Computer

We just had to reset our passwords at work, an as always, I struggle to come up with something safe, but something that I can remember. It's something a lot of us complain about, and while I can't tell you which password to choose, I can help you avoid one that might be easily hacked. Here's a list compiled by SplashData of the worst passwords-based on millions of stolen passwords posted online by hackers! Check it out here and make sure your password isn't one of them.

by Kim Wilhelm (WICHITA, Kan.) If you tried logging onto the Kansas Unemployment website Monday and had problems, you weren't alone.  The Department of Labor says a technical difficulty caused problems for some users.  The problem was fixed Monday afternoon and people are encouraged to revisit the site.  Officials say other state agencies were affected also - not just the Department of Labor.  State officials say it's a constant challenge keeping up with the number of people applying for benefits and continued benefits.

In between clients, Tahireh Sharifaie sits at the computer inside her Derby hair salon.  She clicks away at Facebook, looking at pictures of friends, keeping tabs on relatives in her native country of Iran, or checking her daily horoscope. "If I'm not on Facebook I feel like I'm bored," she says laughingly. Recently her giggles turned to grumbles when her computer was infected with a virus. "Facebook is renowned for spreading viruses," says computer expert Bill Ramsey.

A man who stole a laptop was caught on camera by a secret spy app the owner installed--then activated when his computer was stolen.  It tracked the computer's locations and photographed the thief sleeping on a couch, sitting in bed using the computer...not  knowing the computer he was using was using him.  

Computer systems have been restored at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The computeres were down for about 90 minutes because of a malfunction during an upgrade. The failure affected Wal-Mart's ability to process debit and credit card transactions. --------------------------- Original Story Customers at the nation's largest retailer may have trouble checking out today. An apparent computer problem in Bentonville, Ark., where Wal-Mart, Inc. is headquartered, has limited the types of transactions at stores nationwide.

TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) - Governors in Kansas and Minnesota have committed their state governments to having more energy-efficient computer systems. They have made their states the first to join a computer industry initiative designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve electricity. Minnesota Republican Tim Pawlenty and Kansas Democrat Kathleen Sebelius pledged to have their states purchase more efficient computers and servers. They also promised systemwide controls causing desktop computers to sleep each evening.

Scammers are getting more creative in how they try to hack into your computer. We're used to seeing scams showing up in emails telling us to click on a link. But some scammers are now calling people and asking to access their computers. "It would be like your dishwasher repair man calling you out of the blue saying 'hey, your dishwasher is about to have an issue,'" explained Bill Ramsey of Cybertron IT. These scammers usually say they're from Microsoft and ask for your IP address because they've suspected your computer either has or is at risk for a virus.

Two businesses had computer or computer parts stolen over the weekend. One of those businesses was American Family Insurance. " I noticed one of the windows was propped open and I thought 'I know we didn't leave that open. " said Jim Wells of American Family Insurance. "I continued to go in, a little nervous as to what I might find. " I saw footprints on a desk and I thought immediately 'someone's been here.'" American family insurance lost a computer tower, a laptop, money and a ring in the break in. " You wonder why," Wells said.

The FBI is warning of a new internet scam called ransomware that's capable of holding a computer hostage unless the owner pays up. Sherri Brown says her teenage son recently had a frightening message appear on his laptop screen that claimed to be from the FBI. It said he violated copyright laws by illegally viewing or distributing music, videos or software. "He was panicking.  He thought he was going to get in big trouble from the FBI," Brown said. The message locked up the computer and ordered Brown to buy what's called a Green Dot Money Pak card to unlock the device.

A computer problem that caused headaches for a second day at the Reno County Tag Office has been fixed. The system was back up and running just after noon Tuesday. The problem meant people were having a hard time registering their vehicles or getting title and tag work done. "The state thought it was a router problem," explained Treasurer Clark Miller. "So I drove to Topeka and got a new router, but when we installed it, it didn't work. " On Tuesday, 24 hours after the problem began, Miller decided the office should do things the old-fashioned way for a while.

