Don’t get faked by Android antivirus apps

If you’re worried about Android malware, choose wisely. There’s a good chance that your trusted security app does little to protect you, says a new report from independent testing organization AV-Test.

In a preview of the study e-mailed yesterday, AV-Test’s CEO Andreas Marx revealed that desktop antivirus vendors that have migrated to Android performed the best. Avast, Lookout, Dr. Web, Zoner, F-Secure, Ikarus, and Kaspersky detected 90 percent or more of the 618 types of malicious Android APK files that they were tested against. Lookout and Zoner are notable standouts because they are only available as mobile apps, and have no PC-based counterpart.

“Using these products you don’t have to worry about your malware protection,” wrote Marx. He also emphasized that the security apps that tested between 65 percent and 90 percent were very good and could easily improve their detection because several apps in this category missed one or two malware families. These malware families may not be threats in “certain environments,” he wrote, which may account for the lower scores.

The apps in this second group include the PC antivirus vendors AVG, Bitdefender, ESET, Norton (Symantec,) QuickHeal, Trend Micro, Vipre (GFI,) and Webroot; and two mobile-only vendors, AegisLab and SuperSecurity.

A third group comprised entirely of PC security suite vendors scored between 40 and 65 percent detections, and included Bullguard, Comodo, G Data, McAfee, NetQin and Total Defense. The report explains that their Android woes might also be due to insufficient sample collection infrastructure–basically, they might be too new to the field.

Twelve more apps detected more than zero percent but less than 40 percent of the samples, and a final group of six apps detected nothing at all. While the report hedges its bet and says that its possible that the apps detect threats that weren’t among the 618 samples, it’s more likely that they simply do not work at all. Alphabetically, these final six are Android Antivirus, Android Defender, LabMSF Antivirus beta, MobileBot Antivirus, MT Antivirus, and MYAndroid Protection Antivirus.

Overall, less than half of the 41 apps tested during February were found worthy; only 17 made the cut above 65 percent. The test was conducted using a combination of the Android SDK, which replicates a scalable environment, and an actual Android device for when the SDK wouldn’t work. The SDK would not suffice when the app called for SMS activation, or when the 3G network was too finicky to provide a stable cloud connection. The end result was that all results were cross-checked in the SDK, emulating API level 10 (Gingerbread 2.3,) and on a real device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab running Froyo 2.2 and a Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. Apps were allowed to update to their latest versions before testing, and to connect to the cloud during testing.

But is my favorite app really worthless?
The authors state in the report how challenging it is to correctly identify active, threatening malware on Android. In the report, they chalk this up to three factors: the relatively small number of malware samples; the challenge in figuring out how prevalent malware apps are; and the fact that, problems aside, malware apps are removed fairly rapidly from the Android Market and the even the user’s own device.

Also, none of the ancillary security features were tested, such as remote lock and wipe, lost or stolen device location options, or data backup.

AV-Test concludes that it’s possible to have sample sets that are easily marred by malware that is no longer or never has been relevant. Why even bother testing if the results are so hard to replicate? The report explains that to limit the problems of these variables, only the most widely known malware families were used, and only those discovered between August and December 2011. By looking at the family detection rates, AV-Test says, “it is still possible to get a fairly accurate picture of the absolute detection rate.” For malware detection, AV-Test recommends any of the 17 apps that finished above 65 percent. It advocates using one because of the ability for ostensibly benign apps to download malware after they’ve been installed.

All these problems are symptomatic of the larger challenge that the security industry has in justifying its existence.

Thanks to END3E for the information.

How the hell?????

It seems the Australian Army has an expert record in camouflage.

Electric Cigarette Explodes in a Man's Face

A Florida man is in the hospital after the battery in his electric cigarette caught fire and exploded, knocking out all of his teeth and part of his tongue. We already knew that electric cigarettes weren't good for your health, but that's ridiculous.

On Monday Evening, 57-year-old Tom Holloway, was at home enjoying a nice smoke when his e-cig blew up in his face. The explosion scattered scolding debris in all directions, horribly burning Holloway's face and setting his study on fire. Holy crap.

