Tag Computer Security Day

NATIONAL IT PROFESSIONALS DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

Annually on the third Tuesday in September, National IT Professionals Day honors the venerable geeks of the world we all rely on to keep us connected.

The IT (information technology) professional is the unsung hero of modern business. These under-appreciated wizzes tackle the obstacles that leave the rest of us scratching our heads. Whether it be desktops, laptops, mobile devices, applications, servers, networks, databases or cybersecurity, IT professionals keep business humming. However, there is often a lack of understanding by business leaders and end-users of the important role they play and the difficulties and complexities associated with modern IT.

Amazon.com eGift Card
Amazon.com eGift Card
Under Armour Men's Tech Golf Polo
Under Armour Men’s Tech Golf Polo

It’s also a great day for IT professionals to showcase their expertise. While they’re often solving computer and network issues, they also have a knack for developing and creating. Their insight into the technical universe brings numerous opportunities to individuals and businesses alike. If you tap into all their innovative knowledge, you might be surprised where it takes you.

NATIONAL IT PROFESSIONALS DAY HISTORY

Solarwinds, a provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, created National IT Professionals Day in March 2015.

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HOW TO OBSERVE IT PRO DAY

If you’re an end-user, simply say thank you to the IT professionals that make your life easier. You can also give them a shout out on social media. 

If you’re a business leader, in addition to saying thank you, also recognize and seek out the unique insight your IT professionals can provide in today’s always-on, always-connected world to help you make smart strategic business decisions. Recognizing the value of an IT professional will lead to a greater competitive advantage. Highlight their accomplishments, too. You might discover untapped potential if you do. 

IT professionals, share why you love what you do. Encourage others interested in the field. While you celebrate the day, include other IT professions. Host competition or propose a challenge. The winners get bragging rights until next year.

Also, share #ITProDay on Social Media to increase awareness of just how important our IT professionals are.

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SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 2 True Wireless Earbuds Noise Cancelling Ambient Sound Bluetooth Lightweight Comfort Fit Touch Control US Version, Lavender
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NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

Observed on the second Monday in February, the 12th this year, National Clean Out Your Computer Day promotes taking time out of your day to do some basic housekeeping on your computer.

Use things like thumb drives to safely store those precious photographs. I encourage you to also create a rescue drive on a separate thumb drive. This will allow you to fix and reinstall windows if something goes wrong.

We all say I won’t need this…. Let me tell you a story. We bought a new PC for my husbands office. His had just gotten to old to handle the new things out there. So Windows 10 Pro came pre-installed. Everything worked great until it didn’t. We could not authenticate our windows software. It came with the code for it but, Microsoft would not accept it.

After a really long period of working with tech support, it turns out Windows was installed wrong and was missing key setup files. I asked for the didk to reinstall windows and of course, no one does that anymore. So I had to use my laptop and download a rescue disk to USB thumb drive.

Happily, once I reinstalled everything it all works great. Even though it was a product I just bought, the company made a mistake on just that one item. I was given the option to ship my new PC off somewhere so they could fix it, but as I said it’s a new computer. So that rescue is now labeled and put up in case it’s needed in the future.

This is why I advise having backups and keeping things like photos, documents, music and movie collections in a safe back up. Do it often to make sure your important data can be accessed.

PNY Turbo 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive - (P-FD64GTBOP-GE) by PNY
PNY Turbo 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive – (P-FD64GTBOP-GE)

by PNY


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SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO USB 3.2 Solid State Flash Drive • Up to 420MB/s • Durable Aluminum Metal Casting • SDCZ880-256G-GAM46 • Black

All computers need regular organizing and clean up. This includes the removal of old files and clutter. We tend to save emails, documents, and photos on our hard drive when other media can store it for us. Often, we keep duplicates we don’t need, too. Old programs also create havoc, too. Makes sure you are using the latest versions of programs and operating systems, too. 

Over time, files and programs that are unused on your PC clog the memory and cause confusion during retrieval and use of other data. They may also slow down your computer. 

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NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER DAY HISTORY

In 2000, the Institute for Business Technology first promoted National Clean Out Your Computer Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CleanOutYourComputerDay

Take a look at your files and programs on your computers. If you work in an office, encourage your peers to do the same. Share tips and tricks to efficient computer clean up. 

  • Organize your files and folders.
  • Review your emails and delete any that are no longer needed.
  • Delete junk files.
  • Remove duplicate files.
  • Delete old files and programs not being used.
  • Update the programs you do use.

Use #CleanOutYourComputerDay to post on social media.

