Securing Your Web Browser Passwords

Having passwords automatically saved and filled in makes things MUCH simpler, especially for those who have multiple accounts, referencing multiple passwords. Of course we have all sat through the corporate PowerPoints on password security, and have all had that geeky nephew who hacked onto a neighbors internet just by knowing the name of their dog (another bad password). So beyond not making passwords really obvious, or even writing them on a post-it…did you ever consider how those passwords in your browser are stored? Unfortunately, they are much less secure than you probably thought…try this: If you are using Firefox on Windows, go to “Tools:Options” and an options dialoge window will appear. (If you’re on a OSX, same thing, just “FireFox:Preferences” from the Apple Menu Bar) From there, select the Security Tab along the top.

Notice the button that says “Saved Passwords”? If you click on this button, all of the accounts for which you have saved passwords will appear. From that dialogue, you can even click the “Show Passwords” button to reveal ALL of your saved passwords, for ALL of your accounts!

Crazy right? If its that easy to see these makes you think twice about storing your passwords, especially if there is the possibility of having anyone else use this machine! Not all is lost…notice however that there is whats called a Master Password. A Master Password is used to protect sensitive data like site passwords. If you create a Master Password, you will be asked to enter it once per session when Firefox retrieves saved information protected by that password. This way, YES, Firefox can store your passwords, and you dont have to worry so much about them being available in plain view. As a general rule of thumb, I would also caution you on storing bank passwords, and anything related to your SSN on any browser storage. If you are REALLY interested in taking password security to the next level, I would look at something like KeePass; a free password management tool that will encrypt your passwords for you, and even allow you to set up keyfiles that must be used to unlock the password “safe”.

In Summary, use a strong Master Password that you can remember so Firefox will protect your passwords, and feel more comfortable about the way your browser stores and uses your passwords.

Keeping the BP Disaster in Perspective

I was watching the news recently, listening to several stations continue to report on the BP oil-spill-disaster, showing countless pictures of oil covered critters, and diagrams with plums of oil filling up most of the gulf. Reporters over and over indicated that this event was the worst industrial disaster the world had ever seen. Reactions from many have been to consider boycotting BP filling stations, and donating money/time to the efforts to cleanup the animals, and the coast affected by the tragedy. Enraged by the greed of BP Execs and many engineers who “overlooked” certain warning signs focusing on a bottom line profit, many are calling for the BP execs to be tried in court, and held responsible for their actions. But is this really the worst case of greed and negligence the world has ever seen? Are these BP teams who are seeking profit really guilty of the worst case of disaster capitalism the world has seen?

In December of 1984 a Union Carbide (now owned by Dow Chemical) pesticide plant exploded in Bhopal killing over 5,000 people, and leaving over 120,000 others with a need for lifelong care. After the disaster, Union Carbide settled with the Indian government for $470 million….$350 million of which was the insurance sum…meaning that most of the victims got less than $1000 dollars each. When Dow purchased Union Carbide in 2001, there was finally hope that victims from the Bhopal incident when Dow announced that it would promptly “compensate victims of Union Carbide’s past negligence”. Dow promptly paid over $2 billion to… 14 asbestos plaintiffs in Texas, doing nothing for the victims who were continuing to suffer in Bhopal. Worse still, some 25 years AFTER the incident, some 390 tons of toxic chemicals abandoned at the UC plant CONTINUE to leak into the groundwater of the region affecting thousands of residents that depend on it. Not only was the area not cleaned up, and not only were the victims not taken care of, but the incident has continued to affect generations beyond the explosion due to the lack of concern for taking care of the area.

The BP incident in the gulf is terrible. The beauty and wildlife of that region have been destroyed, and may likely be affected for several generations to come…but looking at the numbers from the explosion itself, of the 126 oil workers who were on board the BP oil rig… 11 people went missing, and an additional 8 were critically injured. So well say that 19 people were DIRECTLY affected from the explosion of the rig… that is .000152% of the number of people who were affected by what happened in Bhopal.

