Apple, Security, Privacy, and the U.S. Government.

Apple-February-16-2016

A message from Tim Cook, Apple CEO:

February 16, 2016 A Message to Our Customers

The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.

This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake.

Apple is responding to the order issued by a Federal Magistrate to “hack” the iPhone used by the gunman of San Bernardino Terror Attack.

The San Bernardino Case

We were shocked and outraged by the deadly act of terrorism in San Bernardino last December. We mourn the loss of life and want justice for all those whose lives were affected. The FBI asked us for help in the days following the attack, and we have worked hard to support the government’s efforts to solve this horrible crime. We have no sympathy for terrorists.

Regarding Apple involvement in the investigations:

When the FBI has requested data that’s in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we’ve offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.

Apple has been providing assistance to the FBI in  the investigation.

We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone. (Emphasis mine)

A backdoor is the antithesis to security.

Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.

We are challenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.

While we believe the FBI’s intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.

This is a polarizing issue, especially in the U.S. election year. Apple products, specifically the iPhone, are used in the United States by many people including the Government Officials. What would the Government Officials say should there be some kind of backdoor to their iPhones? They would be screaming bloody murder and blame Apple for such backdoor.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, indeed.

 

The Trouble with Windows 8.1 Update

Windows 8.1 Install could not be completed

I could not believe how Windows 8.1 failed to install on a computer that has a factory-installed Windows 8.

I’d have to wipe the hard drive again and use the system-restore discs on this computer.

Going Back to Windows 8

Going Back to Windows 8

For some odd reasons, Windows 10 would not activate after upgrading from Windows 8.1. I called Microsoft and they told me to reinstall Windows 8, then upgrade to Windows 8.1 and upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft also advised me to call HP and request Windows 8 Product Key should the process failed.

Seriously?

Windows 10 is not activated

Apparently the “factory-installed” product key caused the error. The end user product key is said to be installed in the UEFI BIOS, encrypted.

I guess I’d have to spend a few more days on this project.

Installing Windows 10

Windows 10 Setup

Installing Windows 10 is a time-consuming affair. As a matter of fact it has been “checking for updates” for an hour by now.

UPDATE:

It is about 2:00 A.M. and finally it is “installing”. I gotta go to bed.

Installing Windows 10

System Recovery on an HP Computer

HP System Recovery

Two hours into System Recovery on an HP computer, a few more hours to go.

I had to order the Windows 8 recovery media from HP which consists of five DVDs. If only HP would let customer to download the System Recovery disk images for those who have the bandwidth.

WordPress 4.4.1

WordPress 4.4.1

From WordPress.org:

WordPress 4.4.1 Security and Maintenance Release

WordPress 4.4.1 is now available. This is a security release for all previous versions and we strongly encourage you to update your sites immediately.

WordPress versions 4.4 and earlier are affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability that could allow a site to be compromised. This was reported by Crtc4L.

More importantly:

There were also several non-security bug fixes:

  • Emoji support has been updated to include all of the latest emoji characters, including the new diverse emoji! 👍🏿👌🏽👏🏼

That’s great news for those who wants to use this emoji character: 🖕

Fake Virus Warning Targets Mac Users to Download MacKeeper

macoscheckdotcom scam site

I received a frantic message from a friend when she saw a message that “virus found” on her Mac. She then sent me a few photos of the message.

macoscheckdotcom scam site fake virus check

As it turns out, it is related to none other than MacKeeper. In January2014, a class action lawsuit was filed against ZeoBIT, the maker of MacKeeper.

“macoscheck.com” was registered on December 26, 2015.

Whois info on macoscheck.com:

Deus-ex-Mac:~ ultra-slacker$ whois macoscheck.com

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered

with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net

for detailed information.

Domain Name: MACOSCHECK.COM

Registrar: INTERNET DOMAIN SERVICE BS CORP

Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 2487

Whois Server: whois.internet.bs

Referral URL: http://www.internetbs.net

Name Server: NS1.SPEEDLOADINGSERVER.COM

Name Server: NS2.SPEEDLOADINGSERVER.COM

Status: clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited

Updated Date: 26-dec-2015

Creation Date: 26-dec-2015

Expiration Date: 26-dec-2016

>>> Last update of whois database: Wed, 06 Jan 2016 11:49:01 GMT <<<

For more information on Whois status codes, please visit

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/epp-status-codes-2014-06-16-en.

NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the

registrar’s sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is

currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration

date of the domain name registrant’s agreement with the sponsoring

registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar’s Whois database to

view the registrar’s reported date of expiration for this registration.

TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois

database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and

automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or

modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry

Services’ (“VeriSign”) Whois database is provided by VeriSign for

information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information

about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not

guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide

by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only

for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data

to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass

unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,

or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes

that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,

repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly

prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to

use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or

query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register

domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right

to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure

operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the

Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign

reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.

The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and

Registrars.

Domain Name: MACOSCHECK.COM

Registry Domain ID: 1989721914_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN

Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.internet.bs

Registrar URL: http://www.internetbs.net

Updated Date: 2015-12-26T12:22:03Z

Creation Date: 2015-12-26T12:22:03Z

Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-12-26T12:22:03Z

Registrar: Internet Domain Service BS Corp.

