Security - SlashGear

‘security’ Stories

Japanese House of Representatives and other diplomatic offices hit by virus attack

Shane McGlaun, Oct 26th 2011 Discuss [2]

Japanese government officials have announced that over the last several months, viruses have hit its House of Representatives and Ministry of Foreign affairs during cyber attacks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices along with its overseas embassies and consulates were targeted by emails in a focused attack with the goal of stealing information. Read The Full Story

iPad 2 Smart Cover unlock hack identified

Chris Davies, Oct 21st 2011 Discuss [5]

A security flaw allowing unofficial access to certain iPad 2 apps, even when the tablet is PIN-locked, has been identified, using Apple's own Smart Cover to bypass the protection. The loophole, spotted by Apfeltalk, relies on Apple's Smart Cover unlocking system, which wakes the iPad 2 when opened: when the right combination of button presses and other steps are followed, that can also leave the tablet open to partial use. Read The Full Story

Android Face Unlock might be fooled with a photo

Chris Davies, Oct 20th 2011 Discuss [15]

Google has admitted that the Face Unlock feature in its new version of Android could be fooled by a photo of the user, telling SlashGear that the security system is still in its early stages. The Ice Cream Sandwich feature – which logs into an Android 4.0 device by recognizing a pre-registered face, rather than using a PIN code or other credentials – struggled to recognize Google head of user experience Matias Duarte under the keynote lighting earlier this week, but could, we’re told, still be convinced by a snapshot.

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iPhone 4S Siri insecure says security team

Chris Davies, Oct 20th 2011 Discuss [9]

Apple’s Siri has come under fire from security researchers, over concerns that the voice control system can, by default, be used by anybody even when your iPhone 4S is passcode-locked. Since Siri’s settings out of the box allow it to be instantly triggered from the lock-screen, researchers Sophos highlighted, and bypass the PIN-entry, anybody with physical access to your iPhone 4S can send emails and SMS messages, access the calendar and do anything else the digital personal assistant is capable of.

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Google Search to be encrypted for signed-in users

Rue Liu, Oct 18th 2011 Discuss [0]

Google announced today that it will be stepping up security on its search feature for signed-in users. These users will now get an SSL encrypted search experience by default, which means that their search terms and results can't be intercepted by hackers or nosy network admins. This will be especially important for those that often use public unsecured internet connections, such as WiFi hotspots at cafes. Read The Full Story

UK survey reveals biggest mobile wallet concern for consumers is security

Shane McGlaun, Oct 17th 2011 Discuss [3]

A security firm called Intersperience has conducted a survey in the UK to see what the biggest fears that consumers have about mobile payment security are. The goal was to figure out the big concerns that might keep people in the UK from adopting the new mobile wallet services like Google Wallet. The survey was conducted by interviewing adults in the UK. Read The Full Story

Verizon and Sigma Designs release Z-Wave technology for the home

Chris Burns, Oct 12th 2011 Discuss [2]

It's time to get a newly minted handle on everything electronic in your home, here provided by Verizon and Sigma Designs through Z-Wave Control technology. This system will be called "Verizon Home monitoring and Control" and is now available in the USA to all Verizon customers. You'll be able to lock doors remotely, see your home via networked cameras, and adjust, set, and control your thermostats, appliances, and lights. All of this is done through a gateway device that will, over time, be enabled to work with Internet-based connections via iOS and Android. Read The Full Story

RSA claims a nation state had to be behind server hack

Shane McGlaun, Oct 12th 2011 Discuss [0]

Back in March, the security firm RSA announced that its servers had been hacked. The irony of a security firm being hacked wasn't lost on many. The issue the hack raised was that RSA issues the security tokens that are used to protect networks all around the country including some networks that have classified information on them relating to the military. The data stolen eventually helped facilitate and attack on military contractor Lockheed Martin. Read The Full Story

Sony reveals new PSN hack attempt

Chris Davies, Oct 12th 2011 Discuss [0]

Sony has revealed details on a new security issue, with hackers supposedly testing a 93,000-strong list of leaked usernames and passwords to see if they'll grant access to the PlayStation Network and other services. "The overwhelming majority" of the attacks, Sony's Chief Information Security Officer Philip Reitinger confirmed on the company's PlayStation blog, have failed, leading the company to suspect that the inaccurate list has come from a third-party source rather than Sony's own servers. As well as the PSN, the Sony Entertainment Network and Sony Online Entertainment networks were targeted. Read The Full Story

US Predator and Reaper drone fleet hit with virus

Shane McGlaun, Oct 10th 2011 Discuss [6]

If anyone I know gets a virus on their computer and wants me to fix it, I don’t bother with anything past antivirus protection. If that doesn't remove the virus, I reformat and reinstall the OS. The US military doesn't always have that option when it comes to drone flights. The Predator and Reaper drone sin the US military arsenal are used for missions ranging from attack to covert surveillance. Read The Full Story