Verizon Leak Reminder: Safeguard your Cloud Data

While storing 'stuff' in the 'cloud' can be convenient and easy, there's always a risk involved, as the following article discusses about Verizon:
https://usat.ly/2uvfOlU

never store any real sensitive data in the cloud, such as login info for banks, Amazon, etc. I store these in a personal, secure Password Manager.

Jim Hamm 

A "Supercookie" is on Your Smartphone

        "If you use Verizon on your smartphone you may have read about Verizon placing a 'super cookie' on your phone. Here is an article explaining more about this issue, and how to opt out of the 'super cookie,'"  and with that we can envision Jim Hamm with a serious look, followed by his grin.  

What THEY Don't Want You to Know

         On the lookout for helpful info Jim Hamm steps up to the plate with this one:  "Here's an article that provides some interesting information about your cell phone. We use AT&T, — just look at the 'generous' offer they made to us for only $29/month...(grin)"

        Check out this article from USA TODAY:  What cellphone companies don't want you to know  http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2015/03/13/cell-phone-privacy/70202468/

        Kim Komando goes into some detail about "super cookies,"  how Facebook and cell phone companies AT&T and Verizon track and sell your information, how to turn off tracking — she likes DuckDuckGo.  Read the whole thing. 

Who's Looking

        "Verizon loves you — and in particular your browsing habits. Take a read here. Better stay away from those, ah, nefarious websites...(grin)…."  And this is from Jim Hamm.  
        (And just now, by allowing Cookies so I can post, I see 50 websites have latched onto my computer even though I clicked to Block Cookies from third parties and advertisers.) 

Verizon's Pay-Per-View

        Jim Hamm brings an important controversy to our attention.  "You may have already read about the lawsuit Verizon filed against the FCC some time ago.  Here is an article that provides additional detail about the lawsuit, and what might happen to the free internet if Verizon should win.

       "One aspect, which I hadn't considered, is this problem, in theory, should go away if the FCC would declare ISP's are a 'Common Carrier.' Truck lines, for example, are Common Carriers and can't discriminate against customers and have to haul a legal product for anyone, at the same rate." 

        Now, Jim puts the question to us, "What do you think? Should the internet be equal and free for all, or can some company, such as Verizon or AT&T, be able to charge a fee depending on what you're doing? If, say, you're streaming Netflix, should you pay more than if you're just checking emails or surfing the net? 

        "When the lawsuit is decided, I guess we'll learn the answer." 

Limiting Our Internet Access?

        "Here is a site with cartoons protesting Verizon's attempt to limit internet access. 
http://m.commoncause.org/site/c.aiIOI2NLKhKYF/b.8848547/k.B806/Big_Deal_Big_Money.htm  Thanks to David Passell for sending this. 

Verizon High Speed is Here

        Prez Art Gorski tells us, "I just checked Verizon's coverage map and the new high-speed 4G LTE network is live in this area. If you have an iPhone 5 on Verizon, the bar at the top of your screen should say 'LTE' now. If it says '3G,' check your settings to make sure you have LTE turned on. Enjoy the vastly faster speed!"

Superfast LTE Coming!

       Prez Art Gorski spotted this Computerworld article and said, "Verizon has promised that Prescott will get the superfast LTE data service by the end of the year."