May 31, 2015 | internet, Smartphone
Level 3 Communications is a multinational telecommunications company and ISP. This company is taking a unique approach of fighting the war against cyber crime.
The charge is led by Brett Wentworth, Level 3’s security director. Instead of reacting to a hack attack, he’s preventing one. He cut off data from reaching a group of Chinese servers. It’s believed these servers were involved in an active hacking. This decision wasn’t Wentworth’s alone. It was made after a decision making meeting. Many say this is a risky approach because hackers often attack legitimate machines, raising the risk of damage by turning away a business using the same servers. But in the last several years, the attacks have increased all over the cyber world with frequency and intensity. The people at Level 3 believe it’s worth the risk. And this incident hasn’t been the only one. In fact, every three weeks or so, Level 3 shuts down questionable traffic that doesn’t involve customers. If the source of this traffic is hard to discover, it intercepts traffic from large blocks of Internet addresses. One time, that meant stopping a large bunch of traffic from Hong Kong that was dubbed ‘junk’. Wentworth and other Level 3 security leaders remain unapologetic. Brett Wentworth himself said in a statement, “Sometimes you have to cut off the finger to save the body.”
If this came out five years ago, I would consider the Level 3 approach extreme. But in 2015, my question is, why aren’t more communication/Internet companies following suit? In the past year alone, billions of dollars have been lost and many lives have been destroyed due to cyber crime. All it takes is one threat and one hacker to ruin it all. I applaud Level 3 in their actions and we all need to protect ourselves from the fastest growing threat to our society today. What will it take to wake Internet companies up to this?
May 30, 2015 | Computer technology
The mobile pay movement is growing. We all know about Apple Pay. Recently, Google announced Android Pay. And that’s just the beginning.
Google’s Android Pay was a main event topic at an I/O developer’s conference in San Francisco. In one session, Google Ad and Commerce chief Sridhar Ramaswamy revealed the Hands Free mobile payment option. It’s a payment option where you don’t even take your wallet, or your phone out of your pocket. The Android user gives a command in a store like “I want to pay with Google.” While the Droid device stays out of sight, the cashier presses a button on the payment terminal to process the payment. Sound strange? Google plans to test Hands Free at major eateries like McDonalds and Papa Johns throughout San Francisco in the months to come. Ramasqamy insists it’s a Hands Free is in it’s early prototype stages. A Google colleague said Hands Free and Android Pay are two separate entities and use two different technologies. Check out this You Tube promotion?in which people struggle with every other method of payment, that is until a mother says “I want to pay with Google” and leaves the store. Will it be that simple?
This could be a direct challenge and threat to rival Apple Pay. I emphasize could be. I’m not very convinced this will work. Hands Free sounds more like a scene from Star Trek than actual reality. How is the command going to be processed? Who is going to process it? In the months to come, I’d love to see these tests at McDonalds and Papa John’s. Then I might be a little convinced. I hope Apple doesn’t copy this move. If I were Apple, I would wait to see if Google falls on their face with this one. Am I being too cynical about No Hands?
May 29, 2015 | General
Would you eat Amazon foods? I’m not talking about foods produced in Brazil’s Amazon. I mean foods made from the Amazon.com corporation.
Amazon Corporation Inc. wants to do more than sell you food online. They want to do more than deliver groceries from the store to your home. They want to produce organic foods like milk, cereal and baby food. They want to make their own household cleaning products too. In some circles, so called ‘generic’ brands are synonymous with low quality. But with Amazon’s major following and trusted name, they may destroy that stereotype. Amazon seeks trademark protection for the following products under it’s Element brand: coffee, soup, pasta, bottled water, vitamins, dog food, razor products. Amazon actively seeks a partner in food manufacturing. Various sources say Tree House Foods Inc. is a likely candidate, though neither Amazon nor Tree House Foods is talking. From the charts I’ve read, Amazon may be onto something. In the last 10 years, generic baby food sales have more than quadrupled. ?Generic coffee sales have increased over 50% in that same time span. Generic brand surface care products, cereals, and women’s razor sales have gone up in the last decade. We can partially thank the Great Recession of the late 2000s for this trend. But are generic products really getting better in quality?
