With the pandemic, many Iowans are spending more time outside to get exercise, even during the winter, and some may be noticing the cold can quickly sap the power from their cell phones. Most phones use lithium-ion batteries which contain a liquid. Dee Taylor, the west Iowa sales director for … [Read more...]
It takes a little more time, but two-factor authentication is much safer
Iowans who worry about their online security are likely familiar with what's known as "two-factor authentication." Information technology security expert Jesse La Grew explains that in many cases, to log onto one account, you'll have to enter a six-digit number that's texted to your cell … [Read more...]
Cedar Falls native could be next man to put boot prints on the Moon
The next man to walk on the Moon could be an Iowan. Only a dozen men have done so, the last one in 1972, but Cedar Falls native Raja Chari is among the 18 astronauts named to the new Artemis team which is setting its sights on our dusty, desolate neighbor some 239,000 miles away. “The Artemis … [Read more...]
Iowans can stay safer by using pass phrases, not passwords
A computer security expert suggests Iowans abandon using passwords in favor of pass phrases. Jesse La Grew says the old way of creating short, cryptic passwords that you change frequently is no longer practical for most of us. "If we have to change our passwords every 30 days, what are we likely … [Read more...]
Deere to add 5G tech at factories in four Iowa counties
Iowa's largest manufacturing employer is integrating fifth-generation technology -- or 5G -- broadband cellular networks into many of its facilities. Quad Cities-based John Deere won an auction from the Federal Communications Commission last week to implement 5G in its production lines. Craig … [Read more...]
Cyber attack hits Fort Dodge public schools
The Fort Dodge Community School District was hit by a cyber attack on Wednesday. Officials with the Fort Dodge Community School District issued a statement Wednesday afternoon that said the district was hit by a cyber attack. The attack took down servers for the district and disabled internet and … [Read more...]
Voluntary reporting on cell phone service post-derecho shows service back
State records suggest cellular service disruptions caused by this month's derecho have been resolved, but the data is all voluntarily submitted by cell companies. Wireless companies are not required to report outages to the State of Iowa or the Federal Communications Commission. The Iowa … [Read more...]
State to award $85 million in federal funds for broadband expansion
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that changes the rules for awarding state grants to businesses that promise to expand broadband service and a spokesman for the governor says $5 million will be awarded over the next year. The state will also use $85 million in federal pandemic … [Read more...]
Virtual meeting tonight focuses on non-gas-guzzling cars, cutting pollution
Since big in-person gatherings are making some Iowans hesitant, tonight's Electric Vehicles and Environmental Justice Expo will be held virtually via Zoom. Expo organizer Rishi Shah, a spokesman for Environment Iowa, says transportation is a leading cause of air pollution and carbon emissions in … [Read more...]
Loebsack says lack of internet access in rural America ‘unacceptable’
Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa City is among a dozen members of the U.S. House touting a plan that would expand broadband service in America. Loebsack says it is unacceptable that in 2020, many rural Americans do not have access to high-speed internet. As the spread of COVID-19 continues, … [Read more...]