So why has the looting spread? I can only conclude that it’s an expression against oppression. The oppression of Police corruption, lying, taking bribes and the corrupt media. The oppression of the government mismanagement of funds with spiralling debt resulting in cuts, closing local services, housing problems and job losses. The credit crunch leading to the recession resulting in high youth unemployment. All this while the perpetrators get bailed out and paid off. The oppression of injustice of expenses corruption with MPs be let off after repaying what they stole. The oppression of the government allowing big business to fleece staff and mass personal wealth. The oppression of failing schools and being told you’re no good.

This is not reason enough but I understand the underlining factors. The youths need to stop and think. Yes, you have your mobile devices and social networks so you can spread information and organise quickly. But you live in an environment where you’ve constantly on camera. Many of the looter are clearly visible on the footage published on the News networks. Add to this the numerous CCTV cameras which will be analysed later. There’s a good change that many will be caught. So is it’s not worth destroying your future.

It can be a struggle to achieve without help. I believe help starts with good parenting. So why are young children (13 and younger) out rampaging with the looters? Why don’t there parents know where they are?

Many questions, not enough answers. One thing I do know is that the looting will result in tighter controls for youths. It will also affect the fragile economy leading to longer austerity.

Social engineering is currently the best way to circumvent security. It works on deception and the gullibility of users. This is clearly seen with the mobile phone voicemail hacking case currently heading the UK news.

Gaining access to someone’s voicemail is very simple as long as you have their mobile number. You call a central number and key in their mobile phone number. To gain access you’ll need their four-digit personal identification number (PIN). This can be easy to guess as it may still be set with the default PIN. Or, it is set with a very simple number like 1234, 4321, etc.

The same is true for accessing someone’s work place voicemail. Many PINs are set with their own extension number.

If the PIN cannot be guessed, the attacker may attempt to trick the network provider into releasing the PIN or change the PIN.

I’m not sure what the exact details of the current mobile phone voicemail hacking case are. I do know that users need to take more responsibility for their own security. The operators will improve their procedures, so users need to do their bit too.

My name is Adrian and this website acts as the online presence for my career in computing. It gives me a platform to share knowledge, to express views and showcase work. See the about page for more information.

As I’ve just launched the website, content is pretty sparse. Hopefully, this will improve over the next few months as I start blogging and move over content from elsewhere.

Rather than design this website from the ground up, I have decided to modify the GlossyBlue WordPress theme by N.Design Studio. This is because I want to focus on the content first. At some point, if I get time, I’ll redesign the site with my own design.