Germany Issues Security Warning
The government of Germany has issued a warning to their citizens asking them to use alternatives to Internet Explorer because of a security issue that has been discovered over the weekend.
Germany’s Internet Explorer users have been urged to use alternative browsers like Firefox or Chrome until a patch is issued by Microsoft.
Microsoft is currently working on a patch and asks users to install the latest version of their Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit as a temporary measure until this patch is released.
I personally use Firefox to browse and Spybot’s Search & Destroy immunity function, which instructs all of the browsers to block problematic sites. But I’ve turned Spybot’s resident “SDHelper” and “Teatimer” off to avoid conflicts with my security software.
Parliament Is In Session
So, Parliament is now in session and several issues are back on the table.
Quite a few of the more controversial bills have passed through, some changed slightly like the Copyright Modernization Act. But the primary issue I’m having now is related to privacy in the internet.
We have progressed, the Office Of The Privacy Commissioner of Canada offering an online form for complaints. And the debate persists in the media, as it’s been since Bill C-12 was introduced in September 2011 by the Minister of Industry and Ministry of State (Agriculture).
The issue of course is the wording of the proposed amendments to Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act in Bill C-12 and other documents, which could cause problems later on in its interpretation and enforcement.
At the moment the member of parliament are concentrating on the budget, which will be tabled next week. But quite a few citizens are also wondering if they will be required to pay for technology to spy on every day citizens through their internet providers. And others wonder what will qualify as “probable cause” to start an investigation of an individual.
For example, will the past downloading of files from services like Megaupload result in an investigation in regards to piracy because of the accusations made against the service by the United States ? Will the viewing of a fundamentalist video on Youtube result in an investigation related to terrorism ?
Some people assume that they will be determined innocent with little to no effort if they were ever exposed to these issues. But what will be the due processes and how inconvenient will they be to the accused and the system ?
I am concerned about the mass prosecution of people and financial toll this will take on our internet providers and legal system. And having avoided the use of peer to peer transfer programs because of malware and spyware, I do not appreciate being exposed to the possibility of security issues through the implementation of a system that could have security issues of its own.
“Haste makes waste”. We need to tread slowly and thoughtfully through the process.
Gift Cards On Sale At Zellers
Zellers is offering $50 iTunes gift cards for $40 in store until September 20th, 2012, though it should be noted that this offer is not available at the liquidation centers.
By the way, if you’re wondering what rewards program will be made available through the new Target locations, details were released yesterday on the company’s Canadian web site.
Basically members will get a card entitling them to 5% off purchases with an optional debit program. Royal Bank Canada will be offering no annual fee Target RBC Mastercard credit cards as well through the retailer shortly.
On Sale At Staples
Staples is offering $50 iTunes gift cards for $40 this week, in store.
This offer is ending on September 11th, 2012 and may not be valid across Canada. Consult your local flyers.
Free Shipping Today
Just thought you would like to know that Sears.cais offering free shipping on orders over $75 today, in case you guys need to buy some musical instruments and accessories
for beginners.
Live Music Festival
A nightly music festival is being held through-out the month of September on iTunes which will feature numerous acts from various genres.
I personally will be tuning into P!nk’s performance at 4pm on the 13th, Andrea Bocelli’s performance at 4pm on the 18th and Muse’s performance at 4pm on the 30th.
An iPhone/iPad App is available to watch the whole festival.