Miguel Leiva-Gomez, Author at Make Tech Easier

Google’s Automated Image Captioning & the Key to Artificial “Vision”

Google releases software that can automatically generate a caption based on the objects and setting of an image. This may be a stepping stone towards something greater on the road to more advanced artificial intelligence.

How Facebook Keeps on Beating AdBlock at Its Own Game

Both AdBlock and Facebook consider each other a thorn in their side. But what do Facebook engineers do that frustrates AdBlock developers so much?

4 Surprisingly Outdated IT Infrastructures You (Probably) Didn’t Know About

Governments are notorious for their inability to catch up to the latest advancements in technology. Here are four outdated systems in the IT infrastructures that are still around.

Would an Online Court of Law Be a Good Idea?

A proposal was put forth to establish an online court for claims totaling up to 25,000 pounds. Would this be beneficial or spell disaster for the country?

The Security Caveats of NFC Payments

Many people like the convenience of NFC payment but are not aware of the potential risk behind it. There are a couple of things you should know before you hop onto the bandwagon of convenience that contact-less payments provide.

MTE Explains: What Is a “Man in the Middle Attack?”

For an attack carried out over the Internet to be successful, the hacker behind it has to be clever. And nothing demonstrates wit more clearly than the “man in the middle attack”. It’s time to make people aware of what a “man in the middle” (MiM) attack is and some best practices that could prevent it from being carried out.

Differences Between Privacy And Security & Why You Should Care

The words “privacy” and “security” are often used interchangeably. Understanding the difference can help you make more educated decisions on how you choose to share your information and what software you choose to use.

Are Ad Blockers Bad for Consumers?

Many people are using ad blockers to block ads. The question is will publishers be hurt by ad blockers and will users suffer as well?

Is Technology Isolating Us or Bringing Us Closer Together?

Is the growing presence of the Internet and computing technology in our lives a net benefit or hindrance to social interaction? Is technology isolating us? Let’s discuss.

Is Google Competing Unfairly?

Google is constantly facing litigation for unfair competition, so do you think Google is competing unfairly or it is clear of any wrongdoing?

What Is a “Moonshot” Technology?

Almost everything that has made human progress possible is thanks to something Google likes to call a “moonshot.” What exactly does it mean? Let’s find out.

Are Air-Gapped Computers Hacker-Proof?

One of the simplest approaches to security is air-gapping (disconnecting the system from the Internet entirely). But, is an air-gapped computer hacker-proof? Let’s find out.

Molecular Hardware: The Promise and the Challenges

As the race for smaller hardware continues, let’s dive into what this means and what challenges manufacturers face in making molecular hardware a reality.

Can the Internet Ever Really Be Policed?

Is it practical to attempt to police speech on the internet – whatever form this kind of action may take? Should the Internet be policed? Let’s discuss.

Is Thinner Hardware “Better”?

Many hardware manufacturers have pushed their research departments to come up with ways to fit more hardware into smaller spaces. Is this a good thing?

Does Anti-Malware Really Do Anything to Help Stop Malware?

A number of viruses evade security software detection causing huge problems. So we ask: are anti-malware applications worth the trouble anymore?

Should the Need for Warrants Be Extended to Personal Emails?

The Email Privacy Act forces the government to seek warrants before asking tech companies for emails. Should this be the same for an individual’s personal emails?

Why Do People Want to Run Mobile Apps on Their PCs?

Some people have no interest in running mobile apps on their desktop while others welcome it. Here’s a look at why some want to run mobile apps on their PCs.

How Does Google Know Where Your WiFi Router Is?

Google seems to know everything, including where your home is located. This info is based on your router, but how does Google know where your WiFi router is anyway and can you stop this?

Should People Be Required to Present ID to Purchase Prepaid SIM Cards?

A new bill has entered the U.S. Congress for a new law requiring the presentation of identification before purchasing prepaid cards. Do you think this is a good thing?

Are Online Payments Safer with One-Time-Use Debit Card Numbers?

A startup called Privacy has created a solution that uses a one-time-use debit card number for online transactions. Will this make online payment safer? Let’s check it out.

What Do You Do When Websites You Visit Neglect Basic Security?

Using HTTP is no longer an option for large or small websites, so why are 79 of the top 100 websites not using HTTPS? Let’s discuss!

External GPUs: Good Idea or the Next Big Flop?

Some companies are offering external GPUs that work much like how external hard drives do. Is this a veritable market? Let’s dig in deeper.

Everything You Need to Know About Apple vs. the FBI

Apple has rejected the FBI’s request to create a back door for iOS. Here is what you need to know about the Apple vs. FBI saga.

Why Are USB-C Cables Frying Laptops?

The USB-C cable was designed to help pave the way for future devices that would require very versatile signalling and power transfers. So why are they, instead, frying laptops? Let’s find out.

