Pakistan Cyber Army Hacks into Indian BSNL: ProPakistani

Pakistan Cyber Army Hacks into Indian BSNL
PTCL 50Mbps VDSL Ultranet Now Launched
PTA Wants a Watch on Encrypted VPNs
3G License Auction to be Approved Today
Nokia launches Free Islamic Apps for Ramadan on Ovi Store
National ICT R&D Fund Plans to launch Venture Capital Fund
National Workshop on Digital Library Held
Mozilla Boot to Gecko – Open Source Mobile OS for Smartphones

Pakistan Cyber Army Hacks into Indian BSNL

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 04:24 PM PDT

In response to recent hacking attacks by Indian Hackers on various Pakistani universities, it is said that Pakistan Cyber Army was able to hack into BSNL website, largest and state owned telecom company of India.

According to "The Hacker News", PCA claims to have penetrated into BSNL's website and had access to data of some 10,000 customers; which includes names, emails, phone numbers.

Hacker News said that PCA also managed to grab VPN detail of circuits and as well as more technical details which appears as crucial information for streamlining the network.

PCA released the screens of the admin panel of BSNL's website.

If you are just wondering why activity amongst the hackers is high lately, then it's the month of August; when hackers get active and hack website of opposite country. It gets worse at times, but usually the senior hackers calm down the situation.

This BSNL incident is termed as a high value hack. Indian hackers might retaliate by trying Pakistani telecom companies, so it's time for scaling up the security.

Unlike previous announcements, PCA didn't announce this hack on their website. Instead, the hacker group said that they don't own any Facebook page.

PTCL 50Mbps VDSL Ultranet Now Launched

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 03:05 AM PDT

Finally! PTCL has officially announced the launch of 50Mbps barodband for home users.

Earlier PTCL was offering 50 Mbps connections to test customers only, in selected cities. Sources confirmed that it was available within one kilometre radius of the exchange, while in test phase.

Now PTCL has officially launched this mega broadband package in four major citites i.e. Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is said that almost whole of the above mentioned cities are covered as this service is available throughout the cites but still you can get final words from feasibility test team of PTCL in your area.

In addition to 50Mbps, PTCL has also introduced 20Mbps broadband package.

Note that PTCL will be using another copper line in addition to your previous one, for this technology. So VDSL 2 technology will work on 2 copper based lines to enhance bandwidth. Also it is said that PTCL is first operator in the world to implement this VDSL 2 technology on its existing copper network.

Packages:

Following are the three packages, available on this VDSL 2 technology

10 Mbps VDSL

Package Price Rs.9,999
Installation Charges inclusive of Modem Charges: Rs.10,000

20Mbps VDSL

Package Price Rs.15,000
Installation Charges inclusive of Modem Charges: Rs.10,000

50 Mbps VDSL

Package Price Rs.20,000
Installation Charges inclusive of Modem Charges: Rs.10,000

PTA Wants a Watch on Encrypted VPNs

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 03:03 AM PDT

PTA has asked not to use any encrypted VPN (virtual private network) for any kind of data transfer and if it is necessary to use that, get it enrolled with the authority first.

If you do not know already, be sure that PTA monitors what you are doing with your internet connection. Either you are on a mobile internet connection or on your home based broadband: PTA wants you to not to hide your data from Government; and this is for national security.

Keeping up this monitoring, PTA has asked all ISPs and cellular networks to notify their customers about using encrypted virtual private networks.

Customers are asked to provide information regarding any encrypted Virtual Private Networks(EVPNs) used by them. Customers will have to provide following information to their respective ISPs by Friday July 29, 2011:

Purpose for which EVPN(s) is/are being used
Customer premises IP address(es)
Remote end IP address(es)

The issued letter by PTA (attached at the end of the post) clearly states that authority had already prohibited using all such mechanisms, including Encrypted VPNs which conceal communication to the extent, that prohibits monitoring.

Seems like this is the time when PTA has thought of taking action, so make sure to take necessary measures in this regard if you are using an EVPN, or you may face the legal consequences.

And for those who do not know what exactly a VPN is:

A virtual private network (VPN) is a mechanism for providing secure, reliable transport over Internet. The VPN uses authentication to deny access to unauthorized users, and encryption to prevent unauthorized users from reading the private network packets. The VPN can be used to send any kind of network traffic securely, including voice, video or data.

Secure VPNs use cryptographic tunneling protocols to provide confidentiality by blocking intercepts and packet sniffing, allowing sender authentication to block identity spoofing, and provide message integrity by preventing message alteration.

To read more, click: PTA Wants a Watch on Encrypted VPNs
ProPakistani.PK

3G License Auction to be Approved Today

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 03:03 AM PDT

The policy for auction of 3G licenses has eventually reached the federal cabinet, likely to be presided by Prime Minister of Pakistan today, for the final approval of the bidding plan and further execution of 3G rollout in the country.

