Google Hacked the Chinese Hackers Right Back [Google]

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/yLyo8ZgiGoE/google-hacked-the-chinese-hackers-right-back

One of the cooler stories out the whole Google-China debacle is that Google hacked the hackers. It "began a secret counteroffensive," breaking into a computer in Taiwan, gathering evidence the attacks originated from mainland China, possibly orchestrated by the government.

Google's delta force found evidence that the hackers had attacked 33 other companies, like Adobe, and that the onslaught actually came from China, not Taiwan. More to the point, "much of the evidence, including the sophistication of the attacks, strongly suggested an operation run by Chinese government agencies, or at least approved by them." Unfortunately, Google can't prove the Chinese government's involvement 100 percent, which is why the Obama administration is pussy-footing around the issue.

Still, it's pretty awesome: If you hack Google, they will hack your ass right back. [NYT]

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Facebook Now Running Virus Scans on Users' PCs

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/readwriteweb/~3/uuF3L05jI9s/facebook_now_running_virus_scans_on_user_pcs.php

Earlier this week, Facebook and security company McAfee announced a partnership which offers Facebook's 350 million users a free six-month subscription to McAfee's security software. Interested parties can visit the Protect Your PC tab on the McAfee Page on Facebook to sign up for the deal. However, the most interesting part of this new partnership isn't the online coupon, it's the drastic change Facebook is taking to protect their network involving required virus scanning of user PCs. As of now, users whose accounts have been compromised won't be permitted to log back into Facebook until their PC is scanned for malware and the infections are removed. Is Facebook overstepping their role by getting into the virus-scanning game? Or is this new move a brilliant strategy that will help make Facebook a safer place?

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Virus Scanning Now Required Prior to Login for Infected Computers

In a related blog post, Facebook's Jake Brill notes that one of the company's biggest challenges is helping people whose accounts have been compromised by spammers. Users who have had their accounts hijacked are now being identified and are temporarily locked out from logging into the social network until they complete a verification process. Facebook sends the affected user an email to verify that they are the legitimate owner of the account. Unfortunately, most hackers are savvy enough to change the email address and security question after compromising your account, which means many users will still have to contact Facebook support.

A better solution, as it turns out, is to make sure that users' PCs are protected before they ever log in to the site. This way, Facebook can be sure that there isn't any malicious software running on the user's computer. Since many hackers are able to spread their malware on Facebook by way of an infected user's computer, this new process assures that only clean, uncompromised computers are able to access Facebook.

While Facebook isn't running a scan on all PCs (yet!), the idea to run scans prior to granting access is one that comes from the world of business networks. Most companies that allow remote access to their internal systems either by way of a VPN, Wi-Fi, or an intranet site often also have security measures in place to verify that users accessing their network have malware-free computers. It's not unusual for companies to run a scan as part of the user account verification process prior to login to check the computer for viruses and other malware and to make sure that the computer is running the appropriate version of the company's security software.

Thanks to Facebook's new partnership with McAfee, the company is basically doing the same thing businesses have done for years. However, unlike corporate networks, only Facebook accounts that have been compromised will be subjected to a scan prior to login.

Is Virus Scanning Facebook's Job?

Obviously, the goal with this new policy is to protect Facebook users. Even one infected machine can have a ripple affect on the network as the hacker or spammer spreads their malware across the site through the compromised account. Still, some people may feel that Facebook is overstepping its role by requiring users to grant the company (by way of McAfee) the ability to download and run code on their machine which scans all the files stored on their hard drive. We would argue that those backing this argument may be just a little too sensitive to privacy concerns, though, but that's a matter of personal opinion.

A more valid point may be the fact that users are required to use McAfee software as opposed to their own already installed and configured security suite. (In truth, McAfee runs a web scan on your machine but like any web-based virus scan, code is downloaded and installed on your machine.) Unfortunately, current anti-malware programs have no mechanisms that can report to a website about the status of a user's machine - that is, whether or not it's infected or clean. Maybe it's time that they should?

