Android privacy assistant seeks to stop unwanted data collection
Not sure what your phone is collecting about you? A new Android app is promising to simplify the privacy settings on your smartphone, and stop any unwanted data collection.
Stories by Michael Kan
US idea to collect travelers' passwords alarms privacy experts
To better vet foreign travelers, the U.S. might demand that some visa applicants hand over the passwords to their social media accounts, a proposal that’s alarming privacy experts.
Mac malware, possibly made in Iran, targets US defense industry
Just because you’re using a Mac doesn’t mean you’re safe from hackers. That’s what two security researchers are warning, after finding a Mac-based malware that may be an attempt by Iranian actors to target the U.S. defense industry.
Dozens of iOS apps fail to secure users' data, researcher says
Dozens of iOS apps that are supposed to be encrypting their users' data don't do it properly, according to a security researcher.
Hacker takes out dark web hosting service using well-known exploit
A major hosting service for sites on the dark web has apparently been hacked, resulting in scores of hidden sites, including those offering child pornography, going offline.
UK defense secretary urges NATO to fend off Russian cyberattacks
The U.K.’s defense secretary is accusing Russia of using cyber attacks to “disable” democratic processes across the West, and he's demanding that NATO fight back.
Obama-led sanction accidentally hampered U.S. tech firms in Russia
Sanctions imposed by former President Obama on Russia for hacking during the U.S. election had an unintended side effect: they essentially barred U.S. tech firms from selling new IT products in the country.
Hackers are seeking out company insiders on the black market
If you’re the CEO of a company, here’s another threat you need to worry about: hackers trying to recruit your employees for insider-related theft.
WhatsApp reduces spam, despite end-to-end encryption
Can a spam filter work even without reading the content of your messages? WhatsApp thinks so. Since last April, the messenger app has been successfully fighting spam abuse, even as it’s being using end-to-end encryption.
How to make PC security alerts better? Make them twirl, jiggle
The warnings are designed to save us from malware infections and hacking risks, but often times we’ll neglect them, because we’re too busy. Or we’ve seen them too many times, and become conditioned to dismiss them, according to Anthony Vance, a professor at Brigham Young University.
Facebook tries to revamp password recovery by supplanting email
Forgot your password? Well, Facebook wants to help you recover your account. The company is releasing an open source protocol that’ll let third-party sites recover a user’s account through Facebook, or any trusted service.
LeakedSource's shutdown is a blow to amateur hackers
Amateur hackers are alarmed with the apparent demise of LeakedSource, a controversial breach notification site that’s been accused of doing more harm than good.
Trump administration is giving us a good lesson on Twitter security
Several recent incidents involving U.S. President Donald Trump's administration can teach users something about IT security -- particularly about Twitter and what not to do with it.
Password-free security uses voice, user behavior to verify identity
Tired of conventional passwords? So is Nuance Communication, a tech firm that is promoting the human voice as a way to secure user accounts.
Apple takes patent battle with Qualcomm to China
Apple has filed another two lawsuits against Qualcomm, this time in China, that allege the mobile chip maker abused its market dominance and patents to charge excessively high licensing fees.