For months, Yahoo looked for a merger. Well, let’s face it, they looked for someone…anyone to buy them out. But Verizon answered that call. However, that call will be less. Let’s look at the Verizon and Yahoo merger; it’s worth less than you think.
So, Verizon will acquire Yahoo for $350 million less than the original agreement. Maybe it’s because of the Yahoo email breaches. But the Verizon and Yahoo merger is still happening. Verizon even takes some blame for the breaches. Verizon said they’ll pay half of government fines and private lawsuits the breaches caused. But Yahoo will be financially responsible for shareholder lawsuits. Something tells me there will be all of the above.
Yahoo’s security problems didn’t just start. This goes back to August 2013. Hackers stole over 1 million email accounts. But wait. It gets worse. In September 2016, we learn hackers got 500 million more email accounts. I almost forgot…these attacks go all the way back to 2014. So that shows lapse on Yahoo’s part to let the public know what’s going on. But the Verizon and Yahoo merger shouldn’t be too much longer. Some speculate it should be official by summer 2017. The merger’s cost now stands at 4.48 billion dollars. It was at 4.83 billion dollars.
Hacking and bad communication aren’t the only problems plaguing Yahoo over the last several years. Yahoo leaders by the handful quit their positions to go elsewhere. It reminds me of people leaving the ship before it sinks. Stocks are slipping. They’re billions in debt. Current CEO Marissa Meyer was supposed to save Yahoo, but that didn’t happen. It’s a sad situation. Needless to say, in our Boston computer service shop, we depend on email daily. And Yahoo led the email and ?Internet revolution of the 1990s. For those of us old enough to remember, Yahoo was the first website we encountered. Even before Google. Now, they’ve fallen so fast and short they have to depend on a corporate merger just to survive. And the buyer shaves off the price. That’s not a good start. Can Verizon save Yahoo? Can anybody save Yahoo?
Just about everyone in the tech industry, from computer repair to IT support, owes a debt to Bill Gates. But if you don’t know, he created and led Microsoft for many years. He’s still active in the tech world and philanthropy today. Bill Gates’ bioterrorism warning is chilling to the bone.
Bill Gates spoke at a Munich Security Conference in Germany last week. As he took the mic, he stated bioterrorism could kill more people than nuclear war. Then he said, “The next epidemic has a good chance of originating on a computer screen.” ?They couldn’t deny this. This comes from a man who changed the computer industry. Gates stated such a mass pandemic could kill tens of millions.
Other panelist agreed. One talked about how diseases, like Bird Flu, are spreading quicker than ever before. She even compared it to the Black Death of the 1340s, which wiped out half of Europe’s population. Then, Gates criticized global governments for not doing enough to combat this threat. But he suggested ways to prevent this threat together. He urged comrade-re between governments, vaccinations, health departments and militarizes. Gates also called for stronger vaccines, antibiotics, and other drug fighting medicine.
What does this have to do with computer technology? Lots. First of all, Bill Gates’ bioterrorism warning comes from a father of computer technology. Second, Gates states this warfare can develop through a computer. They can use a computer to strengthen a pandemic. And they can use social media to encourage other terrorist to do the same. That’s scary stuff. Let’s face it: There are scary people on the Internet. Some out there will use technology to steal from you. Other criminals use technology to sexually exploit the innocent. If some will do that, then you know there are sickos who will use technology to destroy millions. So I thank Gates for calling out this evil. Furthermore, we can use technology to prevent such evil before it’s too late. What can us good guys computer technology do to fight bioterrorism?
You think it’s tense here in the USA? But try living in some African nations. The mass protests and turmoil are so big government leaders are shutting down the Internet. African online censorship: It’s widespread and common.
So in Cameroon, leaders turned off the Internet lights. They say it’s because of security measures. But this African online censorship has deeper meaning. Businesses can’t function without online service. International money can’t come in. In fact, it’s difficult for Cameroon people to contact relatives outside the country, without the Internet. In Gambia, they cut off international cell phone use. They also cut off the Internet. They did this under their president, Yahya Jammeh’s, strict orders. Also, keep in mind Jammah has a notorious reputation for human rights abuse.
In Congo, they blocked the Internet. Furthermore, they cut off all TV stations. ?They even shut down the major airports. There was an election that night. The Congo officials said they feared violence and riots. But reports say it was officials bombing their opponents. In Ethiopia, they shut down social media sites because of growing protests. And in Zimbabwe, after a few protests, they raised the prices on cellphones. I could go on and on.
But what does online African censorship have to do with us in Boston’s computer repair industry? In fact, what does it have to do with IT service at all? For years, we heard of Turkey and China using such tactics. But this is the United States of America. That can’t happen here, can it? I hope not. That’s one reason why I report these things. So we can be educated and make sure this kind of censorship does not come to America! You know, Edward Snowden addressed the issue. He took to Twitter stating, “This is the future of repression.” He’s right. But I’ll go further than that. I’ll say what Dr. Martin Luther King said: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Shouldn’t this concern us?
