A noisy parrot that likes to imitate sounds helped save a man and his son from a house fire by mocking a smoke alarm, the bird's owner says. Shannon Conwelland his 9-year-old son fell asleep on the couch while watching a movie. They awoke about 3 a.m. Friday to find their home on fire after hearing the family's Amazon parrot, Peanut, imitating a fire alarm.
"He was really screaming his head off," Conwell said.
The smoke alarm had activated, but it was the bird's call that caught Conwell's attention.
"I grabbed my son and my bird, and got out of the house," he said.
The fire destroyed the home's dining room, kitchen and bedroom, Muncie fire officials said. It remains under investigation.
Aside from Peanut, Conwell said the fact that he and his son fell asleep on the couch helped save them. They may not have heard the alarm or the bird if they were asleep in their bedrooms.
Conwell said he runs an air conditioner and a breathing machine in his bedroom and they drown out a lot of noise around the house.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
the incredible shrinking radio
A new wireless radio receiver thousands of time slimmer than a human hair could lead to radios far smaller than those of today. This AM radio can be used to translate AM radio waves into sound waves, it can be used to transmit songs wirelessly from an ipod to a speaker several miles away.The new device is about 100 times smaller than similar technology used in commercial wireless radio receivers,The device marks an important step in the evolution of nano-electronics and could lead to the production of the world's smallest radio.The device, created by Burke and graduate student Chris Rutherglen.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Forecast: Sex and Marriage with Robots by 2050
Humans could marry robots within the century. And consummate those vows.
"My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," artificial intelligence researcher David Levy at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands told LiveScience. Levy recently completed his Ph.D. work on the subject of human-robot relationships, covering many of the privileges and practices that generally come with marriage as well as outside of it.
At first, sex with robots might be considered geeky, "but once you have a story like 'I had sex with a robot, and it was great!' appear someplace like Cosmo magazine, I'd expect many people to jump on the bandwagon," Levy said.
Pygmalion to Roomba
The idea of romance between humanity and our artistic and/or mechanical creations dates back to ancient times, with the Greek myth of the sculptor Pygmalion falling in love with the ivory statue he made named Galatea, to which the goddess Venus eventually granted life.
This notion persists in modern times. Not only has science fiction explored this idea, but 40 years ago, scientists noticed that students at times became unusually attracted to ELIZA, a computer program designed to ask questions and mimic a psychotherapist.
"There's a trend of robots becoming more human-like in appearance and coming more in contact with humans," Levy said. "At first robots were used impersonally, in factories where they helped build automobiles, for instance. Then they were used in offices to deliver mail, or to show visitors around museums, or in homes as vacuum cleaners, such as with the Roomba. Now you have robot toys, like Sony's Aibo robot dog, or Tickle Me Elmos, or digital pets like Tamagotchis."
In his thesis, "Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners," Levy conjectures that robots will become so human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them.
"It may sound a little weird, but it isn't," Levy said. "Love and sex with robots are inevitable."
Sex in 5 years
Levy argues that psychologists have identified roughly a dozen basic reasons why people fall in love, "and almost all of them could apply to human-robot relationships. For instance, one thing that prompts people to fall in love are similarities in personality and knowledge, and all of this is programmable. Another reason people are more likely to fall in love is if they know the other person likes them, and that's programmable too."
In 2006, Henrik Christensen, founder of the European Robotics Research Network, predicted that people will be having sex with robots within five years, and Levy thinks that's quite likely. There are companies that already sell realistic sex dolls, "and it's just a matter of adding some electronics to them to add some vibration," he said, or endowing the robots with a few audio responses. "That's fairly primitive in terms of robotics, but the technology is already there."
As software becomes more advanced and the relationship between humans and robots becomes more personal, marriage could result. "One hundred years ago, interracial marriage and same-sex marriages were illegal in the United States. Interracial marriage has been legal now for 50 years, and same-sex marriage is legal in some parts of the states," Levy said. "There has been this trend in marriage where each partner gets to make their own choice of who they want to be with."
"The question is not if this will happen, but when," Levy said. "I am convinced the answer is much earlier than you think."
When and where it'll happen
Levy predicts Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize human-robot marriage. "Massachusetts is more liberal than most other jurisdictions in the United States and has been at the forefront of same-sex marriage," Levy said. "There's also a lot of high-tech research there at places like MIT."
