Proposal seeks to lock copyright infringing computers, force owners to contact police

The Internet-using public is no stranger to off-the-wall plans and ideas to stop the so-called blight of copyrighted content sharing, but a new proposal recently submitted to the government is perhaps unlike any before it in terms of craziness. In a report, the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property proposed many ways piracy can be combated, including infecting alleged violators’ computers with malware that can wreck havoc, including and up to destroying the user’s computer.

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In the proposal, which spans 84-pages, the Commission stated that software can be pre-installed on computers for the purpose of monitoring and identifying copyright-violating activity, which is comprised of storing, using, or copying such content. If the software detects copyright-violating activities of any of those sorts, it would cause the computer or its files to being locked.

Once the files and/or computer was locked, it would show up with a dialog that requires a password in order to unlock the system, as well as instructions telling the computer user to contact a law enforcement agency, which will have the password necessary to unlock the computer. The obvious part of this being, one will theoretically end up confessing to piracy.

The proposal states that such a method of combating piracy wouldn’t violate any laws, but would “stabilize” an infringement situation and get police involved. While that method is allegedly legal, the next one – which is arguably crazier than the first – is not: deliberately infecting computers with malware designed to do several things, including snapping a picture of the computer user with their webcam without their permission.

The malware would allow companies to gather data off a computer, change data located on the network, and destroy it if it feels such an action is necessary – all without permission, obviously. There’s also suggestions that it could be used to do other things as well, including up to destroying the user’s computer and/or network. We’ll have to wait for the official response on this, but we’re guessing it’ll be something akin to throwing the report against the wall.

SOURCE: The Next Web


Proposal seeks to lock copyright infringing computers, force owners to contact police is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Twin-beam signals send data 4x faster than conventional speeds

Many researchers over the years have worked towards increasing data speeds, something that has had breakthroughs in various ways over the years. The latest one involves a method the creators say is a simple concept, but one that – for whatever reason – was never done. By creating mirrored beams of light that cancel out noise, the researchers sent a 400GB/s signal down nearly 8,000 miles of fiber optic cables.

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According to the researchers, fast data transfers over long distances is best achieved using two beams of light rather than a single one ran down a fiber optic cable. These twin beams, as they’re called, are mirrored images of each other, something that has the added benefit of cancelling out the noise resulting from traveling down the cable. As such, data can be send across long distances.

The merging of the signals is done at the end of the cable, with the noise-cancelling effect being the result of something call phase conjugation. When light beams are sent down the fiber optic, they produce a pattern full of essentially “ups” and “downs” referred to as peaks and troughs. The way phase conjugation works is by forming an inverse of one light beam so that a peak becomes a trough and vice versa. As a result, the noise effects are cancelled out.

While conventional methods would require phase conjugation to be performed using devices located a various places along a cable length regardless of where the cable is located – even the ocean floor – the researchers’ method removes that necessity by using the twin-beams method instead, and simply merging them together so that the noise is automatically cancelled out, resulting in a perfect signal.

Such a concept has the prospect of both increasing data speeds and increasing the distances a signal can travel without suffering from the effects of signal noise. Said lead author Dr. Xiang Liu: “Nowadays everybody is consuming more and more bandwidth – demanding more and more communication. We need to solve some of the fundamental problems to sustain the capacity growth.”

SOURCE: BBC News

Image via Ozan Uzel


Twin-beam signals send data 4x faster than conventional speeds is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

US energy industry under cyberattack by Iranian hackers

Unnamed United Stated officials, both current and former, spoke with the folks at the Wall Street Journal, revealing that hackers backed by the Iranian government have ramped up cyberattacks against the US, specifically zeroing in on the control systems that manage the energy industry. Unlike the Chinese hackers who have infiltrated various US companies, the intent behind the Iranian hackers appears to be sabotage.

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The United States is no stranger to cyberattacks from Iran, which has been carrying on DDoS attacks against various bank websites for some time now. The difference with the latest attack from the nation is the potential for damage it provided, as well as showing a different area of intent behind the hackers’ motives, one that points toward wrecking havoc and causing disruption.

Reportedly, this newest attack by the hackers, according to a former US official, provided them with access to the control system for various gas and oil pipelines. Such a breach went “far enough to worry people.” That’s not all, however, with it also being reported that the hackers are using surveillance to access data, having accessed information on how to destroy or otherwise harm the systems controlling company operations.

It was suggested by one official that Iran could end up provoking a response from the United States if it does not back off its cyberattacking efforts: “This is representative of stepped-up cyber activity by the Iranian regime. The more they do this, the more our concerns grow. What they have done so far has certainly been noticed, and they should be cautious.”

Which oil, gas, and electric companies are being targeted was not specified, with the officials only saying that some of them lie along the US and Canadian border. Likewise, the proof that Iran is behind the attacks wasn’t specified either, with the officials merely saying that there is “technical evidence.” Not surprisingly, Iran denies having engaged in any such activities, but did point out that it has suffered these kind of attacks from the US.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal

Image via Energy.gov


US energy industry under cyberattack by Iranian hackers is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Google Maps brings biking navigation to six European countries

Google Maps brings biking navigation to six European countries

Summer is the prime season for European cyclists, whether they’re racing the Tour de France or just embarking on voyages of self-discovery. It’s a good thing, then, that Google Maps’ biking directions have reached six more European countries. Those in France, Ireland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Poland can now plot pedal-friendly routes using their phones and the web. Google may miss a hidden trail or two when it’s crowdsourcing the data through Map Maker, but the upgrade should still help riders avoid the inevitable crush of tourist traffic.

