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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 15 - 20 JULY, 2024
Hello and Welcome,
Meetings This Week
2024/07/16 — 10:00-12:00 — July, Tue — Tuesday Group
2024/07/20 — 14:00-16:00 — July, Sat — Web Design
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Meeting ID: 861 4113 3224
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Meetings Next Week
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Schedule of Current & Upcoming Meetings
First Tuesday 18:00-20:00 — Main Meeting
Third Tuesday 10:00-12:00 — Tuesday Group
Third Saturday 14:00-16:00 — Web Design
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Go to the official Sydney PC Calendar for this month's meeting details.
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ASCCA News:Tech News:
No-Apps Phone Could Cost $799
See the InfoPackets article by John Lister on July 3, 2024, at 01:07 pm EDT.
Light Phone III
The makers of a low-tech phone say they want people to use it as little as possible. But they've added a "proper" screen which raises the price to $399.
The third incarnation of the Light Phone continues to raise questions about exactly who the intended users are, though the makers say sales have topped 100,000. (Source: techcrunch.com)
Previous versions had virtually no features: the Light Phone 2 made calls and accepted text messages, but it did not have an internet browser or installable apps. Instead, it simply performed a few basic built-in tasks such as playing music files, giving driving directions, and storing calendar information. It had no camera and an e-ink display similar to those in devices like Amazon's Kindle.
It was a slightly bizarre proposition as it didn't appear suitable as a primary handset. Most people would consider it lacked key features, while those happy with a bare-bones phone could find considerably cheaper "dumbphones" on the market. It seemed the primary audience was people with enough cash to buy a second handset when going through a "digital detox" or trying to avoid distraction but still wanting to be reachable.
Cameras Added
The Light Phone 3 makes things even more confusing, adding several features that users reportedly couldn't do without. This includes a new screen that, while still black and white, uses a more traditional OLED panel rather than e-ink, meaning the refresh rate isn't as visibly slow.
It also has front and rear cameras, though no on-device editing facilities. Instead it's designed for basic screenshots and scanning QR codes, though it can theoretically make video calls. The new model also has an NFC chip, though doesn't yet have any associated software for making payments.
Price Will Double
The question of why anyone would buy this instead of a smartphone (or use it alongside a main phone) comes back into focus with the pricing. $399 is a pre-order price, with a plan that the standard retail cost will be $799 unless sales are large enough to reduce production costs. (Source: theverge.com)
Ultimately, the main audience is still people who want some of the critical features of the modern phone but without the distraction of countless apps and notifications. Why can't they simply buy a normal smartphone and control what apps they install? Their notification settings may be more of an issue with the user than the device.
What's Your Opinion?
Would you want to use a "distraction-free" phone? What features and tools on the phone are genuinely must-haves for you? Can such devices help people who feel addicted to apps and notifications?
Comments — No thanks — Submitted by Dennis Faas on Wed, 03/07/2024 — 13:21.
You can find much cheaper dumbphones for considerably less on Amazon that have more options and a colour screen (for as low as $25). I can't imagine anyone in their right mind wanting to pay $799 for a phone that doesn't have the capability of using apps from Google Play or the App Store.
Simple phone? — Submitted by ronangel1 on Wed, 03/07/2024 — 15:23.
Depending on what it has, which can't be seen without seeing the full spec, if it has no GPS and Bluetooth, it could be for people who don't want to be tracked or use burner phones for this reason.
Those who want them — Submitted by kitekrazy on Wed, 03/07/2024 — 23:07.
Some time ago, there was an article about a similar flip phone in the Register. Many tech people subscribe to that site. They prefer these types of phones in their work environments. I'd never want to use my phone for work.
For some, the limitations are beneficial, but not at $799.
Scammers Could Send Emails 'From Microsoft'
See the InfoPackets article from John Lister on July 8, 2024, at 12:07 pm EDT.
You have Outlook Email
A particularly embarrassing bug makes it easy to send emails that appear to be from Microsoft employees. This is terrible news for the public, as it could make phishing scams appear more credible.
The good news is that it only works if the recipient uses Outlook, though "good" is a comparative term because there are over 400 million Outlook users worldwide. (Source: cyberdaily.au)
Users Asked to Remain Vigilant
Exactly how the bug works and where it's found still isn't known, as the security researcher says they do not want to give details that could help potential attackers exploit the bug on a much larger scale.
It's unclear whether the bug would let an attacker seemingly send a message from only a Microsoft account or if that's simply the embarrassing example used to highlight the issue.
With vague details, it's tough to say what to watch for exactly. As such, we recommend that Outlook users be extra careful about clicking on any emails that purport to be from Microsoft — especially any asking you to "validate your information," for example.
Microsoft "Can't Reproduce" Bug
The researcher says they discovered and reported the bug to Microsoft but were told Microsoft could not reproduce the vulnerability. The researcher also sent a video demonstrating how to carry out an attack but got the same reply.
TechCrunch says it asked the researcher for more details and was sent a demonstration email, which did indeed appear to come "from Microsoft's account security team." (Source: techcrunch.com)
The researcher says that since he went public, Microsoft has engaged with him and acknowledged the issue. However, the bug itself appears to still be unpatched.
Phishing Bonanza
Even if the bug is only restricted to spoofing Microsoft emails, it still has some significant potential for abuse, particularly given that targets would be running Outlook. It's very easy to imagine scammers sending messages that appear to be from Microsoft and include false claims about the user's account being at risk.
From there, the scammer could either trick the user into opening an attachment that supposedly included a fix, or link them to a look-alike website and ask them to confirm their Outlook login details. That could give access to an email account, which could not only reveal sensitive or personal information but also make it much easier to breach the user's other online accounts, for example by exploiting forgotten password requests.
What's Your Opinion?
Do you use Outlook? Would you be suspicious of a message from a Microsoft address? Is it realistic to expect Microsoft to explore every bug report in depth?
Fun Facts:
How to get Email Clients to show IMAGES properly
Thunderbird (and other Email Clients) often stumble when displaying simple images.
However, there is NO refresh button to ask it to try again.
The only way to advance is to highlight the previous or the following email and try the current one again.
It's usually a waste of time because the same image errors typically appear.
Failed attempt at displaying an image
Sometimes, the emails have a helpful "View it in your browser" message to help the situation.
Here's an example of this going from bad to worse — this time, the email displays a whopping SEVENTEEN failed images! It's beyond frustrating.
Now, SEVENTEEN images fail to display
HOPELESS.
Does anybody else have this problem? And did you find a solution?
I thought not.
And how many YEARS has Thunderbird been around?
— Ed.
Ukraine's first F-16 pilot finally brought down the Crimean-Bridge
See the 25m42s YouTube video by USMC July 9, 2024.
FAKE NEWS: Destruction of the Crimean Bridge
QUOTING FROM THE VIDEO TEXT:
*NOT real footages, just Arma 3 gameplay simulation!
This video does not depict what is happening, it is just a guess at what this event would look like in reality :)
Subscribe to see more ARMA 3 military content :)
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*This video was created using content of Bohemia Interactive a.s.*
*Copyright © 2013 Bohemia Interactive a.s. All rights reserved.*
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~ Newsletter Editor ~
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