Tech troops incoming: The Defense Department wants to bring top tech experts into the military as part-time officers. These high-ranking reservists will help with short-term projects in cybersecurity, data analytics and more (paywall link). The plan is to start with dozens and eventually expand to thousands over the next few years. This is a great idea!
Tech with ties to China: What to avoid
Color me surprised that TikTok hasn’t been banned in the U.S. yet. Can’t stop using it? Take this simple step to keep your data from going back to China.
It’s not just apps. More than a third of the world’s electronics are produced in China. There’s a difference between products made in China and those made by companies with ties to the Communist Chinese government.
Now, before we dive in, know that there are plenty of allegations the companies below have government ties, but it’s up for debate how much the Chinese government is genuinely involved in operations. I’m sharing this to help you make more informed decisions on what you purchase and use daily.
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Apps reporting back to China
TikTok is a dominant force. More than 138 million Americans use the video-sharing app owned by a company called ByteDance.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said ByteDance must comply with Chinese government laws. FBI Director Chris Wray said TikTok could be used for “influence operations” and that user data is in the hands of the Chinese government.
That’s not just conjecture. Late last year, TikTok was forced to admit that it used this same data to spy on individual Americans, including journalists. Without question, TikTok is a Trojan Horse.
At least 27 states and the federal government have banned the use of the app on government devices. My advice: If you or someone in your family insists on using TikTok, install it on a separate device, like an old smartphone. Don’t connect that device to your home network. Use a cellular connection to get online.
Several states have also banned a few other Chinese-owned apps and platforms. This list includes Weibo, WeChat, and Alibaba.
Security tip: Are you making this huge Wi-Fi mistake?
Smartphones with a line to Communist China
True or False: War with Russia could lead to draft
Social media is rife with misinformation, especially during historical events and times of crisis. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a prime example, with misleading and false posts circulating.
Recent posts surrounding the conflict relate to nuclear retaliation, Russian paratroopers landing in Ukraine and secret U.S. Biolabs. Is there truth to any of these stories? Tap or click here to check out our report.
In 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense experienced the worst breach of military computers, ever. Was the source a … A.) Phishing email, B.) USB flash drive, C.) Confused employee or D.) Stolen laptop?
TikTok caught tracking user data. Another nail in the coffin?
TikTok has been a hot-button topic in the news as of late. On one hand, the app is more popular than ever — with more than 100 million registered users in the U.S. alone. On the other, the app has become a security concern for the U.S. government due to threats of espionage and data collection from Chinese government affiliates.
This military scam is targeting Americans with bogus texts
In 1973, United States Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announced no further draft orders would be issued for the military. This meant the process of conscription by lottery had been officially discontinued.
Flash forward to 2020 and the U.S. military is still the strongest on Earth — but our force is now entirely voluntary. In spite of this, scammers often exploit the American public’s lack of military knowledge to nefarious ends. Tap or click to see how this military dating scam exploded on Facebook.
🛸 The truth is out there: A Pentagon official says in 2013, a U.S. Department of Defense contractor and two others saw a giant, glowing, blue UFO for seven minutes. They stated the barbell-shaped craft was half the length of a football field and 20 feet tall. When they tried to record it, the UFO disrupted their phones and cameras. If their reports are true, the craft’s energy field would’ve been big enough to power a small city! Do you buy it or not? Let me know.
Don't update your iPhone yet! Buggy iOS 13 may put your phone at risk
iOS 13 made its official debut on Sept. 19 to an enthusiastic response from fans. But all that excitement came crashing down once users actually got a hold of the update. A number of bugs, slowdowns and crashes have left iPhone owners stumped, and a new security issue has even prompted the Department of Defense to advise their staff not to download. If you’ve been thinking about downloading the iOS 13 update, here’s why you might want to hold off for now.