Google's Safe Browsing service is killing your privacy

  Google Safe Browsing is a service through which Google provides lists of URLs (addresses) of websites that contain malware or phishing content.

  These lists of suspicious sites are continuously updated using Google's web crawlers, programs that scour the web to index sites for Google's search engine.

  Lists from the Google Safe Browsing service are used by browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and apple Safari for checking web-pages users are trying to access against potential threats.

  The service issues alerts when they are about to open websites or content Google has classified as malicious. The warnings are display as 'visual messages' along with specific details relating to the malicious content concerned.

  The service is also designed to block the downloading of files infected with malware and, once a user's computer has been infected, it can issue instructions on how to detect and remove the malware.

  Members of the public can also access the lists of unsafe sites via a public API for the service. [An API, or application program interface, is a set of instructions that specifies the functions or routines required to accomplish a specific task, such as reading a particular list of websites.]

  In addition, Google uses its Safe Browsing service to send internet service providers e-mail alerts regarding threats hosted on their networks.

  More than one billion internet users are currently using the Safe Browsing service, either directly or indirectly and, according to Google, it is issuing three million warnings a week.

  The service is acknowledged as being highly efficient in protecting users from malware and phishing attacks.

Privacy concerns with Google's Safe Browsing service

  When using Google's public API (the Safe Browsing Lookup API) to check out a suspicious webpage, members of the public who are concerned about their privacy need to be cautious. The URLs (addresses) to be look up are not hashed (encrypted) so the Google server knows which URLs have been looked up using this API. This makes tracking your online activities ultra-easy.

  The Firefox and Safari browsers however use a second version of the API, Safe Browsing API v2, to exchange data with the server. This uses hashed URLs so the Google server never knows the actual URLs queried by the user.

 However the Safe Browsing API also stores a cookie on the user's computer which the NSA (US National Security Agency) uses to identify individual computers. This is a mandatory requirement that many users feel is acceptable as it helps them feel safe.

  In addition, Google stores another cookie on the user's computer that can be used to identify the IP addresses the user visits, ie can be used to track him or her.

  Google's excuse is that the tracking cookie logs this data in order to prevent DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks. That may be so.

  The API in the user's browser (eg, Chrome) will 'phone home' every few hours to check for updates to its list of malicious sites. At the same time it sends a payload that includes the machine's ID and the user's ID.

Should you turn off Google's Safe Browsing service?

  Even if you trust Google not to use your information without your permission or for some nefarious purpose, there is a potential risk that it can be picked up by a malicious third party when it is being echoed back across the internet to Google from your browser.

  The only way to prevent this is to disable the Safe Browsing feature in your browser, which is on by default.

 This is a real bummer as you would be turning off a great service.

 But that's what you've got to do if you don't want to be tracked.

  When making up your mind about whether to turn off Safe Browsing or not, you should bear in mind that even if the information that is tracked is not hacked, it is available to be accessed under a court warrant or at the request of the US NSA.

 The good news from Google is that Google only retains the data for two weeks and then deletes it.

 Not so, say some researchers, who believe that after two weeks the data is anonymized, ie names and other identifying features are removed, and stored in aggregate form.

 If this is true then having just the user's IP address, the cookie and timestamp would be enough information to decloak someone for something they may have done years before.

Google Glass With Real-Time Emotion Detection App

        The latest update on Google Glass is its newly created first real-time emotion detection app, which is developed by Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.

       The app is quite phenomenal as it accurately detects one's age and gender. The app works on-board that is, the cloud is not used.

     This is because the data used might be sensitive and thus, never leaves the Glass device. The emotion detection app would be perfect for people with autism, who face difficulty while depicting their emotions.

   The new app is built on SHORE (Sophisticated High-speed Object Recognition Engine) system.

    The SHORE started with just object-detection system on computers, however with time the system has developed into fine facial analysis system. The system has 91% and 94% success rate at picking out a user's face and gender, respectively.

    While talking about the drawback of the marvelous innovation, privacy is a big concern here. Albeit Fraunhofer has stressed upon its privacy factors, which explicate that the data never leaves the Glass device and the app is unable to find out the identity of the people you look at; still there is a big loophole, as the app is able to do both of these things.

