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Take this quiz to see how safe you are online

1:44 PM Add Comment
Take this quiz to see how safe you are online -

october Think you're safe online? October is Cyber ​​Security Awareness Month - a good time to put things test.Take both quiz to see how you fare

Phishing Quiz -.? Think you can Thwart Internet Scammers
will never wonder how good you are to tell the difference between a legitimate website and is a phishing attempt? Take this quiz to find out.

How cyber-savvy are you?
Test your knowledge of the risks of cyber security you face every day. Take the 11-item quiz to find out how cyber-savvy you are!

Whether on a desktop, laptop or mobile device, your password is often your greatest point of vulnerability. Your password on the list of 500 worst passwords of all time? If so, change it now

Here are two Microsoft tools that can assist in the formulation of a better password:

    • Check your password - is -it strong !? - This is a Microsoft service that allows you to test your password in order to assess its strength
    • Tips for creating a password

Tribute to our former fighters

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Tribute to our former fighters -

veterans November 11, 1918 marks the end of hostilities in World War I, "the war to end all wars." Unfortunately, it did not work that way - there have been many wars since and since 1919, on 11 November each year, we honor our veterans There are about 22 million veterans living.. the United States, with about 2.6 million of the / 11 era and post-9 just under 1 million World War II

some ways to mark the day :.

ceremonies and Veterans Day events

2014 Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts

5 ways to honor veterans beyond Veterans Day

How celebrate Veterans Day - If you aren 't a veteran

please support our veterans, especially those who are disabled. Moreover, too are homeless or unemployed.

Here are some ways to give back to veterans. Please take care to donate to legitimate veterans organizations - FTC says that there are many scams posing as veterans charities and offers tips to ensure your donation goes to a legitimate source

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Shedding light on the purchase of energy saving bulbs

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Shedding light on the purchase of energy saving bulbs -

If saving money is one resolutions of your new year, one way might be as simple press of a button. Conversion to energy saving bulbs can reap real savings, but many people are confused and frustrated by the range of choices and unknown terminology when buying. What was once a simple purchase is certainly a more complex task, but help is at hand with a simple guide NPR Change bulbs, a practical tool designed to demystify the many options we have now that we go to 'efficient lighting. It compares the standard incandescent bulbs that we all know halogen incandescent, CFL and LED options. It includes pictorial aids, definitions of terminology and comparative tables at hand. Two things we found most useful are the cost comparison of over 10 years (ranging from a low of $ 16.37 to a high of $ 76.70) and watts to lumens equivalency guide.

For those who want a little more detail, CNet provides a guide for techno-geeks, the bulb buying guide. It provides details on the various choices and a discussion on the color of light. Tip: You do not have to give up this soft, romantic glow if you know what to shop for. It also discusses options such as shape, the directivity of the light and dimming.

In addition to the bulbs, you may want to consider replacing some of your devices. Energy Star estimates that replacing your five most used with energy saving models devices could save up to $ 75 per year.

Here are some other guides to help you.

  • Federal Trade Commission: shopping for Lightbulbs
  • Energy.gov - lighting choices to save money
  • Consumer Reports: Lightbulbs
  • separating Myth Made on CFL and LED bulbs: five addressed concerns

Distracted driving - five seconds is all it takes

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Distracted driving - five seconds is all it takes -

distractions

Distracted driving is a major factor in car accidents - leading to many deaths. And distraction is a matter of seconds - if you are traveling at 55 mph in just five seconds will take you the length of a football field. The video spot of public service below shows how quickly something can go terribly wrong.

Today, the focus is on all text messages. While texting is indeed a major culprit (it is involved in 18% of all deaths related to distraction), there are many other forms of distraction.

