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Apple removes popular marijuana growing game 'Weed Firm' from App Store

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 10:49pm CEST par Wayne Williams

Weed Firm is one of those games, like Flappy Bird before it, that took the App Store by storm, reaching the number one spot purely through word of mouth. The trouble for Apple is the game follows the "vicious and lawless career of Mr. Ted Growing", an expelled botany sophomore, and is essentially a marijuana growing sim in which you produce and sell different types of weed, and interact with various shady characters including cops, gangsters, druggies and dancers. Not exactly the sort of game Apple really wants to see at the top of its charts.

It was perhaps a surprise that the Breaking Bad inspired app made it through Apple’s rigorous, and at times prudish approvals process in the first place, but having flourished far too well at the top, it was only a matter of time before it was hacked down. The game, inevitably, is no longer available in the App Store.

There seems little question who is behind the disappearance of the popular app. As the game’s developer, Manitoba Games, explains on its website:

As you might have noticed the game is no longer available on the Apple App Store. This was entirely Apple's decision, not ours. We guess the problem was that the game was just too good and got to number one in All Categories, since there are certainly a great number of weed based apps still available, as well as games promoting other so-called 'illegal activities' such as shooting people, crashing cars and throwing birds at buildings.

The developer goes on to explain that "We do not want kids playing Weed Firm, but we firmly believe that adults should have a choice to do whatever the hell they want as long as they are not hurting anybody in the process" and promises that the game will be back, albeit in a slightly modified form to appease Apple.

Although the game was free, there were the usual in-app purchases available, so you could improve your drug yield by purchasing equipment like watering cans, pots, and boosters. Business Insider estimated the app was pulling in around $83,832 a day before being booted from the App store.

The game has also been removed from Google Play, but that is down to a publisher problem and not any content issues with the Play Store, according to Manitoba Games.

Plans are already well underway for a sequel. "Weed Firm 2 will feature updated and improved graphics and gameplay, completely new locations, magic mushrooms, new characters, obviously, and much, much more!" the developers say. Although whether it will make it into the App Store remains to be seen.
Many security experts do not encrypt storage devices

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 6:53pm CEST par Darren Allan

New research has found that half of security professionals don't bother to secure data on portable devices.

The findings, uncovered by an iStorage survey which questioned 500 attendees at Infosec 2014, revealed that 50 per cent of security pros don't bother with security measures or encryption when it comes to data on USB sticks or portable hard drives.

91 per cent of respondents, though, said they were concerned about the damage that a data spillage could cause to their organization -- but evidently not concerned enough to actually go to any lengths in terms of protection, in many cases.

Two-thirds were aware that a careless data breach (from, say, dropping and losing a USB stick in public) could potentially face a heavy fine of up to £500,000 delivered by the ICO. Of course, you'd hope everyone would be aware of these fines -- and they were, it's just that a third thought the maximum possible fine was less than half a million (most of those wrong about the amount believed it was £250,000).

Lost portable devices are the third most prevalent cause of data breaches, according to a recent UK-wide survey iStorage pointed to. And there is, of course, no excuse for not encrypting data when it leaves the office -- particularly if it's even remotely sensitive data.

John Michael, CEO and Founder of iStorage, called the results of the survey "deeply concerning", and added: "Data loss can have a sizeable negative impact on business productivity, reputation and future revenue. To ensure critical business data remains confidential, it is imperative that businesses take the necessary precautions to guarantee data does not end up in the wrong hands".

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

Image Credit: Sergey Nivens / Shutterstock

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 vs 2014 Apple MacBook Air: Which is best?

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 5:32pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 vs 2014 Apple MacBook Air

The features of the new Microsoft Surface Pro 3 are impressive even when they are assessed individually. But they are even more impressive when grouped together in one single device, which might just be the first one of its kind that is actually the real deal -- it works as a tablet, it works as an ultrabook and it is good enough to replace both. At least that is what Microsoft is saying.

During the presentation event Microsoft made it clear the Surface Pro 3 is meant to compete with Apple's mighty 13.3-inch MacBook Air, more so than with the iPad. Make no mistake, this device is not a tablet in the traditional sense of the word. It is akin to a hybrid PC, much like the Surface Pro 2, due to its size, processor architecture and target market. So, because Microsoft made a big deal out of it being better than its ultrabook rival, how does it compare with the bigger MacBook Air?

Touch What?

Well, first of all the MacBook Air does not work as a tablet. This is a clear advantage the Surface Pro 3 has over it. Apple wants you to buy a MacBook Air for your ultrabook needs and an iPad Air for your tablet needs. Microsoft caters to both with the Surface Pro 3, as I already said. If we are to just tick boxes, the MacBook Air fails this one. No question about it.

But when it comes to working as a tablet, what does the Surface Pro 3 offer? Basically, the idea Microsoft is going for here is of a larger yet slimmer Surface Pro 2, with all its strengths and weaknesses. You get multitasking, a lovely interface, live tiles (if you fancy the idea), but you also get Windows Store.

The reason I am mentioning this is that while the Surface Pro 3 may work as a tablet, it may fail to work better than an actual tablet like an iPad Air or Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro, both of which offer more tablet-optimized applications that consumers want. If the lesser app selection of the Windows Store and the shortcomings of Windows 8.1 (the lack of a notifications center, for one) are passable, then the Surface Pro 3 will be a worthwhile choice to consider. Either way, the MacBook Air simply cannot win this round.

Workhorses

Both the Surface Pro 3 and the MacBook Air have powerful Intel Core "Haswell" processors, but only the former gives consumers the option to get the lesser i3. Apple just updated the ultrabook lineup with faster processors, which are likely to also be used by Microsoft in the Surface Pro 3 (it uses ultra low voltage ones), which would make them evenly matched in this department.

They can also be had with up to 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage. The MacBook Air may offer more flexibility in this regard as build-to-order configurations are possible, but the two devices are, again, evenly matched. That said, neither is actually good enough to compete with a business-grade workstation or full-blown desktop PC, when it comes to configuration flexibility or processing power.

