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Topic: Security

The winning systems will be able to analyze and correct vulnerable code in critical infrastructure. News 

White House Launches Initiative to Source Cybersecurity Solutions with Artificial Intelligence

Sanjay Patil, , ,

With alarming frequency, our local and state government systems fall victim to hacking and ransom attacks. During the Black Hat USA Conference in Las Vegas, the Biden Administration announced its strategy to enhance the protection of the country’s crucial digital infrastructure. They will initiate a DARPA-led challenge competition aimed at developing AI systems that can actively detect and resolve software vulnerabilities. In essence, a hackathon will be organized to tackle this issue. The “AI Cyber Challenge” (AIxCC) is a two-year development program open to competitors throughout the United States. It…

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Omnipresent ads promise security, hoping you’ll buy it. News 

Tech companies offer you the chance to buy back your privacy

Adriana Marais, ,

Security is a profitable industry, with companies constantly promoting their latest privacy and security offerings through various mediums such as billboards, internet ads, and commercials. For instance, Apple’s “Privacy. That’s iPhone” campaign, DuckDuckGo’s emphasis on privacy as a distinguishing feature, and targeted Google cybersecurity ads on social media are all examples of this trend. While this increased focus on privacy is beneficial for consumer awareness, it also introduces new terminology and complicates the process of making purchasing decisions. This resurgence of privacy-focused ads has a lot to do with the…

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Officials are investigating a ransomware attack from June affecting an unknown number of students. News 

Colorado Department of Education Reveals Data Breach Affecting Records from Last 16 Years

Nitin Misra,

The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) has informed students about a possible data breach following a ransomware attack in June. The attack, carried out by unidentified individuals, allowed unauthorized access to CDHE systems. Although the investigation is ongoing, the department has revealed that the breach compromised personal information such as names and social security numbers. “A review of the affected records is underway, and once completed, CDHE will notify potentially affected individuals by mail or email to the extent we have contact information,” CDHE wrote in its release. However,…

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They've been offline for months due to security issues. Gaming 

Nintendo to Reactivate ‘Mario Kart 8’ and ‘Splatoon’ for Wii U on August 3rd

Febin Mathew, ,

After a lengthy wait, players can now enjoy online multiplayer for Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon on the Wii U. Nintendo has officially announced that both games will be accessible for multiplayer once again starting from August 3rd. The company has successfully resolved the security issue that led to the suspension of online services back in March. Nintendo still hasn’t explained the error in more detail. However, hobbyist and tinkerer OatmealDome claims that the last-gen console is vulnerable to an “ENLBufferPwn” attack, which allows intruders to take over the console…

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Designed for applications like security monitoring, it retails for around $25,000. News 

Canon Introduces Security Camera with Ability to Capture Color Video in Pitch Black Darkness

Sanjay Patil, ,

Canon has recently introduced the MS-500, a unique camera model that is considered to be one of the most sensitive non-infrared cameras ever created. It incorporates a 1-inch SPAD sensor with the highest resolution to date (3.2 megapixels) and features an interchangeable lens mount, enabling high-quality color photography even in extremely low light conditions of 0.001 lux, which is darker than a moonless sky. Canon claims that this camera offers exceptional performance in low-light environments. The MS-500 uses Canon’s B4 mount to support its broadcast zoom lenses, and costs more…

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It's not the criminal hacking browser you think it is. News 

Using Tor Could Help Improve Its Reputation

Sanjay Patil,

The term “Tor” conjures up thoughts of the dark web, a realm where one can hire assassins or purchase illegal substances, and is currently heavily monitored by law enforcement to apprehend wrongdoers. However, the truth is far less exciting, yet significantly more reliable in terms of security. The Onion Router, now called Tor, is a privacy-focused web browser run by a non-profit group. You can download it for free and use it to shop online or browse social media, just like Chrome, Firefox or Safari, but with additional access to…

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It’s available for anyone with an Android 6.0 or higher phone. News 

Google Introduces Anti-Stalking Safeguards for AirTag and Other Bluetooth Trackers

Adriana Marais, , ,

Google is implementing measures to combat stalking, with its undisclosed tracker alerts and additional safety features being introduced on Android 6.0+ devices starting today. These efforts, which were announced at Google I/O in May, are aimed at addressing the concerning increase in digital stalking that emerged following the release of Apple’s AirTag in 2021. Unknown tracker alerts for Android will let you know if an unknown Bluetooth tracker is traveling with you, but not its owner. If your Android phone notifies you that a tracking accessory has been found, you…

