Year: 2014

Categories
Technology

200M users at threat from end of Windows XP

An estimated 200 million people still using Microsoft’s mothballed operating system Windows XP are at risk of cyberattack, experts warned.

The U.S. technology giant stopped support for XP in April, meaning users will not get critical security updates, leaving the OS open to hacking and attack.

Research firm IDC outlined the large number of consumers and businesses under threat, showing that 200 million users are still on XP, while the OS has 26.2 percent market share, according to Netmarketshare numbers.

Read MoreEnd of Windows XP leaves many companies vulnerable

“You’re talking about 200 million computers running XP, simply put, they are open,” Ernest Hilbert, former FBI agent and head of cyber investigations for EMEA at risk consultancy Kroll, told CNBC in a phone interview.

Heartbleed, IE threat

This comes amid a series of cybersecurity concerns over the past few weeks. The so-called “Heartbleed bug” was discovered by researchers last month in OpenSSL software—an encryption service used by around two-thirds of websites to protect information sent to and from web pages.

Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Microsoft also rushed to fix a bug in its popular Internet Explorer web browser after a computer security firm revealed the flaw, and it said in a blog post on Thursday that XP users would receive the update on a one-off basis.

“Just because this update is out now doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about getting off Windows XP and moving to a newer version of Windows and the latest version of Internet Explorer,” Adrienne Hall, general manager of Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft, said in an official blog post on Thursday.

Read MoreHeartbleed bug: Is changing your password enough?

“If you are on Windows 7, upgrade to Internet Explorer 11. Our modern operating systems provide more safety and security than ever before.”

Despite this, Hilbert warned that other aspects of Windows XP are still are risk despite the Internet Explorer fix.

“There are still people out there looking at XP to find a way to manipulate it and now they know that nobody is going to try to fix it.”

PLAY VIDEO
Windows XP users could face security risks
CNBC’s Josh Lipton and CNET Senior Editor Bridget Carey talk about the impact of Microsoft discontinuing support of its Windows XP operating system.

XP not ‘mission critical’

Earlier this year, concern over the end of support for XP spread to the banks as the majority of their ATM machines ran the OS. Several of the major banks told CNBC they had signed extended deals with Microsoft.

Read MoreNo more Windows XP means security fees for banks

But not all security experts agree the end of XP support could be fatal due to the outdated nature of the software.

“A lot of them will be old PCs and not being used for critical stuff. They are grannies and granddads keeping in touch with distant grandchildren,” Bob Tarzey, analyst and director at Quocirca, an IT analysis firm.

“The bottom line is XP doesn’t have the horse power to do a lot of the things people want to do on PCs nowadays. I doubt that computers running Windows XP are mission-critical.”

h/t – cnbc

Categories
Featured News Rape

Heroic 8-year-old Boy Beaten to Death Trying to Protect his Sister, 12, from Rapist

Fearless: An 8-year-old Virginia boy identified as Martin Cobb was beaten to death trying to defend his older sister from a rapist

A community in Richmond, Virginia, is reeling after an eight-year-old boy was beaten to death while trying to protect his 12-year-old sister from a rapist.

The boy, identified as Martin Cobb, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 200 block of Brandon Road Thursday night.

His sibling, whose name is not being released because of her age and the nature of the crime, was taken to a hospital.

Police have since apprehended the suspect, who turned out to be a black teenager. Initially, the victim described her assailant to as a white man with scraggly facial hair, the local station WWBT reported.

Investigators later determined that the suspect had threatened to kill the 12-year-old girl if she provided police with accurate information about him.

The teenager is currently being evaluated at Tuckers Psychiatric Clinic in Richmond as police are preparing to charge him with murder and assault.

At around 6.30pm Thursday, the brother and sister were playing by the train tracks near their home when a stranger approached the 12-year-old girl, sexually assaulted her and slashed her face, the kids’ aunt and stepfather told WRIC.

