Who Are LulzSec ?

From the last 2 months we are hearing this name very often

In commemoration of the LulzSec Twitter account's 1,000th tweet, the group has issued a lengthy and remorseless statement attempting to explain its actions.

Hacker collective or, as they put it, "those evil bastards from Twitter" LulzSec has issued an official statement attempting to explain its actions. You can read it here.

"The main anti-LulzSec argument suggests that we're going to bring down more Internet laws by continuing our public shenanigans," the statement reads, "and that our actions are causing clowns with pens to write new rules for you. But what if we just hadn't released anything? What if we were silent? That would mean we would be secretly inside FBI affiliates right now, inside PBS, inside Sony... watching... abusing..."

The thrust of the statement is that Internet security is not what it could be, and that hackers don't always announce what they've hacked. "We certainly haven't," the statement continues, "and we're damn sure others are playing the silent game. [...] You are a peon to these people. A toy. A string of characters with a value. This is what you should be fearful of, not us releasing things publicly, but the fact that someone hasn't released something publicly. We're sitting on 200,000 Brink users right now that we never gave out. It might make you feel safe knowing we told you, so that Brink users may change their passwords. What if we hadn't told you? No one would be aware of this theft, and we'd have a fresh 200,000 peons to abuse, completely unaware of a breach."

The statement goes on to make light of the group's most recent actions -- releasing user names and passwords for a variety of sites across the Web, including Facebook, GMail, PayPal and Amazon accounts. "Welcome to 2011," it continues. "This is the lulz lizard era, where we do things just because we find it entertaining. Watching someone's Facebook picture turn into a penis and seeing their sister's shocked response is priceless. Receiving angry emails from the man you just sent 10 dildos to because he can't secure his Amazon password is priceless. You find it funny to watch havoc unfold, and we find it funny to cause it. We release personal data so that equally evil people can entertain us with what they do with it."

Said "equally evil people" have reportedly claimed PayPal accounts containing significant amounts of money; access to online games and services such as World of Warcraft; Facebook accounts; and email addresses containing private information. While losing access to one's account will provide a potent message to use more different passwords around the Web -- and more secure passwords, at that -- the unpleasant (and potentially life-wrecking) manner in which the group has delivered this message completely undermines whatever valid point it may have had to make about Internet security. But they don't care:

"Nobody is truly causing the Internet to slip one way or the other," the statement continues. "It's an inevitable outcome for us humans. We find, we nom nom nom, we move onto something else that's yummier. We've been entertaining you 1000 times with 140 characters or less, and we'll continue creating things that are exciting and new until we're brought to justice, which we might well be. But you know, we just don't give a living fuck at this point -- you'll forget about us in 3 months' time when there's a new scandal to gawk at."

Officials Comfirmed that CIA website Attacked ...

A U.S. official has confirmed that the website belonging to the Central Intelligence Agency, which was inaccessible for hours on Wednesday evening, suffered a cyber attack.

Hacker group LulzSec, which spearheaded attacks on PBS.org, Sony, the Senate, and other organizations, claimed responsibility for taking CIA.gov offline, tweeting, "Tango down - cia.gov - for the lulz."

Politico reports:

The disruption on the CIA’s public website Wednesday did not involve “any kind of outside intrusion,” a U.S. official told POLITICO. [...]

The technical issues cia.gov experienced are more consistent with a “distributed denial of service attack,” which is an attempt to overwhelm the servers of a website so people cannot access it.

In one of two hacks this week directed at Senate computers, LulzSec successfully stole information that it later posted on its website.

LulzSec said of the hack, "We don't like the US government very much. Their boats are weak, their lulz are low, and their sites aren't very secure. In an attempt to help them fix their issues, we've decided to donate additional lulz in the form of owning them some more!"

According to The Next Web, LulzSec has released personal information, such as email addresses and names, belonging to over 100,000 users, and on Thursday posted 62,000 users' logins that are believed to have been taken from the site Writerspace.com.

Oracle filed a suit against Google over Android:This could Cost Search Giant 'Billions'

Oracle Corp is seeking damages "in the billions of dollars" from Google Inc in a patent lawsuit over the smartphone market, according to a court filing.

