Isn’t this interesting? One of the only good articles I’ve ever seen regarding ransomware and recovery was written by a Russian out of Boston, Maria Korolov. Since the majority of ransomware attacks originate in Russia I suppose it helps to speak the language? Only thing I’d add to her article is to emphasis NEVER keep backup appliances authenticated to a domain and never allow Active Directory authentication onto them. Any AD authentication should be TO the original path on the source server or file location using a designated AD account. Nothing should ever be allowed to authenticate onto the appliance or backup server using AD authentication. The initial harvest of AD credentials, used to perform the ransomware attack, makes AD authenticated backup systems vulnerable. To date I’ve brought two enterprise environments back on-line within 24 hours post-encryption, no ransom, no keys with zero forward facing downtime to customers or vendors using locally authenticated backup appliances. The information in Maria’s article lays out how it’s all done.
https://www.csoonline.com/article/3627828/ransomware-recovery-8-steps-to-successfully-restore-from-backup.html

Since Windows 2000 Microsoft always screwed up the next release. ME, Vista and eventually God forsaken Windows 8. By their own admission it was so bad they tried to salvage it with 8.1 and gave us Server 2012 which still plagues too many data centers to this day. Everyone eventually accepted an increasingly stable Windows 10 and it may remain the gaming platform of choice for quite some time, it’s hardware empire is vast. What less did we expect of Microsoft but to force upon us a release as necessary and comfortable as a moment of lockjaw. But hold on. Windows 11 doesn’t suck.

I’m running the Developer release, an in-place Win 10 update, on my Lenovo X1 Carbon with an 8th Gen Core-i7 and 32Gb of RAM. It’s got quite an engine under the hood to ride on. I suspect older machines may require a full wipe and clean install instead of an update. It won’t load on 32-bit hardware, only 64. Which is cool because we don’t need to stop the 2-3 year technology fold just because a few Gen-X dads now hitting our 50s are getting comfortable and complacent. Charge on boys.

The good, the bad and the bad-ass.

There are several good things about Windows 11, some more functional and others more aesthetic. One right click on the desktop and the aesthetics of the menu differences are glaring, better, modern and clean.

The new Start menu location has cause some controversy. Yes, Apple did it first. Does that make it wrong for Microsoft to do it now? I’ve been using Windows since version 3.1, code named “Sparta”, in 1992 and I never found the lower left corner appealing, always annoying. Others claim ramming the mouse into that corner is easier than focusing on the center of the task bar. You can put it back over there if you want. It makes a lot more sense to me in the middle. I’m not a Mac user, it just makes more sense and I say good call. Fight me.

The right click options are not laid our the way they used to be and using a button to “Copy” instead of clicking the word “Copy” took some getting used to. And there’s no “Send To” option anymore. But again, that’s all aesthetics without any real change in functionality. Interesting the “Share with Skype” option remains on the menu even though Skype is deprecated.

I’ve only found a couple of things that can be classified as “bad” so far and they are really just glitches in development, likely to be fixed before any consumer release.

1. Clicking on the clock in the lower right corner near the task manager causes a screen refresh before the calendar and date/time settings can be pulled up.
2. If I right click on the Desktop and choose “Display Settings” and then navigate to “System” it lists all system settings, as it should. However if I then right click on the desktop and choose “Display Settings” again, it now takes me to “System” settings or the last place the System settings menu was left.

The bad-ass search. Wow. Apparently this update is indexing every bit of every byte on the hard drive during install because the search is FAST. And it works. Anyone who remembers how pathetic and horrifying the search function was in Windows 8 knows how much work the kids in Redmond had in front of them. Unless they somehow screw it up before release this will be the most talked about and potentially most functional component of the OS. It’s almost easier to search for something than to find it on a myriad of desktop icons or “recent” files in app cache.

So far, so good. It’s really stable even under development. No video, network or Bluetooth issues so far and regardless of it’s blatant similarities to Mac OSx the new, more elegant look is long over due.

