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Ransomware attacks may have cost businesses over US$5 billion in losses this year (Image source: Kaspersky)

US FinCEN watchdog reports that companies may have forked out nearly US$600 million in ransomware payments through 2021

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network stated that so far in 2021, crypto exchange and financial institutions have reported nearly US$600 million in transactions to pay ransomware attackers. This is signifcantly higher than 2020...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 16 Oct 2021 13:48

Hacking group based in Iran continues to target US citizens, Google reports

A hacking group named APT35 has been targeting important US citizens and institutions since 2017. The group was involved in targeting former US President Donald Trump's election campaign staff during the 2020 elections. Google's T...

Fawad Murtaza, 16 Oct 2021 00:43

The class-action suit alleges that there were “shortcomings” in the way DeepMind handled sensitive NHS data (Image source: Google)

Google DeepMind gets hit by a class-action lawsuit for “shortcomings” in how it handled over 1.6 million NHS patient records

Google’s AI department was recently hit by a class-action lawsuit in the UK, because of possible irregularities in the way that it received and handled the data of over 1.6 million NHS patients from the Royal Free London NHS Found...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 14 Oct 2021 16:05

Microsoft Azure cloud services. (Image: Microsoft)

Microsoft fends off a 2.4 Tbps DDoS attack classed as the second-largest in history

Microsoft has declared in a blog post on October 11 that an Azure customer was hit with a 2.4 Tbps DDoS attack during August. The attack was recorded as the highest DDoS event ever on the Azure platform beating last year’s 1 Tbps ...

Aleem Ali, 13 Oct 2021 00:11

Cyberthreats. (Image source: Michael Geiger)

Google alerts 14,000 users to targeted phishing emails by Russian threat group

Google disclosed security updates on October 8 in response to a month of phishing targeted attempts purportedly by Russian-linked group, APT28. The company estimates 14,000 Gmail accounts were warned and protected.

Aleem Ali, 10 Oct 2021 12:34

Among other Galaxy devices, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has received the October 2021 security update (Image: Anh Nhat)

Samsung starts to roll out the October 2021 security update for Galaxy S21, Note 20, Z Fold 3 and many more Galaxy smartphones

Samsung has started to release the October Android update for many Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The update resolves numerous security issues which is why owners of compatible devices are advised to install the update in a timel...

Enrico Frahn, 07 Oct 2021 23:50

Who is next? (Image Source: TechUnwrapped)

Twitch hack spills the beans on Amazon's Steam-like game store codenamed Vapour

Besides the Vapour platform, the leaked source files also reveal something called VapeWorld that is built on the Unity engine and looks like a VR chat game with 3D Twitch chat emotes. Additionally, the existence of a “metaverse” f...

Bogdan Solca, 06 Oct 2021 14:36

Twitch hit by massive hack that reveals its entire source code and more

A 125GB torrent containing the entirety of streaming site Twitch.tv has been posted online. It allegedly includes the website's source code, information about streamer revenue and mentions of Amazon's unreleased digital storefront...

Anil Ganti, 06 Oct 2021 11:59

Online Safety in Google Chrome. (Image source: Google)

Google releases emergency fixes for high-risk vulnerabilities in Google Chrome

The new version of Google Chrome 94.0.4606.71 released on September 30 for Windows, Linux and Mac platforms addressed pressing security flaws including two highly-rated exploits.

Aleem Ali, 03 Oct 2021 13:54

The criminal developer of the GriftHorse trojan targets unsuspecting Android users with expensive subscriptions (Image: Gerd Altmann)

The GriftHorse trojan has infected over 10 million Android smartphones and silently activates expensive subscriptions

The insidious malware has sneaked into the Google Play Store via legitimate looking apps and has apparently caused significant financial damage for millions of Android users. But a little bit of caution is all that is necessary to...

Enrico Frahn, 01 Oct 2021 23:10

According to a security researcher, Apple's iOS 15 includes several critical security flaws (Image: Apple)

Apple's iOS 15 update supposedly includes several zero-day exploits despite security expert's warning

Although a security researcher apparently notified the iPhone maker of several security issues, Apple has recently released its iOS 15 update without fixing these vulnerabilities, which is why the anonymous tipster is now publicly...

Enrico Frahn, 25 Sep 2021 19:26

Owners of an older iPhone like the iPhone 6 should update to iOS 12.5.5 as soon as possible (Image: Apple)

Apple releases iOS 12.5.5 update with important security fixes for older iPhones and iPads

Older Apple smartphones and tablets that are not compatible with the latest and greatest iOS 15 have been at risk of being compromised through two apparently dangerous security vulnerabilities. Apple has now fixed these security i...

