internet security
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Your obsession with celebrities is helping scammers spread spam
Internet scammers will do just about anything to get a foothold on your home computer or mobile device, whether it's impersonating a work colleague, building fake websites for real products to steal credit card information, or posing malware as a legitimate app. One of their most tried and true ploys, though not particularly sophisticated, is exceedingly effective and involves promising nudes pictures or free episodes of shows and movies from today's top Hollywood talent.
Google discusses security with the NSA, but don't draw any wild conclusions
Following Edward Snowden's PRISM leaks last year, companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft sought to distance themselves from the NSA and claimed to be unaware of some government surveillance activities. And while we've seen companies demand greater transparency from the NSA, that doesn't mean backdoor discussions about security haven't been going on as well. Consider this, for instance: Email communications obtained by Al Jazeera show that Google execs such as Eric Schmidt and Sergey Brin have cooperated with the NSA on issues such as "mobility threats" as far back as 2012, before Snowden revealed information about the government's capabilities for spying on Americans' online activities.
Drama Mamas: The consequences of lying about your gender
Drama Mamas Lisa Poisso and Robin Torres are experienced gamers and real-life mamas -- and just as we don't want our precious babies to be the ones kicking and wailing on the floor of the checkout lane next to the candy, neither do we want you to become known as That Guy on your realm. Sometimes commenters will suggest that we have received a fake letter. I hope this week's is, although that's actually irrelevant. This kind of thing does happen, unfortunately. Dear Drama Mamas, I am writing to you today in need of your coveted wisdom and advice. First just let me inform you that I am a gay man of age 16 in real, and that this type of situation has happened before, but in different variations. Here's my problem.. It all began with an innocent night outside the gates out Stormwind city. I was sat on the grass opposite a guy. He began talking to me very nicely, I replied, and we got on well. We were talking about random topics for around 10 minutes and became instantaneous friends. He was kind, polite and had top notch spelling and grammar (Which I loved). He went on to ask me personal questions. Such as age, place of residence etc. I had asked these questions first so I thought it would be fair to answer his.
Microsoft and British agency create child-friendly version of IE9
As the entry age for web access heads ever southwards, preventing young minds from the perils of the internet is a growing concern for parents. For this reason, Microsoft teamed up with the UK-based CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center) to create a special kid-friendly version of its IE9 browser. Access to key CEOP pages are baked right in, and there are dedicated tabs for the thinkuknow.co.uk information site and, of course, Bing. Additional security comes via a Jump List that lets parents and care-givers set the age group of their child and prevents them from seeing unsuitable content. It's only available on Windows 7, and you'll need to prevent your curious children from using any other browser, but at least it's extra peace of mind at no extra cost.
Key pattern analysis software times your typing for improved password protection
The recent pilfering of PlayStation Network passwords and personal info shows that having a strong passcode doesn't always guarantee your online safety. However, key-pattern analysis (KPA) software from researchers at American University of Beirut may be able to keep our logins secure even if they're stolen. You create a unique profile by entering your password a few times while the code tracks the speed and timing of your keystrokes. The software then associates that data to your password as another means of authentication. Henceforth, should the magic word be entered in a different typing tempo, access is denied. We saw a similar solution last year, but that system was meant to prevent multiple users from accessing subscription databases with a single account. This KPA software allows multiple profiles per password so that your significant other can still read all your email -- assuming you and your mate reside in the trust tree, of course.
Intel acquires McAfee for $7.68 billion
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Intel_acquires_McAfee_for_7_68_billion_Engadget'; Well, we got our copy of McAfee Antivirus for $29, but it looks like Intel had something a little more substantial in mind. The latter has picked up the Santa Clara-based security / antivirus company for a cool $7.68 billion, which works out to $48 per share in cash. Intel informs us that it will function as a wholly owned subsidiary (under the control of its Software and Services group). This comes hot on the heels of the company's acquisition of TI's cable modem unit, and possibly signals a new focus on security for connected devices. "The cyber threat landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years, with millions of new threats appearing every month," said McAfee CEO Dave DeWalt."We believe this acquisition will result in our ability to deliver a safer, more secure and trusted Internet-enabled device experience." This has added a wonderful new phrase to the Engadget lexicon (and possibly even a name for our new garage band): Cyber Threat Landscape. PR after the break.
