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If my client base is any experience, anyone can be a victim of a Ransomware, Malware or Virus attack.
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1:01 PMHigh Tech House Calls, Expert Computer Consulting
Every September at the Apple Event, company executives try to get the crowd excited about new services or an App Store redesign. But most people in the audience are there for one product: the new iPhone.
This year, Apple has once again released three iPhone models at different price points. Let’s see what’s new in the long-awaited new iPhones and what makes them worth an upgrade.
What Are the New iPhones in 2019?
The 2018 iPhone models iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max each get a counterpart this year, but with an array of exciting new features and names that make a bit more sense.
iPhone 11 is the base model that comes in six colors: black, white, purple, green, yellow, and Product Red. It’s the same size and weight as iPhone XR, and comes at a slightly lower price, starting from $699. It also comes with several improvements we’ll get into later.
iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are what they sound like. These are “pro-level” models designed for iPhone photographers and videographers, as well as Apple geeks who want the latest and the greatest.
The iPhone 11 Pro models come with advanced display and camera technology. In addition, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor iPhone XS Max, while the iPhone 11 Pro is a bit bulkier than the iPhone XS.
With the Pro models, color options are more reserved than what’s on offer for the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max come in space gray, silver, gold, and the likely new favorite midnight green.
As far as pricing is concerned, there are no surprises. iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999, while an iPhone 11 Pro Max will cost you $1,099 or more.
Specs for the iPhone 11 Line
Before we delve into the highlights of the new iPhones, here are the main specs you’re probably interested in.
iPhone 11 Specifications
Display: 6.1-inch LCD display, 1792×828 pixels at 326ppi
Dimensions and weight: 5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 inches, 6.84 ounces
Main cameras: Dual 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras
Front camera: 12MP camera
Storage capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
iPhone 11 Pro Specifications
Display: 5.8-inch OLED display, 2436×1125 pixels at 458ppi
Dimensions and weight: 5.67 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches, 6.63 ounces
Main cameras: Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras
Front camera: 12MP camera
Storage capacity: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
iPhone 11 Pro Max Specifications
Display: 6.5-inch OLED display, 2688×1242 pixels at 458ppi
Dimensions and weight: 6.22 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches, 7.97 ounces
Main cameras: Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras
Front camera: 12MP camera
Storage capacity: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
The 5 Best New Features in iPhone 11
New iPhones traditionally come with under-the-hood tweaks and performance improvements, but it’s the new capabilities that make upgrading worthwhile. Here are the five most noticeable features that might persuade you to get the new iPhone 11.
1. Ultra Wide Camera
The second camera on iPhone 11 (and the third on iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max) is the new Ultra Wide camera that allows you to capture more of the frame.
For photos, the Ultra Wide camera is tremendously useful for sweeping landscapes, shooting in cramped spaces, and those group photos where you just can’t fit everyone into the frame. And with videos, a wider frame will help you capture more of the action.
2. Better Front Camera With Slo-Mo
Selfies and FaceTime are here to stay, so Apple predictably upgraded the front camera in the iPhone 11. It can now take 12 MP photos (for comparison, the front camera in iPhone XS was 7 MP) and shoot 4K video. That will bring selfies, video calls, and live streaming to a whole new level of quality.
But what nobody saw coming is the slow-motion feature in the iPhone’s front camera. Whether these “slofies” are worth upgrading for is yet to be seen, but a more powerful front camera is definitely welcome.
3. Night Mode
The iPhone 11 is much better at taking photos in low-light conditions. With the new Night mode that activates automatically when you need it, you’ll be able to take natural, well-lit photos in darker conditions without having to use the flash.
To do this, the camera takes multiple photos with optical stabilization. Your iPhone’s software then fuses the best-lit parts of those photos, while correcting the contrast, reducing noise, and fine-tuning the colors.
4. Spatial Audio With Dolby Atmos
Nearly every iPhone user enjoys playing games and watching videos on their device. And the new spatial audio playback that supports Dolby Atmos will make those activities a lot more enjoyable. The sound in the new iPhone 11 has become more immersive, so you can get impressive audio even without additional speakers.
5. QuickTake
Video gets quite a lot of spotlight in this iPhone release, with the seamless switching between cameras and the 4K video for the front camera. QuickTake is a less spectacular, but still super convenient, video feature. It allows you to take a quick video just by tapping and holding the shutter button.
If you ever use Instagram Stories to shoot videos, the way QuickTake works will feel instantly familiar.
Will You Upgrade to the iPhone 11?
