Month: January 2021

Star Trek: Discovery 3. Staffel: Zwischendurch schwer zu ertragen

Die dritte Staffel von Star Trek: Discovery beginnt und endet stark – zwischendrin müssen sich Zuschauer mit grottenschlechten Dialogen, sinnlosem Storytelling und Langeweile herumschlagen. Achtung, Spoiler! Eine Rezension von Tobias Költzsch (Star Tre…

Die dritte Staffel von Star Trek: Discovery beginnt und endet stark - zwischendrin müssen sich Zuschauer mit grottenschlechten Dialogen, sinnlosem Storytelling und Langeweile herumschlagen. Achtung, Spoiler! Eine Rezension von Tobias Költzsch (Star Trek, Streaming)

Hackers can clone Google Titan 2FA keys using a side channel in NXP chips

Yubico and Feitian keys that use the same chip are likely susceptible, too.

Hackers can clone Google Titan 2FA keys using a side channel in NXP chips

Enlarge (credit: Google)

There’s wide consensus among security experts that physical two-factor authentication keys provide the most effective protection against account takeovers. Research published today doesn’t change that, but it does show how malicious attackers with physical possession of a Google Titan key can clone it.

There are some steep hurdles to clear for an attack to be successful. A hacker would first have to steal a target’s account password and to also gain covert possession of the physical key for as many as 10 hours. The cloning also requires up to $12,000 worth of equipment, custom software, and an advanced background in electrical engineering and cryptography. That means the key cloning—were it ever to happen in the wild—would likely be done only by a nation-state pursuing its highest-value targets.

“Nevertheless, this work shows that the Google Titan Security Key (or other impacted products) would not avoid [an] unnoticed security breach by attackers willing to put enough effort into it,” researchers from security firm NinjaLab wrote in a research paper published Thursday. “Users that face such a threat should probably switch to other FIDO U2F hardware security keys, where no vulnerability has yet been discovered.”

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Sci-Hub Founder Criticises Sudden Twitter Ban Over Over “Counterfeit” Content

Twitter has suspended the account of Sci-Hub, a site that offers a free gateway to paywalled research. The site is accused of violating the counterfeit policy of the social media platform. However, founder Alexandra Elbakyan believes that this is an effort to silence the growing support amidst a high profile court case in India.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.

Sci-HubBy offering free access to millions of ‘paywalled’ research papers, Sci-Hub is often described as “The Pirate Bay of Science”.

The site is used by researchers from all over the world, to access papers they otherwise have a hard time accessing.

Academic publishers are not happy with the service. They see the site as a threat to their multi-billion dollar businesses and have tried to shut it down through several lawsuits. At the same time, publishers work to have the site blocked by ISPs around the world.

Blocking Lawsuit in India

In recent weeks, Sci-Hub has become the focus of a high-profile lawsuit in India where Elsevier, Wiley, and American Chemical Society want the site blocked. The case isn’t as straightforward as in other countries, in part because access to Sci-Hub is seen as vital by many local academics.

Earlier this week, the Indian High Court declared the case an “issue of public importance,” inviting experts and scientists to testify on the matter. Meanwhile, however, the pressure on Sci-Hub grows.

Twitter Suspends Sci-Hub Permanently

This morning, Sci-Hub founder Alexandra Elbakyan informed us that Twitter has suspended the site’s official account, which had over 185k followers and operated without notable issues for nine years. Elbakyan believes that it may be directly related to the legal action in India.

“It happened right after Indian scientists revolted against Elsevier and other academic publishers after Sci-Hub posted on Twitter about the danger of being blocked – thousands of people spoke up against this on Twitter.

“Now Twitter said to all of them, SHUT UP!” Elbakyan adds.

One of Sci-Hub’s Latest Tweets

sci-hub tweet

The reason for the suspension is related to Twitter’s “counterfeit policy.” The social media platform doesn’t list any concrete takedown requests but simply mentions the policy violation and the fact that its decision can’t be appealed.

