Playing around with Google Authenticator and the 2 step process!

Paul

Yubico Yubi key neo

2 Factor Authentication and You!

When I started this experiment looking to enhance my security.  I was thinking about Yubi Key but It isn’t like I have the 25 dollars for it.  I do suggest it to anyone who might not have any other options available to you.   It however works really well from what I have been told with Lastpass and I wanted something that would do just that.   

It isn’t like I have a lot of money to throw around!

So I went to Lastpass security settings to see if there was something else.   When I found the Google Authenticator Tab!

Google Authenticator?

Well it looks like Google came up with a way to have a two factor authentication available for you when you login to sites that you may want more than one way to protect your identity or privacy! So even though I could protect my privacy by having a One Time Password it isn’t going to be the easiest way to keep my security safe.  

I installed Google Authenticator on my Kyocera Rise and it is working really well.   I will have to do even more figuring out of this little app but I am wondering how hard it would be to change to another phone when the time comes and how hard it is to get it installed.

I’ve printed up a few One time Passwords and they are safely hidden away for those times I might need them because something happened.

My next step is to find out which if any social media sites are two factor compliant and which ones I would want to have this available to.   I am hopeful that Facebook will have this to help keep my identity safe and people from gaining access to stuff they shouldn’t have.

Lastpass Plus Google Authenticator equals AWESOME.   Even though this just the beginning of my journey into exploring this.   I will do another blog post about this later on when I have explored this with greater detail and discuss the benefits and draw backs of this but for right now I am more secure then I was and I am happy!

Paul Sylvester

 

 

Why I suspect there is not really a 3G outage right now!

Paul2 Replies

plausible deniability

The Plausible deniability of the Virgin Mobile 3G Outage!

 

So it has been a week now and you’re probably asking the same questions.   Here are a few questions that I have and would love to see an answer to:

 

What is taking so darn long?

Why haven’t you warned us before you did this UPDATE?

Why Haven’t you told anyone?

Why isn’t there more information on the problem?

Why haven’t you updated your websites and other stuff to warn people about the problem?

I could keep going on and on about this and probably even start some conspiracy theories about this.   Here is what I know!  

No UPDATES by Virgin Mobile!

No Media is covering this or talking about it!

Customers are extremely unhappy right now!

These are just a few that I have found.   I went digging around the internet about this and found only a handful of stuff about this.   I am no amatuer when it comes to searching Google, Bing, and yahoo for this type of information!   I’ve found one story about the outage but it was a mear reference to it being down nothing more nothing less. 

So what am I missing?

Probably nothing, I am sure this has to do with Virgin Mobile wanting to thin out the herd sort to speak.  If they really wanted people to stay they would of put out press releases and text everyone in the Virgin Mobile Network and also posted it on their website and their technical support line.   I honestly think they want everyone to go to the 4G network and this is a way to have people either leave or move to a phone that has 4G LTE capabilities.   I’m not buying that this is something they didn’t plan and I hope you don’t either.   Until Virgin Mobile speaks up and starts proving to me they want my business, then I have to assume they are trying to soar the milk of 3G users and get them to go somewhere else.  

Do you think I am right or Wrong?  Let start a Discuss and talk about this even more!

Paul Sylvester

What To Do before you Call Virgin Mobile Support!

Paul1 Reply

Virgin Mobile's Most Popular Web Page

1 hour with Technical Support!

Gee thanks for wasting an hour of my time for nothing!  Couldn’t I of done this offline?  This isn’t like it is rocket science or is it?  When I started this trek to fixing my 3G signal, I never knew it was going to be such a big ordeal.  I mean, lets face it it isn’t like I don’t know what I am doing with my Android Phone.  I’ve been getting Error codes like 67, 3000, and 2048.   So i called them and they had me do a bunch of stupid stuff.   Here is what I suggest you do before you call Virgin Mobile.  That way you can at least be ahead of the game:

  • Turn off Cell Phone and if Possible take out battery for at least 15 seconds.
  • Try doing an Activation and Seeing if that resolves your problem!
  • Dial ##virgin# (##847446#) and view or edit your MSID (Mobile Station ID) and MDN (Mobile Number).   You’ll need to verify they are something other than 10 zeros!
  • Check for firmware updates.   On my Kyocera Rise, you can do that by going to System > System Updates.   This might help fix your problem before you even consider calling Virgin Mobile.   No bets though.
  • Last ditch resort!!  Do a hard reset on your Android Phone.   Not recommended but if you do this and you still have problems then it isn’t your phone.   You will need to reactivate the phone once it has been done and all photos, videos, and anything else on the phone is lost.   So it is a last resort.   Do this though, you will need to hold the down key and power button until you see the phone power up.  Using your volume keys select factory reset or something like that.

