Yahoo Mail falls victim to password hack
Yahoo has announced that its email system has recently been subject to a “coordinated effort to gain unauthorized access”.
Archives - January 2014
‘Honey Encryption’ foils hackers with false positive data
The key to beating hackers might not just lie in stronger security measures and ‘unbreakable’ passwords. Now, it seems like an element of trickery is required – almost beating hackers at their own game. Two independent security researchers have developed a system which they call ‘Honey Encryption’, which promises to make it harder for hackers
3G and 4G USB modems give hackers access for phishing scams
Independent security research has revealed that several 3G and 4G USB modems have security flaws which allow hackers access for phishing scams.
Android 4.4 revealed to have VPN security flaw
Researchers as Ben Gurion university in Israel have discovered a vulnerability in Android 4.4 KitKat that allows an attacker to intercept and divert secure virtual private network (VPN) traffic.
Myths of the Target Breach
One of the realities of news that happens at Internet-speed is that it may not be wholly accurate. Much of what has come out about the Target breach contains factual errors that may not seem obvious, especially as they are repeated by many news outlets. So let us take a moment to examine some of the more common myths that have been flying around.
Russian creator of ‘SpyEye’ malware pleads guilty to bank fraud
The FBI has announced the arrest and charge of Alexsandr Panin, 24, a Russian hacker who developed the SpyEye trojan and used it to steal financial information and money from around the world.
Blackberry rolls out picture passwords for handsets and bolsters Enterprise security system
The Blackberry 10 operating system has been updated to include a ‘photo password’ mechanism, as well as stronger message filtering capabilities.
FBI makes arrests in global email‑hacking ring
The FBI has announced several arrests in a worldwide coordinated effort to break up a gang of email ‘hackers for hire’.
Facebook pays record sum to hacker who exposed login bug
Facebook has given out a record fee for bug discovery, after a Brazilian security researcher exposed a vulnerability that could have been used to deliver malware to millions of Facebook users.
January 28 is Data Privacy Day 2014
We want to make sure everyone takes note of Data Privacy Day 2014 (Twitter hashtag #DPD14). It is the perfect time to take a moment to consider the challenges and rewards of data privacy.
Microsoft has law enforcement documents stolen in phishing attack
Hackers have stolen documents relating to law enforcement inquiries, through phishing attacks on employee emails, Microsoft has announced.
Art store Michaels is latest retailer hit by credit card hackers
Arts and crafts retail chain Michaels has revealed that it may have been the victim of a "data security attack", similar to those at Target and Neiman Marcus in recent weeks.
Rob Slade: The truth about quantum cryptography – and what it means for privacy
'The first thing you need to know about quantum cryptography is that it isn't cryptography. At least, not the quantum part,' writes Rob Slade, information security researcher, author and malware expert.
Neiman Marcus breach even worse than first thought – million cards hit over several months
Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus has revealed that a breach which led to customer payment cards being used for fraud after shopping in its stores was far worse than first revealed - with 1.1 million cards affected over several months.
‘Password’ no longer weakest choice as ‘123456’ surges into first place
Password security company Splashdata has released a new version of its annual list of the world’s worst passwords - and ‘password’, last year’s number one, has been unseated by ‘123456’, thanks largely to passwords revealed in the recent Adobe breach.
Interview: ‘Fully encrypted’ Android Blackphone – will it allow for spy‑proof communication?
Speaking via email, Silent Circle’s Toby Weir-Jones said of the Android device built to offer secure communication, “It's obvious there is tremendous interest in the goals we've set for Blackphone, even though we have released so little concrete detail so far."
Why are so many kids still not receiving computer science education?
The city of Chicago recently announced a change to the curriculum for schools in their district that would introduce children as young as primary school to computer science concepts. It would also allow students to count computer science as a core subject that fulfills graduation requirements. What does this say about the current state of computer-related education?
Giant snake swallows zookeeper! Facebook scam spreads via offer of gruesome video
A video purportedly showing a gigantic snake swallowing a zookeeper is the latest viral scam on Facebook - tricking thousands of users into sharing a video which instead takes victims outside Facebook to a scam site.
Make it stop! How to cleanse your PC of unwanted adware (and ‘badware’)
‘Adware’, software which delivers unwanted adverts, isn't as scary as some malware, but ESET's analysis of Win32/Boaxxe shows that 'malicious' adware is becoming increasingly hi-tech and stealthy. Our guide will help you clean your machine - and see fewer unwanted ads.
Cash crash ahead? ‘Death’ of Windows XP could leave 95% of world’s ATMs vulnerable
Banks around the world face a looming deadline to upgrade their ATMS - 95% of machines worldwide run Windows XP, which Microsoft will cease to support on April 8. Just 15% of America's ATMs are expected to upgrade by that point.