Category Archives: Technology

Safety in Numbers: Threat Intelligence System Enables Corporate and Government Organizations to Share Malware Information

By Guest PostMay 29, 2012Technologyandrew howard, android-based devices, attack, christopher smoak, compromise, computer network, corporate, depth of knowledge, gary meek, george macon, georgia tech, gtisc, gtri, hackers, industrial espionage, intelligence system, mac malware, macintosh computers, malicious software, malware, malware threat, researcher, spear phishing, titan, titan project, weapon, windows based computers, windows os

As malware threats expand into new domains and increasingly focus on industrial espionage, Georgia Tech researchers are launching a new weapon to help battle the threats: a malware intelligence system that will help corporate and government security officials share information about the attacks they are fighting.

Known as Titan, the system will be at the center of a security community that will help create safety in numbers as companies large and small add their threat data to a knowledge base that will be shared with all participants. Operated by security specialists at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), the system builds on a threat analysis foundation – including a malware repository that analyzes and classifies an average of 100,000 pieces of malicious code each day.

“As a university, Georgia Tech is uniquely positioned to take this white hat role in between industry and government,” said Andrew Howard, a GTRI research scientist who is part of the Titan project. “We want to bring communities together to break down the walls between industry and government to provide a trusted, sharing platform.” (more…)

Navigating a New Course in Search — Introducing Yahoo! Axis

By Guest PostMay 23, 2012Technologyaxis, browse, chrome, css3, Facebook, firefox 7, Google, html5, internet explorer 9, ipad, iPhone, javascript, javascript mvc, manhattan, mojito, safari v5, search, shashi seth, web, Yahoo, yahoo axis, yahoo cocktails

Seamless Across Multiple Devices, Axis Re-defines Searching and Browsing

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Yahoo!, the premier digital media company, today announced the availability of Yahoo! Axis, a new experience that re-imagines how people search and browse on the web. Axis offers the only search experience that allows you to enter your search, see and interact with visual results, all without ever leaving the page you are on. Axis seamlessly integrates with your favorite desktop browser and automatically connects your online experiences across multiple devices. Axis is available today for download across iOS devices and as a desktop plug-in for HTML5-enabled browsers.

“Our search strategy is predicated on two core beliefs—one, that people want answers, not links and two, that consumer-facing search is ripe for innovative disruption,” said Shashi Seth, senior vice president, Connections, Yahoo! Inc. “With Axis, we have re-defined and re-architected the search and browse experience from the ground up.” (more…)

WPP’s 24/7 Media and Microsoft Announce Digital Advertising Partnership

By Guest PostMay 23, 2012Technology247 media, david j moore, groupm, marketing technology company, microsoft advertising, microsoft media network, nai privacy, publisher, real media group, rik van der kooi, wpp

Agreement will help strengthen the ad technology offerings of both companies, improving digital ROI for brands and publishers

NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash. – May 23, 2012 – Today, 24/7 Media, WPP’s marketing technology company, and Microsoft Advertising announced an extensive partnership to support their customers in the rapidly changing digital advertising marketplace. As a result of this agreement, that brings together two of the largest players in the advertising industry, clients of both companies will benefit from markedly enhanced scale, optimization and automation. The global online ad market is estimated to exceed $98 billion in 2012.*

“This is an exciting day for 24/7 Media, WPP and our clients globally,” said David J. Moore, Chairman and CEO of 24/7 Media. “In partnering with Microsoft, one of our largest and most strategic clients, we are creating a very powerful suite of capabilities that rivals any other offering available today in digital marketing.” (more…)

IBM CEO Study: Command & Control Meets Collaboration

By Guest PostMay 23, 2012Technologybridget van kralingen, business analytics, ceos, chief executive officer, collaboration, command and control, data, economic, face to face, human relationship, ibm ceo study, ibm study, innovation, interaction, internet, key influence, market condition, modern corporation, peter voser, royal dutch shell, social business platforms, social media, social network, Technology

CEOs embark on a new era of leadership as they embrace a more connected culture

ARMONK, N.Y. – A new IBM study of more than 1,700 Chief Executive Officers from 64 countries and 18 industries worldwide reveals that CEOs are changing the nature of work by adding a powerful dose of openness, transparency and employee empowerment to the command-and-control ethos that has characterized the modern corporation for more than a century.

