Just one reason I walked away..
One of today’s delightful headlines.. Rather ordinary, sadly.
* Unsecured server exposes 4 billion records, 1.2 billion people
“Two security researchers have uncovered four billion records on 1.2 billion people on an unsecured Elasticsearch server impacting what is estimated to be hundreds of millions of people.” Read more..
Yes. That’s “billion”. 1,200,000,000
By the time the masses wake up, it’s always far, far too late.
Copyright 2007-2019 © “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.
Just don’t download any apps..
Guys, I have long told people, if you don’t absolutely need it, don’t install it (and you sure as shooting don’t need five media players..). Well now there’s even more reason to repeat that advice.
* More than 1,000 Spyware Apps Found On Android App Stores
“If you think you are downloading apps from Google Play Store and you are secure, then watch out! Someone has managed to flood third-party app stores and Google Play Store with more than a thousand malicious apps, which can monitor almost anything a user does on their mobile device from silently …” Read More..
Update: 500+ Android apps found containing program that can download spyware plug-in
“More than 500 mobile apps on Google Play were recently discovered containing an advertising software development kit capable of downloading malicious plug-ins that can spy on Android users’ call histories.. Apps using the ad SDK, a product called Igexin, were downloaded over 100 million times by Android device owners before Google removed these programs from its store..” Read more..
Tell your friends.
Addenda: I have been asked my thoughts on Wikileaks and the (alleged) CIA hacking tools (such as this one, posted today) often enough now that I think I should mention them here.. please don’t think the CIA are the only folks who can do/are doing these ‘exploits’. They basically copied from the hackers. These things are possible because all our devices/technologies are inherently, fundamentally, insecure. (Don’t believe me? Read this.)
* * *
Today’s quote: “I am thankful the most important key in history was invented. It’s not the key to your house, your car, your boat, your safety deposit box, your bike lock or your private community. It’s the key to order, sanity, and peace of mind. The key is ‘Delete.'” ~ Elayne Boosler
Copyright 2007-2017 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> 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. <<
All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
You just gotta love it…
* Loss from cybercrime exceeded $1.3B in 2016, FBI report
“The financial loss from cybercrime in the U.S. exceeded $1.3 billion in 2016, a rise of 24 percent, according to a new report issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).” Read more..
And remember gang –> that’s ONLY what was reported to the FBI. Think “tip of the iceberg”. (And, only USA losses.. How much global?)
* Google Gets Record-Breaking $2.7 Billion Fine for Manipulating Search Results
“Google has just lost its biggest regulatory battle! Google has been hit with a record-breaking $2.7 billion (€2.42 billion) fine by the European antitrust officials for unfairly manipulating search results since 2008. After a lengthy seven-year investigation that was launched in 2010..” Read more..
.. “since 2008” .. HA! Try, “since Google”. And don’t think Google’s going to pay that fine — the advertisers are. Be smart. Bail out now people.
* Judy Android malware unleashes massive attack on Google Play Store (NOTE! it wasn’t an ‘attack’.. the criminal hackers ‘poisoned’ the site with infected apps.)
“When it comes to apps for mobile devices, InfoSec experts will always recommend downloading from official vendors like the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. While these sites are much more stringent in their standards for malicious app prevention, there are always exceptions (which require the consumer to use common sense).” Read more..
OMG. Too funny. “require people use common sense” ..!
Sad part is.. that ‘attack’ netted tons of cash with automated click fraud (do you advertise? Look up the term ‘click fraud’ NOW!)
ALERT: New Petya ransomware variant attacking computers worldwide
“Following the high profile WannaCry attack merely a month ago, we have detected another ransomware outbreak that is spreading rapidly across the globe. It appears to be a new variant of the known Petya ransomware, also known as Petna, and it has already affected many high profile companies and government institutions across Europe and currently shows no sign of slowing down.” Read more..
And: Six quick facts to know about today’s global ransomware attack
“This is what you need to know — right now.” Read more..
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* And you better believe — my ‘page views’ will take yet another hit for posting this.
Today’s quote: “In view of the fact that God limited the intelligence of man, it seems unfair that He did not also limit his stupidity.” ~ Konrad Adenauer
Copyright 2007-2017 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> 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. <<
All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
Are these people nuts?
Folks, the tech industry is talking about upcoming “improvements” to Windows 10. Which of course is an indicator of the evolution of our devices.. and what the big brains at the billion dollar companies think we want..
* Windows 10: Ten missing and highly anticipated features due in 2017
“A look at the most significant changes due to hit Microsoft’s evolving OS in the coming year.” Read more..
Okay.. I don’t want ANY of that. Do you? (Are you ‘eagerly anticipating’?) Would you even call these ‘improvements’?
The only one I think worthy of mention is for a browser I’ll never use.
I’m going to replace my desktop with a phone..? I guess marijuana is legal in the State of Washington? Cuz they gotta be high.
… It’s like they spend so much time in their labs, they have a complete disconnect with human psychology.. The numbers telling them that people are desperately clinging to Windows XP and Office 2003 must utterly baffle them.
Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> 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. <<
All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
Today’s ‘Must Read’
Folks, not only does everyone need to read this article, but pass it along to their friends and family.
* How your connected home or office is a gift for hackers, criminals, and cyber spies
“The Internet of Things needs to learn how to secure devices — and fast.” Read more..
[ Note: I also highly recommend clicking on some of the embedded articles.. Like, the Snowden one.. ]
Related articles: (In my way of thinking..)
* Britain has passed the ‘most extreme surveillance law ever passed in a democracy’
“The law forces UK internet providers to store browsing histories — including domains visited — for one year. Not only that, the law also gives the intelligence agencies the power to hack into computers and devices of citizens.” Read more..
* Distracted minds: 3 tips to disconnect from tech and increase productivity
“Adam Gazzaley, neurologist and author of The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World, explains how multitasking damages focus, and offers advice for workplace productivity.” Read more..
.. But the truth is, no one’s going to read those. And no one’s going to change their thinking or behavior. I’m wasting my time.
* * *
Today’s quote: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ~ Aesop
Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> 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. <<
All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
Yahoo: Your Personal Info Stolen
If you use Yahoo! mail (or your ISP uses Yahoo Mail) you need to read this news item.
* Yahoo breach; at least 500 million accounts affected
“According to a company statement, stolen information may have included names, email address telephone numbers, birth dates, hashed passwords and, in some instances, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers.” Read more..
[ I think it’s safe to mentally remove the “may have” from that.. ]
Please forward this on to your friends and loved ones who use Yahoo! Mail. Tell ’em they need to change their passwords, and beware of suspicious “phishing” emails that sound like they know you..
And if you don’t know what “phishing” is by now.. please stop using the Internet.
Today’s quote: “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” ~ Winston Churchill
Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
>> 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. <<
All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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