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  With the past few terrible years behind us, more and more people are beginning to travel again.

  But modern traveling raises technology questions. What to take, how to connect securely to the Internet, and how to do it affordably? Those roaming charges can be expensive!

  Here are some tips for those returning to the road, along with a bit of travel advice.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.28.0, 2023-07-10).

  On Security Currency, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Travel, VPN

• Batteries so powerful they do everything but fly

  Posted on February 15, 2021 at 01:10 CST by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  Batteries so powerful they do everything but fly

  By Brian Livingston

  There are times when I’m power-mad — I just want the biggest battery available to power my laptop, my phone, and heck, maybe a cup warmer for my coffee, too.

  I’m not going to drag around a cart with a propane generator just so I can compute. Fortunately, power banks that can double or triple the life of a laptop are now affordable and light enough to carry around in a shoulder bag or backpack.

  But what about airplanes?

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.6.0 (2021-02-15).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Public Defender AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Batteries, Power, Public Defender, Travel