Malware In The Cloud

As more and more people move to cloud computing, the malware is becoming more sophisticated and even made specifically for the cloud. At first the cloud computing was just used for internet phones and hosted PBX systems. Now it is being used by more large companies and even the public to store files and other data on a different server through the internet. Unfortunately, the spread of a virus becomes even easier with a hosted system.A new strain of malware was recently detected in a cloud-based file-sharing service, and its presence may herald a new and potentially dangerous security threat for Internet users in 2011. The security firm Kaspersky Lab recently detected a piece of malware called "Trojan-Dropper.Win32.Drooptroop.jpa." The Trojan was found on Rapidshare (www.rapidshare.com), a popular cloud-based file-sharing and storage service.

Banning The USB

Apparently the military banned the USB drive. If any of the personnel are caught using it, there will be severe penalties. Everything now needs to be stored securely online, from the documents that are sent through email and internet fax and other correspondences. One of the main reasons that the drives are banned is because a USB was used to spread the Stuxnet infection to the controlling computer system at the Iraqi nuclear facility and a virus to a Spanair network that led to a fatal plane crash in 2008. The virus on computers are real dangers even if many people do not perceive them to be. This is a different world and a different war we are fighting. Before, it was more hands-on and you were able to see your opponent right in front of you. These days it is more important whether the enemy can hack into your computer and steal information than if she can outrun you. The military is even getting smartphones which will help with the training and communication in warfare.

Blast Exposure Information

With all the technology that is changing, the military is also getting some serious improvements ranging from phone service to tactical devices. There is a patch that can detect the blast exposure and the damages done. The materials in this patch work the same way that the color changing cells in butterfly wings work. Unfortunately they degrade over time so the information is not always accurate. One of the main advantages to this new technology is that it can give doctors information about the extent of injuries. Although, More work is needed to model the relationship between structure change, color change and blast force and time. It is still a work in progress but it still shows just how far technology is coming in warfare and how big of a role it is playing.