Multizone | All our technotes
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Real-time adverts are a way for developers (including me) to monetise their apps but theres a problem that has been highlighted by a recent hack.
Thousands of apps location data including detailed device and location data for real-time adverts aggregated by location data brokers has been hacked.
Protecting your personal data is vital given that we are reliant on mobile devices so much that we alwys have them with us. Sharing your iPhone’s location with third parties may seem harmless, but it exposes you to a complex web of surveillance and exploitation. Location tracking is a lucrative tool for ad networks, enabling them to target you with precision through real-time bidding systems. These platforms auction your data including your location, IP address, and device information in milliseconds, perhaps without your explicit consent. Any app which serves adverts uses ad brokers to determine which adverts to serve.
Beyond advertising, data brokers collect and monetise your movements, creating detailed profiles that are sold to various entities. This practice undermines your privacy & security, leaving you vulnerable to exploitation or unauthorised access. Even more concerning is how governments may access this information through direct requests or indirect purchases from third parties, raising significant concerns about overreach and surveillance.
Understanding the hidden implications of sharing your location empowers you to make informed decisions. Remember, once your data is in the hands of third parties, reclaiming control becomes nearly impossible. Protecting your privacy & security begins with vigilance and a commitment to limiting unnecessary exposure.
TL:DR – To safeguard your location, disable location sharing for unnecessary apps and review permissions regularly
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TL:DR – I was asked if I had a security policy document for macOS that would work for a small business who don't have a device management platform and I did have one, but it was mostly in my head or implemented on my Macs, so I decided to write it up in detail.
It is an example. You might want to change things. It is for smaller businesses who can't use Apple Business Manager or similar device management technologies.
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Read more: Hardening Macs - Security policy for macOS Sequoia
Lossless ripping of Blu-ray media lets you back up your high-definition video and audio content from a source, such as a digital file or existing Blu-ray, to file on a drive without any loss of quality. This method ensures that the original content, whether it’s a 1080p or 4K video, is preserved in its entirety, including all audio tracks, subtitles, and metadata, with no compression or degradation. Typically, this is done using specialised software and hardware, including a Blu-ray burner. The resulting media can be played back on media players such as Plex, offering a full, unaltered viewing experience, ideal for archiving or creating personalised collections
TL:DR – with some software and a decent Blu-Ray drive it is easy to archive your collection of media and make it available via your Plex server in an easier to access way. I keep all my original DVD's and Blu-Rays and they cost peanuts anyway from CeX to there's no reason not to own the originals. Home taping didn't kill music and neither does backing up your collection kill movies.
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A new feature dropped in the December 2024 security update for Android 15.
To help extend the lifespan of your Pixel’s battery, you can limit charging of your phone to 80%. Once I updated to the December 2024 security release my Pixel 8a notified me that this new feature was available but you can also set it up manually.
A similar feature used to automatically limit charging under certain conditions, for example when a Pixel phone was continuously charging for more than a few hours under high temperatures or when continuously charging for more than several days.
This is a new feature however which you can control in settings.
TL:DR – This feature is available on Pixel 6a and later devices. Your Pixel will occasionally charge to 100% to ensure accurate battery capacity readings
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iCloud Passwords lets you securely fill passwords from iCloud Keychain when signing in to websites using Firefox. Any new passwords you create in Firefox are saved to your iCloud Keychain so that they are also available across your Apple devices. The extension can also generate verification codes, which you can set up by right-clicking on a QR code.
TL:DR – The Apple Passwords capability and app was introduced in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS 2. A Chrome browser extension followed and now theres a Firefox add-on.
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Q: Which Apple MacBook should I buy in December 2024?
A: At least a 16GB MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024). There are lots of 8GB machines around but they won't do for development work or other heavy workloads. The pick of the bunch is at Amazon UK
TL:DR – £1,129 gets you an Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 chip from Amazon UK! This is an amazing specification although more storage would be useful. It has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID; Space Grey
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Overview of Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and its functionality
Android Debug Bridge, commonly known as ADB, is a command-line tool that provides developers and advanced users with a means to communicate with Android devices. It serves as a versatile interface to execute commands, transfer data, and access hidden system features. Whether you're deploying applications or debugging errors, ADB is an essential tool in the Android ecosystem.
TL:DR – ADB has been around for many years and is a very stable tool with a lot of funcitonality. Screenshots are easy to do and thats just the start.
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Read more: How to Take Screenshots with Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
- How to take screenshots with Android Auto
- Consolidating and de-duplicating photo libraries
- Use Windows 11 Arm in a VM on your Mac
- Do more with Finder on macOS
- Pros and Cons of Receiving Money Anonymously Online
- iOS 18 - June 10, 2024 release of Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones
- How do you remove a Spigen camera lens screen protector
- All-new Apple Watch Series 10 or the Ultra 2?
- Glowtime – September 2024
- Uncover Apple Certified Refurbished Bargains Direct from Apple
- Why the Apple Macbook Pro M2 is a Hidden Gem
- Deciding Between the UK Network Railcard and Senior Railcard