TweakHound

Computer stuff...

Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Weekend Random Stuff…

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Best Buy Axes Kapersky
Best Buy is pulling internet security software from a Russian company off its shelves and from its website amid outside concerns that Kaspersky Lab could have links to the Russian government…“In light of what we know about Kaspersky Lab and Russia’s cyberattacks on our private and public networks, this is a very sound decision,” said U.S Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
[Read more…] about Weekend Random Stuff…

Cybersecurity Alert

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Credit reporting firm Equifax says cybersecurity incident could potentially affect 143 million US consumers
– Equifax said data on 143 million U.S. customers was obtained in a breach
– The breach occurred on July 29
– Personal information including birth dates, credit card numbers and more was obtained in the breach

This is bad y’all. Very bad.

*Update 0645hrs 08SEPT2017

ARSTechnica – Why the Equifax breach is very possibly the worst leak of personal info ever
Must read. Too much good info to quote.

DO NOT use the Equifax site (trustedidpremier.com) to put your name and last 6 ssn. Read the article above for why.
In addition, Techcrunch says, “The site’s terms of service seem to state that by agreeing to use this service, the user is waving their rights to bring a class action lawsuit against Equifax.”

*Update 0705hrs 08SEPT2017
Brian Krebs – Breach at Equifax May Impact 143M Americans
Again. Must read. Too much good info to quote

Profound Post

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I don’t post in forums much. I don’t comment in posts much either. I may scan through comments on non-political type posts. There are a few places where most comments are level headed. Askwoody.com Forums is one such place. Once in a while a comment truly impresses me.
A comment by user Canadian Tech is an example. I’ve no idea who he is. I don’t necessarily agree with everything he said but his argument is solid, well reasoned, and well written. If he isn’t a tech writer he should be.

Tuesday News

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Google Chrome 61.0.3163.79
22 security fixes. A few new features.
Google Chrome Web 32-bit  or  Google Chrome 64-bit

Whining About Gmail
Some folks are ticked that Google only kinda stopped scanning email and might go full throttle again.
I get the privacy thing. I really do. But Gmail is a FREE product from an ADVERTISING company. Get over it.
There are lots of free, privacy minded email companies. I use and like ProtonMail.

Dismissing Smart Guys
They dissed Stephen Hawking when he warned that meeting aliens may not be the ET moment we are looking for. Now they are jumping on Elon Musk’s “doomy, gloomy prognosticating“. Basically he warns that Artificial Intelligence isn’t the neatest thing since sliced bread and in fact may be very, very dangerous. Mr. Musk may not be at Dr. Hawking’s level but he sure is hell is way above a reporter’s level. I’m with you Elon.

Getting to know Windows 10
A Power Point presentation from Microsoft. Thought I would pass it along. Not sure I am doing you any favors as it is as much marketing as it is useful info.
Download
“Get started quickly with new features of Windows 10, including Cortana and Microsoft Edge. Personalize Windows and set up your account for apps like Mail, Calendar, and Microsoft Office 365. Stay secure, get organized, and be productive with Windows 10.”

Off Topic
Warlock’s Triumph and Agony turns 30 today

Weekend Random Stuff…

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Hysterical Headline Of The Week
Windows is doomed
“To be clear, with its emphasis on the cloud, artificial intelligence, and more, Microsoft may well continue to thrive. But Windows — once the core of the company and seemingly central to so many of our lives — is likely beyond saving.”
Another Windows / the PC / Firefox / etc.. is dying article.
I call B.S.

Reason #4,857,357 To Get Off Of Social Media
The IRS is watching your Facebook account.
“Those Facebook posts from your vacation on a white sand beach, or that purchase of a fancy new vehicle, could be attracting views from the federal government.”

Threat Mitigations in Windows 10
Uber Geek article VERY briefly discussing Win10’s built in security defenses. The last sentence tells you the whole purpose of the article:
“These are all the more reasons to move to Windows 10 as quickly as possible to remain protected against modern cyber threats.”

IOT And Your ISP
All those gadgets in your house that connect to the internet can allow your ISP to spy on you.
“…encryption doesn’t stop ISPs from knowing which internet-of-things devices their users have, nor does it stop them seeing when we use those devices. In the Princeton study, ISPs could track a user’s sleep patterns by detecting when a sleep tracker was connecting to the internet. It also revealed that ISPs could identify when a home security camera detected movement and when someone was watching a live stream from their security camera.”

Premium Keyboard. Premium Price.
$200. Still, looks to be an awesome keyboard.