As we discussed earlier, Government of Pakistan desperately needed to auction 3G licenses in order to meet it's fiscal targets. Government is aiming to generate at least USD 900 million dollars from the license auction.

On other hands, cellular operators have consistently shown reservations over the 3G License auction in order to avoid further investments. They say that further fund injections isn't viable for a market like Pakistan where Average Revenue Per User is as low as USD 2.48 per month.

However it now looks like that the 3G auction will be held in less than 6 months to make the required money to meet budget deficits.

Reportedly, government is working on two options for auction of 3G licenses. The government under option number one will offer up to 10 Mhz frequency to telecommunication companies with license and minimum USD 420 million and maximum USD 800 million revenue is expected to come through the auction.

Under the option number two, the government will offer frequency ranging between 20 Mhz and up to 35Mhz to telecom sector with licenses through open bidding and minimum USD 749 million and USD 1.2 billion revenue is projected to come.

The federal cabinet in its today's meeting would be requested to approve the modalities of the auction of the 3G licenses with possible decision on any one option.

It is learned that government may invite international telecom companies to bidding, in addition to 5 local companies already operating in the country.

This is a developing story and more updates are to arrive after today's meeting!

Nokia launches Free Islamic Apps for Ramadan on Ovi Store

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 03:00 AM PDT

Nokia has launched a new range of mobile applications and content tailored specially for Ramadan aimed at facilitating its customers to avail maximum and pieties and blessings of the holy month.

The new range of Ramadan applications 2011 designed with local prospects have now become available on Ovi Store that could be downloaded on the compatible Nokia devices for free of cost.

Applications available on Ovi are:

uQuran Micro reciter,
ARY QTV and ARY Zauq.
Al Quran (Lectures by Dr. Israr ul Haq by Quran Academy),
Qibla Touch,
Namaz.me,
Weekly Quran & Hadith,
Lesson of the Day,
Boyoot Allah and Manasik

uQuran mobile app offers the full Quran in Uthmani Font with an easy to use user interface. It also offers verse by verse translation and recitation along with bookmarks. uQuran also has 100% Touch Screen support and is the only software of its kind offering full portrait and landscape viewing of the Quran for easy reading and understanding via mobile phone.

Nokia designed QTV mobile applications that offers download audio files of Quran recitation, download Hamds & Naats by famous reciters, view program schedules of QTV, view latest announcements from QTV and download Farman-e-ilahi, Ahadees-e-Nabwi, and Ringtones.

A special ceremony was held on Tuesday in which large number of customers, Apps developers and , Nokia officials were gathered.

Renowned religious scholar Dr Aamir Liaquat spoke highlighted the importance of Ramadan in light with Quran and Hadiths, emphasizing attendees to get the maximum fruits of holy months with prayers and charity.

Chef Saadat also spoke, on the occasion, about his exclusive plan of new dishes in the holy month of Ramadan.

Besides, Zauq's mobile app is an interface for viewers to get informed about the happenings on their favorite food channel via their favorite Nokia phone and at the same time be able to download amazing recipes to cook special Ramadan delicacies.

The ARY ZAUQ mobile applications offer customers to get your favorite chef's recipes right on your handset, and keep yourself updated with the programs schedule, new announcements and expert cooking tips.

We want to enable Pakistani consumers to connect to the month of Ramadan in the most meaningful way, aiming to make Ovi Store more valuable and locally relevant," said Haseeb Ihtisham, Head of Marketing, Nokia Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Nokia has now added new Islamic apps that would let Pakistani Muslims celebrate this Ramadan with renewed religious fervor and offer Ramadan-specific activities with greater ease and convenience

Ramadan applications for 2011 are compatible with a wide range of Nokia devices including Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C7, Nokia C3 and Nokia X2-01.

National ICT R&D Fund Plans to launch Venture Capital Fund

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 02:10 AM PDT

The National ICT R&D Fund is aiming to launch an ICT Venture Capital Fund with one or more financial mechanisms aimed at attracting investment in Pakistani startup companies in the Information and Communication Technologies space, told us people who are familiar with the plans.

This fund will generate monetary resources for rapid expansion of its projects in ICT industry and multiply the contribution of telecom and broadband operators in new projects.

These funding mechanisms are attractive for newly formed hi-tech companies with high-potential products and services ideas but limited operating history that are too small to raise capital in the public markets and have not reached the point where they are able to secure a bank loan or complete a debt offering.

The ICT industry in the Pakistani context, so as to help accelerate Pakistan’s economic and social development. The ICT R&D initiative is likely to attract foreign and local investment in ICT industry.

Venture capital is also associated with job creation, the knowledge economy, and used as a proxy measure of innovation within an economic sector or geography.