Whether or not you should get a new iPhone this year depends on which model you own now and what you generally use your iPhone for.
If you taking photos and videos, playing games, and watching content on your phone are all priorities to you, iPhone 11 has quite a lot to offer. This is especially the case for someone who’s still on an earlier iPhone without the newer bells and whistles.
As detailed by Apple Support in a new post online, Apple will send you a warning if you get your screen replaced through a third-party. According to Apple, a new screen from a non-authorized seller could at worst damage your new phone and at best make certain functions inoperable.
We'll show you the unusual way Apple will alert iPhone 11 users that their new screens are not up to snuff. And how it could affect any other repairs you need in the future.
Apple has a message for your
If you ever you crack the screen of your iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max and have had it replaced by a non-authorized vendor, Apple will let you know with this pop-up warning:
It's the first time Apple has deployed warnings this way. Apple says you will see a notification on your Lock Screen for the first four days that you use your phone and for 15 days in the Settings app. After that, you can find the notification by going to Settings >> General >> About.
Getting a properly trained provider is especially important for the iPhone display. It is engineered along with iOS software for optimal performance. A non-Apple display might cause compatibility or performance issues.
According to Apple, here's what could happen to your very expensive phone if you go to an unauthorized vendor or try to get the repair done on the cheap:
Multi-Touch issues
Multi-Touch might not respond on parts of the screen
Degraded Multi-Touch performance, such as missed screen touches or touches not registering in the right location
Touches might unexpectedly register during a phone call
Display might not turn off during phone calls
Accidental edge or palm touches might register
Display brightness and color issues
True Tone display doesn't function correctly
Lost or degraded function of the ambient light sensor, causing the screen to dim or brighten incorrectly
Incorrect display color calibration, such as appearing too yellow or blue
Display isn't uniformly bright
Lower maximum brightness
Unintentional battery drain
Getting your screen repaired
If you live in an area where there are Apple Stores, the cracked display can be repaired onsite. You should call the Apple Store or schedule an appointment on its website first.
There was once a time when only Apple would repair its devices, so if you didn't live in an area with an Apple Store you had to send it to an Apple Repair Center. But as an increasing number of Americans bought iPhones, Apple began allowing trained third parties to do the work. You can find authorized service providers near you on Apple's website.
Now let's talk about costs. When you buy an iPhone you get a very limited warranty that only covers any glitches and problems that are Apple's fault. Apple does offer the Apple+ warranty for $149 that covers repairs as a result of damage you caused to the phone. The warranty lasts two years.
Depending on which model you purchased, you've spent between $700 to $1,500 on your new phone. You may not want to add another $149 for the Apple+ warranty. Trust us when we tell you it will be worth the cost.
If you have Apple+ it will only cost you $29 to repair the screen. That's across the board from iPhone 11 to iPhone 5.
Now, look at how much it costs without Apple+ and for your particular iPhone 11 model:
iPhone 11 Pro Max : $329
iPhone 11 Pro: $279
iPhone 11: $199
That $149 for the Apple+ warranty doesn't sound so bad now, does it? Before you buy an iPhone 11, think about the information we provided on third-party repairs and warranties — especially if you're prone to clumsiness.
12:02 PMHigh Tech House Calls, Expert Computer Consulting
The latest iPhones have arrived at last and with them a brand new version of Apple's long-running operating system: iOS 13. The highly-anticipated update promised a number of exciting new features, design tweaks and performance improvements for multiple models of iPhone. But, unfortunately for Apple, not everything unfolded exactly as planned.
Despite record excitement for iOS 13, many users felt disappointed with what's been deemed a "problematic" update. Between security issues and general bugginess, iPhone owners across the spectrum found themselves wishing for a way to roll back their phones to iOS 12.
In light of these issues, Apple has accelerated the release of the first major update to iOS 13. This new edition of its latest OS not only patches bugs from the previous version but streamlines the experience so users can enjoy iOS 13 the way it was intended. We'll show you how you can download iOS 13.1 for yourself, as well as why it's finally worthwhile to make the switch.
A bumpy first impression
There have been numerous reports of bugs and software instability in Apple's newly released iOS 13 update. Some of the issues were more mild, like the freezing and crashing typical to buggy updates.
But others were severe enough on the privacy and security front to warrant an outcry. One such bug, for example, automatically reset location settings for specific apps from "Never" to "Ask me next time." Others included a glitch that bypassed the passcode lock and granted full access to contacts, as well as another that gives third-party keyboards unauthorized access to data.
