Author: Derek

WTAM 1100 – Is Your Smartphone a Germ Magnet?

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – January 6th, 2015

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioAs the prime flu season continues, you may want to take a look at how clean is your mobile device. Smartphones are devices we handle every day, touching them with both our fingers and our faces. Studies do show that mobile devices are a common haven for pathogens, even though most are harmless.

While you could attack your phone with all sorts of cleaning chemicals, it’s important to note that many household cleaners have the potential to damage delicate electronics. However, researchers have found that you can strike an effective balance between cleaning and carefulness by using a mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. This combination is found in many screen cleaning kits available at your local Best Buy.

You can also make a mix on your own by using a 1 to 1 ratio of 70% or better pure isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. It’s important to use a purer alcohol along with distilled water to prevent minerals and other chemicals from being left behind as the solution evaporates. Isopropyl alcohol and distilled water can be found at most local groceries or drug stores.

For more tips on cleaning your mobile devices, as well as your laptop and smart TV, check out this New York Times articles on cleaning the mobile germ warehouse.

WTAM 1100 – Backup Resolutions and Facebook Hoaxes

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – January 6th, 2015

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioNew Year’s is the perfect time to make changes for the better in your life. On this week’s #TechTuesday segment on Wills and Snyder in the Morning, we discussed protecting your important data by making a resolution to back-up once a week.

This week also saw the long-running Facebook copyright hoax recirculating through social media. Bill Wills and I discussed how Facebook uses your content and what their user agreement means for those photos of your cat posted to your Facebook timeline.

WHRV-FM – HearSay with Cathy Lewis – Fitness Tech Tips

Play Audio – WHRV-FM – HearSay with Kathy Lewis – December 30th, 2014

HearSay with Kathy LewisOne of the most popular resolutions for the New Year is to finally get off the couch and get in shape. WHRV-FM‘s HearSay guest host Liz Humes spoke to several fitness experts during her show on finding help at the holidays. I was able to help talk about using fitness tech, like the Fitbit Flex or even apps like Human on your smartphone as a way to not only keep track of your workout, but help motivate you to keep pushing for your goals through the new year.

WTAM 1100 – Protect Your Work Email from Phishing

GS Tech Terms 101 - Phishing

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – December 9th, 2014

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioTech news continues to be dominated by stories about the massive data breech at Sony. While there is still little known about exactly who is behind the attacks, some security experts have stated there’s a good chance that the hack began with phishing attacks aimed at Sony employee emails. This highlights just how important it is to use the same safe online behavior with your work account as you should with your personal email.

The Geek Squad Blog has tips on how to avoid being hooked by a phishing scam, and I had a chance to share several in our #TechTuesday segment on the Wills and Snyder Show this morning on WTAM 1100 Newsradio. Click the play on the player above to listen.