Most Dangerous Computer Viruses Of All Time

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the user.

Here are some of the most dangerous computer viruses in history:

1. Jerusalem – 1988
This is one of the first MS-DOS viruses in history that caused enormous destructions, affecting many countries, universities and company worldwide. On Friday 13, 1988 the computer virus managed to infect a number of institutions in Europe, America and the Middle East. The name was given to the virus after one of the first places that got “acquainted” with it – the Jerusalem University.

Along with a number of other computer viruses, including “Cascade”, “Stoned”, “Vienna” the Jerusalem virus managed to infect thousands of computers while still remaining unnoticed. Back then the anti-virus programs were not as advanced as they are today and a lot of users had little belief of the existence of computer viruses.

2. Morris (a.k.a. Internet Worm) – November 1988
This computer virus infected over 6,000 computer systems in the United States, including the famous NASA research Institute, which for some time remained completely paralyzed. Due to erratic code, the worm managed to send millions of copies of itself to different network computers, being able to entirely paralyze all network resources. The damages caused by the Morris computer virus were estimated at $96 millions.

To be able to spread the computer virus used errors in such operating systems as Unix for VAX and Sun Microsystems. There were a number of other interesting ideas used by the virus – for example it could pick user passwords.

3. Solar Sunrise – 1998
A decade later the situation didn’t change, it might have gotten even got worse. Using a computer virus, hackers, in 1998, penetrated and took control of over 500 computers systems that belonged to the army, government and private sector of the United States. The whole situation was dubbed Solar Sunrise after the popular vulnerabilities in computers that run on the operating system called Sun Solaris. Initially it was believed that the attacks were planed by the operatives in Iraq. It was later revealed that the incidents represented the work of two American teenagers from California. After the attacks, the Defense Department took drastic actions to prevent future incidents of this kind.

4. CIH – 1998

Unleashed from Taiwan in June of 1998, CIH is recognized as one of the most dangerous and destructive viruses ever. The virus infected Windows 95, 98, and ME executable files and was able to remain resident in a PC’s memory, where it continued to infect other executables.

What made CIH so dangerous is that, shortly after activated, it would overwrite data on the host PC’s hard drive, rendering it inoperable. It was also capable of overwriting the BIOS of the host, preventing boot-up. Because it infected executable files, CIH wound up being distributed by numerous software distributors, including a demo version of an Activision game named Sin.

CIH is also known as the Chernobyl virus because the trigger date of certain strains of the virus coincides with the date of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident. The virus is not a serious threat today, thanks to increased awareness and the widespread migration to Windows 2000, XP, and NT, none of which are vulnerable to CIH.

5. Melissa – 1999
For the first time computers got acknowledged with Melissa computer virus on March 26, 1999, when the virus shut down Internet mail system, which got blocked with e-mails infected by the worm. It is worth mentioning that at first Melissa was not meant to cause any harm, but after it overloaded servers the virus led to unpredictable problems. For the first time it spread in the Usenet discussion group alt.sex. Melissa was hidden within a file called “List.DoC”, which featured passwords that served as keys to unlocking 80 pornographic websites. The original form of the virus was sent through e-mail to different users.

Melissa computer virus was developed by David L. Smith in Aberdeen Township, New Jersey. Its name comes from a lap dancer that the programmer got acknowledged with while in Florida. After being caught, the creator of the virus was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000. The arrest represented a collaboration of FBI, New Jersey State Police and Monmouth Internet.

Melissa had the ability to multiply on Microsoft Word 97 and Word 2000, as well as Microsoft Excel 97, 2000 and 2003. In addition, the virus had the ability to mass-mail itself from Microsoft Outlook 97 or Outlook 98.

6. I Love You – May 2000
Using a similar method as the Melissa, the computer virus dubbed “I Love You” managed to infect millions of computers around the world in just one night. Just like Melissa this computer virus sent passwords and usernames, which were stored on the attacked computers, back to the developer of the virus. After authorities traced the virus they found that a young Filipino student was behind the attack. The young man was released due to the fact that the Philippines did not have any law that would prevent hacking and spreading malware. This situation served as one of the premises for creating the European Union’s global Cybercrime Treaty.

Thousands of users fell for the lure of a love letter and clicked on the infected attachment. Courtesy of F-Secure.

7. The Code Red worm – July 2001
This 21st century computer virus managed to penetrate tens of thousands of systems that ran Microsoft Windows NT as well as Windows 2000 server software. The damages caused by the Code Red computer virus were estimated at a total of $2 billion. Code Red was developed to use the power of all computers it infected against the official website of the White House at a predetermined date. In collaboration with different virus hunters and tech firms, the White House managed to decipher the code of the Code Red virus and stop traffic as the malware started its attacks.

A Web site infected by Code Red. Courtesy of F-Secure.

7. Nimda – 2001
Shortly after the September 11 tragedy this computer virus infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. Nimda was considered to be one of the most complicated viruses, having up to 5 different methods of infecting computers systems and duplicating itself.

8. SQL Slammer – 2003
SQL Slammer, also known as Sapphire, was launched on January 25, 2003. It was a doozy of a worm that had a noticeable negative impact upon global Internet traffic. Interestingly enough, it didn’t seek out end users’ PCs. Instead, the target was servers. The virus was a single-packet, 376-byte worm that generated random IP addresses and sent itself to those IP addresses. If the IP address was a computer running an unpatched copy of Microsoft’s SQL Server Desktop Engine, that computer would immediately begin firing the virus off to random IP addresses as well.

With this remarkably effective way of spreading, Slammer infected 75,000 computers in 10 minutes. The outrageously high amounts of traffic overloaded routers across the globe, which created higher demands on other routers, which shut them down, and so on.

