Computer Talk 4-4-26 HR 2
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In this episode of Computer Talk with TAB, hosts Eric Semel and Dennis Halnon continue their weekly tech support show, addressing listener questions on file permissions, local backups, AI's impact on cognition, and cybersecurity threats. A caller, Gary, struggles with write permissions on a local file, which Dennis resolves by guiding him through Windows security settings and suggesting a third-party file explorer may have caused the issue. Gary also shares his preference for local backups using a USB device and running his own NextCloud instance, emphasizing privacy and redundancy. The hosts warn that even self-hosted clouds like NextCloud require backup, as they are not inherently protected. Dennis then discusses a concerning study from the University of Pennsylvania on 'cognitive surrender' due to overreliance on AI, drawing parallels to Socrates' skepticism of writing. A major cybersecurity alert follows: a malicious version of the Axios NPM software, used by developers, has been compromised and could spread malware to millions via apps. The hosts stress the importance of vetting third-party tools and securing software supply chains. Later, a caller, Steve, is confused by Word's 'Save As' function prompting for new file names repeatedly—Dennis clarifies that hitting 'Save As' (F12) triggers this behavior, while 'Save' (F2) preserves the original file. Another caller, Paul, faces a printer that won’t power on; Dennis advises replacing it rather than troubleshooting internal components, recommending a monochrome laser printer for cost and durability. Finally, Tony reports audio issues only on his phone when accessing WTIC’s website, which Dennis attributes to browser inconsistencies and recommends using the Odyssey app for reliable streaming. The episode closes with a reminder to avoid unnecessary apps for better security and performance.
Use Windows Security tab to fix file write permissions by granting full control.
Even self-hosted clouds like NextCloud require separate backup strategies.
Overreliance on AI may lead to cognitive atrophy—balance tool use with critical thinking.
Third-party software libraries (like NPM packages) can be compromised; vet all dependencies.
Use 'Save' (F2) instead of 'Save As' (F12) in Word to avoid creating duplicate files.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Fixing File Permissions and Local Backup Strategies
“You need another location for all that. Do you back that up Gary? They have a neat feature where you can sync it to a local drive. So you sync it back. So I sync it back, yeah. There you go. Excellent.”
AI and the Risk of Cognitive Surrender
“You're going to lose your cognitive—they called it cognitive? They called it cognitive surrender. Surrender just sounds awful. Yeah, that sounds really, really awful.”
Malware in Developer Tools: The Axios NPM Threat
“These hackers can compromise it to do who knows what. Maybe it's going to be a keylogger. Maybe it's going to capture your keystroke. So again, you're dealing with maybe some silly game that this hacker has put this malware into the programmer doesn't even realize.”
Resolving Word Save Confusion and Printer Troubleshooting
Steve struggles with Word repeatedly prompting for new file names. Dennis clarifies that 'Save As' (F12) creates new versions, while 'Save' (F2) overwrites the original. Paul’s Brother printer won’t power on, prompting Dennis to recommend replacement over repair and a monochrome laser printer for cost efficiency.
Cybersecurity Alert: Iran’s Password Spraying Attacks
The hosts warn of Iran’s ongoing password spraying attacks targeting Microsoft 365 accounts, particularly in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing. They stress the importance of two-factor authentication and avoiding weak passwords, even if the attack method is basic.
“You're going to lose your cognitive—they called it cognitive? They called it cognitive surrender. Surrender just sounds awful. Yeah, that sounds really, really awful.”
“These hackers can compromise it to do who knows what. Maybe it's going to be a keylogger. Maybe it's going to capture your keystroke. So again, you're dealing with maybe some silly game that this hacker has put this malware into the programmer doesn't even realize.”
“You need another location for all that. Do you back that up Gary? They have a neat feature where you can sync it to a local drive. So you sync it back. So I sync it back, yeah. There you go. Excellent.”
Hosts
Dennis Halnon
person
Eric Semel
person
Gary
person
WTIC
organization
NextCloud
product
Microsoft 365
product
Word
product
Axios NPM
product
Iran
place
Odyssey App
product
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