Welcome to Carlo on the Go! In this blog you will find helpful cyber defense information for mobile devices like smart phones, notebook computers, and bluetooth headsets. As with any technology, the more you know about it, the safer you can be and the more fun you can have!
Carlo
Cyber Defender &
CyberPort Technician
Carlo is always on the go, whether it's to watch a match with his favorite team, the Antezelles, to play a spontaneous pick-up game of soccer, or to join in the latest LAN party in Cyberspace. His mobility know-how and endless energy keep him ready and able for the unique cyber defense challenges that mobility brings.
A recent graduate (class of '09), Carlo has completed his post-graduation field training in the field of cyber forensics, and returns to the Academy to take up the post of CyberPort Technician.
To be prepared is half the victory
- Miguel Cervantes
Energy bars
Interests:Sports, dogs, smart phones
December 6, 2010
Shop Talk: No-mo-phobia
A quick definition of this would be EXACTLY WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW!
Sorry. It’s just that I lost my mobile phone yesterday and I feel like I’m missing a leg. I had everything on there! My calendar, my email, all my contacts, etc. I even blog from my phone. Now I have to sit at a desk in a crowded room instead of roaming out there in the world, communicating as I go. So frustrating! Anyway, no-mo-phobia is a made up term to describe the anxious feeling you get when you lose your mobile phone. Get it? No Mobile Phobia?
I mean, it’s not like it’s an actual diagnosed condition, obviously. But I guarantee if you ask anyone that usually carries their mobile phone around with them, they’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my phone!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
November 23, 2010
Shop Talk: What is Jailbreaking?
It’s the process of freeing someone from prison illegally, duh. Just kidding!
When talking about mobile technology, jailbreaking is a way to get your device to do something that the manufacturer didn’t want you to do. Usually, people jailbreak their phone in order to download programs that are unavailable to their phone the way it came when they bought it.
Although it is not illegal to jailbreak a phone, there are certain dangers. Firstly, it usually voids your warranty, so if something happens to your phone, the manufacturer doesn’t have to replace it. Secondly, the phone becomes much easier for hackers to break into whatever information you have on your mobile device.
So remember, cadets, take everything into consideration before meddling with the device’s innards!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
October 20, 2010
Shop Talk: Mobile Phone Security
What’s going on, cadets? You know, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, or NCSAM (I’m using Officer Ward’s abbreviation), isn’t just about laptops and desktop computers. I mean, if you think about it, your mobile phone is nothing more than a tiny, less-powerful computer. This is especially true when you think about smart phones! They can send e-mails, they can surf the Web, and they can get really nasty viruses just like their bigger cousins.
So how do you protect your mobile phone? The first step is being careful. Don’t text or email anything private unless you’re absolutely certain the network you’re using is secure. If you’re using a smart phone, you can download anti-malware programs and even install a firewall to help keep your information safe. Even if you’re on the go, take the time to protect yourself! No one can do more to keep you safe than you can!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
September 20, 2010
Shop Talk: Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is confusing. I mean, if I have a portable game system, isn’t that mobile gaming? Not according to most people in the industry, apparently! To them, mobile gaming refers to games that are played on devices like mobile phones, PDAs, and handheld computers. Okay…but say, for example, my laptop can run some pretty serious games and I take it on a walk with me. What if I sit down during that walk and power through a few levels of my favorite MMORPG? Aren’t I part of the mobile gaming community? Nope. This doesn’t make sense to me, honestly.
Anyway, mobile-phone based games are becoming more and more popular as the technology running these phones becomes more powerful. With higher screen resolution and processors built to handle more data, mobile games are starting to rival more traditional games. Personally, I like the idea of a phone/computer/video game system rolled up into one device. I just wish someone would come up with a better definition of what is and isn’t considered mobile gaming!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
May 18, 2010
Shop Talk: Pocket Dialing
So frustrating! Last week I got a phone call from Sparky. When I answered, there was no one there! It just sounded like scratchy noises and far away voices. Since it was Sparky, I thought he was prank calling me so I hung up on him. Two minutes later, I get another call from him. I ignored it. Then I got another call. And another call. And another call. I finally had to turn my phone off!
I was so mad! When I saw him in the cafeteria that day, I asked why he kept calling me if he didn’t want to talk. He looked really confused. He checked the call history on his mobile phone and laughed. It turns out he was dialing me from his pocket by accident! He promised to lock his keypad from now on so it wouldn’t happen again. I’m just glad it was me he called by accident and not something more serious like 9-1-1! I read that 50% of all calls to emergency numbers like 9-1-1 are made by accident. That’s crazy!
If you’ve got a cell phone, make sure to keep the keypad locked. No one likes to be pocket dialed!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
January 11, 2010
Shop Talk: What is SMS?
Hey guys! Let's get right to the nuts and bolts of the question. Short message service (SMS) is the standard protocol that 74 percent of phones use to send text messages. Believe it or not, SMS has been in use since 1985! That's practically ancient history in terms of technology. This isn't to say the SMS we use today is the same as it was in 1985, of course. Since then, the service has been used in both landlines and satellite networks.
But SMS isn't just used for texting. Today, many mobile phone providers offer email service over SMS. They also use SMS to send users alerts that they have a voice mail or that they are about to go over their monthly minutes. Oh, and don't forget mobile instant messaging!
Can you imagine a world without SMS? I can. It'd be terrifying. Imagine, actually having to call someone to say "C U l8r @ teh party" or "OMG ur my bff!" Thankfully, we'll never have to deal with that problem!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
December 17, 2009
Shop Talk: Taking Care of your Mobile Device
Hey Everyone! I need to be quick about this today so I can run to the store and buy a present for my Dad. I think I might get him a new case for his PDA since he's always dropping it. Speaking of which.
Take care of your device! Pretend it's like an egg - very fragile and full of good things you don't want spilling onto the floor. But this egg can cost hundreds of dollars! Also, unlike eggs, you shouldn't expose your mobile device to extreme heat or cold.
So what are some ways to keep your device safe? Firstly, keep it clean! Dirt and crumbs can really mess up the way the buttons work. They can even stop the battery from holding a charge! Also, don't drop it in the toilet! Trust me; it just isn't a good idea. Water + mobile device = no more mobile device.
Lastly, be careful which pocket you keep your phone in. If you keep it in your back pocket, you can break it from sitting on it. Try either getting a belt clip or a hard case to keep your device safe!
posted by Carlo
topic: Shop Talk
November 12, 2009
Shop Talk : What is 3G?
You've probably seen a lot of cell phone commercials lately bragging that their phone carries "3G coverage". I bet you none of them have told you what 3G is, though! The reason they never define 3G is because, well, it's sort of boring. 3G stands for third Generation, meaning that it comes after two previous versions of mobile phone technology. The first generation started in the 1980's, the second generation came about ten years later, and after another decade or so, the 3rd generation came about.
I'd describe each generation to you, but that'd take a lot of weird abbreviations like AMPS, TDMA, MHz, and GSM. If you're interested in learning on your own, though, I'd encourage you to go to here. The information is pretty complex, but they really helped me figure all this out!
To put it the way I understand it, though, the different generations each improve on the previous generation. So, as an example, a phone using 3G would have a faster connection to the Internet and would drop your calls less often. Personally, I can't wait for 4G to debut. Hurry up, 2015!