Posts by Paul 164

Whose benefit?

So if these banks detect certain open ports, do they display a notice on the website that the computer may be compromised, and that the customer should investigate further?

I bet they don't.

App update descriptions

A great example of apps using the generic "we update the software regularly so we can make it better for you", whilst sneaking in new code to do this kind of thing and who knows what else.

About time the App Store made this kind of description against the TOS and forced app developers to tell users what they are updating... Then again, the likes of Facebook would probably just threaten removing their app from iOS and Apple would cave in.

Wondered how long it would be before they started trying to really push that through!

Eeexxxxcceeelleeenntt

Whenever I see pictures of Rupert Murdoch he reminds me of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons! Ironically he seems to have a similar complex over having to control as much as possible!

Totally agree

Apple have lost their minds along with their innovation.

Everything with them seems to be going backwards - having to buy adapters to use Ethernet, USB and having to buy external drives because I want to write a CD! I thought that was in the past by 15 years or so!

My iPhone is a 5s, mainly because I hate the larger phones and don't want to pay a lot of money for little improvement... Don't get me started on the iPhone 7 and its missing audio jack!

My laptop used to be an i7 MacBook Pro until somebody damaged it beyond repair. Looking into a new Pro, I found the specs very limiting (less ports and no optical drive), and the price higher than when I bought the i7. Not only that but not being able to upgrade the hardware on a machine I OWN is just a HUGE CON.

I had to opt for the older i5 mid-2012 MacBook Pro in the end - all because I want the option of using ports without adapters, using an optical drive and because I might want to add new RAM or HDD.

Unless Apple actually start listening to their faithful users, I see many of them jumping ship.

They've now resorted to copy-and-paste replies on social media! Great way to piss your customers off who are requesting more info and a possible ETA!

"...they were each actually required to submit information as to why they were 'potentially at risk.'"

Basically meaning that GCHQ will then use this information to use as an excuse to scrutinise (well, monitor) these individuals under the guise of the IPT requiring more information to review their cases!

This is getting a bit too much like China's "Real Name" internet policy. If we continue to exist within the EU, we'll have this sort of crap forced upon us in the future without being able to object to it.

The reach of Big Brother might just be about to take a huge step too far.

“For every consumer to have a multitude of username and password combinations is not only inconvenient but becomes a security risk.” The irony here being that instead of having multitudes of logins that the government might not possibly be able to get hold of, your ID details will probably be all accessible to them, so any data in any account linked to the ID is easily snooped on, with a high chance of it being automated!

The other thing about it is that once a criminal has your ID details, they have ALL of your online accounts!

So basically it sounds like Apple want to pay less in royalties but keep their prices the same earning them more profit?

Sounds normal.

An easier solution...

... DON'T send naked or pornographic pictures or videos in the first place!!!

What happens if the photo's are stolen?

Double standards

So OK for NSA/GCHQ to do it but if some hacking group comes pissing in their yard then it's NOT OK

SO is this like the UK Government's GCHQ looks over the code, finds a flaw, tells Micro$oft but ALSO lets the USA's NSA in on the flaw so it can be exploited? Very reassuring indeed.

"In order to reassure foreign governments that Microsoft's code is secure from such shenanigans, Redmond makes its source code available to other country's governments for checking. If they find flaws, they are fixed at Microsoft, but it's another way of reassuring customers."

It's more like...

Let's rewrite it the way it's supposed to be read:

1. A foreign country developed BIOS malware “disguised as a request for a software update” that would have turned PCs into “a brick.” Plunkett said “The NSA working with computer manufacturers was able to close this vulnerability”. 60 Minutes names China as the culprit

READS AS: NSA had their foreign counterparts put together a BIOS hack in order for the NSA to "help" the BIOS manufacturers fix the hole, whilst ensuring they had their own backdoor programmed into it

2. The NSA is listening to “Less than 60 people globally who are considered U.S. Persons,” according to Alexander

READS AS: The NSA is listening to 60 US persons globally who are considered US persons but 6,000,000 other people who may or may not be US persons.

3. The NSA prefers to look at metadata rather than intercept communications, as the former is felt to be the “least intrusive” way of snooping

READS AS: NSA prefers to LOOK at metadata but advanced computer algorithms look at petabytes of your content and attachments to weed out subjects of interest for future operations. Nothing to hide unless guilty - that is until a terror suspect dials a number incorrectly and connects to you - then you're in the frame as an associate and researched heavily!

