Posts by Prophet

  • Blocked piracy site list more than doubles after ruling

    The High Court has ordered the biggest batch yet of piracy websites to be blocked.


    The latest rulings cover 53 services in total and apply to the country's six leading net providers.


    It brings the tally of blocked sites providing access to copyright-infringing content to 93 since the first restrictions began in 2012.


    But one expert warned that workarounds and alternatives would probably mean users continued to break the law.


    A spokesman for the Motion Picture Association - which had made 32 of the requests - said that several lists of sites had been processed at the same time, accounting for the large number involved.


    They include:


    BitSoup
    IP Torrents
    Isohunt
    Sumotorrent
    Torrentdb
    Torrentfunk
    Torrentz
    Warez BB
    Rapid Moviez


    "Securing court orders requiring ISPs [internet service providers] to block access to illegal websites is an accepted and legitimate measure to tackle online copyright infringement," said Chris Marcich, president of the MPA's European division.


    "It carefully targets sites whose sole purpose is to make money off the back of other people's content while paying nothing back into the legitimate economy."


    Twenty-one of the sites were a result of a court order prompted by the BPI, a music industry group.


    Many of the services hosted links to pirated software, TV shows and ebooks in addition to films and songs.


    The ISPs affected are ***, BT, Everything Everywhere, TalkTalk, O2 and ******.


    "BT will only block access to websites engaged in online copyright infringement when ordered by a court to do so," said the UK's biggest broadband provider, reflecting a stance shared by the other firms.


    'Deters a few'


    Many of the torrents used to provide downloads of the copied media are listed on multiple services, so taking a specific site offline does not necessarily prevent access to the files themselves.


    However, it can make them harder to find, as well as reducing the number of advert views a blocked site received, which in turn hits the amount of income that goes to their administrators.


    The UK's net providers first began blocking such sites in in May 2012 after the music industry requested the action against the Pirate Bay under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act.


    "It deters a few people who can't access their usual sites, but most people will try to find ones that are not yet blocked or use VPNs [virtual private networks] or proxy sites to get the same content," said Ernesto Van Der Sar, editor of the Torrentfreak news site.


    "It's making it harder - some people will decide it's just too much trouble and give up - but the overwhelming majority will still find ways to download material illegally."


    The action has also spurred piracy services to become more innovative.


    Recently one released code that adds film torrent links to the Motion Picture Association's own search engine, undermining its effort to inform the public where to purchase or rent legal copies.


    "The Internet Services Providers' Association has long argued that web blocking is a relatively blunt tool," said the organisation's spokesman Craig Melson.


    "The entertainment industry should continue to adapt its business models as consumption habits evolve with technology."

  • 20% Off iTunes Codes When you use PayPal (Legit)

    20% Off iTunes Codes


    You can redeem your iTunes Code for music, films, TV programmes, games, apps and more on the iTunes store, the iBooks Store, the App Store and Mac App Store. You can access your content on an iPod, iPad, or iPhone, and watch or listen on a computer - Mac or PC.


    Get 20%* off £15, £25, £50, and £100 iTunes codes from their Digital Gifts shop. The offer valid until Monday 1 December.


    https://www.paypal-gifts.com/u…ers/itunes-promotion.html

  • Energy firms hacked by 'cyber-espionage group Dragonfly'

    More than 1,000 energy companies in North America and Europe have been compromised in a huge malware attack unearthed by US security firm Symantec.


    The hackers are thought to be part of an Eastern European collective known as Dragonfly, which has been in operation since at least 2011.


    Targets included energy grid operators and industrial equipment providers.


    "Its primary goal appears to be espionage," Symantec said.
    Sabotage operations


    Eighty four countries were affected, although most of the victims were located in the United States, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, and Poland.


    Since 2013 Dragonfly has been targeting organisations that use industrial control systems (ICS) to manage electrical, water, oil, gas and data systems.


    Symantec said Dragonfly had accessed computers using a variety of techniques, including attaching malware to third-party programs, emails and websites, giving it "the capability to mount sabotage operations that could have disrupted energy supplies across a number of European countries".


