Posts Categorized: Cybersecurity

Yahoo: How do state hackers break in?

Posted by & filed under cyber war, Cyberforensics, Cybersecurity.

Yahoo has revealed that login details for up to one billion accounts have gone missing.  The massive breach was discovered while it investigated a separate attack that had compromised data on about 500 million accounts. Yahoo said it suspected a state-sponsored attacker was involved in both thefts.  How can it be sure? Source: BBC Technology News Date: December… Read more »

Carleton University computers infected with ransomware

Posted by & filed under Cybersecurity.

Students at Carleton University are being warned that some of its computers have been infected by ransomware — a type of computer virus that uses encryption to effectively hold files hostage in exchange for payment.  “Any system accessible from the main network, that is Windows based, may have been compromised,” the school’s computing and communications services department wrote…. Read more »

Hackers hit San Francisco transport systems

Posted by & filed under bitcoin, Cybersecurity, fraud.

San Francisco’s transport agency has been hit by a hack attack that led to customers being able to travel for nothing. The hackers have made a ransom demand of 100 Bitcoin, which amounts to about $70,000 (£56,000 ; €66,000).  As a precaution, staff shut off all ticketing machines on the network. Source: BBC Technology News Date: November 29th,… Read more »

Deutsche Telekom fault affects 900,000 customers

Posted by & filed under Consumer Technology, Cybersecurity, Denial of service.

Deutsche Telekom has confirmed up to 900,000 customers have had their broadband service cut off following a possible hack of its hardware.  Internet access, phone connections and TV reception for those with a certain router have been affected. Source: BBC Technology News Date: November 29th, 2016 Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38130352 Discussion 1) Is there anything you could do if you… Read more »

Why hackers might be drawn to your smart light bulbs

Posted by & filed under Consumer Technology, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies, Internet of Things.

The technology that can turn on the lights in your home with a simple swipe on your smartphone may seem really cool. Thing is, hackers could have their eye on the same thing.  New research by Dalhousie University PhD student Colin O’Flynn and colleagues in Israel has found smart bulbs could be susceptible to infiltration — so… Read more »

Tech firms seek to frustrate UK internet history log law

Posted by & filed under Censorship, Civil Liberties, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies, Ethical Issues.

Plans to keep a record of UK citizens’ online activities face a challenge from tech firms seeking to offer ways to hide people’s browser histories.  Internet providers will soon be required to record which services their customers’ devices connect to – including websites and messaging apps.  The Home Office (the UK department responsible for the… Read more »

Facebook made China censorship tool

Posted by & filed under Censorship, China, Civil Liberties, Cybersecurity, Ethical Issues, ethics.

Facebook worked on special software so it could potentially accommodate censorship demands in China.  Since 2009, the only way to access Facebook in China has been via a virtual private network – software designed to “spoof” your real location and avoid local internet restrictions.  Facebook, which has 1.8 billion active users, is aggressively looking to… Read more »

Canadians want judicial oversight of any new digital snooping powers for police

Posted by & filed under Civil Liberties, Cybersecurity, Ethical Issues, IT and Politics, IT and the law.

Most Canadians feel strongly about their right to privacy online, but a new poll shows the vast majority are willing to grant police new powers to track suspects in the digital realm — so long as the courts oversee the cops. Source: CBC Date: November 17th, 2016 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/police-power-privacy-poll-1.3854186 Discussion 1) In the US, leaks by a whistleblower, Edward… Read more »

‘Invulnerability illusion’ leaves younger people exposed to web frauds

Posted by & filed under Cyber attack, Cybersecurity, Ethical Issues, ethics.

If you’re a younger person who thinks older people are more likely to get scammed online than you are, your dodgy prince awaits.  A recent Better Business Bureau study found 69 per cent of online scam victims are under 45 — and millennials are more likely to get conned than baby boomers.  “Despite the perception that… Read more »

“No, the presidential election can’t be hacked”

Posted by & filed under Cybersecurity, election, Ethical Issues, fraud, IT and Politics.

The Obama administration is accusing Russia of hacking US political organizations. States are reporting attempts — in one case successful — to breach voter registration databases. And the final days of the campaign are dominated by talk of whether the race is “rigged.” Source: CNN Date: October 27th, 2016 Link: http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/19/politics/election-day-russia-hacking-explained/index.html Discussion 1) “Nobody is going to be able to change the outcome of… Read more »