Your big-name PC may have a security flaw in its update software
Those problems with security holes in big PC makers’ software bundles? They might not be over yet. Duo Security says it found vulnerabilities in the update software for Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Some vendors were more secure than others in Duo’s testing, but all of them were insecure enough that you could launch a man-in-the-middle attack and run your own code. In the worst cases, they’d send update data without any encryption or validation.
Also, don’t think that you’re safe by springing for one of Microsoft’s cleaner Signature Edition versions of these PCs. Duo says that some of these models still have vendor update software, so you might be in the same boat as someone who bought the garden variety PC.
We’ve asked all five companies for comment, and we’ll let you know what they say. However, Duo adds that the research took place between last October and this April, which suggests that some of the holes might have already been patched up. Dell already said that it would tackle the eDellroot flaw that created a minor panic last year, for example. Even if there’s more fuss than necessary, though, this is a reminder that your PC’s operating system is only part of the security puzzle — you have to be mindful of third-party apps, too.
Via: International Business Times
Source: Duo Security
T-Mobile creates service plan for visitors to the US
Tech-savvy travelers heading out from the US know how to make their (unlocked) smartphones work abroad: buy a pre-paid local SIM and add credits as needed. Sure actual international plans exist, but they’re usually more expensive than they’re worth. Today, however, T-Mobile’s flipping the script by offering a Tourist Plan for visitors to the US. The service, which goes live June 12th, costs $30 and lasts for three weeks, giving visitors unlimited data (LTE up to 2GB, though!), domestic and international texting and 1,000 voice minutes for domestic calls. What’s more, T-Mobile’s not charging for the SIM card or activation. In all, it’s a pretty good deal and cheaper than the company’s other prepaid options. So if you were hoping to stay connected and share the minutiae of your US adventures with your followers back home, now you’ve got a solid option.
Via: Cnet
Source: T-Mobile
Bayer to use satellite imaging to modernize farming efforts
You probably know Bayer for its aspirin. But the multinational pharmaceutical company has its fingers in more pies that that — it’s also keen to become a force in agriculture. As part of a push to focus on its Crop Science division, the company’s partnered with Planetary Resources, an aerospace tech company, to create products and services using data obtained from satellite imagery. The goal? To sell services and tools to farmers that will make agriculture more efficient and environmentally adaptable. Though the collaboration has just been announced and, therefore, no services have yet been created, Bayer’s indicated a few key areas where satellite data could be beneficial: water conservation through more ideally timed irrigation; recommendations on timing for crop planting; and the ability to determine what soil will hold water best.
It’s worth noting this is the same company that, in 2006, was found by the Department of Agriculture to have contaminated over 30 percent of US ricelands with its genetically-modified strain. Bayer eventually settled and paid out $750 million to farmers that were economically impacted by export trade bans. But still it serves as a reminder that big business does nothing for the sake of the greater good… just in the name of it. So take the announcement of this partnership with a grain of non-GMO rice.
Source: Bayer
USPS debuts stamps with New Horizons’ view of Pluto
To honor NASA’s discoveries, the USPS is debuting new stamps today with images from outer space. The “Views of Our Planets” series will get new images of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and the iconic “blue marble” view of Earth. Thanks to the New Horizons mission to Pluto, there’s a special set of two stamps with a snapshot from July’s flyby and the spacecraft itself. The eight new planet stamps are available at post offices and online, but the Pluto stamps will be sold only on the web. If you’re looking to add a few to your collection, the entire set is available starting today.
Source: NASA
Court says police don’t need warrants for phone location data
You would think that police would require a warrant to get your phone’s location info, right? Not according to the US’ Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. It just ruled that asking a company for cellphone location data you’ve offered to a third-party doesn’t represent a search under the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, and thus doesn’t need a warrant. According to the judges voting for the decision, volunteering your position info means you’ve given up a “reasonable expectation of privacy” — if you didn’t want to share where you were, you wouldn’t have handed that knowledge over to someone else, would you?
The ruling is in line with what some other courts have said, and ends a split between courts on the topic. However, it won’t be surprising if there’s an eventual Supreme Court challenge. As many would note, it’s virtually impossible to avoid supplying your location at some point. Making a call will offer some basic positional info to your carrier, and many common smartphone tasks (such as navigation or social check-ins) demand that data. Until there’s a ruling to the contrary, though, you can’t assume that the police will have to jump through hoops to find out where you’ve been.
Via: The Intercept
Source: Amlaw (PDF)
Airbnb allows neighbors to tattle on noisy guests
Airbnb says most of its users are “respectful travelers,” but just in case an issue does come up, it’s giving those who live near a rental a place to voice concerns. The company’s new initiative, Airbnb Neighbors, gives folks a tool for voicing concerns about noise, parking, use of a common space, suspicious/criminal activity and general concerns. Once a complaint is received, it gets a case number and Airbnb reviews the issue. If necessary, the company says it will follow up with the listing’s host.
