Month: March 2016

Eine weitere Initiative möchte mehr kostenfreie Zertifikate im Web erreichen. Doch dieses Mal geht es nicht um ein communitygetriebenes Projekt. Let's Encrypt macht derweil offenbar einen wichtigen Schritt. (Security, Firefox)

The advent of cheap Android devices such as Amazon’s Fire Stick and dozens of set-top variants means that anyone can install legal software such as Kodi and then modify it to do less legal things.

With the correct know how, all the latest movies, TV shows and live sports are just a few clicks away, all streamed over the Internet, for free. This ease of use irritates rightsholders who seem powerless to do much about the flood of illicit broadcasts.

Also complicating the situation is that individuals looking to make a quick buck are selling piracy-configured devices on eBay, Amazon and other venues, meaning that anyone can get in on the close-to-free TV action by shelling out a few pounds, euros or dollars.

Today, however, the UK’s Police’s Intellectual Property Unit (PIPCU) has made a tiny dent in this illicit market after arresting several individuals said to be involved in the sale of ‘pirate’ boxes configured to stream content including movies and sport.

Following the execution of seven search warrants at as many locations in the north of England (Consett, Lanchester, Washington, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Seamer), six people were arrested.

Police say that a 37 year-old man targeted in Sunderland was arrested on suspicion of distributing an unauthorized decoder, money laundering and making and/or supplying items for use in fraud.

The investigation, which was carried out with the assistance of Trading Standards and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), led to the seizure of 42 “illegally modified” set-top boxes configured to receive subscription-only TV.

“This operation is an excellent example of multi-agency working across force boundaries to tackle piracy and those intent on making money at the expense of honest subscription payers who deserve a fair deal,” says PIPCU’s Detective Chief Inspector Peter Ratcliffe.

“We routinely seek to identify and disrupt those intent on making quick cash from piracy and will use every enforcement opportunity to bring them to justice.”

While buyers of such devices might think they’re getting value for money, both PIPCU and the Federation Against Copyright Theft are keen to point out that they’re not risk free.

“Consumers need to be aware that these cheap pre-configured TV boxes are illegal,” says FACT Director General Kieron Sharp. “They are stealing copyrighted content and starving UK businesses from revenue, as well as putting consumers’ devices at risk of malware and ransomware.”

A pirate box holding itself to ransom is an interesting concept but not one that appears to be gaining any traction on sites specializing in such topics. Indeed, in many instances using one of these boxes is much safer than visiting streaming sites directly, since much of the malicious advertising is filtered out.

This week’s arrests follow at least two previous operations (1,2) targeting the sellers of ‘pirate’ boxes in the UK.

Source: TF, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.

Coole Entwicklungen bei OLED-Lampen: Wer nach den vielen Vorstellungen auf der Lichtmesse 2014 darauf gehofft hatte, wurde in diesem Jahr enttäuscht - mit einer Ausnahme. (OLED-Lampe, OLED)

Noch in diesem Jahr will die Lufthansa ihre Maschinen innerhalb Deutschlands und Europas mit Internet-an-Bord-Systemen ausstatten. Im kommenden Jahr oder später gibt es eine höhere Datenrate. (Internet im Flugzeug, WLAN)

Die Gerüchte haben also gestimmt: Microsoft hat den offiziellen Start von Windows 10 Mobile verkündet - die Liste der verfügbaren Geräte könnte aber manchen enttäuschen. Gut überlegen sollten sich den Umstieg Besitzer des Lumia 930. (Windows 10 Mobile, Smartphone)

T-Mobile hat sich nach monatelangem Streit mit Youtube geeinigt. Auch der erste Pornoanbieter ist jetzt bei Binge On dabei. (Netflix, Video-Community)

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Microsoft hat ein neues Insider Build für Windows 10 veröffentlicht - auch in der Mobile-Ausführung. Mit dem Update erhält der Edge-Browser eine Reihe neuer Funktionen, mit denen er von den Funktionen her weiter zur übrigen Konkurrenz aufschließt. (Windows 10, Microsoft)

Amazon hat die Beta 1.1 einer Lumberyard-Engine veröffentlicht. Verbesserungen gibt es unter anderem bei Twitch Chatplay - was Live-Let's-Player vor Herausforderungen stellen, ihnen aber auch neue Chancen bieten könnte. (Lumberyard, Amazon)

Das London von Assassin's Creed Syndicate ist eine der größten Spiele-Städte bislang. Damien Bastian von Ubisoft Quebec hat erklärt, mit welchen Mitteln sein Team die Metropole erschaffen hat. (Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft)