Ethereum/TheDAO hack simplified

The news in the Bitcoin world is the Ethereum/DAO hack. I thought I'd write up a simplified explanation.

What is Bitcoin?

I'm sure you know, or have an idea what Bitcoin is, but I'll explain it again in terms that are important here.

Bitcoin is just a public ledger (the "blockchain"), of all transaction there ever was. This ledger is huge (80-gigabytes) and growing, but Moore's Law says computers grow even faster, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Each entry in the ledger says to move the coins received in these previous entries, and give them to this recipient. In other words:
move these coins I received there, to this guy here
In the future when that guy spends the coin in a new transaction, he'll refer back to this transaction here. That's why it's called a "chain" -- every transaction refers to a previous one, back to the original creation of the coins.

Actually, these transactions aren't fixed as simply moving money around. Instead, a script is used, written in  a bitcoin-specific programming language that can do things like add, multiply, and compare numbers. However, it's not a full programming language. It can't call functions or execute loops. It's Continue reading

The fight over a new Wi-Fi channel is coming to a head

Globalstar’s plan to open a new Wi-Fi channel under its control is nearing the moment of truth after years of regulatory wrangling.The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is considering Globalstar’s plan, and a vote could come at any time. News reports suggest it might be close.If Globalstar gets its way, Wi-Fi users in the U.S. will have one more channel, which could reduce congestion and improve performance. But both their mobile devices and the hotspots they use would need firmware upgrades to take advantage of the new frequency, and the channel wouldn’t necessarily be open to everyone.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

The fight over a new Wi-Fi channel is coming to a head

Globalstar’s plan to open a new Wi-Fi channel under its control is nearing the moment of truth after years of regulatory wrangling.The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is considering Globalstar’s plan, and a vote could come at any time. News reports suggest it might be close.If Globalstar gets its way, Wi-Fi users in the U.S. will have one more channel, which could reduce congestion and improve performance. But both their mobile devices and the hotspots they use would need firmware upgrades to take advantage of the new frequency, and the channel wouldn’t necessarily be open to everyone.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

How to build a network of Linux routers using quagga

This post lists the commands required on each node to build a network of three Ubuntu Linux routers. Each router is connected to the other two routers and is running quagga. Each router is also connected to a PC running Ubuntu Linux.

three-nodes-kr

I use this network configuration to evaluate network emulators and open-source networking software in a simple scenario. Readers may find these commands useful in building their own configuration scripts.

I provide “copy and paste” commands so the network can be configured quickly.

Creating a basic topology

The physical — or virtual — network installation and the management network setup is outside the scope of this post. The method used to build the lab topology depends on the equipment, and/or the network emulator and hypervisor technology you are using.

I assume you already have six machines running and connected in a network as shown above, and I assume you have a management network set up so that each machine can communicate with the host computer and with the Internet.

Router configuration

Each router needs to install the quagga router package, configure quagga, and then configure the network using the quagga VTY shell. Optionally, quagga daemon configuration files may be Continue reading

5 things you should know about password managers

New data breaches are coming to light almost weekly and they reveal a simple but troubling fact: many people still choose weak passwords and reuse them across multiple sites. The reality is, remembering dozens of complex passwords is almost impossible, and carrying them around on a scrap of paper that you have to keep updating is a huge hassle. That’s why password managers exist. Here’s why they’re important, and how to get the most out of them.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

5 things you should know about password managers

New data breaches are coming to light almost weekly and they reveal a simple but troubling fact: many people still choose weak passwords and reuse them across multiple sites. The reality is, remembering dozens of complex passwords is almost impossible, and carrying them around on a scrap of paper that you have to keep updating is a huge hassle. That’s why password managers exist. Here’s why they’re important, and how to get the most out of them.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

58% off RAVPower FileHub Wireless Hard Drive, WiFi Bridge & Sharing Media Streamer – Deal Alert