The Surface Pro 3 has a smaller screen than the MacBook Air, but is touch enabled and comes with a much higher, effective, resolution (2160 by 1440 vs 1440 by 900) even when scaled to 150 percent (1440 by 960). The 3:2 aspect ratio makes it less than ideal for watching movies, but, other than that, it makes more sense, at least for me, as the slightly less narrow aspect ratio is more suited for common tasks like web browsing. The only thing the MacBook Air's screen has got going for it is the larger physical size.

The Surface Pro 3 also adds a Surface pen (stylus), which allows users to jot down notes, draw and so on. It is a nice-to-have feature, which makes the device more attractive when used as a tablet. The MacBook Air, because it does not even have a touchscreen, once again cannot match the Surface Pro 3.

The MacBook Air, though, bests the Surface Pro 3 when it comes to expandability out-of-the-box. It offers one more USB port and it also comes with a full-size SD card slot. Someone who is into photography will be disappointed to see Microsoft adopting a microSD card slot, again, when no proper camera uses this format. It is worth pointing out the 11.6-inch MacBook Air skimps on the SD card slot, but retains the two USB 3.0 ports. Personally, I consider the SD card slot to be a big deal, as it makes it easy to transfer photos quickly from my DSLR.

The Surface Pro 3 obliterates the MacBook Air when paired with the docking station (a $199.99 accessory, mind you). You get 4K out via a Mini DisplayPort (the MacBook Air also has one, but the maximum output resolution is lower at 2560 by 1600) and more expansion ports (three USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, Ethernet, audio out).

The MacBook Air comes out on top in the keyboard department, as the Surface Pro 3 ships with none in the box. A $129.99 accessory evens things out though, but I think if you are going to be typing a lot -- using the device more like an ultrabook rather than a tablet -- the MacBook Air is a better choice. It requires no additional purchase, the keyboard is superb (it might require some getting used to coming from a Windows PC) and the touchpad below it is unmatched in the industry. Microsoft has improved its accessory, but, from my perspective, the design is not as good for ultrabook duty.

There are other differences too. The Surface Pro 3 has two 5 MP cameras while the MacBook Air only has one. Whether that makes a difference or not depends on the user, but either way the former is better-equipped here. It also comes with a TPM chip, which, again, may or may not be useful (as would the various sensors). On the other hand, the Wi-Fi in the Surface Pro 3 is limited to 802.11n while in the MacBook Air it goes up to 802.11ac, which is much faster but this is only noticeable when transferring large files over a router which supports the technology (which are few).

Portability and Battery Life

The Surface Pro 3 is the thinner (9.1 mm vs 3 - 17 mm for the MacBook Air) and lighter (800 grams vs 1.35 kilograms) device of the two, even with the Type Cover 2 attached (13.9 mm and roughly 1100 grams, respectively). The difference is not that significant between the Surface Pro 3 combo and the MacBook Air, but it is there nonetheless. Lightness and thinness are desirable traits, more so when using the Windows 8.1 device as a tablet rather than an ultrabook.

Battery life is a different matter. Microsoft quotes up to nine hours for the Surface Pro 3, for web browsing, while Apple says the MacBook Air (the 13.3-inch 2014 model) battery lasts up to 12 hours, of browsing or iTunes video playback, and up to 30 days in standby. That is a 33.3 percent improvement over the Surface Pro 3 in daily use. The MacBook Air has been tested to last even longer though.

Windows 8.1 vs OS X 10.9 Mavericks (with Windows 8.1)

To keep it short, I will say the specs matter up to a point. Software plays a much more important role here, especially when the two devices run different operating systems. That means, aside from the clear differences in the app ecosystem (Windows 8.1 clearly wins the fight here), other factors, like personal preference, ease of use, habit and so on, come into play.

Those who rely on Windows-exclusive software will not switch just as those who rely on OS X-exclusive software will not do the same. That being said, the MacBook Air does have a neat trick up its sleeve. It can also run Windows 8.1, natively, so the strength of each software ecosystem plays in favor of the Apple-branded ultrabook.

Price

This is where things get tricky. To compare the Surface Pro 3 with the MacBook Air, the cost of the optional keyboard has to be factored in. It adds $129.99 to the price of the Windows 8.1 device, effectively starting at roughly $930.

Meanwhile, the least-powerful MacBook Air kicks off at $999, just $70 more. It comes with a faster Core i5 processor (compared to the Core i3 in the Surface Pro 3) and double the internal storage (128 GB compared to the 64 GB in the Surface Pro 3). I created a price comparison table to showcase the difference between the two, shown below.

Configuration	Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with Type Cover	2014 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Air	Price Difference	2013 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display*
64 GB Core i3 with 4 GB of RAM	$928.99	-	-	-
128 GB Core i5 with 4GB of RAM	$1,128.99	$999	$129.99	$1,299
256 GB Core i5 with 8 GB of RAM	$1,428.99	$1,299	$129.99	$1,499
256 GB Core i7 with 8 GB of RAM	$1,678.99	$1,449	$229.99	$1,599
512 GB Core i7 with 8 GB of RAM	$2,078.99	$1,749	$329.99	$1,999

It also includes the rough equivalent of the 2013 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display (rMBP), to see how the Surface Pro 3 compares to a premium Apple laptop. It must be pointed out the former offers a higher-resolution display (2560 by 1600) and is much faster than either the Surface Pro 3 or the MacBook Air, even with the base processor, as neither its Core i5 nor its Core i7 options are ultra low voltage models. (Hence the asterisk next to its name.)

It must also be pointed out the said rMBP is thicker and heavier than both, offers 4K output, has one more Thunderbolt port (native Mini DisplayPort) than the MacBook Air as well as an HDMI port, and similar battery life (Apple quotes nine hours of web browsing or iTunes video playback) to the Surface Pro 3.

As you can see from the table above, the Surface Pro 3, excluding the base model which does not have a MacBook Air equivalent, is more expensive than the comparable Apple-branded ultrabook. The two best-specified configurations (fourth and fifth in the table above) are even more expensive than the similar rMBP. But, it is arguably a much more advanced device than the MacBook Air, which is in dire need of an overhaul. Overall, it is the better option based on specs. One thing is certain. If I would have to choose between buying the Surface Pro 3 or the MacBook Air, I will definitely not give Apple my money.

Good-Enough to Switch?

