So yesterday, MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe found himself in trouble. Because during a presentation, Lowe let slip his company can watch his consumers drive home from a movie. This also includes any and all five million of them. Is Movie Pass playing big brother?
So you can bet Lowe was quick to explain what he really meant. First of all, they mail you the card for MoviePass membership. That means they already have your address as well as some other information. Then he explains your smartphone GPS is tracking you. He also said their payment system hooks up your credit card to your phone. Furthermore, Lowe assured customers they don’t share or sell your data.
Is Movie Pass playing big brother? Let’s not blame Movie Pass. Let’s face it, they’re doing what most IT support companies and apps out there. I heard many people come through our Boston computer service shop complain about their apps following them. This isn’t paranoia. This is the honest truth. Movie Pass just got caught admitting it. And now they got to do something about it. These are just the things we know about. But think about the things we don’t know about. I’m glad we’re talking about Movie Pass, but you know they’re not the only ones doing it. What other apps could be following us and how?
So the 2017 was a brutal year for ransomware and cyber attacks. I say that because we had WannaCry, Petra and Bad Rabbit. Furthermore, according to experts, 2018 will be just as bad, if not worse. 2018: The Year of More Ransomware? More cyber attacks?
So most experts don’t believe ransomware will in stop, or even decrease in 2018. In fact, they believe ransomware will be used more so as a cyber warfare tool. Take the security company CrowdStrike. In their report, they believe not only cyber attacks won’t just increase, but they will involve. Some even believe certain ransomware will team up with other dangerous viruses. That would make attacks even worse. Cyber criminals, the Dark Web, and hacktavists could see and exploit this to their own advantage.
But it’s not just the dark web and criminals we have to worry about. There are international tensions. Most in IT support know how good, and dangerous, Russia and North Korea are in hacking. Furthermore, some experts fear North Korea could cyber attack major banks and financial institutions. Think of what they will do to the economy. Then you have the Lazarus group, an elite hacking group believed to do dictator Kim Jong Un’s cyber business. Experts expect North Korea to continue it’s cyber attacks against their enemies, including us here in America. Nobody wants to talk about it: What if US vs. North Korean tensions turn into military conflict? So 2018: The Year of More Ransomware?
Let’s hope not! Yes, let’s hope the experts are wrong. But let’s be real; you’re not going to save your systems or your information through hope. You need to protect your system. Our computer repair experts can help you do that. Because I’m already reading reports of North Korea’s cyber army attacking small businesses, emptying their bank accounts, and getting all kinds of information. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. What can you do to keep your systems and loved ones safe?
So we hear a lot of talk about the dangers of online fake news in IT service. But there is an online danger that is far worse and damaging than any fake news article. That danger is child abuse. One start-up is doing something. SafeToNet: This new tool fights online child abuse.
So SafeToNet is a new online AI system. It fights sexting, bullying and other online predatory behavior. Their goal is to protect six million children by the end of 2018. This British company also raised over $12 and a half million dollars in venture capital in a short time. SafeToNet is app parents and guardians put on their kids’ devices. If it finds bad images on the kids’ device, then the app will block it before it.? The software can also block a phone’s camera if it thinks the child will use it for sexting. The AI studies everything the child sees on the screen, even types on the computer. Furthermore, the AI studies the child’s patterns and norms. In fact, it even backs psychology. This app is now available in the English language. It’s also available in Spanish, German, and even Catalan (Catalonia/Barcelona region of Spain).
Why are they in a hurry to launch SafeToNet? Maybe because of these disturbing stories. In Denmark, they rounded up 1,000 people, mostly teenagers, for sharing a video of two 15 year old engaging in sexual activity. Then there are teens sharing videos of their peers committing suicide. For example,? two Russian girls jumped from a balcony to their deaths. The first thing I notice about this piece of IT support. Most systems like this protects children from predatory adults from the outside. But this seems to keep teens from being the predators themselves. It’s not that uncommon for teens to sexually exploit other kids. Makers of this app say if they know they’re going to get blocked, then it will keep them from trying. This app will cost around $5 a month and available on Apple and Android devices. Do you think this app will save teenagers from themselves?
So I take it this happens to you. You go on a website, especially to buy or sell something. But they give you a math problem or question to answer. It’s because they want to prove you’re human. They call the program Think fast: Trying to outsmart robots.
