Sunday, August 05, 2018

An attack by competitors?
A computer virus infected systems at multiple Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. factories on Friday night, disrupting operations at precisely the same time it is attempting to ramp up production for tech giant Apple’s future lines of iPhones, Bloomberg reported.
According to Bloomberg, the company in question is the “sole maker of the iPhone’s main processor” and says this is the first time a virus has spread into production lines (namely computer-controlled fabrication tools):
The virus wasn’t introduced by a hacker, the company added in a statement.
It’s unclear who targeted TSMC, the world’s biggest contract manufacturer of chips for companies including Apple and Qualcomm Inc. It’s the first time a virus had ever brought down a TSMC facility, recalling the WannaCry cyberattacks of 2017 that forced corporations around the world to suspend operations as they rooted out the ransomware. TSMC is working on solutions now but said the degree of infection varied from factory to factory, and that it will provide more information Monday after it’s assessed the situation.




A ‘Mission Impossible” hack?
Arlo outage knocks security cameras offline
Arlo security camera owners haven't had the most reliable coverage this weekend. The Netgear-linked brand has confirmed a service outage that knocked many cameras offline starting in the late afternoon on August 4th. Customers faced "intermittent login errors" that either prevented them from signing in or wouldn't let them watch motion detection recordings. Others couldn't watch live streams or connect in the first place.
… Even a relatively short outage could provide a window of opportunity for would-be intruders. The timing is also unfortunate for Arlo – it just held its public stock offering earlier this week, marking its spin-off as a separate business.




Disturbing. Deliberate or simply misguided?
Police warning parents about 'Momo Challenge' that may encourage suicide
Police around the world are warning parents of a disturbing, violent internet challenge that could be encouraging children to take their own life.
According to the Daily Mail, the so-called "Momo Challenge" began appearing all over the world in recent weeks and follows the same style every time. The challenge asks the user to add and contact someone called "Momo". They then send a barrage of frightening images and violent messages encouraging violence or suicide.
… According to the Buenos Aires Times, the challenge is possibly linked to the death of a 12-year-old girl from Argentina who apparently took her own life. If confirmed by police the girl will be the first victim of this disturbing challenge.
The challenge seems to be passing around primarily through WhatsApp and Facebook, and authorities aren't sure of the perpetrators' motive.




If successful, this would be a game changer, right?
A group of major record labels including Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros, has filed a piracy liability lawsuit against Internet provider Cox Communications. In common with a previous case filed by BMG, they accuse the ISP of turning a blind eye to persistent pirates. With more than 10,000 copyrighted works listed, the potential damages exceed a billion dollars.




Even I, a lowly non-lawyer, know this is not a defense. See Ford Motor Co. v. Swarens https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1471059/ford-motor-credit-company-v-swarens/
Wells Fargo says hundreds of customers lost homes because of computer glitch
Hundreds of people had their homes foreclosed on because software used by Wells Fargo incorrectly denied them mortgage modifications.
The embattled bank revealed the issue in a regulatory filing this week and said it has set aside $8 million to compensate customers affected by the glitch.
Wells Fargo said the computer error affected "certain accounts" that were undergoing the foreclosure process between April 2010 and October 2015, when the issue was corrected.
About 625 customers were incorrectly denied a loan modification or were not offered one even though they were qualified, according to the filing. In about 400 cases, the customers were foreclosed upon.




Brief video and
How Video Can Create a Just Society
“We live, at the moment, in a country where basic rights are really being violated,” Yvette Alberdingk Thijm told The Atlantic at the 2018 Aspen Ideas Festival. Thijm is the Executive Director of WITNESS, a global team of activists that empowers citizens to use video and technology to protect and defend human rights. Thijm argues that bystander videos are a powerful addition to criminal processes across the world. “There's a real need to understand how video can help people prove what happened,” she said. “You have a right to film.”




Perspective. Drones now a tool for assassination? Certainly possible, but facts are in short supply.
Venezuela President Maduro survives 'drone assassination attempt'
Mr Maduro was speaking at a military event in Caracas when the alleged attack occurred.
Live footage of his speech shows the president suddenly looking upwards – startled – and dozens of soldiers running away.
Mr Maduro has blamed Colombia for the attack – something denied by Bogota as a "baseless" accusation.
Seven soldiers were injured, and several people were later arrested, the Venezuelan authorities said.


No comments: