Sep 17, 2017 | News, Security
The Equifax breach will go down as one of the worst security breaches in US history. I say that because they leaked everything, from credit/debit card numbers, to SSN’s (social security numbers), even where your kids attend school. But it’s not just customers that suffer. Equifax leaders resign in disgrace.
First you have CIO (chief information officer) David Webb. He left, but his replacement is Mark Rohrwasser, at Equifax for a little over a year. Then there is CSO (chief security officer) Susan Mauldin. Her replacement is Russ Ayers. Ayers used to be overall vice-president. However, due to this scandal, he will now serve as CSO. These changes will take place immediately. So no goodbye parties for Webb or Mauldin, not like they deserve one anyway.
“But Damien, wasn’t that a little harsh?”, some may say? Not in this case. Because this breach messed up 143 million Americans. I didn’t say 143 million accounts, but 143 million American people! That’s over a third of the American population. Many in Congress don’t think that’s harsh either. Some US Senators, like Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), push for new bills and laws. These laws would give more credit info control to the consumer, where it belongs. Furthermore, their bill would prevent credit agencies like Equifax from profiting off this freeze and security breaches. I would not want to be one of the Equifax leaders right now.
And this crisis is hitting home. Someone came into our Boston computer service shop?came in saying they were victims of the breach. I went to my local bank, and I overheard an elderly gentlemen complain he was hit by the Equifax breach. That’s when it hits you. This isn’t just another headline. People’s livelihoods, families, money, and even lives are on the line. I hope this next crop of Equifax leaders can do better than their predecessors. Will they be able to recover?
Sep 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
Do you know people are recruiting for hate groups, street gangs, even terrorist organizations through Facebook? People are also selling Nazi stuff through Facebook. So this begs two questions. Does Facebook enable hate? How do they fight it?
Then I read an article that leads me to believe they are fighting it. Because Facebook shuts down ‘self-targeting fields’. These self-targeting fields will shut down indefinitely. We can thank Pro Publica for their exposure of this flaw. They also exposed categories so vile that I won’t even include them on this blog. But you can imagine. However, now, if someone types something like “Hitler was right”, or other vile,hateful field of study, they will find nothing.
Furthermore, the hatemongers will use this to target advertisers and sell products. Therefore, they make money off their hate. This is a blind spot they exploit, more than you may think. This came at an already trying time. You see, some accuse Facebook of selling ads to a Russian networks that don’t even exist. You don’t think haters are going to expose that. Of course it wasn’t intentional. But you know the old saying…the road to (fill in the blank) is full of good intentions.
Does Facebook enable hate? Not intentionally. But there are two red flags here. The first one: People will exploit loopholes for their own hateful purposes. Facebook’s biggest source of revenue are advertisers. Why do you think it’s free for the users? So the money has to come from somewhere? However, are they so desperate that they’ll sell ad space to hate groups, or non-existing groups. Then there is the second red flag. What is hatred? I always worry that some will use crack down on hatred as an excuse to crack down on any speech they don’t like. Don’t think they won’t do it. And don’t think people won’t fall for it, either. So how do you walk that line without falling off either way?
Sep 14, 2017 | Computer technology, News
I talk about robots quite a bit because it’s a huge technological trend. Some love it, but I’m weary of it at best. Two stories confirm it. So here’s a robot report: It’s hardly anything nice.
A robot conducted a classical music concert in Pisa, Italy. But it wasn’t just any concert; it was the?Lucca Philharmonic orchestra. This is one of the most prestigious orchestras of all time. We can thank Swiss tech firm ABB. In fact, they called the concert International Festival of Robotics. They also named the robot YiMi. Keep in mind YiMi lead the orchestra; a robot telling humans how to play their music! Now ABB insists this won’t replace human orchestras…not yet. But we’ll see.
However, this next robot report is far more disturbing. In Japan, the latest craze is robots that will marry and have sex with lonely guys. But wait…it gets worse. Because apparently, these robots can be trained to kill you. Hackers and crooks can exploit robots’ deficiencies. Then, these hackers can control all the robots’ movements. Also, they can do whatever these crooks tell them to, whether it be theft, rape, murder, dismemberment. You think I’m reading from a sci-fi movie script?
