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Apple forced to autopatch OS X after finding a security flaw
Kim Dotcom convinces hackers to stop PSN and Xbox Live attacks
Kodak to join the smartphone race

Apple forced to autopatch OS X after finding a security flaw

Posted: 29 Dec 2014 10:58 AM PST

Apple was forced to auto update every OS X machine connected to a network after Google researchers found a flaw in the code, ripe for exploitation by hackers.

A group of Google researchers found a flaw in OS X which could allow hackers to execute malicious code remotely in most iMacs. This flaw was a huge deal for Apple, because it could eventually lead to remote DDoS attacks on UNIX-based systems such as Linux, and their very own OS X.

Apple started working on a fix right away, and once it came out asked users to update “as soon as possible” yet after the US government themselves flagged it and deemed it a threat, Apple instead opted for forcing Yosemite, Mountain Lion and Mavericks to update by using a never before seen OS X update system that doesn’t require any user input, and doesn’t even require computers to restart.

Patrick Nielsen of Kaspersky explained at Engadget that this is a very widespread flaw, installed on on “everything from consumer gadgets to critical infrastructure”. Furthermore, firewalls don’t typically block NTP servers attacks, which could be bad news for corporate networks especially. So now you know: update, now.

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Kim Dotcom convinces hackers to stop PSN and Xbox Live attacks

Posted: 29 Dec 2014 06:00 AM PST

Christmas was rough on some people as Lizard Squad took down PSN and Xbox Live as some people were opening their presents.Luckily, Kim Dotcom (of MegaUpload, now renamed Mega) stepped in to restore the service.

A while ago several media outlets were reporting the fall of Lizard Squad, a group of hackers who had taken down PSN, Xbox Live and Blizzard via DDoS attacks. Such a feat was done by Finest Squad, who had revealed their IDs to the FBI, and gamers all over the world rejoiced. Yet, surprisingly, Lizard Squad jumped into activity on Christmas day and took down both Xbox Live and PSN, while laughing maniacally from their Twitter accounts. It’s not clear what really happened with the FBI and finest squad, but the team is clearly still active, and this ruined the holidays for many, Kim Dotcom amongst them. And turns out Kim really wanted to play Destiny.

What Kim Dotcom did about it was literally negotiating with terrorists as he offered the Lizard Squad team some 3,000 accounts at Mega in exchange for stopping the attacks. Kim made that conversation public, which is below these lines.

After such events the Lizard Squad team announced there would be peace, all thanks to Dotcom. Kim, instead, assured that if the attacks continued these accounts would immediately be suspended. Did Kim Dotcom save Christmas? That’s what many of our colleagues claim all around the web, while others say this only sets a bad precedent. Regardless of who is right or not, we’ll learn more about it in the next few days.

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Kodak to join the smartphone race

Posted: 29 Dec 2014 04:00 AM PST

Kodak is going to announce a new set of android powered devices at CES 2015 in Las Vegas. This would be one of the first major projects by the company that is not related to photography.

Kodak might be best known for incredible photography and horrible rhymes by Pitbull, but this might soon change as the company announced its collaboration with Bullitt Mobile to bring a series of Android-powered smartphones and tablets that promise the "best-in-class image management software and features along with great design and UI." So far, all we know about them is that the focus will be user interface and design, but the specs remain a mystery.Are Samsung and Apple in front of their next big competitor, or will they go the way of the Kindle Fire?

Oliver Schulte, the CEO Bullitt Mobile was quoted by Geeky Gadgets saying

"Kodak is one of the world's most recognisable brands. It is trusted by consumers as a marque of quality and innovation. We've taken that heritage and used it to inspire a range of beautifully designed devices that will let users take great pictures and edit, share, store and print them in an instant. Delivering simplicity without compromise, these devices will address a segment of the mobile device market that has been poorly served to date. By giving customers easy access to printing and sharing services while still offering the latest Android OS and features found on high-end smartphones, we will appeal to a large audience of users who value ease of use and stylish design as highly as they value functionality."

For more information on these and other devices, we’ll have to wait until CES 2015, but it’s a start: Kodak is trying to reinvent itself.

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