Mar 9, 2015 | News, scam, Security
The FBI is investigating a series of hacks. But these aren’t hacks to steal money or ID information. These hacks seem to come from a far more sinister nature.
The FBI and international law enforcement are investigating hacks claimed to be by ISIS; it’s logo has appeared on many a site over the past several days. Websites from a Goodwill store in St. Louis to NASCAR star Tony Stewart’s speedway in Ohio to a rape crisis center in Dublin, Ireland are among the ones hit. When someone logged on these websites, they were met with a black ISIS flag and the phrase, “hacked by ISIS, we are everywhere.” Many investigations say this is probably a hoax. Even intelligence say they have no hard evidence that the people behind these web attacks are linked to the terrorist group in any way. But as you can imagine, people are freaked out to have this symbol flash on their screens. They even got a credit union in Montana, which still remains down. In fact, a bar right here in the greater Boston area was hit with this ISIS symbol, but they took it in stride. They wrote on their Facebook post, “It’s Saturday night. Come in and have a cocktail! Don’t let ISIS win!”
I hope ISIS isn’t behind this. Because if they are, I shutter to think what their next step could be. Most cyber criminal experts don’t think they are. But until there is hard evidence to prove they’re not behind this hacking, I’m going to leave it as a real realm of possibility. If domestic hackers are trying to make a name for themselves, why would you use a group like ISIS as a cover? Don’t they know the atrocities this group has committed? Don’t they know about the murder, rape, torture, pillage and destruction they’ve caused to countless people around the world? Or are these domestic hackers just a bunch of copycats who don’t even care? Why would they even do that?
Mar 9, 2015 | Computer technology, Entertainment, General
Windows 10 is coming very soon and it could be the big computer revolution we have all been waiting for or it could be a dud? The new stylish Windows 10 could break the mold and remove the stains that Windows 8 brought with removing the true start menu and making a title start menu. Well they have heard the cries from Windows 8 users loud and clear! There will be an actual start menu in Windows 10. The compromise from Microsoft is there will still be a tile system but it will branch off the original start menu and you can remove the tiles if you don?t want them. This makes it easier for gamers to get their games.
The next great thing about Windows 10 isn?t actually about the OS but an item they you will be able to purchase hopefully in the not so distant future named the HoloLens. In the gaming world the idea of VR has been sought after for years. Now the HoloLens won?t be for every gamer but it looks like an amazing addition to anyone?s gaming gear.
The next thing on why Windows 10 could be the best operating system for video games is the streaming capabilities. Windows 10 will be giving you the ability to stream games from your Xbox One to your PC or tablet so you could play your game from another room in your home.
So here is a scenario, you want to play a game with your friend but you also want to watch a movie or tv show with your wife or significant other. What do you do? Easy with Windows 10, both! Sit down on the couch with your tablet and stream the Xbox one to that and watch the tv with your partner.
Microsoft is starting to get into the apps game, no not mozzarella sticks, but fully functional apps for your phone and pc. One big app on Windows 10 that gamers will not want to ignore is going to be the Xbox app. This app looks very close to steam which is an app from a company called Valve for all of your PC gaming needs. However the Xbox app will have text and voice chat for people who own Xbox Live. Also by pressing the Windows+G you can bring up a game play saving function which will allow you to record the last 30 seconds of game play. Which then you can share with other platforms making it one stop sharing shop!
Finally there is DirectX12. This is supposed to be a monumental upgrade from DirectX 11. The performance is rumored to be 50% better than DirectX 11 and cutting power consumption down half. With DirectX12 we will also see the first cross platform game in which people from PC and Xbox One can play together. An exciting prospect indeed.
Well if Microsoft can deliver on all of this stuff Windows 10 should be the best OS for Video Games. What do you think? Debate below!
Mar 8, 2015 | Computer technology, News
Last week, I talked about terrorist group ISIS and how they use today’s technology to help fuel their evil and madness. They’re not the only ones. Let’s look at the face off between technology vs. drug cartels.
