Digital Smarts Blog

In light of Europe's "right to be forgotten" law, a law that requires search engines to delete links to content that users feel is "inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant, or excessive," Google has informed Wikipedia that about fifty Wikipedia entries are being “scrubbed” from search results. Wikipedia in return has vowed to reveal the notices in an effort to remain transparent. Google has strongly protested the European court decision that requires the company to take down links to certain pages if a member of the public demands it. Google has so far fielded over 91,000 de-listing requests, mostly from French and German Internet users.

In light of Europe's "right to be forgotten" law, a law that requires search engines to delete links to content that users feel is "inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant, or excessive," Google has informed Wikipedia that about fifty Wikipedia entries are being “scrubbed” from search results. Wikipedia in return has vowed to reveal the notices in an effort to remain transparent. Google has strongly protested the European court decision that requires the company to take down links to certain pages if a member of the public demands it. Google has so far fielded over 91,000 de-listing requests, mostly from French and German Internet users.

While tablets and smartphones seem like objects of the future, they can also offer a window to the past. Timeline-U.S. History is a free app for iOS and Android devices that highlights over 1,500 events throughout US history with descriptions and pictures. The app has a “today in history” feature, which summarizes the significant events of any particular day. Historic events can be viewed in a timeline interface, splitting the display between text and images on the top and the touch-sensitive timeline on the bottom. The timeline interface has longer text and adds more context to historic events than the “today in history” feature. Even more content is sorted into collections that delve deeper into topics and can be purchased for $3 each.

While tablets and smartphones seem like objects of the future, they can also offer a window to the past. Timeline-U.S. History is a free app for iOS and Android devices that highlights over 1,500 events throughout US history with descriptions and pictures. The app has a “today in history” feature, which summarizes the significant events of any particular day. Historic events can be viewed in a timeline interface, splitting the display between text and images on the top and the touch-sensitive timeline on the bottom. The timeline interface has longer text and adds more context to historic events than the “today in history” feature. Even more content is sorted into collections that delve deeper into topics and can be purchased for $3 each.

In the wake of revelations about the hundreds of millions of email address and other types of personal identification being hacked, there are some simple things you can do to protect yourself. Keep an eye on your personal banking and credit card statements and stop procrastinating about changing those passwords. Create the strongest passwords for sites that contain your most personal information and do not reuse them anywhere.

In the wake of revelations about the hundreds of millions of email address and other types of personal identification being hacked, there are some simple things you can do to protect yourself. Keep an eye on your personal banking and credit card statements and stop procrastinating about changing those passwords. Create the strongest passwords for sites that contain your most personal information and do not reuse them anywhere.

One of the biggest issues that people seem to have with Facebook is privacy. Facebook is now tracking your moves beyond the Facebook site – when you surf the web, or use various apps on your smartphone- as well as on the site or app itself. They say they need the extra data to do a better job of targeting ads to you, which of course results in more revenue for them. Sounds downright creepy, but the good news is that you can find an explanation of exactly why you're getting every ad you see, as well as control what kind of ads will appear in the future. These options are not easy to find, but if you follow the steps outlined in an article entitled What You Can Do About Facebook Tracking, you can actually see the record of your interests that Facebook has compiled and edit the list to keep Facebook from aiming specific ads at you.

One of the biggest issues that people seem to have with Facebook is privacy. Facebook is now tracking your moves beyond the Facebook site – when you surf the web, or use various apps on your smartphone- as well as on the site or app itself. They say they need the extra data to do a better job of targeting ads to you, which of course results in more revenue for them. Sounds downright creepy, but the good news is that you can find an explanation of exactly why you're getting every ad you see, as well as control what kind of ads will appear in the future. These options are not easy to find, but if you follow the steps outlined in an article entitled What You Can Do About Facebook Tracking, you can actually see the record of your interests that Facebook has compiled and edit the list to keep Facebook from aiming specific ads at you.

U.K. researchers surveyed 5,000 10- to 15-year-olds and found that those who spent an hour or less each day playing video games were better adjusted and were less prone to behavioral problems than peers who did not play at all. However, these positive effects appeared to diminish when gaming time reached three or more hours each day, according to the study in the journal Pediatrics. Other experts reacting to the study said that parents still need to keep a close eye on what their children are playing and to also play the games with them to see what’s really involved.

U.K. researchers surveyed 5,000 10- to 15-year-olds and found that those who spent an hour or less each day playing video games were better adjusted and were less prone to behavioral problems than peers who did not play at all. However, these positive effects appeared to diminish when gaming time reached three or more hours each day, according to the study in the journal Pediatrics. Other experts reacting to the study said that parents still need to keep a close eye on what their children are playing and to also play the games with them to see what’s really involved.

