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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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.)
Finally! A few items of interest.
After a dry spell, I found some attention-worthy items.
* Hell no, we won’t pay: How technology transformed our perception of value
“What does this culture and technology of anti-spendism mean for the future consumption and valuation of goods and services?” Read more..
That (above) is the main “should read”. Here are a few others that might also interest you.
* Aereo ruled illegal by Supreme Court; must pay copyright fees
“The future of Internet TV was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. And it didn’t go in cordcutters’ favor.” Read more..
[ Surprised? ]
* Hackonomics: Cybercrime’s cost to business
“How much does getting hacked actually cost a business? Looking closely at the cyber black market’s cost factors is worrying, but offers insight into keeping crime’s cost low.” Read more..
[ Sure. For as long as the cost is low enough.. we can ignore it! ]
This will depress you (but you better know it): HackingTeam tool makes use of mobile malware targeting all major platforms
“Researchers have uncovered troubling details about a mobile surveillance service provided by HackingTeam, an Italian seller of monitoring software.” Read more..
[ Sorry for putting TWO ‘must reads’ in one article.. ]
Related: iOS Safer Than Android? Maybe Not
“Common wisdom holds that iOS is inherently secure and Android is inherently vulnerable. But a new study by Marble Security found that Android and iOS devices pose equal security challenges.” Read more..
Sometimes I think (and then other times, I’m quite certain) the lunatics are running the asylum.
Today’s quote: “Never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence.” ~ Napoleon
Copyright 2007-2014 © “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.
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.)
December Tuesday Tidbits
Folks, here are a few items of interest for your consideration.
Click on image
* In a newsletter article titled 100 Stress Relief Tips for IT Pros, I found one of those always-on “live’ webcam feeds.. I liked it, but it made me feel twice as cold.
* NSA amasses nearly 5B cell phone records daily for location-based tracking
“The National Security Agency (NSA) is using a sophisticated analytics tool that deciphers sweeping amounts of cell phone location data gleaned from worldwide mobile users, new reports reveal.” Read more..
Related: “Tower dump” of consumer mobile data a popular police snooping tactic
“New reports have revealed the extent to which local law enforcement engage in mass collection of consumer cell phone data to aid in their investigations.” Read more..
* Discovery of two million hacked credentials, ‘123456’ is again the common password
“Researchers with SpiderLabs, the advanced security team with information security company Trustwave, discovered a treasure trove of nearly two million pilfered credentials from a variety of companies, including Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Twitter, LinkedIn and payroll service provider ADP.” Read more..
Sigh
* Yahoo! Mail Outage. Anyone else?
* Top 3 weirdest news items of 2013
“We’re all used to hearing about the typical threats and outcomes, but here are three extremely bizarre news items that stood out to us this year.” See slideshow
Jingle bells, jingle bells …
If you just have time to read one, read the ‘tower dump’ one.
Today’s quote: “If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
Copyright 2007-2013 © “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.
Big Brother Big Business
A Society of Surveillance: Everyone Should Be Aware Of Our Current Reality
CNBC’s David Faber examines the rapid advance of technology that allows companies to monitor our every move and record our most private personal information.
Folks, the same reader who submitted Saturday’s article on protecting your privacy submitted this video. I am not a big fan of CNBC, but this should be seen by every voter, IMHO. It will open your eyes.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Related:
Concerned About Government Snooping?
Linux in your car*
Kids, the Internet, and the End of Privacy
“In Germany, they first came for the gypsies, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a gypsy. Then they came for the Bolsheviks, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Bolshevik. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics. I didn’t speak up then because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up.” – Martin Niemoller, A Lutheran Pastor arrested by the Gestapo in 1937
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved. 
post to jaanix.
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Britons Wake Up. Too Late.
Ever-Present Surveillance Rankles the British Public
“Successive U.K. governments have gradually constructed one of the most extensive and technologically advanced surveillance systems in the world.. The development of electronic surveillance and the collection and processing of personal information have become pervasive, routine and almost taken for granted.”
This NY Times article is an important read. It seems that people in England are discovering that giving one’s government too much power might not be such a good thing.
“It has become commonplace to call Britain a “surveillance society,” a place where security cameras lurk at every corner, giant databases keep track of intimate personal details and the government has extraordinary powers to intrude into citizens’ lives.”
All I can say is.. isn’t it a little late to think of that?
This article features one woman’s experience in a striking example of abuse of power, and it is a glimpse at our future.. unless we get smart now, and stop buying into the “it’s for your protection” (aka “combats terrorism”) lie. Surveillance is NOT necessarily a good thing, people.
Please read, Ever-Present Surveillance Rankles the British Public
Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved. post to jaanix
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Creepy Electronic Toys
This Little Guy Creeps Me Out
I came across an ad for this “electronic toy”, and it caught my eye because it said “erector set” (which to this dinosaur does not equate with ‘electronics’) .. and it said “spy” (which to this dinosaur does not equate with ‘toy’).
Spykee The Spy Robot takes interactive Erector sets beyond the limits of kids’ imagination. This latest build-your-own Erector set from Nikko America does everything from play digital music to guard a home or business.
Spy from Anywhere
Recommended for ages eight and up, Spykee is far more than your ordinary toy robot. Perfect for audio-visual surveillance, Spykee has the ability to move, watch, speak, and hear. With a built-in video camera and microphone, the robot takes real-time pictures with video and with sound effects. When motion is detected, Spykee activates an alarm or sends a picture by email. Compatible with Skype 3.0 (PC) technology, Spykee can also be used as a VoIP phone and web camera. Best of all, this motorized robot is equipped with a WiFi card, which means kids can access and control Spykee via the Internet from anywhere in the world.
3-in-1 Robot Fun
But there’s more fun than just spying! Combining a classic robot design with the latest technology, kids can use Spykee to construct three different robot models from this same set. Downloading their favorite songs to Spykee, this spy robot even acts as a digital music player with its own loudspeakers. Compatible with most Erector sets, it features lights and optical fibers, and an IR auto-parking recharging system automatically sends Spykee back to the power station for a recharge.
Spykee has its own website, and you can find out more – and watch a video of Spykee in action – by clicking here. The video is worth the click.
When I look at this, I am reminded of Robo Cop (I can see a man-sized version of this); and, I get a bit pessimistic about Man’s future…
It’s a phone? It’s an MP3 player? Anywhere in the world?
Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved. post to jaanix
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• 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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