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Samsung head arrested amid bribery allegations Samsung leader Jay Y. Lee arrested on corruption & bribery charges amid ongoing investigation From $4m home, Samsung chief in jail cell with corner toilet after arrest For Jay Y Lee, the third-generation leader of South Korea’s massive Samsung Group and scion of the country’s wealthiest family, home is now a 6.56 square meter (71 square foot) detention cell with a toilet in the corner behind a partition. He has no shower, only a wash-stand. Bed is a mattress on the floor. The 48-year-old Lee was arrested early on Friday for his alleged role in a corruption scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, a decision that is being reviewed by the country’s Constitutional Court. He has denied any wrongdoing. Lee is being held in a single cell and will not be allowed contact with other inmates, said an official at the Seoul Detention Centre, a facility on the outskirts of the city where arrested politicians and corporate chieftains are usually held, along with other detainees. “This is a highly public case, and as you know many involved in the case were already here,” the official told Reuters. Prison officials don’t want Lee discussing the case with others involved in the case, the official said, explaining why the Samsung scion was being held in a single cell. Also, there may be safety issues. “There are concerns about destroying evidence,” the official said, adding that Lee was not being given special treatment. Lee’s lawyers declined to comment. Lee, who is divorced with two children, has a net worth of $6.2 billion and ordinarily lives in a $4 million (£3.2m) Seoul mansion. The Samsung Group he heads is the world’s biggest manufacturer of smartphones, flat-screen televisions and memory chips, and Lee is accustomed to rubbing elbows with Silicon Valley titans such as Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Apple’s Tim Cook. An accomplished equestrian, Lee is also a lifetime member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. At the detention centre, Lee will be allowed visitors but they can speak only through a glass partition, for up to 30 minutes at a time. However, inmates are allowed unlimited meeting time with their lawyers. He can exercise, but on his own, for 30 minutes a day.

Parents told to destroy baby doll because of spying fears The doll answers users’ questions by using a web connection Parents in Germany who bought their children a talking doll are being urged to destroy it due to spying fears. There are concerns the software inside 'My Friend Cayla' could be hacked, allowing personal data to be accessed. The technology, which allows a user to chat to the doll, carries a risk of espionage and could compromise privacy, said the country's Federal Network Agency. The organisation's chief Jochen Homann said: "The Cayla doll is banned in Germany. "This is also about protecting the weakest members of society." The doll has a microphone and its software means it can respond to a person's questions by accessing the internet. Researcher Stefan Hessel alerted the agency after examining the toy, which was created by American company Genesis Toys. He said hackers could use an unsecure bluetooth device embedded in it to listen and talk to the child playing with it. “Researchers discovered that by connecting one phone to the doll through the insecure Bluetooth connection and calling that phone with a second phone, they were able to both converse with and covertly listen to conversations collected through the My Friend Cayla and i-Que toys,” read the FTC complaint. Mr Hessel told German website Netzpolitik.org: "In a test, I was able to hack the toy even through several walls. It lacks any security features." It added: "We would always expect parents to supervise their children at least intermittently. In December, the Electronic Privacy Information Centre (EPIC) filed a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission about Cayla. EPIC claims the "toys subject young children to ongoing surveillance" and violate privacy and consumer protection laws.

