May 25, 2018 | Malware, Smartphone
So did Android recently ship a smartphone to you? Then you better go and check it. This isn’t a riddle or joke, but this is a consumer alert. Android unknowingly ships low cost phones.
So according to Avast, these low cost shipped phones have a malware they call Cosiloon. It hides behind ads to trick users into downloading apps they don’t want or need. The kinds of phones in question are ZTE, Archos and myPhone. The Anddrpod has dropper and payload. Dropper is a Trojan that installs malware to a certain target. Then there is payload, the malware part that actually does the dirty work.
But in this case, Avast sees the dropper with two names: Crash Service and Ime Mess. They connect to a website that hackers, not you, want to instill on your phone. Furthermore, once dropper gets on your smartphone, it’s not easy to remove. Because it installs apps through unencrypted HTTP wothout the users’ knowledge or approval. Therefore, there is no way the user can remove the dropper nor payload by him/herself. Because it’s a system app and it’s part of your firmware. In other words, it’s at the core of your machine. Our techs at and near our Boston computer service shop can do it, but that’s another story.
Keep in mind the title. Android unknowingly ships low cost phones. I’m happy they’re at least doing something something about it.? That’s another thing. Our clients often ask, “What is the best way to protect my machine from harm?”. Our IT support experts almost always tell them to use Avast. And here again, Avast proves why we tell them that. Avast is finding and removing these droppers and payloads. In fact, Avast gives instructions on how to take out the dropper on their blog. So once again, we highly recommend Avast. It’s the top anti-virus protection that keeps systems safe. No, they don’t pay us to say it. We say it because it works. But if you don’t have Avast, get some sort of protection. What else can we do to keep safe?
May 24, 2018 | Computer technology, News
So in Paris, there is a tech conference they call Viva Tech. One of the top speakers was the President of France. Let’s see how French President Emmanuel Macron talks technology.
So Marcon talked about about European regulations regarding the IT support and tech industry. He also talked about other issues facing tech. This included things like taxes, privacy, and cyber bullying and trolling. However, a big part of Marcon’s speech was about startups. He said IT service is critical to today’s France. Furthermore, he said tech startups alone brought almost $3 billion to his country. As recently as 2015, it was barely one billion.
But not all the news was good. Because France wants to create a European tax and impose it on major tech companies. They’re also urging other EU nations to do the same. This would create lots of revenue not just for France, but for every EU nation. Some are on board. But some others are not. He believes tech is key to creating jobs and a robust economy. Then he addressed the Tech for Good initiative. Here, he challenges tech companies to do good in the community. But he didn’t stop there. Marcon vowed to have the government check with these companies, to see if they really are doing good. He even wants there to be a Tech for Good Summit every year.
This is how French President Emmanuel Macron talks technology. Tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Obviously, he wants France, and Europe to do well in technology. Plus, from what I’m reading, Europe is falling a little behind other tech savvy nations, like the US, China and Israel. However, something else strikes me here. Marcon seems to fight for tech privacy. Yet, he’s willing to follow tech companies around just to make sure they’re doing good. Does that make any sense?
May 23, 2018 | scam, Security
So any good IT service person should warn you if something harmful is coming. Just like any travel guide should warn you of bad neighborhoods and places. So something harmful is coming. In fact, it’s already here. The 2018 email virus: this is a security alert.
In the past month, we saw 38 email virus threats. I won’t name them all because many of their names are too hard to pronounce. They all fall under the virus, worm, and/or Trojan categories. But the worse of these is what they call ‘Battdil.I Trojan’. It comes to your email address as a zip file. Then, when you open it, a .EXT or .SCR file floods you with the virus. After that, it takes over your Outlook then spreads to your address book. Now, it affects your people as well.
But that’s not all. Because the 2018 email virus can do even more damage. This includes stealing your information, like credit/debit card numbers, SSN numbers, and usernames/passwords. Cyber criminals can also steal your files remotely before you even realize what they’re doing. But wait, it gets worse. Because they can even turn off and on your system from around the world and there’s nothing you can do. Do you realize how much power these hackers would have over your computer if they put this virus in?
I thank a colleague in this Boston computer service shop for telling me. In fact, he’s treated several cases like this in the last several weeks. But what do we do about it? First of all, don’t answer any emails from people you don’t know. Remember when our parents warned our about stranger danger as kids? It’s kinda like that here, except this is email stranger danger. If you get an attachment, call the sender and confirm they did send it. Make sure you get the latest anti-virus software as well as a spam filter. What else can we do to keep ourselves safe?
May 22, 2018 | Security
So year after year, Americans…ahem…salute Comcast as one of the most hated companies in the country. In fact, many hated companies on the list are IT service companies. But that’s another subject. Comcast’s latest crisis won’t win them any popularity points. Comcast leaks router information.
In fact, their routers reveal customers’ passwords on the web. We can thank ZDNet for breaking this story. They meant for Comcast’s website to make it easy to set up your Internet service. But there are problems with this. First, you activate an already active account. Then, they require minimum data, and they blast your name and password in plain text for all to see.
In fact, the data requirements are so minimum that they don’t even make you confirm it. If anybody gets your account number, then they can get your router password and pretty much hijack it for themselves. Let me be clear. This does not affect all Comcast customers. This warning is just for those who use Comcast/Xfinity routers. In most cases like this, someone in our Boston computer service shop would say, “Change your password”. But that won’t work here. Because if you do, a potential hacker would see it and continue to interfere. So what do you do if Comcast leaks router information?
If you’re looking to use Comcast’s services, then don’t get their router. Get your own separate router. This isn’t just me. Most IT security experts will tell you that. But what if you already have a Comcast router? Then make sure your encryption is tight. Make sure it’s extra tight if you’re buying something. Comcast itself its working on the issue. But it too late for Comcast reputation? Like I said, many Americans are unhappy with Comcast. Several years back, they may have been the only choice. But now, there are services? You Tube Red, they’re not the only candy store in town anymore.
May 21, 2018 | Computer technology
So in Boston, there is a restaurant they call Spyce. But this isn’t an ordinary diner. Because at this place, just a mile from our Boston computer repair shop, humans don’t make your food. Robots do. Robots cook at Boston restaurant.
So we can thank a team of MIT engineers and Chef Daniel Boulud for this one. In fact, these bots can prepare your meal in about three minutes. After you place your order, they send it to a refrigerator that delivers your order and portion. Then, at 450F, they cook the food and put in a? bowl. And there you go. Dinner is served.
They also seem to be going for environmental and health friendly meals as well. Using touch screens, you create your own bowls. It comes in a compost bowl. You can choose international cuisines like Thai, Mediterranean, and a couple of others. The meals come with a lot of fresh vegetables and whole grains, and less on meats. But wait…the robots clean up after you too. They wash and rinse the pots and pans they cook in. Then they use those utensils for the next customers. So not only does Spyce not have human cooks, but they don’t have human waiters or cleaners either.
This isn’t the first robotic restaurant. In Washington DC, they have a restaurant where there are no waiters. It’s just IT service taking your orders and having your food. Now, robots cook at Boston restaurant. I saw what these robots are cooking. And it doesn’t look that attractive. So why are they doing this? Because eventually, robot technology will be cheaper than human labor. We may be already be crossing that point. I even hear customers say things like, “Well, at least robots don’t get my order wrong and don’t give me attitude!”. Sorry, but you won’t find me at Spyce. Yes, I’m a carnivore and the menu has too many non-carnivorous items. But more to the point, are we ready to put this much trust in robotic and AI cuisine?
