Mac Attack

from Jim H

If you use a Mac, the following article will be of interest:

Macs under threat from new malware campaign impersonating major ISP — how to stay safe | Tom's Guide
https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/malware-adware/macs-under-threat-from-new-malware-campaign-impersonating-major-isp-how-to-stay-safe

One tip which I picked up from the article is, if you do a Google search for something -- which I do often -- don't click the first links that come up in a list. Google likes to use these as ads. Instead, scroll down a bit to perhaps get a link that isn't loaded with ads. I plan to check into this suggestion a bit further...Jim

iPhone Tip

From Jim H.

If you might be having an issue with your iPhone, the following tip might be helpful. I wasn't having any issues with my iPhone, but I took a look at the article, and followed the instructions or a bit, just to see. I didn't clear all my browsing history and data, as I wasn't having any issues.

But something to consider if you are having any issues...Jim

How to clear your iPhone cache for a quick and easy performance boost:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-clear-your-iphone-cache-for-a-quick-and-easy-performance-boost/

https://flip.it/xHzmvX

SMS Two-Factor Authentication Codes Intercepted

From Frank C

If you are still using 2FA instead of biometrics (touchID or FaceID), it is time to use the biometrics!!
https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/17/a-million-sms-two-factor-authentication-codes-were-intercepted-heres-what-to-do/

A million SMS two-factor authentication codes were intercepted; here’s what to do​

Ben Lovejoy

A new report found that around a million two-factor authentication codes sent by text message appear to have been intercepted.

A tech industry whistleblower revealed that the 2FA security codes passed through an obscure foreign company with links to government intelligence agencies and companies engaged in digital surveillance …

SMS 2FA codes

Two-factor authentication (2FA) codes are intended to protect your accounts even if your login details have been obtained by hackers. If you have 2FA enabled, then after your password has been confirmed you’ll be prompted to enter a 6-digit code to prove your identify.

That code can be provided by an authenticator app with a rolling code linked to your account, or the website or app can text it to you on your registered mobile number.

The problem with the latter option is that SMS comms is completely unencrypted, so these codes are vulnerable to interception in the telecoms network.

A million codes intercepted

A whistleblower has come forward to report an interception program, providing Bloomberg with evidence to support the claim.

An industry whistleblower provided Bloomberg Businessweek and the investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports with nonpublic phone networking data related to a batch of about 1 million messages carrying two-factor authentication codes sent during June 2023.

Each one passed through the hands of an obscure Swiss outfit named Fink Telecom Services. The company and its founder have worked with government spy agencies and surveillance industry contractors to surveil mobile phones and track user location […]

Senders include Google, Meta and Amazon.com, several European banks, popular apps such as Tinder and Snapchat, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance and encrypted chat platforms Signal and WhatsApp. The intended recipients were located in more than 100 countries across five continents.

That means a hacker – including a government agency – with access to your username and password could successfully login to your accounts even when 2FA is enabled.

Fink’s CFO claimed that the company simply provides “routing capabilities” and “no longer works in surveillance.” However, security experts have linked Fink to cases where texted 2FA codes were used to break into accounts.

9to5Mac’s Take

This is yet another example of why you should always opt to use an authenticator app rather than text messages for your 2FA codes. Safer yet are passkeys, where Face ID or Touch ID is used to locally confirm your identity and no password is sent to the site or app.

Note that Apple uses its own proprietary 2FA system in which the codes are sent to your other Apple devices. This method is safe.

Highlighted accessories

Photo by Gilles Lambert on Unsplash

Tariff Surcharge on Apple Products

From Jim H

While I certainly like and use Apple products, they can be a tad on the pricey side. Is a price increase on Apple's products possibly in the offing? Take a read on the following....Jim

Trump threatens Apple with 25 percent tariffs

President Trump on Friday threatened to hit Apple with 25 percent tariffs if he does not move the company’s manufacturing to the U.S. 

Read the developing story: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5315631-trump-targets-apple-tariffs/?email=bdbf31093b25e45d3d248b972b504f3db85b2de5&emaila=b1890b3c3ccc5f8f34c2db9cd7e216fa&emailb=e4c487d0e5c3ca88728615e6051363e04e9f9d990dcd4ffdd2122d995a182e40&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05.23.25%20News%20Alert%20TS%20KB

Apple's World Wide Development Conference Announcements

If this should be of interest, the link in the following blurb has info on what Apple announced Monday

in their WWDC. My opinion? A bit underwhelming!....Jim

A little of everything: Apple didn't hold back on the first day of its WWDC event. The company announced a major rebrand to its operating systems, a dedicated mobile gaming app, and more. Here's everything that was announced at WWDC 2025.  

