Tuesday, August 2, 2016

It's Ok to Hate Hackers

Sometimes technology is just the biggest pain in the butt!

This week I paid for and downloaded an app called Prisma which a lot of folks were using on Instagram. There seemed to be several to pick from and this one actually had a price tag so I figured it was the one. Nope! But before I could download it I had to log in as usual with my Apple ID and this time it asked for my card security code for verification. That should have been my first clue. But it seemed that had happened before once or maybe to my hubby, so no alarms were particularly going off in my head. But then when I opened it and it was a stupid Hangman game I was a bit ticked. I immediately went and changed my Apple password, (I still want the old one back) then logged on to my credit card and changed the password there too. This time I set up alerts that will email me everytime a transaction is made. 
Well, 2 days later (today) I get an email that says there has been a recent login on my Twitter account from Chrome on Windows in Spain. AAAUUUGGGHHHHH! And all of a sudden I have 2 more emails stating new followers. So I go to change my password and see this luscious naked girl in my profile. And another in a tweet 'I' have sent. 
Understand, I don't even use twitter. I had one person I followed initially (Barb B.) and 1 follower. (Barb B.) Time to clean house. I thought about deleting the account and I may go back and do so but it was interesting that all of a sudden I was following 50 people. I'm sure they appreciate it. NOT. Makes me wonder if this is how I end up with some of the strange followers I have on Instagram. I usually block them but haven't lately. Perhaps it's time to clean house there too. I have nearly 1000 and when I hit it I will celebrate somehow. Perhaps a give away. But for now I will go and block a bunch of them. 
Here's how. Just go to your profile page. Click on Followers. Scroll through your list and if you see anyone questionable, click their name and it will take you to their page. If they look like someone you don't particularly want seeing your feed, click on the three dots up at the very top right hand corner and then chose Block User. It will ask you if you're sure, which is nice of them. and click yes!
This will take me awhile but I've been thinking about it for some time so I need to JUST DO IT!
I suppose if I was real smart I'd go change passwords on most of my important accounts. 

Guess I know what I'll be doing on my day off tomorrow. 
Stackables (formula coming soon).
Hope your Monday was good. Sometimes I just need to get these things off my chest and hopefully you'll be a little more aware because of what I shared.

14 comments:

  1. Sorry that happened! But gosh, sure could'a been a whole lot worse. Go delete/block ... yes .... good idea. As for that Stackables formula - that's a beaut!! - can't wait. Please do announce when it's avail. Thank you!!
    Christi (christicarterphoto on ig ;>))

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  2. I downloaded Prisma but the free one. However, I'must getting a lot of popups!

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  3. I downloaded Prisma but the free one. However, I'must getting a lot of popups!

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  4. That is a pain. A lesson for all of us thanks for the reminder.

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  5. Oh, ARG!! I do block followers when I check their site, or if they come in the night and like about 20 pictures! There's a clue. Sorry you're spending your day off messing with "technicals" and about the bad app! That's scary!

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  6. I'm so sorry that happened to you. (I too downloaded Prisma - the real one, apparently - but it wouldn't work for me so I deleted it immediately.) I've often been concerned about the similarity in names of apps. It's hard to know which is the one you're really looking for. I'll be even more careful in the future!

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  7. I usually block as they come up. If they follow thousands of people and don't even like a photo of mine, I don't give them a chance. Although currently I am taking a break from Instagram, at least as far as posting, it may be temporary, it may be permanent. I am ready to move on to other things.

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  8. After getting all kinds of unwanted comments and followers, I made my IG private. I have to approve or delete any requests. And I blocked all the undesirables. Good luck, Roxi.

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  9. I am so sorry this happened to you! Thank you so much for alerting all of us!

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  10. So sorry you had to go through this! It is frustrating beyond words!! I'm always checking my followers...and deleting. Prisma has been fun for me, so I'm sorry you haven't been able to play with it. I'd love to see your results!!

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  11. Such a nasty experience, I'm sorry for all the trouble! Thank you for the Instagram tip ~ I'll go through the followers as well and will blog the suspectablle ones ... It would be terrible to get hacked. How did you manage with the Twitter account?

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  12. I just discovered your blog while I'm trying to figure out how to make ProCreate do what I want it to. I'm so sorry you got hacked. Oh my, your art makes me drool!

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    Replies
    1. Check out The Digital Painter on YouTube. He has some great tutorials.

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  13. Thanks Roxi, just going to check it out.
    Carol Bartraw

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I read and appreciate all your comments. Have a blessed day!