IT Pros also guilty of risqué selfies on mobiles
ESET study reveals many IT professionals are guilty of storing indecent material on their mobile phones, which would leave them embarrassed if lost.
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Alan Martin
Independent CorrespondentArticles by author
BadUSB potential not as widespread as originally thought, but remains difficult to avoid
The BadUSB malware which potentially turns any USB stick into a 'unpatchable' malware carrier doesn't quite have the potential for mayhem it was originally feared, according to the researcher who uncovered the exploit.
.NET goes open source and cross‑platform
Microsoft's .NET framework, which is used to build millions of websites and online applications, is taking further steps to go completely open-source, Microsoft has announced at the Connect() virtual development event. The company also stated its commitment to eventually ensure the free code runs on Mac OS and Linux too, Wired reports.
Microsoft discovers vulnerability in all versions of Windows – patch available
Microsoft has uncovered a flaw in all supported versions of Microsoft Windows that could allow hundreds of millions of computers to be taken over by a remote attacker, International Business Times reports.
Snapchat urges users to disconnect third party apps after breach
Following last month's leak of 13gb worth of private Snapchat videos, the vanishing message service has announced a new policy whereby it will automatically detect third-party apps, and advise users to disconnect them, reports Tech Crunch.
Website reveals 73,000 unprotected security cameras with default passwords
As we've reported before, users and businesses leaving their router username and passwords as the manufacturer's default are potentially leaving themselves open to an easy hack, but a new website has sprung up illustrating the point in alarming detail.
Kickstarter campaigns wants your password on your wrist
A new wristband that aims to replace the password has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. At the time of writing, Everykey has passed the halfway mark on its $100,000 funding target with $56,586 pledged with 19 days to reach $100,000. Using Bluetooth, the Everykey promises “immediate access to a user’s password-protected electronics such as
Realistic looking phishing websites work 45% of the time, Google claims
Google has teamed up with the University of California in San Diego to publish surprising new research about phishing, how effective it is and how scammers work their phishing operations.
Amazon phishing scams hit over 750,000 Brits
Although phishing scams are something everyone should always be vigilant to, AppRiver has identified two specific Amazon types which are currently targeting the UK market, Tech Week Europe reports.
Home Depot breach: hackers took 53 million email addresses
September's breach of Home Depot that saw 56 million sets of credit and debit card data stolen was not the only thing lost in the leak, the company has revealed.
Dark Web drug trade site Silk Road 2.0 shut down
A year ago, Silk Road 2 appeared on the dark web, after the original Silk Road site's illegal drug trade was shut down by the FBI. Now, Wired reports Silk Road 2 has met a similar fate to its predecessor.
Government requests for private Facebook data up 24%
Government requests for private Facebook data have increased by nearly 25% since the second half of 2013, the social networking giant has reported.
WireLurker: new malware targets Apple users
A new malware has been discovered that targets both Apple Mac computers and iPhones, Neowin reports. It is the first known malware that can infect iPhones that have not been jailbroken.
British intelligence service echoes FBI’s call for mobile backdoors
Echoing sentiments from across the Atlantic earlier in the year, the head of British spy agency GCHQ as made calls for crypto backdoors into phones to tackle crime, stating, "privacy has never been an absolute right."
Biometric wristband piloted by Canadian bank
A group of Canadian issuing banks have begun a pilot test of an NFC-enabled version of Nymi - a biometric wristband that uses the cardiac rhythm of the wearer to authenticate the user's identity.
American Express wants to swap card numbers for tokens
American Express has launched a new service, which looks to swap payment card numbers with unique tokens, reports Network World.
Hacking planes – researchers developing system to stop in‑flight malware
City University professor Dr David Stupples and a team of researchers are looking into ways of minimizing the risk of hacking planes in the future.
Global cybersecurity skills shortage incoming, committee warns Britain’s House of Lords
A special Parliamentary Select Committee has told peers in the United Kingdom's House of Lords that there will be a global shortage of " no less than two million cyber security professionals" by the year 2017, IT Pro Portal reports.
Rise of free Wi‑Fi hotspots ‘presents serious security risks’
The BBC reports that there is currently one Wi-Fi hotspot for every 150 people in the world, but these unmonitored hotspots can potentially cause problems, experts have warned.
Facebook welcomes private browsers with dedicated Tor link
Facebook has opened its doors to privacy concerned users, but opening up a dedicated Tor link, guaranteeing that people who visit the social networking site through anonymous browsers aren't mistaken for botnets, Gizmodo reports.