Enrico Frahn, 24 Sep 2021 23:39

This feature is turned off by default in the EU. (Source: Caixin Global)

Xiaomi flagship phones sold in Europe can reportedly detect and censor anti-Chinese government sentiments

Xiaomi appears to be shipping some phones in Europe with a feature that potentially allows the detection and censoring of anti-Chinese Communist Party phrases. The feature is, of course, turned off but that's unlikely to assuage d...

Ricci Rox, 22 Sep 2021 20:56

Home security goes binocular with the new Reolink Duo 2K camera

Reolink's latest home security camera has go-to specs such as spotlights, two-way audio, microSD card support and the option of truly-wireless battery power. However, it also has something new to this brand: dual lenses. They enab...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 22 Sep 2021 18:28

Tile announces a new investment. (Source: Tile)

Tile acquires new investment funding to the tune of US$40 million

The property-tracking tech-maker Tile must have taken a knock on the launch of Apple AirTags. However, the OEM still insists it is going strong, with robust revenue growth in 2021 and hundreds of thousands of paid subscriptions so...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 16 Sep 2021 19:30

There are 579 password attacks every second according to Microsoft. (Image: Microsoft)

Microsoft starts new login rollout for users with the option to ditch account passwords altogether

Microsoft has commenced rolling out its new passwordless accounts feature. Over the coming weeks, users will be able to sign in using its Authenticator app which also dramatically increases user account security.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 16 Sep 2021 12:36

Xiaomi is purportedly unlocking phones that had been temporarily blocked in some prohibited countries. (Image source: Xiaomi (Redmi 9)/unsplash/flagsonline - edited)

Xiaomi eases up with remote phone locking in prohibited countries such as Cuba, Syria, and Iran

Xiaomi has reportedly stated that users affected by the recent bout of remote phone locking can now start using their devices again. Apparently, the locking of Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones out of the blue in prohibited countries...

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Sep 2021 11:51

Apple has officially released the iOS 14.8 update for iPhones (Image: Szabo Viktor)

Apple releases iOS 14.8 update with security fixes for iPhone users

The overall eighth major update for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 fixes two security flaws in the iPhone's operating system, which is why the download and installation of the update is highly recommended for all users of Apple's smartphone...

Enrico Frahn, 13 Sep 2021 22:27

The Spanish text reads "this device is locked" - Redmi Note 10S pictured. (Image source: Xiaomi/Reddit/Unsplash - edited)

Xiaomi locks Mi and Redmi phones in prohibited countries as US expansion seems on the cards

Reports of Xiaomi locking Mi and Redmi-branded phones at an increasing rate have been shared online. It seems the Chinese OEM is targeting devices that have been bought or used in prohibited countries and territories. Xiaomi smart...

Daniel R Deakin, 10 Sep 2021 11:09

The new RedMagic 6S Pro. (Source: Nubia)

The RedMagic 6S Pro is the world's first Snapdragon 888+ phone with a physical RGB fan

RedMagic has made its 2021 flagship refresh official today (September 6, 2021). The 6S Pro may have the same basic build as its immediate predecessor; nevertheless, the OEM has crammed some new features a gaming-phone fan might en...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 06 Sep 2021 17:24

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 13 series next month. (Image source: Weibo)

Apple iPhone 13 series name seemingly confirmed as details on new Face ID hardware leak

According to a report, Apple is working to bring more advanced Face ID features to its next iPhones. A new leak about the name of Apple's upcoming iPhones has been given the nod by people in the know, too.

Alex Alderson, 26 Aug 2021 16:37

The HP EliteBook 850 G8 comes with a super bright screen and a lot of other features

The EliteBook 850 G8 is the latest business laptop from HP. It features a 1000-nit screen, 5G modem, smart card reader and an NFC chip. The HP laptop looks and feels very premium.

Marius Schell, 18 Aug 2021 01:19

Steam is the most important digital distribution platform for PC games (Image: Valve)

Hacker receives US$7,500 bounty for reporting exploit that allowed him to add unlimited funds to his Steam wallet

The hacker who found the critical security flaw in Steam's payment process promptly reported the exploit to Valve and has since been rewarded for his honesty.

Enrico Frahn, 16 Aug 2021 23:30

When it comes to child abuse, Apple draws a clear line despite its commitment to user privacy (Image: Apple, edited)

Apple will scan iMessages and iCloud photos to fight child abuse

Apple released details on the controversial steps it will take to fight child abuse in the United States. Privacy advocates strongly criticized Apple's plans, even though other tech companies have been using similar technologies f...

