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Wired magazine
Senior reporter for Wired magazine; former senior writer for IDG News, covering computer crime
PROFILE
Robert McMillan
Guest
FROM Robert McMillan
To the Point
Is "Net Neutrality" Essential to the American Way of Life? The Federal Communications Commission is faced with a crucial decision on open access to the Internet. A survey shows 80 percent of Americans want the FCC to prohibit providers from giving enhanced access to customers that pay more. Now the President agrees . But providers — like Time Warner Cable, Verizon and AT&T — say that will discourage innovations and investments that improve service for everyone. As the pressure rises for FCC action, will there be toll lanes on the information super highway.
To the Point
Bitcoin Theft Halts All Transactions Mount Gox , one of the most popular exchanges for Bitcoins , has shut down for all transactions after the theft of more than 700,000 bitcoins worth $350 million. The massive theft involves some 6% of all the bitcoins in circulation. Robert McMillan, senior writer for Wired magazine, explains how it happened and what it could mean for an alternative currency system.
To the Point
Is the Bitcoin a Boom or a Bubble? The price of a Bitcoin has jumped from $13 at the start of this year to more than a thousand, and it's still rising. Congress and federal regulators are beginning to pay attention. There already are Bitcoin millionaires — and Bitcoin criminals -- even though most people don't understand what a Bitcoin is. We hear about digital currency, controlled and stored in computers and traded across the Internet as a way to make payments. How does it work? Is it really safe? Is the value of Bitcoins subject to the old adage: what goes up must come down?
To the Point
Cyberattack Hits US Government Websites Computers from all over the world overwhelmed major websites this weekend in South Korea and the United States. Targets included the White House, the Pentagon, the New York Stock Exchange and the Washington Post. Robert McMillan is senior writer, covering computer crime, for IDG News .
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To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.