Based on the comments from my previous post, people are still continuing to use their credit and debit cards. Despite the fact that one of them even had their information stolen. Luckily for Jenny, she did not have any of her money stolen. Patrick on the other hand still uses his cards blindly, assuming that his banks are on his side if things go haywire.
So although the rate at which our information is being stolen continues to rise, people are still continuing to use their cards both online and in-stores. People trust that their banks will help them recover any expenses that were not rightfully made by them...
"Even if you're not doing anything wrong, you are being watched and recorded." - Edward Snowden
Do You Feel Safe?
With all of the companies that have had personal information as well as debit and credit cards stolen, does any of that change the way that you spend money either online or in stores (perhaps you're choosing to do less online shopping)?
Do you feel safe when you use a debit or credit card either online or in stores? I personally have always preferred cash over electronic payments because it takes out the chance of an error (perhaps a register taking your card payment twice, as an error).
If you don't feel safe using it, but are continuing to use electronic payments what have you done/what will you do if your card information does get stolen. I know my financial institution has sent me new cards just as precaution, but I know many banks choose not to do this because of the costs involved (if you haven't been sent new cards, are you concerned/if you have been sent new cards, are you still using them as much and in the same way as before).
Do you feel safe when you use a debit or credit card either online or in stores? I personally have always preferred cash over electronic payments because it takes out the chance of an error (perhaps a register taking your card payment twice, as an error).
If you don't feel safe using it, but are continuing to use electronic payments what have you done/what will you do if your card information does get stolen. I know my financial institution has sent me new cards just as precaution, but I know many banks choose not to do this because of the costs involved (if you haven't been sent new cards, are you concerned/if you have been sent new cards, are you still using them as much and in the same way as before).
Sony: Testing a New Market
Sony will soon be rolling out a new product for testing soon. Introducing PlayStation Vue: A Web-Based TV Service. Their new service will require a PlayStation gaming console to run, however they will be offering a personalized searchable approach to watching live and on-demand TV, via the internet. They've got many big cable networks on board with their idea including Disney, ESPN, USA, FX, Discovery, Bravo, MTV, Comedy Central and the Food Network. Sony is looking to offer a package of about 75 channels during their testing period.
I hope this turns out to be a bit of a success rather than a flop. More competition means more competitive prices for TV channels, in theory. Their interface looks very similar to Netflix, very easy to navigate and search for what you're looking for. Sony has also said that if this becomes a success they are interested in expanding this capability to iPad users as well. They've also said that they may considering the ability of allowing users to select which networks they would like to pay for, essentially allowing people to only pay for what they want. I can only wish them the best of luck.
Sources:
NY Times
CNet
I hope this turns out to be a bit of a success rather than a flop. More competition means more competitive prices for TV channels, in theory. Their interface looks very similar to Netflix, very easy to navigate and search for what you're looking for. Sony has also said that if this becomes a success they are interested in expanding this capability to iPad users as well. They've also said that they may considering the ability of allowing users to select which networks they would like to pay for, essentially allowing people to only pay for what they want. I can only wish them the best of luck.
Sources:
NY Times
CNet
USPS: Latest to Announce a Breach
That's right, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is the latest to announce that they have been breached. The breach is said to have occurred between January and mid August, compromising anyone who emailed or called the Customer Care Center (Reported to be ~2.9M people). It has also affected the USPS's 800K+ employees' records. I feel like I've been on repeat, but there has been far too many data breaches that have occurred recently. It's scary to think, but the trend seems to be that any business small or large that is connected to the internet is up for a breach of information.
What raises concerns for me is the fact that it took them months to announce the fact that they had been breached. In my own opinion it's deceptive to both their employees, and their customers. I feel like there should be better communication, and more transparency from companies who have had data breaches.
Sources:
Naked Security
ZD Net
What raises concerns for me is the fact that it took them months to announce the fact that they had been breached. In my own opinion it's deceptive to both their employees, and their customers. I feel like there should be better communication, and more transparency from companies who have had data breaches.