Throughout Mexico, that nation’s most tech savvy engineers, architects, web programmers and other workers are disappearing. Years may pass before these cases are solved. It’s believed these men and women are being kidnapped and forced to work for Mexico’s most notorious drug cartels. Around 40 Mexican tech workers have vanished since the late 2000s. For example, in 2009, nine cell tower operators vanished in Nuevo Laredo. In 2011, an IBM employee was carjacked then kidnapped while driving to Laredo, Texas. Their tasks could include hacking, building radio and online networks, and interpreting chatter from law enforcement. They could be forced into a world of drug trafficking, extortion, theft, even human slave trafficking. Because the areas being searched are mountainous and rural, and because the cartels’ communication systems are often sophisticated, tracking these victims is far easier said than done. There are some waves of progress. One 2011 bust severely damaged a cartel’s network. Over 1,000 radios, 1,300 cellphones, 1,300 NexTel gadgets and 160 antennas were confiscated. This bust compromised over 500 miles of their network. But no kidnapping victim was found. No ransom has been asked for their release back to their family or friends. It’s believed victims are kept alive only because their work is valuable to the cartels’ criminal causes.
There’s another reason these innocent woman and men may never be founded: corruption. These illegal cartels make billions a year. It’s easy for any law enforcement agent, political leader, journalist or clergyman to get tempted. In this link is one story that made me sick. Here’s another thing to think about: brainwashing techniques. What if these kidnapped victims have been so seduced by the money and power that they don’t want to come home, but continue in these awful deeds? Technology can break down networks and track bad guys. But can technology transform human minds and hearts?
Mar 7, 2015 | Computer technology, Wireless
Apple’s ‘Spring Forward’ event on March 9 ?is almost upon us. You know the Apple Watch is going to be the main event. Let’s look at some features sources found on this phenomena.
There’s the battery life. If you’re a heavy app user, you’re going to need to charge your Apple Watch…often. Because battery life will be lucky to last 5 hours a turn. In fact, it’s suggested you charge this watch nightly. There’s the Heart Rate Glance. A literal heart will appear and show the user their Beats Per Minute. Critics are saying this Glance is instant as well as accurate. To access their Notification Center, just swipe down from the top screen display to see all the apps and other cool features available to you. Clock Faces are getting lots of praise. Sources are saying, “The level of detail and customization is insane”. It’s said the Apple Watch will have up to 8GB of storage. If so, that’s more than enough for even the obsessive music collector. Sources are very impressed with the watch’s speed. Let’s see how they do with diversity, colors, etc. Then there’s turning the watch off and on. Sources say it won’t have a power button, but you can turn it off and on using a ‘communication button’ on the right side. Apple will have a press conference talking about Apple Watch, including prices and it’s much anticipated release date, on March 9 at 1:00 PM Eastern, 12:00 Noon Central, 11:00 AM Mountain and 10:00 AM Pacific time.
We’ll see if the Apple Watch can live up to the hype and pressure. How is a watch going to hold 8GB of storage? That’s what I want to know. But I think of all the other tech advancements I thought I’d never see. Anything is possible. What do you expect to see or hear from Spring Forward?
Speaking of spring forward, don’t forget to make sure your watches and clocks are set an hour forward tonight!
Mar 6, 2015 | scam, Security
Throughout the United Kingdom, this week has been dubbed ‘strike week’. This isn’t because workers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are going on work stoppages. They’ve dedicated this week to crack down on hacking and other cyber crimes.
Twenty-five operations have been carried out in the United Kingdom and there have been at least 56 arrests. These people have been arrested for ID theft, fraud and virus writing. One operation found a hacker suspected of hacking Yahoo back in 2012. In the West Midlands, England area (the county that holds Birmingham, England), they arrested a man suspected of hacking in the US Dept of Defense last year. But the biggest bust took place between the city of London and county of Essex, just north of London. In these two areas, 25 people were arrested for attempting to steal and launder money through cyber means. It gets better: they already stole information from over 800 people. Also in London, a young man was arrested for his ties with a British hacking group called The D33Ds. This group allegedly stole around 400,000 Yahoo email addresses and passwords. The police group behind ‘strike week’ is called National Cyber Crime Unit.
