Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

checkpoint

Hackers are targeting your kindle

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Consumers can easily become complacent when they see so much media coverage of large enterprise hacks. After all, what could a hacker gain by compromising your pc? Well it happens and it's not just your PC you should be worried about.

Hackers are capable of compromising anything that is connected to a network (think cameras, baby monitors, printers, etc). One thing you need not worry about is your reliable Amazon Kindle. It's just an e-reader, after all.

Kindle devices may have a flaw that could allow remote attackers to gain control of them, according to Checkpoint Research. It works by using a specially designed malicious ebook, which, when opened, will compromise the device.

An attacker can extract information from a compromised device including your Amazon credentials, billing information and more. Checkpoint believes that this technique could be used to target specific groups (such as the population of a country, speakers of a particular language, etc).

Amazon promptly patched the kindle after Checkpoint responsibly disclosed the vulnerability. It has been said before and I will say it again: update your devices regularly.

Ensure that your Kindle is up-to-date. Navigate to Menu > Settings > Menu > Device Info

Compare your version with the latest version of the firmware listed here.

You can force an update when your kindle is connected to WIFI by navigating to Menu > Settings > Menu > Update Your Kindle and click ok.

Best collapsible water bottle

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

The right gear makes travelling so much better.In 2014, I wrote an article about (my then) favourite foldable water bottle. At the time, it was the best foldable (small form factor) bottle money could buy but recently I discovered a new collapsible water bottle that puts the Vapur to shame. 

Why?

With tighter and tighter airport security screenings, bringing your own water became a taboo. Most people just fork over the $5-7 a bottle and buy it at the airport convenience store but no more. 

What is it?

The Nomader Collapsible water bottle is small, lightweight and easy to carry. Once you pass through all the security checkpoints, you unfold it, fill it and relish the thought that you just saved $5.

The Nomader is a leakproof bottle made of food grade silicone (BPA free) that holds 22 ounces. When fully extended and filled, it feels as close to a solid bottle as a collapsible bottle can.  The Vapur became giggly and you often ended up splashing water on yourself. This was a major complaint I had with the Vapur. 

The other issue with the Vapur is that after 12 months of use, my bottle sometimes leaked water from the top cap. Not so with the Nomader.

Water Filter

If you follow my blog, you have undoubtedly read my undying love for the Grayl water filter and purifier. If not, you should immediately read my post about it here, You can carry both (if going to an area with clean water concerns), and fill the Nomader once you filter the water with The Grayl. These 2 make a wonderful combo for travel.