87 The Ketchup Episode

The Computer Exorcist Podcast

Tonight we play "ketchup" on our huge backlog of articles. I'm also moving to a new format where I "raise the plow" slightly, reading more headlines per episode and avoid digging too deep into each article. This should also reduce the beating of the many dead horses I've accumulated over the years. Here's what's on the menu for tonight:

• Texas residents realize their "smart" thermostats have been commandeered by their power company, just as podcaster Marc-Anthony Arena predicted.
• Massachusetts Steamship Authority didn't have to pay the ransom to cryptolocker hostageware scammers because it's one of a small handful of people whose IT staff actually protect them by doing backups.
• NC gas station loses $8 grand in business due to Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, sues CP for $5 million.
• White-hat hackers discover a New York State government server WIDE OPEN and screenshot evidence that critical data was exposed. NYS rep says the server was empty.
• NY State has to spend billions to bribe select companies to do business here, rather than make it easy to do business for everyone. (Almost all businesses eventually go under or leave anyway.)
• Amazon reportedly discussed forming a "Rebel Alliance" to take on Microsoft, as world fails to realize there was ALREADY a rebel alliance that created a free alternative to the 365 Scandal.

Let me know how you like the new format!