In response to the backlash, Apple fast-tracked its bug fixes and released a stability update in iOS version 13.1. This update is now available for all users, and Apple is urging anyone on iOS 13.0 to update immediately.
That said, even if you haven't updated to iOS 13, version 13.1 appears to have addressed most of the bugs that made iOS 13 unworkable. In many ways, this should be seen as the "true" release of iOS 13 and should be a safe jumping-on point for new users.
Want to see the new iPhone 11 Pro Max in action? Check out Kim's unboxing.
What does iOS 13.1 fix? How can I get it?
According to Apple, iOS 13.1 fixes a number of the operating system's most glaring glitches, with the most notable ones being the passcode flaw. Additionally, it adds a few extra goodies, like being able to share ETAs with friends and family members via the Maps app.
What the update does not fix, however, is the third-party keyboard glitch mentioned above. Apple announced on its support website that this glitch will be addressed in an "upcoming software update," so in the meantime, stick to the default keyboard on iOS 13.
Some of the new features you'll find in iOS 13 include Dark Mode, revamped to-do lists and notes, and security features like Sign In with Apple.
Getting iOS 13.1 on to your phone is easy.
To get started:
Open the Settings app on your device and scroll down to General.
Next, tap Software Update and you'll be taken to the landing page for iOS 13.
Select Download and Install, which will begin the process of loading your new operating system.
While you're on the landing page, make sure to check Automatic Updates, which will install critical security patches and bug fixes overnight while you sleep. This will help your iPhone stay a step ahead of hackers and the zero-day glitches they aim to exploit. This may also help address some of the recently discovered bugs and get you access to patches more quickly.
More than just iOS
Interestingly, iOS 13.1 isn't the only new software release you can grab from Apple today. With the release of iOS 13, Apple has disentangled the iPad from its clutches into a brand new operating system called iPadOS that will exclusively tailor its features to suit the tablet's unique hardware.
This software completely overhauls the iPad's interface to feel and work more like a traditional laptop and can be downloaded using the same process outlined above. Simply visit Settings >>General >>Software Update on your iPad to get started.
Not to be left behind either, the Apple TV's tvOS receives its own version 13, which includes access to Apple Arcade, multiple users, and general bug fixes.
iPhone's new private way to open your phone is long needed
Of all the things Apple covered during its highly anticipated WWDC 2019 conference, few expected it to directly address the issue of privacy. It did exactly that, announcing a new way to protect user data. This radical shift in thinking casts a long shadow over the rest of Silicon Valley, where companies and platforms like Facebook and Google rely on harvested user data to make massive profits. Could this new feature change everything for the better?
11:32 AMHigh Tech House Calls, Expert Computer Consulting
While Apple’s computer hardware lasts a long time, you’ll still have to say goodbye to your Mac at some point. If you’ve had trouble with your machine, you might wonder when to get a new MacBook or if you should stay with your current one a bit longer.
Let’s look at some of the major signs that your Mac is out of date. We’ll look at ways you can work around these issues, plus consider whether it’s time to purchase a new computer.
How Long Do Macs Last?
Whether you’re taking stock of your old machine or thinking about the value of a new purchase, you might wonder how long MacBooks and other Mac models last.
There isn’t an exact answer for this, as it depends on a variety of factors. Someone who only uses their Mac for web browsing can get away with using the same machine for longer than someone who runs dozens of apps and does high-intensity tasks like video editing.
The definitions from Apple’s Vintage and Obsolete products page give an idea of device longevity. Vintage products are devices that stopped being manufactured between five and seven years ago. A product is considered obsolete if it was discontinued more than seven years ago.
Taking a look at macOS compatibility (discussed below), we can see that generally, Macs are eligible for the latest macOS version for about seven years. Apple generally supports each macOS version for three years.
Third-party apps are a bit more generous. As of this writing, popular apps like Chrome, Dropbox, and Spotify all require OS X 10.10 Yosemite (released in 2014) or above.
Taking all this together, say you bought a brand-new Mac in 2019. It would likely receive macOS updates until 2026. The OS released in 2026 would receive support from Apple until 2029, and most third-party tools until at least 2031.
This means that in general, you can expect about 10 years of life from a Mac, barring any unforeseen hardware issues. Now let’s look at some signs your Mac is at the end of its life.
1. You Can’t Run the Latest Version of macOS
Each year around September/October, Apple releases a new version of macOS. Mac models from the past several years are capable of running it. This means if your computer won’t upgrade to the latest edition of macOS, it’s becoming obsolete.