Sources:
Naked Security
ZD Net
Amazon Echo: Siri For Your Home
Amazon has unveiled their latest and greatest device, this one for your home. Their new device "Echo" is a virtual assistant, similar to Apple's Siri, for use at home. This new device has been demonstrated being shown as able to play music, set alarms, look up information, spell out words, create shopping lists, set reminders and various other things. The device gets connected via Wi-Fi to Amazon's cloud platform, allowing the device the ability to learn and become adaptive to its environment. Some are suggesting that this device, which is ideally being marketing to Amazon prime customers (it's retailing for $199, but $99 for prime members) will be Amazons next no-click purchasing device, where users will be able to ask their new device to simply purchase an item for them. Others are raising concerns about their own safety because Echo is constantly listening to all conversation that takes place inside the room. Although this is very neat and fascinating technology, I don't really think I'll be buying one any time soon.
Sources:
Tech Crunch
Tech Times
Sources:
Tech Crunch
Tech Times
Being Monitored: At Work
What if I told you that the same kind of data analysis that Netflix uses to recommend new shows and movies to you, may also start monitoring you at work. Workday, a cloud based software company is creating projections of your performance while at work. Keeping track of your every move, and analyzing loads of information. This is the same kind of analyzing that Facebook does to suggest advertisements, and various other websites use to make suggestions based on your previous searches and browsing history. What Workday is going to attempt to create are models of productivity, view spending of company money, and using various other things that they have yet to fully disclose. These models and spreadsheets will enable companies to make well-educated predictions on their employees performances and their own success.
This scares me a lot. Giving employers the power to monitor every single aspect of what you do while at work is a very futuristic idea that I'm not particularly caring for. I don't feel that any employer has the right, nor a good reason for doing this kind of practice. I understand that it may help weed out unsuccessful employees and eliminate unnecessary people, but this just seems very extreme to me. There are other methods that can do the same, like paying attention to whether or not that employee gets any work done in a timely manner.
Sources:
Bits: NY Times
ZD Net
Sources:
Bits: NY Times
ZD Net
Verizon and AT&T: Perma-Cookies
Did you know that your browsing information is being monitored and sold while you use your phone? Verizon and AT&T have cookies, in the form of Unique Identifier Headers (UIDH), that insert a string of numbers, letters and characters into your HTTP requests. This information allows any website to build a user profile based on your unique identifier. This allows for targeted ads, tracking and storing of your browsing history. If that doesn't scare you, what if I told you they've been doing it for over two years now. But because it's not something that you can easily see, it has gone almost entirely unnoticed for this long.
This aggravates me, and gets me very annoyed. I do not want my information being stored, sold or looked at. I do not want ads targeted at me based on my search history. I hate the idea of anything related to me being tracked at all for that matter, and most irritating is that they do this in such a hidden way....Yet we're basically forced to stay in their game because they've monopolized the industry to the point where switching companies means having worse service connectivity. All frustration aside, I think this is an issue that needs further exploration.
Sources:
Naked Security
Propublica
Mac Rumors
This aggravates me, and gets me very annoyed. I do not want my information being stored, sold or looked at. I do not want ads targeted at me based on my search history. I hate the idea of anything related to me being tracked at all for that matter, and most irritating is that they do this in such a hidden way....Yet we're basically forced to stay in their game because they've monopolized the industry to the point where switching companies means having worse service connectivity. All frustration aside, I think this is an issue that needs further exploration.
Sources:
Naked Security
Propublica
Mac Rumors
Hackers, Sentenced to Life?
This week there were more changes proposed to the UK's serious crime bill, which could have hackers facing lengthy sentences. The proposal states that attacks that are considered "catastrophic" in nature, that "result in loss of life, serious illness and injury, or serious damage to national security or a significant risk thereof" would allow for a stronger sentencing. That would mean that some hackers, who cause enough damage could in turn get a maximum sentencing of life in prison. Many who oppose this bill suggest that it hurts whistle blowers who they believe should not be prosecuted at all.