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Delays may be granted over public or national security risks. News 

SEC Mandates Public Companies to Disclose Cyberattacks Within Four Days

Adriana Marais, ,

The US Security and Exchange Commission has implemented a new regulation to prevent public companies from withholding information about cyberattacks. Under this rule, companies must disclose any significant cybersecurity incidents within four days. However, if a US attorney general believes that disclosing the information could pose a significant threat to national security or public safety, they may delay the disclosure. While these rules are a strict guideline, they are slightly less stringent than the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires disclosure within three days. The news comes…

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Deepfake videos are now making their way to WhatsApp calls which is being used to steal money from people. Here are the details. AI 

Beware: Fraudsters Leveraging AI To Impersonate Your Contacts To Obtain Funds

Febin Mathew, ,

Scammers are utilizing various methods to deceive people through WhatsApp, and the most recent tactic involves the use of AI in the form of deepfake videos. These scammers are employing deepfake video calls to trick individuals into believing they need to make urgent payments for emergency situations. The scam claimed its first victim when a 72-year-old man in Kerala was duped of Rs 40,000 using a deep fake WhatsApp video call. According to media reports, the FIR lodged by the police in Kozhikode City following a complaint by PS Radhakrishnan…

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Tech giants call it a “passwordless future,” but the switch might be slow. News 

What are Passkeys and Why is their Popularity Growing?

Nitin Misra

Passkeys offer a future devoid of passwords, enabling us to effortlessly access our accounts just like unlocking our phones, but with enhanced security measures. Whether you prefer Apple, Google, or Microsoft, chances are you have come across their announcements regarding the implementation of passkeys. Although a complete passkey revolution may still be some time away, you might soon be prompted to establish one for your accounts. The username and password approach to logging in dates back to the 1960s. Since then it has been hackable. Passwords can be guessed or…

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Scammers are posing as army officers are targeting property owners and tenants online. They share fake ID cards and ask for money without even seeing the property. Here's how this scam works. News 

Beware: Imposters Posing as Military Personnel Preying on Landlords Advertising Vacancies on Real Estate Platforms

Nitin Misra, ,

Scammers have discovered a fresh method to deceive individuals who post property advertisements on online platforms such as Magicbricks, 99acres, Commonfloor, and others. Whether it is individuals seeking to rent a flat or flat owners themselves, these scammers have devised a strategy to profit from their victims. What is particularly alarming is that these scammers are assuming the identities of officers from the Indian Army, CISF, police, and other government organizations in order to gain the trust of their targets. Furthermore, they are providing counterfeit government IDs like canteen cards…

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ShadowVault is an infostealer malware that can steal sensitive information from unsecure MacBooks. (Pexels) News 

Rise in Online Fraud Prompts Warning of New Mac Malware Capable of Stealing Funds

Febin Mathew, ,

India has witnessed a surge in cyber crimes, including online scams, in recent months. According to a report, a man from Mumbai lost Rs. 2.65 lakh after falling victim to an online scam while purchasing sweets. This incident is reminiscent of actress Shubhangi Atre’s experience last year, where she lost Rs. 2.24 lakh to a similar scam. These cases serve as a reminder that no one is immune to these cyber criminals, and even seemingly harmless activities like buying sweets can lead to the loss of one’s life savings. Adding…

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It would be the first such law in the nation. News 

Massachusetts considers prohibiting sale of user location information

Jim Hendler,

The Massachusetts state legislature is currently reviewing a proposed bill that aims to prohibit the sale of phone location data belonging to users. If approved, the Location Shield Act would become the first law of its kind in the country, filling the void left by Congress’s lack of progress in implementing comprehensive user privacy measures on a national level. Additionally, the state’s proposed legislation would mandate that law enforcement obtain a warrant before accessing user location data from data brokers. Today, The Wall Street Journal published a report with numerous…

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Civil liberties groups are concerned about potential abuses. News 

French Assembly Approves Legislation Allowing Law Enforcement to Remotely Activate Mobile Device Cameras and Microphones for Surveillance

