Angry Birds is Big Brother

Here’s some food for your mind.

* The NSA Is Using Angry Birds to Spy on You

“Many popular smartphone apps are being mined for user data by the government, and authorities are using them to track your sexual habits.” Read more..

* The Only Thing Scarier Than Self-Driving Cars Are the Hackers Waiting to Attack Them

“A new study claims that nearly 54 million autonomous vehicles will be sold by 2035. But as smart devices proliferate across all categories, risks abound.” Read more..

* Malicious intent can turn Chrome speech recognition into spying device

“A speech recognition expert contends malicious players can turn Google’s Chrome web browser into a remote listening device.” Read more..

* The Real Reason Why Google Bought Nest for $3.2 Billion

“Here’s a hint: It has to do with things people do ‘twice a day.‘” Read more..

* Did you miss it? Tuesday was Data Privacy Day.

Yes, that’s right. Data Privacy Day. Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance (aka staysafeonline.org).

“Today the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is officially kicking off Data Privacy Day 2014, along with federal and private sector leaders. The theme for Data Privacy Day is Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data and Enabling Trust and will be echoed during numerous local and online events taking place globally and around the country.“

I did not notify you of this important event. Why?

“NCSA is teaming up with Facebook to broadcast the Data Privacy Day Kick Off event live online for the world to watch.“

ROTFLOL. Facebook???? It sure seems to me… somebody just isn’t “getting it”.
* Facebook CEO Admits To Calling Users ‘Dumb Fucks’

“Mark Zuckerberg admits in a New Yorker profile that he mocked early Facebook users for trusting him with their personal information.” Read more..

* Privacy no longer a social norm, says Facebook founder

“The rise of social networking online means that people no longer have an expectation of privacy, according to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.” Read more..

There’s some important things to know in the information above. I hope you’ll do some reading, and then tell your friends/family. (Because yes, the lunatics are running the asylum.) I apologize, Dear Reader, for reprinting that naughty word, but I do believe there’s good cause.

* Work From Home Like a Boss: Top Tech for Your Home Office

“Here are four tech tools to help telecommuters work harder, smarter and, yes, more comfortably, too.” Read more..

[Question: will these devices really help someone be more productive?]

Today’s quote: “If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it. That’s all it takes to get people to win football games for you.” ~ Bear Bryant

It is incumbent upon us to use the brains we have …

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories. Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of. And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.

This Week’s Items of Interest

Here are a few items for your consideration.

* How Ordinary Skills Led to an Extraordinary Life for ‘Dilbert’ Creator

“While there is a continuous stream of articles toting the amazing qualities of entrepreneurs, the secret traits of successful people and tricks for making it to the top, Scott Adams, the creator of award-winning comic series Dilbert, thinks it’s hogwash.” Read more..

* The First 100% Free Mobile Phone Service

“If you’re shackled by an unwieldy wireless plan that’s costing you an arm and a leg each month – FreedomPop is here to change all that. Unlimited voice, text, and 500MB of data on a 4G network is unheard of – but how can you make history if you don’t break boundaries?” Read more..

* Massive German hack sees one fifth of population’s passwords stolen

“The passwords and other details of 16 million email users in Germany have been stolen- the equivalent of almost a fifth of the German population being at risk.” Read more..

* A few security lessons from the Target breach

“The Target breach points out some facts of life on the Web: We’re all targets (pun intended) of cyber thieves.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to protect ourselves. Here’s how to protect yourself from the next big breach.” Read more..

* Can a Tweet Put You in Prison? It Certainly Will in the UK

“Tweeting racist or otherwise libelous bile can land you in jail in the UK, but the victim, as ever, is not the target of the tweet but free speech.” Read more..

* Where can you still find a PC running Windows 7?

“If you want a PC running Windows 7, where do you look? Skip your local office superstore or big-box retailer and go where the business buyers go. In those channels, you’ll find that Windows 7 never went away. In fact, it’s not just alive, it’s thriving.” Read more..

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Today’s quote: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” ~ Mark Twain

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.

Sunday Beauty #145

Here’s another pretty picture for your Sunday.

Click on image to see more by this artist (reco’d)

“butterfly” by seanmcmenemy, courtesy of Flickr Commons.

Fun video: This song is rather different from my usual music videos.. but I sure like the message!

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Today’s quote: ““When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” ~ Dr Wayne W. Dyer

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Target. (And More.)

By now, you’ve probably heard of the “Target Breach”. (A “breach” is when a hacker has broken in and stolen stuff.) And you’ve heard it was bigger than first reported.. Here’s more news:

* Customers paying the price after Target breach

“Three weeks after news broke that 40 million accounts of Target shoppers were breached in a widespread hack, some customers of smaller banks are beginning to feel the repercussions.” Read more..

* Target estimates breach affected up to 110 million

“The massive data heist at Target stores across the country was more massive than previously revealed, with the retailer saying at least 70 to 110 million customers were hit — making it one of the largest security breaches of its kind.” Read more..