Scroll down for video

Community shocked: The siblings were playing by the train tracks along Brandon Road in Richmond Thursday when a stranger came out of nowhere and attacked the 12-year-old girl

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Too young: Martin’s family say the little boy tried to intervene in an effort to protect his big sister, at which point her assailant threw a rock at his head, killing him on the spot

When her 8-year-old brother tried to intervene, the teenage attacker allegedly turned on him, throwing a rock at his head. The child died instantly.

‘To have the courage to defend his sister as if he was a grown man,’ neighbor Sudan Aunu told Richmond Times Dispatch. ‘His sister is alive today because of him.’

Police responded to the scene a short time later after someone saw the 12-year-old girl running naked and covered in blood out of the nearby woods.

The child was taken to a hospital to be treated for bruises and laceration. Her family said she was very distraught by what happened. .

As officers gathered evidence at the scene in the gathering darkness, shaken neighbors gathered in a circle for an impromptu prayer.

False information: The rape victim initially told police her attacker was a grown white man with a scraggly beard, but it was later revealed that he was a black teen

DailyMail

Categories
Politics

Even at National Day of Prayer, Republican’s Dirty Politics Still Prevail

James Dobson
James Dobson

The National Day of Prayer turned overtly political when a Republican Teaparty speaker stood at the podium and called President Obama the “abortion president.”

The occasion of course, was supposed to be nonpolitical and nonpartisan. That is why James Dobson, Founder of the Conservative Christian advocacy group called Focus on the Family was ask to take part in the activities.

But anyone who knows James Dobson, knows that any and every occasion – even a religious activity – could be easily transformed into lunacy and right-wing propaganda. And the intended religious activities of the National Day of Prayer was no match for Dobson’s politics.

“President Obama, before he was elected, made it very clear that he wanted to be the abortion president,” Dobson said, in an apparent lie at the National Day of Prayer. “This is something that he really was going to promote and support, and he has done that, and in a sense is the abortion president.”

Dobson’s speech was so vile and disrespectful, Democratic Representative Janice Hahn walked out in the middle of his speech. In an interview with The Huffington Post Rep. Hahn called Dobson’s speech “inappropriate” and a violation of the nonpartisan Day of Prayer.

“He goes on about healthcare and providing abortions,” Hahn told HuffPost, “and at that point I stood up and I point my finger at Dr Dobson and I said, ‘this is inappropriate!’ And I walked out.”

They are some people who respect the significance of a National Day of Prayer, a day when both sides put away their politics and commune as one people. And then there are those who just don’t know when to stop. Who don’t respect the boundaries even as laid out in the religious context of a National Day of Prayer. We’ll call those disrespectful people “Christian Conservatives.”

Christian conservatives… how ironic…

Categories
Featured Politics

Wisconsin Leader Will Distribute KKK Hoods at Republican Convention

Although I am usually hard on the Republicans and I do consider many of them – especially the ones in government –  to be racist or to promote racist policies, I think it’s a step too far to pass out KKK hoods at a Republicans State convention.

According to reports however, Brett Hulsey, a Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate, plans to do just that at this weekend’s state Republican convention.

Mr Hulsey refers to the KKK hoods as “Republican party hats.”

When asked if he is concerned that handing out the KKK hoods could be viewed as an offensive gesture, Hulsey answered, “what I find offensive is Governor Walker and the Republicans racist record. They’re the ones considering the resolution to leave the United States.”

Both Democratic and Republican leaders in the state of Wisconsin are denouncing Brett Hulsey’s decision, with a Democratic statement saying that they “take serious issue with the policies pursued by Republicans that disproportionately affect communities of color.” The statement by Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate continued, “but this type of behavior has no place in the public dialogue.”

Hulsey however is not phased. He went on Twitter and posted a photo showing the KKK hats he intends to distribute.