This robot report keeps tech leaders and cyber security experts up at night. Even Elon Musk warns of how dangerous IT technology and robots can be. Cyber security leader Dr. Nick Patterson believes these robots can go I, Robot on us at any moment. I’m just a blogger out a computer service shop in Boston. I’m not much of anybody, so go ahead and laugh at me and call me crazy. But when you have a billionaire tech leader and genius ?like Elon Musk sounding the alarm, maybe we should listen. When top cyber security experts say this, maybe we should listen. So you think the robot concert is heart warming? Let’s see how heart warming it is when thousands of musicians are out of jobs, and the arts are totally destroyed. Are we heading for the end of humanity, or am I just paranoid?
Sep 13, 2017 | Smartphone
Yesterday was Apple’s big conference. They did talk about things as planned. But some things threw me in a loop. So let’s look at Apple’s curveballs and upcoming products.
Obviously, we expected a new iPhone to come out. But few expected the iPhone X, (just call it iPhone 10). We expected the screen would take up most of the front, leaving little room for anything else. Many iPhone owners like it that way. However, I wonder how many expected a cut out at the top. This allows for front facing cameras and sensors. Furthermore, those cameras, sensors, and cut out top are there for a reason.
That reason is Face ID. Most of us knew it would be an option to unlock your phone. But here’s another one of Apple’s curveballs: it’s the only way?to unlock your phone. There will be no home home button, no more password, no more Touch ID. This is also the first time iPhone, or any smartphone, did this. You’ll also need Face ID to make Apple Pay purchases. There were rumors that Face ID will help you make great emojis. It looks like that will come true. Then there are the new iWatches. We expected there would be more cellular than the old ones. But another one of Apple’s curveballs…this one is totally cellular. That means your new iWatch will have the same functions as your iPhone…without your iPhone.
The iPhone X will start at $999. The 256GB iPhone X will start at $1,099. The pre-orders start on October 27; the shipping starts at November 3. Or, you can hang out in long lines for hours and be the first in your neighborhood to get the iPhone X. Can you hint the sarcasm there??Nobody in our Boston computer service shop bombarded us with iPhone X questions. That’s a good sign (can you tell how cynical I am of Apple yet?) ?But I’m sorry…this Face ID is reason enough for me not to get the iPhone X. I know everybody is worried about cyber security and rightfully so. But is Face ID the right answer? Or are we a step closer to a monster we don’t want?
Sep 12, 2017 | News
This probably didn’t get much coverage thanks to Hurricane Irma. But days ago, I reported on the Equifax breach, perhaps the worst in US history. Because they breached 143 million Americans. Also, they breached everything from credit/debit cards to drivers licences numbers. Equifax lawsuits intensify and pile on.
Already, Americans filed 30 lawsuits against Equifax. So far, nobody in our Boston computer service shop complained about an Equifax breach. I expect that number to rise in the days to come. At least 25 of those were filed in federal court. One of those accuses Equifax of securities fraud. But more lawsuits came in Monday. They think so many will come that they will combine it into one big Equifax lawsuits.
However, there are many complaints to go around. One said their year-around free credit monitoring through Trusted ID a bad move. Furthermore, one complaint said Equifax did this on purpose in order to sell security services. The lawsuit said because more companies offer free or almost free credit reports. And somehow, the breach would lead to more costly services. It’s not just customers, because even shareholders are upset. Some lawsuits say Equifax deliberately misled shareholders. They say they pumped up share prices, knowing chaos was about to hit the fan. But that backfired. On Monday alone, Equifix lost 8.2% of their worth. In fact, since the story broke last week, they lost over $3.5 billion worth of stock.
As of now, these Equifax lawsuits are mostly one word verses the other person’s word. But if some of the allegations are true, then shame on Equifax. To put scores of millions of Americans on the line is disgraceful. Especially if it’s to promote your own product, or to try to get people to upgrade. I hope this is NOT the case. Because We’re not just talking debit/credit cards here. We’re talking about very, very personal info that’s now on the line. This includes peoples’ addresses, where your children go to school, where your elderly parents live. Imagine if that gets into the wrong hands. Then imagine what some psychopath can do. This goes way beyond stealing money. Would Equifax want that on their conscious?
