May 11, 2015 | scam, Security
I read a scary statistic this morning. The year 2014 turned out to be the biggest year in cyber hacks and attacks. They cost businesses and individuals billions, not to mention the personal mayhem they cause people.
Now we learn cyber attacks are costing our medical system. In fact, hacks against the health care industry have doubled so far in the 2010s. Nobody is immune. It’s estimated 90% of the health care industry got breached in the past two years. These criminal cyber attacks costs medical care providers $6 billion a year. It took an episode like a major hack like what happened to Anthem Inc. to wake many experts up to this threat. There’s a reason cyber criminals salivate over medical records, which contain social security numbers and not to mention intimate details about your health. Medical records sell 20 times as much as credit card information. The thief can open up a credit line or get free medical care by using the victim’s insurance ID. Well, free for the criminal; the victim and victim’s insurance company would be paying for it. In 2014 alone, around 88 million people’s information were compromised. That’s double the number of victims in 2010. And 2015 is already even worse. This year 80 million Anthem records were compromised. So were 11 million Premara Blue Cross records. You do the math.
My question is: Why isn’t the media talking about this? It’s one thing for credit cards to be compromised. But when medical records are compromised, health and life are on the line. If somebody’s medical records are compromised, someone could get misdiagnosed, and accidentally killed because of mixed records caused by cyber criminals. Of course I doubt cyber criminals care if their victims live or die. But the tech world and the media must let the public know of such dangers in the medical community. And they need to be taught how to protect themselves. What is it going to take?
May 10, 2015 | General
The year 2009 can seem like a lifetime ago. Twitter was in it’s infancy. Instagram wasn’t even heard of. The Black Berry was a hot item. Russia was expected to be the next big nation in the tech realm. Yep, lots have changed.
That year, then President Dmitry Medvedev started a campaign called Go Russia. It was to invest in technological advancements and make his nation competitive in the 21st century. This wasn’t just supposed to boost computer technology, but everything from space technology to nuclear technology. There were plans of IT innovation, increased technology curriculum in schools, and a national supercomputer grid. Russia invested four billion dollars in a Moscow suburb named?Skolkovo. This was supposed to be the next Silicon Valley and create 50,000 jobs. And Go Russia was bound for success…at first. They got financial backings from Silicon Valley. They partnered with US universities like MIT. Skolkovo was flooded with new tech businesses. By 2013, there were over a thousand of them. In 2011, Russia’s search engine rivaled Google in revenue and prestige. In 2009, Russia suffered greatly from the Great Recession, with near double digit GDP loss and unemployment, followed by an oil crisis. And it appeared the Go Russia revolution pulled them from such dark days.
Then the Medvedev era ended and Vladimir Putin got the Russian presidency back. In the summer of 2013, those Russian tech start up companies were the subject of corruption raids and scandals. Many of those companies were either driven out of business or driven outside of Russia. The economy never really recovered. While we celebrated low gas prices last year, it left Russia’s economy in shambles. And tech businesses took good, educated people out of Russia. In 2014, more Russians left there than at anytime so far in the 21st century. The number of Russians applying for immigration in the USA doubled in just one year. So who is to blame for these shattered Russian dreams?
May 9, 2015 | internet, Testimonial
What’s this I hear about businesses filing lawsuits when a customer gives them a bad review online? Not only am I disturbed about this, but so are some in Congress. They want to protect your right to review.
Four US Congressmen introduced a bill called the Consumer Review Freedom Act. This bill would prevent businesses from censoring customers, especially when it comes to writing negative reviews on sites like Angie’s List, Yelp, and all other review sites. This bill stems from a real life case. A toy company tried to get $3,500 from a Utah couple who posted a bad review about them. The company claimed it violated a contract. The couple refused to pay and the case ended up in court. The judge dismissed the claim and sided with the couple. Review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List support Consumer Review Freedom Act. Representative Eric Swallwell, a California Democrat, is a staunch supporter of the bill. He believes customers shouldn’t be punished for honest reviews, whether they be good or bad. He said, “This is commonsense legislation to ensure the rights of consumers are protected and to penalize businesses attempting to silence fair criticism.? But the Consumer Review Freedom Act has a difficult road. A similar bill was proposed in 2014. It didn’t make it out of Congress.
