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Computer hacking is a process of accessing the computer intentionally without any kind of authorization. It modifies the programs on the system in order to accomplish a goal other than the original purpose of the computer. Cracking passwords, extracting important information stored, and decoding files are all part of the computer hacking process. Professionals who master this art are popularly known as hackers.
As the two sides of a coin, hacking also has its own pros and cons. In the present day competitive world, many companies hire hackers as an important part of their technical group to ensure security of their company's key essentials. In the business war there are many who try to extract important information and data of renowned companies through hacking. Therefore, it becomes really significant for companies to hire hackers. Such hackers are true technical buffs and take this job with a desire to master this art and get into the depth of computer technology. Some renowned hackers like Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson, and Shawn Fanning made significant contribution to constructive technological advancements. The innovations created by them like the UNIX operating system by Dennis-Ken and Napster by Shawn was a breakthrough in the computer industry. This positive side is truly beneficial to one and all.
On the other hand, computer hacking can be negative in many ways. There are hackers who play fraud and intrigues to various disparaging purposes like breaking security code to access unauthorized network, stealing personal information, altering financial data of a company, stealing significant business information, breaking computer security, extracting bank details of an individual, and enjoying unauthorized access to the system. Hacking can be more destructive if any kind of national security information or confidential government data is exposed. Apart from this there are many destructive activities a hacker can perform for his or her own benefit. This side of hacking is very gloomy and can lead to many computer-related crimes.
There are many ways that can be used to prevent the negative activities of hacking. The first and the most important way is to install an anti virus software that helps in blocking the way of hackers from uploading malicious files onto the system. Avoid using simple passwords for any important data stored on the system or for accessing online bank account. It is always recommended to use a combination of alphabets and numbers that is usually difficult for hackers to figure out. A password involving the name of an individual, name of the company, or any birth date can easily be decoded by hackers. Delete all kind of suspicious emails received through an unknown sender and also avoid using P2P file sharing software.
If used for a constructive purpose, computer hacking can be a blessing but when it approaches to destructive activities it is a curse. Everyone using a computer at home or office should be smart enough to take a wise judgment to ensure high levels of computer security.
For more information, check Computer Hacking.
In today's digital world, small, medium and big businesses are facing the biggest threats from hackers. Any computer hacking attack, if successful, can create a lot of problem to networks and in fact all the critical information stored in the various computers within the network. In the field of IT, there is a growing need for professionals having ethical hacking courses to work for them and provide security to their computers and networks. Known as white hat hackers or ethical hackers, these professionals are expert in the area of anti-hacking techniques. They work for preventing the motives of malicious hackers from stealing or damaging important data and ensure the safety and protection of computer systems and networks.
People with ethical hacking trainings work to provide security to IT systems. At times, if required ethical hackers can even break into any other system. But the reason for doing so must be a genuine one for the safety of an organization or company. In fact, both black hat hackers and white hat hackers do the same thing, but the major line of discrimination is that an ethical hacker has altruistic motivations.
There are many major threats and issues related to computer hacking that one must be aware of to understand Information Security in the true sense of the terms. Today there are many some basic threats that you may face as an individual or as an organization such as:
Theft of Passwords
E-mail based Threats
E-mail based Extortion
Launch of Malicious Programmes (Trojans)
Internet Time Theft
Here are some major corporate threats that needs to be handled by professionals having knowledge of ethical hacking and lots more:
Web Defacement
Corporate Espionage
Website based Launch of Malicious Code Cheating and Frauds.
Exchange of Criminal Ideas and Tools
Cyber Harassment
Forged Websites
Not only this, there are some also online threats that need to be also taken care of, such as:
E-mail Spamming
Theft of Software, Electronic Records, Computer Hardware, etc.
Cyber Stalking
E-mail Bombing
Morphing
Denial of Service Attacks
Apart from this, there are some other threats too related to computer hacking such as:
Theft of Information
Email Forgery
Theft of E-Cash, Credit Card Numbers, Online Banking Accounts etc.
Protecting your computer and network can be done by ethical hackers, but as far security is concerned, the first step is to secure the hardware on which all the valuable information is stored and by which it moves across the network. Basically, it means limiting who is able to actually touch the computer, and what a person can do with it if they do gain on-site access. To protect your computers, network, and data from all types of damage and loss that can be done through computer hacking, however physical security can make a lot of difference. Well in physical security, computers must also be properly protected from natural disasters and accidental damage in addition to deliberate acts.
