Happy Birthday Google : Some Fun Facts About the Company You Didn’t Know

Today is the 17th birthday of Google. It was the day when it was launched by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. To mark the occasion, we have come up with some lesser know fun facts about the company.

28 Words:

Google’s founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page still prefer to keep home page simple and it shouldn’t exceed 28 words.

Google Loves Dogs:

Google backs bringing dogs to work and a “company dog” called Yoshka. Yoshka escorts Urs Holzle, senior VP operations and Google Fellow to theGoogleplex.

Google Loves Food:

Founders said that no Googler should ever be more than 100 feet from a micro-kitchen with snacks and food.

Google Loves Goats:

Google rents goats from a company called California Grazing for mowing its lawn and other weeds at Google HQ. The operation of 200 goats good for the environment, and according to Google, it is “A lot cuter to watch than lawn mowers.”

Google Loves Star Wars:

The Google homepage can also be viewed in the language of Klingon (from Star Trek), in case the aliens attack the world and need Google to navigate through the situation at https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=xx-klingon

Google Loves Dinosaurs, LEGO, Flamingos and Everything:

At Google HQ there is a T-Rex skeleton – nicknamed “Stan” after a “real” dinosaur. There is also a to the scale replica of the SpaceShipOne, Android-themed models, pink flamingos, a large LEGO man, Google-coloured phone boxes and grown-up size ball pits.

First Tweet:

Google’s first ever Tweet in February 2009 was: “I’m 01100110 01100101 01100101 01101100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101100 01110101 01100011 01101011 01111001 00001010.” In binary it means: “I’m feeling lucky.”

I am feeling Lucky:

“I am feeling Lucky” button is rarely used by users but a survey shows that users like to have this button on homepage.

The First Google Doodle:

The first Google doodle was a Burning Man symbol. Founders went to the Burning Man festival in 1998 and added the doodle to let users know they were away from the office that weekend.

5 Ways How Oculus And Samsung’s Gear VR Can Change Virtual Reality

 New $99 Gear VR by Oculus for VR  Samsung GALAXY Note 4, S6, or S6 is making virtual reality affordable. Now you can experience Virtual reality, anytime, anywhere – that too at a $99 price

Did you know the hidden powers of your phone? Well, if not, now you may. As, together with Samsung, Oculus introduced the new edition of Gear VR, unlocking the hidden powers and features of your phone, for just $99.

Now you can experience Virtual reality, anytime, anywhere – that too at a relatively affordable price.

Here’s the top 5 reasons how Oculus and Samsung have made it big this time:

1. Drastically lower prices

The new Oculus powered Samsung Gear VR comes at almost half the price of its last mobile VR headset which was for $199. While the last one worked with only few phones, the new Samsung Gear VR works with the whole 2015 line of Samsung Smartphones including the Note 5, S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Edge+. This makes the device much more accessible.

2. Edge Cutting-edge Technology

The technology used includes cell phone screen technology and super-low-latency sensor tracking. The new Gear VR is 22% lighter, adding to the ease and comfort of using it. The track-pad on the temple of the headset  has a tactile directional pad on it so your finger will know where it’s touching. Also, owing to the wireless technology, virtual reality is at your commands.

3. Your own portable gaming system

Ever been thrilled by a video game that you’re playing to an extent, that you wished it to be true?

Well, for all video game lovers out there, here’s the great news. The gaming in Gear VR will let you step inside the world of your video games and be a part of the action and thrill as if you’re really there. Head movements can be used conveniently to explore, aim weapons, or even interact to a large extent.

4. The home theater of your dreams

Have you ever wished for a personal home theater to get drowned in your favorite movie? Of course we all did. But then it’s barely affordable for most of us. Isn’t it? Well, this Gear VR lets you have the experience of watching a movie in a way you’ve never felt before. What’s more? Well, you can now carry your own theater where ever you go.

5. Simple and Portable

Not only is it mesmerizing but also really easy to use. All that one has to do is just slide the Gear VR headset in GALAXY Note 4, S6, or S6 edge and you’re up for a virtual vacation. Be it fighting with the spaceships or watching a movie in your personal movie theater, the  possibilities with Gear VR are boundless and fascinating.

Hackers Are Using This Malware to Make ATMs Vomit Cash

Short Bytes: Security firm Proofpoint has noticed some instances of a new ATM malware called GreenDispenser. Hackers can empty the whole ATM machine without leaving any trace as the malware uses a deep delete process to erase itself.

Anew type of ATM malware has been detected by security researchers in Mexico. The malware enabled the cybercriminals to take the complete control of the cash dispensing machines.

The security firm Proofpoint has reported that it has noticed some instances of a malware called GreenDispenser that gives a fake error message that reads, “we regret this ATM is temporary of service”. So far the attacks have been centred on Mexico, but the researchers think that it could be easily implemented anywhere in the world.

This ATM malware leaves no trace of its activities as it uses a deep delete process that helps hackers to erase all the tracks of crime.

As the ATMs show the error message, only the hacker can bypass this error and empty all the cash. This malware uses two-factor authentication that could be bypassed using a pin code that has been earlier hard-coded into the system. After this, the hacker uses the smartphone to scan the OR code that is seen on the ATM screen.

This malware is suspected to be an insider’s job as it required physical access to the ATM.

Kevin Epstein, vice president of threat operations for Proofpoint, said, “ATM malware such as GreenDispenser is particularly alarming because it allows cyber criminals to attack financial institutions directly, without the extra steps required to capture credit and debit card information from consumers – and with correspondingly less traceability.”

