Topics

Apple accidentally rolls back security patch in iOS 12.4 update, making jailbreaking possible

An oversight by Apple caused an old security bug to be reintroduced with iOS 12.4. While the bug had been patched in iOS 12.3, the exploit is present in the latest operating system from Apple and can be used for jailbreaking on co...

Sam Medley, 20 Aug 2019 22:46

Native 2FA is now available on some Xiaomi devices. (Source: Bleeping Computer)

MIUI introduces 2-factor authentication for Xiaomi user accounts

For the first time in its history, the Xiaomi custom MIUI Android skin has implemented 2-factor authentication (or 2FA) for this OEM's software ecosystem. So far, it works to send notifications to all devices connected to a single...

Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Aug 2019 19:17

Facebook paid human contractors to listen to and transcribe audio from users

According to employees familiar with the practice, Facebook has been hiring outside contractors to listen to and transcribe user audio. While Facebook claims the transcriptions were done to improve the voice-to-text transcription ...

Sam Medley, 14 Aug 2019 23:30

This MacBook Pro might not be allowed on a plane. (Source: GadgetGuy)

The FAA bans certain MacBook Pros from airplanes

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has told airlines that there are MacBook Pros out there that cannot be brought onto commercial flights. The notebooks in question are those that were recalled by Apple earlier this year for ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Aug 2019 17:53

Security researchers load ransomware onto DSLR over WiFi and encrypt photos in WannaCry-styled attack

A new report by security experts at Check Point Research demonstrates a glaring vulnerability in modern DSLR cameras: Photo Transfer Protocol. Worse yet, the researchers were able to exploit vulnerabilities in PTP/IP, which transf...

Sam Medley, 12 Aug 2019 23:23

The AI-powered YI Home Camera 3. (Source: YI)

The latest YI home security camera has AI for smarter, more selective user alerts

The YI Home Camera 3 is an AI-powered security camera. It notifies the user about possible intrusions - however, it solves the problem of potentially indiscriminate, unnecessary messages by using its new software to judge which on...

Deirdre O Donnell, 09 Aug 2019 18:57

Apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp may need redesigns thanks to iOS 13's background access restrictions

iOS 13 will bring a few new features to iPhones upon its release later this year, several of which are focused on protecting user privacy. One such update will block background processes from collecting user data, something that s...

Sam Medley, 07 Aug 2019 05:02

Microsoft security researchers discover new cyber attack through Internet of Things connected devices

A new publication by Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Center points out an increasingly popular avenue used for cyber attacks: the Internet of Things (IoT). The publication states that researchers discovered a new attack that explo...

Sam Medley, 06 Aug 2019 22:01

Touch ID: Gone but not forgotten. (Image source: Apple)

Under-screen Touch ID & Face ID iPhone to enter mass-production by 2021: New report

According to reports from China, Apple will start mass-producing displays with an in-screen Touch ID sensor that will complement Face ID in anticipation of their inclusion in the 2021 iPhone series. The upcoming displays will like...

Alex Alderson, 05 Aug 2019 20:56

The HomePod captured more inadvertant Siri recordings than other devices like the iPhone. (Source: Apple)

Apple suspends Siri eavesdropping program in wake of privacy scandal

Apple has suspended a controversial Siri grading program that allowed contractors to listen to recordings of customers using the voice recognition software. The purportedly privacy focused company was caught out by a whistleblower...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 02 Aug 2019 13:30

A majority of consumers surveyed appear to distrust connected devices. (Source: ERP Insight)

Up to 63% of consumers now find connected devices "creepy"

A study conducted by Consumers International, in conjunction with the Internet Society has reportedly found that most individuals surveyed find connected devices (mostly IoT or "smart home" products) "creepy". In addition, 53% of ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 31 Jul 2019 16:48

Purism announces final specs of Librem 5 Linux phone, excepts to start shipments in Q3 of 2019

The Librem 5's specifications have been finalized, but the hardware looks outdated. Considering the phone's $700 price tag, it's unlikely that the Librem 5 will garner any significant market share. However, the Librem 5 is focused...

Sam Medley, 30 Jul 2019 23:14

This screenshot from Apple's website is starting to have a different ring about it. (Source: Apple)

Apple caught in Siri privacy scandal, issues a statement trying to downplay its severity

Apple has been caught in a fresh privacy scandal as first reported by The Guardian. According to an Apple contractor, Apple just like Google and Amazon have been busted doing, uses contractors to analyze and assess the accuracy of...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 27 Jul 2019 10:28

The new feature appears to allow texting while a phone is locked. (Source: XDA)

Google Assistant gets the ability to text from a lockscreen on some phones

According to a new report, Google has released a new feature for the Assistant to a select group of users. This function allows them to compose and send texts directly from their phone's lockscreens. This sounds convenient, but al...