Why am I talking about a major British story while living in the United States? What does this have to do with us? It shows that the good guys can win against these cyber criminals. It shows these guys who wreck lives behind a computer screen can be held accountable. So good for United Kingdom’s ‘strike week’. I think we should follow their example. We have the tools, manpower and will to do it. We need an anti-cyber crime unit to dedicate a week or month to crackdown on cyber crime. Go after the crime leaders first. If the head is cut off, the body will shut down (sorry if that sounded too graphic). We’re already doing this with revenge porn, cyber bullying, and sextortion. Can’t we do it with financial based cyber crimes?
Mar 5, 2015 | email
As most of you know, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is considering a campaign for US President in 2016. But before she faces political opponents, she faces another: her own emails.
Reports are everywhere about Hilary Clinton using private email accounts for public government business during her tenure as Secretary of State. The computer server appeared to be a far more sophisticated account than typical email servers like Yahoo, which former political candidates like Mitt Romney were caught using for government business. Adding more fuel to this fire, it’s been discovered these emails went to her private server in her hometown of Chappaqua, New York. Most government officials use servers run by federal agencies for work purposes. Also keep in mind some of these emails were conducted during the Benghazi tragedy back in September 2012. Many Republicans, say this private account gave her power to remove and retain whatever she wanted. Now they want more subpoenas, especially on the Benghazi based emails. But between December 2014 and January 2015, Clinton submitted 55,000 pages of these private emails and 300 to the Benghazi Committee. Clinton tweeted she wants the public to see the rest of their emails, and asked the State to release them as soon as possible.
Let me make it clear: I AM NOT endorsing, promoting, or backing any political party or candidate. I just find it interesting that in today’s technology, even emails can make or break your political career. It’s perfectly legal for a government official to use private email accounts for business matters. But to do so in the midst of a possible preventable tragedy like Benghazi…that’s a little concerning to me. But then again, if a Republican candidate came under fire over primate emails, I’m sure the Democrats would react the same way. American politics is a contact sport. It has been since the Adams vs. Jefferson race of 1800 and I suspect it always will be. Now, 21st century communications are the new boxing gloves. Whose going to win this round?
Mar 4, 2015 | Smartphone
Uber is one of the fastest growing, most popular, yet controversial apps around today. Uber just got a good ally on their quest for greatness…or infamy.
Uber acquired DeCarta, a location and search app based out of San Jose, CA. DeCarta focuses on mapping, local searches, and turn-by-term navigation. One Uber spokesperson says DeCarta will help them improve services that are dependent on maps. This acquisition is also newsworthy because Uber rarely, if ever, makes mergers. This is coming from a rising company that’s found in 45 nations. This company is making other global deals too, like partnering with Starwood Hotels (Sheraton, Le Meridien ?and other high end hotels). They’re offering preferred guests points toward free hotels stays for using Uber. Unlike many mergers, DeCarta won’t have to change…that much. Thirty of forty employees will keep their DeCarta jobs. They can still keeps their name and Uber will be using their mapping system internally.
This is going to be great for Uber, especially for their drivers. They can get to their specific locations faster and easier with this acquisition. It’s good for the customer too. No customer wants to waste time and money going in circles over a lost location. DeCarta has the tools to prevent customers from enduring waste of cash, tardiness and flat out humiliation. So this is a smart acquisition on Uber’s part. I also must give props to DeCarta for keeping layoffs and shake ups to a minimum. I’ve read about so many mergers in which half the employees were laid off and the acquired company was virtually forgotten about by the next year. I find it amazing, and inspiring, this is the first company purchase they made, at least to my knowledge. Will this be a successful merger? Will there be more in the future? For all my Uber haters, are you rooting against these possibilities?
Mar 4, 2015 | Computer technology, Entertainment, News
With Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV, and more, it is becoming more and more likely that cable will soon be out the window and devices that can stream this type of media will become more of the norm. Well with that being said, Nvidia, a company best known for their video cards are now getting into the set top box game.
The co-founder and CEO of Nvidia Jen-Hsun Huang made some serious announcements. One of the biggest announcements is the plan to go into the user hardware game by selling a $199 Shield, which is a set-top box that will be running Android TV which is going to be launching around May of this year.