You may find many uses for this versatile and powerful file hub from RAVPower, currently discounted 58% on Amazon from $75.99 down to just $31.99. Let's run down the features: Let up to 5 devices wirelessly connect to the FileHub wireless network, to access its SD card and/or USB storage to share files Media server capabilities, allowing wirelessly connected devices to stream audio and video from any attached storage device Move files freely between all connected methods of storage and devices, including tablets and phones Bridge an existing wireless network, create a new secure network and share with family or friends, or bridge to connect to devices such as Chromecast in hotels Built-in power bank charges your device when you can't access a power source RAVPower's FileHub currently averages 4 out of 5 stars from over 1,700 customers (read reviews). For more information or to explore buying options, see the discounted FileHub now on Amazon.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

58% off RAVPower FileHub Wireless Hard Drive, WiFi Bridge & Sharing Media Streamer – Deal Alert

You may find many uses for this versatile and powerful file hub from RAVPower, currently discounted 58% on Amazon from $75.99 down to just $31.99. Let's run down the features: Let up to 5 devices wirelessly connect to the FileHub wireless network, to access its SD card and/or USB storage to share files Media server capabilities, allowing wirelessly connected devices to stream audio and video from any attached storage device Move files freely between all connected methods of storage and devices, including tablets and phones Bridge an existing wireless network, create a new secure network and share with family or friends, or bridge to connect to devices such as Chromecast in hotels Built-in power bank charges your device when you can't access a power source RAVPower's FileHub currently averages 4 out of 5 stars from over 1,700 customers (read reviews). For more information or to explore buying options, see the discounted FileHub now on Amazon.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Apple explains why iMessage isn’t coming to Android

Ahead of Apple's WWDC keynote this year, one of the more bizarre and sketchy rumors we saw take shape claimed that Apple was planning to deliver iMessage to Android. As is typically the case, the rumor mill took this somewhat ridiculous rumor and ran with it.+ Also on Network World: A closer look at Apple’s biggest announcements from WWDC 2016 +The only problem is that some people were so busy trying to figure out the ramifications of iMessage hitting Android that they didn't take a step back and try to figure out if this is something Apple would even contemplate in the first place. Remember, every move Apple makes is strategic and geared towards making more money, either via device sales or software. That being the case, iMessage on Android would not only be a free app, but it would also eliminate a user-experience advantage of iOS.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Save Hundreds on the Adobe KnowHow All-Inclusive Photography Bundle – Deal Alert

This premium e-learning bundle from Adobe features top-notch instruction on all things photography. You’ll dive into over 65 hours of content, encompassing everything from shooting black-and-white photography to acing the Photoshop certification exam. Normally valued over $900, you can get the full bundle today for just $64 - over 90% off.Here’s a list of the included courses: Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop CC Exam GuideTo read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Apple’s iPhone 6 faces potential sales ban in China

Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus face a potential sales ban in China due to a patent dispute with a little-known local company.The phones infringe a design patent held by Chinese device maker Shenzhen Baili, a Beijing intellectual property office ruled, according to a notice posted Thursday.The office ordered Apple and its partners to halt sales of both products, though Apple has appealed and the phones are currently still on sale there."We appealed an administrative order from a regional patent tribunal in Beijing last month and as a result the order has been stayed pending review by the Beijing IP Court," Apple said Friday in an email. To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Is the ‘secret’ chip in Intel CPUs really that dangerous?

An article on Boing Boing is stirring up fears that Intel x86 processors have a secret control mechanism that no one is allowed to audit or examine, so consequently, this could expose systems to unkillable, undetectable rootkit attacks. In an article that is equal parts technical and fear-inducing, Damien Zammit is up front about his goal. He declared he had made it his mission to get Intel to replace this system with a free, open source replacement "before it's too late."+ Also on Network World: Intel declares independence from the PC +To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Is the ‘secret’ chip in Intel CPUs really that dangerous?

An article on Boing Boing is stirring up fears that Intel x86 processors have a secret control mechanism that no one is allowed to audit or examine, so consequently, this could expose systems to unkillable, undetectable rootkit attacks. In an article that is equal parts technical and fear-inducing, Damien Zammit is up front about his goal. He declared he had made it his mission to get Intel to replace this system with a free, open source replacement "before it's too late."+ Also on Network World: Intel declares independence from the PC +To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here