Spike DDoS toolkit details - frightening new DDoS botnet could potentially utilize Linux, Windows, and ARM IoT devices

Security researchers have discovered an unusual, and frightening, new toolkit capable of infecting not only Windows and Linux computers, but also routers and IoTs. Dubbed Spike, it has demonstrated DDoS attacks as high as 215 gigabit/second against targets in Asia and the United States. Spike toolkit interfaces discovered by Akamai used Mandarin and thus, it is believed the kit originates out of China.

Spike DDoS toolkit details - frightening new DDoS botnet could potentially utilize Linux, Windows, and ARM IoT devices

Shellshock vulnerability - critical security vulnerability discovered in Bash (Bourne-Again Shell)

If your Linux/Unix (or Apple Mac OS X) applications are running with root permissions and call on the shell, this vulnerability (called “Bash Bug” or “$hellshock”) is huge as it allows an attacker to remotely execute shell commands by attaching malicious code into environment variables used by the OS. The flaw is present in GNU Bash versions 1.14 through 4.3 (yup, this bug’s been around for 22 years now). Basically the flaw allows the attacker to create environment variables that contain trailing code – and the code gets executed as soon as the bash shell is invoked. And yes, it’s exploitable over the network.

Shellshock vulnerability - critical security vulnerability discovered in Bash (Bourne-Again Shell)

Will Samsung Galaxy Note 4/Gear VR become bigger than the Internet?

The new Galaxy Note 4 is a nice upgrade from your Galaxy Note 3. The new sensors (heart rate sensor, fingerprint scanner, UV sensor) are cool and might prompt some interesting new apps. The CPU is a tad bit faster and the 16MB camera is a step up from the Note 3. But what really shines on the Note 4 is the new retina-searing 2,560 x 1,600 Super AMOLED screen (515 PPI) combined with the Adreno 420 GPU which should enable high-end 3D games at super HD resolutions without dropping too many effects. And these eyeball-popping graphic hardware upgrades are what will allow the Gear VR to drop people to their knees.

Will Samsung Galaxy Note 4/Gear VR become bigger than the Internet?

Online anonymity be damned - if you're using Tor/VPN to protect your anonymity, it's time to up your game

If a recent DOJ proposal to amend Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure passes, granting the FBI the legal right to crack your Tor or VPN connection, you might have to be even more cautious – to the point of keeping up with file checksum/hashes to determine if you’ve been compromised, routinely wiping your machine, or running your OS off of a read-only medium.

Online anonymity be damned - if you're using Tor/VPN to protect your anonymity, it's time to up your game

Does anyone remember Barrett Brown?

I’ve written about Mr. Brown several times before. Barrett Brown is the guy that the government tagged as the “voice of Anonymous”, the young man that suffered a tragedy of injustice from charges that most feel were laughable at best and fragrantly unjust and illegal at worst. Lest we forget (and history repeat itself), let’s review the saga.

Does anyone remember Barrett Brown?

Ten more cool street art murals that provide a unique take on their surroundings

Check out ten more cool street art murals that create an interesting, and unique, take on their environment. The art featured here use various methods – stencil graffiti, wheatpasted poster art or sticker art – to add a bit of flare to their otherwise mundane surroundings.

Ten more cool street art murals that provide a unique take on their surroundings

Hot cosplay action from San Diego Comic-Con 2014 - Part 2

Check out more hot cosplay action from this year’s Comic-Con 2014 in San Diego.

Hot cosplay action from San Diego Comic-Con 2014 - Part 2

Cool food - part 2

Although we cannot confirm that their presentation make them taste any better, here is part 2 of cool art made out of food.

Cool food - part 2

How to secure your Internet connection using a secure VPN through a secure VPN

If you are suspicious of Tor, tired of the laggy connection, or simply want a more stable means to ensure your connection is encrypted and secure, you can easily create a VPN connection through a VPN connection which ensures anonymity and hard-core encryption of your network stream (with kill switches to protect your identity if the VPN connection is dropped).

How to secure your Internet connection using a secure VPN through a secure VPN

Hot cosplay action from San Diego Comic-Con 2014 - Part 1

Every year it gets better and better. Check out the best hot cosplay from San Diego Comic-Con 2014.

Hot cosplay action from San Diego Comic-Con 2014 - Part 1

FBI testimony reveals how they determined Ross ulbricht was owner of Silk Road

As Silk Road’s Ross Ulbricht (aka Dread Pirate Roberts) heads to trial, prosecutor case filings reveal how the FBI determined Silk Road’s server location – and according to prosecutors, they didn’t have to break tor to find it. According to the FBI, Silk Road’s login page leaked the servers IP address through a misconfigured anti-abuse CAPTCHA control.

FBI testimony reveals how they determined Ross ulbricht was owner of Silk Road