Sunday, February 03, 2013

How Chinese Hackers Infiltrated The New York Times

Source: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-01/new-york-times-targeted-chinese-hackers

The New York Times published an article this morning saying that the newspaper has been the victim of persistent and, it must be said, not entirely unsuccessful cyberattacks originating in China. The attacks apparently started shortly after the Times published this report about the relatives of Wen Jiabao, China's prime minister, who have accumulated a "hidden fortune" to the tune of billions of dollars.

The attacks consisted of hacking into the email accounts of 53 Times employees, and the information accessed was apparently limited to information related to the Wen Jiabao story. The Times stresses that no customer information (credit cards, that kind of thing) was accessed.

An outside firm hired by the Times found that the technique used to gain this access was consistent with other attacks from China: a method called "spearphishing," an essentially simple way to gain access that involves sending malicious links that, when opened, install malware on the victim's computer. The emails were routed through American universities--also a Chinese hacker trademark--to disguise their origin. The Times has taken several steps to protect itself in the future, including changing every employee password, removing "every back door into its network," and adding more security. Read more here.



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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Samsung buys five percent stake in stylus-maker Wacom, strikes manufacturing deal

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/samsung-buys-five-percent-stake-in-stylus-maker-wacom-strikes-m/

You don't have to look much further than the millions of Galaxy Notes sold to realize that Samsung is serious about the stylus, but the company's now made that commitment clearer than ever by buying a piece of Wacom. It's not the biggest of investments for a company of Samsung's size, but the $58.9 million it's laid out will give it a five percent voting stake in the company, and a further in with what is one of the world's leading stylus makers. According to Wacom, its share of the global pen tablet market stands at a whopping 85 percent, and its sales of its components for use in smartphones and tablets have nearly doubled from 2011 to 2012.

As for where the new cash infusion will be put to use, Wacom says that by March of 2014 the entire net amount raised from the sale of shares will be invested in "product development and manufacturing and supply system enhancements for products to be supplied to Samsung Electronics," adding that it aims to "expand its relationship" with Samsung even further.

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Via: Phone Arena

Source: Wacom (PDF)

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Acer intros Liquid C1 smartphone packing Intel Lexington, low price to match

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/acer-intros-liquid-c1-smartphone-packing-intel-lexington/

Acer intros Liquid C1 smartphone packing Intel Lexington, low price to match

Remember that unnamed Acer phone we caught skulking about Intel's CES event? It's been given a proper launch: meet the Liquid C1. True to form, the fully revealed device centers around a Lexington-based, 1.2GHz Atom Z2420 processor. The chip gives the C1 enough grunt to power an 8-megapixel camera with burst shooting while keeping the price in check, at about 9,990 baht ($335) off-contract for the inaugural Thailand release in February. Locals will otherwise get a solid Android 4.0 smartphone with a 4.3-inch display, HSPA+ 3G and a battery that lasts for nine hours of 3G talk. Other countries in southeast Asia are next on the list to get Acer's turn at an Intel-powered handset, although we wouldn't expect to see it everywhere -- Intel's Uday Marty warns ZDNet that the absence of LTE will keep phones like the C1 away from markets where the faster data is commonplace.

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Source: ZDNet

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Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/canon-330-hs-115-is-hands-on/

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS handson video

In Japan, they've been coined the IXUS 255 HS and IXUS 132, but folks in the US will probably recognize them as the ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS. By any name, they're Canon's two mid-range point-and-shoots for CP+, and while they were joined by the A2500 during this week's announcements, that latter model didn't seem to make it to the company's booth here in Yokohama. In any case, if you've handled an ELPH model in recent years, you know what to expect here -- Canon's design hasn't changed much, but we're not complaining. The 330 HS includes a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, compared to a 16-megapixel CCD in the slightly smaller 115 IS.

Cosmetically, the biggest difference between the two is the powerful 10x optical zoom lens on the 330 HS, compared to a still-respectable 8x optic on the lower-end model. Both cameras offer the same familiar PowerShot UI, and they look nearly identical with the lens retracted. Zoomed in, however, it's clear which camera is the more capable of the bunch. Both performed very well during our hands-on at Canon's booth, though we'd definitely opt for the 330 HS, which offers a superior sensor and extended lens, not to mention built-in WiFi -- it's definitely worth spending an extra 60 bucks to snag the $230 HS model. Both cameras are set to ship beginning in March, but you can check them out in our walkthrough today, embedded just past the break.

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Google delivers Grand Canyon panoramas to less-than-patient tourists

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/google-delivers-grand-canyon-panoramas/

Google delivers Grand Canyon panoramas for lessthanpatient tourists

Google must take as long to sift through vacation photos as everyone else. A few months after it sent its Trekker cameras to sweep the Grand Canyon, the resulting panoramas are at last showing on Google Maps. The expansion gives us 360-degree views from paths spanning roughly 75 miles, including tougher routes like the South Kaibab Trail. The views won't fully convey the majesty of standing on the canyon's edge, but they're quicker than booking a hiking expedition in Arizona -- and certainly easier on the legs.

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Via: Google Official Blog

Source: Google Maps

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