Wouldn't it be great if you could stay fit while you work? Well, strap on the walking shoes. Indiana company Brown and Brown Insurance has installed treadmills on some desks. The idea came from the wellness committee..looking to break up the work day and get people away from sitting at the cubicle. It grew from just having employees stand while they work, to actually exercising while using the computer. We might try it here on the anchor desk, but that could get a little distracting for viewers.

Computer problems are causing slow downs at many tag offices across Kansas. Sedgwick County Treasurer Linda Kizzire says the problems with the tag office computer system started late yesterday afternoon and continued through this morning. Jeanine Koranda with the Kansas Department of Revenue says offices are still able to process tags, it is just taking longer than normal. Koranda says it does not appear every tag office in Kansas is having a problem. Koranda says the state is working with vendor 3M to fix the slow down.

When does parenting go too far? A college senior got a court order against her parents that keeps them from contacting her for at least the next year. 21-year-old Aubrey Ireland wants space from her parents, who admit putting tracking software on her computer to see where she goes and who she talks to.  They often show up at her college unannounced and uninvited, driving 600 miles from Kansas to Ohio. They claim to be loving parents who catered to an only child all her life.

A computer problem that was keeping some INTRUST Bank customers customers from accessing their money has been resolved. Public Relations Manager Diane Iseman says the issue was resolved and as of this morning, and fees that may have been charged as a result of the issue have been resolved. Iseman says the bank appreciates the patience of customers.  Anyone with questions can call the bank at (316) 383-1234 or 800-895-2265.

Two businesses had computer or computer parts stolen over the weekend. One of those businesses was American Family Insurance. " I noticed one of the windows was propped open and I thought 'I know we didn't leave that open. " said Jim Wells of American Family Insurance. "I continued to go in, a little nervous as to what I might find. " I saw footprints on a desk and I thought immediately 'someone's been here.'" American family insurance lost a computer tower, a laptop, money and a ring in the break in. " You wonder why," Wells said.

The FBI is warning of a new internet scam called ransomware that's capable of holding a computer hostage unless the owner pays up. Sherri Brown says her teenage son recently had a frightening message appear on his laptop screen that claimed to be from the FBI. It said he violated copyright laws by illegally viewing or distributing music, videos or software. "He was panicking.  He thought he was going to get in big trouble from the FBI," Brown said. The message locked up the computer and ordered Brown to buy what's called a Green Dot Money Pak card to unlock the device.

United Airlines computer problems have been corrected and the airline's website is back online. People who tried to log into United.com for a time Tuesday afternoon saw the following message: "We are experiencing technical difficulties. This will temporarily affect our ability to serve you online. " The site was back online about 4:30 p.m. Central Time. The outage did not appear to cause any significant problems at airports around the country. The website for Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport reports delays of less than 30 minutes for a United flight coming from Houston and one departing for Denver.

Scammers are getting more creative in how they try to hack into your computer. We're used to seeing scams showing up in emails telling us to click on a link. But some scammers are now calling people and asking to access their computers. "It would be like your dishwasher repair man calling you out of the blue saying 'hey, your dishwasher is about to have an issue,'" explained Bill Ramsey of Cybertron IT. These scammers usually say they're from Microsoft and ask for your IP address because they've suspected your computer either has or is at risk for a virus.

A call to your home says your computer may be at risk, but experts say it is a scam. The Better Business Bureau first warned about what it's calling the "Microsoft" phone scam in March, and it is still going on. In recent weeks Factfinder 12 has received several calls from people who have received a scam phone call. In the phone call, the scammer claims to be a computer technician and may say they work for Microsoft. The caller tried to trick the victim into taking control of your computer remotely.

The problem may be fixed, but Kansans want answers after a computer failure at tag offices around the state. Viewers contacted FactFinder 12 to ask if the state will get some money back on the $40 million project. “I want answer. I want answers,” says Anjela Greer who waited in line for her tags. Problems arose shortly after the new system for vehicle title and registrations went online earlier this month. Some waited in lines for more than five hours.