A neighbor can choose to remain anonymous or provide contact information so that the host can reach out directly. Airbnb says that if submissions include a web link to the listing, it can follow up with the neighbor. It also explains that whenever possible, it will give the host and their neighbor the opportunity to resolve the issue themselves. “Hosting is a big responsibility and those who repeatedly fail to meet our standards and expectations will be subject to suspension or removal from the Airbnb community,” the company said in a blog post.
While the tool will be useful, especially for those who’ve been vocal in their opposition of the service, there’s also potential for abuse. As Airbnb continues to promote its style of short-term rentals and lodging though, it’s important that both hosts and their neighbors feel like their concerns are addressed. That’s particularly important in areas were illegal listings are a big problem and places like Arizona where the government is deciding whether or not the service will be allowed to operate at all.
Via: The Verge
Source: Airbnb
Facebook Considering Optional End-to-End Encryption for Messenger
Facebook is planning to introduce an optional end-to-end encryption mode for its Facebook Messenger chat platform, currently used by more than 900 million people, reports The Guardian.
Citing sources “close to the project,” The Guardian says the encryption will be an opt-in feature because turning it on will impact some of the new machine learning features being built into the Messenger app like chat bots. Google’s upcoming “Allo” messaging app also offers an opt-in end-to-end encryption option it calls “incognito mode.”
Many major technology companies have taken a stronger stance on privacy, embracing end-to-end encryption following Apple’s standoff with the FBI. Earlier this year, the FBI demanded Apple unlock the iPhone 5c used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook by bypassing Apple’s own passcode security features.
Apple refused, and the FBI eventually found an alternate way to access the iPhone, but the dispute has scared technology companies into bolstering security. Dozens of major technology companies supported Apple during its fight with the FBI, all of whom were concerned about the precedent the FBI’s demand could set.
Popular Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp enabled full end-to-end encryption in April, and in March, Swiss software developer Proton Technologies released ProtonMail, an email app offering end-to-end encryption. Apple is also rumored to be working on enhanced security measures for its software and hardware, and apps like Telegram Messenger have grown in popularity.
It is not clear exactly when Facebook might introduce new encryption options for Messenger, but the feature is said to be planned “in the coming months.” Facebook declined to comment on the rumor, saying it does not respond to rumor and speculation.
Tags: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, privacy, Encryption
Discuss this article in our forums
2016 Lexus ES 350 review – Roadshow
The Good The ES 350 upholds traditional Lexus tenets — it’s quiet, it’s comfortable and it’s plenty spacious.
The Bad It’s far less stylish than its stablemates, the powertrain feels old, and even the bare-bones base model is quite expensive. It also has the worst satellite radio antenna known to man.
The Bottom Line If you plan on stretching your bucks to slide into the luxury-car life, you’re probably better off going with a fully equipped, non-luxury competitor, like a Toyota Avalon or a Nissan Maxima.
Luxury automakers constantly assault you with advertisements, claiming that it’s never been easier to nestle into the lap of luxury. With base models offering ridiculously attractive pricing, it all seems rather attainable. But let me tell you — what you get for that advertised price ain’t always exactly luxurious, and it might make more sense to avoid going with a premium badge altogether.
Thus is the conundrum with the 2016 Lexus ES 350, equipped as my review model was, which is to say not terribly well. It represents the least expensive way to pick up any new Lexus sedan, but at $38,000 before taxes and delivery, it’s tough to make the value argument when you’re staring down non-luxury vehicles that can arrive on your driveway with much of its ride quality and way more luxury and safety options and doo-dads for much less money.
A little refresh
This ES 350 should look a little different from the hundreds of others you’ve seen on the road since waking up this morning. For 2016, Toyota updated its midsize luxury sedan’s exterior with slightly tweaked front and rear fasciae and some new wheel designs. It’s a very conservative update for a very conservative car, falling far short of the aggressive styling seen on other new Lexus models, like the NX and RX. In fact, all its sedans are playing catch-up to the crossovers, which is a pretty good metaphor for the state of the auto industry.
Inside, the steering wheel is slimmer and sportier looking, there’s a new in-cluster display and there are new “Enter” buttons on either side of the take-it-or-leave-it infotainment system controller. The interior remains on the conservative side of handsome, although harder plastics creep up the lower you look. The cabin leather is comfortable to the touch, and screen-averse buyers will love the panoply of physical switchgear for radio and HVAC controls.
