| Location | ~Huntsville, AL |
| TWiT.community | @JTW |
| Team | Roll Tide |
@leo The biggest issue with deciding where to join Mastodon is access to the local timeline - the server/instance firehouse.
Currently, there is no method by which one can look at the local timelines for other instances (servers), but since each instance is formed around common interests, those timelines can provide a nice source of curated content… which on Mastodon, might be the only content you have to look at while looking for others to follow.
It’s a huge “growth” feature that’s missing.
@leo There was the case of cryptolocker #malware that managed to get into a *signed* (ie. bypasses Gatekeeper) distribution of popular #bittorrent client #Transmission, twice.
There is a case to be made for anti-malware on MacOS, but it’s mostly based on fear and uncertainty, rather that current evidence.
However, tell that to the people who updated their legal and legit copy of Transmission and found their system crypto-locked...
Like so many things in life, it’s a percentage game.
While a lot of us are talking about #Samsung phones today, can we also discuss whether or not we trust their built-in cloud services?
I actually like Samsung's approach to photos and device backup better than #Google's, but I don't trust their #cloud #security.
I like Samsung's browser better too, but like #Bixbi, they try very hard to push you into their "Customization Service," aka sending everything you do to Samsung. That's a fatal flaw.
What do you think?
After 40 minutes talking to Apple Support, they quoted me up to a $549 charge to service my two year old iPhone, because the charging port wasn’t working reliably.
Instead, I left the chat and found a suggestion from iFixit… using a toothpick to check for and clear hidden “lint” debris from the port. It looked perfectly clean, but to my surprise I got some out. My #iPhone now charges again.
$550 to #Apple, after I’ve already paid them $1200, to fix what a toothpick could do.
This link was posted over on #TWiT.community and I thought I’d share it to the #fediverse.
The #EFF (impressively) used #mitm and #Frida code injection to inspect #Amazon Ring’s *pinned* certificate traffic to previously undisclosed trackers/analytics providers. Turns out #Ring’s apps are sending Pii, like your name and email address, to their partners, and telling them things like your unique device fingerprints. Not cool Amazon.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/01/ring-doorbell-app-packed-third-party-trackers
Ring isn't just a product that allows users to surveil their neighbors. The company also uses it to surveil its customers.An investigation by EFF of the Ring doorbell app for Android found it to be packed with third-party trackers sending out a plethora of customers’ personally identifiable...
#TIP: Before deleting #Opera, be sure to erase your data from their sync service at https://sync.opera.com/
If Opera is willing to conduct fraud and behave illegally with their lending apps, how long until they do the same with their browser and stored user data?
#TIP: I liked #Opera's browser, but after reading this, I'm deleting my sync data and deleting it on all platforms. I'll stick with #Brave and #Firefox.
https://hindenburgresearch.com/opera-phantom-of-the-turnaround/
Summary:
Prior to Opera's IPO, they were bought by a Chinese group accused of fraud in lending.(quoting) "Opera has now ALSO made a … pivot into predatory short-term loans in Africa and India, deploying deceptive bait and switch tactics to lure in borrowers and charging egregious interest rates ranging from ~365-876%."
I’ll share an app #pick: Most of us in #Alabama and across the South East are going to bed preparing for #tornados tomorrow.
Without a doubt, the definitive go to app for accurate, detailed, live #weather radar is #RadarScope.
If you know just a little bit about how to read radar products, it can be a true life saver, by helping you see when “the real deal” is headed straight for you. (Just don’t be caught relying solely on it for warnings if the internet and cell towers go down.)
