For my Ethical Hackers.

http://www.securityweek.com/know-what-hackers-know-hp-cyber-risk-report-2015

Know What Hackers Know: HP Cyber Risk Report 2015

Hackers build attacks on a huge treasure-trove of existing vulnerabilities, and they find new ways to exploit new technologies like mobile and the Internet of Things.

To fight back, you need to know what they know. HP Cyber Risk Report 2015, a comprehensive report from HP Security Research, contains more than 70 pages jam packed with data and analysis detailing the threat landscape and how hackers exploit it.

Local. This camera is looking for bad guys. “Since the crime hasn't actually happened yet, we need to take videos of everyone so we're sure to have a video of the bad guy we can find by searching through the thousands of hours we collect, once we know who the bad guy is.”

Mysterious spy cameras collecting data at post offices

Chris Halsne reports:

Within an hour of FOX31 Denver discovering a hidden camera, which was positioned to capture and record the license plates and facial features of customers leaving a Golden Post Office, the device was ripped from the ground and disappeared.

FOX31 Denver investigative reporter Chris Halsne confirmed the hidden camera and recorder is owned and operated by the United State Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement branch of the U.S. Postal Service.

Read more on KDVR.

Apple wants to improve Siri's ability to recognize your commands. Third parties may help with that. What happens when Apple records more than simple commands?

Apple Admits Siri Voice Data is Being shared with Third Parties

Wang Wei writes:

It has been known from year 2013 that commands we have been whispering to Siri are being stored on Apple servers for up to two years for analysis, but this news might be the most shocking development yet.

Apple admits that its Siri — an intelligent personal assistant for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices — is collecting and also transmitting users voice data to 3rd party companies, which was disclosed in an unsurprising revelation two weeks back on Reddit.

[…]

If you use text-to-speech to send intimate messages, discuss confidential material, or say things that you don’t want anyone to hear, Just Beware!, because everything you say to your phone is liable to being listened by bored stranger later.

Read more on The Hacker News.

Now this cold be interesting. Imagine a bunch of smart lawyers from all 50 states (perhaps with mentors from the local law school) holding a running dialog (via Twitter?) about Privacy concerns.

Connecticut Attorney General Jepsen Forms Permanent Department on Privacy, Data Security within Office of the Attorney General

March 11, 2015 – Attorney General George Jepsen today announced the creation of a new department within the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General – the Privacy and Data Security Department – that will work exclusively on investigations and litigation related to privacy and data security.

… Assistant Attorney General Matthew Fitzsimmons, who has served as chair of the Privacy Task Force since its creation, has been named to head the new Privacy and Data Security Department. In addition to having its own dedicated attorneys, the department will continue to address matters with a cross-disciplinary team with subject matter experts in health, finance and other disciplines from other departments as appropriate. The department will also continue to be supported by a technical consultant under contract with the Office of the Attorney General.

… Like the Task Force before it, the new department will be responsible for all investigations involving consumer privacy and data security. It will also help to educate the public and business community about their responsibilities, which include protecting personally identifiable and sensitive data and promptly notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Attorney General when breaches do occur.

Once again I'm going to show my ignorance of the law. I had assumed that you had to assert some crime (libel?) and then the court would let you find the perpetrator. These folks seem to want to court to help them prove their suspicions as to who did it without showing that what they did was wrong. Oh wait! The judge said almost the same thing. Perhaps I'm not that ignorant. (Yea me!)

Ca: Judge dismisses C.B.S. man’s request to get Facebook, Twitter info

Rosie Mullaley reports:

Rob King may think he knows who created parody accounts of him on Facebook and Twitter.

But without solid proof, the court can’t compel the social media giants to reveal subscriber information about the accounts, a Newfoundland Supreme Court judge has ruled.

“It is insufficient for the plaintiffs to demand production simply on the basis of bare, unsupported suspicions that the information sought might trace back to the defendant,” Justice William Goodridge stated in his written decision released Tuesday.

Read more on The Telegram.

Let the screaming begin!

http://hothardware.com/News/fcc-posts-400-page-rulebook-for-protecting-net-neutrality?google_editors_picks=true

FCC Posts 400-Page Rulebook For Protecting Net Neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today made available the full text of its Open Internet Order following the reclassification of broadband Internet as a utility in a recent 3-2 vote. It's a long read -- exactly 400 pages from start to finish, and it includes dissenting opinions from Republican commissioners.

… Grab yourself a drink, get comfortable, and give the document a read here.

I don't think this is the future of phones, but like true audiophiles have known since the 1960's, you can build a great system if each component can be swapped for a “newer and better” technology. In other words, this is a tool for true geeks.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/modular-smartphones-will-change-mobile-computing/

How Modular Smartphones Will Change Mobile Computing

… With Project Ara, you’ll be able to truly make your device your own and customize it to meet your needs on the fly.

For my students. Do it for yourself! (Article 4)

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/google-code-shutting-bbc-micro-bits-kids-tech-news-digest/

EdX Offers Microsoft Courses

Microsoft has teamed up with online educator edX to offer a series of free IT development courses. Each of the MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) on offer will be taught by Microsoft experts, offering budding students the option of boosting their IT skills.

Anyone from around the world is welcome to enroll for free on the courses, which include Programming with C#, Introduction To TypeScript, and Windows PowerShell Fundamentals. However, obtaining a verified certificate upon completion will require payment of a fee.

Won't my students be surprised!

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243911?google_editors_picks=true

You Can Literally Play With Fire Thanks to This Hot New Gadget

… Meet Pyro, literally the hottest wearable on the market right now. It’s a wrist-worn gadget that lets you shoot fireballs from your hand.

We repeat: It lets you shoot balls of fire from your hand. Real, hot, dangerous -- and dangerously magnificent -- burning balls of fire. The kind Mom said never to play with.

Strapped onto your mere mortal wrist, Pyro blasts balls of fire up to 30-feet into the air

… pro illusionists are who this $174 wearable is specifically targeted to.