Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society

Author: ttcsadmin

  • What software is in your closet?

    20140418-160413.jpg

    De-cluttering my room and looking at some of the software’s I’ve used in the past with a look to clear up some space.

    Any memories for anyone? 🙂

  • New Executive Committee for 2013-2014 at Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society

    New Executive Committee at Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society

    Port of Spain, 15th April 2014.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2013 at Engineering Consultants at 112A Edward Street, Port of Spain on Saturday March 15 2014.

    At the AGM, the following persons were elected to the Executive Committee of the TTCS.

    The new members  of the Executive Committee of the TTCS are:

    Chair

    Jacqueline Morris

    Vice Chair

    Richard Jobity

    Treasurer

    Dulcie Furlonge

    Secretary

    Amrika Ranjitsingh

    Assistant Secretary

    Dev Anand Teelucksingh

     

    The TTCS wishes to thank the outgoing Executive Committee members: Morten Lindstrom (chair) and Mike Tikasingh (secretary).

    Copies of the meeting minutes and reports presented at the AGM will be sent in a separate message.

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is a computer user group formed in 1997. We:

    • are a forum where computers, related technologies and related social issues are discussed;

    • keep current with the events in the local Information Technology and telecommunications industries;

    • “Network local computer users” so that they can share knowledge and improve upon their experiences with modern technology.

    • hold membership in several international organisations and advise on technology issues in Trinidad and Tobago and the region.

    Membership in the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is open to anyone interested in computers regardless of the level of their computer experience or the type of hardware or software they use. To join, please fill out the online form available at http://www.ttcsweb.org/jointtcs

  • The Heartbleed Bug – if you run web servers that use https and OpenSSL, you need to update now

    Heartbleed logo by http://www.codenomicon.com/

    A group of researchers have discovered a 2 year old flaw in the OpenSSL library used by web servers to encrypt communications between users and the server. These are the websites that you would use “https” instead of “http” and include websites that offer cloud services (such as email) that require user to login to banking and e-commerce websites.

    Dubbed the Heartbleed bug because the flaw is in a particular part of the OpenSSL code called heartbeat. As the Heartbleed website (http://heartbleed.com/) says:

    “The Heartbleed bug allows anyone on the Internet to read the memory of the systems protected by the vulnerable versions of the OpenSSL software. This compromises the secret keys used to identify the service providers and to encrypt the traffic, the names and passwords of the users and the actual content. This allows attackers to eavesdrop on communications, steal data directly from the services and users and to impersonate services and users.”

    Website operators that use OpenSSL need to update their servers and reissue their security certificates (if case, they were already stolen due to the Heartland bug).

    End users should limit their visits to websites that use of SSL (hard I know), change their passwords after being advised by websites to do so and in the near future, consider changing all of your online passwords.

     

    Various links to learn more:

    • ReadWrite article
      http://readwrite.com/2014/04/08/heartbleed-openssl-bug-cryptography-web-security/
    • http://heartbleed.com/ – site by the researchers that discovered the flaw
    • https://lastpass.com/heartbleed/ – site to test websites if they are vulnerable.
    • http://filippo.io/Heartbleed/ – another site to test websites if they are vulnerable

  • No more security updates, tech support for Windows

    Today’s Patch Tuesday will be the last Windows Update for Windows XP. Microsoft is dropping support for Windows XP, meaning no technical support and no more security updates . Also, Microsoft is also discontinuing its anti-virus tool Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows XP.

    Microsoft’s End of Support Page for Windows XP:
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help which offers suggestions on migrating to Windows 8.1

    Ars Technica looks on this milestone and the challenges for Windows XP users:
    The XPocalypse is upon us: Windows XP support has ended | Ars Technica.

     

  • Microsoft making Windows free on devices with screens under nine inches | The Verge

    Microsoft making Windows free on devices with screens under nine inches | The Verge.

  • Microsoft is bringing the Start Menu back | The Verge

    Microsoft is bringing the Start Menu back | The Verge.

  • Windows 8.1 Adds a Few Mouse & Keyboard Improvements, Coming April 8th

    Windows 8.1 Adds a Few Mouse & Keyboard Improvements, Coming April 8th.

  • How Gmail Happened: The Inside Story of Its Launch 10 Years Ago Today | TIME.com

    Good article by Time  on the launch of Gmail by Google 10 years ago on April 1, 2004.

    How Gmail Happened: The Inside Story of Its Launch 10 Years Ago Today | TIME.com.

  • The Cybercrime Bill 2014

    The Cybercrime Bill was introduced in the Senate by the Minister of National Security Gary Griffith on March 21 2014. The Bill seeks “to provide for the creation of offences related to cybercrime and related matters” and if passed would repeal the Computer Misuse Act 2000

    The offences related to cybercrime and related matters includes

    • illegal access to a computer system
    • Illegally remaining in a computer system
    • Illegal interception of subscriber or traffic data
    • Illegal data interference
    • Illegal acquisition of data
    • possession and distribution of devices that is designed or adapted for the purpose of committing an offence under this Act or disclosure of password or access codes
    • Unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data
    • forgery of computer data and distribution of forged data
    • Computer-related fraud
    • Identity-related offences
    • child pornography
    • using computers to set up a meeting with a child for the purpose of abusing the child.
    • the offence of violating a person’s  privacy by capturing and sharing pictures or videos of a person’s private area without his consent.
    • relaying of multiple email messages with the intent to deceive as to the origin of the message
    • the offence of harassment through the use of electronic means with the intent to cause emotional distress.
    • criminalising the act of sending multiple electronic mail messages that are unsolicited and which causes harm to a person or damage to a computer.

    The Bill lapsed with the end of the Parliament session on July 30 2014.

  • TTCS lime on Wednesday March 19 2014 from 7-9:30pm

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) will be having its next lime on Wednesday March 19 2014 at Joe’s Pizza, St. Augustine from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

    Come join us as we discuss various topics, including:

    • the upcoming cybercrime bill
    • the new TTCS executive for 2013

    Anyone interested in computing and ICT is welcome to attend.
    A contribution of $50 is expected towards the food bill.

    Address:
    Joe’s Pizza
    #5-6 Emerald Plaza
    Eastern Main Road, St Augustine

    Detailed Directions:
    Heading East on the Eastern Main Road after UWI, just before St. John’s Road (the road with Scotia Bank), look for Emerald Plaza on your right. Take the second entrance on your right.