Why RAM prices change
This video is explaining why RAM prices are….volatile (see what I did there?). Whilst it’s interesting in itself, it’s also interesting to note how widely used RAM is, how many different devices use it. The amount CPU chips for example are used is a lot less because there’s a lot more specific CPUs then there …. Read More
Wireless hotspots
https://hackernoon.com/a-hacker-intercepted-your-wifi-traffic-stole-your-contacts-passwords-financial-data-heres-how-4fc0df9ff152 This article goes into some technical details, but it’s a good example of how attacks can be made, in particular pharming attacks. Do not try this at home….actually…that’s the only place you CAN try it, provided you’ve got everyone’s permission. You to a parent> “Can I instruct the link layer to not discard packets …. Read More
Games are good for learning
Excuse the clickbait title, it isn’t to mean ANY game is good for learning, just that there are principles in games that we can use in learning to help you learn better. In Computing we want students to try things. In Python, Flowol, Kodu, Spreadsheets, Audacity and more, we want you to try things. If …. Read More
How Crash Bandicoot Hacked The Original Playstation
This video looks at not only the game design principles, but also the tricks the developers used to get every bit of performance and push boundaries to make Crash Bandicoot a really ground breaking game for it’s time. Contains a nice section which compares the CPU and GPU. Also comparing RAM to secondary storage (CD)
Ditch WhatsApp
Switch to Signal for encrypted messaging, EC tells staff An interesting article about how the top government agencies and companies are ditching WhatsApp in favour of a new one called Signal. A good read for GCSE students for examples of encryption and why it’s needed and why governments are trying to ban it. One thing …. Read More
Flip flops and ticking quartz
A really nice look at how a watch ticks and includes a flip flop – a binary counting method to get the timing spot on. Well worth a watch (no pun intended)
Hacking passwords
Your password is rubbish. Statistically speaking that statement is probably true. This video gives a demonstration of thousands of passwords being hacked during the video. Year 11 have recently been looking at cyber security so this has done interesting ideas about weak passwords explored.
Phishing with the coronavirus
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/coronavirus-china-computer-virus-face-mask-malware-emotet-a9314761.html I wouldn’t call it a more sophisticated attack, but it’s certainly using relevance to get clicks. Using fears around the latest health outbreak, or just fears in general, is one of the ways social engineering can try to increase success rates.
Taking apart old laptops
Whilst this isn’t the most entertaining watch, it does show the principles of reusing tech, laptops in particular. Laptops are stuffed full of really good tech and it’s great to be able to reuse it.
Hacking WhatsApp
https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21068815/whatsapp-two-factor-authentication-how-to-security-privacy-hacking-pin-backup The above article is advising how to secure your WhatsApp account to not get hacked. Worth reading and worth following for all. It’s especially interesting for GCSE students as it’s using a particular exploit, and then exploiting the prevention measures. Cheeky, interesting and cool.