Audio Spy Protection From Kaspersky

People are obsessing over cybersecurity these days for a reason. However, there are also other aspects of technology that needs to be protected as well because the threats are just lurking by. It is true that no one is safe on the web regardless of the antivirus or firewall you have installed on your device. Cyber hackers will always find a way to break through your defenses and either steal your precious data or do something even more sinister.

You’d be surprised at what cyber criminals are capable of doing nowadays. It’s not just malware you have to worry about. Even your conversations can be stolen and used against you later on. It is what you call audio spying. Even ordinary people aren’t safe because criminals will likely find you a valuable target for whatever reason wherever in the world you live. When it comes to audio spying, you can never really tell when someone has planted an audio bug in your place because these gadgets are often so tiny you won’t immediately notice them even if they are planted in plain sight.

To help people protect themselves from the threat of audio surveillance, Russian security software firm Kaspersky Lab has developed a method to counteract unauthorised access to microphone data on Windows devices.

The patented technology filters internal commands sent to, or received by, the Windows Audio service and indicates the creation of each new audio stream by any application.

It then uses Kaspersky Lab's 'Application Control' feature, which categorises all programmes depending on their reputation, content and manufacturer.

If it recognises that an 'untrusted' or 'low/high restricted' programme is trying to access the microphone, the request is immediately blocked, the company said on Thursday.

"When it comes to audio protection, the main difficulty in the development of this technology was the existence of an audio stream multiplexing system within Windows so that several applications can record sound simultaneously," added Alexander Kalinin, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab.

(Via: http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/kaspersky-unveils-new-tech-to-protect-against-audio-spying-1717591)

This global Russian brand is known for providing anti-virus and cybersecurity products that are helpful in a digital world that can’t always be trusted. Don’t underestimate criminals because they catch up fast with the technology we have today and they develop ways on how they can make money on the web doing malicious attacks on innocent web users. This new technology launched by Kaspersky addresses audio cybersecurity that has long been ignored by virtually everyone out there.

Kaspersky’s efforts have been to master this through development of this solution that is able to exercise control on the commands between the different services within the Windows Audio service.

Kaspersky claims that this is a first of a kind solution and the company has included it in its flagship security solutions products in the ‘home’ use category. These products are called Kaspersky Total Solutions and Kaspersky Internet Security.

Some of the other solutions offered by the company include the protection from invasion of privacy while using the webcam and also from any attempt to gather data via the browser.

All these solutions are ultimately aimed at saving the user from any kind of data theft while using a device running on Windows. By patenting the technology and then offering it as part of its regular security solutions products, Kaspersky is trying to be offer much needed support to the customers.

(Via: http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaspersky-develops-new-technology-prevent-unauthorized-audio-surveillance-64305)

With this technology in place, you no longer have to worry about unauthorized audio snooping on your mic. It is extremely helpful considering almost all houses own a computer now and you’ll never know when malicious third-party decides to invade your privacy through your PC’s microphone. It also works best because it filters internal commands and likewise prevents others from recording any other sounds from around the gadget. Kaspersky values user security, which is why the company makes it a point to develop technologies that uphold cyber security and prevent any malicious access to your digital accounts or devices. So, kudos to Kaspersky for doing a good job in protecting us and making money at the same time.

The following article Audio Spy Protection From Kaspersky was first published to BI

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/audio-spy-protection-from-kaspersky/

Self-Help Beats Chronic Fatigue

The world is becoming smaller and smaller as the days go by. Blame it on technology and increasing globalization, we feel that our time is not enough to finish all our tasks at hand. As a result, we feel chronically stressed and exhausted not to mention the hassles of the daily commute, exposure to pollution, work/school/personal stressors, health issues, poor food choices, and lack of exercise that take its toll on our body that isn’t relieved by rest or sleep. It’s no wonder you are susceptible to sickness because your immune system is virtually non-existent anymore or more often than not in a really poor shape.

