Does My Macbook Need Protection?

Apple has bragged for years that their computers were unlikely to be hacked and that it was even less likely that they could get viruses.

Check this out:

"a new security vulnerability in MacBook batteries means that it’s possible that future hackers won’t just try to steal your credit card numbers, but might actually cause your computer to meltdown instead.

The vulnerability was discovered by Accuvant security researcher Charlie Miller, who says that Apple’s MacBook batteries use default passwords on their MacBooks.

Why’s that a problem? Well, because the batteries use default passwords, the battery controller can be compromised by any malicious hacker who knows the password, giving him access to the low level hardware. This security hole can then be exploited in various ways, from just causing the battery to stop functioning to auto-installing malware. It can even cause full on overheating.

Miller got the passwords by backwards engineering one of Apple’s 2009 battery update.

The good news is that right now, this isn’t a major security threat. To get remote access to the battery of your MacBook, a malware developer would first have to figure out a way to bypass OS X’s security measures, which isn’t an easy task."

http://www.cultofmac.com/105843/hacker-your-macbooks-battery-is-vulnerable-to-viruses-malware-and-meltdown/

And there is more to come.

What can you do?

Well, DO NOT use Mac Defender! It's bad. see this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Defender

Also, I do not trust MacKeeper. There is a lot of contradictory information about it on the Net. Many praise it, but others are not as kind. I have had a certified Apple technician tell me that a possible cause of a recent Macbook meltsdown "could" have been caused by MacKeeper. My thought: Why take the chance?

One that I like is

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition

It seems to do very well at catching malware, because Mac's CAN get Trojan malware, especially if they connect to other computing devices.

Read reviews of the program and see what you think and ask me questions!

Protect Your Phones!

Your phones are full of your personal information. If you lose it, what will you do? I spoke with a parent yesterday whose iPhone plunged into the ocean last week. She has always kept a notebook with her contacts listed, but do the rest of us? Some people are using iCloud to synchronize their iPhones, but is that enough? What if you don’t use an iPhone but one of the Android or Blackberrys? These are questions you probably should figure out answers to.

And, now that you can use a phone for mobile banking, the dangers just keep increasing. Here is an excerpt from a recent article:

“…study released this month by computer security firm Symantec.

The study began with Symantec personnel "losing" 50 smartphones in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; and the San Francisco Bay area. The smartphones were equipped with special tracking software that allowed researchers to find out what the people who found the phones attempted to do with them. They monitored what apps the finders attempted to open, what websites they attempted to access, and where they took the phone physically.

The results can't be comforting for those who keep and access sensitive financial information and conduct financial business on their smartphones. Here are some points from the study.

• An attempt to access an online banking app was observed on 43 percent of the devices.
• A "Saved Passwords" file was accessed on 57 percent of the phones.
• Sixty-six percent of the devices showed attempts to click through the login or password reset screens (where a login page was presented with username and password fields that were prefilled, suggesting that the account could be accessed by simply clicking on the "login" button).
• Of the 50 devices, the owner only received 25 offers to help, despite the fact that the owner's phone number and email address were clearly marked in the contacts app.

While the sample size of the study was relatively small, it does suggest that if you're using technologies like mobile banking, mobile payments and person-to-person payment apps and you lose your smartphone, it's very possible the person who finds it will attempt to use them to steal from you.”

Go to this link if you want more information.

http://www.bankrate.com/financing/banking/lost-smartphones-a-target-for-thieves/?ec_id=cmct_01_comm_PF_image_headline

I've Got the Music In Me!

Okay, so here is my mini-rant about illegal downloading:

Is it fair to get an artist's music for free and he (or she) gets nothing? Just because you can steal doesn't mean that you should.

Most singers and songwriters work, practice and struggle for years before they get a hit or an album produced. Paul McCartney used to stay locked in his bathroom, as a teenager, practicing the guitar, for hours. It made his family a little crazy. It would be several years before he met that Lennon boy and they started a band. A band that had a couple of good songs...

