Consumer Privacy and Security: Why the HP Spectre x360 13 is going to be BIG
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Image credit: ExpressVPN
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So, if we were to
start with a show of hands, how many people here have heard of the HP Spectre
x360 13 yet? To be specific, we are asking about the 2019 model of the unit
which was just launched in September.
start with a show of hands, how many people here have heard of the HP Spectre
x360 13 yet? To be specific, we are asking about the 2019 model of the unit
which was just launched in September.
If you haven’t
heard about it yet, we forgive you. If you seriously care about privacy and
security, though, this is one of the units that you should have known about the
moment it launched.
heard about it yet, we forgive you. If you seriously care about privacy and
security, though, this is one of the units that you should have known about the
moment it launched.
Why, you ask? For
many reasons than one – and we are going to prove every last one.
many reasons than one – and we are going to prove every last one.
Privacy Screen
We do not like
peeping toms, but they usually seem to be around when we are using our
computers in public places. From the train/ bus ride home to the coffee shop,
there is just that shoulder surfer who does not seem to mind their own
business.
peeping toms, but they usually seem to be around when we are using our
computers in public places. From the train/ bus ride home to the coffee shop,
there is just that shoulder surfer who does not seem to mind their own
business.
Unknown to us, HP
doesn’t like them too, and they have made it easier for us to get rid of these
people.
doesn’t like them too, and they have made it easier for us to get rid of these
people.
In a slick move
dubbed ‘privacy screen,’ you get to modify your screen settings such that only
you (directly in front of the screen) get to see what’s happening there. Thus,
anyone else around and about won’t even have an idea of the content of that
screen – and you get to do this with the simple tap of a button too.
dubbed ‘privacy screen,’ you get to modify your screen settings such that only
you (directly in front of the screen) get to see what’s happening there. Thus,
anyone else around and about won’t even have an idea of the content of that
screen – and you get to do this with the simple tap of a button too.
VPN inclusion
OEMs now have a habit of bundling their laptop and desktop computers with antivirus software, but
HP takes that a notch further by bringing a VPN to the party. This is because
they understand how these VPNs are key to fighting the next wave of security
attacks that consumers face on a daily basis.
HP takes that a notch further by bringing a VPN to the party. This is because
they understand how these VPNs are key to fighting the next wave of security
attacks that consumers face on a daily basis.
To do this, HP teamed up
with the guys at ExpressVPN to install the latter company’s
software on this unit. Although on a trial basis, users get the first month to
check out how the VPN saves them from all the dangers of
public Wi-Fi networks helps encrypt their connection, aids
bypassing censorship/ geo-blocking and much more.
with the guys at ExpressVPN to install the latter company’s
software on this unit. Although on a trial basis, users get the first month to
check out how the VPN saves them from all the dangers of
public Wi-Fi networks helps encrypt their connection, aids
bypassing censorship/ geo-blocking and much more.
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| Image from pixabay.com |
LastPass Integration
Let’s face it –
your password habits are poor.
your password habits are poor.
Don’t believe us?
Then answer the following questions.
Then answer the following questions.
● Do you use one password for more than one
account?
account?
● Do you use a variant of the same password for
more than one account?
more than one account?
● Do you have passwords lesser than 16 characters
in length?
in length?
● Do you have any personally identifying
information (birthday, name, pet’s name, first street, etc.) in your password
at all?
information (birthday, name, pet’s name, first street, etc.) in your password
at all?
● Do you rely more on your biometric forms of
login than a strong password?
login than a strong password?
If you answered
yes to any of the above questions, then your password habits are poor too.
yes to any of the above questions, then your password habits are poor too.
LastPass solves that by bringing you a password generating software
within the software. Best believe that the passwords these generator turns out
will take experienced hackers several years to crack. Unless you are sitting on
some highly important nuclear launch codes, we don’t think any hacker has that
kind of time on any one account.
within the software. Best believe that the passwords these generator turns out
will take experienced hackers several years to crack. Unless you are sitting on
some highly important nuclear launch codes, we don’t think any hacker has that
kind of time on any one account.
Furthermore,
LastPass features a password manager where you can store all of your secure
passwords so you never have to forget them again.
LastPass features a password manager where you can store all of your secure
passwords so you never have to forget them again.
Webcam Protection
If you have had
doubts about that, we have now gotten it out of the way for you.
doubts about that, we have now gotten it out of the way for you.
As sorry a case as
that is, know that hackers alone are not responsible here. The government, and
even your bosses at work, could be compromising your webcam privacy. You don’t
have to panic if you have one of these new HPs.
that is, know that hackers alone are not responsible here. The government, and
even your bosses at work, could be compromising your webcam privacy. You don’t
have to panic if you have one of these new HPs.
With a dedicated
webcam kill switch at hand, you can now sort of disconnect the webcam
electronically. This beats just leaving the webcam app when not in use, since
it can still be remotely accessed then.
webcam kill switch at hand, you can now sort of disconnect the webcam
electronically. This beats just leaving the webcam app when not in use, since
it can still be remotely accessed then.
Microphone Privacy
Why stop at webcam
protection when you can keep the microphone port free of compromise too? That
was exactly what HP thought when they brought extra support for mic privacy to
the Spectre x360 13.
protection when you can keep the microphone port free of compromise too? That
was exactly what HP thought when they brought extra support for mic privacy to
the Spectre x360 13.
Designed as a LED
button on the keyboard panel, users can mute their mic ports when not in use.
By so doing, it becomes impossible to listen in on your private conversations
when the remote port is hacked.
button on the keyboard panel, users can mute their mic ports when not in use.
By so doing, it becomes impossible to listen in on your private conversations
when the remote port is hacked.
Conclusion
We did say we
would let the points do the talking, and we have.
would let the points do the talking, and we have.
All the way from
online protection to system-based privacy inputs, HP has outdone themselves
with this unit. All that, and we have not even discussed how amazing the specs
on this device are.
online protection to system-based privacy inputs, HP has outdone themselves
with this unit. All that, and we have not even discussed how amazing the specs
on this device are.
Barring that,
though, will you be getting this HP Spectre x360 13 for the security and
privacy features it ships with?
though, will you be getting this HP Spectre x360 13 for the security and
privacy features it ships with?
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