The FBI seems to be suggesting that if “terrorists” (never regular criminals let alone innocent civilians) are able to encrypt their data, the FBI won't be able to find them. Clearly the British can find hackers who encrypt their data. Perhaps they could teach the FBI how it is done?

Accused British hacker, wanted for crimes in US, won’t give up crypto keys

Cyrus Farivar reports:

An alleged British hacker who has criminal charges pending in three American federal districts is preparing to petition a Suffolk County, United Kingdom court to compel the National Crime Agency (NCA) to return his encrypted seized computers and storage devices.

The BBC reported Friday that Lauri Love “will petition Bury St Edmunds magistrates for the return of his property,” adding that “the BBC understands that the NCA has been unable to decrypt some of the files and does not want to return the computers and media devices until Mr Love helps them to decrypt them.”

Read more on Ars Technica.

[From the article:

"I cannot speak to the contents," he told Ars via online chat. "Except that they are mine. This is the only salient detail as far as I'm concerned. I am not on trial, nor is my data, and I am under no obligation to speak for it. But my property is being withheld from me, and that must be justified. The current justification is due to the inability of the NCA to understand certain data. It remains for them to establish why this is my problem and for the court to decide if this gives them authority to convert chattel."

An Infographic for my next Computer Forensics class.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/can-make-sure-files-deleted-forever/

How Can You Make Sure Your Files Are Deleted Forever?

So, you’ve just deleted a file. Congratulations, that file is no longer a part of your life. Or so you thought! As it turns out, deleting files doesn’t actually mean they are gone forever. Instead, you need to jump through some hoops to make sure they’re really gone for good!

It sounds more complicated than it actually is, as this infographic shows you.

Via StudyWeb

The intent is to provide some evidence that the person taking the exam is the student and not a paid “ringer.” We used to make them show up in person for the exam, but apparently that didn't work.

Students object to online courses recording facial features, knuckles, voice

Victor Skinner reports:

Students at Rutgers University are balking at a new biometric software used in online classes that requires them to record their facial features, knuckles and photo ID.

ProctorTrack, implemented for online courses this year, requires students to record their face, knuckle and personal identification details to verify their identity. The software then tracks students’ monitor, browser, webcam and microphone activity during the session to prevent cheating on exams, according to The Daily Targum – Rutgers’ student newspaper.

Read more on EAGnews.org.

Google may need a larger HQ. Every country/state/city will want to do the same.

Google agrees to Italian privacy authority audits in the US (updated)

Loek Essers reports:

Google has agreed to on-the-spot audits at its U.S. headquarters in order to comply with Italy’s data protection laws.

The Italian data protection authority (DPA) imposed several privacy measures on Google after an investigation into the company’s policies that was completed in July 2014. On Friday, the authority said Google will comply with all demands.

The process to verify compliance calls for the DPA to check up on Google’s progress at its U.S. headquarters. It remains unclear when that will happen, though. “There is no precise appointment at the moment but there is an agreement to be able to go there,” a spokesman for the authority said.

Read more on CSO (AU).

Update: Here’s the release from the Garante per la protezione dei dati personali:

… The Italian DPA approved the verification protocol referred to in its order of July 2014 to Mountain View.

Quite a spike in the number of articles. Looks like Europe is about to panic.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/putin-called-the-wests-bluff-over-ukraine-2015-2

Putin called the West's bluff

Vladimir Putin has called Europe’s bluff over east Ukraine as Russia-backed separatists seize a strategic town in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany.

(Related)

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/vladimir-putin-says-russias-military-might-has-no-match-n309651

Vladimir Putin Says Russia's Military Might Has No Match

(Related)

http://www.biznews.com/briefs/2015/02/19/uk-defence-minister-putin-may-use-ukraine-tactic-to-invade-baltic-states-next/

UK Defence Minister: Putin may use Ukraine tactic to invade Baltic States next

For my students. Once upon a time, real audiophiles had music systems with separate components. (Tuner, amp, turntable, speakers) This is that old idea in miniature.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/project-ara-how-your-next-smartphone-will-be-built-by-you/

Project Ara: How Your Next Smartphone Will Be Built by You

… This upgrade cycle — or planned obsolescence as the cynics may prefer to call it — has long been an integral part of the business model for smartphone manufacturers. With Google’s Project Ara, that may be about to change.

Ara is an Android-powered modular smartphone concept that is about to become a reality.