US truck crashes cost 30,000 lives in less than a decade
Some of the recommendations made following a truck crash in 2005 in which five people died when a lorry jack-knifed on a busy highway have yet to be implemented. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the crash involving a truck and a coach was probably caused by the truck driver’s lack of sleep. Since that accident, 30,000 people have died on America’s roads in crashes involving trucks. Among the suggestions that could cut the number of crashes involving tired drivers are automatic braking systems and alarms that are triggered by eyelid monitors that can instantly detect a driver at risk of falling asleep. The National Transportation Safety Board says that accidents involving fatigued drivers are increasing and so are fatalities.
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Google reveals vulnerability in web encryption
Google has blogged about vulnerability in the 15-year old web encryption protocol SSL 3.0. Although there are newer versions of SSL this earlier incarnation is still supported and used widely, largely due to its compatibility. When web browsers cannot connect they will try older protocols including 3.0 and Google says hackers can access information encrypted with this method. Furthermore it is possible for hackers to force a failed connection to an updated protocol with the browser then defaulting to a 3.0 connection, which is then hacked. Google says it is working towards phasing out ‘default to 3.0’ in its Chrome browser.
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Canadians believe earthquake risk is 50 years away
A survey commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada shows that those living in the parts of the country most at risk of an earthquake do not appreciate how close the threat could be. The poll targeted 2000 residents of British Columbia and the Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec City corridor in spring of this year. It seems that Canadians do not expect an earthquake any time soon; most are concerned about earthquakes but most don’t think an earthquake is likely to hit their area for another 50 years. More than two-thirds do not have earthquake insurance and the main reason (in those that were aware of it) was their low perception of the risk. Another key finding was that residents believe their existing home insurance or the government will take care of any losses.
Could Apple revolutionize the i-nsurance business?
The insurance industry is weighing up the potential pros and cons of Apple’s iWatch. On the plus side there is potential for far better data on users’ health and lifestyle choices but on the downside there is potential risk. With greater amounts of data being collected comes the greater possibility of that data being breached. Businesses will need to assess the risk of allowing these devices to be connected to their networks and their use may require an update of ‘bring your own device’ policies in workplaces.
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