Categories
CNN Politics

CNN Is Still Looking For The Missing MH370 – Stephen Colbert Reports


I’m not kidding. CNN is still out there looking for the missing Malaysia plane, and on May 1st, almost two months since the plane went missing, CNN is spending an unimaginable amount of time reporting on… nothing.

Stephen Colbert took on the network and does a fairly accurate depiction of what CNN does on a regular basis these days!

Watch!

Categories
Featured Politics

Scary and Amazing Baltimore Landslide Caught on Video

This amazing video has gone viral! It shows a Baltimore street filled with parked cars collapsing on Wednesday due to heavy rains. The last 15 seconds of the video is truly scary.

Video

Categories
News Politics unemployment rate

Good News for America, Bad News For Republicans – Unemployment Rate 6.3%

More good news for America, some very bad news for Republicans. And its messed up that things are this way, but this is unfortunately the path Republicans have chosen – be against everything that’s good for the country.

Republicans have gone out of their way to show the world that they are against progress in this country. That’s why today’s unemployment numbers will make these America-hating Republicans upset!

The Labor Department reported today that the unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent, due to a better-than-expected employment numbers in April. The numbers show that employers added 288,000 workers to their payroll in April.

The 6.3 percent unemployment rate represents a 5 year low, and it also represents that this country is headed in the right direction. But don’t tell that to the Republicans. Right now, I’m sure they’re bunkered down, trying to figure out a way to spin these numbers negative.

Tune in to Fox News and listen to the Congressional Republicans to find out their latest negative talking point on this very positive employment news story.

Categories
NAACP News Racism

Leon Jenkins came under fire after it was made known his chapter honored Donald Sterling.

NAACP interim President and CEO Lorraine Miller has accepted the resignation of the Los Angeles chapter president after questions surfaced as to why his branch honored beleaguered L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life Tuesday after revelations surfaced regarding Sterling making numerous statements denigrating black Americans.

In a letter of resignation, L.A. chapter President Leon Jenkins wrote, “Please be advised that the legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency. In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign my position as president of the Los Angeles NAACP.”

LOS ANGELES NAACP: Sterling donation led to award

STERLING SCANDAL: Clippers owner could use divorce to avoid sale

Jenkins has come under fire from the public in recent days after it was made public that the chapter honored Sterling with a lifetime achievement award in 2009 and planned to do so again this month. Published reports indicated that Sterling had donated $45,000 to the chapter since 2007.

Earlier in the week, Jenkins told a press conference that the donations came to “an insignificant amount” and the chapter planned to return the money.

The NAACP said in its statement Thursday that its national office in Baltimore is developing guidelines to assist branches in their award selection process.

h/t – usatoday

Categories
News South Korea

Heartbreaking Video shows Students as Ferry Sinks – Video

Cellphone video taken by student on board sinking South Korean ferry records last words and pictures of teenage passengers. Father requested faces be blurred to protect grieving families. (May 1) Video provided by AP AP

John Bacon, USA TODAY7:38 p.m. EDT May 1, 2014

A 17-minute recording made by a student who died when a ferry sank off the coast of South Korea provides the most heartbreaking glimpse yet of how a fun trip turned into horror for young passengers on the doomed Sewol.

The video, translated by USA TODAY and the Associated Press, was found on the phone of 17-year-old student Park Su Hyeon when rescuers recovered his body. His father, Park Jong Dae, said he released it to give his mourning nation a glimpse of the April 16 tragedy from inside the vessel.

The video was released to select South Korea media Monday, the same day authorities released a video taken by a coast guard member showing the Sewol’s captain fleeing the sinking ship while hundreds of passengers, most of them Danwon High School students on a class trip, remained below deck. The videos outraged the nation already devastated by the catastrophe. More than 300 of the 476 people who were on board are dead or missing.

The student video begins at 8:52 a.m. Korea time on April 16. The ship had just begun to list, and the chatter among students is a mix of humor and fear.

