Don’t Let Your Password Choices Set You up for Disaster
February 12, 2010 – Did you know that hackers can crack nearly any dictionary-based password? The problem with normal words found in the dictionary or combinations of letters found close to one another on the computer keyboard is that they are susceptible to manual or automated “brute force” attacks. In this scenario, hackers basically try out password after password until finding the right one. If there is no account lockout feature enabled, the trying can go on all day long, until they find one.
Another common mistake is the frequency with which a password is used. Many people use the same password for every account they have on the web. Each and every application, account, etc. should receive its own password. Otherwise you’re just creating a single point of failure. If someone gets one account login and password, they have every one of them.
Computing’s Thirteen Most Annoying Moments (Part I)
February 12, 2010 – Computer history can be said to date back to 300 B.C. with the Babylonian’s invention of the Abacus. It may not have had any wires, a motherboard, or a processor, but it still took a previously manual task and turned it into, at least, a semi-automated one. In the 1,700 years that have since past, mankind has made huge strides in technology. These led us, in small steps, to the point at which we are now. The invention of the telephone led to the first transatlantic telephone call. The invention of machines to decode messages led to our ability to implement secure communications, via both voice and data.
The fact that one invention or discovery eventually leads to another also applies to the evolution of what we consider to be “annoying stuff”. For every positive discovery, there is the potential for it to lead to an unforeseen and, often, annoying consequence. Such being the case, what are a few technological milestones that have been positive but led to annoying consequences for the computing masses? With that, we present to you The Thirteen Most Annoying Moments in Computing History. Why choose thirteen? We’ll let you figure that one out on your own. Don’t get us wrong. These are great achievements, for which we’ll be forever grateful. Nonetheless, they have led to things that truly annoy computer users around the world, on a daily basis.
Since we know that the average person will allot only about two minutes to read any given article on the web, we’ve broken it down into Parts I and II. Events are listed chronologically, not in level of annoyance. Today, we’ll look at events 1-7. Our hope is that readers will walk away feeling like we do, grateful, yet mildly annoyed, at the technological milestones that helped us get to where we are today. So, without further ado, onto the list…
Has Social Networking Ruined the Surprise at the Olympics?
February 12, 2010 – Despite valiant attempts by organizers to ensure festivities planned for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver, BC, technology and, specifically, social networking may have ruined the surprise. Set to open tonight, this year’s ceremony is the first to be held indoors. During the course of this week, two dress rehearsals that involved around 60,000 people were held. Though participants were required to sign confidentiality agreements, the proliferance of smart phones made it impossible to ensure pictures, videos, and commentary did not make their way out and onto the web shortly after the rehearsals. Twitter, Facebook, and email providers were all witness to leaked photographs, shaky video, and some very surprise-ruining comments.
Organizers are certain that tonight’s ceremony, which are reported to pack more of an emotional punch than a visual one, will still generally be a surprise to participants and viewers. While the lack of confidentiality and discretion on the part of participants does not constitute a major incident, it does highlight a growing problem. If individuals cannot control themselves and refrain from taking pictures and videos when it is neither appropriate nor allowed, who can control them? Incidents in countries like China and Iran reinforce the theory that banning technology altogether is both unethical and unhelpful. Nonetheless, perhaps its time for people to be a bit more responsible. When organizers at an event say (in a non-threatening and oppressive way), please no photographs, video, or recording devices, people can leave the technology in their pocket and just enjoy the moment. Who needs a picture, when they have a private memory that will last a lifetime?
