Monday, August 2, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Gadgets that would make a geek look sexy
By Mario Ramirez, MD
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Beats by Dr. Dre
Nothing would make a geek look Coolie Doolies like a pair of leet headphones. Lebron James handed out a pair of Beats to each and every member of the Cavaliers, never mind if each headphone costs around $200.
Kobe Bryant uses a purple and gold Beats. Paris Hilton digs a white one. So forget about SkullCandy, 3oWz—that’s so Jologs poH. I guarantee you’d look hot in this pair of heads even while bopping your head and listening to “It’s Raining Men.” So, be prepared to get laxadated. Available in the Philippines at http://www.eleksis.com/
Colorwear Stealth Macbook Pro
The Stealth MBP is one of those must-have gadgets that’s near impossible to obtain. Even if you were to sell one of your kidneys, that wouldn’t guarantee you a shot at getting one. Apart from the $5,999 price tag, you’ll have to pull a lot of strings just to get up the rung of the long waiting list. It’s the Enzo Ferrari of MacBook Pros. If you’re a geek and you whip out this ultra rare MBPs, I’m pretty sure girls will be swooning over you in no time. Just watch out for spilled coffee, drooling babes and the Salisi Gang out to snatch your precious Stealth.
The New Apple iPad
No self-respecting geek would be caught reading a book, much more lugging around tons of books in his backpack. That’s just too lamo. Lets face it, the Kindle, or Kindle2 are coolies, but they’re just not nubile enough as an ebook reader. Geeks need something garish and eye catching. Something that shouts, “You don’t have this ... but I do!” So the only gadget that would make a geek ooze with sultriness is the Apple iPad. Why? Because it’s thin enough to use as a fan to cool the hotness off of you and drive the point home as to how sexy you really are. Forget that it doesn’t support Flash, you really don’t need to watch porn in public anyway. Remember you’re a sexy geek not a perv. Also, don’t mind the fact that it does not have a physical keyboard, making it impossible for you to complete your literary work. And besides, who says it’s for work? It’s there only to make you look slinky—consider it the tech equivalent of having a trophy girlfriend. So I suggest you get one now before everyone joins the bandwagon.
Voltaic Solar Backpack
This Generator Backpack does not only ooze with sensuality, it also shouts, “I’m sexy and eco-friendly.” For $299, the backpack will make it worth your while, even when you’re running on Buendia Avenue trying to catch a bus to Manila as your armpits go all slimy with sweat.
With the pack covering your back, you may just get hot enough to allow you to heat up the solar panels even on a cloudy day. That in itself may be enough to power/charge your laptops, music players, Ebook readers, vibrators and other electronic gadgets that would fit in it’s spacious well padded compartment.
So why is it sexy? Well because having an advocacy is tantalizing. People dig guys with a passionate advocacy. So even if all your gadgets would cost you tens of thousands of pesos on electricity alone, wearing this Solar Backpack would let other people know that you do care for the environment. How coolafied is that?
Smart EV
The Segway may be the closest thing there is to “sex on wheels.” It’s a titch sexier than a moped. If you want to look like Cool Beans and make some heads turn your way as you move from one Starbuck’s outlet to another, the only way to do so is through a $21,999 Smart electric vehicle. It runs for about 71 miles per charge—it takes 5 hours to fully charge the EV. That’s equivalent to 300 miles per gallon. With the Smart EV, you’ve graduated from being a mere eco-friendly geek to an eco-warrior, bringing passionate advocacy to the next level. Just try not to get caught between a bus and a dump truck—that would be so uncool.
MALICIOUS SOFTWARE SPOTTED
Hackers exploit “Hayden” sex videos
By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Hackers and computer virus writers have exploited the controversial sex videos now making rounds on the Internet, antivirus firm Trend Micro said Tuesday.
Malicious software are making their rounds in some US government websites masking themselves as links to the actual sex videos, Trend Micro through TrendLabs said.
