Technology In the News

Flex Technology Group was recently notified by Hewlett-Packard that some of their HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook power cables have been the subject of a recall. We wanted to inform all our customers and social media followers about this important situation.

Below is the text of the official recall notice issued by Hewlett-Packard, with instructions on how to work with them to address the current situation. The entire process will occur through Hewlett-Packard.  If you have a power cord potentially affected by this recall, please contact Hewlett-Packard at your earliest convenience.

Right From the Source – Recall Letter From HP

August 26, 2014

Dear Valued HP Customer,

In cooperation with various government regulatory agencies, HP has announced a voluntary recall and replacement program for certain AC power cords used with AC adapters shipped with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers, as well as with AC adapters provided with accessories such as docking stations.

These AC power cords were shipped with products and accessories sold from September 2010 through June 2012. The AC power cords have the potential to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard. Because these power cords pose a fire and burn hazard to customers, it is extremely important that they are validated on the program website. HP strongly encourages all customers to immediately cease use of the affected AC power cords.

Note: Not all HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook PCs were sold with an affected power cord. Please validate the power cord shipped with your notebook PC or purchased with an accessory, or as a spare.

Your action required:

Please go to the HP Notebook PC AC Power Cord Replacement Program website at:
http://www.hp.com/support/PowerCordReplacement to see if your notebook AC power cord is affected.

• The notebooks, AC adapters, and AC adapter accessories are not affected. Only the power cords are affected.

• The AC power cords can be identified by an “LS-15” molded mark on the adapter end of the cord. Not all of the AC power cords with the “LS-15” mark are affected.

• It is important that you validate that you have a potentially impacted power cord by following the steps in the HP power cord replacement website. Verified, eligible, power cords will be replaced at no cost to you.

Note: The validation process may show that your power cord is not affected by this recall.

CONTACT HP:
Visit the program website at: http://www.hp.com/support/PowerCordReplacement to see if your notebook AC power cord is affected, and to request a replacement power cord if yours is affected.

Customer Support Telephone Numbers

Canada (8 am – 5 pm, MST Monday–Friday)
1- 877-219-6676
 
USA (8 am – 5 pm, MST Monday–Friday)
1- 877-219-6676
 
Worldwide http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html

If additional support is needed, contact your HP in country support center. In-country support numbers are located at the worldwide link in the table above. Select your country/language and click “Technical support after you buy”.

HP apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Sincerely,
Hewlett-Packard Company

Last week President Obama signed a bill that now makes unlocking cell phones legal (again). The law has gone back-and-forth several times arguing that unlocking a cell phone violated the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act which prohibits Americans from bypassing technologies that protect things that are copyrighted. But for now it is officially legal to unlock your mobile device.

This new law has made some very happy, some upset, and a lot of people just don’t really care. There are also some who simply don’t understand what this all means for the average cell phone user. Let us break it down for you:

What is Cell Phone Unlocking?

Most cell phones that are sold in the United States have a certain software lock system in place that prohibits the device from being used on competing networks. By unlocking this software, it allows for phones to be used across different cell carriers.

Why is it Important?

The biggest impacts that cell phone unlocking has on everyday users are that you can now take your current phone with you if you switch carriers. This eliminates the need to buy a new phone with your new contract. It also allows some international travelers to take their phones with them on their trips and actually use them overseas, depending on their device.

What you need to know

Even though unlocking a cell phone may seem easy and that it works for everyone, that’s not the case. There are a few things you should know about unlocking your cell phone.

Just because it is unlocked, doesn’t mean that you can take any phone to any carrier. Cell phone carriers use different network technology. While some use GSM, others use CDMA. You cannot use the same phone if you are switching to a carrier that uses a different network technology. For example, a Verizon phone cannot be used on an AT&T network.

Cell phones are made and optimized specifically for the network that distributes them. If you take your phone to a new carrier, certain features may not work properly or even at all on a different network.

How to unlock your phone

It doesn’t cost anything to get your phone unlocked. But your cell phone carrier can refuse to unlock your device if you aren’t in good standing with the company or your contract isn’t expired.

The process of unlocking your phone is fairly simple, just call your mobile service provider and they will provide you with unlock codes or software updates that will unlock your device. If they have a different process, they can usually unlock your phone remotely or in-store.

Although having the ability and freedom to unlock your phone is great, it may not last. Similarly to how the previous act making it illegal expired, this new act will expire in three years. Unless it is renewed by Congress, it too will be reversed. What do you think of this new law? Will you be unlocking your cell phone?

Sources: FCC & CNET

Your Vital Banking and Personal Information is at risk! Virus and Malware attacks are getting more advanced and slipping through our spam filters everyday. Keep in mind many of these emails look legitimate, so just because it’s from someone you know doesn’t mean it is safe. So how do you detect malware in your inbox?

The most recent example of this is an evolved strain of Zues malware that has been discovered using the Windows ‘PIF’ file extension to steal information from compromised computer systems. These are legitimate looking emails targeted to personal and business inboxes with malicious links that could capture private information like your:

• Financial information
• IP address
• Email credentials
• And even screen shots of your activity

Here are some of the example emails being sent:

Email subject: Failed delivery for package #1398402
File name: pdf_canpost_RT000961269SG.zip
VirusTotal detection rate: 2 percent

Email subject: Pending consumer complaint
File name: ftc_pdf_complaint.zip
VirusTotal detection rate: 11 percent

Lure email examples:

Here are ways to tell whether an email you’ve received is malicious:
1. There is always going to be a link. Move your mouse over the link to show the real address, and if it doesn’t match what you expect, it’s probably malicious.
2. Are there files attached with zip or htm extensions?
3. Outlook detects the email as a potential phishing or unsafe email.

If you are concerned you’ve been targeted in a malicious attack, call us. We’ll review the email(s) you’ve received and guide you on how to proceed.

Don’t click a link you’re unsure of! You’re secure information could be on the line.

Sources: ZDNet, Websense, PowerBiz

Comcast has started the project of swapping out home Wi-Fi routers and replacing them with ones that can double as public hotspots. As of June the company has already done this to 3 million home devices and plans on converting another 5 million before the end of the year. As of now this project has spread across the United States. Boston, Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle are just a few of the cities expected to have new Comcast home routers installed. Although some may have their doubts, representatives from Comcast insist that families shouldn’t experience any conflict resulting from this update. They also offer an opt out policy where, at the customer’s request, they will deactivate the public hotspot router.

Security:

Each of the new routers has two separate antennae so people can’t gain access to your personal network. The hotspot has its own network and antenna. The strength of the router will stay the same, people will have to be inside your home or business to access the network. Everyone using the hotspot must sign in with his or her own Xfinity account.

Connection Speed:

Since each network has its own antenna, people using the hotspot wont slow down your personal Internet connection. The private network will continue to run at 25 megabits per second while the hotspot will run at 15 and will only support five people using it at one time.

Benefit of Updated Comcast Home Routers:

If you have an Xfinity account with Comcast you can register your devices and be continuously connected no matter your location. Whether you are waiting in the lobby at the doctor’s office, or at your friend’s house watching the game you no longer need to ask for the passwords to connect to the internet.

Disadvantage of Updated Comcast Home Routers:

When you add another access point to the network there is always an increase in security risk. While Comcast is opening up an access point for people to use the Internet, they are also opening an access point to network hackers. Even though Comcast is sure in their security measures, there’s always a chance.

Is this advancement in router technology something you would take advantage of?

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/16/technology/security/comcast-wifi-hotspot/