Friday, October 4, 2013

Adobe loses 2.9 mil customer records, source code and credit card records


Summary:  Adobe Systems Inc. is expected to announce that hackers broke into its network and stole source code for an as-yet undetermined number of software titles, including its ColdFusion Web application platform, and possibly its Acrobat family of products. The company said hackers also accessed nearly three million customer credit card records, and stole login data for an undetermined number of Adobe user accounts.

In an interview with this publication, Adobe confirmed that the company believes that hackers accessed a source code repository sometime in mid-August 2013, after breaking into a portion of Adobe’s network that handled credit card transactions for customers. Adobe believes the attackers stole credit card and other data on approximately 2.9 million customers, and that the bad guys also accessed an as-yet-undetermined number of user names and passwords that customers use to access various parts of the Adobe customer network.

In a blog post Brad Arkin, chief security officer of Adobe, said: “Adobe has attracted increasing attention from cyber attackers. Very recently, Adobe’s security team discovered sophisticated attacks on our network, involving the illegal access of customer information as well as source code for numerous Adobe products. We believe these attacks may be related.

“Our investigation currently indicates that the attackers accessed Adobe customer IDs and encrypted passwords on our systems. We also believe the attackers removed from our systems certain information relating to 2.9 million Adobe customers, including customer names, encrypted credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates, and other information relating to customer orders. At this time, we do not believe the attackers removed decrypted credit or debit card numbers from our systems. We deeply regret that this incident occurred. We’re working diligently internally, as well as with external partners and law enforcement, to address the incident ”

Source: KrebsOnSecurity, USA Today

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Running second or multiple Skype accounts on Windows 7

I have two Skype accounts, one I use for my business contact and other one I use for personal contact.

In my business skype account I need to login 24 hours for quick contact with my client. The problem is for my personal account because of my one desktop/laptop.  Now it is possible to open double or multiple skype account in your one desktop or laptop. It’s easy and simple follow the step:

Step-1: Go to start menu then find run


Step-2: Click on run and browse skype directory file in your C-drive/program files/Skype/Phone


Step-3: There is a Skype exe file in the “Phone folder” block Skype exe then click open button



Step-4: There you can find "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" Now rewrite the path "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe"/secondary

Step-5: That’s it click ok, you can find skype new login window




Wednesday, September 11, 2013

PayPal Debuts "Beacon", a Bluetooth LE Enabled Device for Hands-Free Check Ins and Payments

Summary: Beacon, a new add-on hardware device for merchants that leverages bluetooth technology to enable consumers to pay at stores completely hands-free
PayPal has unveiled its latest digital payments scheme ”Beacon”,  promising what could be the holy grail of mobile wallet solutions: easier than a credit card.

What is Paypal Beacon?
PayPal Beacon is a Bluetooth Low Energy device to connect to a customer’s PayPal app when they enter a store. With one vibration or sound on your phone, you’ll know you’re checked in. And when you’re ready to make a purchase, all you have to do is say you’re paying with PayPal and the transaction is automatically completed: no cash, cards, taps, or signatures required—all hands free.

How does PayPal Beacon works?
PayPal Beacon will connect consumers to enhanced shopping experiences such as automatically ordering your favorite dish at your usual lunch spot, or getting personalized service at your favorite clothing store. In addition, you can choose to accept messages from stores that you walk into, so that you can take advantage of special offers in the produce aisle.

How can merchants take advantage of this technology?
Merchants are focused on providing easier ways for their customers to make purchases either online or in-store. As more and more consumers embrace mobile technologies to do their shopping, PayPal Beacon will allow you to connect to your customers as they enter your store. By working with our open APIs, you’ll be able to craft an experience that makes the shopping experience easier and more delightful for your customers.

What is the value for consumers?
PayPal Beacon eliminates one of the last remaining points of friction for consumers. With Beacon, you are notified with a vibration or sound that there is an enhanced shopping experience as soon as you walk in to a store. You can get notified immediately when your prescription is ready, order your usual lunch at your favorite restaurant, or simply walk to the counter with your purchases and say you’re paying with PayPal—all done hands-free. The merchant does the rest and you receive your receipt electronically.


Source: PayPal, techcrunch

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Amazing features of Acer Unveils 6-Inch Liquid S2 Smartphone

Acer has officially introduced the Liquid S2 smartphone, calling it the first 4k video-recording handset.

The Liquid S2 is much more than just a video camera disguised as a phone; it is a very impressive 6-inch phablet in its own right and one with a serious processor, 2GB of RAM in tow and a great HD display
Amazing features of Liquid S2;
1.       Size:                      6-inch
2.       Screen:                 1920x1080 pixels
3.       OS:                        Android 4.2.2
4.       Camera:               13-megapixel camera on the back (coupled with a 2MP shooter on the front)
5.       Processor:           Quad-core 2.2GHz
6.       RAM:                     2GB
7.       Storage memory: 16GB
8.       LED ring flash
9.       4K video recording
10.   The camera can also record full HD video at 60 FPS as well as take 27-megapixel panoramas
11.   Quick first shot to take an image from the lock screen, and smart best shot for multiple images.
12.   4G support, as well as WiFi 802.11 ac,
13.   Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS.
14.   3300mAh capacity battery

Acer’s Float user interfaces, and has Acer Docs/Remote Files/HD Channel, Float Caller, Print, and Data Traffic Manager

The Acer Liquid S2 will become available in black and red "at the end of October;" exact pricing and availability are yet to be revealed.


