Hackers - the great unknown

Seldom does the media paint a more distorted picture than when it comes to hacking. Reason enough to take a closer look at hackers!

Seldom does the media paint a more distorted picture than **when it comes to hacking**. It goes something like this: a man wearing a balaclava sits in a dark room typing away at his computer. Green cryptic characters fill up his screen until he reaches his murky goal! So far, so unrealistic. That there's more to the hacker community that once featured prominent members like Apple founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs and that many security issues became public thanks to hacking is *a story that is rarely told*. And the many positively motivated members are also swept under the rug all too frequently. Reason enough to take a closer look at hackers.

Seldom does the media paint a more distorted picture than when it comes to hacking. It goes something like this: a man wearing a balaclava sits in a dark room typing away at his computer. Green cryptic characters fill up his screen until he reaches his murky goal! So far, so unrealistic. That there's more to the hacker community that once featured prominent members like Apple founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs and that many security issues became public thanks to hacking is a story that is rarely told. And the many positively motivated members are also swept under the rug all too frequently. Reason enough to take a closer look at hackers.


Meltdown and Spectre: the great processor disaster

Huge security holes, dubbed Meltdown and Spectre, have been discovered that affect Intel, AMD, Qualcomm and other processors. Read on to learn what happened and how manufacturers are responding!

As a computer scientist, I deal with security vulnerabilities on a daily basis since the perfect operating system has just not been found yet - but this time I almost spilled my tea when I read the news. This issue was different and *it affected the core of all computer calculations*: the processor itself. And it wasn't just any processor that was vulnerable but **practically all of them** whether they were built into PCs, cellphones or servers all over the world. This time, the remedy wasn't a simple browser patch. Every operating system had become unsafe taking the wind right out of the sails of Apple users who like to point their fingers at the supposedly inferior security of Windows systems. They were all in danger. Even those who owned none of the CPUs listed couldn't just sit back and relax because **the servers that host and process all of our data** could also be affected. Read on to learn what happened and how manufacturers are dealing with the dire situation.

As a computer scientist, I deal with security vulnerabilities on a daily basis since the perfect operating system has just not been found yet - but this time I almost spilled my tea when I read the news. This issue was different and it affected the core of all computer calculations: the processor itself. And it wasn't just any processor that was vulnerable but practically all of them whether they were built into PCs, cellphones or servers all over the world. This time, the remedy wasn't a simple browser patch. Every operating system had become unsafe taking the wind right out of the sails of Apple users who like to point their fingers at the supposedly inferior security of Windows systems. They were all in danger. Even those who owned none of the CPUs listed couldn't just sit back and relax because the servers that host and process all of our data could also be affected. Read on to learn what happened and how manufacturers are dealing with the dire situation.


Can a smartphone replace your digital camera?

I recently saw the news that Nikon is shutting down a huge production plant in China as of now. Will specialists and enthusiasts be the only ones to still use digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) in 2018?

I recently saw the news that Nikon is shutting down a huge production plant in China as of now. The reason was unusually clear: **the market for digital cameras had shrunken too much thanks to the victory march of smartphones** and the plant had gotten into a little pickle as a result. If you look at Canon, who had a *truly miserable year in 2016*, and then check out the cameras even highly affordable smartphones come with nowadays, you might wonder whether the end of the glorious age of digital cameras has finally come. Will specialists and enthusiasts be the only ones to still use digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) in 2018?

I recently saw the news that Nikon is shutting down a huge production plant in China as of now. The reason was unusually clear: the market for digital cameras had shrunken too much thanks to the victory march of smartphones and the plant had gotten into a little pickle as a result. If you look at Canon, who had a truly miserable year in 2016, and then check out the cameras even highly affordable smartphones come with nowadays, you might wonder whether the end of the glorious age of digital cameras has finally come. Will specialists and enthusiasts be the only ones to still use digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) in 2018?


The return of Firefox

In the life of a tech aficionado, there are many old favorites. For years, my favorite browser has been Firefox. Version 57 promises nothing less than a revolution.Is this the return to its old strength?

In the life of a tech aficionado, there are many **old favorites**, i.e. programs you stay faithful to even in the presence of better alternatives. For years, my favorite browser has been **Firefox**. Not owned by a large corporation, reasonably fast and with support for countless good extensions, Firefox was my go-to-browser until, eventually, sand got in the gears. The visuals hadn't been updated for years, display errors kept coming up and the speed was hardly on par with the available alternatives. I made the switch and, with a heavy heart, put Firefox on the scrap heap along with my old love, Netscape. Did I grieve too soon? Version 57 promises **nothing less than a revolution**. Is this the return to its old strength?

In the life of a tech aficionado, there are many old favorites, i.e. programs you stay faithful to even in the presence of better alternatives. For years, my favorite browser has been Firefox. Not owned by a large corporation, reasonably fast and with support for countless good extensions, Firefox was my go-to-browser until, eventually, sand got in the gears. The visuals hadn't been updated for years, display errors kept coming up and the speed was hardly on par with the available alternatives. I made the switch and, with a heavy heart, put Firefox on the scrap heap along with my old love, Netscape. Did I grieve too soon? Version 57 promises nothing less than a revolution. Is this the return to its old strength?


The case against Kaspersky: a cold war on our PCs?

Last week, a piece of news shook the IT world. The US government had banned federal agencies from using security software from Russian company Kaspersky. Looking closer, a couple a questions arise. Iis there anything left that is safe to install?