Deirdre O Donnell, 23 Jul 2019 19:47

The IP camera market may grow to a multi-billion-dollar worth in the next decade. (Source: Alert Watch)

The IP camera market is now projected to be worth approximately US$20 billion in 6 years

Internet-protocol (or IP) cameras shipments are thought to grow to over 100 million by 2025, or 20% more than there are now. These projections are part of newly-published research on the IP surveillance market. It is thought to be...

Deirdre O Donnell, 18 Jul 2019 23:19

Researchers at Symantec discover media file vulnerability in WhatsApp and Telegram

WhatsApp and Telegram are popular secure messaging apps that feature end-to-end encryption to keep messages safe. Even still, the apps have a glaring backdoor that could allow attackers to alter media files sent through the apps. ...

Sam Medley, 17 Jul 2019 22:23

Do you tape over your laptop webcam? 6 out of 10 owners do as well according to a new HP survey

If you thought you were crazy covering your laptop webcam with paper, you're not alone. A continent-wide survey conducted earlier this year has revealed that nearly 80 percent of respondents would rather just turn off their webcam...

Allen Ngo, 17 Jul 2019 13:00

Does Google Home eavesdrop? A Belgian news report suggests that it does. (Source: Pocket-lint)

Google Assistant-enabled devices allegedly found to listen in on users

The Belgian news outlet VRT NWS claims to have gained access to audio recordings made as a result of Google Assistant 'listening' to user speech or activity. The recordings were leaked to VRT by a Google subcontractor. This appare...

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Jul 2019 17:38

The Nest Hello doorbell may gain the ability to protect against parcel theft soon. (Source: PCMag.com)

Nest Hello doorbell to get delivery-monitoring update

The Nest Hello device is a smart doorbell with an inbuilt camera. A leak concerning a software update for this product has found that it may gain the ability to detect when a package has been delivered. This code may also allow fo...

Deirdre O Donnell, 10 Jul 2019 20:18

Over 50% of survey-takers believe that overly influential tech groups need breaking up. (Source: Insurance Asia News)

New study suggests most Americans now believe their government should do more to regulate big tech

An industrial consultant firm, Grail Insights, has released the results of a survey-based study on public attitudes towards 'big tech' companies, their effects on consumer privacy and the role national authorities should adopt in ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 09 Jul 2019 18:33

Amazon keeps a record of tasks carried out using Alexa. (Source: VentureBeat)

Amazon keeps records of users' Alexa interactions - and may not delete them

A United States Senator has obtained a response to a letter sent to Amazon HQ concerning user privacy as it relates to the retail giant's Alexa platform. It advised the public representative that, although a given user can delete ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 08 Jul 2019 19:40

The YI Nightscape dash cam has Sony night vision. (Source: YI)

A new dash-cam from YI has the latest Sony night-vision sensor

YI (or Xiaoyi) is a company known for camera-related product and accessories, including dash-cams. Its newest version of these is the Nightscape, a 1080p, Wi-Fi enabled device with a 140-degree field of view. It also integrates So...

Deirdre O Donnell, 04 Jul 2019 18:35

The Samsung Galaxy A50 has a potentially exciting new update. (Source: Samsung)

The Samsung Galaxy A50's latest update includes new Night Mode and Super Slow-Motion camera settings

The latest software update for the Samsung Galaxy A50 offers an upgraded security patch level and Knox Guard improvements. However, some users have reported that a reset of the phone's camera settings confers new shooting modes. T...

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Jun 2019 16:12

The Huawei Nova 5 has been released in China. (Source: Huawei)

Huawei Nova 5i confirmed to have Google Play certification, along with Honor 20 and 20 Pro

Those who own or plan on owning Huawei or Honor Android devices may have been alarmed by reports that their parent company had lost crucial certifications necessary to use this OS. Despite this, however, Honor's latest flagships (...

Deirdre O Donnell, 28 Jun 2019 19:27

The Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit is part of the SD 855. (Source: Qualcomm)

The Snapdragon 855 is the first mobile processor certified to be as secure as a smart card

Qualcomm has announced that its latest flagship SoC, the Snapdragon 855, is the first CPU for mobile devices to attain the Smart Card Equivalent Security Certification. This means the processor can handle applications normally con...

Deirdre O Donnell, 26 Jun 2019 03:00

At least 25 global telecommunications companies were compromised in a seven-year attack utilizing Chinese-affiliated threat actor APT10. (Source: ModernDiplomacy)

Chinese-affiliated hackers compromised 25 global telecommunications companies for over 7 years

A leading cyber-security firm has uncovered a brazen Chinese-affiliated 7-year-long attack against telecommunications companies across the globe, compromising Call Detail Records (CDRs) and allowing collection of call meta-data fo...

Douglas Black, 25 Jun 2019 18:18

VLC is a popular open source and cross-platform media player with over 3 billion downloads since 2005.

PSA: Update your copy of VLC to avoid allowing hackers full control of your computer when opening video files

Popular video and media player VideoLan Client (VLC) has been found by security researchers to have two serious vulnerabilities, allowing malicious .avi and .mkv files to execute any code with full user privileges. Version 3.0.7 o...

Douglas Black, 24 Jun 2019 10:39

Canon has a 120MP sensor to show off. (Source: Canon)

Canon unveils a new CMOS sensor with super-powered 120MP resolution

Canon is attending the 2019 Sensors Expo & Conference in San Jose, California to showcase its new 120MXSI sensor. This CMOS is rated for 120MP imaging, and can operate in visible and near-infra-red (NIR) light spectra at a maximal...

Deirdre O Donnell, 23 Jun 2019 18:06

Hackers attacked NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab via a Raspberry Pi, stole 500 MB of mission data

According to a U.S. Office of Inspector General report published Tuesday, a cyberattack on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in April 2018 was due to a severe lack of security oversight. The attack was made possible via an unauthor...

Sam Medley, 23 Jun 2019 00:34

PC-Doctor Tool For Windows is also believed to be vulnerable to cyber attacks. (Image source: Lifewire)

Cybersecurity company finds worrying vulnerability affecting millions of Dell laptops and desktops

A high-severity vulnerability has been discovered in Dell’s SupportAssist software that is found on millions of computers sold by the American manufacturer. The problem was highlighted by a company called SafeBreach and was origin...

Daniel R Deakin, 22 Jun 2019 01:49

Microsoft 365 for Campaigns is a new suite for political campaign security. (Source: Microsoft)

New Microsoft 365 suite offers enterprise-level security for political campaigns

Microsoft 365 for Campaigns is a new service intended to safeguard election campaigns from bad actors of various kinds. It is part of the Redmond company's Defending Democracy Program, and offers enterprise-level security to those...

Deirdre O Donnell, 20 Jun 2019 20:55

GPS spoofing attack could drive a Tesla Model S or 3 off the road, as security researchers find

The Tesla Models S or 3 have a feature called Navigate on Autopilot feature, which can allow one of these vehicles to follow a certain route while driving autonomously. The security firm Regulus Cyber has claimed that they are sus...

Deirdre O Donnell, 20 Jun 2019 17:57

Most valuable Samsung NC10-14GB netbook (Source: Man of Many)

Infect yourself with multiple viruses to increase your net worth — it seems to work with laptops

The Samsung NC10-14GB netbook that was sold at an auction for a staggering US$1,345,000 is a 2008 model that runs Windows XP SP3 and comes loaded with 6 pieces of malware that have caused damages of over US$95 billion, namely ILOV...

Codrut Nistor, 17 Jun 2019 09:26

MIUI fans will soon see the last of links like these. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi announces Global MIUI Beta Program termination for all of its phones

Xiaomi has announced that its software division will stop releasing global betas of its OS, MIUI, on July 1, 2019. This applies not merely to older and slower devices, but to all phones of its brand. However, the OEM has also stat...

Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Jun 2019 15:46

The Shot on OnePlus web interface. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus found to have sprung a user-data leak through a photography app

"Shot on OnePlus" is an initiative by which users can upload their shots via a smartphone app or online. This is done via an API, which, when analyzed, was found to be a ready source of user emails and IDs. The company's response ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Jun 2019 18:47

The new Innodisk Fire Shield SSD is supposedly based on aviation-grade data recorders. (Source: Aviation Jobs)

Innodisk claims its new Fire Shield SSD can withstand temperatures of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit

Innodisk's Fire Shield SSD(TM) has reportedly been developed to withstand extreme temperatures. It is apparently based on black-box technology in order to maintain 100% accuracy and integrity for the data on its NAND storage. So f...

