Author: Adedeji Olowe

Adedeji / a bunch of bananas ate a monkey /

Time to upgrade internet protocols

In a post-9/11 world, the security of internet protocols remains critically overlooked. A 328-page U.S. report unveils the alarming threats from rogue nations, with incidents like China Telecom’s misrouted traffic and Google’s breach by Chinese hackers spotlighting the vulnerabilities. It’s high time for a fundamental overhaul, starting with the widespread adoption of HTTPS and a reevaluation of DNS and routing protocols. This piece explores the urgent need for preemptive security measures to protect not just digital infrastructure but our global security at large.

The world has changed since 9/11 but why should the internet remain the same? Apparently I’m not talking about the development of internet technologies that have grown in leaps albeit the buzz word Web 2.0 is on its way out. I am taking about the basic internet protocols.

A 328-page report was recently released in the US about threats posed by rogue nations to security of the internet. The report said last year China Telecom broadcasted a bad BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) and routed a large portion of internet traffics through its opaque network for about 18 minutes (US military and government traffic were affected). Coming to mind was also the recent infiltration of Google by Chinese hackers.

After 9/11, the concept of preemptive security took a firm root in everyone’s mind. Also, there is now a greater sense of security awareness on personal computers but what have been left behind are the base internet protocols. Starting with basic HTTP, I think there should be a firm deadline for the deprecation of this protocol. Before now, the grouse with HTTPS has been with its bandwidth utilization because it uses more than plain vanilla HTTP but that is no longer tenable as broadband is now the norm. Google made a move in the right direction by making Gmail HTTPS a default but it can do better by making all its services HTTPS only.

DNS and other routing protocols should be addressed, a terrorist can do more damage (even physically  the speculation of what the Stuxnet could do is extremely ominous!) by waging cyber-attacks than by blowing himself up.

Akin goes to school

Akin goes to school is a legendary Nigerian novel read by all in the 70s and 80s. It told the story of a young lad who went to school and became successful despite the hardship of life.

The biggest lesson for me wasn’t how he overcame his adversity but the importance of education. Sometimes when you think you ‘ve had it all, it is time you rebooted.

I’ve worked for 9 years since I hung up my lab coat as an engineer, counting beans for 4 different financial institutions and at this time, all I want to do is kick back my chair and experience the thrill of learning again. I’m going back to my engineering roots to probably stick my fingers in some live wires and let some sparks fly. Ok, maybe something not as dangerous but let’s see what happens.

So I’m off work for 12 months and I’m going to let my hair grow long and wild. Gosh, freedom from the suit feels so great.

Comparison of electricity tariffs in other countries

The following table shows the price of electricity per Kilowatt Hour across different countries. This should serve as a quick reference to what other guys like us pay in these countries.

Country$/KwHN/KwH
Kingdom of Tonga0.457068.55
Denmark0.428964.34
Italy0.372355.85
Netherlands0.347052.05
Germany0.306645.99
Philippines0.288043.20
Sweden0.273441.01
Ireland0.238935.84
Spain0.195029.25
France0.192528.88
UK0.185927.89
Croatia0.175526.33
Singapore0.173426.01
Portugal0.163924.59
Nigeria (Proposed)0.146722.00
Hong Kong0.123018.45
Iceland0.116117.42
Belgium0.114317.15
Perú0.104415.66
South Africa0.101515.23
USA0.092813.92
Malaysia0.074211.13
Australia0.071110.67
Finland0.069510.43
Canada0.06189.27
Nigeria (Currently)0.04677.00

Coldfusion stores Data source definitions here

Coldfusion server reinstallation or cloning is a common scenario however if your server is the type with multiple data sources, recreating those DSNs could be hell on earth – especially when you have a world cup match to watch.

All you need do is back-up of CFROOTruntimebinneo-datasources.xml. This XML file is where CF stores the data source settings for all DSNs. Mind you, the passwords are encrypted.

Questions for Brian Greene

I recently bought the Elegant Universe, a great book by Brian Greene. He tried his very best to distil String Theory and other mad cap science into what an average Joe could understand. I understand (well, I think I do) what he wrote but I have more questions than answers so I did what should be the right thing, I wrote him an email:

Dear Brian,

I recently read your book, The Elegant Universe and I must say, with the few things I learned, even if they dont really resonate with me, I can spend a dinner with a bunch of physicists without falling asleep from boredom. However, I would be happy if I could get answers to some nagging questions:

  1. Based on the big bang theory, if the universe started from the big bang about 15billion years ago, and has been expanding since (with some theories about its contraction happening after, but then both of us would have been long gone, it is not an event that I look forward to), what was the state of the universe a year before the big bang? Or a billion before then? Where did all those matter come from?
  2. If for about 300 years, the classical physicists felt they were right and then Einstein blew them off and then string theory is stringing Einstein up, do you think String theory could hold up forever?
  3. Is it possible that there could be a form of life inside the sub particles?
  4. Is it possible that the components of the whole universe are like sub particles? May be we are the makeup of a giant body!

I would love your take on those questions.

Best regards,