Appin Knowledge Solution is an affiliate of Appin group of companies based in Austin,Texas (US) known worldwide for education and Embedded system training, computer hacking and information security training.
At the famous hacker convention in Las Vegas, some of the computer security industry professionals there have created a UAV which can fly around and break into computer systems via their wireless connections. Is this a new scheme? Is this an innovative idea? I would submit to you that it's not a new original thought, as I had written an article about this a year or so ago on such a concept, and there are old tales of UFOs flying over missile silos containing ICBMs during the Cold War, and shutting down the entire system.
Yes I know, talking about UFOs, or unidentified flying objects, seems a little bizarre. But, whether or not those stories are true, hardly matters, because the stories go back to the 1970s and really this new hacking technique, which will probably be used by the US military is not a new thought, we can trace its origins back over four decades. Nevertheless, it is interesting new technology, and perhaps we should discuss this.
There was an interesting article in Physorg [dot] com recently on August 6, 2011 titled; "Hacker drone launches airborne cyber attacks," written by Glenn Chapman which stated;
"Computer security specialists built a small MAV drone aircraft that can launch airborne cyber attacks, hijacking mobile phone calls, or even delivering a dirty bomb. It is loaded with software to attack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GSM cell networks. The MAV grabs packets of data sent on wireless networks or unsecured hot spots as gateways to get in to computer systems. It can get GMS mobile phone IDs used to bill outgoing calls. Hackers can impersonate cell phone towers and eavesdrop on people's calls."
Perhaps, this is a good reason for people to secure their Wi-Fi at home, or in their businesses, and not leave open networks, because hackers can break in. It's also a good reason for government computer systems, and large corporations to think twice about having any sort of wireless communication too accessible, or allowing too much information to flow through them, which is of high value, proprietary, secret, or involving financial transactions.
We've always known that someone can park a Van near a Wi-Fi connection, and attempt to break into the computer system. In Silicon Valley there were computer professionals which did this quite often to test the security of various corporations. Flying a small model airplane or micro air vehicle, or even a military UAV over a location to get into the system might indeed help the cyber warfare division of the US military. We can also expect that our enemies will try to do this to us too, and unfortunately we can also expect criminal hackers to try to break into our personal information in this way.
Indeed, just when you thought it was safe to use your mobile phone, Wi-Fi, or wireless network - someone has invented a new way to get in. Be careful out there folks, indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it when you are devising a strategy for Internet security and safe mobile phone transactions.
Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 24,444 articles by September 4th at 4:44 PM will be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..
Cyber crimes have been growing rampant nowadays from prostitution to identity thievery. Even as we search criminal records, there are notable persons who have done hacking on personal accounts from emails accounts to even bank accounts.
Internet Crime Complaint Center releases a background check report stating that about $559 million were lost by Americans to Internet thieves last year. This was twice than the 2008 figure where $268 million were stolen.
Bankrate.com gave advice regarding cyber crime especially on how to secure the consumer's interest. They first take note on the most dangerous account taker.
The biggest threat to banking accounts would be Banking Trojan, a malicious code designed for banking fraud. These are invisible and can steal multiple data which includes the consumer's passwords. Advance types of this virus can even make illicit transactions like money transfers that can drain one's account completely.
For those who wish to have a secure bank account online passwords and other so called "layers" before entering the account are very important. The more codes that are needed to be given before you can log in the better are the security of that account. There are even banking sites that ask for users to use a username for logging in. the key to a safer account is to have a password composed of letters and numbers as well.
In the case that your account has been hacked remember to the general rule of consumers checking the savings: the bank is liable for most of the damage. This rule however is limited only to those who report the illicit transfer in a timely manner. In the case that a user has multiple accounts from credit to business, liability to the bank is only when the customer has he has a reasonable conducted with respect to security. The court will therefore determine who more at fault of the breach was.
Business accounts are also more prone to hackers especially and is least protected by the law. Court records have listed such cases of theft that if we search criminal records there are definitely hundreds of such listed per year.