A third opinion (and frankly, the one this author can get behind) is that this policy change is, in fact, a brilliant move by the company. No other social networking service goes so far as to verify its users are entering their site with clean, virus-free PCs. And since Facebook is only scanning previously compromised computers, one could argue that they're actually doing these users a favor. Despite years of warnings, a surprising number of Windows users still don't run anti-virus programs on their computers. (Macs and Linux have less issues with malware - whether that has more to do with their inherently more secure nature on the unappealing small size of their install base is constantly debated). The problem has become so bad over the years that Microsoft finally released a free anti-virus program called Security Essentials which is available to anyone running a legal copy of Windows.

Requiring this subset of uninformed users to shape up or stay out will certainly help the social network stay safer for the rest of its users. Nevertheless, cynics may wonder how much of Facebook's decision was truly done in the name of security and how much was simply a desire to take part in what's likely a very lucrative deal with McAfee. The security company is the other big winner here - they now get their name in front of hundreds of millions of Facebook users - specifically the ones who need their help the most. Talk about targeted advertising!

It should be interesting to see how big of an impact this policy change has on the safety and security of the social network over time. Assuming it has a notable impact, we may even see other social networks and online communities take the same measures in the future. Whether that would a good thing for the internet as a whole is still open for debate.

Discuss

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Nike Launches Impressive Hyper-local iPhone App

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/readwriteweb/~3/6FXkmLwbFAw/nike_launches_new_hyper-local_iphone_app.php

Nike launched a new iPhone app yesterday called True City (iTunes link) with the slogan "Make the hidden visible." The app provides hyper-local, real-time information for 6 European cities. It combines expert curation of news and events info, crowdsourced information discovery (with a chance to become an official guide), push notifications, QR codes printed and posted around the city and apparently a little Augmented Reality. Of course True City also lets you learn about shoes you can buy.

It was built by AKQA, the same design firm that made the impressive Augmented Reality app for the US Postal Service that lets you see if an object you're holding up to your computer will fit in a postal shipping box.

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Design blog PSFK says that with the app, Nike appears determined to build "an army of hyper-local, mobile-connected advocates."

Can an apparel company's app compete with local content from companies specializing in that kind of work? As one reviewer wrote on the iTunes store, "Do you want bar recommendations from Nike? Nice app but no content. Will never compete with the likes of Yelp. Pointless really."

Presumably the expert contributors for each city will try to help overcome these limitations. Would you be interested in a handful of select people recommending places, events and news for your local area? As one component of a larger hyper-local news and events source that sounds great to me. In fact, I think it's a model that would serve any location based social network well.

Nike True City Full Trailer - Official HD Version from NikeSportswear on Vimeo.

The Downside of Corporate Portals Into Your True City

Nike may very well be able to dazzle a substantial number of users into using the app with its remarkable design, but there is still some concern about building your connection to your local area through the sterile lens of a marketing campaign. There are certain important but unpleasant things that seem unlikely to be served up on such a platform. Nike's app makes the hidden visible, right?

Nike's home town of Portland, Oregon for example, is a major hub of international sex trafficking. Matters like that are far more likely to be reported about by institutions that place the public interest of their communities, namely newspapers, than they are by mobile marketing apps, no matter how cool, hyper-local, curated, crowdsourced and augmented they may be. The True City campaign says it's performed "all with Nikeʼs unmistakable irreverence" - but I think that just means it's sassy advertising.

None the less, the technology and strategy is an interesting data point in the unfolding history of hyper-local, mobile technologies.

Discuss

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5 Industries an Apple Tablet Could Revolutionize

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/Scp8sRwX5wo/

If you haven’t heard an Apple Tablet rumor by now, you’ve most likely been living in a cave somewhere for the past year. It’s all anybody can talk about, especially since it could launch at the end of the month.

With the daily deluge of rumors flooding your Twitter stream and RSS feeds, it’s easy to become cynical about the mythical device. Why should you care about a device that has no confirmation at all of its existence?

The answer is that its potential impact could be nothing short of revolutionary. Like the iPod and the iPhone, an Apple-built tablet could not only become a consumer hit, but actually redefine multiple industries and how they do business. Here are just some of the ways an Apple Tablet could spark a revolution.


1. Publishing and Media


Let’s start with the most obvious choice: Media. We’ve covered the previous rumors that Apple wants to redefine print with its rumored tablet. While the Kindle has done a lot to bring print into digital form, a tablet could be far more suited for reading the newspaper, opening up your textbook, and even sharing notes. Hell, Wired’s already preparing for the tablet.