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Source: Google Europe Blog

Chromium browser cops reset feature to clean up malware messes

Chromium browser cops reset feature to help cleanup after malware

Mopping up after malicious software can land you in a browser quagmire full of sketchy search engines, toolbars or worse. Google’s latest version of its open-source Chromium browser now has a remedy for much of that thanks to a ‘reset profile’ setting discovered by code tinkerer François Beaufort. You can revert the defaults for search, homepage, content settings and cookies all in one go, while also disabling extensions. Since Chromium features often pop up later in Chrome, that means your life may soon be easier after your, ahem, friend has a brush with the dark side of the internet.

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Via: TNW

Source: François Beaufort (Google+)

Microsoft gives students 3GB additional Skydrive storage for one year

Microsoft gives students 3GB additional Skydrive storage for one year

There are plenty of cloud storage options out there which offer some initial amount of free space — including Dropbox (2GB), Google Drive (5GB), Box (5GB) and Microsoft Skydrive (7GB). While these services usually provide additional free storage via referrals and special deals (bundled with device purchases for example), Microsoft is doing something different with Skydrive by gifting students an extra 3GB of free space for one year. If you have a valid .edu email address you can visit the URL below to receive a free storage code. The offer is limited to one per person and the code must be redeemed before December 31st 2013. It’s unclear what happens to your data after the year’s over but it presumably remains available in read-only form. Considering the price of tuition, this deal isn’t quite as juicy as getting 100GB of free space for two years on Google Drive with the purchase of a Chromebook — still it’s a no brainer.

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Via: Via

Source: Microsoft

Google’s ‘last step’ in Buzz shutdown: moving all data to Google Drive

Google’s social networking effort Buzz shut its doors last year but has popped up yet again, for what may be the last time. In an email that just went out to former users, Google noted it’s packaging Buzz data into two files which will be stored on their Drive accounts. One is private, which will hold all of their posts both public and private, and another is public, which will contain a copy of any of their public Buzz posts, accessible to anyone who has a direct link (old Buzz links will redirect here.) One important note, is that your comments on others posts will be saved to their Drive files, and you won’t be able to delete them once the shift happens “on or after July 17th.” Need to do a total wipe / some selective editing? Check the link below to see your profile or the text of the message for a more thorough explanation after the break.

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Source: Buzz Profile

Google plan to launch WiFi networks in emerging markets will connect millions

Google has been throwing a lot of effort and money into its Google Fiber gigabit Internet plans, having announced several cities in the past couple months that are slated to get the service. That won’t be the extent of its dabbling in the territory of Internet provider services, however, if sources who spoke to the Wall Street Journal are correct. Reportedly, Google plans to bring wireless Internet to a billion or so new users in emerging markets.

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The sources are said to be individuals familiar with the matter, with the unnamed people saying that Google will both fund and partially run wireless Internet networks in emerging markets. Some of the places specified include locations in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, giving connectivity to individuals who can’t access the Internet primarily only available in the large cities.

The plans reportedly also extend beyond that, with larger cities that already have Internet service potentially getting a Google-funded speed boost, although that was specified in such a way that it seems more of a possibility rather than a certainty. Although Google declined commenting on the matter, the sources say the company is “deep” in the program already.

The networks will be a multi-source effort, with word having it that Google’s mission involves partnerships with local telecom companies and providers in the markets for network development. The Internet giant will also develop and provide business models for each network it puts in place, helping ensure they remain viable and run smoothly. According to the WSJ, it is not known whether any partnerships or deals have already been formed.

The information didn’t stop there, however. It is also said Google is now in talks with regulators in South Africa and other locations, seeking to have current regulations altered to facilitate the construct of these networks. One such change being sought is permission to use TV broadcast airwaves in some of the planned locations for the network.

The Internet giant has toyed with the idea of helping develop satellite Internet networks, but such is only a notion at the moment. As part of the network efforts, Google has reportedly been developing cheap, low-energy smartphones running Android for the WiFi networks. In addition, blimps or similar balloon-like structures called high-altitude platforms are in development, and will be used for signal transmission over long distances in remote areas.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal


Google plan to launch WiFi networks in emerging markets will connect millions is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Next Browser for Android mashes up its rivals’ greatest hits (video)

Next Browser for Android mashes up its rivals' greatest hits video

When few (if any) web browsers do everything well, many of us have more than one client just to cover all the bases. The GO Launcher Dev Team’s just-launched Next Browser for Android tries to solve this in the simplest way possible: it cherry picks features from established rivals. Sharing extensions from Dolphin? Check. Chrome’s frequently visited pages? Check. Speed Dial from Opera? Check. There’s even a Flipboard-style RSS reader. As there’s also bookmark syncing and voice search, Next Browser is theoretically the only client that Android users could want. How well that pastiche works is another matter, but those who’ve been pining for an all-encompassing browser can give the new app a try at the source link.

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Via: Android Police

Source: Google Play, Next Browser

Report: Yahoo becomes the latest company to place a bid on Hulu

Report Yahoo becomes the latest company to place a bid on Hulu

The rumors on the potential sale of Hulu started circulating again a couple of months back. Now, according to AllThingsD, Yahoo is joining other big-name companies (such as Time Warner Cable and DirecTV) in the race to try and acquire the streaming service. Per the always-insightful sources “familiar with the process,” Marissa Mayer & Co. submitted a bid for Hulu just this morning, though there are no details on how much the company is willing to spend on the video site. Something tells us we’ll know more soon enough, but we can say with confidence that Yahoo is starting its holiday shopping really early.

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Source: AllThingsD