Holloway started smoking electric cigarettes two years ago after experiencing lung problems from smoking too many ordinary cigarettes. While that doesn't really make sense, I certainly hope that Holloway's going to be alright, and that in trying to make his health better he didn't end up making his life worse. No word on exactly what type of e-cigarette Holloway was smoking or what exactly caused the battery to explode, but the matter is being investigated.

Will ‘Viagra in a Condom’ Get Guys To Like Using One?

The rubber, the cock sock, the goalie, the love glove, the salami sling. No matter how many adorable monikers it gets, no one really likes a condom very much.

But that all might be about to change, at least for dudes. Durex has a new condom out that promises to enhance erections with a gel inside the tip that contains Zanifil. The over-the-counter drug boosts blood flow in the penis, which leads to firmer, larger, and longer-lasting erections for men who might find that condoms dampen their enthusiasm for doing the deed.

Zanifil is frighteningly based on the chemical nitroglycerin, which relaxes the muscles in blood-vessel walls, therby increasing blood flow—which actually makes sense because that's how it helps people not have heart attacks. Zanifil also employs a delivery system that allows medicine to permeate the skin quickly.

And there's something to look forward to! Futura, the company that makes Zanifil, is also making a topical spray that helps delay ejaculation, which should be available in the United States next year. It's all around good news today for penises.

Christmas is upon us. The time of year where we once again delve into the world of memories, love, warmth, kindness, forgiveness, friendship and emotions. It's been a whole year of living and now everything seems to slow down. Trees are being erected, presents bought, holiday plans are being made and relatives and friends are coming together once again to spread the cheer. It is the time of love, the time of joy, the time of affection, the time of forgiveness, the time of laughter and the time where we remember those that we forgot, think of those that we have met, miss those that have been part of our everyday lives and praise those who stood by us and was true friends to the end. It is the time where we finally can say thank you, I love you, I miss you, I appreciate you, I need you, and where wishes of hope, love, warmth, fun, and laughter is spread freely, given away without expecting anything in return. Where hearts are either broken or mended, friendships made or destroyed, Family brought closer together or ripped apart. Were we can be human or animals. And where life can be given or taken away. The shopping lists grow large, credit cards are maxed out, debt is created and special presents are bought so that once a year we can give the gift of giving. Some people will work, others go on holiday. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I also have my list, I also have my travelling plans ready and will also be setting forth on an adventure. But we must never forget what Christmas is all about. It's not about gifts, it's not about money, it's not about pride, it's not about who can spend the most or buy the best. It's about spending something that we have only a limited amount of and that will never fade away. Something that will never break, never expire, never be taken for granted. That my friends are what it's about. A hug, a kiss, a word of kindness.....things that cannot be bought. The warmth of a family, the comfort of joy and laughter, the act of spending time together. Time that can run out quickly and unexpectedly. That is what it's all about.

This year I was fortunate to discover what it actually means. And I am looking forward to experience Christmas like never before. So as I end this blog, I wish everyone a very very merry Christmas. May your journey keep you safe, may you have an absolutely stunning holiday. And may we all come together again in the new year with hope, love, warmth, kindness, understanding and tolerance.

Merry Christmas all and a very happy new year. Blessed be!

Proven: The More Poop a Chimp Throws, the Smarter it Is

It turns out chimps at the zoo insist on repeatedly hurling their feces at me because they're geniuses and not just because it's hilarious. Seriously. Scientists studied chimp throwing and developed the following axiom: The frequency and accuracy with which a chimpanzee throws objects—INCLUDING POOP—is directly correlated to its intelligence. It's good for society, too.

How did we learn this incredible piece of knowledge? Researchers at the National Primate Research Center spent an inordinate amount of time watching chimps throw all orders of things at each other. They compared data about how often and accurately monkeys hurl stuff to brain scans of the animals. Low and behold the best, most frequent throwers also exhibited increased activity in the motor cortex, and more connections in the areas of the brain which in humans are responsible for speech. In other words these chimps are more intelligent, but not book smart, jungle smart.

The scientists say that in chimps, throwing is a form of tool usage for communication and that those that do it the best don't just have better motor skills—they also have a better capacity for communication. Think about it: Unlike humans, our closest cousins can't talk so they chuck stuff to get each other's attention. (It stands to reason that sometimes the only disposable throwing object would be a big handful of bodily waste.) When humans and chimps split from their common ancestor, "there was intense selection on increased motor skills associated with throwing" and along with that, the brain beginnings of a brain that would eventually be capable of speech.

