This episode is presented by eBay.

Rob, everyone loves a deal and a bargain from time to time, don't they? Absolutely, mate. And you know where you can grab a great deal? Talk to me. Where? The eBay app. Yes, you are correct. You didn't need to talk to me. I already knew it. I love eBay. When you're buying, you can discover loads of hidden gems. there's so many items where you think I would have never found that anywhere else.

Then when you're buying, you can discover loads of hidden gems. There's so many items where you think I would have never found that anywhere else. Then when you're selling, it's so simple and most

importantly, free. It's free, Rob. When it's this easy to sell for free and there's great deals

on things you love. You can't help but say when it's eBay. It excludes vehicles and business

sellers.

Welcome to the Scientific American podcast for the seven days starting February 22nd.

This week on the podcast, I'll talk to Scientific American senior writer Waite Gibbs about computer security. Physicist Mark Shigelsky gives us the cold hard facts about one of the cooler events at the Winter Olympics,

and frequent SIAM contributor J.R. Minkel reports on what he found at the largest general science conference of the year.

Plus, we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news.

First up, Scientific American Senior Writer, Wa Gibbs, just got back from San Jose, California,

in the heart of Silicon Valley, where he attended one of the biggest computer security meetings

of the year called the RSA conference 2006.

To get the lowdown on high-tech security, I called Wade at his home in Pittsburgh.

Hi, Wade, how are you today?

Hi, I'm fine, thanks.

And you just got back from this conference.

Tell us about it.

What were some of the highlights?

The disturbing trend that many, many experts at this conference pointed out

is that what used to be a kind of gentleman's game of the hackers

looking for recognition or fame or infamy has turned into serious crime, and that, in fact,

...