A senior U.K. official is asking that law enforcement should be given access to encrypted messages on WhatsApp and similar services, a demand that is likely to fuel an ongoing debate over whether companies should create backdoors into their encryption technologies for investigators. Khalid Masood, the terrorist who killed four people outside Parliament on Wednesday,…
When ransomware criminals lock up files and demand payment to decrypt them, don’t pay, was the advice a consultant gave to a group at SecureWorld. When there’s no risk of losing crucial data, that’s easy to say, and to make is possible requires planning, says Michael Corby, executive consultant for CGI. “Plan to have data…
Details of President Donald Trump’s plans for “extreme vetting” of visa applicants have emerged and they are clearly demanding. Getting a visa will require people from many countries to turn over social media handles, employment history and other information. These policies are a concern for technical and academic conferences on issues such as supercomputing and…
Messaging has never been Google’s strong suit. Aside from the various messaging apps from Android phone makers, it also has its own problems, with numerous overlapping apps that all have similar functions: Allo, Android Messages, Hangouts, Duo, Google Voice, and Google Talk. Now, Google is taking some much-needed steps to consolidate its efforts. On June…
The Mac and iPhone exploits described in new documents attributed to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency were patched years ago, according to Apple. WikiLeaks released a new set of files Thursday that supposedly came from the CIA. They contain details about the agency’s alleged malware and attack capabilities against iPhones and Mac computers. The documents,…
Microsoft has delayed the release of its tools for connecting other services to the Cortana virtual assistant, a decision that could cause it to lose ground in a crowded industry. The tech titan announced the Cortana Skills Kit in December of last year, saying at the time that it would be released to the public…
What’s the best way to avoid Android malware? Downloading all your apps from the Google Play store — where software is vetted – is perhaps the best advice.  But that doesn’t mean Google Play is perfect. Security researchers do find new Android malware lurking on Google’s official app store. That’s because hackers are coming…
Many companies are developing smart streetlights for cities that combine energy-efficient LED lighting with wireless communications and sensors. A startup called Totem Power is taking that concept a step farther by adding battery storage to each pole and an electric vehicle charging port. Each pole, called a Totem, would also incorporate solar cells for energy…
Google is considering a harsh punishment for repeated incidents in which Symantec or its certificate resellers improperly issued SSL certificates. A proposed plan is to force the company to replace all of its customers’ certificates and to stop recognizing the extended validation (EV) status of those that have it. According to a Netcraft survey from…
The big reveal this week in the world of updates was Android O, which gives us a glimpse of the next generation of Google’s operating system. But for so many owners, all they want is their taste of Nougat. A lucky few are getting that this week, with the upstart Nextbit Robin and HTC One…