Stay Safe Out There

Whether as a college student or not, sometimes it's a good thing to remember safety practices. Here are some tips we hope are helpful:

Personal Safety

• With your car: keep anything valuable in your trunk, such as your laptop and all your school or work materials. Thieves will often break into a car when they see a backpack or something that looks like a laptop bag, which may have nothing in it of value, but they'll assume there's a computer they could sell. They'll just take the whole bag, it's faster.
• Keep your hands free: Everyone seems to walk and text as they go about their days, and that's OK as long as you're paying attention to where you are going. At night, though, you might want to reconsider: Your hands won't be free to fight off anyone or for that matter, to press 911, if you're texting or talking, oblivious to the world around you. This goes for having earbuds stuck in your ears: I get that you're trying to block out the world, but sometimes that's a disadvantage
• You could, however, pretend you're talking to someone on your phone if you think someone is following you--maybe they'll believe you're talking to the police or someone about 'he's making me really uncomfortable, I'm going to call 911'

• Noise-canceling headphones can be an issue for the same reason. If you don't hear something or someone approaching, you can't defend yourself.
• Also be aware when you're riding your bike or board: Drivers may not see you whizzing by them until it's too late. Better to skate or ride on sidewalks than in the street. Be considerate, too-stop at stop signs, take a few seconds, and check for oncoming cars. Use the crossing button when there's a light. Assume car drivers don't see you: drivers don't want to hit you, they're trying to take in everything, when suddenly you appear and they don't have time to react fast enough.

                                 Why on earth was this guy going right down the road? He's lucky the car didn't hit him.

• And when you're driving, watch for people walking, biking, or skateboarding. Remember kids are especially hard to predict. Sometimes while they're looking right at you, they're steering themselves out into traffic. Or, they panic and head straight for a car. Keep your cool and take your time.
• For students, have the campus emergency number in your contacts as well as 911
• Know where the campus emergency phones are, or who to contact if someone is bothering you
• Be familiar with your surroundings: it's all new to you, but don't make that obvious to someone else...and if you know where you're going, you won't waste any time getting to your destination because you're lost
• If you go to a party, don't leave alone. Go with a friend, especially if you came there together.
• Walking alone after dark is generally not a great idea. Buddy up and text each other when you're safely inside your dorm or your home, and be sure your friend texts you, too.

                                                                                      Friends

• Know how to activate your flashlight on your phone, or get a little flashlight you can attach to your key chain, belt loop, or somewhere easy to reach. Some of them have very bright lights and could distract someone if you shine it in their eyes--giving you time to run away, or maybe unlock your car and get in, locking it as soon as you shut the door.

• You can buy 'panic buttons' that are also small but powerful: when you sense danger, all you have to do is press a button for a loud alarm sound. Mini air horns are also available.
• Pepper spray is inexpensive, you can get a can of spray (they are available at stores like Target, Walmart, Menards, Amazon) that you can carry on a keychain/lanyard. Try it out so you know how it works before you need to.
• Share your day to day schedule with a few people, so they know where you 'should' be at any given time unless you tell them otherwise.
• If you think you're being followed (listen to your gut/instincts/intuition), go to a well-lit public place where there are lots of people (gas station, restaurant, business), go in, and talk to someone there. They can call police for you, and it gives you a safe place to wait. If you're driving and you know where the nearest police department is, drive there, go in, and tell them. Chances are your stalker won't follow you there.
• Don't go home. If the stalker follows you, even if he then goes away, he now knows where  you live. Ask the police what to do.
• Be sure you don't leave anything with your name and address openly visible in your car. 
• Lock things: Always lock your car, even if it's sitting in your driveway, and lock your garage even if you are home. Lock your dorm room even if you're only going down the hall for a shower, down the next level to the laundry, or to visit a friend for a few minutes. Lock your laptop so it can't be easily taken. Lock your bike to a post or a bike stand. Lock your backpack. Lock everything up. 
• Motion-detection lights aren't expensive and are easy to install. At any movement, they turn on and hopefully would scare someone away. These can be installed over driveways or at entrance doors.
• You can get real or fake 'surveillance' cameras; some of the fake ones even move every few minutes. A thief isn't going to climb up and see if it's real or not.

• Have you heard of 'car shopping'? This is when people roam around in the middle of the night looking for unlocked cars. They try the door, and if it opens, they help themselves to anything they want or might sell: Prescriptions, sunglasses, cash, name brand clothes or shoes, snacks. It happened to me, and it was really unnerving to see someone had been in my car the next day, even though they must have been sorely disappointed.

