The recent cyber attacks on pro-Tibet groups in the U.S. (attack details, technical data) and on the Save Darfur Coalition, among others, have managed to catch the attention of some in the mainstream media. Such super-targeted spear phishing attacks have been on the rise for several years, and have become an important tool for corporate espionage and military infiltration attempts. Teaching users to recognize such attack emails is probably the most effective deterrence, as technology solutions have shown to not be particularly effective. Some companies and government agencies even conduct sting operations to ferret out which internal users fail the test, targeting them for additional training.
posted to MetaFilter by gemmy at 8:34 PM on March 27, 2008 (22 comments)

"We are not that close!" The Taiwan military scraps its loving hug policy for new recruits. Soldiers need hugs, and perhaps insurgents do too?
posted to MetaFilter by gemmy at 9:03 PM on October 24, 2007 (9 comments)

Dr. Grordborts Infallible Aether Oscillators is "a line of immensely dangerous yet simple to operate wave oscillation weapons" - rayguns - that includes the Manmelter 3600ZX, the Goliathon 83, and the F.M.O.M. Industries Wave Disrupter Gun. Designed by Greg Broadmore to evoke the old-school Flash Gordon serials, they bring a fun steampunk aesthetic to Weta's Collectibles' traditional movie tie-in fare.
posted to MetaFilter by gemmy at 7:50 AM on May 28, 2007 (12 comments)