That’s the question Amazon needs to ask itself before taking such a risk. I would maybe start with Amazon baby food, since their numbers are doing so well. Then see how it goes. In business, we must take risk. But those risk better be researched and educated risk. Personally, Amazon already has so many factions going for them as it. They’ve got grocery delivery services, drone services, and countless other services. Shouldn’t Amazon focuses on improving these things? Would you buy or consume Amazon generic products?
May 28, 2015 | Entertainment, News
As many as you know, the international soccer governing agency FIFA is facing the worst scandal in it’s history. Within hours, twenty FIFA executives between the US and Switzerland were arrested on charges of corruption?. But what are the technological implications?
Since the mid 1990s, FIFA’s soccer video games have been a staple in the gaming community. The FIFA soccer video game franchise is now available in over 50 countries and sold over 100 million copies. It’s the most successful sports game franchise of all-time. In fact, FIFA ’12 sold over 3.2 million copies and made $186 million…in one week! That’s an all-time record for any video game. Despite the scandal, it looks like FIFA gaming isn’t slowing down. EA Sports is releasing trailers for FIFA ’16. It’s expected to be released in September 2015. It will be on all the major systems: XBox 360, Playstation 4, and on your PC. This year, women will appear in the game. This is a first. There’s a You Tube promotional video called “Women’s National Teams Are In The Game”. The FIFA 2016 game will feature women’s team from Brazil, Germany, USA, China, Mexico, and several other nations. And it will include the best women players ever, like England’s Steph Houghton. Of course, the scandal wasn’t mentioned, but they’re plenty of spoofs all over social media.
I’m going to stop talking about FIFA 16 now because I don’t want you to get the game! Sure, it’s a great concept bringing women teams to the game. That’s not the issue. The issue is when you purchase a FIFA game, you’re supporting one of the most corrupt institutions of our lifetime. We’re talking about an institution that leaves nations bankrupt, like they did Brazil. We’re talking about an institution that makes people build stadiums in 120 degree Fahrenheit heat, with little food, water or rest breaks. And thanks to cahoots with the Qatar government, they won’t even let documented workers leave. Why would I want to support an organization like that? And since governments are struggling to put them in their place, our buying power will! ?The week of FIFA 2016’s release, I’d like to see only 32 copies sold. If we shut FIFA down economically, do you think they’ll get the message?
May 27, 2015 | internet, News
For many years, Re/code has been an online leader in alternative tech based news. Their leaders include seasoned journalists Walt Mossburg and Kara Swisher. Now they’re just the latest tech entity to be acquired.
Vox Media acquires Re/code under undisclosed financial terms. All we know is that this merger will be dealt in stocks. This deal is expected to give Re/code a better audience. Their audience has dwindled since ties were broken with the Wall Street Journal. This has been happening a lot lately. Digital media has been struggling. Tech conglomerates are searching for digital media outlets to booster their name and profits. In March 2015, Gigacom was forced to shut down, that is, until it was acquired by a new company called Knowingly Corp. Circa is peddling itself to larger social media sites like Twitter. But let’s get back to this Re/code situation. Since the late 2000s, Re/Code has built a popular and respected following among techies high up the ladder, even hosting conferences for Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg and the late Apple founder Steve Jobs. But recently, they’ve lost their Silicon Valley competitive edge. This is where Vox comes in, though Vox didn’t talk about staff changes. Vox Media had 53.2 million new visitors in the US in April alone, and that’s not including regulars. I can see why those numbers attract Mossburg and Swisher.
No doubt about it, this merge will make Re/code a financial winner. But I’m more worried about the employment of Re/code writers. There are no changes that we know of, and I hope it stays that way. We don’t need job casualties because of this. But what about journalistic integrity? I want to believe Re/code will keep reporting their own stories their way. I hope Mossburg and Swisher will insists on this. But with past corporate buyouts, I’ve seen news media abandon their way from original reporting to the reporting the conglomerate wants. Will that happen to Re/code?
May 26, 2015 | General, News
In Santa Cruz, CA, a Google executive dies of a heroin overdose. A model he met online is in jail, facing the trial of her life. Sounds like a novel or movie plot, right? It’s real life.
The Google executive is Forest Hayes. Hayes had a life most men only dream of: a high level job at Google, a 17 year successful marriage with children, respect everywhere he went, and his own yacht. Then he met an aspiring tattoo model named Alix Tichelman through a causal ‘sugar daddy’ website called Seeking Arrangement. This website caters to rich men looking for women seeking casual hookups. ?In November 2013, both boarded Hayes’ yacht, a yacht he decked out with camera equipment. According to local police, Tichelman injected herself with heroin, then allegedly injected Hayes with the heroin. Hays collapses and soon dies of an overdose. Local authorities claim Tichelman drank some wine, failed to call 911, and left the boat while Hayes was dying. A boat captain discovered Hayes’ body the next day. Eight months later, Tichelman was arrested for manslaughter, drug possession, and other crimes, facing 20 years in prison. But last week, the plot thickened again. Alix Tichelman pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, guaranteeing a reduced sentence. You can see this case unfold tonight on the CBS true crime show 48 Hours. Check your local listings for times.
This tragedy has everything the world loves: money, wealth, adultery, sex, drugs, death and celebrity downfall. I call this a tragedy because we need to look beyond the juicy scandal. A wife lost her husband. Five children lost their father. A community lost a pillar. He may have made bad choices, but Mr. Hayes was a human being. They’re lessons we can all learn from this, like be careful of where you look for companionship online, and from whom. Do you think Alix Tichelman’s sentence is too harsh, too light, or just right?
May 25, 2015 | internet, Smartphone
Memorial Day Weekend is a chance for us to reflect on how free we Americans are, and those who sacrificed their lives so we can be free. Some nations don’t have that. In Saudi Arabia, Christianity is illegal. In Saudi Arabia, women are forbidden to drive cars. In Saudi Arabia, political parties and unions are banned. But Saudi social media becomes a beacon of light.
Debates are happening, though they are on Twitter. Men and women are dating, though their relationships are confined to WhatsApp and Snapchat. Women are being discriminated in the workplace. But that doesn’t stop them from selling jewelry and food through Instagram. Since they’re legally banned from driving, they’re using Uber. In Saudi Arabia, businesses close five times a day for prayer. Do you need to make that coffee, fast food, or grocery run? Check your smartphone device to see which store is nearest and what the hours are. Unlike some Middle Eastern nations, Saudi Arabian cities aren’t destroyed by war. Their economy is fairly stable, so many can afford computer and smartphone devices. They have a big youthful population; the interest is there. They have access to speedy Internet connections. And the Saudi government doesn’t block social media sites. Basically, the combination of online freedom, a good economy, and strict social restrictions is a breeding ground for social media explosion.
And this should tell the authorities there people are going to do what they have to in the name of freedom. So men and women can’t court at a restaurant or mall? They can online. Two parties can’t debate the issues on Saudi TV? Political opportunity will be found online. Do you think this opportunity will eventually trickle down to the physical world?
We at Geek Choice would like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day. We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and democracy. We realize freedom is never free.
May 24, 2015 | General
Yes indeed, there’s a fight over the Patriot Act. On June 1, some major aspects of this controversial anti-terrorism law will expire if lawmakers don’t intervene.
So far, intervention isn’t working. Earlier this weekend, the US Senate blocked extended provisions that would have lasted past the deadlines. Now as the deadline approaches with no extensions, and with a Memorial Day vacation, the Patriot Act is in danger of not being renewed. Sixty votes were needed to pass the extensions. Guess when they’re going to re-debate the issue? Not until May 31, the eve of the extension expiration. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and many fellow Republicans desperately want to renew the Patriot Act, and keep it the way it is. They argue that changing government surveillance programs would give an open door to terrorist groups like ISIS. But Democrats and libertarian Republicans like Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) aren’t buying it. They argue these extended laws violate Americans’ privacy. Not only that, they say the extension wouldn’t be effective in catching terrorist groups in the first place. At the heart of the fight is the NSA’s mass collection of phone and email records. Keep in mind these phone and email records collected are from Americans not even suspected of terrorist ties or activities.
