With last week’s Supreme Court ruling on GPS tracking by police, privacy in the digital age is getting more and more attention. The next issue the justices might have to tackle is whether or not it’s constitutional to use other forms of surveillance — including mobile body scanning technology, which the New York Police Department is set to begin testing this year. [...]
Trendnet, a manufacturer of IP security cameras, has recently found that some of its network cameras leave video they transmit over the web unencrypted, even if a password was used. What this means for the owners of these Internet-connected cameras is that anyone with the right know-how may be able to gain access to a user’s video feed. Potential hackers only need to know the IP address of the vulnerable camera to gain access.
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As more adults become web-savvy and learn how to spot suspicious websites, hackers are turning their attention to children. Impulsive and prone to falling for the hackers’ traps, kids make perfect malware targets, providing an easy gateway to their parent’s computers, and potentially, access to their personal and financial information. [...]
Photo courtesy of SelectaDNA.
A new experimental anti-theft tool is forcing criminals to show their true colors. As perps flee the scene of a crime, a technology called SelectDNA sprays them with an invisible substance that can be detected up to 6 months later under ultraviolet light. Think of it as a nightclub hand stamp for bad guys.
Snow plowing is serious business in Chicago, and local residents have expressed concern that certain well-connected people and neighborhoods tend to get their streets cleared first when a storm hits. [...]
On December 27, China flipped the switch on its new national GPS service. Dubbed “Beidou,” the system promises best-in-class performance and will likely make the Asian economic superpower a global leader in GPS. With the launch of its 10th satellite earlier this month, Beidou currently provides location data only to China and its surrounding regions, but the plan is for all of Asia to be covered by 2012. Full global coverage is expected by 2020, when a total of 35 satellites are scheduled to be launched and operational. [...]
Lockheed Martin is about to start ground-testing the next generation of GPS Satellites. When the new birds launch in a couple of years, they’re likely to bring much joy to millions of users who’ve become increasingly dependent on their GPS tracking devices and vehicle navigation systems. The $5.5 billion project is poised to upgrade every aspect of the Global Positioning System, promising improved accuracy, reliability and resistance to signal-jamming. [...]
If you’re planning on going on vacation this holiday season you’re more than likely to book your flight tickets online. Well, criminals and hackers think the same way, which is why this year they’re targeting your flight confirmation e-mails. [...]
Lately we’ve been hearing a lot about people being mugged for their smartphones or simply getting them snatched mid-conversation with Uncle Jack. These pricey phones can cost over $500 without a contract, so they make perfect targets for thieves. [...]
Ever wish you could be James Bond? Now’s your chance. The UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is recruiting. If accepted by GCHQ, you’ll get to work closely with the legendary spy agencies, MI5 and MI6. [...]
A survey by the Family Online Safety Institution found that a large majority of parents set rules for their children’s Internet usage, but fewer of them are enforcing the rules they set. And even fewer are getting an accurate idea of what their kids are really doing online and on their phones. [...]
Columbia University researchers have recently found a security exploit that can not only leave your personal information open for hackers to steal, but can also end up blowing up your printer and setting your house on fire. No, we’re not kidding. The researchers have found that certain internet-connected HP LaserJet printers (but could potentially be any model of internet-connected printers) are vulnerable to a malware attack that would give total control of your printer to a hacker from anywhere in the world. [...]
A recent study by SplashData complied lists of stolen passwords by hackers that were posted online, and came up with the top 25 most obvious passwords used. If any of these look familiar to you personally, it might be time to get more creative. The hackers are watching… [...]
