Alert: Your iCloud storage is almost full. You are currently using 4.8 GB of 5 GB total storage.

I received an email tonight with the subject 'Your iCloud storage is almost full.'. I couldn't help think, was this a scam email or a legitimate email. I checked all the links in the email, the headers for the email and the IP address from where the email was sent from, which was registered to Apple. So yes, this was a legitimate email.

I was surprised to see I'd used up nearly all my iCloud storage. I actually thought I'd disabled most of the iCloud features but apparently not. Time for me to go in and first delete some unwanted material on my iPhone which has been uploaded to iCloud. Then I'll disable the features I don't want to use with regards to iCloud, so hopefully the problem won't occur again. It turned out I had the iPhone backup set to use iCloud. I deleted the backup and the incomplete backup that had been created in iCloud. I do however use other techniques to backup my devices so it is important to make sure you backup your devices so you can at least recover the data that is important to you. 

This is actually a good marketing strategy for Apple. Those who don't manage their use of iCloud will end up purchasing more storage thinking they need it. When you look at a basic iPhone it has 8 or 16GB or storage. The 5GB will easily be consumed backups and you may not even know it is happening. It also means there's data usage from your internet access plan you've used that may or may not impact the cost of your internet service. Whilst it does take some effort, it is important for you to know what each feature of your device does and how that could affect you.

What also concerns me is this is an automated message in a standard format. Once spammers/scammers see messages like this they'll create fake messages to trick people into taking some action. If you receive any such messages from Apple treat them with suspicion. It only takes a moment to infect your computer or to share your personal or credit card details.

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for IT support.

Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe and the surrounding areas.

Alert: Woolworths - Bringing Christmas Together! Win 50$

If you receive an email from Woolworths congratulating you and offering you $50 to participate in a survey you should delete the email. It isn't legitimate. The body of the email starts with the following and contains a link which is designed to look like a Woolworths site, but takes you to another unrelated site. 

Congratulations!

You have been selected by Woolworths Online Department to take part in our quick and easy reward survey.
In return we will credit $50 to your account - Just for your time!

I'm always amazed how every day we are approach by scammers on the internet. The flow of scams never seems to abate.

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 if you require computer support.

Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe and the surrounding area.

Alert: iTunes Support - Update your account Apple

If you receive one of these emails you should delete it. It is a malicious email and is not from Apple.

This is a copy of the type of email notification you may receive from Apple. This is how scammers trick people. If you ever receive an email from Apple don't click on a link in the email (unless you have no option) but go to the site by opening your browser and entering the site address.

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Myki weekend cap to increase to $6. Two hour tickets to now be two hours and not rounded to the next hour.

Two changes to the Myki users need to be aware off.

Myki cap will jump from $3.50 to $6,... read more. 

The first is the Myki cap for weekend travel will increase from $3.50 to $6. The second is the two hour ticket will be two hours from the time you touch on and no longer be rounded to the next hour. Both of these benefits have encouraged me to use the public transport system in the past and to travel by public transport on the weekend rather than using the car. At $6 that benefit has now gone and I'm unlikely to use public transport in preference to the car. This is of course revenue raising by the government.

This is an interesting tactic by the government. It is very similar to how businesses operate. If you have a captive market you can increase your prices and people will still use the services. The drop in use is often much less than the increase in profit. Similar to how the government increases the price of cigarettes and whilst some people stop smoking, the revenue increase exceeds the loss by those who stop using the product or service. 

The bottom line is potentially a 71% increase for weekend travel and could require some people to purchase a second two hour trip/all day trip, where previously it would not have been be required. 

As an example a quick return trip from Templestowe to Hawthorn takes about 3 hours on a weekend (40 minutes by car) and could be done using either a two hour trip with the right timing or the $3.50 cap. Whilst this is not time efficient, it can be cost efficient. Now I wouldn't hesitate to simply use the car. A trip for two using public transport on the weekend was OK in terms of cost, even it wasn't particularly convenient or time efficient. Now I'll simply use the car. 

If I seem to recall correctly, when Myki was introduced the $3 all day weekend maximum was a selling point over the Metcard. I can't recall the old prices, but I have a feeling in just a couple of years the Myki benefit for weekend travel has now gone and Metcard may have had cheaper options such as the Sunday Saver.

From the article I was not able to ascertain when these changes will start, but believe these changes will take effect from the 1st of January 2014.

Kelvin Eldridge

Dr Albert Tsai and the Meridian Medical Centre are now live on JustLocal.

I'd like to welcome Dr Albert Tsai to the JustLocal service. You can now find Dr Albert Tsai and the Meridian Medical Centre on the Bentleigh East postcode page (www.JustLocal.com.au/3165) of JustLocal.

For those looking for Dr Albert Tsai, the Meridian Medical Centre has recently moved to 74 Mackie Road in Bentleigh East.