Like most Americans, I’m concerned about terrorist groups like ISIS and the death, damage, and destruction can do to this country. I’ve read reports of such groups already nearing our borders. So that’s a major concern. But I‘m just as concerned, and probably more so, at our own government collecting phone calls, emails and social media pictures and posts from ordinary law obeying Americans. What if these psychopathic terrorists decide to strike when the authorities are too focused on the wrong people? The Patriot Act extensions have huge issues right now. Do you really think they can be solved in one day?
May 23, 2015 | General
I’ve talked about many tech merges. This article will be different. Today, I want to talk about the tech merge that wasn’t.
This spring Microsoft and Salesforce have engaged in intense talks. Microsoft wanted to purchase Salesforce for $55 billion. Both sides failed to reach a deal. The reason? The price was too low. It’s rumored Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff wanted $70 billion. There was also conflict about Benioff getting paid in Microsoft stock, while other shareholders would have gotten paid in cash. But the Salesforce CEO would have had a major management role with Microsoft. It seems like Microsoft was a little reluctant as well. It’s believed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was reluctant about a deal of this magnitude because with such an enormous deal, will come enormous consequence. Salesforce is perhaps the leading software management and cloud company in the world. This would have been a perfect fit for Microsoft, well, according to most experts. Neither Microsoft nor Salesforce are commenting on the issue.
What made this the tech merge that wasn’t? One major factor had to be Benioff’s demand for 70 billion dollars. I believe in knowing the value and worth of your company. But to take it that far and want that much is going a little too far. Fifty-five billion dollars is not chump change, especially when it’s coming from one of the most successful businesses of all time. But if you’re going to ask Salesforce to merge, the least you can do is offer the CEO some cash. I’m not a negotiator, but the deal seemed doomed from the word go. Even Nadella felt that. But I’m not sad about this. If this merge happened, it would have killed a lot of competition and created a borderline monopoly. And remember what we learned in our high school economics class about the dangers of monopolies?
May 22, 2015 | internet, scam, Security
Some go on dating sites to find true love, some go to find friends. Some go to find something a little wilder. Those sites offering something wilder are at risk.
Dating site Adult Friend Finder has been hacked. Nearly four million accounts have been compromised. Before you panic too much, Adult Friend Finder boasts well over 60 million users. But what makes this cyber leak more intense is the information on this site. Adult Friend Finder caters to those looking for…how do I put this…hook ups and casual relationships. So in this case, peoples’ most intimate and sexual information is compromised and in the hands of cyber criminals. One major concern is sextortion. These criminals are going to hold such sexual information at random and release it if they don’t get what they want. Within hours of this leak, the hackers themselves said they were going to hit victims with spam. Cyber security experts believe they’ll fish through these emails looking for people to blackmail. ?The adult dating site is taking the leak seriously. A spokesperson said, “We have already begun working closely with law enforcement and have launched a comprehensive investigation with the help of leading third-party forensics expert.We pledge to take the appropriate steps needed to protect our customers if they are affected.”
I found an interesting statistic. On Adult Friend Finder, there’s one female user for every 16 male users. That’s just one reason to leave these adult websites alone. That’s too much competition. And you never know what you’re getting. You think getting hacked is bad? I remember a news story about one sociopath who used online services to find women, only to kill and rob them! Then he took his own life! Now I’ve always hated the ‘blame the victim’ mentality. The main culprit are these cyber criminals. I hope these criminals are arrested and convicted for these heinous actions and putting innocent people at risk. But let’s choose our online social life carefully. Whatever happened to just meeting people the good old fashioned way…in person?
