Most American-Made Cars Sold in the U.S. Are Japanese...

Originally posted at msn.com:

Kyle Lahucik

While Donald Trump has been pressing for tariffs on foreign-made cars and parts, it turns out the most American-made cars sold in the U.S. today are usually Japanese.

The annual “American-Made Index” compiled by Cars.com found nine of the 15 most U.S.-sourced vehicles are manufactured by Honda and Toyota. The two Japanese automakers dominated the latest study thanks to the big number of popular vehicles they assemble in America and their high content of U.S.-made parts.

“It’s not surprising that there’s a lot of vehicles here from Honda,” Kelsey Mays, senior editor of Cars.com, said in an interview. About two-thirds of Honda’s cars are assembled in the U.S., which is more than General Motors Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Mays said. Toyota also sells mostly American-made vehicles in the U.S. market.

The 2019 study, published Tuesday, takes into account many of the issues Trump has stumped about when it comes to the automotive trade. Cars.com examined assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, factory employment relative to sales and sourcing of engines and transmissions. The five factors aren’t equally weighed and Mays declined to give details of the breakdown.

Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep Cherokee SUV topped the list, and GM’s Chevrolet Corvette sports car placed fifth. But Japanese automakers dominated the ranking just as they did in 2018. The study, which debuted in 2006, was redesigned in 2017.

While Japanese nameplates are among the most American-made, some American brand icons are not in the Top 10. One common misconception involves Ford Motor Co.’s F-150, America’s longtime best-selling vehicle: Some 71% of respondents believed it to be the most American vehicle on the road, but Cars.com said it actually ranked No. 13.

Many U.S. consumers give preferential consideration to American-made vehicles, according to the survey. But nearly 50% of respondents said they were very or somewhat concerned about the impact of tariffs on their new car purchasing decisions.

Cars.com hasn’t seen a massive relocation of production in a way that would influence its rankings despite the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on China and threats to do so on European and Japanese imports. Mays said Ford and GM have indicated “a few employment changes” because of the tariffs, but no automaker has significantly altered its assembly lines or supply chains in reaction to trade policy. Still, such changes could be coming -- and would likely raise costs for car buyers, he said.

The White House delayed imposing tariffs on imported vehicles from the European Union, Japan and other nations on May 17 for 180 days. Earlier this month, the administration denied a GM request to exclude its Chinese-made Buick Envision from a 25% import duty.

That's it for this time. Thank you all for visiting with us. Until next month, 

every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. 

Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. 

Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, 

elephant or monkey.  One person, one voice can make a difference. 

Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.

Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider 
fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. 
Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. 
Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. 
Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. 
All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. 

 

                                    Together, you and I can make a difference. If you like 

what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. 

Please feel free to share this post with others.

Regards,

S.J. Francis Writing is my passion, but animals are my world.

    In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family."  
Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line 
retailers and independent booksellers. 

    “Some secrets should remain that way.” 

    My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com  
                                     Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419 

                               

 Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Francis/480058115420325 
                  My writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com    

                          A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com  

                  A Consumer's View: http://aconsumersview.blogspot.com

                           

One for the Animals blog: http://onefortheanimals.blogspot.com 
Pinterest:   http://www.pinterest.com/sjfrancis419/ 

                 Google Plus:https://plus.google.com/u/0/104831238907682620486/about 
Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j 

                                     

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2018 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.                           

Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?

A hacker assault left mobile carriers open to network shutdown

Orignally posted on cnet.com:

“Hacking a company that has mountains of data that is always updating is the holy grail for an intelligence agency.”

BY  

ALFRED NG

JUNE 25, 2019 1:09 PM PDT

·        

Security researchers have found that hackers have infiltrated more than a dozen mobile carriers since 2012.

Hackers have quietly infiltrated more than a dozen mobile carriers around the world, gaining complete control of networks behind the companies' backs. The attackers have been using that access over the last seven years to steal sensitive data, but have so much control they could shut down communications at a moment's notice, according to Cybereason, a security company based in Boston. 

On Tuesday, Cybereason said it's been investigating the campaign, dubbed Operation Soft Cell, through which hackers targeted phone providers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The hackers infected multiple mobile carriers since 2012, gaining control and siphoning off hundreds of gigabytes of data on people. 

It constitutes a potentially massive breach -- with more fallout still to come -- as companies across different industries struggle with how to protect their customers' data. The hackers also had highly privileged access to do more than steal information.

"They have all the usernames and passwords, and created a bunch of domain privileges for themselves, with more than one user," said Amit Serper, Cybereason's head of security research. "They can do whatever they want. Since they have such access, they could shut down the network tomorrow if they wanted to." 

Watch this: Hackers have been quietly stealing gigabytes of call...