I hope Consumer Review Freedom Act passes. Customers should not be censored or bullied for expressing their praise or complaints. I understand some reviewers lie and post negative reviews for more sinister reasons, and that’s another story for another time. But most reviewers are honest in their assessments. Do businesses want better reviews? Then give your customers the best goods and services you possibly can. Do right by them. Treat them like you’d want to be treated. Give them a fair price and don’t rip them off. Then your reviews will take care of themselves. If we let them tell us how to post reviews, then?where will it stop?
May 8, 2015 | Computer technology
This week, at a conference called Microsoft Ignite, a developer named Jerry Nixon took the mic. He hinted Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows. Is he saying what I think he is?
Nixon explained Windows 8.1 was virtually a prequel to Windows 10, a version just to prepare the way to Windows 10. Don’t freak out: Microsoft is not killing the Windows franchise. This is just the transition from a brand new Windows every year to keeping Windows 10 as a permanent service to be constantly updated. We’ve been asked to think of it as, “Windows as a service”. Is this because there won’t be anymore versions of Windows service? Engineers are already being trained for regular improvements and updates. This will be achieved by splitting up operations between the start button and built in apps, letting them do the work. Apps like Xbox are being designed for regularly monthly updates. In fact, we’ll see a lot of automatic app updates and more powerful apps in the months to come. You think Nixon’s comments sound far fetched and outlandish? Microsoft doesn’t. One employee confirms Windows 10 will be will be a service of new growth and innovation. This spokesperson isn’t even talking about future Window brands. But he insists Windows 10 will remain up to date for all our Microsoft needs, from our computers and laptops to our Windows smartphones to our Xbox. Is this another hint?
So will there be a Windows 11 or a Windows 12 in the future? I don’t know. But if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t bet on it. Remember what happened to Windows XP? That alone tells me Windows is moving in the right direction. I think it’s a better one. Frankly, I’m tired of waiting for the next Windows version to come out. And when I finally get used to it, it’s time for another one. And sometimes the new one is even worse than the old one. I give Microsoft props and respect for trying it this way. Ten years ago, we didn’t even know what apps were. Now, apps can even run an entity like Windows. Let’s hope it works. So I ask you: Will Windows 10 Be It’s Last?
May 7, 2015 | General
Since the late 2000s, the social media gaming company Zynga has given us games like FarmVille, CityVille, and Words with Friends. But now, Zynga has fallen on difficult times. How difficult you ask?
The old CEO, Don Mattrick is gone and company founder Mark Pincus is serving as CEO now. One order of business: lay off 18 percent of the entire company. That means over 360 people will face unemployment when these cuts become reality. Instead of branching out, they’re going to focus on the games and categories they already have. The cuts are expected to take place over nine months. The cuts are to save Zynga $45 million, and they’re cutting $55 million more dollars well into 2016. In March 2015, they reported a net loss of $6.7 million. They were expecting a lot worse. They’re even abandoning hopes and dreams of ending the sports gaming arena and closed down their Orlando based studio, which was in the works of creating a NFL fantasy football based game. Pincus believes Zynga needs to be ‘de-layered’ and -‘de-cluttered’. Don’t worry: Your classic games like FarmVille and CityVille are going nowhere. They’re recognized as Zynga’s bread and butter. They’re now looking at casino style games, like Hit It Rich. Pincus seems confident that will attract new game enthusiasts.
I know they’re in a bind, but when this many jobs have to be lost, it’s never a good thing. I hope whatever lessons Zynga learned were learned so they’ll never have to take this kind of hit again. It’s a shame because I like FarmVille. I hope Pincus and his top associates are writing good references, giving good packages, and doing right by the people they had to let go. I think Zynga will make a comeback. Not only that, I think they’ll do better than ever. Do you think Zynga will ever get that Fantasy Football game going?
May 6, 2015 | Computer technology, Wireless
What do Apple and DNA evidence have in common? This isn’t a crime show plot; this is app technology in the making. Apple wants your DNA sample and then they deliver results to your phone.
Apple is working to launch an app that would test the DNA of those owning a certain iPhone. The app is backed by Research Kit. Research Kit is Apple’s software platform that helps run medical studies on iPhones by collecting data through sensors and surveys. For example, one Research Kit app studies Parkinson’s disease symptoms, and recruited thousands for the study. While this shows Research Kit’s potential in reaching people and fighting diseases, studying DNA is something else. Try convincing people to submit their DNA. It won’t even be collected by Apple, but academic partners. That DNA will then be shared by different recipients. One spokesperson hints the app should be ready by the annual worldwide app developer’s conference, held in San Francisco, CA and scheduled for June 2015. The DNA study would look at around 100 genetic diseases. The tests would cost around $100. The studies would first be approved by Apple and an independent board that oversees research studies, especially ones involving volunteers. Then there’s the whole ‘spit in the cup’ way of collecting the DNA. At least there’s a market for it. In a short time, over 900,000 people paid for such kits. Around the world, over 750 million people have iPhones. You do the math.
One thing that creeps me out is the whole spitting in a cup. I‘m thinking there has to be a better way to collect DNA. You could sweep your mouth with a cotton swab and send it back. You could even swab your skin and send it back. Other than that, Apple has my vote, so long as it’s used for good. If this can treat and eventually cure diseases like Parkinson’s, then this is a great thing. If DNA test are going to be used to track, control, and used against people, then don’t use it at all. Would you sign up for a Apple Research Kit study?
May 5, 2015 | News
The NFL 2014-15 season won’t be known for great games, but numerous scandals and bad behavior off the field. This week, a former New York Jet will face revenge porn charges in court.
Former NY Jets linebacker Jermaine Cunningham faces prosecution on revenge porn charges in New Jersey. New Jersey is one of 17 states that has strict laws against such behavior. In December 2014, Cunningham was arrested for allegedly broadcasting pictures of a nude woman without the woman’s approval. This followed a domestic dispute in which 911 was called. Cunningham is also facing illegal gun possession charges. Cunningham’s case comes in a middle of a movement to crack down on revenge porn: posting nude or sexual based photos online, without the victim’s knowledge or consent with malicious intent. A couple months ago, I blogged about a case in California in which someone running a revenge porn ring was successfully prosecuted. Victims’ advocates, like U Miami law professor Mary Ann Franks, say,??Your most private, intimate moment (is) turned into entertainment for thousands, for millions of people.? But civil liberties groups say anti-revenge porn laws need to be more specific to protect from overreaching legislation and legal witch hunts. While that debate continues, Cunningham faces a $15,000 fine and three years in jail if convicted.
I can understand both sides, and lessons should be learned across the board. Please be careful of taking photos, who takes these photos, and what you put online. That person may be your friend in that moment but can also be the person that hurts you for life. I’ve heard testimonies from revenge porn victims and the stigmas that are placed upon them. It’s hard for them to get a job, a mate, housing, credit, and they’re often the subject of judgement and ridicule…because of what someone else did to them. Suspects and their lawyers can hide behind the Constitution all they want. But with freedom comes responsibility. I don’t know if Cunningham is guilty or not. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, ?but can’t there be a better way to solve domestic issues? As this progresses, he has the dubious position as the first celebrity prosecuted for revenge porn. Will he be the last?
May 5, 2015 | Computer Repair, Entertainment, General, Humor, News, Smartphone, Uncategorized
Happy Cinco De Mayo!
Listen, we all like to party. Heck, yesterday was May the 4th and we here at Geek Choice went nuts. But today is Cinco De Mayo, a day littered with Corona’s and many many drunk encounters. So we’ve decided to hand out some advice to those of you really looking to go nuts today. Your electronics are EXPENSIVE, and one day of partying shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. So before you decide to pop open that first cerveza, and smoosh your little lime wedge to the bottom, take our advice: Hide your electronics! Here are a list of potential drunk disasters that await those who do not heed our advice…
1. Beer Spill on your $1800 MacBook
I wish I could tell you that this is not common, but it is all too common. People drink near their laptops, people drink near their VERY EXPENSIVE laptops. All it takes is a spill of 1oz of beer on the keyboard of a MAC and your computer is toast. If you find yourself in this situation (because you didn’t listen) you will need to do a few things to save it.
1. Flip it upside-down
2. Power it off immediately
3. Wait 48 hours to let it dry
4. Call a professional to clean it out (800) 433-5435
2. Cell Phone Disaster
There are few things that drunk people do really well, but one of them is dropping their phone. Whether it is in the toilet or on the pavement, you’re in trouble. iPhone 6 plus broken screen is $450 to fix, and if you drop it in the toilet the phone replacement will be double that. Don’t use your phone in the bathroom, and don’t play with it outside, it is your best bet to keep that expensive little toy in your pocket safe. If you wreck your phone, check out our repair page
3. Go Party at someone else’s house
I mean it, you don’t need to host this gathering. Host Thanksgiving dinner, or Christmas, but for God’s sake, don’t host a party for a day full of drinking Corona’s. You know that 60 inch TV you love so much? It only takes 1 moron to crash into it, to ruin it FOREVER. Your tablets that are lying around become frisbees, or just unfortunate objects people sit on and crush. Go destroy a friend’s house, and take away the risk.
