TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: BLUETOOTH / GPS / BAD PASSWORDS

In today's TOURBUS, you'll learn about Bluetooth technology and how to choose a GPS system. And is your password easy for hackers to guess? Find out how to pick a good password, and get the scoop on so-called "hidden" items on Myspace profiles. Oh, and this just in, Firefox may be LESS secure than Internet Explorer... Read on!

What WAS That Thing in Uhura's Ear?

This is the age of wireless devices. Information is relevant only if it is accessible anywhere and everywhere. Everything from phones to computers to games and gadgets is going wireless, thanks in part to a technology called Bluetooth.

Bluetooth enables two devices, usually within a short range, to connect without wires by using low power radio waves. Bluetooth technology can be applied to a wide range of devices in areas like medicine, software, and mobile communications. Read on to learn how Bluetooth technology is making wireless connections at home, at the office, and on the go...

http://askbobrankin.com/what_is_bluetooth.html

Which GPS Should You Buy?

GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation systems can help you find your way around, but navigating all the GPS choices can be just as challenging as traveling without one.

GPS devices rely on satellites that orbit the earth to calculate your exact position on the ground. Basic devices will give you the precise time, your longitude, latitude, altitude as well as your speed in real time. The features and quality of GPS systems vary widely, so check out my guidelines and recommendations for the best GPS systems here:

http://askbobrankin.com/which_gps_should_i_buy.html

Is Your Password Good Enough?

A reader concerned about password security wrote this: > "With identify theft so common now, I'm very concerned that my
> passwords may not be good enough. Can you give me some tips to
> picking good passwords that can't be easily guessed by hackers?"
I agree that it's important to create secure passwords to prevent identity theft. With so many points of entry into your privacy -- email, banking, online shopping and social networking -- all too often people find out too late their passwords have been compromised.

In most cases, that's because they were simply too easy to guess. It's not so hard to create a strong, secure password... but there are some pitfalls to avoid. Learn how to compose a good password, avoid some really BAD passwords and keep it safe afterwards. Read on for some tips to make the keys to your identity a tougher lock to pick.

http://askbobrankin.com/secure_passwords.html

Is Firefox LESS Secure?

The recent ANI (animated cursor) exploit that has been talked about so much in security and tech forums was first believed to affect only Internet Explorer V7. Firefox fans wagged their fingers at IE users again and chided them for not switching to the "more secure" browser.

But it turns out that Firefox is also vulnerable to this very serious exploit on Windows Vista systems. Even worse, the bug is potentially MORE destructive on Firefox than with IE7, with no fix in sight...

http://askbobrankin.com/is_firefox_more_secure.html

Hiding Stuff in Your Myspace Profile

I get a lot of questions about how to hide (or reveal hidden items) on Myspace profiles. One person asked me this:

> "On a Myspace profile, how do I hide the location and last login?
> I've seen other pages like this and it seems like a good idea for
> extra privacy on Myspace."

A lot of people think that they can boost privacy on Myspace by hiding their gender, age, location or the display of the last login on Myspace. And for reasons I don't understand, a lot of people want to hide their Myspace "friends" list. NEWS FLASH! A hidden friends list on Myspace, or any other hidden profile items are not truly hidden, at least not very well.

If you want to hide things for esthetic reasons, then fine. But don't fool yourself into thinking that people can't find them with a few clicks. Here's the scoop on hiding and revealing elements of a Myspace profile...

http://askbobrankin.com/hiding_profile_items.html

That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin