Microsoft Sides with User Privacy

Microsoft has announced the default of the Do Not Track ​setting of Internet Explorer 10 will be enabled, thus protecting even those users who didn't know the setting exists. Ed Bott has the story. It's the right thing to do. Advertisers are upset and have threatened to ignore the setting unless the default is returned to disabled.

I stand proudly with Microsoft on this call and wish Apple had made the same choice with Safari 6.​

Security in the Digital Age

​Over the weekend, Wired writer Mat Honan was the victim of a digital attack on his life. In a piece written for Wired and published last evening, Mat reveals the details of everything that happened.

"In the space of one hour, my entire digital life was destroyed. First my Google account was taken over, then deleted. Next my Twitter account was compromised, and used as a platform to broadcast racist and homophobic messages. And worst of all, my AppleID account was broken into, and my hackers used it to remotely erase all of the data on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

In many ways, this was all my fault. My accounts were daisy-chained together. Getting into Amazon let my hackers get into my Apple ID account, which helped them get into Gmail, which gave them access to Twitter. Had I used two-factor authentication for my Google account, it’s possible that none of this would have happened, because their ultimate goal was always to take over my Twitter account and wreak havoc. Lulz.

Had I been regularly backing up the data on my MacBook, I wouldn’t have had to worry about losing more than a year’s worth of photos, covering the entire lifespan of my daughter, or documents and e-mails that I had stored in no other location.

Those security lapses are my fault, and I deeply, deeply regret them.

But what happened to me exposes vital security flaws in several customer service systems, most notably Apple’s and Amazon’s."

The entire story is a must read. It's an epic tale about a misguided hacker, a tech writer who should have known better about backing up important data, the problem with linking online accounts together by email or credit card and the absolute failure of two of the largest companies in the world to protect their customers.

I've already made a few quick changes to the way I'm conducting my business online and there will be more to come. I'll outline some of the details in a post yet to be written. We all need to appreciate that there's a balance between security and convenience in the digital age. I'm shifting even stronger yet towards security. You?​

The End of 30 Pins?

iMore has a story today about the potential end of the 30 pin dock connector. If their sources are correct, the new smaller connector will be introduced at the ​September 12th event. I understand Apple changing the connector at this point will upset a lot of people. I'll need to buy some adapters myself. But I'm ready for a change. I really hope it means I can finally plug in a phone in the dark without worrying about which way is up or down.

Update: The new connector may be even smaller than previously thought according to MacRumors.​

Email Management

Anyone who knows me knows I hate email. Not an email message, but the ​whole system required to stay on top of all the emails we receive. I've actually evolved to be pretty good at managing my email and pretty ruthless at dealing with the email I receive. Not everyone is so lucky.

​Matt Gemmell tackles the subject of email management in a truly fantastic post on his blog today. Please read it. Twice. I won't even ask you to do everything he says. I'm not there yet myself. Please bookmark the post and then pick one or two things and do them. If they make your email life better, add one or two more ideas. Your life will be better for trying.

The First Rule of the Purple Project

There's really nothing good about the patent system as it exists today. But as long as the system is broken, we may as well get some interesting information when cases go to trial. AppleInsider has a great recap of testimony provided by Scott Forstall in the Apple v. Samsung trial. There's a lot of great backstory provided about the history of iOS, the iPhone and the iPad.

I'm struck by one thing after seeing all the information Apple is bringing to light by engaging in this trial. The always super secret Apple wants so badly to take out Samsung, they're willing to let the public see behind their previously closed doors. The fighting spirit of Steve Jobs is alive and well.