I just got some of my medium format photos of Buenos Aires developed, and I want to share them with you. If you're reading this blog right now and want one, just email me your street address, and to you, one will come, along with a nice note - all sent from Argentina.
Offer open to all citizens of the world and good while supplies last.
*Click 'contact' above for my email.
**Granny & Mom, no need to email me.
Cyber security is so hot right now. Let’s look at a few stories. I love this stuff.
Killing the Mariposa Botnet
The FBI just helped bust a large botnet operation run out of Spain. If you don’t know what a Botnet is, check here. Understand that it’s basically a web of computers that has been connected, unbeknownst to the owners, to steal information and commit fraud. Here are the amazing facts about Mariposa.
The China-Google Escalation
via True/SlantAs first reported, Google had been hacked by “China.” Fear, needless to say, sparked. As one news outlet headlined it “Did the Chinese Government Hack Google.”
Later we learned, from the FT, “A freelance security consultant in his 30s wrote the part of the program that used a previously unknown security hole in the Internet Explorer web browser to break into computers and insert the spyware.”
According to Gigaom: “Chinese officials have privileged access to this researcher’s work, which he had also posted in part to a ‘hacking forum.’”
What we see in China, is likely, the confluence of independent and state actors using technology to hack systems. The result? Questions about Corporate espionage, foreign policy and free acces to information play out in real time as Google announces it may pull its operations from China.
The President's Internet Kill-Switch
That is today’s news. A strong acknowledgment by Senator John Rockefeller, who introduced a cyber security bill. Says Rockefeller: "At this very moment, sophisticated cyber enemies are trying to steal our identities, our money, our business innovations, and our national security secrets.”
The bill would give the president emergency control of the Internet, kind of a Martial Law of the interwebs.
Is that even possible? Let’s suppose the President actually could, as in had the ability to, control the internet, would that be a good idea?
Obviously tech companies and civil liberty groups are not happy. I say better to hire hackers and to ramp up our clandestine cyber security efforts. As the DOD is doing.
The Take Away
Finally, what do these stories, together, mean? There will always be hackers, professional and amature. Those with state backing and those without. Those who can hack systems, steal millions, and commit fraud with almost no overhead and little experience, and those who work with the most sophisticated technologies in the world.
Giving the President emergency control of the internet, may make us feel that we have ultimate control over the web, but let’s not kid ourselves, we don’t. The most effective way to fight cyber crime will be with a combination of private IT security firms and government agencies. Consolidating power in the Oval Office, won't control the world wide web.
The 34 out of Palermo rolls on white walls, is fully chromed out, and has tint windows. These kids have no idea what they're working with.
John Peabody