A valid argument would say that as of now, we cant tell definitely how many people may be impacted by eating fish from the contaminated area, or drinking water from that area in the gulf. Very true. It’s also very difficult to compare the disasters based on the value of human life alone, when so many animals, and so much of the ocean has been destroyed by this disaster. But this is also not the first time we have seen greed take precedence over the value of the environment, and especially over the value of human lives. I don’t write all of this to say, “Get over the BP thing” or to try to say it isn’t that bad. I hate that animals are getting sick, I hate that the once beautiful coastline is being destroyed, and I hate that oil continues to leak into the ocean. I am saying that I believe we need some perspective on what is going on here, and we need to recognize that we have the opportunity to do something about it. Daily we have the opportunity to cast our vote for corporate accountability, greed, and/or negligence. With every dollar you spend, you are casting your vote…buying from a company that has ethical standards, and supporting what they do. BP is obviously not the first company to ever cut corners to lower costs and increase profits at the cost of the environment and human lives. Many of the products we purchase every day are made in less than savory environments for people working for well under what we would consider a fair days wage.

Should BP be held accountable for what went on? Definitely, but hopefully this will also serve as a wakeup call that above huge profits, the preservation of human lives, and the care for the environment deserve a value on a company’s spreadsheet. So vote. Do your homework; try buying a product that might be slightly more expensive if you recognize that the company’s values are in line with your own. Don’t let BP off the hook, we can’t let this be another Bhopal…Encourage social and environmental responsibility with the way you spend your $$.

Life Through an iPhone

My family and friends often ask me about my traveling, and about my life since we live on opposite sides of the country. I have never been one to post lots of pictures, mainly because I have never really taken the time to label, and organize all of them. Anyway, in most all events within the last 1.5 years, I HAVE had my iPhone with me, and I have taken pictures on it. The following is 600+ photos of the last few years of my life. Now no one can say I wasnt showing any pictures

When Reason Runs Out

I have a particular pattern of reason that I apply to almost any decision or stressful situation. I’ve spent time analyzing that pattern, and seeing why it has often left me with the same result, even though I sometimes feel like it isn’t work. For example, not too long ago I bought a car. Anytime I intend to make a major purchase like this, I thoroughly evaluate all potential sides of the decision. Is this something I need? Will this be something that will last long? Is this the best price? What are my alternatives to spending this amount of money on this particular item? The list goes on.
After taking some time to ask those seemingly tedious questions, I start to seek the council of another. This sometimes comes in the form of a friend or family member, but can also be done researching online. What do people think about this product? What are the positives and negatives to ownership? What do those close to me think about my reasoning for buying this? Do they agree with me that this is a sound decision? And then more research.

When I feel like I have narrowed down my options, done my homework, and talked to people around me, that’s when I feel like I’m ready to kick the proverbial tires. In the example of a car, go take a look at it, maybe take it for a drive, even have a mechanic take a look at the vehicle for a more professional opinion. Once everything comes up ok, I make my decision and pray I did the right thing.

By most accounts, my reason and logic for making a decision seems well thought out. My steps seem clearly planned, there is plenty of room for those “red flags” both during research, and through the council of others that can always say “this is not a good idea”. What happens, however, when we take this approach in other areas of our life…like when things don’t exactly go our way?

Turns out I’m not the only one who hasn’t exactly gotten his way. The book for Job recants the story of a man name Job as his life is literally flipped upside down. The main reason the book is of interest though, is because of the dialogue between Job, his friends, and God. Backing up, in the beginning of Job, Job loses his servants, his land, his livestock, his camels, and all of his kids.  Job then is afflicted with painful sores covering his body. Towards the beginning of the story, Job sticks up for God, saying, “If we can accept the good from God, we have to be able to accept the bad”. As time passes, the book covers conversations had between Job and his three friends. In Job 10, Job begins to question God. “I will say to God: Do not condemn me, but tell me what charges you have against me.  Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?”

