Futurelawyer

Remote Computer Access - Is That Still A Thing?

How To Use A Chromebook For Remote Access. In the olden days, when FutureLawyer was a boy, we had desktop computers that stayed in one place. We ran our law offices from these big, bulky behemoths that collected dust under our desks. Then, we realized that we wanted to have access to our law firm data from other locations, like home, or hotels, or on vacation. Remote access software became a thing. These days, most of our data and work resides on remote servers somewhere, and we use our tiny, light notebook computers, and tablets and smartphones to access the data using software provided at remote servers. Do we need to access data on desktop computers anymore? Do any of you still have your law firm data stored in a fixed location at your office. If so, here is a blueprint and instructions for using a Chromebook to access it. Ultralight computers can also be carried almost anywhere; so, if you still don't trust cloud storage, you can have your data available anywhere you can carry the computer. The most important thing is that you can be a lawyer wherever you are, using modern tech. Lawyer on.

Ransomware - Do You Know What It Is, And How To Protect Your Firm?

Ransomware Webinar At LegalFuel.com The Standing Committee on Technology of the Florida Bar, of which the Futurelawyer is a proud member, is sponsoring a one hour webinar today at 11 A.M. Eastern Time, at the Florida Bar website, LegalFuel.com. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aurora A. Fagan will discuss the issue of ransomware, what it is, efforts by the Department of Justice to combat it, and steps companies/law firms can take to mitigate their exposure to it. Every computer user, whether in a law firm or not, should spend an hour learning about the increasing threat of ransomware. 

Google Keep Is The Only Note Taking App You Will Ever Need.

Google Keep. There are dozens of note taking apps out there. Some require a subscription. Some have so many complex features that you will never use them all. None is more functional or easier to use than the free Google Keep. Every inspirational article, note or page can be saved in an easy to locate space with the click of the mouse. Every password, address, personal note, and list can be saved with a click. What was that password for the router again? What is my spouse's Social Security Number? Yes, security for computer data is important. But, Google provides the ability to protect with two factor authentication. Your life's data is important. Make it easy to find, and secure as well. I have tried paid note taking apps. The one I use every day is Keep.It syncs across all my devices, so data is accessible whether I am using my desktop, tablet or smartphone. Do you know where your data is?

Rick's Newsletter - Law, Technology, Poetry, Computers, And Fun.

Saturday Morning Project - Add Extensions To Your Browser For More Privacy.

Browser Settings To Change ASAP. Web browsers are designed to track everything you do on the Internet, ostensibly to give you better results, and to sell you stuff you are probably interested in. They are also designed to create data that can be sold to advertisers and manufacturers. All of this is fine in a consumer focused economy. However, bad actors can also get the data, and politicians have used the data for nefarious purposes. So, how does a responsible lawyer or other person strike a healthy balance? Why, tweaking the browser, of course. You could change to a more secure browser. But, you wouldn't get the benefits of Chrome or the other ad supported browsers. So, read this article, and consider adding extensions that increase browser security. You can add only the ones you need to strike the balance you require. A great source of security extensions for Chrome is the Electronic Frontier Foundation. My favorite is HTTPS Everywhere, which adds secure browsing to every site. This page has more EFF security extensions to consider. Think of it as putting better locks on your doors at home. You won't prevent all crime; but, you will have a deterrent. Be safe out there.

TechTip - Are You Really Deleting That File?

Some Items Don't Belong In The Recycle/Trash Bin. Well, Ms. Lawyer, you deal with confidential data every day. Sometimes, you need to delete files that are no longer relevant, or which are no longer needed. If those files contain client confidential information, you know, don't you, that clicking the delete button doesn't really delete them? If not, you are taking a big risk. I love being a member of the Solo And Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar. The Section is a great resource for my law practice, and I learn from it every day. Today, the Section points to a useful Florida Bar article on file deletion that should be required reading for every lawyer. Long story short, when you delete a file, and want it gone forever, hold down the Shift key while you delete it. Presto, nor more file. Or, you can just make it a habit to clean out the Recycle/Trash bin often. Of course, the only way to get rid of it permanently, is to run a wipe program on the unused space on a drive. Data is like the undead. Hard to kill.

Bank OZK And Dina Reyes And Jason Links...My Heroes.

Bank OZK - It's About Your People. Lawyers are increasingly the subject of hacker attacks that target their bank accounts. Computer security is an ongoing fight. But, one of the best defenses you have against hackers is a bank that cares about its customers, and springs into action on a moment's notice. Recently, my trust account was attacked, for the second time. Since I reconcile it online every day, I caught the transfer immediately. I called the bank, and entered a dispute report. At that point, Jason Links, my branch manager, and Dina Reyes, his assistant, got to work creating a new trust account, freezing the old one, and crediting my account with the amount of the fraudulent transfer. The new account will have blocking software to prevent the problem in the future. Their efforts made a bad day into a successful one, and they deserve credit. They will tell you they were just doing their job. I will tell you that they are my heroes and earned my loyalty and trust. Congratulations to Bank OZK for hiring such wonderful employees.

 

How To Sell Software Upgrades - Tip Number One.

We all get the emails. There is an upgrade to your software. Buy it and your software will continue to work. There is a new software vulnerability that this upgrade will fix. Some software companies provide such upgrades for free. The subscription model ensures that the company will get some of your money indefinitely. But, in this life, there are no coincidences, and you need to evaluate upgrades accordingly.  

Malwarebytes - It's Not Just For Computers Anymore.

Malwarebytes For Android. If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am concerned with digital security. I care about you. If you get hacked, I feel your pain. So, why aren't you following my advice? Your least secure device is the one you carry around with you. It is small, so it can be stolen. You keep it secure with pattern or digital PIN number security schemes. But, it has the same data on it, and the same cloud access, as your notebook computer. The more powerful your phone becomes, and they are like small computers these days, the riskier they are. So, protect yourself from viruses, ransomware, and other risks with Malwarebytes. Less than $50 a year per device. Be careful out there.

Do You Know Where Your Data Is?

Acronis True Image Is Where My Data Is. I am always preaching about data back up, because the digital space is invisible to us, and we keep our lives there. My question isn't completely rhetorical. I really do want to know where my essential data is, all the time, every time. Storage is key. I keep much of my data safe by storing it on Micro SDs, USB drives, and in the cloud. The more places it is stored, the better the likelihood I can find it in a catastrophe. One method I have used is to create a digital image of my drives on a regular basis. While I have recently been using the Windows based imaging app, it was failing on a regular basis, and I didn't trust it anymore. So, I spent $49.99 on an old faithful, Acronis True Image, now named Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office. I don't need the Anti Virus and Cyber Protection functions, since I have Malwarebytes for that; but, the imaging and other security tools are second to none. It keeps as running image of my drive on a 2 Terabyte USB external drive, and a backup image on my portable 2 Terabyte drive that I carry around. It works in the background, and, since I have it scheduled every night at 2 in the morning, I never have to follow it around. It never ceases to amaze me that otherwise intelligent people, who install security systems on their homes and offices, and fancy locks on their doors, don't do rudimentary things to protect their lifeblood data. No more preaching. I will just lead by example. If you don't follow, that is on you.