The core problem with the NSA
“By quietly exploiting these flaws rather than notifying Apple, the U.S. government leaves Apple’s customers vulnerable to other sophisticated governments.” – Christopher Soghoian
This is the kind of schizophrenic policy that happens when you have an agency like the NSA operating with an offensive mindset instead of a defensive one. Now, imagine how strong the internet would be if the NSA was out there contributing to our digital defense by helping technology companies strengthen their security operations?
iSpy: The CIA Campaign to Steal Apple’s Secrets
iSpy: The CIA Campaign to Steal Apple’s Secrets
Researchers working with the Central Intelligence Agency have conducted a multi-year, sustained effort to break the security of Apple’s iPhones and iPads.
At the 2011 Jamboree conference, there were two separate presentations on hacking the GID key on Apple’s processors. One was focused on non-invasively obtaining it by studying the electromagnetic emissions of — and the amount of power used by — the iPhone’s processor while encryption is being performed. Careful analysis of that information could be used to extract the encryption key. Such a tactic is known as a “side channel” attack. The second focused on a “method to physically extract the GID key.”Whatever method the CIA and its partners use, by extracting the GID — which is implanted on the processors of all Apple mobile devices »
Permission to Touch
All the tech giants want to touch your body. The end game of course is to touch your brain but the way they get there is by starting on the outside and politely inching their way closer and closer. First, 18” from your face. Then, into your pants pocket. Then…
Well, then, Google tried to put itself on your face like a bad kiss on a bad first date. Amateur move, Google, you dork. You should have been more subtle, more gentle. Look at how Apple played it. Apple gently touched your wrist first. That feels nice. We do not feel invaded. We’ll take this slow and see what happens next.
It’s funny ‘cause it’s true.
“If it’s the pinnacle of capitalism, we should be worried.”
Apple executives say that going overseas, at this point, is their only option. One former executive described how the company relied upon a Chinese factory to revamp iPhone manufacturing just weeks before the device was due on shelves. Apple had redesigned the iPhone’s screen at the last minute, forcing an assembly line overhaul. New screens began arriving at the plant near midnight.
A foreman immediately roused 8,000 workers inside the company’s dormitories, according to the executive. Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea, guided to a workstation and within half an hour started a 12-hour shift fitting glass screens into beveled frames. Within 96 hours, the plant was producing over 10,000 iPhones a day.
– Jared Bernstein
FCP X: Didn’t We Ask For This? by Jeremy Garchow
CTG: I want to commend Jeremy Garchow for this excellent piece on FCP X. A lot of people are torching him for it in the comments section, yet most of them don’t use any specifics on why they believe the program isn’t what we (“editors”) asked for. Good work Jeremy, you make a lot of great points and the article really delves into the new functions of FCP X. It’s absolutely worth a read fellow Tumblr’s. I know FCP X has been polarizing, but it’s time to stop kicking and screaming and start trying to wrap our heads around the software.
(above article link via: creativecow.net)