Although it often goes undiagnosed, many individuals today actually suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as well as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) quite recently. Have you ever felt tired or extremely exhausted for no reason at all? You probably are chronically fatigued too. Unfortunately, it worsens in the presence of stress or severe mental activity or other unknown external triggers. On the other hand, self-help is otherwise known as self-improvement or self-guided improvement. It’s when an individual makes a change for the better without outside help at all, just your sheer motivation to overcome whatever difficulties you are currently facing.

According to a new study published in The Lancet, a self-help approach to exercise that is supervised remotely by a specialist physiotherapist may help people with chronic fatigue symptoms (CFS). The aim is to feel better and better manage their health condition.

The finding has been detected by analyzing a trial of 200 people with CFS who were assigned either guided graded exercise self-help (GES group) in addition to specialist medical care or specialist medical care alone (control group). The level of physical activity gradually incresed, while GES patients being offered information and advice by a physiotherapist over the phone or using Skype™.

The self-help approach eliminates the need of a physical attendance to specialistic clinic for patients. This can be costly and access to clinics offering the therapy is often limited.

(Via: http://www.emergency-live.com/en/news/defeating-chronic-fatigue-thanks-to-guided-self-help-approach-to-exercise/)

There is actually no known cure for chronic fatigue but it continues to impair people’s lives. It has recently been discovered that you can address chronic fatigue syndrome using a self-help graded exercise along with cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s good news for all those unfortunate individuals who suffer from chronic fatigue because so far, a measly 5% of patients only recover from this condition. What a depressing statistics.

According to questionnaires completed at baseline and at 12 weeks, the mean fatigue score among the GES participants was 4 points lower than that amongst controls and the mean physical function score was 6 points higher than amongst controls.

Around one-fifth (18%) of GES participants reported feeling “much better” or “very much better” when rating their overall health, compared with only one in 20 (4%) of those in the control group. No patients reported any adverse side effects as a result of GES.

“We found that a self-help approach to a graded exercise programme, guided by a therapist, was safe and also helped to reduce fatigue for some people with chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting that GES might be useful as an initial treatment for patients to help manage symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. We are now looking at whether the effects were maintained beyond 12 weeks,” says Clark.

(Via: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170626/Guided-self-help-approach-to-exercise-may-benefit-chronic-fatigue-patients.aspx)

The nature of the exercise itself being self-help is very different from traditional management that involves consultations in (pricey) clinics where the commute itself can take its toll on the patient. The patients were also free to choose the type of exercise they want from a list of options, thereby giving them more power to choose something they like and are more likely to keep on doing it on their own throughout the week. The goal here is to help them establish a daily routine that will help them address or reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome with as little outside help as possible. So far, this approach produces such a positive response that it sends a message of hope to those silently suffering from this condition that does not have the means to get themselves checked and treated by specialized physiotherapists.

Self-Help Beats Chronic Fatigue was initially seen on The Brand Infiltration Blog

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/self-help-beats-chronic-fatigue/

Trumpcare Continues To Be A Threat To Democrats

The health and well-being of all Americans had been under fire since President Trump assumed office and he made it clear to all Republicans he wants Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act repealed at all costs, even against expert conference opinions. When that happens, many poor Americans will lose access to the most basic of health care services once Trumpcare gains the upper hand and eventually gets approved in the Senate. The Republicans themselves had a hard time agreeing on the finer points of Trumpcare right from the start that Donald Trump himself even had to constantly threaten some Republican congressmen who can’t make up their minds to pass the bill or else…

Well, the Republicans are the majority now especially that the sitting President is from the Republican Party. Meanwhile, the Democrats continue to hold their ground and protect not just Obama’s legacy but the health and welfare of the millions of Americans that will be affected by a major overhaul of the American healthcare system. The fight hasn’t been easy as both parties held their grounds. Trumpcare even had to be revised multiple times to address its many flaws and solve the many problems of the US healthcare system (and hopefully get the approval of the senators who will pass the bill). Despite the long battle, Democrats can’t celebrate yet because they know the Republicans (especially President Trump) will not easily give up on repealing Obamacare and replacing it with one of their own.