9. Blaster – 2003
The summer of 2003 was a rough time for businesses running PCs. In rapid succession, IT professionals witnessed the unleashing of both the Blaster and Sobig worms. Blaster, also known as Lovsan or MSBlast, was the first to hit. The virus was detected on August 11 and spread rapidly, peaking in just two days. Transmitted via network and Internet traffic, this worm exploited a vulnerability in Windows 2000 and Windows XP, and when activated, presented the PC user with a menacing dialog box indicating that a system shutdown was imminent.

Hidden in the code of MSBLAST.EXE — the virus’ executable ” were these messages: “I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!!” and “billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!!”

Like many viruses, Blaster contained hidden messages. Courtesy of F-Secure.

10. Sobig.F – 2003

The Sobig worm hit right on the heels of Blaster, making August 2003 a miserable month for corporate and home PC users. The most destructive variant was Sobig.F, which spread so rapidly on August 19 that it set a record (which would later be broken by MyDoom), generating over 1 million copies of itself in its first 24 hours.

The virus infected host computers via innocuously named e-mail attachments such as application.pif and thank_you.pif. When activated, this worm transmitted itself to e-mail addresses discovered on a host of local file types. The end result was massive amounts of Internet traffic.

On September 10, 2003, the virus deactivated itself and is no longer a threat. Microsoft has announced a $250,000 bounty for anyone who identifies Sobig.F’s author, but to date, the perpetrator has not been caught.

E-mails with innocuously named attachments launched Sobig. Courtesy of
F-Secure.

11. Bagle – 2004
Bagle, a classic but sophisticated worm, made its debut on January 18, 2004. The malicious code infected users’ systems via the traditional mechanism — an e-mail attachment — and then scoured Windows files for e-mail addresses it could use to replicate itself.

The real danger of Bagle (a.k.a. Beagle) and its 60 to 100 variants is that, when the worm infects a PC, it opens a back door to a TCP port that can be used by remote users and applications to access data — financial, personal, anything — on the infected system. According to an April 2005 TechWeb story, the worm is “usually credited with starting the malware-for-profit movement among hackers, who prior to the ground-breaking worm, typically were motivated by notoriety.”

The Bagle.B variant was designed to stop spreading after January 28, 2004, but numerous other variants of the virus continue to plague users to this day.

12. MyDoom (2004)
For a period of a few hours on January 26, 2004, the MyDoom shockwave could be felt around the world as this worm spread at an unprecedented rate across the Internet via e-mail. The worm, also known as Norvarg, spread itself in a particularly devious manner: It transmitted itself as an attachment in what appeared to be an e-mail error message containing the text “Mail Transaction Failed.” Clicking on the attachment spammed the worm to e-mail addresses found in address books. MyDoom also attempted to spread via the shared folders of users’ Kazaa peer-to-peer networking accounts.

The replication was so successful that computer security experts have speculated that one in every 10 e-mail messages sent during the first hours of infection contained the virus. MyDoom was programmed to stop spreading after February 12, 2004.

13. Sasser (2004)
Sasser began spreading on April 30, 2004, and was destructive enough to shut down the satellite communications for some French news agencies. It also resulted in the cancellation of several Delta airline flights and the shutdown of numerous companies’ systems worldwide.

Unlike most previous worms, Sasser was not transmitted via e-mail and required no user interaction to spread. Instead the worm exploited a security flaw in non-updated Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems. When successfully replicated, the worm would actively scan for other unprotected systems and transmit itself to them. Infected systems experienced repeated crashes and instability.

Sasser caused frequent system crashes. Courtesy of
F-Secure.

14. Downadup – 2009
The latest and most dangerous virus is the “downadup” worm, which was also called “Conficker”. The computer security company F-Secure stated that the computer virus has infected 3.5 million computers worldwide. This malicious program was able to spread using a patched Windows flaw. Downadup was successful in spreading across the Web due to the fact that it used a flaw that Microsoft patched in October in order to distantly compromise computers that ran unpatched versions of Microsoft’s operating system. But the greatest power of the worm is believed to be the ability of computers, infected with the worm, to download destructive code from a random drop point. F-Secure stated that three of the most affected countries were China, Brazil and Russia.

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Animaniacs: Top Ten Sexually Active Animals

When you were a kid, the idea of animal sex was as pristine as the normal “boy meets girl” scenario. It’s a sentimental encounter where lovers meet each other at the right place and at the right time, make babies and rear their young.

The idea of sexual sadism, masochism, the Kama Sutra, role-playing, gay sex, masturbation or any other risqué sexual activities are thought to be strictly human, or are they?

Here are the top ten sexually active animals that put the word “wild” in wildlife.

10. Sea Horses

Studies conducted by the Sea Life Center aquariums in Britain suggest that out of the 3,168 sea horse sexual encounters that were recorded, 37 percent of these encounters were a variant of gay sex.

The Seahorse

Scientists were able to identify two specific breeds of seahorses that engage in bisexual behavior. These are the Australian seahorses and the Caribbean slender seahorses. These two breeds were observed flirting with 25 potential partners each day. The only species of seahorse that remained faithful to their respective partners was the British spiny seahorse.

Children’s science books already have revealed that seahorses are not new to being “gay”. These species of fish belong to the family “Syngnathidae” which means, in layman’s terms, "the males get pregnant." Other animal species that belong to this group are the pipe fish and the leafy sea dragon.

09. Ducks

Many male birds have no sexual organ because most of them only have holes to deposit their sperm in. However, one bird stands out from the crowd because it’s well-hung. The males of the duck family have big, cork-screw sexual organs.

What’s strange about the duck is not the male penis, but the story behind the evolution of the vagina of their female counterparts. The duck vagina is perhaps the most complicated animal genitalia because of its many labyrinthian oviducts with some tunnels leading to dead-ends.

