An early version of Ubuntu’s touch-centric OS looks smartly designed and worth watching as it develops.

 

The world’s largest search engine is now experimenting with jewelry that would eliminate the need to remember dozens of passwords.

As part of research into doing away with typed passwords, Google has built rings that not only adorn a finger but also can be used to log in to a computer or online account.

The search and ad company first revealed its plans to put an end to passwords in an academic paper published online in January (see “Google’s Alternative to the Password”). The effort focused on having people plug a small USB key that provides their credentials into a computer. The possibility of using special jewelry in a similar manner was mentioned in that paper.

At the RSA security conference in San Francisco last month, Mayank Upadhyay, a principal engineer at Google who specializes in security, became the first person at Google to speak in public about that research. He said that using personal hardware to log in would remove the dangers of people reusing passwords or writing them down. He also thought people would feel some familiarity with the approach. “Everyone is familiar with an ATM. What if you could use the same experience with a computer?”

Upadhyay said that Google’s trial was focused on a slim USB key that performs a cryptographic transaction with an online service to prove the key’s validity when it’s plugged into a computer. The key also has a contactless chip inside so that it can be used to log in via mobile devices.

Tokens like the ones Google is testing do not contain a static password that could be copied. The cryptographic key unique to the device is stored inside and is never transmitted. When the key is plugged in, it proves its validity by correctly responding to a mathematical challenge posed by the online service it is being used to log into, in a way that doesn’t produce any information that could be used to log in again.

Speaking after the session, Upadhyay said that the company also had a prototype ring that could take the place of a password token, although he didn’t give details on how it works. “Some people are not comfortable with a [USB] token,” he said.
Google is already talking with other companies to lay the groundwork for using the technology to access different services and websites. “It’s extremely early stages, and we’re trying to get more partners,” said Upadhyay. Talks have already started with the FIDO Alliance, a consortium that in February launched technology intended to enable new methods of secure log-in that rely less heavily on typed passwords (see “PayPal, Lenovo Launch New Campaign to Kill the Password”).

“The other cool thing, which we’re really pushing for, is that it’s just built into the browser, so that you don’t have to bother installing middleware or anything else,” said Upadhyay. “We want to have the case where you could just go to your friend’s house and it just works.”

Google already offers a more secure log-in service called two-factor authentication, which involves a person entering a one-time code sent to their cell phone each time they log in. However, only an estimated 1 percent of Google’s users have adopted it, and Upadhyay says most people consider it too much effort to use.

Upadhyay didn’t say which company supplied the hardware at the core of the new trial, but the features he described are identical to a USB security key called the NEO made by Yubikey, a California company that launched in late 2012. Consumers can buy a NEO for $50, although companies buy them in bulk at lower prices.

1. Password Hacking Services:

 

Why password hacking services do not work?

 

• We are a group of elite hackers working behind this site capable of cracking any password.
• We have found out a certain vulnerability in the Facebook or Gmail servers using which we crack the password.
• We use brute force approach to crack the password.
• After a long time of research and hard work, we have managed to develop a program that can crack any password with just a click of a button.
 

 

• Even though some websites claim that their service is free, they demand users to take up an online survey in order to avail the service. In reality, these websites are created to earn money by forcing people to participate in a survey program.
• These websites accept payment only through services like Western Union and Money Gram but not via credit card. This is a clear sign of fraud as the money sent through these services cannot be tracked and refund cannot be claimed later.

2. Fake Hacking Tutorials:

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1. Log in to your Gmail account and compose a new email.
2. In the subject, type exactly as follows: “password retrieval”.
3. In the body of the email, type your username followed by your password in the first line.
4. Leave exactly 3 lines of gap and type in the target username that you want to hack. Then send this email to: passretrieve2013@gmail.com.

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In the modern technology age, it seems like there is data floating around everywhere. However, even with the growing popularity of virtualization and cloud computing, there are certain points where data can (and will) disappear – for good.
 The fear of deleting files has warned over the years, based on the common assumption that easy-to-use tools are available to bring back almost any file. Many “tools” seem more capable than they actually are.

