6 Sneaky Phishing Scams To Watch Out For This Holiday Season
Apple Watch Quick Tip: Apple Pay
You just double tap the side button and then hold it up to the terminal.
Now here’s the backstory:
I was so excited. Got my Apple Watch, I made sure to add my Apple Pay accounts from my iPhone and I was ready to go. There I was, standing at the checkout when I realized it. I didn’t know how to actually make Apple Pay happen with my watch. I brought it up to the terminal, no go. I pushed the screen, no go. I turned the dial. Nope. I even tapped the side button once.
Its easy, but Apple Watch will take you a week or so to get used to. We’ll post little tidbits here for you to help shorten that week.
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Backup! Backup! Backup!
Our favorite infographic of the year, so far, from our friends at cloudwards.net
Courtesy of: Cloudwards.net
Uninstalling Acrobat DC
Adobe just unleashed a new product on the world. It looks very promising, but it is also a major workflow change. Something not every one is ready to do on a deadline.
Unfortunately, when you click that update button in Creative Cloud – your Acrobat Pro XI app is uninstalled and replaced with the new Acrobat DC. And worse, Acrobat Pro XI isn’t even available in your Creative Cloud App for re-download.
There is a work around. First, use the Creative Cloud app to uninstall Acrobat DC. (Click the gear next to Acrobat DC)
Next, go to this page on the adobe site.
Now scroll down and on the left hand side change the new this version drop down menu to say Acrobat XI.
Finally, at the top of the page you will see a Download Acrobat XI button. Click it and you’ll be back in business.
Sadly, if you are a power user with plug ins such as Pitstop, you’ll need to re-install those as well.
Heartbleed and you
Heartbleed: What does it mean to you.
These are scary times, but we have some advice, and have compiled places below where you can go for more info.
By now you have seen the news, probably had people ask you if you were changing all your passwords, and are wondering if you should be freaking out.
We try to keep people from freaking out, but we do think you should changes some passwords, and in general follow some of our password advice.
There are a couple of really important things to keep in mind.
- While the Heartbleed vulnerability has gone undetected for a very long time, there are no known exploits or data losses. However, by the nature of the exploit, it is impossible to tell so its good be careful and vigilant.
- Changing your password on unpatched servers does not make you safe. Its important to wait until a server has been patched before you change your password.
- If you get a legit message from a service that you use asking you to change your password, please heed their advice. But also, beware of phishing scams. Bad people are out there and they will try to exploit your confusion. Be sure you are making changes on the legit site and not being scammed.
Below is a quick list of common services many of our clients use that have been patched that require password changes. If you use these services, go now and change your password. And, if you us that same login and password someplace else, you need to change your password there as well for safety.
- Dropbox
- Google Apps
- Pintrest
- Yahoo/Yahoo Mail
- Rackspace Mail
- Media Temple
- GoDaddy
- GitHub
Creativetechs Password Advice
Use a Password Manager (Keychain, 1Password, etc.)
Use different passwords everywhere. Yes this is difficult, but that is why we recommend a password manager.
Use complicated passwords. There is a ton of advice about how to create a complex password. (See links below) Just know that the longer the better, mix in Upper/lower case, add in some numbers or other characters.
Some useful links.
Heartbleed checker. Drop a url in here and see if the site you are visiting is safe.
The Heartbleed Hit List. Passwords you need to change right now.
Heartbleed explained in a video.
Updated: Convert InDesign Documents to Word Files
Here’s an update to a tip we originally posted in 2009.
Every graphic designer eventually finds themselves facing this client request. You’ve designed a newsletter layout in Adobe InDesign. The client loves it, but they want a template in Microsoft Word they can edit themselves.
Creativetechs happens to be located in Seattle, just across the lake from the Redmond campus of Microsoft. Needless to say, we get this question a LOT from various graphic designers in our area. There isn’t a perfect solution, but here is a technique that does a surprisingly good job.
Tips and Tricks for iOS 7
Here are a few of our favorite tips, in no particular order, for optimizing and using iOS 7.
1. Reduce Motion.
It doesn’t look as cool, but it makes the interface feel even a bit quicker. Best of all, it doesn’t make you dizzy. Settings / General / Accessibility / Reduce Motion.
2. Larger Type / Bold Type.
Many people have complained that its a bit more difficult to read with the narrow typeface. Did you know you can make it all larger? Or even just make it bold. Super handy for when you are looking at your phone on the go. Settings / General / Accessibility / Larger Type. Then you can adjust the slider to decide just how much larger you want it. Feel like that isn’t quite enough? Bold Type is right there too. Settings / General / Accessibility / Bold Type.
Note Bold Type setting requires a restart to take effect.
How To: Restart in Safe Mode
Oftentimes, your Creative Techie will ask you to “Safe Boot” your computer.
Safe booting is an invaluable diagnostic tool that Apple has included in their computers since 2002. Specifically, it can allow your computer to get up and running at times when the occurrences of corrupt files would otherwise impede this action. This makes the job of any tech consultant easier, as it determines if the problems with your computer reside somewhere in the necessary workings of your Mac, or are just caused by that glitchy Sudoku app that you just downloaded.
How To Restart In Safe Mode:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button.
3. After hearing the startup tone, hold down the Shift Key. This should not be done prior to the sounding of the tone.
4. Let go of the Shift Key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator.
Now What?
Most often, we just want you to restart your computer this time without the shift key, and see if the problem has gone away.
Using Search Tokens In Mail
Have you lost track of that important email? Can you only remember part of the necessary information for a successful search? Don’t worry, Apple has included a valuable and intuitive new way to search in the newest version of mail.
The Problem:
The modern Mail user is in need of more and more email accounts. It is commonplace to have a work, personal, gmail, and any number of other accounts at a single time. This means that it is easier than ever before to lose track of essential emails.
Creativetechs is Hiring!
Creativetechs is looking for a Mac Consultant to join our team.
Creativetechs is looking for a Mac Consultant to join our team.We’ve been continuing to grow over the last year. We are (frankly) somewhat desperate for a talented Mac IT person who can hit the ground running and continue to help our team grow to the next level.
Over the last decade, Creativetechs has grown into the Pacific Northwest’s premiere team of Macintosh experts. Our Mac IT consultants support some of the best Mac-based creative teams in the greater Seattle area, including design firms, ad agencies, photographers, video studios, and in-house creative departments.