At the time of writing, the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina is imminent. The following Mac models will receive the update:
MacBook (2015 and later)
MacBook Air (2012 and later)
MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
iMac (2012 and later)
iMac Pro (2017 and later)
Mac Pro (2013 and later)
Mac mini (2012 and later)
If your computer isn’t on that list, it’s likely entered Obsolete status. As mentioned earlier, while you won’t get any new macOS features, you’ll still be able to use your computer as-is for a while.
But after a year or two, you won’t receive security updates and third-party software might stop working. This means you’ll need to think about upgrading soon.
2. A Constant Lack of Free Space
As technology advances, apps and files continue to take up more space. This results in a constant struggle for free space for anyone who has an older machine with a paltry amount of storage.
If you have a 128GB or even 256GB SSD in your MacBook, you probably have to juggle files to free up space constantly. This might mean freeing up space on your Mac whenever possible, or possibly adding more storage to your Mac with an external hard drive or other methods.
You can use these workarounds to survive with a small amount of space for a while. But once you get sick of them, it’s time to upgrade to a new Mac with plenty of storage space.
3. Your Machine’s Components Aren’t Powerful Enough
Your storage disk is just one computer component that declines with age. A lack of RAM will prevent you from running many applications at once, and an old CPU means tasks like editing 4K video are extremely slow or impossible. You’ll also notice overall system performance suffers.
Another components that takes a hit over the years is the battery in MacBooks. Rechargeable batteries only have a certain number of cycles before they’re “spent” and don’t hold a charge for long. macOS will warn you when your battery is getting to the end of its life.
If you’ve used the battery extensively, it might only last an hour before you need to charge it. You can get around this by always using your laptop on the charger, but that sacrifices the portability, of course.
If you have an older Mac, you might be able to upgrade or mitigate these issues somewhat by adding more RAM, swapping the HDD for an SSD, or replacing the battery. However, this is basically impossible on newer Mac models, as most components are soldered to the motherboard.
The money you would spend on a professional hardware upgrade or battery replacement is almost certainly better put towards a new machine. Apple’s service page states that it costs between $129 and $199 for a Mac battery replacement, which isn’t cheap.
4. Hardware Damages
An obvious reason you need to replace your MacBook is when it suffers serious physical damage. Maybe you dropped it and damaged the hard drive, or slammed the screen down on some debris and cracked it.
In these cases, your computer is unusable until you get it fixed or replace it. And as discussed above, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pour hundreds of dollars into an obsolete machine when you can get a new one that will last longer.
Barring a major hardware catastrophe, a long list of small issues can quickly become a big problem too. An old computer is often a lot like an old car. You can live with a few odd issues if they don’t impact your ability to use it properly, but eventually something big will go wrong and you’ll have to decide whether to fix it or upgrade.
Little problems, like your charger not working unless it’s in just the right spot, dead pixels on the display, stuck keys, and crackling speakers aren’t necessarily cause for a replacement. But when your computer has so many small quirks that it’s barely usable, you should cut your losses and look into a replacement machine that will perform much better.
5. Frequent Software Issues
An outdated Mac can also manifest itself through software issues. You might experience frequent OS freezes, where everything becomes unresponsive. Other common issues include visual glitches and random shutdowns.
When you experience these, you should make sure you have enough space free as discussed earlier. If an SMC and PRAM reset don’t fix the problem, you should try reinstalling macOS and see if your problems persist.
Hopefully they disappear after this troubleshooting. But if not, you likely have hardware issues and should considering upgrading your Mac.
6. The Timing Is Right
Maybe you’re ready to upgrade your Mac, but you can live with whatever issues it has and don’t need to buy one right away. In that case, you should wait for the right time to get a new Mac.
Apple releases new models for most Mac machines yearly. You shouldn’t buy one right before the new models release, as you can wait a bit longer to get a brand-new machine that will last longer for the same price.
Before you buy, check out the MacRumors Buyer’s Guide. This keeps track of Apple hardware releases so you don’t get caught spending full price on an old model.
If you can’t afford the latest model or want to save some money, you can opt for an older or refurbished model. Just keep in mind that the older the computer you buy, the sooner it will become obsolete.
We’ve looked at the major signs that it’s time to upgrade your MacBook or iMac, plus how long a Mac generally lasts. Your exact mileage will vary with your usage and computing needs, but it’s clear that Macs have a reliable reputation for a reason.
The recommendation stands not only for Microsoft accounts but also for any other profile, on any other website or online service.
If the service provider supports multi-factor authentication, Microsoft recommends using it, regardless if it's something as simple as SMS-based one-time passwords, or advanced biometrics solutions.
