Pegasus spyware can break into users’ cloud accounts and steal data
An Israeli software company which creates spyware has developed a tool with the ability to break into users' cloud-based accounts. The Pegasus software developed by the NSO Group has been advertised as being able to copy authentication keys and access cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud.
Why are current smart TVs still dumb enough to be hacked?
Our smart TVs are amazing devices, able to stream on-demand music and movies, let us surf the web, and even control our smart home devices. But these features come at the cost of security and many of us don't even know there's a risk. Can our smart TVs be hacked? And if so, what can we do about it?
Marriott faces $123M fine for huge data breach that targeted millions of guests
Hotel giant Marriott is facing a $123 million fine for a data breach discovered in 2018 that affected 339 million of its Starwood customers. The fine comes just a day after British Airways was hit with a record $230 million penalty for a data breach that affected half a million of its customers.
How Beto O’Rourke’s hacker group changed cybersecurity as we know it
While the revelation that 2020 presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke was once a member of America’s most storied hacker collectives put Cult of the Dead Cow on the map for most people, it had a much greater impact on the cybersecurity our devices implement today.
British Airways hit with a massive fine for 2018 data breach
British Airways has been hit with a $230 million fine for a security breach in 2018 that saw hackers steal personal data belonging to around 500,000 of its customers. The airline has apologized and improved its online security, adding that it has received no reports of the data being used by criminals.
7-Eleven’s mobile payment app shut down after hackers nab $500K from customers
A mobile payment system launched by 7-Eleven in Japan has been forced to shut down just days after launch after it was targeted by hackers. Poor security measures have been blamed for the mishap, which saw 900 customers lose a total of $500,000 in fraudulent transactions.
Russian hackers behind ‘world’s most murderous malware’ probing U.S. power grid
A hacking group linked to the Russian government has been attempting to breach the U.S. power grid. Security experts tracked the hackers, and warn that they were probing the grid for weaknesses, searching for ways to access critical infrastructure systems.
Radiohead releases 18 hours of material to torpedo hacker’s ransom demand
A hacker who stole 18 hours' worth of unreleased Radiohead recordings was reportedly demanding $150,000 in exchange for its return. But to scupper the scam — and to offer something unexpected to fans — the band decided to release the material, with the proceeds going to a climate-action cause.
U.S. border agency says photos of travelers stolen in cyberattack
A subcontractor working for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection was breached by a cyberattack last month. The contractor had traveler photos and license plate images on its network, which was then subjected to a "malicious cyber attack," according to CBP.
WPA3, the third generation of Wi-Fi security, has one giant flaw: You
Wi-Fi security will get a lot better with WPA3, but it's not going to change things overnight. Even when all of the hardware and software has been upgraded to support it, there are still going to be some glaring problems. Hackers know the best way to break wireless security and it's usually through the user.
Flipboard hack prompts password reset for millions of users
Flipboard says it has been hit by hackers, resulting in the theft of personal data of some of its 145 million users. The company is still investigating the incident to find out precisely how many people are affected, but as a precautionary measure it’s prompting its community to create new passwords.
13 year old who hacked Apple servers sentenced to probation
Last year a 16-year-old student from Australia was found to have repeatedly broken into Apple's network and downloaded large amounts of secure data. Now a similar case has come to court with an even younger defendant, a teenager who was 13 when he began accessing Apple servers.
Hackers collect payment and password info from more than 4,600 sites
Recent supply-chain attacks affecting an open-source web form project and an analytics service allowed hackers to collect the payment and password info from more than 4,600 websites. Both attacks involved the spread of malicious code that collected payment and password data from these websites.
Online passwords: Research confirms millions of people are using 123456
A recent study by the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) that looked at public databases of breached accounts confirms that for many people, simple passwords are still a thing, with 23.2 million accounts globally using “123456” -- the most common string on the list.
Federal jury convicts malware creators of hijacking 400,000 computers
A federal jury has convicted two men from Romania of using malware to commit a laundry list of cyber crimes which resulted in the loss of millions of dollars and the hijacking of 400,000 computers. The men were convicted for a total of 21 criminal charges related to their long-running scheme.
Hackers broke into Outlook.com using worker’s credentials, Microsoft says
Microsoft's web-based email services, including Outlook.com accounts and MSN and Hotmail addresses, were the target of a security beach. Using a customer support agent's credentials, hackers were possibly able to access email addresses and subject lines, but fortunately not their content.
Don’t freak out! Older GPS devices could suffer Y2K-style bug tonight
Remember the Y2K bug? When we worried that our computers would stop working at the turn of the millennium due to two digit dates turning from 99 to 00. That turned out to be just fine, and didn't cause a major problem at all. But experts are warning that a similar bug could affect GPS devices today.
