internet privacy

I wish not to share this dreadful story with you all but this is just to inform everyone where and whom to contact for reporting cyber crimes in Pakistan. On one hand it gave me immense pleasure to meet my old friends after decades through facebook, a social networking site known to all. But the  shock and sadness which results in ugly instances like the one reported by ‘The News’ overshadows …..

Kindly note that public can report such cases to the cyber wing through the website: http://www.nr3c.gov.pk/ , fax No. 926666435 and cell number: 0336-6006060.

The News-Islamabad, July 5, 2010: “I can’t face my family,” said Ms. Sana, a newly-wed girl and a victim of internet social networking — Facebook. She had an account on Facebook to share her memories of life and day to day happenings. She had added all family members, within the country and abroad. She had also uploaded her wedding ceremony pictures on her Facebook profile.

One day, while chatting with her sister, the account automatically closed without her signing it out. She tried to sign-in again but could not succeed. Assuming that server might be down she became involved in day-to-day household work.

The very next day, she came to know that her Facebook account had been hacked. That person picked her pictures and some information from it, and made a new account on Facebook using her name, pictures and other information. He threatened her and uploading nude pictures, using her name, on You-Tube — another social networking site.

Her family members — added as friends on her account — saw all that rubbish, making her a stigma for the whole family. This thwarting situation was not only faced by both the family members (parents and in-laws) but also by her sister’s in-laws who broke the engagement as soon as they got to know about it. It was an awful moment for Sana’s sister who is still unable to recover from the shock of his life. Besides, Sana is also striving hard to avoid the divorce stressed hard by her in-laws.

Our society is replete with such incidents, of which, a majority is not reported, at all. The sharing of our beautiful memories through different social networks has now the potential to raze to the ground every possibility of social networking. The way it is affecting the concept of social networking, is going to end all hopes people do have in such sort of websites and community networking groups. Fake identity, blasphemous material and the like are going to kill all the charm people might presently have left with.

“Facebook as a social forum is a very interesting concept, however when it comes to stalking and lifting of information from it, it becomes a very serious issue,” says Ms. Salma Malik, working as assistant professor at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

In her opinion, the solution is not in the banning of the website, but primarily making the security settings and the administration policies a lot more stringent and better.

To tackle this problem, the government authorities have already established National Response Centre (NR3C) for cyber crimes to curb such crimes of cyber-stalking and criminal access to data. However, only 56 cases have been reported — one year after establishment of this institution. A proper reporting can help to track down such cases. Public can report such cases to the cyber wing through the website: http://www.nr3c.gov.pk/ , fax No. 926666435 and cell number: 0336-6006060.

“Cyber stalking and criminal data access are well defined laws under PECO 2009 and knowing the seriousness of criminal intent and power of cyber stalking; heavy punishment has been kept for this crime,” founder of NR3C Ammar Hussain said.

The state authority, despite using the control mechanisms, seems failing to combat cyber crimes in Pakistan. However, the problem lies at the end of citizens too, who do not dare report it. Media can also play a great role in creating awareness against cyber crimes. — INFN

Technorati Tags: cyber crime, cyber crimes pakistan, facebook, facebook hacking, internet privacy, National Response Center, PECO 2009, privacy, social networking

Mausummery Sale

Everyone was eagerly waiting for the end of season Mausummery sale and was excited to see the banners splashed all over Islamabad today morning. It was sooner then expected.  I know it has become a crowd pulling trend to write “upto 50% discount” but after last year’s “real” sale we decided to check this out.

A common citizen like me normally tries to avoid the security checks one has to face at Marriott. But after bearing with the  barriers, hurdles, sniffing dogs and machine screening we walked a long way past those huge gates to reach the real Marriott building. Anyway, lets talk about the exhibition.

Those of you are planning to visit the sale in next two days (4th ans 5th July 2010) I would like to tell you there are a few new prints only. Rest are the left overs of the previous exhibition. I like the new ones but what puts you off is that there is nothing like sale. A few prints of dopattas are at 50% and this is termed as sale. Price for the new ones  is still in the range of Rs 1100(plus) to Rs 2200( this includes patches of embroidery and prints) which is a little less then original price.

I have seen true Mausummery fans coming out with hands full but the rest were a little disappointed.

