FM now stands for 'fleeting mortality' in Norway
The Scandinavian nation has begun a gradual shutdown that will see FM broadcasts start to be phased out later this month, and concluding entirely by the end of the year. Nationwide broadcasts will instead be offered through digital radio channels.
Reuters notes that there is still opposition to the DAB migration from both the public and members of the government, who estimate that while more than half of the population has moved to digital radio, millions of cars and homes that do not yet have a DAB receiver will be cut off from radio broadcasts – including emergency notifications
MongoDB Ransomware Impacts Over 10,000 Databases
The attack against MongoDB is a fairly simple one and is taking advantage of databases that have been misconfigured and left open, without the need for a user to first have proper administrative credentials. Once the attackers log into the open database, the next step is to fully take control and then steal or encrypt the database, offering it back to the victims only on receipt of the Bitcoin ransom payment.
The solution to the MongoDB security risk involves database administrators following the security checklist that MongoDB outlines on its website. The very first item on the checklist is 'enable access control and enforce authentication.'
Apple Removes New York Times Apps From Its Store in China
The move limits access to one of the few remaining channels for readers in mainland China to read The Times without resorting to special software.
Mr. Sainz declined to comment on what local regulations the Times apps were said to have violated, who had contacted Apple and when, and whether a court order or other legal document had been presented.
Defend IoT devices, win $25,000 from the FTC
"Consumers want these devices to be secure, so we're asking for creativity from the public -- the tinkerers, thinkers and entrepreneurs -- to help them keep device software up to date."
"The tool would, at a minimum, help protect consumers from security vulnerabilities caused by out-of-date software," reads a description of the challenge.
Programmer finds way to liberate ransomware'd Google Smart TVs
The company initially demanded more money than the idiot box was worth to repair the TV and relented offering instructions for resetting the telly after Cauthon took to Twitter to express his displeasure.
With the TV powered off, place one finger on the settings symbol then another finger on the channel down symbol. Remove finger from settings, then from channel down, and navigate using volume keys to the wipe data/ factory reset option.
France begins opt-out organ donation
This means that any adult who dies will now donate their organs by default, regardless of their survivors' wishes, unless they have signed a refusal registry in advance.
The law, which was passed last year, creates a national refusal registry, where about 150,000 of France's 66 million had signed up already. In France, there were about 19,000 people on organ donation waiting lists as of April of last year when the law was signed.
Germany Considers Fining Facebook $522,000 Per Fake News Item
The law would also force the social networks to create in-country offices focused on responding to takedown demands and would make these networks responsible for compensation if a post by individual users were found to slander someone.
German lawmakers believe this bill will help tackle the possibility of Russia meddling in Parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. This follows the allegations that the Kremlin was behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee that led to the leak of thousands of emails by key aides to Hillary Clinton.
Russian hackers strike at US electrical grid, report says
The code, which is associated with Grizzly Steppe, the Department of Homeland Security's name for a Russian hacking operation, was detected on a laptop associated with the utility but not attached to the grid, the utility said Friday.
"This is beyond hackers having electronic joy rides - this is now about trying to access utilities to potentially manipulate the grid and shut it down in the middle of winter," the Democratic senator said in a statement.
Ants craft tiny sponges to dip into honey and carry it home
The ants experimented with the tools and eventually showed preference for certain tools – even unfamiliar ones. The ants would drop the tool into the liquid, pick it up and then carry it to the workers back in the nest to drink from.
Senilis started off using all the tools equally, but then focused on pieces of paper and sponge, which could soak up most of the diluted honey they were offered. This indicates that they can learn as they go along.
Revealed: British councils used Ripa to secretly spy on public
Councils were given permission to carry out more than 55,000 days of covert surveillance over five years, including spying on people walking dogs, feeding pigeons and fly-tipping, the Guardian can reveal.
Among the detailed examples provided were Midlothian council using the powers to monitor dog barking and Allerdale borough council gathering evidence about who was guilty of feeding pigeons.