New Linux worm targets routers, cameras, “Internet of things” devices

Wesley Fryer Researchers have discovered a Linux worm capable of infecting a wide range of home routers, set-top boxes, security cameras, and other consumer devices that are increasingly equipped with an Internet connection. Linux.Darlloz , as the worm has been dubbed, is now classified as a low-level threat, partly because its current version targets only devices that run on CPUs made by Intel, Symantec researcher Kaoru Hayashi wrote in a blog post published Wednesday . But with a minor modification, the malware could begin using variants that incorporate already available executable and linkable format (ELF) files that infect a much wider range of “Internet-of-things” devices, including those that run chips made by ARM and those that use the PPC, MIPS, and MIPSEL architectures. “Upon execution, the worm generates IP addresses randomly, accesses a specific path on the machine with well-known ID and passwords, and sends HTTP POST requests, which exploit the vulnerability,” Hayashi explained. “If the target is unpatched, it downloads the worm from a malicious server and starts searching for its next target. Currently, the worm seems to infect only Intel x86 systems, because the downloaded URL in the exploit code is hard-coded to the ELF binary for Intel architectures.” Read 4 remaining paragraphs | Comments        

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New Linux worm targets routers, cameras, “Internet of things” devices

OCZ declares bankruptcy, may sell its assets to Toshiba

OCZ dropped off the radar shortly into 2013 as it struggled to correct dodgy accounting and stem ongoing losses. Unfortunately, it couldn’t turn things around quickly enough — the one-time legend in memory technology has declared bankruptcy . That isn’t necessarily the end of the story, though. Toshiba has offered to buy all of OCZ’s assets as long as the ailing company maintains its value. The bankruptcy represents a sad (potential) end for a firm that was once synonymous with speedy RAM and SSDs, but there’s a good chance that its work will live on in future products. Filed under: Storage Comments PC Perspective Source: OCZ

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OCZ declares bankruptcy, may sell its assets to Toshiba

Scientists Accidentally Discover Incredible Bacteria-Killing Surface

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you never had to worry about germs crawling around on your kitchen countertop? Well, thanks to a new discovery by Australian scientists , that could soon be a reality. And it doesn’t require a drop of disinfectant. Read more…        

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Scientists Accidentally Discover Incredible Bacteria-Killing Surface

Bitcoin Tops $1,000 For the First Time

An anonymous reader writes with this bit from The Next Web “Bitcoin hit a new milestone today, passing the $1, 000 mark for the first time. The virtual currency is currently trading above the four-digit figure, with its highest at $1, 030 on Mt. Gox, one of the largest exchanges. Last week, Bitcoin’s high for the day was $632. That means its trading value has surged 62.83 percent in a week, assuming we’re looking at just its high points. That figure could of course rise even further if Bitcoin continues to push further up throughout the day.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Bitcoin Tops $1,000 For the First Time

Drone-Wielding Criminals Busted Dropping Tobacco Into Prison Yard

Forget sneaking contraband into prison in your butt. Some creative crooks have taken to the skies with new technology in an effort to get some precious tobacco to their compatriots in prison.This takes the drone delivery service trend to a new level. Read more…        

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Drone-Wielding Criminals Busted Dropping Tobacco Into Prison Yard

​Some Fool Threw Away a Hard Drive with $7.5 Million of Bitcoin On It

Ever accidentally lose a dollar? Then you count what’s in your war chest, realize it’s a dollar short, and kick yourself for being careless? Well, a British IT worker knows what that feels like—except times 7.5 million . Read more…        

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​Some Fool Threw Away a Hard Drive with $7.5 Million of Bitcoin On It

62% of 16 To 24-Year-Olds Prefer Printed Books Over eBooks

assertation writes “According to The Guardian, 62% of readers between the age of 16 and 24 prefer physical copies of books over ebooks. Reasons given were the feel of ‘real books, ‘ a perceived unfairly high cost for eBooks, and the ease of sharing printed books. ‘On questions of ebook pricing, 28% think that ebooks should be half their current price, while just 8% say that ebook pricing is right.’ The preference for physical copies was in contrast to other forms of media, such as games, movies, and music, where a majority preferred the digital version.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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62% of 16 To 24-Year-Olds Prefer Printed Books Over eBooks

In advance of the holidays, PayPal is rolling out support for those pesky pre-paid gift cards from c

In advance of the holidays, PayPal is rolling out support for those pesky pre-paid gift cards from credit companies like Visa. No more wondering whether your favorite online retailer will take your card. If they take PayPal, they take the lazy gift from your aunt. Read more…        

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In advance of the holidays, PayPal is rolling out support for those pesky pre-paid gift cards from c

Nasdaq 4000 — This Time It’s Different?

Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes, quoting USA Today “The NASDAQ has topped 4000 for the first time in 13 years, but much has changed since then. … Tech investors in 2000 were right about the possibilities of the Internet and mobile computing. But they were dead wrong about which companies would be in the vanguard … The recovery of the NASDAQ has been a complex tale of creative destruction, where old companies that once fueled the index have been pushed aside by new players. Back in 2000, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Intel, Oracle, and Sun accounted for 8.9%, 8.5%, 7.1%, 3.6% and 2.6%, respectively, of the value of the NASDAQ composite. Today, companies that were just starting out or didn’t even exist — think Google, Amazon, and Facebook — are in the top 10, accounting for 4.7%, 2.7% and 1.5% of NASDAQ’s value. Microsoft, Cisco and Intel’s weight has fallen sharply. Apple, which wasn’t in the top 10 in 2000, is a behemoth at 7.9%. So is the NASDAQ enjoying a long overdue catch-up with the rest of the market, or is the broad market overpriced, with the NASDAQ being pulled along for the ride? ‘The reality is that the only thing that’s the same from Nasdaq 4000 in 1999 and Nasdaq 4000 in 2013, ‘ says Doug Sandler, ‘is the number 4000.'” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Nasdaq 4000 — This Time It’s Different?

Chicago Transit System Fooled By Federal ID Cards

New submitter johnslater writes “The Chicago Transit Authority’s new ‘Ventra’ stored-value fare card system has another big problem. It had a difficult birth, with troubles earlier this fall when legitimate cards failed to allow passage, or sometimes double-billed the holders. Last week a server failure disabled a large portion of the system at rush hour. Now it is reported that some federal government employee ID cards allow free rides on the system. The system is being implemented by Cubic Transportation Systems for the bargain price of $454 million.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Chicago Transit System Fooled By Federal ID Cards