Month: May 2015

Open Your Door Grandpa Microsoft

May 9, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Why would grandpa Microsoft do such a thing? What kind of a door we are referring to? Well, we are eager to witness a moment when Windows will be treated as an open source code. Why? Well, this is supposed to improve its cyber security. Something is obviously wrong with this picture.

It is a bold and ear-catching claim to ask for an open source code Windows, but how grandpa Microsoft feels about it? If it is going to be free to access and alter, does it also mean that you can get it for free, as well? On the other hand, the strongest argument for an open source is improved security. How?

Allegedly, the new open source structure can help you to access Windows more easily in search for bugs and vulnerabilities. So, who is stopping you to do it right now? What about all previous successful bug bounty hunters? They did not ask for a permission, did they?

This is definitely a wrong turn for our troubled thoughts. Let grandpa Microsoft does its job the best it can. We do not need an open door, at all. If you want to improve Windows security and eliminate potential vulnerabilities, go on and earn some fair money. Grandpa Microsoft can be generous.

Battle Of Britain

May 8, 2015 — Leave a comment

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According to the latest Symantec cyber security report the UK was the most popular destination for hackers in 2014. Almost five in six large companies were under some kind of a cyber-attack, this way or another. So, what is this supposed to mean? What should we think about this particular information?

Well, this is a painful increase of more than 40% compared to 2013. Yet again, you simply cannot avoid asking a simple question. How can this be? Who is to blame for this embarrassing negative result? Believe it or not, we are ourselves the worst cyber enemies in the entire virtual universe. How?

It is quite simple, actually. This may come as a huge surprise, but it turns out that the hackers themselves are extremely lazy and profit oriented cyber-creatures. That means they would rather allow their malicious automatized systems to do all the dirty work. They are counting on you, for real.

The absolute majority of all cyber attacks and successful phishing schemes came from the surprisingly naive malicious emails. Unfortunately, the average business UK users were even more naive. Before you know it the entire business structure was infected and compromised. Enough said, isn’t it?

Bad Cyber Boys With Real Toys

May 8, 2015 — Leave a comment

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How do you imagine an average hacker from your neighborhood? A harmless and innocent teenager, a little bit overweight, who spends days and nights on a keyboard, under the Coca-Cola and pizza delivery ambalage. Well, if this is a case, then you are both helplessly and dangerously romantic.

What would you say, if you were to hear that more than 60% of cyber criminals already have the real-life criminal record. How about this for a change? I am not a criminal in a traditional sense, I am merely a freedom fighter on a keyboard. This hacker’s statement is just so far from the reality, isn’t it?

So, what is the moral of our story? When you are a criminal, it does not matter where you get caught. The virtual world is not an excuse for the real one, and vice-versa. Do your best to keep it clean and flawless in both worlds. What is even more important forget about the wrong kind of empathy.

There is no point in feeling sorry for the hackers and all kinds of cyber criminals. We do not need fake heroes. Your friendly neighbor hacker has not hurt anyone in the virtual world, but there is a 60% chance that someone is suffering in the real world as a result of his wrongful doings. Think about it.

The Pirate Percentages

May 7, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Imagine a world with no cyber-pirates. Imagine a moment where all computers all over the world will use and run only the fully legitimate and legal software and licenses. Would not that be a sight? Yet, what could this unrealistic scenario change for real? Does it mean that you would be a happier person?

Or, maybe you will have less money to spend on other things? Why? The pirate software version is substantially cheaper, by default. Here is a catch. In the EU alone, more than 70 million jobs, which is almost one third of its entire labor market, depends one way or another on the proper protection of the intellectual property rights.

When you mess up with the intellectual property and copyrights in the wrong way, there is no win-win scenario. Someone will always lose. Strong legal pressure means that we will pay more. Cyber loopholes can allow pirates to give us cheaper functional alternatives. Yet, that is a loss for the corporate world.

And, here we are where we are, where we have been all of this time. There will be some cosmetic changes, but the main troubles will remain the same more or less. Pirates are not going to disappear, and a software is not going to be offered for free. Our cyber seas will be restless for quite some time.

Big Gun China #1

May 3, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Here is our word of advice. If you plan to read this post, then you should listen ACDC. You do not have to guess twice, which song in particular, do you? Oh dear, if you thought that the so-called Great Firewall of China is something special, then wait until you hear about the Big Cyber Gun.

The busy little Chinese bees in charge of censorship have really done something amazing. Now, not only are they capable of blocking the entire Internet traffic, but also they can redirect it and manipulate according to their wishes with all kinds of malicious software solutions.

One serious rumor has it that compared to the Big Gun, the notorious Great Firewall of China looks and works like an outdated toy. However, this is not something you say our hats off for a respectable achievement. It is actually a sad fact. Just imagine resources and time required for its development and maintenance.

All of that, for what exactly? So, you can monitor and control your own citizens? Unfortunately, we have every reason to believe that the Big Gun made in China is going to give all kinds of crazy ideas to their US colleagues in the NSA. The Internet and freedom. Oh, that is such a bad joke. Indeed.