US Marines Banned From Social Media Sites

Aug 8, 2009 | 0 |

The US Marines issued an order Monday that bans social media sites including Twitter, Facebook and MySpace on its network. The sites increase the risk of sensitive information leaking out to adversaries, the order explains. The ban, which will last a year, essentially rules out use of all public social networks by Marines, unless a mission-critical need exists. The fully-capitalized document reads, in part: THESE INTERNET SITES IN GENERAL ARE A PROVEN HAVEN FOR MALICIOUS ACTORS AND CONTENT AND ARE PARTICULARLY HIGH RISK DUE TO INFORMATION EXPOSURE, USER GENERATED CONTENT AND TARGETING BY ADVERSARIES. THE VERY NATURE OF SNS CREATES A LARGER ATTACK AND EXPLOITATION WINDOW, EXPOSES UNNECESSARY INFORMATION TO ADVERSARIES AND PROVIDES AN EASY CONDUIT FOR INFORMATION LEAKAGE THAT PUTS OPSEC, COMSEC, PERSONNEL AND THE MCEN AT AN ELEVATED RISK OF COMPROMISE. EXAMPLES OF INTERNET SNS SITES INCLUDE FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, AND TWITTER. That’s not to say that the Department of Defence is turning its back on social media, however: a new DOD site with social media integration is expected to launch this month, writes Wired. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps Facebook page has more than 75,000...

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Google CEO Schmidt leaves Apple board

Aug 8, 2009 | 0 |

Apple Inc. said Monday the chief executive of Google Inc. would step down from its board due to intensifying competition between the Silicon Valley titans, but many analysts believe government scrutiny of the companies’ otherwise cozy relationship had as much to do with the decision. The Federal Trade Commission has spent months investigating whether the seats held by Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Genentech Inc. Chairman Arthur Levinson on the boards of both Apple and Google violate antitrust law. Schmidt’s resignation, and the emphasis on a growing rivalry, may be designed to pre-empt a drawn-out examination, observers say. That’s particularly important for the Mountain View search leader, as multipronged regulatory probes increasingly threaten to tarnish its “Don’t Be Evil” aura. “Google is interested in making sure that any scrutiny it may be getting from the regulator’s perspective is as diminished as possible,” said Charles Golvin, principal analyst with Forrester Research. I’m sure there are additional reasons for the resignation as well.  With Google competing more and more with Apple and it’s services (Computers, Cell Phones) it was inevitable this would happen soon.  How do you feel about Google’s CEO being on the Apple board prior to this resignation?  Let me know by leaving me a comment...

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Twitter and Facebook Hacked Today

Aug 6, 2009 | 1 |

Twitter reported on its blog that they were attacked by an unknown group of hackers forcing the site to be locked down for several hours. Cnet reported that Twitter began having issues around 6 A.M PDT. By 6:43 A.M PDT Twitter posted this on their blog: We are determining the cause and will provide an update shortly. What is a Denial of Service Attack? A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is a means where hackers commandeer computers and flood the targeted Web site with communication requests, forcing it shut down and reset. While a DoS attack is underway, the Web site either becomes unavailable to legitimate users or responds so slowly that the Web site times out and becomes unusable. Symantec Symantec blogger Marian Merritt further explains: It’s often the case that DDoS attacks come from computers infected with bots, turning them into zombie computers doing their cybercriminal’s bidding. In other words especially if you have a Windows-based OS, make sure you have updated anti-malware software and download all Microsoft patches. At around 7:50 A.M PDT, Twitter updated users on the it’s status: …(Twitter is) defending against a denial-of-service attack and will update status again shortly. At about 9:47 AM PDT, Users were informed when trying to log in: As we recover, users will experience some longer load times and slowness. This includes timeouts to API clients. We’re working to get...

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Rumors: Apple iTablet on the Horizon

Aug 6, 2009 | 1 |

There have been several indicators leading to the surmise that Apple will release a tablet within the next few months. We all waited with baited breath this spring hoping that with the announcement of the iPhone 3Gs release there would be an iTablet release as well. The latest in these indications comes with the new iPhone OS 3.1 update’s USB Device Configuration XML property list showing two new unidentified Apple products. http://gizmodo.com/5330122/new-iphone-os-31-has-clear-traces-of-new-apple-iproducts. Read more of the details at Gizmodo and 9 to 5 Mac who report that an “unknown” Barron’s analyst has come up with the scoop, posturing that a November release should come with an announcement by September. http://www.9to5mac.com/apple-tablet-september-barrons...

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Ipod Touch Will Soon have a Microphone and Camera…Making it an Iphone…

Aug 3, 2009 | 0 |

So rumor is in the Apple Community that the new release of the iPod Touch will have a microphone and camera. A well connected source, from Wired, said this is indeed correct, and a plant in China is currently building new model iPod’s as I write this article. With these two new peripherals, who exactly would need a home phone anymore? If one were to say, download the Skype or Google Voice App, then, supposedly use it on this iPod, the need for a home phone service would be completely unnecessary ideal. But of course, no one would ever do that would they? Regardless of whether or not you’re trying to find ways to sneak out of your phone bill, this move by Apple is still momentous, because it creates a communications device wherever Wi-Fi is available, which is everywhere. Voice activated and Camera operating App’s will also be available with the release of the new iPod, unveiling a wider range of uses and functions. If I were you, be excited, soon you can talk on your iPod. (Also, with use of Verizon Mi-Fi, you could create an “Iphone” in the Verizon Network, which has been long awaited) *Also, on another note, a Cosmic Things Tech Talk Facebook Fan Page (yes it’s a long title) has finally been created. If you have a facebook, please become a fan, and...

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