The simple point is that it’s easier to carry a smart tablet than 300 hardcover books and 20 newspapers with you. Apple’s tablet will almost certainly have a focus on bringing all of print into the digital world, whether the industry is ready for it or not.


2. Healthcare



Above: The AirStrop OB iPhone App. It allow doctors to check on their patients vitals on-the-go.

A few days ago, a rumor spread that Apple was designing the tablet specifically for the healthcare industry. While we, of course, have no idea whether the tablet is being made for doctors or whether it’s being made at all, the notion is very logical.

First, the iPhone is already a tool that doctors use to save lives. If the tablet can run apps, then those tools will immediately be at their disposal. Second, it has the capability to replace the clipboard by accessing digital records, making medical data easy-to-search, and having references built right into the tablet.

Healthcare is a lagging industry in terms of technological adoption, but if any company has the resources to break that barrier, it’s Apple.


3. Entertainment


Entertainment is another industry that could be immediately affected by an Apple Tablet. It’s big enough to provide easy viewing for your movies and television shows. And if the 3G rumors are true, you could access that data via an iPhone app. Having the ability to view TV from anywhere is no small deal.

It’s not just the TV and movie experience that could potentially be upended, either. Gaming would get a completely new platform, paving the way for a new wave of touchscreen games, depending on how the tablet is designed (I wouldn’t want to hold the tablet in one hand and touchscreen with the other). It probably won’t have the same effect on the music industry as the iPod had, though.


4. Finance


The finance industry is a giant behemoth with many arms — trading, banking, personal finance, and investment banking, just to name a few. The tablet could have a dramatic impact on all of these areas.

Trading: Traders need to have information at their fingertips and make trades in an instant. Many use their mobile phones or specialized devices for this, but a tablet could present a lot more information and be far more dynamic. You could see tablets everywhere on the floor eventually.

Banking: Bank tellers could process information with the tablet and easily hand it over to someone else when the situation arises. A tablet would be a far more effective way of sharing financial data or even making payments. The need for paperwork would be gone.

Personal Finance: With apps like Mint at your fingertips, managing your finances would be a snap. If tablets have a wireless way to communicate with one another, it could also prove to be the ultimate payment system.

Investment Banking: In addition to facilitating faster and more effective trading, investment banks could use them to quickly conduct research and swap notes.

The right software and the right interface could stir many financial institutions to purchase Apple Tablets in bulk.


5. Computing


Consider the big picture with this final industry. For years, we’ve relied on desktops and laptops with bulky keyboards. Only recently has mobile become a computing force, but even that is nothing compared to the computing industry.

Imagine that the Apple Tablet comes with a new type of tactile, gesture-based keyboard, something a recent Apple patent supports. Imagine you can type almost as well on it as you can with a keyboard, or even 75% as well. It immediately becomes a great device for computing on the go, an object that could be used as a primary computer if you wanted to.

Now imagine that the devices does have a few input ports, specifically two USB ports. Now you have a device that can be connected to your keyboard and mouse, as well as your other devices potentially. Stick the tablet on a stand and it’s a computer. Unplug and take it with you and your computer can come with you, even easier than a laptop.

While this was a thought exercise, this is the type of thing Apple has clearly thought about in the tablet process. If the Apple Tablet proves to be real, you can expect this type of imaginative thinking to be present in every aspect of the tablet’s design, interface, and functionality.

This is why the media and millions of early adopters care so much about the potential tablet and the rumors: Its potential as a revolutionary device is very real.


More Apple resources from Mashable:


- 5 Mac Apps to Boost Your Productivity
- Mac Gift Guide: 10 Buying Ideas for Apple Fans
- HOW TO: Create a Mac Theme for Windows 7
- Top 10 iPhone Apps as Judged by Mashable Readers
- APPLE TABLET: Ultimate Gallery of Concept Designs and Prototypes
- 10 iPhone Apps to Avoid Work Disasters
- 20 Creative Apps For Your iPhone


Reviews: Mint, Twitter

Tags: apple, Apple Tablet, business, iSlate, Tablet, tech

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Facebook Self-Serve Ad Pricing Is Extremely Low -- This May Not Be A Huge Business After All

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/typepad/alleyinsider/silicon_alley_insider/~3/f6eQrXVZgaA/facebook-is-improving-its-self-serve-display-service-for-advertisers-2010-1

This is a report from our premium subscription research service The Internet Analyst.  To sign up for a free trial, please submit your name and email address here.


mark zuckerbergWe spoke with several executives at Yodle, who have been testing the Facebook self-serve display service (where advertisers can create their own ads and distribute them on the Facebook network) since October.

