Smartphone protection, Free software, Fun videos, More!

Let me start today by wishing you all a safe, and joyous long holiday weekend! I know many are happy to see the arrival of Fall.

First up: The other day I mentioned Rick Robinette has been quite actively posting on his What’s On My PC..  site. Here’s two more I think you may want to look at.

* NEW FEATURE – Android CM Security Now Includes An App Lock, Phone Finder and Family Locater

“I am often asked what security app do I use on my Android devices (tablet and smartphone)? Answer: I highly recommend CM Security (by Cheetah Mobile). Two of my biggest fears with that computer in my pocket (called a smartphone) is data security and losing my phone. With CM Security and their recently added components, I […]” Read more..

* DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS – Some Really Good, FREE, and Tasty Software

“One of my passions is software and when I come across something that is professional in stature and FREE, I really get excited. Software developers are a completely different breed of people that are dedicated to a building process that can literally require years of devotion to get it just right or to keep up […]” Read more..

[ There’s a media convertia/YouTube downloader some may want to look at.]

Bonus reading:
* The executive order that led to mass spying, as told by NSA alumni

“Feds call it “twelve triple three”; whistleblower says it’s the heart of the problem.” Read more..

* Does Technology Cause ADHD?

“Some experts believe that technology has a role in the rising rates of ADHD — but whether it causes the disorder is still being debated.” Read more..

 [ There’s kinda a Rule.. if you have to ask the question, the answer’s “yes”. Example: “Do I look fat in these jeans?” ]

* CNET presents the 100 hottest devices of the month‏

“CNET 100 is a tech-filled list of the latest and greatest products that give you a look into how they are trending, in real-time using our exclusive algorithm. From the most talked about products to the obscure fascination, you can keep up with the newest tech obsession.” Read more..

Friday Fun Videos (Yes. Plural.)

This first was sent to me by a reader.

And this Fail compilation was posted just two days ago.

Today’s quote: “Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.” ~ Diogenes

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.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

A few more items and Friday Fun

Happy Friday to you all. Here are a few more news items for your consideration.

* ANYONE NEED A BUNCH OF RUINED LAPTOPS? Why One School District Killed Its Student Laptop Program 

“There is no more determined hacker… than a 12-year-old who has a computer.” Read more..

[Yet again, another ‘feel good program’ fails when it bumps into reality..?]

* Apple hit with privacy class-action over iPhone location service

“Apple has been hit with a class-action suit for using the location service function on its iPhones to track customers, alleging that Apple has indeed handed over the information to third parties, including the U.S. government.” Read more..

* How one judge single-handedly killed trust in the US technology industry

“In a single two-hour courtroom session on Thursday morning — just in time for lunch — US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled on a case that has massive global implications for US technology giants.” Read more..

* Encrypt your face and foil the NSA

“Surveillance cameras are everywhere, backed by sophisticated facial recognition software. But you can defeat them, the NSA and whoever else is monitoring you. Here’s how.” Read more..

* Latest Citadel trick allows RDP access after malware’s removal (keyword=”after”)

“Attackers have updated Citadel with a new “trick” that gives them device access even after the banking malware has been detected and removed by administrators, a security firm found.” Read more..

[Geekspeak note: “RDP” (remote desktop protocol) is what tech service types (such as myself) use for ‘remote repairs’. It allows me to see your screen, move your cursor as if I’m moving your mouse, type commands, etc., without visiting your home.]

* Friday Fun Video Note: the first several minutes of this is jet fighter flying stuff, but you can skip that if that’s not your thing. Slide it to 3:50.

* Today’s quote: “Fun is good.” ~ Dr. Seuss

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.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

 

Use Tor or Hotspot Shield? You’re a terrorist!

(Or even Google’d those words?)

One “must read” for all you thinkers out there.

* The NSA Thinks You Are an Extremist If You Care About Privacy

“You don’t have to perform a search about pressure cooker bombs or terrorism to get on the National Security Agency’s radar. Just being a little privacy-conscious and curious about Tor is enough.” Read more..

I suggest forwarding that to your friends and family, as well.

Wow. It’s a fair bet I am on The List because of typing those words… Double “wow”!

