Bryans Blog

My Smartphone Journey

I recently bought a new smartphone and boy am I amazed at what it can do and the apps that are available for free just blow me away.

Coming from a Blackberry phone to an Android based device is not a big change as far as a phone is concerned, but the amount of apps available for an Android device (As well as an iPhone) is amazing.

 What I have noticed, and does not surprise me, is that most free apps are ad supported, meaning that you get the app for free but have to deal with small ads for various products – similar to free software on a desktop.  Personally, I have not run into anything that really bothers me or takes away from the functionality I’m looking for.   I still need to be careful (just like on a PC) about what gets installed and what information it maybe collecting or sharing (Privacy).

I do my homework before I just go and download any old app whether it is for a PC or for a phone.  I look at the reviews of other users, a couple Google searches will also tell me what I may be installing. 

For those of you that don’t research as much as I do, there is now an app that will scan your device for you. According to the senior product manager of that company it will  "clarify the behavior of applications that display ads, and show users what privacy and information collection the apps does and what their ad networks are doing. We’re trying to provide transparency."

This is for apps already installed on your device. It can be used after you install a new app.  But I still recommend you do some research before installing anything on any device -a phone or PC.

If you would like to read more about this app and what else is going on in the ad world, take a look here.

If you would like more information, contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800-672-4806 or email us.

-Bryan

Is Your Browser Security Being Breached?

Excerpted from Fox News

Google has secretly been bypassing your privacy settings in Internet Explorer, Microsoft claimed Monday afternoon.

The startling accusation came in a blog post Monday by Dean Hachamovitch, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Internet Explorer. On Friday, a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that the search and advertising giant was bypassing the privacy settings of millions of people using Apple Safari browsers on iPhones and desktop computers.

“When the IE team heard that Google had bypassed user privacy settings on Safari, we asked ourselves a simple question: is Google circumventing the privacy preferences of Internet Explorer users too?”  Hachamovitch wrote.“We’ve discovered the answer is yes: Google is employing similar methods to get around the default privacy protections in IE and track IE users with cookies."

Cookies are used for many different functions.  Have you ever noticed on websites that you have visited in the past show what links you have clicked on before?  Well that’s one of the functions that a Cookie can do. Basically tracking where you have been. (Ed: Tracking Cookies)

Although Google says this "trick" is used on signed in Google account users, it does make me wonder.

Google responded to Microsoft’s accusations with a statement saying that the Windows giant "omitted important information from its blog post," noting that Microsoft’s “self-declaration” protocol under which Microsoft asks "websites to represent their privacy practices in machine-readable form" is impractical to comply with — and stating that the policy is widely non-operational.  

Google further stated that this particular issue has been around since 2002. Personally, weather it has been 10 years or 10 mins, I do not agree with what Google is doing.  Maybe if I was told this was happening and had an option to "opt-out" I may be a little more understanding.  We all need to be vigilant about what information is being collected and how it is being used.  We also need to remember that a lot of things on the Internet are free because of it.  It is like a double edged sword.

It is prudent to be careful here, but are we at risk or are the elephants just roaring over the watering hole?

-Bryan

Excerpted from MSNBC

Megauploads was recently raided because it is said to have facilitated millions of illegal downloads of movies, music and other content.

Megauploads is a site where users can upload data to be downloaded by other users or just for storage for personal files.  According to MSNBC, U.S. prosecutors blocked access to Megaupload and charged seven men, they also say that data from users of Megaupload could be deleted as soon as Thursday.

Megaupload hires outside companies to store the data, for a fee. But Megaupload attorney Ira Rothken said Sunday that the government has frozen its money.

A letter filed in the case Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said storage companies Carpathia Hosting Inc. and Cogent Communications Group Inc. may begin deleting data Thursday. Spokespersons for the two companies and for the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not respond to messages Sunday night.

The letter said the government copied some data from the servers but did not physically take them. It said that now that it has executed its search warrants, it has no right to access the data. The servers are controlled by Carpathia and Cogent and issues about the future of the data must be resolved with them, prosecutors said.

Megaupload’s attorney said the company is working with prosecutors to try to keep the data from being erased, he said at least 50 million user are in danger of losing their data.

So, if you use Megauploads to store anything, you may want to get it backed up to somewhere else.

If you have any system questions or concerns contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us.

-Bryan

Internet Explorer 32 bit and 64 bit Version Use

If you are running Windows 7 64 bit, you may have noticed that in the start menu there is a shortcut to Internet Explorer (64-bit).  If you are wondering what it is for, Ill try to give you some information.

From the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Both versions of Internet Explorer are included to increase compatibility with existing programs and Web sites. The 32-bit version of Internet Explorer can host only native 32-bit ActiveX controls and other 32-bit Web page objects. The 64-bit
version of Internet Explorer can host only native 64-bit ActiveX controls and other 64-bit Web page objects.

Some More Information:
If you experience problems when you use the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer, try to view the same Web site by using the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer. If the problem occurs in both versions of Internet Explorer, you must determine whether the problem is caused by a Web object or if the problem is caused by Internet Explorer.

