Privacy
Smashing Security podcast #190: Twitter hack arrests, email bad behaviour, and Fawkes vs facial recognition
Aug 6, 2020Special guest Geoff White can’t resist using the podcast to promote his new book, “Crime Dot Com”, but other than that we also discuss the creepy (and apparently legal) way websites can find out your email and postal address even if you don’t give it to them, take a look at how the alleged Twitter hackers were identified, and learn about Fawkes – the technology fighting back at facial recognition.
Twitter says a “phone spear phishing” attack helped hackers – what’s that?
Jul 31, 2020What’s a phone spear phishing attack? Twitter shares some more details related to its serious security breach earlier this month which saw celebrity accounts tweeting a cryptocurrency scam.
Smashing Security podcast #189: DNA cock-up, Garmin hack, and virtual kidnappings
Jul 30, 2020Why are students faking their own kidnappings? What’s the story behind Garmin’s ransomware attack? And a genetic genealogy website suffers a hack or two. All this and much more is discussed in the latest edition of the award-winning “Smashing Security” podcast by computer security veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by Ray REDACTED.
Smashing Security podcast #188: Dinner with Elon Musk and Kris Jenner
Jul 23, 2020Who stopped Twitter’s hackers from stealing more money? Why are Covid-19 researchers being told to ramp up their cybersecurity? How can you find out if your smartphone is infected with stalkerware? And who does Graham think he is turning down a celebrity dinner invite? Find out in the latest “Smashing Security” podcast, with special guest Lisa Forte.
Mitre, the creepy company checking your fingerprints on Facebook for the US Government
Jul 20, 2020Cybercrime reporter Thomas Brewster has written a fascinating exposé of the activities of Mitre Corporation, which has taken on some eyebrow-raising projects for the US government.
The Twitter hack: Why Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and others might have reason to be worried
Jul 16, 2020The real worry of the Twitter hack is not the cryptocurrency scam that was spammed out, but that attackers might have accessed private messages sent and received by the rich and powerful.
The Twitter mega-hack. What you need to know
Jul 16, 2020Multiple Twitter accounts have been hacked as part of a Bitcoin scam, and it’s one of the biggest security disasters in Twitter’s history. Read more in my article on the Tripwire State of Security.
Google’s ad ban won’t stop stalkerware apps from promoting themselves
Jul 10, 2020Google has announced that from August 2020 it will be prohibiting ads for stalkerware products and services. But a loophole means that the companies behind creepy stalkerware apps will still be able to advertise themselves.
Smashing Security podcast #186: This one’s for all the Karens!
Jul 9, 2020A high-rolling Hushpuppi gets extradited to the United States, Carole details her problems with clipboards and Disposophobia, and our guest becomes the subject of fake news during the Senegalese election. All this and much much more is discussed in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast with Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by investigative journalist Michelle Madsen.
Ex-Yahoo employee avoids jail, despite hacking 6000 accounts, and stealing nude photos and videos
Jul 6, 2020A former employee of Yahoo has been sentenced and ordered to pay a fine after exploiting his privileged access to hack into the personal accounts of thousands of Yahoo users, in his hunt for naked photographs and videos of young women. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Smashing Security podcast #184: Vanity Bitcoin wallets, BlueLeaks, and a Coronavirus app conspiracy
Jun 25, 2020A conspiracy spreads on social media about Coronavirus tracing apps, US police find decades’ worth of sensitive data leaked online, and is there a Bitcoin bonanza to be had from watching Elon Musk YouTube videos? All this and much more is discussed in the latest edition of the award-winning “Smashing Security” podcast by Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by the BBC’s Zoe Kleinman.
HEY pulls feature which could expose email threads without participants’ knowledge
Jun 24, 2020HEY, a new service which aims to revolutionise users’ inboxes, admits it made a mistake which could have made it too easy for private messages to be exposed.
Pubs and restaurants left guessing after being told to collect customer data as lockdown eases
Jun 24, 2020In just ten days, the UK Government says English pubs, restaurants, and cafes can open again for business. However, they are told that they should collect contact information about every customer and visitor to their premises. But what they’re not told is how they should do this in a way that protects people’s security and privacy.
Smashing Security podcast #183: MAMILs, gameshows, and a surprise from eBay
Jun 18, 2020A TV gameshow with cash prizes if you’re obeying Coronavirus lockdown rules, ex-Ebay staff charged in crazy cyberstalking case, and when the wrong cyclist was accused by the internet bearing pitchforks. All this and much more is discussed in the latest edition of the award-winning “Smashing Security” podcast by computer security veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by Maria Varmazis.
NHS Test & Trace sends text to wrong person, telling them they tested negative for Coronavirus
Jun 17, 2020A former MP warns that she received a message intended for someone else, with the results of their Coronavirus test.
Suspicious wife fails to get good password advice from The Guardian
Jun 12, 2020The Guardian offers relationship advice over an unwise password choice, but fails to give any good password advice.