The California US Attorney’s Office made an arrest in an infamous case of hacking that made news in August 2014. Hundreds of nude photos of A-List celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence and Ariana Grande were released for the world to see.
A 36-year-old named Ryan Collins from Lancaster, Pennsylvania was arrested for felony computer hacking, in severe violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Collins is expected to plead guilty. He could face five years in federal prison, but a plea bargain would reduce that to 18 months. According to prosecutors, Collins used ‘phishing’ emails to get celebrity iCloud passwords and email passwords. He sent fake Apple emails to these celebrities asking to reset their passwords. The new passwords went directly to Collins. As many as 50 iCloud and 72 Gmail accounts were compromised, mostly from young celebrity women, dubbing this the ‘Celebgate’ scandal. But there’s still a mystery: did Collins actually release the photos? He’s just charged with hacking the accounts and getting the images. There’s the issue of ‘Original Guy’, whose online name the leaks are under, who claim the photos were paid for using Bitcoin. We don’t know if Collins and ‘Original Guy’ have any connection.
At least the hacker who got the photos has been apprehended. If Collins hadn’t obtained the photos, this Original Guy character, or characters, wouldn’t have leaked them, and Celebgate would have never happened. I’m just upset that he’s only going to spend 18 months in prison while a group of teachers in Atlanta spend 20 years just for fixing test scores of underprivileged teenagers. FBI Agent David Bowdich urge all email users, celebs or not, to be skeptical about giving personal information online. I advise, no, I strongly advise for hackers not to steal personal information. You’re going to get caught eventually. You may get away with it for awhile, but people of all walks of life are sick and tired of getting victimized. People are saying no more. Consumers are getting smarter and hipper to the game. So don’t even play it. If you like looking at celebrities, go buy a magazine or something. Who and what do you think ‘Original Guy’ is?
You may have noticed some changes of Facebook lately. You probably noticed a new emoji set you can choose from, such as laughter, happy, sad, or angry. People have used them on my posts. This is just a handful of new emojis coming to a computer or device near you.
Instead of just liking a Facebook post, you can use an emoji emotion. Are you still a fan of Pokemon, twenty years after the cult phenomenon swept the world? You can use those in place of the regular emojis. First, download Reaction Packs. Reaction Packs is a browser extension for both Google Chrome and Firefox. Then swap default reactions for custom reactions like Pokemon or other emotions they’re coming out with. These reactions are timely to say the least. There’s an emoji set featuring the faces of billionaire turned Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump. If you can’t get enough of him, there’s an emoji for that. You can choose between six of Trump’s facial expressions: like, love, haha (funny), wow (shock value), sad or angry. Yes, these are real pictures of the presidential candidate. There’s also a Soot Sprites set of the emoji.
This is intended to make Facebook life fun. I don’t know about that, but it will make the Facebook experience more interesting. How would you like to see Trump’s handsome face with every post you have? I’m sure there will be some who will beret and even unfriend you if you even choose this emoji set. This election is just that touchy. You could go nostalgic with Pokemon. With the shape of our nation and world today, who doesn’t need a mental trip to the 1990s? I’ve seen the Soot Sprites. This is just my opinion, but they just creep me out. What emoji set would you like to see? And what ever happened to that Facebook dislike button idea?
The 2010s will be the decade of many things. One thing the 2010s will be known for is the decade of surveillance. On every corner, in every public place everywhere, you’re being watched, whether you know it or not or like it or not.
Now there’s some software that lets you know if you’re employer is monitoring you. For Apple users, it’s through iOS 9.3, and it will let you know if your workplace is monitoring your iPhone activities. When the iPhone is being watched, a message will come on the bottom on the screen saying, “This iPhone is managed by your organization.” It won’t shut down your employer’s surveillance or give you more privacy. All iOS 9.3 does is let you know when you’re being monitored. The rest is up to you. The software probably won’t work if others (family, friends, advertisers, total strangers, government agencies) are monitoring through your iPhone. Employers can supervise devices through Apple’s Device Enrollment Program. Corporations can send Apple products to their employees for any reason. There’s also a program called Mobile Device Management (MDM). This lets the employer manage and supervise software on the iPhone. Through this, the employer can keep tabs on their staff.
It strikes me we’re learning about this at the same time of Apple‘s legal battle with the FBI over a terrorist’s iPhone. I’m all about the right to privacy, but here, I empathize with the employers. If the employer gives you an iPhone for work purposes, then they have legal right to supervise what’s going on there. So be careful of how you use that device. But I can’t let employers completely off the hook. The MDM program should be used, not abused. So if they’re going to monitor their employees, it needs to be for a real good reason. Thanks to iOS 9.3, they can see if they’re being monitored. That could cause all sorts of office problems. Could iOS 9.3 be an equalizer in work relations?
