On Facebook, people are creating cartoon versions of themselves using ChatGPT. This new technology uses artificial intelligence, and the cartoons fit the person to a “T.”

But ask yourself – how did they get all that information? How did ChatGPT know you like going on cruises, gardening or your hobbies are reading and playing golf?

That’s because everything you post on social media becomes part of your digital footprint and public knowledge. What they don’t know from what you’ve posted, they’ll ask and you hand it right over.

I listened to a Mel Robbins podcast featuring Caitlin Sarian, a cybersecurity influencer, on how to protect yourself online, and she gave some great tips.

Here’s the highlights.

Never give out your real birthday, phone number or name while shopping, both online and in person. If a store wants your phone number or email account for a transaction, decline. They’re not going to call you. This is so they can sell your information to marketing vultures.

Don’t post vacation photos while you’re away from home. People can pinpoint your address using the information you’ve got out there and rob your house while you’re gone. Some of these scammers can even find out your airline reservations and break into your house while you’re in the air and your phone is turned off.

Never use free WiFi. You think you’re saving money and minutes by using the free hook up. Wrong. You’ve just logged on to an open highway where predators and scammers lurk, waiting to steal your information.

Ms. Sarian said, “If there’s any free app or product, you are the product.”

Even though it’s convenient, don’t use the same password, or a variation of a password, on all your apps. Don’t reuse passwords. Use unique passwords with letters and numbers.

There are ways to keep track of complex passwords.

You can buy an electronic password manager device for under $100 or you can go “old-school.” A telephone address book is already divided alphabetically. Write the passwords in pencil and keep the book by your computer. Don’t keep the passwords on your phone.

You don’t have to answer all the questions you’re asked online. Don’t provide your mother’s maiden name or the name of your first pet. These are often legitimate security questions, and you just handed a scammer the answers.

The way to get around this is to create a fake online persona, and that’s free. Use a different G-mail account and phone number for this online personality.

Make your fake persona fun. Choose an exotic name, claim you were born in Paris and that the name of your first pet was Killer.

Don’t plug your phone into a free charging station. Scammers get your information from these open spots. Never assume hackers don’t want you – money is money, Ms. Sarian said.

As much as you hate it, opt for a two-factor authentication. That means you’ll have to type in a number that’s either texted or emailed to you. It takes time, but it’ll keep your information safe.

Don’t answer phone numbers you don’t recognize, even if the window states it’s an official agency. Anybody can get a phone to display a fake name. Don’t believe a caller who says they’re from the police, the IRS or any other law enforcement agency.

If you did answer, hang up as quickly as possible and call the official phone number of the agency, not the one showing on your phone.

Better yet, let the call go to voice mail. If it’s someone you need to talk to, they’ll leave a message. Even if the message sounds urgent or official, don’t react. Call the number listed on the agency’s official website and get more information.

A few more tips:  Freeze your credit. Allow software updates. Don’t click on links you don’t know.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, cyber security will become even more important. The first line of defense is you.

Don’t give scammers and thieves any more ammunition.

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald. 

 

We were coming back from Bellville and stopped at Tony’s Restaurant in Sealy. A man wearing a cowboy hat was standing near the front doors. He asked about our day and tipped his hat to us.

The food was great, and we found out the friendly man who’d greeted us in the parking lot was Tony. He came by our table and chatted for a bit about his family, asked about ours, and hoped we’d have a delicious meal.

There’s a time and place for fast-food joints, but nothing beats eating at a family-owned restaurant. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful eateries here in our community.

People recognize the importance of supporting local businesses, especially when the experience is like coming home to mom’s kitchen. Plus, these restaurants are the ones who support our local baseball, football and soccer teams. You won’t find those thank-you plaques hanging in a fast-food chain’s lobby.

The owners visit each table, asking about the food, the service and if there’s anything you need. They refill water glasses and genuinely care about the service and quality you receive. They employ local teens and often families have worked there for generations.

Not only have they been around a while, but the food is often a family recipe passed down through generations. I’ve been to quite a few of these in our area, and friends on social media suggested a few more.

Bob’s Taco Station is not only locally recognized but also nationally as it was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The interior is fun and fascinating with memorabilia and quotes all over the walls.

The actual Bob is usually there to greet you, just as his father did before he passed away. Bob buys ads in all the local yearbooks, supports sports teams and just try getting tamales at Christmas if you didn’t pre-order.

Witt Pitt Barbecue is another local favorite. It’s not a big place, but it’s just the right size. The smell of their juicy brisket grilled onsite greets you the minute you walk in.

Jimmy Cantu’s Pier 36 is a favorite in this area, and Jimmy visits customers as well. Texas is known for barbecue, but Pier 36 will make a seafood lover out of you.

