Comment Re:Easy fix: stop using Microsoft products (Score 1) 38
Just because the willingness of the idiots in charge is not there does not mean that the fix is not easy.
Comment Mission Accomplished. (Score 0) 106
I mean, that is what public education aims for. The dumbing down of the future voters.
Comment India, really? (Score 1) 30
Such a surprise that India is involved in this.
NOT.
NOT.
Submission + - Malware pre-installed on TV streaming boxes
An anonymous reader writes: Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet?
“The cybercriminals in control of Kimwolf — a disruptive botnet that has infected more than 2 million devices — recently shared a screenshot indicating they’d compromised the control panel for Badbox 2.0, a vast China-based botnet powered by malicious software that comes pre-installed on many Android TV streaming boxes. Both the FBI and Google say they are hunting for the people behind Badbox 2.0, and thanks to bragging by the Kimwolf botmasters we may now have a much clearer idea about that.”
“The cybercriminals in control of Kimwolf — a disruptive botnet that has infected more than 2 million devices — recently shared a screenshot indicating they’d compromised the control panel for Badbox 2.0, a vast China-based botnet powered by malicious software that comes pre-installed on many Android TV streaming boxes. Both the FBI and Google say they are hunting for the people behind Badbox 2.0, and thanks to bragging by the Kimwolf botmasters we may now have a much clearer idea about that.”
Submission + - Blockchain-based lender hacked :o
An anonymous reader writes: Nearly 1 Million User Records Compromised in Figure Data Breach
Nearly 1 million user records have been compromised in a data breach at blockchain-powered lender Figure Technology Solutions.
The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it suffered a data breach after an employee fell victim to a social engineering attack, saying the attackers obtained a limited number of files.
The ShinyHunters hacker group took credit for the attack on Figure. On its Tor-based leak website the cybercrime group made available more than 2.4GB of archive files allegedly containing data stolen from the company.
Nearly 1 million user records have been compromised in a data breach at blockchain-powered lender Figure Technology Solutions.
The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it suffered a data breach after an employee fell victim to a social engineering attack, saying the attackers obtained a limited number of files.
The ShinyHunters hacker group took credit for the attack on Figure. On its Tor-based leak website the cybercrime group made available more than 2.4GB of archive files allegedly containing data stolen from the company.
Submission + - GDPR is legal junk (thecritic.co.uk)
alternative_right writes: For the uninitiated, GDPR (or General Data Protection Regulation) is the reason you are constantly bombarded with "accept cookies" pop-ups. It was designed, with a quintessentially German scepticism of corporate power, to give you control over your digital footprint, ensuring companies cannot hoard your data without permission.
But, while intended as a necessary check on privacy, it has instead fueled a burgeoning industry of litigation-funded class actions, costing businesses billions and making the UK a less attractive place to do business. The growth of group litigation in the UK and Europe has been exponential, with claimant law firms and litigation funders pursuing novel claims that previously would not have been economically feasible.
There's no doubt that you’ve seen the adverts: "Did you shop at the Co-op?", "Were you a Southern Water customer?", "Did you have an M&S Sparks card?", "Claim your compensation now." These are the fruits of a newly empowered litigation industry — the product of beefed-up GDPR rules.
Companies absolutely should prioritise consumer privacy. But these rules must be measurable and achievable. Right now, these class action lawsuits are often driven by lawyers in search of claimants, exploiting minor mishaps to secure a payout rather than addressing a genuine grievance.
But, while intended as a necessary check on privacy, it has instead fueled a burgeoning industry of litigation-funded class actions, costing businesses billions and making the UK a less attractive place to do business. The growth of group litigation in the UK and Europe has been exponential, with claimant law firms and litigation funders pursuing novel claims that previously would not have been economically feasible.
There's no doubt that you’ve seen the adverts: "Did you shop at the Co-op?", "Were you a Southern Water customer?", "Did you have an M&S Sparks card?", "Claim your compensation now." These are the fruits of a newly empowered litigation industry — the product of beefed-up GDPR rules.
Companies absolutely should prioritise consumer privacy. But these rules must be measurable and achievable. Right now, these class action lawsuits are often driven by lawyers in search of claimants, exploiting minor mishaps to secure a payout rather than addressing a genuine grievance.