The Male Ducks looking for Girls

In a normal scenario, a female duck will commit to just one male. However, other males are known to attack a sexually-mature female and there are instances when a female duck is even killed by the sexual activity.

These forced-matings resulted in the evolutionary marvel that is the duck’s vagina. The females can use their vagina to isolate the sperm coming from the forced-matings and shoot the sperm back out later. Thanks to their complicated oviducts, there’s only a 5% chance for the female ducks to be fertilized by “duck rape”.

08. Angler Insertion

According to the Spice Girls, making love is “two becoming one”. No animal in the world

The Angry Angler

understands this better than the angler fish. If you remember the movie “Finding Nemo”, the angler fish is the sea predator that had a glowing lure, like a mini light bulb, at the tip of its nose.

It’s difficult for the male antler to find a female because sea predators are commonly spread out in the sea. When the male finally spots a female, he bites her hard and pierces her skin to inserts himself and literally holds on for his entire life. In the event that the female has eggs that need to be fertilized, the male will provide his semen anytime.

Scientists used to be baffled to find leech-like parasites that cling on the angler fish that they catch. It’s actually the male angler engaged in the ultimate sex act.

07. Naughty Nautilus

Is it possible to have intimate sex from a distance? Not for humans, but it’s normal for the male paper nautilus!

When a male spots a female that’s receptive to his charms he will swim away and avoid the female. For humans, that’s like walking away from a possible score. For the nautilus, it’s game time!

A Male Nautilus

The male nautilus’s tentacle, that bears sperm, will involuntarily detach from the body of the male. The tentacle would swim towards the female to penetrate her. Yes, it’s like a detachable swimming penis.

Until today, scientists were baffled how this peculiar sex arrangement took place among the nautilus species. One theory is that the female nautilus still has a molluscan shell. Without an armor protecting the males, it’s less likely he can get close to the tough, normally aggressive female, hence the launch of the swimming penis.

06. Stag Party

The red deer, also known as an Elk, is native species of Britain. The most notable feature of this animal is its long antlers that can reach up to a total of two meters in width. These animals are also famous for their infectious, lingering calls before the winter season. These calls are so loud that they can be heard from far-reaching distances.

The Male Deer

Scientists have observed that it only takes a few seconds for stags to reach a full, enormous erection, especially when they rub their antlers against the long grass. The antlers, covered in fur, are very erogenous zones. The soft fur is also known as velvet.

The velvet actually helps safeguard the newly formed antlers of young males during springtime. This means that the adolescent red deer, while growing antlers, are beyond horny. They get a kick out of it, gaining full blown erections the more they rub their antlers against the objects around them.

05. Kinky K-9’s

He is in charge

Female dogs seem to have a very effective way of holding on to their partners. They have huge muscles inside their vaginas that grip the male dog’s penis during sexual intercourse. This ensures that the male dog won’t be going anywhere until his sperm fertilizes the female’s egg. This interlocking of genitals can last for as long as 30 minutes.

What’s amazing about this is the female dog usually ignores the fact that a male dog is attached to her tail end. She goes about her normal routine and eats, sleeps and walks around while a male is precariously being dragged behind her.

04. Snake Love

For some animals, having one sexual organ is not enough, they have to have two. This is the case of many snakes and lizards.

The male snake had to develop a cunning evolutionary strategy for mating, because female snakes are hard-skinned and there is no lubricant is at his disposal. The male snake penetrates the coarse females with their unique erection.

Gorgeous Skinned Snake

Unlike most animals, where the penis grows large and the male tries to fit it into the vagina, the male’s penis is kept ”inside-out” called “Hemi Peres” or “half penises”. With the proper timing, the penis unrolls into the female’s oviduct and inflates like the long narrow balloons used by clowns for balloon animals.

When the first penis discharges its sperm, the second penis pops out to prolong the activity.

03. Black Widows

Some insects have an identical definition of pain and pleasure. Examples of insects that are into such extreme sexual behavior are spiders, bees and mantises.

Black Widow

The female preying mantis is known to bite the head off of the male partner during sexual intercourse. The body of the male mantis still has such a strong sex drive that it continues to hump the female even with a decapitated head. This notorious female behavior ensures that she gets a nourishing meal so she is strong enough to raise her babies.

Queen bees save the sperm of her sexual partners for her entire life. The queen fertilizes her self throughout her life to produce a steady stream of bees to sustain the hive.

Some male spiders are able to escape the larger females after sex. In many cases, the female will catch the escaping male to eat him up. It’s the most extreme way to pay for sex.

02. Make Love, Not War

The world of Bonobo chimpanzees is like Sodom and Gomorrah. Sex shapes the social life of these animals. They have been observed engaging kissing and hugging while some masturbate when they win disputes. Many of them like to mate "doggy-style” and sometimes perform sporadic fellatio with each other and in some cases, even auto-fellatio.

The Bonobo Chimpanzee

Bonobo’s express their excitement in sexual ways. Adult females rub genitals with each other. The males rub their genitals against the buttocks of another male, which is called “pseudocopulation”. Some males practice “penis-fencing”, while hanging from a branch; they clutch and swing their erect penises against each other.

Scientists believe that this behavior of the Bonobo’s is their normal way of saying hello and avoiding conflicts.

01. Slug Feast

Slugs are classified as hermaphroditic animals; they have both the male and female organs. This means that the slug’s mating habits are nowhere near mundane.

The freakiest sexual behavior is done by Spotted-leopard slugs, sometimes known as Great Grey slugs or Tiger slugs. When reproducing, these slugs suspend themselves from thick rope-like mucus that entwines the slug’s bodies. While hanging from the slimy rope, the slugs force out their blue, gigantic penises that wrap around each other and ejaculate to exchange genetic material.

