February 2009 Archives

Data privacy has become a social and economic imperative, but protecting personal information is a technical challenge.

What is the way forward?

Brendon Lynch, director of privacy at Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Group in [snowy] Redmond says existing rights management technology could be the key to enabling individuals to take control of how their personal information is used.

Could personal DRM provide the assurance our personal information is secure? It will be interesting to see how Microsoft and other software and IT suppliers tackle this growing problem. What do you think?

 

Is it possible for hackers to tap into your set top box ? Computer Weekly reader Jeremy Jones thinks so. Jeremy has sent us a video showing some bizarre subtitles that have appeared on his television set.  The quality of the video isn't great, but it clearly shows what looks like a rambling child's story about her mum as a subtitle to the sports reports on the news. Jeremy is mystified, but he thinks his set top box, which he bought at Woolworths for £10, has been interfered with in some way. Can anyone out there solve the mystery ?

If communications minister Stephen Carter really wanted to create widespread demand for high speed broadband, he would encourage content producers. He should stipulate that the work should be high definition, low budget, and preferably (to create lots of jobs) with amateur or semi-professional people,

Ideally it will be content with a proven high demand that can be produced with little more than a high spec webcam in the privacy of one's bedroom or lounge. That should tick all the boxes in the government's crib sheet, except one,

Here's hoping this approach gets due consideration in his final report due in summer.

Computer Weekly team members are working from a variety of locations today, because of the poor weather conditions. Here's the scene that greeted content editor Faisal Alani as he made his attempt to get to the office (only to be met with no trains...)

How's that for backing up your 'can't make it in' call, eh?

So, service may be a little slower than usual - but we're still getting stories online thanks to the joys of broadband and remote working!

Update: Here's why I couldn't get in, what all the skivers without remote working access were up to in the local park (pics taken by my mum, as my VPN is working fine), the snowman spotted by James on Wandsworth Common as he struggled across London (James, not the snowman - I mean, they fly, don't they?), and the view from Cliff's home office in Hove (where he's been having less success).