Nokia 3310, beloved and indestructible, to be reborn Reports that a Finnish manufacturer will reissue ‘the world’s best-selling mobile phone’ have been met with joy and trepidation Seventeen years after it was originally launched, the Nokia 3310 is reportedly set to make a comeback. HMD Oy Global, a Finnish manufacturer with the exclusive rights to market the Nokia brand, is apparently planning to release a revamped version of the classic phone at the end of February. Nokia 3310 WILL RETURN in 2017 The original version was retired in 2005, at which point, according to Nokia, it had sold 126m units, making it the world’s best-selling phone. Often referred to as the most reliable phone ever created, the Nokia 3310 was used by many people all over the globe back in the day. The battery was immense and the chassis and display could survive a nuclear explosion. The Nokia 3310 was a tank and compared to modern phones it was essentially indestructible. According to reports, the phone will initially be available only to European and North American consumers and will cost €59, significantly less than its original price in 2000 of £129. There have been no further details about how close the new version will be to the original, which gained a cult following due to its impressively long battery life, indestructibility, and the addictive game Snake II. News of the possible release has had a mixed reception, with some commentators suggesting the past is best left alone. Best Selling Phones In The Last 20 Years? What were the most popular phones of the last 20 years? here is an overview of all the biggest selling phones during the past two decades: 1996: Motorola StarTAC, one of the first flip phones sold 60 million 1998: Nokia 5110 with its changeable covers is thought to have sold more than 160 million 1999: Nokia 3210 One of the first phones without an antenna, the Nokia 3210 sold over 160 million units 2000: Nokia 3310 with extra features sold more than 126 million handsets 2003: Nokia 1100 sold more than 250 million units 2004: Nokia's 2600 offered one of the first set of desktop tools and sold more than 135 million units. 2005: Nokia 110 popular in developing countries and sold more than 250 million. 2006: Nokia 1600 sold more than 130 units. 2007: Nokia 1200 was snapped up 150 million times. 2008: Apple iPhone 3G: Over 12 million people bought Apple's second generation iPhone. 2009: Apple iPhone 3GS: Some 35 million. 2010: Nokia 5230 with free amps sold 150 million units. 2011: Apple iPhone 4S sold 83 million units despite battery criticism. 2012: Samsung's Galaxy SII and SIII sold 40 million units. 2013: Galaxy S4, sold 40 million units. 2014: Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sold 74.5 million handsets - 34,000 an hour at peak.

Windows 10 Is Stealing Your Bandwidth 'By Default' The feature, known as Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO), is initially designed to help users get faster software updates, which is quite a good idea to handle massive internet traffic of up to 40 Terabits per second. But, this peer-to-peer sharing method offered by Windows 10 is using your precious Internet bandwidth, without telling you about it, because the feature is enabled by default. Windows 10 Update Delivery Optimization explained WUDO works a lot like torrents work. Your computer running Windows 10 is used as part of a peer-to-peer network to deliver software updates faster to others, each person distributing a little bit of the files across multiple computers and helping everyone download updates quickly. The feature uses local network or Internet sources to deliver updates to machines running Windows 10. Basically, peer to peer assisted update delivery. Delivery Optimization is turned on by default on all editions of Windows 10. There is however a difference between Enterprise and Education versions of windows 10, and the regular versions such as Pro or Home. All Enterprise and Education versions are configured to only use PCs on a corporate network as peers. Consumer versions of Windows 10 on the other hand are configured to use local and Internet peers when it comes to updates. How to Disable Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) Navigate to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update and then select "Advanced options." After that opens, click on "Choose how up updates are delivered" and then use the toggle to turn Delivery Optimization off. When turned off, you'll still get updates and apps from Windows Update and from the Windows Store. If you’d just like to stop downloading updates and apps from PCs on the Internet, select PCs on my local network. Will Delivery Optimization download over metered connections? Delivery Optimization will not automatically download or send parts of updates or apps to other PCs on the Internet if it detects that you are using a metered connection. If you use a Wi Fi connection that is metered or capped, make sure, you identify it as a metered connection. Here is how: Go to Start windows logo, then Settings  > Network & Internet > Wi Fi > Advanced options. Use the toggle under Set as metered connection to set your Wi Fi connection as metered.

Two-minute management course Lesson One An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?" The eagle answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit, and ate it. Management Lesson: To be sitting doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.Lesson Two A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy." "Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree. Management Lesson: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.Lesson Three A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realise how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him. Management Lessons: Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend. when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut! This ends your two-minute management course.