 2:44

Gigabytes of data theft

Cyberattacks on infrastructure are a national security concern -- hackers have found ways to shut down electrical power grids and access dams. The US Department of Homeland Security has created its own center for dealing with attacks on infrastructure, which it acknowledged as a frequent target for hackers. If an attacker shut down phone networks, it could cause massive disruption.

Serper said he didn't find any US mobile carriers that were affected, but the hacking campaign is ongoing and it's possible that could change. 

A person familiar with plans at one of the major US mobile carriers said the company is aware of the cyberattacks and is taking precautions against a potential breach.

The hackers stole hundreds of gigabytes of call data records, which included sensitive information like real-time geolocation.

Cybereason

While they were able to disrupt network signals, the hackers were more focused on espionage than disruption, Cybereason found. 

After gaining access to mobile carriers' internal servers, the hackers would have access to call data records on hundreds of millions of customers. That would provide information like geolocation data, call logs and text message records.

While the hackers had access to the data of millions of people, they had stolen data from fewer than 100 targeted victims. The attackers likely targeted high-profile victims involved in government and the military, said Mor Levi, Cybereason's vice president of security practices.

That data could update in real time, as long as mobile carriers didn't catch on that they'd been hacked. 

"Hacking a company that has mountains of data that is always updating is the holy grail for an intelligence agency," Serper said. "It's not just about gaining that access; it's about maintaining it." 

How the attacks happened

Cybereason's researchers found that the attackers gained access to more than a dozen mobile carriers by exploiting old vulnerabilities, like malware hidden in a Microsoft Word file or finding an exposed public server belonging to a given company. 

Once they slipped in, the malware then spreads by searching for all the computers on the same network and attempting to gain access by flooding them with login attempts. It continues to spread as long as the credentials work, until the hackers reach the caller data records database. 

USING THAT ACCESS, THE HACKERS ALSO CREATED ACCOUNTS FOR THEMSELVES WITH ESCALATED PRIVILEGES, ESSENTIALLY HIDING AMONG THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL STAFF. EVEN IF THE COMPANIES TAKE MEASURES TO CLOSE UP THEIR VULNERABILITIES, THE HACKERS COULD REMAIN IN THE NETWORK FOR YEARS AFTER THE FIX.

Because the attack method was this sophisticated and targeted, Cybereason researchers believe the hackers were backed by a nation-state. All digital forensics signs point to China. The malware used, the method of attack and the servers the attacks are on are tied to APT10, China's elite hacking group. 

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that China "firmly opposes" cyberattacks using the nation's infrastructure, and denied involvement with the hacks.

"Second, with the cyberspace being a highly virtual one filled with multiple actors whose behaviors are difficult to trace, one should present abundant evidence when investigating and determining the nature of a cyberspace activity," the Chinese embassy said in an email. "Making groundless accusations are neither professional nor responsible."

But there's no smoking gun tying China's hackers to this campaign. Despite the attackers using Chinese malware and servers, it's possible they're attempting to frame APT10, researchers said.

"Because the tools that we saw were leaked and are publicly available to anyone who's looking to get those tools, it could be anyone who wants to look like APT10," Levi said.   

What to do

Cybereason said it's reached out to all the affected mobile carriers, though it's unclear what fixes they may have implemented to stop the intrusion. 

Levi recommended that all mobile carriers strictly monitor their internet-facing properties, especially servers. Mobile carriers should also look for accounts that have high-privilege access.

Serper said the investigation is ongoing, and he continues to find more companies hacked by this group by the day. The hackers' servers are still up and running, he noted.

For people being tracked through this data theft, there's almost nothing they can do to protect themselves from espionage, he noted. Victims wouldn't even know that their call data records were being stolen from mobile carriers. 

"There is no residue on your phone. They know exactly where you are and who you're talking to, and they didn't install any piece of code on your phone," Serper said. 

Originally published June 24.
Update, June 25, 6:56 a.m. PT: Adds that US mobile carriers didn't respond to requests for comment. At 9:02 a.m. PT: Notes that a US mobile carrier is taking precautions against the attacks. At 1:09 p.m. PT: Adds a response from the Chinese embassy.

That's it for this time. Thank you all for visiting with us. Until next month,

every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. 

Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. 

Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, 

elephant or monkey.  One person, one voice can make a difference. 

Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.

Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider 
fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. 
Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. 
Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. 
Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. 
All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. 

 

                                    Together, you and I can make a difference. If you like 

what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. 

Please feel free to share this post with others.

Regards,

S.J. Francis Writing is my passion, but animals are my world.

    In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family."  
Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line 
retailers and independent booksellers. 

    “Some secrets should remain that way.” 