Although It seems Virgin Mobile is having some major 3g service issues.   I do hope they fix it.  I have tried everything other than just going back to Straight Talk.   This has been the lousiest experience in my life.   Has anyone else had this problem with your 3G service from Virgin Mobile Lately?

Paul Sylvester

My cell phone repair worries alleviated by Virgin Mobile!

Paul

broken phone

The Broken Phone Syndrome!

We have all had those phones that would break.  I recently bought a Kyocera Rise from Virgin Mobile.   I recently had problems with it.   It basically was coming apart from the keyboard to the screen, it is a slide type phone and thus the two halves were just coming apart.   Right now the only thing that is holding my phone together is tape!  So I called their customer Care support number (888-322-1122) and told them the problems. 

I never knew it was going to be so easy!

I really thought I would have to jump through so many hoops with getting a replacement phone.   So when I called them I was prepared for them to fight and maybe even have to pay a deductible for a replacement cell phone.  They alleviated the worries, after looking into my account they noticed I was still a brand new customer less than a year old.   They seem to have a 1 year warranty on their phones.  This seemed kind of unheard of to me.   I am sure most cell phone companies only ever do a 90 day warranty on their phones but Virgin Mobile takes it a bit farther than most.

Waiting on my New Phone!

After talking with them over the problem, they seemed to indicate that I would need a new phone.   I let them go on about getting me set up for a new Kyocera Rise phone.   They told me they would be sending me a new phone in 3 to 5 business days.   So I will have more when it comes but this is definitely something that I am looking forward to writing about even more in the future.   I will keep you posted when I get it but I thought it would be a good little blog post for those who might want to know how easy it was for me to get a replacement for my damaged cell phone.  

I would definitely tell my friends and family about this and how this could save them money in the long run.   I can’t afford to pay another 100 to 200 dollars for a phone if I don’t have to and this seems to be the best possible way for that.

Paul Sylvester

 

Having Signal Problems with your current Cellular provider?

Paul

Cell Signal Booster

So You have a Cell Phone?

Many People Now a days are cutting the cords to their land lines and going strickly wireless phones.   I’ve seen people who have Verizon, Cingular, AT&T, Sprint or some other MVNO Like Straight Talk or Virgin Mobile!  Each One of those carriers has good or bad in them.   I’ve seen some that get GREAT signal and I’ve seen some that just get no signal.  I even bet you researched it and thought that you were in the right area for your service provider.   I hate to say it but not all phones and not all cell towers are the same either.  I have tried so many different MVNO’s lately I can tell you that most of them give higher priority to their contract customers.

Why am I not getting any Bars on my Cell Phone?

I answered this a few months ago to a point about Straight Talk but it wasn’t really complete.  I am sure You have your own reason why but I will break it down to you in a way that you might be able to understand it a little more clearly than before.

Each phone has an antenna and each cell tower is broadcasting to a certain distance, and some are broadcasting in a certain direction also.   Most however are just broadcasting omni directional and thus you get a random signal in random locations.   Your also competing with other cell signals from other cell phones for the right to use that tower so your also getting some interference in areas.  

House can be an Interference too!

Even your house which is a dwelling with bricks and wood and some metal pieces can cause you to drop signals in all parts of your house.   I’ve seen in my own situation that I can have 3 bars in one location of my house and no bars in another part of my house so It can be inconcievable that you have the same situation going on where you life also.  So I am here to help you out a little an maybe make you life just a little bit more enjoyable.

Those are just a few that will help you get a better signal and it isn’t as hard as it looks to install these little extenders and boosters.   I will say these are just the tip of the iceburg as to what you can buy to make you cellular experience just that much better.   If I a problem these would be the first I would buy to get that signal strength up.

Paul Sylvester