It is up to you to decide whether the features Surface Pro 3 offers are enough to justify the difference. As a 2013 13.3-inch MacBook Air owner, I can see the appeal in the Windows 8.1 device. But herein lies the problem.

For those who are looking to upgrade from a laptop to a Windows 8.1 hybrid, the Surface Pro 3 is definitely a top choice. There is not even a shred of doubt there. But, on the other hand, I believe many will not switch from the devices -- laptop and tablet -- they already own to the Surface Pro 3 just because it is able to replace them.

The way I see it, the target market for the Surface Pro 3 is comprised of those who wish to upgrade from older laptops to a Windows 8.1 ultrabook and those who want more than what a tablet offers yet still want a tablet. For someone like me, the Surface Pro 3 is highly attractive but I would not purchase one right now unless my MacBook Air and Google Nexus 7 fall apart (and my better half decides she does not want to share a tablet with me anymore). In a few years, however, such a device would make sense for me and, I presume, a lot of other people.

XMPP-based instant messaging services embrace encryption

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 5:30pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

Various instant messaging services are on the verge of blocking unencrypted chat messages thanks to the roll out of a XMPP upgrade that has been in the pipeline for some time.

The XMPP Standard Foundation confirmed that the 70 services that are part of the public XMPP network turned on mandatory encryption for client-to-server and server-to-server connections.

"Today, a large number of services on the public XMPP network permanently turned on mandatory encryption for client-to-server and server-to-server connections. This is the first step toward making the XMPP network more secure for all users", Peter Saint-Andre, the technologist behind the initiative, told The Register.

XMPP was first used by the Jabber instant messaging service and is now implemented, in part, by almost all of the world’s popular IM services, and one signatory company, Prosodical, admitted that the pledge was a prerequisite for other security changes to take place.

"While XMPP is an open distributed network, obviously no single entity can mandate encryption for the whole network -- but as a group we are moving in the right direction", stated a company blog post. "This commitment to encrypted connections is only the first step toward more secure communication using XMPP, and does not obviate the need for technologies supporting end-to-end encryption such as Off-the-Record Messaging, strong authentication, channel binding, secure DNS, server identity checking, and secure service delegation".

A similar initiative entitled Reset the Net is also moving in a similar direction as the coalition of privacy groups looks to persuade further implementation of SSL, HTTP Strict Transport Security [HSTS], Perfect Forward Secrecy [PFS] and end-to-end encryption.

The movement in the direction of mandatory encryption has been rolling along ever since widespread National Security Agency (NSA) snooping and spying was revealed by renowned whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

Photo Credit: Maksim Kabakou/Shutterstock
Chrome 35 adds developer-friendly tools, switches Linux build to Aura UI

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 5:24pm CEST par Nick Peers

Google has unveiled Chrome 35 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. After the relative excitement of version 34, version 35 contains little of note for the end user to get excited about.

Developers, however, will be pleased to see a number of new and improved features implemented, including the ability to take more control over touch input. There’s also an undocumented switch to the Aura user interface on the Linux platform.

Developer enhancements start with the ability to control touch input via a new touch action CSS property. This allows developers to disable touch scrolling, pinch-zooming and double-tap zooming on selected parts of web content.

Three new JavaScript features -- Promise, WeakMaps/WeakSets and Object.observe -- have also been added to Chrome 35, along with support for unprefixed Shadow DOM. The update also includes a selection of new APIs for apps and extensions.

One undocumented change for Linux users is that Chrome 35 now uses its own Aura user interface in preference to the GTK+ interface previously used. Not only does this extend the UI to all supported platforms -- including Windows and Mac -- it should improve performance too thanks to Aura’s ability to better interface with the computer’s GPU.

Users may notice subtle changes as a result of switching to Aura, but it should not be too jarring.

The update also includes no less than 23 security fixes, and includes lots of what Google terms "under the hood changes for stability and performance".

The release is joined by Chrome for Android 35. This adds a new feature that allows users to reopen a closed tab. It also adds support for full-screen video with subtitles and HTML5 controls, and should now support some multi-windowed devices.

Google Chrome 35 FINAL is available now as a free download for supported builds of Windows, Mac and Linux, while Chrome for Android 35 is also available.
Automate all your downloads with curl

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 5:20pm CEST par Mike Williams

Curl is well known on Linux as a flexible command line tool which can download files using a wide range of protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, POP3, IMAP, RTMP, RTSP and many more.

The program is also available on Windows, though (and Mac, iOS, NetWare, Solaris, AmigaOS and more), and is ideal for automating regular downloads in your own custom scripts.

Curl’s basic rules are very simple. Just start by giving it the name of something to download.

curl http://www.example.com
curl ftp://www.test.com/folder/file.txt

By default the contents of whatever you’re downloading is displayed on the screen, but you can redirect this to a file, or use the -o Output option to save it somewhere.

curl -o downloadcrew.html http://www.downloadcrew.com

Your resource password might be password-protected, but curl can still access it.

curl http://name:passwd@machine.domain/full/path/to/file

You can download several files at once.

curl -o http://www.test.com/file1.txt http://www.test.com/file2.txt

(As we’re downloading specific files, the -o option will this time save them locally as their online names, file1.txt and file2.txt).

Maybe you only need part of a file? Here’s how to get the first and last 256 bytes of a file.

curl -r 0-255 http://www.domain.com/bigfile.ext
curl -r -256 http://www.domain.com/bigfile.ext

Curl can be smarter that you might expect. You’ll often want to download files only if they’re newer than a local copy, for example, and something like this can help.

curl -z local.html http://www.domain.com/remote.html

Remote.html will be compared to Local.html, and only downloaded if it’s more recent.

This is just the start. Curl can send emails. Upload files. Post forms. Resume file transfers. Set upper or lower transfer speed limits, set a custom referrer or user agent, use cookie authentication and more.

And although it is a command line tool, curl does a good job of keeping you in touch with whatever it’s downloading. A progress bar displays the total download size, the bytes downloaded so far, the average transfer speed, time elapsed, expected completion time and more.

Put it all together and curl has more power in its tiny portable executable (<600KB) than you’ll find in many commercial download managers. If you ever need to script downloads -- or you just want to check it out and see what’s possible -- then go grab a copy, and take a look.
Ebay users to be asked to change passwords

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 4:16pm CEST par Ian Barker

An announcement on the PayPal Forward blog says that eBay will be asking users to change their passwords later today.

