Microsoft fixes '19-year-old' bug with emergency patch

The 19-year-old software bug that was discovered by IBM has not been fixed by Microsoft. IBM came to know about this flaw long back (May) but wanted to get the issue fixed as it was affecting office and windows products before making any statement to the general public.

According to IBM, this software bug was present in every single version of Windows since 1995. Windows users are being requested to download the update for the respective windows version, as hackers and attackers will be easily able to exploit their personal computer, which is already affected with the bug. Microsoft has already addressed this issue in their monthly security update and has added more patches to fix the other security issues of the users. They are currently working on few more updates and patches, which will be rolled out soon.

Robert Freeman, IBM researcher has explained the susceptibility in depth in his blog post. He has written that this bug can be easily used by any attacker for creating drive-by attacks and easily run codes remotely on anyone’s computer and they can practically take over the entire machine or system. A drive-by attack in a computer security means that the system attacker will be able to make the user of the system download vulnerable and malicious software.

According to the reports given by IBM, this bug was practically hiding in the plain sight. On the CVSS (the Common Vulnerability Scoring System), the vulnerability - dubbed WinShock has been rated 9.3 out of a possible 10. This means a severity in terms of computer security.

Potential disaster: 

Another bug that has been identified affects the Windows Server platforms of Microsoft. This potentially puts the security of websites at risk, which mainly handle the encrypted data. This bug has been specifically linked with Schannel, which is the company’s software for applying the secure transfer of data. Schannel is also known as Microsoft’s secure channel. Some of the major problems discovered in secure standards include GNUTLS, Apple SecureTransport, NSS, OpenSSL, and Schannel now.

This security flaws has also been compared with Heartbleed bug by the security experts. However, they have also added that the impact of the bug might be on the similar scale as that of Heartbleed bug but the level of exploitation will be difficult for the attackers. When it came to Heartbleed bug, the technological vulnerability was associated with the exploitation of the secure data transfer also known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

Now, the bug has been identified by IBM and a patch has already been released by Microsoft to tackle the issue, there is been no evidence of any complaints being received about potential attacks. However, security experts believe that there are chances of security attacks in the system, which are out of date.

According to the Market researchers, if the bug had been sold out to hackers and attackers, the worth of the same would have easily been in six figures. According to Gavin from Tenable Network Security, just because there is no evidence of any attacks, we should not leave out the security concerns.

Owing your Personal Data – the Key to Activity Tracking!

In the past few months, the market has been on the brink of saturation as far as fitness trackers and smartwatches are concerned. Every week sees a new announcement from one of the OEMs about a smartwatch, a smartband or a fitness tracker.

All these devices are aimed at doing one thing – gather raw data and churn them into useful information for the user. Yet if you even have to migrate from one of these devices to another, the process of reclaiming your data collected can be a tough journey.

Exporting from Activity Trackers

In case you own a fitness/activity tracker like Fitbit, Jawbone Nike+, Withings, etc. you would want to own all the precious data that these devices have collected over a period of time and when you make the switch, the old data should still be available.

Among them, the best exporting services is provided by Jawbone – just login to your account and export the data in CSV format by year for free. The next in line comes Fitbit – exporting is available in either of CSV or XLS formats but only if you happen to have a premium account for $ 49.99 a year. For others, you may need IFFFT recipes from the IFFFT websites, which let you export your data.

Exporting from Smartwatch

Smartwatch on the other hand collect less data and provide more “phone”-like facility like notifications, playing music, checking emails, etc. The data collected is usually synced with a smartphone. Since this means that there is a dedicated app on your smartwatch running for this, the data in theory can be extracted and archived if wished. Note that smartwatch are more power hungry devices and will not last as long as activity trackers often requiring daily recharge.

Smartphone and Health Services

The biometric data tracking does not end with wearable devices. Modern smartphones are very capable of collecting such data and then churning out the information. The three big competitors – Apple, Google and Microsoft are already in the game with integrated health services where all the data are stored in huge databases and can be exported i.e. Apple Health makes it possible to export all the data.

