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This Toy illegally Spied on 6.4 Million Children

A children's electronic toy maker, Vtech, has been hacked, leading to the theft of data belonging to five million people worldwide. This includes data of children who used the company's Innotab 3 learning tablet. The hacker gained access to the company's network through a vulnerable login form on its website, which was using Adobe Flash. The hacker was able to steal data such as names, email addresses, home addresses, passwords, and security questions. The stolen trove of data also contained thousands of messages, videos, and pictures of children who had used the tablet. The hacker did not intend to sell the data but wanted to raise awareness about the company's security gap.

The story:

- A year ago, Vtech launched the Innotab 3 learning tablet, which allowed parents to send videos, photos, and messages to their children.

- A security researcher, known as Slipstream, found a hacking forum dedicated to hacking the Innotab 3.

- Slipstream bought the tablet and discovered that it talked to a website, planetvtik.com, which was using Adobe Flash for its login form.

- Slipstream found a security gap in the login form and was able to execute a SQL injection, giving him complete access to Vtech's network.

- Slipstream found several databases containing gigabytes of data and decided to clone everything he could find.

- Slipstream realized he had committed a federal crime and had stolen the data of over 4.8 million accounts, including children's data.

- Slipstream had three choices: sell the data, tell Vtech about the security gap, or tell the media about the breach.

- A hacker, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted a reporter, Lorenzo, and handed over the stolen database of 4.8 million accounts.

- Lorenzo sent the files to data breach expert, Troy Hunt, who found that the stolen data contained the identities of 200,000 children and 4.8 million customer email addresses with their corresponding unencrypted passwords.

Facts:

- Vtech's Innotab 3 learning tablet was launched a year ago, allowing parents to send videos, photos, and messages to their children.

- A hacker gained access to Vtech's network through a vulnerable login form on its website, which was using Adobe Flash.

- The hacker stole data belonging to five million people worldwide, including children's data.

- The stolen trove of data contained thousands of messages, videos, and pictures of children who had used the tablet.

- Slipstream, a security researcher, found the security gap and stole the data, realizing later that he had committed a federal crime.

- The hacker who handed over the stolen database to the media wanted to raise awareness about the company's security gap.

Vtech's security gap highlights the need for companies to prioritize security when launching electronic devices that connect to the internet. The stolen data of children is a cause for concern, as it could potentially put their safety at risk. The hacker who handed over the stolen database to the media wanted to make people aware of the security gap and encourage companies to take security seriously. It is important for individuals and companies to take measures to protect their personal and sensitive data from potential data breaches.

Shocking Tricks Used In The Commercial Advertising Industry

The commercial advertising industry is notorious for using deceptive tricks to make their products look better than they really are. From McDonald's burgers to cold drinks and desserts, the industry uses a variety of techniques to achieve a flawless appearance on screen.

Tricks Used in the Commercial Advertising Industry:

1. McDonald's burgers: The fast-food giant uses a food stylist to arrange and prepare the ingredients for their burgers to make them look aesthetically pleasing. The images are then touched up to remove blemishes and enhance the colors, resulting in a product that looks better than the real thing.

2. Fries: Rumor has it that fast food joints use a sponge and toothpicks to prop up their fries for promotional materials, though this has not been confirmed.

3. Fake ice: Real ice is rarely used in film and TV due to its melting qualities and cloudy appearance. Instead, food stylists use silicone rubber to create artificial ice that can be easily manipulated and is silent.

4. Dripping drinks: To achieve a beverage that appears to be fresh out of the fridge, food stylists use glycerin and a water mixture to create fake condensation on the bottle.

5. Coffee: Liquid soap is added to coffee in commercials to maintain a frothy appearance, and wet tampons are microwaved and placed in or behind the product to replicate steam.

6. Wine: Production companies use water with food coloring and kitchen bouquet to create fake wine that won't get their actors drunk.

7. Desserts: Food stylists use cardboard layers between tiers of cake to prevent melting frosting and mask it with another layer of frosting to create a flawless appearance.

The commercial advertising industry is not always honest about their products, using a variety of tricks to make them look better than they really are. While it may be disappointing to realize that the product you see on screen is not what you'll get in real life, it's important to remember that these techniques are used to sell a product and are not necessarily meant to deceive the consumer.

How Victoria's Secret Lost Its Grip | WSJ

The rise and fall of Victoria's Secret

- The 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was the last broadcast due to declining ratings.

- Leslie Wexner acquired Victoria's Secret in 1982 for 1 million dollars.

- Wexner developed successful retail businesses in the 80s and 90s, popularizing the specialty mall retailer.

The Rise of Victoria's Secret:

- In the mid-90s, Victoria's Secret introduced the heavily padded Miracle Bra to compete with the WonderBra.

- Provocative TV commercials and the first fashion show in 1995 helped to define a specific beauty ideal.

- Leslie Wexner sold many apparel brands and focused more on lingerie and beauty lines in the 2000s.

- The launch of PINK, a spinoff for teens, helped Victoria's Secret continue to grow after the 2008 recession.

The Fall of Victoria's Secret:

- Consumer tastes shifted towards athleisure and bralettes, causing growth to slow in Victoria's Secret's bra business.

- Leslie Wexner assumed direct control in 2016, eliminating swimwear and mailing catalogs while doubling down on sports bras.

- L Brands' share price fell 50% in 2018, erasing 14 billion in investor wealth.

- Ed Razek's comments on transgender models and allegations of harassing models and employees hurt Victoria's Secret's image.