I think that hackers should see a more harsh sentence world wide. It does not seem justified to me for causing millions of dollars in damages and only going to jail for a few months to a few years. The punishment does not seem to match the crime as of right now. I do not however feel that it should be a life sentence kind of punishment. That seems a bit harsh to me. If the courts did a better job of weighing the damages caused to fit the punishment, that too would be more suffice. I also think that slightly stricter laws would act as a deterrent for many, but not for all. Simply because some of these 'hackers' believe they're undetectable.
Sources:
Naked Security
RT.com
I think that hackers should see a more harsh sentence world wide. It does not seem justified to me for causing millions of dollars in damages and only going to jail for a few months to a few years. The punishment does not seem to match the crime as of right now. I do not however feel that it should be a life sentence kind of punishment. That seems a bit harsh to me. If the courts did a better job of weighing the damages caused to fit the punishment, that too would be more suffice. I also think that slightly stricter laws would act as a deterrent for many, but not for all. Simply because some of these 'hackers' believe they're undetectable.
Sources:
Naked Security
RT.com
Facebook Protecting Their Users, Good or Bad?
Facebook has come forward telling users that they scan the internet looking at all stolen data, and collect as much of it as possible. They then compare all of the stolen credentials to their users password and email address to see if they find a match. Essentially, if people are silly enough to use the same password on a different site that has gotten breached, Facebook will notify you to change your password on your next login. The theory is that Facebook is protecting your account from behind hijacked, however this raises concern for some suggesting that Facebook is going too far and is storing too much of your personal data.
I personally am on the fence about this topic. It's good that they are attempting to protect their users, however I don't like the idea of them storing my information. Part of me feels that it's the users own fault if they choose to use the same exact password on every website. The other part of me feels like it's a kind gesture for Facebook to spend the extra money and resources on trying to further protect their users.
Sources:
Naked Security
The Register
I personally am on the fence about this topic. It's good that they are attempting to protect their users, however I don't like the idea of them storing my information. Part of me feels that it's the users own fault if they choose to use the same exact password on every website. The other part of me feels like it's a kind gesture for Facebook to spend the extra money and resources on trying to further protect their users.
Sources:
Naked Security
The Register
What is Google up to now?
In December 2013, Google purchased Boston Dynamics, a company that creates robots for the US government. In January 2014, Google paid some 400 million dollars for DeepMind, a company which focuses on artificial intelligence. And just this week Google has announced they're purchases two more companies, Dark Blue Labs and Vision Factory. Dark Blue Labs is a company that focuses on machine learning and thought process, and Vision Factory focuses on computer vision and sensory. The future as we know it is starting to look more and more robotic. In the last several years Google has been purchasing many other companies that allow them the best technologies in similar fields. But with the purchase of all these robots, artificial intelligence, and various other futuristic technologies...you have to ask..where is Google going with all this?
I've been asking myself with how fast technology continues to progress, what will I see in my lifetime? Will the reality of the movie I, Robot be a reality? The thought of robots wandering around seems scary to some and thrilling to others. Google has yet to make many comments on where they plan on taking all of their newly acquired companies, but they have announced that they will be working together with Oxford University. And Britain has been looking to become the world leader in robotics for quite some time now. They plan on attempting to use robots in decommissioned nuclear sites and abandoned coal mines around the UK as a test for these types of devices.
Sources:
IT Pro Portal
Phys.org
NBC News
ABC News
I've been asking myself with how fast technology continues to progress, what will I see in my lifetime? Will the reality of the movie I, Robot be a reality? The thought of robots wandering around seems scary to some and thrilling to others. Google has yet to make many comments on where they plan on taking all of their newly acquired companies, but they have announced that they will be working together with Oxford University. And Britain has been looking to become the world leader in robotics for quite some time now. They plan on attempting to use robots in decommissioned nuclear sites and abandoned coal mines around the UK as a test for these types of devices.
Sources:
IT Pro Portal
Phys.org
NBC News
ABC News
More Businesses Hacked
This week yet another major business has announced that their credit and debit card machines have been compromised. Kmart has announced they too have been breached, as well as their parent company Sears Holding Corp. Kmart currently operates 1221 stores across the US. Kmart has yet to release how many potential cards may be effected by this breach. Yet another big company in the US to get hit by this kind of attack. Michaels, Target, Home Depot, Dairy Queen, Sears, JP Morgan and the list goes on and on... Who's next?
