China Tests the Limits of Its US Hacking Truce

As the Trump administration reups an anti-hacking agreement with China, security researchers say China is inching its toes up to that red line.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/china-tests-limits-of-us-hacking-truce

What the George Papadopoulos Plea Says About Robert Mueller's Next Moves

With a plea agreement from Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, special counsel Robert Mueller showed that he knows how to keep a secret—and that this investigation is just getting started.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/papadopoulos-plea-robert-mueller-next-moves

How to Interpret Robert Mueller’s New Charges in the Russia Investigation

What to expect from indictments in the special counsel's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-interpret-robert-muellers-new-charges

‘I Forgot My PIN’: An Epic Tale of Losing $30,000 in Bitcoin

Veteran tech journalist Mark Frauenfelder tries everything, including hypnosis, to recover a small fortune from a locked bitcoin device.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/i-forgot-my-pin-an-epic-tale-of-losing-dollar30000-in-bitcoin

Equifax Was Warned of Vulnerability Months Before Breach, and More Security News This Week

Equifax was warned, a fun new WhatsApp feature, and more of the week's top security news.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/equifax-warned-of-vulnerability-months-before-breach

How the Kodi Box Revolutionized Piracy

After torrenting's long fade,"fully loaded" Kodi boxes became the pirate's method of choice. Now, a legal crackdown looks to stop its rise.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/kodi-box-piracy

A Bug in a Popular Maritime Platform Isn't Getting Fixed

The AmosConnect 8 web platform has vulnerabilities that could allow data to be exposed—underscoring deeper problems with maritime security.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/bug-in-popular-maritime-platform-isnt-getting-fixed

Apple's Core ML Could Surface Your iOS Secrets

Apple's Core ML is a boon for developers, but security experts worry that it also could make it easier for bad actors to snoop on your private data.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/core-ml-privacy-machine-learning-ios

The US Kaspersky Security Software Ban Needs to Be Backed Up With Evidence

If the US government is going to ban Kaspersky's software, it owes it to the rest of the world's security to say why.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/us-kaspersky-ban-evidence

BadRabbit Ransomware, Linked to NotPetya Outbreak, Sweeps Russia and Ukraine

"BadRabbit," linked to the authors of NotPetya, hits hundreds of victims, including subways, an airport, and media firms.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/badrabbit-ransomware-notpetya-russia-ukraine

Russian Spies Rush to Exploit the Latest Flash Zero Day and More Security News This Week

Another Flash zero-day, a Microsoft breach, and more of this week's top security news.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/russian-spies-rush-to-exploit-the-latest-flash-zero-day

The Reaper Botnet Could Be Worse Than the Internet-Shaking Mirai Ever Was

Building on the devastating Mirai botnet that took major sites offline a year ago, Reaper has some scary new tricks.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/reaper-iot-botnet-infected-million-networks

Equifax Deserves the Corporate Death Penalty

Opinion: States have the power to dissolve companies that are bad actors. They should take action with Equifax.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/equifax-deserves-the-corporate-death-penalty

Cryptojacking Lets Strangers Mine Cryptocurrency With Your Browser

The recent onset of "cryptojacking" has left victims befuddled, but reforms could make it a valuable tool.

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https://www.wired.com/story/cryptojacking-cryptocurrency-mining-browser

It Takes Just $1000 to Track Someone's Location With Mobile Ads

University of Washington researchers have shown just how cheaply spies can exploit ad networks for fine-grained, individualized surveillance.

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https://www.wired.com/story/track-location-with-mobile-ads-1000-dollars-study

Why the Krack Wi-Fi Mess Will Take Decades to Clean Up

The Krack Wi-Fi vulnerability exposes just how deeply broken IoT security really is—and just how limited the options are to repair it.

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https://www.wired.com/story/krack-wi-fi-iot-security-broken

The Flawed System Behind the Krack Wi-Fi Meltdown

When software standards aren't open and available for researchers to vet, bad things happen. Just look at Krack.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/krack-wi-fi-meltdown-open-standards

Google's 'Advanced Protection' Locks Down Accounts Like Never Before

Google offers a powerful new security setting aimed its most (rightfully) paranoid users.

