Apple admits to virus vulnerability

The reign of the Trojan Flashback virus was a humbling moment for a company that, until then, had seemed invincible in the eyes of consumers. Now, a few months after the bulk of attacks, Apple has admitted that, occasionally, its devices may require virus removal.

Hamish Barwick from Computerworld-Australia reports that the technology titan has tweaked its marketing language to reflect that Apple products, while fairly well protected, aren't entirely immune to cyberattacks.

Barwick offers examples of a few key substitutions, such as using the line "Safety. Built in" in place of the bolder "Safeguard your data. By doing nothing." While Apple is apparently still confident in its ability to fend off spyware and viruses, this shift shows that now it will at least allow for the possibility of a system infection.

And, to Barwick, this acknowledgement is a good sign. After all, before Mac repair technicians can tackle a device laden with spyware, they have to be aware of which bots could possibly worm their way onto a Mac or Mobile operating system.

For the moment, the corporation has made a few small strides to increase security, such as issuing a security handbook for its iPhone operating system and enabling the latest upgrade, Mountain Lion, with a security application that restricts what can be downloaded on any Apple device.

Plus, now that the organization is aware of its weaknesses, it may invest in more cybersecurity programs, according to the source. Experts in the field have also reportedly expressed the hope that Apple may reissue security updates for older operating systems, too.

However, Mac users in the area may still find themselves in need of spyware removal. If so, they should call the technicians at Geeks On-site for virus removal in Washington, D.C, as well as Maryland and Virginia.

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Boost your Mac security instantly

Now that Apple has admitted that its devices aren't entirely impervious to virus and spyware infection, the tech company is investing a lot more time and money into its cybersecurity efforts. And, hopefully, after following a few simple steps, local Mac users won't be needing Washington, D.C, Virginia or Maryland virus removal anytime soon.

Since Apple has definitively worked its way into private homes and personal businesses, there is no doubt that hackers will continue to devise ways to crack its Mac operating systems. However, a team of writers at the online tech site Mashable have come up with some very easy ways to protect your Mac from future infection.

According to features writer Stephanie Buck, one easy way to give your device the best possible advantage against cyber attacks is to invest in the latest operating system upgrades available. After the Trojan Flashback virus hit Macs everywhere this year, the company did release security upgrades for past systems. However, the new Mountain Lion OS X coming out next month will include a built in security feature called Gatekeeper, which monitors the applications downloaded on your computer.

Another way to keep your data secure is by only downloading applications that Apple has verified as secure. This may seem like a no-brainer, but with so many apps out there, it's easy to get swept up in the novelty of a new device and download a whole range of things without thinking twice.

Finally, bite the bullet and invest in antivirus software from an industry expert like Norton or McAfee. Even though virus and spyware removal experts are working hard to shield their devices against future assaults, it never hurts to equip your computer with another layer of protection.

However, there are plenty of resources available for emergency Mac repair if your hardware does fall victim to malicious spyware. With Geeks On-site, you can have a qualified virus removal technician on your doorstep within 24 hours if necessary.

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Companies think your computer dictates your budget

These days, corporations are investing considerable resources into online analytics to learn more about their customers. And, while the ability to predict the best products for you based on earlier preferences can be handy in some cases, sometimes your personal data can be used simply to boost profits.

Last week, the Wall Street Journal blew the whistle on one ecommerce company that has been tailoring its results based on computer brands. After determining that, on average, Mac owners spend about 30 percent more on hotels than people with PCs, executives at the travel website Orbitz reportedly adjusted their algorithms so that Apple fans were shown more expensive travel options than individuals who accessed the website from other devices.

According to the news source, since he started at the company in 2009, Barney Hartford, Orbitz's CEO, has been dedicated to using data mining as a means to predict user preferences.

Through research, the company has not only determined that Mac users spend more on their trips, but has even been able to determine which hotels they may prefer. The media outlet notes that nearly 50 percent of Orbitz bookings at one luxury  hotel in Chicago were made from Apple devices.

For now, Orbitz only has definitive information about Mac owners' hotel preferences, but if similar trends crop up in terms of flight fares and car rentals, they may adjust their results accordingly.

Executives from the ecommerce company were quick to point out that these measures were meant to benefit customers, and that anyone could opt out of the whole process by choosing to view their search results by price.

But whether or not Apple users do have more cash to burn, there are certain services, like computer repair, that should remain equally cost-effective for any brand. For local users, Geeks On-site offers reasonably priced Mac repair in Maryland, Washington, D.C and Virginia.

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Google asks companies to stop helping pirates

Even though video streaming websites like Netflix and Hulu provide users with more movies and television shows than they could watch in a lifetime, many people still turn to piracy websites to download music and movies.

In an effort to crack down on these practices, the federal government has passed several laws banning online piracy, and even shut down MegaUpload, one of the biggest suppliers of online content, earlier this year.

Based on a report on piracy websites commissioned by Google, Theo Bertram, who acts as the company's policy manager in the U.K., wrote in a blog post that the best way to stop online piracy was not to shut down specific websites or limit online freedoms by law, but to appeal to their financial backers instead.

Google's report that the majority of U.K. advertisers on piracy websites – 86 percent – had made no legal commitment to any rules of conduct. Also, many of the websites under investigation worked with major credit card companies to receive payment. Bertram suggests, then, that government agencies team up with payment processors and advertisers, as well as the official rights holders, to encourage these companies to turn their backs on their pirating clients.

The study also showed that, in the U.K. at least, piracy rates dropped when online content was easier to buy, like in the music industry. Bertram also noted that subscriptions to online content providers were on the rise, which could mean that fewer people seek out music and movies from sketchy sources.

Downloading any file from an unfamiliar website, whether it's a recently released album or the entire second season of the Wire, is one of the quickest ways to infect your device with a virus. If your computer has been corrupted, you can contact a virus removal expert at Geeks On-site. We can provide effective Washington, D.C, Maryland and Virginia virus removal right away.

For more information about Computer Repair Maryland, please visit our site www.877geeksonsite.com