The Uniform commercial Code or UCC regulates the Business Accounts. They require banks to maintain a commercial reasonable authentication security procedure in any wire transfer. This is a background check whether breaches are caused by the consumer or the bank. In case the consumer is at fault the bank is not liable for the loss.
To protect accounts, as shown in background check on hacked accounts, it is best know the safety procedures first before undergoing online transactions. Firstly opening it should only be accessed on one's personal computer and not that which is shared; this also goes the same on the network used by the computer (the network should not be in public). Computers should also have an updated anti-virus, anti spyware, and firewall protection. Do background check of statements to see if there is an irregularity that is needs to be reported immediately. Lastly passwords should be strong (using combination of numbers and letters) and should not be the same for multiple accounts. Logging off after every session is a must as well.
Madeline is a psychology graduate presently working as a freelance writer and at times handle background check service for a women's magazines. she is also a ghostwriter for a local newspaper and does background check on records search for her uncle's law firm which also helps her with her writing stint.
Every responsible Internet user knows that hacking is a serious crime. However, we all know as well that justice may not be on hand for its victims. A lot of private and public companies, including governments, have lost revenues due to information theft leading to loss of income and damage brought about by hackers. The sad thing is, laws don't seem to be tough enough on cyber offenders. In some cases, they're not even considered offenders at all due to the lack of legislation that defines and covers Internet crimes. This simply leaves us wondering what happens to a hacker when he's caught.
There are, of course, celebrated cases where hackers have actually been brought to justice. However, it's not very reassuring to take into account how the film industry has even somehow created this perception of hackers as being cool and even sexy. It seems as though Hollywood has forgotten to portray these black hats as they really are. It actually looks as though people have developed a distorted perception of this act and don't realize that it can be seriously damaging. Still, we are left only to wonder why this is so.
The very important question now is, what happens to hacker if and when they're caught? Do they even pay for what they've done? Do they serve a jail sentence? Are they made to pay damages to the victim? It's crazy to think that some people in government actually think the problem could be solved by confiscating the hacker's equipment and banning him from buying any new gadgets. It actually is downright ridiculous to think that the problem could be prevented by confiscation. After all, any black hat can hire anyone to buy him a new computer, modem or storage device and then he'll be right back on his trade as if nothing happened.
Definitely, hacking is a far more serious offense than most justice officials are ready to accept. And this leniency is, in fact, making the situation worse. Because these people know they can easily get away even if they were caught, they will simply continue robbing people and companies of their identities and causing their victims massive detriment while they take off in their private jets and burn some cold cash in an offshore casino.
If things go on like this, then Internet users will have to ensure their online security on their own by employing every measure there is to keep hackers at bay. Because these cyber offenders can begin by installing keyloggers into your computer, it would always be wise to have basic computer safety software installed. The firewall is another key component in securing your system along with an anti-virus software and every other type of anti-malware there is.
For general precaution, you can make use of an IP hiding software which works by disguising your IP address so even if you actually met a hacker while surfing, he wouldn't know how to get back to you because you've stashed your IP in some place he couldn't reach. Of course, this offers a reliable cloak of protection and you'll be gone from every hacker's life from then on.
Cyber crimes have been growing rampant nowadays from prostitution to identity thievery. Even as we search criminal records, there are notable persons who have done hacking on personal accounts from emails accounts to even bank accounts.
Internet Crime Complaint Center releases a background check report stating that about $559 million were lost by Americans to Internet thieves last year. This was twice than the 2008 figure where $268 million were stolen.
Bankrate.com gave advice regarding cyber crime especially on how to secure the consumer's interest. They first take note on the most dangerous account taker.
The biggest threat to banking accounts would be Banking Trojan, a malicious code designed for banking fraud. These are invisible and can steal multiple data which includes the consumer's passwords. Advance types of this virus can even make illicit transactions like money transfers that can drain one's account completely.
For those who wish to have a secure bank account online passwords and other so called "layers" before entering the account are very important. The more codes that are needed to be given before you can log in the better are the security of that account. There are even banking sites that ask for users to use a username for logging in. the key to a safer account is to have a password composed of letters and numbers as well.
