(NAPSI)—It’s a common occurrence these days—one of your friends recently had an online account hacked but doesn’t have a clue how it happened. We’ve all heard tech advice from a tech-savvy sister or the IT guy at work, but what’s the truth? When it comes to online security, it’s sometimes difficult to discern between perception and reality.

(NAPSI)—Owning a digital device such as a smartphone or tablet has quickly gone from being a luxury to a necessity.

(BPT) - With about 100 million iPads sold since the ground-breaking tablet launched in April 2010, chances are you either have one or at least know someone who does. If you’re the proud owner of an iPad, are you using it to its full potential? Possibly not, if the results of a 2012 Business Insider survey are any indication.

Three Lodi churches were the victim of break-ins earlier this week, according to Sgt. Steve Nelson of the Lodi Police Department.

As Hurricane Sandy hurls devastating winds toward the East Coast, three young Lodi natives wait expectantly in a second-story Manhattan apartment, six blocks from an evacuation zone.

Dear Santa, My name is Ramon Ruiz Jr. I am 3 years old. I want bubble bee transformer and Optimus Prime for Christmas. I will save you some milk and cookies by the fire place. Thank you Santa. Ramon, age 3

Once again News-Sentinel staffers have selected the absolutely best gifts (Lodi bacon or Wonder Woman mixer, anyone?) to give and to receive this holiday season.

Staffers share their holiday 2010 wish llists:

With the coming of each new year, trends and fads of the past year ("That was so 2008") get tossed in the trash bin, and upcoming technology, music, health practices and more become the popular mode.

Dear Straight Talk,

It took 18 months of construction, but Lodi's newest addition to the hospitality industry has finally opened.

Lodi police believe they may have solved at least one of the recent burglaries that have plagued the Eastside.

Black Friday: The biggest shopping day of the year. Here's a rundown of local store hours and featured items.

I have horrible luck when it comes to communicating. It's really bizarre, because I'm good with technology most of the time. But my e-mail goes missing; I'll miss calls on my cell phone and not get the voicemail for days or even weeks, even when my phone is on the whole time; AOL Instant Messenger logs me off and on an average of three or four times every time I go on.

The sun shines brightly into the Comic Grapevine on Pine Street. Aaron Martinez, 16, thumbs through the lineup of manga books. Comic books are his pastime, and the downtown shop is his third place, his home away from home.

The sun shines brightly into the Comic Grapevine on Pine Street. Aaron Martinez, 16, thumbs through the lineup of manga books. Comics books are his pastime, and the downtown shop is his third place, his home away from home.

Visitors to Lodi's new Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe off Kettleman Lane are greeted with the scent of fresh-baked breads and pastries.

At least 30 Lodi police officers, parole agents and probation officers took to the city's streets Wednesday, searching homes in problem areas and later collecting abandoned shopping carts.

Ken and Marilee Ginoulis' 25-foot-long fifth wheel RV, dubbed "The Wine Wagon," barely fits into the driveway beside their home in Lodi. But somehow, they manage to back the "rig" in just right after each trip.

In the bleak, sun-stricken parking lot of a Stockton Save Mart sits a gleaming white Winnebago.

If you know Desiree Amanda Villamor, tell her that Monte Clevenger has something of value to her.

Lodi High School teacher Tammy Boschee gleamed with pride Friday.

Lodi High School teacher Tammy Boschee gleamed with pride Friday.