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Security At Your Fingerprints
Well it works by measuring the speed at which you type. So it asks you to enter your password and login details nine times and that enables it to take a sample of your typing speed.
This technology will not be seeing your computer anytime soon, as it’s designed more for banks and similar institutions, primarily thanks to it’s $34,000 price tag. I might be naive, but a technology like this doesn’t sound that difficult to throw together. If so, it shouldn’t be long before a competitor comes along.
Source: APM
Dell To Continue Selling Windows XP On Select Systems
We heard you loud and clear on bringing the Windows XP option back to our Dell consumer PC offerings. Based on your feedback, the following Dell consumer systems with Windows XP are now immediately available on Dell.com:
- Dell Inspiron: 1405, 1705, 1505, 1501
- Dell Dimension: E520, E521
Clearly, this offer does not extend to their entire lineup, but it’s better than nothing at this point. Vista is not for everyone, so at least Dell recognizes this.
Source: Dell Idea Storm
Yahoo! Sued For Turning Info Over To China
A human-rights group sued Yahoo Wednesday on grounds the U.S. search company assisted China’s communist government with torture by revealing information that led to the arrest of dissidents. The World Organization for Human Rights USA is seeking unspecified damages and wants Yahoo to actively secure the release of any detainees.
It’s unknown how far this lawsuit will actually go, but Yahoo! sticks to their guns and plan to continue offering services out of China.
Source: CNN.com
Mushkin Releases the HP2-6400 4GB Kit
DENVER,CO (April 19, 2007) – Mushkin, a global leader in high performance computer products, today released the HP2-6400 5-4-4 modules available in 4GB dual-channel kits and 2GB single DIMMs. Designed for high-performance and value, the HP2-6400 is specified for operation at 800MHz, 5-4-4-12 latencies. Each kit is tested beyond its rated specification to ensure the overclocking headroom and quality that Mushkin customers expect.
Source: Mushkin Press Release
Xbox 360 Elite Hits Streets Early
The Xbox 360 Elite with its HDMI and 120GB hard drive aren’t set to officially launch until April 29, a lucky Chico, Calif. man was able to score one such console from a Target store. Pictures proving his purchase hit Photobucket and other various Internet forums. Before long, the purchase made its way onto Internet auction site eBay.
It’s not difficult to do the math on this one. The auction is currently at $810, while the console will retail for $499 later this month. Given that the auction ends on the 21st and it would take a few days to reach you…. you might as well wait until the 29th and save hundreds of dollars!
Source: Daily Tech
Windows Costs $21.50 Extra In Patent Tax
According to a calculation done by the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLA), users of Microsoft Windows are paying as much as $21.50 more for each copy of the operating system they buy, thanks to the so-called “patent tax” that Microsoft is forced to pay to various companies that hold software patents.
Since these “taxes” appear to be required, you can bet all versions of Windows would be cheaper if this didn’t exist. The same goes for OEM PC’s.. the tax would no doubt be included there as well.
Source: Ars Technica
Steam Hacked and Held For Ransom?
VALVe’s STEAM content distribution system has been the target of no small share of bad press since it was created, with complaints ranging from apathetic customer service to the inability to play legitimately purchased games online. Some users have had their accounts locked, deleted, or hijacked – but a hacker known only as “MaddoxX” has just opened a rather sizeable can of worms.
MaddoxX has no mercy on Steam and has even released their financial information. Regular customers should have no reason to worry, as I don’t believe Valve keeps your credit card numbers on file, so that’s a plus. There has been no official word out of them regarding this yet, though.
Source: Daily Tech
Michael Dell uses Ubuntu
I just got an e mail from Michael Dell in which he says he also uses Ubuntu. As the link shows he went as far as to say so in his official bio in the Dell web site. Now if Dell, the corporation goes the way of Michael Dell, the CEO the Ubuntu distro will rise from relative obscurity to the big league of Vista, Windows XP and MacOSX.
As if there was any doubt that Ubuntu would be the first distro offered on Dell systems already. Now there is just no doubt! I would have figured that Michael Dell would have better taste, though. ;-)
Source: Martin Varsavky Blog
Only 244 copies of Genuine Windows Vista sold in China
Microsoft spent millions of dollars advertising its next generation OS ‘Windows Vista’ in China, in fact the IT juggernaut threw up the biggest Vista Ad on the 421 meter high Jin Mao tower in Shanghai China. However after 2 weeks (Jan 19 to Feb 2) from launch Microsoft managed to sell a mere 244 copies of Windows Vista.