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Jun 2019 14:29

Mi Electric Scooter owners are being asked to check if their device should be included in a new product recall. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi announces a recall of its electric scooters

Xiaomi has issued a recall of its Mi Electric Scooter (or M365) product. This request to return items does not apply to all units of the personal transport accessory, however, but to a subset of the same sold in certain countries....

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Jun 2019 17:43

A new Google Maps feature monitors your taxi/ride-share progress. (Source: XDA)

New Google Maps feature may help you tell when taxis are taking you the wrong way

Google Maps is reportedly rolling out a new feature intended to benefit users taking taxis or ride-shares in unfamiliar locations. It starts to send alerts if the vehicle in question starts to deviate from a given route by 500 met...

Deirdre O Donnell, 10 Jun 2019 16:59

GlobalCoin is set to enable Facebook users to make fast payments for the items sold on the Facebook Market. (Source: IGuRu)

Facebook could be launching its own cryptocurrency in late June

Facebook is preparing to launch its own digital currency named GlobalCoin, which will enable almost 2 billion users to make fast payments for the items sold through Facebook Marketplace. GlobalCoin will be fully integrated with Wh...

Bogdan Solca, 07 Jun 2019 19:29

The new Reolink E1 Pro. (Source: Reolink)

Reolink releases a new Wi-Fi home security-cam with 355-degree pan and 50-degree tilt for under US$60

Reolink, a company already known for well-spec'd wireless security cameras, now launches the E1 Pro. This new option offers a wide range of coverage for an affordable price. It will also gain Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant comp...

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Jun 2019 15:04

Dell ExpressSign-in makes its debut on the Latitude 7400 2-in-1

Hands-on with the hands-off Dell ExpressSign-in unlock feature

The world's first laptop PC with a proximity sensor makes Windows Hello even easier to use. The Dell-exclusive feature lets you initiate Windows Hello by simply walking in front of your laptop instead of needing to push a key to w...

Allen Ngo, 07 Jun 2019 09:42

Android Q Beta 4 rollout on Pixels arrested due to bootlooping issue

Android Q's latest preview build was released yesterday (June 5, 2019). It has some interesting new aspects, such as a re-brand for Smart Unlock. However, Google has now stopped pushing its OTAs to phones as it has been found to c...

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Jun 2019 17:36

CooTek hid BeiTaAd within over 200 apps on Google Play Store like TouchPal

BeiTaAd adware found in over 200 Android apps on the Google Play Store

A major app developer has been found sneaking adware into over 200 Android apps listed on the Google Play Store. The adware, named BeiTaAd, would only present adverts after at least 24 hours from an affected app being first opened...

Alex Alderson, 05 Jun 2019 19:02

MSI warns account-holders of new Apple ID email scam

MSI has alerted its customers advising them of a fraudulent email that may be sent due to their possession of an account with the company. The message attempts to direct the reader to change their Apple IDs using its link. However...

Deirdre O Donnell, 03 Jun 2019 23:12

HKCam: A Raspberry Pi-powered and open-source HomeKit security camera that costs under US$20

Home security camera systems can be expensive. But where there is a Raspberry Pi, there is a way. All you need is a Raspberry Pi Zero W, a Raspberry Pi camera module, some free software and an enclosure that you can buy for as lit...

Alex Alderson, 29 May 2019 20:47

What happens on your iPhone stays on your iPhone, except when it doesn't. (Source: 9to5Mac)

5,400 trackers found on iPhone bleeding up to 1.5 GB private data over a month

Apple likes to claim that buying an iPhone means buying into an ecosystem where user data is sacrosanct. An examination by the Washington Post demonstrates that the reality is quite a different picture.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 29 May 2019 12:25

The Manifold 2: the on-board mini-supercomputer than can turn DJI drones into autobots

DJI has announced the Manifold 2, a line of tiny supercomputers that can be installed on certain drones from this manufacturer. These devices can upgrade the devices in quesiton into autonomic flying machines, or those that can be...

Deirdre O Donnell, 28 May 2019 20:13

The Persistence of Chaos is a fully functional 10.2-inch Samsung NC10-14GB loaded with viruses. (Source: Deep Instinct)

10.2-inch Samsung NC10-14GB loaded with six dangerous viruses going for over US$1 million in live auction

An old 10.2-inch Samsung NC10-14GB loaded with six of the world’s most dangerous computer viruses is currently being auctioned with bids over US$1.2 million. Why you may ask? Because it is actually a piece of contemporary art call...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 26 May 2019 10:30

Windows 10 still has enough security breaches, and Microsoft does not seem to be willing to fix them in a timely manner. (Source: YouTube)

Researcher reveals new zero-day Windows 10 vulnerabilities

Controversial security researcher SandboxEscaper revealed three zero-day exploits that are still not patched in the latest May update for Windows 10. The researcher details how attackers can gain complete access of a Windows 10 sy...