Dr Albert Tsai services include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping and fertility treatment. For information on services provided by Dr Albert Tsai visit the Meridian Medical Centre website.

Kelvin Eldridge
JustLocal – Helping locals find local businesses.

www.JustLocal.com.au
An Online Connections service.

Alert: New Voicemail Message from Cbus, Bulla Dair Foods and Centro Property Group.

This morning I received three emails (to different email addresses) with the subject 'New Voicemail Message'. The email contains an attachment 'VoiceMail.zip' which contains an executable program.

You should delete these emails as the attachment is malware.

The body of one of the emails started with the following: 'You have been left a 1:09 long message (number 1) in mailbox from "Cbus" 07516326347, on Monday, November 19, 2013 at 07:29:02 AM'. As you can see this email pretends to be a voice mail message from Cbus. The other two emails pretended to be voice mail messages from Bulla Dairy Foods and Centro Property Group. The company and telephone number changed for each email.

I tested the attachment and only Sophos currently identifies the attachment as malware and all the other commonly used antivirus programs are not yet aware of the malware.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Be careful with Dell delivery times. This is a good reminder to be mindful that not all deliveries will make it for Christmas.

I assisted a client with an order for a Dell computer on the 22nd of November. The computer was to be delivered within the next 10 days. An email was received on the 26th of November confirming the delivery would be on or before the 2nd of December.

On the 2nd of December at 2:55 pm an SMS was received requesting a response for delivery on either the 10th of December, the 11th of December, or to receive a call. I decided to receive a call to make sure I speak to someone on behalf of the client. To receive an SMS on the expected date of delivery stating a different time is terrible customer service. The client waited around all day for the delivery and Dell sent the message to me and not the client. Dell had recorded my details as a secondary contact.

I find it staggering that well before Christmas Dell can't deliver within the 10 days they advise. That will now make it 18 days until a delivery is expected, and at this point, there is no guarantee the delivery time won't be adjusted again. This isn't a purchase for Christmas, but if it was, there would be a concern regarding delivery.

This is a good reminder as we approach Christmas that a lot of people will be disappointed when they don't receive items they've ordered for Christmas. At this time it is perhaps a good idea to start thinking about buying from bricks and mortar shops rather than online, and make sure they actually have stock on hand. Placing an order in a shop is no more of a guarantee that you'll receive an item as placing an order online. I recall waiting for an order for months from the Myer Store and months from a distributor for an Epson colour laser. If it isn't in stock, in the premises, chances are you may not get the item in time.

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Ph: 0415 910 703

Smartraveller site and advertising links a need to register and travel insurance which isn't necessary.

I was quite surprised to see on TV last night an advertisement which implied people needed to register on the government's Smartraveller site with an implied connection to travel insurance. I just felt this was quite misleading.

I consider travel insurance to be a must when travelling overseas. Don't just take what is offered by the travel agent or they'll sting you. You can save hundreds by shopping around. Do check what the insurance offers/covers, because people may be surprised that some of those activities you're looking forward to may not be covered.

I noticed a well known credit card bragging about their travel insurance and shortly after I'd checked the free travel insurance you get with the credit card, I was approached in a shopping centre by a person flogging the card and saying how good their insurance was. However to me the level of cover was totally inadequate. Much to my surprise the credit card I currently have has excellent travel insurance cover so no additional cover may possibly be needed as long as I purchase everything using the credit card. However, before travelling I'll still want to make sure I'm covered to the level I think I'm covered for with the credit card. Insurance companies are always looking for ways to minimise making a payout, so make sure you understand what you are covered for.

As for registering and subscribing to the government's Smartraveller website, I just don't see the need and there is certainly no connection to the travel insurance you decide on.

By the way, don't trust those ads you see for cheap travel insurance when searching on the internet . I checked some out and their cheap offers to find they were nearly double what I could find elsewhere. You'll find after you search for travel insurance, ads keep popping up because that's how Google works. You a tracked for what you search for and as you move from site to site, sites displaying Google advertising will show you ads relating to what you've searched for, often many hours after you performed your search. Many people get freaked by this online tracking. As long as you are aware it's OK, but if you aren't, you may just get tricked with one of those overpriced "cheap" travel insurance offers.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Crown Casino offer - Selected main meails for $9.95 plus 5 hours of free carparking.

I noticed the advertisement on TV for the Crown Casino meal offer. As with ads on TV often you miss part of the information or the full details of the offer. I noticed the free parking but didn’t notice the meal part of the offer. To make it easier I decided to find out more information on the offer.

Enjoy a selection of satisfying mains for just $9.95... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Google reveals the difficult levels 33, 65, 97 and more in Candy Crush

If you think you’re stuck on a level on Candy Crush perhaps it may not just be you. Perhaps it is the designers of Candy Crush have made the level difficult to make you part with your hard earned cash.

