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Think Facebook is bad for privacy? check out google.

Reno computer repair - google
Reno computer repair – google

While Facebook has been on the bad end of the news cycle for a time now with all their privacy issues. It might surprise some (or not) all the information Google keeps on you.

Searches, visited websites, tablet and phone access and more. A warning here if your on a shared computer (everybody using the same browser and account) you might not want to see this.

But if your curious how much google has on you click the link to your account information… You can also delete this information from this page. Which I might suggest becomes a new habit for you.

https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity?utm_source=my-activity&utm_campaign=my-act-restricted

 

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Change Facebook Ad Preferences

Reno-computer-Repair-Online-Privacy
Reno-computer-Repair-Online-Privacy

Seems with the loss of 5 billion or so in wall street value Facebook has finally found a reason to start taking some of its end users privacy concerns seriously.

Starting with a simplified interface you can now go into the depths of Facebook land and change “some” of the things you are shown while on their website.

If you are a long time user you may wish to plan  some “away” time to wade through the hundreds if not thousands of categories that have been connected to your account  and I would definitely suggest that you expand the settings to view to find all the ways the big “F” has been tracking you.

But if you take the time and go back once in awhile to review what new things they have learned about you delete them. You can keep what they know about you to a minimum.

Of course if you don’t have a reason to share everything with everybody on the planet you can also change the settings so that only your friends can see what you post.

At any rate it might be fun to see how much Facebook as learned about you.

(or not).

You can review and change your Facebook Ad privacy settings here..

https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences

 

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Want to share your life on Facebook? Don’t be Surprised when companies steal your data.

Reno Computer Repair - Cambridge Analytica
Reno Computer Repair – Cambridge Analytica

Cambridge Analytica is in the news for allegedly stealing user data from Facebook and then using it to help the GOP in the 2016 election. In short they took user data from Facebook profiles while users were interacting with a personality quiz.

While this company claims that they did not violate Facebook’s rules on how they handle data and that they also complied with their own “privacy” policy. It just goes to show that when using almost any “free” service online, you are paying for it in the end by supplying information about yourself to that company and any 3rd party they share or sell that information to.

While this case seems to deal primarily with people clicking on a Facebook link and then going to a 3rd party website to take a quiz.  There are many ways that Facebook (or the companies they “work” with) can take (steal) your data.

So how do you protect yourself while in “Zuckerberg Land”? There are a number of ways to limit (but never eliminate) the chances your data ends up where you never expected it to.

Limit what information you share in your bio: 

Do you real need to put every school you went to? Where you worked or work at? What your favorite restaurant or movies are? How you voted last time around? The State and city you live in? The more information you give away, the easier it is to collect and then refine what is know about you. Share less and be safer.

Change the privacy settings on Facebook:

Click on the help icon then settings and then privacy. Under “Your Activity” change your settings from “public” to “friends only”. Look at the other settings and decide what levels you feel comfortable with. For me I don’t wish to share my phone numbers and other info with strangers.

Don’t play that Game:

Every game, survey, quiz and who were you in a past life link on Facebook is for the most part paid for by an outside company. And that company somehow needs to pay to run the website that said link game or quiz  is running from.

Most companies don’t give away stuff for free unless they are somehow going to make money from you. So the vast majority of these companies are gathering your information and selling it.  Don’t play the games and take the quizzes and they will have less of your information.

The Takeaway: 

The less information you give to Facebook (or any company online) the more privacy you will enjoy. So the next time a Facebook recommend or sponsored post appears in your feed offering to show you what Egyptian Pharaoh you were in a past life pops up. Keep scrolling…

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Did you read page 327 of your privacy policy?

Reno Computer Repair Privacy
Reno Computer Repair Privacy

Every website you go to, every app you install and each social media account you open, more than likely has a privacy policy. The fine print as it were, that you must accept if you wish to use most modern services today. They are even baked into Microsoft Windows (I see the disclaimer each time I setup Windows in my computer repair shop), the ISP you used to get here and read this, your credit card issuers, banks, your home, car and student loans. As well as  TV’s that can stream movies, Alexa and too many other products to list.