Although roboticist Ronald Arkin at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta does not think human-robot marriages will be legal anywhere by 2050, "anything's possible. And just because it's not legal doesn't mean people won't try it," he told LiveScience.
"Humans are very unusual creatures," Arkin said. "If you ask me if every human will want to marry a robot, my answer is probably not. But will there be a subset of people? There are people ready right now to marry sex toys."
The main benefit of human-robot marriage could be to make people who otherwise could not get married happier, "people who find it hard to form relationships, because they are extremely shy, or have psychological problems, or are just plain ugly or have unpleasant personalities," Levy said. "Of course, such people who completely give up the idea of forming relationships with other people are going to be few and far between, but they will be out there."
Ethical questions
The possibility of sex with robots could prove a mixed bag for humanity. For instance, robot sex could provide an outlet for criminal sexual urges. "If you have pedophiles and you let them use a robotic child, will that reduce the incidence of them abusing real children, or will it increase it?" Arkin asked. "I don't think anyone has the answers for that yet—that's where future research needs to be done."
Keeping a robot for sex could reduce human prostitution and the problems that come with it. However, "in a marriage or other relationship, one partner could be jealous or consider it infidelity if the other used a robot," Levy said. "But who knows, maybe some other relationships could welcome a robot. Instead of a woman saying, 'Darling, not tonight, I have a headache,' you could get 'Darling, I have a headache, why not use your robot?'"
Arkin noted that "if we allow robots to become a part of everyday life and bond with them, we'll have to ask questions about what's going to happen to our social fabric. How will they change humanity and civilization? I don't have any answers, but I think it's something we need to study. There's a real potential for intimacy here, where humans become psychologically and emotionally attached to these devices in ways we wouldn't to a vibrator."
By Charles Q. Choi
"My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," artificial intelligence researcher David Levy at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands told LiveScience. Levy recently completed his Ph.D. work on the subject of human-robot relationships, covering many of the privileges and practices that generally come with marriage as well as outside of it.
At first, sex with robots might be considered geeky, "but once you have a story like 'I had sex with a robot, and it was great!' appear someplace like Cosmo magazine, I'd expect many people to jump on the bandwagon," Levy said.
Pygmalion to Roomba
The idea of romance between humanity and our artistic and/or mechanical creations dates back to ancient times, with the Greek myth of the sculptor Pygmalion falling in love with the ivory statue he made named Galatea, to which the goddess Venus eventually granted life.
This notion persists in modern times. Not only has science fiction explored this idea, but 40 years ago, scientists noticed that students at times became unusually attracted to ELIZA, a computer program designed to ask questions and mimic a psychotherapist.
"There's a trend of robots becoming more human-like in appearance and coming more in contact with humans," Levy said. "At first robots were used impersonally, in factories where they helped build automobiles, for instance. Then they were used in offices to deliver mail, or to show visitors around museums, or in homes as vacuum cleaners, such as with the Roomba. Now you have robot toys, like Sony's Aibo robot dog, or Tickle Me Elmos, or digital pets like Tamagotchis."
In his thesis, "Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners," Levy conjectures that robots will become so human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them.
"It may sound a little weird, but it isn't," Levy said. "Love and sex with robots are inevitable."
Sex in 5 years
Levy argues that psychologists have identified roughly a dozen basic reasons why people fall in love, "and almost all of them could apply to human-robot relationships. For instance, one thing that prompts people to fall in love are similarities in personality and knowledge, and all of this is programmable. Another reason people are more likely to fall in love is if they know the other person likes them, and that's programmable too."
In 2006, Henrik Christensen, founder of the European Robotics Research Network, predicted that people will be having sex with robots within five years, and Levy thinks that's quite likely. There are companies that already sell realistic sex dolls, "and it's just a matter of adding some electronics to them to add some vibration," he said, or endowing the robots with a few audio responses. "That's fairly primitive in terms of robotics, but the technology is already there."
As software becomes more advanced and the relationship between humans and robots becomes more personal, marriage could result. "One hundred years ago, interracial marriage and same-sex marriages were illegal in the United States. Interracial marriage has been legal now for 50 years, and same-sex marriage is legal in some parts of the states," Levy said. "There has been this trend in marriage where each partner gets to make their own choice of who they want to be with."
"The question is not if this will happen, but when," Levy said. "I am convinced the answer is much earlier than you think."
When and where it'll happen
Levy predicts Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize human-robot marriage. "Massachusetts is more liberal than most other jurisdictions in the United States and has been at the forefront of same-sex marriage," Levy said. "There's also a lot of high-tech research there at places like MIT."
Although roboticist Ronald Arkin at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta does not think human-robot marriages will be legal anywhere by 2050, "anything's possible. And just because it's not legal doesn't mean people won't try it," he told LiveScience.
"Humans are very unusual creatures," Arkin said. "If you ask me if every human will want to marry a robot, my answer is probably not. But will there be a subset of people? There are people ready right now to marry sex toys."
The main benefit of human-robot marriage could be to make people who otherwise could not get married happier, "people who find it hard to form relationships, because they are extremely shy, or have psychological problems, or are just plain ugly or have unpleasant personalities," Levy said. "Of course, such people who completely give up the idea of forming relationships with other people are going to be few and far between, but they will be out there."
Ethical questions
The possibility of sex with robots could prove a mixed bag for humanity. For instance, robot sex could provide an outlet for criminal sexual urges. "If you have pedophiles and you let them use a robotic child, will that reduce the incidence of them abusing real children, or will it increase it?" Arkin asked. "I don't think anyone has the answers for that yet—that's where future research needs to be done."
Keeping a robot for sex could reduce human prostitution and the problems that come with it. However, "in a marriage or other relationship, one partner could be jealous or consider it infidelity if the other used a robot," Levy said. "But who knows, maybe some other relationships could welcome a robot. Instead of a woman saying, 'Darling, not tonight, I have a headache,' you could get 'Darling, I have a headache, why not use your robot?'"
Arkin noted that "if we allow robots to become a part of everyday life and bond with them, we'll have to ask questions about what's going to happen to our social fabric. How will they change humanity and civilization? I don't have any answers, but I think it's something we need to study. There's a real potential for intimacy here, where humans become psychologically and emotionally attached to these devices in ways we wouldn't to a vibrator."
By Charles Q. Choi
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
YOUTUBE SERVICE HIJACK
Spammers are hijacking a service on YouTube to send out waves of e-mails that evade spam defenses by hiding under the video Web site's coattails.
Security company Sophos warned users last week that spammers are exploiting the highly popular video Web site YouTube in an attempt to promote their own goods and online stores. The cyber criminals are dropping their spam messages in the 'comments' section of the 'invite-a-friend' service on YouTube, enabling them to send out spam that flies under the normal anti-spam radar.
"Normally spammers take over innocent people's PCs to send their unwanted messages across the Internet," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, in a written message. "In this case, however, they don't need to do that. Instead, they are using a Web site to relay a message to their intended audience. "The criminals are hoping that by embedding themselves inside a YouTube e-mail, they will be able to slip past spam filters at the recipient's e-mail gateway(GTW)."
Researchers noted that the spam e-mails they've seen are set up to appear to come from the e-mail address 'service@youtube.com.' The body message tries to lure users to visit dating Web sites or they come out and offer prizes like the recently released Halo 3 game for the Xbox 360 console.
"This is hardly the most compelling example of a spammer advertising his wares to an Internet user," said Cluley. "It may be an effective way of waltzing past some spam defenses... Nevertheless, it doesn't require many positive responses for the spammers' efforts to have been worthwhile."
This isn't the first time cyber criminals have taken advantage of YouTube's popularity.
This past August, scammers were sending out e-mails posing as links to a fraudulent YouTubevideo. Instead of a video, users' machines were infected with a variant of the Storm worm.
9.DRACULA
If you're really desperate to live forever, you could try getting bitten by Dracula or one of his vampire underlings. But then you'll have to avoid Italian food and do nasty things like drink blood, avoid sunlight and sleep in coffins.
In the 1986 movie "Highlander," Connor MacLeod is a member of the immortals, a mysterious race who die only when their heads are lopped off. The immortals must battle each other until only one is left to claim The Prize: The gift of mortality and the ability to die like everyone else.