In the case that your account has been hacked remember to the general rule of consumers checking the savings: the bank is liable for most of the damage. This rule however is limited only to those who report the illicit transfer in a timely manner. In the case that a user has multiple accounts from credit to business, liability to the bank is only when the customer has he has a reasonable conducted with respect to security. The court will therefore determine who more at fault of the breach was.
Business accounts are also more prone to hackers especially and is least protected by the law. Court records have listed such cases of theft that if we search criminal records there are definitely hundreds of such listed per year.
The Uniform commercial Code or UCC regulates the Business Accounts. They require banks to maintain a commercial reasonable authentication security procedure in any wire transfer. This is a background check whether breaches are caused by the consumer or the bank. In case the consumer is at fault the bank is not liable for the loss.
To protect accounts, as shown in background check on hacked accounts, it is best know the safety procedures first before undergoing online transactions. Firstly opening it should only be accessed on one's personal computer and not that which is shared; this also goes the same on the network used by the computer (the network should not be in public). Computers should also have an updated anti-virus, anti spyware, and firewall protection. Do background check of statements to see if there is an irregularity that is needs to be reported immediately. Lastly passwords should be strong (using combination of numbers and letters) and should not be the same for multiple accounts. Logging off after every session is a must as well.
Madeline is a psychology graduate presently working as a freelance writer and at times handle background check service for a women's magazines. she is also a ghostwriter for a local newspaper and does background check on records search for her uncle's law firm which also helps her with her writing stint.
In theory at least, the Wild West days of the Internet are over. Based upon the inventions articulated in his five-patent suite, inventor, Harry Emerson III, has mapped out a union between our secure and venerable telephone system - AKA POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) - and the hyper-evolving, media-rich Internet which is so famously not one bit secure. As it evolves, he believes this next generation telecommunications system, dubbed IronPipe(TM), will have huge implications for national security as well as tremendous new revenue opportunities for the carriers and supply chains which serve them. Conceived in response to what he views as the seriously flawed paradigm which is currently developing as telecommunications migrate to the Internet, Mr. Emerson says he designed IronPipe(TM) to offer an alternative with a high degree of security. The Internet has produced something akin to a gold rush experience for those mining its resources and developing its vast potentialities, he said. But, in the midst of this frenzy, he has observed that fundamental requirements of privacy, secrecy, and security are seldom openly discussed when it comes to Internet-based phone services known as "Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems such as SKYPE, which are rapidly being developed.
These are serious issues, he maintains, and they need to be fully considered by users such as corporations, telecommunications carriers, VoIP carriers, law enforcement agencies, and federal and state governments, as well as by the millions of Internet using individuals who are concerned with their own personal privacy. According to Mr. Emerson our current state of vulnerability came about because we have turned a blind eye to these issues of privacy, secrecy and security, combined with the scramble for profit, and an unregulated environment for VoIP. "The Internet is a lawless frontier where nothing is safe and secure and reliability is always one step away from calamity," he says. "As things stand today, VoIP does little to protect the interests of the aforementioned entities, not to mention protecting the security of the United States. We are suffering untold numbers of hacker attacks DAILY, with systems broken into and identities stolen. Not too long ago the entire worldwide DNS system (Domain Name System) was brought to its knees by hackers," he said. In his opinion, if the technology continues to develop in its current direction, no one will be able to guarantee that communications cannot be intercepted and monitored. In addition, if we examine our current circumstances, a lot of the excitement generating the rush to VoIP is based upon an illusion, the appearance that we are being offered new and sophisticated technologies. In fact, existing VoIP offerings are simply discounted POTS services, he says, with no value-added features, only lower cost caused by fierce price pressure from cable TV and other low-overhead vendors. The result is the continued downward spiral on price that has plagued the telecommunications industry for 30 years. IronPipe(TM) is a re-thinking of 21st century telecommunications architecture, which will return a sense of safety to our society as a whole, reinvigorating our economy from the inside out. If his vision is implemented, Mr. Emerson says we won't have to put up with either the fear of intrusion, or the huge financial burden of protecting ourselves from the ever-increasing army of those with malicious intent. According to him, we now have a choice.