An Active Slug

During the sex act, the slugs’ penises get entangled around each other. To free themselves from the grip, the slugs will proceed to literally chew and eat away the penises so that they can disengage. That’s perhaps the most extreme BDSM (Bondage, Sadism and Masochism) act in the entire animal kingdom.

Animals also get “freaky” with each other or with themselves. They also have fetishes. They masturbate; they have a thriving gay community. Some rape the females while some engage in a lot of casual sex. Perhaps, this is why humans call voluptuous sex symbols “vixens”. In fact, if you hear a wolf or fox howling at night, there is a great chance it’s busy having mind-blowing sex.

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Top Ten Sexual Positions

Sex is not just about making babies. If you have to spend time making love with the woman of your dreams, you have to make the experience pleasurable and exciting. You may have tried kinky foreplay, but the real joy of sex comes with the act itself. Sexy lingerie, French maid uniforms, the songs of Barry White, or even a bit of S&M thrown in will not work if you stick with the missionary position. Here are 10 of the most titillating, arousing, and mind-blowing sexual positions you can try for a steamy night in bed:
10. Masters and Johnson

The Masters and Johnson technique is also called the “lateral coital position.” In a famous study made by William Masters and Virgina Johnson in the 1960s, they discovered that premature ejaculation and other sexual dysfunctions is partially caused by having too little support on the body during sex. The Masters and Johnson technique is a modified version of the woman-on-top missionary position. Instead of the woman pinning her weight on her partner, both remain fully supported by the bed. It also means a fuller range of pelvic motion, which results to more satisfying sex.
9. Reverse Spoon

Tired of the old spooning technique? Like many things in life, the spoon position becomes more exciting when you do it backwards. To perform the reverse spoon, you still need to lay on your sides, although instead of pressing your back against your partner, you will have to pin your body against your partner’s legs. The man will then penetrate the woman upside-down. While tangling your bodies in a knot may sound complicated, the Reverse Spoon allows a few extra inches of penetration in a position that will blow your partner away.
8. Bend Over Backwards

Too tired to get into bed? Maybe you want to get rowdy in some other place, like the sofa. At first, the living-room sofa may not sound like a good place to have sex. A neat trick is for the woman to bend over backwards on the arm of the sofa, and prop up her leg on the sofa’s backrest. The man can then penetrate the woman from this alluring, stimulating position.
7. Lap-Dancing Cowgirl

Almost everyone has tried the Cowgirl before, but the Lap-Dancing Cowgirl combines all the benefits of the woman-on-top position with the arousing and stimulating effect of a good old-fashioned lap dance. To perform the Lap-Dancing Cowgirl, the man sits on a comfy yet sturdy chair, while the woman mounts her from the front. The neat thing about the Lap-Dancing Cowgirl is that penetration is easily controlled by the woman. For maximum pleasure and arousal, the man should dress up in cowboy boots, while the woman gets it on with open leather chaps and a cowboy hat. You can also have sex to the tune of country music and old-style blues.
6. Standing Tall

The Kama Sutra calls the standing position the “suspended congress,” but it has nothing to do with power-hungry politicians. Standing may sound like an uncomfortable and unwieldy position to have sex, but this is perfect for cramped spaces like the shower stall. The man leans back against the wall, while the woman grasps him around the neck for support. For extra balance, the man grips the woman by the legs. You just let gravity do the work for you. You can make the standing position really sensuous if you do it under a hot shower.
5. The Snow Plow

The Snow Plow is the ultimate turn-on for those who like deep penetration. The sexual position is a modified version of the missionary position, and is a great way to warm the body up on those cold, snowy days. To do the Snow Plow, the woman lies on the bed and raises her legs up to her head. The man then proceeds to mount the woman from this position. In a 1972 sex manual entitled “The Joy of Sex” by Dr. Alex Comfort, this position was called the “Viennese Oyster.” A change of name, like a change in sexual positions, is a good thing.
4. The Lazy Dog

Too tired to get up from a night of cuddling? The Lazy Dog is a come-from-behind sexual technique that emphasizes slow, sensual, romantic thrusting motions. The position is a more romantic and less intense take on Doggy Style, which is great for those mornings where you’re just too groggy for full-on intensity. The Lazy Dog also gives you a lot of freedom of movement to experiment with thrusts and hip motions.
3. The Splitter

Female gymnasts, athletes and dancers can maximize their talents for mind-blowing sexual positions. Most men cannot do the splits, but many women find no problems doing so. The Splitter is a perfect sexual acrobatic move for partners looking to spice up their sexual experience. There are many ways to modify the Splitter. The Side-Saddle Split is a front split executed with the woman facing the side. The Straddle Split can be a very alluring take on the traditional Cowgirl. If the woman is really flexible and athletic, you can really achieve those mind-blowing orgasms using Twisting Splits.
2. The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly is a very popular position in the Kama Sutra, because it emphasizes sensuality. The Butterfly maximizes pelvic contact, which results in a more aroused and mind-splitting sexual experience. A unique take on the Cowgirl, the Butterfly position lets the woman lay back, while she controls the tempo and depth of penetration. The position also gives the man a good view of his partner, and he can also reciprocate with some well-timed hip movements.
1. Deep Impact

For that full-on, mind-blowing, most awesome orgasm that you thought existed only in dreams, the Deep Impact stays true to its name. The woman lies with her legs hanging from the edge of the bed, as the man penetrates her either by pulling her legs toward his body, or by carefully positioning the legs to a straddle split. The Deep Impact combines all the benefits of gravity, motion, and penetration into one complete, sexy, amazing sexual position that’s sure to be one of your favorites. Like the movie of the same name, the Deep Impact is sure to be a collision between Heaven and Earth.

There you have it, 10 sexual positions that are sure to break you out of your sexual rut. Remember that all of these sexual positions will not work without love, care, and genuine passion.