Registrar IANA ID: 2487

Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@internet.bs

Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +44.7546458118

Reseller:

Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited – http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited

Registry Registrant ID:

Registrant Name: Domain Admin

Registrant Organization: Whois Privacy Corp.

Registrant Street: Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street

Registrant City: Nassau

Registrant State/Province: New Providence

Registrant Postal Code: 0000

Registrant Country: BS

Registrant Phone: +1.5163872248

Registrant Phone Ext:

Registrant Fax:

Registrant Fax Ext:

Registrant Email: macoscheck.com-owner@customers.whoisprivacycorp.com

Registry Admin ID:

Admin Name: Domain Admin

Admin Organization: Whois Privacy Corp.

Admin Street: Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street

Admin City: Nassau

Admin State/Province: New Providence

Admin Postal Code: 0000

Admin Country: BS

Admin Phone: +1.5163872248

Admin Phone Ext:

Admin Fax:

Admin Fax Ext:

Admin Email: macoscheck.com-admin@customers.whoisprivacycorp.com

Registry Tech ID:

Tech Name: Domain Admin

Tech Organization: Whois Privacy Corp.

Tech Street: Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street

Tech City: Nassau

Tech State/Province: New Providence

Tech Postal Code: 0000

Tech Country: BS

Tech Phone: +1.5163872248

Tech Phone Ext:

Tech Fax:

Tech Fax Ext:

Tech Email: macoscheck.com-tech@customers.whoisprivacycorp.com

Name Server: ns1.speedloadingserver.com

Name Server: ns2.speedloadingserver.com

DNSSEC: unsigned

URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/

>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2016-01-06T11:49:10Z <<<

Whois info on speedloadingserver.com:

Deus-ex-Mac:~ ultra-slacker$ whois speedloadingserver.com

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered

with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net

for detailed information.

Domain Name: SPEEDLOADINGSERVER.COM

Registrar: TLD REGISTRAR SOLUTIONS LTD

Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 1564

Whois Server: whois.tldregistrarsolutions.com

Referral URL: http://www.tldregistrarsolutions.com

Name Server: NS-CANADA.TOPDNS.COM

Name Server: NS-UK.TOPDNS.COM

Name Server: NS-USA.TOPDNS.COM

Status: clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited

Updated Date: 09-sep-2015

Creation Date: 03-sep-2015

Expiration Date: 03-sep-2016

>>> Last update of whois database: Wed, 06 Jan 2016 12:17:54 GMT <<<

For more information on Whois status codes, please visit

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/epp-status-codes-2014-06-16-en.

NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the

registrar’s sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is

currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration

date of the domain name registrant’s agreement with the sponsoring

registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar’s Whois database to

view the registrar’s reported date of expiration for this registration.

TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois

database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and

automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or

modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry

Services’ (“VeriSign”) Whois database is provided by VeriSign for

information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information

about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not

guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide

by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only

for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data

to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass

unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,

or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes

that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,

repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly

prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to

use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or

query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register

domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right

to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure

operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the

Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign

reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.

The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and

Registrars.

Domain Name: SPEEDLOADINGSERVER.COM

Registry Domain ID: 1957177560_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN

Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.tldregistrarsolutions.com

Registrar URL: http://www.tldregistrarsolutions.com

Updated Date: 2015-09-09T07:28:32Z

Creation Date: 2015-09-03T07:26:31Z

Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-09-03T07:26:31Z

Registrar: TLD Registrar Solutions Ltd.

Registrar IANA ID: 1564

Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@tldregistrarsolutions.com

Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +44.2034357312

Reseller:

Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited – http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited

Registry Registrant ID:

Registrant Name: Domain Admin

Registrant Organization: Whois Privacy Corp.

Registrant Street: Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street

Registrant City: Nassau

Registrant State/Province: New Providence

Registrant Postal Code: 0000

Registrant Country: BS

Registrant Phone: +1.5163872248

Registrant Phone Ext:

Registrant Fax:

Registrant Fax Ext:

Registrant Email: speedloadingserver.com-owner@customers.whoisprivacycorp.com

Registry Admin ID:

Admin Name: Domain Admin

Admin Organization: Whois Privacy Corp.

Admin Street: Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street

Admin City: Nassau

Admin State/Province: New Providence

Admin Postal Code: 0000

Admin Country: BS

Admin Phone: +1.5163872248

Admin Phone Ext:

Admin Fax:

Admin Fax Ext:

Admin Email: speedloadingserver.com-admin@customers.whoisprivacycorp.com

Registry Tech ID:

Tech Name: Domain Admin

Tech Organization: Whois Privacy Corp.

Tech Street: Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street

Tech City: Nassau

Tech State/Province: New Providence

Tech Postal Code: 0000

Tech Country: BS

Tech Phone: +1.5163872248

Tech Phone Ext:

Tech Fax:

Tech Fax Ext:

Tech Email: speedloadingserver.com-tech@customers.whoisprivacycorp.com

Name Server: ns-canada.topdns.com

Name Server: ns-uk.topdns.com

Name Server: ns-usa.topdns.com

DNSSEC: unsigned

URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/

>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2016-01-06T12:16:03Z <<<