Republicans backed off a plan to vote this week on legislation rolling back much of President Obama’s signature healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act. But Democrats don’t think this is the end of Trumpcare.

“It’s far from over. McConnell said he’s going to come back to it soon,” Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois said in an interview at the Capitol. “We’re not taking anything for granted.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Tuesday afternoon that the Senate would “not be on the bill this week,” as Republican Senators continue “discussions within our conference on the differences that we have.” But he added that “we’re still working toward getting at least 50 people in a comfortable place.” McConnell only needs 50 Republican senators to pass the legislation—assuming Vice President Pence breaks a tie —because Republicans are using a process known as budget reconciliation to evade a Democratic filibuster.

A number of Republican senators, however, have balked at the bill. Some conservative have argued it does not go far enough in repealing Obamacare, while moderates have expressed concern that it would too far in cutting Medicaid, the program that provides health insurance for low-income Americans. 

(Via: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/healthcare-senate-obamacare-republicans-democrats/531870/)

One of the reasons why Trumpcare does not get the votes it needs is because it is a cruel replacement to the Affordable Care Act. If implemented, the poorest of the poor will lose access to affordable health care insurance and leave roughly 22 millions of Americans without any health coverage among others. Obamacare may have its flaws but many see it as the lesser evil between the two.

For some Democrats, it was the fifth or six protest of the Better Care Reconciliation Act in 24 hours. Some of the protesters had done even more, with the progressive group Ultraviolet tailing Republican senators as they left their offices, the most aggressive of dozens of tactics to slow down or stop BCRA. More had been cycling in and out of Capitol office rooms for news conferences, where Democrats sat back and let Medicaid beneficiaries take over the microphone.

"You are the wind under our wings," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., to cheering protesters. "You are the reason we've come this far."

The delay of BRCA, which Republicans had hoped to vote on this week, came after disagreements inside the majority party. But it was egged on by the "Resistance," the loose collection of more than 1,000 groups working to stop the Republican agenda that sprang out of Trump's surprise election.

(Via: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-democrats-health-care-20170627-story.html)

The Democrats highlight that Trumpcare was crafted by wealthy Americans who have no idea what the life is of an average American. Moreover, it is also the wealthy Americans who will benefit in Trumpcare and not everybody else. Democrat legislators are even saddened by the fact that 60% of Americans are clueless as to what that legislation is all about. And because of that, the Republicans can expect the Democrats to always be a thorn on their sides because they want what is best for the unknowing public and not just for the handful of the elites who are close to the President. They even encourage the public to pressure Republican senators to protect their rights and vote “NO” on the health bill to put an end to it once and for all.

Trumpcare Continues To Be A Threat To Democrats Read more on: Brand Infiltration Blog

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/trumpcare-continues-to-be-a-threat-to-democrats/

The Media’s Role When Terrorists Strike

Terrorists love attention. Aside from their religious extremist views, capturing the attention of the world is what they live for the most. They love spreading hate and terror from people of all walks of life, especially in most progressive nations where their terror acts are highly frowned upon. News travels fast in an age where social media and the Internet rules. You can stay updated on current events in various corners of the world and even watch the story unfold in real time in front of your screen, whether on a laptop or your good old TV.

Aside from the web, the people hear these stories first from the media. Considered as the fourth estate, the media/ the press/ the print journalism have a big influence in society. It is no longer just confined to printed news since the media we know of these days can be anywhere from the TV daily news and radio news that have online outlets where people can easily access and get their daily dose of news from.

