Understanding The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is how analog systems (people) will thrive in a digital world.

Our human, analog brains are wired to continuously deliver input, organize vast amounts of sensory data and make continuous decisions based on millions of pieces of information. Usually the data ranges from a minimum to a maximum, like brightness, volume, pitch, color and pressure. Digital systems, however, use discrete data in processing, and as long as you have storage space, you can keep adding data.

With enough data, digital technology successfully imitates analog technology to yield an analog experience. In fact, we can generate a superior experience with digital by adding detail in smaller pieces to create more intensity or fidelity - such as with photography and music. But with too much data, people overload, stop processing and this eventually leads to a system shutdown.

First coined in 1999, the IoT represents unique, virtual identification of items that are inventoried and cataloged. Tagged objects are subject to real-time processing using current technologies like radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near field communications (NFC), thus enabling digital solutions for many human tasks.

For instance, checking out of a store will be as easy as walking through a scanner. 'Bump' your phone to the register to pay. Just-in-time inventory control will be the new standard for even small manufacturers and retailers, effortlessly keeping detailed records of every transaction down to the tiniest fractions. Properly analyzing data will increase efficiency, reduce waste and generate profit.

In your home, the IoT can track anything using your smart phone - anywhere, anytime. Tags on clothing can provide detailed information about the garment and even where it is - in the hamper, the closet or being worn. Or, you can perform a task such as registering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, the milk inside and how much energy the appliance consumed arriving at that temperature.

As humans, we are miraculous, wonderfully analog, but may have trouble acclimating to a digital world. Nevertheless our world is transforming. As with any revolutionary shift, the IoT will forever change how we interact with our environments - and it's only limited by the imagination and industry of the human mind.

Your Package Has Been Returned and Your SSL Certificate is Suspended!

We have a very good Spam filter, but still every now and then a phishing email will slip through. 

My business email [mary@lansystems.com] is easy to find so I get a wide assortment of unsolicited emails. Recently, I received a deviation on a scam that has been around for years - your package was returned and click this link to get it. I also received one that my LogMein SSL Certificate had been suspended - click here to fix. Of course, the links are malicious and at least, would come with some irritating pop-ups and at worse, steal your identity, seize your system and ruin your computer.

These exploits are designed to cause an immediate emotional response that will make you click before your think. Because if you look closer, the fraud is apparent. The mail and parcel carriers do not typically use email for package routing information although some will let you elect mobile or email notification. The body of the emails usually have spelling or grammatical errors and often the links take you to strange sites. A suspended LogMein SSL Certificate is a problem, but too suspicious to believe the email.

If you think the issue may be real, do some additional research but don't click any links. Even with legitimate emails, your clicks are tracked by embedded links. So if you don't want to be tracked or scammed, avoid links.

You already know these tips for protecting yourself, but let's review:

1. Have a good Spam Filter. Still about 90% of the emails sent worldwide are Spam and many are malicious. A good filter will catch most Spam.
2. Use virus protection. Even if you use a great Spam Filter, you still need virus protection for those threats that slip through. We like Symantec for our business users.
3. Use malware protection. There are several that you can try and use free for home use. We like MalwareBytes and Advanced System Care. The licensed versions provide real-time protection.
4. Do not open files or click links in emails unless you trust and know the source. And even if you know and trust the source be sure it is a real email from them. Email accounts can be hacked and malicious emails sent from your friend's account.
5. If you think you are infected, consult an expert. If it looks really bad, disconnect your computer from the network or Internet. If it looks really, really bad, turn off your computer until help is available.
6. Don't put your credit card information in those pop-ups that guarantee to remove the infection, they are scams.
7. Don't forward email unless absolutely necessary. This is not only for security but for proper etiquette as well. If you have to forward something be sure it is not a hoax and that the recipient wants to receive. If you have to send that funny joke, be sure to have the recipient's permission.

We look at online threats constantly, but sometimes there is one so good that even the experts are initially fooled.