Digital Trends Live: Tesla Model Y, The Missing Link, and good digital hygiene
On episode 89 of Digital Trends Live, we discussed trending topics such as the unveiling of the Tesla Model Y and Google's keynote at the Game Developers Conference. We were also joined by Andrew Rossow to discuss good digital hygiene in the age of online trolling and cyberbullying.
Who should fix Internet of Things cybersecurity? Congress takes a crack at it
While the U.S. government has held a tight rein on security for networked devices like computers and cellphones, a bipartisan groups of legislators is now taking on the issue of cybersecurity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices by introducing a bill that would set new security standards.
A security flaw leaves Ring doorbells and cameras vulnerable to spying
You might think that your security devices are keeping you safe, but they may expose you in another way. Security researchers at Dojo by BullGuard showed a security vulnerability in Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell that allows a hacker to access video and audio and even inject counterfeit video.
After camera hacks, Nest locks customers out until they change their password
In response to a wave of breaches that have hit security cameras, Nest has taken the step of locking people out of their accounts if they believe there may have been a breach. Users will have to set up a new, secure password before they are able to regain access to their account.
Marriott asking guests for data to see if they were victims of the Starwood hack
Marriott has created an online form to help you find out if your data was stolen in the massive Starwood hack that came to light at the end of 2018. But take note, it requires you to submit a bunch of personal details. The massive breach affected more than 300 million guests.
500px reveals almost 15 million users are caught up in security breach
Almost 15 million members of portfolio website 500px have been caught up in a security breach, the company said on Tuesday. The hack occurred in 2018 but was only discovered last week. As a precautionary measure, users are being told to change their 500px password as soon as possible.
A flaw in e-ticket systems could mean a hacker can print your boarding pass
Security researchers have exposed a flaw in the e-ticking system used by several popular global airlines. The vulnerability was discovered in December and involves unsecured check-in emails that can put the personal information of passengers at risk or even allow a hacker to print boarding passes.
Family tormented with racial slurs and taunts through hacked Nest camera
An Illinois family had their Nest security camera turned against them after hackers hijacked the device. The attackers used the two-way microphones in the device to taunt the family and shout racial slurs and managed to hijack the Nest thermostat and turn the temperature up to 90 degrees.
What is phishing? Here’s everything you need to know
What is Phishing? It's something that almost every web user has dealth with at some point while online, but sometimes the attacks are so subtle and well executed you may still not know that you were being targeted. Whether through email spam, faked webpages, or classic social engineering, phishing is commonplace.
Hackers hijack Nest camera, issue fake warning of North Korea missile attack
Security cameras are supposed to keep you safe, but a Nest device owned by a family in Orinda, California was hijacked by hackers. Once they managed to hack the device, the attackers issued a fake warning about an incoming North Korean nuclear missile attack heading toward Los Angeles, Chicago, and Ohio.
Bethesda explains why ‘Fallout 76’ players using secret room are banned
Following a series of bans in Fallout 76 brought on by players entering a secret room in the game, Bethesda has explain exactly why these players' accounts have been temporarily deactivated. An investigation is underway, but it's believed that third-party programs are needed to access the room.
PewDiePie supporters hack printers, hope to boost his subscription numbers
PewDiePie supporters claimed to have hacked thousands of printers worldwide to print messages to ask people to subscribe to the popular YouTube account in an attempt to have it remain the YouTube account with the most subscribers. These same hackers also wish to warn others about having unsecured devices.
PlayStation Classic hacked in less than a week to play games via USB drive
Hackers have already managed to crack the PlayStation Classic, with programs now available to allow users to play additional original PlayStation games on the system via a USB drive. A lack of security measures on the console appears to be responsible for the very quick turnaround.
With 20,000 sites swallowed up, a botnet is eating WordPress alive
Hackers controlling a botnet of over 20,000 infected WordPress sites are attacking other WordPress sites, according to a report from The Defiant Threat Intelligence team. The botnets attempted up generate logins on up to five million logins on legit WordPress websites within the thirty days.
You can edit the PlayStation Classic’s emulator settings with a keyboard
The PlayStation Classic doesn't give you many options when it comes to emulating the 20 games it includes, but one clever user managed to figure out a way to edit the emulator itself. The system is available now for $100 and comes with 20 games from the original PlayStation's library.
Someone is selling a mass-hacking service, leaving your printer exposed
Hackers normally try to take control or manipulate your computer, but internet-connected printers are also at risk. That is all according to a report from Vice, which finds that someone attempted to sell a mass printing service, which could cause your printer to spit out any given message on command.
It’s time to change your password again as Dell reveals attempted hack
Computer giant Dell said on Wednesday, November 28 that it recently spotted an attempt by hackers to steal customer data. The cybercriminals are believed to have gone after personal information, though the firm doesn't believe any credit card information was taken. The investigation is ongoing.