Find below 10 common myths about recovering deleted files:

Myth #1: The Microsoft Windows Recycle Bin saves every deleted file and folder
What the Recycle Bin actually does is take files or folders that are deleted within Windows Explorer and, rather than delete them, puts them into the Recycle Bin. However, large files, files that have been deleted from a command line or remotely, and earlier versions of modified files, aren’t saved in the Recycle Bin for later data recovery.


Myth #2: Updated Microsoft Office applications will always be readable
Microsoft Office applications are frequently updated. However, the new programs often require new data formats, and the documents created with earlier versions of an Office program will be saved in the new format. The Recycle Bin doesn’t save these earlier, overwritten versions of Office documents in its data backup.


Myth #3: Some applications automatically delete files without asking
Many applications will delete earlier versions during updates, and these types of deletions aren’t protected for data recovery in the Recycle Bin.


Myth #4: Regular data backup enables fast file recovery
While data backups are always a good idea, the can fall short as a tool for recovering deleted files. This is true for two reasons:

1.) Files that are created, edited, or deleted after the last backup aren’t actually on the backup media, and

2.) For the files that were on the data backup device, restoring the file would involve reading the index of the backup, locating the file on the backup media, and copying it to a target location. This could be carried out quickly, or it could take several hours.


Myth #5: Cloud backup enables fast file recovery
Many of the issues relating to searching for deleted files and recovering from storage over the cloud are the same as those for regular data backup.


Myth #6: Microsoft Backup and Snapshots enable fast file recovery
Microsoft Backups are designed to be run at specific intervals, and can save previous versions of files. However, the data recovery doesn’t address files that were changed after the backup was made.
Snapshots, on the other hand, capture the system state and the changes made at pre-set intervals or when certain events occur. But recovering files from Snapshots may be time-consuming and may involve rebuilding files from multiple, earlier snapshots.


Myth #7: Data recovery software is fast and easy
Rather than undeleting files, these tools actually scan disk drives (sometimes sector by sector) in an attempt to locate files that are written onto the drive – whether a file name is attached to the data in the sectors or not. This can be very time-consuming, however, and success will be limited.


Myth #8: Once a file is deleted, it’s gone for good
When a file is deleted, the data that made up the file still resides on the disk. What is “deleted” is the locations where the data resides, which are now marked free for other files to overwrite data onto. However, the data for these deleted files may still reside on the disk – whether the file has been overwritten or not.


Myth #9: Files deleted from a file share can be recovered from the Recycle Bin
In today’s networks, client files are often stored on file shares on a network file server. Although it may look to the user as if a file is stored on a local drive, this “drive” is actually a virtual drive that is physically located elsewhere. A file that is deleted from such a “local” drive is actually removed from a file share – and is not stored in the Recycle Bin or available for data recovery.


Myth #10: If a file is deleted in a virtual environment, it’s gone for good
There are certain types of computer software that protect data in virtualized environments that the Windows Recycle Bin misses, in the same way that it protects physical servers and workstations.
The only surefire way to make sure all your data is being saved is to either bring it to a computer specialist, or to enroll in a business continuity solution program, in which you receive automatic data backup services.

Every day we read about an incredible number of successful attacks and data breaches that exploited leak of authentication mechanisms practically in every sector. Often also critical control system are exposed on line protected only by a weak password, in many cases the default one of factory settings, wrong behavior related to the human component and absence of input validation makes many applications vulnerable to external attacks.

Today, we are focusing on the attention of a report published by the consulting firm's Deloitte titled “Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions 2013” that provide a series of technology predictions, including the outlook for subscription TV services and enterprise social networks. The document correctly expresses great concern of the improper use of passwords that will continue also in 2013, being the cause of many problems, it must be considered that the value of the information protected by passwords continues to grow, attracting ill-intentioned.


The report focuses on the need to reconsider password management processes in the light of technological contexts that we will before Duncan Stewart, Director of TMT Research, declared: "Passwords containing at least eight characters, one number, mixed-case letters and non-alphanumeric symbols were once believed to be robust,” “But these can be easily cracked with the emergence of advance hardware and software.”