It says that this is due to, "...a cyber attack that compromised an eBay database containing encrypted eBay passwords and other non-financial information".

It goes on to say, "Extensive forensic research has shown no evidence of unauthorized access or compromise to personal or financial information for PayPal customers. PayPal customer and financial data is encrypted and stored separately, and PayPal never shares financial information with merchants, including eBay.

"In addition to asking users to reset passwords, eBay Inc. said it will also encourage any eBay user who used the same password on other sites to change those, too."

We'll keep you updated with more information as it emerges.

Image Credit: goldenangel / Shutterstock
Activehours for iOS and Android lets you get your money when you need it

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 3:01pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

As a trained Sociologist, I am always analyzing my surroundings. One of my particular interests is the plight of the working poor. It breaks my heart to see people toil away for low pay, while struggling to pay bills. Even sadder, these hard-working people are often taken advantage of by "pay-day" lenders -- they offer an extremely high-interest loan which targets the poor who cannot make ends meet.

Luckily, technology can be developed to solve many of the world's problems, including the pains of the workers living paycheck to paycheck. Yes, a new app for Android and iOS, called Activehours, is aiming to solve this problem.

"Today, Activehours launches a game-changing solution that lets the more than 75 million hourly workers in the US unlock their pay. With the Activehours mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, hourly workers can access their pay as soon as they earn it, without having to wait for payday", says the company.

The company further explains how it works: "workers upload their timesheet with the Activehours mobile app, and can withdraw what they have already earned to date, giving them the flexibility needed to avoid late fees on bills, buy groceries or take their significant other on a date. With no fees and no interest, users pay Activehours what they think is fair".

Ram Palaniappan, Activehours founder says, "every year, more than $1 trillion of hourly pay is held back for two weeks because of the way pay cycles work today. Yet, more than half of hourly workers in the US live paycheck- to-paycheck or borrow money to stay afloat[...]If you work everyday, why can't you get your pay every day?"

According to Activehours, some hourly workers are forgoing visits to the doctor and dentist to make ends meet. This is a travesty -- all people deserve health care and compassion, regardless of financial status. If this app can make a difference for even one family, that would be a win.

If you want to try it, you can download the app for iOS here and Android here.
Business travelers want access to reliable Wi-Fi

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 3:00pm CEST par Ian Barker

Accessing data on the move has become essential for business travelers. The days of being unable to do something because you were out of the office are long gone.

Demand for reliable, cost effective data access means that more business people are looking for ways to access Wi-Fi on the move rather than use expensive mobile data services.

Mobile service specialist iPass is addressing this with the launch of its latest cloud-based Business Traveler Service 2.0. It aims to offer cost-effective and convenient Wi-Fi access to over 2.7 million hotspots in airports, airplanes, hotels and public areas worldwide via a single login.

It's also released its Business Traveler Connectivity Report showing that business travelers on average carry three mobile devices, and that 80 percent have a "Wi-Fi first" mentality, preferring to use Wi-Fi over mobile data when working outside the office.

36 percent of free Wi-Fi users have little confidence in the security of the service, and 32 percent objected to dealing with intrusive advertising. 63 percent also find credit card-based Wi-Fi users to be overpriced, and 27 percent hate the hassle of constantly having to enter credit card details.

"The wireless landscape has been disrupted by the rapidly increasing availability of Wi-Fi, which is now the dominant form of wireless access. This phenomenon has spawned a 'Wi-Fi first' generation that uses cellular data only when Wi-Fi isn’t available," says Evan L Kaplan, President and CEO of iPass. "Business travelers are especially reliant on Wi-Fi, but they are also increasingly frustrated by the hoops they must leap through to navigate a complex and challenging Wi-Fi ecosystem that can include advertising, logins and payments with each session, frequent timeouts, and unpredictable and expensive fees. Our Business Traveler Service 2.0 gives business travelers the reliable Wi-Fi access they are looking for, without the hassle -- so that they can simply get on with what they need to do, wherever they are in the world".

iPass Business Traveler 2.0 service, removes the need for employees to use credit cards, while ensuring business travelers have access to high quality, advertising-free Wi-Fi. Available on iOS, Android and Windows devices it keeps users informed by messaging about the service and about any hotspot problems.

There’s a summary of the survey findings in infographic form below and you can access the full report on the iPass website.

Photo Credit: Ilin Sergey/Shutterstock
German gamers get Nazi-free version of Wolfenstein: The New Order

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 2:10pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Germany and Nazism have history; one doesn’t have to be much of a history buff to know that. But the aftershocks of Hitler's Germany are still being felt; the country is still rather sensitive, shall we say, about the whole idea of the Nazis. So touchy, in fact, that as part of post-World War Two denazification the display of Nazi symbols (or "use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations") is illegal. This presents an issue for the game Wolfenstein which concerns itself largely with escaping from Nazis, killing Nazis, tracking down Nazis... there are lots of Nazis involved. Ultimately this meant that the popular game series was banned from Germany since it was first conceived back in the early 80s.

The latest installment in the series, Wolfenstein: The New Order, is set in the 1960s after a Second World War won by the Nazis. But this time around the game got a German release -- yesterday in fact. Bethesda's Pete Hines said last month that Germany has "a thing about Nazis", describing the country as "a little touchy" about the subject. So how was the release possible? This is not because the country has relaxed its laws -- the display of Nazi-related material can still result in a three year jail term -- but because the game has been censored.

Germany is getting a version of Wolfenstein: The New Order which is different to that released in any other part of the world (apart from Austria which is subject to similar censorship). Hines said: "In Germany, we've removed all Nazi symbols and references. Unlike films and other works of art, video games in Germany are forbidden to use such symbols and references as they are classified in Germany as toys and not media art".