I can’t help but read that, and feel like I have been there. I haven’t lost everything I own, or had my entire family die, but we have all had those situations where we have to ask God why haven’t we? “God, why? Why did he/she die? Why this burden? Why this pain? Why don’t I feel like I am going to get through this? God I’m not sure I can make it.”

We come to that point of desperation, where we feel like things can’t possibly work out; we find ourselves at the end of ourselves. See, I DO apply the same methodology to my problems that I apply to my purchases.  I start off with those haunting questions that now turn inward, asking, “What’s this going to cost your life? How does this event impact YOUR plans? How could I have been prepared for this?” And just like with my purchase, I move straight into talking to people. “What’s your advice? Has this happened to you? Do you have any experience here? Any console for my situation?” We quickly find ourselves burdened by these seemingly overwhelming circumstances. Unable to make sense of it all; unable to answer the “why?” at the end of all reasoning.

In my pattern of decision making, notice I mentioned that I make the purchase, and “pray I did the right thing”. Seems to be how we approach problems too huh? When we can’t reason, when someone doesn’t have the quick answer, when the cancer has spread, when the child passes away, when the spouse is gone, we turn and ask “Why God?”

We don’t hear from God for a majority of the story in Job. In the beginning we hear about his dialogue with Satan, but after that God remains out of the picture until Chapter 38! When God answers, it’s interesting that He doesn’t directly reference Jobs troubles, or even the reason Job was suffering. Instead, he questions Job! Job 38:3 “Brace yourself like a man; I will questions you, and you shall answer me”. God proceed to pummel Job with questions that Job obviously has no answer for. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?”, “Do you give the horse its strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?”, “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?”. But what was God getting at?

Though he didn’t answer to Job’s pains directly, I think his message to Job was clear. This isn’t about YOU. This is MY story and you are playing a part in it. I am in control. To quote Donald Miller, from his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, “[God speaks] as though to say, Enjoy your place in my story. The beauty of it means YOU matter, and you can create within it, as I have created you.” The story of God’s redemption, and of his love, means that as his followers, we have the honor to play a roll in that story. Will there be plot twists, and things we don’t see coming? Without a doubt, but God reminds us in Hebrews 13:5-6 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”” God never promised us an untroubled life, but what he does give us is hope, and hope will not disappoint. Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

I don’t know where this hits you today, for me, it reminds me that my decision-making process needs some fine tuning. My reliance on God can’t just be an afterthought once my decision has been made or a last ditch effort when problems arise. May I seek first the Kingdom of God for wisdom and discernment in any situation, and may the results of my problems and decisions be reflectant of God in my life. May God give you comfort where you are, and may you seek him in your time of need.

New New Years Resolutions Pt 1

Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals…while at the end of the year only 12% had actually achieved their goals. That being said, most likely, you or someone close to you has already ditched their New Years resolution. Thus, I propose to not make resolutions until the middle-to-end of January. It gives me a good amount of time to feel things out, see where I want to take things this year, and see what other people have started failing miserably at.  This technique also allows me to dismiss myself from conversations dealing with topics like “What’s your resolution this year?” and “You know what you should try and do next year?” With this release from such conversations, I never end up looking like a failure statistic, and I never have to worry about anyone holding me accountable to my goals.  In addition, anything big I DO accomplish during the year sounds even better because it was IN ADDITION to normal yearly goals. I’m all about capitalizing on maximum success.  Keeping my goals a secret keeps things exciting for those around me, and never lets failures in my life receive much attention. Haha. That being said, I would like to share some very realistic, and very practical goals for the New Year.  The kind of stuff that is good to take a look at with fresh eyes in the beginning of any new year, and can serve as a great motivator for actually creating and knocking a few things off the ol’ list. Some of this stuff is coming from my list of “I’ll get to it eventually” some of it is coming from the Micah Smith-investments-in-future-success-list.