Global Candy Crush Addiction Earns Game Maker $670,000 a Day... Read More

Interestingly if you type into Google, “Candy Crush level”, you’ll see a list of suggestions and you may not be surprised to see the level you’re stuck on is the same level as many others enquiring about. You can probably bet that many people will simply pay up to continue playing their game. Rest assured however you don’t need to. With a bit of reading by searching ‘Candy Crush’ on Google you’ll probably find the tip you need to progress to the next level. That’s how I helped one person who was stuck on level 33.

If you find yourself tempted to make a payment you should probably also ask if perhaps you may have become addicted. Those small amounts add up just like playing the pokies, and from what I’ve read, game developers are using the same techniques to make money as used by the pokies.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Approached by the developer of the Fuel Monitor App in Apple Store

I received an email from the developer of the Fuel Monitor App available in the Apple Store. Initially I thought this was simply spam. But the reality is if another business has a legitimate sales pitch should they be treated as a spammer. It is a hard call. Email is treated differently than snail mail. Of course the app developer could avoid the issue of being a spammer by sending a written letter. Then there is no question. Always be careful when approaching others using email that you have not had contact with. Even if you don't consider what you are doing is spam, they may.

I decided the offer of using their database (which contains figures for 60,000 vehicles) is not what the Petrol Cost Calculator is about. As the developer stated the user has to enter their figures manually and they usually don't know their information. However that is the whole point of the Petrol Cost Calculator. Of course you can look up the manufacturers figures. The government also provides such figures. But the reality is I don't believe figures are that useful. They are at best a guide. The problem from what I've read are tests are performed in a laboratory following a serious of test over short time intervals. Yep, that really equates to how we drive out cars – NOT. In addition I've read manufacturers even remove weight from the cars, such as the spare tyre, to improve the fuel consumption figures.

How you drive and where you drive will significantly affect your fuel consumption. How many passengers you have in the car will affect your fuel consumption. To me the best way to find out realistic figures is to perform some simple tests. Again the result is only a guide because the environment we travel in is quite variable, but they measure 'your' fuel consumption, in 'your' vehicle, as 'you' use it, and to me that is what I want to know. Not what someone else supposedly provides to the government as I simply don't trust that figure. I've seen the energy rating figure for two washing machines differ where in fact the physical machines were identical, except one was labelled 7 litres and the other 7.5. The energy figure used the information as provided by the manufacturer which means one machine was wrong.

It really isn't that hard to record the distance you travel on the back of the receipt for three tanks of petrol, average those figures and you then have a good estimate of your car, in the current condition, for how you drive. Not totally accurate, but a better figure than something determined in a laboratory. If you'd like to have a better estimate of the cost of using petrol in your car use the Petrol Cost Calculator and use the L / 100 km Calculator. If you just want to get a quick idea, check the government site, or even use and estimate and enter the figure into the Petrol Cost Calculator. No need to install yet another app in you mobile device. Just visit the Petrol Cost Calculator which you can find on the JustLocal site www.JustLocal.com.au.

Happy motoring.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Bank of Queensland Bonus Internet Savings account rate drops below special term deposit rates.

A while ago I decided to move funds from Bank Of Queensland's term deposit to the bonus interest savings account they offered. I'd watched the bonus interest savings account for some time and the rate offered exceeded the best term deposit rate. Today I checked and the interest rate offered on the bonus interest savings account has fallen below the lowest special term deposit rate.

I've found in the past you need to watch the rates Bank of Queensland offer. With the term deposits I found they'd vary the best rate so if you simply left your money in a 6 month term you could end up with a significantly lower rate. Every time your term deposit comes up you should review the rates for the various terms. Now with the bonus savings rate having dropped so far it is time to review whether or not you should reconsider using the term deposit if like me you've moved to the bonus interest savings account.

I hope this helps others improve their deposit return in this time of quite low rates.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Search Australia - Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. - Google Custom search blocked by Google.

Today I went to use Search Australia, as I have hundreds of times in the past month and nothing happened. I entered 'g' followed by the search term, which sends the request to Google, and the page just sat there. No results were displayed. Nothing happened at all.

Google for some reason as a result of something I had done decided to see if I was a real human or a robot. Unfortunately I couldn't see Google's message. I decided to use the mobile version of Search Australia (clicked on the link) and then I was presented with the following screen.

I then entered the characters as requested and was able to continue with my searches. If you find when using Search Australia and after pressing Search the page doesn't display any results, suspect that Google may have blocked you. Click on the link for the mobile version of Search Australia, perform a search and you may receive the test to check if you're human.