To determine the version of Internet Explorer that you are running, click About Internet Explorer on the Help menu of Internet Explorer. If you are running the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer, the About Internet Explorer window includes
a 64-bit descriptor label. The 32-bit version of Internet Explorer does not show a bit-level descriptor.

Interoperability with existing technologies:
The differences between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer can affect toolbar add-ins and Microsoft ActiveX controls. For example, 32-bit toolbar add-ins do not work in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer. These add-ins include the MSN toolbar, the AOL toolbar, the eBay toolbar, and the Google toolbar. You can install 32-bit toolbars in the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer. However, the 32-bit toolbars will not appear in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer.

For example, when you start the Setup program for the 32-bit Google toolbar in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer, the Google Setup program closes the 64-bit Internet Explorer window. The Google Setup program opens a new 32-bit Internet Explorer window when setup is completed. The Google toolbar appears in the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer, and the toolbar works correctly. The 32-bit Google toolbar is not installed in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer.

By design, the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer cannot host 32-bit ActiveX controls. Additionally, the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer cannot host 64-bit ActiveX controls.

As you can see there are some differences between the two versions.  If something does not work as expected in one version, try the other.

If you have any system questions or concerns, contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us.

-Bryan

Reselling or Donating and old system

I’ve been asked many times what to do with old PC’s that are going to be donated, re-sold, or given away.

The best way to make sure that your computer is safe and clean for resale is to run a full system recovery using the operating system discs that you either received in the packaging at the time of purchase or created yourself after
purchase. If you do not have the discs, you may be able to reformat from a recovery partition on your local hard drive. If neither of those options is viable, you can contact the manufacturer to acquire the discs often with a download of and ISO file (disc image)..

To run the recovery from a partition, you will need to access the advanced boot menu on your computer when you power it up, typically by pressing F8 repeatedly as you power on the unit. This will bring you to a screen on which you can select a "repair your computer" option, and from that selection you can run a full system recovery.

To run your recovery from the discs, you will want to turn on your computer, then restart it. During the post screen (the screen that shows the brand of your computer or motherboard) you will see a "Boot Menu" with the appropriate key to press to access this list next to it. Repeatedly press the designated key then select your CD/DVD drive when the list shows up.  After this, follow the steps given to recover your computer!

A System Recovery will put your PC back to the way it was when you first opened the box, suitable for resale.  For donation wiping the drive is more suitable.  You want to protect yourself from any potential theft of your private information or licensed software. There are options for preparing/wiping your PC hardware only to be donated or re-sold.  These include formatting your hard drive with no OS using a type of program that will format write 0’s to all of the disc any number of times.  This ensures the data that was on it can not be recovered in any easy manner.  Although your PC will be unusable until an operating system is installed, it is probably the safest way to prepare your PC and protect you confidentiality. 

If you have lost your original CD/DVD and no recovery/factory partition exists, there are several good shareware tools that included a wipe disk capability up to the DOD level of protection.  For example: Ccleaner.

If you need help with this topic, contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us.

-Bryan

CES Show Mobile Devices

The CES show is the biggest electronics show in the country and attracts many of the biggest companies showing off their wares.

Here are a few notes on mobile devices.

• there are now more than 6 billion cellular connections globally, including 1.5 billion with 3G mobile broadband. 

• 1.2 billion people access news on mobile devices, more than all cable subscribers and (gulp) three times the circulation of all newspapers. 

• Total wireless industry revenues reached $1.3 trillion last year, "which is almost 2 percent of global GDP." 

• most people look at their phones about 150 times a day, or once every 6.5 minutes every waking hour. 

• In 2015 approximately half of all phones will ship into emerging markets that are more price sensitive. That’s pushing hardware companies to develop more sub-$150 handsets. 

• Smart phone cover that’s used to capture cardiograms by gripping the device, a product that a doctor said he used on a plane to diagnose a passenger’s heart attack and call for an emergency landing. 

• The doctor also showed how a glucose sensor under the skin works with a smart phone app to display real-time glucose levels and chart them through the day.

I find it amazing how in such little time, that a cell phone went from being just a device to make phone calls, to being able to give  glucose levels on a real time basis

If you have any system questions or concerns, contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us

-Bryan

Excerpted from MSNBC

SPYEYE TROJAN: Bank Account Fraud.

Here is how it works:

The Trojan horse employs a powerful two-step process to commit the electronic crime. First, the virus lies in wait until a customer with an infected computer visits an online banking site, steals their login credentials and tricks the victim
into divulging additional personal information such as debit card information.  Then, after the stolen card number is used for a fraudulent purchase, the virus intercepts any further visits to the victim’s banking site and scrubs transaction
records clean of any fraud.  That prevents — or at least delays — consumers from discovering fraud and reporting it to the bank, buying the fraudster critical extra time to complete the crime.

It is being called a "post transaction" attack, because much of the virus’ effectiveness is attributable to its ability to control what victims see after fraudulent transactions occur. Scary!!!!!