It’s not much of a surprise that Microsoft doesn’t fare as well in China as it does on these shores, but 244 copies?! It goes to show just how bad piracy has become over there. Or, the majority are smart enough to not run Vista.
Source: New Launches
Security Remains a Challenge for Browser Developers
Some of the leading names in the browser market took to the stage at the Web 2.0 conference here on April 16 to give an update on the state of that technology, and all agreed that security was one of the biggest challenges facing the industry.
I doubt many would disagree with this. Web browsing has not changed drastically in a while, and if it does in the near future, it will be due to the web software not likely the browser. Security seems like a great focusing point.
Source: eWeek
Top 10 Internet Crimes of 2006
This is the sixth annual report by the U.S.-based center, which is run by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. The complaint center, dubbed IC3, compiles its figures by drawing on the flood of complaints pouring into U.S. law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
It’s hard to consider anything on this list as a “number 1”, but auction fraud took the top spot here, with 45% share of the crime cake. Non-delivery took second while child pornography placed tenth.
Source: US News
Russia Plans World’s Longest Tunnel
Russia plans to build the world’s longest tunnel, a transport and pipeline link under the Bering Strait to Alaska, as part of a $65 billion project to supply the U.S. with oil, natural gas and electricity from Siberia. The project, which Russia is coordinating with the U.S. and Canada, would take 10 to 15 years to complete, Viktor Razbegin, deputy head of industrial research at the Russian Economy Ministry, told reporters in Moscow today.
Ten to fifteen years to completion is staggering, but this is a true beast. It will be linked to Alaska (!) and cost close to $12 billion dollars to build. Discussions with both US and Canada begin next week.
Source: Bloomberg
Why are Websites Still Forcing People to Use IE?
I just visited Movielink’s website for research. Their site has a nice message saying, ‘Sorry, but in order to enjoy the Movielink service you must use Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) or Mozilla/Firefox with an IE Tab Extension (IE installation required).’ While allowing the IETab Firefox extension is somewhat progressive, why do companies still force people to use Internet Explorer?
My opinion? Pure laziness… or the lack of knowledge of what’s going on in the tech world. This kind of thing should be in the history books, but it’s still abundant. I visited a site just the other day that told me the same thing.
Source: Slashdot
Hotdoll: The Sex Doll for Dogs
Is your dog in heat and humping anything it can wrap its horny little legs around? Are you constantly having to pry your promiscuous pooch off the legs of guests, parents and members of your church? Protect your leg from a hump attack by getting Scruffy a Hotdoll.
While not tech, this is gross, disturbing and unique. Leave it to the guys at Gizmodo to dig up something like this.
Source: Gizmodo
Mozilla Thunderbird 2 Released
Thunderbird 2 is now available for download on Windows, Mac and Linux in over 35 languages. It offers easy ways to manage and organize your email with message tags, advanced folder views, message history navigation, find as you type, and improved new mail alert notifications. Thunderbird 2 also includes a refreshed user interface and support for Microsoft Vista.
Rob loves him some Thunderbird in the morning. Noon, evening and even late night as well. Great e-mail client! I’ve been using 2.0 beta for a while and have been pleased overall, although a few things have been moved around that threw me off course originally.
Source: OS News
State Department Got Mail! (And Hackers)
A break-in targeting State Department computers worldwide last summer occurred after a department employee in Asia opened a mysterious e-mail that quietly allowed hackers inside the U.S. government’s network. Consumers using the same software remained vulnerable until months afterward.
Despite how hardcore government security is touted to be, we can see that they are just as vulnerable as the rest of us. At one point they had to halt all internet traffic to make sure not too much data leaked!
Source: Yahoo
BAPCo Releases SYSmark 2007 Preview
San Mateo, California – April 18, 2007 – The latest version of the premier performance metric that measures and compares PC performance based on real world applications was released today by the Business Application Performance Corporation or BAPCo(R), a non-profit consortium of leading computer industry publications, independent testing labs, PC hardware manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and software publishers.
