News stories of data theft are becoming increasingly and disturbingly commonplace.
Most of the data theft is deliberate and is usually done by employees when they are leaving their company.Protecting one's self from ones' own employees is a major challenge as employees are able to use a large range of sophisticated devices which can be simply plugged into office equipment to do the job.An insignificant looking device such as a pen drive has the potential to cause large losses to an enterprise.Surprisingly most of these employees have no guilt about stealing data.Many of them in fact feel that they had a right to use the data since they had helped the company collect it in the first place.Some of the most serious data theft occurs when hackers breach the security systems of a computer and gain unauthorized access to records.Then data theft is often accidental.Laptops are frequently stolen by robbers, usually from parked cars.Often these laptops belong to senior executives of important companies and contain vital information.
The data usually stolen is in the nature of databases of names and addresses of persons and their contact details.These can then be used by rivals to steal business from a competitor.Sometimes the data that gets stolen also includes credit card details,information about bank accounts,social security numbers etc. of an individual.This is more serious as it can lead to identity theft and also the the theft of a persons money.Finally even trade secrets can be targeted.The most celebrated case is the one in March 2005 when Lexar was awarded almost $400 million when it was proved that its trade secrets were stolen and used by no less a company than Toshiba!
Data theft is occurring more frequently now because there is a ready market for such information on the one hand and because companies have paid insufficient attention to data security on the other.The most dangerous trend that has emerged is that what was earlier being done just for kicks is now being done for money and organized crime seems to have entered the scene.
One of the reasons why companies have been slow to react is that there are no laws which make companies which collect such data, accountable for its security.Although customers who are victims of bank or credit card fraud usually don't lose money the company which collected the data is not held responsible for its security.We must understand that the return of his money to a victim is not sufficient in itself.The damage that may have been caused, say to his credit history may take years to repair.
So how do companies protect themselves?The basic procedures that need to be adopted by companies to protect themselves are multi layered identification procedures for customers and more importantly encryption of stored data.
But all these things take up both time and money,which means lower profits.Therefore it is time the state/federal regulators stepped in and made sensible laws for the protection of the people
Jurassic Park - It is Possible Now !
After watching Spielberg's Jurassic Park one was quite thankful that the dinosaur was extinct, as one was not very confident of facing even a baby dinosaur in real life, let alone a full grown one. Reviving an extinct creature from a DNA sample embedded in ancient amber was simply the work of someone with a beautifully fertile imagination.
Now about a decade later suddenly one learns that scientists have succeeded in reviving microbes recovered from deep below the Antarctic glaciers in a laboratory. These microbes are as old as eight million years .
This achievement raises all kinds of questions. The first and foremost is that by accident our scientists could bring to life some creatures or even some disease to which the modern human race has no answer. Then it is also possible that as the polar ice gradually melts due to climate change these organisms could themselves come to life. This again highlights the necessity of preserving our environment and preventing climate change.
Finally the ability of organisms to survive in such harsh conditions raises the possibility that similar organisms also exist on other planets in our solar system. The only scary possibility is that instead of finding organisms on planets similar to our own we may end up finding organisms on far flung planets having far more extreme characteristics than we had bargained for.
These are not only scary thoughts meant to panic people but to emphasize the need for sensible action in the matter.
Now about a decade later suddenly one learns that scientists have succeeded in reviving microbes recovered from deep below the Antarctic glaciers in a laboratory. These microbes are as old as eight million years .
This achievement raises all kinds of questions. The first and foremost is that by accident our scientists could bring to life some creatures or even some disease to which the modern human race has no answer. Then it is also possible that as the polar ice gradually melts due to climate change these organisms could themselves come to life. This again highlights the necessity of preserving our environment and preventing climate change.
Finally the ability of organisms to survive in such harsh conditions raises the possibility that similar organisms also exist on other planets in our solar system. The only scary possibility is that instead of finding organisms on planets similar to our own we may end up finding organisms on far flung planets having far more extreme characteristics than we had bargained for.
These are not only scary thoughts meant to panic people but to emphasize the need for sensible action in the matter.
Apple Releases iTunes 7.3.2
Apple released an update for iTunes on the 2nd of August 2007. According to Apple: " iTunes 7.3.2 provides bug fixes to improve stability and performance." Apple has not provided any other details.
A casual look at the new application does not reveal any major upgrades. However, users say that the music application now remembers the selected artist(s)/album(s) after navigating back to the library from a playlist.
iTunes 7.3.2 can be downloaded from Apple's Web site.