The growing trend of all these companies being compromised is not good at all. It's showing us how even in the year 2014 things are not as secure as we had hoped for them to be. I personally do not use cards unless i absolutely have to. Cash is unhackable, untraceable, and undetectable. I don't have to worry about my information being stolen when I use cash, which is mostly always unless I am forced to buy something online. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Cash is King.
Sources:
Naked Security
PC World
The growing trend of all these companies being compromised is not good at all. It's showing us how even in the year 2014 things are not as secure as we had hoped for them to be. I personally do not use cards unless i absolutely have to. Cash is unhackable, untraceable, and undetectable. I don't have to worry about my information being stolen when I use cash, which is mostly always unless I am forced to buy something online. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Cash is King.
Sources:
Naked Security
PC World
Skype Qik: Microsoft's Version of Snapchat
Skype, owned by Microsoft, has just released their own version of video conversation messaging. Their new app, Skype Qik, allows users to send video messages to users, in the same way that Snapchat allows users to send pictures. This new application allows for up to 42 seconds of video to be captured and shared with one or several people at a time. The release of this new application comes at a very troublesome time. Their biggest seen competitor, Snapchat was just recently hacked again. Their recent hack left thousands of pictures to be leaked onto the internet for all to see, even though they have previously claimed that would be impossible. Strike two for Snapchat, as the continue to lose users' trust.
I think Microsoft needs to focus on ensuring their new user basis that this application is secure. If they can provide a more secure way for people to communicate, I think we'll see more Snapchat users switching over to Qik for privacy reasons. Although Qik has a focus right now of being the first video platform, I think there is a potential that it will soon be a hybrid of both pictures and videos. I'm curious to see how many users they get over the next few months that continue to use this app, rather than just test it out a few times.
Sources:
Tech Crunch
The Christian Science Monitor
I think Microsoft needs to focus on ensuring their new user basis that this application is secure. If they can provide a more secure way for people to communicate, I think we'll see more Snapchat users switching over to Qik for privacy reasons. Although Qik has a focus right now of being the first video platform, I think there is a potential that it will soon be a hybrid of both pictures and videos. I'm curious to see how many users they get over the next few months that continue to use this app, rather than just test it out a few times.
Sources:
Tech Crunch
The Christian Science Monitor
Twitter: Suing US Government Over Surveillance
Twitter has recently announced that they have filed a suit against the United States government for their right to explicitly tell their users the extent of the government surveillance. The suit specifically is against the Department of Justice as well as the FBI. They're stating that certain laws and statutes prohibit them from publicly disclosing the details of their requests. Other large companies are also claiming that these types of statutes and laws are essentially "gagging" them, disallowing them to speak about the extent of said searches.
Recently both Apple and Google both announced that they would be encrypting their phones in such a way that the government would not be able to access user data. Other companies including Microsoft, Facebook and Dropbox are also fighting government demands for their user's data. I think that this lawsuit will be a monumental turning point if Twitter wins their case, claiming the government's violation of the First Amendment. Only time will tell though...
Sources:
Naked Security
LA Times
Recently both Apple and Google both announced that they would be encrypting their phones in such a way that the government would not be able to access user data. Other companies including Microsoft, Facebook and Dropbox are also fighting government demands for their user's data. I think that this lawsuit will be a monumental turning point if Twitter wins their case, claiming the government's violation of the First Amendment. Only time will tell though...
Sources:
Naked Security
LA Times
Robocops: A Reality?
Police officers in Dubai are about to have some scary technology to have on their side. Using Google Glass and third-party software for facial recognition, the Dubai traffic police will soon be comparing faces with their wanted databases as they walk around. This new software will capture photos of people around the officers and search the database for people wanted for crimes. If a match is found in the database, the device will then receive a notification letting the officer know.