Copies of the game are "geo-locked" meaning that uncensored versions of the PC game could not be used in Germany or Austria. Such is the censorship that the Nazis -- so central to the very idea of Wolfenstein -- simply do not exist, morphing instead into The Regime. Censorship may be rife, but Bethesda has some heartening words for oppressed gamers: "the levels of violence and action remain the same as in the international version". Well, that's good to know isn’t it?
How five Chinese hackers stole secrets from some of America's largest companies

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 12:55pm CEST par Paul Cooper

208 Datong Road is a nondescript concrete high rise on one of Shanghai's busiest roads. Amid the lingering smog rising like mist off the honking lines of traffic, and the trains screeching to a halt in the nearby main railway station, this building doesn't look like much. But this is exactly where five members of an elite People's Liberation Army group codenamed Unit 61398 were assigned to hack into some of the largest companies in the United States of America.

According to an indictment unveiled on Monday, "the co-conspirators used email messages known as 'spearfishing' messages to trick unwitting recipients into giving the co-conspirators access to their computers”.

The group is being indicted for "conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse".

"Spearfishing messages were typically designed to resemble emails from trustworthy senders, like colleagues, and encourage the recipients to open attached files or click on hyperlinks in the messages," it went on.

The group, whose members went by aliases such as "Jack Wang", "UglyGorilla", "jack Sun" and "KandyGoo", was also hired by Chinese firms to steal specific secrets from identified companies. The group relied on the technique known as spear-phishing, which involves sending compromised emails to employees of a company, and uses details about employees' lives gleaned through social media or reconnaissance to make the emails convincing enough to click.

Once the compromised file is opened, the hackers can gain full access of the user's computer, and from there work on gaining further access to the corporate network.

For instance, back in 2008, the hackers of Unit 61398 sent emails to 19 senior employees at aluminum-manufacturer Alcoa, based in Pennsylvania. The account of the sender impersonated a member of the company's board of directors, and the message included malware in an attachment "disguised as an agenda for Alcoa's annual board meeting".

This sophisticated attack led to the theft of more than 2,900 email messages and 863 attachments, "including internal messages among Alcoa senior managers" that discussed a Chinese acquisition, according to the indictment. It's not certain whether this intelligence was used to any advantage by any Chinese firms, but it's sensitive information nonetheless.

But the attacks were sometimes even more finely targeted. A 2010 strike saw just a single employee of United States Steel targeted by a spear-phishing email. The effect was staggering, providing "hostnames and descriptions for more than 1,700 servers, including servers that controlled physical access to the company's facilities and mobile device access to the company's networks".

A 2012 attack allowed the hacking unit to access "network credentials for virtually every employee" at Allegheny Technologies, which employs over 9,500 full-time workers in the aerospace, defense and "specialty materials solutions" sectors.

Perhaps most worryingly, the group accessed secret files belonging to Westinghouse Electric, which contained details on nuclear power plants. Unit 61398 even hijacked emails from its CEO back in 2010.

According to the indictment, the Chinese military stole a total of at least 1.4GB of data, "the equivalent of roughly 700,000 pages of email messages and attachments, from Westinghouse's computers" alone, between 2010 and 2012.

The shocking series of attacks shows just how dangerous the spear-phishing technique can be, and just how important it is to properly train staff in defending against social engineering attacks.

When we spoke to Bullguard's Alex Balan back in November, he said that companies need "military-style drills" against social engineering attacks. Looks like he might have been right.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Bad habits still compromise passwords

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 12:40pm CEST par Ian Barker

The more we do online the more passwords we have to remember and it's tempting to take shortcuts. A new survey by security specialist F-Secure reveals that 43 percent of respondents use the same password for more than one important account.

The sheer number of accounts we have is a problem also. 58 percent of poll respondents say they have over 20 password-protected online accounts or simply too many to keep track of -- 27 percent have between 11 and 20 password-protected accounts and 15 percent have under 10. Despite this though only 40 percent use a password manager to keep track of them.

Poor password choices such as using pet names are still common, but encouragingly 57 percent of respondents say they changed their passwords after Heartbleed.

If you have a lot of accounts, setting a unique, strong password for each one can seem to be a daunting task which is why many people fail to do it. Sean Sullivan, security advisor at F-Secure suggests, "Identify the critical accounts to protect, and then make sure the passwords for those accounts are unique and strong".

This takes account of the fact that you may have accounts where little important information is stored. "If you created an account for some website and there's hardly anything more in there than your username and password, then that's probably not a critical account," says Sullivan. "But your Amazon account with your credit card info, your bank account, your primary email accounts, the Facebook account with your life story, these are examples of the critical ones. If you don’t have time or inclination to tackle everything, at least take care of those".

Particularly critical are email accounts that are used as password reset addresses for other services. For these "master key" accounts it's a good idea to use two-factor authentication if possible.

The company suggests using a password manager like its F-Secure Key which is free for a single device or can synchronize using a secured connection for a monthly fee.

Image Credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock
Hanns G HT231HPB: an entry-level touchscreen monitor let down by Windows 8.1 and itself [Review]

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 12:32pm CEST par Mark Wilson

I have no problems with touchscreens in general, no problem at all. I can't imagine using a non-touchscreen phone any more, and I have tablets of all shapes and sizes coming out of my ears. Touchscreens make sense, they are intuitive, they are fun to use. In the right situation, at least. I bang on about being a very happy Surface Pro owner (not as yet a Surface Pro 3), but how often do I take advantage of the fact that it has a touchscreen? Very rarely. I might jab the screen every now and then to switch apps, I may even mess about with handwriting recognition from time to time, but despite my love of the device, a keyboard/trackpad/mouse combo is my preferred choice.

I use my Surface Pro as a laptop, and perhaps this is where my issues stem from. To me it makes little sense to reach over the keyboard to interact with the screen when a far more energy and time efficient trackpad flick does the job just as well. Used as a tablet, it would be a different story, but to me the Surface Pro range is not about amalgamating the best of laptops and tablets, it's about having a fancy laptop. But I digress. My point is that I have yet to be convinced of the value of touchscreen laptops (when used as laptops), and the idea of touchscreen monitors for desktop computers just seems like a step too far.

Of course, touchscreen monitors for non-tablet computers are nothing new, not by a long shot -- they are to be found in restaurants and at countless POS in stores, for instance. But for everyday desktop computing do they make sense? At a POS touchscreens make the life of a cashier easier by reducing the necessary interaction to a series of taps. This works for a number of reasons. Firstly, cashdesks in stores are set up so the screen is correctly positioned, and there's no awkward keyboard getting in the way. There's also the fact that the software being displayed on the screen has been designed for use with a touchscreen monitor.

