Gifts that raise money to fight HIV/AIDS and covid-19, ski season means it’s time for Slopes, hackers target people looking to buy their way into the peerage.

(RED)’s gift guide raises money for HIV/AIDS and also covid-19

December 1 marks another World AIDS Day and the organization (RED), set up to rally efforts to combat HIV/AIDS around the world, has a gift guide featuring products from a range of companies that contribute to the organization.

The entire list of products is available on Amazon.

The scope of (RED)’s efforts expanded in light of covid-19 and money raised goes towards all kinds of programs that support communities deal with pandemics of all sorts. That includes funding prevention, testing and treatment, as well as education.

In Canada, CATIE is the organization responsible for sharing up-to-date, accurate and unbiased information. They warn that awareness of HIV is low and that’s a danger to people and society.

Apple has been a consistent partner and with its RED line of devices has raised nearly $270 million since the organization was formed, 15 years ago.

And through 2022, Apple is targeting half of the proceeds that are donated from the sale of these devices, which include iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, and Apple Watch Series 7, to covid-19 response efforts by the Global Fund.

And through December 6, Apple will donate a dollar for every purchase made with Apple Pay at Apple’s online and IRL retail outlets up to $1 million USD.

Get out your board or skis and get Slopes on your smartphone

Our family opened the ski season at Whistler Blackcomb last weekend.

We took it slow; this was a chance to get comfortable in some new gear and to find our ski legs.

It was also an opportunity for me to remember how much I appreciate the Slopes smartphone app. Slopes knows where we are skiing, and prompts me to record our day.

It tracks the amount of time we’re actually skiing as well as noting time standing around and time going up a lift or gondola. Slopes shows me the routes we took, gives me basic information on top speed and fitness.

And with a premium subscription – it’s $25 USD for a year – you get run-specific stats, offline trail maps, and the ability to replay your runs on a virtual 3D mountain. With an Apple Watch you get detailed health information, too.

A family plan is $40 USD a year and works for you and up to five family members on Android and iOS devices, and you can easily gift a subscription, too.

Ski season is here. Slopes will help you keep track of your season.

Hackers intercept personal and payment info from people buying nobility titles

Cybersecurity news publication, the Record, reported this week that hackers had installed “malicious code” on the website of the Principality of Sealand.

Sealand is an offshore platform built by the English military during the Second World War that was effectively decommissioned in 1956. The platform used to be outside Britain’s territorial waters and was declared by Paddy Roy Bates as an independent state.

Selling titles – lord/lady (30 pounds), baron/baroness (30 pounds), count/countess (200 pounds), duke/duchess (500 pounds), or sir/dame (100 pounds) – is a money maker for the would-be royalty who are descendents of Bates.

Journalist Catalin Cimapnu reported that transactions made since October 12 have been skimmed by the hackers, who collected user information and payment details.