AT&T now charging for data usage (Continued)

As a followup to this blog post:  https://leetlinktips.blogspot.com/2016/11/did-you-know-your-at-dsl-is-limited-to.html here is what I have found.

• If you have Uverse and DirectV, then you can combine bills into one, which will give you unlimited data.  For details, see https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/u-verse-high-speed-internet/KM1010099
• Even though everything in the literature says so, if you have DSL, even if you can't get Uverse, there is no way to get unlimited service other than to pay for data over 150G.  For charges, see blog entry I referenced at the beginning of this entry.  
• A tool exists for estimating your data usage:  https://www.att.com/att/datacalculator/.  It is for cell service, but that doesn't really matter.
• For an informative article on AT&T services, see http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/05/atts-data-caps-impose-harshest-punishments-on-dsl-users/  .  (My note:  the objective for DSL is to get everyone off DSL by 2020, one way or the other.)
• An AT&T tech blog entry exists that discusses this:  https://forums.att.com/t5/AT-T-Internet-Account/When-will-AT-amp-T-increase-150GB-data-cap-for-DSL-users/m-p/3427555#M5361 

So, as you make your decision on whether or not to switch to Charter or some other option, be sure to look at the small print regarding data "overage" charges.  And pass this link around to your friends.

Windows 10 "Insider Beta" distributions, especially Build 14971: Warning

Microsoft has a program where users can download the next big change in Windows 10 before it is officially released.  Software in such a state is called "Beta."  Some people reading this may get an email or a popup offering a beta version.  A recent beta is "build 14971.  It has these features:  https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/11/17/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-14971-for-pc/#JXsLhpEj7qs8tetO.97.  Sounds good. However, you should probably skip this one because there is a significant problem with it.  For details, read https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_install/windows-10-insider-preview-14971-error-0x80246019/101ab002-20fd-44b1-88bb-c653a21eae7a.  The net of this article is that it crashes under conditions many users will have.

Beware of email with Subject Order Number or Purchase order number with an html or pdf attachment: Locky Ransomware Example

The emails look like this:

The attachment is either a pdf or an html file.  These should be trashed and reported to your eMail provider.  A description of what is probably in these files can be found at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/the-locky-ransomware-encrypts-local-files-and-unmapped-network-shares/.  This can be very bad ransomware, locking your computer until you pay a large "fee;"  I'm talking $3000; even from friends or your bank.  Don't click on attachments.  Those days are gone.  GONE! 

Personally, wherever I have a financial institution or friend that sends an attachment, I let them know I won't open it.  If it is an institution, I call their security and give them an earful.  My experience is that they quickly change their procedures and the result you should ask for is that they ask you to go to their website and look at their messages.  No more PDFs sent to you.  If it is a friend, have them permit you to a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft Livedrive to look at the document.

Did you know your AT&T DSL is limited to 150GB/mo?

This is the email I got.  I can't find where the maximum is defined. Never heard.  Hmmm. Please report.  

Dear AT&T High Speed Internet Service Customer,

We want to remind you that your AT&T High Speed Internet service includes 150 gigabytes (GB) of data for each billing period.

       You have exceeded 150 GB this billing period.

We'll waive the charges for additional data this month and notify you as your usage approaches 150 GB in future months.

The next time you exceed 150 GB you'll be notified, but not billed. However if you go over your data plan in any subsequent billing period, we'll provide you with an additional 50 GB of data for $10. You'll be charged $10 for every incremental 50 GB of usage beyond your plan.

Here are some tips to help you manage your usage:

• Track your usage* by visiting att.com/internet-usage
  . Just log in using your primary AT&T email ID and password.
• Secure your wireless gateway/router. If you use Wi-Fi at home and you have not secured it with a password, someone nearby with a computer or Wi-Fi enabled device could access your home network and use your high-speed Internet service, which could increase your monthly usage.
• Manage household usage. If you have family members, children or friends who share your Internet connection, remember that their online activity will count toward your 150 GB data plan. AT&T Parental Controls is a free tool included with your service that enables you to customize access to websites, e-mail, instant messaging, chat, message boards, and more for each family member. You can even set time limits for access to the Internet.

For questions or additional tips on managing your Internet usage, please feel free to review our helpful FAQs and take advantage of our data calculator at att.com/internet-usage

. 

Thank you for choosing AT&T.

Sincerely,

Google's Department of Chromeland Security

This was an interesting article on browser security, what to expect in the future and what you should look for in a browser:  https://www.wired.com/2016/11/googles-chrome-hackers-flip-webs-security-model/?mbid=nl_11416_p3&CNDID=29643548

How Cybercriminals (ie China) breached the US Office of Personnel Management, and why it matters to you!

This is a long but very revealing article on how cyber criminals work.  I and everyone else who has worked for the government in the last several years were personally impacted.  Please read this as part of your education into how web sites are breached, why, and what you can do to avoid problems (eg, two factor authentication required for all your important sites).

https://www.wired.com/2016/10/inside-cyberattack-shocked-us-government/?mbid=nl_102416_p3&CNDID=29643548

Printing a single blog entry without printing all the junk on the page

I've been asked how to do this.  I recommend downloading the addon/extension to your browser called PrintFriendly (or PrintFriendly & PDF). (http://www.PrintFriendly.com) Once installed, you can click on the title of a blog entry you want to print and then click the PrintFriendly icon on your browser.  Printfriendly is useful for any web page where you have a lot of "junk" on the page and you only want to print a portion of it.

On my blog, you don't need to do that.  Click on the PrintFriendly icon (green) at the bottom of the post.