Online safety tips:

• On any computer, get a firewall, an antivirus app or program (there are several free ones), and antispyware. Some apps or programs include all of those. It's OK to have more than one. This can protect you from viruses that can destroy your data or collect personal information about you.
• Create a 'disposable' email you'll use to give out to places asking for an email to sign up for something, If you aren't 'required' to fill in an email and/or phone number, then don't. More on disposable emails here: https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-a-Disposable-Email-Address
• Sometimes when you purchase something in person, the clerk will ask for your email or phone number. You are not required to provide it--you can say 'no, I don't give it out.' They will push, but you just say, 'no thanks.'
• Consider what you post about your personal life on social media. Your actual friends already know where you work, where you live, and other groups you might be a part of. If a new friend (especially a 'social media friend') wants to know something more, he/she can ask you in Messenger. And if you don't care to tell them, that's fine.

• Set Facebook to let you review pictures your friends tag you in, and if you don't want it to be seen on your page, you can shut that down. A picture your friend may think is harmless may look worse to others. Plus, it links you to that person and his/her lifestyle. Keep in mind, too, that like it or not, employers and colleges do look to see what sort of person you are on social media.
• Be very careful of how many and which pictures you post of children, yours or other people's.
• Be respectful of their wishes, assume they don't want you posting pictures of their kids for any reason.
• Never (never) assume someone you have 'met' online is totally innocent and means well. People can charm you into trusting them only to turn out to be bad guys. Be very protective of your safety and who you trust.
• If your gut tells you someone is dangerous in any way, block him or her, and anyone you don't want contacting you. There is nothing at all wrong with that. You don't have to wait for people to do or say anything to you that sets off 'giant' red flags, and you certainly don't have to apologize or explain. People do not receive any notice that you have blocked them, they will realize it when they can't find you and can't message you. If you feel uncomfortable with someone, block. And don't feel bad about it, you have to protect yourself.
• Be especially aware of people who seem to be 'genuinely' romantically interested in you. Be suspicious. Do not meet up with someone you only 'know' online. Keep the person at some distance, and if you ever feel uncomfortable, block him or her. You do not have to be 'nice' to everyone.

• Back to pictures: Putting your name in big letters on your backpack: not a great idea, especially for a child.
• Tech savvy people can figure out where pictures were taken, using geotags in photographs' coding.
• If you take pictures of your house or maybe a party in your yard, you might forget your street number shows in the picture, or even the license plates on your car, making it easy to find you. You or a child in a picture might be wearing a sports jersey with her, or your,  name on it in that picture:  Don't make it easy for bad guys to figure out more about you.
• Also, be smart: Don't advertise on social media that you're going to be on vacation for the next week or few days. Thieves will thank you for all that free time they have to get in, steal, and get back out.
• Always back up your files in some manner. Many people like to use clouds so they can always get data back that's been lost or stolen.
•  It's still true that you should watch for the padlock symbol in the top field of your computer which indicates the site is locked down/secure. Don't do business otherwise.
• Change your passwords fairly regularly, for no particular reason or if you have issues with an account.
• Use good passwords, and don't  use one password and/or user name for all your online business or mail. How to make it tricky? Make it long and seemingly nonsense. Some tips here:   https://lifehacker.com/four-methods-to-create-a-secure-password-youll-actually-1601854240 
• Tons of passwords you never remember? Here are some ideas for safe storage: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/10-free-ways-to-track-all-your-passwords.html

Stay safe out there!!

Facebook: Your Life For Sale

Now that I have your attention...


Facebook can be a great way to communicate stuff: you can check your TRIO Facebook page for announcements, activities and events, scholarships, assignments, and interesting items. It can be used to ask others questions about deadlines, times to show up for events, pass along information.


But what about when you use it to 'talk' to your friends? Is it really necessary?


How often do you check Facebook? Five times a day? All day long?  It's easy, it's relaxing, it's fun...


And it can be a source of such anxiety!!

 

People got along without it for a very long time: Facebook was invented in 2004, which may be close to the year you were born....so it hasn't been around that long. It started as a way for college 'nerds' to rate girls in their college: A place where they had posted pictures of female students that they gathered from sorority membership rolls. It was, you see, a Book of Faces. Male students could log on and 'rate' how attractive they felt these women were.


Sexist much??

 

And then, because the people who invented it became very aware how popular it was, how many people they could involve, it morphed until it finally became what it is now: a social media site where everyone and their dogs (and that's not an exaggeration) have pages at Facebook. It's handy to touch bases with people we know who live far away or who are traveling. We can share pictures and talk via Instant Messenger. In turn, Facebook bombards you with ads, inviting you to click and maybe buy something. This is how Facebook makes money: It is so popular, advertisers will pay top dollar to post their products on your page. Harmless, right?


Well... wait a minute.


