I struggled with what I’m going to write today. Then somebody showed me an article that made me sick. The State of Arizona is using drivers’ licences and state IDs as tools of facial recognition. So let’s look at Arizona facial recognition: Is this even legal?
Here’s how it works. They take your photo at the DMV or RMV (whatever you want to call it). Then they scan by an algorithm. This studies your facial features. Also, they compare your face to 19 million other Arizona citizens. This program is in concert with the REAL ID Act of 2005, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. However, this act doesn’t require facial recognition. It just calls for measures in stricter identification.
So naturally, this concerns many citizens. The first concern is hacking/ID theft. Someone, especially from the inside, can hack into this database and do goodness knows what with it. But there is an even bigger concern: government surveillance. Some privacy rights groups, like the EFF, worry we’re heading toward an Orwellian state. First off, there is no system of accountability here. Then, take in there are no laws, or any incidents, to justify things like Arizona facial recognition. In fact, that’s true for any facial recognition.
What we have here is, “You give them an inch, they’ll take the mile”. The REAL ID act is the inch. Facial recognition is THE mile. There are people at the top who want to turn IT support and IT service into Big Brother. And don’t think this will be limited to just Arizona. Because in 2020, all states must adopt REAL ID standards. This could include passports just to fly domestically! It could also include facial recognition in every state. Since there’s no limit to what they can do, every state in the country can use facial recognition. And the way things are going, they probably will. I hope they don’t. Arizona facial recognition: Is this even legal?
Many of you, especially parents and guardians, know Facebook has a T rating. So that means Facebook is for teens and adults only. However, a special app opens Facebook for kids of all ages (well, those 6-12). It’s Facebook Messenger for pre-teens.
This Facebook Messenger for Pre-Teens does several things. First of all, it lets parents get the app for their child’s device and create the profile. Then, they approve of people who can be on their kids’ page. It also has strict privacy guidelines and filters. The privacy filter helps protect from child predators and other bad guys. Then the filters block any graphic violence or sexual content or other things inappropriate for innocent ears and eyes.? In other words, Facebook is going all out to produce a safe, wholesome atmosphere kids deserve.
However, this kid messenger app has fun things they direct towards kids. For example, kids can make stickers, masks, and other GIF’s and send them to relatives and friends. They’re other fun things to get their attention, like crayons and fidget-spinners. But if a kid wants to friend a classmate, the kid’s parents must approve the request from the other kid’s parents. Also, when the child turns 13, this app doesn’t transfer into a regular Facebook page. At that point, he/she has to create his/her own page just like everyone else.
I do applaud Facebook for going out of their way to create a safe space for kids, especially of this young age. Some may argue, “Isn’t Facebook going too far with these guidelines?”. I don’t think they’re going to far. We had this debate in our Boston computer service shop. Yes, surveillance among adults concern me. But when it comes to the safety of young children, it’s a different story. Social media can be a dangerous world, on all fronts. We in computer repair know it and see the dangers, from ID theft to cyber hijacking viruses. In fact, in the last week, two children committed suicide because of relentless bullying. You can bet the bullying continued over social media. So no, Facebook isn’t going too far. What do you think of Facebook Messenger for pre-teens?
The year 2017 isn’t a good one for ride sharing giant Uber. First came sexual harassment scandals. But now, there could be an Uber data breach, and a big one. So did somebody hack Uber? That’s the last thing Uber needs.
Numerous news media claim Uber execs hid a data breach. Furthermore, Uber confirms this. Also, they paid the hackers $100,000 in hush money, according to some reports. This happened in October 2016. They say the hackers could have compromised over 57 million accounts worldwide. This includes over 600,000 Uber drivers globally. This info could include credit card numbers, Social security numbers, and birth dates. However, there are no reports of outright theft due to this.
Dana?Khosrowshahi, the new Uber CEO, assured the public they did swift and accurate action to shut down the breach. Dana K. insisted he knew nothing about the security breach. His company also states that uber riders are in no danger, so they don’t need to take action. But what about the Uber drivers? Uber promises emails and letters to warn those drivers who were affected or may be in jeopardy. Uber also offers drivers free credit monitoring and security protection if they need it. But now, even the NY State Attorney General’s Office is investigating.
The only good news is that no theft occurred…yet. And for any IT service based company, that is huge good news! But what troubles me is why did it take Uber, a trusted ride share company, 13 months to tell people. Well, they asked former CEO Travis Kalanik the same thing. Some speculate he knew something, but he declines to comment. That’s just the thing. How did the hackers get $100,000 in hush money. That doesn’t sit right with me, or anybody else in computer repair. And if Kalanik didn’t know anything, then who authorized the payout? And nobody told us why it took them 13 months to make this public. If Uber were my company, I would sound the alarm right away (and in their own way, they kinda did). Did somebody Hack Uber? If so, then who?