Alternately if you just want search results, use Bing or Yahoo by entering 'b' or 'y' before your search term.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Alert: Adobe Customer Care - Important Password Reset Information

I received an email today from Adobe Customer Care regarding resetting the password for use of their site. From what I've recently read, Adobe has been hacked and possibly up to 38 million users may have been affected.

Even though this does appear as a legitimate notification, as is my usual recommendation, do not click on a link to go to a website. Open your browser and then enter the website address you wish to go to. Even though this email may be legitimate, the next could be a fake email from a scammer.

If you do receive an email from Adobe and use the same password across multiple sites, you should reset your password on all sites and where possible and appropriate use different passwords for each site. The reason is if hackers have obtained the password file, there is a possibility it will contain your email address and your password and that combination is now often used across multiple sites.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Welcome to Big Brothers Pizza Bulleen

Looking for an excellent pizza at an excellent price. Check out Big Brothers Pizza in Bulleen. You can now find Big Brother Pizza on the Bulleen page of JustLocal (www.JustLocal.com.au/3105), or view the Big Brothers Pizza menu at http://www.justlocal.com.au/clients/big-brothers-pizza-bulleen/.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Last in Melbourne Cup 2013

It appears RUSCELLO, number 24 was last in the Melbourne Cup for 2013.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Search Australia updated to easily provide calorie content of food.

A common search we're carrying out at the moment is the energy content of different food. Yes, we're dieting, so it does help if you can work out quickly the energy content of different food. For example, how many kilojoules are there in an apple?

Interestingly Google provides this information. The information returned is in Calories, but multiplying by four (actual conversion is to multiple by 4.2) is fairly easy and gives an approximation of the energy in kilojoules. (Note the use of the upper case in Calories. I've explained this below.)

I decided to make it even easier for myself and those using Search Australia. If you now enter the letter 'c' followed by a space and then the food item, you'll get the Calories for the food. There is a selection option which enables you to vary the size of the food item.

So now if you want to know the energy content of an apple, just enter 'c apple' in Search Australia and there's your answer.


Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

PS. When referring to energy content in kilojoules is easy. However, the terms calorie and Calorie are frequently interchanged and can cause some confusion. Calorie with a capital is 1000 calories. If the number you're expecting to see is out by a factor of a thousand then this is the reason. The energy content of food is often shown in Calories and kilojoules. If you see the energy content shown as calories, chances are it is an error and the word calories should have been capitalised. When we write about the energy content of food is it OK to use the word calorie, but do keep in mind when we are using the measurement of the amount of energy in a food item, we are usually referring to the Calorie value in capital 'c', because it is a more convenient smaller number. That is 1 Calorie equals 1000 calories. 1 Calories equals 4.2 kilojoules. 1 calorie equals 4.2 joules. 1 Calorie is also known as a kilocalorie.

12V car kettle product is a dud.

I continue to review products in terms of saving electricity and one product I thought would be worth testing was a 12V car kettle. I have a low wattage solar panel, regulator and 12V 38Ah battery which easily stores enough power to boil water for a cuppa. What better way to save money than using the sun to boil water for a cuppa.

I purchased a 12V car kettle and performed a test. For two cups of water it took around half an hour and for a single cup around 15-20 minutes. I don't know about you, but I don't think waiting 15-30 minutes for a cup of coffee makes sense.

I was hoping for a better outcome but really it makes sense. The car cigarette lighter is most likely only designed to take appliances using about 10 amps. That means we are probably using about 120 watts. A normal kettle runs at around 2000-2400 watts, or uses nearly 20 times the amount of power. Thus if it takes about 1-2 minutes to boil a cup of water in a kettle it would take 10-20 times longer in the car kettle. Had I known this at the time I wouldn't have bothered purchasing the car kettle. We live and learn.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.energycostcalculator.com.au
 

Use Weight Loss Maths to lose weight.

I've recently finished changing how the Weight Loss Maths sites is structured and updated the main page with the three main concepts behind losing weight and that losing weight doesn't have to cost you a cent. I lost 22 kg and part of my weight loss journey was to see if I could lose weight without any additional exercise. It's not that I'm lazy, it is just that I wanted to prove whether or not you could lose weight without changing your exercise routine. The answer is, yes you can. That doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise, just that you can still lose weight without building up a sweat. I'd also highly recommend activity as it will further increase the speed of losing weight once you have your diet under control.

I'm sharing my story and the tools I used to lose weight and your can find the information at www.WeightLossMaths.com.au.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Alert: CatchOfTheDay.com.au - Gift - 150 AU$

If you receive an email with the subject 'CatchOfTheDay.com.au - Gift - 150 AU$' you should delete it. It is a fake message containing the following.

CatchOfTheDay.com.au - Gift - 150 AU$
You have (1) new message.
Click here to get your 150 AU$ voucher
You can spend them on whatever you want on http://www.CatchOfTheDay.com.au.

The link does not take you to the CatchOfTheDay site.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.