We are all used to biometrics for security on our computers and other items today. Typically this is either a facial, retinal, or fingerprint scan that unlocks the computer and logs us into whatever we want to use. Scientists at the University of Buffalo have invented a new type of biometrics in the form of a system that sans the dimensions of your heart and uses that to identify you.
The Yubico YubiKey 4C Nano is the perfect way for you to lose access to your computer because of it's miniature size. The image of this device you see above and/or below should give you an accurate sense for scale - it's just about the size of most USB/Bluetooth dongles. The difference here is that this device is the key to your crypto and touch-to-sign, FIDO U2F, one-time password, smart card (PIV), and smart card (OpenPGP) authentication - important stuff.
These days, two-step authentication is a staple in good online security practices, the same as not re-using passwords on multiple accounts/websites. Thankfully Nintendo has learned from Sony's past mistakes and now offers the feature for its online accounts with the Nintendo Network, which is used on both the Switch and 3DS game systems.
Part of the appeal of Android is its openness, at least compared to iOS. But, let’s face it. Google isn’t running a charity and Android’s direction will always be aligned with Google’s business. There will always be a large hole to be filled as far as a truly open, truly free, truly secure, and truly private phone goes. And Purism, the people behind the more or less successful Librem laptops, is diving into that space with the Librem 5 phone, and it is taking open source communities along for the ride.
Experian is being criticized for allowing consumers to get their credit freeze PINs through email after answering questions that mostly involve information already leaked by Equifax and others. The PINs are used to unfreeze one's credit, making it possible to seek loans and other similar things. Many consumers have put a freeze on their credit in light of the massive Equifax data leak.
Lockheed Martin has demonstrated a new laser weapon prototype that is able to shoot drones out of the sky. The prototype was recently tested at the US Army's Space and Missile Defense Command last month, where an Advanced Test High Energy Asset system called ATHENA was able to take down a total of five drones with about a 10ft wingspan each.
Robo-cop might still be fictional, but Knightscope continues to push its robot guards with the reveal of a new, four-wheel model, the K7. Unveiled this week in California, the Knightscope K7 adopts a new form factor for the company, in response to user requests for a robot able to cover much larger areas and with bigger payloads of sensors.
Earlier in the week, we told you about a CCleaner breach that infected somewhere in the area of 2.27 million users with malware. Though Avast, the company that distributes CCleaner, initially said it was able to "disarm the threat before it was able to do any harm," it turns out that may not actually be the case. According to new findings, this could have been a more sophisticated attack with some very specific targets.
Equifax has been heavily criticized over its decision to use a separate website for its data breach info, and it just demonstrated the reason why: it is easy for people to get the address mixed up with other similar websites set up by scammers or anyone else. Some Equifax team members were spotted erroneously pointing concerned people to a phishing website with a domain name similar to the official one Equifax is using.
Nest has done a solid job of filling in gaps in the company's connected home and security line-up today, unveiling Nest Secure, the Nest Hello doorbell, and Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. Joining the Alphabet company's existing smart thermostats, cameras, and smoke detectors, the new models are just as ambitious with their promises as their predecessors have been. Namely, delivering home security that people will actually go to the effort of switching on.
Nest has launched Nest Secure, a new home security system that pulls together the company's cameras and more into a whole-home protection platform. Revealed today in San Francisco, CA, Nest Secure comprises three main parts. Nest Guard, a hub; Nest Tag, a keychain-dangling fob; and Nest Detect, a motion sensor that also works as a door sensor.
Nest is looking to significantly expand its home security offerings today, taking to the stage in San Francisco to do just that. Among the new devices it introduced today is a new version of the Nest Cam IQ. Of course, the Nest Cam IQ has been a mainstay in Nest's product lineup for some time now, and while this new version is similar in many ways to the existing camera, the main difference is that it's meant to be used outside.
