security

Secrets of FBI Smartphone Surveillance Tool Revealed in Court Fight

"A legal fight over the government’s use of a secret surveillance tool has provided new insight into how the controversial tool works and the extent to which Verizon Wireless aided federal agents in using it to track a suspect. Verizon reprogrammed his aircard so that when an incoming voice call arrived, the card would disconnect from any legitimate cell tower to which it was already connected, and send real-time cell-site location data to Verizon, which forwarded the data to the FBI. This allowed the FBI to position its stingray in the neighborhood where Rigmaiden resided. The stingray then 'broadcast a very strong signal' to force the air card into connecting to it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecrets of FBI Smartphone Surveillance Tool Revealed in Court Fight

CISPA cybersecurity bill coming back with ‘significant improvements’

"The lawmakers said they would insert a more narrow definition of national security in the bill. The amendments would also seek to clarify that Internet firms could only use data about threats for cybersecurity purposes, not for marketing or other commercial uses, and would give more oversight to privacy officers at federal agencies. Greg Nojeim of the Center for Democracy and Technology said the changes failed to address one key concern — that information could be accessed by the top-secret National Security Agency, a branch of the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCISPA cybersecurity bill coming back with ‘significant improvements’

Think Twice Before Accepting Bank Transfers For Online Payment

If you're a seller on Ebay or any number of other peer-to-peer commerce sites, chances are you've run into a buyer who either maliciously charges-back the transaction despite having received the product, or a buyer who is operating using someone else's stolen credit card or other financial account. The accepted wisdom is that a bank transfer is the safest payment option to accept, on the basis that it cannot be reversed once it is credited to the recipient's account. Unfortunately, that is not true in the case of ever-increasing online fraud. Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThink Twice Before Accepting Bank Transfers For Online Payment

Defense contractor accused of espionage had worked in deterrence at US Pacific Command

"A civilian defense contractor accused of giving his Chinese girlfriend military secrets worked on developing military plans to deter potential U.S. enemies when the two began their romance, according to his online professional profile and court documents. Bishop was arrested Friday at Pacific Command headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii. The LinkedIn profile says he moved to a different department last May to work on cybersecurity. During that month, the FBI claims, Bishop emailed military secrets to the woman, including war plans and information on nuclear weapons." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDefense contractor accused of espionage had worked in deterrence at US Pacific Command

Retired EPA attorney leads the opposition to ‘smart meters’ in Maryland

"Tea partiers and Green Partiers, liberal Californians and conservative Texans have argued that the meters can cause health problems, or can be hacked, or give utilities too much information about customers' daily lives, or can overheat and cause fires, or underdeliver on financial benefits. The attorneys general of Connecticut, Illinois and Michigan have said in the past few years that smart-meter plans in their states do not clearly benefit consumers, given the multimillion-dollar installation costs. BGE, which began installing smart meters last year and expects to finish in 2014, will have to ask for reimbursement of the $282 million not covered by a federal grant." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRetired EPA attorney leads the opposition to ‘smart meters’ in Maryland

Wire Fraud: A Terrifying New Trend Targeting Financial Advisors

"A disturbing new trend is that some thieves are beginning to directly target financial advisors and their clients – as famous bank robber Willie Sutton noted, if you want to get rich by stealing, go to where the money is! Accordingly, financial advisors and investment custodians have seen a noticeable increase in attempts at fraudulent wire transfers by 'spoofing' – where a request sent 'from the client' is actually a spoof from a fake-but-similar email account (or sometimes is even the client’s actual account!), and asks the advisor to process a wire transfer to a third party bank account. By the time anyone realizes the request was fake, the money is already gone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWire Fraud: A Terrifying New Trend Targeting Financial Advisors

Four Men Busted for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands From Bank Accounts Using Fake Credit Cards

"Lots of lessons here. Protect your bank account numbers and passwords. Its less likely that an individual will steal your funds than the government but you still need to be careful. Also note the advancement in private surveillance, the bank was able to detect the fradulent withdrawal of funds in real time, grab a picture of the suspects and get it it the police in apparently minutes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFour Men Busted for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands From Bank Accounts Using Fake Credit Cards

Brussels fights US data privacy push

"Europe’s most senior justice official is adamant she will fight US attempts to water down a proposed EU data protection and privacy law that would force global technology companies to obey European standards across the world. Viviane Reding, EU commissioner for justice, said that the EU was determined to respond decisively to any attempts by US lobbyists to curb the EU data protection law. Ms Reding’s firm approach is likely to spark a diplomatic battle between Brussels and Washington, which has actively been trying to water down the EU’s tough new privacy legislation by handing US companies a de facto exemption from it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBrussels fights US data privacy push

Police now accompanying Smart Meter installations: Two homeowners arrested for saying NO

"Malia 'Kim' Bendis, one of the two, was charged with a pair of misdemeanors, the Tribune said - attempted eavesdropping and resisting a peace officer. The other woman, Jennifer Stahl, also received two citations - interfering with police and preventing access to customer premises. Again, your home is not your home in Naperville, apparently. Upon her release, Stahl said when she refused a smart meter for her home utility installers accompanied by cops cut a bicycle lock she had put on her fence before entering her backyard." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice now accompanying Smart Meter installations: Two homeowners arrested for saying NO

Democrats may sell political opinions to credit card companies

"For years, state Democratic parties have been gathering information about individual voters’ political leanings. They have noted down the opinions voters shared with canvassers - which candidates they said they supported or their positions on policy issues. Now, the record of what people told Democratic volunteers may go up for sale - and not just to political groups. Democrats are looking into whether credit card companies, retailers like Target or other commercial interests may want to buy the information." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDemocrats may sell political opinions to credit card companies