Chromebook

From Jim H

If you're running Windows 10 on a PC that can't upgrade to Windows 11 when support for Win 10 ceases this coming October, you may be wondering what to do? Buy a new PC running Windows 11, or a Mac, or an iPad, or perhaps a Chromebook? The following comments on a Chromebook are from the Prescott Computer Society newsletter: https://pcs4me.com/

About 6 months ago I bought a Lenovo Chromebook, and must say I'm very much impressed with it, for a variety of reasons, including a very reasonable purchase price.  In a word, it is 'snappy' in performance,

and worth considering, in my opinion....Jim

Advantages of using a Chromebook:

Security

  •  Automatic Updates: Chromebooks update automatically, ensuring security patches are always applied.

  • Built-in Virus Protection: ChromeOS has built-in security features that protect against malware and viruses.

  • Verified Boot: The system checks itself for corruption or security threats every time it starts.

Ease of Use

  •  Simple Interface: ChromeOS is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate.

  • Fast Boot Time: Chromebooks start up in seconds, reducing waiting time.

  • Cloud-Based Storage: Files are stored in Google Drive, making them accessible from any device.

Cost

  •  Affordable Pricing: Chromebooks are generally cheaper than Windows or Mac laptops

  • No Need for Expensive Software: Most tasks can be done using free web apps like Google Docs, Gmail, and YouTube.

  • Lower Maintenance Costs: No need for antivirus software or frequent repairs.

Other Advantages

  •  Long Battery Life: Many Chromebooks last 10-14 hours on a single charge.

  • Lightweight & Portable: Easy to carry around, making them ideal for seniors.

  • Seamless Integration with Google Services: Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Meet make communication and entertainment effortless.

  • Touchscreen & Convertible Options: Some models can be used as tablets, making navigation easy

New Mac Phishing Attack

From Frank C


Remember, the Mac will NEVER, EVER tell you about a virus (it just removes it without your intervention), nor will it give you a window to “log in” when it freezes. If your Mac freezes, you either hit Option-Command-Esc to bring up the Force Quit pop up window, or long press the power button to reboot.

Apple Manufacturing

From Jim H

The following news blurb discusses one step Apple is taking to move production away from China, trying to avoid the tariff tiff, if possible. While it would be nice to have the manufacturing move to the U.S., one has to wonder about the economics of such a move? While Apple's products are nice and of good quality, they are already on the expensive side. If costs go up, then price goes up, then what happens to demand? Somewhat of a conundrum, it seems...Jim

Apple x India: New Delhi has approved Foxconn to build a new $435 million semiconductor plant with the goal of eventually making chips for Apple as the iPhone maker aims to reduce its reliance on China. However, Trump today said he’s asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to stop building in India and start building in the U.S. Read More

This Little-Known iPhone Gesture Makes for a Great AirDrop Alternative

from the Lifehacker Newsletter

Quickly copy and paste a picture from your iPhone to your Mac.

Jake Peterson

May 8, 2025

Credit: Tada Images/Shutterstock

If you've had your Apple devices for a while, you probably think you know them pretty well. You have your various routines, habits, and hacks and you do what you need to do. But over the years, Apple has added a lot of features to its flagship products—including plenty of hidden gestures you might not know about. As MacRumors reminded us this week, one of those gestures is actually well-suited for sharing photos and videos across your various Apple devices, and in some cases, is probably faster than AirDrop.

https://lifehacker.com/tech/copy-paste-gesture-between-iphone-mac?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=lifehackerdaily&zdee=gAAAAABk5tncotgp5geFrrIPQj9cYo8MsRegqzS5r2m5ly3qLBMGoMrKohvH2y9Z-FPP4QH88L9Qw0oJZdQyjy_KKmBTkKACy0K9yF0IVhLDWJWUvXdnzCQ%3D&lctg=44818486017

Device End of Support List

From Jim H

If you'd like to know how long company technical support exists for your electronic device, the following might be helpful. My iPhone "X" is so old that it probably qualifies as a museum 

antique piece!...☺️...But, it still works just fine, so I'll keep using it...Jim

Head to endoflife.date. This handy site lists the end-of-life (EOL) dates for devices, software programs and others. Some quick links for you to check your phone’s EOL:

The links below aren’t for phones, but I thought you might want to check the EOL for your other tech:

This is an excellent site to check before you buy any used tech. If it’s about to hit its EOL date, don’t buy it.

Apple Recycling for ALL computer products

From Frank C

Hi,

I had two old phones that could not be reused due to one of several reasons, so I happened to log into Apple on Earth day and they had this great report on their products and the environment. One thing that grabbed my attention was that instead of getting a trade-in for a useless device, they would take it and recycle it. So, I tried it.