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https://www.wired.com/story/google-advanced-protection-locks-down-accounts

KRACK Vulnerability Impacts Secure Wi-Fi Standard, Leaving Millions of Devices Exposed

A vulnerability called KRACK affects nearly every Wi-Fi device on the market.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/krack-wi-fi-wpa2-vulnerability

Trump Decertifying the Iran Deal Could Have Unseen Cyberattack Consequences

By decertifying the nuclear deal with Iran, President Trump could risk provoking hacks from a country that hasn't focused on US cyberattacks in years.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/trump-iran-decertify-cyberattacks

An Equifax Goof, an iOS Phish, and More Security News This Week

Another Equifax goof, an easy iOS phish, and more of the week's top security news.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-id-password-phishing

How Power Grid Hacks Work, and When You Should Panic

After months of reports of energy grid breaches, time to distinguish the elite intrusions from just another spearphishing attack.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/hacking-a-power-grid-in-three-not-so-easy-steps

How To Fix the Broken Social Security Number Sytem

The Social Security number system is broken. And while fixing it will take a lot of work, there are ways to keep your identity more secure.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/social-security-number-replacement

Kaspersky's Alleged Russia Ties Highlight the Risks of Antivirus

Reports that Russia used Kaspersky antivirus to probe US targets highlight the inherent risks of software that millions rely on for protection.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/kaspersky-russia-antivirus

'Crypto Anchors' Might Stop the Next Equifax-Style Megabreach

There's no foolproof system to keep hackers out. Instead, this increasingly popular security design keeps them in.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/crypto-anchors-breach-security

The Race to Secure Voting Tech Gets an Urgent Jumpstart

The full report is out from this summer's Defcon voting machine hack. And while there's been some progress in securing America's elections, experts fear it's not coming fast enough.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/voting-village-hacking-report

Slow iPhone? Don't Blame Apple. Blame Your Apps

Every year around this time, the same rumors pop up about slow iPhones and planned obsolescence. Don't fall for it this time.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/dont-blame-apple-for-your-slow-iphone

Hacking North Korea Won't Stop Its Nuclear Program

Security researchers say penetrating North Korea's hacking operations and even its domestic intranet is possible. But not enough to stop its nuclear threat.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/cyberattack-north-korea-nukes

Donald Trump's Nuclear Rhetoric Echoes Richard Nixon's 'Madman' Theory, But Won't End Well

The ongoing war of words between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un echoes Richard Nixon's Vietnam rhetoric. It won't play out any better today than it did then.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/donald-trump-madman-strategy-north-korea-nuclear-weapons

Go Update Your Mac ASAP To Fix Some Serious Vulnerabilities

Las Vegas, another NSA contractor slip-up, and more of the week's top security news.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/update-macos-high-sierra-security-patch

John Kelly's Hacked Phone Could Be a Major National Security Issue

When the former head of the Department of Homeland Security and current White House Chief of Staff's personal smartphone gets hacked, nothing good can happen.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/john-kelly-hackced-phone

How To Tell When Someone Else Tweets From @realDonaldTrump

Donald Trump doesn't write all of the tweets that come out of his account. Fortunately, there are plenty of tells for when it's someone else.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/tell-when-someone-else-tweets-from-realdonaldtrump

Another NSA Contractor Was Caught Taking Hacking Secrets Home

After the revelation of the third contractor leak in as many years, the agency has a clear operational security problem.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/nsa-contractors-hacking-tools

TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones is light as a feather

When it comes to Bluetooth earphones, there are simply so many different brands and makes out there, it can be rather challenging and difficult to choose if you are on a limited budget. Hence, singling out the model that provides the best bang for your hard earned buck is always a challenge, but perhaps with the introduction of the TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones, this decision is easier to make.