Seven physical keys serve as the internet's horcrux
The internet may not have a kill switch, but there really are a set of keys, developed by ICANN in case of digital catastrophe. Seven keyholders across the world hold smart cards like the ones you see above, each with a piece of the DNSSEC's recovery key. What's that, you say? We're glad you asked -- DNSSEC's an initiative to make sure websites are who they say. To do that, it needs a way of authenticating domain names with a cryptographic master key, and a replacement copy of that key is the item these individuals are safeguarding. Even banded together, the individuals have no power over the internet at large -- the tokens simply allow the world to reboot the authentication system in case ICANN's two facilities happen to simultaneously go down. Policies and procedures dictating how this all works sadly include neither demonic keymasters nor secret societies, but you're welcome to hit up our more coverage link for the deep dive.
The Daily Grind: Real ID -- Do we finally have our WoW killer?
Okay, maybe we do and maybe we don't, but there's no question that Blizzard dropped a huge bomb on their community yesterday. Battle.net forum members were treated to a wall of blue text yesterday, but here's the core of the issue: "The first and most significant change is that in the near future, anyone posting or replying to a post on official Blizzard forums will be doing so using their Real ID -- that is, their real-life first and last name -- with the option to also display the name of their primary in-game character alongside it." Given the fact that the most gamers cut their teeth on internet security lessons, this announcement was met with a predictable storm of protest. It can be argued that it's a pretty short leap from someone's real name to their forum posts to their game name/account information, even if they choose not to link their character names directly -- and that's treading in dangerous territory. Everyone either has a horror story or has heard one. A huge number of the over 13,000 forum posts are variations of "See ya", including many popular MMO bloggers. But the fact that others saw this as only a good thing proves that there are two sides to every coin. So where do you stand on this hot topic? Is it something that will finally get the WoW forums in order or will upset players truly leave the game for good this time? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Sophos decries XP Mode vulnerability, Microsoft offers chill pill
If you're keeping score at home, Microsoft needs to bring two heavies to a fight with Google, but it can lay the smack down on an AV software firm like Sophos all by itself. Richard Jacobs, chief technology officer and master of inflammatory rhetoric at Sophos, points out that Windows 7's XP Mode makes computers vulnerable to attack due to it operating independently from the underlying OS and therefore not having the same firewall and anti-virus protection. For those who actually go to the trouble of buying and updating security software -- like say, most businesses -- this essentially doubles costs for each new Windows 7 machine. Microsoft has countered with the fact that big businesses will be using its MEDV management software, while smaller shops will be able to update the virtualized XP in the same fashion as they would a physical PC. Storm in a teacup, then? Absolutely, but you'll want to give these a read if only for the passive aggressive silliness that ensues. [Via The Register] Read - Richard Jacobs on XP Mode Read - MS chief security adviser for EMEA Roger Haibheer retorts Read - Jacobs retorts to the retort Read - MS developer James O'Neill threetorts
Forum post of the day: Rage against the authenticator
Alright, so the splash screen mystery is dramatic. Whatever the important announcement is, I don't think they could come up with one that makes me happier than the new authenticator. I will be first in line to buy mine once it comes out. It seems that most of us are with me. We've been clamoring for better authentication, and we're going to get it. A one-time charge of six and a half bucks for an extra layer of security seems like a smoking deal to me. It hasn't occurred to me to be bothered by the price. Tuhrell of Malrone believes that the authenticators should be distributed by Blizzard for free. Vallana of Thaurissan is on a short list of responders in the thread that agreed with the original poster. She believes that her $15/month is enough to spend on WoW and is "not retarded enough to get hacked so I really don't need it."
