The certificate which is valid for *.google.com was issued is July by a renowned SSL certificate authority, Diginotar. As per the reports it can be used to carry out “man-in-the-middle” attacks against Gmail and other Google service users.

You may think that you have logged in securely, but the attackers could monitor your key strokes to identify your password and other important data.

This was first brought to notice by a Gmail user in Iran.

“Today, when I tried to login to my Gmail account I saw a certificate warning in Chrome,” wrote Alibo. “I think my ISP or my government did this attack (because I live in Iran and you may hear something about the story of Comodo hacker!)”

Only this year in March, Iran was associated with the fraudulent issue of various SSL certificates from Comodo. Iranian Government was initially believed to be responsible for the attack, until an Iranian hacker claimed the responsibility.

However, this is the first time that a fraudulent certificate is known to have been used in the wild.

“The good news is that the computer security community is now taking this threat very seriously. Unfortunately, the bad news is spectacularly bad: users in Iran (or on any network where an eavesdropper had the key to this certificate) may have been vulnerable for two months,” say Seth Schoen and Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Google announced that it is now marking DigiNotar as untrusted in the next release of Chrome; Mozilla is doing the same in new versions of Firefox, Firefox Mobile and Thunderbird.

Tej Kohli is a technology expert with more than 10 years of experience in the same industry. For more technology updates, keep reading Tej Kohli blog.

After HP discontinued its recently launched TouchPad, which continues to sell at deeply reduced prices, its now Lenovo which just released its ThinkPad tablet device.

The ThinkPad by Lenovo features a 10.1 inch screen and is only available at lenovo.com as a part of pre-sales. Priced at $499 for a 16 GB model, the device is powered by the Google’s android OS. However, it could slip through the cracks while HP sells its discontinued 16 GB and 32 GB TouchPads at the highly slashed prices of $99 and $149 respectively.

Touted for increased productivity, the Lenovo ThinkPad runs on Android’s Honeycomb OS and features front and rear cameras, HDMI-out, a 3-in-1 SD card reader, and Gorilla Glass.

Some of the models of the ThinkPad available are: The Wi-Fi only, 16GB model is priced at $499, the 3G and Wi-Fi 32GB model is $569 and the 3G/Wi-Fi 64GB model is $669. Other accessories, like the keyboard and pen, are also available for purchase.

The sale of the TouchPad started as large retailers requested to clear out stockpiled inventory. According to the reports, Best Buy sold less than 10 percent of its inventory, sending back nearly 250,000 TouchPads to HP.

The TouchPad sale also comes amidst a change in plans for HP, which said recently that it would discontinue all webOS-powered devices in an effort “to optimize the value of webOS software going forward,” according to an HP representative.

Responding to this, HP instructed retailers through a memo to offer TouchPad at hevily discounted prices of $99 for 16 GB and $149 for 32 GB, a far cry from $500 and $600 launch price in July.

Although most vendors, including the manufacturer itself, declared to be out of stock of HP TouchPads during the fire sale, HP’s social media manager Bryna Corcoran tweeted that more TouchPads should be available this week.

“Home and Home Office Store: Confirmed they are definitely getting more. But not in stock just yet. Any day now. Stay tuned for more info,” she tweeted.

Tej Kohli is a technocrat himself as likes to stay abreast with latest developments in the technology market. For more updates by Tej Kohli, keep reading this blog.

Mark Zuckerberg’s elder sister Randi, and Facebook’s marketing director, is leaving her brother’s company after serving it for six years.

According to the reports, she gave her letter of resignation yesterday. The 29-year-old exec later tweeted about her leaving the world’s largest social network, which now claims 750 million users worldwide.

Facebook confirmed Randi’s exit and said she planned to start her own company.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announced my departure from Facebook today to launch my own initiative,” she wrote on Twitter.

Before later adding: “Thanks everyone for the incredible outpouring of support and enthusiasm for my next adventure. So grateful. More info coming shortly!”