But of course these agreements let you know about the many protections these companies take to insure what they learn about you never gets out to the real world and that all your information is safe and sound with an army of employee’s guarding it with their very life’s, right?

To bad that is not the case in the 21st century. These privacy agreements let most companies sell, share and use your information almost any way they want. All those “free” websites, accounts and apps are paid for with every click you make and each cat video you watch. Ever notice after watching  a bunch of videos about a subject, you see ads for something similar for weeks afterward?  That’s your “privacy” in action. And it’s all legitimate and legal. All because you really “read” all the pages in your EULA and the Privacy policy, right?

Some of these documents can contain north of 100+ printed pages. So companies know they are safe stuffing almost anything they want into these “fair warning” agreements.

But while all this is bad enough, the really scary part is in many (if not most) cases deep, deep down in this document will be something to the effect of this…

“From time to time we may share some (or all) of your information with our partners, suppliers and on occasion with law enforcement or other legal  entities that may have jurisdiction over data we have collected about you.”

And all these different companies and agencies in many cases are free to do whatever they like with your information once they acquire it from the primary company you shared your data with. In other words once one company gets your information in can then be shared or bought by other companies, who can then share or resell it to yet other companies.

So the fact that you might stay up every Friday night watching cat’s in tuxedo videos at 3am while also on review websites for the best pot shops in California could, after being shared over and over with different companies, end up being bought by your car insurance company that now raises your rates out of the blue because you have a higher risk of driving while under the influence.

The gist here is that you should read all agreements before clicking on the “agree” button. It might not be worth installing the next add rabbit ears to all my face shoots app, if your giving up information you never thought anybody can or should see.

As an example, here is a link to paypals “3rd party list”. They only share with 500+ companies. What could go wrong?

https://www.paypal.com/ie/webapps/mpp/ua/third-parties-list

 

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Meltdown – The Intel CPU Security Flaw.

Meltdown – The Intel CPU Security Flaw.

Intel's Computer chip security flaw.
Intel’s CPU flaw

A critical design flaw in Intel based CPUs, going back ten years has been discovered by security researchers. Who have coined the name “meltdown” to describe the bug built into most Intel based chips and by extension most of the worlds computers.

The flaw allows the Kernel memory in most x86-64 operating systems, Windows, Macs and Linux, to be accessed by specially written malware that could then provide a users data to an attacker or allow the attacker to install other software on the compromised system.

While Intel has ramped up its PR machine to downplay the flaw. I find it a bit odd from an ethics viewpoint that their CEO Brian Krzanich, sold 24 million dollars in stock options AFTER Intel was informed of the flaw by Google. As reported by Business Insider…

http://www.businessinsider.com/intel-ceo-krzanich-sold-shares-after-company-was-informed-of-chip-flaw-2018-1

As a physical replacement (after a redesign) of every CPU sold in the last ten years would be almost impossible to accomplish, its going to have to be a software fix implemented at the operating system level to address this blunder.

Linux programmers already have a Kernel replacement being tested while Apple and Microsoft have made statements their operating systems will be patched in the days and weeks to come.

But due to the nature of the flaw all these fixes will have to bypass or change the way the O/S will address each systems Kernel memory, resulting in a system slowdown of anywhere from 5% to 30%.

So for some end users their computer may lose close to 1/3 of their speed overnight, after the respective patches are applied to their operating system. All to address Intel’s massive screw up.

I am sure the lawyers are already preparing their class action lawsuits as I write this. But it won’t be much help to the regular computer user.

And from a computer repair and support viewpoint, this will mean IT support departments, computer stores and independent computer repair technicians will start to soon receive a large influx of support calls from users that have no idea Intel’s bug is the cause of the coming slowdown and will demand a fix.