Technorati Tags: Islamabad Marriott, lawn prints, Mausummery exhibition islamabad, Mausummery lawn

CDA water plants

Its hot in summers! Everybody knows and there is nothing new about it but when you have to face these boiling temperatures then it becomes a news. It was quite hot on saturday making it difficult for people to go outdoors. The markets and roads wore a deserted look. Power crisis is not making our lives any easier in this scorching heat. Even if we stay indoors and there is no electricity then we have only one thing which can give some relief and that is lots of cold water.

You know what? We have acute shortage of water in Islamabad and in F-8 sector in particular. The underground water table has gone down and our water motors have become useless. The other source of supply is CDA. Our dear CDA is so busy in beautifying the city that they have forgotten the more essential things like water supply. We are not getting the usual supply for months now after numerous complaints, calls and applications….we have given up on them.

You must be thinking how are we surviving without water if we have no underground water and no water supply from CDA. Kuch paaney ke liye kuch khona perta hai, for getting water we have to get up at 6 am and start dialing the CDA helpline number which gets through after almost an hour of continous effort. They give us a number and we atart waiting for the water tanker to come. I should have taken a picture of their pipe which is full of holes and when they give us those 3 minutes(1/5th of tanker) of water, most of it is  showered out of these small holes in the pipes. Anyway this whole effort results in getting us water for our daily use and its worth Rs 35 only. If you are ready for the ordeal then their number is 2096068.

On an unlucky day when CDA tanker doesn’t come you have to call for a private tanker. They are charging different prices for the whole tanker. Ranging from Rs 500 to 1500. Water is precious!!!

Even private tankers  do not operate on sundays so we are left with our last option. Try to get some water for cooking and drinking at least. Thankfully CDA has these “Drinking water filteration plants” in various sectors. (like the one you can see in the picture above). The deserted look of the above filteration plant is deceiving because it was non-operational at that time. Imagine long queues of cars, people and water cans….yes, thats the real picture.

Those of you who can afford air conditioners and have supply of water….enjoy summers and count your blessings.

Related Links:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\06\12\story_12-6-2010_pg11_1

Technorati Tags: CDA water, DCA complaint number, drinking water, precious water, summer islamabad, water, water shortage islamabad, water tankers islamabad

Privacy on facebook

FACEBOOK AT IT AGAIN- TRAMPLING OUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

By Maryam Qamar (Guest blogger)

I’ve really had it with facebook today. While at my house,When my friend signed in to her FB account, she was surprised to see some guy’s home page open up.When she tried to logout, it wouldnt. And when she hit the refresh page button, to our utter amazement, another person’s page opened up. We tried to reopen FB in another explorer, logout, refresh and what-not. But it was with anger that I watched one after another many people’s accounts open up in front of our eyes. This is our privacy. The end of it all. If I can see so many people’s accouts I wonder how many can see mine. Gone to waste are my customised privacy settings.I do not trust FB any longer. They can and will do whatever they want and whenever they want. Whether you find out or not is a totally different story.They will always be ready to comfort you and tell you that this wont happen again. But I dont think that for a single second more will i give them the key to my account…I really cannot afford to have my privacy compromised time and again. Its high time that we understand what FB is…and what it has the power to do….and let me assure you…NOONE can stop it.I would advise everyone to think twice before handing their personal info to unknown people who have the power of the internet at their disposal. Think about what this can do to you.Before its too late.THINK!!!

Technorati Tags: facebook, facebook privacy, FB, personal information on facebook

be quiet

This bird is trying to stop the other one from speaking. It seems even the birds do not believe in the freedom of expression any more:)))

Or it looks like a tired husband is back from work and cannot tolerate the wife’s complaints. He has lost his temper like humans ))

Anyway, it is excellent photography. I wonder how someone captured this unique action and that too with perfection. can you think of any other caption?

“yeh dastoor-e-zubaan bandi hai kaisa teri mehfil main

Keh yahan to baat kerney ko tarast-ti hai zubaan meri!!”

Technorati Tags: bird picture, freedom of expression, funny pictures, pakistanihousewife, tolerance, urdu shairi

They tried to make themselves better over the years and after multiplechin and cheek implants, as well as botox and fillers you will be shocked to see them. This is why Allah says in the Glorious Quran ““We have indeed created humankind in the best of molds.” Quran 95:4

When man tries on improve on how Allah has made him …this is the result. After being obsessed with their looks they made themselves horrific.

Igor and Grichka Bogdanoff now

Allah is the best creator and indeed He has made us in the best moulds. Have a look at Michael Jackson too.

michael-jackson-surgery

People are wasting so much of time, money and effort on their looks which will not last ….as even we the human or this whole world will not last forever.