Oracle sued Google last year, claiming the Web search company's Android mobile operating technology infringes Oracle's Java patents. Oracle bought the Java programing language through its acquisition of Sun Microsystems in January 2010.

In a document filed in court by Oracle on Thursday, Oracle accused Google of trying to conceal the fact that Oracle's damages claims in the case are in the billions.

Google has redacted large portions of Oracle's damages estimates from recent court filings. Oracle asked the court on Thursday to make some of that information public.

Google representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The case in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, is Oracle America, Inc v. Google Inc, 10-3561.

Facebook's iPad App Soon...

More than a year after Apple introduced the iPad, Facebook is finally getting around to releasing an app for it.

Nick Bilton at the New York Times reports that the app has been in development for almost a year, withMark Zuckerberg taking a personal interest in its design.

Facebook had its application for the iPhone ready right when the Apple App Store opened in July 2008. But more than a year after the iPad went on sale, there is still no official Facebook app for it.

That is about to change. People briefed on Facebook’s plans say that in coming weeks the company plans to introduce a free iPad application that has been carefully designed and optimized for the tablet.

The app has been in production at Facebook for almost a year, going through several design iterations, and is now in the final stages of testing, according to these people, who declined to be named because they were discussing confidential product plans.

One person who works with Facebook said Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s chief executive and founder, has been heavily invested in the process, overseeing design decisions and the app’s unique features.

People who have seen the application said it has a slick design that has been tailored for the iPad and its touchscreen interface. Facebook developers and designers have also overhauled the Facebook Chat and Facebook Groups features for the application. And the app will go beyond the features available on the Facebook Web site by allowing users to shoot and upload photos and videos directly from the iPad’s built-in cameras.

“The photo and video experience is amazing, offering full resolution and full-screen images,” said a person who has seen the app.

Jaime Schopflin, a communications manager at Facebook, declined to discuss any future products. “We have a great relationship with Apple that is exemplified by our iPhone application, but with regards to an iPad application we have nothing to announce now, and cannot comment on future Facebook products,” she said. Apple declined to comment.

Facebook’s users have complained in the past that its Web interface is not optimized for the iPad or any other touchscreen experience. In response, a number of outside developers have introduced Facebook-friendly applications for the iPad, including My Pad, iFace and Friendly.

The new app could be a boon to both Facebook and Apple. Mobile applications and optimized mobile Web sites have been a major area of growth for Facebook, with the company saying that there are now more than 250 million Facebook users actively accessing the service on a mobile device. Facebook is approaching 700 million users worldwide.

A compelling Facebook application for the iPad could help Apple woo customers who are torn between buying an iPad and a competing Google Android tablet. Apple has sold more than 25 million iPads since the device was introduced last year.

Apple also plans to help Facebook promote the new application by featuring it prominently in the App Store, said a person familiar with the plans for the app.

In addition to the iPad app, Facebook also plans to introduce a better version of its Web site for the iPad. It is unclear when this will be unveiled, but it isnot intended to compete with a Facebook iPad or iPhone application, and instead is meant “to supplement these experiences,” this person said.

Get Free $100 Google AdWords Gift Card

AdWords as we know is the premier in online advertising mainly due to its link to the highly successful and popular AdSense program from Google. So here is a free $100 Gift card for starting off your AdWords journey!Apparently this offer is being provided by AdWords. To redeem this offer visit this url: http://www.google.ca/intl/en/ads/offers/hostgator.html

4 common PC problems you can fix yourself

Computer problems may seem immensely complicated at first glance. But some are relatively easy to fix.

That doesn't mean they will be cheap if someone else does the job. However, some jobs can be done by the average Joe or Jane. On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 should only be performed by certified technicians who have no less than three electronic gadgets on their belt),replacing memory is usually about a 4. Installing a new hard drive is tougher (about 6 or 7), but still do-able. Replacing a video card or internal modem is no more than a 2.

A word of caution: Static electricity can kill the circuitry inside your computer. Before you reach for anything inside that box, ground yourself by touching the metal computer frame.

