The Actuator – March 18th

I hope this edition of the Actuator finds you and yours in good health and spirits today. The world has gone slightly cray-cray these past few weeks. It seems like yesterday I found myself elbow deep in fried pork products wondering if I would be able to fly home before the borders were closed. (Spoiler alert: I did). 

Anyway, here’s a bunch of links that I hope will serve as a slight distraction from your regular day. As always, you’re welcome. 

Pentagon asks court for time to reconsider JEDI award to Microsoft
And now we wait another four months for the Pentagon to review everything. Clearly, they’re not in a hurry to get the project, you know, started.

Live Coronavirus Map Used to Spread Malware
I don’t know in what Circle of Hell Dante would place the folks responsible for this, but I’m sure it’s close to the center. 

Microsoft Build 2020 Cancelled, Replaced with Virtual Event
This week I'm attending the Microsoft MVP Summit, also a virtual event this year. My guess is Microsoft hopes to use the MVPs to root out any bugs and make Build a success.

ACLU sues US government over its use of facial recognition at airports
Yes, I have similar concerns.

Two-factor authentication isn't as secure as you might expect
If you are a target, you will be hacked. That is *not* a reason to avoid using 2FA. 

The Airport Chaos Is the Product of Negligence
I'm a big fan of asking questions such as "why” and "what if." Then again, I'm a DBA at heart, and we’re always planning to fail.

Top Tips for Secure Remote Working
You know, in case you suddenly have a need for the entire office to be working remote.

I've been trying to buy this flu mask but Amazon says they are all sold out.