In her missive to her Facebook bosses, COO Sheryl Sandberg and communications chief Elliot Schrage, Randi explained her motives for moving on:

“My goal is to launch my own innovative programming and work with media companies to develop their programming in new, and more social ways. In attacking this challenge, Facebook will clearly be a central element in all of my projects. I plan to demonstrate that ANYONE can do groundbreaking media work on the platform. And to the extent it makes sense for you, I’d be happy to advise Facebook on media projects, ‘Facebook Live’ or other initiatives if it is desired.”

Her new venture RtoZMedia, already has its own website offering a teaser landing page that reveals very little about her upcoming venture. However, one thing is clear she’s aiming to build a marketing powerhouse in Silicon Valley aimed at social media companies and it is highly unlikely that Google+ will end on her list of clients.

“As I end this chapter of my career, know that I leave with a deep love for Facebook and I value the experiences I have had here immensely. Be assured I will continue to be a strong, vocal evangelist for the most incredible social platform ever created,” she said.

“I am thankful for the strong mentorship, guidance, and support, which is empowering me to follow my dreams and show that you don’t have to be an engineer to be a hacker.”

Tej Kohli technology blog helps you stay abreast with latest happening is social media, mobile and internet world. For more updates, keep reading Tej Kohli blog.

Google+, the search engine giant’s new social networking stint, saw a 10% drop in the average time during the last week. This might imply that the service has peaked in usage, at least if numbers from web analytics Experian Hitwise is to be believed.

The new social networking platform by Google is raking in unbelievable sign up numbers nearing to about 20 million users in one month’s time. But that’s not too much for a service which is advertised on almost every page on the world’s most visited website.

The existential question confronting Google+ is whether people really use it or not? Google+ is trying to follow in the footsteps of Facebook, but the later is almost addictive. Millions of people around the globe are using Facebook and login to it several times a day to see their friend’s activities, photos and play games. How long people stay on Google+ is the only parameter which will determine who wins and who loses?

However, we cannot already say that Google+ is dead, the drop might be only a temporary plunge.

But what actually matters for Google+ is usage and how many people sign up.

Tej Kohli is a technology enthusiast and blogger with a keen interest in what’s happening on the technology front. For more informative articles by Tej Kohli, keep reading this blog.

Expected to be the successor to the company’s flagship Flyer tablet, the Puccini was recently submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as discovered by Engadget.

The Puccini will supposedly have a 10.1-inch display, putting it on par with other large-screen tablets like the iPad and Samsung’s biggest Galaxy Tab.

According to the filing, it will also include the tablet-optimized version of Android, known as Honeycomb, meaning it will carry a version number of at least 3.0. It will also sport a 1280×800-resolution screen and support for 720p HD video.

Tej Kohli reports that there is no information that what processor it’s planning to use, it’s expected HTC will go with a dual-core option like Nvidia’s Tegra 2.

The Flyer was a 7-inch device that has failed to gain much traction, but HTC’s place in the Android devices market is significant, especially the role it has played in Sprint’s first-to-market initiatives like the Evo 4G and the Evo 3D.

The company is still working on finding that distinctive spot in the market for tablets, and it has some interesting ideas like a special stylus controller and a proprietary interface.

Puccini is a name shared by a brilliant Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini, whose operatic creations are among the most famous and frequently performed around the world. That name has big shoes to fill, but we’ll see if HTC can do it.

Tej Kohli is an technology buff and loves to share updates about the gadgets world.

Had there been a hall of fame for Doodles, Google’s latest doodle would have been ranked one of the history’s all time best.

To commemorate the legendary musician Les Paul’s 96th birthday, Google has transformed its home page into an interactive guitar. This doodle features a stylish guitar that allows users to make music by hovering their mouse over the strings. And that’s not all, you may even record your song. The recording, which may last up to 30 seconds, gives the users a URL for the recording so you may flaunt your musical skills to your friends.

