Month: February 2021

India’s New Cyber Law Goes Live: Subtracts Safe Harbor Protections, Adds Compelled Assistance Demands For Intermediaries, Massive surveillance infrastructure

Posted on by Robin Edgar

New rules for social media companies and other hosts of third-party content have just gone into effect in India. The proposed changes to India’s 2018 Intermediary Guidelines are now live, allowing the government to insert itself into content moderation efforts and make demands of tech companies some simply won’t be able to comply with. Now, Read more about India’s New Cyber Law Goes Live: Subtracts Safe Harbor Protections, Adds Compelled Assistance Demands For Intermediaries, Massive surveillance infrastructure[…]

Sub-diffraction optical writing enables data storage at the nanoscale – on disk

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The demand to store ever-increasing volumes of information has resulted in the widespread implementation of data centers for Big Data. These centers consume massive amounts of energy (about 3% of global electricity supply) and rely on magnetization-based hard disk drives with limited storage capacity (up to 2 TB per disk) and lifespan (three to five Read more about Sub-diffraction optical writing enables data storage at the nanoscale – on disk[…]

Using deep-sea fiber optic cables to detect earthquakes

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Seismologists at Caltech working with optics experts at Google have developed a method to use existing underwater telecommunication cables to detect earthquakes. The technique could lead to improved earthquake and tsunami warning systems around the world. […] evious efforts to use optical fibers to study seismicity have relied on the addition of sophisticated scientific instruments Read more about Using deep-sea fiber optic cables to detect earthquakes[…]

Extension shows the monopoly big tech has on your browsing – you always route your traffic through them

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A new extension for Google Chrome has made explicit how most popular sites on the internet load resources from one or more of Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon. The extension, Big Tech Detective, shows the extent to which websites exchange data with these four companies by reporting on them. It also optionally blocks sites that Read more about Extension shows the monopoly big tech has on your browsing – you always route your traffic through them[…]

Apple, forced to rate product repair potential in France, gives itself modest marks – still lying, they should be worse

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Apple, on its French website, is now publishing repairability scores for its notoriously difficult to repair products, in accordance with a Gallic environmental law enacted a year ago. Cook & Co score themselves on repairability however, and Cupertino kit sometimes fares better under internal interpretation of the criteria [PDF] than it does under ratings awarded Read more about Apple, forced to rate product repair potential in France, gives itself modest marks – still lying, they should be worse[…]

1Password has none, KeePass has none… So why are there seven embedded trackers in the LastPass Android app?

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A security researcher has recommended against using the LastPass password manager Android app after noting seven embedded trackers. The software’s maker says users can opt out if they want. […] The Exodus report on LastPass shows seven trackers in the Android app, including four from Google for the purpose of analytics and crash reporting, as Read more about 1Password has none, KeePass has none… So why are there seven embedded trackers in the LastPass Android app?[…]

Half a million stolen French medical records, lab results, feeble excuses

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] Here in France, we’ve just experienced the country’s biggest ever data breach of customer records, involving some half a million medical patients. Worse, the data wasn’t even sold or held to ransom by dark web criminals: it was just given away so that anyone could download it. Up to 60 fields of personal data Read more about Half a million stolen French medical records, lab results, feeble excuses[…]

GameStop short-sellers have lost $1.9 billion in just 2 days amid the stock’s latest spike

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Short sellers lost $664 million on Wednesday as GameStop shares spiked 104% in the final 30 minutes of trading, S3 Partners said.The stock’s 84% intraday gain on Thursday fueled another $1.19 billion in mark-to-market losses. Source: GameStop short-sellers have lost $1.9 billion in just 2 days amid the stock’s latest spike | Markets Insider

Use AdNauseum to Block Ads and Confuse Google’s Advertising

Posted on by Robin Edgar

In an online world in which countless systems are trying to figure out what exactly you enjoy so they can serve you up advertising about it, it really fucks up their profiling mechanisms when they think you like everything. And to help you out with this approach, I recommend checking out the Chrome/Firefox extension AdNauseum. Read more about Use AdNauseum to Block Ads and Confuse Google’s Advertising[…]

Porsche says synthetic fuel can be as clean as EVs

Posted on by Robin Edgar

In a recent interview with Evo magazine, Porsche VP of Motorsport and GT cars, Dr. Frank Walliser, says that synthetic fuels, also called eFuels, can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of existing ICE cars by as much as 85 percent. And, he says, when you account for the wheel-to-well impact of manufacturing the EV, it’s Read more about Porsche says synthetic fuel can be as clean as EVs[…]

How “ugly” labels on imperfect food can increase purchase of unattractive produce

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] According to a recent report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (2020), each year in the U.S. farmers throw away up to 30% of their crops, equal to 66.5 million tons of edible produce, due to cosmetic imperfections. […] They discover that consumers expect unattractive produce to be less tasty and, Read more about How “ugly” labels on imperfect food can increase purchase of unattractive produce[…]

CNAME DNS-based tracking defies your browser privacy defenses

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Boffins based in Belgium have found that a DNS-based technique for bypassing defenses against online tracking has become increasingly common and represents a growing threat to both privacy and security. In a research paper to be presented in July at the 21st Privacy Enhancing Technologies Symposium (PETS 2021), KU Leuven-affiliated researchers Yana Dimova, Gunes Acar, Read more about CNAME DNS-based tracking defies your browser privacy defenses[…]