In January 2020 Dr. Anthony Fauci told Newsmax TV that the United States “did not have to worry” about the Coronavirus and it “was not a major threat”. Coincidentally it was determined I contracted COVID-19 on January 22nd 2020 and I am still antibody positive. My blood’s still being used in plasma treatments. Asked how long I’ll remain antibody positive the scientific answer from medical professionals as of one month ago is “we don’t know”.

Using that segue let’s see what else Dr. Fauci was irrefutably confident but ultimately incorrect about:

• In February 2020 Fauci compared the new novel Corona virus to “a bad flu”.
• February 29th 2020 Fauci said “malls, gyms and movies are okay”.
• March 2020 Fauci based spread predictions on models that were off by millions and later told reporters “You can’t rely on models” when his doomsday numbers didn’t materialize.
• On March 9th 2020 Fauci told America “Cruises are okay”. Still the Oracle.
• Fauci was also wrong about when the first patient in the US died. He said Feb. 29th. It was Feb 6th 2020.
• Fauci used The Imperial Model very late in the game to argue that the US should shut down only after repeating the CDC’s claim that masks were not necessary. The Imperial Model has been determined to be a complete fraud, it predicted 2.2 million US deaths in the first year of the virus. To date we’re at 593,167. Fauci’s fear mongering “science” was only off by 75%.
• April 2020 he warned Georgia that the virus would “rebound” with catastrophic effects if the state reopened so soon. The exact opposite happened. He recommended that Georgia not reopen their schools. The infection rate dropped, kids went back to school with no major outbreaks. The Georgia economy opened and thrived.
• But he hadn’t learned. In April 2021 Fauci warned Texas of the same catastrophic consequences he predicted for Georgia if they dropped their mask mandate and reopened the economy without restrictions. Texas cases are still on the decline. Fauci’s public reply was “the Coronavirus can be confusing”. He made it easy for his critics to let that comment stand all by itself.

The only one really confused is Fauci, and he’s making other people confused too. He never had the absolute answers continuously espoused from his CNN soap box. To this very day Fauci doesn’t genuinely know how this virus is transmitted or if masks really made any difference. People coddle Fauci’s words because they think he’s Dr. Grandaddy looking out for them, comforting their fear with his heart felt “guidance”. An abundance of caution may have been his intent but at what costs?

And now come the “Yeah but” responses from those who remain in denial and can’t admit the their hard mask and gathering controls are backed by inconsistent bullshit. Ardent maskers are having to come to terms with the fact most people will be taking them off soon.

But Fauci? Why is anyone still listening to this guy like some kind of Pandemic Prophet when it’s hard to find one thing he’s gotten right? Any of us can get on CNN and make guesses about what we think is going to happen next.

I may use caution and post these facts on some social media sites but they will likely be removed, my accounts potentially suspended not because they contain any inaccurate information what-so-ever. It’s just information that doesn’t sit well with staunch advocates of the Pandemic Panic Agenda.

As an Android user since the dawn of smart phones I have always supported Google in the culture wars. This love affair is near it’s end. For the first time since my attempt at carrying an iPhone 6 several years ago I will return to the Appleverse an see if I can scratch-n-sniff my way around an iPhone 12. My devotion to Google ends not because of Apple’s superior hardware (the One Plus 9 is genuinely a better phone than the Apple’s 12th iteration) but due to Google becoming a horribly controlling and insecure companion, watching and recording my every move with Android devices collecting data at rates 20 times that of Apple units.

But I’ve also learned that changing to an iPhone will only mitigate a slight portion of the information Google is harnessing about me. Maps isn’t the only app tracking my location, Chrome isn’t the only app recording my search history. Turning off “location history” does nothing to stop the collection of location data. Per Google it takes settings in Data and Personalization to really stop apps from tracking your location and collecting data from your searches. Once logged into your Google account through any browser go to: https://myaccount.google.com/data-and-personalization to take back control of the data Google has on you.

Without further delay, here are the settings to change and what app services they’ll affect. On to Data and Personalization.

From here you’ll want to look for Activity Controls and select Manage your activity controls at the bottom.

You will be presented categories of apps and services Google is using to gather data, ranging from your “Web & App Activity” to YouTube and Ad Personalization. Obviously what apps and services you allow Google to collect data from is a personal decision. I will show you how to cut each off and describe what effect it will have on related apps and services.

