Naked Security: Siri opens “smart” lock to let neighbor walk into a locked house

I do love my electronic toys but here is an article this describing an issue with the security lock that is tied into the system that has voice activation and no security protocol. Home automation can give you quite a few benefits but you have to be able to  secure those entry points into your home so that they cannot be easily compromised. Take a look at this article if you have or are considering home automation and jump to the security tips from Chester Wisniewski listing how we can better security Internet of things as we allow them to enter our life.

Remember that our experts here at PAconnect take all of these things into account to make sure that your home is secure and safe as we can make it. And keep in mind the following comment from Chester Wisniewski:

“Of course, please don’t forget that lists like this are, of necessity, incomplete – after all, security is a journey, not a destination, so don’t imagine that this is our last word on IoT security.”

Microsoft blocking Linux Installations through agreements with some Laptop Makers

Lenovo is one of the laptop makers that is under an agreement with Microsoft to prevent the replacement of the Windows 10 signature edition operating system with one of your choice such as Linux. The Lenovo Yoga 900 S and Yoga 710 S both have this operating system installed on them and as per a Lenovo spokesperson it has been locked up with regards to Lenovo's agreement with Microsoft.

The primary issue with these models is that they are using a proprietary soft-RAID program that cannot be recognized by Linux installers. You can’t change the SATA controller mode in the BIOS setup as well. Windows installers won’t work as well without the special installer drivers from Lenovo. So Lenovo with these models has guaranteed that they only can be used in their designed configurations.

Lenovo has since gone into full damage control and denial. It removed the thread from its support forums (view a cached copy), and even changed its explanation from "we blatantly admitted to anti-competitive practices that could cost us a billion-dollar class-action lawsuit" to "we simply don't have drivers for our deliberately unusual RAID setup."

While this article sounds negative, for most of us this isn’t a big deal because we use the computer as a tool as it was designed to be used. But for those of you that like to play, these models are not the ones to purchase.

Just added j5create to our product line

We are happy to announce that we just added j5create products to our product catalog. They are primarily a USB product technology company that provides cables, docking stations, display adapters, android accessories/adapters, ethernet and WiFi adapters, display port adapters and external hard drive enclosures.

It is very important that if you need USB C product that you get one that is certified to work with that technology and j5create has the products in this category for you. And if you need to expand your USB Type-C access they have a 4-Port HUB with power delivery that will provide that for you.

Call us with your needs and we will be more than happy to match the right product to your needs.

http://www.j5create.com/

Another Sci-Fi item becomes a real thing!

So Back to the Future fans here is another item seen in the movies that is going to be available soon on the market. Nike is bringing us the self-lacing sneaker and they will be available for you to purchase on November 28th or this year. The HyperAdapt 1.0 will be available for "experience & purchase" starting on the 28th of November, but only in select Nike locations in the US. Pricing is still unknown, but expect a "high price tag," according to a Wired feature on the shoe's development.

Yahoo reports confirms data breach on 500 million accounts

Are you using Yahoo Mail or any of their other services? Stop now and change your password and security questions. Yahoo confirmed a data breach that includes logins, names, logins, birthdays, and security questions. What is worse is that the breach happened in late 2014. The Verge has a posting of what you should consider changing here. What should we learn from this and other recent breaches? Take a look at Health Care Info Security posting. And now you have to wonder how that will affect the Yahoo/Verizon deal. All-in-all not a good situation.

weboost Home 4G cell booster

The weBoost Home 4G is our most affordable 4G cell phone booster for home and indoor coverage. The Home 4G ensures your get better voice and data with fewer dropped calls, improved voice quality, faster uploads and downloads. This premier home signal booster can increase cell signals up to 32x while enhancing 4G LTE and 3G signals for buildings up to 1,500 sq. ft. weBoost's Home 4G is compatible with all U.S. and Canadian networks including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Straight Talk and more. Each device comes with everything you need for complete installation including an indoor antenna, outdoor antenna, power supply, 30' cable, and trained support staff on call to assist with the DIY installation. Each device comes with a 30-day guarantee and 2-year warranty from manufacturer meaning it works or your money back.

Amazon entering the online print business

There are several different printing services available online that you can use to print photos, photo books and placing your photos into other formats. If your member of the Amazon Prime, you already have unlimited storage space for all your digital photography images so obviously this is a natural progression of service that Amazon would like to be able to provide you. Especially since, that customers in the US are expected to spend $2 billion or more for online photo printing services this year reported by market research firm IBISWorld.

It appears that Amazon is using a company called S&D Print as the actual printing arm of the service. You go to sign up you'll be presented with the following screen. When you accept the service you are linking your Amazon pay account with the S&D Print account.While this service is just starting out, which is apparent by the limited number of options that you have to choose from, their photo printing prices seem to be in line but the book pricing was to be a little exorbitant.

I have used Shutterfly in the past it was always very happy with the results and they have a large number of options, not only for printing photographs and photobooks, but putting your favorite photos on many types of objects and formats.

Companies like Shutterfly have a big lead on Amazon in this category and it will take Amazon a lot of effort to catch up but Amazon has all the right tools in place to be able to eventually create a viable product that people want to use. However, given a choice between Shutterfly and Amazon Print, right now I am firmly implanted with using the former rather than the latter.