Jun 4, 2018 | Smartphone
So months after US Congress grilled Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, we learn more. And it’s not good. Did Facebook give Apple data?
So a NYT article reported over time, Facebook give Apple, Samung, and other smartphone makers access to users’ data. This is a problem because in 2011, them and other IT service companies made a deal with the FTC. But they may have broken it. Furthermore, the report says they gave over 60 smartphone makers access, such as ‘like’ buttons. They did this because they could skip going through the app process. So this pretty much means they gave most companies in the world this kind of access. But wait…there’s more.
A New York Times reporter said one smartphone company got private info from over 500 of his Facebook friends. This included everything from their party plans to their religious beliefs. It included political beliefs as well. That’s huge because look at today’s turbulent political climate. I myself lost a few Facebook friends because I didn’t have the exact same social and political beliefs they did. So that’s huge. But the reporter added they had unique identifiers on over 290,000 of his friends. However, Facebook leaders insists they created these API’s? so they could have Facebook on their operating systems.
So did Facebook give Apple data? And not just Apple, but Samsung, Blackberry, HTC, and dozens of others. I don’t know. All I can do in this case is report on the facts, then draw conclusions. For their sake, I hope Facebook didn’t do this, at least not in this way. Because if they did, then this would go against Zuckerberg’s testimony to Congress. Back then, he said, “Every piece of content you share on Facebook is your own”. Also, we should not that Facebook itself started phasing out this program in April 2018, a month after this statement. Now, it’s time for the smartphone companies and IT support companies to do the same. What do you think?
Jun 1, 2018 | Security
So who remembers the Apple iPhone January 1 1970 bug? How bizarre. But now, I read about a bug hitting up Android/Google smartphones. Furthermore, this Android bug can reveal text messages.
They name this bug ‘the1975..com’. Yes, you have to spell it with two periods between the year and com for it to work. But why would you want it to? Anyway, when you type ‘the1975..com’ in the Google app, then it will pull up your private text messages. But the real intention of ‘the1975..c0m’ is to pull up a rock band’s website. The text conversations can come from anywhere and everywhere.
A Reddit user who calls him/herself?Krizastro found the app. They used the Google Pixel Launcher, and this bug came to them that way. If you want a recap of your text messages, there’s a way to do that. For example, in the Google app, just type, ‘show my text messages’. You could also manually go through contacts and texts, but the ‘show my text messages’ way is quicker. Just don’t use the ‘the1975..com’ way. There’s no telling what Pandora’s Box you might be opening. No brand of Android seems to be immune to this bug. Not even the newer and high end phones like Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S9+ are immune.
So let me share with you some good news. Yes, this Android bug can reveal text messages. But there is no major breach or threat to your information. If it’s anything, it’s just an annoyance. So why do I report it? I, along with everyone else in this Boston computer service shop, believe you should be informed. Android leaders have yet to comment on this. But look at their good record with customers. I truly believe they’re already on it. That’s more than I can say for many IT service and support companies.
May 31, 2018 | Malware, Security
So do you remember the 2014 movie The Interview? It caused so much controversy they had to take it off many theaters. In fact, NK dictator Kim Jung Un threaten havoc. But four years later, they’re still retaking havoc. This is the new North Korean malware: consumer alert.
According to the FBI and Homeland Security, North Korean hackers are using remote access tools to steal passwords and other important data. Furthermore, North Korea did this since 2009 and continue to do so in 2018. They’re biggest targets are media, pop culture, and financial sectors. Jonap, one of the tools, can carry hackers’ commands. Then, it infects a system already weak by other malware. Users get hit when they visit infected sites or open malicious emails and attachments.
And the new North Korean malware isn’t just hitting US sites. Jonap is affecting 87 other nations from around the world. Then there is Brambul. Brambul is a worm they put on by dropping malware. After this, it gets IP addresses. Then, they get illegal access to your system. If that isn’t enough, they’ll make up their own IP addresses. These fake addresses help them carry out more attacks. Now, they have IP addresses, usernames, passwords, emails, and all the other sensitive information they need.