Propaganda of the Deed

Terrorism couldn't exist without the media. Throughout history, people have killed civilians to achieve political objectives, but the unique form of violence known as terrorism is inextricably linked to the media. In fact, the concept of terrorism only emerged after the advent of the mass media, when advances in technology enabled rapid and broad dissemination of news. It began with the printing presses during the Industrial Revolution, which made mass publication significantly faster and more cost efficient, resulting in the wide circulation of daily newspapers, especially in cities. As news agencies became wire services (which sent news stories over telegram lines), news of events was distributed even more rapidly, first at the national level and later globally because of undersea telegraph cables in the second half of the 19th century. These technological advances raised the global awareness of news events to levels never before seen, completely changing the concept of news coverage. The growing media capability also led to greater competition as rival news organizations vied for larger market shares and audience attention. This fostered sensationalism and ushered in the age of yellow journalism, all in an effort to boost sales. 

These dramatic changes in the news media were not lost on radical political ideologues, who observed the way the media was able to amplify the impact of their attacks. By 1885, anarchist Johann Most declared, "we preach not only action in and for itself, but also action as propaganda." Terrorist attacks were now acts of propaganda — or "propaganda of the deed" as they became known.

(Via: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/what-drives-terrorism-part-5-media)

If that’s not enough proof that the media is a big factor in the prevalence of terrorists these days, then I don’t know what is. Unwittingly or perhaps with their knowledge, the media operates alongside terrorists in spreading confusion and panic among the people. The media delivers news in real time even without verifying the facts, which may, in turn, spread false data that the terrorists can use to their advantage to destabilize the government and play around with the people’s emotions.

News coverage of the Manchester terrorist attack was sadly familiar: cellphone videos of screaming victims; details of first responders’ hectic efforts; “Was it terrorism?” guesswork; speculation about the perpetrator. In this case, the horror was amplified by so many of the killed and wounded being young people.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, covering the type of violence inspired by al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) has become a staple of the news media’s repertoire. Collectively, this reporting increases the public’s sense of vulnerability: An evil is out there, unpredictable and ferocious, sure to strike again.

But what’s behind that evil? When I watch or read mainstream news coverage of the attacks, they tend to treat them as distinct events, much like a train wreck or bank robbery.

(Via: https://www.salon.com/2017/06/04/mainstream-media-outlets-are-dropping-the-ball-with-terrorism-coverage_partner/)

Journalists should be responsible for reporting facts and as much as possible try to contain their emotions and opinions to themselves unless asked to or end up giving a biased reporting that can make things worse than it already is. Although we condone these acts of terrorism, we can’t generalize the entire Muslim population and persecute them for the mistakes of the few. That’s when more hate and prejudice arise and end up in even more religious terroristic acts.

The media is a powerful entity and people rely on them for news. It’s why they should bear in mind that whatever they say or show on TV or write on the print will sometimes be taken by their readers or viewers as the “holy grail of truth”. We can only wish for peace on earth now that acts of terror happen almost every day in various places of the world and hope that the media finally understands how important their role is in the occurrence of these terror attacks as a whole.

The following article The Media’s Role When Terrorists Strike was originally published on Brand Infiltration Blog

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/the-medias-role-when-terrorists-strike/

Free Data Recovery Services In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Harvey

We live in a digital world that is dominated by all sorts of technology. From the time you arise to the time you retire to bed, you use various types of devices that are meant to make your life easier but somehow make it more complex too in the process. Such an irony is more obvious during phenomenon like natural calamities and disasters when the world’s normal order is broken and people are left to their instincts in order to survive. Although these events happen rarely, the fact that they do happen should be enough to keep everyone on their toes.

The US just recently experienced a major loss especially if you live in or anywhere near Houston, Texas. Hurricane Harvey hit it with such a force that left thousands homeless and millions of lives temporarily displaced until the authorities are able to sort things out and help in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the state. However, the federal government tries its best to provide for the basic and immediate needs of the people but it can’t always offer help on other equally important matters like in recovering the properties destroyed. Fortunately, help is given to those in need, especially the ones whose homes have been badly hit by the storm and costly gadgets like computers and laptops have been drowned in floodwater much to their owner’s dismay.

Losing a home and personal property to a flood is obviously traumatic, but some people will tell you that losing precious photos and videos can be even worse. Thankfully,  DriveSavers is stepping up and offering free data recovery services to Hurricane Harvey victims.  The company can recover data from broken phones and computers, even those that have been fully submerged in water. DriveSavers typically charges hundreds to thousands of dollars per phone or computer, depending on the complexity of the recovery.

