Google Keep - Capture what’s on your mind

Do you have several sticky notes scattered around your desk (don't lie, I know who you are). Do you have a note pad with a random ideas, tasks, and lists? Have you tried using various Apps and "pro" methods to get better organized but find those solutions to be inconvenient or just a good fit for how you work?

Enter Google Keep! I started using Google Keep a few weeks ago and have found it to be excellent for keeping notes, task lists, thoughts and ideas to help me stay organized. Google Keep is a simple web-based application (a bit like digital sticky notes) that enables you to:

• Capture, edit, share, and collaborate on your notes on any device, anywhere.
• Add notes, lists, photos, and audio to Keep.
• Organize your notes with labels and colors.

Create Fillable Text Boxes in Google Docs

If you’ve ever tried to make a worksheet or form in Google Docs, you’ve probably created lines for people to enter their information on. But all too often, this:

Name: __________________

turns to this:

Name: ______Hermione Granger______

When people fill it out, it leaves information floating between underscores. Check out the link below to learn how to create fillable text boxes in Docs so that people can neatly and easily enter in their information.

Create Fillable Text Boxes in Google Docs

Top 5 Holiday Season Scams

This holiday season could be the most wonderful time of year for cyber criminals, according to digital identity company ThreatMetrix. In a new report, the firm reveals that it has detected a 25% jump in attacks! As always, knowledge is the key to avoiding a scam.

Here are The Top 5 Holiday Season Scams to avoid!

1. Black Friday/Cyber Monday Specials 
This time of year, online scams use a variety of lures to get unsuspecting buyers to click on links or open attachments. Bad guys build complete copies of well-known sites, send emails promoting great deals, sell products and take credit card information – but never deliver the goods. Sites that seem to have incredible discounts should be a red flag. Remember that when a "special offer" is too good to be true, it usually is. For instance, never click on links in emails or popups with very deep discount offers for watches, phones or tablets. Go to the website yourself through your browser and check if that offer is legit. 

2. Complimentary Vouchers or Gift Cards 
A popular holiday scam is big discounts on gift cards. Don't fall for offers from retailers or social media posts that offer phony vouchers or (Starbucks) gift cards paired with special promotions or contests. Some posts or emails even appear to be shared by a friend (who may have been hacked). Develop a healthy dose of skepticism and "Think Before You Click" on offers or attachments with any gift cards or vouchers! 

3. Bogus Shipping Notices From UPS and FedEx 
You are going to see emails supposedly from UPS and FedEx in your inbox that claim your package has a problem and/or could not be delivered. Many of these are phishing attacks that try to make you click on a link or open an attachment. However, what happens when you do that is that your computer gets infected with a virus or even ransomware which holds all your files hostage until you pay 500 dollars in ransom. 

4. Holiday Refund Scams 
These emails seem to come from retail chains or e-commerce companies such as Amazon or eBay claiming there's a "wrong transaction" and prompt you to click the refund link. However, when you do that and are asked to fill out a form, the personal information you give out will be sold to cyber criminals who use it against you. Oh, and never, never, never pay online with a debit card, only use credit cards. Why? if the debit card gets compromised, the bad guys can empty your bank account quickly. 

5. Phishing on the Dark Side 
A new phishing email has begun circulating that tricks people into thinking they could win movie tickets for the highly-anticipated film, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," due out on Dec. 18. However, the email is a phishing attack. Leading up to the film’s release, and shortly after, you need to watch out for this social engineering attack and not fall for the scam. Stay safe online! 

BONUS TIP: Never use an insecure public Wi-Fi to shop with your credit card. Only shop with a secure connection at home. 

Let's be careful out there!

12 Google Search Tricks You Probably Didn’t Know

If you are anything like me, when it comes time to "google it", I just start typing stuff. The results that come back are not always helpful and sometimes frightening. Did Google fail me or did I just do it wrong?  Check out this post over at The Guru and sharpen your "Google-Fu". I think you will find these tips helpful for you, and your students. Your "Google-Fu" my be weak, but it does not have to stay that way, start flexing!

You Can Now Compose Google Docs With Your Voice

I found this great article today over at The Google Guru that show you how easy it is to Compose a Google Document using just your voice! It is a short piece, and well worth checking out! 

While you are there, take a look around and sign up for their newsletter to receive daily tips and tricks for getting the most out of Google Apps.

What do you think? Do you see a value for this feature for you or for your classroom?