The antivirus firm has identified computer Trojans TROJ_DLOAD.TID and its payload, TROJ_COGNAC.J, hidden in at least two US government websites.
The first attack was detected early last week, allegedly in the website of the San Bernardino County (http://www.sbcounty.gov/).
The attacked was meant to trick people into clicking a link to reveal supposed nude video of local actress Katrina Halili who was among those embroiled in the controversial sex videos.
The second attack, found by TrendLabs Analyst Joseph Pacamarra, was located in a state-wide information portal of Washington DC.
The security software firm has not yet announced the name of the website.
Similar to the San Bernardino County website attack, the other attack on the other US government website also leads to a video website, which supposedly contains the lurid videos.
TrendLabs explained that a blank website opens when a user clicks on the link in the compromised US government website. This then requires the user to download a codec to be able to watch the video. But that codec software allows the Trojan to slip into the user’s computer, enabling the virus writers to sneak in more malicious software into their systems.
No explanation was made as to why the computer virus authors chose the controversial sex scandal rocking the Philippines to trick people in a US government website to deliver their malware.
The sex video scandal has embroiled Filipino celebrity doctor Hayden Kho and sexy actress Halili and other personalities.
By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Hackers and computer virus writers have exploited the controversial sex videos now making rounds on the Internet, antivirus firm Trend Micro said Tuesday.
Malicious software are making their rounds in some US government websites masking themselves as links to the actual sex videos, Trend Micro through TrendLabs said.
The antivirus firm has identified computer Trojans TROJ_DLOAD.TID and its payload, TROJ_COGNAC.J, hidden in at least two US government websites.
The first attack was detected early last week, allegedly in the website of the San Bernardino County (http://www.sbcounty.gov/).
The attacked was meant to trick people into clicking a link to reveal supposed nude video of local actress Katrina Halili who was among those embroiled in the controversial sex videos.
The second attack, found by TrendLabs Analyst Joseph Pacamarra, was located in a state-wide information portal of Washington DC.
The security software firm has not yet announced the name of the website.
Similar to the San Bernardino County website attack, the other attack on the other US government website also leads to a video website, which supposedly contains the lurid videos.
TrendLabs explained that a blank website opens when a user clicks on the link in the compromised US government website. This then requires the user to download a codec to be able to watch the video. But that codec software allows the Trojan to slip into the user’s computer, enabling the virus writers to sneak in more malicious software into their systems.
No explanation was made as to why the computer virus authors chose the controversial sex scandal rocking the Philippines to trick people in a US government website to deliver their malware.
The sex video scandal has embroiled Filipino celebrity doctor Hayden Kho and sexy actress Halili and other personalities.
Woman files suit vs. doctor for ‘cutting’ her intestine
A MOTHER filed a complaint for criminal negligence against a medical doctor before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Laura Cañete, 34, a mother of two, said her fecal discharges come out from an abdominal wound after she had a Caesarian section (C-section).
Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency
She accused Dr. Hie Lorenil Tangga-an of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) of being negligent, allegedly cutting the intestine leading to her anal cavity while doing the Caesarian operation.
Tangga-an denied this and said what happened to Cañete was an “unforeseen complication.”
However, both exchanged allegations of blackmail.
Cañete, a former masseuse, claimed she had to quit her job because of the discomfort.
She had her C-section at VSMMC last May 2, 2009 with Tangga-an as her attending physician.
“However, just a day after what was thought to be a successful caesarian operation, I was plagued with convulsive chills and high-grade fever. Worst, my fecal matter or waste was coming out from my abdominal wound,” Cañete's affidavit-complaint read.
Tangga-an, in her counter-affidavit, said while Cañete had fever and chills on May 3, it was only on May 5 that her feces came out of her abdominal wound.
A procedure, called exploratory laparotomy, was conducted on Cañete to clean her abdominal cavity.
It was then when they allegedly found the intestine leading to her anal cavity was cut.
A plastic bag, called a colostomy bag, was then attached to the right side of her abdominal area where the feces is stored, said Cañete.