* No matter what position you choose when having sex, you can add thrill, passion, and energy into sex by doing it in unusual places. Just make sure to stay safe, protected, and enjoy the feeling of total sexual satisfaction.

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Top Ten Weapons of the Future

War may be good for absolutely nothing, except for cool weapons. With war and combat becoming more complicated with new tactics and strategies, weapon manufacturers and military agencies need to devise new ways to defeat enemy combatants. Advanced weapons are also developed to speed up war and prolong peace. Here are 10 of the most advanced weapons of the future.
10. PANCOR Jackhammer

• 12-gauge fully automatic gas-operated shotgun
• Patented in 1987, but only two working prototypes exist

The PANCOR Jackhammer was made popular by the “Terminator” movies and the computer game “Max Payne.” With a futuristic design coupled with a high rate of fire, the Jackhammer is an extremely lethal and dangerous weapon for ambush dispersal and close quarter combat. The shotgun can fire 240 rounds a minute, and is built from high-strength, impact- and heat-resistant plastic to reduce weight. The weapon never went into mass production, although it’s still one of the coolest and most dangerous guns ever built.
9. Stryker

• All-wheel-drive armored combat vehicles
• Multi-purpose vehicle that can carry anything from personnel to gun mounts to missiles

With a name like “Stryker,” this family of combat vehicles strikes fear into the hearts and souls of enemies and insurgents. The Stryker is the first new armored vehicle developed and produced by the US Army since the 1980s, when the legendary Bradley Fighting Vehicle was introduced. Instead of tracks, the Stryker uses eight wheels, which means that it is much more mobile and quiet than its predecessor. The Stryker is a reliable all-purpose vehicle that continues to be deployed in Iraq and in other war-fronts in the Middle East.
8. Merkava Battle Tank

• Battle tank
• Equipped with a 120mm cannon, four machine guns, and 12 smoke grenades

In Hebrew, the word “merkava” means “chariot.” The Merkava Battle Tank is the main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. The Merkava is one of the most powerful and strongest tanks in the world, capable of tearing apart the enemy in seconds. The latest-generation Merkava Mark IV is equipped with a sophisticated digital battlefield management system, which makes a fleet of Merkava tanks the critical advantage in any situation.
7. Metal Storm

• Advanced superposed load weapon
• Ammunitions delivery system with no moving parts

There’s nothing wrong with the mechanical design of the gun, at least for now. Metal Storm combines the old technology used in Roman Candles with the advanced innovations in electronic firing and weapons design. Metal Storm combines a high rate of fire with a cumulative effect of power. Most traditional guns fire one shot at a time, which means that the effect of power is sequential. Metal Storm can fire multiple shots with one pull of the electronic trigger, which means that it can literally rain down death from above.
6. TALON

• Military robot
• Designed to aid infantry in high-risk military applications

The TALON robots are not replacements for infantry, but can greatly give a commander the distinct advantage on the battlefield. Foster-Miller designed the TALON robots for the US Army, and can carry everything from sniper rifles to machine guns to reconnaissance equipment. The TALON can also safely deactivate land mines, and perform other special operations that human beings cannot do.
5. CornerShot

• Add-on to conventional weapons
• Gives any handgun, submachine gun, or rifle the ability to fire around corners

For counter-terrorists and other special forces personnel, the ability to see and fire around corners is a critical skill. CornerShot is a device mounted in the muzzle of a pistol or a gun, and uses a swing-hinge system to fire bullets around corners. CornerShot comes with a high-quality camera and LCD monitor which functions as a scope and also as a surveillance device. Other options for CornerShot include a grenade launcher and an anti-tank rocket launcher.
4. Starstreak Missile

• Laser-guided portable surface-to-air missile
• Three accurate armor-piercing missiles for the price of one missile

Startstreak is regarded as one of the most advanced weapons in the world. Traditional guided missiles can be “blinded” by flares or radar waves. Starstreak is a fast missile that breaks apart into three different “darts” that penetrate the target before exploding. The tungsten cover of the darts also fragment inside the target, causing extreme damage. The neat thing about Starstreak is that the target will always be hit by at least one of the darts, which makes it a real threat to enemies.
3. Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB)

• Conventional bomb
• The “Mother of All Bombs”

The MOAB is a 30-foot, nine-and-a-half ton conventional bomb that can decimate a 450-foot radius with a powerful air burst shock wave. The bomb contains over eight tons of high explosives that can destroy nine city blocks, and is delivered to the target through a C-130 transport aircraft. While the MOAB is significantly weaker than the atomic bomb, massive destruction can be achieved when dozens of these weapons bombard a target. If the air burst is powerful enough, it can instantly vaporize anything within its effective range.
2. F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

• Multi-role stealth fighter jet
• Scheduled for 2011 as the most advanced fighter ever built

Developedby Lockheed Martin, the JSF can perform just about anything expected of a military flying machine. The JSF can perform tactical bombing operations, air support missions, and air superiority missions. The JSF is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) like the famous British Harrier jet. It is also equipped with the most sophisticated on-board flight command system ever designed for an aircraft. In the next few years, the JSF will reign over the skies as the master and commander of the battlefield.
1. Electromagnetic Rail Gun

• Tested by the US Navy in February 2008
• Can fire a shell at 5,600 mph with 10 megajoules of energy

The rail gun was once thought to be a completely theoretical weapon found only in science fiction, until the US Navy successfully developed and tested a weapon that can fire a shot at 13,000 miles per hour. The rail gun uses magnetic waves to deliver a munition to its target with pinpoint accuracy. The US Navy’s rail gun will be ready sometime between 2020 and 2025. By the time this baby is ready, the phrase “death delivery” will never be the same again.

There you have it, ten of the coolest weapons for the future of warfare. While a future without war is great for everyone, we could all be rest assured that these cool weapons will prevent war from taking place.

