Week Four

FBI Paid More Than $1.3 Million To Break Into San Bernardino iPhone

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fbi-it-cost-the-fbi-a-staggering-amount-to-break-into-the-san-bernardino-iphone_us_57192053e4b0d4d3f722adf8?utm_hp_ref=technology


FBI  Director James Comey said they paid more to get into the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters than he will make in the remaining time he has in his job.

"According to figures from the FBI and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Comey’s annual salary as of January 2015 was $183,300. Without a raise or bonus, Comey will make $1.34 million over the remainder of his job."

Clearly, there is money in hacking, whether you are a good guy or a bad guy! This is the largest publicized amount that the FBI has paid for a hacking technique. This is heightening the debate on whether personal rights of privacy are more important than matters of national security. 

Week Three

Microsoft Wants To Let You Know When The Feds Are Snooping In Your Email

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/microsoft-sues-government_us_570fc68fe4b0ffa5937e6f5a?utm_hp_ref=technology

Microsoft filed a lawsuit Wednesday, complaining that the feds are violating user's constitutional rights when they request access thousands of user's emails and files and will not allow Microsoft to notify their clients. Apparently the US Department of Justice did not respond to a request to comment.  Apparently this focuses the government more easily accessing data, due to people storing data on remote servers instead of their own personal computers. The article states that this lawsuit represents the newest front in the battle between technology companies and the U.S. government over how much private businesses should assist government surveillance. Microsoft is now taking a more prominent role in this alongside Apple who is already embattled over the government's access to people's personal devices. It is good to see that these corporations are taking this stuff seriously and considering the consumer's rights, since the government seems to be taking advantage of the rapid growth and people's unawareness.

Second Life

I found it very intriguing to read about Second life on Wikipedia. They state that it is not a game, but created for people to immerse themselves in a virtual reality. As you read, it is clear that they've done quite a bit of work on it. It's incredible to think that they have created commerce in this virtual world. Under the Social Networks tab, it says,

"Second Life can be a real-time, immersive social space for people including those with physical or mental disabilities that impair their first lives, who often find comfort and security interacting through anonymous avatars. (Indeed, some academics believe using Second Life might even help improve motor ability for people with Parkinson’s.)^[78]"

<sup>How fascinating when you think how limiting their lives may be in real life. This opens up all sorts of opportunity for those who are housebound. However, I do find it a bit scary, as it is almost like Wall-E coming true! 

As I watched the introduction video, I was struck by the beauty of the graphics. It reminded me of Avatar, the movie. I would have to say that once I went and immersed myself in that environment, it would be difficult to return to every day life. The opportunities with this seem endless, but one that I am not yet willing to begin yet.</sup>
 

Week Two

FBI Won’t Be Able To Hack Into iPhones For Much Longer, Say Apple Engineers

see link: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/fbi-wont-be-able-to-hack-into-iphones-for-much-092219275.html

I am relieved that Apple has been standing their ground on this topic. As an Apple user, I appreciate that they are working towards correcting the security flaw that made it possible for the third party to unlock the phone. It would appear that they are looking at it from not only a justice perspective, but also as a risk of devices being hacked by other sources. I find it interesting that the article states that the FBI is likely to carry on unlocking handsets while it can. They've offered to unlock an iPhone to investigate a murder case. Typically, crime solving efforts are not cast in a criminalized setting, but this obstruction of privacy has everyone concerned. That's good. I look forward to seeing how this continues.

Introduction

I am taking the CIS 120 class to refresh my computer knowledge. Though I've been using computers for a long time, I look forward to specific instruction in Excel and using Powerpoint. These programs rose to popularity after I was out of high school. My "computer classes" involved big clunky Macs and paper that was attached with the strips that you pulled off.  It was also very noveau to include your wpm on your work resume. I don't think that even matters anymore. I've been out of the workforce as a stay at home mom for 11 years now and it's really important to me to be able to re-enter the workforce with a competency level that is indicative of my work experience level, even though it is a bit antiquated.