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Hackers expose defence and intelligence officials in US and UK - 4 views

www.guardian.co.uk/...defence-intelligence-officials 3.4_internet 1.2_security 1.3_privacy_anonymity 2.6_military 3.7_databases
shared by El Mexicano Pastiche on 10 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • benjon hamal on 10 Jan 12
     
    This article presents intellectual property theft of civil servants. The article raises many ethical issues such as of privacy, anonymity, security etc. The hackers have accessed private information of government officials, (some of them who work in sensitive areas) their details and emails. Some officials fear that their e-mails can be quickly cracked using off the self software. Some companies client's credit card numbers and addresses were also hacked. The hackers, who are an anonymous groups have clearly violated the privacy rights of individuals. Exposing civil servants data can turn out to be of serious problem for the government. New methods should be developed to secure these confidential data.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Mr Brooke on 11 Jan 12
     
    Good overview of the issues there Benjon. Intellectual property is not the issue here however so be careful using terminology correctly. You have stated one of the problems can anyone be more specific about that problem and provide a solution?
  • Jorge F1 on 11 Jan 12
     
    The article depicts how the personal information of various government organisations have been illegally accessed, furthermore these details have been posted on a vast amount of websites and details such as email passwords etc can be easily cracked using off the shelf software. This means that anyone who has seen the exposed data can easily gain further access to credit card details etc. Furthermore, this puts lives at risk for MI6 agents especially as their cover is supposed to maintain secret, if that sort of information gets into the wrong hands the cover of many agents will be blown and their lives will be at risk.
  • Fiche Galinha on 11 Jan 12
     
    There are various different ways in which security could be improved to prevent a similar incident from happening. It is mentioned in the article, and by Benjon that simple of the shelf software would be capable of decrypting the passwrords stored on the Stratfor database. This in my opinion is quite shocking as Stratfor offers its service to government officials all around the world, most likely for a monetary fee, and seem to not care whether or not the information they are MEANT to secure is infact secure. This issues could be easily solved by improving their encryption technology to or close to military grade encryption. It is most likely that the company's reputation has been severely damaged and rightly so.
  • Mr Brooke on 11 Jan 12
     
    Nice link here explaining basics of military encryption: http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/Advanced-Encryption-Standard Also I follow this guy's blog and he always has some interesting stories on security and has done a lot of work in the world of cryptography: http://www.schneier.com/
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DNA link led to sex attack arrest - 4 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...uk-england-essex-15923444 1.2_security 2.6_law_control 3.7_databases
shared by Jorge F1 on 05 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • Jorge F1 on 05 Jan 12
     
    The national DNA database proved "uniquely crucial" in an investigation that led to the conviction of a sex attacker in Essex. But police fear the service that helped to link Lawrence Button to the sexual assault of a former University of Essex student, in 2009, may be scaled back.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • The Zhan on 06 Jan 12
     
    This article compromises the privacy of British citizens, as well as the reliability and integrity of the DNA database. I will focus my comment on the latter. It was a matter of fortune that Button's DNA had been collected due to his arrest for a domestic assault in May 2010. This is because according to the Protection of Freedoms Bill, biometric material can only be retained if the holder consents it formally. This consent "can be withdrawn at any time". There are also strict regulations on the amount of time that a DNA profile can be retained by authorities according to the new Bill. In addition to that, what way is there to ensure the 62 million(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom) British citizens have their DNA profile taken and input in the database? This compromises the integrity and completeness of the DNA database. According to the article itself, "The national database is believed to hold over five million DNA profiles". The new Bill also "requires schools to get parents' consent before processing children's biometric information" (http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/protectionoffreedoms.html) The full official bill on the regulation of biometric data can be found at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2010-2012/0099/lbill_2010-20120099_en_2.htm#pt1-ch1-pb1-l1g1 Hence the sweeping statement "The odds, we were told, were over a billion to one, so we were quite confident we'd got the right man", is certainly misleading, because the database is likely not to include a fraction of the British population. The most disturbing thing is that the responsible chief Richard McNamara states "it was the DNA alone that convicted the man, because we never had any other evidence". Is it really ethical to convict a criminal solely based on a potentially incomplete database? A solution to this problem would be to enforce surveillance systems and active police monitoring in order to obtain more plausible evidence.
  • The Zhan on 06 Jan 12
     