The advantages of the fast-moving trend are clear. According to the IBM CEO study, companies that outperform their peers are 30 percent more likely to identify openness – often characterized by a greater use of social media as a key enabler of collaboration and innovation – as a key influence on their organization. Outperformers are embracing new models of working that tap into the collective intelligence of an organization and its networks to devise new ideas and solutions for increased profitability and growth. (more…)

Study Highlights How Twitter is Used to Share Information After a Disaster

By Guest PostMay 22, 2012Media, Technology2011 nuclear disaster, andrew binder, fukushima, fukushima daiichi, fukushima disaster, hazard, Japan, nuclear plant, social media, technology issues, tool, tsunami, tweets, Twitter, twitter posts, united states, websites

A study from North Carolina State University shows how people used Twitter following the 2011 nuclear disaster in Japan, highlighting challenges for using the social media tool to share information. The study also indicates that social media haven’t changed what we communicate so much as how quickly we can disseminate it.

“I wanted to see if Twitter was an effective tool for sharing meaningful information about nuclear risk in the wake of the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant,” says Dr. Andrew Binder, an assistant professor of communication at NC State and author of a paper describing the work. “I knew people would be sharing information, but I wanted to see whether it was anecdotal or substantive, and whether users were providing analysis and placing information in context. (more…)

Cell Network Security Holes Revealed, With an App to Test Your Carrier

By Guest PostMay 22, 2012Technologyandroid app, android smartphones, cellular network, Facebook, firewall technology, http, ieee symposium, middleboxs, nicole casal moore, san francisco, sandboxing, security, sequence numbers, smartphone malware, tcp internet connection, Twitter, university of michigan, z morley mao, zhiyun qian

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Popular firewall technology designed to boost security on cellular networks can backfire, unwittingly revealing data that could help a hacker break into Facebook and Twitter accounts, a new study from the University of Michigan shows.

The researchers also developed an Android app that tells phone users when they’re on a vulnerable network. They will present their work May 22 at the IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy in San Francisco. (more…)

New Silicon Memory Chip Developed

By Guest PostMay 21, 2012Science, Technologyadnan mehonic, brain function, computer processor, energy, flash memory chips, memristors, metal, mobile devices, neurons, oxides, reram, resistive ram, semiconductor, silicon chips, silicon memory chip, silicon oxide, Technology, tony kenyon, usb sticks

The first purely silicon oxide-based ‘Resistive RAM’ memory chip that can operate in ambient conditions– opening up the possibility of new super-fast memory – has been developed by researchers at UCL.

Resistive RAM (or ‘ReRAM’) memory chips are based on materials, most often oxides of metals, whose electrical resistance changes when a voltage is applied – and they “remember” this change even when the power is turned off.

ReRAM chips promise significantly greater memory storage than current technology, such as the Flash memory used on USB sticks, and require much less energy and space. (more…)

Yahoo! and Alibaba Reach Agreement on Comprehensive Plan for Alibaba Stake

By Guest PostMay 20, 2012Technologyalibaba, alibaba group, China, e commerce company, goldman sachs, initial public offering, ipo, jack ma, joe tsai, michael callahan, monetization, ross levinsohn, tim morse, ubs investment bank, Yahoo, yahoo stake

Agreement Realizes Significant Value, Immediate Liquidity and Path to Future Monetization

Yahoo! Board Increases Share Repurchase Plan by US$5 Billion

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & HANGZHOU, China — Yahoo! Inc. and Alibaba Group Holding Limited today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for a staged and comprehensive value realization plan for Yahoo!’s stake in Alibaba.

The first step is the repurchase by Alibaba of up to one-half of Yahoo!’s stake, or approximately 20% of Alibaba’s fully-diluted shares. The purchase price will be based on a valuation of Alibaba to be established through equity financings that Alibaba intends to undertake to finance the transaction, subject to a floor valuation of approximately US$35 billion. The agreement includes substantial financial incentives for Alibaba to raise the additional equity at a valuation higher than US$35 billion. At the minimum price and assuming the initial repurchase of the full 20% stake, Yahoo! would receive from Alibaba consideration of approximately US$7.1 billion, composed of at least US$6.3 billion in cash proceeds and up to US$800 million in newly-issued Alibaba preferred stock. (more…)