Security company Sophos warned users last week that spammers are exploiting the highly popular video Web site YouTube in an attempt to promote their own goods and online stores. The cyber criminals are dropping their spam messages in the 'comments' section of the 'invite-a-friend' service on YouTube, enabling them to send out spam that flies under the normal anti-spam radar.
"Normally spammers take over innocent people's PCs to send their unwanted messages across the Internet," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, in a written message. "In this case, however, they don't need to do that. Instead, they are using a Web site to relay a message to their intended audience. "The criminals are hoping that by embedding themselves inside a YouTube e-mail, they will be able to slip past spam filters at the recipient's e-mail gateway(GTW)."
Researchers noted that the spam e-mails they've seen are set up to appear to come from the e-mail address 'service@youtube.com.' The body message tries to lure users to visit dating Web sites or they come out and offer prizes like the recently released Halo 3 game for the Xbox 360 console.
"This is hardly the most compelling example of a spammer advertising his wares to an Internet user," said Cluley. "It may be an effective way of waltzing past some spam defenses... Nevertheless, it doesn't require many positive responses for the spammers' efforts to have been worthwhile."
This isn't the first time cyber criminals have taken advantage of YouTube's popularity.
This past August, scammers were sending out e-mails posing as links to a fraudulent YouTubevideo. Instead of a video, users' machines were infected with a variant of the Storm worm.
10.PETER PAN
The famous boy who never grows up (or old), prefers instead to cavort with fairies and fight one-handed pirates on the magical isle of Neverland.
9.DRACULAIf you're really desperate to live forever, you could try getting bitten by Dracula or one of his vampire underlings. But then you'll have to avoid Italian food and do nasty things like drink blood, avoid sunlight and sleep in coffins.
8.LAZARUS LONG
A character in many of Robert Heinlein's science fiction novels, Lazarus' long life is the result of a selective breeding program and occasional blood rejuvenation treatments. Lazarus lives to be over 2,000 years old; he travels to distant planets and even through time, and works every conceivable job, from doctor to slave.
7.NICHOLAS FLAMEL
In "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," Nicolas Flamel is a good friend of Hogwart's headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Author J.K. Rowling based Flamel's character on a real-life French 15th-century alchemist who legend claims successfully created the Philosopher's Stone, a mythical elixir that turns lead into gold and grants eternal life.
6.TITHONUS
When the Greek goddess Eos asks Zeus to grant her mortal lover, Tithonus, eternal life, she forgets to also ask for eternal youth. Tithonus indeed lives forever, but he grows old and frail, and begs for death. Some stories say that Tithonus eventually became a grasshopper.
5.DORIAN GRAY
An Oscar Wilde character that remains young and handsome while his portrait ages. Dorian slowly becomes corrupt, but his crimes and his true age show only in the face of the painting, which grows progressively more monstrous and withered.
4.HIGHLANDER
In the 1986 movie "Highlander," Connor MacLeod is a member of the immortals, a mysterious race who die only when their heads are lopped off. The immortals must battle each other until only one is left to claim The Prize: The gift of mortality and the ability to die like everyone else. 3.GRAIL KNIGHT
Friday, October 5, 2007
intellectual property rights
INDIA boosts IP rights
BANGALORE, India — The Ministry of Information Technology has amended its IP rights program to curtail patent infringement and adhere to international trade rules on intellectual property.
The move focuses on beefing up enforcement of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights provisions of the World Trade Organization.
While there have been no major complaints about India's IP protection framework, it is nevertheless amending its IP rights promotion program to avoid infringement resulting from widespread use of imported technologies here. Another goal is to promote awareness about patents within the researh community.
The ministry said it will also provide information regarding on patent searches and applications.
A patent watch center has also been created along with a pilot program to monitor software copying and a forum for Indian companies to learn more about patented technologies, the ministry added.
India operates several R&D organizations and funds dozens more. They filed a total of 56 new patent applications in 2005.
BANGALORE, India — The Ministry of Information Technology has amended its IP rights program to curtail patent infringement and adhere to international trade rules on intellectual property.
The move focuses on beefing up enforcement of the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights provisions of the World Trade Organization.
While there have been no major complaints about India's IP protection framework, it is nevertheless amending its IP rights promotion program to avoid infringement resulting from widespread use of imported technologies here. Another goal is to promote awareness about patents within the researh community.
