General
Colin Powell quote about success
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. #quote #business #leadership
Locky Ransomware is king of SPAM emails
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1833”]Image by Yuri Samoilov used under creative commons license [/caption] We had lower than normal SPAM numbers for the last couple of quarters but the evil scourge of the internet is back with a vengeance. Company CISOs and personal users probably noticed a rise recently of emails containing variants of the locky ransomware (encrypting) malware. The number of SPAM emails containing malware reached an all time high, according to Proofpoints Q3 2016 report. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1200"]<img src="https://ekiledjian2.
Samsung offering in-airport smartphone exchange
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1200”]Image by Sergio Quntana via Twitter [/caption] The US FAA has officially barred all Note 7s from flying on any US airline and Samsung has started an airport exchange program. CNET is reporting that: "After setting up exchange booths in South Korea's Incheon airport , Samsung is now spreading the initiative across the world, announcing trade-in booths in airports across Australia. The customer service booths will allow passengers to switch out their recalled Galaxy Note 7 (along with the data on it) to another Samsung device.
Australian carrier ships Google Pixel a week early
While everyone is waiting for the new Google branded Pixel to finally launch, a reddit user in Australia claims to have received his Pixel from Telstra early. And this doesn't seem to be an isolated case. There are a handful of Reddit threads talking about users receiving their units and backing up the claims with pictures. Going through the information, we gleam the following : Google Assistant welcomes you when you open the box <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/f3e4e44e0a.jpg" alt=""> Google's free unlimited full resolution storage option is automatic and available as soon as you sign in to the device.
Samsung may unveil a Chromebook Pro
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“640”]Image courtesy of ChromebookUnboxed [/caption] Chromebooks are a divisive discussion. Some people love them while others consider them wasteful spending. I see more and more people embracing them and the truth is Chromebooks are a fantastic solution for the general public. They offer zero-maintenance use and no worries about malware or virus'. Samsung, the electronic giant known for its fire creating Note7 line, is about to release a new Chromebook pro. So say the writers at ChromeUnboxed .
Review of The Grayl Ultralight water filter & purifier
Over the last 25 years, I have logged close to 1 million air miles and I have traveled to all four corners of the world. Much of my time has been spent in locations where water quality is questionable and improper handling can make you very very very very very sick. My traditional solution has been to use a particulate filtering system (like the Sawyer Mini water filter) and then sterilizing the product using a Steripen UV Sterilizer. In locations were I wanted to be doubly sure or my Steripen ran out of batteries, I also used Aquamira water purification tablets.
How to sleep on a plane
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by bnilsen used under creative commons license [/caption] Having traveled over 700,000 miles in the last 20 years, I realize the importance of sleeping on a plane. Over the years, I developed tips and tricks on how to sleep better when flying. 1 - Wear an Eye Mask Proper sleep requires a nice dark environment but your 200 close friends may not agree. Bring your own Eye Mask and bring something soft, plush and comfortable. If your airline does provide one, it will be cheap and extremely uncomfortable.
Travelers need a 4 digit debit card PIN
North American banks allow customers to use 6-8 digit debit card PINs which is good security but not if you travel. Many international banks only support 4 digit PINs at their ATMs, “Some international ATMs support only 4-digit PINs. Be sure your PIN does not start with a zero, and know your PIN by the numbers, as some ATMs outside the United States do not have letters on the keypads.” — Bank of America recommendation You can read the BoA traveler tip page here.
The 6 apps every traveller should download now
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]image by fdecomite used under Creative Commons License [/caption] The smartphone has quickly become the most important device we own. It allows us to be productive at work. It allows us to stay in touch with family and friends. It helps keep us healthy and accountable. It has also become the travellers best friend. I can't imagine taking a trip without it and here are some of my favourite apps that make travelling better, more efficient and much more fun.
Google is cheating Nexus users, should you trust the new Pixel?
I am an open-minded technologist that uses both Android and iPhone. The one thing I love about the iPhone is that there is no carrier bloat and system updates are released almost immediately to all iPhone owners. Android is fragmented with thousands of devices from hundreds of manufacturers all trying to be a little different (skins and apps), most sold through carriers also trying to make their mark with their own unremovable apps. Add to that the fact that an official Google android update may never make it to your device because of the manufacturer or carrier and you start having migraines.
