As technology changes cyber-criminals adjust to it. Recently MIT’s Technology Review published an article concerning the biggest technology security threats of 2012. Most of us spend a lot of our time online: working, surfing the Web, or just chatting with friends via social media. If you spend time online, being aware of these threats can help guard you and your data.

Stolen, Spoofed Certificates

The biggest problem that the Technology Review article dealt with is the growing amount of stolen or spoofed certificates. As the article reports, every time you connect to a site, such as your bank’s website, your traffic is encrypted using a “certificate” that the site uses to prove to your web browser that it can be trusted. In 2011, though, cyber-criminals were able to spoof or steal a number of these certificates. This can help them steal user data or install harmful software on their computers.

A Common Security Mechanism in Trouble?

This is a serious issue because the use of certificates and encrypted data is the most popular security mechanism on the web. If they can no longer be trusted, that means potential trouble for all computer users.

Another common security challenge is what is referred to as “Hacktivism”. Cyber-criminals see this as activism through hacking, hence the name. Organizations like Anonymous and LulzSec target large companies that they believe are guilty of wrongdoing. Additionally they target companies to demonstrate the susceptibility and weakness of them. Technology Review believes that groups like these will continue “hacktivism” for a long time.

Home Automation

The growing popularity of home automation also creates security risks in 2012. As Technology Review writes, an increasing amount of automation systems connect security systems, thermostats, lights, and even the locks to homes’ front doors to the internet. Imagine the damage that hackers can do if they break into these systems.

Can you imagine life without the computer? It wasn’t that long ago that we didn’t have them, yet today we carry them around inside our purses in the form of smartphones.

How did computers develop into such an essential appliance in such a short amount of time? That’s the query that science historian and author George Dyson asks, and answers, in his new book, Turing’s Cathedral, a kind of personal history of the pc.

The son of scientist Freeman Dyson, George Dyson spent a lot of his life at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Studies. The very first digital computers were built here with the assistance of scientist Josh von Neumann.

If you read Turing’s Cathedral it may surprise you at how much chance was involved in the creation of the machines that let to computers. The book not only highlights the development of the computer but also the personalities involved at the Princeton Institute. They weren’t always on the same page but managed to create the first digital computer nevertheless.

Genius or not, people are still people, and when working closely on the same project there are sure to be rivalries and disagreements that occur. Turing’s Cathedral lays these things open, displaying the humanity of the scientist that created the first computer.It was not only the personal disputes that needed to be put aside to make this project productive; there were also moral issues involved. The work that went into the creation of the computer walked hand in hand with the U.S. nuclear weapons project.

You might have the notion that a history book about computers will not only be dry but probably full of technical terms. This is not true with Turing’s Cathedral; nearly everybody who use computers will find this book interesting. And that is a lot of people today.

More and more cars are appearing that permit people to be connected to the Web from the front seat via Wi-Fi or 3G networks.  The Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and Audi A6 are all examples of this. With these connections individuals will be able to stream videos, get up-to-the-minute traffic information, in addition to speak their text messages. These things all sound fantastic, and we generally welcome technological advancements with open arms but this make us ask the question: Is full connectivity in a moving vehicle a good thing?

Challenges of the Connected Car

People get distracted when they text or chat on their phones while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 80 percent of traffic accidents involve driver inattention within 3 seconds of the crash. So, if basic cell phone use is a disruption consider what it would be like if a person is video Skyping with their best friend while driving or watching that funny Super Bowl advertisement.

Does Tech Distract Drivers?

Certainly drivers must concentrate on driving, and several things like eating, talking on their phone, even talking to a companion within the car can be a distraction. These distractions can lead to serious accidents. This reason is in part why the idea of having more connected cars doesn’t automatically make people jump for joy.

Browsing the Web Inside Your Car

Regardless of how we feel about it, unless laws are put into place stopping it, people will soon be able to stream YouTube videos, Google an answer to a question, and correspond via social media sites within their cars. Maybe the next phase ought to be to improve self-driving aspects to cars; but perhapsthat would disconnect us even more to the world around us.

As we said before, we usually think of advancements in technology as a great thing, nevertheless, the possible negative effects that connected cars could have make us stop and think. While having these tech features in our cars boosts enjoyment on the road it’s important that they don’t become a distraction to the driver.

