Today’s Tech Sightings:
Downing North Korea’s Internet Not Much of a Scalp
North Korea lost its Internet connectivity for half a day Monday, though the reasons for the blackout remain unclear. But that is hardly a major loss for a country that barely has 1,000 Internet addresses, one Internet service provider and one connection to the outside world via China.
Facebook Page for Russia Rally Blocked as Putin Tightens Grip on Internet
Facebook blocked access to a page promoting a Russian opposition rally scheduled for January 15 in response to a request from the country’s communications regulator. And Russia is seeking to block more posts relating to mass protests.
Experts: Internet Privacy Will Be Hard to Find in 2025
Amid government surveillance and endless hack attacks, it seems as if computer users are losing the fight to safeguard what’s left of their privacy. And a majority of experts cited in a recent Pew Research Center report agree that current expectations of digital privacy may be gone by 2025.
Flaw in Open-Source PDF Viewer Could Put WikiLeaks Users, Others at risk
Vulnerabilities in open-source component FlexPaper, which displays PDF files, could be exploited by hackers to launch spoofing and cross-site scripting attacks against visitors on some websites. The New Zealand-based developer, Devaldi, has confirmed the vulnerability.
Who’s Really Taking You for an Uber Ride?
Ride-sharing company Uber has been under fire since several Uber drivers allegedly assaulted, raped or kidnapped passengers. An Uber spokesman says drivers have to go through rigorous background checks before they are hired. So how do the bad drivers make it through?
Spider Dress Protects Your Personal Space Bubble
While the 3-D-printed robotic Spider Dress first showed up in 2013, it is now more than just a prototype. Equipped with all kinds of sensors, the dress extends its spidery legs whenever it senses another person invading the wearer’s personal space bubble.