        It is just a matter of time that someone unwinds these features and enables facial recognition.

     Then again, there will be negative implications but on the whole the positive ones will outnumber them. One can argue even on its positive aspects. For instance, while waking in public, you can know if a person (potential mugger) is looking at you with aggression. Or it could tell you about the person who you are trying to find out in a confluence of people. So you know what would be its advantages.

     Agreed, that we cannot just forego the privacy concerns, but what we are missing is that the private agencies and different government agencies have already released wide-scale facial detection systems, so it won't be wrong to say that the cat's already out of the bag.

     The continuous corrosion of privacy via smartphones, internet and wearable computers is bit daunting, but imagine if the police forces can use the same technology for controlling the hideous acts and catching criminals; should we still be talking about the trivial issues that Google Glass will bring?

Well, this might be a never ending debate. However, we all know how mobile innovation became a daily life necessity, same way the face recognition technology is building momentum and in the near future this will become inevitable either.

The Best Android Phones 's Verizon of Secrets

 The thirteen Verizon Android phones the The HTC ThunderBolt is currently their premier phone. Other popular Verizon Androids are the Motorola's Droid 2 and the HTC Droid Incredible 2. However, these two phones don't sport the 4G connectivity, while the ThunderBolt does. 

     From a physical point of view the ThunderBolt is fairly heavy (6.4 ounces) and large (4.8 x 2.6 x 0.5 inches HWD). For some this is not an issue and gives the phone a solid premier feel, but if you like a phone that fits lightly in your pocket this one might not be for you. The display screen is an impressive 4.3 Inches (800 x 480 pixels), giving you crisp viewing even at obscure angles.
   
   There is a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video calling and a powerful 8 megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash. The real aspect that puts this phone ahead of the Droid 2 and Droid Incredible 2 is the connectivity speed - the ThunderBolt is now running on Verizon's 4G LTE network. Verizon's rapid 4G network is new and already covers a large number of the major metropolitan areas. 

      For almost all the smartphones you are required to select the $30 data plan, giving you unlimited data, and there is no extra cost if you are running on 4G versus 3G. A neat option is to get WiFi hotspot, this $20 add-on allows you to connect up to eight devices, such as your laptop, to your phone's internet so you always have internet on the go. The flip side to having such quick browsing speeds is that your battery probably will not last you more than two and half hours of 4G use. 
    
   This has raised a lot of questions as to the functionality of the phone. However, on 3G you can expect to get around eight hours of talk time. Which by all accounts is very reasonable. The reality is you are likely to have trouble getting through the day without recharging. For a high pace corporate individual this might not be the right phone for you, but if you want to dazzle your friends with the fastest internet speeds then this one is for you. 

You are likely to find the phone quick to maneuver through apps and day-to-day use with the 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, and Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system. 

    Unfortunately, the Thunderbolt does not ship with the latest Android version (Gingerbread, 2.3). However, it is expected to have an official upgrade sometime this Summer, with unofficial version online for users that have rooted their handset. Note, Android has blocked users with rooted devices from using the movie rental options. The phone ships with 2.5 MB of built in memory and a 32 SDmicro card - more than enough room to store all your pictures and videos. 

To sum things up, the Thunderbolt is Verizon's premier phone. It is a better option for you even if you do not have access to the 4G network than the Droid X, merely because the interface from HTC (Sence) has better functionality than Motorola's MotoBlur. 

       If you are toying with the iPhone, don't. It does not have the 4G connectivity, and nor will the iPhone 5, soon to be called iPhone 4S. The Droid 2 might be an option to consider if you prefer having a physical keyboard (much improved keyboard from the original Droid). If not, stick with the Thunderbolt and hope that the next generation smartphone's have better battery efficiencies.

Facts About Ingredients of Indian Spices

         The spices used in the Indian delicacies not only enhance the taste of the food but also have many cooling properties that are beneficial for one's health.

      Indian food is popular around the world. The delicious and exotic taste of Indian food is appreciated across the globe. This is the reason there are so many Indian restaurants in almost every nook and corner of the world. London boasts of many good Indian restaurants running successfully.

