Month: December 2014

The Bureau 121

December 8, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Is this a lovely name for some SF or action movie, or what? Well, you should be fully aware that this a code name of the top hackers unit in North Korea. These guys are deadly serious with what they do. And, apparently very sensitive when it comes to their dear leader. So, what happened?

You should google a little bit about the new movie about North Korea. Although, this is a comedy, for the North Korean leadership there was nothing funny. As a result, Sony Pictures Entertainment division was hacked. As you can see cyber warriors can easily reach wherever you are or what you do.

These intriguing details were revealed by one of the Bureau 121 former members, who was able to escape to where else, than South Korea. So, what is so interesting in this story? Well, we tend the underestimate this country, over and over again. Some people think they still live in the stone age in terms of technology.

North Korea takes care of the talented guys from this group in a fascinating way. They are the elite, and they are treated as such. It turns out that North Korea knows how to take care of its priorities. Cyber warfare is definitely one of them. There is something we can learn from the Bureau 121. Right?

90 Minutes Fot The RapidHIT

December 8, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Here is something worth mentioning. There is a new device on the market, which allows you to get DNK analysis results in less than 90 minutes. Why is this so important? Well, so far we have to wait for 2 days up to 2 weeks to get the results for the DNK samples we submitted. This is a revolutionary stuff.

The great thing about it is that you can carry your DNK laboratory with you. It looks like a small printer you can have it next you when needed the most. You take a sample, put it in a machine, and you wait for 90 minutes. Your samples will be analyzed on a national level and compared for matches.

In Arizona, the police was able to track and eventually arrest a killer based on the quick and reliable results of this portable device. The amount of data, which are processed during the analysis, is simply amazing. Such as the price of a couple of hundreds of thousands of dollars you have to pay to get it.

For what is worth, we are witnessing some useful practical application of the available technologies. This is supposed to be the primary role of the brave new cyber world. To protect us and keep us safe, rather than to spy on us and steal our privacy data. Looking forward to seeing some more like this.

The Virus Of Impatience

December 5, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It seems that there are quite a few Microsoft users, who are the same time huge Kaspersky fans, with some proper patience problems. Windows 10 Technical Preview is such an irresistible thing that they cannot wait to install Kaspersky. Yet, the trouble in this case is the lack of adequate compatibility.

Windows 10 Technical Preview build 9879 is an obvious example. Kaspersky 2015 refuses to make friends with the latest Windows version. Why? Well, it is supposed to be simple. The busy little bees in Microsoft are still working on the fully compatible version for the Windows 10. What about other options?

Here is something you have not heard it from us. You can try this one at home, but do not blame us for the troubles. For example, you have a file kav15.0.1.415en_6868.exe. As expected, it does not work on Windows 10 Technical Preview. Yet, there is something you can do. What exactly?

You can change the last four numbers 6868 with the new ones 9879. Now try it again. It actually may work. This is definitely not a recommended thing to do, but if your impatience is your biggest problem even more serious compared to the security itself, then go for it. For what is worth, you have been warned.

Simple Rules For Cyber Fools

December 4, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Which one came first? The UK law makers’ decision to urge the social networks to drastically simplify their rules, or Facebook announcement of the Privacy Policy for Dummies? Either way this a win-win situation for us. Yet, it is worth to spend some extra time thinking about what is exactly happening here.

Facebook is not going to create new privacy policy. It is just going to rewrite its policies in a simpler way. This is something very similar to the UK’s intention to make you think twice before you press Yes at the end of a certain policy document. These situations we take for granted. That is true.

We do not like to think, we like to use. We literally consume the social networks without second thoughts, or some serious consideration. Later, we like to complain. Maybe, it is better to do these things this way. Fair and simple. You do not have to be a law expert to understand properly the privacy policies.

On the other hand, we will not have an excuse, if something eventually goes wrong. There is a reasonable fear, though, that all of these policies are nicely written, but we are too lazy to read them thoroughly. Let us see what is going to happen eventually with this simplicity reform. Is that enough?

You Have An Additional Right To Be Forgotten

December 3, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Great news for all of you privacy addicts. Yahoo and Bing have decided to process your right to forget requests. Unfortunately, we are still and only in Europe. That means the European Internet users have an additional option to protect their privacy. So far, only Google has accepted to play the oblivion game.

From now on, you can address Yahoo and Microsoft’s Bing with the same privacy related concerns. It is worth mentioning that the whole thing does not work simply and flawlessly. One may say, it is so cool, I can address all major search engines and my troubles will be over. As always, there is a catch.

The website Forget.me, which specializes in these specific issues and requests, has noticed something that limits our efforts. If your cyber oblivion request has something to do with the social networks, then you can kiss the closed door, which is very likely. It seems that this is more complex than it looks.

The right to forget is very close to your right to regret. We are so far away from the truly functional and fair solution. You cannot stop or delete the entire Internet, just because you feel hurt. On the other hand, our dearest search engines should do us a favor every once in a while. Isn’t that right?

Facebook Privacy For Dummies

December 3, 2014 — Leave a comment

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2015 is going to be an important year for both parties, us and the Facebook itself. It turns out that Facebook wants to wish you a happy new privacy year among the first in the world of social networks. So, what is the catch with this one? Above all, what is new about Facebook privacy policy in 2015?

Here is the biggest surprise of them all. Nothing is changing, but Facebook will do us a favor. The legal terminology and the entire structure of Facebook Privacy Policy will be simplified beyond recognition. At least, this what they are trying to convince us about. How is this supposed to change our lives?

Well, for what is worth, maybe we will finally learn how to use some features or privacy adjustments. Perhaps, we will be able to understand Facebook’s Privacy Policy. On the other hand, we have to ask ourselves, why Facebook has become so generous and privacy friendly all of a sudden?

Here is a word of advice. Read the new policy about the privacy policy, but keep an eye on what is going on with the Facebook’s advertising business. Maybe, our privacy is to suffer from a terrific blow for the advertising purposes, and Facebook wants to minimize the potential danger and damage. Maybe.

Twitter Spy

December 1, 2014 — Leave a comment

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At least, they are honest about it. The busy little birds in Twitter have informed us about their decision to check out every now and then what is going on our devices. For what is worth, they will collect data about the apps we use on our smartphones, but not about what is inside them. Do you believe them?

All of these, for the advertising purposes. Is this disappointing or simply inevitable? Does it change a thing to be aware about it? Allegedly, we are given a fair choice to disable this option. Do you buy it? Honestly? Maybe, we should check what other IT guys are doing in this field. Can it change something?

Not machines, but the ads will rule our world. And, unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it, for real. Yet, there is a comfort from the least expected source, such as the NSA. With nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. As simple as that. Forget about privacy that is the simplest thing you can do.

Or, forget about your apps. There is no win-win situation in this case. There are only ads-ads situations. There is only the ads’ way, or the highway. We sure hope we will not end up living in caves. On the second thought, maybe the caves live is not such a bad idea. You want to live a healthy life. Here is your chance.