http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/hacking/ Hacking and computer security. Read today's research news on hacking and protecting against codebreakers. New software, secure data sharing, and more. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/hacking/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121203.htm If you forget your password when logging into an e-mail or online shopping website, the site will likely ask you a security question: What is your mother's maiden name? Where were you born? The trouble is that such questions are not very secure. But computer scientists are testing a new tactic that could be both easier and more secure. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162009.htm Cyber criminals are using fake messages claiming to be from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to deliver a virus capable of stealing unsuspecting victims' bank passwords and other sensitive personal information, says a computer forensics specialist. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162009.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102246.htm The spread of malware, or computer viruses, is a growing problem that can lead to crashed computer systems, stolen personal information, and billions of dollars in lost productivity every year. One of the most insidious types of malware is a "rootkit," which can effectively hide the presence of other spyware or viruses from the user. But now researchers have devised a way to block rootkits and prevent them from taking over your computer systems. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102246.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031003511.htm What are the odds that your digital identity will be stolen by cyber criminals? Why do bank payment systems crash when everybody is trying to pay for Christmas gifts by credit card? Cyber criminals are everywhere. Now, help is just a click away. Researchers have developed a new, ultrafast digital signature scheme that is 17,000 times faster than current systems for verification, and 10,000 times faster in providing a digital signature. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031003511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026125535.htm The world's fastest supercomputer, Roadrunner, at Los Alamos National Laboratory has completed its initial "shakedown" phase doing accelerated petascale computer modeling and simulations of a variety of unclassified, fundamental science projects. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026125535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013110053.htm Two decades ago, studies showed that computer users were violating best practices for setting up hack-proof passwords, and not much has changed since then. What's clear, say researchers , is that until human factors/ergonomics methods are applied to the problem, it isn't likely to go away. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013110053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123050.htm The qubits that carry quantum information are typically fragile, but a new method of combing six photons leads to robust qubits that are immune to many of the effects that threaten to scramble quantum data. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161900.htm Robots equipped with wireless and sensing capabilities are available for use in the home. But the safety and privacy risks of these devices are not yet adequately addressed, according to a new study. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008113339.htm Because it will be difficult to prevent cyber attacks on critical civilian and military computer networks by threatening to punish attackers, the United States must focus its efforts on defending these networks from cyber attack, according to a new analysis by experts. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008113339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007091748.htm Government agencies and other organizations planning to use WiMAX -- Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access -- networks can get technical advice on improving the security of their systems from a draft computer security guide prepared by NIST. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007091748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006173557.htm Just in time for October's Cyber Security Awareness Month, NIST has published a guide to help small businesses and organizations understand how to provide basic security for their information, systems and networks. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006173557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930141541.htm A way to filter out denial of service attacks on computer networks, including cloud computing systems, could significantly improve security on government, commercial, and educational systems. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930141541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927130032.htm In the never-ending battle to protect computer networks from intruders, researchers are working with security experts to develop a new defense modeled after one of nature's hardiest creatures -- the ant. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927130032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101351.htm A new research project works out how to keep car-to-car data transmissions private and secure from malicious hackers. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918100012.htm Korean computer scientists have developed a security policy specification for home networks that could make us more secure from cyber attack in our homes. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918100012.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122441.htm The use of digital data analysis within law enforcement is not simple. For example, how can you predict if somebody is a terrorist? A Dutch researcher has developed a model that makes digital data analysis more reliable. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090831130800.htm A new mathematical tool from a computer scientist in Israel aims to protect genetic privacy while giving genomic data to researchers. Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090831130800.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814192853.htm Laws aimed at tackling illegal use of wireless internet connections are restricting attempts to increase broadband access, according to new research. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814192853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730121212.htm Computer scientists are working to prevent quantum computers from compromising today's online security. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730121212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161902.htm Computer scientists hacked an electronic voting machine and stole votes using a malicious programming approach that had not been invented when the voting machine was designed. The scientists employed "return-oriented programming" to force a Sequoia AVC Advantage electronic voting machine to turn against itself and steal votes. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161902.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141508.htm Raising prospects for building a practical quantum computer, physicists have demonstrated sustained, reliable information processing operations on electrically charged atoms (ions). The new work overcomes significant hurdles in scaling up ion-trapping technology from small demonstrations to larger quantum processors. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731085817.htm A system that allows biometric data to be used to create a secret key for data encryption has been developed by researchers in South Africa. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731085817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714165100.htm New research in imaging may lead to advancements for the Air Force in data encryption and wide-area photography with high resolution. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714165100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090724212619.htm Fake Internet postcards circulating through e-mail inboxes worldwide are carrying links to the virus known as Zeus Bot, said a computer forensics expert. Zeus Bot has been named America's most pervasive computer Botnet virus by Network World magazine, reportedly infecting 3.6 million US computers. Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090724212619.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721113309.htm Private information scattered all over the Internet and impossible to control. A new system, called Vanish, puts an expiry date on electronic text. Electronic communication sent using Vanish -- such as e-mail, Facebook posts and chat messages -- would have a brief lifetime and then self-destruct. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721113309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716164344.htm U.S. Department of Energy laboratories fight off millions of cyber attacks every year, but a near real-time dialogue between these labs about this hostile activity has never existed -- until now. Scientists have devised a program that allows for Cyber Security defense systems to communicate when attacked and transmit that information to cyber systems at other institutions in the hopes of strengthening the overall cyber security posture of the complex. