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Submission + - The Business Model of Fake Anti Virus Companies (internetsecuritydb.com)

Submitted by damian2k
damian2k writes: Researchers from the Departments of Computer Science and Economics of the University of California (Santa Barbara) have recently released the results of their yearlong investigation into three fake anti virus companies. Details of which banks were involved was covered by krebsonsecurity.com.
This post includes additional figures regarding the scammers daily and yearly sales as well as the average selling price of their fake products.
Censorship

Submission + - Five concerns about Australia's new net filter (delimiter.com.au)

Submitted by daria42
daria42 writes: As you might have heard, this month Australia gets a new Internet filter, using Interpol's blacklist of 'worst of the worst' child pornography sites. In general, it seems like most people don't object to the idea in principle, but concerns are being raised around the transparency of the scheme, which so far has no civilian oversight, unclear backing legislation and an appeals process which does not exactly inspire confidence. Why is it those who want to implement this kind of filtering never quite address these sort of concerns up-front?
Idle

Submission + - AppAssure threatens customer for telling the truth (blogspot.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: After receiving an unsolicited sales email from AppAssure, targeted customer David B. Schlosser told the salesman the email began with a lie. Imagine Schlosser's surprise at learning the salesman planned to report him — and imagine his further surprise when someone from AppAssure called the next morning to threaten to kick his posterior.
Science

Submission + - Brain Reading: translating brain waves into words (latimes.com)

Submitted by
cortex
cortex writes: "In a first step toward helping severely paralyzed people communicate more easily, Utah researchers have shown that it is possible to translate recorded brain waves into words, using a grid of electrodes placed directly on the brain. The device could benefit people who have been paralyzed by stroke, Lou Gehrig's disease or trauma and are "locked in" — aware but unable to communicate except, perhaps, by blinking an eyelid or arduously moving a cursor to pick out letters or words from a list.

Researchers have made tremendous strides in developing ways for patients to move a computer cursor or even an artificial arm using electrodes implanted in the brain. But researchers have been reluctant to implant electrodes in the speech centers for fear of causing irreversible damage.

Some researchers have been attempting to "read" speech centers in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. But such electrodes "are so far away from the electrical activity that it gets blurred out," Greger said.

He and his colleagues instead use arrays of tiny microelectrodes that are placed in contact with the brain, but not implanted. In the current study, they used two arrays, each with 16 microelectrodes."

Comment Re:Way to go (Score 1) 452

by cortex (#31473004) Attached to: Venezuela's Chavez To Limit Internet Freedom
Two shows: "The Daily Show" and the "The Colbert Report". This is a good litmus test. Would Chavez allow these shows, or their equivalent, to be broadcast? They are very popular in America, and attack the flaws in our politicians and political systems with "news" reports. Every free and open country should have shows like this.
The Matrix

Submission + - 'Brain Carpet' Translates Thoughts Into Action

Submitted by
cortex
cortex writes: "Discovery News reports:

Instead of violently shoving a giant needle into the brain a la "The Matrix," Utah scientists are reading thoughts by carpeting the brain with microelectrodes.

There are now three methods to turn brain thought into prosthetic action. Each has positives and negatives. Some devices can be slipped on as easily as hats, but they aren't specific. The most detailed readings, from even a single neuron, come from threading tiny electrodes deep into the brain, but such operations are risky and very invasive.

While still invasive (the skull must be sawed off), placing electrodes on the surface of the brain instead of inside the brain gives more precise readings while decreasing the risk to patients."
Sci-Fi

Submission + - The passing of Philip Jose Farmer

Submitted by
cortex
cortex writes: "Philip José Farmer passed away last week. He was one of the great science fiction authors of the 20th century, writing such famous series as "Riverworld" and "The World of Tiers". From the official website: Philip José Farmer passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning. He will be missed greatly by his wife Bette, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and countless fans around the world. January 26, 1918 — February 25, 2009. R.I.P. We love you Phil."
Hardware Hacking

Submission + - Best motherboards with large RAM capacity? 1

Submitted by
cortex
cortex writes: "I routinely need to analyze large datasets (principally using Matlab). I recently "upgraded" to 64-bit Vista so that I can access larger amounts of RAM. I know that various Linux distros have had 64-bit support for years. I also typically use Intel motherboards for their reliability, but currently Intel's desktop motherboards only support 8GB of RAM and their server motherboards are too expensive. Can anyone relate their experiences with working with Vista or Linux machines running with large RAM (>8GB). What is the best motherboard (Intel or AMD) and OS combination for workstation applications in terms of cost and reliability?"

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