HTC 10 is a wonderful Android phone you haven't thought of
Readers know I love gadgets and no gadget is more important or personal than a smartphone. Although I have tested several dozen smartphones over the years, an Phone 6s Plus is still my daily driver. Recently I wanted to revisit the HTC 10 and determine if it is a phone I can recommend. Hardware <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/c2b31fafbb.jpg" alt=""> The first thing you notice when you pickup the HTC 10 is how good HTC is at industrial design. The sand blasted aluminium is soft and grippy in the hand.
Distributed Denial of Service Attacks have doubled in Q2
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“800”]Image by thierry ehrmann used under creative commons license [/caption] Akamai, the 800lb gorilla of internet security, has published its Q2 2016 State of the Internet Security Report. DDoS attacks seem to be a prefered attack vector and have doubled in number over the past 12 months. In Q2, The security teams at Akamai have counted a 129% YoY increase in the number of DDoS attacks translated to 4,919 attacks being mitigated in Q2. Beyond just absolute number, we are constantly looking for the size of the attacks and the report does not disappoint.
Your browser will betray your identity
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by Lisa Brewster used under Creative Commons License [/caption] Without doing anything wrong, your browser sends out information that makes you unique on the internet. This basically betrays your efforts to stay anonymous (unless you know what you are doing). Every time you visit a website, your browser sends (or makes available) information about your browser configuration to the site. This information includes content such as fonts, browser type, elements supported, etc. In many cases, this will allow a site, network or bad actor to track you across the internet without cookies.
What's the best SD card?
SD Cards are everywhere. Whether you are using them in your video gear or camera, choosing the right one can make all the difference in the world.I needed to find the best SD Card I could buy and am sharing it with you. In tech, there is always something better if you are willing to pay more. So what I was looking for was the best value proposition. What to look for in a SDCard ? When evaluating any external memory, you will typically use the same evaluation criteria :
How to watch Apple's iPhone event tomorrow
It's that time of the year again when we all gather around our web browser and watch Apple's masterfully choreographed launch of the next iPhone (we believe the iPhone 7). It is safe to assume that with the Phone, they will also launch some ancillary products like the Watch or maybe even a new Macbook Pro. Regardless of what they launch, you should be planning to watch the livestream starting on September 7 at 10 am PT (1pm ET). Browser You can go to the Apple Events page and watch the livestream there.
The Trackr Bravo Review
The Trackr Bravo is a small watch battery sized Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) device that promises to help you locate your lost or misplaced items. The device costs about $US29 each and you attach it to your keys, put it in a bag, wallet or anything else you may want to locate (think pet collar). You can use the Trackr apps to locate the item on a map and make it ring (if you are within Bluetooth range). You can also press the tiny button on the Trackr and make the app ring (even if the phone is set to silent) to locate it.
HTC Desire 530 Android Smartphone review
Customer Reading most online device review sites will make you dizzy. It seems reviewers (professional and amateur alike) are chasing the next big phone. They want you to buy the beefiest phone currently available with crazy specs and a crazy price. Truth is that not everyone needs the latest and greatest, especially when it typically costs $800-1000. I know a bunch of readers purchased the Motorola MotoG 2015 last year when I recommended it and this phone competes in that space.
Your phone calls and SMS messages aren't secure
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1800”]Image by Matthew Hurst used under Creative Commons License [/caption] In the above 2015 presentation, security researchers broke the secrecy around a protocol called SS7 and explained how a technically proficient user can "break it" and easily compromise your mobile phone call data and text messages. Seeing an opportunity, 60 minutes produced a popular segment that scared viewers and I still receive emails from readers asking if this is "a real thing". Let's take a look at this together.
How Android N will save you money on your monthly data plan
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2467”]Image by Gord Webster used under creative commons license [/caption] Android N (Nougat) has a handful of new very useful features but nothing catches my attention like a feature that can save you cold hard cash. This witchcraft is a result of a feature called Data Saver. One thing most mobile carriers are good at is charging you top dollar for any data overage you incur. This is true whether you are at home and especially abroad. It is true whether you are in Canada, the US or Hong Kong.
You can pickup a Blackberry PRIV for $299
Blackberry is one of the few Android devices where users are receiving regular security updates. You can pickup an unlocked AT&T version of the Blackberry PRIV for $US299 on eBay. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/991f3402f3.jpg" alt=""> This is a fantastic price for this device. It is the same price as the new DTEK50 but offers a larger screen and a physical keyboard. Great medium performance phone with a physical keyboard. Source : eBay