FF 08: May 10th, 2017 News and Chat About Cyber Security with Dave Bittner

Today’s special guest is Dave Bittner, producer and host of The Cyber Wire Podcast.  Thanks for the chat about Cyber Security, Dave.

The CyberWire - Your cyber security new connection:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cyberwire-your-cyber-security-news-connection/id1071831261?mt=2

CyberWire Website:  https://www.thecyberwire.com/podcasts/

In the News

President Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office.  According to a White House Statement, the action was taken based on recommendations from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  The search for a new permanent FBI Direct will begin immediately.

White House Statement:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/09/statement-press-secretary-1

In International News

President Trump approved the further arming of Syrian Kurds in an effort to battle the Islamic State in Raqqa the Department of Defense reported.  Turkey has continued to object to arming Kurds for fear that the fighters are linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party which is considered a terror group by Turkey.

For a discussion about the events in Syria that lead up to the current crisis, be sure to check out Monday’s and Tuesday’s shows.  It is easy to listen; daily episodes are listed on our website factfruit.com as well as links to our show on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, and Google Play

South Korea elected Moon Jae-in, a human rights lawyer, as their president on Tuesday. Moon is in favor of more open dialog with North Korea and hopes for reunification on the peninsula. The election follows huge protests and the impeachment of the last South Korean president on corruption charges.         

In Tech News

The digital currency Bitcoin surged to a new all time high on Tuesday, exceeding a value of $1700.  The currency increased almost 80 percent this year fueled by interest from retailers and governments.  

For an understanding of blockchain, the technology behind Bitcoin, listen to our chat with CEO Mark Mueller-Eberstein on our show from last Thursday, May 4th.  

Link to show:  http://www.factfruit.com/may-4th-2017-top-news-headlines-interview-professor-mark-mueller-eberstein-blockchain-technology/

Amazon’s new Alexa enabled device which is called the Echo Show was announced today.  In addition to the usual voice commands that you can give Alexa, the Echo Show emphasizes video calls with its 7 inch video screen. Amazon has the device priced at $229.99 for pre-order with a release date of June 28th.   

Amazon Echo Show:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQqxCeHhmeU

Amazon Echo Pre-Order:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J24C0TI/ref=ods_gw_d_kt_dark_t1?enableAutoPlay=1&pf_rd_p=6d87cebb-9e3f-41f1-b84f-4fe560a11915&pf_rd_r=41N4PBCFZKJRE1WM96ME

According to Pew Research, a majority of internet users can answer fewer than half the questions correctly on a difficult knowledge quiz about cybersecurity issues and concepts. This survey consisted of 13 questions designed to test Americans’ knowledge of a number of cybersecurity issues and terms. The typical (median) respondent answered only five of these 13 knowledge questions correctly (with a mean of 5.5 correct answers). One-in-five (20%) answered more than eight questions accurately, and just 1% received a “perfect score” by correctly answering all 13 questions.

Take the short quiz at Pew Research’s site and let us know how you did in the comments section of our website.  You can find the link on today’s post.  

Cyber Security Quiz:  

http://www.pewinternet.org/2017/03/22/what-the-public-knows-about-cybersecurity/