Technorati Tags: Allah, Allah is the best creator, best creator, Igor Grichka Bogdanoff, michael jackson, plastic surgery, Quran

Can daddy bathe me

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

• Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
• Each kid will play two sports and take ither music or dance classes.
• There is no fast food.
• Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of ‘pretend’ bills with not enough money.
• In addition, each man will have to budget enough money
• for groceries each week.
• Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time–no emailing.
• Each man must also take each child to a doctor’s appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
• He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Emergency Room.
• He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.
• Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.
• The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
• The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished,
• and eyebrows groomed.
• During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches, have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
• They must attend weekly school meetings and church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
• They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:30 am.
• A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:

each child’s birthday,
height,
weight,
shoe size,
clothes size,
doctor’s name,
the child’s weight at birth,
length,
time of birth,
and length of labor,
each child’s favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear,
and what they want to be when they grow up.

• The kids vote them off the island based on performance.
• The last man wins only if…he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment’s notice.
• If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years, eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it.

Just don’t send it back to me….

I’m going to bed.

Technorati Tags: funny, humor, Humour, husband, husband wife, men and women, men vs women, wife, Women

Simple things

Technorati Tags: man woman, tell her, woman likes

Farmville

When I first saw my friends playing farmville on facebook  it seemed more like a  joke to me. Maybe the farmer inside me was sleeping then! later a  friend forced me to be her neighbour and thats  how it started. I started planting different crops and watching them grow in hours gave me immense pleasure. When harvesting brought virtual money the sense of fulfillment was very real. My farm crops, sheep, horses and buildings  grew in coming days and weeks.

My husband always wanted to own a farm house and leave the city for simple pleasures of natural life. I prefer enjoying city life with its benefits and playing farmville…. ) Look at my farm, those lovely fruit trees, green fields and farm animals!! They give me a sense of ownership…..I even own a house there.

Amazingly 56 million people play farmville within three months of its launch, making it the fastest-growing social game on the internet. For the company (Zynga) it is generating revenues of more than $150 million (£91.4 million) this year.

According to a report of  Timesonline “Fanatical farmers bought 800,000 new tractors yesterday and today they will buy another 800,000.These may be virtual tractors, bought for FarmVille, a hugely popular online game on Facebook, but the money that the players are spending is real.They hand over millions of pounds every day in hard cash on cows, seeds and farming equipment to make their digital smallholdings bigger.”

Technorati Tags: facebook, farmhouse, farmville revenue, farville, timesonline, tractors, zynga

cigarettes

It should be the moral obligation of food companies and of those who produce other products like cigarettes and medicines to write clearly if they are using any ingredient which is in conflict with the faith of those who take it “seriously” like Muslims and Jews.

I read this news which I would like to share….

Dutch research has found that the haemoglobin in pig’s blood is used by some tobacco manufacturers in cigarette filters

By Daily Mail Reporter

An Australian professor has warned religious groups that cigarette filters may contain traces of pig’s blood. Simon Chapman said recent Dutch research has identified 185 different industrial uses for a pig – including the use of haemoglobin in cigarette filters.

The University of Sydney professor said the study offered an insight into the world of cigarette manufacturing and was likely to spark concerns for devout Muslims and Jews. I think that there would be some particularly devout groups who would find the idea that there were pig products in cigarettes to be very offensive,’ he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

‘The Jewish community certainly takes these matters extremely seriously and the Islamic community certainly do as well, as would many vegetarians. ’It just puts into hard relief the problem that the tobacco industry is not required to declare the ingredients of cigarettes – they say “that’s our business and a trade secret”.’

The research found pig haemoglobin – a blood protein – was being used to make the filters more effective at blocking toxic chemicals before they entered a smoker’s lungs. Professor Chapman said that although some tobacco companies had voluntarily published a list of the contents in their cigarettes on websites, they also noted undisclosed ‘processing aids’ in the finished product.

At least one brand of cigarettes sold in Greece has been confirmed to be using pig haemoglobin in its manufacturing processes, he added. Professor Chapman said: ‘If you’re a smoker and you’re of Islamic or Jewish faith then you’d probably want to know and there is no way of finding out.’

Courtesy- DailyMail

Technorati Tags: cigarette filter, jew smokers, muslim smokers, pig's blood, smoking