How Secure are Mobile Networks?

PETALING JAYA: If you are surfing over mobile broadband, such as 3G or WiFi, always make sure have your security settings at the highest levels. Internet platform service Akamai Technologies Inc has reported an increasing amount of cyber attacks carried out over mobile networks. “When an attack is made over a mobile network, there is no clean attribution as to where the attack is coming from,” said Andy Ellis, Akamai’s chief security officer. Ellis was briefing the press on the findings of Akamai’s study on the state of the Internet in Asia-Pacific. The study was cover topics such as network security, data consumption, and the average Internet speed in the region. Ellis said the increase in these cyber attacks are due to the growing adoption of broadband and mobile devices in this part of the world. And because of the blitzkrieg increase, many users are not equipped or may be lax with the security of their devices and networks. “Some victims were not used to being online and didn’t have good security habits,” he said. “Sometimes, they don’t even notice that their system has been compromised.” Also, it’s more difficult to track down an attacker who is using mobile broadband than one who is on a permanent connection.

Be Safe: Surfing the Internet via mobile may be convenient but remember to put your security settings at the highest level.

“You will see that the attack is originating from an IP (Internet Protocol) address that is registered to a hotspot, or some mobile device like an iPhone,” Ellis explained. “Then, you have to figure out which person in that hotspot had made the attack.” Local security exprts who spoke to Bytz on condition of anonymity, said that this could be due to hackers using those networks in Malaysia as a conduit for their attacks. The attacks on mobile devices are also on the rise, according to security services provider Symantec Corp. David Hall, regional consumer product marketing manager for Symantec Asia Pacific, told Btyz in an email interview that cyber criminals are taking notice of the proliferation of mobile devices. According to him, cyber attackers are leveraging on such flaws to infect thousands of devices, making it difficult for businesses and other organisations to adequately manage such risks. “More than 45% of the organisations we spoke to, said that security concerns are one of the biggest obstacles to their using smart devices,” Hall said. He said that mobile threats have been very limited in the number of devices they have affected until now, but if the necessary steps are not taken to manage these risks, the impact is really likely to increase.

Sources: http://techcentral.my/news/story.aspx?file=/2011/7/15/it_news/20110715181740&sec=IT_News Editor by, Jo Timbuong

History with Tech Twist

IT is always important to know about one’s history and culture. But the perception is that history is boring and there are too many dates and names to remember. But what if there is an interactive way that allows one to immerse oneself in history through modern technology? Head over to Suffolk House in George Town, Penang, this weekend for the Digital Art + Culture Festival (DA+C) 2011, where heritage takes centre stage as artists-designers interpret the stories from history into animation, electronic music and virtual reality. According to festival director Suzy Suleiman, DA+C are an exploration of Southeast Asian cultures through new media art and design. The trans-disciplinary exhibitions and events use state-of-the-art technology to narrate different aspects of local history. She says, “In order for heritage values to continue to exist, they must be relevant to modern times. Suffolk House is historically significant because it is intimately connected to the founding of modern Penang. The garden mansion is built on Captain Francis Light’s vast pepper estate and is a prime example of an Anglo-Indian building inspired by Georgian architecture.

Suzy demonstrates the creative art works which will take place from July 15 to 17 at the Suffolk House in Penang Heritage takes centre stage in Penang this weekend at the Digital Art + Culture Festival (DA+C) 2011.

Culture, says Suzy, is the sources of creative innovation. “A person’s culture is what makes him or her different from the pack and this trait is crucial for survival as the world becomes increasingly borderless and homogenous. Culture values are reference points in this sea of electronic data as designers struggle to continuously be innovative. The culmination of the festival is a video projection mapping performance where the facade of Suffolk House will transform into an interactive stage with larger-than-life video animation. Visitors can also get a spherical, panoramic view of Suffolk House through High Dynamic Range Imaging (digital photographs taken at different exposures and stitched to create an aspace that gives an illusion of depth). There will be workshops and educational talks for those interested in learning more about digital art. The talks will give participants a chance to see the behind-the-scenes perspective from creative professional and artists. “Visitors will get a chance to play with and interact with Penang’s famous historical characters, watch animation of historical events or mix traditional sounds. The artworks are interactive and can be customized. This will appeal directly to the tech-savvy youths of today,” says Suzy. She adds that digital media enables history and culture speak the same ‘language’ as today’s youth.

Sources: http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/News_Historywithtechtwist/Article Editor by, Rozana Sani