The
2016
Lexus
ES
350
is
an
overripe…
See full gallery
1 – 6 of 39
Next
Prev
That pesky tech
Lexus’ infotainment system is definitely love-it-or-hate-it. Personally, I find the system’s method of mouse-like cursor control to be just as easy to use as any touchscreen, although learning how it works can be difficult, as it’s not like any other system on the market — even Toyota’s.
Devoid of options as my tester was, I didn’t get any connected services that couldn’t be utilized through the satellite radio connection. I had weather updates, but otherwise, my technological experience was quite limited. There are two USB ports up front, however, which is a nice touch, although low current means a slow charge on larger, newer phones.
This knob is now the third different kind of screen manipulator I’ve found on a new Lexus, the other two being a touchpad and a mouse-like knob.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
The satellite-radio antenna is the worst of any car I’ve ever driven, cutting out at random, far away from tree cover or overpasses. Occasionally, it took 30 seconds or so to find a station’s signal, and when it did, I got a minute of music followed by more seeking. Over my week with the car, it never worked correctly.
The in-cluster screen works as it does on any other Lexus or Toyota product, placing pertinent info (fuel economy, navigation directions when applicable, audio data) in the driver’s line of sight. It’s easy to adjust using steering wheel controls, and I found that it cut down on my center-stack screen glancing to a great degree.
Advanced driver-assistance systems are available, just not on my tester. For the curious, you can opt for a low-cost Lexus Safety System+ option, which gives you adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and automatic high beams.
Dell’s new 2-in-1 PCs run the gamut in screen size
It’s no secret that the PC market has been shrinking due to the onslaught of smartphones and tablets, but if you ask Dell, it’s apparently bucking the trend thanks to its 2-in-1 notebooks and gaming laptops. At Computex, Executive Director Monty Wong told us that Dell saw 13 consecutive quarters of increasing PC market share, to the point where it overtook HP as the number one PC brand in the US back in Q1, according to IDC. As such, it’s no surprise that the PC giant has been mostly focusing on 2-in-1s at this year’s show, with the new lineup running the gamut from the world’s first 17-inch 2-in-1 all the way down to a $249 11-inch device. Let’s take a closer look.
Starting off at the high end, we have the aluminum Inspiron 7000 series 2-in-1s, which come in sizes of 13, 15 and 17 inches. The 17-incher is a first in the 2-in-1 market, with its beastly size making it especially handy for kitchen use, small meetings and maybe movie watching. These are all designed with prosumers in mind. As such, they pack Intel’s sixth-generation Core processor, NVIDIA’s GeForce 940M graphics chip and a backlit keyboard.
These will also come with an infrared camera for Windows Hello’s facial recognition login feature. In addition to the HDMI port, the two full-size USB connections (one of them USB 3.0), the SD card slot and the usual power plug socket, there’s also a USB Type-C port on the left for an external dock, monitor or secondary battery. This series starts at $749 and will be hitting Dell’s US site on June 2nd, followed by retail availability at Best Buy.
Next up we have the more mainstream Inspiron 5000 series. While their bodies are made of plain plastic, I’m digging their clean, understated design. There are only two size options: 13 inches and 15 inches, both offering a full HD touchscreen with wide viewing angle. The infrared camera is here to stay, and these machines will support up to 16GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM. In terms of sockets, you’ll miss out on the USB Type-C port featured on the 7000 series; instead you’ll get an additional full-size USB 3.0 port. These start at $529 and will be on Dell.com at the same time as the 7000 series.
Finally, there’s the Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1, an 11-inch convertible laptop aimed at children and budget-conscious shoppers. Given its $249 entry price, there’s not much to expect in terms of performance: It comes with an Intel Pentium chip, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage space and a 1,366 x 768 touchscreen. That said, you still get one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 connections, an HDMI socket and a microSD slot. It will be available June 2nd, initially in red and blue, followed by gray and white at a later date.
Stay on top of all the latest news from Computex 2016 right here.
Xbox One price drops to $299 ahead of E3
If Microsoft is hoping to quell rumors of new Xbox hardware at E3, it isn’t doing the greatest job. The company has permanently cut the prices of Xbox One consoles by $50 across the board, lowering the base price to $299 — even some of the nicer multi-game 1TB bundles now sell for $319. These are tremendousprices, of course, but they’re coming just a couple of weeks before E3. While this could just be an attempt to goose sales during the historically quiet summer, it’s only going to fuel talk of a possible smaller 2TB system that would become the new flagship. The price drop is great if you’re looking for the most affordable Xbox One possible, but it’s otherwise worth holding off a little while… especially if you want to see what Sony brings to the table.
Via: Polygon
Source: Xbox.com
AIVAnet 