    My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com  
                                     Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419 

                               
 Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Francis/480058115420325 
                  My writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com    

                          A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com  

                  A Consumer's View: http://aconsumersview.blogspot.com
                           

One for the Animals blog: http://onefortheanimals.blogspot.com 
Pinterest:   http://www.pinterest.com/sjfrancis419/ 

                 Google Plus:https://plus.google.com/u/0/104831238907682620486/about 
Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j 

                                     

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2018 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.                           

Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?

20 hidden fees you had no idea you were paying....

Originally posted at Readers Digest:

By Sheryl Nance-Nash

5/27/2019

In the digital era, paper is practically a dinosaur. So don't be surprised if your bank, brokerage and other institutions start to charge you for monthly paper statements. Don't resist technology. Signing up for electronic statements is not a big deal. That's also less paper to pile up on your coffee table. Now that you're saving so much, check out what financial experts would do with their extra cash.

Surprising hideen costs

You know that, if you're late filing your federal taxes or paying your credit card bill, you'll get slammed with a fee. But there are hidden costs in all sorts of surprising places.

                                

Foreign transaction fees

You're on vacation overseas having a good time, and you whip out your credit cards without much thought. Bad idea. While traveling abroad, be extra wary that credit cards add 1 to 3 percent on top of a purchase as a foreign transaction fee.

"Avoid this pesky fee by paying with cash or using a credit card that waives the foreign transaction fees," says Natasha Rachel Smith, a personal finance expert with TopCashback.com.

                                              

Hotel check-in surprise

Often popular hotels in tourist destinations charge resorts fees that are unavoidable. The fees can range from $10-$30 a night.

"This is often a surprise to most guests due to the fee not being included in the price. To avoid a costly surprise during check-in, call your hotel and ask upfront about fees," says Smith.

Retirement rip-off

If you're funding a Qualified Plan like a 401(k), even a seemingly negligible fee that adds up to 1 percent can cost big.

"Such a small fee can reduce your retirement balance by 28 percent," says Garrett Gunderson, founder and chief wealth architect at the Wealth Factory.

Realize that retirement plan fees include administration charges, fund marketing charges that are known as 12-b-1 fees (marketing fees), legal fees (set-up fees, admin fees), expense ratios (paying for the manager even if it doesn't beat a low or no cost index fund).

                    

Check out your cable provider

Cable TV providers are adding fees to cover their costs — while they say they're holding down their prices in general, says Gunderson. These costs come from carrying certain broadcast networks such as CBS, and for regional sports channels.

"In any event, cable companies will almost always renegotiate or lower the costs of Internet service, cable packages, etc., if you call to cancel. For example, I got mine down from $170 a month to $100 by negotiating," says Gunderson.

Examine your cable bill to see what channels you watch, what channels you don't, and where you may be overcharged. Negotiate a package that gives you the channels you watch most. Look at the fees on your bill — for extra boxes, or for your modem. You can sometimes replace the modem you rent from the cable company with one of your own, which will pay for itself in months.

Sneaky hotel fees

Open the mini bar in your room at your own risk. Sure, they may have a list of prices beside the mini bar, but sometimes, just shifting items in the bar can trigger a charge. Ordering extra towels might also cost you. It's a good idea to ask about any fees or charges for stuff in your room before you use or get more.

                                           

Keep your eyes on your keys

No doubt when you're on vacation, you're in a happy-go-lucky mood. Don't get too caught up that you lose the keys to your rental car. That fee may be $300 and if you lose your hotel key, it could be $25 or more.

Blindsided by balance transfer fees

It sounds so simple: Transfer the hefty balance on your credit card to a new credit card with a zero percent interest rate. But that opportunity will ding you the hefty surcharge of 4 percent in transfer fees. So be sure it's worth doing and that you can pay off your entire balance during the promotional period, otherwise, you'll owe interest on the remaining balance, undercutting your intended benefit.

                                                                   

PayPal problematic?

"If you use PayPal to shop online, then there's a good chance that at some point you're going incur some sort of monthly fee that is automatically charged to your PayPal account. This is usually the case when you sign up for some sort of online membership or subscription," says Steve Wang, a certified financial planner who runs a career blog.

Businesses use this payment system to take advantage of customers who forget to cancel or simply never knew they were signing up for a recurring charge, he says. These fees run for an indefinite amount of time until you take the initiative to cancel them and can slowly eat away at your finances.

As for strategy, he says, "Always check your PayPal payment history. Chances are, if there's something being charged on a weekly or monthly basis that you don't immediately recognize, it's a recurring payment. If you wish to cancel a recurring payment, there's a user page within your PayPal account settings where you can manage all the recurring payments currently active on that account."

Home sweet home

Home-buyers can expect a ridiculous number of fees at closing, such as inspection fees, title searching fees, survey fees, loan origination fees, and some other seeming frivolous fees. Says Wang, "These usually can't be avoided. At times they can be negotiated though, and you should definitely be aware of the existence of many of these fees that are associated with buying a new house."

