Samsung has been developing its own home automation system called SmartThings for years. In 2020, Samsung told that the system had been integrated with Mercedes car computers, and in 2023 it was compatible with Matter standard that aims at making home gadgets communicate better with other manufacturers’ devices. Now, in … Read >
Secure your web browser for privacy and stop cybercriminals
Everyone who has a phone, tablet or PC uses a web browser more than she realizes. In many cases, banking, paying purchases with a credit/debit card, booking health related appointments, reading news, watching movies, and many more services are available for us in a web browser. This is why you … Read >
How to install and configure Dnsmasq for your network – remote access option included
Our home office network had gradually grown to the point that no one could remember the IP addresses of all devices. All the connected PCs, phones, tablets, and other devices had to be assigned names so that, for instance, a phone could connect to a PC by referring to it … Read >
Amazon polices what customers should say and do at home
Here is a telltale sign how the big, powerful internet giants believe they can rule the world. In the US, software engineer Brandon Jackson who works for Microsoft arrived home in one evening only to discover that his Amazon Alexa home automation system wasn’t functioning anymore. He couldn’t access his … Read >
Modern cars have become personal data collection machines
Since 2018, when the renowned cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier tried (and failed) to buy a new car in the US that would come without internet connection, I have worried about the personal data automakers will be collecting from our vehicles. Turns out that the situation already in 2023 is … Read >
Fast and easy self-hosted software for cloud file sharing
Here is an excellent open source software package for everyone who wants to self-host a simple file sharing cloud service. Perhaps you need a file sharing system for personal use, for your family or for a small team, but above all, you want a fast and easy to use system … Read >
How I fought a copyright case against Copytrack
It was a letter from hell. When a small business or ordinary citizen gets a threatening letter from a law firm that accuses the receiver of a serious, multiyear image copyright breach, it is an experience that makes the receiver think about inevitable economic disaster. I run a small digital … Read >
How to upgrade to Debian 12, and tips for troubleshooting problems in LAMP
Debian 12 (Bookworm) was released in June 2023 for Linux computers. The new version features a massive number of updates, such as a new Linux kernel, new PHP version, LibreOffice and much more. Upgrading an operating system to a new major release is always somewhat distressful task, especially if … Read >
How to use long and secure passwords without typing a single character
If you are not a big fan of long, unique passwords or perhaps are reluctant ever type passwords again, this is for you. I will show you a method that lets you do exactly what the cybersecurity experts have been instructing us to do for years: use long non-dictionary passwords … Read >
This business is driving tech industry to the era of AI
Follow the money. It is the traditional advice for everyone who wants to understand why someone is doing something that is not obvious. If I ask: why are big and small technology businesses collecting personal data of people and tracking their activities? The answer is: that’s where the money is … Read >