OOPS: Iranian Spies Accidentally Leaked Videos of Themselves Hacking. “IBM’s X-Force security team obtained five hours of APT35 hacking operations, showing exactly how the group steals data from email accounts—and who it’s targeting.”
Author Archive: Stephen Green
July 16, 2020
DECOUPLING: VPN providers rethink Hong Kong servers after China’s security law.
In recent decades, Hong Kong has been considered a haven for data centers given its strategic location in Asia, a legal system trusted by international businesses, and reliable internet connectivity. Many virtual private network (VPN) operators keep servers in the city, serving mainland users who want to conceal their internet activity or access websites blocked by the Chinese authority.
But some VPN providers are reevaluating the risks of keeping their servers in Hong Kong upon the enactment of the national security law, which critics warn could compromise user privacy and have a chilling effect on free speech. Under the new legal framework, internet service providers will be required to turn over user data to the authorities.
VPN services are gaining ground globally as they claim to provide better privacy from users’ internet providers and sites visited, although they could be vulnerable to attacks if not properly secured.
In response to the new security rules, TunnelBear, a Toronto-based VPN service acquired by McAfee in 2018, announced it will remove all of its Hong Kong servers “to ensure the safety” of its users.
Hong Kong is mainland China now, and China is asshole.
IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN (AND THIS TIME THEY MEAN IT): Biden: Only 9 years left to save Earth from climate change.
USEFUL IDIOTS? FELLOW TRAVELERS? ON THE PAYROLL? YOU MAKE THE CALL! Green Activists Fuel China’s Dominance in a Sector Critical to the U.S. Economy and Green Energy.
IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE: The Trans Threat to Girls. “The first key factor for Shrier is the role of trans narratives propagated within schools. ‘Gender affirmation’ is rife within public schools across the US, she writes. She goes on to show how classrooms are being colonised by therapists eager to push children towards a pathway of lifelong medicalisation.”
PUNCH BACK TWICE AS HARD: Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University slaps New York Times with $10M suit for ‘made up’ COVID-19 story. “The long-threatened suit stems from a March 29 viral story that suggested several students were infected after returning from spring break. In fact, no student, staffer, or faculty member on campus was, or became, infected.”
I hope Bari Weiss is lining up a lawsuit of her own, given the hostile work environment she faced at the NYT.
KRUISER’S MORNING BRIEF: Shed No Tears As the Final Nail Gets Driven Into American Journalism’s Coffin. “What we have endured at least since the Kennedy administration (I haven’t checked much beyond that) is a bunch of leftist, state-directed propagandists who insist that they are doing serious journalism. They can call themselves journalists all they want and it doesn’t make it so. I can refer to myself as an NBA power forward all day, every day and I still won’t be able to dunk.”
THEY HATE YOU, THEY REALLY HATE YOU: University’s Anti-Bigotry Reading List Includes Book That Equates Conservatism With Racism.
THE OTHER 46% HAVE SEEN A RECENT VIDEO OF BIDEN: Only 54% of Americans Think Biden is Capable of Debating Trump.
UPDATE: “Have” vs “Haven’t” typo fixed!
AMERICA’S LONGEST WAR: US has withdrawn from 5 bases in Afghanistan after Taliban agreement.
THEY CHOSE… POORLY: Protesters in Kentucky Charged With Trying to Intimidate the Attorney General.
July 15, 2020
GLENN’S LATEST FOR USA TODAY: Bari Weiss’ resignation a sign of narrowing views at New York Times. “Once known as the ‘Gray Lady,’ the Times now looks more like a middle school run by the ‘Mean Girls’ crowd while top editors cower in their offices.”
“BIPOC” is “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.”
I imagine the ideological spectrum won’t be nearly so diverse.
CAVEAT EMPTOR: This ‘secure’ chat app spies on its users — what you need to know. “It appears the Welcome Chat messaging app isn’t secure at all.”
CHRISTIAN TOTO: ‘Ask No Questions’ – The Documentary Actors (and LeBron James) Must Watch. “The haunting film showcases repressive Chinese policies … and much worse.”
I’LL START MAKING MY VEAL PICCATA ONCE A WEEK, JUST TO BE SAFE: Proteins Required for Brain and Heart Function Activated by Pickled Capers.
A few too many capers is just the right amount.
TODAY’S INSANITY WRAP: Welcome to the Light Side, Jake Tapper. “What Jake Tapper conveniently failed to mention was his own employer’s role in setting Cuomo up to run his victory lap over the bodies of thousands of needlessly dead nursing home residents.”