"Based on our studies, your account is more than 99.9% less likely to be compromised if you use MFA," said Alex Weinert, Group Program Manager for Identity Security and Protection at Microsoft.
PASSWORDS DON'T MATTER ANYMORE
Weinert said that old advice like "never use a password that has ever been seen in a breach" or "use really long passwords" doesn't really help.
He should know. Weinert was one of the Microsoft engineers who worked to ban passwords that became part of public breach lists from Microsoft's Account and Azure AD systems back in 2016. As a result of his work, Microsoft users who were using or tried to use a password that was leaked in a previous data breach were told to change their credentials.
But Weinert said that despite blocking leaked credentials or simplistic passwords, hackers continued to compromise Microsoft accounts in the following years.
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He attributed this to the fact that passwords or their complexity don't really matter anymore. Nowadays, hackers have different methods at their disposal to get their hands on users' credentials, and in most cases, the password doesn't matter.
Attack
Also known as . . .
Frequency
Difficulty: Mechanism
User assists attacker by . . .
Does your password matter?
Credential Stuffing
Breach replay, list cleaning
Very high – 20+M accounts probed daily in MSFT ID systems
Very easy: Purchase creds gathered from breached sites with bad data at rest policies, test for matches on other systems. List cleaning tools are readily available.
Easy: Send emails that promise entertainment or threaten, and link user to doppelganger site for sign-in. Capture creds. Use Modlishka or similar tools to make this very easy.
Being human. People are curious or worried and ignore warning signs.
No – user gives the password to the attacker
Keystroke logging
Malware, sniffing
Low.
Medium: Malware records and transmits usernames and passwords entered, but usually everything else too, so attackers have to parse things.
Clicking links, running as administrator, not scanning for malware.
Difficult: Search user's office or journal for written passwords. Scan network for open shares. Scan for creds in code or maintenance scripts.
Writing passwords down (driven by complexity or lack of SSO); using passwords for non-attended accounts
No – exact password discovered.
Extortion
Blackmail, Insider threat
Very low. Cool in movies though.
Difficult: Threaten to harm or embarrass human account holder if credentials aren't provided.
Being human.
No – exact password disclosed
Password spray
Guessing, hammering, low-and-slow
Very high – accounts for at least 16% of attacks. Sometimes 100s of thousands broken per day. Millions probed daily.
Trivial: Use easily acquired user lists, attempt the same password over a very large number of usernames. Regulate speed and distributed across many IPs to avoid detection. Tools are readily and cheaply available. See below.
Being human.
Using common passwords such as qwerty123 or Summer2018!
No, unless it is in the handful of top passwords attackers are trying.
Brute force
Database extraction, cracking
Very low.
Varies: Penetrate network to extract files. Can be easy if target organization is weakly defended (e.g. password only admin accounts), more difficult if appropriate defenses of database, including physical and operation security, are in place. Perform hash cracking on password. Difficulty varies with encryption used. See below.
None.
No, unless you are using an unusable password (and therefore, a password manager) or a really creative passphrase. See below.
The 0.1% number accounts for more sophisticated attacks that use technical solutions for capturing MFA tokens, but these attacks are still very rare when compared to the daily hum of credential stuffing botnets.
GOOGLE SAID THE SAME THING IN MAY
Microsoft's boast that using MFA blocks 99.9% of automated account takeover (ATO) attacks isn't the first of its kind.
Back in May, Google said that users who added a recovery phone number to their accounts (and indirectly enabled SMS-based MFA) were also improving their account security.
"Our research shows that simply adding a recovery phone number to your Google Account can block up to 100% of automated bots, 99% of bulk phishing attacks, and 66% of targeted attacks that occurred during our investigation," Google said at the time.
When both Google and Microsoft are recommending the same thing, it's probably a good time to start following their advice.
For your convenience Venmo and Zelle are also accepted for payment.
Fed up with Windows based computers?
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Gift Certificates
What will you use your certificate for?
Making the move to an Apple laptop? My business has been running on an Apple laptop for 6 years.
You bought an iPhone. Now what? We have been working on iPhone problems since they came out and we can help.
Summer will be here before you know it. You want to surf on the internet on your wireless network from your pool. We are wireless network experts in both design and deployment.
Or you can use this gift card for any help needed (including training) for the computers in your home or small business.
The perfect present for any occasion:
Available in one hour increments.
No expiration date.
Can be used for service calls or training.
Giving a technology gift that requires setup or training? Why not add a gift certificate?