Sep 11, 2017 | Uncategorized
Two weeks ago, Hurricane Harvey hit South Texas, and cost 70 lives. But now, Florida and Georgia are in the grips of Hurricane Irma. Let’s see how technology verses Hurricane Irma, and computer technology is winning.
So first, I give props to Airbnb. Between Sept. 6-28, scores of Airbnb hosts offer free housing to those in Irma’s path. Many booked, so that shows you how big Irma is. But other websites are helping out. For example, there is Zello Walkie Talkie. It gives you contact with others in an emergency, just like walky-talkies or CB radios used to do. But if the power goes out, that app goes out. However, I love the way phone companies are opening hot spots and WiFi, for free. That another way technology is winning in technology verses Hurricane Irma.
Then there are apps like GasBuddy. This app will tell you where to find gas and how much it is. In much of Florida, a lot of places either ran out of gas or charged an arm and a leg. GasBuddy came at the right time, especially for the millions who evacuated. Snap Maps helped those in harm’s way locate friends and report on local conditions.
There are You Tube channels I subscribe to. Some are from Florida. They reminded their fans their subscribers are okay. Also, on Facebook, many in Florida alerted us to let us know they’re okay. And all over social media, people are alerted and have been alerting ever since. Just think about when Katrina hit back in 2005. There was no social media. There were no apps. In fact, there were no smartphones. And yes, there is a lot of evil in social media. But these two trying storms reveled there is also good in social media. Lots of it. Do you have any stories of how technology is fighting Hurricane Irma?
Sep 9, 2017 | Smartphone
So Apple maniacs, it’s about that time again. On September 12, they will celebrate and unveil iPhone 8 and other Apple products. But you many not have to wait that long. It seems we have iPhone 8 secrets.
Let’s talk about Face ID. Apparently, somebody leaked the cartoon of how this will work. Also, it looks like you will need several angles of Face ID to unlock your phone. For instance, you will probably need a whole facial shot, then a profile shot. But it gets better (depending on who you ask). Because some computer tech insiders say the top iPhone 8’s won’t even have home button, or Touch ID. So it looks like it’s either Face ID, or look to buy another phone.
I talked about the Air Pods and how they seem to be Apple’s next big thing. In fact, they seem to be IT support’s next big thing. Rumor has it the charger is outside the carrying case. Therefore, one can check their iPod wireless power immediately. Then there are the emojis. It seems like you can use face recognition and voice technology to create your own emoji. They can reflect your mood at any time. I’m guessing they can talk, too. We’ll see.
So there are some iPhone 8 secrets. However, I can’t stress this enough. This is just speculation. So if this isn’t true, don’t came banging on our Boston computer service shop door all ticked off. The conference is at 10am Pacific Time (1 pm Eastern, 12 noon central, 11 am mountain) on Tuesday, September 12. It will take place at Steve Jobs theater at Apple headquarters in Cupertino , California. I’m not an Apple fan, but I’m especially interested in this Face ID. Will it provide more security, at a time when so many worry about cyber security? Or will it be just an unnecessary avoidance that will cause more worry?
Here at Geek Choice, our thoughts, vibes and prayers are with everyone in the path of Hurricane Irma. Be safe out there.
Sep 8, 2017 | Security
This could be the worst security breach ever! “But you always say that!”, some people in our Boston computer service shop tell me. I often say that because they’re getting worse and worse. Also, hackers are getting better at it. Then there is The Equifax breach: Is this the worst one yet?
First of all, the Equifax breach affected 143 million Americans. That’s over 40% of the entire population. Do you think the numbers are bad? Then think about what the breach leaked. We’re talking about names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, emails, drivers licence numbers, passport numbers, every number they need to wreck lives. Also, They provide sensitive banking, credit and insurance information.