Backup/Cleanup Your Computer

I work in IT for a living, and many people ask why I don’t share more “tips & tricks” related to information technology on my blog…well to be honest, I do it all day, so writing about it afterwards has never been all that appealing. That said, I think that a clean computer is a happy computer. Many spyware/virus related issues can be quickly and easily solved with the use of virus protection. For that, I suggest AVG Free (http://www.avg.com/us-en/download) The AVG Free edition provides what I would consider above average virus protection, as well as a link scanner that will display in web search results indicating pages that may or may not be safe; Very helpful in keeping your computer clean. Unless you are downloading copious amounts of illegal materials, I would suggest that AVG is all the protection one would need. I recommend setting AVG to run once or twice per week at a set schedule so you know your computer is always protected. It will also automatically update itself with new virus definitions so you never have to worry about your protection being out of date.

In addition to clearing out viruses, I recommend weekly backups of your irreplaceable documents to an external hard drive. This external drive would be best of being stored in a fireproof box, that is then wrapped in Atom Bomb grade steel and then weekly duplicated to an offsite location just in case your home becomes the target of a mis-guided missile.  Joking aside, I do recommend backing things up to an external usb hard drive at a weekly basis. This way even if your computer takes a dump on you, the stuff that you REALLY need, will still be backed up someplace else.  Programs for the most part can always be re-installed, but self created resumes, pictures, and other personal files may not always be as easy to replace if not backed up. Because I am lazy, I don’t want to handle the backups myself, so I suggest letting that process be automated as well by using a free tool called SyncBack for Windows (http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/) You can set it up to run at specific intervals (again, the 1 to 2 times a week rule works well) and you choose exactly what folders to back up and where to throw them. Investing in a 500GB external drive is great for normal PC users because it has plenty of space to back EVERYTHING up. Set it to copy your entire “My Documents” directory and let it go. The first time it runs through, it will most likely take awhile copying all the files. I would just start it before bed, and let it go overnight. After the initial data transfer, all subsequent transfers should be pretty quick only copying over those newly created or newly updated files. On the OSX side of things, I would suggest buying an Iomega external drive as they come with EMC’s Retrospect software (which is great for backing things up), or possibly looking at purchasing the Super Flexible File Synchronizer (http://www.superflexible.com/mac.htm). It offers similar functionality to that of Syncback, but however does carry a cost for the software. Optionally if you are on a newer flavor of OSX, you could try using Time Machine to back up your entire system, however I have for the most part found this to be slight overkill for me.

I don’t like to be overwhelmed with tasks, and neither does anyone else. I will be adding to my list of “New New Resolutions” in the next coming weeks leading up to the end of February where it just becomes too late to create new resolutions. Start the New Year off right by making sure to clean up/back up your computer, because remember: A clean computer is a happy computer.