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716164344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707111709.htm A rapid but superior method for computerized face recognition could revolutionize security systems especially if it can see through disguises. New software solves the variation problems caused by different light levels and shadows, viewing direction, pose, and facial expressions. It can even see through certain types of disguises such as facial hair and glasses. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707111709.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707111753.htm Physicists have overcome a hurdle in quantum computer development, having devised a viable way to manipulate a single "bit" in a quantum processor without disturbing the information stored in its neighbors. The approach, which makes novel use of polarized light to create "effective" magnetic fields, could bring the long-sought computers a step closer to reality. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707111753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171509.htm Researchers have shown that public information readily gleaned from governmental sources, commercial data bases, or online social networks can be used to routinely predict most -- and sometimes all -- of an individual's nine-digit Social Security number. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702075921.htm Researchers from across Europe have united to build the largest quantum key distribution network ever built. The efforts of 41 research and industrial organizations were realized as secure, quantum encrypted information was sent over an eight node, mesh network. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702075921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624152824.htm Physicists have found a way to drastically prolong the shelf life of quantum bits, the 0s and 1s of quantum computers. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624152824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615152926.htm Technologies that exploit the unique weirdness of quantum mechanics could debut in the very near future, thanks to the groundbreaking work of a huge European research consortium. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615152926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608143659.htm The current trend is in the direction of unmanned robot-controlled platforms, which leave electronic equipment more exposed to attack. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608143659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529093155.htm Researchers have recently demonstrated a breakthrough in the quantum control of photons, the energy quanta of light. This is a significant result in quantum computation, and could eventually have implications in banking, drug design, and other applications. Sun, 31 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529093155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521112719.htm A working definition for cloud computing -- a new computer technique with potential for achieving significant cost savings and information technology agility -- has been released by a team of computer security experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521112719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511122614.htm Rapidly rising cyber crime and the growing prospect of the Internet being used as a medium for terrorist attacks pose a major challenge for IT security. Cryptography is central to this challenge, since it underpins privacy, confidentiality, and identity, which together provide the fabric for e-commerce and secure communications. Now, a new approach based on the mathematical theory of elliptic curves has emerged as a leading candidate for more efficient cryptography capable of providing the optimum combination of security and processing efficiency. Tue, 12 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511122614.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507055702.htm China has made significant progress in cybercrime legislation but faces increasing challenges to keep pace with the country's exponential growth in internet use, according to a new report. Mon, 11 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507055702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065454.htm Quantum cryptography, a completely secure means of communication, is much closer to being used practically as researchers have now developed high speed detectors capable of receiving information with much higher key rates, thereby able to receive more information faster. Sat, 02 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101445.htm A forensics toolkit for the Xbox gaming console has been developed. The toolkit could allow law enforcement agencies to scour the inbuilt hard disk of such devices and find illicit hidden materials easily. Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422132842.htm Researchers have demonstrated a technique for efficiently suppressing errors in quantum computers, an advance that could eventually make it much easier to build useful versions of these potentially powerful machines that, in theory, could solve important problems that are intractable using today's computers. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422132842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423105900.htm When an employee has so many complex passwords to remember that he keeps them on a sticky note attached to his computer screen, that could be a sign that your organization needs a wiser policy for passwords, one that balances risk and complexity. New guidelines for institution-wide password management issued by NIST could help. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423105900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408140217.htm Physicists have demonstrated a new ion trap that enables ions to go through an intersection at temperatures ten million times cooler than prior similar trips. The demonstration is a step toward scaling up trap technology to build a large-scale quantum computer using ions. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408140217.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409151946.htm A new technology capable of reducing data leakage from integrated circuits during electronic transactions by up to 95% in comparison with conventional logic circuits has just been developed. Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409151946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225151343.htm Telecommuting has freed many to work far from the confines of the office via laptop, but the price of working from a cafe table is the danger that a public network will not keep the data that passes through it safe. Now, to combat the risk inherent in remote access, NIST has updated its guide on maintaining data security while teleworking. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225151343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224133010.htm A new risk management tool can help software developers identify security vulnerabilities in their programs early in the planning process, effectively solving problems before they exist, simply by having the developers lay their cards on the table. The system, called "Protection Poker," is already being used in a pilot project to identify security problems. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224133010.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205110609.htm One of the themes of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is the need to keep vital and sensitive information secure. Today, we take it for granted that most of our information is safe because it's encrypted. Every time we use a credit card, transfer money from our checking accounts -- or even chat on a cell phone -- our personal information is protected by a cryptographic system. But the development of quantum computers threatens to shatter the security of current cryptographic systems used by businesses and banks around the world. Scientists are now developing a system aimed to keep encryption safe from quantum computers. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205110609.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090206101601.htm Electronic implants that dispense medicines automatically or via a wireless medical network are on the horizon. Scientists warn of the security risks. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090206101601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090129090000.htm In order to achieve higher storage densities on computer disks, the last decades were dominated by optimization of magnetic materials, i.e. the magnetic particles (grains) were gradually shrunk while, at the same time, the magnetic stability (magnetic anisotropy) was increased. Usually, about 100 to 600 grains form one bit, i.e. currently the smallest storage unit. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090129090000.htm