‘Lie-Lie Land’: Trump, Theresa trolled in viral UK street art A pedestrian passes a new piece of art by street artist Bambi in London. A London-based artist has re imagined US President Donald Trump in a pair of jazzy spats dancing with UK Prime Minister Theresa May as part of a politically charged graffiti parody branded: ‘Lie Lie Land’. The graffiti stencil appeared this week in Islington, London, and has been claimed by street artist Bambi. It plays on a promotional poster for the award-winning Hollywood musical La La Land, in which a jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) falls for an up-and-coming actor played by Emma Stone. The film claimed six awards at this year’s Golden Globes. In Bambi’s StreetSide version, US President Donald Trump, sporting a trimmer figure, slides into the Gosling role by taking Theresa May by the hand and leading her on a merry dance. Bambi Bambi Graffiti is the tag name for a female English graffiti artist from London, UK. Her father nicknamed her Bambi, after the Italian word Bambino (or child). Bambi drives an Aston Martin (she loves all things Bond), wears designer clothes (Vivienne Westwood and Agent Provocateur) and has a penchant for Paul A Young handmade chocolates. She is a karate black belt who swims every morning and runs at weekends. She will not reveal her age – although sources suggest she is in her early 30s. We know she was born in Liverpool Road, Islington, north London, the daughter of a jazz musician (her father, who died three years ago) and a prosperous artist (her mother), in Hoxton, east London. She is taking lessons from Banksy, the godfather of graffiti with whom she held a joint exhibition, ‘When Bambi met Banksy’ in London last year. ‘We’re like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in the film Mr & Mrs Smith,’ she says. ‘We don’t discuss our day jobs. I love having a secret life. It is like being a spy and it’s easier to be anonymous because I’m already in the public eye.’ She a popular artist within the show business world. Known collectors of her work include Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Adele, Robbie Williams, and Take That’s Mark Owen. Bambi’s stencilled work is frequently described as gritty and masculine in appearance whilst exploring themes of feminism, popular and street culture.

A Father's Last Request A husband and wife have four sons. The oldest three are tall with red hair and light skin while the youngest son is short with black hair and dark eyes. The father was on his deathbed when he turned to his wife and said, "Honey, before I die, be totally honest with me: Is our youngest son my child?" The wife replied, "I swear on everything that's holy that he is your son." With that, the husband passed away. The wife muttered, "Thank God he didn't ask about the other three."

Girl, 7, gets letter from Google boss Google CEO Sundar Pichai writes back to girl, 7, who wants a job A lot of us have asked little children about what they want to become when they grow up, only to listen to them keenly listing the job prospects they are considering. From doctors and teachers to scientists and astronauts — they come up with interesting answers. But it seems one little girl has her heart set at joining the world’s biggest search engine — Google, and she got a response from Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, no less! Google CEO Sundar Pichai told Chloe to work hard and follow her dreams In an adorable letter that seven-year-old Chloe Bridgewater from Hereford, UK wrote to the “Google Boss”, she has set her priorities straight. From working with Google to also working in a chocolate factory and swimming in the Olympics games, she seems to have big plans etched out for herself. Also, it seems Chloe’s interest piqued after her father said she could “sit on bean bags and go down slides and ride go karts in a job in Google”. If you think what we infer to be, her ‘resume letter’ is adorable, then wait until you see what Pichai had to say to her. Her father Andy Bridgewater shared Pichai’s response in a LinkedIn post, which is now going viral. bbc This is the seven-year-old’s letter. This is what Pichai wrote in response to the little girl. Mr Pichai's full reply: "Thank you so much for your letter. I am glad that you like computers and robots, and hope that you will continue to learn about technology. "I think if you keep working hard and following your dreams, you can accomplish everything you set your mind to - from working at Google to swimming at the Olympics. "I look forward to receiving your job application when you are finished with school! "All the best to you and your family."

