SD times - Computer and Artificial Intelligence archive

A Computer Inside a Molecule
Atomic-scale computing, in which computer processes are carried out in a single molecule or using a surface atomic-scale circuit, holds vast promise for the microelectronics industry. It allows computers to continue to increase in processing power through the development of components in the nano- and pico scale. In theory, atomic-scale computing could put computers more powerful than today’s supercomputers in everyone’s pocket.

Windows worm: Security experts waiting for activation of 'botnet'

The worm – known as Conficker, Kido or Downadup – is spreading rapidly between machines, and has effectively created a giant “botnet” of compromised computers that security experts fear could be used by hackers and spammers to mount sustained attempts to steal personal and sensitive information from compromised machines, or to automate a huge mass-mailing of spam emails.

Cybergeddon' fear stalks US: FBI
Cyber attacks pose the greatest threat to the United States after nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction -- and they are increasingly hard to prevent, FBI experts said Tuesday. Shawn Henry, assistant director of the FBI's cyber division, told a conference in New York that computer attacks pose the biggest risk "from a national security perspective, other than a weapon of mass destruction or a bomb in one of our major cities."

Our Web, Not Theirs
One recent study showed that only 20 domains (websites) capture 39% of all the time spent online by US users. Considering that the Internet is technically an open medium, this is an amazingly high level of user concentration. MySpace.com, which is owned by News Corporation, commands an astounding 11.9% of US users’ time online. Bearing in mind the USA has well over two hundred million Internet users, this kind of concentration of online website usage creates huge vectors of power.

Foundations for the World Wide Grid
The dream of using the internet to allow people to access as much computer processing and storage power as they need, when they need it, is a step closer: Where the internet is a communications channel between computers, the grid goes beyond this by not just using the internet for communications but also as a means of sharing computing resources. Every computer and user can access and make use of the combined resources of the grid.

Google Scroogle

Report: Google Seeking To Cut Net Censorship Deals
Google Inc is lobbying internet providers and phone companies to establish a separate internet traffic lane in order to prioritize the search engine giant’s content, according to a leading report today. The Wall Street Journal today reveals that the company, which now incorporates Youtube, wants to set up its own fast track on the web.

The precedent this would set would be to allow companies to pay internet providers for preferential treatment.

Google tool uses search terms to detect flu outbreaks

The tool, which launched Tuesday, operates on the idea that there's likely to be a flu outbreak in states where flu-related search terms are currently popular.

Google's AI attempt to become god on earth

The vision of Google’s future, according to Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, is “it would be like the mind of God”. And it’s a future that they’re working feverishly to make a reality today.

Does Google Know Too Much?

Date mining you to death: Google gathers so much detailed information about its users that one critic says some state intelligence bureaus look "like child protection services" in comparison. A few German government bodies have mounted a resistance.

Avoiding the omnicent and relentless tracking of your search terms is as easy as using the proxy search engine Scoogle, instead of Google for your anonymous searching needs.
Check it out here: http://www.scroogle.org/. - - Ed