Weeks after a serious problem in the Chromodo browser were disclosed, Google’s Project Zero disclosed a separate privilege escalation issue in Comodo Internet Security introduced by the GeekBuddy support app.
Tag Archives: Privacy
Healthcare data breaches lead more patients to withhold information from doctors
New survey suggests medical data breaches increase the number of patients who hold back information from doctors due to concerns about the security or privacy of medical records, undermining treatment.
The post Healthcare data breaches lead more patients to withhold information from doctors appeared first on We Live Security.
Apple vs. FBI — Google Joins Tim Cook in Encryption Backdoor Battle
In the escalating battle between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Apple over iPhone encryption, former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai just sided with Apple’s refusal to unlock iPhone.
Yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook refused to comply with a federal court order to help the FBI unlock an iPhone owned by one of the terrorists in the mass shootings in San Bernardino, California, in December.
Here’s What the FBI is Demanding:
The federal officials have asked Apple to make a less secure version of its iOS that can be used by the officials to brute force the 4-6 digits passcode on the dead shooter’s iPhone without getting the device’s data self-destructed.
Cook called the court order a “chilling” demand that “would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.” He argued that to help the FBI unlock the iPhone would basically providing an Encryption Backdoor that would make the products less secure.
Backdoor for Government, Backdoor for All
However, Apple is worried that once this backdoor gets created and handed over to the FBI, there would be chances that the backdoor will likely get into the hands of malicious hackers who could use it for evil purposes.
Although many politicians, including Donald Trump, have slammed Apple’s decision, Google has stepped up and taken a public stand in support of Apple’s decision.
“I agree 100 percent with the courts,” Trump said in a statement. “But to think that Apple won’t allow us to get into her cell phone, who do they think they are? No, we have to open it up.”
Google Sided with Apple
In a series of tweets late Wednesday, Pichai sided with Apple while saying “forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise users’ privacy” and “requiring companies to enable hacking of customer devices & data. Could be a troubling precedent.”
However, Pichai took more than 12 hours to talk about this burning issue, after Edward Snowden pointed out that Google had not yet stepped forward to speak up on his stand.
“The @FBI is creating a world where citizens rely on #Apple to defend their rights, rather than the other way around,” Snowden tweeted on Wednesday. Snowden called on Google to stand with Apple, saying, “This is the most important tech case in a decade.”
Pichai’s stance is basically:
The technology companies will give its customers’ data to law enforcement when it is required to, but the companies will not put in a “Backdoor” for the government.
While the statements made by Pichai is not quite as forceful as Cook’s statement published in an open letter to its customers, we can assume both Google and Apple are together, at least in the sense that the federal agencies are asking too much.
How to bypass this LG smartphone’s fingerprint security in just 30 seconds
A troubling vulnerability has been uncovered that may make you think twice about ever even temporarily allowing a friend, partner or acquaintance to use your new LG V10 Android smartphone.
The post How to bypass this LG smartphone’s fingerprint security in just 30 seconds appeared first on We Live Security.
Microsoft Edge's InPrivate Mode Finally Keeps Your Activity Private
Browsing the Web in ‘Private Mode’ is not as private as you think.
Microsoft has patched the Private Browsing Leakage bug in its newest Edge browser with the latest update.
When we talk about Browsers, only one thing which does not strike our mind is Internet Explorer or IE.
Even there were some trolls on Internet Explorer (IE) waving over the social medias such as “The best web
AVG and The Scouts challenge UK children to ‘Take Six’ before posting online
LONDON – February 9, 2016 – AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ providing leading software and services to secure devices, data and people, and The Scout Association, announced today the start of a new initiative aimed at encouraging young people to think before posting or sharing their pictures, videos or texts. Today’s launch of Take 6, or #tk6 is focused on helping people make more informed decisions online with a small, but significant, behaviour change.
In a society where communication via mobile and social media is immediate, many people do not give much thought to ramifications of sending that text or that image. #tk6 is built on the idea that people should stop to think before posting or sending, essentially encouraging them to “take six seconds” before making that decision.