So, the Hanns G HT231HPB. Technically, it is pretty impressed, but it has a number of obstacles to overcome right from the start. Picture how you sit at your desk. You're in a chair, knees under a table top, keyboard in front of you, the monitor positioned 18 inches or more away from you. Is this an arrangement that lends itself to interacting with your monitor by touching it? I can only speak from personal experience, but I sit more than an arm's length away from the screen. To tap it I would not only have to lift my hand until it is level with the lower half of my face, but also lean forward. Every time I want to tap something or swipe something or drag something. Every. Single. Time. I'm here to use my computer, not get an arm workout.

Marx would have us fighting against the bondage of the machine, but here we find that we have to bend to the will of the screen. We have to adapt the way we work to reap any benefits. A touchscreen monitor used in conjunction with a desktop computer requires more work and effort on the part of the user. This is not what computing is about. With a 23 inch screen, there's a lot of arm movement -- interacting with Windows is akin to conducting an orchestra.

But the HT231HPB is intriguing. Rather than a regular foot stand, support comes from a fold out stand at the back. This can be used to position the monitor in a traditional near-vertical orientation, but it can also be folded back so the screen is at a much shallower angle -- think laptop with the lid opened almost all the way. But again this creates work and requires effort. Used in the laid-back mode, the monitor transforms almost into a tablet, but without any of the benefits of a tablet due to the need to be tethered to a base station.

It is possible to use Windows 8's onscreen keyboard in this mode, allowing you to dispense with your oil-based physical peripheral, but it's a strange and rather uncomfortable experience, resulting in back-, hand- or wrist-ache -- and, of course, Windows' built-in keyboard leaves a lot to be desired. I can see the monitor appealing to that strange breed of workers who have taken to conducting their toil in a standing position, but even then the monitor feels as though it should be an all-in-one rather than just a monitor. It's just awkward.

There appears to be little reason for the Hanns G HT231HPB to exist. It's one of those devices that seems like a great idea at the time, a fabulous impulse buy -- but it's a purchase that's likely to bring about a severe case of buyer's remorse. At £199.99 (or equivalent throughout Europe), it's not a hugely expensive 23-incher by any stretch of the imagination when you factor in the touchscreen side of things, but you're paying for a feature which I would argue is let down by not just the fact that a computer needs to be connected, but the fact that Windows 8's touchscreen experience on the desktop is a car crash. Keep in mind that this is not a tablet, but a monitor designed to use with a computer.

In all likelihood you're going to be using the monitor to interact with, apart from Windows itself, desktop apps -- unless you're one of the small number of people who can endure modern apps on the desktop. This does not a happy computing experience make. Traditional apps do not lend themselves to touchscreen use which means your touchscreen interactions are going to be limited to Windows-specific activities. How much time do you spend on such tasks? How much of your money is that worth?

For your money you get the 23 inch 10 point multi-touch screen, made up of 1920 by 1080 pixels. We're looking at a full HD display here, but the quality isn’t actually that high. There's a fuzzy look to things -- which could be due to the use of a TN rather than IPS panel -- but the response time of 5ms is reasonable as is the contrast ratio of 1000:1. There are built-in speakers which do the job but there are issues with the control buttons which being hidden around the back of the unit make configuration a nightmare task. The energy usage level of 26W is pleasing but, sadly, this is one of the few highlights.

Factor in the cheap feel of the unit, and this is one to miss -- it does at least serve to highlight the absurdity of desktop touchscreen monitors. It might appeal to a poor, struggling graphic designer, but regret will ultimately ensue.
Hanns G HT231HPB: an entry-level touchscreen monitor let down by Windows 8.1 and itself

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 12:32pm CEST par Mark Wilson

I have no problems with touchscreens in general, no problem at all. I can't imagine using a non-touchscreen phone any more, and I have tablets of all shapes and sizes coming out of my ears. Touchscreens make sense, they are intuitive, they are fun to use. In the right situation, at least. I bang on about being a very happy Surface Pro owner (not as yet a Surface Pro 3), but how often do I take advantage of the fact that it has a touchscreen? Very rarely. I might jab the screen every now and then to switch apps, I may even mess about with handwriting recognition from time to time, but despite my love of the device, a keyboard/trackpad/mouse combo is my preferred choice.

I use my Surface Pro as a laptop, and perhaps this is where my issues stem from. To me it makes little sense to reach over the keyboard to interact with the screen when a far more energy and time efficient trackpad flick does the job just as well. Used as a tablet, it would be a different story, but to me the Surface Pro range is not about amalgamating the best of laptops and tablets, it's about having a fancy laptop. But I digress. My point is that I have yet to be convinced of the value of touchscreen laptops (when used as laptops), and the idea of touchscreen monitors for desktop computers just seems like a step too far.

Of course, touchscreen monitors for non-tablet computers are nothing new, not by a long shot -- they are to be found in restaurants and at countless POS in stores, for instance. But for everyday desktop computing do they make sense? At a POS touchscreens make the life of a cashier easier by reducing the necessary interaction to a series of taps. This works for a number of reasons. Firstly, cashdesks in stores are set up so the screen is correctly positioned, and there's no awkward keyboard getting in the way. There's also the fact that the software being displayed on the screen has been designed for use with a touchscreen monitor.

So, the Hanns G HT231HPB. Technically, it is pretty impressed, but it has a number of obstacles to overcome right from the start. Picture how you sit at your desk. You're in a chair, knees under a table top, keyboard in front of you, the monitor positioned 18 inches or more away from you. Is this an arrangement that lends itself to interacting with your monitor by touching it? I can only speak from personal experience, but I sit more than an arm's length away from the screen. To tap it I would not only have to lift my hand until it is level with the lower half of my face, but also lean forward. Every time I want to tap something or swipe something or drag something. Every. Single. Time. I'm here to use my computer, not get an arm workout.

Marx would have us fighting against the bondage of the machine, but here we find that we have to bend to the will of the screen. We have to adapt the way we work to reap any benefits. A touchscreen monitor used in conjunction with a desktop computer requires more work and effort on the part of the user. This is not what computing is about. With a 23 inch screen, there's a lot of arm movement -- interacting with Windows is akin to conducting an orchestra.