Facebook also uses your data in these ways:

• To track what you buy online
• To track where you have 'gone' online, not only to FB--for 90 days at a time
• Things you post at FB that you call 'Public' are viewable to anyone: your profile picture and cover photo, your name, gender, and networks: all available through a search engine such as Google or Bing.
• Tagged photos of you can use that facial recognition to identify you in pictures not on FB
• Some of your personal data is shared with the government (The National Security Administration) even if you are not a criminal.
• Whatever information you give FB, they keep forever, whether you leave FB or not.

Things to think about:

• Any picture you post, embarrassing or not, is there for many people to see and perhaps use against you.
• You have Facebook friends---and so do your friends, their friends, and friends of friends. Things you post can be seen by complete strangers. Try to keep that in mind with your posts and pictures.
• When you apply for a job, employers do check to see if you're on social media, and whether you post things they think are inappropriate, before they consider hiring you. Fair or not, they do this.
• Colleges will also check to see how you conduct yourself on social media. Admissions and scholarships might be affected by what they see.

Read what happened when someone tried an experiment: He clicked "Like" on everything he saw on Facebook for two days-only two days: https://www.wired.com/2014/08/i-liked-everything-i-saw-on-facebook-for-two-days-heres-what-it-did-to-me/


People have allowed Facebook to get so important to them that they completely forget how to really interact with people. Staring at your phone as you walk is not an indication of being connected. Do you ever make phone calls anymore? Talk to people, really conduct a conversation? It is much different than typing a text message which may not even make sense, thanks to Autocorrect. Take a step back and think about your interactions on Facebook (and other social media):

• What about that person who posts things you really do not want to see? What about people who use Facebook as their personal political proclamation location? Or those who think it's their job to get religion to those of us who don't have an affiliation?
• What about cyberbullying using Facebook? Have you had this happen to you or someone you know? What is the impact of that, considering how important social media is to some people? http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Bullying-on-Facebook
• Some statistics about bullying that might surprise you: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2294023/Facebook-worst-social-network-bullying-New-survey-shows-youngsters-targeted-online-else.html
• And do we really and truly want to see pictures of what someone is eating right now? I mean, I'm all for bacon mac and cheese but seriously...

• Do you 'check in' constantly? Don't you care that someone knows where you are practically 24/7?.
• Do you feel 'bad' if you don't have over a certain number of Facebook 'Friends'? There are actually people who are upset that you can 'only' list 5,000 people. This is, apparently, the way people feel like they're popular.
• If you think about it, though, out of the people you are 'Facebook Friends' with....how many do you really know, and how many have you actually met in real life? How many do you think of as close pals? And be honest, here. I'm going to guess that most of us actually know less than 25 people, really know them....and are close friends with possibly 4.

 

• What could be the danger of 'friending' everyone you ever encounter, plus friends of friends you don't really know? Some people do.
• Do you post videos you find interesting or amusing? Do you ever click on videos someone else has posted? Why or why not?
• Do you feel bad if nobody 'likes', comments, or shares something you have posted? Do you wonder what was wrong with it/wrong with you?
• Have you ever gotten into an argument with someone on your page, or in Messenger? How did that turn out? Did you find that meanings were misconstrued? That there was unintentional offending? Did you and your Facebook friend figure it out and make up?
• Or did you have to make that decision about un-friending?
• Why or why not did you un-friend someone, and what did that mean to you? Are you now also not friends in real life? Was it a serious situation? Has someone un-friended you? How did it feel? If you were involved in un-friending, did you then block the person, too? Why or why not?

• I have three points to make here: First, re-consider how much time you spend on Facebook. Try going without it for two days, then three, then a week, and see if you really crave it that much. Either way, think about why that is. A balance of real-life contact with people being your most frequent way to interact plus a few minutes here and there on Facebook could be a really good thing. Imagine not feeling like you "have" to check it on and off all....day.....long. That it is not the first thing you do in the morning, even before you have breakfast....and the last thing, last minute, before you go to bed. What if, rather than a daily habit, you checked in once every few days when you had nothing better to do? Here's a challenge: Don't even look at social media first thing in the morning. Wait. Like until mid-morning or at noon. Could you stand it?

Revolutionary!!

 

• The second point is, be aware of how much you are sharing and the fact that virtually anyone can learn about you, whether it's complete strangers or the Facebook people through data sharing, for marketing or other reasons. Keep in mind that 'friends of friends of friends' can be looking at your page or your posts. Is that OK with you? If not, go to Privacy Settings and tweak it until it is secure enough to suit you. How much do you want to share with the entire internet? Assume everything you ever post is out there-be very cautious what pictures you share as well. Be restrictive about how much is viewable on your profile page: Do not make everything you post 'Public.' You can even alter your name a bit so you are harder to find in search, and you can block people so they can't even tell if you're on Facebook at all. You are allowed to do that, to protect yourself. Your 'Blocked' list should have a number of names on it, just to be on the safe side.

