Does my iPhone need an antivirus? Everything you need to know about how to protect your iPhone

Security is at or near the top of people's lists when it comes to their devices and technology. No one wants their personal information or data stolen, so we all make sure our security is up to scratch. For laptops and other computers, this usually means installing some form of antivirus software. This software helps the computer detect any potentially harmful malware before it can do any real damage to your computer. Most of us have been conditioned to believe that every device we own needs some form of antivirus software to be secure. However, that's simply not true for the iPhone or iPad. Several companies and apps have claimed that their products helped protect your iPhone, but that's simply not true. An iPhone does not need any antivirus software.

Keep your phone as private as possible

Even if you have a passcode and use Touch ID, your lock screen can reveal more information than you think. While the Control Center and Notification Center are useful, they can also let people see your messages and updates, as well as make changes to your phone, like turning on airplane mode. You should keep your phone as private as possible so that people can't see sensitive information, especially on your lock screen, which anyone can see.

Also, be sure to ask for a password to be entered before any and all in-app purchases. Although yes, this can be somewhat annoying, it will prevent some accidental purchases by you, your friends or your children. Also, if someone nasty gets a hold of your phone, it will prevent you from going crazy and buying a ton of apps on your phone.

watch the wifi

Most of us like to think that we are completely safe using WiFi. But this is often not the case. If you're using a public WiFi like the one at a coffee shop or hotel, know that they're usually not very secure and there are probably dozens of others on the same WiFi, and they may not all be of good intentions. Even home WiFi can be compromised more easily than most would think. You'd be surprised how many homes still use WEP to secure their networks. Iphone hacked by hobbyists and can give people access to your home network. The best option is to use WPA to ensure that your network is secure at all times.

Make sure your phone locks automatically

While your phone constantly locks up after just a few seconds of not being used, it might take some getting used to, it's one of the best ways to protect your data. If your phone isn't set to automatically lock for a few minutes, you could leave it on a table and someone could get to it before it locks. Opting for a 30 second or 1 minute auto lock seems like the way to go.

Be tough with app access

Every time you open and use a new app, it may ask for your permission to access your photos, location, contacts, or other information. Unless that access is directly required for the app to function, you shouldn't allow too many apps to access your information. Lots of different apps will request access to information you don't even need, and sometimes we'll give it to you. If you go to Settings>Privacy>Location services, you can see how many apps you have given permission to know your location. If those apps do not need to know your location, it is recommended that you stop allowing them to access it on a regular basis.

Don't give in to comfort

It seems that there is often a power struggle between security and comfort. Everyone wants their life to be as safe as possible, but they also want comfort. The fact is that you have to make sacrifices on one side or the other. If you want maximum security, accessing your device or specific apps might take longer. But if this process is nimble and fast, you are likely to give up some security. Don't jeopardize your phone by saving a few seconds.

Think about your access code

Obviously, if you want your phone to be secure, you need to use both Touch ID and a passcode. However, sometimes just having an access code is not enough. You'd be surprised how many people just use codes like "1,1,1,1,1,1" or "1,2,3,4,5,6" for their access codes. Many more use things like their birthday, but that too is very easy for just about anyone to figure out and hack. The best option is to use a passcode that no one would expect. In addition, it may also be smart to change your password frequently.

If you're using a device running iOS 11 or later, you'll want to make sure you enable Emergency SOS on your device. As consumers, we've gotten used to using biometric logins on our devices, and that's largely a good thing. Both TouchID and FaceID have pushed consumers to use security more often, and phones that used to have no security now feature passcodes and fingerprint or facial unlocking. However, in a situation where you are held at a security check or arrested under false or dubious pretenses, these biometric systems can land you in trouble. Police and other law enforcement agencies have been known to automatically unlock your device using your face or fingerprint against your will, and this can become a problem when it comes to security.

For that reason (and several other reasons), Apple introduced Emergency SOS with iOS 11 in 2017, which lets you quickly contact local emergency services on your device or display personal medical information. However, Emergency SOS also blocks the use of your device unless you enter the PIN or password, disabling biometric software and giving you additional security. This is a game changer, and a year later, we've seen a similar feature on Android called Lockdown. To use Emergency SOS, press and hold the Side and Volume buttons on iPhone 8 and iPhone X, or quickly press the Side button five times on iPhone 7 and earlier, to lock your device.

