Politics
Poor Coding Thwarts Terrorist Cyber-Attacks
People would usually think that the latest cyber-attacks are being done by terrorist organizations. Like the Islamic State, which has become infamous for the latest physical attacks. However, while these attacks have been at least attempted by the state, a new report suggests that they aren’t a threat. According to the report Hackers working for the so-called Islamic State are bad at coding and hiding what they do.
So, what do they try to do in order to try to break into the enemy network? They create Malware and encryption programs. However, these attempts are so horribly coded that it isn’t even subtle and easy to deal with. The security researcher Kyle Wilhoit at DerbyCon talked about the cyber-attack methods. In general, he called three attack tools created by one large IS hacker collective “garbage”.
“ISIS is really, really bad at the development of encryption software and malware,” he told tech news outlet The Register, Wilhot then added. “The apps are shit to be honest, they have several vulnerabilities in each system that renders them useless.”
The conclusion Mr. Wilhoit had was reached by analyzing three separate types of tools created by hackers who were part of what is known as the United Cyber Caliphate (UCC). The UCC is a group of hackers that are allies to the Islamic State. So, what are the issues with the cyber-attack attempts?
- The group’s malware was full of Bugs that beginners get rid of easily.
- The email system they developed leaked information about its own users.
- The UCC’s web attack tool failed to take down any significant target.
The only real method of strategizing and planning they have is the encrypted service WhatsApp and Telegram. Which are mainstream apps that provide secure protection for the users. However, their lousy security is getting members killed.
In fact, the researcher talked about a time where he found an open server online containing photographs of active military operations by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, which were to be used for propaganda purposes. But they were easily caught because they left the metadata on their image files.
Overall, the latest cyber-attacks can’t be the work of terrorist organizations. They are literally too stupid to try and do something like that.
Industry and Service
Republican lawmakers and Apple CEO Tim Cook meet in Washington
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, is traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with Republican lawmakers who will probably lead committees that regulate the tech sector.
Republican representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio, Darrel Issa of California, and Cathy McMorris Rogers of Washington are among those with whom Cook has booked meetings.
The meetings were probably planned several weeks, if not months, beforehand. Top conservatives have criticized Apple since the beginning, and many of them have joined with Twitter CEO Elon Musk in their recent dispute with Apple.
Jordan has publicly expressed his support for Elon Musk, as Bloomberg notes.
When the GOP wins over the House in 2023, Jordan is also set to serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s chairman is most likely to be McMorris Rodgers.
They both will play a key role in developing the GOP’s technology policy agenda for 2023.
What is particularly on the agenda is unclear. Even when he is not called to testify about big tech, Cook travels to Washington, DC, on several occasions each year.
Gadgets
EPA establishes a new office devoted to civil rights and environmental justice
The goal is to make sure marginalized people are considered in environmental decisions.
According to Reuters, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a new office to assist underserved communities in coping with the additional responsibilities of pollution and climate change. 200 EPA workers from the Washington headquarters and 10 regional bureaus will work in the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.
“The establishment of a new office dedicated to advancing environmental justice and civil rights at EPA will ensure the lived experiences of underserved communities are central to our decision-making while supporting community-driven solutions,” remarked Kamala Harris, vice president of the US.
As part of a $60 billion investment in environmental justice, one of the main responsibilities of the new office will be to supervise the distribution of $3 billion in grants for environmental justice that were made possible by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, it will ensure that other EPA initiatives adhere to President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of certain government spending go to underserved communities. Finally, it will assist localities in obtaining funds, upholding human rights legislation, and resolving environmental disputes.
The opening of the new office took place in Warren County, North Carolina, the scene of demonstrations against the disposal of toxic waste there in 1982. While the 22-acre dump was not stopped as a result of the civil disobedience actions and arrests that followed, the current environmental justice movement was born. Participants remembered the protests’ 40th anniversary last week.
Politics
Pewdiepie has Gotten into Trouble Yet Again
The competition between Pewdiepie and T-Series has been going on for quite a while. I say this mostly because if Pewdiepie was in the middle of a smear campaign, I would certainly believe that it was all a ploy by T-Series in order to make him lose popularity. However, it seems like T-Series doesn’t have to do much as Pewdiepie is no stranger to getting himself into trouble.
So, what did Pewdiepie do this time? Well, in his most recent edition of “Pew News,” a semi-satirical series where Pewds offers his own take on news events or YouTube discussions, he dedicates the last portion of the video to shouting out smaller YouTube creators he enjoys watching. One of those creators is E;R (otherwise known as “EsemicolonR”), an essayist who often includes anti-Semitic, sexist, homophobic, and cruel language in his videos.
At least that’s what TheVerge and so many outlets/other YouTubers are saying. I took a look at E;R’s content and saw mostly meme videos about political stuff. The guy even made a tribute to Tay AI. You can see a whole documentary made about this by Internet Historian down below:
However, the subjects tackled in the videos can be a bit more problematic because of the current political climate with Pewdiepie. As such, we can assume that a lot of people don’t find this very funny and even reprehensible. Especially when the US is caught in the middle of tension thanks to laws like FOSTA, which are an indirect cause of Tumblr’s collapse right now.
Ever since Pewdiepie has made the shoutout, the channel has gained over 15,000 Subscribers. Of course, this also means that the ire of the people who are against him has risen even more. As such, we’re in this situation where Pewdiepie has gotten himself into trouble yet again despite knowing that the current situation is tense. I guess some people will never learn.
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