Touted to be the lightweight partner for music lovers as well as the physically active, the TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones ensures that the wireless revolution is moving in the right direction. The high quality sound and stable connectivity provided by 3.5mm wired earphones is something that the Bluetooth earphone market needs to meet and exceed, and this is exactly what the TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones is all about. After all, nobody likes to run a marathon with the wires to a pair of earphones making a tangled mess out of things.

Being a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, the TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones will target sports and fitness enthusiasts. Featuring a lightweight build, fast pairing, stable Bluetooth connectivity, and a long battery life, these are the right kind of qualities rolled into a single device. Even better yet is the fact that they offer a secure fit in order to remain in place, regardless of how vigorous that exercise is at the moment. An integrated CVC 6.0 noise cancelling microphone is also part of the setup that allows you to entertain phone calls without any kind of outside distraction. Hence, even if your surroundings are noisier than usual, the microphone will work its wonders to ensure that only the crisp, clear sound of your voice gets through to the other end. The asking price of $25.99 makes the TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones an attractive proposition for everyone.

Press Release
[ TaoTronics Bluetooth earphones is light as a feather copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

from
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20171004/taotronics-bluetooth-earphones-light-feather/

The Disturbing Rise of Cyberattacks Against Abortion Clinics

Abortion providers have long faced harassment, both online and and in person. But a recent wave of cyberattacks have caused havoc lately—and proved difficult to stop.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/cyberattacks-against-abortion-clinics

Here’s the Leaked Anti-Leak Training Email That Just Went Out to the Department of Energy

Employees at the Department of Energy are the latest to undergo government-wide training sessions on "the importance of protecting classified and controlled unclassified information."

from
https://www.wired.com/story/leaked-anti-leak-training-email-department-of-energy

The Yahoo Breach Was Actually Three Billion Accounts

Ten months ago, Yahoo disclosed the biggest breach in history. As it turns out, the company severely underestimated the impact. Think a billion users is bad? Try three billion.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/yahoo-breach-three-billion-accounts

6 Fresh Horrors From Equifax CEO Richard Smith's Congressional Hearing

With each new revelation about the devastating Equifax breach, the company's defenses and response appear increasingly inadequate.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/equifax-ceo-congress-testimony

AirCheck G2 gets a v2

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Netscout AirCheck G2 and have been since before it’s release. I’m happy to see that today they announced the version 2 of the firmware for the AirCheck G2 which brings some pretty neat features to the product. The official page goes into greater detail on the updates, but the two I’m most impressed with are the new interferers page and the integration of iPerf testing for the unit.

The interference detection is a nice to have feature for those field teams that need an initial look at the non-Wi-Fi devices in the air around them. It’s leveraging the integrated WLAN radio for spectrum analysis so it’s not perfect, but it readily enough identified several of the more common interference devices around me (bluetooth and microwave ovens). In addition to identifying the interference, the ‘locate’ functionality that you’ve come to expect with the AirCheck also works with the source of interference. In my testing, I was able to demonstrate that moving away from an active microwave oven did indeed show a corresponding drop in detected signal strength. Let’s be fair, it’s not a fully blown FFT based Spectrum Analyzer, but in a pinch, and for common items, it’s far more insight than we’ve ever had in a a handheld tester.

  

The iPerf server is another interesting new feature – not only for the AirCheck side of the equation, but for the far side tester as well. The newly announced Test Accessory from Netscout is reminiscent of the LinkSprinter products – handheld, portable, battery or PoE powered, and cloud enabled tester.

The Test Accessory

This integrates quite nicely with the v2 firmware with the new iPerf test option once you connect to your SSID. The nice bit is that this removes most all of the headache of doing iPerf testing – configuring the server and figuring out what it’s IP address is. You can plug the Test Accessory into your network anywhere and it will phone home to the Link-Live service. The AirCheck will query the service and automatically populate the testers IP address for your test. This makes a very simple to use throughput tester that’s easy to carry and accessible to everyone. If you don’t have a Test Accessory or if you’re comfortable with iPerf testing, you can also just use the AirCheck as a standard iPerf endpoint, so you’re covered either way you want to go here – with a stock, static internal iPerf tester or with a field accessible, cloud enabled tester that goes anywhere.