Here are four common PC problems you may be able to fix by yourself:

1. You turn on the computer and nothing happens. No lights, no beeps, no fan noise. What is the first thing you do? Be sure the darn thing is plugged in!Even if you're absolutely certain that it is connected,

double check. Assuming that it is plugged in, you probably have a bad power supply. This is a metal box located in the top and back of the computer. It is usually held in by four screws and the power cable connects to it. A fan blows air out the back. A wiring harness exits the power supply inside the computer. Numerous power connectors are attached to the ends of the wires. These plug into drives,fans, and possibly other gizmos. The harness also will have connectors to the motherboard. It doesn't matter which wire connects where, as long as the connector fits. When you open the computer, this mess of wiring can be very intimidating. Study it, and you'll find it less mysterious. Note the connections in writing, if necessary. Disconnect the wires and remove the power supply. Take it to the computer store and get a replacement with the same wattage. Figure on spending $50-70.

2. The computer comes on, but nothing appears on your monitor. In other words, Windows never shows up. You may have a monitor problem. Try using another monitor you know is good on the computer and see if anything shows up on the screen. If

the second monitor works, the first one is bad. Monitors are not worth repairing. Just buy a new one. Never open the back of a monitor to fix it. The capacitors inside monitors store electricity. You could be injured or even killed. If the screen is dark, it could be a video card problem. First, find the video card. This is a circuit board that fits into a slot in the motherboard. The cable from the monitor connects to the VGA (video graphics adapter) port, which sticks out through the back of the computer. If the VGA port is part of the motherboard, the video is built in. You can't fix that. Otherwise, it will be part of the video card. Assuming you have a separate card, be sure it is firmly seated. The front end of the card can rise out of the slot inadvertently when the back end is screwed down to the computer

frame. If you have a computer that is working perfectly, turn it off and remove the video card. Put the card that works in the problem computer. If the system works, you need a new card. If you don't have an extra card to test your system, buy a cheap one ($30-50). If it doesn't solve the problem, take it back. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a video card. But if you're running business applications and surfing the Web, buy on price. The expensive stuff is for serious gamers.

3. If you regularly get the "Blue Screen of Death," you may have a random access memory (RAM) problem. Note the message on the blue screen, especially the numbers. Also, put the text of the error message in a search engine and check the Internet. Assuming you can diagnose it, a memory problem is easy to fix. If you can't find the diagnosis information you need online, you can try swapping out memory sticks from another computer. But that memory must be the same type. If all else fails, take the old memory to a computer store. The people there may be willing to test it. Sticks of memory go in slots near the microprocessor. They're about four inches long. Remove the old memory and match it at the store. Memory prices are all over the map, depending on type and speed. Be sure you get the same type. When you press the new memory into the slot, you will probably have to use some force. The clips on each end will snap into place when the memory is seated properly.

4. If you boot up, and the computer cannot find the C: drive, you might have a bad hard drive. If you have another computer, swap hard drives to diagnose the problem. If your computer boots with the other drive, yours is probably bad. Sometimes, a reboot will work. Your drive might have enough life to spin up occasionally. If this works, transfer your data to another drive, pronto. According to techie lore, you can seal a nonworking drive in a bag and put it in a freezer overnight. That could shrink things enough to free them up. I've used this trick a few times and it's worth a try. A regular backup regimen will save you in case of hard-drive failure, assuming you aren't backing up to the same hard drive. If the drive is dead and

you don't have a backup, a computer shop may be able to save your data. Hard drives are cheap. You can get a replacement for less than $100. Get one boxed for retail, which will include instructions and any hardware needed. Your hard drive is in the front of your machine. It will be about the size of a paperback book and is probably held in by four screws, two on each side. Power and ribbon cables connect to the back. Put the new drive in and install it as the master. Reconfigure the old drive as the slave. The instructions that come with the new drive should explain that. Boot the computer and install Windows on the new drive. If you're lucky, the computer will see the old drive (it will be D:). You can then transfer your data to the new drive. Replacing a hard drive is more difficult than the other operations. However, if you pay to have the work done, it may not be cost effective. You might be better off buying a new machine. So if you are adventuresome, and you have the time, changing the hard drive may be worthwhile.
now your limitations

Some things may be beyond your ability. For instance, upgrading a microprocessor can be dicey. Even if a faster microprocessor will fit in your motherboard, you probably need to upgrade the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). This is done through a process called "flashing," in which information is downloaded to change the BIOS. If flashing isn't done correctly, the computer can be rendered useless. Leave that to the experts.

