So why am I talking about the West African nation of Sierra Leone in an IT support blog? Because they used a voting system that could spread worldwide. Let’s talk Sierra Leone and their new voting system.
Sierra Leone used Agora, a digital blockchain voting system, to determine their next president. This was just an option, but many voters took advantage of it. In fact, 70% of votes came in through Agora. This system stores all votes in a ledger. It does so anonymously. Then, it gives instant election results. So it isn’t biased of any political party, like some humans can be.
Sierra Leone used the Agora system because they want to make elections legit. They also want to get rid of corruption and secrecy in the elections. Furthermore, they want to establish trust within the voters. Agora creator Leonardo Grammar believes this blockchain system makes a more level playing field. And of course, this reduces paper ballots. So there is even some environmental justice here. These things are the upside of this trend. But what is the worst that can happen?
Many people, especially in the computer repair business, worry about hackers breaking in the system. In fact, that’s why many American counties and states still use paper ballots. Despite these concerns, Grammer still plans on promoting his Agora system, eventually worldwide. I guess you’re curious about Sierra Leone’s elections. They were on March 7, and the results are too close to call. On March 27, they will have a run-off election. When I think of the controversy surrounding this past US presidential election, I think some Americans are up for anything. Yes, they can corrupt paper ballot. But as pointed out, a political opponent can hack into the system and foul up the election that way. Either way, would you want to switch to a Agora digital blockchain voting system?
So I have alarming news from Kapersky Lab. That’s one a top level online security firms. They discovered yet another malware strain. Furthermore, they believe the state is sponsoring it, as part of cyber warfare. Malware attacks routers! Consumer alert!
They named this malware Slingshot. Their code spies on PCs through attacks that target by MikroTek routers. But there is a process for this attack. First, they replace library files with fake and malicious files. Then, the malware goes on the attack against the PC. But wait…there’s more. A code gives the destroyer free reign all storage and memory. This destructive code is what keeps the malware alive. Therefore, the malware keeps eating and eating into your PC like a maggot does a bad piece of fruit.
However, as bad as this sounds, there is still more. Slingshot stores it’s malware files in a virtual file system. That means the hacker can store it up and use it whenever he wants. He/she can also use it against any part of the PC system they want. This includes, but doesn’t limit, emails, hard drives, keyboards, passwords, social media posts, and pictures. Remember, this is cyber spy warfare. So when malware attacks routers, it can leave your most intimate moments on your PC exposed.
So what does this mean for IT support and computer repair? A lot. First of all, if you own a MikroTek router, then please consider returning it. Better safe that sorry. Of course, we’re not ruling out this is happening to other routers. There’s just no hard proof of that yet. Slingshot already made it’s presence known in many Middle Eastern nations. We don’t know if it hit any US system yet. But you can’t rule it out easy. At our Boston computer service shop, we feel it’s a duty to keep our readers informed on dangers out there. This is a danger. What are other dangers we should know about?
So Waymo is Google’s self-driving car project. There was a big emphasis on cars. But now, they want self-driving trucks as well. Let’s talk about Waymo and Google’s self driving trucks.
So in the last 24 hours, Google announced it’s pilot program to boost the logistics of self-driving trucks. This project will also take place in Atlanta. Google has data centers there that will oversee this. However, Atlanta isn’t the first stop for this kind of testing. Because in the last year or so, they tested Waymo and Google’s self driving trucks in California and Arizona. Now, they’re ready for the ATL.
These self driving trucks use the same sensors that Google has on their self driving Pacifica minivans. They will use the same software as well. However, the experiment in Georgia means they can test different things they couldn’t in other places. They can study all the things regular big rigs do: loading and shipping. They’re also studying how these trucks enter and exit factories, ports, warehouses, and other distribution facilities. Don’t worry. These trucks won’t be totally without a driver. Trucks will have drivers behind the wheel to monitor progress. Furthermore, let’s say these big rigs get out of control. Then, the driver can get things back in order.
Now what does this have to do with IT support or computer repair? I hope you’re aware how much we depend on big rig trucks for our survival. Our grocery stores and restaurants and other food places get their supplies from trucks. So do your favorite bars and coffee shops. In the same way, so do clothing stores and other places we all but take for granted. If the truck driver industry shut down for a week, or if they went on strike, then we’d be in a world of trouble. In fact, I doubt we would survive. So imagine your supplies being delivered by a self-driving truck, controlled by technology. What would that look like?
So for those old enough to remember, September 11, 2001 will be our generation’s day of infamy. Because on that day, hijackers crashed planes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and in a Pennsylvanian field. This evil act killed approximately 3,000. Then add the thousands injured. Also, consider that an entire generation lost it’s innocence and invincibility.? There is an online 9/11 photo that proves how painfully real that day was.