    It had used Backdoor.Oldrea to gather system information, including the computers' Outlook address book and a list of files and programs installed, and Trojan.Karagany to upload stolen data, download new files and run them on infected computers, Symantec said.
    'Interesting and concerted'


    "The way Dragonfly targeted the companies in question was - while not groundbreaking - interesting and concerted. It appears they clearly mapped out their intended plan of attack," said Rob Cotton, CEO at global information assurance firm NCC Group.


    "The increasing frequency and sophistication of these attacks whilst concerning should not be a cause of alarm for the average consumer - yet. Government departments such as the CPNI (Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure) provide sound advice to all key components of our society, ensuring the lights stay on and similar core services and functions critical to our way of life are available."


    The attack is similar to the Stuxnet computer worm, which was designed to attack similar industrial controllers in 2010 and reportedly ruined almost 20% of Iran's nuclear power plants.


    Symantec said Dragonfly "bears the hallmarks of a state-sponsored operation, displaying a high degree of technical capability".


    Independent computer security analyst Graham Cluley told the BBC that the motivation for the attack was unclear, but agreed that many would suspect the attacks were sponsored by a foreign state, highlighting a new era of online crime:


    "There is no doubt that we have entered a new era of cybercrime, where countries are not just fighting the threat - but are also exploiting the internet for their own interests using the same techniques as the criminals."


    Dr Andrew Rogoyski, chair of techUK Cyber Security Group, told the BBC that "on the face of it, the attacks seem much more benign than Stuxnet but time and further analysis will tell."

  • Sony Pictures computer system hacked in online attack

    Sony Pictures Entertainment has been targeted by computer hackers in an attack which reports say forced it shut down its systems on Monday.


    A skull appeared on computer screens along with a message threatening to release data "secrets" if undisclosed demands were not met, reports said.


    The message showed "#GOP" indicating a group called Guardians of Peace was behind the attack.


    Sony has issued a statement saying the firm is investigating the "IT matter".


    The tech firm has reportedly shut down its computer network as a precaution and advised employees that resolving the situation could take anywhere from one day to three weeks.


    Meanwhile, an anonymous user on the Reddit news website posted an image allegedly from a Sony computer screen, which said "Warning: We've already warned you, and this is just the beginning… We have obtained all your internal data including secrets and top secrets".
    Sony under attack


    News of the online attack comes just months after Sony's Playstation network was forced offline by a cyber attack in August.


    Wee Teck Loo, head of consumer electronics research at Euromonitor said any negative news for Sony just "piles" pressure on the company that has been struggling financially in both its TV and mobile business.


    "Three years ago, the hack on PlayStation network was massive, expensive and absolutely embarrassing. This time round, I don't believe that there will be massive damage, save for Sony's ego, even if the hack is real," Mr Loo said.


    Charles Lim, senior industry analyst at ICT, Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific, however, said the attack has put into question what "multi-layers of prevention" Sony has to detect and handle such risks.


    "In this breach, GOP claimed to have accessed private keys, source codes, password files and even their production schedule and notes, and that will raise questions," Mr Lim said.


    High profile companies like Sony can be targeted and hacked every day, according consulting firm AT Kearney.


    In its latest research, the firm said that experts estimate that at least 25% of all companies have already suffered financial loss through some form of cyber attack.

  • BT and Telefonica in 'preliminary' talks over O2 sale

    Telecoms giant BT is in talks with Telefonica about buying the O2 mobile network from the Spanish firm.


    "All discussions are at a highly preliminary stage and there can be no certainty that any transaction will occur," said BT.


    In 2002, BT spun off O2, then called BT Cellnet. In 2005 it was acquired by Spain's Telefonica for £17.7bn.


    BT said it had also been approached by another network about buying its UK arm.


    Unconfirmed reports have said these secondary discussions are with UK mobile operator EE.


    In late morning UK trade, BT's shares were up by 10.60p, or 2.79%, at 390.60 pence.