Last week, a piece of news shook the IT world. The US government had banned federal agencies from using security software from Russian company **Kaspersky** as the Department of Homeland Security was worried about potential connections between Kaspersky and the Russian secret service. In an unprecedented move, all Kaspersky software now has to be removed from all government PCs within 150 days. Looking closer, a couple a questions arise the most important of which is: **is there anything left that is safe to install?**

Last week, a piece of news shook the IT world. The US government had banned federal agencies from using security software from Russian company Kaspersky as the Department of Homeland Security was worried about potential connections between Kaspersky and the Russian secret service. In an unprecedented move, all Kaspersky software now has to be removed from all government PCs within 150 days. Looking closer, a couple a questions arise the most important of which is: is there anything left that is safe to install?


Like a dog on a leash: a test of the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2017)

I recently came upon an offer I could hardly ignore. Amazon's Fire HD 8 was being sold in its basic version for just €50 on "Prime Day". How will the bargain fare in the test?

I recently came upon an offer I could hardly ignore. **Amazon's Fire HD 8** was being sold in its basic version for just $50 on "Prime Day". Reason enough to give it a go - it's not like there was anything else to do during my vacation. My reasoning was that, at that price point, I wouldn't be getting a high-end device but *it was likewise unlikely that Amazon would market a dud under their own name* . Oh the excitement!

I recently came upon an offer I could hardly ignore. Amazon's Fire HD 8 was being sold in its basic version for just $50 on &quot;Prime Day&quot;. Reason enough to give it a go - it's not like there was anything else to do during my vacation. My reasoning was that, at that price point, I wouldn't be getting a high-end device but it was likewise unlikely that Amazon would market a dud under their own name . Oh the excitement!


Joy, pain and unknown manatees: a Microsoft Video Indexer test

Video Indexer is a great example of how to leverage new technologies and you can give it a try - if you dare. After all, Microsoft didn't lie when they spoke of a "democratization of surveillance tools".

Recently, Microsoft's **Build 2017**, an annual developer conference, took place in Seattle and the company once again displayed their crown jewels along with big plans for the future (as always). With a Colgate smile, attendees were shown what smart services can do with cloud data - and *data protection officials were probably reaching for their suicide pills* right away. Video Indexer is a great example of how to leverage these new technologies and you can give it a try - if you dare. After all, Microsoft didn't lie when they spoke of a "democratization of surveillance tools".

Recently, Microsoft's Build 2017, an annual developer conference, took place in Seattle and the company once again displayed their crown jewels along with big plans for the future (as always). With a Colgate smile, attendees were shown what smart services can do with cloud data - and data protection officials were probably reaching for their suicide pills right away. Video Indexer is a great example of how to leverage these new technologies and you can give it a try - if you dare. After all, Microsoft didn't lie when they spoke of a &quot;democratization of surveillance tools&quot;.


Secure logins: two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication may sound like a bureaucrat's wet fantasy but it does wonders for the security of your user accounts, even when your login credentials have already been stolen!

We all want data security - and sometimes you need to change your habits for it. I already wrote about strong passwords and how to detect phishing attempts so today's article is about secure logins. **Two-factor authentication** may sound like a bureaucrat's wet drean but it does wonders for the security of your user accounts, even *when your login credentials have already been stolen*!

We all want data security - and sometimes you need to change your habits for it. I already wrote about strong passwords and how to detect phishing attempts so today's article is about secure logins. Two-factor authentication may sound like a bureaucrat's wet drean but it does wonders for the security of your user accounts, even when your login credentials have already been stolen!


When a secret weapon falls into the wrong hands

Stations frequently show old spy movies with super villains stealing super secret weapons from government facilities. This blog article tells a similar story except that, in this case, the secret weapon is targeted at your PC.

Sunday afternoon movies can be so wonderfully relaxing. Stations frequently show old spy movies with super villains stealing super secret weapons from government facilities. Armed with laser cannons and other gadgetry, they go on a raid until they're stopped by the hero at the last minute. With the world on the verge of unspeakable catastrophes, we hear the cuffs click and see secret societies of villains get uncovered and eradicated. This blog article tells a similar story except that, in this case, heroes are scarce, villains still out and about and **the secret weapon is targeted at your PC**.

Sunday afternoon movies can be so wonderfully relaxing. Stations frequently show old spy movies with super villains stealing super secret weapons from government facilities. Armed with laser cannons and other gadgetry, they go on a raid until they're stopped by the hero at the last minute. With the world on the verge of unspeakable catastrophes, we hear the cuffs click and see secret societies of villains get uncovered and eradicated. This blog article tells a similar story except that, in this case, heroes are scarce, villains still out and about and the secret weapon is targeted at your PC.


Why are so many Android devices insecure?

Android is runs on over one billion cellphones, tablets and other devices and is fairly secure, if those devices are running a somewhat current version which is not always the case.

Would you use a computer that received its last security update in 2014? Most of us would probably refer to to the need for regular Windows Updates and an antivirus solution in the face of this question and feel moderately secure (and rightfully so). But what about Android devices? *Android is runs on over one billion cellphones*, tablets and other devices and is fairly secure, if those devices are running a somewhat current version **which is not always the case**.

Would you use a computer that received its last security update in 2014? Most of us would probably refer to to the need for regular Windows Updates and an antivirus solution in the face of this question and feel moderately secure (and rightfully so). But what about Android devices? Android is runs on over one billion cellphones, tablets and other devices and is fairly secure, if those devices are running a somewhat current version which is not always the case.


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