Microsoft acquires cloud security firm Adallom
Microsoft continues to look to the cloud -- not just with Windows 10, but with many of its enterprise services -- and security remains of the utmost importance. Now the company has announced the acquisition of cloud security firm Adallom in a move that will give customers additional ways to protect their data in the cloud.
The security company started life two and half years ago, and Microsoft sees value in adding it to its existing portfolio of acquisitions. Adallom co-founder Assaf Rappaport describes joining the Microsoft family as "another validation of [the company]", while Microsoft says it demonstrates its "commitment to delivering innovative identity and security capabilities".
BlackBerry buys mobile security company Good Technology
BlackBerry has announced its purchase of Good Technology, a mobile security company. The deal was sealed with $425 million (£280 million) heading Good’s way. The Good Dynamics platform provides encryption, advanced data loss prevention and secure communication between applications.
But BlackBerry is already good at that, isn’t it? It is one of the safest, if not the safest smartphone out there, so what good can Good do (pun definitely intended)?
Fiat Chrysler recalls Jeep Renegade SUVs to fix major security vulnerability
Fiat Chrysler recently recalled over 8,000 vehicles that are vulnerable to a bug through which hackers can take control over the car’s computer system, which would eventually give them the control over the entire car.
The new Jeep Renegade SUV is the one that is vulnerable. Especially those jeeps that were ordered with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the dashboard.
Apple can't give real time iMessage data to the FBI because texts are encrypted
Despite a court order instructing the company to hand over text conversations between iMessage accounts to the FBI, Apple says that its own encryption system means it cannot do so. The Justice Department obtained a court order that required Apple to provide real time access to text messages sent between suspects in an investigation involving guns and drugs.
Apple has responded by saying that the fact iMessage is encrypted means that it is simply not able to comply with the order. The stand-off between the US government and Apple could last for some time as neither side is willing -- or possibly able -- to back down.
Time to patch your firmware! Backdoor discovered into Seagate NAS drives
If you have not recently updated the firmware for your Seagate wireless NAS drives, now is the time to do so. Researchers at Tangible Security have discovered a series of vulnerabilities in a number of devices produced by Seagate that could allow unauthorized access to files and settings.
An undocumented Telnet feature could be used to gain control of the device by using the username 'root' and the hardcoded default password. There are also other vulnerabilities that allow for unauthorized browsing and downloading of files, as well as permitting malicious files to be uploaded. Tangible Security says that Seagate Wireless Plus Mobile Storage, Seagate Wireless Mobile Storage, and LaCie FUEL drives are affected, but there may also be others.
What you need to know about cyber insurance
Cyber insurance is an important element for companies as it covers the damage and liability caused by a hack, which are usually excluded from traditional liability coverage.
Stricter data privacy notification laws, government incentives, cloud adoption and the increase in high-profile hacks and data breaches have all contributed to the significant increase in the number of companies offering and buying cyber insurance.
Android malware snaps secret pics of porn seekers
A new piece of Android malware appears to offer pornographic images but instead takes pictures of the user via the phone’s front facing camera, then locks up the device and demands a $500 ransom.
Called Adult Player it was discovered by researchers at Zscaler. Having checked that a camera is available and taken a picture, it sends details of the victim's device and operating system to the remote servers before displaying the user’s picture on a personalized ransom screen.
How secure is your PC? Try this quick test
It’s easy to get complacent about your PC’s security. You checked your browser settings a while ago, you’ve a good antivirus suite installed, that should be enough -- right?
Well, maybe, but it’s still wise to test your defenses occasionally, and security researcher Didier Stevens has crafted a special file to help you do just that.
Inside threats enable vast majority of cybercrimes
No less an authority than colorful cybersecurity pioneer John McAfee firmly believes that the now infamous hack of the US-based Ashley Madison sex-cheating website was an inside job.
Statistically, this is extremely likely to be the case for most cyber security breaches. KCS’ own research shows that 80 percent of corporate cybercrimes can be traced to staff, and this figure is increasing. This can be the result of deliberate cybercrime or it could be that the staff member has been careless with their personal log-in details.
Watch your email, malicious attachments aren't dead yet
Email danger isn't new, and we've all been (hopefully) vigilant for years. Don't open attachments is the general rule, though there are some obvious exceptions -- the person confirms they sent it to you. Otherwise, a message from someone you know may very well not have not been sent by them -- I got one a few days ago from a company contact and it had a file attached. Don't open it! When I inquired she replied to me that the address had been hacked.
Absolutely nothing I've just said will protect my kids or parents -- they will happily click away. The problem is, these things seemed to go away, at least mostly, but now they are on the comeback trail according to a new report.
Snowden: web restrictions are 'wrong in Russia, would be wrong anywhere'
Edward Snowden might be holed up in Russia, but that's not going to stop him from criticizing the country. While accepting the Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression’s Bjornson prize, the former NSA contractor used a speech to call Russia's attitude to internet freedom and homosexuality as "fundamentally wrong".
The US government has indicated that it has no intention of pardoning Snowden so he remains in exile -- for now, this is in Russia. Not shy to court controversy -- and possibly biting the hand that feeds -- he has hit out at the Russian government saying that its control and restrictions it places on the web are a "mistake in policy".
Spybot Anti-Beacon quickly closes Windows 10 privacy holes
Spybot developer Safer Networking has released Spybot Anti-Beacon, a portable free tool which makes it easy to disable a host of Windows 10 tracking technologies.
Just launching the program displays the current status of 10 "problem" areas: Telemetry Hosts/ Services/ Group Policy, Consumer Experience Improvement Program Group Policy/ Scheduled Tasks, Application Impact Telemetry, Steps Recorder, WiFi Sense, "Apps use advertising ID" and P2P Windows Updates.
Stop Windows 10's keylogger from monitoring what you type, ink, and say
The 'keylogger' that's built into Windows 10 has gained something of a bad reputation -- but it's really a bit of a misnomer. Yes, there is a component that -- technically speaking -- tracks what you input using the keyboard, screen, mouse, voice, and stylus... but it's a bit more complicated than that. It is not really a keylogger in the sense that the malware term usually implies.
Microsoft openly admits that "when you interact with your Windows device by speaking, writing (handwriting), or typing, Microsoft collects speech, inking, and typing information". It's done with the intention of improving the accuracy of suggestions, providing a personalized experience, and so on. But we live in an age where privacy matters. If you are concerned about the privacy implications of this component of Windows 10, you can disable it. Here's how.
Is there a reason to be concerned about your kid's apps and websites?
We worry about our children, or at least we should. Stranger danger is everywhere in today's world, unlike the one we grew up in. You may have wondered around town on your own, rode in a car with no seatbelt and probably asked the question "what's a bike helmet?"
Well, things are not that safe anymore, and in fact they can be downright scary. Websites and apps are trying to sell things to kids (it will be your money that they spend). But worse, predators lurk in the shadows looking for information for potential targets.
Ten reasons threat intelligence is here to stay
Over the past couple of years, the volume and frequency of new malware and its variants has exploded. But it takes considerable time, effort and expertise to sift through data and transform it into pertinent information. So out with old and in with the new. To alter traditional approaches, threat intelligence emerged as a way to gather data about vulnerabilities and alter approaches based off that intel.
Threat intelligence has drastically transformed the industry. In fact, it's hard to go to a security conference without hearing about threat intelligence. However, recent articles have turned threat intelligence into quite the controversial debate and many touting that threat intelligence will do very little to improve cybersecurity. Well no offense to those individuals, but the fact of the matter is threat intelligence is not going away anytime soon.
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