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Top Ten Ways to Save Energy

Be afraid. Be very afraid. The world is coming to an end. Well, we didn’t exactly receive a notice for a scheduled Armageddon, but if you’ve watched the movie “The Day After Tomorrow”, have seen the horrors of global warming. It’s easy to feel for the characters of this film because we’re constantly being told that gargantuan chunks of ice in the North Pole are going to melt and flood the world.

Don’t you feel compelled to save energy knowing the possibilities of global warming? If the end of humankind doesn’t motivate you, then think of the staggering energy bill you have to pay each month if continue to waste electricity.

Here’s our list of the top ten ways to save energy. We suggest you try each tip at a time, for your own convenience and sanity.

10. Encourage your whole family to sleep in one bedroom together.

All members of the family staying in one room

When was the last time you and your family really bonded? Have you ever stayed in one room together for hours? Don’t you want to spend more time with them during weekdays?

Why don’t you set a day or two each week when you and your children all have to sleep in one bedroom? It will be like indoor camping (minus the bonfire we hope). It will allow you to spend more time with them, and lower your energy bill because you just have to use one heater or air conditioning unit the whole time.

9. Have a candle-lit dinner every night.

A candle light dinner

Add extra flair and romance to your family dinner. Light a few candles and forget about turning the lights on while dining. You can go the extra mile and use candles in your kitchen while cooking.

8. Have a no-refrigerator-for-three-days-challenge every week.

A girl getting food from the fridge

Why defrost your fridge every month when you can do it every week? Take out all the meat, veggies and dairy. Stuff yourself with food for three days because there is no better way to enjoy this than to consume everything at the end of each day.

What else is there left to do when you have only cupboards to keep your consumables? The key here is to eat every piece of perishable food so that they won’t end up getting spoiled. Now that’s adding a twist to your diet while slashing a few dollars from your energy bill.

7. Lash yourself each time you use your clothes iron.

A lady ironing her clothes

Who cares if you come to work with crumpled shirt and pants? Are your colleagues paying for your energy bill? Forget about using your heating iron. Whip yourself each time you are tempted to fall into the saving grace of your handy-dandy iron. You can always use a fabric softener to avoid those unwanted creases and crumple on your clothes.

6. Don’t heat leftovers.

Something is burning in the microwave

So what if the lasagna is chilled and watery? Eat it! You’ll thank yourself that you braved that mild stomachache once you get your low energy bill.

Tell your kids to bring out the meatloaf from the fridge a couple of hours before they plan to eat it so they don’t have to use the microwave to heat chilled leftovers. To keep yourself from the tempting sight of your microwave, give it to the homeless man on the subway.

5. Don’t repair a broken bulb until all the other bulbs get broken.

A broken light bulb

Don’t even think about changing that broken bulb. Implement a rule in your home that forbids repairing a bulb until all the other lighting fixtures run out of power. When that time comes, replace only one bulb or lighting fixture every day. You can start with the first broken bulb and end with the last one or draw lots on which bulb should be replaced first.

4. Turn the TV off every time the commercial is on.

A man switching off his TV set

Now you don’t have to endure the long agonizing string of commercials during prime time. Turn your television off each time the show you’re watching takes a commercial break. Make sure to unplug the television after switching it off each time.

You’ll even get the chance to practice your skills of clairvoyance by taking a guess if the commercials are over. Your job will be easy if you live in an apartment with walls so thin that you can hear your next-door neighbor watching TV.

If at the end of the month you find that you barely saved anything on your energy bill, you should consider getting rid of your television. Do your brain a favor. After all, there’s a reason why the television is called an idiot box. You can even get rid of your TV in the traditional rock star fashion by throwing it out your window. Now that’s saving money with an attitude.

3. Sign up for an immersion program with an Amish family.

An amish family

Remember Amish people? Yes, they still exist and they’re one of the simplest people you could meet. They denounce using electricity. In fact, it’s against their beliefs to use machines to accomplish their daily tasks.

If you chance upon an immersion program in an Amish community, we suggest you grab the opportunity. You’ll save energy during your time away from home, and learn a lot about doing things without electricity from our Amish friends.

2. Have a one-week Survivor game with your family every month.

The Survivor Logo

Camp out in your backyard, wear scraps of clothes, and cook over a meager fire. Never use your bathroom to pee or take a bath. Pee in the bushes and make it a strict rule to completely keep yourself out of your home. This is an outdoor challenge. The last one standing wins the game.

1. Live in the midst of a forest.

A family caping in the forest

Think of how much electricity Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs saved just by staying in the middle of the woods. The simple and boring life she led with the dwarfs was probably the reason why she chose to run off with the first man who laid eyes on her.

Get a map and drive to the woods nearest your home. Tell your family that you’re simply staying for a few weeks vacation. Then, once they start asking when you’ll home, tell them that you just sold your home and you’re staying for good with the canaries and squirrels in the middle of nowhere.

Do your part in saving Mother Earth and you’ll be amazed at how good karma finds its way into your home by saving you some cash on your energy bill.

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Top Ten Well-Known Dinosaurs

They’re the former masters of this planet, huge beasts that saw action millions of years before the first human was even born. They were the dinosaurs, named after the Greek words that mean “terrible lizards.” The ten dinosaurs on this list represent some of the most well-known dinosaur species around.

10. Iguanodon

An Iguanodon

The Iguanodon is the most famous of the Ornithopods, the “duck-billed” dinosaurs. They lived during the early Cretaceous period, some 140 million years ago. The Iguanodon is a large bipedal (two-legged) dinosaur. It is a herbivore, which means that it primarily eats plant tissue. The Iguanodon is also notable for the spikes located on its thumbs, used primarily as weapons against enemies.