    This article regards the compromising of the privacy of British citizens, as well as the reliability and integrity of the DNA database. I will focus my comment on the latter.
  • Mr Brooke on 06 Jan 12
     
    "The Zhan" you raise some interesting points on the privacy issues of DNA databases. However I think you may have misunderstood the reliability issue of the DNA test. When two DNA samples are found to be the same then it is 99.99% certain that it is in fact the DNA of the suspect and is a very reliable indicator that it was that person. There are forensic issues involved in the collection and contamination of DNA samples from a crime scene but that is another issue. The main social and ethical issue here that you have rightly pointed out is the collection and storage of DNA from people. This article outlines some of these issues from 2008: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7177152.stm Here the issue of innocent peoples data being stored has come because ....."following a change in the law in 2001, all DNA collected by forensics - for whatever purpose - can be stored permanently. " It was promised in the recent election in the UK to destroy old data but it appears to be one of the many U turns that the current government has made: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/8659968/A-Bill-to-curtail-our-liberty.html
  • The Zhan on 06 Jan 12
     
    I agree with your first point to some extent, but I think that implying that it DNA profiling is 99.99% accurate is when in fact it is 99.9999999999% accurate (one to a trillion sir, get it right), is not acceptable - according to this http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/henryporter/2009/may/25/dna-database-false-positive I think that retaining DNA samples in databases and profiling an individual in a pervasively detailed manner could lead to extremes such as that of convicting criminals for pre-crimes, as portrayed in the film Minority Report. That would heavily compromise a citizen's privacy. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7tBjrA8Mj0/TWPfWNY9-0I/AAAAAAAAADg/QTXlFpTtNvM/s1600/MINORITY+REPORT.jpg "The US government has come up with a Big Brother-esque machine that senses if an individual intends to do harm". The system, "Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST), determines if a person intends to do harm by using a mal-intent algorithm that uses data from sensors that monitor a person's physiological and behavioral changes." http://news.techworld.com/security/3309928/tom-cruise-pre-crime-minority-report-machine-brought-to-life/
  • Mr Brooke on 06 Jan 12
     
    Good find Zhan! Would be interesting to see what the bods in the maths department have to say about "adventitious matches" and statistical probability. Maybe any of you who do HL maths can follow it up and add to this? Nice to see a reference to some classic sci-fi as well. This is a favourite read of mine. Also one of my all time top ten films! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_Androids_Dream_of_Electric_Sheep%3F http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/
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BBC News - Chemicals and defence firms targeted by hacking attack - 2 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...technology-15529930 3.4_internet 1.3_privacy_anonymity
shared by benjon hamal on 06 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • benjon hamal on 06 Jan 12
     
    This article presents intellectual property theft of various companies that work for governments. the article raises many ethical issues.
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Shopping by phone at South Korea's virtual grocery - 0 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...business-15341910 1.6_digital_div_equ_access; 1.11_people_machines; 2.1_online_bus
shared by The Zhan on 06 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • When I explain it's a virtual supermarket that you access with your smartphone, he doesn't seem impressed. He says he doesn't have a smartphone, so it's not for him. But he says, it's a good idea for younger Koreans.
  • She has more than 500 of the company's most popular grocery products to choose from.
  • Kim holds her phone over the black-and-white QR - the Quick Response code - just under the picture of the coffee. There's a beep, and the picture of the coffee appears on her phone screen. She selects what bag size she wants, then the app asks her to enter when and where she'd like the product delivered.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • After trying out the virtual store, Kim Yoona agrees that for her, it does not yet replace a physical supermarket.
  • The Zhan on 06 Jan 12
     
    "Koreans are really interested in converging and cramming many different functions into a single gadget, and mixing technologies, in order to find novel ways to complete ordinary tasks,"  "Our customers are really busy and many don't have the time to go to the supermarket to do their shopping (...) so our virtual store allows them to save time." Will the virtual store and smartphone app replace the traditional concept of shopping?
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Chinese Hackers Blamed for Huge South Korean Database Theft - CSO Online - Security and... - 2 views

www.csoonline.com/...ge-south-korean-database-theft 1.2_security 3.7_databases 2.5_social_networking
shared by joey <3 on 05 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • the main worry is that the data theft will fuel a rise in spamming, phishing and social engineering attacks.
  • joey <3 on 05 Jan 12
     
    "Hackers have stolen the personal data of 35 million users of the South Korean social network Cyworld and search engine Nate, the company that runs them SK Communications has admitted."
  • Isy :) on 06 Jan 12
     
