Whistleblowers say software that the FBI uses to analyze fingerprints contains code from a Kremlin-connected firm. Supposedly, the code made it’s way into the software because a French company obtained it for their own sofware and then hid this fact from the FBI. Whether or not this is going to somehow make the FBI version vulnerable to hacking isn’t known. However, this needs to be fully investigated and a determination made as to the security status of the software. It wouldn’t be a good thing for hackers to get all of the biometric data that’s sitting on FBI systems.
Cybersecurity experts said the danger of using the Russian-made code couldn’t be assessed without examining the code itself. But “the fact that there were connections to the FSB would make me nervous to use this software,” said Tim Evans, who worked as director of operational policy for the National Security Agency’s elite cyberintelligence unit known as Tailored Access Operations and now helps run the cybersecurity firm Adlumin.
Discussion
Source: [H]ardOCP – FBI Fingerprint-Analysis Software may be Compromised by Russian Code
Monthly Archives: December 2017
Traveling Light, Part 2: Yes, You Can Fit a Full Face Into Minimal Space
This is my toiletry case. It doesn’t have a name, though it probably should, since we’ve traveled the world together for years. For now, let’s call her Clare—probably Clare the 8th, at this point. But she’s always a simple, clear bucket case measuring approximately 4"x 5"x 8", with a double-zip top, maximizing both…
Source: LifeHacker – Traveling Light, Part 2: Yes, You Can Fit a Full Face Into Minimal Space
Best Explainers of 2017
You can’t improve your life if you don’t understand it. Here are the best of our explainers from 2017 to help you make sense of the news and all the weird little things that happen in your life.
Source: LifeHacker – Best Explainers of 2017
Create Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts to Do Anything on Windows and macOS
Keyboard shortcuts are your not-so-secret weapon in the quest to maximize your productivity and blitz through applications and webpages at top speed. With keyboard shortcuts you can instantly drop your favorite GIF into any chat or email, or search Wikipedia without first opening a browser. You can launch apps or…
Source: Gizmodo – Create Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts to Do Anything on Windows and macOS
Green tech will be everywhere in 2018
In 2017, clean power gathered unprecedented momentum. Multiple automakers launched entire families of EVs, including the most exciting one yet, Tesla’s Model 3. The company also started pre-orders for the Solar Roof, a type of home photovoltaic panel…
Source: Engadget – Green tech will be everywhere in 2018
How to Speed Up Your Old PC
Christmas is over, and it’s time to start buying for yourself again. Consider treating yourself with a gift that’ll keep giving for years to come: upgraded computer components. These are minor upgrades you can install yourself (no repair shop required) and will save you so much time over when writing, shopping, or…
Source: LifeHacker – How to Speed Up Your Old PC
These experts figured out why so many bogus patents get approved
Enlarge / The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. (credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
If you’ve read our coverage of the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s “Stupid Patent of the Month” series, you know America has a patent quality problem. People apply for patents on ideas that are obvious, vague, or were invented years earlier. Too often, applications get approved and low-quality patents fall into the hands of patent trolls, creating headaches for real innovators.
Why don’t more low-quality patents get rejected? A recent paper published by the Brookings Institution offers fascinating insights into this question. Written by legal scholars Michael Frakes and Melissa Wasserman, the paper identifies three ways the patent process encourages approval of low-quality patents:
- The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is funded by fees—and the agency gets more fees if it approves an application.
- Unlimited opportunities to refile rejected applications means sometimes granting a patent is the only way to get rid of a persistent applicant.
- Patent examiners are given less time to review patent applications as they gain seniority, leading to less thorough reviews.
None of these ideas is entirely new. For example, we’ve covered the problems created by unlimited re-applications in the past. But what sets Frakes and Wasserman’s work apart is that they have convincing empirical evidence for all three theories.
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Source: Ars Technica – These experts figured out why so many bogus patents get approved
Simple Payload Loader for Exploited Ps4 4.05
Hello World!
Simple Payload Loader for Exploited Ps4 4.05
This is simple way to send payloads to the ps4 on port :9020, simply put any payload in the folder and rename it to simplepayload, set the ps4 ip in the ip text and execute….
Simple Payload Loader for Exploited Ps4 4.05
Source: PS4 News – Simple Payload Loader for Exploited Ps4 4.05
A Gigantic Hot Wheels Track That Starts From a Second-Story Window Is Basically My Childhood Fantasy
As a kid, I remember building elaborate Hot Wheels tracks with ramps that went as high as the ceiling in our living room. But the folks behind the YouTube channel 5MadMovieMakers have one-upped eight-year-old me by starting their gigantic Hot Wheels track from a second-story window.
Source: Gizmodo – A Gigantic Hot Wheels Track That Starts From a Second-Story Window Is Basically My Childhood Fantasy
Deadspin James Harrison Is A New England Patriot | The Muse A Few Dreadful Fashion Trends From 2007
Deadspin James Harrison Is A New England Patriot | The Muse A Few Dreadful Fashion Trends From 2007 That Are Already Back | Earther New York Just Sued Trump’s EPA Again | Splinter The Most Powerful Members of the Trump Administration Are Keeping Their Schedules Secret | The Root Arizona Man Posted Video Singing Carols…
Source: LifeHacker – Deadspin James Harrison Is A New England Patriot | The Muse A Few Dreadful Fashion Trends From 2007
Obama Warns Against Irresponsible Social Media Use
In his first interview since leaving the White House in January, former President Barack Obama spoke about the dangers of irresponsible use of social media. From a report on BBC: He warned that such actions were distorting people’s understanding of complex issues, and spreading misinformation. “All of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can recreate a common space on the internet,” he said. The former president expressed concern about a future where facts are discarded and people only read and listen to things that reinforce their own views. “One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities. They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases. The question has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn’t lead to a Balkanisation of society and allows ways of finding common ground,” he said.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – Obama Warns Against Irresponsible Social Media Use
Wednesday's Best Deals: Sonos Speaker, UPS Backup Battery, Dash Egg Cooker, and More
A Sonos speaker, a UPS backup battery, the best-selling Dash egg cooker, and more are all part of today’s best deals.