“In subjecting me to a colostomy procedure, one thing is certain, that Dr. Tangga-an committed an act short of the utmost degree of diligence...Why would respondent cut my intestine, had she been utterly diligent in operating me?
Worthy to mention also is the fact that VSMMC did not release my medical papers with no reason at all,” she alleged.
Tangga-ans said during the laparotomy, it was discovered that there was perforation on Cañete's big intestine. A colostomy had to be done because the perforation will not heal if fecal matter passes through it as it will be infected.
Tangga-an also said the colostomy bag is on the left side of Cañete's abdomen.
Cañete, however, claimed Tangga-an warned her against reporting the matter to anybody, saying she will not receive P200 to P300 per month from the doctor.
Blackmail
But Tangga-an alleged it was Cañete who demanded money from her so she would not report the incident to the authorities and the media.
“It was Cañete who blackmailed me, threatened me with exposure to the media and to my superiors in the hospital and extorted money and property from me. (She) initially demanded small amounts of money from me for her medications, food and allowance,” read Tangga-an's counter-affidavit.
Cañete, interviewed over radio dySS Thursday night, said she is willing to withdraw the complaints if Tanga-an will agree to conduct a colostomy and give her enough to sustain her and her family until she recovers and finds a job.
“Wa pa ko kasulti kung pila didto sa Ombudsman. Gi-offeran ko niya iya nga operahan ko’g usab unya mohatag siya’g P8,000. Ako na lang siya giingnan nga ipadayon ang kaso.
Pero willing ko makig-settle basta magkasinabot lang mi (She offered to conduct another operation and give me P8,000. I told her I’ll pursue the case but I’m willing to settle if we agree on the terms),” Cañete said.
Cañete admitted her lawyer John Michael Cagulada got mad when he found out she has been asking money from Tanga-an without informing him.
The PRC 7 scheduled the pre-trial conference between Cañete and Tangga-an on Aug. 25.
In the conference, the commission will try to arrive at an amicable settlement between
the two parties.
Atty. Mildred Antepuesto, who will preside over the conference, said the parties will set the terms and conditions of the settlement.
However, if the parties are not willing to settle the case, they will proceed to the hearing proper, where issues will be defined and evidences will be presented, said PRC 7 Director Dan Malayang.
Lawyer
Cañete, in a complaint submitted to PRC, accused Tangga-an of gross negligence and ignorance or incompetence in the practice of her profession, resulting in an injury to the patient.
But she lost her lawyer last Thursday after Cagulada claimed Cañete kept some information from him.
Hence, the Public Attorney’s Office will now be representing Cañete.
In an interview, Cagulada said he no longer has a duty and obligation to Cañete, but said he stood by his stance that there was negligence on the part of Tangga-an.
“I no longer want to pursue the case in behalf of Cañete because she was keeping some information to herself,” he said.
Cañete had undergone a C-section and another pregnancy-related operation before Tangga-an did the same procedure on her.
Tangga-an’s lawyer Ernest Jose Montecillo, in an interview, said the previous operations Cañete was subjected to had caused adhesions and the thinning of her intestines, which Tangga-an tried to remedy when she carried out a C-section on Cañete.
In her counter-affidavit, Tangga-an denied Cañete’s allegation that she cut the latter’s intestine, saying she only disbanded the intestines that were stuck to each other.
Montecillo said they have also documented Cañete’s acts of extortion on the doctor.
He said Cañete had extorted about P150,000 from his client, but the doctor refused to file a complaint against Cañete for fear of media attention.
“We have documented all her text messages asking the doctor for money,” he said.
Montecillo said the ombudsman had given the parties a chance to amicably settle the issue, prompting Cañete’s lawyer to propose that Tangga-an shoulder the expenses of the corrective operation on Cañete and give her P8,000 monthly for a year.
But when Montecillo showed Cagulada the proof of Cañete’s acts of extortion, Cagulada started to think twice if he will pursue his client’s case.
