Security Flaw In MD5 Algorithm

Security Flaw In MD5 Algorithm

Author ColGlobe | 06.01.2009 | Category IT Security, Networking, World Wide Web

Independent researcher in both California and the Netherlands have discovered a weakness the Internet digital certificate infrastructure, which poses a threat of hackers impersonating site identifications trusted by most web browsers. In essence, hackers could make your browser believe it is on a secure website or email server while virtually undetectable phishing of your system is in progress.

The problem arises from one of several algorithms used to establish a secure https connection, known as MD5. This is not the first weakness discovered in MD5, either. A team of Chinese researchers presented the first one at a 2004 cryptology conference. In that case, they wee able to create a “collision attack, and generate two messages with the same digital signature.

The new discovery makes use of the collision method, but allows the hacker almost complete freedom in creating a rogue certification authority (CA) that will be verified by most commonly used web browsers, including both Microsoft and Mozilla. The team hopes to draw attention to this security weakness, and drive the industry to use stronger encryption methods.

Dryers That Twitter

Author JoeDigital | 06.01.2009 | Category Computers, Telecommunications, World Wide Web

Admittedly, some things probably didn’t need to be invented, and this is most likely one of them, but it is still an interesting idea that could come in handy: Alternate methods for your clothes dryer to let you know that load is done. Now, we realize that most dryers already sound a buzzer, but sometimes that buzzer is in the wrong room, or you’ve become too involved in something online to notice that outside world without a friendly reminder.

This video will show you how to create a dryer alert system of your own, and your imagination can guide you in creating the perfect alert for your own needs. For some, a big flashing sign may be enough, bot other among us might need our digital devices to do the notifying, and in that situation, getting a twitter from your dryer could be the perfect way to go.

Two iphone Apps For the Apple 3G

Author JoeDigital | 02.01.2009 | Category Consumer Electronics, Mac/Apple, World Wide Web

Onew of the biggest draws for the Apple iPhone 3G is its ability to download apps, customizing every iPhone for the needs of its owner. But what kind of apps are avilable, and why would you be interested?

MINT

This is a personal finances app that is both intuitive and fast.  You can track budgets, follow investments, and a host of other financial tasks, all from this one easy app. The cost is also very agreeable, at completely free.

Shapewriter 2.0 Pro

Click and drag on the touch keypad to spell out the letters in a word, and shapewriter will handle the details of printing them in the correct order. This program can add a great deal to your productivity at typing tasks. If you want to get the most out of it, pay the $10 registration, and unlock new features while removing annoying advertisements.

If you haven’t investigated the plethora of apps available for you iPhone yet, you’ve been leaving yourself in the dark. There are hundreds of apps out there, with functions that are entertaining and aesthetic, informational, and productive. What you do with your iPhone is emphasized by the types of apps you have available.

WikiMobile

Author JoeDigital | 21.12.2008 | Category Computers, World Wide Web

WikiMobile is the power of Wikipedia coming to mobile devices

Great news for information junkies world wide. Wikipedia, one of the most popular internet destinations has finally got a mobile version. mobile.wikipedia.com is a downgraded version of its popular internet without images and adverts, making it particularly useful on slow connections although richer applications are available for apple Iphone users namely Wikicompanion.

The efficiency of the website is further increased by its breakdown of information into separate pieces displayed on separated pages. Another difference is that instead of choosing your language option users can now directly enter their queries. New features are expected to be added on the website. A future feature might see wikipedia giving its mobile users access to its 1000 odd spoken articles.

Yahoo’s new Tool(Bar)

Author JoeDigital | 20.12.2008 | Category Computers, Telecommunications, World Wide Web

Yahoo takes a step forward with the new Yahoo Toolbar

Yahoo gave a sneak peak at its new toolbar that allows surfers to check their email while they surf the web. A toolbar is a simple program usually in the form of a bar that sits on top of the browser allowing easier access to some programs. Toolbars are offered by many companies, what makes yahoo’s new offering different is that users will be able to access the features without leaving the web page that they are currently on. The toolbar seen as a step forward in yahoos strategy towards making its products “third party” friendly.

The toolbar is part of a series of changes being introduced by Yahoo which include a new styled inbox which resembles a social networking page including the use of third party applications. Keeping with yahoo’s previous releases, the applications will be rolled out in phased manner for its estimated 275 million users rather than at once.

The company which is in the middle of a transition, with the resignation of its CEO Jerry Yang is pursuing its open strategy in the midst of a slowing economy. The company had recently announced that it would be laying off 1500 employees

SeaDragon: Microsoft For Iphone

Author JoeDigital | 20.12.2008 | Category Consumer Electronics, Telecommunications, World Wide Web

Introducing Microsoft's Seadragon For iPhone

A move that doesn’t come as a total surprise to industry watchers, Microsoft has introduced a free photo viewing application for the Iphone. SeaDragon Mobile the application developed by Live Labs (the same guys behind Microsoft live) makes use of the Iphone’s powerful graphic processor and the multi touch screen to view giga pixel images at very high zoom providing an incredible level of detail to the user dubbed “deep zoom”

Seadragon comes preloaded with very large images that make good use of its capabilities, the program works in conjunction with photosynth another Microsoft program that stitches pictures to produce a faux 3d panorama. Panning and zooming are taken care of by the multi touch screen and provides additional content through RSS feeds like flickr.

It is however, uncertain when the application will be released for the windows mobile format, Microsoft’s own mobile platform. Another application by Microsoft for the Iphone is stated for release next year is a voice recognition/search program.

Text Messaging Returns To Gtalk

Author JoeDigital | 19.12.2008 | Category Computers, Consumer Electronics, World Wide Web

Recalled soon after its introduction the SMS feature on Gtalk is now working again. The bugs, which surfaced soon after the release of the feature have now been removed and “texting” is now set to be a permanent feature on gtalk.

The texting feature, which allows users to send SMS messages through Gchat, maintaining the continuity of the conversation. The feature can be accessed by going into the “labs” and enabling SMS (default is off). After that it’s simply a matter of typing the phone number and hitting send. Text messages first go to the google servers and then to the cell phone and as such receivers receive messages from 406 area code. Spokespersons from google said that each phone has an individual 406 number and so replies will not be misplaced, the number can even be bookmarked for future messages to the same individual.

The feature is currently being offered only in the US markets where more than 200 Billion texts were sent during the third quarter making texting more popular than making calls.

Don’t “;-)” at Me!

Author JoeDigital | 18.12.2008 | Category World Wide Web, world news

A russian entrepreneur has announced that he has trademarked the “wink” emoticon, and claims to have been the first to put it into use. But if you like to wink a lot when you send texts or email, don’t fret. This generous genius of “net speak” allows that non-commercial use will still be allowed, free of charge or license. Well now, isn’t that just great!

Corporations who use this emoticon, which is perhaps one of the best known character “faces” used in internet dommunications, will have to pay a yearly licensing free of approximately $10,000. Well, it is pretty easy to see how he justifies calling himself an entrepreneur, but foresee a long and expensive battle to secure such a widely used symbol. This is especially true when you consider that one of the definitions of a trademark is a symbol, word, or phrase which is used to represent a company or idea.