The challenge is that VoIP companies such as Skype, Vonage and the various Cable carriers which have migrated to the Internet did so not only to provide cheaper communications, but to avoid regulatory scrutiny. "If you don't have to deal with the regulations it tends to make things cheaper," he said. "But these profits come at a price." "The integrity of the communications system has been compromised because of short term thinking primarily geared towards reducing costs." In its simplest terms, IronPipe will enable us to make web 2.0 Internet-style media rich calls utilizing the existing private, protected, secure, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and its unseen private data network - known as SS7, which connects all the main switches around the world. While VoIP uses the Internet exclusively and thus can be, and regularly is, compromised, if we establish Internet calls through these telephone company switches there will be no access from the outside. We can create rich media visual telephone calls on broadband Internet connections, using wireline or wireless touch-screen phones such as the iPhone, simply by dialing a phone number, and still enjoy the privacy, security and reliability of traditional telephone calls. In short, Mr. Emerson says that his technology seamlessly merges the best of the Internet with the best of the telephone network. Considering the cost to government, industry and society at large to protect against intrusion and to remediate the damage caused by intrusion, IronPipe could be well worth looking into.
About Harry Emerson - Emerson Development LLC:
Harry Emerson is an expert in computers, voice and data communications, and the Internet. His career history includes 25 years in various sales, management, and strategic capacities at AT&T and the design and management of large-scale, multi-million dollar enterprise applications and data systems including the consolidation of 40 data networks into a single corporate-wide network, and an application for 5,000 sales representatives to access 120 million customer records. He has numerous patents issued and pending against a variety of technologies including FM radio, Internet streaming, PC software, and telecommunications. His background in switching systems and data networking, along with concepts he developed in corporate architecture and strategy positions, ultimately led to the development of a patent portfolio that defines the next generation of telecommunications, featuring secure, rich MultiMedia capabilities. Mr. Emerson co-founded GEODE Electronics to commercialize a series of patented enhancements to commercial FM radio. Subsequently, Mr. Emerson co-founded SurferNETWORK, an Internet streaming media business. He is a member of the NJTC Telecommunications/Media Industry Network Advisory board and the founder of Emerson Development LLC and the Inventor of the IronPipe system to create a secure Internet.
Jacqueline Herships is a publicist, journalist and communications strategist working to build public understanding of key environmental and security issues of the time.
Every responsible Internet user knows that hacking is a serious crime. However, we all know as well that justice may not be on hand for its victims. A lot of private and public companies, including governments, have lost revenues due to information theft leading to loss of income and damage brought about by hackers. The sad thing is, laws don't seem to be tough enough on cyber offenders. In some cases, they're not even considered offenders at all due to the lack of legislation that defines and covers Internet crimes. This simply leaves us wondering what happens to a hacker when he's caught.
There are, of course, celebrated cases where hackers have actually been brought to justice. However, it's not very reassuring to take into account how the film industry has even somehow created this perception of hackers as being cool and even sexy. It seems as though Hollywood has forgotten to portray these black hats as they really are. It actually looks as though people have developed a distorted perception of this act and don't realize that it can be seriously damaging. Still, we are left only to wonder why this is so.
The very important question now is, what happens to hacker if and when they're caught? Do they even pay for what they've done? Do they serve a jail sentence? Are they made to pay damages to the victim? It's crazy to think that some people in government actually think the problem could be solved by confiscating the hacker's equipment and banning him from buying any new gadgets. It actually is downright ridiculous to think that the problem could be prevented by confiscation. After all, any black hat can hire anyone to buy him a new computer, modem or storage device and then he'll be right back on his trade as if nothing happened.
Definitely, hacking is a far more serious offense than most justice officials are ready to accept. And this leniency is, in fact, making the situation worse. Because these people know they can easily get away even if they were caught, they will simply continue robbing people and companies of their identities and causing their victims massive detriment while they take off in their private jets and burn some cold cash in an offshore casino.
If things go on like this, then Internet users will have to ensure their online security on their own by employing every measure there is to keep hackers at bay. Because these cyber offenders can begin by installing keyloggers into your computer, it would always be wise to have basic computer safety software installed. The firewall is another key component in securing your system along with an anti-virus software and every other type of anti-malware there is.
For general precaution, you can make use of an IP hiding software which works by disguising your IP address so even if you actually met a hacker while surfing, he wouldn't know how to get back to you because you've stashed your IP in some place he couldn't reach. Of course, this offers a reliable cloak of protection and you'll be gone from every hacker's life from then on.