And unfortunately one will not be coming soon from Intel, as it takes years to redesign and re tool production for a new or at least updated CPU. And while many people may run out and buy a new computer once they discover their current computer’s performance hit after the patches are installed. It will not really do that much good if they try and get a system with the same specs as they had before. As the chips will still be defective.

UPDATE 1/10/18

While Apple, Microsoft and others have pushed patches to address this issue, it seems that these fixes are not ready for primetime just yet. With AMD chipset users and other systems that use certain antivirus products either being bricked after being updated or stuck in a reboot loop.

At this time as no real world attack has been demonstrated to be out in the “wild” just yet. It may be a better idea to wait to install these patches until they can be demonstrated to be working on the vast majority of systems. Not 100% safe, but better than bricking your system. I am sure in the weeks to come working patches will become available.

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Apple slows down iPhones?

Apple has, after a recent update been accused of intentionally slowing down it’s older iPhones. And after a few bloggers have tested their old phones, it seems to be the case.

So is this some conspiracy to get you to buy a new phone at almost $1000 a pop, or is their a reasonable explanation to this “update?”

It maybe a combination of both. Apple does not make any extra money if you hold onto your iPhone forever. And if you have seen the iPhone “Season” commercials it looks like your supposed to buy a new iPhone every year.  And I guess it’s to their advantage if they can get you to spend upwards of $1000 every 365 days. And all this blends in very well with the trash talk that Apple is slowing down your old phone to make you buy a brand new one.

But Apple claims that the update was to prevent older iPhones from shutting down unexpectedly. Which makes a little sense, knowing that older batteries do indeed discharge faster than newer ones will and a phone that quickly shuts down after a charge is inconvenient to use.

In my view it might be a mix of both reasons. Apple does want to increase sales year over year, but also needs to try and make sure their older products do not get a reputation for failing badly at the end of their life cycle. And I might 100% believe their claim of such if they had of implemented this update in a different way.

Instead of a update that installs this new battery management protocol in the background, I would have made some kind of popup asking the phone user if they would like to have their phone slowed down to increase battery life. Then the phone owner knows what is going on and made the choice themself.

By not asking for permission to implement a major change in the function of their phones, Apple left themselfs wide open to these claims against them. And I doubt if they will ever be able to get rid of these rumours without changing the update in the way I described above.

So is this a flat out fraud? Slowing down phones just to get people to buy the next one? I doubt it. My thinking takes me to a conclusion that they indeed were trying to fix something. But they’re weird implementation of the fix also implies to me that they had few qualms of hiding it in such a way that they would not be obverse to selling a few new phones along the way.

Update: 12/28/17

Apple has come out and apologized for their bad handling of this software update and is now offering consumers a $29 battery replacement. But I still have to wonder why they would not just adjust the software update to let end users decide if they want their iPhones speed changed or not. In the end still being forced to buy something or having your phone intentionally slowed down, would play into the rumors that they are just trying to find a way to force people to buy new equipment.

 

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The FCC just killed Net Neutrality

It seems that once again the FCC has sided with big companies to take away the average computer users rights. With the end of Net Neutrality expect to see higher costs and slower service, presented in confusing packages. Also expect to see more big players kick out and stifle development by innovative, smaller companies.

Take note today of your current cost per month for the Internet. I can all but guarantee that next year you will be seeing higher prices, with less access than before.

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Why Net Neutrality is Essential

Who cares about Net Neutrality? Why does it matter if companies get to do what they want. They own the networks right?

In a nutshell it’s all about being fair. Today every website in the world must be treated equally by your Internet Service Provider or (ISP). In other words Netflix gets the same priority and download speeds as Facebook or your aunt’s personal homepage about her cat, fluffy.

Without this rule your ISP can slow down a website, play your favorite movie in low resolution or even charge you extra money to go to Facebook, hulu etc…

They can even block websites so they can replace services you like with services that make them more money.  Want to start paying extra for every google search or have to use comcast’s search engine instead? This can (and will) happen if these rules are repealed.

