In The News

How to Completely Disappear From the Digital Grid

Katie Kindelan September 27, 2010
Criminals are not alone in hiding internet tracks. Routine users increasingly resist every impulsive, curious click of the keyboard analyzed and exposed by others. The book – “How to Disappear: Erase Your Digital Footprint, Leave False Trails and Vanish Without a Trace” – offers advice on privacy. Many users already use false names to explore news or post queries. But authors Frank Ahearn and...

Germany Leads With Its Goal of 100 Percent Renewable Energy

Daniel Boese September 7, 2010
Germany is demonstrating steady progress in unshackling itself from fossil fuel dependence by converting to renewable energy sources. Polls show that more than 80 percent of the nation favors development of homegrown wind, sun and geothermal energy alternatives and escape from importing the bulk of oil, gas or uranium from foreign sources. In economic terms, Germany is an early adopter. The large...

Google, Skype Targeted in India Security Crackdown

Erika Kinetz September 3, 2010
India is asking all companies that provide encrypted communications to place servers inside its borders so security officials can monitor user data. Increasingly, countries make demands on foreign firms producing goods and services desired by their citizens. “India seems to be gaining confidence in its own attractiveness as a market, taking a tougher stance with international companies, not just...

Silicon Valley Expats Spur Innovation in India

Sean Randolph September 2, 2010
As the US tech industry saw rapid growth during the 1990s, immigrating students and workers from Asia heeded innovation’s call. Engineers and programmers from India settled in Silicon Valley and enjoyed immediate success. About one out of six tech startups was launched by immigrants from India. Now some of these tech workers return to India, explains author and trade specialist Sean Randolph....

Is Europe Building Big Brother?

Jason Walsh August 30, 2010
As technology increases in speed and variety, governments seek easy access to citizens' electronic data for security purposes. The United Arab Emirates is banning BlackBerry encryption capability and the US proposes greater access to citizen browser histories and e-mail addresses without judicial oversight. One EU proposal would require Google to retain information on millions of users. Yet...

Intelligence Loopholes

Nayan Chanda August 30, 2010
Confidential messages have served as a basis for long-distance trades for thousands of years. Long ago a list of contents was baked into clay tablets that accompanied shipments. Upon arrival, the tablets were cracked open to assure complete delivery. The modern BlackBerry phone, with countless more messages over longer distances, also provides confidentiality. As secure phones become more popular...

The Two-Tier Internet: Fighting for Control of the Web's Future

Frank Dohmen, Martin U. Müller, Hilmar Schmundt August 27, 2010
Profit margins have shrunk for internet providers. Attracted by low prices and rapid growth, consumers rely on cloud computing, which uses central servers for storage of treasured documents – yet few understand internet technology or long-term maintenance needs. A recent release from Google and Verizon recommended regulations, calling “for governments to leave it up to the market to determine...