Posts published by “Christine Hall”

Christine Hall has been a journalist since 1971. In 2001, she began writing a weekly consumer computer column and started covering Linux and FOSS in 2002 after making the switch to GNU/Linux. Follow her on Twitter: @BrideOfLinux

Saying Goodbye to Net Neutrality Under Trump

By Christine Hall on December 13, 2016 |

Business, Internet, Opinion and Politics

Saying Goodbye to Net Neutrality Under Trump

One of the things we can expect to see after Trump takes office in January is the demise of Net Neutrality, which some say will signal the end of a free Internet.

Op-ed

News organizations that like to have obituaries written and ready to go to bed well before a death actually occurs might want to go ahead and assign someone the task of writing an obit for Net Neutrality. Without a doubt, one thing that’s sure to happen when Trump begins his weekly commute to the Oval Office is an end to the legal principle that Internet service providers should treat all Internet traffic equally.

** If our coverage matters to you, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Users Told Disconnect Certain Netgear Routers

Users Told Disconnect Certain Netgear Routers

By Christine Hall on December 12, 2016 |

Hardware, News and Security

Some popular Netgear routers contain a security flaw that is evidently easy to exploit and can make users vulnerable to a CSRF attack.

Breaking News

About this time I’m wondering if I’d even purchase a Netgear router.

You’d think that with all of the fuss recently about the insecure Internet of things, especially when it comes to routers, that any router maker would be on top of it and patching vulnerabilities as soon as they’re discovered.

** If you're finding this article useful, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Evidently not, as far as Netgear is concerned.

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

System 76 Talks With Ubuntu, WordPress Ups Game and More…

By Christine Hall on December 11, 2016 |

Community, Desktops, Distros, Hardware, Internet, News, Software and Web Apps

Also included: Fedora community says goodbye to Matthew Williams, Solus gets a new package build system, end-of-life for Fedora 23 and IoT security.

FOSS Week in Review

Something arctic this way comes. That”s what Lannie Pope, the weatherwoman on the local NBC affiliate, tells us, Trouble is, I’m still stuck in a house without proper heat, a situation that’s been dragging on since near the end of September. It’s a long story, but…brrr. I’m glad I don’t live in a part of the country where it gets really cold.

** If you're finding this article useful, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Now on to this week’s FOSS news, which is always warm…

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

New IoT Botnet, Attackers Target Tor, and More…

By Christine Hall on December 3, 2016 |

Browsers, Distros, News, Security and Software

Also included, Flash on life support, Mageia’s new release, Ubuntu sets date for “Zesty Zapus” and our News Wire gets an RSS feed.

FOSS Week in Review

Outside of FOSS, the news becomes too depressing and repetitive to read. Gamergate has taken over our country and is set to move into the White House and to have free rein in the halls of congress. Roles are being reversed and it’s rapidly becoming politically incorrect to express concerns for our mother the earth or for the creatures who inhabit it, while it’s perfectly fine to label anyone who advocates for equality as a “social justice warrior” who should have no place within any organization.

** If you're finding this article useful, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

If you think I’m bummed out, you’re right. At least for the time being, in the world of FOSS life goes on as usual…

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

What Malware Is on Your Router?

By Christine Hall on November 30, 2016 |

Hardware, News and Security

Mirai is exposing a serious security issue with the Internet of Things that absolutely must be quickly handled.

Until a few days ago, I had been seriously considering replacing the 1999 model Apple Airport wireless router I’ve been using since it was gifted to me in 2007. It still works fine, but I have a philosophy that any hardware that’s more than old enough to drive probably needs replacing. I’ve been planning on taking the 35 mile drive to the nearest Best Buy outlet on Saturday to see what I could get that’s within my price range.

** If you're finding this article useful, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

After the news of this week, that trip is now on hold. For the time being I’ve decided to wait until I can be reasonably sure that any router I purchase won’t be hanging out a red light to attract the IoT exploit-of-the-week.

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Mickey Mouse Open Source, Close Call at WordPress, and More…

Mickey Mouse Open Source, Close Call at WordPress, and More…

By Christine Hall on November 25, 2016 |

Business, Desktops, News, Politics and Security

Also included: FBI hacks 8,000 with single warrant, new Cinnamon desktop release, “government-backed attackers” after journalists, and FOSS Force adds beef to newsfeed.

FOSS Week in Review

Okay, Thanksgiving is over. Let the sales begin. Which reminds me, I have to buy a new cheap Wi-Fi router — cheap being the operative word. Any suggestions?

** If our coverage matters to you, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Otherwise, it’s back to FOSS news…

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Malware Found on New Windows Computers (Not What You Think)

Malware Found on New Windows Computers (Not What You Think)

By Christine Hall on November 23, 2016 |

Business, News and Security

An investigative team for a Seattle television station discovered that finding malware on clean computers to be an everyday practice at Office Depot.

It appears that the office supply giant, Office Depot, isn’t adverse to tarnishing its reputation if there’s a buck or two to be made in the process.

KIRO TV in Seattle reported on November 15 that it had taken brand new out-of-the-box computers that had never been connected to the Internet to Office Depot stores, both in Washington state and Portland, Oregon, and told the repair desk staff that “it’s running a little slow.” In four out of six cases they were told the computer was infected with viruses and would require an up to $180 fix.

