Teenage hacker sentenced to six years without Internet or computers

Cosmo the God

Fifteen-year-old, Cosmo the God, pleaded guilty to a series of felonies and is sentenced to supervised web and computer access until he's 21. For a kid who shows a lot of talent for computers and hacking, this could be detrimental to his future.

Cosmo the God, a 15-year-old UG Nazi hacker, was sentenced Wednesday to six years without Internet or access to a computer.

The sentencing took place in Long Beach, California. Cosmo pleaded guilty to a number of felonies including credit card fraud, bomb threats, online impersonation, and identity theft.

Cosmo and UG Nazi, a group he runs, started out as a group in opposition to SOPA. Together with his group, Cosmo managed to take down websites like NASDAQ, CIA.gov, and UFC.com among others. Cosmo also created custom techniques that gave him access to Amazon and PayPal accounts.

According to Wired’s Mat Honan, Cosmo’s terms of his probation lasting until he is 21 will be extremely difficult for the young hacker:

“He cannot use the internet without prior consent from his parole officer. Nor will he be allowed to use the Internet in an unsupervised manner, or for any purposes other than education-related ones. He is required to hand over all of his account logins and passwords. He must disclose in writing any devices that he has access to that have the capability to connect to a network. He is prohibited from having contact with any members or associates of UG Nazi or Anonymous, along with a specified list of other individuals.”

Jay Leiderman, a Los Angeles attorney with experience representing individuals allegedly part of Anonymous also thinks the punishment is very extreme:

“Ostensibly they could have locked him up for three years straight and then released him on juvenile parole. But to keep someone off the Internet for six years — that one term seems unduly harsh. You’re talking about a really bright, gifted kid in terms of all things Internet. And at some point after getting on the right path he could do some really good things. I feel that monitored Internet access for six years is a bit on the hefty side. It could sideline his whole life–his career path, his art, his skills. At some level it’s like taking away Mozart’s piano.”

There’s no doubt that for Cosmo, a kid that spends most of his days on the Internet, this sentence seems incredibly harsh. Since he’s so gifted with hacking and computers, it would be a shame for him to lose his prowess over the next six years without a chance to redeem himself. Although it wouldn’t be surprising if he found a way to sneak online during his probation. However, that kind of action wouldn’t exactly be advisable. It’s clear the FBI are taking his offenses very seriously and a violation of probation would only fan the flames.

Do you think the sentencing was harsh or appropriate punishment for Cosmo’s misdeeds?


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Weekly Mobile Wrap: Election hangover edition

The U.S. Presidential Election is finally over. If you've been stuck in a politics-induced hangover all week, we have a collection of stories you may have missed from the mobile world in the Weekly Mobile Wrap. Apple keeps court with Samsung and Motorola, an Xbox Surface surfaces, and much more. Plus, the best apps and games from the week.

The 2012 Presidential election is finally over. We can all finally go back to Instagramming pictures of food like a civilized society. No more talk of red states or blue states. We’re back to being one nation united under our love for mobile devices. This week was packed with political stories, so it’d be pretty easy to miss all the excitement that happened in the world of mobile tech. Don’t worry because we’ve lined it all up and counted it down for you. And don’t forget, we’ve got the newest apps and games worth checking out, all in our summary of the news from November 4-9, 2012.

5. The Xbox Surface tablet surfaces

Microsoft is easily one of the most recognizable names in technology, but it just can’t make Microsoft synonymous with mobile. Even with Windows 8 out and running on PCs, tablets, and phones, Microsoft can’t get the love it believes it deserves. Instead of sitting back and letting others play with the OS, the Redmond based company might take matters into its own hands — and it’s bringing out the big guns to do it. Microsoft has reportedly begun development on an in-house tablet that will sport Xbox branding and focus on gaming. Now gamers can be insulted by sassy 9-year-old kids on Xbox Live even on the go.

4. Apple keeps holding court

We’re starting to think Apple never wanted to be a computer company. It truly wanted to be a law firm but just could never pass the bar. It’d explain why the fruit-themed tech company was back in court on two different cases this week. Not satisfied with a victory over Samsung earlier this year, Apple went after the Galaxy Note 10.1 and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The official lawsuit could include up to 17 more devices that either have a stylus or could use a stylus but didn’t ship with one. While we’re sure there’s some reason for this suit, it seems like Apple is suing Samsung for not including an accessory that Apple devices also don’t have. Given that Apple just had another case against Motorola dismissed in which the Cupertino company accused Motorola of abusing the patent system, it seems Apple is suing people for doing what it does. We wouldn’t be shocked if Apple had a patent on how to abuse patents.