Own a small website that helps you get new clients? You might have to pay extra to be seen on Charter, Comcast or AT&T. And if you don’t pay up you could lose all your viewers and customers that use these providers because they will never even see you. This makes the hassle of Search engine optimization (SEO) seem like a walk in the park compared to what might be coming.

Imagine you own a non-profit and have to pay extra money to each ISP just to get the word out. Would that hurt the money you will have available for your cause? I would think so.

What if these ISP’s decide that a secure connection to your credit card or bank account (HTTPS) should be a “premium” service and you have to pay $5.00 each time you want to check your balance or pay for a Amazon purchase? What will happen if you have to pay $1.00 for every cat video on YouTube or $5.00 for each porn video (I know it’s your teenage son doing it)? Maybe 25 cents for each email you get from that Nigerian Prince? Without Net Neutrality the sky is the only limit.

Worse yet, what about your first amendment rights? You think if you post a negative review about comcast that they won’t have some kind of automated filtering system in place so none of their customers ever even see it? Without Net Neutrality they would have nothing stopping them from blocking what they wish.

What if the Koch brothers (or insert here villain of your choosing) payoff AT&T a billion bucks to block all Pro Democrat advertising or comments on their network. Or somebody blocks the NRA, Peta, Planned Parenthood? What if a woman was searching for birth control information and got redirected to the Catholic Church?

It matters not, right / left or anarchist . The things you care about and wish to support or learn more about could vanish at the press of the “enter” key tomorrow.

As much as these companies will wish to have you fall for the “we built” the network and it should be “free” from all regulation ideal. It’s just plain wrong, and we are being willfully misdirected on this subject.

The original network (ARPANET) was paid for with your tax dollars. The Universities that then expanded it were paid for with your money. And every major ISP has taken government money (aka, YOUR MONEY) to develop and expand it into the Internet we all rely on today. The US Air Force is in charge of cyber security of the countries networks. And guess who pays for the Air Force?

The Internet belongs to you and me and anybody that says different is trying to scam you.

If we lose this rule, everything we do on the net will become a premium service or you will have to buy a package like we already do for cable TV. And as most know first hand, these packages are seldom fair to the customer. It will turn into buying HBO and getting 25 crappy channels with it that you never watch. And then having to do the same thing to get Showtime. Just Replace HBO and Showtime with Netflix and Facebook and you get an idea of what may come.

If you don’t like what will happen without Net Neutrality, then you need to do something to keep the Internet the way you like and have grown to use it. Or it will all go away.

Sign the petition below and write or call your representatives, ASAP!

NET NEUTRALITY Petition to Congress

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The end of net neutrality

Today is save net neutrality day.

Many companies want your law makers to change how information is processed by your Internet provider. While it might seem innocent, know that the Internet you enjoy today was built on equal access for all.

If these companies have their way within a few years you will find that with data caps and speed tiers your experience on the Net will become slower (for the most part) and more expensive. With you having to pay a premium to access your favorite websites and services.

Contact your lawmakers today and let them know you want to keep the Net Neutrality rules that are already in place. If you don’t, then expect to pay more in the future for sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and Youtube.

 https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12/

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Testing software

I test software all the time as I need to be familiar with any products my customers may use or try.  Today’s test was for Easeus partition master 12. A consumer level drive partition and maintenance utility.

While I would give the program itself a 3 out of 10 for usability, as most of the real functions you would need already exist in other free utilities and the price they want for their version is hundreds of dollars over what their competitors ask for.  The real disappointment was with their business practice of including crap ware with their product, and the fact the program changes your default search and home pages.

Now  I know if you look carefully and unchecked the right box on the right EULA page you don’t have to install this junk. But for their target end user who would be using this utility because they are not very computer savvy, it can easily be missed and that consumer would then have five extra programs and new search and home pages they never asked for.

Also as a bonus lesson on how not to do a uninstall program. I would suggest they dump the pop up webpage asking yet again to change your search pages when you try and uninstall the program. After all if your uninstalling, you are saying in general you did not like the program and want to go back to the way things were before installing said software. Right?