Healthcare.gov Fix: U.S. Government Sponsored Hackathons

New Idea - The U.S. Government should make these overpriced government Information Technology firms compete against Hackathon public projects when drafting their technology proposals..

This would spark many youth to pursue careers in technology. Because of the rebellious nature of youth, many would get a kick out of creating competing products to stick it to the man! Thus, helping to solve America's STEM crisis.

 

Healthcare.gov would have been child's play for America's young adults who have built social media mega infrastructures, which were originally developed and hosted from dorm rooms and cramped apartments on computers sitting on the floor. 

Until we read again!

Take care!

How To Prevent A Hacker From Spying On You Using Your Web Cam

Your webcam can be used against you by hackers to spy on you, record you and possibly blackmail you, or be used for revenge or extortion against you. See NBC News article--> FBI Arrests suspect in Miss Teen USA 'sextortion' case.

Because these stories are becoming more and more common in the news, Michael, a friend of mine asked me to share on his Facebook page, a way that individuals can secure their web cams and prevent it from being hacked. More like reduce the likelihood that your webcam gets hacked into. Just know that anything connected on the Internet can be hacked or compromised.

1. Use a computer account that does not have Administrator rights. Limited rights is perfect.
2. Keep antivirus software up to date and don't skimp, pay for the annual renewal!
3. Set your PC or Laptop to download and install security patches automatically.
4. Keep the computer’s firewall turned on all the time.
5. Don’t let your children use your computer. Buy your children their own computing devices. Disable the camera on their computer if they have no need to use it. See steps 6 & 7.
6. If your web cam is external, keep it unplugged until you need it.
7. If your web cam is internal, consider deleting the drivers for it and purchasing an external web cam and follow step 6.
8. For internal web cams, use tape or post-It Note to cover camera lens if you are not using it.
9. Microphone – Turn the microphone input volume down to “zero”, when not using it.
10. For the Ultra-Paranoid, delete the device drivers for both your web cam and microphone.
11. Create complex login passwords.

Thanks for asking me to write this article Michael!

Enjoy,

Julius, CISSP

In addition, if you are new to the IT Security field, or have no experience and want to change your career consult with me at:

www.cybersecuritycareeradvisor.com 

Hip Hop Can Influence Kids To Pursue STEM Careers

Dr. Dre who is one of the best music producers in Hip Hop history is making his mark these days as an Engineering and Technology innovator. Dr. Dre has the hottest selling brand of High-Tech headphones on the market, and everyone from the B-Boy to the corporate executive wants a pair. 

Time Magazine - The Beats by Dre Headphones are state of the art because they incorporate High-Tech Noise Canceling circuitry.

though they have some noise-canceling tech built in to them — the Beats are designed to enhance the listener's enjoyment of music rather than drown out the snores of your seatmate. Dre, who for three years collaborated with Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, and audio "connectivity" company Monster® to create the Beats, says his goal was to give people a way to "hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should — the way I do."

In other words Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphones produce the same sounds that studio engineers listen to on full size speakers. Additionally, a high end pair can range from $199 to $450 bucks.

The audio company Bose™ is the standard leader in premium priced headphones, and from many of the reviews I have read, Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphones are equal or far superior than Bose™ branded premium headphones--I bet they are not sleeping well at Bose these days, because they would of expected competition from a electronic giant like Sony™ not from a hardcore Hip Hop artist; you have got to love it!

Noise Canceling Diagram

As you can see from the figure above, there is some intricate expertise that needs to be known to design the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphones. The cool thing is that anyone can learn to design electronic circuits at any two year community college with an Electronic Engineering or Technology program. Hip Hop has the star power to influence million s of kids; particularly minorities, to pursue STEM careers. A movement can be started if the right people work together and clearly paint a picture of superior opportunities for kids either as working professionals or as entrepreneurs like Dr. Dre; and even Snoop Dogg.

Technology makes magic happen and can turn your wildest ideas and fantasies in to fruition. Hip Hop has a fierce and powerful youthful force that has ears listening from neighborhood streets to Wall street. I feel that STEM education when fused with Hip Hop can ignite a sleeping giant in our country that will keep America innovating unbelievable new products and services, which will keep the U.S. as the number one economy in the world.

In closing, I have to leave you with this bad futuristic Hewlett Packard™ (HP) commercial showcasing a HP laptop integrated with Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ technology and Rapper NAS's video to the youth "I Can". Hip Hop Makes STEM Careers too cool!

NAS - I Can

Enjoy!

Julius

You Would Protect Your Kids In Real Life Woudn't You? Then Why Not On The Internet?

Powerful add on Internet Safety for children from the McGruff SafeGuard program

http://www.GoMcGruff.com  

Protect Your Children!

Klaus & Anna's Excellent Internet Adventure