3. Consumers can’t get enough, Foxconn can’t make enough

Even though Apple is spending much of its time in court, consumers are too distracted by the pretty looking products the company produces to really care about its extracurricular affairs. The first weekend they were available, the fourth generation iPad and its smaller sibling, the iPad Mini, sold more than 3 million units. Don’t expect those numbers to curb down too quickly, as everyone’s holiday wish list appears to have an Apple product on it. With the iPad Mini’s LTE model set to come out soon, it’s up to Foxconn to meet the demand. That’s something the manufacturer had difficulties with when it came to the iPhone 5.

2. New uses for your phone

The great thing about mobile technology is there are always new ideas that change and improve what you can do with your handset or tablet. Take, for example, the iPhone case that shoots pepper spray. It’s meant to be a defense method to fend off potential attackers. This is an improvement over the previous method of simply bludgeoning the would be criminal with your phone. Another new way to take advantage of tech on the go came from a mom that wrote an entire novel on her Blackberry phone. Finally, someone has found a use for Blackberry.

1. The week of app updates

You can skip down to the next section to take a look at the best new apps that came to market this week, but sometimes you just want your old trustworthy apps by your side. Some very highly regarded downloads got upgraded with an update this week. Among the old dogs learning new tricks are Tumblr, Evernote, Foursquare, Pinterest, and Pulse News. Another app we expect to see an update roll out for soon is Mitt Romney’s campaign app, which will now simply display unemployment numbers for Mitt Romney (currently at 100% unemployment).

Fresh new app of the week

365Scores (Free, iPhone) — Amazing moments in sports are something you have to see, not just read or hear about. 365Scores understands that and is here to score with sports fans. Not only will you get aggregated updates about your favorite teams, complete with real time updates of scores and stats, but you’ll also get video of every score just minutes after it happens live. This is instant replay on demand for sports fans.

Flitto (Free, Android) — Learning a new language can be easier if it’s a little more relatable. Flitto takes your Twitter feed and translates it to the language you’re trying to learn so you can compare English to what will soon be your second language.

Udemy (Free, iPad) — Udemy has been producing top quality online courses for people interested in all parts of computer programming. Now yo ucan take those lessons with you with this mobile app.

Fresh new game of the week

Angry Birds Star Wars ($1, iPhone and Windows Phone/$3, iPad and Kindle Fire/Free, Android) — This is the app you’re looking for. Use the force to bring Angry Birds Star Wars to whatever mobile platform you’re using. It’s the same game you know and love with a new skin that doesn’t skimp on the insider references. Star Wars fans are sure to love it, and even those that have no interest in visiting a galaxy far, far away are sure to enjoy a new installment in this fan favorite series.

Skylanders Lost Islands (Free, iOS) — Adding to the already extensive world of Skylanders, this game takes you to a whole new landscape where you can build and evolve your own village. 

World at Arms (Free, iOS) — War. What is it good for? Well, it makes for a pretty decent game. World at Arms puts you in the President’s seat after a war breaks out on U.S. territory. Stop the evil empire before it takes over.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Box for Windows 8 hands on: an easy-to-use cloud storage app better than the online version

Box windows 8

Cloud storage program Box launches its app for Windows 8. We tested out the new Windows 8 app to see how it differs from Box's online version.

Cloud computing is becoming vital to many of our daily lives, and a lot of programs and apps have stepped up to offer services for accessing your files at any time, and from any place. 

Microsoft already has a service for cloud storage called SkyDrive, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be forced into using it on a computer running Windows 8. In fact, those of you who’ve have been using Box for your storage needs can download a free app for your PC that’ll appear as a Live Tile on the homescreen. Box’s features are all the same as how you’ve experienced them on other platforms. But there are some intriguing differences between Box as a Windows 8 app and Box as an online service.

