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Submission + - Industrial networks are vulnerable to devastating cyberattack, new research says (dailydot.com)

Submitted by Patrick O'Neill
Patrick O'Neill writes: New research into Industrial Ethernet Switches reveals a wide host of vulnerabilities that leave critical infrastructure facilities open to attackers. Many of the vulnerabilities reveal fundamental weaknesses: Widespread use of default passwords, hardcoded encryption keys, a lack of proper authentication for firmware updates, a lack of encrypted connections, and more. Combined with a lack of network monitoring, researchers say the situation showcases "a massive lack of security awareness in the industrial control systems community.”

Submission + - Check whether Hacking Team demoed cyberweapons for your local cops (muckrock.com)

Submitted by v3rgEz
v3rgEz writes: Turns out death squads aren't the only agencies buying Hacking Squad's controversial spyware. Town from Miami Shores, FL to Eugene, OR appeared on a list of US agencies that received demonstrations from the hacked surveillance vendor. MuckRock has mapped out who was on the lists, and is working to FOIA what these towns actually bought, if anything. Check and see if your city is on the map.

Submission + - Hacking a 'Smart' Sniper Rifle (wired.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: It was inevitable: as soon as we heard about the computer-aimed rifles, we knew somebody would find a way to compromise their security. At the upcoming Black Hat security conference, researchers Runa Sandvik and Michael Auger will present their techniques for doing just that. "Their tricks can change variables in the scope’s calculations that make the rifle inexplicably miss its target, permanently disable the scope’s computer, or even prevent the gun from firing." In one demonstration they were able to tweak the rifle's ballistic calculations by making it think a piece of ammunition weighed 72 lbs instead of 0.4 ounces. After changing this value, the gun tries to automatically adjust for the weight, and shoots significantly to the left. Fortunately, they couldn't find a way to make the gun fire without physically pulling the trigger.

Submission + - US Military Stepping Up Use Of Directed Energy Weapons (reuters.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: At a conference on Tuesday, U.S. officials explained that the all branches of the military would be increasing their use of lasers and other directed energy weapons. Lieutenant General William Etter said, "Directed energy brings the dawn of an entirely new era in defense." The Navy's laser deployment test has gone well, and they're working on a new prototype laser in the 100-150 kilowatt range. "[Navy Secretary Ray] Mabus said Iran and other countries were already using lasers to target ships and commercial airliners, and the U.S. military needed to accelerate often cumbersome acquisition processes to ensure that it stayed ahead of potential foes."

Submission + - Poor Pilot Training Blamed for Virgin Galactic Crash (discovery.com) 1

Submitted by astroengine
astroengine writes: SpaceShipTwo co-pilot Michael Alsbury was not properly trained to realize the consequences of unlocking the vehicle’s hinged tail section too soon, a mistake that led to his death and the destruction of the ship during a test flight in California last year. Responsibility for the accident falls to SpaceShipTwo manufacturer Scaled Composites, a Mojave, Calif., company owned by Northrop Grumman Corp, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined at a webcast hearing on Tuesday. Poor oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees commercial spaceflights in the United States, was also a factor in the accident, the NTSB said.

Submission + - Two Years Later, White House Responds To 'Pardon Edward Snowden' Petition (whitehouse.gov)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: In June of 2013, a petition was posted to Whitehouse.gov demanding that Edward Snowden receive a full pardon for his leaks about the NSA and U.S. surveillance practices. The petition swiftly passed 100,000 signatures — the point at which the White House said it would respond to such petitions. For two years, the administration was silent, but now they've finally responded. In short: No, Edward Snowden won't be receiving a pardon. Lisa Monaco, the President's Advisor on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, said, "Mr. Snowden's dangerous decision to steal and disclose classified information had severe consequences for the security of our country and the people who work day in and day out to protect it. If he felt his actions were consistent with civil disobedience, then he should do what those who have taken issue with their own government do: Challenge it, speak out, engage in a constructive act of protest, and — importantly — accept the consequences of his actions. He should come home to the United States, and be judged by a jury of his peers — not hide behind the cover of an authoritarian regime. Right now, he's running away from the consequences of his actions."

Submission + - Discovery of a 200 000 year old metropolis in South Africa (viewzone.com)

Submitted by BuFf0k_SPQA
BuFf0k_SPQA writes: South African amateur pilots and farmers have been aware of the stone circles for years, always attributing them to some unknown earlier culture but never examining them. Only when South African pilot; Johan Heine teamed up with researcher and author Michael Tellinger did they discover the scope of these designs, buildings, mines and roads covering 10 000 square miles of inland South Africa.

Comment Re:Where in the US Constitution..... (Score 1) 574

by DroolTwist (#50192785) Attached to: Clinton Promises 500 Million New Solar Panels
Winston takes his place in front of the telescreen for the Physical Jerks, a daily exercise routine for Outer Party members. During the exercise, he thinks about the past and remembers a time as a child when he and his family ran into a bunker during a bombing. He is lost in the memory as he tries to touch his toes, causing the exercise director to shout at him from the telescreen.

Comment Re:I have no fear of AI, but fear AI weapons (Score 3, Informative) 313

Since once your drone exited the store, chances are cops still aren't there yet. Then, you just fly, literally, as the crow flies to your pickup spot. Nobody on foot would be able to catch up (short of a parkour vigilante), so your only real chance of being caught is if there was an eyewitness to you retrieving your haul from the drone.

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