Data Extortion
Recently somebody hacked into a web site operated by the State of Virginia, deleted the records of over 8 million people and left a note on the homepage, demanding $10M to restore the data.
We're talking about 0's and 1's here.
It's not the first time hackers have used data for extortion. Typically they threaten to release potentially damaging data, whereas this time it's closer to kidnapping where they're offering to return the data for a price.
This event underscores the importance of regular backups and disaster recovery. Granted, the brutes should never have had the opportunity to get into the web site in the first place, but a secure perimeter won't solve the problem if it's an inside job. Appropriate seperation of duties and regular testing of data (and system) restoration is critical for peace of mind when it comes to making sure your data is safely guarded.
Luckily, the state of Virginia apparently had appropriate backup and restoration precedures in place.
Do you?
We're talking about 0's and 1's here.
It's not the first time hackers have used data for extortion. Typically they threaten to release potentially damaging data, whereas this time it's closer to kidnapping where they're offering to return the data for a price.
This event underscores the importance of regular backups and disaster recovery. Granted, the brutes should never have had the opportunity to get into the web site in the first place, but a secure perimeter won't solve the problem if it's an inside job. Appropriate seperation of duties and regular testing of data (and system) restoration is critical for peace of mind when it comes to making sure your data is safely guarded.
Luckily, the state of Virginia apparently had appropriate backup and restoration precedures in place.
Do you?
Open Source Developers Wanted for Mormon Community Development Efforts
If you're a developer or a tester or a designer, and you're Mormon, or even if you're not, come play!
The Church has been working to figure out a way to allow folks who want to contribute to its missions to do so. We're ready for help!
We now have applications you can work on, a sandbox with web services, source control, bug tracking and even a requirements for participation. :)
The most immediate need is the re-write of the stake and ward web site. We are working on an International web site (10 languages to start with) which will allow members to log in, and view or print their stake/ward directory, see a list of ward leaders, read the ward/stake blog, edit & view the ward/stake/Church calendar, and so forth.
Interested?
Read more here.
The first component you can start on immediately is the calendar portion. It's built on our Java stack, which you can read about here. You can also read up on our "community development best practices."
Tom Welch is our "community development" manager. His contact information is on the web sites.
Come join us! We're ready for your help!!
The Church has been working to figure out a way to allow folks who want to contribute to its missions to do so. We're ready for help!
We now have applications you can work on, a sandbox with web services, source control, bug tracking and even a requirements for participation. :)
The most immediate need is the re-write of the stake and ward web site. We are working on an International web site (10 languages to start with) which will allow members to log in, and view or print their stake/ward directory, see a list of ward leaders, read the ward/stake blog, edit & view the ward/stake/Church calendar, and so forth.
Interested?
Read more here.
The first component you can start on immediately is the calendar portion. It's built on our Java stack, which you can read about here. You can also read up on our "community development best practices."
Tom Welch is our "community development" manager. His contact information is on the web sites.
Come join us! We're ready for your help!!
WolframAlpha=CrazySearch
If you haven't tried WolframAlpha, check it out.
Here is a screencast that explains.
It's a search engine which returns organized data from queries based on normal language. You can ask it math questions, statistics questions, questions about nutritional content, popularity of baby names and so forth.
Notice how often it doesn't understand your question--unlike Google where you almost always get a result, even if it's not what you want. In this case, humans are doing more work behind the magic, trying to predict what people will ask. Though you don't always get a result, when you do get a result it's more satisfying.
Here is a screencast that explains.
It's a search engine which returns organized data from queries based on normal language. You can ask it math questions, statistics questions, questions about nutritional content, popularity of baby names and so forth.
Notice how often it doesn't understand your question--unlike Google where you almost always get a result, even if it's not what you want. In this case, humans are doing more work behind the magic, trying to predict what people will ask. Though you don't always get a result, when you do get a result it's more satisfying.
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