    This article talks about the theft of personal details such as email addresses, phone numbers and passwords, despite having been encrypted. This article brings up the ethical issues of privacy, reliability and security, showing that even though precautions such as encryption were taken to avoid such incidents, private and confidential information was still hacked. It questions the reliability and the security of online systems which store private data in databases, and will no doubt discourage people from using or providing personal information to such websites. Though the incident can be overcome by asking users to "reset those credentials", the theft presents the possibility of increased amounts of spamming and phishing, therefore actions should be taken to inform and protect users from becoming victims of such scams. The following website gives suggestions on how to protect yourself against phishing: http://www.focus.com/fyi/44-ways-protect-phishing/
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BBC News - Adidas websites go offline after hacking cyber-attack - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...technology-15614590 3.4_internet 1.3_privacy_anonymity
shared by Tranny Franny on 06 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • The Zhan on 06 Jan 12
     
    This article refers to the security of the network of various high-profile companies (Adidas, Sony), and the privacy of the consumers. To solve the issue of security, companies should tighten up their security for example, by incorporatibg Secure Sockets Layer protection (SSL) and https network protection. In the past, "sophisticated" has referred to Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks. Defending against APTs was one of the tasks involved in a recent EU-US joint test of cyber attack readiness. http://www.itpro.co.uk/637204/cyber-attack-drives-adidas-websites-offline The companies should also be more cautious of their surroundings by monitorning IP traffic and access to the website. Losing personal and/or sensitive data and having it in the wrong hands could cause serious consequences. (http://www.filetransferplanet.com/cyber-attack-forces-adidas-offline/) This personal information could then be passed on to third party companies who can take advantage of information like address and phone numbers to conduct surveys or distribute advertisements. This would cause widespread discotent due to the invasion of the consumers' privacy.
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SOPA: Google, Facebook and Twitter May Go Offline in Protest | Techland | TIME.com - 3 views

techland.time.com/...witter-went-offline-in-protest 3.4_internet 1.3_privacy_anonymity 1.9_policies 2.6_pol_gov
shared by Fiche Galinha on 05 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • SOPA: What if Google, Facebook and Twitter Went Offline in Protest?
  • Fiche Galinha on 05 Jan 12
     
    If the proposed blackout were to occur, a greater awareness and understanding could be achieved. This would likely garner more support against SOPA, as websites like Facebook, Google and Twitter are used by millions of people worldwide, most of these people being casual internet users who have no idea what SOPA really is, meaning some would attempt to educate themselves on the subject and try to do something about it. The potential increase in support could lead to more people demanding big companies to 'drop' their support by threatning to boycott said comapnies products/services. As mentioned in an article bookmarked by Tranny Franny (http://www.slashgear.com/sony-and-nintendo-drop-sopa-support-amid-anonymous-threats-03205579), Sony and Nintendo appear to have dropped their suppor after being threatned by Anonymous. Although what Anonymous threatned to do was wrong, it certainly go the point across to both companies meaning a boycott from customers worldwide could change other companies minds on whether or not to support SOPA
  • Tranny Franny on 06 Jan 12
     
    Although that seems like a good way to reach a wider audience in order for them to understand the severity of how SOPA would affect the internet, it could be seen as quite unethical. These casual internet users could only use websites such as Facebook to get an quick update, so these could be people who would be indifferent after knowing the affect of SOPA. Why should these people be prevented to access a website they use simply because the website feels the need to make a statement. And in terms of big companies dropping their support, is it really correct for them to drop their support? why did they support it in the first place? If they believe that this act should be made official is it correct for them to "drop" their support simply because too many people are going against it? So they would be "changing sides" out of fear, rather than due to their opinion, which in a way goes agaisnt the point of voting or supporting somethis such as SOPA
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Zuckerberg Facebook photos hacked - 2 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...technology-16067383 1.2_security 2.5_social_networking 3.4_internet
shared by Jorge F1 on 23 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Jorge F1 on 23 Dec 11
     
    A series of private pictures of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg have been posted online by "hackers" to highlight a bug in the social network. In total 14 pictures of Mr Zuckerberg were posted to image site Imgur under the headline: "It's time to fix those security flaws Facebook".
  • Fiche Galinha on 05 Jan 12
     
