Tech 101 - Episode 1

CourseCast of the Week

Episode 0069, 10/04/2008

Title/Description: Mobile Malware, 4G Wireless Networks

Welcome to Course Technology's CourseCast of the week, Episode 69, recorded October 4th, 2008. This is Ken Baldauf bringing you this week's technology news and information. This CourseCast is brought to you by Course Technology. Check out www.cengage.com/coursetechnology for innovative textbooks and creative electronic learning solutions.

Story 1 - Mobile Malware

Malicious software designed for mobile phones has increased over the last year and is prompting security experts to warn of the dangers. As phones begin to have the same capabilities as computers, it is only natural that they would become a major target for hackers pushing dangerous viruses and spyware. Malware can spread to phones when syncing with PCs, or through bluetooth connections, or through text messages, e-mail, and instant messaging. Some phone exploits cause the phone to connect to expensive 900 numbers or high-priced text messaging services. There are concerns that malware might utilize the handset to listen in on conversations or access cell phone cameras to spy on people. Spyware might make use of GPS on a cell phone to track the cell phone owner’s movements.

Others are concerned that as the public becomes increasingly dependant on GPS and GPS-based software and services, the GPS system itself might become a target for hackers. Researchers at Cornell University and Virginia Tech have demonstrated a technique for fooling GPS receivers into accepting bogus signals making the software show incorrect coordinates. Consider the impact of such technologies on aircraft navigation systems.

Sources: Malware Poses Threat to Mobile Phones [NewsFactor]

Story 2 - 4G Wireless Networks

Sprint's Xohm network has been launched in Baltimore. Xohm provides what Sprint is calling 4G wireless Internet using WiMax wireless technology at speeds that rival Cable and DSL at 2-4 Mbps. This is double the speed of competing 3G services. Sprint is marketing its Xohm service at notebook users, and for residential use. The service is priced at $35 per month, competitive with Comcast's pricing with the benefit of no wires, and access wherever you roam within the city. Notebook computers, netbooks, and other mobile devices with built-in WiMax will be coming to market later this year.

If 2-4 Mbps isn't fast enough for you, engineers at Battelle, a research and development firm based in Columbus, OH, have come up with a technology that supports wireless networking at 20 Gbps using the millimeter-wavelength frequency of the wireless spectrum. At this speed a wireless connection would be as fast as the fastest fiber-optic connections on the telecom networks. Now that's what I call a 4G network.

Sources: Sprint takes wireless service to the max in Baltimore [USA Today] Sprint Redefines Mobile with 4G Launch in Baltimore [NewsFactor], Wireless at Fiber Speeds [Technology Review],

And that brings us to News Briefs.

Think text messaging behind the wheel is dangerous? It was discovered that the engineer controlling the southern California commuter train that crashed killing 25, including himself last month, was text messaging at the time of the crash. Federal regulators have issued an emergency order banning the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by on-duty rail workers. [Associated Press]
A computer security researcher uncovered evidence that several online criminal gangs have compiled a list of administrative login credentials to more than 200,000 Web sites including the U.S. Post Office, and are using those sites to spread malware across the Internet. [Computerworld]
A new trojan has emerged as the king of malware recently. The RogueSecurity Trojan accounted for 61.5 percent of malware infections in September and infected nearly 2 million computers at its peak in mid September. [Vnunet.com]
Toshiba has demonstrated a new notebook battery that can charge to 90% in only 10 minutes. [Geek.com]
The US Food and Drug Administration is planning to invest as much as $2.5 billion to upgrade computer systems used to track the safety of food, drugs, and other products. [Boston Globe]
Congress has passed legislation that will require Internet Service Providers to provide reports on broadband use across the country in an effort to improve broadband access where it is lacking. [Washington Post]
Visa has announced plans to develop software for cell phones running Google's Android operating system, that will allow users to pay for merchandise by swiping the cell phone over a pad at checkout. [PCWorld]
The Copyright Royalty Board is considering a proposal by the National Music Publishers Association to increase music royalties from 9 to 15 cents. Apple has threatened to close down iTunes if the deal goes through. [NewsFactor]
Just as royalties are coming due for Internet radio providers, and companies like Pandora, face the harsh reality of not being able to pay the bill, the U.S. House and Senate have passed a bill to extend the deadline and allow for negotiation between Internet radio and the recording industry. [NewsFactor]
Remember Jammie Thomas? She was the woman who was fined nearly a quarter of a million dollars for making 24 songs available to others on LimeWire. This week, the judge in the case overturned the verdict stating that he misinformed the jury. He originally told the jury that simply making music available on the Internet is against the law, and now has corrected his statement saying that proof of someone actually downloading your music is required for copyright infringement to be proven. [NewsFactor]
The University of Oregon will soon be forced by the courts to turn over information on 14 students that the RIAA suspects of illegal music file sharing. [Ars Technica]

That's it for this week's CourseCast. Links to this week's stories and many more news and information resources are provided at the CourseCast Web site at http://coursecasts.course.com. E-mail us with your suggestions for the show at course.coursecasts@cengage.com. Until next time, have a great week and be sure to take advantage of the Power -- of Technology!