The hits keep on coming for Silicon Valley start-up Zenefits. First came the leadership shake-ups. Then came the partying allegations. Now, it’s learned Zenefits is laying off 1/6 of it’s entire work force. The reason: ‘to refocus’.
The once 4.5 billion dollar company is now struggling to make any revenue or any profit. One investor marked down share value. New COO David Sacks is on the a crusade to get Zenefits back on the right track. First, he banned alcohol and sex on the stairwells. Now, he’s letting go of 250 workers. According to Sacks’ own statement, sales and recruitment departments will be the hardest hit by these layoffs. He believes this move will grow the business in ways that will benefit and attract customers. In the email, Sacks says the layoff decision was the most difficult decision of his career, but this is what it takes for Zenefits to get better. He insists the layoffs were not because of poor performance, but admits the company grew too fast and culture got way out of control. The email talks about failed tech comebacks Sacks witnessed because of obsolete technology. He doesn’t want Zenefits to join the dubious club. He promises, and with confidence, Zenefits will overcome the recent struggles.
In this case, a ‘refocus’ is what Zenefits need. First there were questionable ethics as employees were taught shady ways to sell insurance. That led to the downfall and removal of their own former CEO and founder. You know things are bad when the founder and CEO of a company are asked to leave the very company they built. Then came stories of wild partying and an inappropriate work culture, such as condoms, beer cans and cigarettes found on the stairwell. I can see why small businesses (their main clientele) are weary of a company like this. Zenefits needs to be turned inside out, then start over from scratch. I’m sorry for the layoffs and wish those affected well in their future endeavors. But in Zenefits’ case, this is a necessary pain. Do you think the layoffs were needed to refocus?
The conflict between the FBI and Apple intensifies over an iPhone. That iPhone was owned by San Bernadino shooter Syed Farook. Through a court order, the Feds want Apple to unlock the phone. Apple refuses. Many are takings sides, mostly on Apple. But the FBI gains an unlikely ally.
Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates supports the FBI’s order to unlock Farook’s iPhone. In a Financial Times article, Gates said tech companies should cooperate with government agencies, by legal force if necessary. Gates believes the potential threats to privacy and civil liberties are overblown. He stated, “This is a specific case where the government is asking for access to information. They are not asking for some general thing, they are asking for a particular case.” Gates is about the only Silicon Valley leader siding with the FBI. Others, like Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey and Sundar Pichai all side with Apple. Apparently, the majority of Americans don’t share the same comrade Silicon Valley does. According to the latest survey, 51% of Americans side with the FBI. Only 38% side with Apple. The rest are undecided. But Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t backing down. He sent a letter to employees explaining his vehement opposition to the FBI court order. He believes hundreds of millions of people’s data is on the line, and this case could set a dangerous trend for us all. But the FBI Director James Comey isn’t backing down either. ?He insists this isn’t about legal agendas, but about the victims and justice.
Bill Gates welcomes the debate and believes the debate needs to take place. And it is. Apple customers are expected to demonstrate on the company’s behalf carrying picket signs like, “Don’t break our iPhones.” So Gates, a major tech leader, sides with the Feds. But a former CIA chief sides with Apple. I’ve already stated my stand. Whose side are you on?
You have to go to the DMV. It’s hardly a fun experience. For some, getting a root canal or prostate exam is more enjoyable. There could be hope. Can Microsoft end DMV trips?
In India, Microsoft is working to hook up Skype with India’s Aadhar system. Keep in mind India’s population is well over a billion. They’re trying to connect a national ID database with Skype and other video services. On one hand, it would save you a trip to the often dreaded DMV. It could cut down on that often hour plus line and save precious time. But there are privacy issues in question because the whole national ID database is more accessible. First, a person’s ID account number (India’s SSN) is linked to their Skype account. When they Skype the DMV, the agent checks the ID number to see if they’re dealing with the right individual. That’s how licences, permits, registrations, and other DMV business can be done without a person even going to DMV headquarters. Fingerprints and facial scanners can be used to protect the customers’ ID. This program is just in it’s infancy, but over 75% of India’s population is already enrolled, all voluntarily . Maybe they’re onto something.
Such visits can be a pain here in the US. So imagine a nation with 1.3 billion people a third of America’s size. Now imagine what a nightmare the DMV can spiral into over there. You thought lines were long in your town. I understand why most of India’s population would enroll in this service. I am a little concerned with the privacy issue, and they better do a really good job to make sure this system, and the people, are protected. All it takes is one thief and one hack to cause chaos for everyone. Can a system like this work in the USA? Would it be welcomed?