Early on, an announcement can be heard: “Don’t move away from your places and brace for any possible accidents.”

A student lightly asks, “Am I going to die?” But another quickly chastises with “It is not time to laugh. We are in a real situation.”

Moments later, one student says “Dad, I don’t want to die.” Another says, “It will be fun if waters flow in.”

Students are heard discussing problems with life jackets, which increases in importance after an announcement is made to don life jackets. By the time the clip ends at 9:09, everyone in view is wearing one.

Some of the students in the video struggle as they try to buckle their life jackets. As the ferry lists, they joke about “final commemorative pictures” and “defying gravity” by trying to walk on the walls.

“It’s like we’re becoming the Titanic,” one student says.

Passengers were repeatedly told to say in place. The announcement, at 9:08: “We’re again announcing: For passengers who can wear life vests, please wear them now. Never move away from your places.”

Capt. Lee Joon Seok said he delayed having passengers evacuate the ship because of worries about sending them into cold waters and fast currents before rescuers arrived. He said he ultimately ordered an evacuation, but it was not clear if that order was ever announced to passengers.

The captain and 14 crewmembers have been detained on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need. Prosecutors are investigating whether stability issues related to too much cargo or a redesign that added more cabins to the ship contributed to the sinking.

Some of the teens in the video use it to offer their last words. Some warn their siblings not to take school trips unless they want to end up like them.

“I’m really scared,” a student says.

“Is it really sinking?” another asks. “Wow, they’re giving us life vests.”

“I’m getting out of here,” one says. “Me too, me too,” says another.

A student says: “We have to survive now.”

“We’re all finished. I have to leave some farewell words before I die,” says another.

One says, “Mom, I love you.”

Contributing: Jae Yang; the Associated Press

Categories
George Bush Politics

George Bush – If Jeb Needs Advice, He Should “Give Me A Call” – LOL

As if having another Bush running for president is not a bad enough idea, George Bush – the guy who wrecked the economy with two unpaid, off-the-budget wars, and who blew a budget surplus in the first couple of years of his presidency – is making himself available to help his brother Jeb run for president in 2016.

In an interview scheduled to air Thursday on CNN, George Bush tells Jake Tapper that he is more than willing and available to help his brother run in 2016.

“Hey Jeb,” Bush says, “if you need some advice, give me a call.”

Bush continued sharing information no one cares about saying, “I really have not talked to Jeb about the presidency. It’s hard for people to believe.”

He then adds, “I hope Jeb runs. I think he would be a great president. I have no clue what’s on his mind. And we’ll talk when he’s ready.”

How much torture are we supposed to take from this family? Haven’t we had enough? Are we supposed to succumb to the Bush every time another member of that family figures out another way to bankrupt the country?

These bushes are like poison ivy. They’re the itch that never goes away!

Categories
Politics

Seattle Hikes Its Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour

ThinkProgress is reporting that Seattle will raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour over the coming years under a deal brokered by Mayor Ed Murray and blessed by labor and business groups alike, city leaders announced Thursday afternoon.

The new pay floor will phase in at different speeds for businesses of different sizes, but all employers will have to meet the $15 minimum wage by the end of the decade. Businesses with more than 500 employees nationwide will have a three-year phase-in period, while smaller employers get five years to ratchet up their payscales.
After reaching $15 an hour, the city’s minimum wage will automatically climb by 2.4 percent each year regardless of the rate of inflation. Even among states with relatively strong minimum wage laws, automatic increases are uncommon.

Categories
China Featured

Caught on Video – Man Flings 2 year Old Into The Air – Video

This one happened in China. In what appears to be an argument or a fight between a few adults, the two year old is seen standing, watching the entire incident unfold. A few minutes later, the man comes running outside, grabs the infant and tosses the child as he makes his escape.

After tossing the child and running off, another individual chases after the man, but according to reports, the man is still at large.

The baby lived, but sustained serious injuries and is now under observation at a hospital.

Video

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