The virus’ evidence-covering techniques are elaborate. First, it keeps track of all fraud committed by the criminal, and makes sure to remove those line items from online transaction lists.  It also edits balance amounts to prevent consumers
from getting suspicious.

Victim account holders who check their balance at an ATM — or even at a second uninfected computer — would be able to spot the fraudulent transactions. The virus doesn’t impact bank systems, merely the characters that are displayed within the infected system’s Web browser.  That means paper statements would reveal the fraud, too.

So besides keeping your Anti-virus/malware software up to date, it is also important to keep your browser and OS  up to date.

If you have any system questions or concerns, call the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us

-Bryan

Keep Your Timestamp Accurate

Its a good idea to occasionally check the date and time settings on your PC.  With the incorrect date and time, you software may try to create transactions with incorrect time stamps, and may not allow you to post your transactions or settle your credit card transactions.

Recently a customer called with a problem not being able to find a certain ticket.  After doing a little searching, he found that there were about 30 tickets with a date in the past that were not and could not be posted because of the date. To fix the issue required exporting out the tickets, manually finding and fixing the date, and re-importing them back in.  This is something I do not recommend doing on your own.  Besides being very tedious, one mistake, meaning 1 extra space where one should not be can cause corruption of the whole file.

So while most of the time, your PC’s time and date will be correct, the one time that it is not can create havoc.

If you have any system questions or concerns, contact the CCS Retail Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us

-Bryan

Proactive Online Information Protection

excerpted from securitynewsdaily.com

Install a free anti-virus program.  Macs and PCs are vulnerable to daily threats. Even if you don’t open an email and never download a file or program, just visiting a website can put you in peril. 

      According to researchers, 85 percent of infections are from websites, often legitimate sites that have been unknowingly infected themselves.

• Avoid "free" wireless networks.  That gratis Wifi network in the local brewpub is probably a den of digital iniquity. Such networks usually aren’t secured or encrypted, allowing strangers to track your online movements, record your passwords and make off with your credit-card information before you realize what’s happened. Stay off them and use your own wireless subscription or service.
• Use secure Web connections.  The "HTTPS" acronym at the beginning of many Web addresses denotes a site that is using encryption (the "S" stands for secure).

Many websites have this option, but most of us don’t know or don’t bother to use it. You have to purposely set it in many Web-based        email programs, for example. It can occasionally cause other programs to hiccup (Windows Live on HTTPS can conflict with Outlook Hotmail Connector, for example), but the inconvenience is worth it.

• Don’t be too social.  Want to share your latest vacation pics on Facebook? Great — just wait until you get back from your trip.

• Shop safely online.  The convenience of letting a shopping site, especially one you visit frequently, save all your personal information and credit-card numbers is tempting — but don’t do it.

• Change your passwords, a lot.  Since you cannot count on every site or business out there protecting your data — or even telling you when it’s been stolen — one of the best protections is also the simplest.

Changing your password frequently can keep you one step ahead of the thieves. If your bank password has been stolen and is up for sale online, changing it will take away the criminal’s keys to your account

• Would you, could you on a train? Don’t.  Sitting in the commuter car or in any public place makes you vulnerable to "shoulder surfers," people who scan other people’s laptop or smartphone screens looking for passwords or other personal information.

Many of these crooked cruisers don’t even turn their heads; they just take a picture with their cellphones as they go by.

• Avoid app attacks.  Don’t be the first kid to jump into the pool. In other words, when you discover a new app for your smartphone, tablet or browser, check it out before you tap "install."

Look carefully at the permissions it asks for. Better still, see how often it’s been downloaded (the higher the number of times, the less likely it’s malware) and read the reviews.
 
If you have any system questions or concerns, call the CCS Retail Systems Support Department at 800.672.4806 or email us

-Bryan  

Missing Software Update Risks 

It is important to make sure ALL of the software on your PC is updated, including browsers, Anti-Virus, camera and phone software, etc.

The reason I bring this up is, recently a customer updated their POS software and then had issues with certain functions.  Part of the cause was the way the updated software changed how it was doing look-ups.  The software started using a specialized service to enhance the view.  But because of old anti-virus software, the specialized service was being marked as malicious and not allowed to run.  The anti-virus software did not even log that it was blocking this
service from finishing its job.

Having multiple stores, where some were working and some were not, made troubleshooting this more difficult.  A pattern was found and we were able to narrow the problem down to the version of the anti-virus software installed on the machines the were not working.  Even though the anti-virus software was doing its job, it hampered the ability to use a piece of the POS software which was extensively used to look up past product sales performance.

As far as why a newer version of anti-virus saw this as a threat likely had to do with the way viruses have evolved over the years.  Anti-virus software looks for patterns of other know malicious software to make a decision if an unknown file or services is malicious.  In this case it was a false positive which was corrected in the new version of the anti-virus software.

As you can see having the latest version of software can eliminate a lot of frustration for both the users and your support team.

If you have any system questions or concerns, call the CCS Retail Systems Support department at 800.672.4806 or email us

-Bryan