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.
Privacy
iPad Air 2 – fingerprint security is here to stay
The latest version of the Apple iPad is due to be announced at an event later today, and according to Gizmodo, the Californian tech company are planning on bringing the fingerprint security system implemented in recent iPhones to its tablet market for the first time.
Hungarian soccer fans protest against stadium’s new biometric security
Fans of Hungarian soccer team Ferencvaros have come "en masse to their home stadium in Budapest" to protest the club's new biometric ID equipment, which controls turnstile entry to the stadium, according to Biometric Update.
$50 Anonabox provides portable privacy via Tor
A portable network device that sits between computer and router to offer anonymized browsing from any computer via the Tor network has smashed its Kickstarter fundraising goal just days after hitting the crowdfunding platform.
200,000 ‘deleted’ Snapchat images leaked from third party website
A breach of a third-party Snapchat site that allows users to bypass the app's privacy has led to the leaking of some 200,000 images to the internet, The Guardian reports.
Week in security: Dubai Police use Google Glass facial recognition, Bugzilla gets bugged and ‘Unpatchable’ USB exploit lands on GitHub
This week in security, we covered a full range of privacy and malware, with controversial plans to equip police officers with facial recognition packed Google Glass in Dubai, and the BadUSB malware finding its way on to GitHub.
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.
Google Glass facial recognition used by Dubai Police force
The police force of Dubai will soon be equipped with crime-fighting face recognition technology via Google Glass, according to Reuters. The software, "developed by Dubai police would enable a connection between the wearer and a database of wanted people," Reuters reports.
Bing: no plans to offer search boost for encrypted websites
Over the summer, Google introduced plans to start giving preference to websites that use HTTPS encryption to try and incentivize good online security practices. PC World reports that Microsoft's search rival, Bing, has no plans to follow suit with its own search algorithm.
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.
Google faced with $100m legal action over naked celebrity photos
Google is facing a threat of expensive legal action over the recent leaked naked celebrity photographs, according to IT Pro. The basis for the legal threat seems to be built on the idea that the search giant didn't do enough to prevent people seeing the photographs after the initial leak.
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.
StealthGenie CEO arrested for marketing ‘illegal stalking app’
The creator of an app that secretly allows you to monitor another person’s smartphone usage without their knowledge has been arrested in Los Angeles, according to Slashgear.
How George Clooney made sure phone hackers didn’t ruin his wedding
Newly weds George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin supplied guests with "burner phones" to prevent photographs from falling into the hands of hackers and the tabloid press.
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.
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.
How to change Safari’s default search engine in iOS 8 for greater privacy
With iOS 8, you can - for the first time - switch your Safari browser's search engine to alternatives such as DuckDuckGo. Find out why you might want to and, in fairness, why you might NOT want to...
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.