First is Web & App Activity. Notice that Google does NOT automatically save audio recordings saved to your devices by default. That’s a win. But they do Collect every shred of data and input into almost every other app or service accessed through Android, Chrome and some other Chromium based browsers.

Pausing Web & App Activity produces a warning detailing what may happen to some personalization in search and location services. You will be notified the “Setting is off” and given an option to “Delete old activity” from your web and app history. Pausing Web & App History is probably the first setting you should change if you’re serious about stopping what Google’s collecting.

Next up, Location History. For a long time people thought Pausing Location History was the thing to do to stop Google from tracking everyday travel to mundane destinations. Nope, for a while it’s been pausing Web & App Activity that really puts the brakes on Google’s data vacuum.

To be clear: Pausing Location History does not stop Maps from working. It does not stop Find My Device or other Google location services from working either. What you will notice is things like recommended addresses and previous addresses you’ve visited not automatically popping up when you start typing a new destination. Pausing Location History only stops Google from recording the locations you’ve visited, it does not stop apps from tracking location. That’s what Web & App Activity is for.

Your YouTube History is also collected by Google without permission or apology. Cut it off if you don’t want them knowing tracking how many Dr. Pimple Popper videos you watched at work. I personally don’t fault Google for collecting YouTube history though. We need a recorded history of the pointless insanity warping the minds of future generations. Google’s probably bored as hell with my own YouTube history of cop chases and instructional videos about dishwashers and lawnmower blades. Bored but they’ll sell my contact details to Maytag and John Deere anyway. Just cut it all off unless it is genuinely important to you.

I have to admit Ad personalization was the Activity Controls category that shocked me the most. Click on Go to Ad Settings to really get an idea of the profile Google’s built on you.

In the Ad Settings you will see “How your ads are personalized” using what Google refers to as “factors”. Here you are offered the opportunity to “choose any factor to learn more or update your preferences”. So is Google asking me to groom this data for them so ads can be targeted more effectively? Of all categories Ad personalization will make you feel you’ve been stalked ad-nauseum. The moment you realize Google knows more about you than your spouse or mother. Now for a real kicker, click the Advanced drop down arrow.

How about that? No opt in for Google to share the ad profile they’ve created with their “partners”. Nope. It’s the default. Uncheck this immediately. No telling how many countries Google’s already sold my profile to under the guise of ad targeting.

Once excluded you will be notified that Google will not provide your data for ads to be targeted at you on any non-Google websites.

It’s also important to note that within each category of Activity Controls Google allows you to Auto Delete any of the information they collect 3 months, 18 months or 36 months or you can auto delete any time using the Manage activity link for each category.

Truth is I honestly don’t know how much control over such data Apple provides compared to these Activity controls provided by Google but I do know this: Apple is selling devices for revenue and profit, Google sells your data to advertisers for revenue and profit. Take that to heart when making a decision about which company really has your privacy and security in mind. And make sure to review your Activity Controls in your Google account regardless of which platform you use any Google services on.

I decided to give it a try. I’m typing this on a 13″ HP, Core i5 with 16GB of RAM running Chrome OS v.87. Google’s got some explaining to do. Why does every Chromebook made still have trouble with stable wireless connectivity? Has Google gotten past blaming customers and their networks? And under these circumstances why in the hell did they decide to remove the option to “Keep Wifi on During Sleep” a few versions ago?

Will Google just ultimately admit defeat in the wireless driver battle and blame Linux like other distros? In their defense Linux has lacked in keeping up with wireless compatibility and drivers, OEM preference in development historically being given to Windows and OSx. Dell, HP and Lenovo are making progress with Linux support for a limited number of models but again, one big reason for the official support limitation is… wireless network adapter compatibility.

I can also add printer compatibility, obvious application compatibility and a few other limitations to the reasons a Chromebook is not suitable for my day-to-day productivity requirements. Until they have more stable network connectivity I’d say they’re barely suited for the Zoom meetings being hosted for children across the country right now. But they’re cheap and better than nothing.

