The Internet can be a terrifying place, especially for those who know its inherent dangers. For every funny animal picture or family post, there seems to be a fresh cyber attack, data breach, aur middleman attack, were scammers try to utilise  the Internet for their own gains. It seems that a day doesn't go by without some new terrifying online threat emerging from attacks like Cloudbleed or Stuxnet. And this could be potential threats in the future, for internet-based home appliances and Technology such as self driving Cars , medical pacemakers, from any other location in the world.

Anonymity is art of being hidden from mother's usually by blending into a crowd. The Internet is the largest crowd in the world used by people from all walks of life. For some it isn't a bad thing to stay anonymous. However more often that are not name it gets used for nefarious purpose.

Child abuse is one of the major concern. Pedophiles hide in the Shadows of the Internet silently stocking and praying on those were most vunerable. Anonymous hackers are able to use the hidden status is to bring cruelty to people everywhere without fear of being caught or held accountable. Hackers used to steal information that doesn't belong to them, sometimes taking data, samsung time stealing peoples whole identities, ruining lives and families.

Every aspect of the day is now interfaced in a way of other, with both of the benefits and the threats of the Internet. And with that the technology continuous to rapidly improve forward. It is only going to become more and more intervened in every aspect of our daily life. This is why and absolute imperative is necessary for in our privacy. That's call for and end of online anonymity? Perhaps yes.

Anonymity has been definitely had its uses in the past such as a loving flow of information, only king evidence that has a rapidly covered in the multinational conglomerates. However in the modern era where anonymity is being exploited more and more to attack, need to rethink have no name it is as much of a positive purpose anymore. Imagine for example the benefits of unmasking anonymous cyber bullies and hate groups. Still be eager to send headphone messages if they have that true identity is exposed to the world at large alongside their words? That moment cyber police and now numerous online hate groups can spread their messages with high impunity, as they are extremely unlikely to face any real world consequences. For the sake of those who will be there future victims this has to change.

Terrorism and online extremism, has become a common place on the Internet world, and if one knows what to look, and what to search, it would also take massive loss of their protective online anonymity. While this may not go the way the dinosaur entirely, relative is by which it has brought anonymity would certainly prove otherwise. There are several online black markets,  picture relative Lee secretive selling everything from illitict substances, to assassins, cash flows immiscibility stabilized as a major majority. All of the benefits only require is making one small change in How we connect to the world.

If online cyber security experts are taking steps to protect private networks why not we take the most of the step to protect each other? If we remove outdated anonymity from the Internet, we would see an decrease in hate related crimes, and illegal activities. Ending anonymity is the best movie can make for the sake of a brighter tomorrow. Why do people hide on the Internet? Is it that to keep themselves safe, horror said that to prey on the vunerable.

WannaCrypt (also known as WannaCry) is the latest in ransomware that not only encrypts data but also replicates to other unpatched systems. Its main code was build by NSA, stolen bought by Lazzarus (or perhaps, using shadow brokers), a terrorist linked group which hacked Sony a few years earlier. 

The leaked exploits named EternalBlue and DoublePulsar, make it extremely good at replication and infection. The malware has spread to over a hundred countries in a week, and the malware's author has made over $70,000 in its first week of propogation.

How Does it Work?

WannaCrypt takes advantage of an exploit available in a protocol called Windows Server Message Block (SMB). System administrators for linux servers have also reported sucessful attacks, so all servers offering file sharing should be patched.

If a machine responds to SMB request, WannaCry replicates the share. This feature is why the ransomware spread so quickly on the Internet. After the infection, the malware sends requests to other machines, and several servers are vunerable since they have not been patched.

WannaCrypt requests access to common drive letters including C: and D: drives, but also infects removable drives. If you have a removable drive connected to your machine, the malware copies it to all folders, and encrypts the contents.

Once your PC is infected, the malware scans your system for specific file extensions and using 2048-RSA, it encrypts thee contents. Because, it uses SMB, even PCs behind the firewall are not protected. The ransomware starts the ransom at $300, but if you take too long to pay, the ransom is doubled and tripled.

The malware contains a code that researches believe is a kill switch. It attempts to conact a domain, which was recently found by a researcher. If unsucessful, the malware would proceed to encrypt the data and ask for ransom.

It is believed, the long domain name was intended to stop the malware should the authors determine they need the malware stop it from working.

How Do You Protect Files?

If you haven't already patched your system, its time to update your Windows software. The malware has spread so severely that Microsoft has even released patches for Windows 2003, Win 8 , and Windows XP, even thought M$ officially does not support these systems, it was necessary to stop the malware from spreading. Servers are the most susceptible, because they are accessible on the internet. You can use Windows Update service to update your computer. Microsoft has released signatures for its Windows Defender software, should you need to be protected.

The only operating system that seems unaffected by WannaCrypt seems to be Windows 10. But, we never know! Yes, we can't stop malware writers, but you can keep yourselves protected. Always keep your OS updated with a latest patch, and avoid downloading executable files from mails or unknown sources.

Did you know the states with the Most severe Cannabis law? Possessing cannabis for personal use is legal in eight states and in the District of Columbia. These states include California, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Alaska. The other states consider it a controlled substance, and impose penalities and fines for posseing and distributing cannabis. Five states with harshest cannabis possession laws are Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Georgia, and Okalahama. These states are well correct in being stubborn in their policy towards prosecuting offenders.

For example, The Alabama Legislature Code has some of the harshest penalities for the possession, selling and cultivating and trafflicking cannabis. Personal use of cannabis in Alabama is misdemenor and results in imprisonment and $6000 fine. According to the law, its a felony and most serious type of crime, having at least a year of prison sentence. Trafflicking cannabis in Alabama is a felony with upto $15000 fine. If convicted of selling cannabis, the punishment varies for the amount sold. Growing cannabis is also a offence.

Similarly, in Georgia, as per Title 16, Chapter 13, cannabis is a controlled substance. This code includes possesing, cultivating, selling, distributing and miscellaneous offenses regarding cannabis. It is a shame that some startups in the Bay area have taken this to an advantage. There are countless startups booming in America which have begun finding use-cases for a problem that never exisited. Yes, cannabis. Now, everything declared illegal is now legal elsewhere. 

What a shame!

Few product websites, like ProductHunt, and AI related startups are promoting sales of cannabis directly. And, get paid by cash which is a real shame! By far, there are 1024 Marijuana angel investors, and 96 startup jobs. #sad. As the marijuana legalization debate rages, so called "startups" take it forward to sell weeds, and this makes cannabis investments hitting new highs. 

Readers Note

The Author is a strict Anti-Weed, Anti-Drug, and Anti-Cannabis Advocate. At no point in the below article, is the author advocating the use of Cannabis, but regards these educational necessities for next gen readers. #NoWeed And, please dear bozo so called "cannabis startups", if there is anything you can't sell, try your moms.