The Top 10 Best Answering Machine Messages 1. My wife and I cannot come to the phone right now, but if you will leave your name and number, we will get back to you as soon as we are finished. 2. Hello, you are talking to a machine. I am capable of receiving messages. My owners do not need siding, windows or a tub, and their carpets are clean. They give to charity at the office and do not need their picture taken. If you are still with me, leave your name and home phone number and they will get back to you. 3.This is not an answering machine – this is a telepathic thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your number, and your reason for calling…. and I will think about returning your call. 4. Hi! John’s answering machine is broken. This is his refrigerator. Please speak very slowly, and I will stick your message to myself with one of these magnets. 5. Hi. This is John: If you are the phone company, I already sent the money. If you are my parents, please send money. If you are my bank, you did not lend me enough money. If you are my friends, you owe me money. If you are a female, do not worry, I have LOTS of money. 6. A is for academics, B is for beer. One of those reasons is why we are not here. So, leave a message. 7. Hello! If you leave a message, I will call you soon. If you leave a sexy message, I will call sooner. 8. Hi. Now YOU say something. 9. Hi. I am probably home; I am just avoiding someone I do not like. Leave me a message, and if I do not call back, it is you. And the Number 1 Actual Answering Machine Message Recorded and Verified by The World Famous International Institute of Answering Machine Messages. 10. Hello, you have reached Jim and Sonya. We cannot pick up the phone right now, because we are doing something we really enjoy. Sonya likes doing it up and down, and I like doing it left to right… very slowly. So leave a message, and when we are done, brushing our teeth, we will call you back.

Male vs female Eight Words with two Meanings 1. THINGY (thing-ee) n. Female... Any part under a car's hood. Male... The strap fastener on a woman's bra. 2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj. Female... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another. Male... Playing football without a cup. 3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n. Female... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's partner. Male... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys. 4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n. Female... A desire to get married and raise a family. Male... Trying not to hit on other women while out with this one. 5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n. Female... A good movie, concert, play or book. Male... Anything that can be done while drinking beer. 6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n. Female... An embarrassing by-product of indigestion. Male... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding. 7. MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n. Female... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve. Male... Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it. 8. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n. Female... A device for changing from one TV channel to another. Male... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.

Put-downs - Unpleasant Insults and Put-downs for everyday use You grow on people...so does cancer. If shit were music, you would be an orchestra. You should do some soul-searching. You might just find one. He is so short that when it rains, he is always the last to know. You really are as pretty as a picture. I know I would love to hang you. He is short; he would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle. Not anyone who told you to be yourself could have given you any worse advice. There are only two things I dislike about her - her faces. Would you like some cheese to go with that whine? I can tell that you are lying - your lips are moving. This is an excellent time for you to become a missing person. She is the first in her family born without tail. You have an inferiority complex - and it is fully justified. If we killed everybody who hates you, it would not be murder - it would be an apocalypse! Make somebody happy. Mind your own business. Ordinarily people live and learn, but you, you just live. You are not as bad as people say - you are much, much worse. Her origins are so low; you would have to limbo under her family tree. I know you always have your ear to the ground. How is life in the gutter? Talk is cheap. But that's OK - so are you. You are living proof that manure can sprout legs and walk. Her mouth is dirtier than a rubber toilet seat. He is better at sex than anyone is. Now all he needs is a partner. You would never be able to live down to your reputation, but I see you are doing your best. You are the best at all you do- and all you do is make people hate you. She has more faces than Mount Rushmore. People would follow him anywhere...but only out of morbid curiosity. His personality's split so many ways, he goes for group therapy on his own. If truth is stranger than fiction, then you must be truth! If sex were fast food, you would have and M-shaped arch over your head. Whatever it is that is eating you, it must be suffering horribly. Put-downs to use at work Thank you. We are all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view. I do not know what your problem is, but I bet it is hard to pronounce. I see you have set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial. It might look like I am doing nothing, but at the cellular level I am really quite busy. I will try being nicer if you will try being smarter. I am out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message. How about never? Is never good for you? This is not an office. It is hell with fluorescent lighting. How do I get a laser printer to stun? Are these your eyeballs? I found them in my cleavage. Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is done. Well, aren’t we just a ray of sunshine? Not the brightest crayon in the box now, are we? Do not bother me. I am living happily ever after. Do I look like a people person? I pretend to work. They pretend to pay me. You! Off my planet!! Therapy is expensive, and popping bubble wrap is cheap! You choose. It sounds like English, but I cannot understand a word you are saying. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers. I am already visualising the duct tape over your mouth. Are you coming on to me or having a seizure? The fact that no one understands you does not mean you are an artist.