Source: BAPCo Press Release
Intel Readies Core 2 Extreme QX6850
Intel plans to refresh its Conroe-based dual-core processors in Q3’2007. The planned Conroe refresh includes a faster 1333 MHz front-side bus for the dual-core processor. Intel’s latest roadmap unveils details of a front-side bus increase for its quad-core processors.
Do those of you who just purchased the new QX6800 feel ripped off? No need, since this release is still at least three full months away. That’s almost nine years in enthusiast years.
Source: Daily Tech
Latest NIN CD Packs Thermal Properties
Nine Inch Nails is widely regarded as an intelligent band and thanks to their creativity in their music, they have captivated a huge audience (of which I am a part). Their latest CD packs an interesting twist though. The CD as it comes out of the package is pure black with a simple “Year Zero” logo. After listening to it, the CD will come back out of the player with a far lighter color and various information revealed.
I will not spoil the easter egg for those who are planning to purchase the album, but you can see the before and after result through the link below.
Source: Flickr
Yet Another Fine For “Stealing” WiFi
A recent court case, which saw a West London man fined £500 and sentenced to 12 months’ conditional discharge for hijacking a wireless broadband connection, has repercussions for almost every user of wi-fi networks. It is believed to be the first case of its kind in the UK, but with an estimated one million wi-fi users around the country, it is unlikely to be the last.
He “hi-jacked” and gained “unauthorized” access to someone elses WiFi, but it’s not mentioned whether or not the network was secure. Going by common sense, it would be unlikely for someone to take the time to crack a wireless network (when it can take hours to days) when there are always free spots right around the corner.
Instead of fining people who “borrow” WiFi, governments should inform people about the importance of securing their networks. If you couldn’t be bothered to secure your own network, expect things like this to happen.
Source: BBC
Boy Jailed Over Clock Change Mix-Up
Cody Webb was arrested last month, after Hempfield Area High School received a bomb threat on their student hotline – which provides a range of information to students about the school – at 3.17am on March 11th. They believed they’d found the culprit when they traced the phone number they thought was responsible to Webb. Unfortunately, the school forgot that the clocks had switched to Daylight Saving Time that morning.
I’m not sure what’s more disturbing, the fact that this needless mix up occurred, or that the principal didn’t hesitate to side with investigators despite no previous record of trouble with the student. She stated, “Well, why should we believe you? You’re a criminal. Criminals lie all the time.” Ugh.
Source: Passably News
Vista Forensics For Those Who Care
Regardless of how quickly Vista is adopted by existing businesses and consumers – and there are good reasons to suppose that its uptake will be somewhat slower than Microsoft’s early estimates – it seems almost certain that this new OS will continue the trend of Microsoft’s dominance in the operating system market and wise computer forensics professionals will want to start thinking about the implications now.
This is a great article for security buffs and forensic investigators alike. The first part of the series covers EFS, BitLocker, Backup and Restore and more.
Source: Security Focus
Cookie Crunching May Be Pumping Up Web Traffic
A growing number of Internet users have taken to erasing their computer’s cookies, which are unique identifiers inserted on a user’s computer that reveal what Web sites someone has visited. While this might not seem like a catastrophic event, the deletion of these cookies could lead to inflated traffic reports for a particular Web site, according to the report.
This is a concern only to those who gather web stats with cookies. Reading the documentation for your particular software should tell you the method. Interesting to note regardless.
Source: PhysOrg
Prior Art On Verizon’s VoIP Patents
Berninger says that the ideas were discussed at the VoIP forum meeting in 1996 and published in January of 1997. The patents in question were filed after that. I’ve included Berninger’s note after the jump. However, due to the fun way the patent system works, introducing that kind of prior art to the USPTO for it to review the validity of Verizon’s VoIP patents will take quite a bit of time and effort — much longer than Vonage has to fight Verizon in court.
This lawsuit is becoming more difficult to understand everyday. VOIP uses open standards, but Verizon claims these methods are in their patents. Vonage is in a very bad position, regardless of whether or not they are actually infringing on any patents at all.
Source: Tech Dirt
OCZ Technology Announces Ultra-High Speed 1200MHz Flex XLC
Sunnyvale, CA—April 17, 2007 — OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced the PC2-9600 Flex XLC series. The latest edition to OCZ’s esteemed enthusiast lineup implements the proprietary Flex XLC design and is engineered to produce extreme speeds with rock-solid stability.
Source: OCZ Press Release