By Thomas Holbrook II, Tech Guru
Summer’s almost over, but tech news remains hot. This week in tech, advancements in mobile have been made.
Starting with the beta version of Chrome 38, developers can emulate a mobile device for site testing. Network speeds from cell signals can be simulated so sites can be optimized.
Fans of Google Glass may be interested in the Daqri Smart Helmet, an Android-based hard hat. With a Google Glass-like display, the device utilizes augmented reality to help with navigation, safety, and training in work environments.
The increase in mobile devices and smart wear also means increased vigilance in security.
Amazon, Yahoo, and YouTube were targets of malicious ads from a network called “Kyle and Stan.” The ads redirect a user to a website that downloads unique malware bundled with legitimate software that targets both Windows and Mac users.
The effectiveness of the deceptive ads depends on who is willing to click them.
Google has also had to contend with leaked usernames and passwords for GMail. Those wanting to check to see if their account’s compromised may visit isleaked.com.
Identity theft is a never ending struggle, which is why Mozilla has ended support for 1024 bit security certificates. Microsoft and other companies have moved to 2048 bit encryption, but Google is still behind.
These certificates are used in sites that specialize in e-commerce, e-mail, and other functions. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is among the organizations recommending stronger encryption.
Security tools and protocols are also used for political activism and even underground trade, but is not guaranteed against government agencies.
The Silk Road was shut down, but the methods used have not been without controversy. The FBI discovered the location of the hidden site by accessing a server that wasn’t supposed to be public.
Larry Seltzer of ZDNet asks if the agency is guilty of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, citing Professor Orin Kerr of the George Washington University Law School.
Kerr successfully helped Andrew Auernheimer appeal to the Third Circuit US Court of Appeals over a case involving an AT&T server vulnerability.
Online activism also took place this week as Netflix, Reddit, and other major sites attempted to raise awareness of Net Neutrality. A symbolic slow down started Wednesday with a graphical banner featuring a loading symbol.
The action took place in response to the FCC’s proposed rules for Net Neutrality, which some have argued would allow service providers to charge content providers for higher speeds. Advocates for Net Neutrality argue that allowing fast lanes will create slow lanes, making it harder for startups to compete.