Keep in mind Equifax is a credit score company. So think about how much info they have, and how much it can spill. Not only that, it took them over a month to even disclose data losses. Now they did make a website to tell potential victims. But they built it on WordPress. WordPress doesn’t have the best reputation for online security. Even worse, Equifax executives sold 1.8 million dollars worth of stock. So what does that have to do with anything? Lots, because they sold this stock just days after the July 29 discovery of the breach.
What we have here is trouble on two fronts. One is the Equifax breach itself. Then the other is how they handled the breach, or not handle it. It concerns me execs sold stock right after this broke. Are some people trying to cover their hides? Because that’s what it looks like to me. And who is taking advantage of the leaked information? We’re not talking about some stoner in mama’s basement. Could it be an international crime organization? What about terrorist and extremist groups trying to fund their cause? Or, with international tensions the way they are, could it be a foreign enemy? Usually, I would give ways to either prevent or salvage information. But what do I say about this?
Sep 7, 2017 | Uncategorized
It seems Silicon Valley is in another moral crisis. Yes, there are the outrageous expenses. There is also the intense social/political divide they take part in. Furthermore, there’s the insane wealth gap. For instance, 8 men have more wealth than the bottom 50% of the world. Most of those 8 men are in technology. But there’s another. Why is Silicon Valley sacrificing freedom to appease China?
So here are some examples. Apple got rid of VPN (virtual private network) from their Apple stores in China. They did this because they want to appease China’s super strict cyber security laws. In other words, China citizens have little, if any, privacy rights online. Then there is Facebook. They let ?the ‘third-party’ China groups to censor content. So let’s say you post something on Facebook that’s ‘too controversial’. ?A government official can dig on your page and erase your post. It’s already happening. There’s the Cambridge University Press. They used to publish articles and scholarly journals on Chinese websites. Note that I say used to. Already, they’re pulling articles ‘too controversial’. This is what censorship is all about. Is this what Apple and Facebook want to support? Do they want to support sacrificing freedom to appease China?
Now I know what some of you will say. Facebook is a business. Apple is a business. China is one of the richest countries in the world. So it’s just business. Well, that’s one way to look at it. But it’s not the right way. Facebook and Apple could have used this opportunity to stand up to China and their online censorship policies. Did you know China is one of the worst offenders in blocking online freedoms? Apple and Facebook leaders could say to China, “Look. Either change your laws or you will lose out of billions of dollars”! China would listen. Money talks. They would get the message. But instead, they sacrificed freedom to appease China. Isn’t this totally wrong?
Sep 6, 2017 | Computer technology
September is a big month for computer technology. Because it’s the month many tech companies release their new products. However, Apple wastes no time. Let’s see Apple’s biggest features and selling points for 2017.
Yes, the Home Button is an Apple staple since 2007. But today, that button has a pressure sensor. This year, the central square circle is gone, and isn’t coming back. I don’t know if this is going to help or hinder iPhone 8 sales. Now they’re using on-screen home buttons. Then there are ear pods. I talked about this yesterday, and how they own most of the ear pod business…for now.
Apple displays improved big time over the years. They expect iPhone 8 to have edge-to-edge display. That means you will see no edges and more screen than ever. For years, many people used fingerprints instead of passwords to unlock their phone. Then, Apple Pay let you use your smartphone as a credit/debit. But now, Apple 8 may put the reader under the display. We have to talk about voice technology, since it’s now so popular. They’re expecting Siri to release new voices. There’s also a new speaker coming, called the Home Pod. Even the new Apple Store is getting a new look. They’re also doing better promoting more apps.
Those are just some of Apple’s biggest features. They better have some better ones. Because in recent years, everyone has stepped up their games. Androids do a great job now with on-screen home buttons. Yes, they dominate ear pods. But other companies are moving Heaven and Earth to take that market. And they will…one day. And when it comes to voice technology, Siri is no longer the first thing that comes to mind. For me, it’s Alexa. Their Apple store has been slipping too. What I’m trying to say is, Apple isn’t the only candy store in town. And they need big features and selling points to compete. Will Apple gain ground or lose ground this fall and upcoming holiday season?
