Google used to offers most of its services for free to spread them and gain a large share and now starts to charging for them. They started with the translate API and now with Google maps. Google started changing a lot time ago and if they continue to put money first they will loose. They offered their services for free and that let millions of people to use them and contribute to make them better and now they decided to charge them for the information they gave. Without the contribution from the people it would take them a lot longer to gain the information they have. Now internet users will probably move to a free alternative such as OpenStreetMaps but there are more of them including Bing Maps and WikiMapia. Google might start charging for other APIs too in the near future but this will create a move from companies and users to start replacing Google with alternatives.
Firefox is still the king
When we have new versions of web browsers Tom’s Hardware is performing a new Web Browser Grand Prix. At the end of February (21th) the WBGP 9 took place and for another time Firefox is the winner. You can find previous grand prix victories of Firefox in Firefox is the best web browser and Firefox is still the best web browser posts. Mozilla is keeping its web browser to the top with continuous improvements in both performance and security. You can visit Tom’s Hardware website to see the details on how they compare the web browsers but believe me, they test almost anything. Tests include loading times, CSS, Java, JavaScript, HTML5, Flash performance, memory management and many more.
Chrome is not as safe as Google thinks
Google have created Pwnium, a competition for hackers able to hack Chrome (Google’s web browser) and the prices were a total of one million dollars. A Russian university student hacked a PC using Chrome and got the $60000 prize. He used an exploit to bypass Chrome’s sandbox, a security measure that it was designed to stop hackers from accessing the PC even if they were able to hack the browser. In the same time at Pwn2Own event by HP a security firm was able to hack Chrome in five minutes. Hackers gave the information on how they were able to perform the hacks because it is mandatory to get the prize. After this Google realized that its web browser is not as safe as they thought it was but they can use the information and make Chrome safer. I tried Chrome and it is a good web browser but I will stay with Firefox which is, in my opinion, the best choice.
Duqu trojan framework written in unknown language
Kaspersky was called to investigate Duqu Trojan and the researchers have found some strange things. First of all, the framework of the Trojan is written in a programming language that is unknown to the researches at the Russian security company. This means that a section of the Trojan was developed in a rare programming language or the creator(s) also created a new programming language. The majority of the code is in C++, one of the most famous programming languages today. The second strange thing about Duqu Trojan is that it has many similarities with Stuxnet worm that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. It has the same behaviour and uses similar methods to spread its self. Researches believe that the same group that created Stuxnet worm also created Duqu Trojan. To be able to create a Trojan so sophisticated needs some serious knowledge in computers, networks, programming languages and compilers.
AnonymousSabu is a snitch
Hector Xavier Monsegur, also known as @AnonymousSabu, the leader of the group #LulzSec was providing information to the FBI that led to the arrests of other LulzSec members. The arrests where a joined operation between Ireland, United Kingdom and United States of America. Sabu started providing information to the FBI after they arrested him to obviously reduce his sentence or even walk away. This is not a way that a leader should behave no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it is an army, a hacking group, a company CEO or a football team, the leader must be there for the others and not be a snitch. If someone is a weak character or is afraid of the consequences then he should not be taking part in such actions. When I learn such news it makes me sick, there are some unwritten rules that everyone must follow. #Anonymous have blocked Sabu’s twitter account and suggests that everyone do the same because the account is now handled by the FBI. Anonymous will not have the same fade as LulzSec because they are not a hacking group and they don’t have leaders. Anonymous is an idea and it is obvious that you can not arrest an idea.
Cheetah robot breaks the speed record
This robot set a new speed record for legged robots, we all know that robots on wheels are a lot faster. This robot is moving like the fast-running animals and especially cheetah. The record is now 18 miles (29 kilometers) per hour with the previous record being set on 1989 with 13.1 mph. It is running by flexing and un-flexing its back and if you have seen documentaries the first image that pops in your mind is the wild predators of the nature. The creator of this robot is Boston Dynamics of Waltham which works with US department of defence (DOD).
Cops playing Anonymous
Anonymous is open for anyone, if you want to be part of them you are free to do it. You can follow them on Twitter to see what is new in their operations or chat with them on IRC. You are free to join them but if you want to take a part on their operations then you should take your steps to hide your identity. Most Anonymous hackers are successfully encrypt their identities and they are taking steps to ensure that they don’t leave traces to lead to them. Suddenly, some people that agree with their philosophy and ideas don’t have the knowledge to ensure that they stay… Anonymous. Cops are also joining Anonymous to IRC chat rooms and they try to find the person behind the mask. For those who want to take part on Anonymous operations, at least be careful not to get caught, learn to hide your identity. If you don’t you will end up in jail, unless this is something you want.
Anonymous declared as threat to national security
National security agency (NSA) has declared Anonymous a threat to national security because they gain a lof of power. According to #NSA #Anonymous in few years could shut off power by attacking the energy grid. In my understanding they try to find a reason to declare them as national security to be able to have a better control of them. Government try to scare Anonymous but this will not happen any time soon as many of them are not American citizens. Some people don’t care if they go to jail for doing the right thing. Anonymous has announced that they will have weekly attacks, every Friday they perform an attack to a target they will decide.
Anonymous hacked Greek ministry of justice again
Anonymous hacked and defaced the Greek ministry of justice website almost a month ago. Then they targeted Greek government websites to support people-powered uprising in Athens. Police arrested three Greek schoolboys, ages 16, 17, and 18 for taking part in the attack. They found electronic traces that they claim that they belong to Anonymous and police seized their notebooks and 12 hard drives. The suspected Anonymous members are known as ’delirium’, ‘nikpa’ and ‘extasy’. Anonymous has hacked once again the website of Greek ministry of justice during the operation #OpGreece. They will continue and will probably increase their attacks if police continue arresting youngsters.
Single-atom transistor
The history of transistors is very interesting, about fifty years old and it is coming to an end. Scientists have created a single-atom controllable transistor and as they told us it can’t get any smaller.The team that created the smallest transistor ever has researchers from University of New South Wales, Purdue University and the University of Melbourne. That transistor is engineered from a single phosphorus and shows that electronic components can be engineered very very small. Some say that it is the end of Moore’s Law too because if they can successfully create processors with one atom transistors it will dramatically increase the number of transistors in a processor. This will not happened in the next few years because it is very difficult to manufacture such chips and single-atom transistor must be kept cold, in temperature of minus 196 Celsius. This technology can lead to smaller processors and this means also thinner products.