Safety

Password Essentials – Protecting Yourself

Cybersecurity, Safety, Security, Technology

I used to be one who would use the same password (or two) for almost every login I had, almost everywhere. Along the way, I realized that’s not a good thing. Too many companies, servers, and retailers have been comprimised. You know what they say, if you haven’t been hacked yet, it’s because you just don’t know it! There are several ways you can protect yourself and minimize the risk of being hacked. Integrate most, or all of these, and you will improve your odds at better cybersecurity.

5 Steps to Better Password Security

Use a unique password for each and every site and login you have. That way if (really, when) there is a data breach the hacker does not have access to your bank account or any of your logins. If you’re like me, you’re thinking, but how can I keep track of ALL those DIFFERENT passwords!? The solution is simple. I’ll explain that part in just a bit.
Use the longest password the system will allow. You want to make the password at least 12-15 characters long. Be sure it is a random string of characters. Don’t use patterns, pop culture references, pet names, or anything that can be guessed or figured out.
Utilize a combination of upper and lower case with at least two special characters. Spread those special characters out throughout the password. (I know, I know. I am making it to where you will NEVER remember your password. Hang on, the solution is on the way)!
Never let or allow your browser to remember your passwords for you. Don’t trust Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or any browser to handle your passwords for you. Too risky!
As an added layer of protection, opt in for the two-factor verification. Many sites allow for a second form of verification, either a text to your mobile number or a verification that is sent to your email account. Opt in for those security measures whenever possible. It can make a difference.

Here is What Makes It All Work The Best

Okay, here is the the secret to MOST of the previous tips. This makes all of that easy! USE A PASSWORD MANAGER. That is the only way to go! A Password Manager will allow for most of the things mentioned. You can easily and conveniently have a STRONG and UNIQUE password for each and every login you have and you only have to remember ONE password to do it! Maximum security with with ease and convenience!

Here are two password manager sites/apps I highly recommend – 1Password or LastPass. These allow you to create truly random passwords, that are unique to each and every site and login. It will allow you to include upper and lower case with special characters and you don’t even need to remember them. You just need to remember your master login. These password managers sync across your desktop and your mobile device. They also have extensions for your browser(s) for easy access and ease of operation. They include password generators so the passwords that are created are extremely strong. Maximum length, with upper and lower case, and special characters.

Although both of these have a free trial, there is a small charge if you decide to utilize it on a regular basis, but the fee is manageable, there is family pricing, and the extra security is totally worth it! Not only does a password manager assist in providing you with maximum security, but it makes logging in so convenient and you only have to know your master password.

Want to learn more about digital security? Check out the Wired Guide to Digital Security.

Let me know if you have questions. I am always happy to help!

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing, Safety, Sound

The absolute loudest sound I have ever heard was the sound of a top fuel dragster as they would spin the rear wheels in the bleach box, just behind the starting line on the drag strip, to heat the tires up! I was only a few feet away, working as security to keep people out of that area at the NHRA Winternationals.

This was a long time ago, but it is something that I will always remember. The sound of those top fuel dragsters revving their engines at top RPM was a sound unlike any other I have ever experienced! It was SO loud, it did not even sound like I was hearing it through my outer ear. It sounded (and felt) like the sound was emanating in my gut and the sound was exiting my body through my ears! I have no idea what the actual sound pressure level was that day, but it had to have been at least 140 decibels. I was not wearing any hearing protection!

Noise Induced Hearing Loss is Prevenatble

Sound does not have to be as loud as that to cause Noise Induced Hearing Loss. Do you know what NIHL is? Do you know what sound levels are safe to be exposed to and for how long? How can you minimize the risk? Noise Induced Hearing Loss is any hearing impairment that is as a result from exposure to loud sound. It is preventable and it can be permanent! In order to keep our hearing in good health we need to know what levels to limit to.

How Loud Is It?

You might be surprised just how loud the sounds of our day-to-day environment actually are. The average office noise or classroom usually reaches average decibels of 60 – 70 decibels. Long term exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or above can cause permanent hearing loss. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that the level of noise exposure in the workplace is no more than 85 decibels (dB) for 8 hours per day. Of course the ear can be exposed to short periods of loud sound, in excess of 120 dB, without permanent damage. It is all a function of the loudness and the length of exposure.

