Stuxnet authors fine-tune attacks

Security researchers have warned that the authors of the infamous Stuxnet worm appear to be fine-tuning their attack techniques, potentially leaving scores of industrial control systems at risk, reports Computing.co.uk.

Researchers at Symantec have uncovered a new Trojan, nicknamed Dugu, which shares around half of its source code with Stuxnet.

That degree of re-use suggests the authors either worked on or had a very close relationship with the original Stuxnet authors, says Orla Cox, senior manager at Symantec Security Response.

Scientists have found a direct link between the number of 'friends' a person has on Facebook and the size of certain brain regions, raising the possibility that using online social networks might change our brains, notes Reuters.

The four brain areas involved are known to play a role in memory, emotional responses and social interactions.

So far, however, it is not possible to say whether having more Facebook connections makes particular parts of the brain larger or whether some people are simply pre-disposed or “hard-wired” to have more friends.

UK chip designer ARM has unveiled a new processor, which should allow manufacturers to make cheaper smartphones, writes the BBC.

The company hopes the Cortex A7 will enable a mobile computing revolution in developing countries where current technologies are often unaffordable.

Consumers in developed countries should also see a benefit. The ultra-efficient chip can be paired with more powerful processors in a 'hybrid' model to reduce power use.

While it promises to be a great help to users, Siri - Apple's voice-activated personal assistant - can also inadvertently allow unauthorised access even to a locked iPhone 4S, an Apple-related tech site reported, notes GMA News.

Macworld says Siri allows a user to send texts and e-mails, while the iPhone 4S is locked, if one holds down the Home button to activate Siri and composes an e-mail or text.

“But Siri isn't tuned to a single voice, which means that Siri can be used by someone other than you to send an e-mail or text from your phone,” it said.