Hacking Gets Cheaper
I was curious how someone can take down a site like Twitter or Facebook. So, not being a techie, I did some research, and according to a recent article in BusinessWeek, taking down a site like Twitter, Facebook, or any other Web site is about as easy as getting a book from Amazon. No password cracking or software coding is necessary—and, it is very affordable.
The concept is to launch a “denial-of-service” attack, by simply renting enough computer power to overwhelm a “target” site by trying to communicate with it through thousands of computers at the same time. Apparently, neither Twitter nor Facebook was the “target” site this time, but instead, they were victims of collateral damage when someone took down a political site.
You may wonder where all these computers are? Well, they could be your computer, and/or mine—plus tens of millions of computers around the world that are currently infected with viruses that can control our computers on command. These networks of computers are called “botnets” and are rented out by scurrilous hackers on a per-day basis.
There are now so many “botnets” operating that there has been a price war, and a person can now rent 10,000 computers for about $200 per day. This is more than enough computer power to take down a Web site with a “denial-of-service” attack.
Oh yeah, and it only takes about an hour to hook-up with a botnet, pay your money, and set up the attack.
So, there you have it. Anyone can do it, and apparently, you don’t have to be a technical whiz.
Motives vary from hacker to hacker, but can include silencing political opponents, covering fraud, revenge by a disgruntled employee who wants to take down his company’s site, or any other motive imaginable—including plain old vandalism.
Tech savvy people probably know all this, but to me, it was an eye-opener. To read the complete article, click here.
Do you know what’s on your computer?
A New Era for Mobile Phone Apps
With Friday’s launch of the new Apple iPhone 3GS, we now have a hand-held device that really gives app developers a platform to work with.
If any of you developers need investment money to further your app development efforts, check out this post I made back in February. The venture capital firm, Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield and Byers is looking to invest in iPhone app developers.
On the other hand, CNN had an interesting poll on their news site today, where they asked the question, “Does your cell phone have the features you want?”
- 30% said, “Yes, it’s perfect.”
- 21% said, “No, I wish it had more stuff.”
- 49% said, “I just want it to ring.”
Has anyone tried to buy a mobile phone lately that just makes phone calls? I have, and there is practically nothing to chose from. With about half of all mobile phone users wanting a device that only makes phone calls, this is a very large—unserved—market. The folks who came up with the Jitterbug mobile phone apparently have this niche market all to themselves. It is too bad they do not yet have broad enough distribution.
Innovation does not demand making things more complicated—it takes real innovation to make things more simple.
Then again, maybe the innovators should check with customers first.
Charging for Internet Use
I read a couple of disturbing articles recently about the upcoming financial control of the Internet. Here is what Rupert Murdoch said recently:
“…you can confidently presume that we are leading the way in finding a model that maximizes revenue return for our shareholders… The current days of the Internet will soon be over.”
—Rupert Murdoch
It seems that big business made a mistake some time ago by not charging for Internet service the same way they charge for cell phone service. Now they are trying to put the toothpaste back into the tube. Will they succeed?
About 360,000 people recently downloaded an iPhone app for the Wall Street Journal. Murdoch said these users would soon be made to pay “handsomely” for accessing WSJ content. And that is just a start.
Recently, Time Warner announced plans for a new billing system that “meters” Internet usage and charges customers according to how much they download. In addition to subscription rates for services (see WSJ above), customers would pay for Internet usage “plans,” and would face stiff penalties if they exceeded their limit of Internet usage.
Not only is high speed Internet access out of reach of 40 percent of American homes, it is more costly and slower in the U.S. than in 21 other developed countries. Now, with the new pricing plans, like Times Warner, high speed Internet would be even further out of reach of 10′s of millions of Americans.
Is this how America is going to reassert itself as the innovation leader of the world. The Internet is an integral part of innovation, design, invention, developing, and building—and the Internet in the U.S. is already technologically behind most of the rest of the developed world.
Where does this leave America on the new world stage of information technology and innovation?
Does Technology Ease Work?
81% of U.S. professionals say they work harder today than they did five years ago–because of technology. —Entrepreneur Magazine
I seem to recall that when the “computer age” hit the main stream we were told that our work would get much easier. Computers would do all the work; we would become a paperless society and the 30-hour (or less) workweek was just around the corner. What happened?
Well, if we take a look at the typical U.S. Professional’s inventory of time-consuming technology, would we find?
- Multiple computers–at work and home (including a laptop they lug back and forth to work).
- Backlogs of emails on their computers–much of it spam or just unnecessary.
- Skype–with video, so they can see callers when they chat.
- Several social media accounts on their computers, or iPhone, or Blackberry.
- Multiple cell phones (at least one of which is an iPhone, Blackberry, or other media phone).
- Backlogs of text messages.
- MP3 players (at least 2)
- Multiple televisions (at least one HD).
- DVR’s.
- DVD/VCR players (with all the associated media to catalog)
- Wiis.
- Video game players (and the required latest game).
- Kindle, or other book reader.
- Fax machine (they still seem to be a necessity).
- Miscellaneous gadget accessories.
- The next new gadget that comes along…
Then, of course, there is the whole social media gambit. This technological arena consumes more and more of a person’s time, and today much of it is business related, so now it is nearly impossible to know when this activity is necessary for work or just another meaningless demand on an already overloaded schedule.
Many of the technical gadgets allow their owners to use them like an extension of their office–ergo; their owners never “leave the office.” Consequently, it is difficult to tell whether a person is “working” at home or just interacting with more technical gadgets.
No wonder so many U.S. professionals work harder today than they did five years ago–technology has stolen part of their daily lives.
Does anyone relate to this situation?
Do You Have “Trigger Thumb”?
With all of the mini-keypad devices in our arsenal of technical gadgets, many users are experiencing a new form of tendonitis and joint disease currently referred to as “trigger thumb.” Loggers have experienced a similar problem for decades, as they aggravate their forefinger by operating the “trigger” on a chainsaw. Constant use of their forefinger results in a painful condition long known as “trigger finger.” I assume this is where the term “trigger thumb” came from.
Regardless of the origin of the term, “trigger thumb” is no laughing matter. It can develop into a very painful condition. More and more doctors are seeing patients with this condition. If the problem is not addressed early enough, it can develop into a degenerative condition with possible long-term disability.
So, how can we avoid “trigger thumb” and still get the benefits from our electronic gadgets? Here are some suggestions that a few of us might benefit from:
- Determine how important each use is. Do you really need to have that text conversation with a friend while shopping in a store—or driving?
- If you have to send a message, make it as short as possible. Don’t participate in long texting conversations.
- When you start to feel any pain or discomfort, stop using your device and rest as long as possible.
- If you already have a joint condition, like arthritis, don’t use your keypad any more than absolutely necessary.
- When all else fails, see your doctor. They may prescribe anything from rest to surgery, but, hopefully, the problem can be corrected.
- This last suggestion is the best of all—take a holiday! Put your devices in a drawer for a few days and do something out of the ordinary…like reading a book, going for long walks, or having face-to-face-conversations, and the like. This is not only good for your thumbs, but for your mind and your whole body as well.
I can’t imagine anyone giving up their electronic gadgets…we’ve come to rely on them too much…so we’ll just have to face the consequences. Maybe voice-recognition Blackberrys are just around the corner—of course that probably wouldn’t work while you’re texting during your boss’s staff meeting.
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