Category: Security

The latest iPad Pro disables mics when its case is closed

[ad_1] When the case’s cover is closed, software can’t access audio data, whether from a standard app or one with root privileges. This means that even if the iPad’s firmware is affected by malware, a bad actor won’t be able to listen in. For the feature to work, the user has to have a case […]

FCC will require phone carriers to authenticate calls by June 2021

[ad_1] The agency says the widespread adoption of STIR/SHAKEN will reduce the effectiveness of illegal spoofing, help law enforcement agencies identify bad actors and, most importantly, allow carriers to identify spammers before they ever call your phone. The FCC estimates fraudulent call schemes cost Americans approximately $10 billion every year. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai started […]

Houseparty says it wasn’t hacked, offers $1 million for ‘smear campaign’ proof

[ad_1] We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty. We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to bounty@houseparty.com. — Houseparty (@houseparty) March 31, 2020 On Monday, a number of claims appeared online from […]

Steam limits game auto-updates to manage peak demand

[ad_1] Like Microsoft, Sony and others, Valve is grappling with a surge in game service use now that the pandemic has many people staying at home. This move might irk you if there are games that you play at sparse but regular intervals (say, once-a-week strategy game sessions), but it could be helpful if it […]

Facebook makes it easier to see how much it knows about you

[ad_1] On Facebook, Download Your Information will also show you some of the inferences Facebook makes about you. For instance, it might show you that it’s recommending football-related content because you shared an article about football with a friend. And on Instagram, you’ll be able to see categories assigned to some accounts — like sports […]

Russia busts card fraud ring that included an infamous hacker

[ad_1] Stroganov was caught back in 2006 and sentenced to six years in prison alongside his associate Gerasim Selivanov, but the two were set free after two years. Selivanov was also arrested as part of this week’s bust. While it’s unclear why officials chose to act now, cybercrime discussion forum members believe Stroganov and crew […]

The surveillance profiteers of COVID-19 are here

[ad_1] These normally privacy-forward sources are saying this in response to the pandemic, obviously. But it’s also because companies that track, target, identify and surveil individuals are pitching their technologies to ID and trace the infected — in shady backroom discussions with the White House. The pandemic has us all in vulnerable positions, and some […]

Facebook’s new Messenger hub shares tips for staying connected virtually

[ad_1] Today, Facebook launched a new “Messenger Coronavirus Community Hub,” which so far basically just explains how people, communities and businesses can use Messenger to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. If you already use Messenger, this isn’t going to introduce any groundbreaking ideas or features. Instead, the hub will provide tips like how parents […]

A hacker stole and leaked the Xbox Series X graphics source code

[ad_1] The self-proclaimed hacker added that she wanted $100 million for the source code and threatened to “leak everything” if there was no buyer. She reportedly found the GPU data in a “hacked computer” in November, although AMD said it hadn’t been approached until December. AMD doesn’t appear to be bowing under pressure. It believed […]

The Weather Channel brings localized COVID-19 updates to your phone

[ad_1] This new coronavirus tracking will be available in The Weather Channel iOS and Android apps, on weather.com/coronavirus and in an online dashboard. The offerings include AI-powered “Incident Maps,” which show stats like confirmed COVID-19 cases by US state and county, and trend graphs that show spread by US state. There are links to the […]