Source: LifeHacker – Wednesday’s Best Deals: Sonos Speaker, UPS Backup Battery, Dash Egg Cooker, and More
Hyundai and Kia will offer AI assistants in 2019 cars
Hyundai and Kia both have reputations as early adopters of in-car tech, and that’s truer than ever now that voice assistants are becoming a practical reality on the road. The Korean automakers have revealed that they plan to include AI assistants in…
Source: Engadget – Hyundai and Kia will offer AI assistants in 2019 cars
The Best New Year's Game Is the One Where You Make Resolutions for Other People
About ten years ago, I went to a New Year’s Day brunch party. Frankly, I hadn’t really wanted to go. That particular time in my life was a low point; I’d just gone through a breakup and was feeling unusually forlorn, and I wanted to wallow at home. But the hostess was a good friend and she had invited other…
Source: LifeHacker – The Best New Year’s Game Is the One Where You Make Resolutions for Other People
What’s up with WhatsApp on Blackberry and Windows Phone?
(credit: Andrew Cunningham)
Superfans and holdouts using some older smartphone operating systems will have to bid adieu to WhatsApp messenger soon—or at least the most updated versions of the app. According to an FAQ page, the Facebook-owned messaging app won’t support Blackberry OS, Blackberry 10, or Windows Phone 8.0 and older after December 31, 2017. That means that on the first day of 2018, users will no longer be able to create new accounts or re-verify existing accounts on those operating systems.
WhatsApp will still work on those systems, but it’s unclear how long the app will be fully functional.The FAQ page does warn users that some WhatsApp features may stop working on these unsupported platforms because the company is no longer actively developing for those OSes.
To avoid issues, WhatsApp recommends users of those platforms either update to a newer OS version or use WhatsApp on a device running Android 4.0 or newer, Windows Phone 8.1 or newer, or an iPhone running iOS 7 or newer.
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Source: Ars Technica – What’s up with WhatsApp on Blackberry and Windows Phone?
Microsoft Surface Pro With LTE Now Available To Purchase Online
Microsoft’s Surface Pro with LTE officially launched on December 1st, but since that time has only been available for business customers — regular consumers were left out of the loop. Today, however, Microsoft has opened up sales of the cellular-equipped tablet to all customers and not just a select few.
You can now head on over to the Microsoft
Source: Hot Hardware – Microsoft Surface Pro With LTE Now Available To Purchase Online
Best-Selling Product on Amazon This Holiday Season: Echo Dot
The Echo Dot was the best-selling ITEM on Amazon this holiday season. I wouldn’t have doubted that the Dot was going to be the best-selling Alexa enabled device, but it blows my mind that it outsold every product on Amazon. I have a couple of them and enjoy them for playing music, however, I don’t have them all around my house. How many of you [H] folks took the plunge for a Dot this season? Check out this PR from Amazon regarding sales.
Along with the Echo Dot, the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote was another top-selling Amazon device and one of the best-selling products across all of Amazon. This holiday season, customers bought more than twice as many Amazon Fire TV Sticks than they did during last year’s holiday season. Compared to last year’s holiday season, Amazon sold “millions more” Amazon devices during this year’s holiday season.
Discussion
Source: [H]ardOCP – Best-Selling Product on Amazon This Holiday Season: Echo Dot
Is the Next Alien Movie in Trouble?
Is Laura Dern returning to Jurassic Park? Will Polaris finally state “Magneto was right!” in the series finale of The Gifted? What dark magic hath Paddington wrought in his movie sequel? Plus, images from Black Panther, an official title for Tremors 6 and more! That’s the signpost up ahead—your next stop, Morning…
Source: Gizmodo – Is the Next Alien Movie in Trouble?
PSA: Spotify Appears to Have Been Hacked
Over at Reddit there has been message posted that Spotify account emails and passwords have been posted online. I know all of us here would never use the same password for multiple accounts, but if you accidently did and have a Spotify account you might want to go change it on other sites. You can go here to see if you have a user name of email account that has been compromised on a website.
It was posted about an hour ago and I got an email from haveibeenpwned. You can type your spotify email on that site to see if your email and password showed up in that paste, or possibly others. Sure enough my own email and password show up there and now I have to change a ton of passwords on other sites and I’m very angry about it.
Discussion
Source: [H]ardOCP – PSA: Spotify Appears to Have Been Hacked
Nerdy films in 2017: Ars picks the year’s best and most beautiful
Need a good, nerdy movie marathon for year’s end? 2017 concluded with a surprisingly robust selection of enjoyable flicks in the Ars pantheon, which we consider a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, documentaries, genre pieces, and tech-specific fare. This year’s quality really only became apparent once I found myself enjoying putting this year-end list together. (Sometimes, these best-of pieces can be slogs. Not for 2017’s films.)
The following picks are not numbered or ranked, but the recommendations get better and better from bottom to top.
Starting with the cheese: xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Paramount
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Source: Ars Technica – Nerdy films in 2017: Ars picks the year’s best and most beautiful