The ministry said it will also provide information regarding on patent searches and applications.
A patent watch center has also been created along with a pilot program to monitor software copying and a forum for Indian companies to learn more about patented technologies, the ministry added.
India operates several R&D organizations and funds dozens more. They filed a total of 56 new patent applications in 2005.
information accuracy
how information accuracy influence's customer purchases
With rapid developments in technology, manufacturers of electronic products are frequently releasing new products and making improvements to existing products. The market success of innovative electronic consumer products clearly depends on consumer acceptance and willingness to pay. Manufacturers must therefore understand the factors that influence consumers' decisions to purchase new technology.
One innovative technology currently under development is the Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). One component of ATIS is a computer-based technology that uses information about current traffic conditions to provide automobile drivers with the optimum route to their destination. It is important for user acceptance of ATIS to occur fairly quickly because the more people who own and use ATIS, the more accurate the systems' predictions will be (traffic management centers will gather data on traveling speeds from all equipped cars). Thus, the slower the user acceptance, the less accurate the congestion information will be (there will be fewer data points). Developers will therefore want to ensure that the accuracy of the congestion information is sufficient for user acceptance before they release their products
With rapid developments in technology, manufacturers of electronic products are frequently releasing new products and making improvements to existing products. The market success of innovative electronic consumer products clearly depends on consumer acceptance and willingness to pay. Manufacturers must therefore understand the factors that influence consumers' decisions to purchase new technology.
One innovative technology currently under development is the Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). One component of ATIS is a computer-based technology that uses information about current traffic conditions to provide automobile drivers with the optimum route to their destination. It is important for user acceptance of ATIS to occur fairly quickly because the more people who own and use ATIS, the more accurate the systems' predictions will be (traffic management centers will gather data on traveling speeds from all equipped cars). Thus, the slower the user acceptance, the less accurate the congestion information will be (there will be fewer data points). Developers will therefore want to ensure that the accuracy of the congestion information is sufficient for user acceptance before they release their products
unauthorized use of computers and networks
U.S.A warns against unsecured wireless internet
Wireless Internet access can free you from the confines of cords, but not from the need for security. Without taking the proper precautions, it''''s easy for others to use your wireless network connection to access the Internet, or even to access the information on your own computer. The Federal Trade Commission is introducing a new section of OnGuard Online at www.OnGuardOnline.gov/wireless to teach computer users how to protect their personal wireless network connections - and the computers on them - from unauthorized use. The information also is available in Spanish at www.AlertaenLinea.gov/inalambrico.
The FTC cautions that allowing strangers to "piggyback" on a personal wireless network actually could be risky. Hackers can take advantage of an unprotected wireless connection to access information on any personal computers on that network. And if an unauthorized person uses your network to commit a crime or send spam, the activity can be traced back to your account.
Wireless Internet access can free you from the confines of cords, but not from the need for security. Without taking the proper precautions, it''''s easy for others to use your wireless network connection to access the Internet, or even to access the information on your own computer. The Federal Trade Commission is introducing a new section of OnGuard Online at www.OnGuardOnline.gov/wireless to teach computer users how to protect their personal wireless network connections - and the computers on them - from unauthorized use. The information also is available in Spanish at www.AlertaenLinea.gov/inalambrico.
The FTC cautions that allowing strangers to "piggyback" on a personal wireless network actually could be risky. Hackers can take advantage of an unprotected wireless connection to access information on any personal computers on that network. And if an unauthorized person uses your network to commit a crime or send spam, the activity can be traced back to your account.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Intellectual property has played a central role in the advancement of societies, but never more so than today, when technological innovation and ideas reach into every aspect of our lives. Intellectual property accounts for more than $5 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product annually.
But over the past few years the European Commission has been demonstrating its lack of respect for IP. In 2004, the Commission ruled against Microsoft in a lengthy antitrust case, and has been considering cases against other successful U.S. companies including Intel. Apple’s iPod is the subject of restrictive new laws in France.
But the EC’s ruling, upheld on Sept. 17 by Europe’s second highest court, is not just a record fine of nearly $1 billion. It includes demands that amount to forced exposure of some of Microsoft’s most valuable intellectual property, including a requirement that the company redefine its product offering and deliver critical source code to competitors free of charge.
