Jul 24, 2018 | Computer technology
So yesterday, I talked about rising seas threatening the Internet. But I guess there’s no rest for the weary. Because the threat I talk to you about today could be apocalyptic. Could foreign hackers create an EMP?
For almost a year, cyber experts and government officials warn about hackers pulling off the ultimate attack. They would hit all IT support and electric grids. It would also hit other computer systems as well. But the worst thing about it? They could create an EMP attack behind their own desk and from their computer. What would an EMP do? We’ll get to that later.
If this concerns experts, then it should concern us. Listen to Drogos cyber security workers. In one interview, they talk about how hackers compromised Ukraine’s power grid. From their computer, hackers could turn lights on and off. This was between 2015-16. But sense then, they said the hackers got more aggressive. Then there is National Intelligence director Dan Coats. He testified to Congress that the US is under attack. He believes that it’s not just foreign nations like Russia, China and Iran that have cyber weapons and are willing to use them. But he testified terrorist, criminals, radical political extremist, and anybody with a grudge can do damage with cyber weapons.
What is an EMP? Back in 1859, the US had the Carrington Event. A solar flare came down and burned telegraph wires. That is what an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) would do to us…if we had 1850s technology. Today, if somebody created an EMP, it would shut down all computer systems, all electric grids, and all communications. Not only that, but all of our food, clean water, transportation, everything we take for granted would be gone. It would take months, maybe even a year to get all the systems back on track. Some say that if this were to happen, then most of the American population would be dead. I know this sounds like a horror movie plot, but this is a real threat we in computer repair need to address. Could foreign hackers create an EMP? What do we do?
Jul 23, 2018 | internet
So let’s face it. The Internet faces many threats, from ID hackers to censorship issues. But what about environmental issues and changes? Can rising seas threaten the Internet?
So studies from universities say yes they can. Also, the studies say the threat can come sooner than we think. Because in 15 years, by the 2030s, 4,000 miles of fiber-optic cables could go underwater! This would lead to internet outages and shortages all around the country. They would come suddenly. This is according to the University of Wisconson-Madison and University of Oregon.? They used maps that predicted rising seas and coasts.
Some cities and regions would be harder hit than others. For example, they think 20% of New York City’s fiber-optic cables will be gone by the year 2033. Then include the fiber-optic systems that connect from NYC to other cities and database centers. In 15 years, rising seas can destroy a third of them. They also say other coastal cities, like Seattle, Los Angeles and Miami, are especially venerable. Don’t think you’re off the hook because you’re inland. Because a river flood, and we see a lot of those lately, can cause Internet problems. That is if the ripple effects of the coastal cities don’t get you first.
Many scientist thought we had decades to address this issue. But now, we know better. This is a big problem and only a short time to address it. I think of Boston and our computer service shop. Many maps say before 2100, much of this great city will be underwater. I’m sure our city, and Internet and IT service industries are under the gun as well. Back in January 2018, some of the city flooded due to a combination of a blizzard and high tide. That’s all it took. If the sea rises in a short time like they predict, then can you imagine what damage it will do the the Internet? Can rising seas threaten the Internet? What do we do about it?
Jul 20, 2018 | Computer technology
So let’s suppose you buy a laptop for $2,800, maybe a little bit more. But you discover out of the box, it doesn’t work to your liking; you thought it would be a lot faster. How would you feel? I ask because a lot of Apple users return MacBook Pro laptops.
So speed is one of the biggest selling points of the new MacBook Pro. They said they can reach speeds of 2.9 GHz. However, there’s a problem. Speeds are not running that fast. That’s because you need a Core i9 processor to get to such lightning speeds. Do you know how hot a machine can get with a Core i9 processor? Well, the laptop’s cooling system appears to be no match for this processor’s heat. In fact, some computer repair experts suggest you put your new MacBook Pro in the freezer to get the 2.9 GHz speed.
That’s what computer repair You Tuber Dave Lee did. So according to him, the freezer treatment is the only to get it to 2.9 GHz. Without it, not only will it not capture this speed, but it will run worse than 2017’s MacBook Pro. That only had a Core i7 processor. Also, Dave Lee explains this Core i9 slows down to prevent itself to prevent thermal throttling.
But other Apple users return MacBook Pro. Some people aren’t waiting for the disappointment of this. One Apple user on Reddit says he’s cancelling his new MacBook rather than deal with it. I also have it by good authority that hundreds of others are either returning their laptops. Some others cancel orders and send theirs back before the shipping man even comes to their door. Now that’s bad. Keep in mind this isn’t Apple’s first setback this year. How much profit will Apple lose because of this snafu? Can the MacBook pro get back on track?
Jul 19, 2018 | News
So Ebay has been a jewel of the IT service and Internet world since the late 1990s. But it looks like even this jewel is going bad. Let’s look at Ebay’s struggles: From layoffs to falling stocks.
Ebay, an online retail giant for 20 years, said they will cut around 300 jobs. They also said these jobs will be in the San Francisco and San Jose area and cuts will happen by July 20. That’s tomorrow. But the people losing their jobs got their notices in June. So they’ll have time to financially and emotionally prepare. Ebay offices in San Jose alone loses over 200 jobs.
On the surface, it looked like Ebay is still doing good. Not really. Because they lost around $1 billion in this past year. In fact, in one quarter alone, their profits slipped over 60%. That’s not the only thing that’s slipping. The last time I checked, a few minutes ago, Ebay stocks fell 9% in just this morning alone. That’s almost a one-year low. In fact, their stocks fell 1.34% in the past year. That may not sound like much for a year. However, keep in mind shareholders expected a 4% increase of stocks in 2018. It looks like they were about to get it…until Ebay’s struggles became public.
Some insiders point out it’s not that they’re losing customers, or that they stopped spending. It’s that they’re not getting enough new customers. They also blame…you guessed it…Amazon and Walmart for this decline. Walmart’s upping their online sales. Despite Ebay execs and other leaders working as hard as they can, it’s still tough to compete with Amazon. I’ve noticed that in and around my own computer service shop. They’re not the only ones. Just ask Toys R Us and Radio Shack how hard it is to compete with Amazon and Walmart. Oops, I forgot. They’re not around anymore. Will Ebay overcome their struggles? Or will they be just another victim?
Jul 18, 2018 | Computer technology
So remember checking out books at the library right (I still do)? You had to return them by a certain date. However, Google has a same system with Chromebooks. They’re also expanding it.? Let’s look at Google’s Grab and Go Chromebook system.
This ‘Grab and Go’ lets employees borrow Chromebooks. Then they use self serving stations to return them. They simply grab a Chromebook laptop, sign in, and return it the laptop when they’re finished. Without this, they would have to endure a tiring IT support and approval process. Imagine waiting just to return a library book; it’d be kind of like that. It must be working good for Google. Because now, they want to offer this system to other businesses.
Chromebooks are particularly popular in education and in business executive suites. Don’t expect Google to sale racks, laptops and other supplies to make this a physical transaction. So don’t even go to Google looking for things like Chromebook laptop racks. But Google will give any company or education system an open source code to build it themselves. Furthermore, a Google employee will be right there to help them build it, remotely of course. They will help you build this Grab and Go system and teach you how to run it and maintain it.
So I’m guessing many of you think, “Would it be better to to just build the equipment and sell it to these institutions?”. Eventually, that might happen, especially if this gets too popular. But let’s take this one day at a time. This isn’t as simple as a library book, or video that we used to return. This computer servicing equipment cost thousands and thousands of dollars. So if people don’t return that, then they’re really out of luck. I don’t even think Google is ready to handle that. Would you use Google’s Grab and Go Chromebook system?