    In a statement to the Spanish stock market, Telefonica, said: "Telefonica informs that, although it is in talks with British Telecom, these talks are in a highly preliminary phase and there is no certainty that a transaction will take place,"


    Last year, Telefonica sold a number of assets in order to reduce debt and improve its credit ratings.

  • What's the best satellite for football?

    Quote from darrenr

    I've got a 110 dish which is pointed towards 7*w nilesat. But since bein sports has been cut what's the next best satellite for football?


    Somebody suggested Hispasat 30w or 19.2e


    There will be many difference of opinion on this one, but i would reccomend 19.2e and 0.8w as good satellites for football


    Various packages on both birds providing EPL, CL, Spanish, Italian etc...


    Bear in mind you will need the relevant viewing card or share to watch the chosen package

  • A Quick favour from 1 of the gang please


    here you go buddy


    http://rapidgator.net/file/e44…_II_HDTV_x264_TC.mp4.html


    or


    http://uploaded.net/file/bpeg6…ellew_II_HDTV_x264_TC.mp4


    below are all the undercard fights also


    .:: UPLOADED.NET ::.
    http://uploaded.net/file/0pocdai6/2014-11-22 Anthony Joshua vs Michael Sprott (*** Sports streamrip).mp4
    http://uploaded.net/file/y4lsxlhe/2014-11-22 Bradley Saunders vs Ivans Levickis (*** Sports streamrip).mp4
    http://uploaded.net/file/kc25mew0/2014-11-22 Callum Smith vs Nikola Sjekloca (*** Sports streamrip).mp4
    http://uploaded.net/file/px48jzdj/2014-11-22 George Groves vs Denis Douglin (*** Sports streamrip).avi
    http://uploaded.net/file/gglgiagt/2014-11-22 James DeGale vs Marco Antonio Periban (*** Sports streamrip).mp4
    http://uploaded.net/file/44dd021u/2014-11-22 Jamie McDonnell vs Javier Nicolas Chacon (*** Sports streamrip).mp4
    http://uploaded.net/file/zlbrt157/2014-11-22 Nathan Cleverly vs Tony Bellew II (*** Sports streamrip).mp4
    http://uploaded.net/file/tzmwiwj3/2014-11-22 Scott Quigg vs Hidenori Otake (*** Sports streamrip).mp4


    .:: RAPiDGATOR ::.
    http://rapidgator.net/file/e33…ports_streamrip).mp4.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/1fa…ports_streamrip).mp4.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/b54…ports_streamrip).mp4.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/8b6…ports_streamrip).avi.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/8e4…ports_streamrip).mp4.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/d6c…ports_streamrip).mp4.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/037…ports_streamrip).mp4.html
    http://rapidgator.net/file/e43…ports_streamrip).mp4.html


    .:: TURBO ::.
    http://turbobit.net/p6oip04r0nef/2014-11-22 Anthony Joshua vs Michael Sprott (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html
    http://turbobit.net/rmx1zy0vfbx7/2014-11-22 Bradley Saunders vs Ivans Levickis (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html
    http://turbobit.net/hzjxneizz1vg/2014-11-22 Callum Smith vs Nikola Sjekloca (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html
    http://turbobit.net/cyftkvq1o7u5/2014-11-22 George Groves vs Denis Douglin (*** Sports streamrip).avi.html
    http://turbobit.net/3het5pojrfwy/2014-11-22 James DeGale vs Marco Antonio Periban (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html
    http://turbobit.net/sqm41vtvji0d/2014-11-22 Jamie McDonnell vs Javier Nicolas Chacon (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html
    http://turbobit.net/z1e0oegfy85x/2014-11-22 Nathan Cleverly vs Tony Bellew II (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html
    http://turbobit.net/imfg5pkd3txt/2014-11-22 Scott Quigg vs Hidenori Otake (*** Sports streamrip).mp4.html


    .:: SecureUpload ::.
    https://www.secureupload.eu/67…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4
    https://www.secureupload.eu/1a…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4
    https://www.secureupload.eu/sd…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4
    https://www.secureupload.eu/tq…***_Sports_streamrip_.avi
    https://www.secureupload.eu/bu…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4
    https://www.secureupload.eu/ze…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4
    https://www.secureupload.eu/wd…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4
    https://www.secureupload.eu/nc…***_Sports_streamrip_.mp4