Distraction falls into three main categories
Manuel - Take your hands on the wheel
eye ​​ - take your eyes road
cognitive - take your mind of conduct

is a list of fun activities common:

  • Texting
  • the using a cell phone or smartphone
  • Eat and drink
  • Lighting a cigarette
  • Talking to passengers
  • for the kids on the bench back
  • grooming
  • reading, including maps
  • Go to the glove
  • using a navigation system
  • Watch video
  • animals that are not secured in the car
  • Adjusting the radio, CD player or MP3 player
  • external distractions

more on distracted driving in distraction.gov.

need a car insurer? Check with one of our independent agents New England.

Blizzard damage: what your insurance covers

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Blizzard damage: what your insurance covers -

There was one for the record books for many in New England. When assessing the damage, the Insurance Information Institute reminds us that:

"standard homeowners policies provide coverage for damage caused by wind, snow, intense cold and freezing rain, "said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and chief communications III" car accidents caused by slippery roads are also covered by standard automobile insurance policies. "

See Concerned About Winter Storm damage to your home or car III Reviews What is covered by your insurance - call your local independent agent if you have questions

New England is digging begins today .. When digging, remember to clear your exhaust pipes in your car and your home.

This is a retrospective of some images related to the storm.

warm thoughts for the holiday Valentine fresh

8:39 PM Add Comment
warm thoughts for the holiday Valentine fresh -

Depositphotos_3662761_xs

With the day of Valentine's Day looming, we certainly need a few hugs here New England - for warmth if nothing else! It was a few difficult weeks and if the weather reports are true, it will get worse before it gets better.

hard to remember, but New England is famous for more than snow. One of our famous creations is distributed in the millions at this time of the year: the hearts of ever popular conversation candies were invented in Massachusetts in Necco factory, where they are still being produced today ' hui. But there's a modern twist: they have added some new conversational phrases for 2015:

The five other new conversation hearts for 2015 are: "BFF", "TE AMO", which is "I love you" in Spanish, "I love," which is "I love you" in French, a picture of a smiling face, and a picture of a handlebar mustache.

learn more about history of heart conversation. And you can even make your own personal jpg version to use on your blog or website to ACME Heart Maker. Here are ours:

no-snow

Here are some cute Valentine music to get you in a sincere spirit. Thank you to one of our favorite sites, Neatorma, for links

Your car never recalled? A new tool allows easy search VIN

7:38 PM Add Comment
Your car never recalled? A new tool allows easy search VIN -

Depositphotos_43683597_xs
Another week, another callback. If you feel like every car in the world was reminded last year, your fears are not far from reality. Here is the 2014 countdown reminder, according to Auto News :.

The final statement of damages in 2014 came to federal regulators this month, showing that automakers have sent some 64 million recall notices in the US

This was more than double the previous record for the calendar year of 30.8 million, set in 04.

and that was the largest maker offender Of the industry?

Of the 64 million, nearly 27 million came from GM. It's a 3,466 percent increase compared to the total of GM in 2013.

In other words: In one year, GM recalled the equivalent of every vehicle it sold from mid-September 05 to the end of 2014.

How can we follow? The owners can not always know whether their car was never recalled or if it is yet to be repaired

Good news -. Now, there is a path. Use the VIN search tool NHTSA to see if your car has never been recalled over the past 15 years

new search tool NHTSA allows you to :.

  • Enter a vehicle identification number (VIN) to quickly learn if a specific vehicle has been repaired as part of a safety recall over the past 15 years
  • direct access to databases of recalls of vehicles and major motorcycle manufacturers
  • Get the relevant recall information so you can contact the manufacturer or dealer about repairs if was part of a safety recall

is fairly complete, but there are some things he can not cover - check the page to see what these are.

numerous reminders are minor defects and nuisance, but some are related to security. That's why some lawmakers are trying to pass laws prohibiting car registration until the recalls are completed. At present, it is still legal to sell a car that has been recalled, but not fixed.

"Lawmakers percent of recalled vehicles told 65 are repaired within 18 months. About 46 million cars with unfixed defects were on the road at the end of 2014, and more large number of 5 million change in ownership during the year, according to Carfax Inc., which tracks vehicle sales and accident stories. "

For more information on vehicle recalls, and see SaferCar.gov Recalls.gov

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