Nov. 20, 2001 — The FBI is developing software capable of inserting a computer virus onto a suspect’s machine and obtaining encryption keys, a source familiar with the project told MSNBC.com. The software, known as “Magic Lantern,” enables agents to read data that had been scrambled, a tactic often employed [Keep reading]
It’s every job applicant’s nightmare. You are in the running for a new position, then an HR representative calls with bad news: You’ve failed a background check. The firm thinks you have a criminal record! It’s a typical 21st Century database screw-up, but by the time you run down the [Keep reading]
You know I love a good privacy outrage as much as anyone. But a story last week in the Financial Times started a kerfuffle about Facebook posts and pictures impacting your all-important FICO credit score. FICO tells me in no uncertain terms this isn’t true. The incident is a good [Keep reading]
It’s a personal health information nightmare you probably think about every time you hand your health insurance card or prescription card to anyone. A CVS employee stole drug benefits information from consumers enrolled in California-based Molina Healthcare’s overt-the-counter benefits program with the idea of stealing OTC drugs, Molina has told consumers. In a letter [Keep reading]
UPDATE, 9-20-15 — Volkswagen’s CEO has issued an apology over the incident. It’s vague: “I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public,” the statement issued by CEO Martin Winkerhorn says. “We at Volkswagen will do everything that must be done in order [Keep reading]
Consumers are becoming more and more aware that hacking isn’t just a gadget nuisance any more. Computer security problems, like viruses, increasingly come with real-world consequences — like the potential to screw with an airplane’s flight system, or more recently, a car. Wired’s Andy Greenberg last month revealed to the [Keep reading]
However you feel about Tom Brady, the Patriots, and football air pressure, today is a learning moment about cell phones and evidence. If you think the NFL had no business demanding the quarterback’s personal cell phone — and by extension, that your company has no business demanding to see your [Keep reading]
Some secrets are more valuable than others. And some secrets are more valuable TO others. In perhaps the most predictable extortion hack ever, cheating website Ashley Madison has confirmed to Brian Krebs that some of its data has been stolen. It now appears that tens of millions of people are at [Keep reading]
The latest techno-sensation is about a camera with, quite literally, otherwordly capabilities. The newly released Nikon P900 is a point-and-shoot that might as well be a telescope. The first consumers to get their hands on the thing are posting jaw-dropping videos of the camera zooming in on the Moon — [Keep reading]
Cybercriminals have stolen a staggering amount of information from government computers, a federal agency revealed Thursday. The total number of victims and the type of information gathered, taken together, make the hack historic. While researching an attack that saw the compromise of 4.5 million federal workers’ data, the Office of Personal [Keep reading]
Bob Sullivan