Hacking expert says mobile firms moved fast to fix security flaw?

23 hours ago

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LAS VEGAS ?? A well-known security expert said mobile carriers have quickly protected customers from a security bug that he revealed 10 days ago and that he estimated had put more than 500 million phones at risk of cyber attacks.?

Karsten Nohl, chief scientist with Berlin's Security Research Labs, led a research team at the German firm that figured out a way to remotely gain control of and also clone some mobile SIM cards.?

"Pretty much every carrier we have spoken to has fixed it," Nohl said in advance of a talk late Wednesday afternoon at the Black Hat hacking conference in Las Vegas.?

The team was the first to accomplish the hacking feat, which has long been a Holy Grail of mobile hackers. The tiny, highly secured devices are located in phones and allow operators to identify and authenticate subscribers as they use networks.?

He discussed that three-year research effort late Wednesday afternoon in one of the most anticipated talks at Black Hat, a conference where some 7,000 security professionals gathered to hear about the latest risks posed by hacking.?

Nohl said at a news conference prior to that talk that he would not be able to demonstrate part of his technique for attacking SIM cards because he had prepared to show it on SIMs from five carriers, but that all five carriers had made changes to prevent them from being hacked.?

Nohl is a so-called "white hat," or a hacker who figures out how to attack things in a bid to find vulnerabilities so that companies can fix bugs before criminals can exploit them.?

He told Reuters that he was pleased that they had implemented the fix before his demonstration because that means they are ahead of criminal hackers, who could use compromised SIMs to commit financial crimes or engage in electronic espionage.?

Nohl said that carriers have used methods to fix the bug in SIM cards without having to physically replace them, which would have been quite costly.?

He said he was not sure whether all carriers around the world have fixed the bug, but that he had checked with many major carriers and that they had gone ahead and taken care of the security problem.?

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters.

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/663301/s/2f684d64/sc/21/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Ctechnology0Chacking0Eexpert0Esays0Emobile0Efirms0Emoved0Efast0Efix0Esecurity0Eflaw0E6C10A814147/story01.htm

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Google beefs up its SSL keys to 2048-bits

Google has announced overnight that the company will be updating its SSL certificates to 2048-bit keys, up from the current 1024-bits, and changing the search giant's certificate chain.

The task is already underway and is expected to be completed over the coming months.

Modern systems should have no issue with the update, so long as its SSL root certificates are not hardcoded. Google cites a couple of instances where systems could run into trouble ? this include phones, printers, set-top boxes, and cameras.

"The first is people who are using a very old home-compiled version of OpenSSL with an out-of-date CA [certificate authority] database. Then there are instances of embedded-client software with (against the best advice of all the experts) hard-coded certificate logic, perhaps for reasons of saving space." wrote Google developer advocate, Tim Bray.

For devices that will not be able to connect to Google HTTPS services due to having hard-coded root certificates, a firmware update will be needed.

Rather than handover the root certificate to be embedded, Google instead is recommending that any hardware that needs updating, move to a mechanism where the device will be able to update new root certificates on the fly.

"Certificates can change on a moment?s notice, and software that uses them must be prepared to deal with that," says the Google Internet Authority FAQ.

"The only way to do this correctly is to build software that understands that Roots can change, and can adapt to that."

The company says that such mechanisms are needed for situations, not only where individual certificates are compromised, but also where certificate authorities themselves are compromised, have to revoke all their signed root certificates.

In 2011, a Dutch CA named DigiNotar filed for bankruptcy after an attacker was able to create a false certificate for *.google.com and conduct a man-in-the-middle attack. DigiNotar's certificates, which were used by the Dutch government, were subsequently rejected and the company liquidated.

Last week, CNet revealed that the FBI and NSA had attempted to obtain encryption master keys, which if given up to the authorities, would allow them to decrypt the contents of SSL communications.

Source: http://www.zdnet.com/google-beefs-up-its-ssl-keys-to-2048-bits-7000018778/

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No fatalities after huge Fla. gas plant blasts

TAVARES, Fla. (AP) ? All the workers at a Florida propane gas plant rocked by massive explosions were accounted for early Tuesday morning after officials initially could not account for more than a dozen employees.