Working with the New Features

The biggest improvement the Box app offers for Windows 8 users is a cleaner, simpler interface. Rather than simply giving a list of files, the app’s main screen features three columns showing All Files, Recent Files, and Updates. It takes advantage of the operating system’s new capabilities by keeping most of the functions hidden in a pop-up bar at the bottom of the screen. Just right-click anywhere on the screen to bring up the usual buttons for creating a new folder, renaming a file, or adding collaborators. Online, these tools are listed out on the right side of the screen, which looks utilitarian and clunky. The app is also free of the annoying links that encourage you to upgrade to a more expensive account.

Box is also connected to the Charms functions. You can mouse over to the right and select Share when looking at a specific file for another way to collaborate. The Search tool and Settings options also link to it.

The notifications within the app are better looking than the Web version. A message appears in the upper right-hand corner with any changes made to the Box account in the Windows 8 app, whereas online, the text box is a yellow bar that appears at the top of your list of files. The app also has the smart addition of a Refresh button in the pop-up tool bar, a handy function that makes this iteration more similar to the mobile versions of Box.

When inviting others to access a folder, the Box app can also access your contacts. Clicking on “Browse” in the “Invite collaborator” screen pulls up the People app so that you can select from a full list of names that are linked to your email address or social networks. This process is much easier on the Windows 8 app than it is is on the online version.

A Few Inconveniences

One adjustment with Box’s Windows 8 app is that you cannot add a new file or folder directly from the main screen. The only options available from the home page are Move/Copy, Delete, and Refresh, which is a surprising limitation. You need to click through to the All Files page in order to create a new folder or to upload a file.

The only other major downside so far to the Windows 8 app is that it cannot open the documents internally. The online version can display any file type within your browser, but the Box app needs to launch other available programs in order to show the files. This is inconvenient, especially because some file types may only open through a program in the traditional desktop, which makes navigating between the app and the files more complicated. You may have to dig around in the multitasking bar in the top left corner in order to find the screen you want.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a great example of how a software developer can take advantage of the new features in Windows 8 for an easier user experience. If you’re a Box user and also a fan of the new OS, this is going to be a good change for you. It may take some tweaks for Box to be the best choice for cloud storage in the new operating system, but it’s definitely off to a good start.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 enlists Hollywood talent to bring its story to life

Black Ops 2

This Tuesday Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 will be released. Although the series is famous for its multiplayer, developer Treyarch and publisher Activision have put a huge emphasis on the campaign, hiring well-known actors to fill roles, and bringing Hollywood scribe David Goyer on board to write the plot.

The Santa Monica-based Treyarch is once again taking advantage of its Hollywood backyard to bring the new campaign in Call of Duty: Black Ops II to life. The game developer, backed by Activision’s huge coffers, enlisted The Dark Knight Rises scribe David S. Goyer to write the game’s story and dialogue.

James Burns

Actor James C. Burns (Criminal MindsMake It or Break It), who returns as Sergeant Frank Woods, said having Goyer on board shows how far the art form of interactive entertainment has come in a relatively short period of time.

“The writing of a narrative for a game is important, and it’s also an avenue for writers like Goyer to really tell a story in a different way, in a much broader way, than in film,” said Burns. “In a game like this you have multiple opportunities to change the story. You can follow storylines to different places. It’s more like doing a mini-series with a lot of characters, but it’s all done in one big swoop. For a writer it’s an opportunity to really stretch the legs and do a very multiple tasked story.”

Activision also brought actor Sam Worthington (Wrath of the Titans, Man on A Ledge) back as Alex Mason and enlisted a huge cast of notable talent to breathe life into the game’s many virtual characters, including Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead, Slither). In a first for the franchise, Goyer, who came on late in the development of the first Black Ops, decided to focus the story on the villain, Raul Menendez.

sam worthington“The most important thing is to create someone that the player can empathize with,” said Kamar de los Reyes (Read Between the Lines, Salt), who plays Menendez. “You can play a one-dimensional villain, that’s easy. But you want to create someone that the player will at one moment might love and empathize with, and another moment he will hate and not understand or relate to at all. That’s where it becomes really difficult, and fun, fun as the actor.”

In another move towards a Hollywood scale production, Black Ops II features full performance capture. The actors donned the increasingly familiar skintight motion-capture suits and read their dialogue while acting on set at the House of Moves in Los Angeles.

“This is the first game where actors like myself, James Burns and Rich McDonald are actually actors playing the roles,” said de los Reyes. “We are the guys in the video game. In the past, you always had stuntmen playing the roles and doing the motion capture and then having someone come in the voice like Keifer Sutherland or Gary Oldman to do the voice. It’s a lot of fun for the actors. I personally thought it was a hell of a lot more fun doing it all, and I think that’s what sets this game apart from all the others.”