  • 8 way 2m extension lead with surge protection £7.50 @ CPC

    At this price looks a real steal, especially for the satellite enthusiast with all those devices to plugin




    EXTENSION LEAD 8G SURGE AND SWITCHED
    Cable Length - Imperial: 6.5ft
    Cable Length - Metric: 2m
    Connector Type A: Mains Plug, UK
    Connector Type B: Mains Socket, UK, x 8
    Jacket Colour: White
    Voltage Rating: 300VAC
    Lead Length: 2m
    Cable Assembly Type: Mains
    Cable Length: 2m
    Colour: White
    Connector Colour: White
    Current Rating: 13A
    Length: 325mm
    Material: Plastic
    No. of Outlets: 8
    Outlet Type: BS 1363
    Response Time: 50ns
    Strip Length: 325mm
    Voltage Rating V AC: 230V


    Individually Switched Surge Protected Extension Lead, White, 8x Outlets, 2m Lead


    Surge and spike protected
    Individually switched with full red neon switches
    Ideal for use with computer, audio/video and other sensitive electrical devices
    Wall mountable
    Maximum surge current: 4,500A
    Clamping voltage: 775V
    Maximum load: 13A/250V
    BS 1363/A and BS 5733/A compliant


    http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-ele…p/PL1049605?Ntt=Pl1049605

  • Google launches ad-free net experiment


    Google has unveiled a project that offers web users the option to pay to visit sites rather than see adverts.


    Dubbed Contributor, users can pay a monthly fee of between $1 to $3 for ad-free sites.


    When those who have paid their subscriptions visit a participating site they will see pixelated patterns replacing the adverts.


    It has so far signed up a handful of websites, including ScienceDaily and Urban Dictionary, to test the system.


    Others in the current trial include WikiHow, Mashable and Imgur.


    Access to the service is currently by invitation only and interested websites can sign up to be on the waiting list.


    Contributor describes itself as "an experiment in additional ways to fund the web".


    "Today's internet is mostly funded by advertising. But what if there were a way to directly support the people who create the sites you visit each day?" it asks.


    A portion of the money goes to Google and a portion to the website.


    Users log into the service via their Google account - which will trigger the ad-free version of sites.


    Howard Kingston, co-founder of adludio, a firm which replaces ads with interactive games, thinks current online advertising needs a rebrand.


    "Advertising, especially online has become a bugbear for many people, but there are new models such as this one, that could change the publisher landscape and how people browse content online," he said.


    Some websites are already experimenting with paywalls, including the Wall Street Journal and The Times but those sites still show advertising.


    A service called Readability tried something similar to Contributor but shut down in 2012.

  • Regin, new computer spyware, discovered by Symantec

    A leading computer security company says it has discovered one of the most sophisticated pieces of malicious software ever seen.


    Symantec says the bug, named Regin, was probably created by a government and has been used for six years against a range of targets around the world.


    Once installed on a computer, it can do things like capture screenshots, steal passwords or recover deleted files.


    Experts say computers in Russia, Saudi Arabia and Ireland have been hit most.


    It has been used to spy on government organisations, businesses and private individuals, they say.


    Researchers say the sophistication of the software indicates that it is a cyber-espionage tool developed by a nation state.


    They also said it likely took months, if not years, to develop and its creators have gone to great lengths to cover its tracks.


    Sian John, a security strategist at Symantec, said: "It looks like it comes from a Western organisation. It's the level of skill and expertise, the length of time over which it was developed."


    Symantec has drawn parallels with Stuxnet, a computer worm thought to have been developed by the US and Israel to target Iran's nuclear program.


    That was designed to damage equipment, whereas Regin's purpose appears to be to collect information.

  • Ofcom to investigate Premier League rights process

    UK media regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation today (Tuesday) into how the Premier League sells domestic live rights for matches from the top division of English football.