La Cocina near Pecan Grove not only serves great food but they always donate to local charities and sports teams. When we sit down, the server brings our drinks to the table, knowing what we want before we open our mouths. That doesn’t happen at a chain.

When we moved to this area over 35 years ago, Hunan Garden was one of the first places we went with the boys. They became fans of the “Bo-Bo Platter,” and now our grandchildren love ordering the same appetizer. Owner Elaine makes sure you get what you want and always encourages you to order something new.

Sandy McGee’s is a local legend, and most long-time residents remember Sandy’s original spot in Rosenberg. She’s been in downtown Richmond for many years, and the inside of the restaurant is as charming as she is. Her broccoli cheese soup is a local legend.

Down in Needville, Bayou Boys gets special shout outs, and they are also big supporters in the community, especially in tough times. Another Time Soda Fountain in downtown Rosenberg not only offers some of the best milkshakes and burgers in town, but listening to the nearby trains is a special treat.

Other great family-owned restaurants include Bull Creek Café and Grill – love their steaks – Ferso’s Mexican Cuisine, Tex-Y-Cano’s food truck, Tejas Mexican Grill and Café, Jay’s Café, and Tina’s on FM 359.

I know there’s many mom-and-pop places I missed, and I apologize for the oversight. If you’ll send me your favorites, I’ll post those places on my social media account because we all need a break from mass-produced burgers.

The next time you’re looking for a place to eat, skip the fast-food drive-through lines and support a family-owned business.

Remember, they support you.

 

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald. 

When you grow up in a large family, birthdays are often the only time you can claim the day to be your own.

In a family with seven children, birthdays were always a big deal. Unlike shared holidays like Christmas and Easter, our birthday was our special day.

Mom went out of her way to spoil each one of us when our birthday rolled around. She made our favorite dinner, and we got to choose the kind of cake we wanted.

Back then, you had to make cakes from scratch. Bakery store cakes were expensive, and the only kind of cakes Winn-Dixie carried were the Little Debbie varieties.

I’ve made cakes with an ingredient list as long as my arm, and the steps can be overwhelming. Thank goodness for companies like Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker. They allow you to claim home cook status without having to use five bowls.

All you have to do is open a plastic bag, dump it in one bowl and add water, oil and eggs. When ready-to-spread frostings came along, I thought I’d hit the lottery again.

One year, I told my son I’d take cupcakes to school for his birthday. He made me promise to bake the cupcakes, not buy them from the store. But, in typical mom fashion, I forgot to make the cupcakes the night before.

The next morning, I panicked. I bought ready-made cupcakes from the grocery store and a can of ready-to-spread frosting. I headed to the school parking lot with a plastic garbage bag and a butter knife.

I had a plan – scrape the store-made frosting off of the store-bought cupcakes into that plastic bag and re-frost the cupcakes with the ready-to-spread frosting. My boys thought that was home-made.

When all traces of the store-made frosting was gone, I opened the can of ready-to-spread and did my best to make the cupcakes look like I’d just taken them out of the oven.

No matter if you’re buying cupcakes from the store or whipping up a tried-and-true family recipe, birthdays are a time to recognize someone’s importance. In our family, February is prime birthday month.

This week, our daughter-in-law will celebrate her birthday on the same day her youngest son was born.

Erin handles a busy household with ease, and she has a great sense of humor, two traits sorely needed with five children. Young Danny has four older siblings who dote on this easy-going toddler.

The next week, it’s my youngest sister’s birthday. Donna lives in Virginia, and we’re hoping the snow melts in time for her to get out and celebrate her birthday in style.

She was a darling baby, an adorable toddler and she’s a beautiful woman. She is artistic and can transform a simple object into a piece of art. I’m lucky to have a couple of her paintings in my office.

My sister Diane and brother Johnny have back-to-back birthdays at the end of the month. Diane is extremely intelligent and a person who takes charge because she’s always the most capable person around.

She’s loyal, loving and her opinions and judgment are solid. Johnny is a man of faith, a soulful songwriter, self-taught guitarist and a gifted pen-and-ink artist.

At the end of February, we have back-to-back birthdays highlighting my nephew, brother-in-law, another nephew, niece, great nieces and great nephews. They are all bright lights in the family with larger-than-life personalities, brains and talents.

At the beginning of March, our brother Joey will celebrate his birthday.

Born with a gentle spirit and a quick wit, Joey quietly goes about his life in service to others, being a fabulous husband and a great “Papa Joe” to his grandchildren.

Happy birthday to the incredible people in our family who remind me every day how extremely blessed I am.

No matter when you celebrate your birthday this year, in the words of our late Grandma Marguerite, “remember to have fun along the way.”

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.