Missile data found on hard drives

Sensitive information for shooting down intercontinental missiles as well as bank details and NHS records was found on old computers, researchers say.

Of 300 hard disks bought randomly at computer fairs and an online auction site, 34% still held personal data.

Researchers from BT and the University of Glamorgan bought disks from the UK, America, Germany, France and Australia.

The information was enough to expose individuals and firms to fraud and identity theft, said the researchers.

Professor Andrew Blyth said: “It’s not rocket science – we used standard tools to analyse the data”. Read the rest of this entry »

Zombie computers ‘on the rise’

Twelve million new computers have been hijacked by cyber-criminals since January, according to a report.

20,000 plus new samples of malware are detected every day say experts

Security vendor McAfee reports there has been a 50% increase in the number of “zombie” computers hijacked without the owners’ knowledge since 2008.

The figures come as a report from Deloitte said a global approach to cyber-security is needed to ensure the safety of the digital economy.

“Doing nothing is not an option,” said Deloitte’s Greg Pellegrino.

Everything that depends on cyberspace faces unprecedented risks said Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT). Read the rest of this entry »

Agency denies internet spy plans

The UK’s electronic intelligence agency has taken the unusual step of issuing a statement to deny it will track all UK internet and online phone use.

Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) said it was developing tracking technology but “only acts when it is necessary” and “does not spy at will”.

The denial follows the home secretary scrapping plans for a single government database for all communications.

Jacqui Smith said instead firms should record all people’s internet contacts.

In the statement, GCHQ said one of its “greatest challenges is maintaining our capability in the face of the growth in internet-based communications. Read the rest of this entry »

Spotify – Free & legal music streaming service

First there was Napster, then iTunes. Here comes Spotify. To use spotify all you need to do is register for a free account and download a small application. However you will need internet connection for the service to work, as it does not download the music onto your system.

Read the rest of this entry »

Youtube helps man deliver baby

An engineer in Cornwall delivered his baby son after watching a instructional video on YouTube.

Marc Stephens watched the videos as a precaution when his wife Jo started to feel some discomfort.

Four hours later, his wife went into labour and started giving birth before an ambulance could arrive at their home in Redruth. Read the rest of this entry »

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