    The investigation will be carried out under the UK’s Competition Act and follows a complaint from pay-television operator ****** Media that was submitted to Ofcom in September.


    ****** Media took to Ofcom ahead of the next Premier League rights tender, which is expected to launch in the new year with the next batch of three-year deals announced before the end of the current 2014-15 season.


    Pay-television broadcasters B***B and BT Sport are the current rights-holders to the Premier League in the UK. BT acquired two of the seven available rights packages in the three-year cycle from 2013-14 to 2015-16, for £246m (€308m/$387m) per season, with *** acquiring the other five packages for £760m per season.


    ****** Media asked Ofcom to open an investigation, claiming that “significant consumer harm resulting from escalating rights costs” can be addressed through changes to the model for selling live rights.


    ****** Media’s complaint alleges that the current arrangements for the collective selling of live UK television rights by the Premier League are in breach of competition law. In particular, the complaint raises concerns about the number of Premier League matches made available for live coverage.


    ****** Media argues that the proportion of matches made available for live television broadcast under the current Premier League rights deals - at 41 per cent - is lower than some other leading European leagues, where more matches are available for live television broadcast. The complaint alleges that this contributes to higher prices for consumers of pay-television packages that include premium sport channels and for the pay-television retailers of premium sports channels.


    Ofcom said that it would consider whether there is a breach of the UK and/or EU competition law prohibition on agreements and decisions which restrict or distort competition. It added: “This case is at an early stage and Ofcom has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections. Not all cases result in Ofcom issuing a statement of objections. As a result, there are not currently any further estimates of the timing of any later investigative steps.”


    However, Ofcom has noted that the timing of the investigation could have an impact on the Premier League’s planning for its next rights tender.


    Ofcom added: “Ofcom is mindful of the likely timing of the next auction of live UK audio-visual media rights, and is open to discussion with the Premier League about its plans. Ofcom understands that the scheduling of football games is important to many football fans, in particular attending 3pm kick-offs on Saturdays. The investigation will take this into account and Ofcom plans to approach the Football Supporters' Federation and certain other supporters' groups to understand their views.”

  • New Internet data powers planned for police


    A law forcing communications firms to hand details to police of who was using a computer or mobile phone at a given time is to be outlined by Theresa May.


    The home secretary said the measure would improve national security.


    Under the Anti Terrorism and Security Bill, providers would have to hold on to data linking devices to users.


    A previous attempt to give the security services more powers to monitor internet use was opposed as a "snoopers' charter" by the Lib Dems.


    The coalition split saw the Communications Data Bill - which would have forced companies to keep details of everyone's online activity for a year - dropped by in April 2013.


    That bill would also have extended the range of information telecommunications firms had to store, including the time, duration, location and recipients of messages sent on social media, emails and phone calls - although a warrant would be needed to view the content of messages.


    In her party conference speech in September, Mrs May attacked her Lib Dem coalition colleagues for their stance on the bill.


    But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg later said that the suggestion that his party's opposition had put children's lives at risk was "absolutely appalling".


    The BBC's Simon Clemison said the latest announcement has again exposed the divisions between the coalition partners about privacy and security.
    'Disproportionate proposals'


    The new measures on IP addresses are to be put before the Commons on Wednesday and Mrs May said they would boost national security.


    But she said the case for increased powers must continue to be made.


    "The bill provides the opportunity to resolve the very real problems that exist around IP resolution and is a step in the right direction towards bridging the overall communications data capability gap. But I believe we need to make further changes to the law."


    The Liberal Democrats welcomed Mrs May's measures but said the "much wider and disproportionate proposals" will not be resurfacing under the coalition government.


    A spokesman said: "The Liberal Democrats are in favour of action on IP address matching and have been since it was recommended by the joint committee that did the pre-legislative scrutiny on the Communications Data Bill. The committee said the proposals were the only part of that Bill that did not reduce civil liberties.


    "This is exactly the kind of thing that we need to take action on, rather than proposing an unnecessary, unworkable and disproportionate snooper's charter."