Every responsible Internet user knows that hacking is a serious crime. However, we all know as well that justice may not be on hand for its victims. A lot of private and public companies, including governments, have lost revenues due to information theft leading to loss of income and damage brought about by hackers. The sad thing is, laws don't seem to be tough enough on cyber offenders. In some cases, they're not even considered offenders at all due to the lack of legislation that defines and covers Internet crimes. This simply leaves us wondering what happens to a hacker when he's caught.
There are, of course, celebrated cases where hackers have actually been brought to justice. However, it's not very reassuring to take into account how the film industry has even somehow created this perception of hackers as being cool and even sexy. It seems as though Hollywood has forgotten to portray these black hats as they really are. It actually looks as though people have developed a distorted perception of this act and don't realize that it can be seriously damaging. Still, we are left only to wonder why this is so.
The very important question now is, what happens to hacker if and when they're caught? Do they even pay for what they've done? Do they serve a jail sentence? Are they made to pay damages to the victim? It's crazy to think that some people in government actually think the problem could be solved by confiscating the hacker's equipment and banning him from buying any new gadgets. It actually is downright ridiculous to think that the problem could be prevented by confiscation. After all, any black hat can hire anyone to buy him a new computer, modem or storage device and then he'll be right back on his trade as if nothing happened.
Definitely, hacking is a far more serious offense than most justice officials are ready to accept. And this leniency is, in fact, making the situation worse. Because these people know they can easily get away even if they were caught, they will simply continue robbing people and companies of their identities and causing their victims massive detriment while they take off in their private jets and burn some cold cash in an offshore casino.
If things go on like this, then Internet users will have to ensure their online security on their own by employing every measure there is to keep hackers at bay. Because these cyber offenders can begin by installing keyloggers into your computer, it would always be wise to have basic computer safety software installed. The firewall is another key component in securing your system along with an anti-virus software and every other type of anti-malware there is.
For general precaution, you can make use of an IP hiding software which works by disguising your IP address so even if you actually met a hacker while surfing, he wouldn't know how to get back to you because you've stashed your IP in some place he couldn't reach. Of course, this offers a reliable cloak of protection and you'll be gone from every hacker's life from then on.
In theory at least, the Wild West days of the Internet are over. Based upon the inventions articulated in his five-patent suite, inventor, Harry Emerson III, has mapped out a union between our secure and venerable telephone system - AKA POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) - and the hyper-evolving, media-rich Internet which is so famously not one bit secure. As it evolves, he believes this next generation telecommunications system, dubbed IronPipe(TM), will have huge implications for national security as well as tremendous new revenue opportunities for the carriers and supply chains which serve them. Conceived in response to what he views as the seriously flawed paradigm which is currently developing as telecommunications migrate to the Internet, Mr. Emerson says he designed IronPipe(TM) to offer an alternative with a high degree of security. The Internet has produced something akin to a gold rush experience for those mining its resources and developing its vast potentialities, he said. But, in the midst of this frenzy, he has observed that fundamental requirements of privacy, secrecy, and security are seldom openly discussed when it comes to Internet-based phone services known as "Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems such as SKYPE, which are rapidly being developed.
These are serious issues, he maintains, and they need to be fully considered by users such as corporations, telecommunications carriers, VoIP carriers, law enforcement agencies, and federal and state governments, as well as by the millions of Internet using individuals who are concerned with their own personal privacy. According to Mr. Emerson our current state of vulnerability came about because we have turned a blind eye to these issues of privacy, secrecy and security, combined with the scramble for profit, and an unregulated environment for VoIP. "The Internet is a lawless frontier where nothing is safe and secure and reliability is always one step away from calamity," he says. "As things stand today, VoIP does little to protect the interests of the aforementioned entities, not to mention protecting the security of the United States. We are suffering untold numbers of hacker attacks DAILY, with systems broken into and identities stolen. Not too long ago the entire worldwide DNS system (Domain Name System) was brought to its knees by hackers," he said. In his opinion, if the technology continues to develop in its current direction, no one will be able to guarantee that communications cannot be intercepted and monitored. In addition, if we examine our current circumstances, a lot of the excitement generating the rush to VoIP is based upon an illusion, the appearance that we are being offered new and sophisticated technologies. In fact, existing VoIP offerings are simply discounted POTS services, he says, with no value-added features, only lower cost caused by fierce price pressure from cable TV and other low-overhead vendors. The result is the continued downward spiral on price that has plagued the telecommunications industry for 30 years. IronPipe(TM) is a re-thinking of 21st century telecommunications architecture, which will return a sense of safety to our society as a whole, reinvigorating our economy from the inside out. If his vision is implemented, Mr. Emerson says we won't have to put up with either the fear of intrusion, or the huge financial burden of protecting ourselves from the ever-increasing army of those with malicious intent. According to him, we now have a choice.