At this link, (https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in#recycle) you can choose to send it to them for recycling. You can see all the different items they will take, and the name used is NOT Apple specific! The will take any smartphone, and any computer, as well as all the old cables that we have been hoarding! Once you choose the device, they ask for you address and send you a pre-paid label to ship it to a third party who does the recycling. So, anything we can not reuse next week, we can send it to Apple for recycling.  

Frank

Amazon Prime

From Jim H

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, this article has some tips that might be helpful...Jim

Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks? Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 9 Prime member benefits you should be using!

Once upon a time we had to make lists with paper and pen and physically go to stores when we needed things. Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon. For many of us, the free shipping perk and access to exclusive shows and movies is enough reason to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime. But if those reasons haven't been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are 10 of those perks.

Unlimited photo storage.
Three words: Unlimited photo storage. I filled up my cloud eons ago, and while I could buy more storage, I’ve instead opted to move my pictures to Amazon Photo Storage. You’ll also get 5GB of video storage for free.

Free release-date delivery.
Prime members also get free release-date delivery on video games, movies, books, music, and more. Just pre-order eligible items, then select release-day delivery. Most orders are delivered by 7:00 p.m. on the day of release.

Early access to lightning deals.
Get early access to lightning deals. These bargains are only available for 4-12 hours and tend to sell out fast. But with Prime, you get a 30-minute jumpstart on these offers.

Free shipping with select merchants.
Did you know that Prime members get free shipping at Woot! and shopbop? Plus Zappos will give you a free shipping upgrade when you checkout using your Amazon account.

Free access to podcasts and music.
Amazon Prime members also enjoy free access to top podcasts and over 100 million songs when using shuffle. If you prefer your music on-demand, try a free 30-day trial of Amazon Music Unlimited. The cost goes to $8.99 per month if you decide not to cancel it.

Free delivery options.
Prime members can also have their finds delivered to an Amazon locker location for free. Would you rather save the trip and have your packages delivered in your garage? No problem, Prime offers that too. With the Amazon Key program, vetted drivers will have one-time access to your garage. This service is totally free once you pay for the initial start-up costs.

Need generic medications? No insurance or poor coverage? Prime members have access to RXPass. Subscribers will get all eligible medications for the flat monthly fee of $5. This program includes over 50 generic drugs. If your meds are on this list, run, don’t walk.

Whole Foods discounts.
Unfortunately the cost of groceries continues to rise. The advantages of Prime don’t end when you leave the online world. Whole Foods offers special in-store prices to Amazon Prime members who download the app.

Still not sold? There are a couple of ways to get Amazon Prime for free. Existing Prime members can share their Prime benefits with one member of their household at no additional cost. Also, if you haven’t been a Prime member for the past 12 months, you can sign up (again) for a free trial! Lastly, you may qualify for a discounted membership with Prime Access if you are receiving government assistance. College students who are currently enrolled may also qualify for a discounted membership with Prime Student. These memberships cost between $6.99-$7.49 per month.

Internet privacy does not exist!

From Frank C

The Mozilla Foundation (they make the Firefox browser and are very concerned about all things Internet) just sent me an email talking about a new company call Shadow Dragon. Here is what they had to say:

What happens when a surveillance company connects all the little data points you leave across the internet — from neighborhood chats to travel reviews, job history to dating profiles?

You get a tool like ShadowDragon’s SocialNet.

This surveillance technology pulls seemingly harmless data from hundreds of sites — like Instagram, Etsy, LinkedIn, Duolingo, and Tinder. Harmless posts become the building blocks of invasive profiles. They can reveal who you know, what you care about, even where you live and work.

ShadowDragon then sells this tool to law enforcement and government agencies (including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). It gives them powerful investigative powers — built entirely from personal data people never thought could be weaponized.1

So, now, all those little posts you made on all those social media and other public sites have been combined, analyzed, massaged, and collated, and Voila: “we know who you are and what you think and feel”!!

I am not a criminal, nor planning anything against our laws, and not on any social media. But what about every one else who uses social media. What about your gardener who is talking to their mother in Mexico, or the Canadian tourist who is communicating with friends back home while visiting the US in the winter… Will ICE use this information to throw them in jail because they were stating a point of view that did not align with the current government or dictator?

As I teach in my Security course: you cannot have security unless you have privacy, and you cannot have privacy unless you have anonymity!! 

Be careful of what you say out there friends!!!


Satellite Messaging

from Jim H

The following article has a description on how to connect your iPhone 14, or later, and the Pixel 9

smartphone to a satellite if a cell tower isn't available. I think this feature would be especially helpful

to hikers and campers that get into backcountry and other rural areas, where normal cell coverage

might not be available...Jim


How to use iPhone emergency SOS satellite messaging to reach 911

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/problemsolved/2025/04/06/emergency-sos-iphone-satellite/82795170007/