Group items tagged

One for the workshop?

issues about iPhone

Good article Jorge F1. Maybe better to use the original article. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12121999 The Red Ring of Death has been responsible for a lot of upset gamers in the past....

This article further increases the already notorious fear of databases containing people's details being accessed by undesired people, who could potentially use this data to cause harm. This raises a serious privacy issue, as, although it has not been confirmed, these hackers have accessed the Steam database which holds up to 35 million people's credit card data and email addresses, posing a threat to a large amount of people. Although it is not known if any harm came of this attack, security measures such as changing password and transferring credit card data to a more secure service (Steam Guard security service) were suggested to Steam users. This is a solution that doesn't undo the harm that has already been made, but is still a positive measure as it can help prevent potential future attacks from hackers on this database.

"Valve has officially rolled out its new Steam security system, Steam Guard, which allows users to lock their accounts to a single PC if they so choose. Steam Guard essentially blocks all attempts to access a protected Steam account, then sends verification emails to a registered email address which allow the account owner to monitor account activity and grant access on a single PC at a time. " http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2011/03/17/valve-launches-steam-guard-security/1 This ensures the 35 million users "the account security they need as they purchase more and more digital goods", especially if they use Steam in public spaces such as cibercafés. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/valve-introduces-steam-guard-to-fight-acount-phishing-and-hijack/

The arrest of Megaupload's founders has led to other file storage sites taking action in an apparent attempt to protect themselves from legal action. The following is a link to a news story describing the disciplinary action taken against the founder of Megaupload: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16711416

How online storage works Online storage in websites such as Megaupload, upload.to and Rapidshare work using cloud storage. This is similar to the storage used in Gmail, Youtube and Facebook Essentially this is how it works: 1. User accesses websites and selects file he/she wants to upload 2. File is uploaded to the cloud storage server, which is located in the house cloud storage systems called data centers. 3. Usually the files are then copied to other servers around the world in case one of them goes down or needs repairing, this is known as redundancy. Without redundancy cloud storage cannot guarantee that the user will be ble to access his files. Servers are also powered by multiple power supplies in case one of them fails. 4. When the user wants to access the files he uploaded he may do so through a web-based interface. For more information on how cloud storage systems work http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-storage1.htm

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120121/16551717500/jonathan-coulton-destroys-rationale-behind-megaupload-seizure-with-single-tweet-follows-up-with-epic-blog-post.shtml In the article above Jonathon Coultron makes a good point. Although there might be a lot of illegal activity on MegaUpload such as: sharing DVDs and CDs, there are also a large group of people that use MegaUpload as a tool to legally upload data that they wish to share with others or keep a backup for themselves. Furthermore, I think his tweet says it all in regards to the millions of dollars the music and film industry will gain from the death of MegaUpload.

The main stakeholder here is the google, youtube, gmail, etc. user. The change in privacy policy settings in the system affects the stakeholder in these ways, as outlined in the article: In "suggesting search queries, or tailoring search results, based on the interests expressed in Google+, Gmail and YouTube" (mining data to provide "ever more targeted adverts"), the results become limited: "something I am interested in this week, I might not be interested in next week. I use Google's facilities as both a private individual and in my professional life. Which bit are they going to give back to me?" There is no opt-out alternative to the changes in the system. "Google has become a way of life for some people. They can't do without it even if they don't like the direction it is going in". The simplification of policies could lead to graver problems. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/27/tech/web/google-privacy-clarified/index.html

(CNN) -- FaceTime, the Apple video-chat application, is not a replacement for real human interaction, especially for children, according to a new study. Tween girls who spend much of their waking hours switching frantically between YouTube, Facebook, television and text messaging are more likely to develop social problems, says a Stanford University study published in a scientific journal on Wednesday.

Employees of Silicon Valley giants like Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard opt to send their children to computer-free Waldorf schools. These subscribe to a teaching philosophy focused on physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks. They affirm that computers inhibit creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans. Computers are not allowed in classrooms and "their use at home" is frowned upon. "Teaching is a human experience," says an associate professor of education at Furman University, "Technology is a distraction when we need literacy, numeracy and critical thinking." "And where advocates for stocking classrooms with technology say children need computer time to compete in the modern world, Waldorf parents counter: what's the rush, given how easy it is to pick up those skills?" http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html?_r=4&pagewanted=all

It's true that computers can give a person bad habits, I do not doubt that. But the article is not offering any numbers nor web page reference of any kind; so we cannot verify this easily. However, my point is that perhaps computers have not made anyone more antisocial, than what they would have been without computers. The articles says that "Young girls who spend the most time multitasking between various digital devices, communicating online or watching video are the least likely to develop normal social tendencies", but what is "normal social tendencies"? There will be some of these young girls without "normal social tendencies", but I doubt that the difference between these young girls, and the ones who does not multitask - is about the same amount of girls without these normal tendencies. Not all mice are gray, some are brown. Not all users of IT are antisocial, some who aren't will be antisocial as well.

Criminal hackers have found a way round the latest generation of online banking security devices given out by banks, the BBC has learned.

I agree with Jorge. There are various ways in which hackers can obtain personal information by the internet. One way by which hackers can do this is by phishing. In this article, account holders are being tricked by the offer of training in a new "upgraded security system", meaning that account holders click on the link and their money is moved out of their account without them even noticing! This is a big problem, and as this article says "Online banking fraud losses totalled £16.9 million in the first six months of 2011, according to Financial Fraud Action UK" therefore in only 6 months, millions of pounds were gone! Phishing is increasing more and more, some day we can't even click a link because we're scared it could be something similar!

Here is a website which is explaining how China is trying to combat hi-tech spyware! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16357238

Good link Edson. Lots of detail here.

"Google tests cars that drive themselves"

This is a good system since cars that drive themselves will decrease danger in the road. They're programmed and don't have the problem of "drinking and driving" like humans do. This is an advantage because it will reduce danger. Plus, it will increase time for leisure since people can be socializing with people or doing work instead of driving.

Here is a link to one of google's self driving cars. http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-24/tech/31094289_1_sergey-brin-google-car

Very interesting

I was checking my e-mail and couldn't resist not leaving a message unread

p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-PWNED

Some very useful stuff here and I would recommend you check your settings. I found that I was automatically opted into the Ad tracking!

The main aim of the ETICA research project is to identify ethical issues arising from information and communication technologies in the coming 10 to 15 years. ETICA is funded by the European Commission under the 7th framework programme. This website contains information about the current state of the project. You are invited to look at the consortium members, deliverables and other useful information. This link leads to a list of emerging technologies that have been identified as haveing a significant potential impact on humans and society.