Web Vulnerability

There is a web vulnerability that was recently discovered called Poodle. The vulnerability makes it possible to exploit secure web browsing that uses SSL (secure sockets layer) communications. SSL is one of the communication methods that may be established between the browser and the web server. SSL is an old communication method that has been replaced by a more modern and secure method known as TLS (Transport Layer Security). However, many if not most web servers still support SSL (as well as TLS) in order to support older web browsers.

What does this mean for you?

Due to the potential seriousness of the vulnerability, London Drugs will be immediately taking steps to remove support for SSL from all our web sites. For the vast majority of our customers, there will be no issue at all. A very small percentage (less than 0.2%) will be able to browse our websites but will not be able to make purchases, login, or perform any operations that require secure communications (https://).

Our research suggests that those affected will be customers using Internet Explorer versions 6 and earlier. For many reasons, these customers should consider upgrading their browser to a newer version.

As a general note, all customers should take a moment to disable SSL in their browsers to protect against this vulnerability when using other web sites that may not have taken the same action we have.

How do I disable this?

Follow the link below for instructions on how to do this.

https://zmap.io/sslv3/browsers.html

Do you have plans for August 12th, 2014? If you don’t stop by your local London Drugs and join in the activities as we celebrate Vinyl Record Day!
Wondering what Vinyl Record Day is?  The folks at www.vinylrecordday.com said it best:

“No less important to the purpose of preservation is the goal to establish a national day to enjoy our favorite music. Perhaps most important of all, Vinyl Record Day is to not lose touch with what is individual to us, yet is shared by millions worldwide; the ability for music to remind us that regardless of national news, or personal daily challenges, we attach fond memories to our music, nothing else connects us to friends, family, and special times as the songs of our personal soundtrack. Vinyl Record Day is August 12; the day Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. “

They are considered precious treasure to many collectors when they are awarded gold or platinum status, but they aren’t your typical treasure. However, vinyl records are as close to gold for many audiophiles who love to hunt down their favourite titles. READ MORE

Vinyl is no longer a niche market.

When the Compact Disc, or CD, made its commercial debut on August 17^th, 1982, the prevailing thought was this was the format to replace Vinyl. It was smaller, cheaper to produce, and most importantly, was not nearly as fragile as vinyl was. Test after test was completed by various Hi-Fi magazines that showed CD’s had (against the prevailing narrative from Vinyl purists) superior sound quality too.

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If you were to create a list of the top 10 albums of all time the usual suspects would be there. Fleetwood Mac with Rumours, The Beach Boys with Pet Sounds and even Nirvana with Nevermind. As music is subjective and open to different interpretation from listeners each list is different. With that said, there is one album that is consistently on top. That album is Revolver by The Beatles.

Revolver was released in the UK on August 5^th, 1966 and in the US three days later. With the release of this album, it was very evident that rock and roll was changing. It showed that the slow change’s society was undertaking in the 60’s was taking hold and ready to break through. Songs such as “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Eleanor Rigby” showed that the formula producers and artists used to create rock up to that point could be altered.

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Music is not just background noise. It’s meant to be enjoyed and appreciated, the rhythms and lyrics meant to occupy a space in your mind that overshadows the hectic craziness. The music industry has done a good job in keeping up with our crazy lives offering convenience in delivery and catchy songs that come in and out of style as quickly as fad diets and fashion trends, but at what cost? When is the last time you have sat down and listened to an album that you love? When is the last time you have felt your music? READ MORE

Bon Voyage! It’s winter travel season and time to check passports. Passport Canada has a new ePassport or Biometric Passport system, and London Drugs is the only retailer in Canada with the same biometric imaging technology.

One of the new aspects of the passport technology is the measurement of unique physical characteristics, such as facial features, for the purpose of verifying identity with a high level of certainty.
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