Apple releases Security patch for OS X vulnerability

Apple released security patch for OS X few hours ago

Link to Apple statement about patch http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6150

My understanding is the big problem, that was shared with iOS [see iOS 7.0.6 SSL/TLS problem for more on iOS issue ] only affected Mavericks, though I could certainly be in error on that, and this patch fixes more than that single issue.

Links to media comments about patch:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26335701
• http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/02/apple-releases-os-x-10-9-2-patches-ssl-flaw-and-adds-facetime-audio-support/
• http://www.zdnet.com/apple-releases-os-x-10-9-2-update-patches-severe-ssl-bug-7000026765/

Security & Hacking: iOS 7.0.6 SSL/TLS problem

If you or friend/family member has iOS device, they need to update ASAP if they haven't already to iOS 7.0.6

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6147 "Description: Secure Transport failed to validate the authenticity of the connection. This issue was addressed by restoring missing validation steps."

Addition (technical) information:

• https://www.imperialviolet.org/
• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7281378
• http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/1ykt3t/ssltls_authenticity_checks_broken_in_apple_ios/

More (general audience) information:

• http://www.zdnet.com/major-apple-security-flaw-patch-issued-users-open-to-mitm-attacks-7000026624/
• http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/21/apple_patches_ios_ssl_vulnerability/

Ender's Game on Blu-ray Tournament today!

Minigun won the sister tournament to today's event http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Twitch_Ender%27s_Game_on_Blu-ray_Tournament.

Minigun will face winner of today's event, I'm hoping Scarlett, in a show match!

Today, Tuesday Februrary 11, 2014 we get to see the sister tournament to the one Minigun won, link to today's event http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/MLG_GameOn_Ender%27s_Game_on_Blu-ray_Tournament

For replays, full event schedule, etc see (click on power button for menu) http://www.gameon.gg/

Casters:  Catz & Destiny

Stream:  Updated Correct Stream http://tv.majorleaguegaming.com/event/gameon
   http://tv.majorleaguegaming.com/

When:  08:00 KST Wed/00:00 CET Wed/Tue 18:00 EST Tue 17:00 CST Tue 15:00 PST MLG GameOn

Not sure if today is just Group A, or if it is several groups, but there should be at least 1 or 2 more nights cast this week.

Several of my favorite players in this event, besides Scarlett, including Goswer, MajOr, and Kane.

Also get to see Nathanias, one of my favorite casters, playing in this event.

GL HF!

Windows Phone 8 T Mobile Texting problems

This seems to be WP8 problem on WiFi for Texting, I have been doing some digging, since I experience this problem frequently.

Best information I have found so far, from the customers not T Mobile of course, is here http://support.t-mobile.com/message/333431

Could be worse, if you have WP8 on Verizon, lot of problems with Texting issue that looks similar to this one, but more pervasive (perhaps not limited to WiFi?).

Haven't found any useful work arounds for the Verizon Texting problem, other than temporary *maybe* fixes like:  reboot, battery pull, deleting Texting threads, resets, etc.

Still looking for useful information on random crashes & reboots, as well as screen freezing when call comes in so you can't answer the call.

"Extra Credits" on gaming Difficulty and Fun

Couple of very good discussions on gaming, IIRC Extra Credits is associated with Penny Arcade, http://penny-arcade.com/, in some fashion.

Direct link for Youtube above http://youtu.be/BWFzFsHc75U
Link for Extra Credits Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz/featured

They do an exceptional job of articulating some of the differences in games and gamers.

Stuff I'd understood, but never heard clearly stated before, I know I much prefer games of Depth, as they term it, big part of the reason I still like Diablo 2 but can't stand Diablo 3.

Or Chess vs Checkers.

Difficulty isn't the motivator, or at least not the sole motivator, I also like Minecraft.

Worth watching if your into gaming, and very worth following IMHO.

Twitter and more info for them is available on their Youtube Channel.




Link for VOD http://youtu.be/ea6UuRTjkKs

TwitchTV status site or "Is TwitchTV down?"

This site isn't part of Twitch, but they monitor Twitch server status

http://twitchstatus.com/

Some of you may already be familiar with it, but probably not everyone.

Cliff's Esport Corner SITREP

As many of you have noticed, I haven't had many posts lately.

IRL stuff, my significant other had some surgery, and needed help 24/7 for some time afterwards.

Very happy to say that everything went very well for her, and that she is recovering quickly, though not quickly enough to make her happy ^_^

Things are to the point where I can start posting regular again, though it will probably start slowly and build back up to normal pace.

I didn't get to follow CES 2014 news very closely, so I would welcome anything of interest or comment about that, either in comment section or on Twitter @CliffsEsport or link https://twitter.com/CliffsEsport

I have been following the Target Credit Card Hack with great interest though, working on blog post about it, but can strongly reccomend Brian Krebs articles on it http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/01/a-first-look-at-the-target-intrusion-malware/

IIRC Brian was the one that broke the story originally, http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/12/sources-target-investigating-data-breach/, I remember seeing his Tweet about his Mom being interviewed about it at Target, while my girlfriend was still in the hospital.

Thanks to all my readers!

And a special thanks to everyone who offered good wishes, support, & prayers for my girlfriend's surgery & recovery, it was greatly appreciated by both of us!

Nerd News: Ars is hiring

Ars is hiring:  http://arstechnica.com/staff/2014/01/ars-is-hiring-a-senior-editor-and-two-technology-reportersreviewers/

As much as possible I try to post about job openings that I think Nerds would be interested in, certain many Nerds would like to work at Ars.

Full information at Ars link above, sounds like these are new positions (Ars is expanding their staff) based on response to comments.

GL HF

Nerd News: NSA & GCHQ so BM

"NSA and GCHQ collect gamers' chats and deploy real-life agents into World of Warcraft and Second Life"  ~http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/09/nsa-spies-online-games-world-warcraft-second-life

NSA document [PDF], written in 2008 and titled Exploiting Terrorist Use of Games & Virtual Environments http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/dec/09/nsa-files-games-virtual-environments-paper-pdf

The Guardian broke this story along with NYT & ProPublica:

• http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/world/spies-dragnet-reaches-a-playing-field-of-elves-and-trolls.html
• http://www.propublica.org/article/world-of-spycraft-intelligence-agencies-spied-in-online-games

Excellent TEDTalk | Conrad Wolfram: Teaching kids real math with computers

Transcript for those that prefer speed of reading (like me), or have bandwidth issues:  

• HTML/webpage http://computerbasedmath.org/resources/reforming-math-curriculum-with-computers.html
• PDF  http://computerbasedmath.org/resources/Education_talk_transcript.pdf
• Additional information http://computerbasedmath.org/resources.html 

Really good presentation.

He clearly articulates several thoughts I have had about this issue myself, as well as providing some additional insights.