  The cooking process of Indian food is entirely different than other dishes. It is much more complex, subtle and varied. It is fascinating how the spices used in Indian food are good for health and can be put to so many uses.

   The spices used in the Indian food have many cooling properties and are used in most of the recipes. Along with relishing the Indian food it is also important to know about various cooling properties of the herbs used in the cooking process and how well do they help the system.

    Indian restaurants in London keep the food as authentic as possible. It is only possible due to the right usage of spices in the recipes. There are some herbs that are good for your health in summer and Indian food have them in abundance.

   One of the most popular herbs used in Indian food is mint. Mint is naturally cooling and has many benefits added to it. It is good for treating bad breath. You can use mint in green chutneys, curry pastes, marinades as well as summer drinks. Another very popularly used herb is the coriander. It is mainly used for garnishing the food. Not only this, it is used to lessen the effect of too much spice usage in a delicacy.

    Turmeric is popular across the globe and is considered as the best healing spice. It not only helps in increasing immunity but is also used to cool off over heated skin. This spice also has anti-inflammatory properties with health boosting characteristics. If you visit any Indian restaurant in Brick Lane, you will find turmeric in every dish.

     The very famous tulsi which is also known as basil is rich in anti-oxidants. It is generally used in marinating chicken and a few other preparations as well. The most important spice of all times is the cardamom. The best Indian restaurant in London knows how to make use of it in kebabs as well as curries for a nice aromatic fragrance.

     Cumin is used in many drinks including jal jeera and aam panna. It is also used in the preparation of curries and lentils. It is well known for its property of giving a cooling effect to the body post digestion. Fresh ginger also has a cooling effect on the body and a very positive impact on your appetite.

Additionally, foods like cucumber, pomegranate, tomatoes, tender coconut along with its water, lemon, fenugreek as well as honey have cooling properties and are used a lot in Indian cooking.

Make sure you visit an Indian restaurant in London to get the taste as well as benefits of the Indian spices used in the food. It will not just be a treat to your stomach but it will also be beneficial for your body in so many ways.

In 2014 Most Popular Wearable Devices

    If you are a web user, you surely meet the term wearable technology. Wearable devices are referred as electronic gadgets that you can use. While wearable technology has changed through the years, many still think that wearable technology as a concept has to still go a long way.

      But, there are a number of important that you must keep in mind about wearable technology. Often, this refers to using technologies in groundbreaking ways. Like for example, the calculator wrist watch of the past was a wearable device. Though it could not live in the market for long, it is true that people always loved and wanted wearable devices. 

    Today, the concept of wearable technology has taken a new turn. They are now especially designed for function and fashion purposes and not just another gadget. 

Most Popular device:-

Smart watch

       Smart watches are like smartphones on your wrist. It can take voice commands, install and use applications and do other functions. Most of them run on Android platform and so, you can download games like the Air Hockey Penguin: Frozen Bird.

   It is an arcade game where flappy penguins play frozen ice games among the snow and rocks. They also run, glide, and race for the puck on the ice and air.

Google Glass

    Google Glass is actually a wearable computer. It is to be used like spectacles and looks like rimless glasses. It has the function to click photos of high quality because it has a 5 MP camera, record videos, function as a phone display and use different applications such as Google Earth and Gmail.

Cuff that is more than just a wearable.

   Cuff is considered as a great accessory. As the name implies, it is supposed to be used as a cuff on the arm.   

     The function of a cuff, nevertheless, stands out as it assures to so more than just being a wearable. Whenever the user of the cuff is at risk, he can press a button-like thing on the cuff and the person who is registered as the emergency contact shall be notified on their smart phone. 

      The position of the cuff-wearer will be transported to the emergency contact through GPS. This can be important in the case of women and teenagers.

GPS watch

     A GPS watch is not really a watch, but it's a GPS receiver that is banded onto the wrist like a watch. 

     It receives GPS signals and functions as a handy GPS without having to depend on a device like a smart phone. They are widely used fitness and sports purposes.

  If you are looking to shop a wearable device for yourself, buy one that you really need. Don't just go in and buy any product but purchase something that is valuable. In the end, it is not about having any wearable device but about owning something helpful to your daily lifestyle.