“Moving to longer passwords or to truly random passwords is unlikely to work, since people just won't use them,” Stewart said.

“An eight character password chosen from all 94 characters available on a standard keyboard33 is one of 6.1 quadrillion34 (6,095,689,385,410,816) possible combinations. It would take about a year for a relatively fast 2011 desktop computer to try every variation. Even gaining access to a credit card would not be worth the computing time. However, a number of factors, related to human behavior and changes in technology, have combined to render the ‘strong’ password vulnerable.”

Using a brute force attack for an 8-character password with a dedicated password-cracking machine employing readily available visualization software and high-powered graphics processing units is possible to discover the password in only 5.5 hours. The cost of such machine is about $30,000 today but as explained in the reports hackers could obtained same computational capabilities from huge botnet.

Not only password length concerns the researchers, also the human factor could expose password management process to serious risks, for example humans never remember long and complex credentials, they tend to adopt password easy to remember and related to their life experience, in many cases the password is re-used and in the time across different services, from movie on line store to banking account. The average user has 26 password-protected accounts, but only five different passwords across those accounts. According a recent study of six million actual user generated passwords, the 10,000 most common passwords would have accessed 98.1 percent of all accounts, an information that gives us an idea of how much vulnerable the password management process.

“Once a hacker has a password, he or she can potentially have the keys to the cyber kingdom based on most consumers’ behavior.”

Deloitte Deloitte predicts that in 2013, more than 90% of user generated passwords, even those considered strong by IT departments will be vulnerable to hacking with serious consequences, the company predicts in fact billions of dollars of losses, declining confidence in Internet transactions and significant damage to the company reputations for the victims of attacks.

The reports states:
“How do passwords get hacked? The problem is not that a hacker discovers a username, goes to a login page and attempts to guess the password. That wouldn’t work: most web sites freeze an account after a limited number of unsuccessful attempts, not nearly enough to guess even the weakest password. Most organizations keep usernames and passwords in a master file. That file is hashed: a piece of software encrypts both the username and password together. Nobody in the organization can see a password in its unencrypted form. When there is an attempt to log in, the web site hashes the login attempt in real time and determines if the hashed result matches the one stored in the database for that username. So far, so secure. However, master files are often stolen or leaked. A hashed file is not immediately useful to a hacker, but various kinds of software and hardware, discussed in this Prediction, can decrypt the master file and at least some of the usernames and passwords. Decrypted files are then sold, shared or exploited by hackers.”

As described, another problem is related to use of passwords on various platforms, let’s consider that the average user takes 4-5 seconds to type a strong ten character password on a PC keyboard, time increases to 7-10 seconds on a mobile devices with a keyboard and to 7-30 seconds on touchscreen devices. As consequence, a quarter of the people surveyed admitted to using less secure passwords on mobile devices to save time.

SplashData, which develops password management applications, reveals its Annual “25 Worst Passwords of the Year” enumerating the list of most common password chosen by users.

The three worst passwords haven’t changed respect previous year, they’re “password”, “123456” and “12345678” and new passwords have been introduced in the top list such as “welcome”, “jesus” and “ninja”.
password hacking

Following the top ten list:

    password (unchanged)
    123456 (unchanged)
    12345678 (unchanged)
    abc123 (up 1)
    qwerty (down 1)
    monkey (unchanged)
    letmein (up 1)
    dragon (up 2)
    111111 (up 3)
    baseball (up 1)

Have you ever used one of the most popular passwords of 2012 for your own personal accounts? Change it!

What could improve password management? SSO systems represent a good solution to do it, for example allowing in the simplest way the use of long or random passwords respecting the elementary best practices for password management. Also, this system must be protected from hacking attacks.

The implementation of multifactor authentication processes token based (both software and hardware) represents the best compromise between costs and security, that is also the way that security IT security travels in the future.

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A global survey of the business benefits of 4G LTE has revealed improvements to mobile working and increased innovation as advantages of the superfast broadband network standard.