I won’t put the photo up here because it could be too much to handle. But here is a summary. A 4-year-old boy stands on the Brooklyn Bridge. His mother takes a picture of him smiling slightly. His mother took the picture. However, this boy is unaware one of the towers got hit by an airplane and the gaping hole in the building. We can guess she took the picture right after the first plane, but minutes before the second one. Because others crossing the bridge seems equally as unaware.
So what does this have to do with computer repair or IT support? Well, unfortunately, some people use this tragedy to produce fake photos. Some of these photos are distasteful, to say the least. And they’re using the best of computer technology to doctor these fake photos. So when Austin Sansome, now around 21, posted this picture on Reddit, people immediately became skeptical. On Reddit, people accused him of putting up a fake photo. They asked questions like, “Why didn’t anyone notice the smoke? Didn’t anybody hear a loud kaboom?”, and other questions. But there were others who believed the photo was real. Then something happened.
Sansome went on Reddit to kill the beef. As a young man, he held up the authentic picture his mother took on that horrible morning. He explains he still lives in New York City, and assured this picture is tragically real. I believe him. But what is sad about this (besides the obvious), is that why did he have to go all out to prove himself on this online 9/11 photo? Why do people make photoshop fake photos of tragedy? To me, this is abuse and exploitation of the system. I think when people do fake photos of this, they’re disrespecting those who had to endure it. Yes, I like photoshop. But keep it light and entertaining. Don’t use fake photos to make light of tragedy. Why do people do this?
So Snapchat, which once helped lead the social media revolution, is in trouble. I say that because Snapchat is in trouble. They lost $3.5 billion in 2017. They also lost $350 million in the first few months of 2018. Now they’re coming up with AR glasses. Can Snapchat AR glasses save Snapchat?
So before I begin, don’t bombard this blog, or anywhere else, asking,? “What are Snapchat AR glasses coming?!”. Don’t go doing that anywhere else, either. In fact, CEO Even Spiegel hasn’t made this move official. But in an interview, he said he’s looking for technological development and big products. Many in the IT support community and tech insiders believe he’s hinting on building AR glasses.? We already know them for bringing cartoon and cartoon style pics into the real world. For instance, think of the times you gave somebody rabbit ears or dog whiskers. Snapchat helps you do that. So it would make sense, at least on that factor, they would be the one taking this next tech leap.
But according to Snapchat leaders, we won’t see Snap’s AR glasses until the summer or fall of 2019. That’s the earliest. They tried it back in 2016. They built a first person camera into a frame. However, transferring video camera pics and movies into a smartphone proved easier said than done. They called is Spectacles. Do you remember hearing about it? Neither do I. That’s because they only sold 150,000 pairs. Most of the others never even made it past the warehouse. But they’re not alone. Because every IT service entity, from Google Glass to Magic Leap, failed in this endeavor. What makes Spectacle 2 so different? It’s going to be water proof, two camera, and awesome 3D effects. Here is one reason why they all failed: the privacy factor. Many people are concerned with someone taking their picture with the wink of an eye. I’m concerned.
Until they address this concern, I don’t think AR glasses will sale anywhere? Would you buy Snapchat AR glasses?
So Google is out with a new camera. But this isn’t a security camera, or a typical photograph taking camera. Because this is what they call a smart camera. Introducing Google Clips: Is this special?
So what is the purpose of Google clips? They say it’s to capture life’s little moments. For instance, let’s say a dog does a cool trick, or baby says his/her first word. Then this smart camera would capture that. Just twist the lens and let the camera’s AI technology do the rest for you. They also say it makes seven second life movies they call clips. Hence, that’s where the name comes from.
They want to make it clear: Google Clips is cloud-free. In fact, they have a battery that lasts three hours. That means, you can literally set it down. If it doesn’t catch anything, then it won’t do anything. Because it depends on the AI to detect and capture the ‘life moments’. Then it takes the 7 second clip. So I guess what you could do is charge it overnight, and then turn it on during the day. I saw clips of this smart camera taking pictures with dogs and other pets. Oh, the Google Clips will cost you $249.
Now that I’m introducing Google Clips, there is the ‘so what factor’. What Google is offering with their clips, most people can do with their smartphones by now. You don’t even have to be an IT support or computer repair guru to figure that out. Then, they’re asking you to pay $249 for it. To it’s credit, it does have cool AI tech and machine learning to it. That’s about the only selling point to this thing. But come on. You can capture life moments with their smartphone. You can also capture life moments with your smartwatch or just about anything else these days. Would you by Google Clips?