Today’s quote: “Maybe this world is another planet’s hell.”  ~ Aldous Huxley

Today’s relief: Another one of those ‘buried into my subconscious’ songs..

“Googled” is a word. How nuts is that?

And speaking of Google: I received an info-Email informing me that Orkut is Kaput (soon).

“After ten years of sparking conversations and forging connections, we have decided it’s time for us to start saying goodbye to Orkut. Over the past decade, YouTube, Blogger and Google+ have taken off, with communities springing up in every corner of the world. Because the growth of these communities has outpaced Orkut’s growth, we’ve decided to focus our energy and resources on making these other social platforms as amazing as possible for everyone who uses them.”

I had to say, “Who? What the ___ is an “Orkut”? (jk)
“Outpaced growth”…
Snicker.

Too bad they didn’t pitch it/mod it to be the place where all the kids go (now that grown-ups [parents and grandparents] have flooded Facebook). Then it might be “monitize-able”….

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. <<

---

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.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

‘Reset the Net’ Initiative, 6-6-44, and Friday Fun too

I think all web surfer’s could benefit from reading this article. (And it includes a free “privacy pack”.)

* ‘Reset the Net’ promotes security at enterprise and individual levels

“Heavyweight tech companies, like Google, Mozilla and Reddit, and privacy advocates have kicked off a campaign to help make users’ online communications and data “NSA-resistant.”” Read more..

Why do we need to be thinking/doing such things? Because the Internet is fundamentally flawed – it was never designed/intended to be used as we now use it.  Yet we blindly go on, business as usual, because 1) it’s all we have, 2) we’re now addicted to it, and 3) it’s making a few (think “handful’) people big money.

Today’s Friday Fun Video

70th Anniversary:

Shortly after midnight the assault opened with the landing of more than 13,000 American, British and Canadian airborne troops …

.. followed by an amphibious landing of Allied infantry commencing at 6:30 AM…

.. wading ashore on five beaches, codenamed “Utah”, “Omaha” (American), “Gold” (British), “Juno” (Canadian), and “Sword” (British). Free French, Polish, and Commonwealth troops also landed. The place was Normandy, France.

The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in history, with over 160,000 troops landing on 6 June, 1944. Over 5,000 ships were involved.

It is my humble opinion that the best book to read if you want to learn about D-Day, and the liberation of France from Nazi occupation, is The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan. (The movie isn’t bad either.. after all, John Wayne’s in it..)

Today’s quote: “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.” ~ Albert Einstein

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. <<

---

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.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

Today’s Tech Turning Us Into Sociopaths?

Folks, here’s another article I think everyone should read (and really think about).

* Today’s Apps Are Turning Us Into Sociopaths

“While I am far from a Luddite who fetishizes a life without tech, we need to consider the consequences of this latest batch of apps and tools that remind us to contact significant others, boost our willpower, provide us with moral guidance, and encourage us to be civil. Taken together, we’re observing the emergence of tech that doesn’t just augment our intellect and lives — but is now beginning to automate and outsource our humanity.” Read more..

Ready for more good news?

* The NSA may not be listening to your private phone calls, but it has been watching your private parts

“The U.K. and U.S. government’s ability to tap into webcams — and directly into your living rooms and offices — shows the biggest and most blatant lack of respect for people’s privacy by Western governments in living memory.” Read more..

Yes.. it is kind of hard to take that all in. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture. But we need to be thinking about this stuff now. (Actually.. yesterday would have been better, but..)

*     *     *

Today’s bonus video: 15 Inaccuracies Found In Common Science Illustrations

Today’s quote: “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” ~ Albert Einstein

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. <<

---

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.

Take Back The Internet

Folks, today a quick reading recommendation, from a man people in my industry listen to.

The U.S. Government Has Betrayed The Internet And We Need To Take It Back

“The NSA has undermined a fundamental social contract. We engineers built the internet – and now we have to fix it.” Read more..

This article is well worth your time, even if you aren’t a Techno-nerd, or think you are “up to speed on” the Snowden/NSA thing.

Copyright 2007-2013 © “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. <<

---

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