Personal Technology – Page 4 – Computer Security Articles

Credit to Author: Agam Shah| Date: Fri, 07 Apr 2017 11:08:00 -0700

After 40 critical vulnerabilities on Samsung’s Tizen — used in smart TVs and smartwatches — were exposed this week by Israeli researcher Amihai Neiderman, the company is scrambling to patch them.

But Samsung still doesn’t know many of the bugs that need to be patched. It’s also unclear when Tizen devices will get security patches, or if older Tizen devices will even get OS updates to squash the bugs.

Beyond Samsung’s smart TVs, Tizen is also used in wearables like Gear S3 and handsets like Samsung’s Z-series phones, which have sold well in India. Samsung wants to put Tizen in a range of appliances and IoT devices. Tizen also has been forked to be used in Raspberry Pi.

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ComputerWorld Independent

Top 5 VPN services for personal privacy and security

March 31, 2017 admin Data Privacy, Networking, Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: Paul Mah| Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:28:00 -0700

Virtual private networks (VPNs) encrypt internet connections between two points, to secure them from casual snoopers and hackers. These VPN services are particularly useful when accessing the internet from an untrusted location, such as a hotel, café or coworking space.

A plethora of modern VPN services, with dedicated connectivity apps, have put an end to the maddening manual configuration VPNs once required. No two VPN offerings are alike, however, and it can be a challenge to find the right VPN. Here’s a look at some of the top VPNs for privacy and security.

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ComputerWorld Independent

46% off CyberPower Surge Protector 3-AC Outlet with 2 USB (2.1A) Charging Ports – Deal Alert

March 28, 2017 admin Computer hardware, Home Tech, Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: DealPost Team| Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2017 14:06:00 -0700

The Professional Surge Protector CSP300WUR1 safeguards common home and office devices, such as computers and electronics, by absorbing spikes in energy caused by storms and electrical power surges. Designed for convenience, the portable CSP300WUR1 is ideal for travelers. It provides 600 joules of protection, has three surge-protected outlets, and a folding wall tap plug. Two USB ports (2.1 Amp shared) charge personal electronics, including smartphones, digital cameras, MP3 players, and other devices. A Limited-Lifetime Warranty ensures that this surge suppressor has passed high quality standards in design, assembly, material or workmanship and further protection is offered by a $50,000 Connected Equipment Guarantee. It currently averages 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, where its typical list price of $21.955 has been reduced 46% to just $11.88. See the discounted CSP300WUR1 on Amazon.

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ComputerWorld Independent

UK follows U.S. ban of electronic devices in cabins on some flights

March 21, 2017 admin Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: Michael Kan| Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2017 11:20:00 -0700

The U.K. is joining the U.S. in its ban restricting passengers from bringing some electronic devices onto flights from the Middle East.

Phones, laptops, and tablets that are larger than 16 cm (6.3 inches) in length and wider than 9.3 cm will no longer be allowed in the cabin on select flights coming from several Middle Eastern countries, the U.K.’s department of transportation said on Tuesday.

The U.K. said it was in “close contact” with the U.S. since the country announced its own ban on Monday. However, the U.K. made no mention of any specific risk, only that it faces “evolving” terrorism threats.

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ComputerWorld Independent

Cebit showcases security after Snowden

March 20, 2017 admin Network Security, Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: Peter Sayer| Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:00:00 -0700

It’s been almost four years since Edward Snowden leaked U.S. National Security Agency documents revealing the extent of the organization’s surveillance of global internet traffic, but he’s still making the headlines in Germany.

At the Cebit trade show in Hannover, Germany, he’ll be looking back at that period in live video interview from Moscow on Tuesday evening.

There have been a lot of changes on the internet in those four years, but one of the biggest is the growth in the use of encryption.

In 2013, the NSA had free rein and could listen in on almost any communication it wanted. Now, it’s commonplace to encrypt traffic to webmail services and even popular websites such as Microsoft.com or Google.com using the https protocol. And you don’t have to be an enemy of the state to use an end-to-end encrypted messaging system such as WhatsApp simply to chat with friends.

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ComputerWorld Independent

Consumers are wary of smart homes that know too much

March 6, 2017 admin Data Privacy, Internet of Things, Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: Stephen Lawson| Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2017 18:10:00 -0800

Nearly two-thirds of consumers are worried about home IoT devices listening in on their conversations, according to a Gartner survey released Monday.

Those jitters aren’t too surprising after recent news items about TV announcers inadvertently activating viewers’ Amazon Echos, or about data from digital assistants being used as evidence in criminal trials. But privacy concerns are just one hurdle smart homes still have to overcome, according to the survey.

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ComputerWorld Independent

Consumer Reports to grade tech products on security, privacy

March 6, 2017 admin Data Privacy, Internet of Things, IT Industry, Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: Michael Kan| Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2017 14:01:00 -0800

Consumer Reports, a major source for gadget and appliance reviews in the U.S., plans to start rating products on data security and privacy.

On Monday, the nonprofit publication unveiled a set of new testing standards it hopes will push the tech industry to create safer products.

“The goal is to help consumers understand which digital products do the most to protect their privacy and security, and give them the most control over their personal data,” the publication said.

Already, cybersecurity experts are finding new tech products, whether they are cars or smart teddy bears, that are often poorly secured and easy to hack.

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ComputerWorld Independent

Here’s a new way to prevent cyberattacks on home devices

February 28, 2017 admin Internet of Things, Mobile & Wireless, Personal Technology, Security

Credit to Author: Matt Hamblen| Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2017 05:57:00 -0800

BARCELONA — Homeowners worried about cybersecurity attacks on IP-connected devices like lights, baby monitors, home security systems and cameras, will soon be able to take advantage of a $200 network monitoring device called Dojo.

The device was shown at Mobile World Congress here this week and will go on sale online in April. While the Dojo device isn’t intended to provide enterprise-level security, it could be used to help, in a small way, in warding off massive attacks like the one that used the Mirai botnet which took advantage of unsecure, consumer-grade cameras and other devices last October.

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