But the HT231HPB is intriguing. Rather than a regular foot stand, support comes from a fold out stand at the back. This can be used to position the monitor in a traditional near-vertical orientation, but it can also be folded back so the screen is at a much shallower angle -- think laptop with the lid opened almost all the way. But again this creates work and requires effort. Used in the laid-back mode, the monitor transforms almost into a tablet, but without any of the benefits of a tablet due to the need to be tethered to a base station.

It is possible to use Windows 8's onscreen keyboard in this mode, allowing you to dispense with your oil-based physical peripheral, but it's a strange and rather uncomfortable experience, resulting in back-, hand- or wrist-ache -- and, of course, Windows' built-in keyboard leaves a lot to be desired. I can see the monitor appealing to that strange breed of workers who have taken to conducting their toil in a standing position, but even then the monitor feels as though it should be an all-in-one rather than just a monitor. It's just awkward.

There appears to be little reason for the Hanns G HT231HPB to exist. It's one of those devices that seems like a great idea at the time, a fabulous impulse buy -- but it's a purchase that's likely to bring about a severe case of buyer's remorse. At £199.99 (or equivalent throughout Europe), it's not a hugely expensive 23-incher by any stretch of the imagination when you factor in the touchscreen side of things, but you're paying for a feature which I would argue is let down by not just the fact that a computer needs to be connected, but the fact that Windows 8's touchscreen experience on the desktop is a car crash. Keep in mind that this is not a tablet, but a monitor designed to use with a computer.

In all likelihood you're going to be using the monitor to interact with, apart from Windows itself, desktop apps -- unless you're one of the small number of people who can endure modern apps on the desktop. This does not a happy computing experience make. Traditional apps do not lend themselves to touchscreen use which means your touchscreen interactions are going to be limited to Windows-specific activities. How much time do you spend on such tasks? How much of your money is that worth?

For your money you get the 23 inch 10 point multi-touch screen, made up of 1920 by 1080 pixels. We're looking at a full HD display here, but the quality isn’t actually that high. There's a fuzzy look to things -- which could be due to the use of a TN rather than IPS panel -- but the response time of 5ms is reasonable as is the contrast ratio of 1000:1. There are built-in speakers which do the job but there are issues with the control buttons which being hidden around the back of the unit make configuration a nightmare task. The energy usage level of 26W is pleasing but, sadly, this is one of the few highlights.

Factor in the cheap feel of the unit, and this is one to miss -- it does at least serve to highlight the absurdity of desktop touchscreen monitors. It might appeal to a poor, struggling graphic designer, but regret will ultimately ensue.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 now available to pre-order

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 11:39am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic
Microsoft just announced a bigger and badder Windows 8.1 hybrid PC, pitched by the company as a laptop and tablet replacement that outclasses Apple's mighty MacBook Air. Offered in five significantly different configurations, which range from an affordable $799 to an eye-watering $1,949, on paper the Surface Pro 3 looks like a device that can be used by undemanding users and professionals alike.

The Surface Pro 3, powered by Intel Core i5 processors, is said to launch on June 20, while the less powerful Core i3 and faster Core i7 configurations are expected two months later, on the last day of August. Interested buyers, however, can pre-order one now.

Microsoft Store offers the new Surface Pro 3 for pre-order in all configurations, along with a number of accessories like the Surface Pro Type Cover. It is worth pointing out that Microsoft does not make it clear which Surface Pro 3 gets 4 GB of RAM or 8 GB of RAM, on its site. Prices are as follows (not including any accessories, like a keyboard):
- 64 GB Surface Pro 3 with Core i3 processor (4 GB of RAM) -- $799;
- 128 GB Surface Pro 3 with Core i5 processor (4 GB of RAM) -- $999;
- 256 GB Surface Pro 3 with Core i5 processor (8 GB of RAM) -- 1,299;
- 256 GB Surface Pro 3 with Core i7 processor (8 GB of RAM) -- 1,549;
- 512 GB Surface Pro 3 with Core i7 processor (8 GB of RAM) -- 1,949.
If you want to get a Microsoft-branded keyboard for the Surface Pro 3 you have to add $129.99 for a Surface Pro Type Cover. Other accessories, like a $199.99 docking station, will be available around launch time.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware makes scan results easier to read, fixes major bugs

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 11:36am CEST par Nick Peers

Malwarebytes Corporation has shipped Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0.2, a minor -- but important -- update to its security tool that provides a second layer of protection against malware, potentially unwanted programs and malicious websites.

Version 2.0.2 includes a number of minor improvements, one of which should make analyzing scan results and logs clearer thanks to revised terminology. It also fixes a significant number of issues, one of which could cause a BSOD error when scanning for rootkits.

Aside from simplifying the terminology on scan results and logs, MBAM 2.0.2 also lists language names in their own native tongues for easier identification.

It also promises a more responsive reaction to Pro users disabling or enabling the self-protection module, while users should no longer see a blank window flash on-screen during startup or shutdown of PCs running Windows Vista or later.

The update also fixes a large number of issues, some of which saw rootkit scans causing indefinite hangs, crashes and even BSOD errors. Another rootkit-related fix sees the overall scan speed increase -- in certain circumstances -- when the rootkit scan is enabled.

Compatibility issues with certain VPN client software have been resolved, while protection should no longer fail to start after upgrading the software with it already enabled.

The General Settings tab should now respond correctly to mouse clicks, while a number of issues with Access Policy have also been fixed.

Users should also find the context-menu launched scan of selected files or folders should no longer fail. A text-rendering issue that saw the text cut off in the UI in Windows XP and 7 (using the Classic theme) has also been resolved.

Among other fixes, the MBAM drive should now be correctly removed along with the program itself when uninstalled.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0.2 is available now as a free, function-limited download for PCs running Windows XP or later. A built-in 14-day trial of the PRO version, which includes secondary real-time protection alongside your existing security product is also offered.

