Wow! Thanks for all of the emails this past week. We have many questions so let’s get to it.
Q: Why do I get so many annoying messages about updating all of my software and security programs? It’s always inconvenient. Everything seems okay with my computer so how bad would it be if I just skipped them?
A: Let’s take the second part first. Don’t ignore the updates even if you think “everything is okay.” Things will not stay okay for long.
Although programmers try to think of everything when they create and test their code, once software is released, many more people use it and through that massive use, unexpected bugs are discovered. Updates provide the fixes for those bugs, and that keeps your system working smoothly. Then there’s the “worst case” scenario: A dreaded hacker finds weak spots in software programs that allow access to your data or even the ability to take over your computer. When these vulnerabilities are discovered by software makers, the company creates a patch that prevents hackers from attacking your system, and they issue that fix as an update. While doing daily updates can be a pain for the typical computer user, not doing them is a much bigger risk. In particular, you should always keep your Windows, Flash, Java and security software up to date, because these often present the greatest risk.
Q: I applied for a job this week and they asked for my Facebook log-in and password. Can they do that?
A: At the moment, it seems that they can. We’re not lawyers, but this sure smells like something that will eventually end up as a Supreme Court case.
Although a company can ask for your Facebook password, you are under no obligation to provide it to them. However, the company may then choose not to hire you. It is a very strange trend, but seems to be growing. Some companies will also ask for your email password, claiming that examining your personal correspondence ensures you have not been saying harmful things about the company. They may also claim that checking your Facebook and email account histories allows them to make sure you are not involved in illegal activities. Some companies require you to open these accounts in their presence and allow their interviewer to shoulder-surf as you show them what they want to see.
A few states are challenging the legality of these practices so far; and the efforts are (so far) behind the trend. Some large companies even require that you apply for a job through Facebook; by doing so, you automatically give them permission to use software taht scours your site for keywords they associate with people they don’t want to hire. But, you have no way to know for certain what those keywords are, so there’s no transparency about who is being screened out, or why. You can’t know, for instance, if words such as “pregnant,” “debt,” “Muslim,” “Obama,” “gay,” “prescription” or even “Star Wars” might be among the words they seek, although none of those words necessarily have anything to do with your ability to operate a forklift, manage a marketing budget or open a branch office in Tacoma.
I’m not a lawyer, but as a regular citizen, I would not feel comfortable working for a company that asks for my personal passwords, or working beside people who won’t stand up for themselves. But the reality is, even less intrusive companies will look at your Facebook page out of simple curiosity because, after all, that’s fairly public information, roughly the same level as Googling your name. So, if you’re looking for a job, scour your Facebook site and double-check your privacy settings. You might even delete the site or remove everything on it; once you have that new job, you can resume your Facebook life.
Technically, giving out your Facebook password is a violation of the Facebook terms of use agreement. Companies hold that in low regard but you can use it as a legitimate justification for withholding your password. Government law enforcement agencies regard entering a social networking site in violation of the terms of service as a federal crime, but it is doubtful that anyone will be prosecuted for doing so.
If you do give up your passwords, then remember to change them as soon as you possibly can.
This is a controversial topic that is far from over and we will keep an eye on it for you. In the meantime, if you’re going to give 40 or 50 hours a week to an employer, look for one that respects you for the job you do and understands that you are more – much more – than an email or a Facebook posting.
Last but not least:
Q: My New iPad is getting really hot and I am having problems getting it to charge.
A: Oh, boy. This is a problem that Consumer Reports has been spending time talking about. The main reason for the iPad’s heat is its battery. In the iPad 3, the battery is 70% larger than in the iPad 2. The larger battery enables the retina display. Apple says that the iPad 3 is within the range of expected heat, but that may not make your lap more comfortable.
The charging issue is also related to the battery. If you’re running a lot of programs on the iPad, then you may have an issue getting it to charge under that heavy load. The iPad 3 did not ship with a larger charger model, as you might have expected it to do. It uses the same 10-watt charger that came with iPads 1 and 2. We expect to see developments on this in the future; but for the moment if your new iPad is not charging, then close your open apps, wait 5 to 10 minutes, and plug it in again. Most users say this method works for them.
Have a great week and we will see you soon.