The Latest on the ‘Pontiac is Back’ Rumors
Year after year, there’s always buzz about General Motors possibly bringing the Pontiac brand back. Now, some fuel has been added to the fire of those “Pontiac is back” rumors, as an advertisement on the inside back cover of latest issue of Car & Driver magazine has implied that Pontiac is relaunching. It more than implied it, actually. The ad actually read, “Pontiac is back.”
The Story Behind the ‘Pontiac is Back’ Ad
At first glace, this ad looks for real. But, as you read it and look deeper, it becomes pretty obvious that there’s some kind of joke happening here. The ad reads, “Pontiac fans, it’s been a weird 15 years since we left, hasn’t it? It continues, “Now, we can’t definitely say that Pontiac’s absence influenced the events we all have been through, but c’mon. Caffeine comes out of Four Loko, and now it’s in lemonade? Everything on the road looks like an Aztek now?” Finally, it unequivocally states, “You need us. America needs us. The future needs us. So Pontiac is back.”
The ad goes on to describe the first model coming back, which they say is a hybrid that “uses a battery and an electric motor to start a 667-hp [676 PS] supercharged 372-cubic-inch [6.1 liters] V-8. And we think you’re going to want one, because what else are you going to do? ” Then, there’s a little dig at Dodge, stating, “You can’t buy a new Dodge Challenger and leave the splitter guards on anymore. Don’t worry, we’ve got you- our new car’s entire front end is a splitter guard.” Ouch. The ad concluded, “At Pontiac, we’re here to offer a future filled with V-8s, great sounds, gold pinstripes, and window louvers. And if someone shouts ‘Last call,’ we’ll just smuggle in some Coors from Colorado and keep the party going.”
So, is it for real? No way. Sadly, it’s just a joke, and GM even had to come out and address the issue. GM sent a statement to the media, saying, “We understand the ad was a joke and it was not placed by GM or anyone affiliated with GM. We appreciate the passion for all our brands as well as a good sense of humor.” So, the joke’s on us. I was a Pontiac loyalist. My first car was a red Pontiac Sunfire, my second car was a silver Pontiac Sunfire and the first car that I purchased (not leased) was a Pontiac Grand Prix. I cried when I had to say goodbye to the Grand Prix. I still miss the brand and hold out hope that it will come back.
Top Mistakes That Can Get You Hacked
Reusing Passwords
Many of us are still using the same password across many different accounts. While it’s pretty common, it’s not a good habit to have. If you’re reusing passwords for multiple websites and accounts, a hacker could potentially use that password to log into those accounts. Nobody wants to have to remember a 16-digit password for every single one of their accounts, especially when getting locked out of a computer or platform at the most inconvenient time. But if a security breach were to happen, that’s one less problem to worry about. Like, remembering which accounts are at risk of a threat.
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Oversharing On Social Media
Personal data exposure is really a thing. When you share personal information on social media, you expose yourself to the risk of identity theft and fraud. According to the New York Institute of Technology, Cybercriminals can use the information you share, such as your full name, date of birth, and location, to impersonate you or launch targeted attacks. Most people know that sharing sensitive information such as your car information, address, work history, or phone numbers can make you vulnerable. But some people forget that this information can also be identified through pictures and innocent as sharing your new car photo or your child’s first day of school photo.
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Using Unsecure Wi-Fi
Hackers can use unsecured Wi-Fi connections to distribute malware. If you allow file-sharing across a network, the hacker can easily plant infected software on your computer. Free public Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere at places like restaurants, hotels, airports, bookstores, and even retail outlets. But public wi-fi comes with risks. “Hackers can also use an unsecured Wi-Fi connection to distribute malware. If you allow file-sharing across a network, the hacker can easily plant infected software on your computer,” said Kaspersky, a tech company. Some people highly recommended looking into a VPN to encrypt internet traffic and keep your data hidden.
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Clicking Suspicious Links
Clicking on a suspicious link or phishing link can sometimes set off a malware download that often contains malicious files. According to Aura, a credit monitoring platform, these links are capable of collecting information stored on your device. Hackers can steal credit card numbers, bank account numbers, usernames and passwords, and other personal information. If you’ve clicked on a phishing link, Cyber Tec Security suggest completely disconnecting from the internet.
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Out-Of-Date Software
The last thing many of us want to do is update our software. But there are many reasons why it’s important to do so. Software updates not only fix and improve problems with your software it also helps you avoid hackers. According to the University of Idaho, software updates often include patches that fix vulnerabilities or bugs that hackers can exploit to access your system or data. “By installing the latest updates, you can reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect your personal and business information,” they said.
Ralf Hahn/ Getty ImagesNot Using Multi-Factor Authentication
One of the most effective things you can do to protect your online accounts is turning on multi-factor, or two-factor, authentication for as many of your accounts as possible. This method often uses a piece of information such as a code generated by an app or sent to your phone alongside a password. Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to the authentication process. According to Tech Target, using multi-factor authentication makes it harder for attackers to gain access to a person’s devices or online accounts. Most companies have this in place for their employers but it’s something you can use for personal emails too.
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