Samsung Galaxy vs Nokia 3310

November 29, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It is a ridiculous thing to even try comparing these two mobile phones in the very first place. Who could have done such a thing and what could we possibly prove with that? Luckily for us, there are some busy little bees with some funny and original unorthodox ideas. This is what we got as a result.

The very purpose of some very painful experiments for our dearest shining gadgets was to prove how far we have gotten with our progress. Really, once a proud pioneer of the promising mobile revolution looks like a primitive toy compared to its younger smartphone relatives. Yet, this is notnthe whole story.

It turns out that our old little fellow is more resistant in both real and cyber worlds. How could that be? It is quite simple actually. If you try to break it, you will have to put some additional effort. On the other hand, if you want to hack it, you have to forget about it. Sometimes, being primitive has its advantages.

So, which one should you use? The modern one, of course. Why? So, you can enjoy all those shiny apps. Then why was it necessary to destroy two phones to make only one point? Believe it, it was totally worth it. This is a nice reminder that we have not achieved anything remarkable. We have merely improved it.

Twitter Digits

November 27, 2014 — Leave a comment

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How to solve the annoying and time consuming problem with the numerous passwords for every user is definitely the next big thing. How to solve this one, get some additional profit and win the hearts of users? Well, Google has been seriously considering the two-step verification with a smartphone and SMS.

Twitter has a solution of its own, it is eager to share with us. The new service Digits is an open platform, which is not reserved exclusively for the Twitter users. How does it work? Well, for what is worth, you will need to register and once you get an SMS code, you will log by using your mobile phone number only.

It sounds lovely and simple. Yet, we are a little bit worried. If not secured properly, we have actually opened an additional door for the hackers to jump in. Now, our smartphone is a potential target. Instead of protecting what we have of privacy related data, we need to offer more in exchange.

If this one can solve all the troubles with the passwords and improve our so-called user’s experience, then go on with it our hats off to this. Somehow, it is too good to be true. Or, maybe we have lost our faith in simple and effective solutions. So, where can we download this app? Let us give it a try, shall we?

Golden Rules And Cyber Fools

November 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Privacy and social networks simply do not go hand in hand. Does it really have to be this way? Well, it depends on you. At this dark hour for our privacy, it would be nice to remind ourselves of a timeless classic in this field. According to the NSA golden rule, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about.

As simple and as complicated as that. On the other side, here is one more goldie just for you. There is no such a thing as privacy on social networks. The man, who invented the Facebook, said that. If you want to keep something a secret absolutely and permanently, you have no other choice than to keep silent.

So, what are we supposed to do? Use the social networks to suit you the best. However, do not forget that everything and anything on these networks come at a certain price. It is up to you, whether or not a certain social network will become a social spider’s web for you. Maybe you are a spider itself.

Yet, you just do not know it. Either way, it is the social networks’ way or the highway. We have a choice, to use them or find some other way of communicating and making new friends. Is this a true choice, in the first place? Or, you can create a new social network of your own. Maybe you can change the world.

VR Crime

November 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot predict the entire scope of potential VR (Virtual Reality) applications. The time has come to fight the real crime with the Virtual Reality. How? Well, we can now identify potential sex predators more easily and much more accurately. Here is how it works?

The VR is all about the simulation. We simulate and then we evaluate. To potential sex predators cannot help themselves, when it comes to the potentially harmful impulses for the other people. When they commit a crime, it is pretty much too late to talk about the proper prevention, isn’t it?

You need a reliable, accurate and above harmless system of identification. The last thing you need is a potential Hanibal Canibal, whom you have to get close to the potential victims in order to evaluate his reactions. The VR world takes the care of it. You can simulate as much as you like in a safe environment.

We have all we need. Now, all what we need to do is to find the test subjects. The tricky part is to come up with the appropriate criteria. Unfortunately, no one told us how to conduct the selection process of the potential sex predators. For this one the VR cannot help you. You need real people to do it properly.

The Drone Avengers

November 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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If you loved the Avengers, then you are going to be blown away by this one. Under a certain condition. You have to live in the USA. The people, who are living half across the globe, are definitely not going to be thrilled with an idea of the flying drone carrier. Can you imagine such a thing flying above you?

The flying fortress, which deploys hundreds, even thousands of drones everywhere you look. This is not a movie, but rather an imminent reality knocking at our door. To make things even worse, we can expect the further commercialization of the drone related possible applications. Intrigued?

Amazon plans to launch an entire fleet of commercial drones. Google is currently occupied with satellites and Facebook with balloons. But, you do not have to guess twice what will happen, once they hear about the drone carrier. That means to have an entire trade or service center right up in the sky.

These ideas make business giants to be simply restless. On the other hand, we can only ask ourselves, how long before this new SkyNet starts making trouble? This dronology can be an annoying thing. Especially, if you do not like to see a crowded sky with all kinds of flying machines. Drones are not carrying bonbons, that is for sure.