Jim Hendler, , ,

French law enforcement could soon have extensive powers to monitor suspected criminals, as a bill allowing police to remotely activate cameras, microphones, and GPS location systems on phones and other devices has been passed by lawmakers in the National Assembly. The use of these powers will require approval from a judge, and the amended bill specifically prohibits their use against journalists, lawyers, and other “sensitive professions,” as reported by Le Monde. The intention behind this measure is to restrict its use to serious cases and for a maximum period of…

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In response to the vulnerability report, the creators of the plugin promptly released a new version, 2.6.4, intending to fix the problem. News 

WordPress Plugin Bug Leaves Over 200,000 Websites at Risk of Hacking: Report

Jim Hendler, ,

Over 200,000 WordPress websites are currently vulnerable to hacking as a result of a serious security flaw that has not yet been fixed, and is actively being exploited by malicious individuals. According to WordPress security company WPScan, the flaw is found in the Ultimate Member plugin, a free user profile WordPress plugin that makes it easy to create powerful online communities and membership sites using WordPress. “This is a very serious problem because unauthenticated attackers could exploit this vulnerability to create new user accounts with administrative privileges, giving them the…

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This spying app has been hacked by cyber criminals. (Pexels) News 

Data Breach of LetMeSpy App Exposes Thousands of Users’ Location and Messages

Nitin Misra,

Bad news for certain Android phone users as their data has been stolen by hackers. The LetMeSpy app, which was designed for tracking and spying on individuals, has fallen victim to a cyber attack. According to cybersecurity company Bitdefender, the app has released a security notice stating that its servers were breached and valuable data was stolen by malicious actors. LetMeSpy’s website has also confirmed the incident, stating that unauthorized access to user data occurred on June 21, 2023. LetMeSpy app is a free mobile app for Android mobile phones.…

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Every Nigerian prince has to start somewhere. News 

Hackers turn cybercrime into a commercial service

Jim Hendler, , , ,

Online gamers are all too familiar with the frequent annoyance of DDoS (dedicated denial of service) attacks on the internet. These attacks involve hackers utilizing a vast network of compromised computers to overwhelm game servers, resulting in hours or even days of downtime for players. The issue has become increasingly widespread as hackers have started selling their botnets and spamming tools to anyone willing to pay for access to the same level of power. There’s a big internet out there, and bad Actors abound. There are worse things than spammers…

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Apple has fixed iPhone software bug that was at the centre of a controversy over extensive hacks in Russia. (Bloomberg) News 

Apple Fixes iPhone Bug After Allegations of Russian Hacking

Adriana Marais, , ,

On Wednesday, Apple declared that it has rectified two security vulnerabilities discovered in iPhones and iPads that were utilized to hack devices in Russia. According to the Washington Post, these weaknesses were part of a major operation that Russian intelligence attributed to the United States. Credit for finding these flaws goes to researchers from the Russian security software maker Kaspersky Lab. Kaspersky had revealed three weeks ago that its senior employees were targeted. Meanwhile, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) accused the National Security Agency (NSA) of being responsible, but no…

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This comes after a screenshot of the Enhanced Intelligent Services feature was shared on Twitter by a user named Rishi Bagree, and it caught the attention of Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. News 

Realme Removes Feature That Gathers User Information

Jim Hendler, ,

Realme smartphones were under investigation by the Indian government due to a feature called Enhanced Intelligent Services that automatically gathers device information, including personal data like call logs, SMS, and location information. However, the Chinese brand has now launched a new update that will deactivate this feature on specific models. The recently launched Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+ smartphones are already receiving software updates that automatically disable the service without user intervention. We checked the new update of the Realme 11 Pro+ review unit that the brand gave…

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Android users have been warned about malware-app stealing their data. (Pixabay) News 

Alert Android Users: Safeguard Your Data from Malicious App – Here’s How

Febin Mathew, ,

According to ESET, a provider of cybersecurity software, an app with malicious intent has been discovered in the Google Play Store and has been collecting data from Android users since September of this year. The app is called iRecorder – Screen Recorder, 50,000 downloads and it was found to steal data of Android users since September 19, 2021. According to ESET, “iRecorder – Screen Recorder app was first uploaded to the store on September 19, 2021 without any malicious features. However, it appears that dangerous functionality was added later; this…

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