25-GPU cluster cracks every standard Windows password in  <6 hours For the time being, readers should assume that the vast majority of their passwords are hashed with fast algorithms. That means passwords should never be less than nine characters, and using 13 or even 20 characters offers even better security. But long passwords aren’t enough. Given the prevalence of cracking lists measured in the hundreds of millions, it’s also crucial that passwords not be names, words, or common phrases. One easy way to make sure a passcode…

It’s no secret that Tech Crunch has been on a mission to promote the Droid at all costs, probably because Arrington needs daily affirmation that dropping the iPhone was a good move. But in the midst of all the puckering up was this little gem of an article this morning: http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/10/29/here-are-all-the-great-android-games-t…I had to do a double-take when I read the third paragraph. 512 MB of internal memory? Are you kidding me? In November of 2009, someone releases “the ultimate Android phone”…

John Biggs on Tech Crunch suggests that Google should make Apple “beg” Google to write a turn-by-turn navigation app for the iPhone. http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/28/google-should-make-apple-beg-for-maps-na… Where do I begin? Let’s get one thing completely straight. In the mobile phone space, Google needs Apple right now A LOT more than Apple needs Google. Google makes money by spreading its ads everywhere possible. For Google to suddenly lose its ability to spread those ads via the iPhone would be a drastic loss. This is why Google…

Got my hand on a Magic Mouse at the Apple Store tonight for the first time. With most new Apple products, I read about them, I look at pictures on the web, and immediately I am either convinced I’ll buy it, or that I would buy it if I could convince myself I need whatever it does. With mice, it’s a different story. Apple has had a long history of creating mice that people are less than enthused about. And while I hate to agree with most people…

Okay, so now some people are predicting Apple will report revenue below expectations on Monday. Is anyone else confused yet? I mean in addition to the paradox of expecting something to be lower than expected? Using the press to manipulate stock prices is no longer in the realms of conspiracy theory. It’s an observable phenomenon. So how come no one ever gets put in jail for it?…