Gmail Attachments With A New Address

November 23, 2014 — Leave a comment

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From now on, you can find all of your Gmail attachments on your Google Drive account. So, what is up with this one? We are a little bit confused. This is supposed to be a good or a bad news for us? It comes without saying that can be a nice and cozy feature for Gmail users. We have to give them a credit for that.

On the other side, we cannot help ourselves noticing an obvious attempt of Google to push up a little bit the use of its cloud services. Now, let us examine what is very likely to happen with our cyber security. This is not such a smart thing to do. It is just like you put all of your data eggs in one gasket.

This can potentially allow easier access for the hackers. All they have to do is to get your Google Drive account. No need to mess up or waste time with the Gmail account in the first place. For the sake of all of us, we sure hope that Google knows what he is doing with this one. Otherwise, we are in serious trouble.

It comes without saying that our attachments are very often the most vulnerable and important parts of our emails. Sure thing, we need to do something that will ease our use and downloading process. However, we should not compromise our security with this new option. Right? Otherwise, what is the use?

Kingston DataTraveler + Eset Antivirus = ?

November 23, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Ah, the good old days, when all new USBs used to come with the perfectly suited portable version of some popular antivirus. What happened in the meantime? Its majesty commercialization is to be held responsible in this case. So many invaluable chances for the improvement of our cyber security lost.

It is worth mentioning that sometimes can be extremely efficient to fight fire with fire. You do not have to be a rocket scientist or a cyber security expert to know that the USB is one of the most common sources of cyber infection, do you? And, unfortunately that is only the beginning of cyber troubles.

According to the recent discoveries, we were able to find out about the malicious firmware and totally undetectable USB malware. It turns out that so many troubles can jump out the tiny device for your computer. Therefore, this can be a nice way for restoring the shaken trust among the USB users.

We sure hope that we will be able to see more of this USB and antivirus teaming up. The larger a certain mobile memory device is, the more serious antivirus should follow. Spread the word of the cyber security with each and any computer you touch with your USB. Do we have a more important mission than this one?

Happy Hour Virus

November 23, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Although, this idea is not quite compatible with our efforts to fight the unprecedented economic crisis, we cannot neglect or ignore its originality and brilliance. So, what is this app all about? In case you an urgent day off, here is a quick and simple solution. This app will give exactly what you need.

You have a several visual simulation of some of the worst computer malfunctions for your screen. This is supposed to give you a nice excuse in order to make a quick disappearance from your office. Oh no, my computer is broken, I have to go home. This is a simplified option. There are some additional options.

You can use it as a prank as well. Yet, we do not recommend it to your friends, who have some weak heart issues. On the other hand, we have even a better idea. How about the cyber security version of the Happy Hour Virus app? This is supposed to be much more effective compared to a broken computer.

Your IT staff will allow you to move away from your office much more willingly, as soon as you report a virus attack. However, this is not something you should make jokes about. So much trouble for a single day off. How about calling your office and telling them that you are under a flu attack, for a change?

Pwn2Own IE11

November 20, 2014 — Leave a comment

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There are no true winners in hackers contests or bug bounty rewarding programs. Someone will take the sweet prize, while we will end up in tears. Why? Because we will become more aware about the fragile and insecure character of our system. Yet, we cannot allow ourselves a luxury of neglecting them.

Some of them actually work. This is how a successful prevention has achieved. Can this be a comfort for Microsoft? Two HP security experts were able to find a weakness in the Internet Explorer 11. As a result, we have a complete malicious control over the computer, which runs the Windows 8.1.

As expected, Microsoft will clean this situation with the next security patch. However, we still have this bitter taste in our mouth. Why? Well, it is actually quite simple, and that is why is so painful. Who knows how many bugs are out there flying and crawling all over our cyber space? Do not bother to ask.

Unfortunately, we do not have enough hackers competitions or bug bounty programs to find and eliminate them all. If you want to say keep on trying, then you are moving into the wrong direction. Maybe, we are truly blessed with our cyber ignorance. There is a difference, though. What we do not know can hurt us badly in this case.

EASA Easy

November 20, 2014 — Leave a comment

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The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has turned an important new page. From now on, your shiny gadgets can be used during the entire flight period with no rigorous limitations, we all know very well. So, what exactly youncan or cannot do with your devices, once you set a foot in an airplane?

Well, you can use a smartphone or tablet freely during a flight. This also includes all available 3G or 4G networks. On the other hand, you still cannot use the Internet on your laptop. This is something that will be strongly appreciated by all passengers. Yet, we have some security questions we need to ask.

Have you heard something about hacking the airplanes, recently? Not so long ago the flight agenda of the Japanese PM circulated for a while on the Internet. The airline company’s IT infrastructure was hacked. Now, do you dare to think what could have happened, if the airport or airplane itself was to be hacked instead?

With this most recent change of regulations, we will allow hackers to freely surf while in a plane. Maybe, this was not such a good idea. We sure hope this was not a result of some profit related idea. Like, we are having some bad times in the airline business, let us do something about it. We really hope that was not the case.