* Baby-faced teen suspected in Target data breach that hit 110M

“Security company IntelCrawler posted these Web images of a 17-year-old Russian it says may be the architect of the malware that hacked up to 110 million Target customers, and of online chats (left) it used to track him.” Read more..

* After Target breach, Homeland Security warns retailers

“Investigators probing the recent holiday season cyberattack are warning retailers about sophisticated malware that potentially affected a large number of stores.” Read more..

* Target breach notifications are a perfect example of what not to do …

“It’s bad enough that Target allowed more than 100 million accounts to be compromised, but the retailer’s response to the breach is an exercise …” Read more..

The “Internet of things” … well… it’s making a few people rich.

Is anyone else ready – YET – to call ‘cybercrime’ a national (better yet, global) security issue? If not, what’s it going to take?

In other news: I’ve busted the tail – twice. And today, broke a wing off. At this rate, my Hobbyzone Champ is going to be a piece of flying duct tape..

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Today’s quote: “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Another Blow to ‘Net Nuetrality’

(AKA Hey! Thanks, Verizon!)

Landmark Ruling worth knowing about.. (and once again, who gets screwed? The little guy.)

Tech news:

* ‘Net neutrality’ ruling could be costly for consumers, advocates say

“An appeals court throws out the FCC’s ‘net neutrality’ rules on Internet traffic. The ruling could raise Internet service fees and stifle innovation, some say.” Read more..

Other ‘news’: I finally decided to do something about my long term  interest in radio-controlled (“R/C”) airplanes. I’ve always been interested in flying, and one of the things I loved about computers – early on – was that various ‘flight simulators’ (games, really) allowed me to ‘fly’ fighter jets (iF-16, Jane’s, falcon 4.0), and ‘dogfight’ Zeros over the Pacific (Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator).

For years, I watched fellas fly these RC planes, and always thought it looked pretty.. well, fun.

So I did some research, and decided that the best plane for me to learn to fly RC would be a Hobbyzone Champ; a ‘RTF’ plane (ready-to-fly). Everything you need, in one box. So .. I got one. (They run about $100.) It proved a good choice.

I am pleased to say that, after about an hour’s piloting time, I can actually keep it in the air longer than I spend walking over to where it’s crashed (I did prove the Rule: a beginner’s first flight lasts somewhere between 4, and 6, seconds…) and can take off and land (but have yet to successfully do a ‘touch and go’). It is fun; and it’s challenging.

Here’s a video someone made about their first experience with a Champ. And I don’t at all believe it was his first flight ever, as I still cannot fly that well!

These aircraft are made from styrofoam, and are very, very light (my Champ is a little over an ounce) and reasonably resilient. When I was a kid.. models that could fly were either balsa wood and tissue paper (aka ‘beyond fragile’) or plastic and gas-powered (anyone remember the plane-on-a-string ‘go ’rounds’?).. things have come a long way!

Are there any R/C pilots out there in my audience? If so, any tips for me?

Today’s quote: “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” ~ Ashley Smith

Hey folks, let’s be excellent today.

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Sunday Beauty 144

Folks, this image caught my eye.. and while it’s not a “beauty”, I think a few of you will like it. (Might make a good Desktop wallpaper…)

Click on image to see more by this artist (reco’d)

“star” by rosmary, courtesy of Flickr Commons

Sunday Ugly:

You do look at addresses don’t you? They can be ‘red flags’.
.. “cool cowboy”???

Today’s Tech: Folks, I have long said that I don’t care which antivirus you have on your Internet-connected device as long as you have one; but there’s one I tell my clients to avoid. And I guess I’m not the only one!

* McAfee Founder Elated That Intel Is Renaming Security Products, Says It’s the ‘Worst Software on the Planet’

““I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet,” the ever-colorful McAfee told the BBC. “These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users. My elation at Intel’s decision is beyond words.”” Read more..

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Today’s quote: “People are like stained – glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Hey! Thanks, Google!

Tech whiz kids really are making the world a better place!

* Google just made it really easy for strangers to email you

“You no longer need someone’s email address to send them an email. At least, that will soon be the case if you want to email another Google+ user. A new Gmail “feature” will let you simply type in anyone’s name into Gmail’s “to” field and send them an email. Google announced the new Google+ integration on its Gmail blog today, but company representatives have clarified that — by default — anyone on its social network will be able to send messages to your Gmail inbox.” Read more..

Fortunately, there will be a way for you to opt out (read the article to find the setting), which you’re going want to do, as I think the only people who are going to do this are spammers (and my guess is, they’ll do it a LOT.)

Genius!

(Hey, Google? Google Plus is never going to compete with Facebook, any more than I can flap my arms and fly.. Smell the coffee.)

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Today’s quote: “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” ~ Mark Twain

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.