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?
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?
So when it comes to Android fighting the constant battle against malware, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that they’re doing a better job keeping malware out of the Google store. But the bad news is hackers are finding new and creative ways to invade your Droid. There is Android malware in a code app.
This new malware strain is?Andr/HiddnAd-AJ. Yes, that’s the name of it. However, what is scary is how subtle and innocent it looks. Hackers slipped it into Google Play as a QR code and compass app. This is kind of like a repair man coming to your house, but you find out that repair man is a burglar. By the time you realize he knows the way to your house, it’s too late.
This tactic is nothing new, but is is slick and tricky. They buried a hostile code in a regular Android library. And it doesn’t mess up your system right away. In fact, it can take up to six hours before this malware does any damage. There is more good news. In the last 24 hours or so, Google found and cancelled this fake app that’s causing this. Google and security experts insists it’s safe to use and buy from Google Play.
I can only hope so. Myself, and many in our Boston computer service shop, a lot of us use Android. I will give Android credit. A few years ago, all we read about is Android getting hacked, and getting hacked often. Now, you don’t hear about that as much. That’s a good sign. But this doesn’t mean the hackers are going to stop trying. In fact, it means they’re going to try even harder. Any good IT service worker will warn you of such threats because they don’t want you going through it. That’s what we try to do here. Have any of you been impacted by Android malware in a code app?
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 James Park founded Fitbit in 2007. At first, it sold IT support fitness trackers. Then, it eventually evolved to smartphones. But wait…. Here is the new and next Fitbit.
They did it before. They tried to sale smartwatches before. However, it didn’t go so well. The hardware and software was mediocre. Sales were laughable. If you think their past failures deterred Fitbit, then you got another thing coming.? Because Fitbit promises not only a second smartwatch, but one with more appeal. So let’s see if this is real, or if these are just empty words.
First of all, this watch is smaller. To me, the larger the better. But not everyone feels that way. In fact, many complain that smartwatches are already too big in size. This is especially true for some demographics. So maybe smaller is better. Then they turned their Pebble roots. Back in December 2016, Fitbit bought out Pebbles. They bought them out not just to save jobs, but to use their IT service to build a smartwatch. Pebbles did, and will serve as a platform, despite it being defunct 15 months ago. Of course, the new and next Fitbit journey is by no means finished. In fact, it’s just beginning.
I say this because there’s still a lot they need to work on. One thing is apps. They need to find a way to improve and add more apps. They need to work on other software, too. Their previous smartwatch performance was so bad that even investors are nervous to help out. I hope the new and next Fitbit does well. Because the smartwatch game needs more competition. Between you and me, I’m tired of Apple and Samsung having most of the smartphone fun and profits. I would like Fitbit to cut in and for competition to be tighter. What would you like to see out of the new Fitbit smartphone?
So starting in January 2018, Google brought together all of it’s pay brands into one umbrella. That umbrella is Google Pay. But Android Pay took it’s time getting that memo…until now. Android Pay turns into Google Pay.
With these updates, Google hopes to create a more dominant presence in stores, online and retail, around the world. Then add new designs to Google Wallet. They now call it Google Pay Send. Soon, they will be able to use the app for sending and requesting money, kinda like Western Union. Google Pay consumers can expect this function in the coming days. But wait…that’s not all.
The new Google Pay app will show you stores that will accept Google Pay. This will be according to your location and shopping habits. For example, if I am near our Boston computer service shop. I use my phone to pay for food items. Then it’s going to show grocers, coffee shops, and restaurants near my Boston computer service shop. Or it could be anywhere in your neighborhood, city or town. Google leaders and executives are doing all they can to make this transition as easy as possible. Of course, this is because they want you to use Google Pay as fast as possible.
Here is just one way they’re trying this. Do you have a Bank of America account? It’s the second most popular bank in America, and one of the most popular in the world. If you do, then you can set you the Google Pay app in the Bank of America app. That way, they can intertwine. So this is another way they can get you shopping with Google Pay quicker. I don’t know if they’re doing this with other banks or not. It wouldn’t surprise me. They’re already linking this new app with other apps like AirBnb. That doesn’t surprise me either. But why does Android Pay turns into Google Pay? Is it perhaps to keep up with Apple Pay?