9. Pachycephalosaurus

A Pachycephalosaurus

This species of dinosaur is known only through a single specimen, a skull found in the central United States, but the unusual features of this skull made it one of the most interesting dinosaurs around. The skull is characterized by its very thick skull roof. The dome is as thick as 10 inches, which encloses the Pachycephalosaurus’ tiny brain. A probable use of the thick skull would be defense or mating purposes, banging their heads against each other like antelope and bulls today.

8. Apatosaurus

An Apatosaurus

Apatosaurus is a well-known plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic period, 150 to 200 million years ago. Also known as Brontosaurus, the dinosaur best represents the sauropods, a group of dinosaurs known for their immense size and for the length of their necks and tail. The purpose of the extreme length of the necks is debated, but many believe that it was used to reach the topmost parts of tall trees, where the freshest, most nutritious leaves are located.

7. Stegosaurus

The Stegosaurus is a herbivorous, four-legged dinosaur well-known for the large, upright plates located on its back, the spikes on its tail, and the assumption that this dinosaur is very dumb. The dumbness factor lies in the fact that its brain is no larger than a walnut. Its name means “roofed lizard,” referring to the plates. Paleontologists are not sure about the purpose of these plates, but it is believed that the Stegosaurus uses them to control its body temperature.

6. Troodon

A small Troodon

Troodon is a small, bird-like dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. Its name means “wounding tooth,” which refers to the dinosaur’s teeth, which feature distinct serrations. Troodon was one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered in North America.

Approximately 3 feet tall and weighing about 130 lbs, a Troodon has bones and limbs that suggest that the dinosaur is an agile, reflexive hunter. The serrations found on its teeth are also similar to those found in herbivorous dinosaurs, which suggests that Troodon is an omnivore, or an animal that eats both plants and animal tissue.

The most notable thing about Troodon is its intelligence. Paleontologists believe that the Troodon possessed intelligence higher than most animals of its time. It is even proposed that if it weren’t for the widespread extinction, the Troodon had the possibility to evolve into a being very similar to humans. A statue made by paleontologist Dale Russell and artist Ron Sequin depicts how an evolved Troodon could have looked: a reptilian humanoid with lizard eyes and green skin.

5. Velociraptor

A Velociraptor

Velociraptor is one of the well-known small, predatory dinosaurs. About the size of a turkey, the Velociraptor is nonetheless said to be a cunning and calculating meat-eater. It is believed that this dinosaur hunted in groups, not unlike many carnivorous animals today, such as wolves and big cats. A full-grown Velociraptor could weigh up to 33lbs.

Recently, scientists discovered some evidence that the Velociraptor may have been feathered. This proves the theory that birds descended from the dinosaurs, and that the feathers came first before the birds’ ability to fly.

4. Parasaurolophus

A Parasaurolophus

The Parasaurolophus is a duck-billed dinosaur that roamed the planet during the late Cretaceous period. It is noted for its very long crest, extending out the back of its head. The crest is longer than the dinosaur’s skull. Scientists think that this crest was used by Parasaurolophus to produce foghorn-like sounds, presumably for mating purposes. This crest made the Parasaurolophus a highly-recognizable species of dinosaur, and it is often portrayed in many feature films and documentaries.

3. Deinonychus

A Deinonychus

According to paleontologists, Deinonychus is one of the most agile predators of the early Cretaceous period. This well-known member of the Dromaeosaurid family is a two-legged dinosaur with a height of about 11 feet. Its name is derived from two Greek words that mean “terrible claw,” referring to a prominent claw that protrudes from the second toe of each foot. The dinosaur uses the huge claws to slash through its prey. Recent findings have proven that, like the related Velociraptor, the Deinonychus had feathers.

2. Triceratops

The Triceratops

Triceratops is the most well-known member of the Ceratopsids, a family of herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their elaborate frills and horns. The Triceratops is about 10 feet high, 30 feet long, and weighs around 10 tons. It can be likened to a rhinoceros. It walks on all fours, has a large armored frill that protects its head, and has three long horns on its head used to defend itself against predators. Because it is always pitted against large predators such as the Tyrannosaurus in books and movies, the Triceratops is often regarded as a champion of the herbivores.

1. Tyrannosaurus Rex

The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex

No dinosaur list is complete without any mention of Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is one of the largest flesh-eating dinosaurs that ever lived. It’s about 40 feet high and can weigh more than 6 tons. The tyrannosaurus is bipedal, and its two legs and tail are used to counterbalance its huge head. Tyrannosaurus is notable because of its miniature forelimbs, a relatively useless feature compared to its powerful legs and mouth. There is some debate whether it’s a top predator or a just a powerful scavenger, but no one contests the power of its bite.

Recently, larger carnivorous dinosaurs have been discovered, but none has yet beaten the popularity gained by Tyrannosaurus. Affectionately called T. Rex or Rex by the general public, the “king of the tyrant lizards” has captured the imagination of science and art alike. No dinosaur has been portrayed in pop culture more than the Tyrannosaurus. From “Jurassic Park” and “King Kong” to Barney and Rex in “Toy Story,” the T. Rex has been used both as a symbol of fear and of awe.

The dinosaurs were among the most successful animals that ever lived. They evolved into numerous shapes and sizes, but all of them we only know of through fossilized remains. In addition, not only are they wonders of science, but they have also captured the imagination of popular culture. They represent a time that has long past and a window to a world that once was.

There are over a hundred species of Dinosaurs and these are just 10 of the well-known Dinosaurs that walked the Earth. Some Dinosaur discovered in 2007 and some are yet to be discovered

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Top Ten Fastest Land Animals

Human sprinters are no match to these brutes of speed. In a world where speed means survival, running is not just for sport or recreation. These animals use running both as a hunting tactic and a defensive tool. If they want to catch their prey, they run. If they want to avoid getting eaten, they run. Whatever the reason, it’s a quick way to hold out and live another day. Here are ten of the world’s fastest land animals, agile beasts living in the fast lane.