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (Lady Gaga) began learning piano at age four and started writing at 11, but it would be almost ten more years before her career would really take off. Is it fair to steal her music when she worked so hard to be able to create it?

But, you might say, its easier and more convenient to just download with Limewire, Bittorent, Frostwire or any of the many ways you can cheat. Or you may say, "They don't need the money because they're rich". And, you may also say, it's only wrong if you get caught.

I will say this:

1. Bad guys like to infect music and video files with viruses, just because they can.
2. Don't ignore the illegal part. The RIAA has tracked down, prosecuted and fined some folks thousands of dollars.
3. Didn't you ever watch "Behind the Music"? How many bands and singers got ripped off by accountants, agents and family? For all you know, they are not as rich as you might think and might actually need some money. MC Hammer, anyone?
4. Whether it is easy or hard, socially acceptable or not, wrong is wrong. Do the right thing and Be Good!

If you want to have music at your Internet fingertips and are low on funds, try Spotify. It's free and has ALOT of music.

Or, try Google Music. Right now it is free and it let's you upload YOUR OWN MUSIC to the cloud. If you have songs on your computer, you can upload them to Google (MP3's and Flac).

So, we have discussed morality, empathy and finances. You still don't agree with me, do you?

What Did You Say?

How does a community of folks from various countries coexist and communicate? I dunno...

No, really, I mean, you try find something to translate your thoughts and ideas. Problem is the common translator sites (Google, BabelFish, etc.) are not always accurate (or correct).

But, never fear, there are a couple of sites that do much better at translating, say, German to English, or whatever you might need.

They are:

http://www.linguee.com/

http://www.leo.org/

Now, until somebody invents the Star Trek tricorder that has a universal translator, and YES, there would be money involved. YOU could win $10 million from the X Prize Foundation. See it here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16518171

So, go forth and boldly forge new relationships with your fellow humans and don't let the mere fact of differing languages stop you!

Virus on the Macbook Pro?

So far (knock wood) there aren't many viruses designed to attack the Mac, but there will come a time...

For now, what you have to worry about is a malware attack, like MacDefender or MacProtector. Despite their great names, they are attempts by the "bad guys" to get your personal information. Only by answering their questions and telling them what they want to know will you suffer. If they show up on your computer, lose 'em quick!

Browser, Browser--Why Won't You Play Nicely?

Ever have your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera or whatever you are using) NOT do something that you wanted? You're using a site that promises to open an extra window for a survey, a test, a login window...whatever, and it doesn't happen. I could whinge on about Shockwave and Flash plugins, or how some sites are designed with only one browser in mind (which was very common for years - developers only aimed for IE and Firefox and friends were just out of luck). What you want to know is "How can I get around this stumbling block?".

You might want to try a different browser. Yes, it might be that easy. If it doesn't work in Firefox or Safari, try IE. It's right there on your Windows computer. Maybe you stopped using it because it was slow or didn't let you add Personas or it isn't as cool as Apple's Safari. It doesn't matter. If it will let you do what you need to do on the Internet, then try it.

Of course you may have other issues, like out of date plugins, or corrupted files. But for an easy fix, it is certainly worth trying. Isn't it?

Steve Jobs

APPLE visionary Steve Jobs has died from cancer aged 56, a premature end for a man who revolutionised modern culture and transformed everyday technology.

As Apple confirmed his death today, many learned of his passing through his own inventions like the iPad and iPhone and paid tribute using the same.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," Apple said.

"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

With tributes pouring in from around the globe, Apple fans flooded Twitter and Facebook to voice their sorrow at the passing of the man who helped put mini-computers into the pockets of millions.

Jobs was just 21 when he founded Apple Computer with his 26-year-old friend Steve Wozniak in his family garage.

The venture, with its ubiquitous trademark of an apple with a bite taken out of it, has since grown to become one of the world's most valuable companies – one whose second quarter profit in July hit $US7.31 billion ($7.57 billion).

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/world-mourns-the-loss-of-visionary-apple-founder-steve-jobs/story-e6frfrnr-1226160514277#ixzz1abZhuBU8

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com