Microsoft on the other hand seems to be platform agnostic i.e. their recently launched smartband supports IOS, Android and Windows Phone whereas Google and Apple are more keen on supporting their platforms without compatibility across others.

The Recommendation

Going by all the choices, the Jawbone activity tracker seems the most promising – free export of all the data in CSV without any hassle. Next in line would be Fitbit with a premium account that provides the same with XLS and CSV support. As for the others, the long route of IFFFT recipe is the way out. For smartwatches, the scenario is different.

These devices do not provide stellar battery life and data tracking is limited in nature – they are more an all-rounder. However the Microsoft smartband seems a good proposition with cross platform support and data export in some form should be arriving in future.

Inbox App From Google Makes Email Simpler

Inbox, in its present state, is basically an option to your usual Gmail account. While the entire look of Gmail has just changed a little in recent few months, Inbox includes Google's latest Material Design idea, which presents an admiring user interface with consistent colors all through the app. Such a design pattern expands to all versions of this Inbox, comprising iOS or the devices of Android etc.

Gmail's new features of Categories try to place incoming email messages under the generic tabs. The sending emails are put into a wider variety of more particular headings, named as, Bundles.

Description of Bundles

Bundles are mainly accordion folders for definite categories within the inbox. It sets all emails in one label under a single line within your inbox, and then you may click to enlarge the label by not leaving the inbox. Theoretically, it is very parallel to the action of the Priority Inbox, excluding the notifications that are not seen in the tabs and they are a line item in the inbox.

For most of the parts, the app works very well, and it forms a simple header through a color-coded pattern to indicate emails of a particular type by date, week, as well as by month. This Inbox will also throw a few pictures or in other words, highlights, from those emails found on the header and as a result it becomes very simple for you to get any attachment that you are searching.

Function of the Feature- Reminders

Gmail always included a choice to form a to-do list by means of Tasks; however now Reminders can take it to the next advanced level, they will be shown just within the inbox. Just as the other aspects, you can use Reminders whenever you like in its folder through a left-hand menu. This Reminders feature functions really well, mostly when it gets combined with another function known as- Snooze.
Snooze- Another Next Addition to the App

Not all the reminders or any email that you form within Inbox will require your instant attention and it is the point where Snooze feature comes to help. Just as an alarm clock, you need to fix the reminder to aware you about them afterward. After that fixed particular time, Google offers you some options like:

• Snooze to an exact time 
•  Snoozing up to someday- Here, if you think you may wish to open an email afterward, but not certain when, you may prefer to snooze the email. Mostly, the email will stay in the Snooze folder if you do not remove it. 
•  You can snooze until you reach somewhere. But it can be done in the mobile only and it allows you to track location.

Besides these, there are also some other features added. However, Inbox does not allow you to see more than one email account at the same time. You may swipe among the accounts from the very top menu; however this seems very awkward if it is compared to the Mail app, found in iOS that allows you to see all of the message threads of different accounts in a long inbox.

Cockroach Cyborgs Use Microphones to Detect Sounds

Search dogs or rescue dogs are really wonderful but they have some limitations because they are not able to adjust into small spaces. A group of researchers has now come forward with a solution by creating cyborg cockroaches that are equipped with ultra-modern backpacks.

Neuroscientists such as Greg Gage as well as Tim Marzullo believe that hacking insects might inspire children to research and develop electronic interfaces related to the human nervous system. So, they developed Robo Roach kit that comprises all the techs needed for insect neurosurgery.

The Main Structure of the Cyborg Cockroach

These cyborg cockroaches, which are also known as biobots, are discovered by the researchers of North Carolina State University. A pack of quarter-size is put onto the back of the insect and along with it; a microphone is attached to detect high-resolution sound. A version of this pack has the microphone to sense sound, coming from any direction and this sound would be wirelessly transmitted. The second version has the structure of the three directional microphones to make out the direction or source of a sound.

Reason of Such Invention

These biobots are intended to be installed in disaster regions as helpers for the primary responders looking for victims, who, for example are buried under debris. According to Dr. Alper Bozkurt who is an assistant professor of NC State, the use of high-resolution microphone is mainly to differentiate two sounds- the emergency sound like victims’ calling for help and the unimportant sound like sound of pipe leakage.