When configuring a Google Nest for a Ruud or Rheem heat pump make sure to select the B reverse valve wiring option, not the default O which is also selected if you choose “I don’t know” during the initial Nest Equipment setup procedure. The Equipment options, including the heat pump configuration, can be found under Settings on the main Nest menu. Ruud and Rheem are the only brands who energize the reverse valve for heating, not cooling, the opposite of all other manufactures. “The guys at Century Supply (Rheem/Ruud dealer) say they are the only one’s who got it right.” Debatable and probably dependent on where you live. Is going without heat or cold air more important to you if the reverse valve failed?

Been watching this article play out in real life for about a decade. Older generations out for more and more financial gain to the detriment of youth will result in a third world America faster than any hyped derivative of a deadly cold ever will. Just last week I heard my third, very financially stable “Boomer” tell me they thought of retiring this year but “didn’t know what they would do”. How about get the hell out of the workforce so some recent college grads can get some real work experience!? Very few generations prior to boomers had “all about me” on free flow. Just ask any one of them how they vote, the answer always has something to do with thier money. This is the generational divide and younger voters being pushed out if the economy will vote against Boomer money. In about a month you’re going to see it happen. This election cycle is about more social issues than financial, to the detriment of Republicans. Unless we want to talk about profits and returns to shareholders that are causing major social issues, like healthcare.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/intergenerational-conflict-is-getting-worse-deutsche-bank-analysts-warn-200542605.html?soc_src=community&soc_trk=fb

Trump’s just mad he doesn’t get to be one of the Dictators he idolizes. He craves the mafia power of Putin and the media control of Kim Jong Fat Man, whatever his name is. Don’t be surprised when he doesn’t accept election results in November so Congress better prepare for that fight now, it will fall to the SCOTUS. His militant followers will may surround the White House to prevent enforceable removal, the national guard could become involved before it ends. Many of those people are looking for a fight, some still itching for a race war and a chance to use their “hunting rifles” that are not “assault weapons” in their “well regulated militias”. Often this is how dictatorships are born but ultimately it won’t work here. As events unfold remember this isn’t prediction, it’s logical conclusion.

Why would Proshare’s Consumer Services short (SCC) be lower now than it was in late 2018? Was there more concern over the consumer driven economy over tariffs than there is over every hotel, bar and restaurant in the country being closed right now? When something like this doesn’t make sense I typically jump on it. With a 2018 high near $30 seems $14 to short consumer services in the coming months almost seems like no brains are required. Anyone who thinks the consumer economy is climbing out of Corona fear any time soon has lost touch. So many “happy day” investors looking for a place to park and gain in a perpetual bullshit market. Investing is supposed to be a risk and shorting mitigates gambling in a rigged market deigned only for Good Times.

Here are a few tech companies doing very well during quarantine because of their services to support remote workers:

1. Citrix Systems, owners of join.me, GoToMeeting, XenApp and other application services supporting remote workers and collaboration. Almost all hospitals publish medical applications via Citrix XenApp as well.
2. Microsoft. Thanks to Sharepoint, Office 365 (now “Microsoft 365”, and most importantly Skype.
3. Slack.com. The most prominent corporate collaboration tool in use by most enterprises.
4. Zoom Video Conferencing. If you can log in. Their servers were slammed on Monday and Tuesday but they have increased back end resources dramatically over the last 48 hours, thanks to a dump truck load of cash put in their driveway this week.
5. Cisco Systems. They probably sold more AnyConnect remote access VPN licenses in the past 2 weeks than they sold in the past two years. Hoping I don’t have to buy more!

There are a lot of non-tech companies profiting from this too. 3M, Dupont, very smart of GM and Ford to start making ventilators since their auto production lines are shuttered. It’s not 100% doom and gloom but I you’ve got to feel for those who made a decision to start their own business within the last couple of years. Then there are the gig workers and the bars and restaurants they rely on = 60 days or less until desperation and panic mode.

One big lesson US small business operators should learn from this situation: A couple thousand isn’t enough, start thinking in terms of tens and even hundreds of thousands in reserve before hiring full time employees. Any company that can’t pad one month of business downturn has no business hiring at all.