Homeless?

So, one of the crazy things about moving to an awesome place like Myrtle Beach, is that it's hard to worry about whether or not you're going to like it, and even harder to say that to other people. Keeping it bottled in, and faking that you aren't scared to death is actually pretty harmful.

So here it is: Myrtle Beach sounds like a great place. It has everything that we're looking for. It's warm, near the beach, family oriented. Cost of living is lower there, and there are just so many things to love. But the truth is, neither of us, have spent any time there. And that scares me. We went to Cape Cod this year, and the whole way, we were talking about how awesome that Cape Cod is, and how if we were offered a chance to work in Boston, we'd love to do it, and about how it seems so amazing. I've been to Boston before, and I knew what to expect. It turns out, that Boston hasn't changed at all. I have though. I'm looking for different things in the place that we live, love and learn in; and have been almost since we started dating.

The truth of the matter, is that logically, I'm sure we're going to love it. But I'm scared. He's scared. We're both scared. Unfortunately, in order to maintain consistency with my work, I've just done a vacation, so it feels like it's just a blip and I'll be back. It's hard to put together the pieces of the fact that we will no longer be living in the place we've made our home. We're choosing a new home - but in the meantime, I feel kind of ... homeless? 

We're Moving!

Hey there fellow blog lovers! Obviously, it's been a little while since we posted, but we've had some crazy exciting happenings since then. Probably the most exciting news is that we're moving! And not an across the street move, but a down the coast move. We're moving from Rochester, NY to Myrtle Beach, SC.

Both Si and I are so excited to begin our new lives down in South Carolina, but it definitely doesn't feel real. It's less than two weeks away before we start heading for the sunshine, and we've made a really good dent on the entire house. We're getting rid of a bunch of our stuff (so that it's easier to move), so be on the look out for new things that we do in the new house!

Practical advice for securing yourself online

I know I usually don't post, which I am working to change. I can't cut paper into amazing invitations, I can't bake awesome treats, I can't make a bench look like a million bucks, but I can be a nerd and that's what I do.

Staying Safe online

Plug and Play Isn't enough

We bought a TV at Walmart last year and we plugged it in and were all set. There was no need to secure anything. No complicated algorithms for fun, just plug and play. Unfortunately, the same laws do not apply to setting up an internet connection at home. Most people when they want to setup wireless for all the tech toys, just plug it in and get it to work. However, this leaves them in such a dangerous position, because most wireless routers do not use any form of encryption or security. Anyone in the radius of the wireless signal can join and do significant damage. The tools to steal identities are not what Hollywood 'Hacker' tools are perceived about. Most 13 year old kids can download plug-ins for their web browsers to steal sensitive information...

If you let them.

A professor of mine in College always said that you don't have to have the most secure network on the block, just don't be the lowest hanging fruit. That's exactly the same principal when it comes to securing your wireless. As long as you have some form of wireless encryption set, most people will pass on by.

For details on securing your home wireless, please see either:
http://www.wikihow.com/Secure-Your-Wireless-Home-Network
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/secure-your-wireless-network-here-is-why-and-how/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2112970_secure-wireless-network.html


Don't talk to strangers
My mother always used to tell me not to talk to strangers, don't get into unmarked vans and Yada yada yada ya. I feel like everyone has had that chat. Unfortunately, I feel like when people connect to the internet, that whole rule goes out the window. So here are some little rules of thumb:

1. Don't accept friend requests on Facebook [or any other social media site], unless you know the person. If your not sure, message the person, but wait to accept the request till you are sure.
2. Don't ever tell anyone your password. No administrator or help desk representative needs it. EVER.
3. If the site doesn't look right, it most likely isn't. Poor quality, no pictures, Spelling errors. Be on the lookout. If it looks like something's wrong, just turn and leave.
   
4. Before you submit anything that has your address on it, credit card number, social security number, etc. ask yourself if really need to be giving the information away. The less information you give, the more secure you stay. Some sites, [Like Amazon] will need your credit card and address to charge you for a purchase and where to send something, but Facebook or PicturesOfKittens.com does not need that information.

Generally think before you click and in the very post 9/11 way of thinking, if you see something say something. If something doesn't seem on the level, as someone if it looks legitimate. It's better to ask and find out things are ok, then to find out one day that your identity has been stole.


...Next time, I gotta do a more positive post....


positive post...positive post...