The challenge is that VoIP companies such as Skype, Vonage and the various Cable carriers which have migrated to the Internet did so not only to provide cheaper communications, but to avoid regulatory scrutiny. "If you don't have to deal with the regulations it tends to make things cheaper," he said. "But these profits come at a price." "The integrity of the communications system has been compromised because of short term thinking primarily geared towards reducing costs." In its simplest terms, IronPipe will enable us to make web 2.0 Internet-style media rich calls utilizing the existing private, protected, secure, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and its unseen private data network - known as SS7, which connects all the main switches around the world. While VoIP uses the Internet exclusively and thus can be, and regularly is, compromised, if we establish Internet calls through these telephone company switches there will be no access from the outside. We can create rich media visual telephone calls on broadband Internet connections, using wireline or wireless touch-screen phones such as the iPhone, simply by dialing a phone number, and still enjoy the privacy, security and reliability of traditional telephone calls. In short, Mr. Emerson says that his technology seamlessly merges the best of the Internet with the best of the telephone network. Considering the cost to government, industry and society at large to protect against intrusion and to remediate the damage caused by intrusion, IronPipe could be well worth looking into.
About Harry Emerson - Emerson Development LLC:
Harry Emerson is an expert in computers, voice and data communications, and the Internet. His career history includes 25 years in various sales, management, and strategic capacities at AT&T and the design and management of large-scale, multi-million dollar enterprise applications and data systems including the consolidation of 40 data networks into a single corporate-wide network, and an application for 5,000 sales representatives to access 120 million customer records. He has numerous patents issued and pending against a variety of technologies including FM radio, Internet streaming, PC software, and telecommunications. His background in switching systems and data networking, along with concepts he developed in corporate architecture and strategy positions, ultimately led to the development of a patent portfolio that defines the next generation of telecommunications, featuring secure, rich MultiMedia capabilities. Mr. Emerson co-founded GEODE Electronics to commercialize a series of patented enhancements to commercial FM radio. Subsequently, Mr. Emerson co-founded SurferNETWORK, an Internet streaming media business. He is a member of the NJTC Telecommunications/Media Industry Network Advisory board and the founder of Emerson Development LLC and the Inventor of the IronPipe system to create a secure Internet.
Jacqueline Herships is a publicist, journalist and communications strategist working to build public understanding of key environmental and security issues of the time.
If you're reading this and you're young, there's a decent chance that somebody has hacked into your social media account recently. Maybe they sent a lewd tweet on Twitter or posted a hilariously confusing status update on Facebook. It's possible they set up a Hangout with your worst enemies on Google+ or read all your Gmail. Regardless, this is happening more and more frequently according to a new Associated Press-MTV poll. Three in 10 teens have had their social media accounts hacked, twice the number in 2009. The vast majority of the victims knew the perpetrators--67 percent of those pranked knew the prankster, 72 percent of those spied on knew the spy--and about half of them were upset about it.
Related: What Everyone Can Learn From the BBC's New Social Media GuideThe trend seems harmless enough at face value. If anything, being the victim of a hack prompts people to pay more attention to securing their identity online. The AP-MTV poll says that two-thirds take action by changing passwords or screen names, one in four delete their accounts altogether. Then there are the celebrity hacks--often good for a yuck or two. Earlier this year, a prankster hacked into Ashton Kutcher's account during a TED conference and used the access for a little bit of cybersecurity activism.?"Ashton, you've been Punk'd," read the rogue tweet. "This account is not secure. Dude, where's my SSL?" (SSL means "Security Sockets Layer," a simple shield against hacks that many believe should be the default security setting on Twitter on Facebook but is not.)
