Facial recognition is a common technology and its making is way all over the place, like it or not. So, what’s going on with it outside the realm of the possibility and entering reality? What’s In a Face? https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/10/aclu-sues-feds-to-get-information-about-facial-recognition-programs/ https://www.foia.gov/ https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/18/facebook-35-billion-lawsuit/
“Is this a con?” “Why no, of course not!” (11/2/19 Part 2)
Con artists and scammers will never admit they’re bad guys. So will stores and sales people for that matter! Don’t Get Fooled! https://ideas.ted.com/dont-get-fooled-or-conned-again-here-are-the-5-tactics-to-look-out-for/ https://www.managementstudyguide.com/advertising-techniques.htm
Web Browser Extensions – making your browser better! (10/12/19 Part 1)
The humble web browser is probably one of the most commonly used pieces of software out there. It works hard running web apps, playing videos, music, and just getting stuff done. But, did you know you can make it better? Browser Extensions Jonathan, LD, and Sam talk about web browser extensions: what they like, and more! Now, where do you get them? The browser’s OFFICIAL STORE. Its much safer than downloading from random websites! NoScript blocks scripts, only allowing what you want! Lightbeam shows you where your internet cookies are going for any given website. Where is your data going? AdBlocker+ helps keep obtrusive (and sometimes dangerous) ads from driving you crazy! NewsGuard is Sam’s favorite and only extension which helps him get initial gauging of websites. Flash is one of those most popular plugins, but its dying! We mention this so you know. Password managers abound, but get one from a reputable service. The Mercury Reader is a Chrome extension that will let you have a “Reader Mode” for websites! Adobe Reader for PDFs! Privacy Badger helps keep trackers from tracking you! It tells them “stop!” and if they don’t? It’ll block them!
The right to be forgotten (but not US)! (9/28/19 Part 1)
Its nice to be remembered. Except when its not. Right to Be Forgotten The EU’s Court of Justice has decided that Google and other search engines should comply with some requests by citizens “to be forgotten.” But, what does that mean? And why? And what could possibly go wrong? https://www.npr.org/2019/09/24/763857307/right-to-be-forgotten-only-applies-inside-eu-european-court-says Additionally, Tracy the Librarian joins us for the show!
Can you hear me? Can you hear me now? (8/17/19 Part 1)
Siri, Cortana, Alexa, and Hey Google are all great voice assistants. This is a good thing, and a very useful feature of modern computers, smartphone, and more! However, your voice doesn’t stop with you. It goes from your device to the internet and onto a cloud server somewhere “out there,” only to return back with instructions the device understands and executes. Listening Up! Oh, and sometimes people listen. Computers can’t figure us humans out entirely. How to stop Alexa, Siri, and Google: https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/how-to-stop-alexa-google-siri-recording-human-review.html (thanks Alert Internet Surfer Perry!) How to stop Cortana: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-configure-windows-10-to-protect-your-privacy-1716204024
And now for something completely different… (8/17/19 Part 2)
Its a news show! What’s News? There’s been a lot going around, and we don’t want things to fall through the cracks. So, its time for our patent pending news show! https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/08/wind-power-prices-now-lower-than-the-cost-of-natural-gas/ https://www.neowin.net/news/google-runs-with-microsoft-made-fix-for-chromes-battery-drain https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-lunar-lander-update-august-2019.html https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/08/huawei-announces-its-first-operating-system-harmonyos/ https://www.cnet.com/news/trump-administration-reportedly-wants-to-extend-nsa-phone-surveillance-program/ https://www.pcmag.com/news/370202/which-countries-are-best-prepared-for-cybercrime-response https://www.anandtech.com/show/14694/amd-rome-epyc-2nd-gen https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/facebook-transcribing-users-conversations-reason-204037706.html
Do you leave your house key under the mat? (7/27/19 Part 2)
So, your local police department want help catching the bad guys. You want to help, right? But, to do so, they insist that you always leave your house key under a door mat so they can always have access to your house “when they need it.” They promise they won’t tell anyone about the key, and promise nobody will ever abuse it. Back Doors, and Why They are Bad Sounds great, right? Law enforcement has been asking for weaker encryption and “back doors” in encryption for decades. They insist it’s only to get “the bad guys,” won’t get abused, and doesn’t really pose a risk to the public. Bologna, you say? We agree. Join us as we talk about that! https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614003/trumps-justice-department-calls-for-encryption-backdoor-law/ https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/fbi-weaker-encryption-is-a-worthwhile-tradeoff-for-law-enforcement-access-to-data/458622/ https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/05/caleatwo This podcast is brought to you by Audible!
But do you own it? DRM and you 101 (7/13/19 Part 1)
When you buy something digitally, do you actually own it? Are you sure about that? Do You Own It? Wouldn’t it be a shame if it went up in a puff of smoke? Many digital things you buy can get Digital Rights Management (DRM), be it eBooks, music, software/apps, movies and more. While its understandable for renting or borrowing, what about something you’re buying? We talk about this and offer our thoughts on the matter! https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/ultraviolet-is-shutting-down/ https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3k3wkk/microsoft-ebooks-will-stop-working-because-its-shutting-down-a-drm-server https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/12/cant-stream-that-christmas-movie-you-bought-on-amazon-blame-disney/ https://io9.gizmodo.com/amazon-secretly-removes-1984-from-the-kindle-5317703
More Headlines! More News! And CLEAN UP! (4/13/19 Part 2)
More news! Lets clean up those headlines! More News! – Part 2 We talk more space, how the big tech companies are making their money, and Amazon hiring people to listen to Alexa conversations. Plus, how to clean your computer! Because its hot and getting hotter because summer is coming! https://www.howtogeek.com/72716/how-to-thoroughly-clean-your-dirty-desktop-computer/ And, need to back up your Android contacts? We found some easy instructions for you! How to back up Android contacts
Surfing the Internet 101! (3/9/19 Part 1)
If you’re here, you probably typed AlertInternetSurfer.com! Well, why did we name our website that? Because that’s what we want you to be! So, in our ongoing 101 series we go into Surfing The Internet! Computers 101 – Safe Surfin’ Tired of Internet Explorer? Edge? Safari? Try out a new browser today! Mozilla Firefox – https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ Google Chrome – https://www.google.com/chrome Opera Browser – https://www.opera.com TOR Browser – https://www.torproject.org/ Vivaldi Browser – https://vivaldi.com/