Hacking's ethical side

He is all of 24. But his work and expertise speak far beyond his years. Dressed in a pair of casual tees and jeans, at first glance he looks like
any other boy next door. But that's exactly what he isn't. Meet Ankit Fadia, a well known ethical hacker, computer security expert and cyber terrorism guru!

Fadia's tryst with the cyber world began quite early in life. He wrote his first book when he was 14. Titled, the 'The Unofficial Guide to Ethical Hacking,' it became a bestseller worldwide, selling 3 million copies.

But what's so 'ethical' about being a hacker? His eyes light up on hearing the obvious question. "I had coined the term when I was writing my first book. The idea basically was that you have the knowledge that a criminal has but you do not misuse the information. The term wasn't widely used before this...but now it is well known," he says.

He also has to his credit cracking an encrypted email sent by the Al-Qaeda terrorist network for a classified intelligence agency after the Sept 11 attacks. Recently, he was contacted by the Navi Mumbai police after the Mumbai terror attacks to decode the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) conversation.

Currently, the cyber whizkid has his hands full. He shuttles frequently between Mumbai, Malaysia and New York advising companies, government bodies and security agencies on cyber security issues. Besides hosting a show on a popular television channel, he is working on some of his other TV concept formats. He has also devised research reports to prevent celebrity hacking. "Social networking has become immensely popular now. Celebrities are also at risk, often giving out their location specifics on status updates on these sites. This is creating problems for the police.

I have presented a report to the government and the police department on this so that awareness can be created on the issue."

And there is something lined up for kids as well in his ambitious plans. A board game, 'Hack Attack' for children aged 9 years and above is expected to be launched in the next 6 weeks. "Children nowadays are getting more exposed to technology. It is necessary to inculcate the dos and don'ts for them. They are going to love it," he says with a smile.

As we wrap up the conversation, Ankit carries forward his cyber training agenda by presenting me a book on email hacking. "It's the easiest one that I have written but let me sign it for you," he says enthusiastically.
His signature reads, "Happy Hacking."

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It’s official: Cell phones affect your brain

 

Swedish researchers have found that cell phone use triggers a specific biological effect in the brain.

It's official: Cell phones affect your brain

However, the researchers at Sweden's Orebro University, who conducted the study, cannot decide if the above effect is good, bad, or indifferent.

Basically, they found an association between cell phone use and an increased amount of a protein called transthyretin in the blood.

Transthyretin is associated with the fluid that cushions the brain.

While an increase in transthyretin may not be any cause for concern, but it does indicate that cell phone use does have some biological effect on the brain, said researcher Fredrik Soderqvist.

The study also found that children and teenagers who were heavy cell phone users were more likely to report health problems, including headaches and impaired concentration.

However, Soderqvist declined to draw a cause-and-effect relationship.

"The connection was strongest regarding headaches, asthmatic complaints, and impaired concentration. But more research is needed to exclude the effects of other factors and sources of error, even though it is difficult to see how this connection could be fully explained by such factors," Live Science quoted him as saying.

The findings come in line with growing concerns over the effect of cell phone on general heath.

In fact, an upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) study has linked cell phones to brain tumours.

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