Firesheep, Blacksheep and botnets

Firesheep became a problem recently for people who use wireless internet in cafes, libraries etc. because it meant someone else nearby could download this free software to snoop on your activities.
This was quickly followed by another application called Blacksheep, which says it can detect snooping to alert you to the fact.
To understand how BlackSheep works, we first need to understand the details of FireSheep. FireSheep listens to the HTTP traffic on port 80. When it identifies a transaction to a known site (Facebook, Google, Yahoo!, etc.), it looks for specific cookie values which are then used to identify a specific user.

When FireSheep identifies a user session, it then makes a request to the same site using the user's cookie values in order to retrieve user information such as their name, picture, etc. This active network activity is however visible to others on the local network.

BlackSheep detects the active connection made by Firesheep. It does this by making HTTP requests to random sites handled by FireSheep every 5 minutes (configurable) with fake values. BlackSheep then listens to all HTTP requests on the network to detect if somebody else is using the same fake values.
Zscaler has recommended users logout of the social service they are using as soon as an alert is raised and stop using the network.

All this should make the average user wary of doing confidential things in wireless internet situations. There are smarter hackers out there than the person who downloads Firesheep.

As for the idea that your computer may have been captured and be secretly used as part of a zombie computer army or botnet, please follow this link to McAfee to find out more.....

Here are some tips to help keep you bot-free:

• Never click on a link or download in a spam email or instant message from someone you don’t know
• Use comprehensive security software, like McAfee Total Protection™ software, to protect you from viruses, spam, and other Internet threats, and keep the software up-to-date
• Set your operating system and browser to automatically apply updates
• Turn your computer off when you are not using it—when you are disconnected from the Internet cybercriminals can't access your machine

Are you already part of a botnet?? Well, there is advice at the above link about that too.
Some major ISPs have already begun malware disinfection programs. Australia's recently launched voluntary anti-zombie code for ISPs was held up as a good model for achieving relatively low levels of infections. General levels of education were also an important factor.
Don't get paranoid, just get SAFE!

Cbyer safety

Libraries play an important role in providing internet access and advice to children, their parents, and other library users. To help library staff in this role, the Australian Government ACMA has developed a range of resources about how to manage risks so that  library users have safe and positive experiences online.

Developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Cybersmart is part of the Australian Government’s cybersafety program.
Developed in conjunction with the Australian Library and Information Association and Australian public libraries these resources aim to complement existing policies in libraries and provide additional resources and support to library staff.
The Cybersmart Guide for Library Staff provides information, support and tools to effectively promote internet safety in Australian public libraries—especially for children.
This guide is complemented by a cyber rules poster for young internet users and a series of online cybersafety videos. Information for families, including the Cybersmart Guide for Families is also available.
Safer Internet Day, an international event marked on 8 February 2011, will focus on the theme ‘It’s more than a game, it’s your life’. The event aims to help children and young people learn essential skills about safe social networking.
To help raise awareness of cybersafety issues with library users, library staff may like to use some of the free Cybersmart resources, including the issue-specific downloadable brochures, below, which are designed for parents and their children. These can also be ordered as hard copies. You can order these free resources online or by telephoning the Cybersafety Contact Centre on 1800 880 176.
Please allow 10 working days for delivery.
The following valuable resources may be useful for raising Cybersafety issues with your library users.

• Socialising on the internet (PDF 1.2 Mb)
• Dealing with offensive content (PDF 1.2Mb)
• Mobile phone safety (PDF 1.3 Mb)
• Say no to cyberbullying (PDF 1.4Mb)
• Social networking-A guide for adults (PDF 1.2Mb)
• Cybersafety Resources brochure (PDF 678Kb)
• ‘It’s more than a game, it’s your life’ Safer Internet Day poster (PDF 394kb)

Animation sites and story book sites

Making your own mini animations is getting much easier these days, thanks to sites like www.voki.com which do all the hard work for you,  making it quick, easy and fun.

Here's an example of a cartoon character that you can personalise with a supplied or uploaded background, add your own voice or type text which is turned into voice, and then publish.

Another site which allows you to make an extended dialogue between 2 characters is xtranormal.com which adds your text to a movie, complete with characters that gesture and different camera angles.

Then there are quick ways to produce digital story books.

Batalugu [http://batalugu.com/] is a new free (beta) site that is great for creating digital books. The easy to use on-line tools will take you on a step by step journey as you write, rhyme, illustrate, design and print your book. This user friendly site has lots of options to choose from such as: themes, page layout, and is ideal for digital storytelling. The book you create can be shared online with everyone.

Another one is Storyjumper, which will print and sell you the resulting picturebook. 

Virtual art exhibition

Another use for Powerpoint presentations is to produce a virtual walkthrough.
This could be a tour of the various features of your local library,
you could promote virtual family history research and local tourism via a cemetery tour or local history walk,
or invite art lover visitors to a virtual art exhibition.

Here is a peek into an art exhibition held by Rockhampton's
Central Queensland Contemporary artists, held at Gallery 6 of the Walter Reid Cultural Centre.

As you like it art exhibition

View more presentations from Anna  Casey.