WhatsApp: Users Who Don’t Accept Privacy Terms Can’t Read or send Texts

Posted on by Robin Edgar

After causing a huge virtual meltdown with the announcement of its new privacy policy, and then postponing the implementation of said policy due to online fury, WhatsApp has spent the last few weeks trying not to stir up trouble. However, it has just revealed what will happen to users who do not accept its new Read more about WhatsApp: Users Who Don’t Accept Privacy Terms Can’t Read or send Texts[…]

Why You Should Switch From LastPass to Bitward’s Password Manager

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Whether you’re looking to make a change in your password management just because, or you’re a LastPass user annoyed with the service’s recent changes to its free tier, switching to the much-loved (and free) Bitwarden service is a good choice. Bitwarden is now the best free password manager for most people—since it works across all Read more about Why You Should Switch From LastPass to Bitward’s Password Manager[…]

Aussie shakedown: Facebook ‘Endangered Public Safety’ by Blocking News During Pandemic According to Australia- after forcing FB to pay for news on the site

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Facebook has endangered public safety by blocking news on the platform in Australia during the covid-19 pandemic, according to Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg a high-ranking official in the country’s ruling Liberal Party. Frydenberg appeared on the local TV program “Today,” on Friday morning, Australia time, and insisted the government was not going to tolerate Facebook’s Read more about Aussie shakedown: Facebook ‘Endangered Public Safety’ by Blocking News During Pandemic According to Australia- after forcing FB to pay for news on the site[…]

Australia facepalms as Facebook blocks bookstores, sport, health services instead of just news

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Facebook is being flayed in Australia after its ban on sharing of links to news publications caught plenty of websites that have nothing to do with news. The Social Network™ announced its ban with a blog post and the sudden erasure of all posts on certain Facebook pages. Links to news outlets big and small Read more about Australia facepalms as Facebook blocks bookstores, sport, health services instead of just news[…]

Uber Drivers Entitled to Paid Vacation and Minimum Wage According to UK Supreme Court

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Uber drivers in the UK should be classified as workers and entitled to both paid vacation time and the minimum wage, according to a ruling Friday by Britain’s Supreme Court. But Uber’s London office is already disputing the scope and relevance of the ruling for its British drivers, insisting that its own rules have changed Read more about Uber Drivers Entitled to Paid Vacation and Minimum Wage According to UK Supreme Court[…]

The Apparent Hackers Behind Kia’s Ransomware Attack Are Demanding Millions in Bitcoin

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Kia seems to be in quite a predicament. As we reported earlier today, the automaker’s online services appear to have been severed from the outside world, with customers unable to start their cars remotely via Kia’s apps or even log into the company’s financing website to pay their bills. All signs pointed to a potential Read more about The Apparent Hackers Behind Kia’s Ransomware Attack Are Demanding Millions in Bitcoin[…]

Citibank accidentally wired $500m back to lenders in user-interface super-gaffe – and judge says it can’t be undone

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A judge has ruled that Citibank can’t claw back more than $500m (£360m) it mistakenly paid out after outsourced staff and a senior manager made a nearly billion-dollar (£700m) user-interface blunder.The error occurred on August 11 last year, when Citibank was supposed to wire $7.8m (£5.6m) in interest payments to lenders who are propping up Read more about Citibank accidentally wired $500m back to lenders in user-interface super-gaffe – and judge says it can’t be undone[…]

‘Spy pixels in emails have become endemic’

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The use of “invisible” tracking tech in emails is now “endemic”, according to a messaging service that analysed its traffic at the BBC’s request.Hey’s review indicated that two-thirds of emails sent to its users’ personal accounts contained a “spy pixel”, even after excluding for spam.Its makers said that many of the largest brands used email Read more about ‘Spy pixels in emails have become endemic’[…]

‘Roaring Kitty’ GameStop investor hit with lawsuit by American idiot

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Keith Gill, known as ‘Roaring Kitty’ on YouTube, allegedly duped retail investors into buying inflated stocks while hiding his sophisticated financial background.Mr Gill has downplayed his impact and rebutted claims he violated any laws.Separately, he will testify on Thursday to Congress about the “Reddit rally”.”The idea that I used social media to promote GameStop stock Read more about ‘Roaring Kitty’ GameStop investor hit with lawsuit by American idiot[…]

France has been suffering A Very ‘Solar Winds’-Like Cyberattack since 2017

Posted on by Robin Edgar

As the U.S. continues to chart the damage from the sweeping “SolarWinds” hack, France has announced that it too has suffered a large supply chain cyberattack. The news comes via a recently released technical report published by the Agence Nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information—or simply ANSSI—the French government’s chief cybersecurity agency. Like the Read more about France has been suffering A Very ‘Solar Winds’-Like Cyberattack since 2017[…]

Apple new M1 chip specific Malware Has Arrived

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Now that Apple has officially begun the transition to Apple Silicon, so has malware. Security researcher Patrick Wardle published a blog detailing that he’d found a malicious program dubbed GoSearch22, a Safari browser extension that’s been reworked for Apple’s M1 processor. (The extension is a variant of the Pirrit adware family, which is notorious on Read more about Apple new M1 chip specific Malware Has Arrived[…]