All the information on the ‘father of the electric guitar’ can by accessed by simply clicking on the doodle, which open a web search for Les Paul.

Many people are touting this as the coolest Google doodle ever! But is it really? Over the past few years, Google has showcased an impressive line up of doodles on various occasions, be it festivals, holidays, birthdays or just like that.

But this is not the first time Google has launched an interactive doodle. In the past, Pac-man doodle marking the 50th anniversary of the game, which allowed users to play the game right on the home page.

Another note worthy doodles by Google include, a drawing that drew on it s own as you stayed on the home page on John Lenon’s birthday, and Thomas Edison’s birthday doodle, to name but a few. But isn’t it amazing and indeed appropriate that the man who innovated and changed the face of guitar has the most futuristic doodle yet.

Tej Kohli is an IT enthusiast and likes to stay abreast with latest innovations in the technology. For more updates by Tej Kohli, keep reading his blog.

Microsoft taking over Skype could still meet with disaster, and we will know in some time, but if rumors are to be believed, Bill Gates himself has pushed the company for this takeover to help Microsoft shed its old image and become a beyond PC company – a player in smartphone and tablet PCs. Skype’s deepest possible integration with the windows phone just might do wonders.

Bigger than that has been Microsoft’s teaming up with Google arch rival Facebook on search. Bing now has access to Facebook stuff that Google simply will not have. Stuff that individual users of Facebook might choose to make public to Everyone would still land in Google’s lap, but Bing has been given special treatment. This is big. For the first time Google Search has competition.

Tej Kohli Blog shares the latest news in technology sector.

Before that Steve Ballmer made some moves in 3D computing. That is another space Microsoft might look good in.

The fog on Microsoft has not dissipated yet. But Microsoft was fast becoming the metaphor for big companies where innovation stops. That might start to wind down now. But it is still early to tell. And companies like Google are no sitting ducks. The immense sizzle in the mobile space is bound to throw up new names with exciting products. But I think it is fair to say Microsoft is now back as a player in the game.

Tej Kohli is an IT expert who brings with him a vast knowledge of technology industry. For more updates by Tej Kohli, keep reading his blog.

Most of us, me being no exception, have dropped a phone in a sink, tub or toilet and I believe too many folks have wished for the upcoming product as much as I did.

Say hello to Wet Smartphone Emergency Kit from Dry-All, originally used to protect moisture sensitive military gadgets. In the past, it has been used to keep the gun safes dry and for removing moisture from hearing aids. But now its being used to dry wet cell phones, smartphones, electronic tablets and other electronic items. This kit absorbs all the moisture in a wet phone easily, allowing the phone to continue working normally while keep all your precious details like contacts, pictures, applications, music intact.

This wet smart-phones emergency kit has been independently tested and guaranteed to dry all types of cell phones that have been damaged by any type of moisture, says Tej Kohli.

“We believe people need to stay connected and mobile phones are essential. Our customers can save time, money, their contacts, applications, pictures, music and the headache of dealing with insurance companies all at home with our DRY-ALL product, “says Sean Gutierrez, Pesident DRY-ALL.

This highly efficient Wet Smartphone emergency kit is just like an emergency medical kit, always hood to keep handy in case of a wet cellphone emergncy. The kit guarantees 100 percent success when you properly follow all the directions. The starting price of this kit is $25. Tej Kohli says is not a bad deal to buy this kit at such throwaway prices.

Tej Kohli blog is a place to find all the important information related to the technology world. For more gadget reviews and news updates on the IT industry, keep reading Tej Kohli blog.

If you love eating, then you might have a reason to worry in the near future. About what? The plunging bee population! And why? Because of the 100 crops that account for 90 percent of the world nutrition, over 70 are pollinated by bees and as per the United Nations, local drops in the bee population are being reported by beekeepers around the globe. Who is to be blamed? We! Period.