Related: Don't Expect Too Much From Social Media Town HallsWe reported last month that Twitter, for one, takes a pretty hands-off approach to what happens their users' accounts are hacked. The FBI's admits, "The truth is it's relatively easy to get into these accounts," but Twitter's standard response to users whose accounts have been attacked is to do what the teens we mentioned about are already doing: change your username, make a more secure password, if all else fails delete the account. (There are a few more tips about what you can do to protect your account here.)
I was reading Reuters today and I came across a news article indicating that a number of high profile agencies – from the United Nations to the Canadian Government to government of Taiwan – were broken into over a period of the past five years.? From the article:
BOSTON (Reuters) - Security experts have discovered the biggest series of cyber attacks to date, involving the infiltration of the networks of 72 organizations including the United Nations, governments and companies around the world.
Security company McAfee, which uncovered the intrusions, said it believed there was one "state actor" behind the attacks but declined to name it, though one security expert who has been briefed on the hacking said the evidence points to China.
I’ll say it right now, even though I haven’t been briefed on it.? It was China. Continuing:
The long list of victims in the five-year campaign include the governments of the United States, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Vietnam and Canada; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); the International Olympic Committee (IOC); the World Anti-Doping Agency; and an array of companies, from defense contractors to high-tech enterprises.
"What is happening to all this data ... is still largely an open question. However, if even a fraction of it is used to build better competing products or beat a competitor at a key negotiation (due to having stolen the other team's playbook), the loss represents a massive economic threat."
…
Some of the attacks lasted just a month, but the longest -- on the Olympic Committee of an unidentified Asian nation -- went on and off for 28 months, according to McAfee.
"Companies and government agencies are getting raped and pillaged every day. They are losing economic advantage and national secrets to unscrupulous competitors," Alperovitch told Reuters.
"This is the biggest transfer of wealth in terms of intellectual property in history," he said. "The scale at which this is occurring is really, really frightening."
CHINA CONNECTION?
Jim Lewis, a cyber expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it was very likely China was behind the campaign because some of the targets had information that would be of particular interest to Beijing.
The systems of the IOC and several national Olympic Committees were breached before the 2008 Beijing Games. And China views Taiwan as a renegade province, and political issues between them remain contentious even as economic ties have strengthened in recent years.
"Everything points to China. It could be the Russians, but there is more that points to China than Russia," Lewis said.
This is something that I have written about numerous times, here is a summary of my position:
However, while they cleaned up the unintentional stuff for spammers to make it seem like they are a good place to do business (read: not abused by spammers) they have moved in the direction of employing an army of cyber warriors whose job it is to stay hidden and steal secrets.? They are pretty good at the latter, but not quite so good at the former.
Western cultures view these cyber intrusions as only a couple of steps below an act of war or aggression.? However, the US military has asserted that it will respond in kind.? If a foreign power attacked the US power grid, they would consider that an act of aggression.? But what does stealing state secrets mean?? Covert operations have been standard operating procedure since the beginning of civilization. Here is a picture of me in China three years ago:
Not every security researcher is convinced that the evidence points to China.? Graham Cluley, of the Sophos Security blog, writes the following:
Furthermore, the report (quite rightly, in my opinion) refuses to name who it believes is responsible for the hack. Nevertheless, the media have leapt to the conclusion, with a nudge and a wink, that it simply must be China.
Despite the lack of any evidence in the report that it is China.
I don't think we should be naive. I'm sure China does use the internet to spy on other countries.
But I'm equally sure that just about *every* country around the world is using the internet to spy. Why wouldn't they? It's not very hard, and it's certainly cost effective compared to other types of espionage.
In other words, China is a good candidate but it really could be any number of countries, each of whom possesses the ability to break in and steal secrets.? I think that Cluley is one of the best security bloggers out there and I respect his work a lot. But this obviously points to China:
I could go on but those will suffice.? The targeted list of countries dovetail right into China’s interests.? Sure, it could be the United States or Russia or Britain or France or Israel.? It’s possible but not probable.
The question now is what other nations in the area and around the world are doing to counter it.