You hear the term “nanotechnology,” and what do you think of? Sci-fi, maybe robots, something along those lines? In reality, nanotechnology is making life easier for all of us. At its core, nanotechnology is the science of dealing with matter on an atomic and molecular scale. The hope is that scientists will use nanotechnology to create new materials and products that boast a variety of purposes.

The practical side of nanotechnology

As an illustration, Science Daily ran a feature story about scientists creating a way to use nanotechnology to lessen the level of friction in car engines and machines. If this technology becomes widespread, it will help increase the lives of machines and engines and enable them to operate more proficiently. According to the Science Daily story, a team of scientists created tiny polymer particles that were dispersed in automobile engine base oils. When tested under conditions that simulated those present in car engines, these tiny particles were found to have an exceptional capability to reduce friction.

More efficient motors

The story noted that even when these particles were distributed at a low concentration, they boasted more potent friction-reducing abilities than the friction reducing additives used by many industries today. The scientists discovered that these particles, measuring just nanometers in size, made it possible to reduce friction by 55 percent more than additives currently can. Expect more discoveries such as this down the road. The field of nanotechnology continues to grow. It’s growing so quickly, in fact, that the United States recently released a national strategy for ensuring that environmental, health, and safety research needs are recognized and addressed in the field.

The emerging world of nanotechnology

Next time you consider nanotechnology think of your car’s engine. Some day nanotechnology might be responsible for helping you save lots of money due to your engine consuming less gas.

There are a lot of problems these days; Climate change, poverty, Illiteracy, debt crises, these are only a few. Google has elected to give solving these problems a try and developed the “Solve for X” initiative. This project brings together some of Google’s greatest minds and asks them to creatively tackle some of the most perplexing global issues. The hope is that the “Solve for X” brain trust will come out with revolutionary solutions using current technologies in a way previously unthought-of.

Tackling the biggest global issues

Of course, it’s not that simple. The “Solve for X” brain trust will be taking on problems that have long befuddled world leaders. However, the individuals behind this project are nothing if not determined. They assert the work occurring here is equivalent to the progressive thinking that was needed to send humans to the moon. On the “Solve for X” website, Google describes it this way: “This combination of things—a huge problem to solve, a radical solution for solving it and the breakthrough technology to make it happen—is the essence of a moonshot.”

Tackling water scarcity

Last month Mashable.com ran a story on the “Solve for X” project. Mashable cited the account of an individual who took part in a “Solve for X” retreat. He said that they were focused on the issue of water scarcity. What resolutions did they come up with on this retreat? One involved forward osmosis with recycled ammonium salts. It’s fine if you do not know what that means, fortunately the people at “Solve for X” do.

The need for technology brain trusts

“Solve for X” may not produce any real, practical, solutions for the world’s problems but the brain trust idea undoubtedly has potential. Technology has, and can, alter the world for the better; we merely need outside the box thinking to generate ideas. So we shall see if “Solve for X” comes up with innovative purposes of technologies we currently have.

Do your employees express their ideas and opinions? Do they come to you with ways to improve effectiveness or new innovative marketing ideas?

If not, then you might be managing a workplace in which employee creativity is being squelched. These days an absence of creativity in your company can condemn your firm to second-tier status. It may even lead your company out of business.

Two heads are better then one right? Well what about a whole business? Fostering creativity means you have many individuals thinking of new ways to market your products and services, boost workflow efficiency, and enhance general productivity. This can ultimately mean saving the company money.

One of the best ways to motivate fresh thinking is to merely listen to your employees when they present new ideas. Most employees are worried when approaching their superiors with new ideas, particularly when it’s an idea that falls “outside of the box.” So make sure you give them an open forum to present their ideas and give them the respect to listen to them. One more way is to ask your employees, if you are trying to think of a way to improve the company’s blog, or products, send out an email asking for ideas. Not all of your employee’s ideas will amaze you, but, so as not to single anyone out, listen to them all.

If you dismiss employee suggestions or disregard them without listening to them, you’ll only encourage your employees to do their jobs as rapidly as possible. Instead of thinking about ways to enhance the company’s performance, these workers will be concerned only about doing their work and getting paid.

You could also use a good old fashioned reward system to get your team’s wheels turning. This could be a bonus to people whose ideas you implement or it could merely mean giving them some honest praise.

Most employees want to be creative. Most have ideas on how to improve their places of employment. However, in too many work environments, creativity simply isn’t emphasized. Break this trend, and encourage your staff to really think about their company. The rewards you receive could be immense.