10. Gray Fox

A Gray Fox resting

Average speed: 42 mph

The gray fox is a fast and agile hunter found in North and Central America. It is a relatively small canine, weighing approximately 10 lbs. It is a solitary animal, preferring to hunt alone or with a mating partner. It has the ability to climb trees (unique among canines) and can jump from one branch to another. The gray fox can be a very fast runner if it needs to be, reaching speeds up to 42 mph.

9. Coyote

A coyote in the wilderness

Average speed: 43 mph

The coyote of the Warner Bros. cartoons may not keep up with its prey, but in real life, the coyote is one of the fastest land animals around. Like the gray fox, the coyote can be found scattered through most of North and Central America, from Panama to Canada. It grows up to 40 inches and weighs 40 lbs. Its diet consists mostly of small animals, like mice and rabbits. It is a persistent hunter, not giving up on its prey for hours on end. When running, the coyote’s average speed is about 43 mph.

8. African Wild Dog

An African Wild Dog

Average speed: 45 mph

The African Wild Dog, also known as the Cape Hunting Dog, is a type of wild canine found only in Africa. The wild dog is about 30 inches high in the shoulder and weighs around 70 lbs. The dogs hunt in packs, and their favorite prey consists of smaller hoofed animals such as the impala. When chasing after prey, the African Wild Dog can run as fast as 45 mph. These dogs are highly coordinated in downing prey. Two dogs each hold the prey’s tail and lip, while the rest attack the body as it goes down.

The African Wild Dog is one of the most endangered carnivores in Africa, with only 3,000 remaining. Their decline is said to be caused by overhunting by humans and loss of their natural habitat.

7. Elk

The Wapiti

Average speed: 45 mph

The elk, or wapiti, is one of the largest species of deer in the world – only the moose is bigger. The elk can be found in eastern Asia and North America. It is similar in appearance to the European red deer, but each is considered a different species. The elk is a very fast runner, reaching 45 mph over long periods of time.

The male elk is notable for its large, branching antlers, which it uses to fight other males for territorial dominance. These antlers are shed and replaced every year, and discarded elk antlers often fetch high prices in commercial markets. Elk can be domesticated and bred for their meat and hide.

6. Thomson’s Gazelle

Average speed: 50 mph

A herd of Thomsons Gazelle

The Thomson’s gazelle is a hoofed animal commonly found in African grasslands. It is 2 ½ feet high and weighs 29 to 40 lbs. The Thomson’s gazelle can be identified by its distinct black stripe, separating its white belly and brown back fur. It also has a pair of long, curved horns made up of hard ring segments. It feeds mostly on grass and other vegetation found on the savanna. When threatened by predators, a Thomson’s gazelle makes high, powerful jumps, an activity known as pronking, to intimidate the enemy. When retreating, it can run as fast as 50 mph.

5. Lion

A swift lioness

Average speed: 50 mph

The Thomson’s gazelle may be fast, but so are its predators. One of them is the so-called king of the big cats, the lion. Lions are powerful creatures, hunting and living in groups called prides. The pride is usually led by a large male, but the real hunters of the group are the females. Lions feed on smaller creatures, like the Thomson’s gazelle, but they can also take down larger animals like zebras and wildebeest. The lion is a large feline, weighing up to 550 lbs., but it can rush after its prey quickly, with spurts reaching 50 mph.

4. Wildebeest

A wildebeest in the forest

Average speed: 50 mph

The wildebeest, also called a gnu, is a type of antelope native to Africa. It can grow up to 4 ½ feet at the shoulders and weigh up to 500 pounds. Wildebeest can be found in the open woodlands and grasslands of the African Serengeti, where they live in large groups. The area is also inhabited by lions, cheetahs and other predators. In order to survive, wildebeest need to run fast and in clusters. A running wildebeest can reach speeds of up to 50 mph, as fast as the lion and Thomson’s gazelle. If it’s not hunted down or killed by disease, a wildebeest can live 20 years or more.

3. Quarter Horse

A white Quarter Horse

Average speed: 55 mph

The American Quarter Horse, or simply the Quarter Horse, is the most popular breed of horse in the United States. The horse got its name because of its tendency to run very fast for a quarter mile or so. Its average speed is 55mph. Quarter Horses are used primarily for racing, but can be used in ranches, horse shows, and rodeos as well. Quarter Horses are specially bred to handle the difficult maneuvers needed in racing.
* Wanna ride these spitfires, then learn how to ride a horse.

2. Pronghorn

The Pronghorn

Average speed: 61 mph

The pronghorn is a type of hoofed mammal that lives in the grasslands and bushlands of western North America. Compared to other types of hoofed animals, the pronghorn cannot jump effectively, so it compensates by running very fast. The pronghorn is considered the fastest land animal in the western world, with running speeds averaging 61 mph. It can maintain its top speed for a long period, outlasting and outrunning many predators.

1. Cheetah

A quick and agile cheetah

Average speed: 70 mph

The fastest land animal on record is the cheetah, a member of the cat family (Felidae) that lives in the African savanna. Unlike most big cats that use brute force and stalking abilities to catch their prey, the cheetah will rush toward an animal at astonishing speeds. When hunting, the average speed of a cheetah is 70 mph, but it can reach up to 80 mph. The cheetah is known to accelerate from zero to 68 mph in just three seconds, a feat that even some sports cars can’t achieve. Unlike the pronghorn, however, the cheetah can only sustain its speed for short bursts.

These animals are fast for a reason. For them, the difference between escape and becoming someone’s lunch may just be a few more yards. They were listed here based on the calculated speed the animal reaches when running. The list does not distinguish between short or lengthy sprints, as long as the animal has a calculated average speed.

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