BRUCEB NEWS
The Secret Life Of Smart TVs: Inside Badbox 2.0
[Click here for a NotebookLM audio discussion of this topic drawn from my source material.] Google and the FBI took down "Badbox 2.0" last month - ten million compromised TV streaming boxes being used by criminals. Malware on the devices connected them into a botnet...
Breaking News: Apple Postpones, Microsoft Accelerates, Google & Facebook Play Defense
Since it's a short week, here's a collection of brief updates about stories you thought I had beaten to death already.Apple postpones CSAM featuresAfter criticism and pushback on...
Is Your Computer Slowing Down?
I think our computers are slowing down. I can’t prove it. I don’t have any benchmarks. But I have a long memory of other versions of Windows that slowed down as the years went...
The Controversy Over Apple’s Child Security Proposals
If you were paying attention during the last lecture, then you know Apple announced two proposals to scan iPhones for photos involving sexual abuse and exploitation of children....
Apple’s Unforced Error
Two weeks ago Apple announced that iPhones would begin scanning for photos involving sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Sounds like a good thing that makes the world a...
Tech Companies Are Too Big (And They’ll Probably Stay That Way)
They’re too damn big! Admit it, that’s your gut feeling about the five giant tech companies - Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft. It’s a constant refrain in the news, and...
Hey, Google, Do I Feel Lucky? Well, Do I, Punk?
If you’re like me, you probably haven’t wasted any time on the internet lately. You know how it goes, you get involved in your work and weeks go by where you never take time to...
Practicing What I Preach: What It’s Like To Use Microsoft Web Apps
I haven’t used the desktop versions of Outlook or Word in six months. I did it for you. I’ve been telling you about how swell it is to store your files in OneDrive and use...
The Covid Vaccines Started With A Teddy Bear Stuffed With Money
On January 10, 2020, Chinese scientists posted online the genetic sequence of a then-unidentified virus isolated from 41 hospitalized patients in Wuhan. Two days later a team of...
Google Drive And Living La Vida En Línea
A few days ago Google announced a new/updated Google Drive app for Windows and Mac computers. It allows you to use File Explorer or Mac Finder to view and open files stored...
The Kaseya Hack And The Mysterious Disappearing REvil Gang
On July 3 the Russian hacking group REvil infiltrated tools distributed by a security and monitoring firm – Kaseya, this time – and slipped ransomware into thousands of business...
How To Buy A Cheap Windows PC
Do not buy a slow Windows PC to save a few dollars. If you get a slow Windows PC, you will become bitter and depressed, people will mute you in Zoom meetings, and you will pound...
Mudslides, Undersea Cables, And Fake News
The longest mudslide in history was just reported by an international team of researchers. Huge quantities of sand and mud traveled nearly 750 miles, causing significant damage...
Fascinating Details About Windows 11
Now that you’ve seen the big picture of why Windows 11 exists, let’s go through some of the fascinating details. This could be the most interesting technology article you will...
Windows 11: The View From 11,000 Feet
Microsoft will release Windows 11 later this year. It is an incremental upgrade to Windows 10, with a facelift so it looks nice and a few small changes that mostly appear to be...
Your Credit Card Was Not Used To Buy An Inflatable Motorcycle
Someday soon your email will have a receipt for something you didn’t buy. It will be matter of fact and bland but you’re pretty sure your wife would have mentioned it if she had...