This will also be a gaming console which Nvidia has been known for, as it already has made Android gaming handhelds and high end tablets.
With this announcement the company actually put a strong focus on the non-gaming aspect of the shield. From the demo they showed at a post GDC keynote they saw how fluid it was to navigate the interface just like with an Amazon Fire TV or even a Roku box. The shield will also be capable of putting out 4k images, which is making it future proof.
Moving from the media aspect to the gaming aspect we are looking at some decent specs for the price. The Shield will come with a Tegra X1 chip was just unveiled at CES in January. To give a comparison for all you gamers the X1?s GPU has more than twice the power of an Xbox 360 and consumes between 1/20th and 1/5th as much electricity as the 360.
However many of the Android games will not be pushing that chip very hard but another item they showed off with the shield is the Nvidia Shield Store which is a collection of high end games that has been specially brought over to that platform. This is includes some previous Shield games such as Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Metal Gear Rising: ReVengeance, and Half-Life 2 just to name a few.
So what do you think about this upcoming set top box? Part gaming console part media stream and at just $199 could it be the next big thing??Comment below and join the debate!
Mar 3, 2015 | News, Security
Not even our skies are immune to a hack attack. According to one US government watchdog organization, our air traffic controllers are vulnerable to a major hacking that could spell catastrophe.
There is a 42 page document called Information Security: FAA Needs to Address Weakness in Air Traffic Control Systems. This document states there are problems with air the Federal Aviation Administration’s cyber security that could hinder safety in our skies. While certain actions have decreased vulnerabilities somewhat, more needs to be done to toughen the cyber barrier between their computer systems and hackers. The document says controls for protecting system boundaries, sensitive data encrypt, and monitoring FAA operations are weak, especially when it comes to preventing unauthorized access to the air traffic control system. This scathing report says FAA security systems don’t even meet 2002 requirements, and plans haven’t been updated since 2010. We’ve come a long way technologically since 2002, and even 2010 for that matter. But the report doesn’t just scold the FAA; it gives ways to make it better. It suggests better training, strengthening protocol, better record keeping, and better data monitoring to detect unauthorized access. The FAA has actually responded to the document and vowed to do better job increasing cyber security.
This is a huge, huge eye opener. To think that a hacker with bad intentions could cause a major tie-up with our flights all over the country is chilling. Even more chilling if the flights are already in air if a hack attack starts. How are they going to land or find a place to land? ?The FAA needs to incorporate these suggestions…yesterday! I don’t report on this to scare anybody. But there is strength in numbers. If more of us write to political leaders and government and insists the FAA do all they can to keep us safe, I think they will get the message. Millions of people take to the skies every day. Why wake for tragedy to strike before addressing this potential threat?
Mar 3, 2015 | Computer technology, Entertainment, General
Have you ever been browsing a museum or art gallery, when all of a sudden the painting seems to be alive ? looking back at you? You may think that this was brought on only by a passionate connection to art, or to the particular piece you were looking at, but now one can say that technology brings art to life. How? you may ask. Well, now that life-like art can be what NTT Communication Science Laboratories calls, Projection Mapping ? or HenGenTou, which translates to ?Deformation Lamps” in Japanese.
So, how does this technology work, in order to allow a particular piece of art to ?Come alive?? Projection mapping works by projecting a grey-scale onto a static image in the shape of specific parts of the image that are required to be seen to move or change. Movement is then added to the light projected, which the brain perceives as real movement. HenGenTou can be used in ambient lighting conditions, as well as be applied to 3D objects. Some practical applications for this technology can be applied in areas such as advertising, where a smiling face or fluttering text on a sign would be an eye-catching marketing ploy, and also in interior design, where illusions of an undulating could be created on floors and walls to capture a desired effect.
NTT promises of a public demonstration of HenGenTou later this year. Their aim is to have this technology fully developed for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, and widely available after that. What better way to show how technology brings art to life than at the Olympics, where a huge show and spectacle are expected? The spectator of the upcoming games can certainly be expected to enjoy an experience of art and life colliding, thanks to the ever changing and growing world of technology.