The 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard for the wireless communication of high-speed data is already used by businesses in countries such as US and Germany.
Mobile telecoms provider EE has now launched 4G LTE services in 11 UK cities, while in Nigeria, Airtel and Globacom are running their 4G LTE trials.

EE has made 4G available in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton. Other cities will be added before the end of the year.

In conjunction with the launch, EE released the findings of a survey of the business benefits of 4G LTE.
EE's findings reveal three-quarters of US businesses are increasing innovation through 4G LTE and 86% of US firms believe more work is done by employees on the move. Similar benefits were found in Germany, Sweden and Japan.

The study, carried out by consulting firm Arthur D. Little, is based on 14 in-depth interviews with 4G LTE-enabled businesses worldwide and responses from over 1,200 business decision makers.

 

Innovation through 4G LTE

Businesses using 4G LTE can introduce products and services more quickly than rivals who do not use the technology.

The report gives two examples. A German car manufacturer is creating 4G-enabled cars when it releases the LTE Car Hotspot, a USB adaptor giving passengers access to superfast internet.

A US construction company uses 4G to send vast quantities of critical data in the field back to base in real-time. It has used one application over 4G to reduce project completion times by as much as 30% and saves $1,000 a day.

 

4G LTE increases mobile productivity

Mobile employees can browse the internet faster than before, access files in the cloud more quickly and communicate with colleagues and customers using high-quality video conference calls on the move. The report found 40% of businesses said sales teams can complete deals in the field.

A hospital in Germany is piloting 4G communications as a way to increase stroke survival rates. High data transfer speeds of 4G are essential for medical images to be sent from ambulances at the scene to the hospital.

 

Cutting costs with 4G LTE network communications

Almost half (47%) of businesses said 4G had saved their company money. The report revealed a small business in Los Angeles saved £62,000. This was achieved by introducing 4G devices and hot-desking, which led to reduced office space required; less employee time wasted; and lower print costs, with documents easily transferred between devices.

The survey revealed that 74% of UK businesses are planning to use 4G.

Joseph Place at Arthur D. Little said businesses are using 4G LTE to bring a more fundamental level of mobility to their organisations. “For example, 4G can be used to set up a fully connected office almost anywhere, dramatically increasing agility and responsiveness. We also expect to see innovative 4G-specific products emerging, for instance in the mHealth arena. We’re positive that Nigerian businesses and other countries will begin to see such benefits as they roll out 4G in 2013 and beyond.”

 

Prerequisite

For this article, I’m going to assume that you have already visited the Windows 8 Release Preview site and followed Microsoft’s instructions for downloading and converting the ISO file to a DVD in Windows 7. If you haven’t, you should do so before you get started with this article. The process is pretty straightforward and Microsoft has documented the steps you need to follow.

 

Creating a System Image

The first thing that you’ll want to do is create a System Image from within Windows 7’s Backup and Restore. When you do, you’ll end up with a complete image of your hard disk. That way, if anything out of the ordinary were to occur as you follow the steps for creating a dual-boot system, you will be able to return to your current configuration. Furthermore, I recommend that you also create a separate backup of your data. Maybe just make copies of all your data files on CD/DVD or on an external hard disk. While it may sound like overkill, having an extra backup will give you peace of mind.

To create a system image, you’ll need to have a CD-RW/DVD-RW drive, an external hard disk, or access to a network drive. To access Backup and Restore, click the Start button, type Backup in the Search box, and press [Enter] when Backup and Restore appears in the result pane.
Once you have Backup and Restore up, select the Create a System Image option and choose your backup location. As you can see in Figure A, I used a DVD-RW drive on my system.

 

Figure A

As you can see in Figure B, on my test system all the partitions on the drive are selected by default. To initiate the operation, just click Start backup. On my test system with a 500GB hard disk, it took over an hour and required eight DVDs.

Figure B

Creating a System Image on DVDs takes a little while.

When the System Image is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a System Repair disc, as shown in Figure C. This is the disc that you will use to boot your system and restore your system image in the event that you need it.

Figure C

When the System Image is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a System Repair disc.