4. Before 9/11 the USA lacked the capability to match metadata from multiple carriers that would allow understanding of conversations between two parties and it is felt the lack of such an ability helped the 9/11 plotters to evade detection

READS AS: Bush wanted powers to spy on anyone he wanted but Congress didn't like it. 9/11 happened because the authorities turned their backs to it in order for Bush to push through the necessary wiretap powers. <- one many conspiracy theories

Politics

Another news outlet owned by someone who wants to shape politics and law based on their own interests!

Preventative measures

Leave or retire from the service quickly before future legal action can be taken against them by any chance?

Takedown request for publication of notification?

Love the fact they posted it on Scribd even with the warning at the bottom of the request!

"... unless otherwise specified, this information is not intended for general public dissemination and should not beincluded on public facing websites..."

Audio - Siri

Mine downloaded last night at 8pm in about 20 minutes, but then took 30 mins to "prepare" the update and then got stuck trying to connect to Apple's servers to "verify" the update before installing.

Finally got it installed and tried Siri out to see if it had improved, only to find that Siri (UK) now sounds more like a Speak & Spell from the 80's!

Anyone else notice this?

Fingerprint scanner?

If the fingerprint scanner is introduced it would be of great interest to the NSA and GCHQ as the fingerprint data would no doubt be stored in "the cloud" and accessible by them.

Hey presto, fingerprint data on millions of previously unknown people.

The phone will...

- Allow the DPRK to switch on the microphone and take a picture at any time

- Automatically store all text messages and usage on DPRK servers

- Use GPS to report the location of subjects attempting to slag off the DPRK

- Only allow the national anthem to be used as a ringtone

- Receive propaganda news stories from the DPRK and instantly play or display taking over whatever the user is doing

- Allow the DPRK to set off a missile bound for any hostile country from anyone's handset thus taking the heat away from the leader and army!

If Apple didn't charge £25 for a simple charging adapter there would be less market for cheap, dodgy knock offs.

Plus the quality of them needs to improve - my original plugs have always lasted but the original cables have never lasted longer than 6 months.

People turn to eBay when they find the price of the Apple originals are extortionate and are bombarded with all varieties of cheapies - even if they're just looking for a charging cable, 99.9% of the sellers are flogging the adapters as a package.

Is Lord Reid a fucking idiot?

How on Earth would having the snoopers' charter stopped this?

In fact I don't believe it would stop or foil any terrorism, but will definitely persecute people in the UK for minor things whilst providing people who have access much material for their amusement - for example "Mr. Bloggs from Cheltenham was viewing that animal porn again!"

Shocking...

"Apple told El Reg it does not comment on individual cases"

You mean to say Apple actually RESPONDED to The Register?!

Muppets

When are Apple going to notice that suddenly the competition they're suing has moved on technologically by leaps and bounds and left them behind?

Of course, when Apple do realise I'm sure they'll try and sue them again for something else!

Apple just keep patenting any ideas and graphic effects they can, then sitting back and waiting for some company to make something vaguely similar and setting their scumbag lawyers on them. Great business model and a great way to alienate their customers!

Greed

Yet another major company getting its fingers into more pies

Facebook don't want user democracy they just want to know your life's intricate details to sell onto advertisers and the like.

Getting 1/3 of the user base to vote to for/against changes is impossible - most users dismiss Facebook messages popping up with T&C changes, most others take a quick read then give up because they just want to post about what they had for dinner!

Facebook's only interest is Facebook. And owning you.

It's not that confusing

"The fruity firm's design experts have been testifying to how much Samsung stuff looks like iDevices, with the latest, graphic designer Susan Kare, claiming the gadgets look "confusingly similar"." Yeah right, someone who's inside-out familiar with the Apple design and icon layout!

I would have thought maybe the word SAMSUMG at the top of the phone would be a dead give away that it's NOT an Apple iPhone? The rectangular button?!

Walk into a shop and ask for an iPhone and it'll be pretty obvious to anyone (apart from the witnesses paid $80,000) to see if you're given a Samsung Galaxy! For instance, the packaging, the loading screen logo etc.

People in these times are more savvy and do their research before parting with their hard-earned cash to be fooled like that... Even my technophobe Dad would know the difference!

Happy Orange customer!

I pre-ordered my 4s on the 9th direct via Orange. Was told I would have to wait up to 30 days to receive it as they had been inundated with pre-orders.

All smiles as Friday 14th at 8.30 I received notification that it had been shipped and would be with me first thing Saturday 15th. Very relieved I didn't have to wait up to those 30 days :)