Kamar de los ReyesTony Todd (Chuck, Candy Man), who plays Admiral Tommy Briggs, believes Black Ops II is going to be the most narrative game that gamers have ever encountered.

“Between the ‘80s flashbacks, the future setting, the holograms, and the current situation on the Battleship Barack Obama; it’s just going to be mind-bending,” said Todd in a previous interview for Digital Trends, who had over 50 pages of script to perform in the game.

Getting actors to come back for more Call of Duty isn’t that much of a chore for Treyarch. Everyone involved had nothing but accolades for director Dave Anthony, who helmed the game’s epic story once again.

“I loved working on Black Ops I,” said Burns. “Treyarch is a dream job and Woods is a fun character to play. Come on, I play army for a living for God sakes. And the story progression is phenomenal. I’m a big fan of the game itself, and Black Ops II is such a great, inventive idea of how to take it to the next level. I’m very proud to be part of it.”

Rich McdonaldWith the sequel being set in 2025, the returning characters are a lot older in this game – although the story does jump back in time to the ‘80s for some missions. Burns said Woods has evolved from a “badass weapon” into an “elder oracle” in the new game.

“Woods is the guy that has all this information and his function in the game is to illuminate the player as to the nature of the events, why things happened, and what’s happening,” said Burns. “He’s evolved into this still highly wired, pretty powerful – even though he’s in a wheelchair – character. He has his mental acuity is there. He’s smart. He’s incisive. He’s a smartass. He’s just that old guy in a chair that knows sh*t before you even think that you need to know it. He’s already got you pegged before you walk in the room. He’s evolved from this warrior with a knife to a warrior with an intellect. He’s this rugged badass in a wheelchair.”

The characters in the game are now old enough to have sons that become involved in the plot. Rich McDonald (Heart of DixieGod Bless America) plays Commander David Mason, son of Alex Mason. He commands an elite team of Navy SEALs, which ends up going after Menendez. The actor loves the futuristic setting, which introduces new weapons, drones and vehicles to the story and gameplay.

Celestin Cornielle“That’s a very intelligent choice to make as far as a time period to pick; not going too far into the future, but just far enough to where they can bring in certain aspects that are being explored right now in the technology fields,” said McDonald. “It’s all too realistic in that time frame. You also have elements from the present that are still going to be applicable in that timeframe, as well.”

Thanks to Goyer, the game’s script challenged actors to cope with major plot twists, as well as serious choices.

“My character is Javier Salazar, who is a military man whose spirit is torn between a way of life that he’s been taught and trained to do, and then something that moves him in a very internal level,” said actor Celestin Cornielle (The Finder, The Mentalist). “He’s forced to choose between two roads. One leads to light, one leads to darkness. To him, it truly leads to an awakening, a new consciousness, and a revelation that we all must be aware of. That’s all I can tell you without killing you.”

The campaign mode in Black Ops II is about much more than killing, although there’s plenty of that. With the success of the Call of Duty game franchises, developers have been able to work with larger budgets. And the growing fan base of gamers includes many Hollywood “names” both in front of, and behind, the camera. Goyer’s involvement has helped assemble a great cast of actors, who in turn deliver performances that Treyarch hopes will connect with gamers.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX 4G for just $50

You don’t have to wait until Black Friday to get the best deal on a new smartphone. In fact, you can get the DROID RAZR MAXX 4G for just $50, which is a significant savings from the regular price of $749.00.

Not surprisingly, the RAZR MAXX 4G can only be had for the $49.99 asking price if you sign up for a qualifying two-year service agreement with Verizon Wireless. As far as specs, you get a 4.3-inch AMOLED display, 4G LTE capabilities, dual core 1.2GHz processor, and a massive 3300mAh battery that they say will provide up to 21 hours of talk time and up to 380 hours of standby.

Other key features include the 8MP camera with 1080p video, Bluetooth stereo music, 16GB storage, microSD expansion slot, front-facing camera, GPS, and MOTOPRINT for wireless printing to any postscript printer via Wi-Fi. And yes, it’s compatible with the Lapdock 100 for a 10.1-inch netbook-esque experience too, but that’s an optional additional purchase.



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

It's free
archive