Hacking, Spam and Phishing Emails/Text, Social Ads to Robocalls - The New Threat

As much as I'm avid techno follower with the first Trillion dollar company while looking forward to spending my retirement savings invested with technology, it bothers me on the downside effects to my daily living on the "New Threats".

The last few nights made me think about getting woken up with these app notifications. You turn them off, moreover even uninstall them, then as the sun goes up you check your emails. Low and behold as you check your emails as much as the email systems are getting better to moving junk, spam, promotional emails away from your inbox, you still have to mark some and delete them from your inbox. The next thing you do is browse your hundreds of spam and junk, block them and the domains. The next morning the same subjects you just blocked yesterday are back using different email address and domains. But in common sense you would wonder why these junk emails are using the same subjects and formats from those you had already blocked thinking they're gone. These scenario in itself is non ending daily routine. Then you go to this social and promotional emails or even those in your inbox, link to un-subscribed which even sometimes brings you to the home page website of the sender where you confirm you want to un-subscribed. Guess what, when you check in a few days and they are back. Prior to these heavy hacking on the elections, if you still get an email from a site you have already un-subscribed, you can file a complaint and these websites can be banned or penalized. It was that simple as reporting telemarketers continuously calling your phone after you have reported them and removed your number from the marketing numbers to be called. This is why I say there is a "New Threat" as there is no stopping on these attacks and annoyances. 

Worst case from your land line, to your cell phone, to even google voice and what's up phone numbers comes the daily VOIP robocalls. If you dare answer which at times you may as they've gone sophisticated using a number your familiar with then the more doom you are as the more calls your gonna get in addition. Robocalls are more commonly known as telemarketing calls but they were actually started being used by politicians making those electioneering calls. So yes, robocalls can be said to be also related to these on-going threats as for one they are non traceable so one has been caught yet. These callers are even using legitimate companies showing in your caller ID and also in there voice messages. They may be from a Consul General, Embassy, Apple.com, Discover.com etc..,

The phishing emails and text although have been in reality for a while, one can still be a victim as again they are now more individualized to a person that can be deceiving as it may use a name or topic familiar to us. There are even those so called emails with a subject on your generic password or a password you may use in the past saying you better pay their block mail amount or less see yourself online having sex etc..,

Although smart phones are really quite hard to infiltrate being a mobile device, guess what if you do click on a text link you just gave permission to hack your phone and your life.

I'm not going to elaborate much on Social Media accounts and advertisements as by now we all know about this in the past recent months. What I can say is that influencing psychological thinking and behaviors for the mere purpose of profit depicted the  very purpose of social media influence of connecting people. The hardest part of the challenges in here is that computers and algorithms running infrastructures just to approve a social media ad  due to the bulk quantities is not acceptable. Normal people being banned to a post they may have not even have posted themselves is another example of a platform managed by computers instead of humans. Hence, later on hundreds or even thousands of fake accounts to be discovered and removed together with fake ads. 

Not like in the old days, you either call the authorities, right a letter, file a complaint or even report unanimously. Today's world is very complicated and sad to say there's not really much help but to be personally vigilant and watch your own back.  Hopefully, as technology goes further towards the 22nd century more research and laws can be enacted as for sure these new threats are gonna get more sophisticated in time.

Alex Esguerra
ADLE International

Daily living using "Mobile Devices and Applications"

Life has change nowadays with the onset of mobile devices and using apps for one's day to day living and existence.

Back in the days when you would scout for the best professional looking daily, weekly and monthly planners to create you schedules, marking them so you know what's next  then highlighting the most important meetings are over.

With the onset of Smart devices from http;//www.apple.com and http://www.samsung.com just two of the most prominent companies out there, my daily scheduling, communications and life styles is now way "high tech". I recently had to upgrade from a high speed DSL Internet to AT&T's www.uverse.com due to the fact that a 3.0 mbps speed connecting 5 of these smart wireless enabled devices will not work as it continuously loops and constant on/off streaming modes.

But I do have to say, my online planner nowdays, Google's Calendar is my bible, seamless and paperless, lol as long as I can connect through a WiFi.  Your able to repeat your task and work schedules for how many times you wish, enter your location for the said event which interfaces with Google Maps and set your advance notification through email and text so you get reminded.

With work, from the tons and tons of printing project materials and sign on sheets, comes the apps integrated to these smart devices like the ipad, galaxy tablets, iphone, galaxy, surface, nexus, etc.., With an app you able to complete a report or visit as it links to the device camera or gallery for pictures and even an area for a signature if ever your a Rep needing a visit signature. Of course the finale is that when your app reports and completed you can send them to your organization's servers and alas your work is done. Such a cool world nowadays.

Some of us who also use these devices for capturing our work, travel, admin and break times also electronically solves the problem of work time keeping. Living your house, again you use your today's Google Maps for example with your GPS enabled device to navigate your driving or even public transportation commute that even calculates mileage and estimated arrival time.

When you get to your destination or even before leaving your house, you can already reserve your parking spots throughout the day seamlessly using again parking apps.

Within the day, you can even plan on ordering lunch, having it delivered or even reserving dinner for the night with restaurants and food reservations like www.opentable.com.

As you drive over a toll bridge or highway, another cool device located in your car pays the toll with the likes of www.bayareafastrak.org The only high tech I don't really do while driving is using your phones with Bluetooth headsets etc., as I still very traditionally safe when driving but yes these gadgets adds to the list. And of course throughout your day with your smart phones texting, calling, snap chats or even conference calls.

With today's technology using an app and your smart phone you can even view what's going on in your house or in someone tries to break in at your car.

As you finish your day and sit on your desk at home again, either using an app or your computer, you can read a book online, watch on demand TV, and do your online office, gifts, airline and grocery shopping. Grocery shopping today even have personal delivery where these app developers or start up companies have their own designated grocery shoppers in your favorite grocery that will shop and deliver them to your door steps in 1-2 hours.

So how would you asses your own daily life today using "Mobile Devices and Applications"?
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