• My third point is connected to the first point: Your Facebook page is nothing more than that. It is a social media site, a program if you will, on your computer(s). It is not the measure of your popularity. It is not a must. It is not a need. Do you have friends in real life that are not even on Facebook? Are you less friends with them because of that? No. I didn't think so. And what does your page look like? Do you like the posts your 'friends' post, do you simply not care about some of them, and do some of them actually tick you off? Why are you still allowing them to be in your Friends list then? You 'own' your Facebook page. If you want to, you can do a number of things to control what it looks like: Hide things you don't like. Move someone from Close Friend to Friend to Acquaintance. Un-follow someone to see no more of his/her posts. Put that person on your Restricted list if you don't want them to see anything you post. If you don't know how to do these things, they're found in the Help section of Facebook. Or, again, just do a search online.

It's. Just. Facebook. Don't give it more power than it ought to have.

It's a Steal

Breaking into cars is still a fairly common crime. Here are some of the things that get stolen:

• GPS (hint: remove and take the device with you, also remove the suction cup holder, and if possible get a bean-bag type holder: thieves can see the round mark from the suction cup on your window and will know it's probably under the seat or in the glovebox)
• DVD players
• Laptop Computer-some people actually leave these in plain view on the seat of the car
• Purses
• Backpacks
• Car stereos that are easy to pull out
• Cell phones
• Video gaming components

• Tools
• Newly purchased items from the back of a pickup truck (such as large screen TVs)
• License plates and tabs
• Vehicle title papers
• Garage door openers
• Thieves not only want the GPS to keep or re-sell. If you have a garage door opener clearly visible, such as on a sun visor, and a GPS or any document in your car with your address, all a thief would have to do is go to your address, use the opener, and gain access to your house. Simple.

Consider setting the 'Home' on your GPS to a nearby location rather than your actual home. Another idea: Use the local police department's address.


There's a new device thieves have to unlock cars, and it's got police stumped:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=breaking+into+cars&&view=detail&mid=4A9F6961C4028CA3947C4A9F6961C4028CA3947C&FORM=VRDGAR

*Another suggestion, this one from a local bank: Do not have your driver's license number or phone number printed on your checks. Thieves will take your checkbook, call you and report they have found it and say they'll meet you somewhere nearby to give it to you. While you drive to get it, the thieves are at  your house breaking in. If they have a drivers license number, they might try opening a credit card in your name.  Also, consider never having the checkbook with you, but instead, leave it secured somewhere at home. How often do you write checks these days?

                              Smile!! We're taking your picture.


*Consider etching an identifying number on your items such as tools. Obviously, this would not be your Social Security Number, phone number, or anything of use to a thief. Then take pictures of the items showing the etched number. If they are stolen but are recovered, you have proof that they were yours.

*Thieves have also been known to remove wheels and tires, 3rd-row seats, and even air bags. Yes, air bags. 

Triogenius got to wondering which cars are stolen most often. What a surprise to learn that it isn't an expensive Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes, or even  a loaded Corvette or Mustang. While those cars are stolen, look at what CNN gave as the most commonly stolen cars:

10. 2004 Toyota Corolla
9.   2002 Ford Explorer
8.   1994 Accura
7.   1994 Chevy Pickup
6.   2000 Dodge Van (!)
5.   2004 Dodge Pickup
4.   1997 Ford F150 Pickup
3.   1991 Toyota Camry
2.   1995 Honda Civic
and the #1 car stolen in the U.S.:
   1994 Honda Accord.             -Source: CNBC online

....because they are easy to get into quickly. With older cars, a door lock means they still have little plastic pieces by the windows that can be popped up to unlock the door. Newer cars don't have them.

                           If a pigeon can do this........


Another reason for these cars being stolen so often has to do with the fact that older cars have less anti-theft measures installed, as well as the fact that they were really popular, so it's easy to take parts off one and sell, or use them to build a 'new' car.




Keep in mind these tips to avoid car theft:

• Do Not Leave The Keys In The Ignition. This is high on the list of how cars are stolen. Why invite a thief and make it simple for him?
• Don't leave the keys in the car anywhere.
• Keep the car locked at all times, even when you are in it, and even when you 'just run in' to a store or the gas station. Lock it. Always. And for heavens sake bring your children with you, no matter how quick a trip you're making in and out of a store.

• Keep your windows up when you leave the car.
• Don't leave items laying out on the seat of the car which may be enticing. Even a bag with unknown contents might be enough inspiration for someone to break in and take it. Put your purchases in your trunk and lock it.
• Don't leave the keys in your car or leave it running while you 'just run in for a minute' to get something.
• Don't leave your spare key anywhere that's easy to find.
• Park where there is a bright light so that thieves would be visible and not hidden

Have a great week!!!