Is Google’s “Apple-Like” Control Over Nexus Phones a Good Thing?

Google is planning to follow Apple’s ways and wants to have greater control over the building process of its Nexus phone. Is this a good thing?

The Promising Future of Video Conferencing

Video conferencing has come a long way from the days when software used to come across hitches precisely at the most inopportune moments. Let’s take a look at its promising future.

Why Internet Explorer Is Getting More Dangerous

When it comes to browser security, Internet Explorer is far from the best or safest browser. As as matter of fact, it’s getting more dangerous! See how in this article.

Spear Phishing: What Is It?

Spear phishing is dangerous because it uses the rapport between an individual and an organization to accomplish its purpose. This article explains what it is and how to protect yourself.

3 Reasons Why Apple Users Should Start Thinking More About Security

Companies like Symantec and FireEye have shown concern regarding malware on Apple devices, particularly iOS. This brings up a good point: Apple users should start thinking more about security. Here’s why.

State-Sponsored Hacking: Why It’s Becoming a “Thing”

Are you familiar with state-sponsored hacking? If not, this article will open your eyes and explain why it will continue to be a growing phenomenon as the Internet becomes more ubiquitous in our lives.

Why Sites Are Moving Away from Flash (And Towards HTML5)

Following in YouTube’s steps, Facebook recently announced that it has stopped using Flash entirely for videos across the entire social network. It’s time to explain why Flash is being dumped in favor of HTML5.

Should Facebook Have an Age Limit?

Since 2006, Facebook has established a minimum age of 13 for the use of its services. Do you think that setting a minimum age like this is wise? Let’s discuss.

Why Everyone Is Abandoning SHA-1 Encryption

The Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) has been an instrumental tool in the fight against hackers. While SHA-1 has been the standard, it’s now being abandoned for SHA-2. Here’s why.

Does the Fax Machine Still Have a Place in the World?

In the present the fax machine seems like a relic from a bygone era. Considering newer technology, is it still worth keeping around? Let’s discuss!

Everything You Need to Know About Facebook’s Live Streaming Service

Facebook’s Live Streaming Service is an immersive and authentic way to connect with the public figures you care about in real-time. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What If You Could Charge Your Smartphone Only Once a Week?

What if we could charge our smartphone only once a week and have it last as long as the “dumb” phone? It could be happening soon.

Your Info Is Leaking: Privacy Concerns with Online Quizzes

Generally all online quizzes look the same; however, some might appear as apps that require certain permissions on Facebook for you to proceed. This presents significant privacy concerns. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Everything You Need to Know About Tor’s Messenger System

Developers have released a new messenger system that runs on top of Tor. Here’s what you should know about this new messenger system for Tor.

Would a Circulatory System Be Better for a Computer Than Water Cooling?

A water cooling system for PC can be difficult to implement. Would a circulatory system that worked a lot like our own vascular systems be more efficient?

Everything You Need to Know About Ransom Web Attacks

A recent trend has emerged in which attackers are now asking for ransoms in web attacks. This is also known as ransom attacks. Here’s what you need to know.

What You Should Know About Facebook’s Searchable Public Posts

As of October 23, 2015, the BBC reports that all public posts on Facebook will be searchable. Here’s what you need to know and how to opt out of searchable public posts.

Is Our Current File & Folder System Flawed?

The system we used to manage our files have not changed since PC first appeared. This begs the question: Is our current file and folder system flawed? Can we do better?

Why Do Some Websites Take Longer to Load on Mobile Devices?

Sometimes a website that you often visit on your desktop or laptop will take much longer to load on your mobile device. What’s that all about? Find out!

Android Marshmallow: What’s New

Google released Android Marshmallow recently. Here are some of the most interesting things that you can expect to see in phones running it.

Why Are Some ISPs So Slow to Adopt IPv6?

There are many ISPs that have either not switched over to IPv6 or have only partially made the implementation. What’s the holdup? Should you be worried?

Ad Blockers: Friend or Foe to the Internet?

Many websites have declared war on ad blockers by claiming that their use drops their revenue. Are ad blockers really killing the Internet?

Should Facebook Have a Dislike Button?

Facebook will soon add a dislike button to the platform. What exactly does the dislike button do for the most massive social network in the world? Let’s discuss.

Tablets With Projectors: Are They a Good Idea?

Lenovo’s latest Yoga Tab 3 Pro tablet came with a small projector that is capable of displaying a 70-inch image onto surfaces. Is this a good idea? And is it useful?

Do Phones Really Need a 4K Display?

Is 4K really a necessary resolution for a smartphone? Does this resolution even make a difference when placed side-to-side with previous high-end models?

Miguel Leiva-Gomez

Popular Posts