Apple Puts Hold on Push 3rd Party Ad Restrictions

Leave a reply

In June, Apple announced they would be restricting third-party ad tracking on kid related apps as a safety precaution. This stops any child information getting leaked out. This raised some concerns to those who developed kid apps, fearing that this push will force the shutdown of the kid category of the app store. Many of them include businesses.

However, last Friday, Apple reports that they are putting it on hold. This will allow developers time to fix their apps to adhere to the new App Store Guidelines, by September. “We aren’t backing off on this important issue, but we are working to help developers get there,” Fred Sainz, an Apple spokesman wrote in an emailed statement to the Washington Post. 

Guidelines 1.3 and 5.1.4 enforces, “In order to help keep kids’ data private, apps in the kids category and apps intended for kids cannot include third-party advertising or analytics software and may not transmit data to third parties. This guideline is now enforced for new apps. Existing apps must follow this guideline by September 3, 2019.”

No one is sure how many apps this will affect or issues will arise, but developers are requesting more details regarding the new guidelines in order to fully understand what all it entails.

For help with Apple issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Windows Notepad Getting Upgraded?

Leave a reply

Microsoft announced yesterday the Insider Preview Build 18963 for Windows 10 to the Windows Insiders Program.

First, If you are part of the Windows Insiders Program, you can update your computer before anyone else does – great for future reference. If you’d like to sign up, you can register here, accept the terms and you’ll receive a Welcome E-mail. Be sure to read the Important Notice before agreeing to join, as it adds a variety of risks to your computer.

Okay, now back to the upcoming build for 20H1…

According to Microsoft, this build is testing features like renaming your virtual desktops, which assists you in multitasking. And Windows Notepad, which has been around since 1985, has gotten a few small upgrades to it. But something a bit bigger is coming.

Dona Sarkar and Brandon LeBlanc write, “Over the last few releases, we’ve been making a number of small improvements to Notepad based on your feedback (including expanded line ending support, wrap around search, and indicating when there’s unsaved content.) Starting with this build, we’re making a change so that future Notepad updates will be automatically available via the store.”

So Notepad updates will be accessible through the Microsoft Store so that any bug fixes can be made throughout the year. I also heard that you will be able to uninstall Notepad, which I think is a crime against humanity. But I digress.

For inquiries with Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Fix Camera Recognition on Windows 10

Leave a reply

Windows 10 is pretty good about detecting any issues with its OS, including its camera. However, it is not always perfect and things happen. Some users have issues with their built-in webcams and luckily, there’s an easy fix.

Take the steps below
  1. Start Menu < Imaging Devices, Cameras (or Sound, video and game controllers)
  2. Notice if your camera has been recognized. If you don’t see it, click on Action from the top left menu.
  3. Click on Scan for hardware changes

Remember if these steps don’t work out the first time, it’s recommended that you restart your computer and try again. If that doesn’t work, it might be the following issues:

  • USB port issue
  • The camera itself needing replaced
  • Incompatible or outdated driver
  • possible anti-virus program blocking camera
  • privacy settings

If you’re needing your camera, be sure to give permission, check your anti-virus program or try the steps above to alleviate the problem.

Your website’s SEO is a valuable part of your business, and if you need help with your search engine optimization, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Arvada Computer Repair Service, if you need better SEO or computer repair in Arvada, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Windows 10 Needs Users to Update Now

Leave a reply
Two severe vulnerabilities are causing problems

Simon Pope, the Incident Response Director, wrote in a blog post on Tuesday about 2 vulnerabilities to Windows OS. This in turn has Microsoft urging users to immediately update their Windows 10.

Pope writes, “The affected versions of Windows are Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and all supported versions of Windows 10, including server versions.”

However, he also includes that Windows XP, Server 2003 and 2008 are not affected by this issue.

Your OS is protected from it if your OS automatically updates. If you manually update, go to the Start Menu and type in “Windows Update” access your settings.

For help updating to Windows 10 version 1903 or dealing with any Windows 10 computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.

New Trojan Malware through Word

Leave a reply

New phishing emails that contain trojan malware are spreading, according to experts. The malware, named Ursnif, is contained in Word documents through emails and allow cyber hackers to steal personal credentials.

Ursnif isn’t the first of its kind, however. It was reported that this particular variant has been around since 2007 and specifically targets Windows OS. Fortinet, a top-rated security platform, recently stated this threat to be highly active.

“When a victim opens the Word document, it displays a security warning message designed to protect MS Word users from malicious macros (VBA code).  However, the document content deceives victims to click the “Enable Content” button, as shown in Figure 1. When the button is clicked, the malicious VBA code is executed because the code is in an AutoOpen sub that is executed at opening the document.”

Source: fortinet.com – Figure 1

It’s highly advised that you do not open any documents through e-mails unless you know exactly who it is from. Be sure to double check the address it was sent from as well. Many times, the name will show up legit, but the email address itself does not match.

