Top 10 Gift Ideas for Techy Friends/Family

The holidays are here and RealTime has compiled a gift list for the Techy's in your life! Here are the top 10 gift ideas as suggested by the RealTime team...

10. Steam gift card $20+

Our NOC Support Technician, Anna, suggests a Steam gift card. Steam is a gaming community for multiplayer gaming, video streaming and social networking services. Steam Gift Cards work just like gift certificates, which can be redeemed on Steam for the purchase of games, software, hardware, and any other item you can purchase on Steam. Visit https://steamcommunity.com for more information.

9. USB Desktop Aquarium - Mini Fish Tank with Running Water $37.79+

Who doesn't need an aquarium on their desk? Josh, our Service Desk Manager, likes the idea of stress-reducing fish in the workplace...especially ones in a tank run by USB. We found this one on Amazon but I'm sure you can find them other places as well. 

8. Netflix Gift Card $25+

David, our Account Manager, suggests a gift card to Netflix for those scared to purchase real tech stuff. Gift them Netflix movies & TV shows online or streaming right to their smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more. It's not possible to buy an actual subscription for others, but if you have an Amazon account, you can buy gift cards online, which can be used as prepaid Netflix subscriptions. Find more information here. 

7. Apple Watch series 3 with cellular $399+

Our CEO, Elaine, can't live without her Apple Watch and she suggests giving the latest series 3 with cellular. This watch lets you leave your phone behind. Answer a call from your surfboard. Ask Siri to send a message. Stream your favorite songs on your run. Now you have the freedom to go with just your watch. https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-3/

6. WD Passport External Hard drive 1 TB $58+

McSwain, RealTime Service Desk Tech, suggests every household needs a good external hard drive with at least 1 TB. Equipped with WD Backup software so you can automatically back up photos, videos, music and documents. Set it to your schedule. Just pick the time and frequency. Built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with WD Security software helps keep your content private and safe. Find it on Amazon. 

5. Minn Kota i Pilot GPS Trolling System $2100+

RealTime Service Desk Tech, Jason, combines his love of fishing with his tech side. This trolling system lets you use GPS to lock onto fishing spots, record and retrace paths, command speed and steering, and set cruise control. The wireless remote features an LCD screen. Build your own now on their website https://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/New-Ulterra/

4. Beats Studio Wireless headphones $349.95

Our Controller, Stacey, says wireless Beats are on the top of her sons list. Beats and Apple are changing the way you listen to music with the Apple W1 chip in Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones. Incorporating the efficient W1 chip brings seamless setup and switching for your Apple devices,* up to 22 hours of battery life for all-day fully-featured playback with Pure ANC on, and Fast Fuel technology for 3 hours of play with a 10-minute charge. Take calls, skip songs, control your volume and activate Siri using the convenient multi-function on-ear controls. https://www.beatsbydre.com/headphones/studio3-wireless

3. August Smart Lock, 3rd gen technology - Silver, Works with Alexa $149

If your Tech friend is creating a smart home, then a front door lock is at the top of their list. Our Systems Engineer suggests the August Smart Lock that allows you to lock and unlock your door with your phone. Give keyless entry to family, friends or even the dog walker. Its compact design easily attaches to your existing deadbolt so you can still use your keys. We found this one on Amazon. 

2. Wi-Fi Mesh System $228.99+

Get better wifi at home. If you are like our VP of Information Technology, Todd, then you have more connected devices than that wireless router you bought a few years ago can handle and still maintain performance. PC Magazine did a review of Wi-Fi mesh systems for 2017 https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/350795/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems and Todd ended up buying the NetGear Orbi AC3000 (RBK50) because the devices connected to the remote unit get much better speed than all but the top rated system. This one got more expensive just in the past couple of weeks as it's very popular. Google has a more price effective one, but it didn't rate as well.

1. Ring Video Doorbell $179+

Chad, RealTime President, loves the Ring Video Doorbell. It works on every home - with or without a doorbell. Quick and easy self-install. You get instant alerts when visitors press your Doorbell or trigger the built-in motion sensors. Then use the free Ring app to see, hear and speak to guests from your smartphone, tablet or PC. Motion-activated alerts, base model has 720HD video and two-way talk with noise cancellation. Four different models available https://shop.ring.com/collections/video-doorbells. 

Protect yourself on Cyber Monday

If you're planning on making some Cyber Monday purchases, here are a few tips to keep you safe.

• Use a clean machine – make sure all your software, apps, and virus protections are up to date before starting your online purchases. This helps keep malware from stealing your account information.
• Watch out for phishing emails claiming unauthorized account activity or the need to verify details. Always contact the financial institution directly.
• Another phishing attempt may come in phony ads and offers that appear to be from companies you already shop with. A few letters off in the address bar can lead to Identity Theft. Be extra careful when clicking links in emails. When in doubt contact the company directly to verify the deal.
• Only enter your personal info into websites that begin with https://. This indicates the site offers a secure connection for the transfer of sensitive information.
• If you find an incredible deal on a new website – do some research and check reviews before shopping with the site.
• Only give the information needed to complete the transaction, the required fields.
• Don’t make purchases or login into financial and other sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi Hotspots.
• Use two-factor authentication on your accounts – Remember to Lock Down Your Login.

*Ref: Call For Action

Five Tips to Creating a Safe Password

Learn five tips to creating a safe password to help prevent cyber crime! In less than one minute, Deidre and Brian will arm you with the essentials to creating a password that's hard to crack! 

How to Spot a Phishing Scam

DOES SOMETHING SEEM "PHISHY" TO YOU?

Millions of people are targets of phishing scams each day.  Cyber criminals use a variety of tricks to disguise themselves as legitimate companies, your colleagues, and people you would normally trust. Make sure you know who you are really communicating with and be careful of suspicious links. 
 

RealTime team creates Ransomware awareness

RealTime educating the general public on Ransomware during the 2017 Foster Fest in downtown Dothan, AL. 

This isn't our normal blog post, but this short 'Live' Facebook video gives heart and humor to the serious subject of Ransomware. Watch this brief video showing some of our RealTime team in action. If you have a question about how Ransomware can affect your business, email us at info@realtime-it.com or call (334) 678-1417. 

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