There are three options for the #tk6 community to tackle their very own ‘six-second challenge’:
- Six Seconds of Silence: With the help of their friends and fellow Scouts, we challenge children to record a video showing the action of counting to six in silence, to symbolise the six seconds of thinking before you post.
- The Lemon Challenge: Accepting the nomination, brave the bitterness to bite into a lemon for six seconds, then nominate six more people to take the challenge.
- Be Prepared: Create six-second videos illustrating The Scouts’ “Be Prepared” motto to represent the time needed to stop and think about a decision in the digital world.
Challenges will be accepted via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, when posted with #tk6.
The AVG Technologies and The Scout Association partnership sees the development of the #tk6 platform, supported by social media, designed to offer three, key interactions:
- Connect– building a community
- Discover– embed #tk6 into behavioural consciousness
- Engage– source and share relevant and entertaining content
Introducing this programme with The Scout Association and its extensive network, the “take six seconds” challenge empowers digitally savvy young people to make real change to their online behaviour. The programme creates a forum, where they can openly share some of the key issues in their world, learn from each other, and make better decisions for the future. When surveying the landscape of online content today, the vast majority of it is targeted to the parents or is talking down to kids. We want to create a place online where youth can positively influence each other, rather than listening to (or more likely ignoring) lectures from adults. With the right tools, and just a little bit of time to think before they act (say, six seconds), young people can be more responsible than we give them credit for.
“AVG is proud to be adding the #tk6 campaign to our #smartuser initiative,” said Tony Anscombe, Senior Security Evangelist at AVG Technologies. “The #smartuser initiative aims to educate and empower people, helping ensure they receive information about online responsibilities with the right content at the right time. Partnering with The Scout Association will introduce #tk6 to millions of UK-based Scouting, and indirectly, non-Scouting, individuals to play an active part in this.”
“Together, we will seek to create a #tk6 community where relevant brands, influencers and organisations can engage,” said Alex Killick, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Scout Association. “Our aim is for this partnership to deliver the shared space, not just to create a community, but to give the community the opportunity to share the key issues they face.”
About AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG):
AVG is the leading provider of software services to secure devices, data and people. AVG’s award-winning consumer portfolio includes internet security, performance optimization, location services, data controls and insights, and privacy and identity protection, for mobile devices and desktops. The AVG Business portfolio, delivered through a global partner network, provides cloud security and remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions that protect small and medium businesses around the world. For more information visit www.avg.com.
About the Smart User Initiative:
The Smart User Initiative is a growing global digital coalition of individuals, businesses and brands working together to help prepare the next wave of digital citizens to be safer, happier and more productive online. Our aim is to nurture and enable the next four billion smart phone users to have the digital skills needed to enjoy the Internet and the digital world without compromising themselves or others. When people get their first smart phone it doesn’t come with an instruction manual to teach them the “dos and don’ts” of digital safety to protect themselves from identity theft, privacy breeches, cyberbullying and more. The Smart User Initiative uses entertaining and engaging content that’s accessible right where the users need it to create a place where anyone can get involved from simple association right through to active participation.
About Scouting:
The Scout Association was founded on 1 August 1907.
Adventure is at the core of Scouting, and the Association passionately believes in helping their members fulfil their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves.
Over 200 activities are offered by Scouting around the UK, made possible by the efforts of 100,000 voluntary adult leaders. This has helped make Scouting the largest co-educational youth movement in the UK.
One of the challenges that the Scout Movement faces is finding more volunteers to plug the current gap. At present there are over 35,000 young people on waiting lists as more and more young people want to experience the adventure of Scouting.
Studies have shown Scout Leaders contribute the equivalent of 37 million hours voluntary work every year which is the equivalent of £380 million pounds worth of unpaid youth work.
Worldwide Scouting has more than 31 million male and female members and operates in nearly every country in the world.
