New Technology Hides Messages in Internet Phone Calls

By JR Raphael
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

A couple of Polish scientists have come up with a way to encode secret messages within the data of internet-based VoIP calls.

The men, from the Institute of Telecommunications in Warsaw, designed a steganographic system — a special kind of code that allows content to be encrypted inside of other content, unbeknownst to anyone else. The idea has been used before to encode information within an image that can then be detected using specialized software, but the scientists say their work would be the first time encryption has been used in an audio-based phone call.

One of the researchers explained the process to New Scientist Magazine (subscription required):

“You replace some of the voice data packets that you are sending with the hidden message. This is possible because VoIP uses a data transmission routine called the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Unlike the more familiar TCP, which delivers web pages and emails, UDP does not guarantee that packets will arrive in the same order they were sent. They may arrive out of order, be duplicated, or simply go missing. The fact that the voice message can survive when VoIP packets are lost means that some of them can be used for another message: the hidden one.”

The pair is now working to further control the effect the hidden messages have on the call’s audio quality to make sure the process stays undetected. So how would this technology be used? The scientists say it’s open to interpretation.

“Whether we treat VoIP covert channels as a potential threat to network security or as a mean to improve VoIP functionality, we must accept the fact that the number of information that we can covertly transfer is significant,” the researchers concluded.

ObamaHillary.com – prudent investment or worthless?

By Mark O’Neill

While Senator Barack Obama FINALLY moves towards to the Democratic presidential nomination and the TV talking heads speculate endlessly about his Vice-Presidential running mate, one domain name reseller has already decided who it will be – and he’s got the domain up for sale on eBay for a bargain basement $5000.

Don Bowman sits at home, watches TV and comes up with domain names that might prove to be valuable. His latest one is ObamaHillary.com because he is convinced that Senator Obama has the former First Lady on speed dial and will call her up sometime soon to invite her on the ticket. That’s when his domain’s value will shoot through the roof and he will rake in the cash. Ah-hah.

I don’t know what you think, but to me, domain name speculation is a very hit and miss affair. It’s just like going to the bookmakers and putting your money on the horses, crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.  Buying domain names and trying to predict the future isn’t much different.

But I think we can assume in this case, the horse isn’t going to come in.


Hat Creek Radio Observatory about to start

By Mark O’Neill

In what is being touted as a “new switchboard for aliens“, the 42 telescope dishes at Hat Creek Radio Observatory will soon kick into action.

When the full 350 telescope dish display is finished in a few years time – initially funded by $30 million from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen – it will be the biggest extra-terrestrial search station ever in the world.

But problems are already cropping up.   Allen’s $30 million is already gone and they need a further $40 million to finish the rest of the dishes.    So they are having to resort to tacky “Adopt a Scientist” schemes to raise the extra money as the government isn’t going to rush in and write them a check.

It’s a sad day when science and exploration gets pushed to the back of the line in favour of billions getting pumped into pointless wars in the Middle East.

Geek Gang Signs Won’t Make You Look Any Cooler

Ladies and gentlemen, after Nerdcore Rap and other endless crossovers between the geek and hip hop culture, let me present you the brand new way to express your nerdiness to your fellow geek friends: The geek gang signs.

Geek Gang Signs

Maybe 20 years ago, I would have find these signs very cool and tried to emulate them, but now I think I would just roll my eyes and have a good laugh while seeing geek kids do them.

[via]

Online Staring Contest Heats Up

By JR Raphael
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

The human need to compete has never been more evident than in the new web sensation called iBeatYou.

The site definitely wins when it comes to number of ways to waste time online. You can find a competition for practically any “skill,” so to speak. Think you’re a staring contest champ? See how you stack up against other top competitors across the world. All you have to do is stare straight ahead for as long as you can without blinking, and record the action on your webcam. I used to do that for hours on end at my old job, just minus the webcam. Too bad this site wasn’t around back then.

Other popular contests include best photo of you with a celebrity (current winner: woman with the Backstreet Boys), hottest girl playing Xbox (an admirable category; Jessica Alba currently has the top-rated photo), best drunken photo (definitely will be some regrets from these competitors in a few years), and of course, best abs.

The list goes on and on. Basically, if you can think of it, there’s a contest for it. So, the question is, are you ready to step up to the challenge? If so, please post a link to your entry in the comments section below so the rest of us can mock you incessantly.

What have they DONE to the Hulk?!

By Mark O’Neill

I was starting to enjoy the anticipation of the upcoming Incredible Hulk movie but having now seen some new pictures that have just been released, I am horrified!

What have they done to him? He looks like he has caught a severe dose of leprosy!

Bill Bixby must be turning in his grave and Lou Ferringo must be getting ready to smash something!

What is it with Hollywood that they can’t turn a classic TV series into a movie without royally screwing it up?  Why do they have to make a stupid CGI version of the Hulk anyway?   What’s wrong with the perfect Lou Ferringo method of getting a big muscular guy and painting him green?   Oh wait, that would be too realistic-looking.

Take a Walk on the Keyboard Carpet

By JR Raphael
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Wii Fit, meet your match. A creative guy has come up with a room-sized, foot-controlled keyboard carpet.

The strip, as you’d expect, lets you step on letters to control your computer. Active, productive, and a lovely addition to any home. I’m sure every woman in the world will be thrilled when her significant other brings one of these into the living room.

Hackaday has a step-by-step look at the construction, and you can see more photos at the developer’s Flickr site. The guy’s got some other interesting-looking projects in the works there, too, including a glove with some kind of built-in switches and an odd invention I can’t quite figure out called the “Dog and Gong.”

Missed The Andromeda Strain? Catch it Again on Saturday Night

By Patrick Biz
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

This week, A&E broadcasted its awaited mini-series, The Andromeda Strain, featuring Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and Rick Schroder (24). The 2 two hour episodes aired on Monday and Tuesday night, but if you’ve missed the show, you can watch the rerun this weekend.

The Plot

Following the crash of a US satellite near a small town in Utah, a micro-organism, codenamed Andromeda, kills virtually all citizens as their blood instantly coagulates. Mysteriously, two survivors are found alive and may hold the key to a possible cure. A team of highly specialized scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone (Benjamin Bratt), is running against time to stop the spread, while a reporter investigates a possible government conspiracy to save a sample of Andromeda.

5 Million Viewers

The Andromeda Strain is the second most-watched A&E show ever, reaching 5 million viewers for part II. If you’ve missed this great mini-series, catch it again on Saturday night, or make sure to set your PVR from 8:00pm to 12:00am EST. The show is also available in HD.