A 12-month, three-PC license can be purchased direct from Malwarebytes, but for a limited time only, you can order a lifetime, non-expiring single-PC license for MBAM PRO for just $18.95, a saving of 25 percent on the MSRP from the Downloadcrew Software Store.
China bans Windows 8 from government PCs with twisted logic, and embraces Linux

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 3:11am CEST par Mark Wilson

Microsoft may have been granted permission to launch its Xbox One console in China in September, but a decision by the Chinese government could impact severely on sales of Windows 8. China's official state news agency, Xinhua reports that the latest version of Microsoft's operating system will be banned from governmental computers, although there are to be no restrictions placed on home computers. The reason for the ban on Windows 8? Well it's not quite clear, but it's put down to something to do with energy-saving -- although this seems unlikely.

The website of China's Central Government Procurement Center posted an 'Important Notice' entitled, catchily, "Agreement to supply information about the class of energy-saving products complement the mandatory tender notice". A list of criteria then follows including, at number 5 "all computer products are not allowed to install Windows 8 operating system". This is slightly at odds with the news agency's suggestion -- the official news agency, remember -- that Windows 8 is being banned from new government PCs in "a move to ensure computer security after the shutdown of Windows XP".

The agency goes on to point out that Windows XP currently enjoys a 70 percent market share in China. Just last month, support for the now-decrepit operating system came to an end, and Xinhua goes on to say that the Windows 8 ban is "a move to ensure computer security after the shutdown of Windows XP". So far we have two explanations for the ban. Any more to add to the pot, anyone? In fact the news agency has another one for you to mull over. One of the side-effects of the end of support for Windows XP was "arousing [sic] safety concerns and appeals for domestically designed OS".

The story continues: "the Chinese government obviously cannot ignore the risks of running OS without guaranteed technical support. It has moved to avoid the awkwardness of being confronted with a similar situation again in future if it continues to purchase computers with foreign OS". This makes it sound rather more like a matter of mistrusting foreign software than safety or energy-saving concerns. Xinhua then reveals what is perhaps the real reason for banning Windows 8 -- the government wants to build its own Linux-based operating system: "China will focus on the development of its own OS based on Linux".

Energy-saving? Security? Paranoia? Promoting home-grown coding talent? Laying the groundwork for a wider rollout of a government-built OS? You decide.

Image Credit: Hung Chung Chih / Shutterstock
With Surface Pro 3 and no Mini, Microsoft delights and disappoints

Publié: mai 21, 2014, 2:04am CEST par Mark Wilson

Today's Microsoft event in New York City was something of a mixed bag with its fair share of highs and lows. There was an obvious highlight -- the Surface Pro 3. It was a highlight for two reasons. Firstly, despite expectations to the contrary, this was in fact the only device to be announced today. Secondly, at least in terms of looks and specification, it's bloody amazing. But there were at least a couple of low points. No Surface Mini, and the frankly bonkers, nuts, crazy, mad Surface Pro 3 pricing.

The Pro side of Microsoft's Surface range has long been criticized for being a little on the pricey side, but the third generation takes things to the extreme. At the top end of the scale -- a rather juicy sounding Intel Core i7 device packing 8GB RAM and 512 GB of storage -- you'll need to save up an astonishing $1,949. Panos Panay made a great deal of noise about how this is the tablet that can replace your laptop. For that price, I should flippin' well hope so. For that price I can buy a top of the range laptop and still have enough left over to buy a decent tablet. I could even venture into Apple territory if I was feeling a little saucy...

Sure, there are cheaper models available, starting off with the 'entry level' version with Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage -- but even this will set you back $799. That's a lot to ask for a bottom of the range device. A heck of a lot. Yes, it's sleek and sexy looking, but Microsoft is already facing an uphill battle winning people over to Windows 8.1. Could this be the reason Windows 8.1 Update lowered the system requirements for the operating system? And don’t forget -- the price you pay for the Surface Pro 3 is only the start. For the asking price you get a tablet. But this is meant to be able to replace your laptop.

What do laptops have? Keyboards! While a cheap and cheerful wireless keyboard can be picked up for a few dollars, if you're really going to show your Surface love, you're going to need a Type Cover. Yours for a mere $129.99. So the price of an entry-level Surface Pro 3 jumps up to $929.98. That's a lot of f-oldin' money; no two ways about it. At the top end of the market you're looking at over two grand for a fancy tablet. That's a lot of Nexus 7s or iPad minis!

But still I love it. There is so much right about Surface Pro 3 that it is possible to forgive the pricing insanity. I'm not going to rush out and buy one -- my first generation Surface Pro serves me well, thank you very much -- but the point is… I want to. Microsoft may not have quite reached the aspirational highs of Apple products, but Surface Pro 3 is getting there. It is expensive, but it knows and doesn’t give a damn. If you want this baby, you’re going to have to pay for it!

With this iteration of the Surface Pro, Microsoft has introduced a lot of enticements. The new screen ratio is very appealing. Widescreen may be very a la mode, but Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 did take things to the extreme. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides a more comfortable resolution, and the 2160x1440 is not short of a pixel or two. Nine hours of battery life (obviously a theoretical maximum), may not quite be the all-day performance everyone hopes for, but it's getting there.

I'm quite enamored with the SP3 -- as I've decided to call it, recalling days of XP Service Packs -- but is it enticing enough to compel me to upgrade from my first gen model? Well, yes, it is -- but there's a catch. The screen looks incredible, the kickstand is a great leap forward from the single position unit I use, and the whole thing is thinner, lighter, and generally lovelier.

But as lovely as all of these features are, I'm not sure there is quite enough to draw me in. The undoubted stumbling block is the price. I fear heavy narcotics may have been involved in dreaming up those figures. My problem is, what 'extra' would I be getting for my money -- is that worth it. And, sadly, it's not. My trusty Surface Pro is a workhorse -- but there's little that the top of the range SP3 can do that I can't already. The (slight) extra turn of speed and additional storage space is not worth two grand of my money? Microsoft is going to have a battle on its hands convincing significant numbers of people that it's a worthwhile investment. In truth, it is worthwhile, but it is a colossal outlay for what is, ultimately, just a very nice laptop -- and one that, despite protestations to the contrary, does involve making compromises. Microsoft wants to simultaneously compete with everyone and no one with the SP3, but it really ends up being a very expensive gamble for anyone who is tempted.

Image Credit: Rob Byron / Shutterstock