Microsoft to acquire Nokia's smartphone handset business

Microsoft late Monday announced it is buying Nokia's smartphone and cellular handset business in a deal worth $7.2 billion.


As part of the deal, Microsoft will own the company which has been a leader in creating the Lumia line of smartphones that run Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. Microsoft is paying $5 billion to buy Nokia's Devices & Services unit and an additional $2.2 billion to license Nokia's patents for $2.2 billion.

The deal will be finalized in early 2014, when about 32,000 Nokia employees will transfer to Microsoft.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Apple launched trade-in program "iPhone Reuse and Recycle"

Summary: Apple Inc. said Friday that it has launched an iPhone trade-in program at its U.S. retail locations. The program will allow consumers to trade in older devices for credit on new products.

If you're worried you won't have enough cash saved up before the imminent release of the iPhone 5S, you're in luck. Apple is reportedly introducing a trade-in program ahead of the next iPhone's release, which would get your old iPhone off your hands and take a few bucks off the new one.

Values can range depending on a variety of factors, including device color, physical damage and liquid damage. Though the prices could very well be tweaked before the program goes wide, the range is said to be around $120-200 for 16GB iPhone 4 and 4S models. A 16GB iPhone 5 in good condition could go for around $250

*Company offers gift card, not cash

Once the paperwork is done, the value is added to a gift card. The balance is applied to a new device, and the customer keeps the gift card if there’s money left over. The store keeps the old phone. The trade-in program is only applicable if you’re in the store to get a new phone, so you can’t just trade it for a gift card.



Friday, August 30, 2013

China's Xiaomi Hires Google Executive Hugo Barra

Vice president of Android product management Mr. Hugo Barra has announced he’s joining Android smartphone maker Xiaomi as vice president of its global team to expand the device-maker’s product portfolio and worldwide reach.

The news, which was first reported by AllThingsD, followed closely reports about a split between Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki. The reports suggest that Brin is now seeing another Google employee who was previously seeing Barra. The third Google employee has not been named. Barra tendered his resignation before the drama involving Brin unfolded.

Xiaomi is one of a number of Chinese smartphone makers that have been gaining market share in China against foreign rivals like Apple and Nokia. Until recently, these Chinese companies seemed happy with their rising sales in China, the biggest smartphone market, but now companies like Xiaomi, Lenovo and Huawei seem intent on expanding internationally.

Mr. Barra said in a statement posted on a Google social networking service that he intended to help Xiaomi “expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally.”

“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge, and am particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem,” he wrote.

“We wish Hugo Barra the best,” Google said in a statement. “We’ll miss him at Google and we’re excited that he is staying within the Android ecosystem.”

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Twitter’s new update conversation Apps for iPhone and Android

Twitter has taken note and a new update to the website, iOS and Android apps available today makes engaging in conversations on Twitter a much more intuitive process. Using this App user can make it easier to discover and follow conversations in their home timeline.


When browsing your Twitter stream, some tweets will now be connected with a blue line, letting you know they're part of a conversation. If you want to view the rest of the associated tweets, just tap on "more replies" and you'll launch the conversation view.

All users will now be able to flag tweets as inappropriate or spammy directly from the app or web interface (iOS users have had this ability for a while) — a change made partially in response to a popular petition with over 100,000 signatures calling for the feature.


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Apple snaps up AlgoTrim, a data compression startup

Summary: Apple acquires Swedish codec and compression algorithm maker AlgoTrim.

According to a new report by Swedish emerging industry news service Rapidus, Apple has acquired AlgoTrim, a Swedish company specialising in compression technologies to optimise memory handling in mobile devices. AlgoTrim develops advanced solutions for mobile devices within the fields of data compression, mobile imaging and video, and computer graphics.

AlgoTrim was founded in 2005 by Anders Berglund, Anders Holtsberg and Martin Lindberg, and according to the report, Holstberg recently moved to California, near Apple's headquarters. While confirming to Rapidus he now works for Apple, Holstberg declined to comment on the acquisition to the publication.
According to AlgoTrim's website, its imaging codecs are used in Google's Gallery app while other compression technology is used to compress firmware updates in some Android devices.

It also has several image codecs to for JPEG, PNG, GIF and BMP files in addition to other imaging solutions for "modern computational photography". The company's products are based on a patented lossless compression method that is used for compressing processor instructions.


New York Times Website Hacked by Syrian Electronic Army


Second time in this month The New York Times Web site was unavailable to readers on Tuesday afternoon after an online attack on the company’s domain name registrar. A hacker group calling itself the "Syrian Electronic Army" claimed responsibility.

Within minutes of the attack, the New York Times quickly set up alternative websites, posting stories about chemical attacks in Syria. "Not Easy to Hide a Chemical Attack, Experts Say," was the headline of one. The service was restored early Wednesday.


Facebook Global Government Requests Report for user data

Every year, Facebook gets thousands of requests from governments for access to its users’ data. According to a new company report, the tech giant has an easier time fending off requests from foreign governments than from U.S. law enforcement agencies
Image from facebook
Facebook's Global Government Requests Report, released on Tuesday for the first time, offered details on official requests from 74 countries.
Facebook said "We are pleased to release our first Global Government Requests Report"
The report details the following:
·         Which countries requested information from Facebook about our users
·         The number of requests received from each of those countries
·         The number of users/user accounts specified in those requests
·         The percentage of these requests in which we were required by law to disclose at least some data

The US made by far the most requests, asking for information on between 20,000 and 21,000 users. UK authorities requested Facebook hand over data on 2,337 users.
Report made to Facebook click