Enrico Frahn, 06 Aug 2021 20:55

Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread was released in September 2011 (Source: Techzim)

Google will drop devices still on Android 2.3.7 and earlier in September

As part of the company's efforts to keep Android users safe, Google has decided to no longer allow sign-in on services like Gmail, Maps, or YouTube for devices still stuck with versions up to 2.3.7 of its mobile operating system. ...

Codrut Nistor, 02 Aug 2021 13:48

Windows 11's CPU and security requirements cannot by bypassed in the official release. (Image Source: Microsoft)

Windows 11's strict hardware requirements cannot be bypassed, Microsoft admits, "We know it sucks... we will still block you"

Microsoft's Program Manager Aria Carley has confirmed that it would not be possible to bypass Windows 11's TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements once the OS launches some time in October. Insider builds can currently be installed o...

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 31 Jul 2021 09:54

MIUI 11 was installed on a first-generation iPhone SE with the use of the checkm8 exploit. (Image source: Vimeo - edited)

Hackers succeed in running MIUI 11 on an iPhone SE

Hackers have managed to get Xiaomi’s MIUI 11 Android skin running on an Apple iPhone SE by utilizing the known checkm8 exploit. A couple of video clips have been shared showing that MIUI 11 had been successfully installed onto the...

Daniel R Deakin, 23 Jul 2021 22:46

Routers with security vulnerabilities are the perfect gateway for malware (Image: Stephen Phillips)

Microsoft went from door to door to take malware-infected routers offline

When it became clear that the fight against the malicious software called Trickbot could not be won remotely, Microsoft resorted to drastic measures and sent employees from door to door in order to manually take infected networkin...

Enrico Frahn, 20 Jul 2021 20:48

Hisense execs accept the new TÜV Rheinland award. (Source: Hisense)

Hisense scores a world first by attaining a TÜV Rheinland Privacy by Design Certification for its smart TV OS

Hisense has announced that a version of its smart TV UI, VIDAA, is the world's first to pass the requirements for a TÜV Rheinland Privacy by Design Certification. This badge is based on European Telecommunication Standards Institu...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 04 Jul 2021 20:05

The balance between security, performance and battery life has driven Windows 11 CPU support choices. (Image: Microsoft)

Windows 11: Microsoft's Director of OS Security explains the tough CPU requirements for Win 11

Microsoft has provided more background on the rationale behind its decisions regarding chip support for Windows 11. In an interview with TechRepublic, Microsoft’s Director of OS Security, David Weston, has pointed to compromises b...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 03 Jul 2021 07:38

US$10 million in Xbox gift cards should surely suffice to purchase a few blockbuster games (Image: Lutsenko_Oleksandr)

Microsoft employee steals Xbox gift cards worth US$10 million, buys a lakefront property and Tesla with them

Apparently, it's not just the announcement of Windows 11 that has been keeping Microsoft on its toes lately. According to reports, an employee of Microsoft's Xbox division managed to exploit a security flaw which allowed him to st...

Enrico Frahn, 02 Jul 2021 23:35

This feature already exists on Samsung devices. (Source: NextNewsSource)

New Xiaomi security feature could arrive globally with MIUI 13

Xiaomi's newest software feature will bring an extra layer of security to owners of their devices. This feature is currently only available on the latest version of Xiaomi's Chinese software but will make its way over to the globa...

Ricci Rox, 22 Jun 2021 18:35

The Echo Dot, Ring Doorbell, and Galaxy Watch 3 have been deemed super creepy by Mozilla. (Image source: Mozilla/Amazon/Samsung - edited)

Mozilla roasts the Amazon Echo Dot, Ring Video Doorbell, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 for being "super creepy"

Mozilla, the organization behind the popular Firefox browser, has taken some pot-shots at popular tech gadgets for being “super creepy”. The Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker, Ring doorbells and cameras, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3...

Daniel R Deakin, 22 Jun 2021 12:30

Hackers stole nearly 1TB of sensitive data (Image source: Panda Security)

Data breach at Electronic Arts sees source code for the Frostbite engine fall into the hands of hackers

Following the security incident at CD Projekt Red, it appears that Electronic Arts is dealing with the aftermath of a data breach. Hackers have reportedly made away with nearly 1 Terabyte of sensitive data, including the source co...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 12 Jun 2021 13:41

The RockYou2021 compilation is a single 100 GB file. (Image source: Markus Spiske)

RockYou2021 compilation leaks between 8.4 billion and 82 billion passwords

Someone has posted a 100 GB TXT file to a hacker forum that contains up to 82 billion passwords. According to a report, the number of unique entries may only be 8.4 billion, but it still significantly increases the risk of passwor...