What They Say at Your Funeral Three friends die in a car accident and attend an orientation in Heaven. An angel asks, “When you are in your casket and your friends and family are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say about you?” The first guy says, “I would like them to say that I was a great doctor and a loving family man.” The second guy says, “I would like them to say that I was a caring husband and a schoolteacher who made a huge difference to kids.” The last guy says, “I would like them to say — LOOK, he’s still moving!”

Hello painterr, welcome to CP.

Adorable Squirrels Russian photographer Vadim Trunov, captured a couple of adorable squirrels having some wintertime fun. Set in a snow-covered forest outside of Voronezh, Russia,

Why Are Men Just Happier People Why men are never depressed Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal… You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.. You do not have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress: $5000. Tuxedo rental: $100. People never stare at your chest when you are talking to them. New shoes do not cut, blister, or mangle your feet... One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat... You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase... You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original colour. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes — one colour for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes. Nicknames If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes. Eating Out When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it is only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, outcome the pocket calculators. Money A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she does not need but it is on sale. Bathrooms A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel. The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items. Arguments A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument. Future A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife. Marriage A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he does not. A man marries a woman expecting that she will not change, but she does. Offspring Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house. Thought for the Day A married man should forget his mistakes. There is no use in two people remembering the same thing!

Dog Washing A young boy, about eight years old, was at the corner "Mom & Pop" grocery picking out a pretty good size box of laundry detergent. The grocer walked over, and, trying to be friendly, asked the boy if he had a lot of laundry to do. "Oh, no laundry," the boy said, "I'm going to wash my dog." "But you shouldn't use this to wash your dog. It's very powerful and if you wash your dog in this, he'll get sick. In fact, it might even kill him." But the boy was not to be stopped and carried the detergent to the counter and paid for it, even as the grocer still tried to talk him out of washing his dog. About a week later the boy was back in the store to buy some candy. The grocer asked the boy how his dog was doing. "Oh, he died," the boy said. The grocer, trying not to be an I-told-you-so, said he was sorry the dog died but added, "I tried to tell you not to use that detergent on your dog." "Well," the boy replied, "I don't think it was the detergent that killed him." "Oh? What was it then?" "I think it was the spin cycle!"

Preacher There was a preacher who fell in the ocean and he couldn't swim. When a boat came by, the captain yelled, "Do you need help, sir?" The preacher calmly said "No, God will save me." A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, "Hey, do you need help?" The preacher replied again, "No God will save me." Eventually the preacher drowned and went to heaven. The preacher asked God, "Why didn't you save me?" God replied, "Fool, I sent you two boats!"

Scientists develop a malaria vaccine that works 100% of the time in limited trials There was also no known vaccine - until now. For the first time in history, scientists have completed successful human trials of a malaria vaccine that provides 100% protection against the often-fatal disease. Malaria has a devastating impact around the world with 429,000 deaths and 212 million new cases in 2015 alone. Immunologists have created a vaccine that, in limited trials, offered 100 per cent protection against infection for at least 10 weeks after the final dose. What's more, no severe human side effects were found during the trial. The study, published in the journal Nature, saw 35 humans test the inoculation method. The test subjects were given varying doses of the vaccine and those with the highest doses saw no infections of malaria. "Scientists have been trying to develop a highly effective malaria vaccine for more than a century with thousands of scientists working on it, billions of dollars have been spent and to date there's no licenced malaria vaccine," Stephen Hoffman from biotech company Sanaria, which developed the vaccine, told WIRED. In the work, scientists from the University of Tübingen, Germany, immunised three different groups of people with Plasmodium falciparum sporozites (PfSPZ). These are cells from the malaria-causing parasite and were used to elicit an immune response. The vaccine was delivered by a direct venous inoculation, which caused a higher level of protection in those getting higher doses.WIRED

