Xpertfeed

Summary:With a new policy after the US election, Google reveals the results of its actions to limit fake news sites. Google has released its 2016 Bad Ads report, to show how serious it is about combating deviants who abuse its massive ad network, from fraudulent advertisers to phony news sites. The company says it axed 1.7 billion bad ads in 2016, just over double the 780 million it took down in 2015 for violating its various policies.  In 2016 it also introduced important new policies to combat the rise of fake news. In the wake of Brexit and the US election, Facebook, Twitter, and Google were criticized for not doing enough to prevent fake news spreading on their platforms.  In November, Google introduced  a new AdSense policy  for publishers to prevent fake news sites from generating ad revenue on its platform. Since launching the policy, Google says it has permanently banned nearly 200 AdSense publishers for violating its new rules against  "mi...

Summary: Microsoft's latest acquisition, 3D data-optimization vendor Simplygon, is part of Redmond's strategy to make 3D part of future users' experiences. Microsoft is acquiring Simplygon , a Swedish 3D data-optimization vendor, for an undisclosed amount. The announcement, made by corporate vice president of Next Gen Experiences Kudo Tsunoda, on January 17, is part of Microsoft's " 3D for Everyone " strategy, of which the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update is a key piece. Simplygon will help Microsoft simplify the process of capturing, creating, and sharing information in 3D, Tsunoda said. The Simplygon technology will complement the new Paint 3D application (codenamed "Beihai") and new online creator community, Remix3D.com. Simplygon was developed by Donya Labs AB in Sweden, a company developing "automatic 3D data-optimization solutions." Simplygon currently is a player in the 3D game optimization and augmented reality/virt...

Summary: Over a quarter of MongoDB databases left open to the internet have been ransacked by online extortionists. Tens of thousands of poorly configured MongoDB databases have been compromised over the past week, with attackers wiping data and demanding up to one bitcoin to return it. Victor Gevers, from Netherlands-based GDI Foundation, and Niall Merrigan, a Norway-based developer, have been tracking a surge in attacks on MongoDB installations in which a handful of groups are wiping vulnerable databases and replacing them with an empty database with names such as a 'WARNING', 'PWNED', and 'PLEASE_READ'. The attackers claim to hold a copy that can be purchased for between 0.2BTC and 1BTC, but there's no guarantee the data is actually available if a payment is made. According to Merrigan,  some 27,000  MongoDB servers have been compromised in the past day, up from  an estimated 2,000  on January 3 and  8,542 on January 5 . MongoDB is a popular...

Summary: Intel outlines its plans to be the brains of the autonomous vehicle, but it'll have to duel with Qualcomm and NXP among others. Intel, best known for the processors behind PCs, servers and data center gear, now wants to be the brains behind autonomous vehicles. The chip giant at CES 2017 launched a new brand, Intel GO, that's designed for autonomous driving and aim to link cloud computing, connectivity and the car. To back up its efforts, Intel is launching t wo development kits to connect GO with Atom and Xeon processor s. Intel said its GO effort will provide the first 5G-ready development platform. The company also launched its 5G modem at CES.  CNET's Stephen Shankland  has the deep dive and the strategy details. As for partnerships, Intel is teaming up with BMW and Mobileye to have 40 autonomous vehicles on the roads by the second half of the year. Intel announced a partnership with BMW and Mobileye in July. The Intel moves come as the company boug...