Top Back to School PC's
Back to School Shopping is just around the corner. Here is a list of PC's that you should consider when you go shopping.
1. Dell Inspiron 531
Cost = $709 and $899 if you tale a 19 inch wide LCD monitor.
2. Apple MacBook
Cost = $1099
3. Fujitsu Lifebook P7230
Cost = $1,799
4. Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition
Cost = $999
5. HP Pavilion dv2500t
Cost = $,1049
6. Gateway E-100M (Core Duo)
Cost = 1,574
7. eMachines T5226
Cost = $550
1. Dell Inspiron 531
Cost = $709 and $899 if you tale a 19 inch wide LCD monitor.
2. Apple MacBook
Cost = $1099
3. Fujitsu Lifebook P7230
Cost = $1,799
4. Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition
Cost = $999
5. HP Pavilion dv2500t
Cost = $,1049
6. Gateway E-100M (Core Duo)
Cost = 1,574
7. eMachines T5226
Cost = $550
Robots in Warfare
The idea of artificial people is an old one. In fact Leonardo da Vinci is credited with making the first recorded design of a humanoid robot, a kind of mechanical knight.
It is this importance attached to winning wars that led to much of the development of modern robots. In ancient times the general led from the front and if we study history we find that in times of war nations paid a heavy price in terms of generals killed in battle. In modern times battlefield leaders are somewhat safer, advancing behind protective barriers of steel and artillery fire. Still casualties are high.
The ultimate dream weapon is a metal soldier which can fight the enemy thus minimizing human casualties. This is where modern robots can step in.Development in robotics have ensured that robots are now no longer confined to performing repetitive mechanical tasks in a workshop or factory. Although Bill Gates has said that personal robotics today is at a stage that personal computers were in the mid -70's, it raises the distinct possibility of an artificial human being within the next generation.
One can imagine the advantages of an army that is factory produced in various shapes and sizes according to the mission to be accomplished. There will be virtually no human casualties and the supply will be unlimited. The generals and other leaders will be miles away from the actual battlefield in safe locations. In fact the conduct of war will be in the hands of computer geeks rather than army generals.Presently, huge resources are required to provide training to army recruits and to supply food and medical aid on the battlefield. This will become a thing of the past.Training will be provided by a silicon chip and solar power would perhaps take care of the rest.
Even today, robots or mechanical devices are performing many functions, especially 'drones' which have the capability of even firing missiles.But the possibilities of their use in tasks such as clearing minefields etc. and also operating in areas with a high risk of chemical warfare or even more lethal forms of combat are endless.
Although the advantages are immense they have to be tempered with a word of caution. Once we have machines which have been given a sense of perception and the power of decision making to harm others, then what happens if something goes wrong?
Although we have not reached this stage as yet, this is a dilemma we may soon have to face and address.
more on Interesting life
It is this importance attached to winning wars that led to much of the development of modern robots. In ancient times the general led from the front and if we study history we find that in times of war nations paid a heavy price in terms of generals killed in battle. In modern times battlefield leaders are somewhat safer, advancing behind protective barriers of steel and artillery fire. Still casualties are high.
The ultimate dream weapon is a metal soldier which can fight the enemy thus minimizing human casualties. This is where modern robots can step in.Development in robotics have ensured that robots are now no longer confined to performing repetitive mechanical tasks in a workshop or factory. Although Bill Gates has said that personal robotics today is at a stage that personal computers were in the mid -70's, it raises the distinct possibility of an artificial human being within the next generation.
One can imagine the advantages of an army that is factory produced in various shapes and sizes according to the mission to be accomplished. There will be virtually no human casualties and the supply will be unlimited. The generals and other leaders will be miles away from the actual battlefield in safe locations. In fact the conduct of war will be in the hands of computer geeks rather than army generals.Presently, huge resources are required to provide training to army recruits and to supply food and medical aid on the battlefield. This will become a thing of the past.Training will be provided by a silicon chip and solar power would perhaps take care of the rest.
Even today, robots or mechanical devices are performing many functions, especially 'drones' which have the capability of even firing missiles.But the possibilities of their use in tasks such as clearing minefields etc. and also operating in areas with a high risk of chemical warfare or even more lethal forms of combat are endless.
Although the advantages are immense they have to be tempered with a word of caution. Once we have machines which have been given a sense of perception and the power of decision making to harm others, then what happens if something goes wrong?
Although we have not reached this stage as yet, this is a dilemma we may soon have to face and address.
more on Interesting life
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)