Cyber Security

Microsoft will issue a critical security patch for Internet Explorer today, Jan. 14, the company has announced. The patch fixes an issue with a severity rating of “Critical”, and affects Internet Explorer versions 6-8 but not the latest two versions, 9 and 10. The vulnerability allows a malicious hacker to remotely execute code on the Continue Reading →

Oracle fixed a security flaw in its Java software on Sunday, after the Department of Homeland Security warned users to disable Java software completely, citing a security hole that allows hackers to take control of their machines. “Java 7 Update 10 and earlier contain an unspecified vulnerability that can allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to Continue Reading →

The Wall Street Journal has analyzed the top 50 sites in the United States plus 20 other top sites in sensitive categories like dating or health. They found that 25 of these sites—including OKCupid, Pinterest, YouTube, Yahoo—send personal data to other sites in the open, with no security encoding, using your own browser session. Their Continue Reading →

Foursquare told users via email that as of Jan. 28 it will show their full names by default, instead of first name/last initial, and that business locations will be able to see more than the current three-hour history of their visitors’ check-ins. Both privacy policy changes make the service more friendly to businesses, and the Continue Reading →

Argue though its executives might, Snapchat is good for two things: sending photos and videos of yourself making stupid faces, and sending photos and videos of yourself naked. The latter, of course, is the more compelling function since that is exactly what the app was designed for. When users send pictures or videos, the recipient Continue Reading →

There are reports around the Web that Instagram has lost 25% around of its daily active users connected to Facebook, according to an app-tracking firm AppData. Some reports are attributing it to the change in Instagram’s terms of service, which had caused a frenzy on the Web. Facebook’s stock also is down more than 2% today, Continue Reading →

The Chinese legislature has approved a proposal that includes stipulations for real-name registration requirements for Internet users, state media reported on Friday. Xinhua noted on Twitter that the new rules meant to “enhance protection of personal info online and safeguard public interests” had been approved. News of the upcoming vote emerged earlier this week and Continue Reading →

While Christmas is a time for sharing there are certain files that some people believe should be excluded from that experience. For more than a decade the MPAA has waged war against “thieves” who dare to share their movies online. Online piracy is costing the creative industries billions of dollars in lost revenue, they say. Continue Reading →

Following the controversy over recently-unveiled changes to its terms of service, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom just announced via blog post that the advertising-related section of the TOS has reverted to “the original version that has been in effect since we launched the service in October 2010.” The Facebook-owned photo service had already hinted that this Continue Reading →

We saw a preview earlier this month, but now Facebook’s simplified, slimmed down privacy tools should be arriving on your profile. Any minute. Take control and untag those gross pictures you didn’t even know existed. There are two big changes you should care about right now: shortcuts and a beefed up activity feed that’ll let Continue Reading →