Archive for the 'Technology' Category
Web’s Random Numbers Are Too Weak, Researchers Warn
August 9th, 2015Low entropy. Via: BBC: The data scrambling systems used by millions of web servers could be much weaker than they ought to be, say researchers. A study found shortcomings in the generation of the random numbers used to scramble or encrypt data. The hard-to-guess numbers are vital to many security measures that prevent data theft. […]
Windows 10 Is Possibly the Worst Spyware Ever Made
August 8th, 2015Via: Network World: The usual bumps of an OS launch are understandable and forgivable, but some of the terms of the end user service agreement for Windows 10 put the NSA to shame. Microsoft is already getting heat after it was found that Windows 10 was being auto-downloaded to user PCs without warning, and more […]
The No Download List
August 8th, 2015Via: The Register: Software export controls are being applied to blacklisted people as well as countries: and these controls apply to routine security packages such as freebie antivirus scanning software, as well as more sensitive technologies, El Reg has concluded. We’ve come to this way of thinking after investigating why Reg reader Hasan Ali was […]
Electronic Frontier Foundation: Privacy Badger
August 6th, 2015Looks good. Via: EFF: How is Privacy Badger different to Disconnect, Adblock Plus, Ghostery, and other blocking extensions? Privacy Badger was born out of our desire to be able to recommend a single extension that would automatically analyze and block any tracker or ad that violated the principle of user consent; which could function well […]
NSA Tried Stuxnet Cyber-Attack on North Korea Five Years Ago but Failed
August 6th, 2015Via: Guardian: The US tried to deploy a version of the Stuxnet computer virus to attack North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme five years ago but ultimately failed, according to people familiar with the covert campaign. The operation began in tandem with the now-famous Stuxnet attack that sabotaged Iran’s nuclear programme in 2009 and 2010 by […]
China to Plant Internet Police in Top Online Firms
August 5th, 2015Via: PC World: China’s control over the Internet is set to expand. In a bid to better police local websites, the country’s security forces are establishing offices at the biggest online firms in the country. The country’s Ministry of Public Security announced the new measures on Tuesday, at a time when authorities have been increasingly […]
Google Auto
August 2nd, 2015Via: Guardian: It was Google Auto LLC that applied for the international vehicle identification number (VIN) codes to identify each new self-driving car, just like any other production vehicle. Google Auto also liaised with America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and organised emissions testing in California. To avoid onerous safety requirements and crash tests, […]
Facebook’s Solar-Powered Internet Plane Looks Like a Stealth Bomber
July 30th, 2015Pics at the link. Woh. Via: The Verge: Facebook’s plans to become a flying internet service provider for the developing world are coming to fruition. The company today introduced Aquila, a high-flying, long-endurance plane that will bring basic internet access to the developing world. A working model of the plane is now ready for testing, […]
Windows 10 Delivers Updates to Other Users on the Internet Via Peer-to-Peer by Default
July 30th, 2015Update: Windows 10 Default Privacy Settings: “Vague and Bordering on Scary” — By dumb luck, I just found a setting that indicates that Windows 10 delivers updates to other computers over the Internet via peer-to-peer networking. Not good if you’re like most people in New Zealand on metered Internet connections! Once I got over my […]
Robots: The Growing Threat to the Service Industry
July 30th, 2015Via: Value Walk: Soon McDonald’s and Burger King Worldwide Inc (NYSE:BKW) will have no need for anyone to run a burger kiosk other than a 20-something with mad technology skills; everything from order entry to burger preparation and delivery will be automated (and faster and without the asinine errors that plague this low-education industry today). […]