Stop your phone from tracking you

You may not even know it, but your phone often tracks wherever you go. You are not only tracking this information, you are also recording this information directly to your phone. This is a feature called "Frequent Locations" and luckily it can be stopped. Go to Settings>Privacy>Location Services>System Services, and then look for Frequent Locations. From there, the option can be turned off.

Use "Find My iPhone"

This is one of the most important apps on the iPhone and you should set it up right now if you haven't already. The main use of this app is to locate your phone when it is lost or stolen. When your phone is stolen, that is by far the biggest chance that your private information will be compromised. Fortunately, Find My iPhone is capable of securely locking your phone remotely and can even wipe all the data on it if you fear you'll never get your phone back. Without using this app, the chance of finding your lost or stolen phone (and protecting your data) is slim to none.

Set up two-factor authentication

This is perhaps the best way to prevent hackers from accessing your data. Before you can sign in to your Apple account, a code will be sent to a device that only you will have, like your phone or iPad. This means that even if someone else has your username and password, they will not be able to access your account without that code and you will never be able to get it, as it will only go to your device.

Mesothelioma

 

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, that is, the membranes that line various organs in the body. This condition is classified as a dangerous type of cancer and can be fatal.

Mesothelioma is classified as an aggressive type of cancer, but it is quite rare. This condition does not cause symptoms until decades after the patient is exposed to asbestos. In the vast majority of cases, patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are aged 60–80 years.

Although it can be treated, most cases of mesothelioma are already at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. Therefore, it is important to carry out prevention and regular examinations to prevent this condition.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are four types of mesothelioma cancer, namely:

• Pleural mesothelioma (pleural mesothelioma), which is a cancer that attacks the membranes of the lungs (pleura) and is the most frequent type
• Mesothelioma peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma), that is, cancer of the membrane of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum)
• Mesothelioma pericardium (pericardial mesothelioma), that is, cancer in the protective layer of the heart organ
• Testicular mesothelioma (testicular mesothelioma), which is a cancer that attacks the protective layer of the testicles or testicles

In addition to the above types, there is also benign mesothelioma in the lungs and chest cavity called solitary fibrous tumors. However, this condition does not belong to the type of mesothelioma that will be discussed.

Causes of Mesothelioma

The causes of mesothelioma are not yet known for certain. However, mesothelioma is often related to exposure to asbestos or asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that is widely used as a building construction material, such as roofing, due to its heat-resistant and fire-resistant properties.

Destroyed asbestos, both in the process of mining and renovating buildings, will produce fine fibers or dust. The fiber is very easy to inhale, then enters and settles in the organs of the body, especially the lungs.

If ingested, asbestos fibers can also spread through the lymphatic system, then settle and cause cancer in the membrane of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).

Risk factors for mesothelioma

Mesothelioma can occur in anyone, but the risk is higher in people with the following factors:

• Work in fields vulnerable to asbestos exposure, such as mineral mines, construction sites, automotive industry, power generation, textile industry, and steel mills
• Residing in an old building or neighborhood whose soil contains asbestos
• Have family members working in an environment that is prone to exposure to asbestos so that asbestos dust sticks to the skin or clothing and is carried into the house
• Have a family suffering from mesothelioma or a genetic disorder that increases the risk of developing cancer
• Exposure to erionite minerals or radiation from thorium dioxide
• Infected with simian virus (SV40)

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma develops gradually and usually takes 20–60 years for symptoms to appear. Therefore, the patient may not feel any symptoms when mesothelioma is still in its early stages. However, cancer cells will develop over time and put pressure on nerves or other organs so that symptoms arise.

Symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the affected organ. In pulmonary mesothelioma, symptoms that may appear include:

• Fever and sweating, especially at night
• The body feels very tired
• Cough accompanied by unbearable pain
• Shortness of breath due to fluid buildup in the lungs
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Difficult to swallow
• Pain in the shoulder or upper arm
• Swelling or deformation of the fingertips (finger tabuh)
• Lumps appear on the tissues below the surface of the chest skin
• While abdominal mesothelioma (peritoneal) can cause the following symptoms:
• Fever or night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Constipated
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lumps or swelling in the abdominal area
• Defecation and urination disorders

Pericardium and testicular mesothelioma is a very rare type of mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma usually causes symptoms in the form of chest pain and respiratory problems, while testicular mesothelioma is characterized by swelling or lumps in the testicular area.

When to see a doctor

Symptoms of mesothelioma may resemble those of other conditions. Therefore, immediately take an examination to the doctor if you experience the above symptoms, especially if you have a history of exposure to asbestos.

Diagnosis Mesothelioma

In order to determine the diagnosis of mesothelioma, the doctor will conduct questions and answers related to the patient's symptoms and medical history, especially the possibility of exposure to asbestos. A physical examination will also be performed to detect lumps or other symptoms.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform a scan, such as:

• X-ray photo, to detect thickening in the lining of the lungs, fluid in the pleural cavity, or deformation of the lungs
• CT scan, to check the chest and abdomen area, as well as detect the presence of cancer and check if the cancer has spread to other organs of the body
• PET scan, to get a detailed picture of tissues suspected of cancer
• MRI, to get a more detailed picture of the organ and determine the location of the tumor

Based on the test results, the doctor may also suggest further examinations in the form of:

Blood test

A blood test is performed to detect an increase in the level of fibulin-3, osteopontin and peptide in the blood. Levels of these three substances are usually higher in people with mesothelioma.

Examination of liquid samples

If the patient experiences a buildup of fluid in the body due to mesothelioma, the doctor will take a sample of the fluid and examine it in the laboratory to detect the presence of cancer cells.

• There are several types of examination of liquid samples, namely:
• Thoracentesis, that is, the sampling of fluid in the chest cavity
• Paracentesis, that is, the taking of fluid in the abdominal cavity
• Pericardiocentesis, that is, the taking of fluid in the layers (membranes) around the heart

Biopsy

Biopsy is performed by taking a sample of tissue from a specific part of the body for later analysis in the laboratory. There are several types of biopsy examinations, namely:

1. Needle biopsy

A needle biopsy is performed by piercing a long needle into the chest or abdominal cavity.

2. Thoracoscopy, laparoscopy and mediastinoscopy

This biopsy is performed by inserting a studded elastic tube and a special surgical instrument through one or more small incisions. The type of biopsy performed depends on the area of the body being examined, namely:

• Thoracoscopy, to examine the inside of the chest
• Laparoscopy, to examine the inside of the abdominal organs
• Mediastinoscopy, to examine the area around the heart

3. Biopsy through surgery

In some conditions, the doctor will perform an invasive procedure to take a larger tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor can also simultaneously remove the entire tumor if possible.

There are two types of biopsy procedures through surgery, namely:

• Thoracotomy, which is performed through open surgery in the chest
• Laparotomy, which is performed through open surgery in the abdomen

4. Bronchoscopic biopsy

This biopsy is performed by inserting a thin tube through the throat to detect tumors in the respiratory tract. If there is, the doctor will take a tissue sample from the tumor for research.

Stage Mesothelioma

Based on its size and degree of spread, mesothelioma is divided into four stages. This division of stages helps the doctor to know the development of cancer cells and the life expectancy of the patient, as well as determine the appropriate method of treatment.

The following are the stages and life expectancy of people with mesothelioma:

Stage 1

The tumor is still in one area of the body and has not spread to other tissues or organs. At this stage, the life expectancy of the sufferer is 21 months or more.

Stage 2

Cancer cells enlarge and begin to spread to nearby areas, with a life expectancy of 19 months or less.

Stage 3

Cancer cells have spread to surrounding organs, with a life expectancy of about 16 months.

Stage 4

Cancer cells have spread to different areas throughout the body through the bloodstream. At this stage, the life expectancy of sufferers is very low, which is about 12 months.

