So let me start off explaining what a defibrillator is. It’s a device that sends electric shocks to the heart. It’s an IT service that can literally mean life or death. They put it in the patient’s chest, and use it to correct things like irregular heartbeats. This sounds great, but Homeland Security issues a warning. Are Medtronic defibrillators dangerous?
So Medtronic is a company that manufacturers health devices.? In fact, Medtronic is the world’s most popular health device maker. But recently, Homeland Security warned their defibrillators don’t require any authority. Also, they don’t encrypt their radio protocol. What does this mean? It means hackers can break in. In fact, Homeland Security says it’s a ‘low skill level’ hack, meaning it’s fairly easy break into.
But don’t get too worried. Because you can’t just attack a stranger’s defibrillator by grabbing them in the street. However, it’s a different story if the patient is at a doctor’s office. When the doctor is checking this IT support device, then it’s at the most venerable. There, a hacker can erase and hijack the device and totally take it over, running any command on it. They say this potential danger affects 20 of Medtronic’s models. The company says they’re not aware of anybody that’s been hacked. But they insists they’re watching updates and promises a fix.
Let’s hope it comes soon. They’re not the only one sharing concerns. Did you know the medical industry will spend over $65 billion on cyber security by 2021? Lives are on the line, literally. In financial hacks, you lose money, financial and personal information. You can get all that back. It happened to me. But you can’t do that when it comes to someone’s physical life. I guess you could turn back time, but the time machine hasn’t been invented yet. So I guess prevention is the only way to stop this kind of hacking. You don’t think somebody is sick or psychopathic enough to do such a thing? Are you paying attention?
So, a miracle is taking place in the IT support world. After years of scandal and scrutiny, from Russia hacking allegations to Cambridge Analytica, Facebook vows to do something about it. Now, Facebook cares about your privacy.
So on Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his plan to make Facebook more secure for all. This includes encrypting messages. This also could include combining Facebook services. I’m talking about things like WhatsApp and Instagram. Also, soon you can send messages using SMS (short message service). But this will be an optional service. There’s a reason why Facebook would merger it’s big 3 services. It’s because by combining the 3, you can send encrypted messages.
As of now, you can’t do that. Zuckerberg himself said the three fastest features have to do with privacy. They are small chat, private messaging and diapering content. Then there is the Stories feature. You tell your story in moving still pictures. But these stories disappear? in 24 hours after you put them up. With post you write, they can stay up there forever. Maybe that’s why 500 million are using the Instagram Stories app. He also stated that people should feel comfortable about posting. They shouldn’t have to fear what might happen later.
But some people are still skeptical. One senator from Hawaii tweeted his praise for the encryption, he was cynical about the privacy. But I say let’s give this a try. It’s a start, and a good one. The conference I saw Wednesday was a good one. Zuckerberg said the right things and made good promises. Can he keep them? IT service companies have let us down before. That’s why so many are so cynical. Maybe recent hackings and scandals woke him up. Who knows, maybe it will wake up other Silicon Valley leaders as well. Now, Facebook cares about your privacy. But is it because they have to now?
So I guess most of you know about the Momo challenge. A strange creepy like figure comes on your child’s social media, without warning. Then that figure challenges them to either harm or kill themselves. Consumer alert: The Momo suicide challenge.
So Momo targets children. Then, if that isn’t sick enough, Momo interrupts the most innocent of You Tube Kids shows. I’m talking about kids shows like Peppa Pig? and Doc McStuffins. The sociopaths behind Momo do this on purpose because they think the parents won’t catch on. But thankfully many are, because children are reporting it to parents. Good job, kids. This is what makes Momo so sick and sadistic. They’re going after children. Why?
However, this isn’t the first time the Momo challenge came on the scene. Last year, this creepy figure appeared in the What’s App. Two teenagers committed suicide because of it. This took place in? the South American nation of Columbia. The victims were a 12-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy. So far, no deaths or injuries have been reported from this current round of Momo sights. But I can see why parents, teachers and security experts worry. Anytime you have a coward, or group of cowards, using IT service and social media to tell children to harm and kill, that’s major cause for alarm.
Parents, please know what your kids are watching on You Tube. Not only that, but warn them of Momo. And instruct them on what to do if they do see this character. I’m thankful that kids are already alerting adults about this. Yes, You Tube and other IT support systems do the best they can, but they need the consumer’s help. You see, AI and algorithms do much of the programming now, so much is out of human hands. And the bad guys know it. That’s why we in the community need to step it up like never before. We don’t know who is behind this, but police worldwide are looking for them. In fact, celebrities like Kim Kardashian call for an end to this Momo challenge. This is a consumer alert: The Momo suicide challenge. What will you do about it?