The GreenDispense ATM malware has a self-destruct mechanism. So, it only works till a certain date and then disappears.

In recent years, ATM malware instances are on the rise. To keep themselves safe from such attacks, financial institutions must re-examine their security layers and consider modern security methods to counter these threats.

Stay Informed, Stay Away from Facebook Dislike Button Scams

 It’s reported that scammers are taking advantage of Facebook Dislike button anticipation and they’re using the Facebook users. These scams trick the users into believing that clicking on some links would provide them an early access to the dislike button.

As a result of great anticipation surrounding the Facebook Dislike button (read empathy button), scammers are quick to find ways to fool the users. While Facebook users are anxiously waiting for the new feature, new scams are spreading, claiming to bring the Facebook dislike button earlier.

For fossBytes readers who aren’t aware, Facebook CEO announced that his company is working on some new feature like a “Dislike” button. Later, it was revealed that it would an Empathy Button that would be consisting of some popular smileys.

Hackread has reported that scammers are taking the advantage of this anticipation and they’re fooling Facebook users. These scams trick the users into believing that clicking on some links would provide them an early access to the dislike button.

Since this dislike button is soon going to be out for testing, scammers are seeing this as an exploitable opportunity to bring in the users to malicious websites. Each time scammers are able to bring users to these annoying websites, scammers get paid.

Besides these, the Facebook dislike button scams are able to install malware, spyware, or adware on PCs.

At the end of some surveys, you are asked to enter your usernames and passwords. As a result, your profile is spammed with via private messages, or some shady links on your timeline.

An iMac with Retina 5K Fighting to Death Against an Anti-tank Cannon

 Watch this gadget torture video that includes an iMac with Retina 5K display and an anti-tank cannon. See the outcome and share your feelings.

Apple’s iMac with Retina 5K is a beautiful piece of engineering, and it comes with an eye-watering high-resolution screen, packed inside its slim body.

However, some curious guys at FullMag didn’t like the what he saw in the iMac and decided to put it against an anti-tank cannon.

The video suggests that iMac with Retina 5K isn’t ready for this kind of punishment. The outcome of the test is predictable – and horrifying for an Apple fan.

The cannon with its supersonic speed obliterates the iMac into pieces and this costly piece of engineering is nowhere to be seen. The cannon pierces the high definition screen, followed by an ultimate demise of the iMac.

The guys at FullMag are gearing up for another Apple encounter next week, and they’ll be soon back with iPhone 6s.

Watch the video below, it’s disturbing and satisfying at the same time. 

First Apple Car Coming in 2019, According to Report

Short Bytes: First Apple car is coming in 2019, according to a reports by The Wall Street Journal. 

Here’s a great news for Apple fans. We might see the first Apple cars on the road by 2019.

According to a Report by The Wall Street Journal, Apple is planning to manufacture and ship its first electric car in four years. The tech company is speeding up its plans to make its car, and it recently met with the government officials in California.

People familiar with the matter suggest that Apple is tripling its 600-member team working on the car project. For those who don’t know, this super-secret project is has been code-named Titan in the past.

The company has been hiring automotive engineers for the company in the recent months. The company has been real mum about the project and this could be its next big thing.

Also, the revelation suggests that first Apple car won’t be driverless. However, the fully autonomous cars are the part of the long term plan.

It should be noted that recently Google indicated that it doesn’t plan to become a car maker. It’s possible that the internet company wishes to develop a software that it’d sell to the automotive companies.

World’s Biggest 0-day Bug Bounty Program: Hack Apple iOS 9 to Win $1,000,000

 Security firm Zerodium has launched “The Million Dollar iOS 9 Bug Bounty”, that offers $1 million for finding vulnerabilities and deploying a browser-based attack on a non-jailbroken iOS device.

Here’s a great news for the bug hunters and hackers. Introducing the world’s biggest zero-day bug bounty program, The Million Dollar iOS 9 Bug Bounty, Zerodium will pay out one million U.S. dollars ($1,000,000.00) for hacking the new Apple iOS 9.

This bounty is offered by the security firm Zerodium for a browser-based attack on a non-jailbroken iOS device. This new startup calls itself as the “premium zero-day acquisition platform” and it’s giving up to $3 million for up to 3 remotely executable jailbreaks.

Just like all operating systems, Apple iOS is vulnerable to critical vulnerabilities. Even though the Apple’s iOS is one of the most secure mobile operating systems out there, it isn’t unhackable. The complex vulnerability exploitation of the iOS explains the reason behind this million dollar iOS 9 bounty.

This bug bounty program is made for experienced reverse engineers, security researchers and jailbreak developers.

Zerodium writes on its website: “ZERODIUM will pay out one million U.S. dollars ($1,000,000.00) to each individual or team who creates and submits to ZERODIUM an exclusive, browser-based, and untethered jailbreak for the latest Apple iOS 9operating system and devices.”

The discovered zero-day flaw must allow the attacker to compromise a non-jailbroken device remotely using a web page, in-app browsing action or using a text message or MMS.

It should be noted that vulnerabilities in Bluetooth, NFC, Airdrop, or baseband doesn’t quality. Zerodium adds, ““The whole exploitation [or] jailbreak process should be achievable remotely, silently, reliably, and without requiring any user interaction except visiting a webpage or reading an SMS [or] MMS”.

This bug bounty program is applicable if it works on:
– iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
– iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c
– iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad 3rd and 4th generation, iPad mini 4 and iPad mini 2

If you wish to work for it and find a bug in iOS 9, remember that the program is open until October 31st, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. EDT.