Submission + - EV Sales Boom as Ethiopia Bans Fossil-Fuel Car Imports (financialpost.com)
An anonymous reader writes: In 2024, the Ethiopian government banned the import of fossil fuel-powered vehicles and slashed tariffs on their electric equivalents. It was a policy driven less by the country’s climate ambitions and more by fiscal pressures. For years, subsidizing gasoline for consumers has been a major drag on Ethiopia’s budget, costing the state billions of dollars over the past decade. The country defaulted on its sovereign bonds in 2023 after rising interest rates drove up the costs of servicing its debts, and it received a $3.4 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund the following year.
In the two years since the ban on internal combustion engine vehicles, EV adoption has grown from less than 1% to nearly 6% of all of the vehicles on the road in the country — according to the government’s own figures — some way above the global average of 4%. “The Ethiopia story is fascinating,” said Colin McKerracher, head of clean transport at BloombergNEF. “What you’re seeing in places that don’t make a lot of vehicles of any type, they’re saying: ‘Well, look, if I’m going to import the cars anyway, then I’d rather import less oil. We may as well import the one that cleans up local air quality and is cheaper to buy.’”
For decades, Ethiopia’s high import tariffs on vehicles put new car ownership out of the reach of most of the country’s population. Per capita gross domestic product is only about $1,000, and even by the standards of low-income countries, it has among the lowest car ownership rates. At 13 vehicles per 1,000 people, it’s a fraction of the African average of 73. With few cars manufactured in the country, the vast majority are imported, and most are bought used. The government’s import policy has upended the market. In parallel, tariffs for EVs were dropped to 15% for completed cars, 5% for parts and semi-assembled vehicles, and zero for “fully knocked down” — vehicles shipped in parts and assembled locally. That has made new EVs cost-competitive with old gasoline cars.
In the two years since the ban on internal combustion engine vehicles, EV adoption has grown from less than 1% to nearly 6% of all of the vehicles on the road in the country — according to the government’s own figures — some way above the global average of 4%. “The Ethiopia story is fascinating,” said Colin McKerracher, head of clean transport at BloombergNEF. “What you’re seeing in places that don’t make a lot of vehicles of any type, they’re saying: ‘Well, look, if I’m going to import the cars anyway, then I’d rather import less oil. We may as well import the one that cleans up local air quality and is cheaper to buy.’”
For decades, Ethiopia’s high import tariffs on vehicles put new car ownership out of the reach of most of the country’s population. Per capita gross domestic product is only about $1,000, and even by the standards of low-income countries, it has among the lowest car ownership rates. At 13 vehicles per 1,000 people, it’s a fraction of the African average of 73. With few cars manufactured in the country, the vast majority are imported, and most are bought used. The government’s import policy has upended the market. In parallel, tariffs for EVs were dropped to 15% for completed cars, 5% for parts and semi-assembled vehicles, and zero for “fully knocked down” — vehicles shipped in parts and assembled locally. That has made new EVs cost-competitive with old gasoline cars.
Comment Re:Again (Score 1) 341
I mean, if it is a follow the money thing, you have to admit that there is a TON of cash that is also flowing as a result of climate crisis.
Perhaps, if there was not so much money in the fear spread by climate crisis they could have been more honest about 1.5C.
As it is, many people believe that they were lied to. Because, they were. Maybe 7.5 C is real, maybe 7.5C is going to be devastating.
I don't know and neither do you. Because the people we rely on to tell us things on both sides are paid well to push their agenda.
Those on my side may be lying. Those on your side have already lied about 1.5C being a line that can not be crossed.
The issue is that you are willing to destroy lives based on shitty data and I am not. The data on both sides is shitty.
We do know that 1.5C as presented was a lie and that Climate consensus was also a lie.
So, if you follow that side of the data and want to buy a cleaner car and spend more money for solar on your house, I support you.
If, with that same data, you want to force poor people more money to go to work and heat their homes, I need your sources to not be liars.
Perhaps, if there was not so much money in the fear spread by climate crisis they could have been more honest about 1.5C.
As it is, many people believe that they were lied to. Because, they were. Maybe 7.5 C is real, maybe 7.5C is going to be devastating.
I don't know and neither do you. Because the people we rely on to tell us things on both sides are paid well to push their agenda.
Those on my side may be lying. Those on your side have already lied about 1.5C being a line that can not be crossed.
The issue is that you are willing to destroy lives based on shitty data and I am not. The data on both sides is shitty.