Winston Churchill Believed In Aliens, Lost Essay Reveals Churchill pinpointed issues dominating today's debate about extra-terrestrial life. The hunt for life on other worlds has taken off in the last 20 years as observations have suggested the Milky Way alone may contain more than a billion Earth-size planets that could be habitable. Churchill was already thinking along similar lines nearly 80 years ago, writing, "With hundreds of thousands of nebulae, each containing thousands of millions of suns, the odds are enormous that there must be immense numbers which possess planets whose circumstances would not render life impossible". He also honed in on the importance of liquid water for life, saying that a suitable planet would have to be "between a few degrees of frost and the boiling point of water". Modern scientists are busier than ever looking for signs of life in such environments, both in our own solar system and in the wider universe. So far, they have found nothing. Churchill's essay was probably intended as a popular science piece for a newspaper, although it never appeared in print. The famous polymath had already written similar science articles for newspapers and magazines, including one on fusion power in 1931. The typewritten essay entitled 'Are We Alone in the Universe?’ was uncovered last year in the archives of the U.S. National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, and passed to astrophysicist Mario Livio for expert examination. In his analysis in Nature, Livio praised Churchill's clear thinking, as well as his support for science as a tool of government policy. Churchill was the first prime minister to employ a science adviser. "At a time when a number of today’s politicians shun science, I find it moving to recall a leader who engaged with it so profoundly," Livio wrote. Churchill's vision of life on Earth in the first half of the 20th century, however, was far from rosy. "I, for one, am not so immensely impressed by the success we are making of our civilization here that I am prepared to think we are the only spot in this immense universe which contains living, thinking creatures, or that we are the highest type of mental and physical development which has ever appeared in the vast compass of space and time." Dr Livio told BBC News that there were no firm plans to publish the article because of issues surrounding the copyright. However, he said the Churchill Museum was working to resolve these so that the historically important essay can eventually see the light of day.

