Category Archives: Uncategorized
How do you know if a website is trustworthy?
Look for a privacy “seal of approval,” such as TRUSTe on the first page of the website. TRUSTe participants agree to post their privacy policies and submit to audits of their privacy practices in order to display the logo. Other seals of approval are offered by the … Read More ›
Are cybercafes, airports, libraries and other publicly-available Internet terminals private?
For some things. We advise that you do not use public terminals to access your bank account, check your credit card statement, pay bills, shop, or access any other personally or financially sensitive information. Publicly available Internet terminals are not likely to be closely supervised to … Read More ›
What do I do if my online account has been hacked?
Your online webmail or social networking account can be hijacked (taken over by an unauthorized individual) in a variety of ways. If one of your accounts becomes hacked, you may be locked out of access to your own account. That’s because the unauthorized user is likely to … Read More ›
Free service promises to block robocalls
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
You have a spam filter on your email and now you can have one on your home phone. The new website Nomorobo offers a simple and free way to block those annoying – and often illegal – automated phone calls that interrupt your day. Read More ›
Gmail scanning may violate federal wiretapping laws, judge finds
A U.S. federal judge allowed a class-action suit against Google to proceed, saying the company’s terms of service are unclear when describing how it scans Gmail content in order to deliver advertisements. Read More ›
Identity theft prevention AB 1149 requires notification of data breaches (signed into law)
Governor Brown signed CFC-supported AB 1149, a bill to help stop identity theft by requiring all local government agencies to notify their workers and constituents if their electronic data has been hacked, as the state and the private sector already are required to do. Read More ›
New study: Toxic flame retardants fall dramatically in pregnant women in California
by Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News
In a sign that California’s efforts to reduce health risks from toxic chemicals are having an impact, a type of flame retardant linked to reduced fertility, low IQs in children and thyroid problems has fallen sharply in the blood of pregnant women since the state banned the chemicals 10 years ago. Read More ›
California minimum wage hike becomes law
by Muhammed El-Hasan, Los Angeles Daily News
In a nod to the growing class of Californians toiling at the bottom of the income scale, Gov. Jerry Brown put his signature on a bill that will increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour in less than three years. Read More ›
Bill allowing higher fees for high-demand college classes advances
by Carla Rivera, Los Angeles Times
As officials see it, a state plan allowing two-year schools to charge more for high-demand classes would help move students more quickly toward transfer and graduation. Students, however, argue that such a move would be unfair, and are campaigning to block the legislation. Read More ›
Financial abuse of elderly not trumped by privacy laws: feds
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
It’s been a murky area for bank employees for some time: When does the suspicion that an elderly customer is being defrauded overcome laws protecting privacy rights? Read More ›
Teens get online “eraser button” with new California law
by Kathleen Miles, Huffington Post
California teens get an online “eraser button” under a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. The law makes California the first state to require websites to allow people younger than 18 to remove their own postings on that website, and to clearly inform minors how to do so. Read More ›
Gas prices could fall 45 cents a gallon in California next month
by Gary Richards, San Jose Mercury News
California drivers could be in for a big treat by Halloween, with gas prices dropping 40 to 45 cents thanks in part to a light hurricane season, an easing of tensions in the Middle East and refinery fixes at home. Read More ›
13 medications you may not realize contain acetaminophen
by Mary Beth Quirk, Consumerist
Even though it says as much on the label, how often do you really read labels closely? Perhaps you do, but weren’t aware that you should not be taking more than one product containing acetaminophen at a time. Read More ›