John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said early Tuesday that there were no fatalities despite massive blasts that ripped through the Blue Rhino propane plant late Monday night. Seven people were injured and transported to local hospitals.

"At this point we have no fatalities being reported," he said. "Management is comfortable saying all of those they knew were there tonight have been accounted for."

Herrell earlier had said 15 workers were unaccounted for after the blasts, but all were later found safe. Herrell said several fled the scene, some driving themselves to area hospitals.

The Blue Rhino plant refilled propane tanks typically used for barbecues and other uses.

Herrell said a crew of 24 to 26 people were working at the plant on an overnight shift when the explosions occurred late Monday.

Video footage on WESH-TV in Orlando showed fires burning through trucks used to transport propane tanks, which were parked at the plant. The fire was sending plumes of smoke into the air hours after the blast. Emergency crews could also be seen massing nearby.

Herrell said an evacuation zone was initially a one-mile radius but had been reduced to a half-mile radius. No injuries have been reported from residents in the neighborhood.

Herrell said officials believe the fire is contained and won't spread to another part of the plant but they cannot guarantee that.

Bryan Koon, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said he was still getting "preliminary information" from local authorities.

The blasts began about 11 p.m.

Herrell said the plant usually has 53,000 20-pound propane tanks.

According to the Leesburg Daily Commercial, the plant was built in 2004 and employs fewer than 50 people.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/no-fatalities-massive-fla-gas-plant-blasts-061902650.html

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New whipray species identified by its DNA

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Biologists have analysed tissue samples of 115 spotted whiprays of the Himantura genus, collected in various parts of the Indio-Pacific region. By means of genetic markers -- as opposed to morphological criteria only -- the scientists were able to describe these leopard-skin whiprays in detail and demonstrate that they are isolated from each other in terms of reproduction. They have also discovered a new species that they call Himantura tutul, which belongs to a genetic line that is totally distinct from the three other species that are known in the same group: H. leoparda, H. uarnak and H. undulata. They frequent the same costal habitats but occupy different ecological niches.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/kVdf9jaoq3Q/130729083257.htm

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EU, China reach deal to resolve solar panel trade dispute

BRUSSELS/BEIJING ? ?China and the European Union reached a deal on Saturday to defuse a multi-billion euro dispute over Chinese solar panels that threatened a wider trade war.

After six weeks of talks, the EU's trade chief and his Chinese counterpart sealed the deal over the telephone, setting a minimum price for panels from China near spot market prices.

European solar panel manufacturers had accused China of dumping about 21 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of solar panels in Europe last year at below the cost of production, putting European businesses out of business.

Europe planned to impose hefty tariffs from August 6.

But, wary of offending China's leaders and losing business in the world's No. 2 economy, a majority of EU governments - led by Germany - opposed the plan, which led to the compromise deal.

"We found an amicable solution," EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said.

"I am satisfied with the offer of a price undertaking submitted by China's solar panel exporters," he said, referring to an agreement for a minimum price for China's imports.

Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesman Shen Danyang welcomed the deal, hailing a "positive and highly constructive outcome".

An EU diplomatic source said the agreed price was 0.56 euro cents per watt, near the spot price for Chinese solar panels in July in Europe, according to solar exchange pvXchange.

That may not satisfy EU solar manufacturers who say the price still constitutes dumping, but China has sold solar panels at as low as 0.38 cents per watt in Europe, according to the European Commission, which handles trade issues for EU states.

Under the terms of the deal, China will also be allowed to meet about half Europe's solar panel demand, if taken at last year's levels. EU consumption was about 15 gigawatts in 2012, and China will be able to provide 7 gigawatts without being subject to tariffs under the deal, the EU source said.

NO MORE SOUR GRAPES?

Chinese solar panel production quadrupled between 2009 and 2011 to more than the world's entire demand as it took advantage of a growing market for renewable energy in the face of concerns about climate change.

But the global financial crisis and ensuing euro zone crisis have forced European governments to withdraw generous subsidies for solar energy. That, along with Chinese imports pushing down prices, have sent many European solar companies into bankruptcy.

German group Conergy filed for insolvency this month.

But those concerns have become secondary to the much larger EU-China trade relationship at stake over the panels dispute.

