August 2022
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Windows 11 resources.
Guided simulations for Windows 11 Enterprise: Launch the simulation
Amazon is shutting down its cloud storage service on Dec. 31, 2023. Photos and videos in Amazon Drive accounts have been automatically saved to Amazon Photos.
Windows 8.1 support ends on January 10, 2023.
Gmail interface redesign coming soon. More from Google.
Microsoft is blocking Office macros by default, once again.
Older MS Office add-ins may be affected.
Google shut down a data center to save it during London’s heatwave.
July 19 was the hottest day on record in London.
Heat.gov shows predictions of hot temperatures in the US.
ECONOMY
Tech spending on cloud services likely will not drop.
Congress approves $52B for the US semiconductor industry.
“it will accelerate the manufacturing of semiconductors in America, lowering prices on everything from cars to dishwashers…”.
Semiconductor market to dip 2.5% next year as inflation hits.
Intel Is Preparing to Raise Chip Prices
The price increase is expected to be above 20% for some processors.
New laptops and desktop PCs will have slightly higher prices, as well as other equipment with “Intel inside”.
Computer Chip prices increasing:
Chip maker TSMC is raising prices.
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp is raising prices.
Chip materials manufacturers are raising prices.
SECURITY
US federal courts data breach. More from Politico.
Digital security giant Entrust breached.
T-Mobile settles regarding 2021 data breach impacting 76M people.
IT services giant SHI was hit by a “professional malware attack”.
The Marriott hotel chain hit by another data breach.
… including some credit card info and other confidential information.
Uber admits covering up massive 2016 data breach in settlement with US prosecutors.
The personal information of 57 million people was exposed in the hack.
Shanghai National Police billion-record database allegedly stolen was posted for sale for 10 Bitcoin (around $200,000) in early July. More.
The Dangers of TikTok
“Remove TikTok from your phone immediately. Even if you don’t create content on the app, the company still collects data on you.”
FCC Commissioner Carr’s open letter to Apple and Google (PDF). His findings include:
- TikTok collects everything from search and browsing histories to keystroke patterns and biometric identifiers, including faceprints and voiceprints.
- The app collects location data.
- It collects text, images, and videos stored on a device’s clipboard.
- It accesses users’ most sensitive data, including passwords, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and personal messages.
TikTok to provide researchers with more transparency as damaging reports mount.
ICE now operates as a domestic surveillance agency.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is touting ‘Enhanced Border Security Agreements’, offering access to its biometric databanks in exchange for other countries reciprocating.
HUMOR
Tim Torian