Safety Security & Privacy

Samsung Galaxy S3 owners are subject to a vulnerability that can actually be fixed with an over-the-air update. Samsung today said that users can install a security update over the air that will safeguard them from a vulnerability that could allow someone to remotely delete all of their personal data from the handset. Security researcher Continue Reading →

Some users, mostly in France, reported that “private messages” sent between 2007-2009 were suddenly public. However, Facebook told the BBC: “[The] messages were older wall posts that had always been visible on the users’ profile pages. Separately, Facebook shares fell up to 11% after an influential journal said the stock is worth just $15. On Continue Reading →

For years, Microsoft engineers have quietly limited Hotmail passwords to 16 characters, a revelation that has surprised and concerned some users who have long entered passcodes twice that long to access accounts. One such user is Costin Raiu, the director of the global research and analysis team at antivirus provider Kaspersky Lab. On Friday he Continue Reading →

On Friday, Microsoft released an emergency patch for Internet Explorer (IE) to stymie active attacks that have been exploiting a bug in the browser, finishing a job it started only Monday. “Let’s call it five days from advisory to patch,” said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Security. “I’d like to see anybody Continue Reading →

Apple’s “Find my iPhone” and “Find my iPad” features are extremely handy around the house—I’m not ashamed to say I use it regularly to help me figure out where I last set my phone down—but it’s got somewhat more of a mixed record in helping with the recovery of stolen iDevices. Police departments are sometimes Continue Reading →

Upgrading to iOS 6? Be careful about leaving your locked iPhone unattended unless you change some settings. Otherwise an unscrupulous stranger could order Siri to send tweets and Facebook posts from your account that you didn’t make — even if your phone is locked. Apple has added the ability for Siri to interact with Twitter Continue Reading →

Microsoft today released so-called “Fix It” software that will protect Windows users from a critical Internet Explorer hole being exploited in attacks until the company releases a cumulative update for IE on Friday. The Fix It tool “is an easy, one-click solution that will help protect your computer right away. It will not affect your Continue Reading →

Hackers at the Mobile Pwn2Own hacking competition in Amsterdam this week have uncovered a security flaw that allows attackers to swipe iPhone users’ pictures, address books and browser histories from their phones. TechWorld reports that the hackers created a Webkit browser exploit that circumvents Safari’s security protocols if a user happens to be on a Continue Reading →

We were worried there, for a minute. After code explorers found that Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD 7-inch had both a locked bootloader and extra security measures, there was a brief concern that the pseudo-Android tablet might be very tough to hack. As it turns out, there was no reason to lose faith. Hashcode, Justin Case, Continue Reading →

This is probably not what RIM executives wanted to read with their coffee this morning, but TechRepublic reports that both analysts and CIOs say that Apple’s iPhone has now matched RIM’s BlackBerry devices when it comes to enterprise security. As evidence, TechRepublic cites the latest research from Trend Micro showing the iPhone just behind BlackBerry Continue Reading →