Tech News Archives - Page 98 of 135

Nvidia has recalled 88,000 Shield Tablets due to potential fire hazard

Posted on August 2, 2015

nvidia-shield Did you purchase an Nvidia Shield tablet between July 2014 and July 2015? If so, it might have just been recalled.

The tablets affected by the recall contain defective batteries that can potentially over-heat and cause a fire.

83,000 of the recalled tablets were sold in the United States. The remaining 5,000 were sold in Canada.

Nvidia is asking everyone who owns a Shield tablet that was purchased during the time-frame mentioned above to follow the steps below to determine if your unit is subject to the recall: [Read more…]

Caution: 95% of Android phones can be hacked simply by sending them a text message!

Posted on July 28, 2015

android-malware Mobile security firm Zimperium zLabs has discovered a flaw in Android that potentially leaves up to 1 billion Android phones susceptible to being hacked simply by receiving a malicious text message.

And guess what? You don’t even have to open the message in order for a hacker to gain access to your phone!

Dubbed “Stagefright”, this super-bug is being referred to in the security industry as the largest potential security threat in history. [Read more…]

Fiat Chrysler has just recalled 1.4 million vehicles because they are vulnerable to being hacked

Posted on July 26, 2015

Do you own a vehicle that was made by the Fiat Chrysler Corporation and falls within the model years 2013-2015? If so, guess what? Your car or truck just might be vulnerable to a hacking attack!

According to the company, approximately 1.4 million recent model vehicles are capable of being remotely accessed and controlled by cyber crooks.

And if that alone isn’t scary enough, get this: The hack and take-over of your vehicle could take place as you are literally driving down the highway. Pretty scary stuff if you ask me.

All of the 1.4 million vehicles that are vulnerable to hackers have been recalled so that a security update (aka patch) can be applied to the vehicles’ digital Uconnect systems. Here is a list of the affected models: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I upgrade my PC from Windows 8.1/32 bit to Windows 10/64 bit?

Posted on July 24, 2015

Question from Kelly T.: Rick, I have a question that I need for you to clarify for me if you don’t mind.

I bought a used computer from a guy off of Craigslist. It’s running Windows 8.1/32 bit. I checked, and this PC has a 64 bit CPU.

I know that this computer is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10, but I’d like to know if I’ll be able to upgrade to the 64 bit version of Windows 10 or if I’ll be stuck with the 32 bit version because the Windows 8.1 that’s on it now is 32 bit?

I have asked several people about this and they gave me conflicting answers.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Microsoft temporarily suspends new sign-ups for the Windows Insider Program

Posted on July 23, 2015

A while back Microsoft announced that participants in the Windows Insider Program will be eligible to receive a free copy of Windows 10 after its July 29 release. Well, it now appears they are having second thoughts.

After Microsoft made the announcement detailing that very generous Windows Insider bonus, thousands of users took Microsoft at their Word. They quickly began signing up for the Windows Insider Program just so they could qualify for a free copy of Windows 10 to install on machines that otherwise wouldn’t qualify for the free upgrade. [Read more…]