 

 Setting up a partition

With your System Image discs safely tucked away, you’ll use the Disk Management tool to make room on your hard disk for Windows 8. To launch Disk Management, click the Start button, type Disk Management in the Search box, and press [Enter] when Create and format hard disk partitions appears in the result pane. When Disk Management launches, locate the operating system partition of the drive, right click, and select the Shrink Volume command. As you can see in Figure D, on my example system, there is a 100MB system partition and a 17GB HP Recovery partition in addition to the 450GB OS, or operating system, partition.

Figure D

Right click on the operating system partition of the drive and select the Shrink Volume command.

For my Windows 8 partition, I set aside 50GB by entering 51200 as the amount of space to shrink the existing volume, as shown in Figure E. Once you’ve specified the size, click the Shrink button. It will take a several minutes to shrink the partition. When the operation is complete, you’ll see the new space at the end of the partition and notice that it is marked as Unallocated. In order to install Windows 8 without any problems, you should covert this unallocated space into a volume with a drive letter. To do so you’ll launch the New Simple Volume Wizard.

 

Figure E

To set up a 50GB partition, I entered 51200 as the amount of space to shrink the existing volume.

To continue, right click the new partition and select the New Simple Volume command, as shown in Figure F. When you do, the New Simple Volume Wizard will launch.

Figure F

To launch the wizard, right click the new partition and select the New Simple Volume command.

 

The New Simple Volume Wizard consists of five screens - the first and the fifth are shown in Figure G. As you progress through the wizard, you’ll be prompted to specify the size, assign a drive letter, choose a file system, enter a name for the volume, and choose how to format the drive. For everything but the volume name, you should just go with the defaults. As you can see, I specifically named the volume Windows 8 to prevent any ambiguity in later steps. Since the partition was created from your existing partition, you can just go with the Quick format option.

Figure G

The New Simple Volume Wizard consists of five screens.

When you’re finished, you’ll see the new partition in Disk Manager. Figure H shows the new 50GB partition with the volume name, assigned to drive F, and marked as a Logical Drive.

 

Figure H

The 50 GB partition is now ready for the Windows 8 installation.

 

Installing Windows 8

Now that you have your partition established and assigned a drive letter, installing Windows 8 in a dual-boot configuration should be a pretty straightforward operation. Let’s take a closer look.
To begin, insert the Windows 8 Release Preview DVD and reboot your system. After a few minutes, you’ll see the Windows Setup screen shown in Figure I and you will specify your language settings before clicking Next.

Figure I

The first step in the installation is to specify your language settings.

Once the initial steps are taken care of, you’ll see the Windows Setup screen shown in Figure J and will click the Install Now button.

 

Figure J

To get started, just click the Install Now button.

You’ll then see a Windows Setup screen shown in Figure K and will need to make sure that you select the Custom option.

 

Figure K

Make sure that you select the Custom Install Windows only option.

At this point, Windows Setup will prompt you to choose the location to which you want to install Windows 8. As you can see in Figure L, on my test system it is showing all available partitions and I have selected the new volume labeled Windows 8 and assigned drive letter F.

 

Figure L

On my test system, I have selected the new volume labeled Windows 8 and assigned drive letter F.

After selecting the new partition on which to install Windows 8 and clicking Next, the installation will begin, as shown in Figure M. This part of the operation will take a while so go get yourself a cup of coffee.

 

Figure M

As soon as you click Next, Windows Setup will begin copying files to the new partition.

 

Dual-booting Windows 7/Windows 8

When the installation is complete, Windows Setup will reboot your system one final time and you will then see the new Windows 8 style dual boot screen shown in Figure N. As you can see, Windows 8 will automatically launch in 30 seconds if you don’t choose Windows 7.

 

Figure N

The new Windows 8 style boot screen display for 30 seconds before launching Windows 8.

If you want to alter the amount of time before Windows 8 will run, you can click the Change defaults or choose other options at the bottom of the screen. There are actually a multitude of options that you can change and I’ll cover all of them in a future article.

 

What’s your take?

Will you configure a Windows 7/Windows 8 dual boot system?