It’s not all bad

The economy sucks, the job market is terrible, and the outlook for the future at times seems bleak. At times like this, it seems like it would be easy to become selfish, and get down. It seems like everyday a new company is announcing layoffs, life kinda sucks at times. Even those who have not been laid off show up to work everyday worried their number is the next to be called. That being said, I recently took a business trip to Cleveland, OH. While on the way to Cleveland, I read an article about Lebron James in GQ magazine that talked about the local economy, and James’s impact on the city. Like many other cities, according to thr article, Cleveland has been the victim of a struggling economy. Either way, while there, I made time to go see a Cavs game. Maybe it’s the fact that I really like basketball, maybe it’s the fact that I like feeling really depressed comparing myself to someone my same age (Lebron) who has become imensly successive, or maybe it’s just because it was a snow storm and there was nothing else going on. Anyway, I scalped tickets and enjoyed the game, but left not really thinking about basketball or how much money Lebron just got for ~35 min of work. See right at the end of the game, they did this promo thing where they were shooting out/throwing mini basketballs. I’m sure they cost the organization all of $.10 a piece, but when you are a little kid, catching something like that is a big deal. When the guy started throwing the balls in my section, he would run back and forth, acting like he couldn’t hear who was cheering loudest, then toss a few balls. There were three little kids sitting in front of me with their parents, and all wearing different variations of a Cavs home/away/throwback Jersey. As I watched this guy running around tossing balls, I noticed that the two of the three kids in front of me caught balls and were really excited. The littlest one cheered even louder after he saw how happy his brothers were with their newly caught sovieniers. Pretty soon, the guy tossing out the balls threw the last one deep into the section behind us, and ran back into the tunnel. The little guy in front of me put is head down, and just stood there. Both of his parent put their arms around him consoling him after his relatively crushing dissapointment. As he started sitting down, still keeping his head down, I see this guy from 2 sections over running across the aisle towards the kid. Not a Cavs guy, but just another attendee of the game. He jumps over a few seats, hands the little kid his ball that he just caught, and ran back to his seat. I’ve never seen a little kid so excited to be like his brothers and so excited to get something so small. He started jumping up and down, waving his ball in the air like it was the best thing in the world. He obviosuly had his night made all because some random guy was looking for an opportunity to make someone elses evening better. He wasn’t looking for an applause, money from the kids dad, or even any recognition. He was just watching what was going on, and wanted to do something to make it better.

We don’t have to settle. Sure it’s easy to get down hearing about the greed of some and the layoffs of many, but we don’t have to let things like that control us. Be the change you wish to see in the world and you will see the world change.

Just My Luck

I have had that kind of week…and it’s only Tuesday. You know that week where pretty much anything that could go wrong actually does. Then even the stuff you didn’t think could to wrong does as well. After getting in an accident on my motorcycle last week, I figured there was no where to go but up…how wrong I was. Not only was my laptop stolen only days later from an airport security blunder of the TSA (see previous and continued blog entries) but my rental car reservation ended up only being for one day, rather than 5 like I had intended. Ohhh San Jose, you tricky mistress. Last night I hit rock bottom (or so I hope). I had a long day of training in Santa Clara, and the only thing I was looking forward to was climbing into the hotel hot tub for a little r&r.
The mood was set, the air was cool, the sky was clear; a perfect night for a nice trip to the hot tub. As I kick of my sandals and take off my shirt, I walk over to press the button to start the jets and let the fun begin…then I press the button again, then a little harder, then a little longer. No jets. It’s ok though, I won’t let that ruin my night, I’ll just enjoy the semi warm water and try to think of bubbles or get a straw to blow some or something. I get in, only to get out 5 min later to try the button again, no luck, so I get back in for a final 5 minutes of bath like water. As soon as I climb out of the hot tub, I begin to dry off my legs and of course, the jets start on their own, randomly. It couldnt have happened any worse for me, but i press on. Just when it seems like life couldn’t get much worse, tonight I sit and eat gellato across the street and it seems life has once again shined it’s light on me…maybe all is not lost….they have apple pie flavor. (bottom right in the photo)

Airport Security pt 1

Thank you to the guy in the red shirt, white winter hat, and black basketball shorts for stealing my laptop from the airport security checkpoint in the San Diego airport. You came through security with no laptop, yet you left with mine. I’m at a loss for words. What should be a very secure place has been taken advantage of by the scum of the earth. After cutting everyone in line, you just HAD to steal my laptop. Nice one two punch. Thanks for that. Now I write from my phone (which luckily you forgot to steal) as I sit in a business meeting with a loaner. This is my great luck.

Life Way out of My League

I’m of the belief that God uses the people, things, and surroundings of our lives to speak directly to us, unveiling great life lessons, that can be learned only through experiencing them first hand…or letting some schmuck like me go through it, and then write to tell about it.