Best VPN 2017 Whether they are downloading legally or illegally, this person does not want on some company's witch-hunt list just because they have a tormenting app installed on their computer. VPNs are the only way to stay safe when using something like BitTorrent, everything else is just a false sense of security. Better safe than trying to defend yourself in court or paying a massive fine for something you may or may not have even done. There are many VPN providers to choose from but with so many options, it can be difficult to decide which the best service for you is. A good VPN: Company’s Location and Servers When choosing a VPN provider, it is important to check where the company is based and where their server located are. This will allow you to understand how they manage the data transferred through their service and if they are the best solution for your needs. For instance, a company based in the United States, will be subject to US laws, meaning that they will release data, if required by law enforcement. They could also be under a stronger surveillance from the NSA. This does not mean that companies outside the US are not under scrutiny and would not share information. However, if you are concerned about privacy and government surveillance, it is advisable to check what the laws are regarding data that could cover the provider you choose. When it comes to location of servers, it is necessary to ensure that the VPN provider offers options that adapt to your needs. This means that if you want to watch media content that is only available in the US, you need to get a provider that has servers there. This will allow you to appear as if you are connecting from that country and will get access to websites or TV shows available there. Logging If your main reason to use a VPN is privacy, the most important thing to check when choosing a provider is their logging policy. Even though using a VPN protects you data from eavesdroppers, your VPN provider would still be able to access it. This is why it is crucial that you select a trustworthy company and if you want complete confidentiality, you should opt for a provider that do not keep logs of your data. Some providers may be required to release data by their local law but if they have a no logging policy, they would not have any relevant details to provide. Protocols When visiting a VPN provider’s website you will notice that they refer to terms such as OpenVPN, PPTP, IPsec and more. These protocols are designed to offering you a secure connection. Each protocol has its own advantages and downsides. SSL is the most commonly used but OpenVPN is generally regarded as a highly secure option. Most corporate clients use IPsec or SSL clients. VPN providers generally support multiple protocols and each of them would suit a different solution. Security Even though a VPN is secure in the sense that it protects your data from eavesdroppers, it does not necessarily protect you from malware. You should still be careful with the files you download or the websites you visit. It is also important to ensure that you use HTTPS whenever possible. It of upmost importance that your VPN passes security tests. Any failures can indicate that something may not be configured correctly or worse yet the service does not work and is leaking your info. Mobile Apps A good VPN service should allow you to have a great experience, whether you are using your PC or your smartphone. The leading VPN providers offer versatility and extended compatibility, counting with dedicated clients for desktops and mobile devices. This will ensure that you can protect your data while you are on the go with the same effective service that you enjoy at home. If you specifically want the service for one device or OS in particular, you can verify app capabilities per provider, such as for iPhone, or Android based VPN apps. Value for Money Even though there are providers that offer convenient free VPN services, they have limited features and do not offer all the privacy that you would expect. The best option to enjoy all the advantages of a VPN is to get a paid service. With a quality paid VPN service, you can enjoy protection for your data and flexibility to enjoy all the media content and access the websites that you want. There are options for small budgets and different plans. Just as with everything else, it is advisable to keep in mind that if you want quality, you may have to pay a higher price. However, most companies offer discounts and special offers and the price is considerably reduced when you subscribe for a longer period. Best VPN 2017: NordVPN From the off Nord VPN impresses. Despite the Scandinavian-sounding name, it is actually based in Panama. It maintains Nordic ideals of freedom and trust however, so is located there to be out of the jurisdiction of the ‘fourteen eyes’. It has a strict ‘no logs’ policy so you will not have to worry about it having any record of your internet traffic. As of writing there were more than 500 servers to choose from, from across 51 countries. Encryption levels are higher than most. You have the option of DoubleVPN, which refers to a AES-256 CBC cipher used twice over and relayed through the Netherlands. It is extra secure. There is also a Kill Switch to end internet activity should the VPN drop for any reason. On top of that is the option to uses the TOR network over VPN offering an even greater level of anonymity and access to TORs ‘onion’ sites - that is sites that are part of the deep web and not accessible via the regular internet. No surprise then that you can pay using an anonymous method such as Bitcoin if you wish, but you can also use more conventional methods such a credit card or PayPal. It claims to the easiest VPN to set up and it proved to be quick to setup on the Mac and is easy to use on Windows. It also supports Linux, iOS and Android and up to six devices can be connected at one time. A 24/7 live chat service for support is also available from the web site. Overall, Nord VPN is a very strong option. Free version available; £3.74 per month Premium; £5.83 per month Premium Plus CyberGhost CyberGhost has built a solid reputation for security and transparency over the years. The platform boasts a number of key features that make it one of the safest ways to roam the internet. Alongside the anonymising of your online identity, CyberGhost also features military grade encryption to fend off information thieves. You do not need an additional browser or plug-in as CyberGhost works with pretty much everything and is available as an app for Android and iOS. A built-in ad-blocker also makes surfing even quicker, although it does deprive impoverished writers of their hard-earned money. While CyberGhost does offer a free tier, it has many of the main features disabled, employs a waiting period each time you connect, and automatically disconnects after three hours, although you can reconnect immediately. It is there to show you how the service works, and the proper version is available for £45 per year, or £3.99 per month for a single device plan, and £70 per year or £6.99 per month for five devices. Private Internet Access If it is a wide choice of servers you are looking for, then Private Internet Access will not disappoint you. It boasts a massive 3,340, more than any of the VPNs we have looked at. Additionally, it scores points by stating that it does not track IP address or even connection timestamps. It runs its own DNS servers and supports the slower but more secure OpenVPN protocol. A Kill Switch feature means it will shut down all connections should the VPN be disconnected. Furthermore, you can pay anonymously should you wish. However, for those who are truly concerned about privacy, all this good work is undone by the fact that it has based in the USA – the heart of the ‘5-eyes’ data swapping collective. Private Internet Access is easy to use and is considered one of the fastest VPNs available and is well featured. As long as you are not overly concerned about the fact that it is based in the US this is a contender. At a monthly cost of just $3.33 (£2.55) for an annual subscription, it is also one of the cheaper options available. For that, you get five licences so it can be run at the same time on Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android. PureVPN PureVPN is based in Hong Kong, which has the advantage of being out of view of the prying ’14-eyes’. It uses 256-bit grade encryption and boasts more than 500 servers across 141 countries. While it makes a big play of the fact that it does not monitor or record any activity that passes through its servers it does admit to keeping record of connections and bandwidth, which it says is in order to optimally manage its servers. It also offers the more secure OpenVPN protocol and maintains its own DNS servers. Features include split tunnelling, which routes specific apps to access the internet via their local internet connection and other specific apps via their VPN connection simultaneously. There’s also a Kill Switch that ensures that your actual IP is never exposed should the VPN drop. The interface is a little dated looking but gets the job done. You can choose a location either by city, or by activity, such as online sports streaming, and it will connect you to an optimal server. Pricing is reasonable at $4.99 (£4.09) a month and you can pay via anonymous payment methods such as cards, and there is a 7-day money back guarantee, as long as you do not exceed 3GB. There is also a 24/7 support available.

