Archive for the ‘Internet’ Category

Google Dumps Windows (At Least, Unofficially)

Friday, June 4th, 2010

This Financial Times article reports that Google, without question one of the Internet’s strongest influences today, has decided to ditch Windows and move employees to Macintosh and Linux PCs. This move is reportedly largely due to the January hacks on Google and many other corporations, allegedly originating from China. Windows has a long-standing perceived history of having a worse security track record than its competition, and a large part of this comes because it’s simply the largest attack surface. Not surprisingly, the same thing that makes it the most widely developed-for platform for applications keeps it the highest profile target for malware and security exploits as well.

I applaud this move toward security and productivity. I don’t think it will be a easy task for Google, but I believe it will be worth the effort in the long run.

Does your company need to consider switching away from Windows?

Facebook Promises Better Privacy Controls – Again

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

This week, Mark Zuckerberg wrote an article in the Washington Post addressing recent privacy concerns and promising better control over your privacy settings. I don’t buy it.

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Safe Browsing Tip: Mozilla Plugin Check

Monday, May 24th, 2010

The Mozilla project recently expanded their popular and successful (and free) Plugin Check service to support non-Mozilla browsers. So now, not only does this service, which scans your browser’s settings for outdated plugins, e.g., Adobe Flash Player, work with Firefox, but also with Opera, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and even, to a limited extent, Microsoft Internet Explorer. Given that unpatched client software, especially operating systems, browsers, and browser plugins, remain the top cyber-security concern today, everyone should stop what they’re doing and go to Mozilla Plugin Check right now.

Malware Being Distributed by Mainstream Websites

Monday, March 29th, 2010

On this article from Digital Trends, some of the most popular websites on the Internet have been (unintentionally) serving up malware ia the ad networks that they subscribe to. (more…)

Google Drops Internet Explorer (IE) 6. So Should You.

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Last week, I received this in an email from Google:

In order to continue to improve our products and deliver more sophisticated features and performance… we will be phasing out support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 as well as other older browsers that are not supported by their own manufacturers.

It’s about time, and not just for those reasons. (more…)

ABA Recommends Dedicated PC for Online Banking

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Earlier this month the American Bankers Association (ABA) has issued practical, simple advice which could dramatically enhance everyone’s online banking security. And, I predict, it won’t make any difference because people are unlikely to do it. (more…)

What the Google/China Hack Means to You

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Friends and listeners to the Fresh Ubuntu Podcast will know that I frequently raise concerns about Google and the information that it acquires about all of us. My concerns normally are along the lines of “just imagine what Google can do with all of that information.” However, I’ve never brought up what could be an even bigger concern: “What if someone else were to get a hold of all of that information?” (more…)

Twitter Bans Common Passwords

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Twitter recently published a list of 369 banned passwords which it will no longer accept on Twitter accounts. Regardless of whether or not you use Twitter, it is worth a minute or two to skim this list and see if you are using one of these passwords, on any system, or something similar, which could lead to an account compromise. (more…)

Book Review: I’m on Facebook – Now What???

Friday, December 25th, 2009

I just read I’m on Facebook–Now What???: How to Get Personal, Business, and Professional Value from Facebook. While the majority of this 100 page book was review for me, I would recommend it to anyone who is brand new to Facebook or social networking in general.

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Microsoft: “Please Upgrade from Internet Explorer 6.”

Monday, December 21st, 2009

While Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP will be supported until July 2010, the writing on the wall is fairly clear, and Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to IE 7 or IE 8. Additionally, we have been recommending alternative browsers for years. (more…)