A new research by Swiss researcher Daniel Favre states that part of this problem is our fixation to mobile phones. Tej Kohli blog shares some excerpts from his post.

Favre, who is a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, says that phone signals may not only confuse honeybees but can make them fatally disoriented. Favre, along with his team, carried out 83 experiments that observed honeybees’ response to mobile phones in off, standby and call-in-progress mode. The study revealed some interesting findings – when a phone call was made or received, honeybee noise increased by 10 times. Generally, an increase in the noise, also known as ‘worker piping’ is a signal that bee gives on leaving their hive. But in this experiment, it tends to make them confused.

Worker piping in a bee colony is not a frequent phenomenon. So, when it happens, only two bees or less are active at the same time, unlike the swarming process. The onset of honeybee worker piping by the mobile phone’s electromagnetic fields might have dramatic results in terms of colony losses because of unexpected swarming.

In 2008, a similar report showed that bees won’t come return to their hives when mobile phones are placed nearby, another proof that handsets disrupt bee orientation. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it unless we discard our mobiles, which is never going to happen. In whatever case, neither of these studies decisively prove that mobile phones have caused all the recent bee deaths.

Bayer’s Clothiandin, a pesticide used to pre-treat cotton seeds, is also believed to be killing honeybees. However, UN suspects that there are several other factors all working together to kill bees such as air pollution, virulent fungal pathogens that are spread via trade, and climate change. In other words, chances are, that modern society in general can be blamed for the killing of the bees. “Unless we we close all our power plants and factories, stop international trade, discontinue using pesticides, and turn or mobile phones off, we may need to look for an alternative pollination solution or perhaps some  stronger bees,” says Tej Kohli.

So, whether cell phones are to be blamed for the death of bees or not cannot be ascertained as yet. Tej Kohli says that only time will tell.For more news updates related to technology world, keep reading Tej Kohli blog.

The bitter rivalry between Facebook and Google just got intense as the people behind the recent silicon Valley drama stirred talks of various issues including smear campaigns, secrecy and even Richard Nixon. All it took to the sort out the muddle was once secret blogger called Fake Steve Jobs.

The social networking giant hired a well known PR firm in order to plant negative stories about Google’s privacy practices in leading new outlets. However, the plan backfired when the firm approached a blogger who in addition to decline the offer also went public with the exchange.

“When somebody is out there trying to plant negative stories, they are fueling the fire of conflict,” said Tej Kohli. “What’s worse is when they elbow each other, whosoever is deemed by the masses to the bad guy, loses faith in the public eye,” he went on to say.

Rather than circulating the stories about privacy problems facing Google through news outlets, Facebook found itself having to explain why it wanted to maintain secrecy.

In a statement, Facebook denied any intention of launching a smear campaign against Google. Instead, it said, it hired Burson-Marsteller to prompt investigations into how Google’s new service called Social Circle collects and uses public data. Facebook said, it should have made it clear that it was behind the efforts.

However, Burson-Marsteller has another story to tell. It said the Facebook had requested to keep its identity since it was only asking to bring publicly available information to light. The firm said that violated its own policies and the assignments on those terms should have been declined.

That’s not all, Facebook’s efforts to stay anonymous that violates the terms of service for its users, started to unfold when Burson-Marsteller contacted blogger Christopher Soghoian, and Indiana University graduate student well known is online privacy and security circles.

The firm’s John Mercurio asked Soghoian if he is interested in writing an article for ‘a top tier media outlet’ blasting Google for what Mercurio calls a ‘sweeping violation of user privacy’. Soghoian asked for the identity of the firm’s client, but Mercurio wouldn’t reveal it. Soghoian then posted the email exchange online.

Meanwhile, Burson-Marsteller also approached USA Today. And instead of running with the planted story, USA Today published an article on the “PR firm’s attack of Gmail privacy.”

Tej Kohli is an IT enthusiast who loves to stay abreast with the latest happenings in the technology field. To read more of his posts, keep reading Tej Kohli blog.