The EU is China's most important trading partner, while for the EU, China is second only to the United States. Chinese exports of goods to the bloc totaled 290 billion euros last year, with 144 billion euros going the other way.

Responding to the EU's move to impose duties, China launched an anti-dumping inquiry into European wine sales, which may have led to exporters in France, as well as Spain and Italy, being hit with retaliatory duties.

EU and Chinese diplomats now expect that case to be dropped as a goodwill gesture, although officials declined to comment on Saturday.

(Additional reporting by Martin Santa in Brussels; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Source: http://feeds.foxbusiness.com/~r/foxbusiness/economy/~3/SBTVVEVQxDo/

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Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Baseball Could Come Clean

Published: Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11:00 p.m.

It was probably baseball fans who were first shocked and dismayed by the revelations that many of their hitting and pitching heroes were posting gaudy statistics with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs.

Baseball writers took up the cause this year. Faced with a list of Hall of Fame candidates that included several former players tainted by drug use, the writers failed to elect anyone for only the second time in 42 years. Those results were cheered by several members of the Hall.

Now, it is current players who are freely expressing their disgust with colleagues who used steroids and other substances to gain an unfair advantage on the field ? along with the honors and big contracts generated by their cheating ways.

All in all, the growing lack of tolerance for doping and for athletes who profit from it is a refreshing development ? for baseball and all sports. It may be just what's needed to clean up ? and level ? the playing fields.

The new focus of resentment is the Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun, a former National League most valuable player, who ? after years of vehement denials ? agreed this week to a 65-game suspension imposed by Major League Baseball over evidence that he used drugs.

Fellow players were quick to condemn Braun.

"I thought this whole thing has been despicable on his part," Detroit pitcher Max Scherzer, an All-Star, told The Associated Press.

"When he did get caught, he never came clean. ... that's why the whole Braun situation, there is so much player outrage toward him."

Matt Kemp, a Los Angeles Dodger outfielder who finished second to Braun in the 2011 MVP voting, said: "We had conversations, and I considered him a friend. I don't think anybody likes to be lied to, and I feel like a lot of people have felt betrayed."

DEALS AND GUILT

Joe Girardi, New York Yankees manager and a former major-league catcher, said of Braun's decision: "You don't accept a deal unless you're guilty."

"It's another black eye for our game," said Girardi. "I know this game is very resilient, and there's been a lot of scandals over the years, but you get tired of it."

Girardi might be gearing up to handle his own team's latest scandal: Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees third baseman and three-time American League MVP, is reported to be among more than a dozen players targeted for suspension resulting from an investigation of a Florida anti-aging clinic.

If and when the additional penalties are announced, the recipients won't get any sympathy from Los Angeles Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson. "They're lying to the fans," Wilson told The AP. "They're lying to their teammates. They're lying to their GMs, their owners, and they're going to get caught."

In the past, lying wasn't necessary. For years, baseball players and other athletes were reluctant to identify or publicly criticize either teammates or competitors suspected of using illegal substances.

SUSPICIONS

Professional athletes ? even more than managers, coaches and others closely involved with teams and sports ? have to be suspicious when a colleague suddenly develops huge muscles, along with new ability to hit monster home runs, throw faster fastballs or bounce back from serious injury. Any of those can result from using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

Curt Schilling, a former pitcher and now an ESPN commentator, addressed that players' code of silence in January after the baseball writers' Hall of Fame shutout.

"I think as a player, a group, this is one of the first times that we've been publicly called out," Schilling said. "I think it's fitting. ... If there was ever a ballot and a year to make a statement about what we didn't do as players ? which is, we didn't actively push to get the game clean ? this is it."

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt agreed: "Curt Schilling made a good point; everyone was guilty. Either you used PEDs, or you did nothing to stop their use."

Apparently, that may no longer be the case. Players, along with fans, sportswriters and others, appear ready to help clean up the game. That's good for baseball, and for all sports.

Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20130727/edit01/130729443

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iPhone 4 Holder

iPhone 4 holder holds your iPhone 4. It has space for the standard charger USB cable and 2 sound-holes. You can put cable to the front or to the back. The opening at the front let you access the Home button. Enjoy.

You will need to rotate the model before printing. Hint - it's tilted by 15 degrees.

Source: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing%3A117844

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