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
July 26, 2010
Mobile Devices: What is a Photophone?
So I was thinking – as long as we’re talking about old technology, let’s talk about REALLY old technology! I’m not talking about the 1980’s, I’m taking about the 1880’s and the first wireless phone call. Alexander Graham Bell didn’t just invent the telephone; he also invented something called the photophone (a.k.a. radiophone). While the telephone transmitted sound through electricity, a photophone sends sound through light!
Unfortunately for Bell, his photophone never caught on. Interference from things like weather and trees made reliable connectivity almost impossible. The wired telephone, on the other hand, wasn’t affected by these things. Communicating through light wouldn’t be reliable until the creation of fiber optic networks in the mid 20th century.
posted by Carlo
topic: Mobile Devices
June 9, 2010
Mobile Devices: What is an E-Reader?
E-readers are awesome! They’re basically like mp3 players for books! Imagine, instead of cramming your backpack full of novels, comic books or textbooks, you can just carry around a small, ultraportable computer with everything downloaded onto it. Some schools are even considering switching to electronic textbooks to cut down on costs and be more green.
The major downside to e-readers is that, though you buy the books, you can lose them pretty easily if you aren’t careful or if you switch e-readers. If you back them up on an external hard drive, however, you should be pretty safe. Oh! I almost forgot. If you have an electronic version of a book and the publisher decides to no longer offer it as an e-book, they can take your copy away.
Despite this, e-readers are a great way to enjoy books. I love using mine while working up a sweat on my stationary bike!
posted by Carlo
topic: Mobile Devices
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
April 5, 2010
Mobile Devices: Mobile Hotspots
These April showers really get me down. I thought spring was supposed to be all green and flowery, not gray and wet! It almost makes me want to take a road trip somewhere sunny and beautiful. Somewhere I stretch out in the sun with a nice cold soda, my laptop, and my new….
MOBILE HOTSPOT!
Well, it’s not really new…but it’s new to me! I just found out my smart phone can become a mobile hotspot for up to five different devices! What exactly does that mean? Well, say Trey and I are out working in the garden and we need to look up information on how to plant beets. We’ve all got our laptops with us but because we’re not near a wireless router, we’ve got no Wi-Fi! Luckily for us, my smart phone can act as a wireless router! From this point, up to five Wi-Fi-ready devices could connect to the Internet as if they were connecting to any other wireless network! Pretty cool, huh?
Smart phones aren’t the only things that can work as mobile hot spots. Some laptops can use USB modems to connect to the Internet, and some cars can act as hot spots, too! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to daydreaming about taking a nap on a beach somewhere…
posted by Carlo
topic: Mobile Devices
March 24, 2010
Mobile Devices: What’s the Difference between PDAs, Smartphones, and Mobile Phones?
Woo, this is a tough topic! You see, the line between the three different types of mobile technology is really…well…blurred. Let me explain.
Mobile phones (what we usually call cellular phones or cell phones) are just that – phones that are mobile enough to take with you. The services available on a mobile phone are usually restricted to communicating via voice, text, and picture messaging. As you know, this is changing as newer mobile phones come out, which really makes them like less-adaptable smartphones.
Let’s move on to Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). It used to be that PDAs were little stylus-friendly mobile computers that allowed people to access their email and schedule on the go. Now they’re more like handheld offices! With programs that allow you to create word-processing documents and spreadsheets, today’s PDAs are very similar to laptops, only smaller and with less processing power/storage space.
Lastly, the smartphone. Keeping it simple, smartphones are a combination of mobile phone and PDA. The only difference is…um…nothing. Many cellular phones can do things that a smartphone can, such as surf the Web. Likewise, many PDAs can make phone calls. So why make a separate category? Well, that’s one question I can’t answer.
posted by Carlo
topic: Mobile Devices
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!