So let me give this disclaimer now. This article is not to scare anyone. But in these global volatile times, we, even us in the IT support and computer repair world should prepare for anything. I heard Putin’s address to Russia, and it was terrifying. Then I ask myself: Should the USA prepare for a cyberattack?
So many tech and intelligent experts say Russia and China can now launch huge cyberattacks. They can attack our electric grid and oil pipelines, among other parts of our infrastructure. In fact, one US intelligence firm confirmed this. This committee’s report says Russia and China often practice with weapons that could really mess up the systems we depend on. Think this is sci-fi? Earlier this week, I read about how Russia is having drills to live without the Internet, in case of an emergency. This committee’s report warns since we’re depending more on digital devices, our opponents can exploit that. It also warns of Russia and China’s cyber spying. The report then says Russia sees the US’s political, social and racial tensions these days. Their cyber spies see that and use it to their advantage, like sharks who smell blood in the water.
Then there are other worries. This report states AI and robotic technology can be even a bigger threat than any foreign foe.? Like I said, this is not to fear-monger. But we can’t stick our heads in the sand about this either. Did you know that if someone hits us with an EMP cyber attack, it would knock out everything? There would be no more computers of any kind, no more smartphones, no more radio, TV, even telegraphs. Most jobs and businesses would cease to exist. You wouldn’t even be able to start your car. Planes, trains and buses would be grounded. In other words, a cyber attack could knock us back to the 19th century! This is why we should be in the know of such things.? Should the USA prepare for a cyberattack? And if so, then what do we do about it?
So what is 5G technology? It’s hard for even IT service and IT support experts to explain. But they expect 5G technology to move so fast that even machines will connect with other machines, with no effort. We’re talking speeds of 20 G/bps. However, these guys can explain it better than me.? That sounds great, right? But some say not really. Because they worry about the physical and medical consequence this may have. Is 5G technology dangerous, or even deadly?
So members of the medical community ask questions about great health risks. These risks are mostly about radiation, and too much of it. Also, this radiation comes from the phones as well as the cell phone towers. Furthermore, keep in mind the massive increase of signals not just to cell phones, but smart devices. We’re talking about things from smart security systems, smart voice speakers like Alexa, and that smart self-driving car that’s coming. Some studies even talk about a cancer risk from 5G. They did a study with lab rats. They gave the rats daily radiation doses for two years. The researchers were alarmed at the increase of brain and heart tumors in these lab rats.
Yes, I know how controversial it is to use lab rats. But I want to look at the bigger picture. Some will say there is no harm in 5G. They will say things like, “We used cell phones for 30 years. We’re still good”. But look at how often we’re using cell phone technology today. And it’s not just our phones, either. Smart technology is in about everything we use: radios, TVs, voice devices, security systems, and soon, it will drive our cars for us. Also, keep in mind there will be more cell towers to facilitate this 5G technology. They bring with them their own radiation. It adds up. Is 5G technology dangerous, or even deadly?
So someone found a privacy flaw in Apple’s system. Because on Apple’s Face Time app, this flaw lets others here other people’s iPhone. Furthermore, these ‘others’ could be people who never called you, total strangers. But the young man who found the flaw isn’t an Apple executive, or employee. It’s a 14-year-old boy. Teenager finds Apple bug: Will Apple treat him right?
The teenager’s name is Grant Thompson. Not only did he find the privacy flaw, but he found it by accident. He told CNBC about his surprise the Apple didn’t find it. Quite frankly, so am I. But now, he might get a bounty reward for his discovery. There’s a big emphasis on the word might. Thompson’s mother, Michelle, tried everything she could to contact Apple about the flaw. At first, she got nowhere. However, certain media made the news for them. That is what got Apple’s attention, to the point a high ranking Apple exec visited them in their Tucson, Arizona home. At this meeting, the executive told Grant Thompson he’s available for a huge bounty reward. They also scheduled a meeting with Apple’s security team.
We don’t know how much, if anything, this possible bounty will be. I just hope Apple got the message. Several days ago, they apologized for this flaw. They also publicly thanked Grant Thompson for finding this out. But you mean to tell me a teenager finds Apple bug and all he gets is a public thank you? Apple is perhaps the richest IT service and IT support company in the world. They can do better. Give this kid the bounty and money he deserves. After all, this isn’t the first time they scrutinized Apple with privacy issues. Sales are down 15%. So far in 2019, they barely broke expectations. So this isn’t the time to be ignoring this 14-year-old kid for doing work Apple security should be doing. Will Apple treat him right?
