![\"SPYTODAY\"](\"https:\/\/www.technologyinvestor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/SPYTODAY.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nA good sign is that some stocks I own are actually up — TRV, CB, UNH and DISH.<\/p>\n
My “bargains” to pick up between now and 4 PM would include AMZN, GOOGL, AAPL and FB.<\/p>\n
Ransomware — Part II.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Please upgrade your PC — especially if you’re on Windows XP, which you shouldn’t be. Business Insider<\/em> tells me XP is the world’s third most popular operating system. Microsoft has issued a patch for XP — though officially it hasn’t been supporting XP for years. I actually still use XP on one machine to run certain old software which won’t run on Windows 7, which I primarily use. XP still works great. I don’t leave it on the Internet for more than a few minutes.<\/p>\n Apple laptops and computers are far less vulnerable to viruses and ransomware. I’m personally not using an Apple laptop — for a lot of reasons you don’t want to hear. Of course, I use an iPhone, which the techie trade press reports are mostly virus and ransomware-free.<\/p>\n A VPN can be useful.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you work remotely, travel a lot, live overseas, \u00a0do a lot of banking business online, you need a VPN — a virtual private network. Security is the big plus. But accessing web sites from overseas that are blocked by your lovely local government or copyright rules is also useful.<\/p>\n NordVPN is a popular VPN. A friend uses and likes it. Its website explains all. Costs under $6 a month. Sometimes they have sales. Click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Stuff<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n + I just snagged a Thanksgiving air ticket on JetBlue for $139. Virgin Atlantic wanted $1,010. Go figure! Buying way out works, often.<\/p>\n + If it works\u00a0(like your laptop), don’t mess with it. Don’t assume “newer” works better, faster or easier.<\/p>\n + Upgrade your Windows machines. Ransomware is around, big-time, and getting worse.<\/p>\n + Buying anything through Alibaba needs the patience of Job.<\/p>\n