The good news for Facebook:

  • Usability and reporting have improved notably in recent months.

Read the rest of this story »

See Also:

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Steve Jobs: "Mobile Ads Suck"

steve jobs apple AP
AAPL Jan 15 2010, 11:33 AM EST
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GOOG Jan 15 2010, 11:33 AM EST
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Steve Jobs plans on revolutionizing the mobile ad industry, because right now he thinks "mobile ads suck," according to a source familiar with his thinking, who spoke to BusinessWeek.

How might Apple make them better?

Possibly a mixture of making them more inviting and appealing to app users; easier for developers and publishers to use; easier for agencies to build for; and easier for everyone to track engagement and usage.

If Apple can do this -- and keep ad giant Google and Flash maker Adobe, whose multimedia ads rule the Web -- out of the mix, it could reap more revenue from free iPhone apps.

That explains why Apple purchased Quattro Wireless for $275 million, whose CEO Andy Miller is now Apple's VP of mobile advertising, reporting directly to Steve Jobs.

See Also: Apple's War With Google Heats Up

Communities in de muziekwereld: klinkende cases en knallende cijfers

music-communityDe muziekwereld laat zien hoe social media aan een hele branche een nieuwe dynamiek kunnen geven. Een groeiend aantal partijen daar maakt gebruik van de kracht van communities en behaalt daarmee ook echt resultaat. In dit artikel  casestudies van bands, een platenlabel en een ticketbureau. Lees meer

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Sanoma Digital koopt vergelijkingssite Energieprijzen.nl

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MarketingFacts/~3/rbHRswjkGBc/

Sanoma Digital tekent vandaag de overeenkomst voor de overname van de onafhankelijke vergelijkingssite Energieprijzen.nl, de site wordt overgekocht van adviesbureau Ecofys. Energieprijzen.nl is een consumentenwebsite, waar gas- en elektriciteitaanbieders op prijs en duurzaamheid vergeleken kunnen worden. De onafhankelijke site zet de producten, prijzen en contractvoorwaarden van alle energieleveranciers naast elkaar en faciliteert eventueel de overstap naar een andere aanbieder. De overname van Energieprijzen.nl past, zo meldt het persbericht van zojuist, in de strategie van Sanoma om consumenten te helpen bij het kiezen en vergelijken van producten en diensten. De markt van elektriciteit en gasleveranciers is enorm in beweging en de besparingen kunnen voor een consument fors oplopen. De energiemarkt is dan ook een interessante markt voor Sanoma om haar vergelijkingsproducten naar uit te breiden. Joris van Heukelom, tegenwoordig Director Publishing bij Sanoma Digital: Lees meer over: Sanoma Digital koopt vergelijkingssite Energieprijzen.nl.

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Symbian 4 To Launch Next Year, Looks Nice—So Far [Phones]

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/x-yZBMRSkDQ/symbian-4-to-launch-next-year-looks-niceso-far

Nokia's proudly showing off the Symbian S^4 user interface to all and sundry, which is expected to fall onto phones sometime early next year. We may still be awaiting Symbian^3, but Symbian^4 looks like a breath of fresh UI air.

Anyone that's using a phone laden with the current Symbian^1 should be rejoicing at the sight of these images, which show a cleaner, more modern platform. It's almost taken inspiration from Android (in fact, the User Interface Concept Proposal actually compares the UI to Android), but you know as well as I do that pretty pictures have nothing on actually getting your hands on a running device. Lag is a prevalent problem with S60, though that's partly to do with hardware faults obviously.

Symbian is building the latest version in Qt, and it will reportedly support touchscreen and hybrid phones. There's no word yet on whether you'll be able to update your phone with the OS when it's released—but as that's more than a year away, you should probably be on your way to a new handset anyway. I hope for your sakes. [Symbian via Twitter via Slashgear]

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