Today’s Tech Sightings:
The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, Feb. 16, 2016, was locked out of its computer systems following a cyberattack . Hackers demanded a ransom for decrypting the hospital’s hijacked files. The malware used, known as Locky, has recently targeted Kentucky’s Methodist Hospital as well (Reuters)
This Bag of Tricks May Help Stop a Locky Ransomware Infection
Remember Locky? That’s the name of a recent malware that used email spam to trick computer users into opening fake attachments loaded with malicious code. The ransomware appeared a few months ago and locked California’s Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center out of its data systems until the ransom was paid. But researchers have also identified a few tricks to help prevent Locky from infecting your computer.
Some Artificial Intelligence Applications Are Making Humans Better People
There is clearly some concern about the rapid advances that are taking place in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) – even fear that machines will one day outsmart their creators. But writer Mathew Zeiler argues that not all is doom and gloom and that smarter AI’s can actually make humanity better.
Akamai’s State of the Internet Report Marks Improved Global Connectivity
According to Akamai, a global content delivery network, Internet connectivity around the world continued to improve in the final quarter of 2015.The global average connection speed increased 8.6 percent quarter-over-quarter to 5.6 Mbps, the report said. The global average peak connection speed increased 1.0 percent to 32.5 Mbps and average peak connection speeds spiked 21 percent globally year-over-year
More:
- Google Moves to Expand Internet Access in Cuba
- Report: Israeli Firm Helping FBI to Open Encrypted iPhone
- Brussels Attacks Could Alter Apple-FBI Battle
- Researchers Break iMessage Encryption
- Facebook Is Testing Feature That Alerts You If Someone Impersonates Your Account
- Google Kills Chrome App Launcher on Windows, Mac, Linux