Important for Audio Pros

Whenever I teach an audio production or sound design class, I always include a short workshop on Noise Induced Hearing Loss. I figure, as an audio professionals, we need to know what NIHL is, and how to create a safe work environment. One part of that workshop is to use some sort of Sound Pressure Level Meter to take measurements of our sonic environment. Probably one of the most readily available, and affordable SPL meters is via a mobile device app. There are many to choose from. Here are some recommendations.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are the steps to reduce your chance of Noise Induced Hearing Loss:

Be mindful and be aware. Avoid noise hazards in and around your environment and turn the volume down while listening and mixing in your studio or home.

Educate yourself on sound levels and exposure limits. Take steps to limit your exposure to harmful levels and exposure times.

Give your ears a break. Take lots of time to rest your hears with little or very quiet sounds.

Purchase and use hearing protection devices, earmuffs, and earplugs as the situation warrants. There are many available that attenuate the sound levels without blocking out the frequency response.

May you have a lifetime of excellent hearing so you can live and work in the wonderful sonic environment in which we live!

ShakeAlertLA #AppsWorthUsing

Apps Worth Using, Earthquake Preparedness, Safety

This App Could Be Considered Earthshaking

A couple of years ago, as part of my Twitter account, MikeRaphone , I began tweeting about #AppsWorthUsing . You see I’m a collector of sorts, of apps. I am not intentionally downloading as many as I can to increase my collection, but rather as I see interesting apps, I try them out. That being said, my collection is now at 723 apps on my iPhone 6+. When people learn how many apps I have they ask, “how many do you really use?” My answer is, maybe about 20 or so. That got me started on my hashtag and tweeting about apps I felt were worth using! These are apps I find useful for my voice over business. Some of the apps are great for content creation. Others I find useful for social media & marketing, and some are just for everyday life or fun!

A New App that was Just Released

A couple of days ago, Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, the City of Los Angeles, the Information Technology Agency and the Department of Emergency Management, released ShakeAlertLA. It’s a mobile app that sends alerts to users within greater Los Angeles County in the event of an earthquake, greater than magnitude 5.0 or level IV intensity. It’s built on the ShakeAlert system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The most amazing thing about this new app and the technology behind it, is it acts as an early alert system! It notifies you an earthquake has been detected and that you may soon feel shaking in your area. It is really quite amazing!

• Download on the Google Play Store

• Download on the Apple App Store

How It Works

It’s quite interesting to see how the system works. Check out this video. There are two types of seismic waves that carry energy, p-waves and s-waves. ShakeAlert uses those waves to alert you and give you an early alert so you can prepare and Drop, Cover, and Hold On with this early alert of perhaps just a few seconds.

The Threat is Real

Believe it or not, there are about 10,000 earthquakes each year in California! That means there are almost 800 each month, which is about 26 per day. That’s a scary thought! However, most of these are relatively small and cause little or no damage and aren’t even felt my most of us. Here is the statistic that really makes the threat REAL! In California, it is almost certain that there will be a STRONG earthquake by 2037. In fact, experts say there is a 99.7% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater magnitude between now and 2037. Most likely, this would occur in the greater Los Angeles and/or San Francisco area since these cities sit on (or near) the San Andreas fault. This fault is the source of most seismic activity in California.

Makes Even a Californian Sit Up and Take Notice

I’m a native Southern Californian. I’ve weathered many an earthquake, and most don’t bother me…too much. I’ve been through several that have rattled my nerves, and a couple that have scared the ever-loving, pudding out of me! They were less than that 6.7 (or greater) that we are supposed to have in the next 30 years. Scary thought! This ShakeAlert app will help save lives, especially as the technology improves, even if it only gives us a few extra seconds to prepare. Speaking of preparation here are a couple of earthquake preparation links you might find useful:

Ready Los Angles County

FEMA Earthquake Safety Checklist

Even though this ShakeAlert is an #AppsWorthUsing, I am going to give it one more hashtag – #AppIHopeINeverHaveToUse (But Glad I Have It)

Be prepared. Stay safe. – Mike

Mike Laponis

VO