What's very shady about all this, is that Google actually has a policy against this type of application. The loophole however is that the software that is being used has been created by a third party, and installed by the owner rather than being offered through MyGlass store. The idea is, Google can prevent them from downloading said software through someone who made the software, but if they purchase the Glasses and install the software themselves, there isn't much Google can do to prevent this from occurring... Similar to jail breaking a phone. Google has yet to make any comments on the implementation of this, nor have they discussed the legal actions that may occur (if any may apply).
Sources:
Network World
Naked Security
What's very shady about all this, is that Google actually has a policy against this type of application. The loophole however is that the software that is being used has been created by a third party, and installed by the owner rather than being offered through MyGlass store. The idea is, Google can prevent them from downloading said software through someone who made the software, but if they purchase the Glasses and install the software themselves, there isn't much Google can do to prevent this from occurring... Similar to jail breaking a phone. Google has yet to make any comments on the implementation of this, nor have they discussed the legal actions that may occur (if any may apply).
Sources:
Network World
Naked Security
Army & Xbox: Hacked
The US Department of Justice has recently announced that they're charging four young hackers for breaking into Microsoft & The US Army. This is very unsettling, to think that 4 people aged 18 to 28 are capable of hacking one of the biggest and most powerful companies in the world, as well as our government. They're said to have stolen over $100 million dollars worth of software and other data related to the Xbox One, Xbox Live & Software for training helicopter pilots. One of the four are Canadian, making this the first time that the US is convicting an individual from outside the US for hacking into US firms to steal information and data.
What I find even worse is that the 2 individuals who have already pleaded guilty are only facing up to 5 years in prison. That seems like such a short sentence, in comparison to the damages that they've caused both the government as well as Microsoft. I personally don't think that is a long enough sentence for stealing over $100 million dollars worth of information. I think it is very scary to think that teenagers are teaching themselves how to break into some of the best secured companies in the world.
Sources:
Gizmodo
Time Inc.
What I find even worse is that the 2 individuals who have already pleaded guilty are only facing up to 5 years in prison. That seems like such a short sentence, in comparison to the damages that they've caused both the government as well as Microsoft. I personally don't think that is a long enough sentence for stealing over $100 million dollars worth of information. I think it is very scary to think that teenagers are teaching themselves how to break into some of the best secured companies in the world.
Sources:
Gizmodo
Time Inc.
A More Secure Cryptocurrency: Darkcoin
I'm sure you have heard of bitcoin by now. Created in 2008 and becoming much more popular since 2012, bitcoin is a virtual currency. A new more secure kind of cryptocurrency is emerging... Darkcoin. What makes them different? Bitcoin transactions take up to an hour to occur, darkcoin - nearly instantly. Bitcoin uses a ledger system which allows anyone to view the account balances and transactions of other people, Darkcoin completely mixes up the digital fingerprints of users and obscures them from any outside view. They are both open source, however darkcoin has the first financial privacy built directly into the software. Darkcoin has also implemented multi-path routing so users can send encrypted messages.
What does all this mean? It means that darkcoin will be the fastest, most secure, most untraceable/undetectable digital currency to date. I'll be curious to see how popular this becomes over the next few months.
Sources:
Cryptocoins News
Technewsworld
What does all this mean? It means that darkcoin will be the fastest, most secure, most untraceable/undetectable digital currency to date. I'll be curious to see how popular this becomes over the next few months.
Sources:
Cryptocoins News
Technewsworld
Is Technology Going Too Far?
With huge controversies surrounding data mining and the collection of your personal data being talked about frequently, where do we draw the line when we're not using a computer? Starter-interruption devices allow the lender to shut off your car remotely if you're behind on your bills. I think this raises ethical concerns for some, and for others it just makes them frustrated that companies are even allowed to do this in the first place. Instead of just having a fee imposed on the borrower, they're also now going to start shutting off your vehicle when you can't pay your bills. And for a vast majority of us, we need our car to get to work to make money to pay our bills. My concern is that technology is beginning to advance at such a fast past, that we're starting to create things that we should otherwise avoid.
This concept is similar to your utility bills, which also get shut off when you're behind on your payments. However, most utility companies won't shut off your electricity when you're behind on your payment by 24 hours. Some of the lenders that are using these starter-interruption device are doing just that though. To most this seems very unfair, especially during tough economic times. My question is can we and if so where do we, draw the line with technology?