We do know that 1.5C as presented was a lie and that Climate consensus was also a lie.
So, if you follow that side of the data and want to buy a cleaner car and spend more money for solar on your house, I support you.
If, with that same data, you want to force poor people more money to go to work and heat their homes, I need your sources to not be liars.
Comment Re:So ... (Score 1) 116
Sure, I am aware.
That said, with the mindset you are advocating ... when should US airspace EVER be open?
It is not about and has never been about panicking about the worst thing that could happen
no matter how small the chance because, "STUPID PEOPLE ARE REALLY STUPID!"
The fact is that we have air defense systems up and running over the entire country,
since the 50s. Large airliners fly over houses, wires with 100s of thousands of volts of electricity
cross the country. Large bodies of water exist with people near them. Cars driving 10s of miles
per hour by the millions are crisscrossing roads all over the country 24 hours a day.
It does not all stop because stupid people. If what the FAA did was correct because
of the reason you stated then nothing should be allowed anywhere.
Are you a white mother/helicopter parent that wraps their child in bubble wrap or, Br>are you being disingenuous about reasons for some political view point?
That said, with the mindset you are advocating
It is not about and has never been about panicking about the worst thing that could happen
no matter how small the chance because, "STUPID PEOPLE ARE REALLY STUPID!"
The fact is that we have air defense systems up and running over the entire country,
since the 50s. Large airliners fly over houses, wires with 100s of thousands of volts of electricity
cross the country. Large bodies of water exist with people near them. Cars driving 10s of miles
per hour by the millions are crisscrossing roads all over the country 24 hours a day.
It does not all stop because stupid people. If what the FAA did was correct because
of the reason you stated then nothing should be allowed anywhere.
Are you a white mother/helicopter parent that wraps their child in bubble wrap or, Br>are you being disingenuous about reasons for some political view point?
Comment Re:Again (Score 1) 341
No. 1.5C is still as dangerous as it was.
No. 1.5C was catastrophic. Remember?
They're solving the problem of power generation releasing CO2 at about the same rate as the USA.
Again, the total carbon output is increasing every year.
You keep using numbers that mean lower to avoid the truth that they are pouring MORE CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
Not if you count the cost of the externalities.
No, only if you count the cost that Mary pays to fill her tank, or the cost Jeffery pays to heat his home, the cost Hank pays to light his shop.
So, yes. It is made more expensive for the people using it. It matters not to the politicians or the ultra rich.
Who gives a shit if the electric bill goes from $180 a month to $420. They don't. Old people on fixed incomes and single mother give a huge fuck.
Comment Re:Again (Score 1) 341
I am unsure of his motivations. Of course there are many on the activist side of things that find that the feeling that they get from actually doing good things and being a good person can be felt by just having the correct opinion and fighting those that do not agree.
Infinitely easier to get through life just feeling like a good person instead of doing good things.
Infinitely easier to get through life just feeling like a good person instead of doing good things.
Comment Re:So ... (Score 1) 116
Because a party balloon is much closer to a drone than a commercial airliner is.
Did you not understand my statement?
Did you not understand my statement?
Comment Re:So ... (Score 1) 116
Not the same. Mistaking friendly fighters for enemy fighters is not comparable to mistaking a drone with a commercial airliner.
Comment Re:So ... (Score 1) 116
I get it, but, really?
Laser operators are going to mistake a 737 for a cartel drone?
Laser operators are going to mistake a 737 for a cartel drone?
Comment So ... (Score 3, Insightful) 116
Seems like they are saying the Admin lied about the drones.
Seems though it, was the drones? Just that the drones required the laser and the FAA freaked about the laser and shut down the airspace.
I mean, if they are not firing the laser at Commercial or GA aircraft indiscriminately, why would the FAA need to close the airspace? And, right off the bat for 10 days?
Someone at the FAA is either on heavy anti anxiety meds that no longer work, or they wanted to make it a big deal, Right?
Maybe I am wrong but, I don't get the decision making tree here.
Seems though it, was the drones? Just that the drones required the laser and the FAA freaked about the laser and shut down the airspace.
I mean, if they are not firing the laser at Commercial or GA aircraft indiscriminately, why would the FAA need to close the airspace? And, right off the bat for 10 days?
Someone at the FAA is either on heavy anti anxiety meds that no longer work, or they wanted to make it a big deal, Right?
Maybe I am wrong but, I don't get the decision making tree here.
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