There are times when fixing a computer just isn't worthwhile. New machines can be had for a couple hundred bucks. That might be all you need for business purposes. So, if you're facing a $300 repair, maybe it's time to look around. That repair probably won't be the last.

After this column first appeared, I received a helpful note from a computer technician. He said businesspeople should be careful about buying inexpensive home machines. Business buyers probably need a better warranty, including next-day service and maybe a loaner. Also, you need some kind of backup mechanism-a CD burner, a DVD burner, a second hard drive, and so on. Saving money is good, but be sure you get what you need.

Opera Mobile for Symbian

Publisher's Description

Get a premium browsing experience with Opera Mobile. It is fast, smooth, and makes surfing the Web on a mobile device more fun and efficient than ever. A refreshed user interface looks better with your device and gives Opera Mobile a sleek, modern appearance. Pinch zoom and smooth panning let you surf in a natural and intuitive way. You can also share web content with others on popular social networks. Opera Mobile is the ultimate browser when connected over WiFi or wireless broadband. Also check out Opera Mini, the fastest browser on Earth. Opera Mini compresses data up to 90% and is the best choice when using slower networks or paying per megabyte of data used.

What's new in this version: Version 11 includes the following features:

• Modernized new user interface
• New UI optimized for tablet device
• Faster framerates when panning and zooming
• Text stays sharp during zooming
• Smart-tap, auto-zoom and highlights links if ambiguous link click
• Incremental zooming for devices w/o multi-touch
• Buttons for jumping to the top/bottom of the page
• Haptic feedback (if supported in hardware)

Review

Opera Mini 4 delivers a fast, impressively advanced user-friendly experience with this upgrade to its mobile phone browser. Keypad hot keys speed up zooming and scrolling. The browser comes with a familiar mouse. You can create your own search shortcuts, synchronize your bookmarks with your other Opera browsers, and alternate between rendering views.

There's also a landscape mode activated by pressing the "#" and "*" keys, just not for BlackBerry phones or a few others. Other limitations exist, as well, most notably that Opera Mini isn't compatible with every carrier and model, so you'd best check the specs first.

UrbanSpoon for Android

Note:The "Download Now" link directs you to the product page in the online Android Market. The application can directly be downloaded and installed on the registered Android device from your PC, or you can download it from the Android Market on your Android device.

Publisher's Description

UrbanSpoon for Android is a kind of restaurant slot machine. Just shake the phone and the wheels will spin until they settle on a good nearby restaurant for you. You can also lock down the neighborhood, cuisine and price you are interested in. Keep spinning until you get a restaurant you want to try.

Note: Available for the US, Canada, and most major cities in the UK and Australia.

What's new in this version: Version 2.1 can browse photos of nearby restaurants, right from the home screen, share photos of your own favorite dishes with our new photo upload feature, change your location by clicking on the map, and includes various bug fixes.

Review

Urbanspoon is a location-aware mobile app that helps the indecisive among us figure out where to eat. Open it up, and the Home screen presents you with a number of ways to receive restaurant recommendations or to simply search for a restaurant in your vicinity. You can Browse via category, see what's Nearby, or look at your Friends' profiles. There's also a built-in tool for booking reservations. If you're more into visual stimulation, the bottom of the Home screen displays a virtually endless slide show of photos from restaurants nearby. Swipe through them, find one you like, and tap through to the restaurant's page, which lists all the vital information, plus user reviews, links to restaurant Web sites, and critic reviews (when available). If you still can't find that perfect spot to dine, you can, of course, try Urbanspoon's most touted feature, its slot machine.

Shake, essentially a restaurant slot machine, is easily our favorite of Urbanspoon's features. Its three reels correspond to neighborhood, restaurant type, and price range. If you can't seem to find the right restaurant, just shake your device to send the reels spinning until they eventually land on your recommendation. Still not right? Shake it again, but this time try locking any of the reels to provide constraints for your slot-pull.

Overall, we think Urbanspoon is a perfect tool for discovering new restaurants in your area. Yelp may be a more comprehensive database of restaurant information and customer reviews, but it sure doesn't have a built-in slot machine. If your mainly trying to find an app that will cure your indecisiveness and point you in the direction of a potentially scrumptious bite to eat, Urbanspoon is exactly that.