The ruling is part of the pattern in European governments, regulatory bodies, and courts that abuses timetested IP rights. There is a disregard for the innovating progress of one company and rewards for the lack of innovation and sound business principles in others. It is a pattern that historically defeats prosperity and grinds economies to a halt.
The ruling leaves two glaring questions unanswered:
First, what rights do market leaders have to benefit from their own ideas? It would appear that the Commission is insisting that one successful idea must be shared with everyone, free of cost.
Second, at what point does an idea or product become so beneficial and successful that government has the right to strip the originator of the beneficial object and redistribute it among competitors and consumers? Clearly, in the minds of the Commission, Microsoft, Intel, Apple, and other American companies have crossed that line. The court decision has sent shivers down the spine of every CEO who runs a successful business with a large market share.
When intellectual property rights are not respected or protected, wouldbe players in the world of technological invention are sure to get cold feet and lose their drive to produce new products and services. Consumer choice drops to the bottom and customer service quickly follows. As service and quality go down, prices go up.
European legislators, regulators, and judges have a choice: Continue to take the European Union down a path of economic depression and consumer punishment by obstinately violating intellectual property rights, or wake up to the implications of their actions against Microsoft, other U.S. companies, and their own domestic businesses and restore an environment that protects property rights. The court ruling indicates that Europe will be enjoying its anti-IP slumber for years to come.
But over the past few years the European Commission has been demonstrating its lack of respect for IP. In 2004, the Commission ruled against Microsoft in a lengthy antitrust case, and has been considering cases against other successful U.S. companies including Intel. Apple’s iPod is the subject of restrictive new laws in France.
But the EC’s ruling, upheld on Sept. 17 by Europe’s second highest court, is not just a record fine of nearly $1 billion. It includes demands that amount to forced exposure of some of Microsoft’s most valuable intellectual property, including a requirement that the company redefine its product offering and deliver critical source code to competitors free of charge.
The ruling is part of the pattern in European governments, regulatory bodies, and courts that abuses timetested IP rights. There is a disregard for the innovating progress of one company and rewards for the lack of innovation and sound business principles in others. It is a pattern that historically defeats prosperity and grinds economies to a halt.
The ruling leaves two glaring questions unanswered:
First, what rights do market leaders have to benefit from their own ideas? It would appear that the Commission is insisting that one successful idea must be shared with everyone, free of cost.
Second, at what point does an idea or product become so beneficial and successful that government has the right to strip the originator of the beneficial object and redistribute it among competitors and consumers? Clearly, in the minds of the Commission, Microsoft, Intel, Apple, and other American companies have crossed that line. The court decision has sent shivers down the spine of every CEO who runs a successful business with a large market share.
When intellectual property rights are not respected or protected, wouldbe players in the world of technological invention are sure to get cold feet and lose their drive to produce new products and services. Consumer choice drops to the bottom and customer service quickly follows. As service and quality go down, prices go up.
European legislators, regulators, and judges have a choice: Continue to take the European Union down a path of economic depression and consumer punishment by obstinately violating intellectual property rights, or wake up to the implications of their actions against Microsoft, other U.S. companies, and their own domestic businesses and restore an environment that protects property rights. The court ruling indicates that Europe will be enjoying its anti-IP slumber for years to come.
information privacy
FACEBOOK URGED TO TIGHTEN SECURITY STATUS OF USERS
MANILA, Philippines -- IT security firm Sophos has urged Facebook to address more privacy concerns that were discovered, including the unwitting exposure of personal details of subscribers to possible identity thieves upon joining the network.
Taking a random snapshot of 200 users in the London Facebook Network alone, Sophos discovered that about 75 percent of the users had their profiles viewed by any other member regardless of whether they agreed to be friends.
The London network is one of the single largest geographic networks on the site with more than 1.2 million members.
The company said Facebook users in other geographic regions are similarly exposing personal information to complete strangers.
Apart from personal details, about 25 percent of profiles checked by Sophos included information relating to work.
"[These are] details that could potentially be used by cybercriminals in their attempts to commit corporate ID fraud or to infiltrate company networks," the antivirus firm said.