I live in one of Forbes “richest” cities in the US, yet as a recent college graduate of Ohio University, I find myself far from living the dreams of earthly wealth in Orange County, California. So daily, I wake up to find myself surrounded by extreme wealth: cars I had previously only seen in YouTube videos, Homes that easily could grace the cover of designer’s magazines, and girls who seem to be really interested in guys who can provide them with the lifestyle they dream of….then there is me.

I don’t have a car. Technically, I have a car, I don’t have a car in California. I ride a bike. Yes a bicycle, not to be confused with any of the cool-ness of a motorcycle. And as if life had to provide me with a proverbial kick in the groin while I’m down, someone recently stole my bike lock. I don’t have a ton of money, and actually still owe a lot in school loans. I find myself way out of my league, but I’ve never been so joyful and so grateful in my entire life.

All of the people around me surround themselves with great things that bring them only temporary satisfaction, and a false sense of fulfillment. Its crazy. I don’t mean to say that no one else around here is happy, because I know that’s not the case, but you see a lot of people who just can’t get enough stuff. And for what? To make the people around them jealous? No matter how many you have, you can still only drive one car at a time, and be with one mistress at once. They just keep searching, if they just made that extra $100 grand next year then FINALLY, they could be at peace with themselves.

Here’s my secret, I am loved by someone who gave their life for me, and who couldn’t love me more for who I am. Not only that, but this Jesus died so that I could have life more abundantly, and have it eternally. The best thing though was the price; it was free. So now I know that I can live my life forgiven, fill my time storing up things that may only last a couple years, but at max will only last for my time here on earth. I live my life with an eternal perspective, and that has made all the difference. No, I don’t get it all right, and yea I still have times that aren’t the greatest, but I know that what I have is a relationship that will never fade, never break down, and can’t go out of style.

I think that God has brought me to Orange County for a reason. I am not impressed or intimidated with the cars that other people have, or the money they can throw out girls. God has me here so that I can learn that he is all I need and that nothing can satisfy me, or anyone else more than a personal relationship with him.

For more information on a personal relationship with Christ, please see NeedHim.org

The One That Got Away

I think a lot about how different my life would be if I had got that one job, or stayed with that one girl. I can’t help it, its human nature. We always wonder what would have been, what could have been, and if we made the right decision. Is there any way to tell for sure if we made the right one? If I didn’t make the right decision, then should I still continue to live even though it may be in error? (This is not a possible suicide note by any means, just an in depth look into the pathways of life)

I made a decision some time ago, where I felt like I was really stepping out in faith. Yet still I wrestled with the decision for some time afterwards, I mean really had a rough time of things. Ever since that day, it seems like almost daily, I run through these questions in my head. How things would be different, and if everything would really ever get back on the path it was “supposed” to.

I don’t believe that there is a “supposed to” path, and I don’t think that this means there is no hope for me. I believe that I am where I am now for a reason, and believe God would not allow me to do something that would ruin his plan for the rest of my life. I have taken an approach to moving forward on my path, and it has made all the difference in the world.

Be vulnerable. I’m not saying that you should just get back with that person, or leave everything you have for that job you should have taken. But take an honest look at what it is/was, and if you feel its right, make one last conceited effort to get it back; to the point where you have nothing to fall back on. Put all your cards on the table. At that moment, you realize you have given all of yourself, and if it doesn’t click, at least you know it wasn’t meant to be. You have nothing to lose because you need to know, and in reality you find something. You find that you can have an empty slate. You have been drudging through pathways, trying to find the one to take, but with absolutely nothing to lose, you have everything to gain. You have created for yourself an open field, where no pathways lay ahead except for those that you create. It’s very freeing. No longer do you have to be limited by the crutch of your past, you’ve moved on to creating your own future. At that same moment, you realize that the things you have had, the opportunities, everything in the past is behind you, and everything else is in front of you. You can let go of the chains of memories that have dragged behind you for so long. You simply can say,

“I’d like to think the best of me, is still hiding up my sleeve…”