A Peculiar Blog

I recently wrote about a Ransomware attack called GPcode that encrypts files on the victim’s computer and then offers to sell them a decryption key to get them back.
According to Kaspersky Labs, When GPcode does it’s thing, it first creates a copy of the file it’s going to encrypt. Once that encryption is done, [...]

The folks at Kaspersky Labs have run into a new variant of a nasty little bugger known as Gpcode. This virus encrypts files on the infected computer and then demands payment for a key that will allow the victim to decrypt the files and recover their data.
Thing is, this version of Gpcode is using [...]

I just got the June 6 issue of EFFector and thought I’d share this item from it for those who didn’t see it. It seems that the issue of immunity for telecoms that participated in the NSA’s illegal warrantless wiretapping program.
Now they’re trying to get the FISA court (remember, that’s the “Secret court” that [...]

Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, is now claiming that TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chips that are installed on many new motherboards will make it impossible to pirate game software.
While it’s true that the TPM chips he’s talking about will present a seriously increased challenge, there’s no doubt at all in my mind that determined hackers, [...]

I just read something that needs some attention. It’s a Wired.com piece called “Air Force Aims for ‘Full Control’ of ‘Any and All’ Computers“.
Essentially, they’re working on developing a suite of software tools that will give them access to and full control over any type of computer they encounter.
The whole point is to be [...]

There’s a saying to the effect that those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. I saw something today that I have to say is very disturbing. It was a tagline somebody used on a post:
The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the [...]

There’s a piece in the NYTimes about lawyers having to fly all over the place and take all sorts of measures because they’re afraid of their contact with clients being monitored by the US government.
While I’m never going to be sympathetic to terrorists & their supporters, it’s part of how things are *supposed* to be [...]

I think it’s pretty safe to say that the fact that there are government agencies doing a lot of snooping on all manner of Internet traffic. It’s also safe to say that since 9-11 this snooping has escalated massively. Now, the FBI is trying to get access to data that the NSA has [...]

Recently I wrote about the feds wanting to collect DNA from everybody arrested. Well, I saw an EFF story that says the public comment period for this proposed rule will end on May 19, 2008. It’s important to get as much input on this topic against allowing this wholesale collection of DNA from [...]

Remember the FISA bill that the Senate tried to get passed that would have given immunity to telecoms for their participation in the illegal NSA domestic spying scandal? Well, it’s not quite dead yet. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has been talking deals with the “genius” behind that bill, Senator Rockefeller and is [...]