Montecillo said they are still amenable to an amicable settlement with Cañete. (JGA/RSB with GAC)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 24, 2010.
Laura Cañete, 34, a mother of two, said her fecal discharges come out from an abdominal wound after she had a Caesarian section (C-section).
Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency
She accused Dr. Hie Lorenil Tangga-an of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) of being negligent, allegedly cutting the intestine leading to her anal cavity while doing the Caesarian operation.
Tangga-an denied this and said what happened to Cañete was an “unforeseen complication.”
However, both exchanged allegations of blackmail.
Cañete, a former masseuse, claimed she had to quit her job because of the discomfort.
She had her C-section at VSMMC last May 2, 2009 with Tangga-an as her attending physician.
“However, just a day after what was thought to be a successful caesarian operation, I was plagued with convulsive chills and high-grade fever. Worst, my fecal matter or waste was coming out from my abdominal wound,” Cañete's affidavit-complaint read.
Tangga-an, in her counter-affidavit, said while Cañete had fever and chills on May 3, it was only on May 5 that her feces came out of her abdominal wound.
A procedure, called exploratory laparotomy, was conducted on Cañete to clean her abdominal cavity.
It was then when they allegedly found the intestine leading to her anal cavity was cut.
A plastic bag, called a colostomy bag, was then attached to the right side of her abdominal area where the feces is stored, said Cañete.
“In subjecting me to a colostomy procedure, one thing is certain, that Dr. Tangga-an committed an act short of the utmost degree of diligence...Why would respondent cut my intestine, had she been utterly diligent in operating me?
Worthy to mention also is the fact that VSMMC did not release my medical papers with no reason at all,” she alleged.
Tangga-ans said during the laparotomy, it was discovered that there was perforation on Cañete's big intestine. A colostomy had to be done because the perforation will not heal if fecal matter passes through it as it will be infected.
Tangga-an also said the colostomy bag is on the left side of Cañete's abdomen.
Cañete, however, claimed Tangga-an warned her against reporting the matter to anybody, saying she will not receive P200 to P300 per month from the doctor.
Blackmail
But Tangga-an alleged it was Cañete who demanded money from her so she would not report the incident to the authorities and the media.
“It was Cañete who blackmailed me, threatened me with exposure to the media and to my superiors in the hospital and extorted money and property from me. (She) initially demanded small amounts of money from me for her medications, food and allowance,” read Tangga-an's counter-affidavit.
Cañete, interviewed over radio dySS Thursday night, said she is willing to withdraw the complaints if Tanga-an will agree to conduct a colostomy and give her enough to sustain her and her family until she recovers and finds a job.
“Wa pa ko kasulti kung pila didto sa Ombudsman. Gi-offeran ko niya iya nga operahan ko’g usab unya mohatag siya’g P8,000. Ako na lang siya giingnan nga ipadayon ang kaso.
Pero willing ko makig-settle basta magkasinabot lang mi (She offered to conduct another operation and give me P8,000. I told her I’ll pursue the case but I’m willing to settle if we agree on the terms),” Cañete said.
Cañete admitted her lawyer John Michael Cagulada got mad when he found out she has been asking money from Tanga-an without informing him.
The PRC 7 scheduled the pre-trial conference between Cañete and Tangga-an on Aug. 25.
In the conference, the commission will try to arrive at an amicable settlement between
the two parties.
Atty. Mildred Antepuesto, who will preside over the conference, said the parties will set the terms and conditions of the settlement.
However, if the parties are not willing to settle the case, they will proceed to the hearing proper, where issues will be defined and evidences will be presented, said PRC 7 Director Dan Malayang.
Lawyer
Cañete, in a complaint submitted to PRC, accused Tangga-an of gross negligence and ignorance or incompetence in the practice of her profession, resulting in an injury to the patient.
But she lost her lawyer last Thursday after Cagulada claimed Cañete kept some information from him.
Hence, the Public Attorney’s Office will now be representing Cañete.