The ICT industry has identified the lack of Risk Capital in Pakistan as being one of the factors that has hampered growth in this sector. The risk capital is actually financial capital provided through VC funding, angel investments, grants and similar arrangements to early-stage, high-potential, high- risk, high-growth startup companies.

The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in ICT. In exchange for the high risk that venture capitalists assume by investing in smaller and less mature companies, venture capitalists get significant control over company decisions, in addition to a significant portion of the company’s ownership.

Presently, the ICT R&D Fund sought Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from Pakistani firms willing to assist in the multiple issues that will need to be resolved before launching the planed fund.

These companies will be sort out different issues such as

How will the Fund be structured? Will the fund invite private participation?
How would it operate within Pakistani financial and contract law especially with regards to SECP and State Bank?
How will the Fund’s investment be safeguarded? How will the Fund managers be compensated?
Are there alternative funding models which will achieve the same objective, such as the Small Business Administration loans program in the USA or Carbon Trust in UK?
What percentage of the funds should be allocated to this ICT VC Fund based on global best practices?

National Workshop on Digital Library Held

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 01:39 AM PDT

A national training workshop on "Digital Library using Open Source Software" was organized by eHealth Association of Pakistan (eHAP) at the Secretariat of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Islamabad.

The workshop was supported by COMSATS Secretariat, COMSATS Internet Services (CIS), DlnetSA, and LISolutions.

Librarians and I.T professionals from various government and private organizations, like Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), State Bank of Pakistan and Heartfile Pakistan, as well as academic institutions of Pakistan, like Aga Khan University, International Islamic University, Islamia University, Riphah University, Bahria University, and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) attended the workshop.

The workshop was inaugurated on July 20, 2011 by Dr. Haroon Roedad Khan, President eHAP. The workshop aimed to provide the participants with free and open source software for digital libraries and library management comprised nine technical sessions that were spread over three days.

Lead trainers of the workshop were Dr. Mohan Raj Pradhan from DlnetSA, Nepal; and Mr. Shafiq Rana and Mr. Ata ur Rehman from LISolutions who delivered lectures and imparted hands-on training for two important free and open source softwares, 'GSDL' and 'Koha'.

The event concluded on July 22, 2011 with the distribution of certificates among the organizers and participants by Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi.

Dr. Qureshi felicitated the organizers and participants of the workshop on the successful holding of the event and hoped that it had been a good learning experience for the IT and Library professionals. He also appreciated the role of eHAP in supporting quality e-health services across Pakistan and considered it an important area for collaboration between COMSATS and eHAP, as COMSATS is one of the pioneers of telehealth in Pakistan.

Mozilla Boot to Gecko – Open Source Mobile OS for Smartphones

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:27 PM PDT

Mozilla Foundation Mozilla Boot to Gecko Open Source Mobile OS for Smartphones Mozilla has planned to jump into Mobile OS war with the news of its new product – Boot to Gecko. Aiming at standards-based Web technologies, Mozilla has planned to launch it for smartphones first.

The project is in its initial phase right now and company is working on collecting ideas and welcoming developers.

Unlike Android, Mozilla has said that source code will be made public once the development starts rather than disclosing it after a complete product.

Boot to Gecko (B2G) is said to be based on Android and Linux Kernel. This will help Mozilla in getting larger hardware compatibility for existing Android devices. While on the other hand it has planned to use “as little of Android as possible.”

Likewise, Mozilla is not using Android's Java based environment or programming in native code, so Android apps will not run on this OS.

Mozilla Wiki for the B2G project says:

We want to take a bigger step now, and find the gaps that keep web developers from being able to build apps that are — in every way — the equals of native apps built for the iPhone, Android, and WP7.

To that end, we propose a project we're calling Boot to Gecko (B2G) to pursue the goal of building a complete, standalone operating system for the open web. It's going to require work in a number of areas.

New web APIs: build prototype APIs for exposing device and OS capabilities to content (Telephony, SMS, Camera, USB, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.)

Privilege model: making sure that these new capabilities are safely exposed to pages and applications

Booting: prototype a low-level substrate for an Android-compatible device

Applications: choose and port or build apps to prove out and prioritize the power of the system.

It is pre-mature to say anything at the moment on how Mozilla is going to compete Apple's iOS, Google's Android and then joint venture of Nokia and Microsoft – Meego.

But at the same time when we look at Mozilla's smartphone, introduced last year, one can guess what Mozilla is capable of and how things can turn out to be.

Wireless inductive charging with dual pico projectors give Seabird, a power to sustain. 8 MP camera with Bluetooth/IR dongle that lets users interact with the phone in 3D and futuristic ability of phone to allow user to type on full keyboard on any flat surface are other salient features of this device.

Check the following demo video of the phone.