 

These features take an already dead-useful testing tool and expand it’s role for the Wireless LAN deployer to go beyond just ‘is it up’ testing. With the ability to now detect a number of interferers and do actual throughput testing of a Wi-Fi network, the field implications are that your existing installation teams (or other G2 users) can more deeply validate the functionality of a network – and when things go wrong, have another level of insight that they previously did not have. I’m quite happy that Netscout is clearly investing in, not only the G2, but additional products that augment and expand it’s functionality. The G2 is an overbuilt hardware platform and it’s refreshing to see that Netscout is taking advantage of that extra horsepower. If you’re an AirCheck G2 user, you really need to go get the firmware update now. If you’re not an AirCheck G2 user, what are you waiting for?

from
https://sc-wifi.com/2017/10/03/aircheck-g2-gets-a-v2/

Gun Tech Couldn't Have Stopped the Las Vegas Shooter

In the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting, a look at the tech that does—and doesn't—exist to make guns more secure.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/smart-guns-mass-shootings

How the Las Vegas Shooter Could Have Gotten an Automatic Rifle

The killer shot his hundreds of victims with inhuman speed. That's likely because giving a semiautomatic weapon essentially automatic abilities is easier than you'd think.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/las-vegas-shooting-automatic-rifle

After the Las Vegas Mass Shooting, Watch Out For Hoaxes and Bad Info

In the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting, misinformation and hoaxes flooded the internet. Be careful not to fall for it—or spread it yourself.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/las-vegas-shooting-misinformation-hoaxes-conspiracies

Casio announces men’s G-Shock G-Steel line of connected watches

The humble watch used to be a tool to tell the time, but over the years, it has ended up as a fashion statement, one that could even cost more than an entire house if it is studded with jewels and other kinds of precious gems. Well, the watch was said to die a slow death with the introduction of smartwatches, but such a prediction has proven to be otherwise. The luxury line of watches continue to sell well regardless of the economic climate among the well-heeled and famous, while the regular watch maintains its market share as smartwatches struggle to break into the mainstream consciousness and being a “must have” item on everyone’s wrists. Casio forges on with its very first connected watches for men, the G-Shock G-Steel line.

In the new G-Shock G-Steel range for men, these new models will boast of Bluetooth connectivity alongside the ability to charge itself up via solar power, now how about that for bringing a 21st century update to the old school idea of a watch? Specially designed to boast of a new layer guard case structure that is not only slimmer than previous generation G-Steel timepieces, the new connected watches will represent the cream of the G-Steel crop. All of the new models will arrive in silver stainless steel (GSTB100D-1A), black resin with a silver stainless steel bezel (GSTSB100-1A), and a special edition black resin with a black, carbon fiber bezel (GSTB100X-1A).

Regardless of which model you decide on, all of these new timepieces will make use of Bluetooth low energy technology in order to pair with smartphones using the G-Shock connected app. This would enable the user to utilize the Phone Finder feature, change time zones, check the battery level, and set a timer or alarm from the app itself. Solar-powered charging capabilities, a new functional face design with a “turbine inspired” level indicator disc and a super LED light rounds off the list of impressive features.

The GSTB100-1A and GSTB100D-1A will respectively come with a $320 and $400 price tag, while the special edition GSTB100X-1A is going to be a tad more expensive at $700 a pop.

Press Release
[ Casio announces men’s G-Shock G-Steel line of connected watches copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

from
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20170930/casio-announces-mens-gshock-gsteel-line-connected-watches/

This "Ghost Gun" Machine Now Makes Untraceable Metal Handguns

Second amendment provocateur Cody Wilson is upgrading his gun-making machine to make concealable Colt 45s and Glocks.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/ghost-gun-machine-makes-untraceable-handguns

Inmates Need Social Media. Take It From a Former Prisoner

Opinion: Banning prisoners from Facebook and Twitter just puts them at a disadvantage when they're released.

from
https://www.wired.com/story/inmates-need-social-media-take-it-from-a-former-prisoner