The Value of a Hacked PC to Criminals Many people think cyber criminals are only after financial information. But hacked PCs give criminals a lot more than just credit card numbers and banking passwords. An infected PC gives hackers access to email contacts, virtual goods like downloaded music, and account credentials. An infected PC also allows criminals to use it as their own personal zombie to host phishing and malware schemes. If your computer is hacked, it's not yours anymore. It's just like your home. If you come home, and find someone else moved in and is squatting in your living space, it doesn't matter if they found your credit cards. Now you have to work around them and they're eating your food, peeking into your private matters, running up your phone bill, misusing your name, and pushing you out of your house. A chart listing the various ways that miscreants can monetize hacked PCs. This graphic was designed to explain simply and visually to the sort of computer user who can’t begin to fathom why miscreants would want to hack into their PC: I don’t bank online I don’t store sensitive information on my machine! I only use it to check email. What could hackers possibly want with this hunk of junk? Are some common refrains from this type of user. Nearly every aspect of a hacked computer and a user’s online life can be if it has an economic value. If it has value and can be resold. By way of example, consider the point-and-click tools pictured below, which are offered on several fraud forums by one enterprising young criminal. This guy makes and markets dozens of account checking tools that are used to test the validity and status of many popular online stores and services, including Amazon, American Express, eBay, Facebook, iTunes, PayPal and Skype, to name a few. Although the above referenced article is a few years old now, published by Brian Krebs in 2012 (which is ancient in technology terms), it covers a timeless topic that deserves a spotlight, especially now in 2017. The article exposes that once a hacker has access to a PC, there are more than just a few ways in which they can monetize or otherwise gain value from the compromised asset. The best way to protect against an attack is: keep your operating system up to date. renew and up-date your anti-virus software regularly. back up your files on a daily or weekly basis. never download anything from an email address you don’t recognize. Many cyber-security experts warn that people should be particularly skeptical of emails with attachments that appear to be from trusted brands, like FedEx or Amtrak, when they arrive unexpectedly.

iPhone 8 wireless charging likely to come with new phone The iPhone 8 is shaping up to be the most exciting and controversial smartphones of 2017 and new leaks will only increase this… Following news that the iPhone 8 will carry an asking price in excess of $1.000 (whether that is “starting from” or “up to” remains unclear), Apple has joined the business group for wireless charging, lending credence to rumours that the new iPhone will feature the technology. Rumours have swirled for years that Apple has been looking to embrace the technology, which gets rid of charging cables. But it has never actually appeared in any of its products, with the exception of the Apple Watch. But the iPhone 8 – expected to be released later this year – might finally bring the technology, according to various rumours. Those rumours were lent further credence by Apple's decision to join the Wireless Power Consortium. As well as regulating the technology, the group governs the Qi standard that is found in most phones with wireless charging and allows them all to work together. It is not clear that Apple will actually use that technology, even though it does use an advanced version of Qi in the Watch. But it represents a commitment to a technology that Apple has been long-pressed to introduce but has mostly rejected. The company might in fact finally bring to market a long-rumoured deal that would see it able to use long-range charging, where power is sent over the air from a charging point to the phone. At the moment, wireless charging requires putting the device onto a special pad – but if the new technology were implemented, it might be possible to charge from inside its users' pockets. Technology analysts have suggested that Apple may still be looking to release such a technology, but that it joined the group because it had given up on waiting for it to become available. forbes