- Victoria's Secret's internal culture and management have come under scrutiny.

- Leslie Wexner has faced criticism for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

- Consumers have a specific idea of what Victoria's Secret represents, making it challenging for the brand to transform.

Eaten Alive By Anaconda: Why I Did It | TODAY

Paul Rosalee's stunt of being eaten alive by a green anaconda for a Discovery Channel special has garnered a lot of attention. In this article, we will discuss his motivations for this stunt, the process of preparing for it, and the controversy surrounding it.

Motivations:

Paul Rosalee's main motivation for the stunt was to draw attention to the destruction of the rainforest and the need for conservation efforts. He wanted to do something that would grab people's attention and make them care about preserving the ecosystem.

Preparing for the Stunt:

To prepare for the stunt, Paul had to design a suit that could withstand the anaconda's crush and ensure that he could breathe in case he was swallowed. They also put pig's blood on the suit to make him smell like a prey item to the snake. They caught an anaconda that was about 20 feet long and made sure Paul could survive being constricted for over an hour.

Controversy:

Animal rights activists, such as PETA, have criticized the stunt, claiming that it harms the snake and sets a bad example. However, Paul argues that he is actually protecting the anacondas and the ecosystem, and that he would never hurt one. He also notes that the stunt drew attention to the anaconda and got people to support its conservation.

While Paul Rosalee's stunt of being eaten alive by an anaconda has caused controversy, it has also brought attention to the need for conservation efforts in the Amazon. The process of preparing for the stunt was rigorous, and Paul was careful to ensure that he and the snake were not harmed. Ultimately, the stunt succeeded in drawing attention to the cause and getting people to care about the anaconda and the rainforest.

Rare Body Features Only 1% of People Have

No two people on earth are alike, but some individuals possess physical features that make them truly unique. These individuals have gained recognition through their Guinness World Records for possessing the most unusually unique physical features on earth.

Gary Turner:

Gary Turner, also known as Elastik man, holds the Guinness World Record for the stretchiest skin due to an extreme case of Ehlers Danlos syndrome. He uses his stretchy skin to his advantage as a sideshow performer.

Rodríguez Hernandez:

Rodríguez Hernandez from Venezuela holds the record for the biggest feet on a living person due to an overactive pituitary gland that produces too much growth hormone. His Guinness World Record fame means that people custom make shoes to fit his feet.

Devendra Suthar:

Devendra Suthar has a rare form of polydactylism that gives him two extra fingers on each hand and two extra toes on each foot. Despite this, he works as a carpenter and has the Guinness World Record for the largest number of fingers and toes in the world.

Matthias Schlitte:

Matthias Schlitte has a rare genetic defect that makes the bone in his right forearm 33% bigger than his left arm. He is a successful professional arm wrestler, using his larger arm to his advantage.

Jeff Dabe:

Jeff Dabe was born with exceptionally large hands and forearms with a 19-inch circumference, and has become a professional arm wrestler. He wrestles only with his left arm due to an old injury.

Jyoti Kisanji Amge:

Jyoti Kisanji Amge has a rare form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, making her the world's shortest living woman at only 2 foot and 0.7 inches. She has achieved her dreams of traveling and becoming a household name.

Sultan Kosen:

Sultan Kosen is one of only 10 men in all human history to have been reliably measured at over 8 feet tall. He underwent life-saving surgery to remove a tumor caused by his pituitary gland producing too much growth hormone.

Adrianne Lewis:

Adrianne Lewis has a tongue measuring in at an incredible 4 inches, which she can use to lick her chin, nose, and even her own eye. There is no apparent reason for its abnormal length.

Byron Schlenker:

Byron Schlenker holds the Guinness World Record for the widest tongue at an unbelievable 3.37 inches. His daughter also holds the world record for the widest tongue for a woman at 2.89 inches.

These individuals prove that there are truly unique physical features that make them stand out from the crowd. They have used their differences to their advantage and have gained recognition through their Guinness World Records.

How to Revive a Language (Revivalistics), ft. Prof.Ghil'ad Zuckermann

Revivalistics: A New Approach to Language Revitalization

In this article, we will discuss the concept of revivalistics, a new transdisciplinary field of inquiry surrounding language revitalization. We will delve into the different types of language revival, the challenges faced by endangered languages, and the role of linguistics in language revitalization.

Revivalistics: A New Transdisciplinary Field of Inquiry

- Language revitalization involves three types of language revival: language reclamation, revitalization, and reinvigoration.

- Endangered languages are those with a low percentage of children speaking the language, regardless of the total number of speakers.

- Revivalistics is a transdisciplinary field that explores language revival from different angles, including linguistics, mental health, law, and architecture.

Revivalistics in Action: Lessons from Hebrew Revival

- Revival languages, such as Israeli, are hybrids that reflect the ancient language being revived and the mother tongue of the reviver.

- Lessons from Hebrew revival can be applied to the reclamation of endangered languages.

- Aboriginal language revival in Australia is an example of how revivalistics can be used to empower endangered languages.

Challenges Faced by Endangered Languages

- Language loss and youth suicide are linked, with language reclamation reducing suicidal ideation.

- Compensation for language revival is a legal issue that needs to be addressed.

Revivalistics is a new approach to language revitalization that offers a range of topics for exploration. It is a transdisciplinary field that looks at language revival from different angles, including linguistics, mental health, law, and architecture. By applying lessons from Hebrew revival to the reclamation of endangered languages, revivalistics offers hope for the future of endangered languages.