“Your account has been permanently suspended due to a violation of Twitter policies, in particular the Counterfeiting Policy. This decision is not subject to appeal,” Twitter writes, translated from Russian.

Twitter’s email to Sci-Hub

sci-hub twitter

According to Sci-Hub’s founder, the suspension is an effort to censor her and all those who support the site in its legal battle against the powerful publishers.

Massive Support From Academics

Over the past several days, many Indian researchers and academics voiced their support of the site in replies to Sci-Hub’s tweets. While the tweets from these researchers are still up, they’re harder to find. And Sci-Hub can no longer call for support either.

“Now after the Sci-Hub Twitter ban that’s all gone. Now they can lie and pretend, that there was no support and there will be no easy way to check that!”

Before the suspension, Elbakyan already started archiving Sci-Hub’s tweets and responses. Not just for the historical record but also to use in court, where they will be used as evidence.

“I collected these responses and forwarded them to my lawyer in India, Nilesh Jain. We were planning to read them aloud in court to prove that Sci-Hub should not be blocked,” Elbakyan tells us.

Some responses, more here, archived by Sci-Hub

researchers support sci-hub

While there are some academics who would prefer to see Sci-Hub gone, the site is supported by researchers all over the world. This is no different in India, where many scholars don’t have access to expensive subscriptions.

Damaging Paywalls

A lot of the top research papers are hidden behind paywalls, which is a continued source of frustration for many.

“The only reason students from egregiously underfunded institutions in India manage to do quality research is because of platforms like Sci-Hub and Libgen. If you block them, you block research. Period,” writes Sushmita Pati, Assistant Professor of Political Science.

TorrentFreak reached out to Twitter asking for clarification on their decision to ban the account but the company didn’t immediately reply.

Questions Remain, as does Sci-Hub

As far as we know, Sci-Hub’s Twitter account didn’t link directly to infringing content. There were some tweets linking to the Sci-Hub site, but these have been around for a long time. Nothing seems to have changed substantially.

Twitter is known to terminate repeat infringers but Elbakyan notes that this account suspension came out of the blue. At this point, it’s unclear if Twitter acted on its own or if rightsholders complained.

With Sci-Hub removed from Twitter, the site has lost its presence on the social media platform. However, whether that will do much to stop researchers from accessing the site is doubtful. If recent history has shown anything, it’s that increased legal pressure on the site only increases its popularity.

Suspended…

sci hub suspended

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.

Rocket Report: NASA ready to hot fire SLS, Roscosmos sues itself?

“We are obliged to file a lawsuit in connection with the satellite’s failure.”

A dedicated 747-400 aircraft will carry Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne to an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet before release for its rocket-powered flight to orbit.

Enlarge / A dedicated 747-400 aircraft will carry Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne to an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet before release for its rocket-powered flight to orbit. (credit: Virgin Orbit)

Welcome to Edition 3.28 of the Rocket Report, our very first of 2021, and a Happy New Year for what promises to be a great year for rockets! We start January off as busy as can be with a Space Launch System hot-fire test, likely another Starship flight, followed by a second orbital attempt by LauncherOne.

As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don't want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.

Virgin Orbit sets date for second launch attempt. After delaying its Launch Demo 2 mission from December due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Virgin Orbit announced a new window opening from 7am to 10am PT (15:00-18:00 UTC) on Wednesday, January 13th. Should there be an issue, the company said it had additional opportunities later in the month.

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Ladeinfrastruktur: Verbände kritisieren Entwurf für Schnellladegesetz

Der Bund will den Ausbau des Schnellladenetzes für Elektroautos selbst übernehmen. Verbände sehen einen Mangel an elektrotechnischen Kenntnissen. Ein Bericht von Friedhelm Greis (Ladesäule, Elektroauto)

Der Bund will den Ausbau des Schnellladenetzes für Elektroautos selbst übernehmen. Verbände sehen einen Mangel an elektrotechnischen Kenntnissen. Ein Bericht von Friedhelm Greis (Ladesäule, Elektroauto)