What do Russia, President Trump, and Snowden have in common? They’re all part of a move that could bring whistle-blower Edward Snowden back to the US. But I doubt it’ll be under happy circumstances. At least not for Snowden. Russia, President Trump, and Snowden! Oh my!
So according to a story by International Business Times, Russia considers giving Snowden to President Trump as a ‘gift’. Yes, there is a movement to pardon Snowden. In fact, there’s a website dedicated to the cause. But I don’t think this is what they want. President Trump refers to Snowden as a traitor and a spy. In one tweet, Trump even suggested the most severe penalty for Snowden. Furthermore, the report suggests Snowden’s mixed feelings for the move. On one hand, Snowden says it proves he’s not a spy. But he says the move could be a human rights violation.
All of this comes from a US intelligence report. But none of this is set in stone. Edward Snowden is living in Russia. He’s been there since 2013. That’s when he let America know the NSA had access to all our tech activities. His findings also said tech companies were in cahoots with the NSA. Most tech companies vehemently deny this. A permit lets Snowden stay in Russia until 2020. So why are these stories coming out now?
Since the election, I’ve noticed President Trump try to mend fences with Putin. In some cases, Putin seems to be doing the same. ?Why is this important? Well, online privacy is a common concern in the IT service industry, especially here in Boston IT support. Now I appreciate these two nations for trying to work their differences out. In fact, I’m happy they are. I’d rather have Russia as an ally than as a foe. But at what cost? Are better US/Russia relations worth a man’s fate and freedom?
Today, Donald Trump officially becomes the 45th President of the United States. But how do Silicon Valley leaders handle this? Because they were Trump’s biggest critics. In fact, Peter Thiel was virtually his only Silicon Valley ally. So let’s look at this strange dance between Silicon Valley and Trump and Inauguration Day.
On one hand, there’s uncertainty. And plenty of it. Internet columnist and businessman Jason Calancis went on CNBC. He talked about this uncertainty, saying, “”Nobody knows what is going to happen …it’s complete chaos.” He also criticized Trump’s infamous tweets. He wishes the incoming US President would use tweets to inspire people, especially as big problems arise. But he expects Trump to do some amazing things while in office.
Remember the meeting President Trump had with Silicon Valley leaders? It did some good. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, once a staunch critic, now wishes him great success. So while not all tech leaders go that far, most are at least moving on. There’s no longer a fear of tech apocalypse. In fact, business in Silicon Valley must be booming. Because of the eight wealthiest men in the world, more than half are tech leaders.
But I’m sure it will be no love fest. Issues such as net neutrality and government surveillance will come up. Let’s not forget Apple’s beef with the incoming President about that. But at least they seem to be cordial. That’s good for everyone. As far as Silicon Valley and Trump and Inauguration Day, I’m not sure who is in Washington, DC right now. But I know this has been the most contentious and intense political season I’ve ever lived through. In fact, it’s still a common topic in our Boston computer servicing shop. So what will become of the new relationship between Washington and Silicon Valley? I don’t know. I just hope some positive come out of it. Hopefully they can work it out. If they can, doesn’t that bring hope for the rest of us?
We in IT support, or computer repair, or those who get laptops fixed, or anyone else in the tech industry, has this nightmare. It’s the nightmare in which an angry customer comes back and wrecks stuff up. So for one Florida smartphone store, this is reality. Tech crime: customer destroys store.
So here is how it happens. In Palm Springs, Florida,we have 26-year-old?Shinobia Montoria Wright. Witnesses say she drove on the strip mall’s sidewalk. Then, she drove through the T-Moble store’s glass window. She also stepped on the gas to make it further inside. Furthermore, despite the medal wall, Wright’s SUV van made it quite deep in the store.
But there’s still more to Wright’s tech crime. T-Mobile employees tried to get Wright under control. But when they did, she got out to the car and attacked them. Thankfully, it wasn’t with a gun or knife, but with a squeegee! This is the first time I ever heard of someone using a squeegee as a weapon! Another fortunate thing is that T-Moblie employees avoided serious injury. In fact, the worst hurt was Wright herself. She’ll undergo emergency surgery because she cut up her arm so bad in this tech crime. She’s also facing criminal charges like battery and burglary. She’ll probably have a $30,000 bill coming to her doorstep. That’s what the damage costed.
Personally, I think Wright should get assault with intent to commit serious injury. This is no minor matter. Someone really could have been seriously hurt, if not worse. But this brings up workplace safety. In our Boston computer servicing shop, we come across disgruntal customers sometimes. Thank heavens none escalate to violence like this did. But anybody can snap at anytime. And it doesn’t even have to be between customer and employee. No wonder why so many in the tech world constantly watch their back. I don’t write this to spread fear, but what can we do to keep tech employees safe?
We at Computer Geeks wish everyone a safe and happy Dr. Martin Luther King Day holiday. Let’s honor his dream by loving and respecting each other.