As you know, many are people are turning to facial recognition for security. They’re using it everywhere, from airports to new smartphones. In fact, facial recognition is the only way to unlock the iPhone X. But some researchers and experts say that’s not enough. They say this because robots and AI technologies are getting smarter and smarter.
So they come up with a way to recognize your face while you answer a simple question at the same time. Georgia Tech U. researchers still try to perfect this. Believe it or not, even with 2018 IT support, it’s tough? for face and voice recognition to align. However, there are many human vs robot tests out there. As early as the 2000s, you had websites asking you to type in a code or answer a math problem. However, it’s a different world know. Everyone in computer repair knows it. In fact, everyone everywhere knows it.
So I love this test Think Fast did. They asked a question. It took humans about a second to answer. Then, it took robots/computers about six seconds to answer. These were simple, like “Do you like cats or dogs?”. Right now, the goal is to fight spam, hacking and ID theft. But as bots and AI get smarter and smarter, the fight could be so much more critical. I hate to sound like a sci-fi movie, but we’ve seen what robots are doing. We also see how they’re permeating every aspect of life. Is this just an extra layer of protection? Or is this necessary in the fight against robot domination?
So the 2018 Winter Olympic games are underway. But it’s not the athletics that are making news. It’s the hacking. One cyber attack was so bad they had to shut the Winter Olympic website down. However, it’s back up now. Olympic cyber attack: Who did it and why?
The hackers attacked just before the opening ceremony. They also messed up TV and Internet coverage. It took 12 hours for networks to restore coverage and order. An Olympic spokesperson talked about the attack. He assured the public they dealt with the issue and everything was good. But nobody is talking about who did it.
Almost immediately, cyber experts pointed fingers at Russia. And right away, Russian leaders denied any involvement in any hacking. And people braced for this. Just about every government in the world warned of potential online attacks. In fact, even the US Dept. of Homeland Security told fans going to South Korea to be on the lookout. One warning said, “At high profile events, [they] may take advantage of the large audience…”. They don’t get any bigger than the Olympics, but most of you probably know that. Because in 2012, they attacked the London Olympics too.
However, the world is a different place than it was six years ago. So let’s get the elephant out of the room. Look at the tensions between the two Koreas in recent months in years. It’s almost as if the Korean War could restart at anytime. But war doesn’t have to come through bullets and bombs. The enemy can attack through our IT support systems and our computer repair and technology systems. Did North Korea do this? I know North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un plays and talks nice recently. But does he mean it? Or is it just a trap? Personally, I think it’s just a trap. How can you trust a guy who does such hideous thinks over and over? I think North Korea is behind the Olympic cyber attack. So who do you think did it and why?
So we all know people use IT support and Internet services for good. But we also know people use if for bad, depending on that person. However, there is another disturbing trend out there. They call it SWATting. So don’t SWAT! They will find and arrest you!
SWATTing is faking a hostage situation to the police. Sometimes, they call a fake hostage situation on somebody’s house. And they’re innocent people.? Then, when the police get there, mainly the SWAT team, they find nothing. It’s becoming very popular with the online gaming community. But now, SWATter Tyler R Barriss learns the hard way: Don’t SWAT.
Because this 25-year-old is now facing manslaughter and over 10 years in prison. This time, Barriss decided to do this prank on a neighbor in Kansas. But this time, when the SWAT team arrived, they opened fire on innocent people. I regret to report that Andrew Finch, a father of two, was killed. It rarely ends in this tragedy. But one time is all it takes. I will give Barriss credit. He does show remorse for this tragedy, well, kinda sorta. Yes, he says he never intended for anyone to die. However, he said bomb threats are more fun and should stick to that.
In jail, and through the trial, Barriss will have a lot of time to think about it. If the jury finds him guilty, he will really have a lot of time to think. But you don’t have to. I’m telling you now: Don’t SWAT! It may sound like a harmless prank, but it’s not. Not only could it get people killed, but it could tie up police forces who really are fighting real hostage situations. You don’t want to be that troll. Many of us in computer servicing like online games. But SWATting isn’t a game. This is life or death. Your actions have consequences, whether they’re in the real world or virtual world. What else should you not do online?