Treatment of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is one of the types of malignant cancer and cannot yet be cured. The treatment carried out is limited to relieving symptoms and extending the life expectancy of the patient. The method of its treatment is determined based on the following factors:

Based on the above considerations, some of the treatment steps that can be recommended by a doctor are:

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This therapy can be done before surgery to shrink cancer cells for easy removal, or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer reappearing.

2. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is performed by firing X-rays or proton beams at areas of the body affected by cancer. This therapy is usually carried out after surgery to remove the remaining cancer cells.

Radiotherapy can also be performed to relieve symptoms of advanced cancer in patients who cannot undergo surgery.

3. Operation

The operation can be performed on early-stage mesothelioma. There are several options for surgery that a doctor can perform, namely:

• Surgery to remove as many cancer cells as possible from the patient's body. This action can be supported by radiotherapy to relieve pain and inhibit the growth of cancer.
• Surgery to suck out fluid in the chest that interferes with breathing. This action may be accompanied by pleurodesis, that is, the injection of the drug into the chest to prevent fluid from re-accumulating.
• Surgery to remove the tissue around the abdominal cavity, ribs, or lungs affected by cancer cells.
• Surgery to remove the affected part of the lungs and surrounding tissues. The procedure is usually continued by radiotherapy.

4. Multimodality therapy

This therapy is a combination of three or more treatment methods, for example surgical, postoperative chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, to increase the success rate of treatment.

To help the treatment process, the doctor will advise the patient to do the following:

Breathing exercises, to control breathing when experiencing symptoms of difficulty breathing

Body relaxation exercises, to reduce tension in the muscles of the respiratory tract in order to be able to breathe more easily

Complications of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma that has enlarged or spread can compress surrounding organs or tissues. This can lead to a variety of complications.

In pleural mesothelioma, complications that can occur are:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain due to pressure on the nerves and spinal cord
• Pleural effusion

While the complication due to peritoneal mesothelioma is intestinal obstruction, which can be characterized by nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.

Prevention of Mesothelioma

The main way to prevent mesothelioma is to avoid contact with everything that contains asbestos. If you work in an environment that is at high risk of exposure to asbestos, then follow the occupational safety regulations that have been set by the company, for example:

• Use personal protective equipment while in work areas that are vulnerable to exposure to asbestos
• Dispose of residual asbestos material in a safe place and does not harm the surrounding environment
• Do not bring home clothes and shoes used during work

In addition, there are several other things that can be done to reduce the risk of mesothelioma, namely:

• Conduct periodic health checks to detect symptoms or signs of diseases associated with exposure to asbestos
• Quit smoking, because cigarettes can increase the risk of developing various types of cancer, including mesothelioma

Follow instructions on how to handle asbestos safely

reference: alodokter

What to do with all the Bounty! (canning)

What to do with all the Bounty

What to do with all the Bounty

“My mom put up lots of fruits and vegetables but never showed me how,” my friend said wistfully as she helped me prepare peaches for the canner.  “Even my in-laws canned but always said it was too much work and I wouldn’t want to do it.”  I put that sentiment in the same disappointing category as not sharing the European language my parents spoke at home when I was growing up because they didn’t want us to start school “sounding foreign.”  Fortunately, we were a 4H family and food preservation was just what everyone did in summer and fall.  There were community packing/processing plants that welcomed the public and even provided “seconds” (blemished or off-size fruits) for pennies that we peeled, cut, and placed into cans for their facility to safely process.  The local 4H food preservation instructor let my city-raised mother join us kids to learn the art and science of preserving nature’s bounty for the lean times.

Too much work, you say?  Yep, it takes some time, planning and some specialized equipment, but there’s a certain magic to opening a jar of local peaches in the dead of winter and tasting summer.  My step daughters help in the process without me even asking because they want peach jam that tastes of peaches (not sugar syrup), or crunchy pickles with garlic from our garden, or applesauce from apples they prepped with our silly corer/peeler tool. 

