Month: August 2018

MS Sketch2Code uses AI to convert a picture of a wireframe to HTML – download and try

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Description Sketch2Code is a solution that uses AI to transform a handwritten user interface design from a picture to a valid HTML markup code. Process flow The process of transformation of a handwritten image to HTML this solution implements is detailed as follows: The user uploads an image through the website. A custom vision model Read more about MS Sketch2Code uses AI to convert a picture of a wireframe to HTML – download and try[…]

AI sucks at stopping online trolls spewing toxic comments

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A group of researchers from Aalto University and the University of Padua found this out when they tested seven state-of-the-art models used to detect hate speech. All of them failed to recognize foul language when subtle changes were made, according to a paper [PDF] on arXiv. Adversarial examples can be created automatically by using algorithms Read more about AI sucks at stopping online trolls spewing toxic comments[…]

​Google just put an AI in charge of keeping its data centers cool

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Google is putting an artificial intelligence system in charge of its data center cooling after the system proved it could cut energy use. Now Google and its AI company DeepMind are taking the project further; instead of recommendations being implemented by human staff, the AI system is directly controlling cooling in the data centers that Read more about ​Google just put an AI in charge of keeping its data centers cool[…]

How AI Can Spot Exam Cheats and Raise Standards

Posted on by Robin Edgar

AI is being deployed by those who set and mark exams to reduce fraud — which remains overall a small problem — and to create far greater efficiencies in preparation and marking, and to help improve teaching and studying. From a report, which may be paywalled: From traditional paper-based exam and textbook producers such as Read more about How AI Can Spot Exam Cheats and Raise Standards[…]

Spyware Company Leaves ‘Terabytes’ of Selfies, Text Messages, and Location Data Exposed Online

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A company that sells surveillance software to parents and employers left “terabytes of data” including photos, audio recordings, text messages and web history, exposed in a poorly-protected Amazon S3 bucket. Image: Shutterstock This story is part of When Spies Come Home, a Motherboard series about powerful surveillance software ordinary people use to spy on their Read more about Spyware Company Leaves ‘Terabytes’ of Selfies, Text Messages, and Location Data Exposed Online[…]

Woman sentenced to more than 5 years for leaking info about Russia hacking attempts. Trump still on the loose.

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A former government contractor who pleaded guilty to leaking U.S. secrets about Russia’s attempts to hack the 2016 presidential election was sentenced Thursday to five years and three months in prison. It was the sentence that prosecutors had recommended — the longest ever for a federal crime involving leaks to the news media — in Read more about Woman sentenced to more than 5 years for leaking info about Russia hacking attempts. Trump still on the loose.[…]

How a hacker network turned stolen press releases into $100 million

Posted on by Robin Edgar

At a Kiev nightclub in the spring of 2012, 24-year-old Ivan Turchynov made a fateful drunken boast to some fellow hackers. For years, Turchynov said, he’d been hacking unpublished press releases from business newswires and selling them, via Moscow-based middlemen, to stock traders for a cut of the sizable profits. Oleksandr Ieremenko, one of the Read more about How a hacker network turned stolen press releases into $100 million[…]

Android data slurping measured and monitored – scary amounts and loads of location tracking

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Google’s passive collection of personal data from Android and iOS has been monitored and measured in a significant academic study. The report confirms that Google is no respecter of the Chrome browser’s “incognito mode” aka “porn mode”, collecting Chrome data to add to your personal profile, as we pointed out earlier this year. It also Read more about Android data slurping measured and monitored – scary amounts and loads of location tracking[…]

Bitcoin mining now apparently accounts for almost one percent of the world’s energy consumption

Posted on by Robin Edgar

According to testimony provided by Princeton computer scientist Arvind Narayanan to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, no matter what you do to make cryptocurrency mining harware greener, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall network’s flabbergasting energy consumption. Instead, Narayanan told the committee, the only thing that really determines Read more about Bitcoin mining now apparently accounts for almost one percent of the world’s energy consumption[…]

Huawei reverses its stance, will no longer allow bootloader unlocking – will lose many customers

Posted on by Robin Edgar

In order to deliver the best user experience and prevent users from experiencing possible issues that could arise from ROM flashing, including system failure, stuttering, worsened battery performance, and risk of data being compromised, Huawei will cease providing bootloader unlock codes for devices launched after May 25, 2018. For devices launched prior to the aforementioned Read more about Huawei reverses its stance, will no longer allow bootloader unlocking – will lose many customers[…]

Oi, clickbait cop bot, jam this in your neural net: Hot new AI threatens to DESTROY web journos

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Artificial intelligent software has been trained to detect and flag up clickbait headlines. And here at El Reg we say thank God Larry Wall for that. What the internet needs right now is software to highlight and expunge dodgy article titles about space alien immigrants, faked moon landings, and the like. Machine-learning eggheads continue to Read more about Oi, clickbait cop bot, jam this in your neural net: Hot new AI threatens to DESTROY web journos[…]

Facebook Wanted to Kill This Investigative People You May Know Tool

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Last year, we launched an investigation into how Facebook’s People You May Know tool makes its creepily accurate recommendations. By November, we had it mostly figured out: Facebook has nearly limitless access to all the phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and social media handles most people on Earth have ever used. That, plus its Read more about Facebook Wanted to Kill This Investigative People You May Know Tool[…]

It’s either legal to port-scan someone without consent or it’s not, fumes researcher: Halifax bank port scans you when you visit the page

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Halifax Bank scans the machines of surfers that land on its login page whether or not they are customers, it has emerged. Security researcher Paul Moore has made his objection to this practice – in which the British bank is not alone – clear, even though it is done for good reasons. The researcher claimed Read more about It’s either legal to port-scan someone without consent or it’s not, fumes researcher: Halifax bank port scans you when you visit the page[…]

Critical OpenEMR Flaws Left Medical Records Vulnerable

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Security researchers have found more than 20 bugs in the world’s most popular open source software for managing medical records. Many of the vulnerabilities were classified as severe, leaving the personal information of an estimated 90 million patients exposed to bad actors. OpenEMR is open source software that’s used by medical offices around the world Read more about Critical OpenEMR Flaws Left Medical Records Vulnerable[…]

Facebook: We’re not asking for financial data, we’re just partnering with banks

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Facebook is pushing back against a report in Monday’s Wall Street Journal that the company is asking major banks to provide private financial data. The social media giant has reportedly had talks with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and US Bancorp to discuss proposed features including fraud alerts and checking account balances via Messenger. Elisabeth Read more about Facebook: We’re not asking for financial data, we’re just partnering with banks[…]