So go out, have fun, drink a few cervezas for us, but keep your electronics at home where they are safe. And if you do happen to have an accident, give us a call or send us a message and we will come to the rescue!
May 4, 2015 | News
Here at Geek Choice, we love everything Geek, especially Star Wars! As we all know today is May the 4th and naturally we should all do something to commemorate the day. So what can you do to celebrate today, even though it’s a Monday, and we are all probably stuck at work. Here are our top 10 ways to celebrate May the 4th be with you!
1. Call out sick and binge watch all 6 Star Wars movies, It’s a holiday, you’ve worked hard, and you deserve it!
Granted most of us cannot do this, or we’ll get fired for doing it, but if you can, GO FOR IT!!
2. If you are stuck at work, change your desktop background to something fun and full of Star Wars!
So it may be a bit cheesy, but it makes me smile when I’m having a bad day….
3.? Have an iPhone Lightsaber battle with a coworker!
Go ahead call me a Geek, I’ve fought 5 people in my office and brought each and everyone to their DOOM!
4. Be Charitable
UNICEF and Lucasfilm/Disney have joined forces with a wearable power band that allows fans, young and old, to get moving and help children in need around the world.
And if you happen to be in Sydney, Australia, you can support Scott Loxley, a man who has been walking the country in a sandtrooper costume to raise money for charity. Participants can ?walk a mile? in his boots by hopping on a treadmill.
5. Cosplay
I already know most of you are already in full gear since you woke up, you probably hopped in your Stormtrooper or Jedi Garb at the stroke of midnight. I mean, I did too, but just sayin….
6. Change Your Ringtone and text tone to be Star Wars Themed
My dad’s texts now echo the famous “Luke, I am your Father” and the Classic star wars theme is my Ringtone, I am KING OF THE WORLD!
7. Aimlessly wander Twitter and find all of the fun memes that people have posted
You may even find our AWESOME MEME OF THE DAY! But if you can’t I’ll just post it here
8. Remember those lost on Alderaan…
This may sound silly, but if you really cared, you could go to a church and light a candle for all of those lost..
9. Answer your phone all day with “this is (your name) May the 4th be with you”
Again, this is a list for geeks, so if you think I am being a colossal nerd, it’s because I am. And I am epically proud of it!
10. Sneak into Skywalker Ranch and give George Lucas 5 hugs, and 1 punch in the gut (For Phantom Menace)
I actually don’t think this one is possible, but if you go for it, make sure you are wearing a GoPro, we all wanna see it!!!
May 4, 2015 | Computer technology
Remember the Will Smith movie I Robot? Could something like that happen in real life? Will robots take our jobs? Will robots take over the world?
Some experts say 30% of human jobs will be taken by robots by 2025. That’s just 10 years from now. They’re baking cookies in Massachusetts and tending to the sick in California. You may say, “They’re just going to take minimum wage and menial jobs. They’re not coming into my cushy office space.” Don’t be so sure of yourself. These same experts say that by the 2030s, robots will have the same mental, social and emotional capabilities as human beings! So white-collar jobs are on the line, in the same way blue collar and minimum wage jobs are. Careers in journalism, marketing, surgery, and accounting are being threatened by robots and super smart computers. But not everyone is screaming doom and gloom. Other experts say the robot revolution will just kill old jobs and create new ones. Some say this could make the job market better. It’s being called the Second Machine Age, comparing it to the 19th century Industrial Revolution. Then, the job stage shifted from agriculture and farming to industry and factories. Are we witnessing another job stage shift?
Obviously, I wasn’t around during the Industrial Revolution. But I doubt people were freaking out about those machines being smarter than human beings are. I’m sure they were concerned about jobs, but that’s about it. That’s the difference between the Industrial Revolution and the Second Machine Age. We are literally competing with robots and computers for jobs. What’s to stop an employer from saying, “I don’t have to pay that robot very much. That robot makes far less mistakes than John Smith or Jane Jones.” What if companies all over America and around the world do that? I’m not exactly seeing how this will improve the job market when we’re going to be competing against machines. I’m starting to see it in every day life. Instead of going to a store clerk for check-out, I can now go to a kiosk or machine. I’ve heard people say, “Well, the machine doesn’t give me rude service or back talk.” That brings another issue. Has the human race fallen so bad that we would rather have robots serving our needs?