In an interview, Cagulada said he no longer has a duty and obligation to Cañete, but said he stood by his stance that there was negligence on the part of Tangga-an.
“I no longer want to pursue the case in behalf of Cañete because she was keeping some information to herself,” he said.
Cañete had undergone a C-section and another pregnancy-related operation before Tangga-an did the same procedure on her.
Tangga-an’s lawyer Ernest Jose Montecillo, in an interview, said the previous operations Cañete was subjected to had caused adhesions and the thinning of her intestines, which Tangga-an tried to remedy when she carried out a C-section on Cañete.
In her counter-affidavit, Tangga-an denied Cañete’s allegation that she cut the latter’s intestine, saying she only disbanded the intestines that were stuck to each other.
Montecillo said they have also documented Cañete’s acts of extortion on the doctor.
He said Cañete had extorted about P150,000 from his client, but the doctor refused to file a complaint against Cañete for fear of media attention.
“We have documented all her text messages asking the doctor for money,” he said.
Montecillo said the ombudsman had given the parties a chance to amicably settle the issue, prompting Cañete’s lawyer to propose that Tangga-an shoulder the expenses of the corrective operation on Cañete and give her P8,000 monthly for a year.
But when Montecillo showed Cagulada the proof of Cañete’s acts of extortion, Cagulada started to think twice if he will pursue his client’s case.
Montecillo said they are still amenable to an amicable settlement with Cañete. (JGA/RSB with GAC)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 24, 2010.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Internet upgraded to foil cyber crooks
Agence France-Presse
Filed Under: Internet, Crime, Computer viruses and malware, Software, Security (general)
LAS VEGAS—The Internet has undergone a "critical" upgrade that promises to stop cyber criminals from using fake websites that dupe people into downloading viruses or revealing personal data.
The agency in charge of managing Internet addresses teamed with online security services firm VeriSign and the US Department of Commerce to give websites encrypted identification to prove they are legitimate.
"This is, by any measure, an historic development," ICANN chief executive Rod Beckstrom said while breaking the news at a premier Black Hat computer security conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
"This security upgrade matters to everyone who uses a computer, and that means most of us."
The Domain Name System Security Extensions, referred to as DNSSEC, basically adds a secret, identifying code to each website address.
The domain name system is where the world's Internet addresses are stored and plays a key role in enabling computers around the world to speak with one another online.
Applications commonly used on the Internet can be tailored to essentially check the ID of a website to make certain it is what it claims to be, according to Dan Kaminsky, a hacker turned computer security specialist.
For example, web browser software such as Google or Bing could be adapted to tell whether a bank log-in page is authentic.
"When a user receives an email from a bank they should know it came from a bank," Kaminsky said. "This is something we needed as engineers to make this a reality."
frm: inquirer.net
Filed Under: Internet, Crime, Computer viruses and malware, Software, Security (general)
LAS VEGAS—The Internet has undergone a "critical" upgrade that promises to stop cyber criminals from using fake websites that dupe people into downloading viruses or revealing personal data.
The agency in charge of managing Internet addresses teamed with online security services firm VeriSign and the US Department of Commerce to give websites encrypted identification to prove they are legitimate.
"This is, by any measure, an historic development," ICANN chief executive Rod Beckstrom said while breaking the news at a premier Black Hat computer security conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
"This security upgrade matters to everyone who uses a computer, and that means most of us."
The Domain Name System Security Extensions, referred to as DNSSEC, basically adds a secret, identifying code to each website address.
The domain name system is where the world's Internet addresses are stored and plays a key role in enabling computers around the world to speak with one another online.
Applications commonly used on the Internet can be tailored to essentially check the ID of a website to make certain it is what it claims to be, according to Dan Kaminsky, a hacker turned computer security specialist.
For example, web browser software such as Google or Bing could be adapted to tell whether a bank log-in page is authentic.
"When a user receives an email from a bank they should know it came from a bank," Kaminsky said. "This is something we needed as engineers to make this a reality."
frm: inquirer.net
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