In a press release, DriveSavers offered its services to those in Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi and all other areas hit by Hurricane Harvey and its continued rain. The company is limiting its services to one phone or hard drive per household.

(Via: https://www.gottabemobile.com/hurricane-harvey-drivesavers/)

Data recovery is a crucial service in the aftermath of a natural disaster like a hurricane where water is the biggest threat to the integrity of your tech gadgets. Let’s not forget how sensitive these gadgets are and you will likely lose all your important files after having them exposed to the harsh elements for days on end. The biggest hurdle of all is the expense associated with such a costly service like data recovery that is a major burden to people who are trying to rebuild their lives soon after surviving a disaster. (more…)

Free Data Recovery Services In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Harvey is courtesy of https://www.brandinfiltration.com/

source https://www.brandinfiltration.com/free-data-recovery-services-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-harvey/

A Trip Down Memory Lane With Dr. Seuss

As young kids learning your ABCs and 123s, you spent countless hours devouring children’s books to learn more and to kill some time, especially that you don’t yet have the luxury of tech gadgets that kids these days now have. You had to be creative in fighting boredom and you often do so by actively playing outside or reading lots and lots of books. Some people even, believe it or not, check out fun and interesting museums.

Perhaps among your favorite stories are the ones told by Theodor Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. He is the renowned children’s writer and cartoonist known for his works like The Lorax, The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He has forever changed children’s literature and many of us would reminisce about the good old days with some of his stories in mind. After all, he is known as the father of children’s books and this upcoming opening of a Dr. Seuss Museum in his hometown in Massachusetts should be in your travel list if you are an avid fan of his work.

A whimsical world is coming to Springfield, Massachusetts, when the world’s first permanent Dr. Seuss museum opens on June 3.

As part of Springfield Museums, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss will be dedicated to the life and work of beloved children’s author and Springfield native, Theodore Geisel.

Visitors can learn about Geisel's life from exhibits like a replica of his former home and the playful designs he used to draw on his walls.

“Geisel was all about the fact that reading should be fun, and although everything here is underlain with the idea of learning, it’s really about being able to learn and have fun at the same time,” Karen Fisk, Springfield Museums’ director of public relations and marketing, told Travel + Leisure.

(Via: http://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/first-dr-seuss-museum-springfield)

Many of his books have been written decades ago but remain to be relevant and important to our changing times. The enduring value of his stories will remain in the hearts and minds of his young readers regardless of how much time has passed. The easy readability of his books appealed to people of all ages and this museum will now be a reminder of how much impact his stories have on you while growing up.

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss museum features artworks that have never been seen in public, along with interactive exhibits, and aims to explain how the author's childhood experiences inspired his work, Associated Press reports.

The first floor of the museum has games and climbable statues featuring the creatures created by Geisel, such as Horton, the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax and Sam I Am. Visitors will also be taken through the author's childhood bedroom and his grandparents' brewery and bakery. The more intimate second floor displays the author's belongings from his California home and studio, where he lived until his death in 1991.

"He would absolutely be at ease here," Leagrey Dimond, Geisel’s stepdaughter, told AP. "And to know that he’s going to be here permanently, safe, protected, that people who want to know more are going to make this trip here to see him, it’s perfect."

(Via: http://time.com/4805123/dr-seuss-museum/)

Having this museum is a great way to relive the magic of his work and transport you to a moment in time when nothing else in the world mattered but those goofy images from his books, stories full of moral values, and the cute rhyming that makes learning fun. While the meaning of the words and the values taught in each line is lost to young kids who loved reading it because of the simple storyline and the quirky illustrations, you’ll come to realize the essence of his words as you grow up and have a bigger understanding of life. If you love Dr. Seuss and his stories have a profound meaning in your life, treat yourself to a visit to this museum and rekindle that love for written words as you take a trip down memory lane.

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