Facebook is a social networking service that is open to anyone upon registration. While Facebook allows users to set up privacy settings to ensure that only friends can their information, joining a network automatically opens users' profiles to other members of the network, Sophos said.
"I was flabbergasted when I joined a network on Facebook using a profile which I thought was secure only to find Facebook had changed a number of settings and was opening me up to millions of strangers. Who was to say that cybercriminals weren't in that network too? Is it right that Facebook works this way?" said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.
Sophos said details that were unwittingly made public were users' date of birth, phone number, among others.
"The Facebook network issue almost amounts to identity-on-demand for cybercriminals who are fully capable of taking advantage of unwitting Facebook fans. It's crucial that users take a few minutes to look at their privacy settings before getting caught up in the undisputed fun of Facebook," Cluley said.
Sophos has published a research showing that 41 percent of Facebook users were prepared to divulge personal information to a complete stranger, which turned out to be a small plastic frog called Freddi Staur, which was an anagram of “ID Fraudster.”
MANILA, Philippines -- IT security firm Sophos has urged Facebook to address more privacy concerns that were discovered, including the unwitting exposure of personal details of subscribers to possible identity thieves upon joining the network.
Taking a random snapshot of 200 users in the London Facebook Network alone, Sophos discovered that about 75 percent of the users had their profiles viewed by any other member regardless of whether they agreed to be friends.
The London network is one of the single largest geographic networks on the site with more than 1.2 million members.
The company said Facebook users in other geographic regions are similarly exposing personal information to complete strangers.
Apart from personal details, about 25 percent of profiles checked by Sophos included information relating to work.
"[These are] details that could potentially be used by cybercriminals in their attempts to commit corporate ID fraud or to infiltrate company networks," the antivirus firm said.
Facebook is a social networking service that is open to anyone upon registration. While Facebook allows users to set up privacy settings to ensure that only friends can their information, joining a network automatically opens users' profiles to other members of the network, Sophos said.
"I was flabbergasted when I joined a network on Facebook using a profile which I thought was secure only to find Facebook had changed a number of settings and was opening me up to millions of strangers. Who was to say that cybercriminals weren't in that network too? Is it right that Facebook works this way?" said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.
Sophos said details that were unwittingly made public were users' date of birth, phone number, among others.
"The Facebook network issue almost amounts to identity-on-demand for cybercriminals who are fully capable of taking advantage of unwitting Facebook fans. It's crucial that users take a few minutes to look at their privacy settings before getting caught up in the undisputed fun of Facebook," Cluley said.
Sophos has published a research showing that 41 percent of Facebook users were prepared to divulge personal information to a complete stranger, which turned out to be a small plastic frog called Freddi Staur, which was an anagram of “ID Fraudster.”
software piracy
CHINA'S FIGHT AGAINST SOFTWARE PIRACY.
China takes a lot of heat for its intellectual-property laws---or lack thereof. Software companies are constantly beating up on Chinese officials, or trying to get our politicans to beat up on them, about the rampant software piracy that goes on in China, and other companies are afraid to do business there for fear of losing control of patents or trademarks or other types of IP, which is also a not-inconsiderable factor holding back China's emergence as a force in global outsourcing. But China is trying to do something about it. China recently passed new laws about uploading or downloading copyrighted content to or from the Internet ("China Passes Internet Piracy Law). And judging from the heated litigation and debate going on in the United States, our own country doesn't necessarily have all the wrinkles worked out when it comes to intellectual property and the Internet. So let's give China a break and let them work out their own set of rules. Who knows, they might come up with some ideas better than what we're struggling with
China takes a lot of heat for its intellectual-property laws---or lack thereof. Software companies are constantly beating up on Chinese officials, or trying to get our politicans to beat up on them, about the rampant software piracy that goes on in China, and other companies are afraid to do business there for fear of losing control of patents or trademarks or other types of IP, which is also a not-inconsiderable factor holding back China's emergence as a force in global outsourcing. But China is trying to do something about it. China recently passed new laws about uploading or downloading copyrighted content to or from the Internet ("China Passes Internet Piracy Law). And judging from the heated litigation and debate going on in the United States, our own country doesn't necessarily have all the wrinkles worked out when it comes to intellectual property and the Internet. So let's give China a break and let them work out their own set of rules. Who knows, they might come up with some ideas better than what we're struggling with
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