For the IT support community to find, or even deter, North Korea’s hackers is going to be hard. First of all, they’re hard to find. Then, look at their twisted cause. Keep in mind only a small percentage of the North Korean people even have online access. Also keep in mind there are less than three million smartphones in North Korea. However, their population is around 30 million. So who in North Korea is doing these hacks? Who in North Korea gives the international IT service community such a headache? Could a select handful people under North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s orders be behind this?
May 30, 2018 | Computer technology, Entertainment
So before there was Playstation, Sega Genesis, even Nintendo, there was Intellivision. It was a popular home video game console in the early 1980s. But by the late ’80s, competition from Nintendo, Atari and Sega took it’s toll. The company disbanded. However, it seems like now, Intellivision video games make a comeback.
So the new Intellivision is coming up with a retro style gaming system. But so far, we know little about it. They don’t even have a name for it yet. However, they say it will be for all ages. They also say this new system will be easy for non-gamers and beginning gamers to enjoy.
Don’t expect a Nintendo like revival, either. You have to remember. Intellivision has been in the ecomomic dog house for the last 30 years. So it’s going to take a long time to get out of there. Intellivision is calling a press conference on Facebook on May 31. What will they say and how much will they reveal? Experts and IT support journalist don’t expect much. In fact, they don’t expect to hear much until their big conference on October 1. And there is literally no telling when they’re coming out when this new Intellivision. It could be past 2020.
But for their sake, I hope it doesn’t take that long before Intellivision video games make a comeback. Because other retro video games are making a comeback. The old school Nintendo consoles are selling like hotcakes. Even in our Boston computer service shop, some of us, like me, prefer Pac-Man and Legend of Zelda to Destiny 2 and Call of Duty. Many of my younger readers may not even know what Intellivsion is. Well, between 1980-1984, they sold over three million consoles. Back in the day, they were almost as big as Atari and ColecoVision. Intellivision gave us games like Dungeons and Dragons (that was a great cartoon by the way) and Astrosmash. I hope it works. Will Intellivision video games make a comeback?
May 29, 2018 | General
So we all know how critical IT service and online technologies are to today’s world. But you may not know where some of these companies come from. Top businesses are tech: Guess where two are from?
So let’s get the more obvious out of the way. Maybe it’s not so obvious. But a list of the top 10 most valuable companies in the world came out. Eight of them have something to do with IT support and/or computer technology. The first is Google, which should not surprise anyone. Google held the number one spot for most of the 2010s, and shows no signs of letting it go. In fact, they made $302 billion last year. That’s a 23% increase from the year before. Number 2 is Apple and number 3 is Amazon. This surprises me because since Amazon is taking over everything. Also, what they touch turns to gold. I thought surely Amazon would be second on the list.
However, here is the real surprise (or maybe not). Two of the top 10 are e-commerce companies from China. One is Tencent, coming in at number five. It’s the first year they made the list. They made $179 billion in 2017. That’s a whopping 65% from 2016. Then there is Alibaba. They rank #9 on the list. Not only is Alibaba very popular in it’s native China, but in economic powerhouses like Brazil, Israel, and South Korea. In fact, it’s the top e-commerce site in these nations, topping Amazon and Ebay. We can also credit the entrepreneur spirit of young Chinese people. Plus, many worldwide are ditching US e-commerce sites for these Chinese sites.
Other tech companies rounding out the top 10 are Microsoft (#4), Facebook (#6), and AT&T (#10). The two non tech and e-commerce companies on the top lists are Visa (#7) and McDonald’s (#8). I find it crazy that Walmart and Ebay didn’t make this list. But as you can see, most of the top businesses are tech. What do you make of the list? Who do you think should or shouldn’t make it? Who do you think should be higher on the list?
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?