In January 2012 the Duchess of Cambridge started to volunteer with the Scout Movement with her local group in North Wales.
91% of Scout volunteers and 88% of youth members say that Scouting has helped them develop key skills for life. *
In 2012 Scouting was voted the UK’s most inspirational and practical charity. *
*Source nfpSynergy Brand Attributes Survey, May 2012 and PACE Members survey 2011
Contact:
AVG: Tony Mays
Tel: +44 7852 776936
Email: [email protected]
Press information: http://now.avg.com
ICS calls for latest Draft Investigatory Powers Bill to go further to protect privacy
The UK’s Intelligence and Security Committee has deemed the latest Draft Investigatory Powers Bill as a “missed opportunity”, according to its latest report.
The post ICS calls for latest Draft Investigatory Powers Bill to go further to protect privacy appeared first on We Live Security.
Stay safe with our Facebook cheat sheet
Learn how to boost your Facebook privacy on Safer Internet Day with our excellent cheat sheet. It’ll work to your advantage now and in the future.
The post Stay safe with our Facebook cheat sheet appeared first on We Live Security.
AVG‘s Winning Game Plan for “Secure†Bowl Sunday
The biggest football game of the year is a big day for being online – whether you’re traveling to Santa Clara to watch it in-person or heading to a friend’s party (or two). Either way, it’s important to protect yourself while you’re on your phone, and there is no doubt there will be a lot of social media activity from kickoff to half-time to when the clock reaches zero.
If you’re like the majority of us and don’t have a ticket to the game, you’ll most likely be watching the extravagantly funded commercials and your Twitter or Facebook feed from a friend’s house. Here are some things to keep in mind while online.
- Big events are popular among spammers: Recognize spam as spam; meaning, don’t click on video links or open any attachments from unknown senders. Only open emails from reputable vendors and people you know.
- Watch out for fake offers: Don’t think you’re going to buy a last-minute cheap ticket. They don’t exist! If you are in the market for a ticket, only buy from a reputable ticket agent.
- Be a REAL fan: You only want official NFL gear, right? Watch out for knock-off or unofficial team merchandise, as it will not look good after the first wash. Only buy from a retailer you recognize.
- Phishing for your money: AVG’s Web Threats Team found the top brands misused by scammers in phishing scams are payment systems like PayPal and American Express and logistics companies like UPS / FedEx -all companies you might expect an email from if you bought tickets or merchandise online. Do NOT reply or send personal data to these fake emails. They are trying to get your bank and other personal information. If you have ordered and want to track the package, use the tracking option directly on the retailer’s site.
For the lucky ones who were able to get a ticket to the big game, you’re going to be in one of the most high-tech stadiums in the country! It is Silicon Valley, right? Did you know that there are 1200 access points for WiFi at Levi Stadium? That’s 1 WiFi point for every 100 seats! Plenty of connection points for posting all those selfies! Here are some tips for staying safe in the crowd:
- Turn off your phone and watch the game! You paid a lot of money for that ticket, so why do you want to watch it on a small screen?
- Encrypt personal data: Access points at Levi Stadium are public but how do you know the access point you’re connecting to isn’t a criminal faking the WiFi name? Download a free VPN like Hide My Ass! and encrypt your data.
- Don’t advertise where you are to strangers: If you must post on social media, make sure you have your location settings turned off on your photos (geotagging) and don’t display your location. You don’t want a burglar in your neighborhood knowing you’re at the game. Your friends and family will know where you are when they see your photos. Just go to your phone “Settings”, find your camera app and turn off the location setting.
- In case you lose your phone: Before you head to the big game, make sure you download anti-theft software, like AVG AntiVirus Pro for Android or make sure your anti-theft settings on your iPhone are active. That way if you lose your phone or get pick-pocketed you’ll be able to disable, locate, or wipe it.
Stay safe at the game and have a great Sunday!!
Google Safe Browsing Extends to Deceptive Embedded Content
Google again has enhanced its Safe Browsing service with protection against deceptive embedded content.