Can’t unlock an Android phone? No problem, just take a Skype call: App allows passcode bypass

A newly disclosed vulnerability in Skype for Android could be exploited by miscreants to bypass an Android phone’s passcode screen to view photos, contacts, and even launch browser windows. Bug-hunter Florian Kunushevci today told The Register the security flaw, which has been reported to Microsoft, allows the person in possession of someone’s phone to receive Read more about Can’t unlock an Android phone? No problem, just take a Skype call: App allows passcode bypass[…]

Researcher Distributes Tool That Enables Mass-Hijacking of Google Chromecast Devices

Uploaded to Github on Thursday, a tool called Crashcast enables the almost instantaneous takeover all of Chromecast streaming devices left accessible online by mistake. This same misconfiguration issue was taken advantage of by the hacker duo Hacker Giraffe and j3ws3r earlier this week to broadcast a message in support of the YouTube star Felix Kjellberg, Read more about Researcher Distributes Tool That Enables Mass-Hijacking of Google Chromecast Devices[…]

Scientists Have ‘Hacked Photosynthesis’ In Search Of More Productive Crops: 40% bigger, growing faster

There’s a big molecule, a protein, inside the leaves of most plants. It’s called Rubisco, which is short for an actual chemical name that’s very long and hard to remember. Amanda Cavanagh, a biologist and post-doctoral researcher at the University of Illinois, calls herself a big fan of Rubisco. “It’s probably the most abundant protein Read more about Scientists Have ‘Hacked Photosynthesis’ In Search Of More Productive Crops: 40% bigger, growing faster[…]

Once considered outlandish, the idea that plants help their relatives is taking root

For people, and many other animals, family matters. Consider how many jobs go to relatives. Or how an ant will ruthlessly attack intruder ants but rescue injured, closely related nestmates. There are good evolutionary reasons to aid relatives, after all. Now, it seems, family feelings may stir in plants as well. A Canadian biologist planted Read more about Once considered outlandish, the idea that plants help their relatives is taking root[…]

German Politicians Hit With Unprecedented Leak of Private Information

On Thursday, authorities in Germany were made aware of an enormous leak of personal information belonging to artists, media figures, and politicians—including Chancellor Angela Merkel. The hack is being called the “biggest data dump” in German history and appears to contain a treasure trove of information that could be used for identity theft. Early reports Read more about German Politicians Hit With Unprecedented Leak of Private Information[…]

Ethereum Plans To Cut Its Absurd Energy Consumption By 99 Percent

Ethereum mining consumes a quarter to half of what Bitcoin mining does, but that still means that for most of 2018 it was using roughly as much electricity as Iceland. Indeed, the typical Ethereum transaction gobbles more power than an average U.S. household uses in a day. “That’s just a huge waste of resources, even Read more about Ethereum Plans To Cut Its Absurd Energy Consumption By 99 Percent[…]

Lawsuit Accuses Weather Channel App of Misleading Users and Profiting From Their Location Data – anyone surprised much?

More than a couple weather apps have recently come under fire for their handling of user data, either by collecting too much or allegedly tracking users without their permission. Now, the maker of yet another popular weather app is being accused by the city attorney of Los Angeles of deceiving millions of users and profiting Read more about Lawsuit Accuses Weather Channel App of Misleading Users and Profiting From Their Location Data – anyone surprised much?[…]