That's interesting, but does this mean that I'm a big dummy because I only rarely throw my poop and on the occasions when I do I rarely hit my mark?

The World’s Biggest Insect Is So Freaking Huge It Can Eat a Carrot

Say hello to the spine tingling Giant Weta. What is a Giant Weta, you ask? Well, it's a gigantic cricket-like insect that's also the largest insect in the world. It's as heavy as three mice and even bigger than some birds. BE AFRAID LITTLE HUMANS.

The wingspan of this insect (I don't feel like the word insect does this thing justice) is only 7 inches but look at the thing on a human's hands, it's alien, it's not right, I get queasy looking at it. Luckily, the Giant Weta is only found on Little Barrier Island in New Zealand so I'll just avoid that area for the rest of my life and live in peace. The island actually helps the Giant Weta grow so monstrously large because there are fewer predators in its habitat. Not cool.


This particular Giant Weta is the biggest ever
photographed and was found by Adventurer Mark Moffett. Moffett scurried up the courage to hold the Giant Weta and feed it a carrot. I'm surprised the damn monster bug didn't bite off his finger.

What a night!

So yesterday was the first ever public appearance of Mr Gay Namibia 2011 and his First runner up at the Playhouse theater for a show commemorating world AIDS day. It was truly an experience. We were entertained by various artists with some excellent poems being read and an amazing performance by Vocal Motion Six. There were a few well known faces as well as a very diverse group in attendance. But i must admit one of the highlights was when we personally met and spoke with a wonderful, amazing, supportive woman that we were able to meet in person. Ambassador Wanda L. Nesbitt, Ambassador of the United States to Namibia.

Ambassador Nesbitt is truly a remarkable woman and we had a wonderful chat with her surrounding not only our community, but the general issues faced by everyone in our situation. Together with her staff, the artists and the general public this is a show that I will remember forever. Great jobs guys!

Pictures will be mailed to us from the embassy and then they will be posted. So watch this space!

First public appearance of MR Gay Namibia 2011and First runner up.

The first ever public appearance of Mr Gay Namibia 2011 (Wendelinus Hamutenya) and the First Runner up (Herman Feddersen) will be happening tonight at the playhouse theater by official invitation of the US Embassy. They will be attending a commemoration in leu of WORLD AIDS DAY. It starts at 18:30pm for 19:00pm. For more information see attached pictures.

MR Gay Namibia 2011

Wendelinus Hamutenya

First Runner Up for MR Gay NAmibia 2011

Herman Feddersen

MR Gay Namibia 2011 Winners.

The news is out!!!! After a wonderful evening of glitz and glammer, the final contestants was chosen for MR Gay Namibia 2011. But before I announce them, lets give you an idea of what was going on that night.

The contestants were stationed in the back dressing room as the hall filled with supportive public members. It was packed ladies and gentlemen! The MC (Master of ceremonies) did and excellent job entertaining the crow as we got ready to start the evening with our opening speeches. I have to admit. At that moment every last bit of nerve in the body was slowly starting to break. Going up there as the first ever finalists for the first ever MR GAY NAMIBIA was really an experience that I will never forget. The setup was amazing. The organisation of the vent a major success. We had fun, we had laughter and we had a really really awesome time. The dance was energetic and vibrant and the catwalks shone brightly as we went to strut our stuff! We had to sell ourselves and we sold like crazy. he he he. But nonetheless the end drew near and it was time to announce the winners.

2nd runner up - All the way from Aranos - Ryno du Plessis.

1st runner up - From Windhoek - Herman Feddersen

Mr Gay Namibia - From Windhoek - Wendelinus Hamutenya.


Congratulations to all the contestants. We did it! We are the first and we are the ones that made this happen! And a HUGE thank you to all the organisers, supporters, donors, the public and everyone that attended the event as well as those that couldn't be there but kept us in their thoughts! Without you this event would not have been what it was. A major success.

Kind regards

Herman Feddersen (1st runner up for Mr Gay Namibia 2011)