Sunday, July 21, 2013

Your SIM Card is no longer secure.....

As if the uproar caused by the snooping of NSA into the phones was not enough to scare people and to put them on their guard, the recent development has it that even the mobile phone SIM cards are prone to hacker attacks.

The German cryptographer Karsten Nohl broke the news to the world declaring we might be having a problem ( as if we don't have any before ) .
 According to Nohl's research (all set to be presented in LasVegas on July 31st) the SIM cards which are mostly protected by the DES developed in the late 70's were hacked by him.

Now this is a serious issue not only in Pakistan but all over the world because till now the SIM card was supposed to be the impenetrable domain, however Nohl puts forward the figure of 1/8th ( i.e. an astonishing 62500000 SIM card world wide ) that are susceptible to attack.

It adds specifically to the worries of Pakistani nation ( who already are facing problems and concerns over recent barge of hacker attack on the online banking system in their country ), as almost 1.4 millon  people in the country use mobile banking ( easy Paisa UBL omni MobiCash) for various transactions. 

The Recent wave of Hacker Attacks on the Pakistani banks

Recently two Pakistani hackers Dr. Freak and Xploit3r have attacked quite a number of Online systems of the Pakistani banks.

This series of attacks which began by the said hackers when they first took out Soneri Bank website reached a new high when they took out Allied bank which is one of the most popular banks of the country with its customers spread nationwide.

The hackers maintain that their purpose is only to point out the weaknesses in the system. They reinforced the point repeatedly that in a country as Pakistan no one gives a damn to what you say until the sword is hanging over the heads. It seems as if they are trying to make their point (literally) as the attack frenzy didn't stop but continued as HBL, MCB, Sindh and KPK Govt. websites were taken out subsequently.






This whole episode has created much panic among the customers who are now concerned for their security and are questioning the safety of their confidential data. This event is an eye opener for the respective banks and the concerned authorities on the lax security measures. A prompt action is called for in this regard so as to give people some sense of security and addressing their concerns accordingly. Still waiting for the uptake on this issue by the PTA.
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Extradition of Aafia Siddiqui from US

So the news has it that Aafiaa Siddiqui from Pakistan ,who on the accusation of grabbing a rifle of a US marine and shooting at a group of FBI agents and soldiers was sentenced to 86 years in prison, is now to be handed over to Pakistan. This is a part of a deal between the two allies according to which they are to release other's their inmates.

Since her capture her sister Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui has led an active movement all across the country for the extradition of her sib and this demand for her release has been put forth internationally as well.

 It should be kept in mind that US claim of Aafia being an Al Qaeda agent is denied and scorned upon by the Pakistanis who deem this idea as preposterous. Aafia had also denied all the charges put up against her.


The part of US deal requires that Aafia is to complete remainder of her sentence in her own country. We still have to wait and see how this news is to be received in Pakistan, i have thoughts that her continuing imprisonment in her own country is not to be welcomed wholeheartedly and many will be having qualms at this.

Meanwhile the Interior Ministry's task force is considering the US offer.
A recent development shows that Pakistani nation is strongly opposed to terms of Aafia's release as Shireen Mazari of PTI declred it unacceptable.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Kate Middleton and Prince William Impostors @ Hospital in London

St. Mary's Hospital witnessed a strange event yesterday as Prince William and his Princess Katherine were spotted at the entrance of Lido Wing....and SNAP!!!!









 ... there goes the paparazzi cameras...
For a moment or two everyone assumed the moment was finally here....those who had been keeping a vigil for the #RoayalBaby went frantic.... and turns out it was all a prank played upon by The Sun .

The media has surprisingly been unable to appreciate the humor  in this situation.

 Seems as if the paparazzi are not happy with the turn of events. Funnily enough to me it seems as if they are not much enjoying when the camera turned towards them for once in their lives. Who says media can not make news!!!!!