Too dangerous you say – all that risk of botulism?  I still reference my mom’s heavily annotated Sunset and extension publications for ideas (and to see mom’s handwriting before I try to channel her endless kitchen energy), but I stick strictly to the processing times and modern lower-sugar syrup recipes found in the CSU Extension Service publications.  “Canning can be dangerous if tested methods are not followed, and this is especially true in Colorado,” says Extension Specialist Marisa Bunning of CSU, “because adjustments often need to be made for elevation. Many canning recipes available to the public do not account for higher elevation, and that can lead to food spoilage or even contamination with botulism toxin. Although it is critically important to adjust for elevation to ensure the temperature is adequate to destroy bacterial spores, this is a science lesson that is not very well-known.”

What to do with all the Bounty

Now here is where the wonderful CSU Food Science and Human Nutrition department and Extension experts have really outdone themselves:  there’s an app for this!  Preserve Smart is available for both Apple and Android platforms and there is an online version as well at https://apps.chhs.colostate.edu/preservesmart/.  The app focuses on food preservation methods and basics. Users can choose whether they want to preserve fruits or vegetables, and then select their particular type of produce. Preservation options vary depending on the type of produce, but include freezing, canning, drying and making spreadable preserves, like jams and jellies.  Preserve Smart differs from any food preservation magazine or book because it allows users to set their elevation before starting the preservation process. Elevation needs to be taken into account when canning, especially in Colorado and other high elevation locations, because if not done correctly, it can be a serious health threat.

 

What to do with all the Bounty

Too much equipment needed?  Not really, and what you don’t already have in your kitchen is all available locally at our hardware, grocery and even thrift stores. You’ll need a water-bath canner:  this is a large enamel pot with a rack in the bottom to hold the jars.  If you’re going to tackle acidic fruits like tomatoes (more advanced food preservation) you’ll want a pressure cooker.  A jar lifter is a nice tool as it makes lifting full jars easier and safer; a plastic canning funnel is a necessity in my book.  An enamel Dutch Oven or heavy stock pot is needed to cook the fruit or syrup, a pasta pot is nice to sanitize jars and rims, and a small sauce pan is needed to boil the lids.  Lots of towels, some kitchen tongs, sharp paring knives, mixing bowls, a ladle, large spoons, and oven mitts are also needed.  You’ll want pectin for jams and jellies and there are low/no sugar brands out there.

What to do with all the Bounty

Now – jars!  There’s a dizzying array of jars out there these days and I’ve seen good used ones at our thrift store for pennies:  4-ounce jelly jars to 2-quart spaghetti sauce monsters.  The boiling water in your canner needs to be at least an inch above the jars when you process so take the depth of your canner into consideration when buying jars.  There are two choices of openings: standard and wide mouth.  Wide mouth are easier to pour and place through.  Also consider the serving size of a jar and how long it will take to use the contents once it has been opened.  A quart of peaches doesn’t last long at our house, but a pint of jam will go bad because we are only using a tablespoon at a time.  I tend to use pints and quarts for whole or sliced fruits and 4-oz and half pint jars for jams and compotes.  For gifts – and who doesn’t love a homemade jar of jam at Christmas – smaller jars will give you more goodies.

What to do with all the Bounty

Finally – rims and lids.  Just like the jars, these come in regular and wide mouth and they are 2-piece: the rim is a metal band and the lid is a flat metal disk with a rubber seal that sits on the jar rim. You can reuse jars and rust-less rims, but never reuse lids.  Lids and rims and can be purchased together and separately.

Of course, there are lots more details and every recipe has its own requirements – but it is all in the app.  Remember – there is just nothing like the taste of summer during a snow storm, or your own jalapeno jelly on cream cheese at the holidays, or wrapping up your homemade preserves to give to friends at Christmas.  The latter is a tradition my mother started when we both learned to can, and everyone looked forward to her creations.  Luckily for us, the CSU Extension is making it safe and convenient to apply the science – it’s up to you to add the art.  Download Preserve Smart today and get started!

 

Jackie Buratovich was raised in a central California farm family and loves making things grow in and around a solar home here in Routt County.  She received her Master Gardener training in Boulder County in 2003, and acknowledges that while growing conditions here are more challenging, being back in an agricultural community is like coming home and being able to grow greens outside all summer long is a bonus!