The New Yorker [unpaywalled] – “Other Western democracies have been roiled by the use of spyware to target political opponents, activists, journalists, and other vulnerable groups. Could it happen here? In September, the Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) signed a two-million-dollar contract with Paragon, an Israeli firm whose spyware product Graphite focusses on breaching encrypted-messaging… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Cybercrime
How to Add Extra Security Layers to Your Phone or Tablet
The New York Times [no paywall]: “Losing a smartphone or tablet stuffed with your life’s details can be a nightmare, but your privacy may also be at risk in less obvious situations — like if you leave your unlocked phone unattended or if the children know your tablet’s passcode. While apps for financial or medical… Continue Reading
How to survive the broligarchy: 20 lessons for the post-truth world
The Guardian – Carole Cadwalladr – In the wake of Trump’s unnerving appointees, the investigative journalist and veteran of the libel court offers [20] pointers on coping in an age of surveillance… Journalists are first, but everyone else is next. Trump has announced multibillion-dollar lawsuits against “the enemy camp”: newspapers and publishers. His proposed FBI… Continue Reading
Congress should designate an entity to oversee data security, GAO says
Fedscoop: “Federal agencies may need to rethink how they handle individuals’ personal data to protect their civil rights and civil liberties, a congressional watchdog said in a new report Tuesday. Without federal guidance governing the protection of the public’s civil rights and liberties, agencies have pursued a patchwork system of policies tied to the collection,… Continue Reading
Use These 4 Apps and Tools to Detect Phishing Emails
MakeUseOf: “Phishing emails are no longer exclusively sent by Nigerian princes needing financial assistance. Scammers are now tech-savvy criminals who leverage state-of-the-art tools to con their victims. But it’s not like they’re the only ones with an arsenal of tools to pull from. Most phishing emails will send you attached files and links or try… Continue Reading
Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, November 16, 2024
Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, November 16, 2024 – Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex… Continue Reading
Americans Are Using the Dumbest Possible Passwords
Gizmodo: “Just about everyone knows at this point that it’s important to use a strong password. But that hasn’t stopped a lot of people from using the dumbest passwords imaginable. NordPass just published its annual lists of the most popular easy-to-crack passwords, and there are quite a few bad ones, as well as some head-scratchers.… Continue Reading
Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, November 9, 2024
Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, November 9, 2024 – Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex… Continue Reading
Voted in America? This Site Doxed You
404 Media: “If you voted in the U.S. presidential election [November 5, 2024] in which Donald Trump won comfortably, or a previous election, a website powered by a right-wing group is probably doxing you. VoteRef makes it trivial for anyone to search the name, physical address, age, party affiliation, and whether someone voted that year… Continue Reading
If You Fall for a Phishing Email, Here’s What Happens Next
MakeUseOf: “Most people receive a lot of spam emails, calls, and other messages daily. These usually represent some phishing attempt and try as you might, you’ll likely accidentally put yourself in a sketchy position eventually—it’s not your fault; it happens to everyone. If you get phished, it’s important not to worry too much. While it’s… Continue Reading
Inside the Massive Crime Industry That’s Hacking Billion-Dollar Companies
Wired unpaywalled: “…AT&T. Ticketmaster. Santander Bank. Neiman Marcus. Electronic Arts. These were not entirely isolated incidents. Instead, they were all hacked thanks to “infostealers,” a type of malware that is designed to pillage passwords and cookies stored in the victim’s browser. In turn, infostealers have given birth to a complex ecosystem that has been allowed… Continue Reading
What are Americans afraid of?
“The Chapman Survey of American Fears has asked Americans about their greatest fears (almost) almost every year since 2015…The top ten often shifts in response to recent events, such as the 55% who reported being afraid of the “American Healthcare Act/Trumpcare” in 2017. Yet the one thing most Americans say they’re afraid of has remained… Continue Reading