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BackMeUp with FixMeStick - Automatic Virus-Free backups of Your Photos, Videos, and Personal Files, 5 PCs.#CleanOutYourComputerDay
BackMeUp with FixMeStick – Automatic Virus-Free backups of Your Photos, Videos, and Personal Files, 5 PCs.
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FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MONTH

Jensperspectiveblog 15 Comments

During February, Free and Open Source Software Month recognizes the cooperative approach to computer programming, open licensing, and free distribution of software.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) provides free, publicly-available code to users and contributors. Providing users access to the code allows them the opportunity to alter the code. For example, they may alter the code to improve the design, fix glitches, and add features. Open-source software is also free and considered liberally licensed. However, it usually requires that any programmer releasing an altered version must release the source code, too.

Collaborative development from multiple independent sources generates a more diverse scope of design perspective than any one company is capable of developing and sustaining long term. In February 1998, Christine Peterson (Foresight Institute) coined “open source software.” That same month, the foundation of the Open Source Initiative was founded.

Today, Government administrations, universities, companies, and other organizations of all types worldwide use open source solutions. Open-source software has also obtained a significant share of several markets, such as web servers, server operating systems, desktop operating systems, web browsers, databases, e-mail, and other IT infrastructure solutions.

FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MONTH HISTORY

Onyx Point Logo

Onyx Point, Inc. founded Free and Open Source Software Month (#FOSSFeb) to highlight the cooperative principles of open source software and the contributions this approach to software development continues to produce. As avid Open Source supporters and contributors, Onyx Point hopes this annual observance will help to further general understanding and adoption of Open Source principles and projects. Onyx Point, Inc. provides Security, System Administration, IT Automation, Puppet Professional Services, and DevOps consulting for Government and commercial clients. They are the stewards of SIMP, an Open Source project.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #FOSSFeb

Throughout February, explore the variety of open-source software available, actively participate in open source communities/user groups, attend hackathons and Open Source events, and use #FOSSFeb to share on social media.

A screenshot of free and open-source software (FOSS): Fedora Linux 36 running the KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment, Firefox, Dolphin file manager, VLC media player, LibreOffice Writer, GIMP, and KCalc#FOSSFeb
A screenshot of free and open-source software (FOSS): Fedora Linux 36 running the KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment, Firefox, Dolphin file manager, VLC media player, LibreOffice Writer, GIMP, and KCalc
kCalckCalc#FOSSFeb
kCalckCalc
VLC for Fire#FOSSFeb
VLC for Fire
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LibreOffice 2024 Home and Student 2021 2023 Professional Plus Business Compatible with Microsoft Office Word Excel PowerPoint Adobe PDF Software USB for Windows 11 10 8 7 Vista XP 32 64-Bit PC & Mac
GIMP the Basics Tutorial#FOSSFeb
GIMP the Basics Tutorial

DATA PRIVACY DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

Data Privacy Day on January 28th reminds us each year to review how our data is used. It’s an excellent opportunity to take stock and evaluate our personal cybersecurity.

Our personal data is collected and used through a variety of media and for numerous reasons. Part of the problem is most of the time, the people who have access to our data, don’t need it. Additionally, it gets redistributed legally and illegally. Thanks to the internet, massive amounts of personal data can be easily distributed. While the information may be out there due to our own carelessness or privacy violations, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

  • On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.
  • Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.
  • Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. When you spot anything questionable, contact the organization to stop payment on the purchase and cancel your card. In the same vein, check your credit report at least annually.
  • Keep your software up to date. Out of date software is vulnerable to hackers.
  • Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.
  • Stop taking online quizzes that ask random questions about your childhood, children, tattoos, marriages, pets, and favorite foods. Each time you take one of these, people trying to access your data gather a little bit more information about you that allows them to steal your data or identity.
  • Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.
  • Do not save your passwords on your device.
  • Change passwords when your accounts may have been compromised or when you visit the dentist.
  • Use virus protection and a firewall.

DATA PRIVACY DAY HISTORY

The Council in Europe first initiated Data Privacy Day in 2007. Their mission grew to a global platform. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives recognized National Data Privacy Day. The United States Senate later recognized Data Privacy Day in 2010 and 2011. Since then, various groups and organizations continue supporting the observance annually.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #DataPrivacyDay

Take steps to secure your digital devices. Make a commitment to learning ways to protect yourself and maintain those tech-savvy practices. When you do, you and your family will be more secure.

For more tips, visit staysafeonline.org for tips on keeping your data safe. Use #DataPrivacyDay to post on social media.

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Don’t Get Hacked Grandpa!: Secure Your Data
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