Bogdan Solca, 23 May 2019 19:34

Massive data breach may have affected millions of Instagram users, including some major influencers

A recently discovered hack has exposed the personal contact information of millions of Instagram users, including some prominent influencers and celebrities. The hackers attacked an Amazon Web Services-hosted database owned by Cht...

Sam Medley, 20 May 2019 23:44

Security

Apple accidentally rolls back security patch in iOS 12.4 update, making jailbreaking possible

MIUI introduces 2-factor authentication for Xiaomi user accounts

Facebook paid human contractors to listen to and transcribe audio from users

The FAA bans certain MacBook Pros from airplanes

Security researchers load ransomware onto DSLR over WiFi and encrypt photos in WannaCry-styled attack

The latest YI home security camera has AI for smarter, more selective user alerts

Apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp may need redesigns thanks to iOS 13's background access restrictions

Microsoft security researchers discover new cyber attack through Internet of Things connected devices

Under-screen Touch ID & Face ID iPhone to enter mass-production by 2021: New report

Apple suspends Siri eavesdropping program in wake of privacy scandal

Up to 63% of consumers now find connected devices "creepy"

Purism announces final specs of Librem 5 Linux phone, excepts to start shipments in Q3 of 2019

Apple caught in Siri privacy scandal, issues a statement trying to downplay its severity

Google Assistant gets the ability to text from a lockscreen on some phones

The IP camera market is now projected to be worth approximately US$20 billion in 6 years

Researchers at Symantec discover media file vulnerability in WhatsApp and Telegram

Do you tape over your laptop webcam? 6 out of 10 owners do as well according to a new HP survey

Google Assistant-enabled devices allegedly found to listen in on users

Nest Hello doorbell to get delivery-monitoring update

New study suggests most Americans now believe their government should do more to regulate big tech

Amazon keeps records of users' Alexa interactions - and may not delete them

A new dash-cam from YI has the latest Sony night-vision sensor

The Samsung Galaxy A50's latest update includes new Night Mode and Super Slow-Motion camera settings

Huawei Nova 5i confirmed to have Google Play certification, along with Honor 20 and 20 Pro

The Snapdragon 855 is the first mobile processor certified to be as secure as a smart card

Chinese-affiliated hackers compromised 25 global telecommunications companies for over 7 years

PSA: Update your copy of VLC to avoid allowing hackers full control of your computer when opening video files

Canon unveils a new CMOS sensor with super-powered 120MP resolution

Hackers attacked NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab via a Raspberry Pi, stole 500 MB of mission data

Cybersecurity company finds worrying vulnerability affecting millions of Dell laptops and desktops

New Microsoft 365 suite offers enterprise-level security for political campaigns

GPS spoofing attack could drive a Tesla Model S or 3 off the road, as security researchers find

Infect yourself with multiple viruses to increase your net worth — it seems to work with laptops

Xiaomi announces Global MIUI Beta Program termination for all of its phones

OnePlus found to have sprung a user-data leak through a photography app

Innodisk claims its new Fire Shield SSD can withstand temperatures of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit

Xiaomi announces a recall of its electric scooters

New Google Maps feature may help you tell when taxis are taking you the wrong way

Facebook could be launching its own cryptocurrency in late June

Reolink releases a new Wi-Fi home security-cam with 355-degree pan and 50-degree tilt for under US$60

Hands-on with the hands-off Dell ExpressSign-in unlock feature

Android Q Beta 4 rollout on Pixels arrested due to bootlooping issue

BeiTaAd adware found in over 200 Android apps on the Google Play Store

MSI warns account-holders of new Apple ID email scam

HKCam: A Raspberry Pi-powered and open-source HomeKit security camera that costs under US$20

5,400 trackers found on iPhone bleeding up to 1.5 GB private data over a month

The Manifold 2: the on-board mini-supercomputer than can turn DJI drones into autobots

10.2-inch Samsung NC10-14GB loaded with six dangerous viruses going for over US$1 million in live auction

Researcher reveals new zero-day Windows 10 vulnerabilities

Massive data breach may have affected millions of Instagram users, including some major influencers

Tags