Sources:
NY Times
CBS
This concept is similar to your utility bills, which also get shut off when you're behind on your payments. However, most utility companies won't shut off your electricity when you're behind on your payment by 24 hours. Some of the lenders that are using these starter-interruption device are doing just that though. To most this seems very unfair, especially during tough economic times. My question is can we and if so where do we, draw the line with technology?
Sources:
NY Times
CBS
New "Shellshock" Bug Identified
A new flaw found in the Unix Bash shell has recently been identified by Akamai. This vulnerability has been around for over 2 decades now, but is just now being uncovered. That's a crazy thought, it took 22 years for someone to find a small flaw in such a widely used platform. This bug can effect Linux, OS X machines, routers, and older IoT devices. This exploit is said to be easily used by hackers, however most devices now use busybox, which has not been made vulnerable. My first reaction was, how did this go undetected for so long. I then did some research to find that Bash is entirely maintained by one person, Chet Ramey.
I think it's important to note that this bug was not being used maliciously prior to being discovered. I also feel that most people don't use Linux, OS X or routers running Bash anymore, unless they own a business. So as far as the public should be concerned, I don't think there should be much of a scare to this bug for personal use, unless something gets vastly exploited or more vulnerabilities become detected. However, businesses and the government agencies with older systems, do have to worry a lot.
Souces:
PC World
Wired
I think it's important to note that this bug was not being used maliciously prior to being discovered. I also feel that most people don't use Linux, OS X or routers running Bash anymore, unless they own a business. So as far as the public should be concerned, I don't think there should be much of a scare to this bug for personal use, unless something gets vastly exploited or more vulnerabilities become detected. However, businesses and the government agencies with older systems, do have to worry a lot.
Souces:
PC World
Wired
Apple Unveils New Privacy Policy
Apple is seemingly trying to comfort their users who have had many concerns about their personal information being shared and viewed by others. Many of these concerns stem from what Edward Snowden has disclosed about the NSA. Tim Cook (Apple's CEO) recently stated on Apple's new privacy section of their website "I want to be absolutely clear that we have never worked with any
government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our
products or services. We have also never allowed access to our servers.
And we never will." Regardless of whether or not this information is entirely true or not, he also took a stab at Microsoft when Cook was quoted saying "Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data." All of this seems to be pointing in the right direction, however it's unclear whether or not Apple is going to be true to their word or if there will be a loophole in their statement.
Apple stated that your personal data which now includes your photos, messages, emails, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes and reminders are being placed under their new privacy policy. I think that everything on your cell phone should be considered yours, and that the government should not be allowed to view any of the information on the device. I hope that other companies follow suit and start to create similar privacy policies for their users.
Sources:
Wired
NT Times
Apple stated that your personal data which now includes your photos, messages, emails, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes and reminders are being placed under their new privacy policy. I think that everything on your cell phone should be considered yours, and that the government should not be allowed to view any of the information on the device. I hope that other companies follow suit and start to create similar privacy policies for their users.
Sources:
Wired
NT Times
CA Bill: Data Mining Students
California has recently unanimously passed a monumental bill which protects students’ personal data. The senate bill would stop online services from selling or disclosing students’ data. This includes everything from students’ attendance records, health information, disciplinary action history, family history, biometrics, and their academic information. This is a huge step in the right direction for all students. Earlier this year Google was under fire for being caught data mining millions of students to sell their information to companies for advertisement purposes and who knows what else. Most of the students targeted in that incident were ones whose schools were using googles ‘Apps for Education’ tool suite. In the last two years, 30 other bills have been passed in other states however none of them were directly telling the technology vendors to straighten up their practices. This bill is so important because it’s the first of its kind to encompass so many of the data mining related problems in our country especially for children under 18.
I really hope that this will be a continuing trend in our country over the next few years, preferably sooner rather than later. The end goal in my own opinion is for our fourth amendment rights to no longer be violated for profit. Unfortunately most people don’t understand to what extent this is being done to every single person in this country, whether you like it or not.