After declining the “fix,” they took the “virus laden” machines to a Seattle security outfit, IOActive, which reexamined the machines. “We found no symptoms of malware when we operated them,” an employee with the firm, Will Longman, said. “Nor did we find any actual malware.”

** If our coverage matters to you, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Linux Foundation ‘Fails’ Linux Mint: Suggests Upgrade to Windows or Mac

Linux Foundation ‘Fails’ Linux Mint: Suggests Upgrade to Windows or Mac

By Christine Hall on November 7, 2016 |

Humor, News and Operating Systems

Those using Linux to register for a Linux Foundation webinar are told to try using Windows or OS X instead.

Excuse me if I have a little fun at the Linux Foundation’s expense.

** If our coverage matters to you, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

This morning while perusing the day’s tech news, I ran across an article on Linux.com about a free webinar, “Open Source Automotive: How Shared Development Will Drive the Industry Forward,” being hosted on Wednesday by the Linux Foundation. This sounded like something I wouldn’t mind spending an hour watching, so I registered. Afterwards, I clicked a “Test Your System” link, just to make sure that I’d have no problems using the good ol’ FOSS Force machine.

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Talos’s $18K Linux Workstation, KDE 1 on Modern Metal & More…

By Christine Hall on October 16, 2016 |

Desktops, Distros, Hardware, News and Software

Also included: Red Hat opens Ansible Galaxy, Yakkety Yak ready for downloads, and KDE and GNOME both get minor point releases.

FOSS Week in Review

Like practically everybody else who resides in the U.S., I’ve just about had it up to here (I’m holding my hand high above the top of my head) with this election. At this point, I just want the whole mess to be over. After the winner has been decided and the dust has settled, I’ll decide whether I want to become an expat on another planet in another solar system. What kind of visa will I need for that, I wonder.

** If you're finding this article useful, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Meanwhile, I keep my mind occupied by following FOSS news…

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Homicide Commits Suicide, HP Says It’s Sorry & More…

By Christine Hall on October 7, 2016 |

Business, Desktops, Distros, Gaming, Hardware, Obits and Patents

Also included: Judge seems to make software patents illegal, Mageia mourns a contributor, Yakkety Yak frozen, KDE’s new release, and getting ready for All Things Open.

FOSS Week in Review

When I wrote last week’s wrap, Hurricane Matthew seemed to be on a direct path for my office. Now it appears that long before it hits my state it’s going to take a sharp turn to the right and head back out to sea. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, in getting to where it is today, this storm has so far killed nearly 1,000 people that we know of so far, and has made thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, homeless. That’s bad news indeed.

This week’s free tech news was a little more fun…

** If our coverage matters to you, please consider supporting our work through our FOSS Force Independence 2026 fundraiser. **

Digital Homicide commits suicide: In a story that’s been brewing for a while now, it seems that game company Digital Homicide was given enough rope to…well, you know. It seems that the publisher had gotten in the habit of suing any Steam user who dared to post a bad review about one of its games, and actually subpoenaed Valve for the identities of 100 anonymous users who had made statements about the company. This, in turn and understandably, pissed a lot of users off, which led to Valve removing all games from Steam.

Christine Hall

FOSSForce.com

Open Source Monitoring Conference

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Posts published by “Christine Hall”

Saying Goodbye to Net Neutrality Under Trump

One of the things we can expect to see after Trump takes office in January is the demise of Net Neutrality, which some say will signal the end of a free Internet.

Op-ed

Users Told Disconnect Certain Netgear Routers

Some popular Netgear routers contain a security flaw that is evidently easy to exploit and can make users vulnerable to a CSRF attack.

Breaking News

System 76 Talks With Ubuntu, WordPress Ups Game and More…

Also included: Fedora community says goodbye to Matthew Williams, Solus gets a new package build system, end-of-life for Fedora 23 and IoT security.

FOSS Week in Review

New IoT Botnet, Attackers Target Tor, and More…

Also included, Flash on life support, Mageia’s new release, Ubuntu sets date for “Zesty Zapus” and our News Wire gets an RSS feed.

FOSS Week in Review

What Malware Is on Your Router?

Mirai is exposing a serious security issue with the Internet of Things that absolutely must be quickly handled.

Mickey Mouse Open Source, Close Call at WordPress, and More…

Also included: FBI hacks 8,000 with single warrant, new Cinnamon desktop release, “government-backed attackers” after journalists, and FOSS Force adds beef to newsfeed.

FOSS Week in Review

Malware Found on New Windows Computers (Not What You Think)

An investigative team for a Seattle television station discovered that finding malware on clean computers to be an everyday practice at Office Depot.

Linux Foundation ‘Fails’ Linux Mint: Suggests Upgrade to Windows or Mac

Those using Linux to register for a Linux Foundation webinar are told to try using Windows or OS X instead.

Talos’s $18K Linux Workstation, KDE 1 on Modern Metal & More…

Also included: Red Hat opens Ansible Galaxy, Yakkety Yak ready for downloads, and KDE and GNOME both get minor point releases.

FOSS Week in Review

Homicide Commits Suicide, HP Says It’s Sorry & More…

Also included: Judge seems to make software patents illegal, Mageia mourns a contributor, Yakkety Yak frozen, KDE’s new release, and getting ready for All Things Open.

FOSS Week in Review