An update regarding your REDcard and the data breachA snail mail letter to Target REDcard holders includes an apology, some good information, and improved services.February 23, 2014 by Ken Hess in Security
Kickstarter hacked. Change your password nowThe popular crowdfunded site Kickstarter has been hacked and the breach included usernames and passwords. Change your password now to prevent further damage.February 15, 2014 by Ken Hess in Security
Bad behavior, not malware, puts more of your corporate data at riskPersonal cloud services, portable storage devices, and email are a company's worst enemies. Malware is much less of a problem than once thought.February 11, 2014 by Ken Hess in Security
I just bought an HP Slate and I'm happy about itThe HP Slate is HP's answer to the Post PC tablet device trend and it's a good one. My HP Slate is as cool as an iPad mini at half the cost.February 10, 2014 by Ken Hess in Hewlett Packard Enterprise
February 2014 is Chromebook month for meBeginning tomorrow, February 1st, 2014, I'm conducting an experiment that I'm calling "30 days with the Chromebook". At the end of the month, I'll present my Chromebook diary to you.January 31, 2014 by Ken Hess in Hardware
100 million and one reasons to hate VB and VBScriptI hate Microsoft's Visual Basic programming language and by extrapolation I also hate VBScript. You know, VBScript, a VB subset language that a 17-year-old hacker used to compromise 100 million or so credit card numbers from Target and Neiman Marcus. Yes, that VBScript.January 29, 2014 by Ken Hess in Security
My first personal computer: The Commodore VIC-20Set the Wayback Machine to the early 1980s, when the world of personal computing was just beginning to bud. The Commodore VIC-20. This is the story of my first personal computer and the man who told me to buy it.January 28, 2014 by Ken Hess in Hardware
10 things to consider as you move away from Windows Server 2003If you've ever worked in corporate IT, you know that nothing happens very fast. That's why you need to get started now in moving away from Windows Server 2003. It officially dies July 14, 2015.January 20, 2014 by Ken Hess in Microsoft
Machine to machine communications and the security of thingsThe Internet of Things explosion has everyone asking questions about security. Those questions are valid and complex. The answers are just as complex as the questions.January 16, 2014 by Ken Hess in Security
The Internet of Things outlook for 2014: Everything connected and communicatingThe Internet of Things is more than Internet-connected refrigerators and shoes that tweet; it's a new wave of enabling devices to become more 'intelligent' and our chance to become better informed about our businesses and the world around us.January 10, 2014 by Ken Hess in Big Data
More spying and focused energy beams? NSA, say it ain't so.I have it on good authority that paranoia can destroy ya but the allegations against the NSA are mounting and becoming weirder by the day. This post is my reaction to the latest round of NSA banter. I think it's a clear case of wagging the dog.January 2, 2014 by Ken Hess in Security
A single buzz term prediction for 2014: mobile device security2014 will be the Year of Mobile Device Security. If it isn't obvious from the current BYOD trend, then it's obvious from the device manufacturers themselves.December 27, 2013 by Ken Hess in Security
Windows XP, the end is nigh. Survey says, It's time to say goodbyeThings change drastically in April 2014, when Microsoft finally ends support for the much beloved Windows XP. It's time to convert to Windows 8 or Windows 7 or Mac or Linux or BYOD. And time is running out.December 18, 2013 by Ken Hess in Microsoft
10 apps ready for your geek (2013 Gift Guide)Apps are better than gift cards and in some ways they fit the old, "The gift that keeps on giving" adage. In any case, there's no shipping deadlines when you give the gift of app.December 17, 2013 by Ken Hess in Amazon
10 great stocking stuffer ideas for your geek (Gift Guide 2013)Stocking stuffer gifts are sometimes the most expensive and coolest gifts that one receives. Sure, they're small but they can pack a lot of punch. Make it something special with an item or two from this list.December 13, 2013 by Ken Hess in Amazon