Week 14 Options: Colloquium @ Mudd or Pomona
This week, you have two (well, actually three, see below) choices for colloquium talks, both on Thursday at 4:15 PM:
- A talk by Imani Munyaka, from UC San Diego, at Pomona College
- A grad school information session at Harvey Mudd College, which includes refreshments at 4:00 PM
For students enrolled in CS Colloquium (CS 195):
- If you’re in Section 1, we expect you to attend one of these event when it occurs (synchronously). You will need to log your in-person attendance at the event using one of the following messages:
- Via smartphone: There will be a QR code at the event that you can scan to log your attendance. It will use this website, so it will help to already be logged in on your phone beforehand to make the process smoother.
- Via paper sign-in: If you don't have a working smartphone, or you have technical difficulties, you can sign in on a paper form at the event. We will manually enter your attendance into the system later.
- If you're in Section 2, we hope to have at least one of these talks recorded for you to watch asynchronously.
Option 1 (Pomona): Security, Privacy, and Society
Abstract
In today's society, security and privacy have become critical concerns for various stakeholders in the digital world. News consumers grapple with misinformation from various sources, including those they once trusted. Social media users face scams, identity theft, and the perennial challenge of forgotten passwords. Parents and legal guardians are tasked with protecting their children from inappropriate content and experiences in online games and communities.
This talk delves into the intricate relationship between security, privacy, and society. We will explore how technological advancements introduce vulnerabilities that can potentially compromise end-user rights and needs. While these technologies hold promise for enhancing security and privacy, they also raise critical questions regarding privacy and societal inequalities. We will review relevant research that has identified these challenges and discuss potential solutions and future work. Specifically, I will discuss my own work on issues such as spam calls, accessibility, and combating misinformation. Additionally, I will reference other research on topics like social media privacy, intimate partner violence, and gaming. Together, we will examine the intersection of these critical issues and work towards a safer and more informed digital future.
About Imani Munyaka
Dr. Munyaka earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton and an M.S. in Computer Science from Kentucky State University. She earned a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Florida where she conducted research as a member of the Human-Experience Research lab and Florida Institute for Cybersecurity. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Diego in the Computer Science and Engineering department. Her research intertwines security, privacy, and computer interaction with a general goal of equity in experiences and outcomes for marginalized identities.
When and How to Attend
- Thursday, April 25
- Location: Seaver North Auditorium, Pomona College
- Talk runs from 4:15–5:30 PM
Option 2 (HMC): Grad School Information Session
Abstract
Are you interested in grad school? Curious what grad school even is? Not sure and just want to learn more and ask questions?
Join us for a grad school information session!
The summer between junior and senior year is a great time to start thinking about grad school and planning for the application season.
At this session we will give a broad overview of grad school, a suggested application timeline, some tips for preparing and applying for fellowships, and we'll have an open Q&A afterwards.
Hosts
This info session will be hosted by Prof. Lucas Bang from the CS department and Prof. Heather Zinn Brooks from the Math department.
When and How to Attend
- Thursday, April 25
- Location: Drinkward Recital Hall, Shanahan basement floor, Harvey Mudd College
- Talk runs from 4:15–5:30 PM
- Optional reception begins at 4:00 PM
Recording for Section 2
(You must be logged in to view videos.)
Alternative Recording: The Attacker Has Expensive Radio Equipment, But Your Android Phone Is Resilient
Because of issues with both the Pomona and HMC recordings, we are providing an alternative recording for students in Section 2 of CS 195. This talk comes from the Strange Loop Conference from October 2023.
Abstract
Some of the most dangerous cellular attacks targeting activists, journalists, and the general public have relied on GSM, the 2G cellular protocol. The 2G attack surface is so large that it leaves users vulnerable to everything from real time location tracking attacks, communication interception attacks, and receiving malware delivered over-the-air by anyone nearby.
A few years ago Android set out to work towards disabling all 2G protocols to protect users from this massive attack surface. This talk is (1) part technical deepdive into what it’s like to disable a major communications protocol at the radio hardware level in a fragmented ecosystem, (2) an overview of cellular fundamentals (e.g. what your phone is actually doing when it “connects” to a cell tower), and (3) part history lesson about the extensivity of phone radio surveillance and its use by cyber mercenaries all over the world.
About Yomna Nasser
Yomna Nasser is a member of the Android Connectivity Security team, and previously worked at EFF on certbot (a popular "Let's Encrypt" client). She is interested in the mysteries of phone systems, both modern and historical.
Security, Privacy, and Society
(We have not yet received a recording of this talk.)
Grad School Information Session
Unfortunately, this video has no sound.
This video is provided for students in Section 2 of CS 195 (and students in Section 1 who had to miss the talk due to extenuating circumstances). This is a private video, so please do not share it with others.
Required Assessment
To receive full credit for attending this colloquium, complete the assessment:
Please do so at your soonest convenience, within 24 hours of seeing the talk.
(When logged in, completion status appears here.)