Skyway Recommended November 25th to December 1st

This week: New Worm Shows ‘Internet of Things’ Vulnerable; The week Bitcoin Arrived?; Old School: Did NSA Just Tap into Cable to Access Google and Yahoo Data?; Comet ISON’s Death Trip Around the Sun

Each Monday we’ll pass on links to articles we thought were well worth reading from the previous week, for those who live where we do (British Columbia, Canada), work like we do (high speed business internet), and think about things we do (internet trends, internet privacy, internet censorship, cutting-edge technology, etc.). If you don’t want to wait ’til Monday, we usually tweet and link to these as we come across them…

AllThingsD | A New Worm Proves That the Internet of Things Is Vulnerable to Attack

One of the basic technologies that enables what we often refer to as the Internet of Things is embedded Linux, a version of Linux that runs on machines that aren’t computers in the traditional sense. A lot of the new “smart” devices joining Wi-Fi networks in the home and office are running some variant of it, as do a lot of those home-Wi-Fi routers themselves. Researchers at security-software company Symantec say they’ve found a worm that proves that, eventually, these devices may be ripe for attack. It’s called Linux.Darlloz, and it appears to have been built to infect versions of Linux found in home routers, TV set-top boxes and security cameras, and also some industrial-control systems. Read More…

The Guardian | Is Bitcoin about to change the world?

If you want to buy drugs or guns anonymously online, virtual currency Bitcoin is better than hard cash. Canny speculators have been hoarding it like digital gold. Now the world’s leading bankers are even talking about as a rival for real money. How does it work, where can you get it and is it the future? Read More…

Business Insider | The NSA Probably Gained Access To Google And Yahoo’s Data By Tapping Their Cable

As part of its domestic spying program, the NSA may have gained access to Google and Yahoo’s servers by “tapping” the fiber optic cables that connect the world’s major data centers, reports the New York Times. Read more…

The Wire | Comet ISON Died During Its Trip Around the Sun

Everyone on NASA’s special Thanksgiving Google hangout announced the death of Comet ISON after it traveled around the sun. Much to our dismay, of course. The comet’s remnants can now be seen breaking through to the other side. Read More…