Oftel said improvements in late 2001 meant BT no longer needed to use one of its own types of networks to manage dial-up traffic.

BBC: BT told to cut internet charges

The Cornell researchers stressed that consumption of Bt corn poses no threat to humans, nor is there any evidence that Bt corn causes harm to bees, ladybugs or other beneficial insects.

CNN: Researchers find bio-engineered corn harms butterflies

Still, the shield's effectiveness as a defense in cyber-warfare is far from clear: Bruce Schneier, the founder and chief technology officer of security firm BT Counterpane, argues that no single strategy can stop determined hackers.

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