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.
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eBay scam: site ‘slow to react’ after iPhone phishing attack
The dangers of clicking on links in eBay scam postings were highlighted after a fake posting advertising iPhones linked to a phishing site designed to steal usernames and passwords for the site.
Printer security: Canon offers ‘fix’ after researcher plays Doom
Printer giant Canon is to provide a security fix “as quickly as is feasible” after a researcher exploited vulnerabilities in one of its wireless PIXMA products to run the classic shoot ‘em up game Doom on its colour display.
Free ebooks warning: Pirates ‘can hack into Amazon accounts’
Pirates beware: free ebooks available online can be used to hack into Amazon accounts via the retail giant's ‘Manage Your Kindle’ page, used to deliver ebook files to Kindle readers.
Week in security: Home Depot speaks, Gmail and Android ‘leak’
This week, American chain Home Depot admitted its systems had been breached, Gmail users got a fright, and a series of videos showed leaks in Android chat apps. Meanwhile, Facebook freaked out the world.... again.
Strong password – Chrome now offers ‘pronounceable’ choices
Google Chrome will now recommend pronounceable password hoices, according to developer and Chrome “happiness evangelist” Francois Beaufort, who announced the change via his Google+ page.
Bank security – Barclays to offer vein‑scanner to big accounts
A bank is to allow remote log-ons using a hi-tech vein-scanning biometric system for large corporate accounts. The bank security system, using Hitachi’s VeinHD scanner, will be available to corporate customers from next year.
IFA 2014: Huawei phablet has ‘iPhone‑like’ fingerprint ID
Another major phone brand has added biometric security to a flagship smartphone as Huawei unveiled the ultra-thin Mate P7, complete with a rather unique fingerprint scanner, at Berlin’s IFA 2014 show.
Secure password: CyberVor hoard of 1.2 billion details ‘used in attack’
Hosting provider Namecheap said that it has come under attack from hackers apparently using the “Cybervor” hoard of 1.2 billion usernames and passwords and warned that some accounts may have been compromised.
Week in Security: Game over in Korea, cellphone snoops and phishy Bitcoins
Gamers and cellphone users were targeted by criminal groups around the world this week - while retailers continued to suffer at the hands of POS malware, and a phishing campaign highlighted just how hot Bitcoin is right now.
Google dorks – FBI warning about dangerous ‘new’ search tool
The FBI has issued a warning to police and other emergency response personnel about a lethal new tool which 'malicious actors' have been using to deadly effect against American government institutions - Google dorks.
Data breach in South Korea hits 27 million – half the population
A data breach of staggering proportions has hit South Korea - involving 27 million people and 220 million private records - all bought from hackers with the goal of stealing money from online games.
PIN number: Police want codes on ALL devices
Police hope to work with leading mobile phone manufacturers such as Samsung to build in the requirement for a password or PIN number into ALL handsets to 'target-harden' devices.
Banking security – new apps ‘know’ your touch
Everyone hates passwords - even the guy who invented them - but some bank app users in the Nordic region are experiencing a taste of a future where they might not be necessary.
Twitter hacked – Cricket legend ‘Beefy’ Botham exposed
One of England’s greatest-ever cricketers, Sir Ian Botham, appeared to have been the victim of a Twitter hack yesterday as an obscene picture unexpectedly appeared on the sportsman’s feed.
Russian PM has his Twitter account hacked, announces “I resign”
There may be red faces in Red Square, after Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev had his Twitter account hacked.
‘Biometric’ earbuds invisibly prove it’s you, with no need for passwords
Biometrics are touted as a replacement for the passwords and PINs we all know and hate - and Intel’s new earbuds could be the most discreet way of authenticating a user ever.
2FA – are big banks failing America?
The Target breach caused real damage to millions of American card users - but big financial institutions are doing little to remedy security issues by offering extra security such as 2FA.
Wi‑Fi security – routers “like fish in a barrel”
Researchers flexed their hacking muscles at DefCon 22 to hunt the technology world’s most defenceless beasts - routers. More than a dozen new vulnerabilities were found.
CyberVor hacking gang steals 1.2 billion usernames and passwords
Somewhere in a small city in south central Russia, a group of men in their twenties have got away with what some are describing as one of the biggest cyber-heists in history.