Category: News

News, annoucements

VR spacewalk – ISS walking tour premiere

At my 2019 college reunion, there was an exhibit room which celebrated physicist Richard Feynman’s life and work: “The Mind’s Eye: Richard Feynman in Word and Image.” In a small area of that room, there were a dozen or so chairs for viewing a multimedia presentation by donning a VR headset. Well, this latest space… Continue reading VR spacewalk – ISS walking tour premiere

iPhone system updates – 2021 iOS flurry

Are you getting annoyed at the constant nags to update your iPhone? Is it worth all the time it takes to process – to download-check-install and reboot your device? If you’re getting notices the last month or so that yet another iOS update is available for your iPhone, then you’re not alone. I was getting… Continue reading iPhone system updates – 2021 iOS flurry

Lookalike web page addresses

Ever mistype a Web page address? Mistype the URL? Like typing “Gogle” instead of “Google.” Ever click a result from a Google search that looked like the site you wanted but took you to something else? With maybe some scary ads? Well, these two articles (links below) are a reminder about this common way criminals… Continue reading Lookalike web page addresses

macOS 10.14 — mountains to the desert — High Sierra to Mojave

Today Apple officially released a new version of its macOS. The name of the new system — “Mojave” — celebrates the desert rather than the mountains of the High Sierra, and updates to version 10.14 from 10.13.6. Available on your Mac from the Apple Menu > App Store > Featured > Mac App Store, Apple… Continue reading macOS 10.14 — mountains to the desert — High Sierra to Mojave

GDPR privacy notifications — primrose path of default settings

I’ve been getting a lot of privacy policy update notifications in my email since last month. As part of terms and conditions for use of a product or service. All in response to the GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation, a European Union Regulation which was implemented on May 25, 2018. Many companies sell products and… Continue reading GDPR privacy notifications — primrose path of default settings

Spectre and Meltdown — Intel patches progress

Yesterday, PC World posted some articles regarding progress in the continuing Spectre and Meltdown saga. Intel quietly releases Spectre fixes for Haswell and Broadwell CPUs The fixed Spectre fixes are coming fast and furious now. Intel quietly pushed CPU firmware updates out for Haswell (4th-generation) and Broadwell (5th-generation) processors earlier this week, following in the… Continue reading Spectre and Meltdown — Intel patches progress

Ad blocking — Chrome enters the mix

If you’re already using an ad blocker with your favorite Web browsers, you’re in good company. Eliminating the clutter and distraction is one thing (which some browsers’ Reader View can do). But ad clutter also slows down page loading, consumes more battery power, and poses some privacy and security risks. Google and Facebook command the… Continue reading Ad blocking — Chrome enters the mix

Best video streamer — Roku?

Some of my clients are using streaming devices (or sticks) for viewing movies and TV shows on their TVs over the Internet. Quite popular — these over-the-top (OTT) services versus over-the-air (OTA) or cable TV channels. Personally I’ve used a Fire TV Stick since 2015. And if all you’re interested in is getting to Netflix, that’s… Continue reading Best video streamer — Roku?

macOS High Sierra — to upgrade or not

Starting today, the latest upgrade for macOS — High Sierra — is available. As always, the question is whether to upgrade or not; or, when to upgrade. This CNET article “7 things to know before upgrading to MacOS High Sierra 10.13” discusses this question: “Yes, if you answer any of these affirmatively: You’re paranoid about… Continue reading macOS High Sierra — to upgrade or not

iOS 11 Upgrade — new features for iPhone and iPad

Starting today (September 19, 2017), the iOS 11 upgrade for iPhone and iPad will be available on your Apple devices. There’s lots of coverage of this release. Here’s one (Macworld) article reviewing the changes and new features: “iOS 11 review: Apple’s most ambitious and impressive upgrade in years.” If you’re an iPad user, download iOS… Continue reading iOS 11 Upgrade — new features for iPhone and iPad

Caller ID spoofing — electric company warning

I’ve written about this before: whether it’s at your front door or on your phone or on your computer, scammers use the same tricks. In this case, spoofing their identity. Southern California Edison send out this email notice last week. *** Subject: Important message from SCE: Beware of caller ID spoofing That ‘Southern California Edison’ phone… Continue reading Caller ID spoofing — electric company warning

Windows 10 Creators Update

So, congrats if your PC is running Windows 10. Whether you are interested or not in Windows 10 releases, ready or not, here comes the next edition: Windows 10 Creators Update, which will start rolling out (over a period of weeks or months) to the general public on April 11. Most of us will see this release… Continue reading Windows 10 Creators Update

AARP Fraud Watch Network

As noted in the latest VIPRE Security News, AARP created a Fraud Watch Network site: an interactive, national campaign to fight fraud and identity theft and give Americans access to information about how to protect themselves and their families. The new site’s mission is: Fight Back Against Scams in Your State AARP’s Fraud Watch Network… Continue reading AARP Fraud Watch Network

Firefox Web Browser Gets Another Update

A recent PC World article noted that once again a new version of Firefox was released last week. Mozilla last week released Firefox 26, which kicked off a limited form of click-to-play function and patched 15 security vulnerabilities, six of which were marked “critical.” I recommend Firefox to my clients. Firefox has some features which… Continue reading Firefox Web Browser Gets Another Update

It’s the mo-o-o-ost dangerous time of the year

A recent PC World article reminded us that “Tech threats abound beyond spam, malware during holidays.” Cyber criminals are all over social media sites, trying to get you to click on links from your “friends,” or to open up fake e-cards. Or, they’re trying to scam you into purchasing fraudulent gift cards for unbelievably low… Continue reading It’s the mo-o-o-ost dangerous time of the year

Holiday Cyber Risks

IDG’s CSO* recently posted an article titled “5 risks to avoid for the holidays” summarizing scams and risks to beware of for the holidays. In particular, watch out for spoofed emails purportedly from shippers and payment processing agents. Also fake e-cards. Fake messages frequently include instructions to open an attachment or click on a link.… Continue reading Holiday Cyber Risks