Here’s why your Android phone can’t connect to SSL sites through WiFi
If internet access on your phone exhibits weird behavior including being able to browse to non-SSL web sites but not to SSL web sites, try turning off “Data Saver”.
Category Archives: Internet
How I remember my YubiKey
[The technique described here is obsolete. Please see this update.] I’ve recently started using a YubiKey NEO for two-factor authentication for sites that support it.1 Because I am using my YubiKey for more and more sites, I tend to leave it plugged in whenever I am in front of a computer for an extended period… Read More »
“CQ Engage” bulk mail service provider enters my global kill file
Recently, I wrote about what prompted me to add Blue State Digital to my global kill file. Today, CQ Engage, a service offered by CQ Roll Call, joins in that dubious honor. The things you need to do to be a reputable bulk mail service provider are actually very simple and straightforward: Publish an anti-spam… Read More »
Hack of the day: change your Netflix password from the command line
My kids watch a lot of Netflix. Some of them watch it too much, and my wife and I want to be able to turn off the spigot at night so that they’ll go to sleep without us having to confiscate all the phones and tablets in the house. Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t have parental controls… Read More »
Why Blue State Digital just joined my global kill file
If you are active online in liberal politics, you’ve probably received email from a company called Blue State Digital, even if you didn’t realize it. Blue State Digital is a digital advocacy platform used almost exclusively by liberal organizations and candidates. If you get email from Democratic candidates, a lot of it comes from Blue… Read More »
Resorting to legal action against Netgear
As I wrote recently, Netgear introduced a severe bug into their router firmware around seven months ago, making all newer firmware releases since then unusable for many router owners. In the intervening time, numerous severe security holes in their routers have been publicized and patched by them. However, those of us who are running into… Read More »
Oh, please, Eversource, DO waste my time!
Eversource’s “Energy Savings Plan” application for estimating your energy usage and suggesting ways to reduce it is entirely bogus and useless. Don’t waste your time.
I wish I’d listened to past me’s advice to never again buy a Netgear router
Almost 11 years ago, back in August 2007, I opined passionately here on my blog, “Why I will no longer buy from Netgear“. Alas, I recently failed to heed my own advice, and I’m sorry to say that the results have been somewhat predictable. Last September, I found myself in need of a new router… Read More »
Why you should turn off “Ads with your social actions” on Facebook
While I was scrolling through Facebook recently, this came up in my feed: I’ve blurred out the name of one of my friends at the top of the ad so as not to single them out. However, I can say with near-absolute certainty that this particular friend would not knowingly endorse anything that Ben Shapiro… Read More »
Fun and games with Samsung, FedEx, and recycled tracking numbers
I was so impressed with Samsung. I ordered a new laptop directly from their web site at 7:38pm last night. According to the emails I received while I was at work today, the laptop was shipped at 9:45am and delivered at 3:17pm. Shipping was free. Wow, awesome, right? But then I got home, and the… Read More »