Sources:
Naked Security
The National Law Review
Sources:
Naked Security
The National Law Review
Is BlackBerry Leading The Way?
Today, Sept. 11th 2014 BlackBerry acquired the London based company Movirtu. Movirtu is best known for their software which allows phone users to have multiple phone numbers all on the same device. This technology is ideal for anyone who has a personal cell phone and also a work cell phone. The virtual SIM technology is capable of working on BlackBerry devices, iPhone's, and Androids making it extremely versatile and appealing to a vast majority of cell phone owners. BlackBerry has been focusing their target audience to
corporate and government clients for years now, mostly due to the increasingly popular
iPhone and Android devices. Earlier this year, BlackBerry announced that
they would be, "building on their strengths in security and mobile
device management." This technology also allows for users to have separate minutes, data plans, messaging and bills, based on which number they are using at that time.
I'm extremely curious to see where BlackBerry is going to take this in the next few years as they further implement this technology and build upon it. I also feel that it's an extremely functional idea, that will gain a lot of attention from anyone who does not want to have multiple cell phones unnecessarily. However, there is no information on whether or not companies that monitor their employees cell phones will be able to still 'watch over' their phone users or not. Also, some companies even restrict what the phone user can have access to, and based on how well issues like these are handled, I think this technology will be a big hit or terrible miss.
Sources:
Cnet
Proactive Investors
I'm extremely curious to see where BlackBerry is going to take this in the next few years as they further implement this technology and build upon it. I also feel that it's an extremely functional idea, that will gain a lot of attention from anyone who does not want to have multiple cell phones unnecessarily. However, there is no information on whether or not companies that monitor their employees cell phones will be able to still 'watch over' their phone users or not. Also, some companies even restrict what the phone user can have access to, and based on how well issues like these are handled, I think this technology will be a big hit or terrible miss.
Sources:
Cnet
Proactive Investors
Home Depot: Hacked
On Sept. 8th 2014, Home Depot has officially announced that credit card information was in fact stolen, following their initial report on Sept. 2nd 2014 in which they reported themselves as being "potentially" breached. The amount of cards that were potentially stolen is still unclear. Recall what happened last year to Target. Target operates about 1800 stores in the US. Last November and December in 3 weeks, data from over 40 million cards were stolen. Fast forward to now... Home Depot operates about 2200 stores. Some banks and credit unions are reporting that the Home Depot began to get infected with the same malware as target as far back as April or May of 2014.
My own observation, why did it take them 6 days to decide whether card information had been stolen or not? I would say that this correlates with the length of time they were infected with the malware and how long it went undetected. Why are we just now finding out this information? I wonder how many POS transactions occurred using an electronic payment (credit/debit) between April or May until now. I'm sure that Home Depot receives less card swipes per day, however the length of time this has gone on unnoticed is astonishing. I'm very curious to see how much data has been stolen during this lengthy incident. I would say that someone is obviously going to be losing their job.
My simple advice: Cash is King.
Sources:
The Verge
Naked Security
My own observation, why did it take them 6 days to decide whether card information had been stolen or not? I would say that this correlates with the length of time they were infected with the malware and how long it went undetected. Why are we just now finding out this information? I wonder how many POS transactions occurred using an electronic payment (credit/debit) between April or May until now. I'm sure that Home Depot receives less card swipes per day, however the length of time this has gone on unnoticed is astonishing. I'm very curious to see how much data has been stolen during this lengthy incident. I would say that someone is obviously going to be losing their job.
My simple advice: Cash is King.
Sources:
The Verge
Naked Security
First Post
This blog will be about Computer Security & Related Topics
I intend to use sources from various locations, observing many viewpoints that both coincide and oppose my own personal thoughts on many engaging topics. I will provide my own thoughts and reactions as well as related news/information on these topics. I'd also like to note that this is my first time creating a blog but I'm excited to get started.
I intend to use sources from various locations, observing many viewpoints that both coincide and oppose my own personal thoughts on many engaging topics. I will provide my own thoughts and reactions as well as related news/information on these topics. I'd also like to note that this is my first time creating a blog but I'm excited to get started.
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