Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th April, 2018

17th April, 2018,

For some time … ?

I’ve had a basic belief.

That computer security — at a national level — is a bit … 

Nationalistic.   Incorrectly applied nationalistic.

Just to give you an idea pf what I mean … ?

The BBC ran this piece, yesterday: telling us that an arm of GCHQ — Government Communications Headquarters — have declared Chinese company, ZTE, is a security threat.

The company is one of China’s biggest, makes both phone handsets, terminals … and the infrastructure networks that carry signals from them, to the rest of the network.

The fear is … ?

That ZTE’s building of a lot of networks gives them unparalleled access to sensitive UK information. And that they can pass this, easily, to the Chinese government.

Personally?

I don’t it doubt for a minute.

I also know Russia is having a finger pointed at it, recently: with awareness that it’s carryout out various shades of cyberwarface.

Personally … ?

I’m very aware many servers will be using a mix of Linux-based or Microsoft server software,  various shades of cloud storage — storage not controlled in-house — and operating systems from US companies.   

All this?   All this, and many of us will be using computers, and mobile devices, running US software.

Apart from Facebook?   Or companies like Cambridge Analytica?

Who’s got access to that?

Given this piece, I’m aware — and unsurprised — that Britain is carrying out cyber attacks on Islamic State.

I believe that we may be right to complaint about shady Chinese or Russian cyber-activity.

I also feel that we’re vulnerable to US cyber-espionage.

Through the phones, tablets, laptops and desktops we use everyday.

Ignoring that?

Is stupid.

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) During the US Civil War, which state voted to secede: on 17th April, 1863?

Q2) Bernadette Devlin, Britain’s youngest female MP, was elected to office on 17th April, 1969.   What constituency was she returned to?

Q3) The Peak District was named as Britain’s first National Park: on 17th April, 1951.   Which country of the UK is it in?

Q4) Mir Akbar Khyber was assassinated on 17th April, 1978: during a coup.   He was a leading figure in which country?

Q5) Finally … the discovery of Kepler 186f — the first Earth sized planet in the habitable zone of another star — was announced on 17th April, 2014.   The star it’s orbiting, Kepler 186, is in which constellation?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) High security Prisoner of war camp, Oflag IV-C — better known as Colditz — was liberated: on 16th April of which year?

A1) 1945.

Q2) The camp was liberated by who’s army: the UK’s, the USSR’s or the USA’s?

A2) The USA’s.

Q3) The camp was in Colditz … what: Castle, Chateau or Manor?

A3) Colditz Castle.

Q4) Colditz is in which German state: Saxony, Bavaria or Thuringia?

A4) Saxony.

Q5) The first prisoners to arrive were a group of Poles.   They arrived in which year?

A5) 1939.

Q6) The Camp held awkward prisoners: ones with a history of escape attempts.   Who was the first British officer to escape from Colditz?

A6) Airey Neave, MP.

Q7) Sir David Stirling was a prisoner in Colditz.   He’d gained fame as the founder of which regiment?

A7) The Special Air Service, or SAS.

Q8) Yves Conger was a French prisoner at Colditz: as well as an army Chaplain.   In which year was he eventually made a Roman Catholic Cardinal?

A8) 1994.

Q9) Which legless British fighter ace was a Colditz inmate?

A9) Douglas Bader.

Q10) Finally … ?   Pat Reid, the Colditz prisoner who literally wrote the book about the prison, claimed there were how many successful escape attempts: 30, 31 or 32?

A10) 31.

Here’s a thought …

“I think there’s a lingering misconception that we were just a singles outfit, but if you listen to the albums, they contain lots of things beyond three minute love songs.”

Pete Shelley, born 17th April, 1955.

And a song or two  …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        Cheers, Olga: I’m keeping my fingers crossed.   Although, obviously, not while I’m typing!   I know what you mean about long movies, though.   At two and a half hours, The Wailing was … pushing the boat out, a bit.   (As I’m sure Debbi will remind us, Hollywood usually doesn’t like long movies.   Mostly because shorter ones earn the costs back, faster …)

†        I DO know I keep meaning to sit down with it, Debbi!   Kubrick’s generally seen as a genius: although I’ve only ever seen two of his films.   (2001 and AI.   I think AI suffered a bit: he died half way through making it … )