Internet trolls – how to deal with online abuse
Most internet users have faced some kind of problems with internet trolls - and a new study has thrown light on who they are. We discuss how best to deal with the online pests.
Bio
Rob Waugh
Independent CorrespondentArticles by author
Counter surveillance tech – can gadgets spy‑proof your life?
Over the past few years, counter surveillance gadgets which might have been the preserve of secretive government departments a decade ago have suddenly hit mainstream shops - from Mission Impossible-stlye self-destructing drives to some rather eerie counter-surveillance masks.
Privacy online – what you can do (and what you can’t)
Many of us have moments when we need, or want, to be more private online - when searching for a new job, for instance, or when having a private business conversation.
Cybercrime statistics offer a glimpse into the underworld
A crime-reporting survey in Canada has offered a unique insight into how cybercrime affects a large population - and an insight into a grim underworld dominated by fraud, violence and sexual abuse.
Ello privacy – what you need to know
For any security-conscious user, there are a few things worth remembering once you have secured that crucial invitation - we offer a few tips on how to get the most from the emoji-heavy network here.
JP Morgan Chase data breach – bank admits 76 million affected
JP Morgan Chase, one of the largest banks in America has admitted that a JP Morgan Chase data breach has affected 76 million customers, and seven million small businesses, the Guardian reports.
Ultra‑secure hard drive ‘shatters on demand’
A new gadget from British drive maker Secure Drives forges off into Mission Impossible territory with a genuine, physical 'self-destruct' command which can be triggered from anywhere on Earth.
Phishing attacks ‘enough’ to breach many industrial systems
Basic phishing attacks and easily available tools are all that is needed to compromise many industrial control systems, the head of cybersecurity for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve has warned.
People are willing to trade private data for pistachio cookies
Many New Yorkers don’t place a particularly high value on their private data - from fingerprints to social security numbers - having proven willing to give away such details in return for a literal, edible cookies.
Snapchat privacy – spam deluge may make users feel fat
Concerns over Snapchat privacy rocketed this week after users were bombarded with spam messages written in a style which suggests that a user’s own friends think they are overweight.
Week in security: Bash Bug, BlackEnergy and hoax attacks
This week, a serious software vulnerability, which rapidly became known as the ‘Bash Bug’ or ‘Shellshock’ dominated the headlines, as two other faked news stories showed that hoaxes can fool the world very easily these days.
Healthcare data worth ten times price of credit card data
Medical information is now worth up to 10 times the price of credit card details on online black markets, due to weak healthcare security and a thriving black market in data to be used for medical fraud.
eBay scams – site says ‘no plans’ to ban ‘active’ listings
Auction site eBay has remained defiant about ‘active’ listings ,containing computer code, despite multiple reports indicating that these are being used for phishing attacks.
Destiny game servers under attack
The hit shoot ‘em up Destiny has been targeted by a cybercriminal gang thought to be behind recent attacks on game companies including Sony and Blizzard, creators of World of Warcraft.
Emma Watson images – ‘countdown’ to leak after UN speech
In what appears to be a misogynist attack directed at Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, a site has appeared supposedly offering a countdown until images of her are released online.
Facial recognition – boom in sites such as dating services
Facial recognition is booming, with the market expected to grow from $1.92 billion to $6.5 billion in 2018 - and invading markets such as dating, with Match.com integrating a service which finds users dates based on their exes.
Home Depot data breach – ‘warnings ignored since 2008’
Home Depot staff repeatedly ignored the concerns of employees about the security of its systems, prior to the Home Depot data breach, now thought to be the largest in history.
Right to be forgotten – why do Americans want it?
A poll has found that more than half (61%) of Americans want a ‘right to be forgotten’ from search engines such as Google, as the European Union passed into law earlier on this year.
Week in security: Free iPhone scams target eager fans
This week offered a lesson in how cybercriminals follow the news, and time their attacks to dupe the unwary - with several different attacks aimed at iPhone fans, in the week where Apple unveiled its iPhone 6.
Scottish independence poll – warning over phishing scams
This Thursday, September 18, is the biggest day in Scottish political history, as the country votes on whether it should become independent from the United Kingdom - but an ESET security expert has warned cybercriminals could strike.
Target attackers ‘broke in using log‑in from air‑con contractor’
Attackers involved in the Target breach, which led to the theft of 40 million debit and credit card details late last year, broke into the retailer’s network via a heating and air-conditioning contractor, according to a new report.
ESET’s Threat Trends Predictions 2014: The next battle for internet privacy, a new assault on Androids, and a new wave of hi‑tech malware
The 2014 threat trends report from ESET's global network of cybersecurity experts centers on three key trends, the first and foremost being digital privacy, the others being threats to mobile devices, and new, hi-tech malware targeting PCs and other devices in the home.
LG admits that its smart TVs have been watching users and transmitting data without consent
Some LG ‘Smart TVs’ watch their owners - logging their viewing habits without their permission - and transmitting the information back to the company, LG has admitted. The TVs do this even if the user has specifically selected an option not to share data.
Warning over “risky behavior” of under‑12s online – and parents need to take action
Children indulge in highly risky behavior online - with nearly one in five 9-11 year olds having physically met strangers they encountered online. Others use false identities - with some under-10s pretending to be 25.
Future cyber attacks could attack medical implants – or wage “psychological war” in virtual reality, Europol warns
New hi-tech cyber attacks could threaten energy supplies, “wearable” computers - and even medical implants, according to a study conducted by Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance (ICSPA).
Phishing warning after Vodafone hack leaks personal information for 2 million customers
A breach which has leaked personal data for two million Vodafone Germany customers has ben claimed to be the work of an insider, according to Vodafone.
The end? “Passwords are done,” says Google security chief
“Passwords are done at Google,” said Heather Adkins, Google’s information security chief - and said that “the game is over” for start-ups relying on passwords as the chief method to keep users secure.
A scam‑spotters guide: Ten things your bank will NEVER do – but cybercriminals will
These days cybercriminals will use phone calls, SMS messages, emails, fake apps - and even couriers - in an effort to get your money. The key to staying safe is to recognize behavior that isn’t quite “right” - and catch phishers and fraudsters in the act.
How to keep children safe online (without looking over their shoulders all day)
Children come into contact with the internet at a very young age these days - a survey on a parenting site this year said that one in eight children go online before the age of two. Our tips will help keep youngsters safe - and help them enjoy the internet.
“Car hackers” to show off how they can “control” vehicles with a laptop
Two researchers are to demonstrate a “hack” that allows control over automobile systems including brakes and steering in models by Ford and Toyota - overriding the commands sent by the driver.
Children are “the enemy” of good IT security
“Children are a formidable adversary - unlike any other,” says Microsoft security researcher Stuart Schechter, in a paper to be presented at the SOUPS security conference next week.
How to create strong passwords (without driving yourself mad)
There are a few tricks to making passwords that will at least slow down cybercriminals - buying you time to reset your accounts if a list of encrypted passwords leak in a data breach.
Texas restaurant sues credit card giant after point‑of‑sale hack
A Texas restaurant chain is suing one of its suppliers over a point-of-sale system which allowed hackers to steal customer data - claiming that card-processing giant Micros Systems supplied units which failed to meet security guidelines.
IT worker jailed for stealing online betting details in Ireland
A French-Moroccan national was jailed by a Dublin court after being found guilty of hacking into the business accounts of an online betting company, according to the Irish Independent.
Top ten tips for safer online gaming
Online gaming is great fun but it does bring together large numbers of online strangers, most of whom want just to play but some can pose a threat. Here’s our 10 top tips for staying safe when playing on consoles and PCs.