Windows PC Warning – Attack Risk

Leave a reply

Your Windows PC may be susceptible to an attack by hackers. If your PC Intel processor was made after 2012 and you haven’t updated your system, any personal information may be compromised. The attack can maneuver around security that is used to protect from Spectre and Meltdown exploits.

There was a July Patch this past Tuesday to fix the bug, and Windows and Intel are urging users to update their computers.

ZDNet blogs, “The bug has been called SWAPGSAttack because it exploits SWAPGS, an instruction for x86/x64 CPUs that switches the system to start addressing the protected memory set aside for operating system kernels. Attackers taking advantage of SWAPGSAttack [CVE-2019-1125] could use it to secretly monitor and steal sensitive information from a targeted machine – all without leaving a trace of an attack against the hardware.”

This bug was eventually found by BitDefender and shared their information to help fix the Tuesday’s Patch.

For help with Windows 10 issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Only Apple Batteries in iPhones – Only by AASP

Leave a reply

“Your iPhone battery may need to be serviced”

Published in September of last year, Apple Support reported that if you have the iOS 10.2.1 – 11.2.6, you may see the notice “Your iPhone battery may need to be serviced.” This is because diagnostics ran through the phone recognized your battery life low. The result in this will cause you to charge your phone more often because of quick battery drainage.

You can easily find an iPhone battery and replace it. However, your phone will still display the “Service” message.

According to IFIXIT, “It’s not a bug; it’s a feature Apple wants. Unless an Apple Genius or an Apple Authorized Service Provider authenticates a battery to the phone, that phone will never show its battery health and always report a vague, ominous problem.”

This feature will be on new iPhones and will show that it’s “unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple battery.” Simply put, your iPhone won’t work properly if you don’t have an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) installs an Apple battery.

To check if your iPhone is receiving this battery message, go to your Settings and scroll down to Battery, then Battery Health.

For inquiries with Apple issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Fingerprint Sensor is Making a Comeback on Apple

Leave a reply

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at Apple shared a feature that will be included in iPhones in 2021: fingerprint sensor. This feature definitely isn’t new on Apple devices, but with Face ID implemented, the sensor wasn’t needed. However, coming up in the following years, iPhones will have both features incorporated.

According to MacRumors, “Kuo believes that GIS and Qualcomm will benefit from iPhone’s adoption of FOD, with the former providing the “large-area sensing ultrasonic” technology and the latter supplying the ultrasonic FOD module and lamination. Kuo also argues that the likelihood of FOD in iPhones will increase if Apple Watch supports a biometric function in the future.”

Kuo and other analysts think that fingerprint sensors will drastically progress with technology within a year and a half time frame, so including FOD (fingerprint on display) will be a huge advantage to Apple devices. Will involving both FOD and Face Recognition increase the price of the Apple products? It’s unclear. However, the reasoning behind adding both features to future iPhones is to bring additional security and accessibility to suit users’ needs.

For help with any Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.

MSDN Magazine is Coming to an End

Leave a reply

Ending in November

The Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Magazine is publishing its last and final issue in the coming months. The reason behind this is that the network decided to only use docs.microsoft.com for its sole focus on technical issues in the developer community. This news comes out as a special announcement on the developer network website in their August 2019 archive.

This decision understandably allowed them to completely close the magazine, which ultimately lasted a steady 30+ years and originally began as two different magazines, Microsoft Systems Journal and Microsoft Internet Developer.

The MSDN writes that paid subscribers will be refunded the amount left in their subscription. The checks, “will be mailed out to those subscribers after the November issue has published.” If you’re still wanting to check out the magazine, any previous issues published will be available to view online.

The information below is available if you need further assistance from 1105 Media:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (847) 513-6011 or (888) 768-8759
Fax: (847) 763-9564
Mail:
MSDN Magazine
PO Box 2166
Skokie, IL 60076

For help with any Microsoft issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.

Host Your Own Server on Microsoft Azure

Leave a reply

Ziv Rafalovich, the Principal Program Manager of Azure Compute published a blog post yesterday, announcing Azure Dedicated Host. This service will allow your business’ Windows or Linux devices to run on your own server. Please note that this is the preview period. And only the Dsv3 and Esv4 Azure Virtual Machine series are established at this time. Fsv2 support machines are coming soon.

He states in his post, ” We are extending Azure Hybrid Benefit to Azure Dedicated Hosts, so you can save money by using on-premises Windows Server and SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses. Azure Dedicated Host is in preview in most Azure regions starting today [August 1st].”

This particular service will allow you to manage necessary regulations within your company, such as monitoring. To set up your Hosting account, you can head over to the Azure portal. There are no costs upfront and you only have to pay for what you need. Also, there are no termination fees.

If you’re looking into hosting your own server, check this one out. For more information about Azure, head on over to the Azure Dedicated Host site and the Azure Hybrid Benefit page.

For help with Microsoft issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.