    Although some people have no problem whatsoever with flaunting themselves on facebook, effectively giving up on their right to privacy, some people do appreciate their privacy something that lately seems to be inexistent for facebook users. As mentioned in the following article: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/facebook-having-devoured-your-privacy-wants-more, facebook are slowly implementing a new feature that will suggest events your friends are attending even if you were not invited. This latest facebook bug goes to show how easy it is for someone to lose their privacy on the internet as even facebook founder and creator Mark Zuckerburg is susceptible. Hopefully this "small" incident will increase facebook's concern for protecting their users' privacy and increase its security after complaints that privacy settings are not functioning properly and various users being victims of phising attacks.
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Apple's Siri curses out 12-year-old - 2 views

news.cnet.com/...es-siri-curses-out-12-year-old 1.11_people_machines 3.2_software
shared by Ines Simon on 04 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • Ines Simon on 04 Jan 12
     
    Someone reportedly tampers with a demo iPhone 4S so that when a 12-year-old boy picks it up and asks Siri a question, she is not amused or amusing. She tells him to 'Shut the f*** up.' Read this blog post by Chris Matyszczyk on Technically Incorrect.
  • The Zhan on 05 Jan 12
     
    The main social and ethical issues are integrity of the system, security, and people and machines. Although I do not own an iPhone 4S, I would imagine it the product had been hacked and its set-up instructions had been reprogrammed by a user who is extremely knowledgeable on issues such as encryption and programming know-how. Perhaps because the iPhone referred to in the news story was a "demonstration" version, I suppose its encryption levels are not as powerful as the real product (Apple would have to invest less money in manufacturing). However, there is a much simpler explanation, according to "MacTrast" (http://www.mactrast.com/2011/12/siri-tells-twelve-year-old-to-shut-the-fck-up-after-pranksters-tamper-with-display-iphone/): Simply changing the name in the contact card by verbalising it (asking Siri "Call me (insert ridiculous statement here)") allows the user to tamper with the phrase voiced by Siri, without having to deal with complicated encryption or validation processes. This means the system itself is integral and works correctly, but the given primary contact's nickname is has been inappropriately altered. To solve this problem, the company should enforce the security of its demo versions of the Siri for iPhone 4S by impossibilitating a deliberate change of contact names and redistribute them across retailers.
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Hackers hit US security company - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...world-us-canada-16330396 1.2_security 2.6_politcal_processes 3.7_databases
shared by Jorge F1 on 26 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Jorge F1 on 26 Dec 11
     
    The activist hacker group Anonymous says it has stolen thousands of emails, passwords and credit card details from a US-based security think-tank. The hackers claim they were able to obtain the information because the company, Stratfor, did not encrypt it. They say Stratfor's clients include the US defence department, law enforcement agencies and media organisations.
  • Ines Simon on 28 Dec 11
     
    At least it was for a good cause, instead of keeping the money they gave it to charities.
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Lines Are Drawn on Legislation Against Internet Piracy - NYTimes.com - 2 views

www.nytimes.com/...n-against-internet-piracy.html 1.5_authenticity 1.9_policies 1.12_digital_citizenship 3.4_internet
shared by Morten Nielsen on 15 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • “It’s really robbery — it’s theft —
  • Those goods include not just movies shot surreptitiously in a theater with a jiggly hand-held video camera, the companies argue, but dangerously flawed pharmaceuticals, faulty brake pads and defective smoke alarms, to name a few categories of illegally copied goods.
  • “Unfortunately,” Mr. Erickson said, “the&nbsp;amendment also creates new problems in other places and fails to correct some of the original concerns we have raised since the start of the debate.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • “That’s because they’ve made large profits by promoting rogue sites to U.S. consumers,” Mr. Smith said in a statement.
  • Now, however, two bills, broadly supported on both sides of the political aisle, aim to cut off the oxygen for foreign pirate sites by taking aim at American search engines like Google and Yahoo, payment processors like PayPal and ad servers that allow the pirates to function.
  • at least 15 lobbying firms to fight the bills
  • Naturally the howls of protest have been loud and lavishly financed, not only from Silicon Valley companies but also from public-interest groups, free-speech advocates and even venture capital investors
  • while setting a bad example of American censorship.
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BBC News - Can turning off analogue TV make broadband better? - 0 views

news.bbc.co.uk/...9658117.stm 3.4_internet
shared by Mr Brooke on 12 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Mr Brooke on 12 Dec 11
     
    "n turning off analogue"
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