Alex Alderson, 09 Jun 2021 19:33

We're not so sure about HP Sure View

On paper, HP Sure View sounds great with its ability to limit viewing angles with just a press of a button. In practice, however, the feature entails a host of other disadvantages that potential owners should be aware of.

Allen Ngo, 08 Jun 2021 18:40

Smart tags, smart tags everywhere. (Source: Weibo)

Rumor | OnePlus will include smart tags in its next round of product launches

According to a new leak, OnePlus is about to join the growing number of smartphone OEMs with its own smart tag. The report asserts that the company has registered a relevant trademark, alongside others for pre-existing products. T...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 03 Jun 2021 20:09

Marvell launches new SSD components. (Source: Marvell)

Marvell launches the Bravera SC5 series of SSD controllers for next-gen datacenter-grade performance

Marvell has announced that its latest line of SSD controllers has upgraded to PCIe 5.0 and NVMe 1.4b support. These specs render the Bravera SC5 series compatible with up-to-date cloud-related demands, or so the OEM asserts. They ...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 May 2021 17:31

The personal data of over 100 million Android users may have been exposed due to poor data management practices. (Image via Android with edits)

Poor data management put 100 million Android users at risk

Check Point Software Technologies, a security research firm, reports that 23 apps on the Google Play Store may have exposed the personal data of over 100 million users. The data leaks are the result of poor practices with regard t...

Sam Medley, 25 May 2021 06:17

The United Kingdom tracked the location of millions of citizens without their knowledge. (Image: stock photo with edits)

The British government tracked the location of millions of UK citizens without their knowledge or consent

The United Kingdom released a report stating that it tracked the location of 10% of cell phone users without notifying them or receiving their consent. The tracking was used to determine how willing citizens were to spend time awa...

Sam Medley, 24 May 2021 17:26

Apple software chief Craig Federighi confirmed Mac software vulnerability mid-May 2021 (Source: Wccftech)

It's official: The Mac has a security problem

According to Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi, the company's computers are less secure than iOS devices due to the fact that app stores on the Mac are regularly exploited. This sometimes leads to malware infections, but Fede...

Codrut Nistor, 20 May 2021 13:49

The new C8C security camera. (Source: EZVIZ)

EZVIZ launches its first pan/tilt outdoor Wi-Fi home security camera

EZVIZ introduces the C8C as its inaugural outdoor wireless home security camera capable of panning and tilting within its globe-shaped exterior glass shell. Its sensor is rated for FHD recording, as well as night vision in color a...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 19 May 2021 17:10

The Apple AirTag has been jailbroken. That didn't take long. (Image via Apple w/ edits)

Security researcher successfully hacks and jailbreaks an Apple AirTag

A German security researcher who goes by the alias "stacksmashing" posted a YouTube video detailing how he was able to dump the firmware of an Apple AirTag. Furthermore, he was able to inject a custom firmware that changed the Air...

Sam Medley, 12 May 2021 05:41

Check Point reports a new MSM flaw. (Source: Wikichip)

Security researchers claim to find a severe vulnerability that may affect up to 30% of all Android phones worldwide

The Qualcomm mobile station modem (MSM) series is part of 3G to 5G connectivity for millions of Android phones worldwide. The Check Point security research group now claims that it can be exploited in a way that might allow a hack...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 09 May 2021 19:16

Spigen's latest AirTag holders. (Source: Spigen)

Spigen announces new AirTag accessories in some signature styles and designs

Apple's AirTags might be the latest thing in personal possession-tracking, although customers might find it hard to actually secure said things with the little monolithic smart pucks out of the box. However, Spigen has stepped up ...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 08 May 2021 19:14

Dell's firmware update driver has harbored severe security bugs for over a decade, according to researchers

Dell has issued numerous patches as part of its latest Security Advisory (DSA-2021-088) in response to findings of a "severe" CVE consisting of five different privilege-exploit bugs that have apparently been in effect for the last...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 07 May 2021 23:46

Multiple educational apps send students' data to third parties, often without their knowledge. (Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash)

New study finds 60% of apps used by U.S. schools share student data with third parties, sometimes without the users' knowledge

A new report published today by the Me2B Alliance found that as many as 60% of apps used by schools in the United States share student data with third parties. This data is typically shared immediately upon launching affected apps...

Sam Medley, 05 May 2021 05:53

Researchers claim hackers could leverage the vulnerabilities to target "billions" of devices (Image source: Panda Security)

Intel refutes claim that newly-uncovered Spectre vulnerability variants need patching with performance-leeching fixes

University of Virginia cybersecurity researchers published a paper in which they claimed that a variant of the Spectre vulnerability could potentially impact "billions" of devices, and require patches that severely hinder performa...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 04 May 2021 14:54