Don't Let Your SSID Be Your ID

The name of your wifi network is your SSID - the Service Set Identifier. The service set refers to all of the devices (computers, printers, etc.) that utilize your home network. Be sure that your SSID name doesn't refer to the manufacturer of the router; the name of your internet service provider; or your family name or home address. This information can help a hacker gain access to your network. Pick a name that a stranger will not associate with you or your devices. If your current SSID is something like 'NETGEAR-99TF' or 'xfinitywifi02' be sure to change it.

While it is possible to hide the SSID for a wifi network, it may be counterproductive to do so. A good wifi scanner will still be able to detect the network. Performance on the network may suffer because multiple attempts will be needed to connect.

Naturally, you should always make sure that your wifi network uses encryption and is password protected.

Facebook E2EE

As discussed in the Tip of the Night for December 10, 2010, Facebook Messenger can be set to use end-to-end encryption. Follow these steps to enable E2EE in Messenger, which is only available on iPhones and Android devices.

1. In Facebook Messenger after clicking on the pen and pad icon to begin a new message, tap 'Secret' in the upper right corner.

2. The new message will include a caption indicating that end-to-end encryption is enabled.

3. At the left you'll be able to click on a clock icon which will set any messages you send to disappear at a set time interval.

E2EE will prevent anyone except for the recipient from accessing your message. The recipient will not need to take any steps to de-crypt the message, but the message will include a caption indicating that it is encrypted. To be clear, the benefit of E2EE is that the service provider, Facebook itself, is prevented from reading the messages. But Facebook Messenger is not E2EE by default. The Facebook owned WhatsApp text messaging app does use end-to-end encryption by default.

Password Protect Multiple Excel files

You can use the below vba code (posted here by Justin Hampton) to add a password to multiple Excel files in a single folder.

Open a blank workbook, and press ALT + F11. Enter the below visual basic code in a new module, by right clicking on the workbook name in the Project List, and selecting Insert . . . Module

Specify the directory containing your files on the line beginning 'folderPath'.

Enter a password on the line beginning 'Filename:=Application.'.

Run the macro and the files will be protected. When they are next opened, the user will be prompted to enter a password.

As always, I tested this technique tonight using test data, and confirmed that it works.

Public Sub addPassword()
    Dim FSO As Object
    Dim folder As Object, subfolder As Object
    Dim wb As Object
    
    Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    'update the path where the files are saved below
    folderPath = "C:\foofolder\test4"
    Set folder = FSO.GetFolder(folderPath)
    
    With Application
        .DisplayAlerts = False
        .ScreenUpdating = False
        .EnableEvents = False
        .AskToUpdateLinks = False
    End With
        
    For Each wb In folder.Files
        If Right(wb.Name, 3) = "xls" Or Right(wb.Name, 4) = "xlsx" Or Right(wb.Name, 4) = "xlsm" Then
            Set masterWB = Workbooks.Open(wb)
            'update "yourpassword" to the password you would like to use, below
            ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=Application.ActiveWorkbook.FullName, Password:="DogCat2020"
            ActiveWorkbook.Close True
        End If
    Next
    For Each subfolder In folder.SubFolders
        For Each wb In subfolder.Files
            If Right(wb.Name, 3) = "xls" Or Right(wb.Name, 4) = "xlsx" Or Right(wb.Name, 4) = "xlsm" Then
                Set masterWB = Workbooks.Open(wb)
                'update "yourpassword" to the password you would like to use, below
                ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=Application.ActiveWorkbook.FullName, Password:="yourpassword"
                ActiveWorkbook.Close True
            End If
        Next
    Next
    With Application
        .DisplayAlerts = True
        .ScreenUpdating = True
        .EnableEvents = True
        .AskToUpdateLinks = True
    End With
End Sub