Stuff YOU Should Know
Heartbleed Bug Security Breach
In the midst of recent concerns about online security, another digital vulnerability has been discovered that might put million of online identities at risk. Its technical name is CVE-2014-0160, but has been nicknamed the “heartbleed” bug. Experts believe that about 2/3rd of all websites are now vulnerable. Fortunately, most banks use their own encryption software and have not reported any vulnerabilities.
The problem stems from a glitch that was accidentally coded into the software a couple of years ago. The glitch allows hackers to access to credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information. Many online companies have already installed code patches to fix the problem. There has been one reported arrest related to the heartbleed bug. Nineteen-year-old Stephen Arthuro Solis-Reyes of Canada was accused of hacking into that government’s revenue agency’s website and accessing 900 social insurance numbers (equivalent of the U.S. Social Security number).
To protect your online presence, it is probably a good idea to change your passwords to your social media sites and other private information on the Internet.
Dig Deeper Authorities suspect that more breaches will become known as companies determine if they have been vulnerable. Do some research and see what measures, if any, are being made to remedy the situation.
“Summer” Movie Releases
You used to have to wait until Memorial Day to start seeing the summer’s big blockbusters films. But now they are arriving in theaters earlier and earlier. But its okay because that only means we get to see them earlier–and again and again if we love them!
Original Movies – Let’s be honest, summer isn’t a popular time for movies not based on a book, TV show, comic, other movie, or toy. Here are some highly anticipated original scripts, all of which happen to be science-fiction thrillers. Jupiter Ascending is an epic adventure by the Wachowskis (who wrote and produced the Matrix trilogy). Edge of Tomorrow is Tom Cruise’s most recent summer sci-fi movie. Guardians of the Galaxy is a new piece of the Marvel movie universe, which takes place in the “far reaches of space.”
Sequels – Once upon a time “Part 2” usually meant “not as good as Part 1.” Lucky for us, that’s no longer the case. Among the highly anticipated follow-up flicks this year are: The Amazing Spiderman 2, Transformers: Age of Extinction, X-Men Days of Future Past, Jurassic Park 4, and the third installment of The Expendables franchise.
Old Familiars – While not technically, “sequels,” these releases feature characters moviegoers will be very familiar with: Godzilla, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hercules, and Maleficent (the witch villain from the Sleeping Beauty cartoon, who is being portrayed by Angelina Jolie).
What Do You Think? Are any of the movies listed above on your “must see” list? Why or why not? Are there any on your list we missed? Speak up and tell everyone why!
U.S. Continues Support of Ukraine
Credit: Jennifer Thermes/Getty Images; there has been much news focus on the Ukraine in the last several months.
In our ongoing report of the crisis in the Ukraine, there is no indication that there will be a resolution any time soon. Russian special forces have seized government buildings in the city of Crimea and show no sign of leaving. The White House recently announced that the U.S. will provide $50 million in assistance to aid the Ukraine. This money will help strengthen both economic and political reforms throughout the country, including a presidential election scheduled for May 25. Vice President Joe Biden visited the capital city of Kiev and participated in a joint news conference along with Ukrainian Primer Minister Arsenly Yatsenyuk.
On April 17, the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union came together in Geneva, Switzerland for lengthy talks and negotiations. This resulted in an agreement designed to lesson tensions. A major part of the agreement called for “all illegally armed groups to be disarmed and for all illegally-seized buildings to be returned to legitimate owners and for illegally occupied areas to be vacated.” So far, Russia seems to have ignored this request. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went on television and caused the United States of “running the show” in the Ukraine and that Russia would respond if it felt its interests were being attacked.
What Do You Think? President Obama said that he hoped that “diplomacy would help deescalate the situation.” What do you think are the biggest challenges to this desire?
Chelsea Clinton Expecting First Child
The daughter of former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea, has grown up in the spotlight. She was born when her father was the governor of Arkansas and she moved into the White House at the dawn of her adolescence. While the media respected the First Family’s desire to limit her exposure, Chelsea remains the most covered presidential child in history. As an adult, she continues to live a life in the public eye, working as vice-chair of her family’s nonprofit organization, the Clinton Foundation and as a “special correspondent” for NBC News. In 2010, she married investment banker Marc Mezvinsky and recently made the announcement that they are expecting their first child in the fall.
Former President Bill Clinton now joins the “President/Grandpa club,” joining recent member George W. Bush, whose daughter Jenna Bush-Hager gave birth to a daughter in 2013. Former President Jimmy Carter (whose daughter Amy also spent some of her childhood living in the White House in the 1970s) became a grandfather in 1999, when Amy gave birth to a son.