We at Computer Geeks want to wish you all a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
Ever waited for an important package? But you weren’t home or at your office to receive it? At our computer service shop, we know what that’s like. However, Amazon came up with Amazon Key: Good idea or disaster?
Amazon Key allows Amazon’s couriers to unlock your door to deliver your packages. They can unlock your door through a Cloud Cam. It also needs a smart lock. Because the cloud gives permission for a courier to unlock a smart lock. But first, they have to check it against the cloud. The cloud can check for foul play when the courier delivers the package.
Sounds safe, right? But not so fast! Tech security experts found something evil. Hackers and criminals can mess up the camera using anything with a Wi-Fi connection. For example, a ‘courier’ can have Cloud Cam show only a closed door. However, they can come and go as they please because all you see is the closed door. This opens to door to burglary, if not worse. And keep in mind more burglaries happen during the holiday season than any other time of the year. An Amazon spokesperson insisted Amazon Key is safe. They said every Amazon courier has to pass a background check. In addition to that, Amazon has the technology to make sure they’re at the right address and other security measures.
Sorry, I don’t buy it. Why would you volunteer any stranger to come into your house when you’re not there? I don’t care who or what the circumstance is. History shows even the worst serial killers and terrorists and hackers can pass through background checks. Plus, cyber crimes are getting easier to do. I know Amazon wants to be a part of everybody’s life at all times. But enough is enough! The courier you let in your home, for the most part, is a good person doing his/her job. However, all it takes is one psychopath or sociopath. We don’t know. What I suggest is Amazon arrange a time when a person can be home, just like us in computer repair do. When time is arranged, then they can deliver the package. Would you let a stranger around your kids just to collect a package?
The Christmas shopping season is almost here. All things IT service will dominate. Then there is the drone. But people have concerns; one is spying. However, I saw one video that chilled me. Forget spying. Can drones kill you?
There is a drone that can follow a person at the user’s request. It also follows every the person’s every move. Then this drone has a compartment to carry a weapon, as long as it’s under 2.5 pounds. Think about how light weapons are today (like poison). However, this isn’t just military or police drones. You can get this kind of drone in a retail store or online store.
In 2016 alone, American consumers bought 2.5 million drones. You know that number will rise this year because the drone is the ‘it’ toy of computer servicing and technology. That doesn’t include the ones police forces or US military bought, or the ones sold overseas. For example, China sales over 100,000 drones a month. Ever hear of the Skywalker 8? Somebody can pack that with an explosive. Add GPS technology, and a criminal or terrorist mind, and we have disaster. Still not concerned? Check out this episode of Hawaii Five-O. It’s called ‘Nowhere To Hide”. Furthermore, it’s about bad guys using drones and turning them into killing machines on innocent people.
So I know many will say, “You’re crazy”, or “You’re a conspiracy theorist”. Look, I know most people are using drones either for recreation and/or for good. In fact, they used drones to help with hurricane relief efforts. But I’m not talking about the majority here. All it takes is one terrorist, or one group of terrorist. Not only that, but all it takes is one psychopath or sociopath. Then what if you have a few abusive powers in our own government or leadership who won’t hesitate? So can drones kill you? Unfortunately, they can. But what can we do about it?
Over the years, I wrote some blogs about the crimes of revenge porn and sextorition. However, Facebook wants to fight this evil. But they have a weird way of going about it. Facebook nude photos: To fight revenge porn?
So here is how it works: They want you to send nude pictures to Facebook, through their Messenger app. They say this is to help Facebook tag what is inappropriate content. Antigone Davis is Facebook’s Head of Safety. She says it’s a test of an emergency option. Because Facebook believes such a photo will be proactive to Facebook so it won’t leak in the first place.
But Facebook isn’t alone in this. They partner with the Australian government. They have an agency called e Safety; this is to prevent sharing images without people’s knowledge or approval. Because this is what often leads to revenge porn and other online sex crimes. So let’s say somebody fears they’re an online victim. Then e Safety could tell them to send a nude photo of themselves through Facebook Messenger. After that, Facebook’s system would recognize, then block, the images. Then Facebook tells the one who sends the photo to take it down.
Anybody who works in computer repair with me knows what I’m going to say about this. This is total hogwash! First of all, can you really trust an employee on Facebook, or even a law officer, with your nude photos? You don’t know nor have ever met these people. So how can you trust them your your Facebook nude photos? Then think about the hackers, who are getting smarter. So even with these crazy new safety concerns, who is to say they won’t hack in? I have serious problems with this Facebook nude photos policy; everyone in IT support should. Is this any way to fight revenge porn?
