security

Once upon a time, you couldn't go living a normal Internet-connected life without an anti-virus software of some kind. While the threat and effects of malware haven't really gone down, the quality of said security software sadly has. Some of the giants in that industry have been gobbled up by even bigger giants while others have been accused of using their reach for their government or for their own profit. The latest to fall prey to that tactic is Avast, which also owns the free AVG software, and its questionable activities are apparently also at work even on web browsers.

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Qualcomm just recently announced the evolution of its 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanning technology and, truth be told, we did find it to be a huge step forward. 3D Sonic Max, as it is called, checks off almost all the complaints that real-world users had with it on the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10, at least on the company's demo units. Unsurprisingly, hopes are running high that this new piece of tech would be adopted by more smartphone makers, including Apple. But while it's always within the realm of possibility for the 2020 iPhone to have it, it could be a huge step back as far as Apple is concerned.

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As anybody who has tried an in-display fingerprint sensor will have discovered, not all biometrics are created equal, and Qualcomm is hoping its new 3D Sonic Max system edges ahead of the pack. Set to debut on smartphones in 2020, the latest generation of the ultrasonic fingerprint biometrics aims to re-right the ship after frustrations around Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S10 security.

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Wyze, the company best known for its relatively inexpensive smart home and security products, has launched its own new smart lock. With the Wyze Lock, users can secure their home behind a wireless lock that features built-in sensors and remote control support. The Wyze Lock will soon be joined by a separate (but compatible) wireless lock keypad that can be used to manually enter access codes.

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Qualcomm has revealed its newest security system, with 3D Sonic Max promising faster, easier, and more secure in-display fingerprint recognition. The new technology is the latest iteration of Qualcomm's ultrasonic biometrics, dramatically increasing the space that your fingertip will be recognized on a device.

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Today the December 2019 update for Samsung Galaxy Note 9 appeared right alongside the same update for the Galaxy Note 10. Almost as if Samsung's realized that releasing an update - any update, really - as often as possible for major-label smartphones results in happy users. In reality, this set of updates is vital for the survival of all privacy-minded individuals using the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, as said updates include patches for a number of code-named security threats.

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Facial recognition is slowly but surely becoming the focal point of the next tug-of-war on privacy as more and more companies and governments are embracing the technology for their own needs. While an effective tool in safeguarding phones and computers, it is also feared to be a more subtle but more intrusive way to monitor people without their knowledge. It is against that backdrop of uncertainty that the US Homeland Security is proposing that face recognition checks in all US airports be done on all travelers, including the country's own citizens.

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With the holiday shopping season upon us, many consumers may be considering upgrading their homes with a few smart appliances. While some might reach for a smart speaker like a Google Nest Home or Amazon Alexa, some might opt for something that combines that with their entertainment system. Some smart TVs are becoming all-in-one entertainment and control hubs for houses and Portland, Oregon's FBI office is warning users how criminal elements can turn those into privacy nightmares.

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Popular encrypted messaging app Signal has finally added support for the iPad, enabling Apple device users to link their tablet to their account. Until now, users were only able to access their messages through their iPhone, a minor annoyance for those who enjoy multitasking on the larger slates. The update also brings integrated video trimming capabilities and more.

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Although rumored and expected to be one of the first, Samsung came terribly late to the in-display fingerprint scanner party. Perhaps in an attempt to make the delay worthwhile, Samsung also opted to adopt a kind of biometric technology that none of its rivals had: Qualcomm's in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. While presented as a feature bullet point, that has become a security liability for this year's Samsung flagships and it may force the world's largest smartphone maker to abandon ship quickly.

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Wyze, the company behind a growing line of inexpensive home security products, has revealed that its Wyze Cam security cameras will soon lose access to the 'Person Detection' feature. The change will take place in an upcoming firmware update and will ultimately be temporary, according to the company. Users have a couple of more months to use the feature before it disappears.

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Massachusetts State Police was officially the first police department in the United States to test the use of a robotic dog named Spot from Boston Dynamics. News of the test was first revealed in documents obtained by the ACLU; the robotic dog was in use for non-weaponized purposes from August to November of this year. The test raises concerns over the potential use of intelligent robots by law enforcement.

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