In the wake of the news that a Russian crime ring has stolen 1.2 billion username and password combinations and 500 million email addresses, it is time to think about your password collection once again. You will most likely be urged to change your passwords soon, and you may want to look into a program like 1Password to keep track of your passwords and protect them from online attack. In addition, think about these tips for a safer passage online:

• Mix it up. Create passwords that are 10 characters or longer and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, symbols and numbers
• Be more creative. Use a unique password for each account and vary the e-mail addresses you use for accounts.
• Split social media and money. Do not use the same password for credit cards and bank accounts that you use for social media or websites.
• Revise record-keeping. Don't store your account information in an unsecured document on your computer or network.
• Keep data close. Don't share your password, even with friends and family.
• Stay informed. Beyond changing passwords and creating better ones, stay informed as the details of this and future breaches are released.

In the wake of the news that a Russian crime ring has stolen 1.2 billion username and password combinations and 500 million email addresses, it is time to think about your password collection once again. You will most likely be urged to change your passwords soon, and you may want to look into a program like 1Password to keep track of your passwords and protect them from online attack. In addition, think about these tips for a safer passage online:

• Mix it up. Create passwords that are 10 characters or longer and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, symbols and numbers
• Be more creative. Use a unique password for each account and vary the e-mail addresses you use for accounts.
• Split social media and money. Do not use the same password for credit cards and bank accounts that you use for social media or websites.
• Revise record-keeping. Don't store your account information in an unsecured document on your computer or network.
• Keep data close. Don't share your password, even with friends and family.
• Stay informed. Beyond changing passwords and creating better ones, stay informed as the details of this and future breaches are released.

Today’s kids can’t remember life before computers so it is amusing to see  how some young people react to using “unknown” technology like an old typewriter in this clip. Listen to what they have to say and see how excited they get about the mechanics of the machine. It seems there still is something very pleasing about actually seeing how something works and being able to tinker with it – an opportunity most kids don’t experience these days.

Today’s kids can’t remember life before computers so it is amusing to see  how some young people react to using “unknown” technology like an old typewriter in this clip. Listen to what they have to say and see how excited they get about the mechanics of the machine. It seems there still is something very pleasing about actually seeing how something works and being able to tinker with it – an opportunity most kids don’t experience these days.

When it comes to school projects involving groups, one of the greatest inventions has been the USB drive for carrying files from house to house and home to school. Hackers are now taking notice of this kind of digital device, including keyboards and mice, and loading malware onto the inexpensive chips that go into USB devices. If you have acquired a virus and can’t figure out the source, be mindful of the USB devices you and your family use.

When it comes to school projects involving groups, one of the greatest inventions has been the USB drive for carrying files from house to house and home to school. Hackers are now taking notice of this kind of digital device, including keyboards and mice, and loading malware onto the inexpensive chips that go into USB devices. If you have acquired a virus and can’t figure out the source, be mindful of the USB devices you and your family use.

How easy would it be for someone to access the data on your phone? Do you use a lock screen or passcode? Think about all of the sensitive data that would be compromised if your device was ever lost or stolen. Securing your phone with a passcode might be an inconvenience, and you may wonder just how secure that passcode even is. Many people choose easy to guess codes, such as a birthdate or address, if they even have one at all. A recent article in USA Today looks at the various alternatives to passcodes including fingerprints and puzzle-style codes called Pattern or Knock Code.

How easy would it be for someone to access the data on your phone? Do you use a lock screen or passcode? Think about all of the sensitive data that would be compromised if your device was ever lost or stolen. Securing your phone with a passcode might be an inconvenience, and you may wonder just how secure that passcode even is. Many people choose easy to guess codes, such as a birthdate or address, if they even have one at all. A recent article in USA Today looks at the various alternatives to passcodes including fingerprints and puzzle-style codes called Pattern or Knock Code.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the US Senate to help protect the privacy of students. Called the “Protecting Student Privacy Act”, this legislation would set limits on how companies collect and use student data and would require companies to:

• Have policies and practices in place to secure student data;
• Keep records of other outside entities that have access to the data they store;
• Destroy personally identifiable data once it is no longer needed; and
• Provide access to student data they hold when requested by a parent;
• Provide a process to challenge, correct, or delete any inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data in any education records

Do you know how your school district handles student data? School districts and the ed tech companies they work with hold large amounts of sensitive data on students, including test scores and disciplinary records. This proposed legislation would help ensure that the data is used appropriately and not compromised.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the US Senate to help protect the privacy of students. Called the “Protecting Student Privacy Act”, this legislation would set limits on how companies collect and use student data and would require companies to:

• Have policies and practices in place to secure student data;
• Keep records of other outside entities that have access to the data they store;
• Destroy personally identifiable data once it is no longer needed; and
• Provide access to student data they hold when requested by a parent;
• Provide a process to challenge, correct, or delete any inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data in any education records

Do you know how your school district handles student data? School districts and the ed tech companies they work with hold large amounts of sensitive data on students, including test scores and disciplinary records. This proposed legislation would help ensure that the data is used appropriately and not compromised.