What’s New? – Page 8 – Siouxland Modern Media Committee

06May 2020 by nrcmmc

Vault Apps – Are They Hiding Something?

Apps, Reviews

VAULT APPS - Are They Hiding Something? At first glance one sees a calculator and music app--normal apps found on a cell phone, right? However, this is an easy way to hide pictures and videos from your typical photo gallery. They are also used to hide chats, searches,downloads within various apps. With a quick Google search, there are You-Tube videos and articles suggesting the best apps available to conceal photos or other information on your cell phone. While some articles boast of the importance of hiding your personal information, credit card information, media files under these vault apps (also called ghost or disguised apps), simple safety settings on your cell phone can do the same. The most common use for these is to hide inappropriate cell phone pictures/videos or shared…

06May 2020 by nrcmmc

Phishing – Don’t take the Bait!

Guidelines, Hazards, Tutorials

What is phishing? Phishing is a cyber attack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need — a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company — and to click a link or download an attachment. Learn about the purpose behind phishing attempts and how to identify them to avoid getting scammed. Purpose of phishing If there's a common denominator among phishing attacks, it's the disguise. The attackers spoof their email address so it looks like it's coming from someone else, set up fake websites that look like ones the victim trusts, and use foreign character sets to disguise URLs. Phishing attempts may be aimed at…

07Apr 2020 by nrcmmc

What is Zoom?

Apps, Reviews, Tutorials

What is Zoom? Zoom is a platform that offers remote conferencing by combining video conferencing, online meetings, chat, mobile collaboration. It can be utilized by anyone and is free for meetings that have less than 100 participants and have duration of 40 minutes or less. You will have to set up an account. A guide for doing this is located here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Quick-start-guide-for-new-users#h_b0c98dfa-d90f-486d-9617-71ab7b41a273 A guide for hosting a meeting for family and friends is located here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362613-How-Do-I-Host-A-Video-Meeting- If you have been sent a meeting invite, a guide for joining the meeting can be located here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting As always there are some safety tips to keep in mind when utilizing Zoom. USA Today did an excellent job of summarizing some safety tips. Here is the link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/04/02/how-to-keep-zoombombing-hackers-away-zoom-safety-tips/5113080002/. Please review it before using zoom.Additionally, always remember to be…

06Apr 2020 by nrcmmc

Social Media Time Limits

Apps, Hazards, Tutorials

"I can't believe how much time I waste on Facebook," a friend told me. "I really should just get rid of it." My friend isn't alone. Plenty of people feel they get little value out of social media, and yet they continue to use it more than they would like, often to the detriment of their productivity and their mental and spiritual well-being. Facebook isn't the only offender. People throw their hands up at Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and other apps and websites all the time. Still, not everyone wants to quit social media for good. If you're not willing to quit cold turkey, you can limit the amount of time you spend on social media per day. For example: "I'll spend no more than 10 minutes per day on Facebook," or…

06Apr 2020 by nrcmmc

Socializing Online

Apps, Hazards

Chatting with a few friends on Messenger or What’s App isn’t a harmless way to pass the time. Right? Look at that question from another perspective: Meeting with other friends at one of their homes for a few hours to talk isn’t a harmless way to pass the time. Right? Does one of those questions strike a chord with you more than the other? That could depend on your age. It could depend on what generation you were born in. It could also depend on how you were raised and what you learned as you grew up. As the generation of adults who grew up without the internet ages, the generation of children who grow up knowing nothing but a screen in the face ages as well. We see it…

04Mar 2020 by nrcmmc

Youtube Parental Controls

Tutorials

YouTube is home to tons and tons of great videos, and a lot of them are useful orinstructional for children to watch. It has everything from science videos todocumentaries for kids to humorous skits to early learning shows. While this can be a great way to introduce a new subject to your children, what happens when the video is over and they start looking for other things to watch on their own?With over 100 hours of videos uploaded to YouTube every minute, it’s likely they could watch something that’s not suitable. After all, it’s not all funny cat videos. That’s why it’s a good idea to utilize YouTube’s parental controls. It’s already built in and does a decent job at providing a first line of defense against displaying inappropriate videos.…

29Feb 2020 by nrcmmc

Is Privacy Really Private?

Tutorials

The Department of Homeland Security Privacy Act Statement says a Privacy Policy “provides protection to individuals by ensuring that personal information collected by Federal agencies is limited to that which is legally authorized and necessary and is maintained in a manner which precludes unwarranted intrusions upon individual privacy.” Source That means, anytime a ‘company’ asks for your personal information (identification, financial, geographical, etc), they are required to have a Privacy Policy that you can view; that specific Privacy Policy will inform the registrant of how their information will be collected, used, and protected. Information collected will depend on who is collecting it and what it is for (ex: bank and personal information for credit cards or loans; name and email for an account on a website). Have you ever wondered…

21Feb 2020 by nrcmmc

Modern Media Speaker (Parent’s Day)

Events

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=licInxlu6DQ "Media and Children: How the World is Changing" Presentation by Peter Komendowski, Executive Director of "A Partnership for a Healthy Iowa" February 14, 2020 at Netherlands Reformed Christian School, Rock Valley, IA

10Feb 2020 by nrcmmc

HBD or Happy Birthday?

Guidelines

HBD or Happy Birthday? Which of the above greeting would you prefer on your birthday? Netiquette or a texting abbreviations? Netiquette is simply using proper etiquette while using digital devices. Most of us are familiar with some texting abbreviations/acronyms. There is a social norm we should follow with digital interaction to maintain proper work correspondence & ethics, as well as personal relationships. There are some guidelines to keep in mind or it may be soon be a thing of the past, as much as addressing letters to “Dear Sir” or “Dear Mrs. Smith”. Be respectful. Everyone has different feelings and opinions and it is important to respect this online. You may wish to comment on something someone has shared but always remember that behind every account is a real…

10Feb 2020 by nrcmmc

“Sticks and Stones…”

Hazards

“Sticks and Stones…” We are most likely familiar with the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. However, is this really true? For anyone who has been on the receiving end of bullying, or even a scathing reproach, know how deep words can cut and hurt the heart. Bullying in the ‘Sticks and Stones’ era, typically started when a child stepped onto the bus, endured during the school day, ended as the bus pulled back into the driveway. For today's teens, or older ones, bullying has broadened its aching wounds. It can now be a constant bullying via electronic devices that can be left on 24/7. Cyberbullying or cyberharassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means, also known as online…