Internet security

Hey everyone, today I'm going to talk about something that I've seen many humans struggle with -- internet security. It's also Safer Internet Day, so this makes for the perfect topic!

Now, how many of you have had trouble logging into an online account of some sort before? Raise your hand if I'm describing you.

If you forgot your password to an account, don't worry, because there is usually a "forgot password" link that you can follow to recover your password. I'm going to do that now.

And sometimes, you'll be asked to complete a CAPTCSA, which stands for Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Stuffies Apart. This one is simple math equation.

See, that's all it takes to recover your --

Hey, wait a minute. Now I'm being asked to do another CAPTCSA. This one is asking me to identify all the farm animals in the picture.

CLICK, CLICK, CLICK!

Okay, that should be it then --

DING!

Huh? I just got a text message on my BlackBEARY.

I was just sent an authentication code via text message, which I now have to enter on my computer. Just bear with me... they seem to have added a couple more steps in retrieving passwords...

Let me just hit "enter" and we should be good to go --

What now??

I have to login to my bank account and verify two small deposits. Really?

Okay, done. Please tell me that's it?

No, no it's not. Now I got another code sent to me on my iPad.

But this should be the final step!

OK!

Now I'm being instructed to have my face scanned via this facial recognition app. This seems a bit intrusive, doesn't it?

I found some old passwords written down on a post-it note. Maybe I could try some of them and see if they work?

Would someone just please let me into my account?

Isn't technology supposed to make our lives easier?

FaceTime

Hmm... what should I write about?

Oh, hey there. I'm just working on my next blog post. I'm not sure what I should write about though.

To be honest, I've been feeling kinda sad this week because my friend Miss Feathers recently left for Florida. She'll be back soon, though, but things just aren't the same around here --

DING!

Huh? What's this? A chat message popped up on my screen.

It's Miss Feathers! Yes, yes I accept!

"Hello Ajdin!" she said.

"Miss Feathers, how are you? Wow, what a beautiful beach scene!"

"Yes, the weather is warm and lovely and there are many other snowbirds down here just like myself!" she said.

"Woof!"

"We want to hear about everything there is to do in Florida..."

Wow, technology is pretty neat, huh? How do you use technology to keep in touch with your friends?

Guest Post: Uncle Tibbs

Is this thing on?

Okay, good.

Hello everyone, this is Uncle Tibbs writing a guest post for Ajdin, who is still air drying after his much-needed bath. He left me with his computer, so I just have to turn it on and then we can get started.

But where is the on button? I can't seem to find it. This is a pretty new computer.

"Hello Uncle Tibbs! Do you need any help with guest blogging today?"

Er, it is a little embarrassing, but I can't find the on button on Ajdin's computer.

"Here it is, at the top right corner!"

Oh wonderful, thank you!

"Are you excited to be guest blogging this week? What did you have in mind?"

I thought I would share some pictures I took from a previous trip. They're all right here on this floppy disk.

"Errr..."

So now I just have to find the disk slot and put it in the computer.

"Uncle Tibbs, everything is on the cloud now!"

The cloud?

"Yes, cloud computing that allows for on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources such as networks, servers, storage, applications, and services and..."

Can you show me?

"Yes of course!"

Hmm, I guess I am behind the times a little bit.

"That's okay, Uncle Tibbs!"

Alright, now Ajdin gave me his password to his blog so I will just log in now.

*type type type*

Hmm, but it doesn't seem to be working. Do you know what could be wrong?

"The caps lock key is on!"

Ah, you have good eyes, Miss Feathers!

"And now we are finally logged in and ready to create a new post. So Uncle Tibbs, what will you write about?"

Yes, umm... well... you know... after all of that, I forgot!

PawPad addiction

A few weeks ago, I got a new PawPad.  Some of my favorite games to play on it are Salmon Crush Saga and Words with Stuffies.  Sometimes I also go on Bearbook to see what my friends are up to.  I've enjoyed playing with it beary much, perhaps a little too much.

"Hey Ajdin," Uncle Tibbs said.  I did not respond.  I was focused on my PawPad.

"Ajdin," he repeated.  I still did not respond.  I was on the verge of beating level 343 in Salmon Crush Saga.

"Ajdin Adilovic, I'll take that please," Uncle Tibbs said as he took the PawPad out of my paws.

"But Uncle Tibbs!" I protested.  "I was just about to beat level 343!"

"I know you were," he said.  "And that is why I think you need a little break from this PawPad thing.  You have been playing with it nonstop lately.  Too much technology is not good for you.  Why don't you go play outside today?  How about taking a walk in the park?"

I grumbled as I headed out the door.

But I soon stopped grumbling as the weather was so nice outside!  I could see my little bear shadow.

I headed to the local park.  The trees and grass were green and lush.

I took a little break at this picnic table to admire the beautiful nature around me.

Uncle Tibbs was right.  Being outside was much better than playing with my PawPad.  I could hear the birds singing, the bees buzzing, and the sound of a gurgling stream.  Perhaps there were fish in that stream.

I took a deep breath of fresh air when all of a sudden ---

WHOMP!!!

I was knocked over by something brown and furry!  When I looked up, I saw...

TO BE CONTINUED...