Computer News

Protest To Protect Net Neutrality
Sept 26-27: The Internet descends on Washington
“On September 26-27 Internet users from across the country will converge on Washington, DC to meet directly with their members of Congress, which is by far the most effective way to influence their positions and counter the power of telecom lobbyists and campaign contributions. First you can attend a training hosted by Public Knowledge who will share years of experience on how to be effective in these meetings. Participants will be paired with a guide to show you where to go on Capitol Hill to participate in meetings with key lawmakers.”

Chrome Vs. Edge and IE
This “Browser Security White Paper” that “has been sponsored by Google” claims Google Chrome is more secure than Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer.

Screw You Guys I’m Going Home
The EFF doesn’t like the W3C supporting DRM so they quit. Well played guys!

CCleaner
Nothing new to report.

Off Topic
Forget getting rich – sex and sleep are the real keys to happiness (and beer, they forgot beer!)

Software Updates
Google Chrome 61.0.3163.91 – 32-bit or 64-bit
VirtualBox 5.1.28

How Is This Even Possible
Apparently the U.S. Navy needs to follow Commander Adama’s advice, ““We don’t allow Colonialnet connections on Fleet assets,”. Seriously, WTF?

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…

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

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

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.

Texas, we are thinking of you.
If anyone knows of a good, reputable charity that doesn’t pay their staff 6 figures please contact me directly. I want any donations to specifically and only go to the Texans who need it. I will research any suggestions.
Do not put links to charities in the comment section. I will delete them. Sorry but disasters bring out scum who look to capitalize on the misery of others.

And now, on to some interesting articles I’ve read over the last several days.

Let’s Talk Kaspersky
This is a sort of OpEd by Tim at Major Geeks. He makes some outstanding points.
No evidence has been shown yet that the Russian-based Kaspersky Labs is “nothing more than a front for Russian intelligence.”

White House Confirms – Kaspersky Tied to Russian Government (thanks Kelly)
There is a connection between Kaspersky and Russian intelligence, and I’m absolutely certain that Russian intelligence would want to use that connection to their advantage.
Fair warning. Article is at PCPitstop. They are a competitor of Kaspersky.

Swearing proves you are f****** brilliant: Intelligent people are more likely to be foul-mouthed and walk around naked at home, claims study
People with higher intellects were more likely to curse, eat spicy breakfasts and lounge around the house naked, while extroverts were more likely to drive cars faster that 75mph, gamble and go to the pub.

People Favor Highly-Reviewed Products, Even When They Shouldn’t
“We found that people were biased toward choosing to purchase more popular products and that this sometimes led them to make very poor decisions,”

Congress Quietly Passed A Bill Allowing Warrantless Searches of Homes – Only 1% Opposed It
The text gives the Commission the authority to enter property near the Metro Rail System “without limitation” and without a warrant, for the purpose of “making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing.”
This clearly goes against the Fourth Amendment, which states that Americans’ rights “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”