Schneier is reporting that Microsoft has added the new Dual_EC-DRBG random-number generator to Vista SP1. This random-number generator is the same one discussed earlier that may have a secret NSA backdoor built into it.

Things are tough economically everywhere but no place is tougher than the city of Tirupati, India where they are stealing legs. 'Holy legs' to be precise. The thieves got the original owner drunk and cut his leg off just below the knee after he passed out.

An anonymous reader writes "Several sites are reporting that a student has been given detention for using Firefox to do his classwork. No, really. The student was in class, working on an assignment that necessitated using a browser. The teacher instructed him to stop using Firefox and to do his classwork, to which the student responded that he was doing his classwork using a 'better' browser (it is unclear whether the computer was the student's own computer or not). The clueless teacher (who called the rogue program 'Firefox.exe') ordered him to detention." Update: 12/17 20:09 by SM One of the school officials was nice enough to contact us and let us know this is a hoax. If you are planning on calling the school please refrain from doing so, I'm sure they have had enough excitement for one day.

samzenpus writes "I've seen a lot of clever uses for the Wii but this is one of my favorites. Now I just need a rocking horse about ten times stronger."

I loved the Guinness Book of World Records when I was a kid but it seems they are moving away from the esoteric and into the dangerous now. I can't wait to see who gets the most steps fallen down prize next year.

On average Christmas tree fires cause $3 million in damage and kill 6 people. That isn't dangerous enough for some, so they built this one out of electricity.