If the intended sounds can be detected, then the biobot will be used to know the source of the sound. These small creatures may also be remotely managed with small circuit boards that are joined to their nervous systems.

The scientists have also invented a system of invisible fence that keeps the electrical the electrical cockroaches within a definite area. Keeping these insects within a particular disaster zone and to its nearby area lets them to work as the wireless network of mobile. This machinery can also be employed to take the cockroaches under sunlight so that their backpacks would be recharged.

The Process of Creating these Cockroaches

The cockroaches are put in ice water as a type of simple anesthetic. It is then advised to sand down a bit of shell on top of the cockroach's head and adhesive electrodes to the smooth part. Then, a ground wire is attached into the thorax of cockroach, that is, the area between its neck and its stomach.

Then, it is the antennae are trimmed with care and the small silver electrodes are struck in them and as a result, it will get the indication from the circuit, which is connected to the back part of cockroach.

The neuroscientists can move the cockroach left side and right after its surgery. The movements are regulated by electrodes within their antennae, and the cockroach will react to directions from any of wireless indicator sent from Smartphone.

The small backpack that the cockroach puts on communicates straight with its neurons by delivering small electrical pulses. After some minutes, the cockroach can adjust itself to cyborg fixture.

2015 Ford Mustang RTR- Hottest Car in SEMA Award

Mustang RTR is the idea of World Champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. While manufacturing RTR, his aim was to launch something interesting to the Mustang world, which appeals to all younger generations, and traditional muscle car fans and the entire automotive admirers.

The Mustang RTR uses the best of several automotive cultures and elegantly engages them together into an ultimate product, which anyone can surely appreciate. Vaughn has effectively transformed his dream into a reality by means of the Mustang RTR. His new generation model of Mustang that appears in the form of a dealer-installed package is at present obtainable in some Ford dealerships all over the world.

Release of a New Car Model for 2015

Recently, a few days before, Pro drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. has disclosed his racy new model Mustang RTR at 2014 SEMA Award ceremony in Las Vegas. The car has already won the hearts of the automotive market to a certain extent. This car also won the Hottest Car award by beating the rival one, Chevrolet Camaro.

The 2015 Ford Mustang RTR is accessible with one of the 2015 Mustang’s V8 engines, along with a Spec 1 package, which directs simply on the alterations of appearance and a Spec 2 package comprising appearance and functional upgrades.

Over a dozen of customized Mustang cars were brought on show while distributing the SEMA Awards. As per the experts opined, Ford has used this moment absolutely to introduce the 2015 Ford Mustang RTR.

This car is said to have cleared almost a quarter mile distance in only 11.14 seconds at the speed rate of 121.5 mph. In this context, the engineers had stated that the car has something more to offer. The release of the 2015 Ford Mustang RTR among a number of impressive mustangs make one feel that the company was bringing in the next amazing car into the market.

The Design of 2015 Ford Mustang RTR

The latest Ford Mustang that has now been announced possesses a revolutionary measure in terms of technology as well as design. Being equipped with an advanced four cylinder 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine, this Mustang has raised from a simple muscle car to somewhat that is a combination of power with economy. Buyers will even have the option of more than 300 horsepower In case of 2.3-liter or the 435 horsepower in case of 5.0-liter V8 base engine.

Since its origin in the year 2009, the RTR has turn out to be one of the most accepted automotive brands in the whole world. The 2015 Ford Mustang RTR would be obtainable in two forms. The exterior upgrades accessible to the Spec 1 as well as Spec 2 packages comprise a chin spoiler, a back spoiler, a back diffuser along with side splitters and also a new upper grille and lower grille package.

Besides this, there are the flexible dampers, sway bars and also lower springs in order to develop overall posture. The RTR moreover has a new tuning system that comprises a supercharger, a traditional ECU, and also a modified Magnaflow exhaust.

In the award giving ceremony, Vaughn Gittin Jr stated Ford has indeed made a wonderful contribution with the latest 2015 Ford Mustang.