                                                                                        

Careful with convenience

Prepaid cash cards are easy and can be a good choice for kids on leaving home for the first time. But buyer beware.

"Almost all prepaid cards come with some sort of activation fee, swipe fee, or monthly maintenance fee. While they may seem inconsequential at first, these fees can often pile up," Wang says.

Know, too, there are only a few prepaid cards with no fees. Says Wang, "Only use prepaid cards when you have to, and be sure to read the fine print or do some research online regarding what fees may be potentially involved."

Airline tricks

The airlines giveth and taketh away.

"Fees to redeem reward points are sneaky. These fees most often occur when redeeming reward airline miles," says Bobbi Rebell, a personal finance expert with TransferWise. Rebell recommends taking the time to read the fine print when signing up for a card, redeeming rewards, and asking for fee waivers when needed.

Out-of-network ATM angst

Many Americans are paying fees simply to access their own cash. ATM fees can add up.

"The average fee for using an ATM not associated with your bank is over $4. With a little pre-planning, ATM fees are completely avoidable. Your bank may have an app that lets you map out ATMs without fees. You can also search around for another bank that does not have out-of-network fees," says Tony Drake, a certified financial planner, CEO and founder of WealthWisconsin.com.

Outrageous overdrafts

"Overdraft fees are also adding up to more than $30 each time you overdraft. This is another fee that is completely avoidable by setting up alerts with your bank that will warn you when you are getting low on funds," says Drake.

You can also opt out of overdraft protection, and your debit card will be denied. Banks usually do offer one grace overdraft.

"If you get hit with a fee, call and ask if you can have it waived. Many banks will do that once a year," says Drake.

Adios annual fees

Some banks will look to collect an annual fee — but you can dodge it.

"Annual fees vary, so consult a banker to find out how you can avoid paying the annual fee. Depending on the company, you might be able to open a savings account alongside the checking account to steer clear of fees," says Smith.

                                            

Beware of 'free checking'

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Sure, a bank may say it offers free checking accounts. Dig deeper — there could be a monthly maintenance fee if you don't meet certain criteria, like carrying a daily minimum balance. If you don't think you'll maintain that average, look for a financial institution that has a low balance requirement, like $25 or less.

Buy from the box office

Seeing the top performers and catching big events will cost you plenty — don't add to the bill by ordering online from ticket vendors if you can avoid it. You'll pay extra with the fees they tack on. You're better off by getting your tickets at the box office.

                                                                  

Lighten your load

How much do you really need on vacation? Avoid sticker shock at the airport with overweight baggage fees by packing less. To get a read on your luggage, use your bathroom scale. If the difference between your weight and your weight plus the bag is more than 50 pounds, lighten up.

Remittance racket

Remittances are a consumer financial service with some of the worst hidden fees.

"Immigrant workers who most often send remittances, have been historically preyed upon and disadvantaged by financial services. They are forced to contend with high fees, unfair exchange rates, and an array of hidden costs just to send their hard-earned money to loved ones who desperately need it," says Matt Oppenheimer, co-founder and CEO of Remitly.

                                    

Avoid the hit heading home

You've enjoyed yourself abroad and are plotting your return. As you head through customs, you get hit with a surprise. If you want to leave you better pony up some cash. Exit/tourist fees typically are around $25, not a great sum, but when you've spent a ton of money already, especially when you're not expecting it, can be a pain for your pocket. When you're studying up on your destination, look for information about exit fees.

Paper is so passé

In the digital era, paper is practically a dinosaur. So don't be surprised if your bank, brokerage and other institutions start to charge you for monthly paper statements. Don't resist technology. Signing up for electronic statements is not a big deal. That's also less paper to pile up on your coffee table.

That's it for this time. Thank you all for visiting with us. Until next month,

every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. 

Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. 

Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, 

elephant or monkey.  One person, one voice can make a difference. 

Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.

Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider 
fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. 
Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. 
Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. 
Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. 
All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. 

 

                                    Together, you and I can make a difference. If you like 

what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. 

Please feel free to share this post with others.

Regards,

S.J. Francis Writing is my passion, but animals are my world.

    In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family."  
Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line 
retailers and independent booksellers. 

    “Some secrets should remain that way.” 

    My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com  
                                     Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419 

                               
 Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Francis/480058115420325 
                  My writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com    

                          A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com  

                  A Consumer's View: http://aconsumersview.blogspot.com
                           

One for the Animals blog: http://onefortheanimals.blogspot.com 
Pinterest:   http://www.pinterest.com/sjfrancis419/ 

                 Google Plus:https://plus.google.com/u/0/104831238907682620486/about 
Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j 

                                     

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2018 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.                           

Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?