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Posts Tagged ‘security’

Google’s Android OS often takes a beating from security companies for it’s occasional malware scares. Google has not been silent on the matter in the past, but the OS maker revealed today that it is taking action to combat Android malware. In fact, it has been taking action for the last few months without telling us. Google’s Bouncer project is an automated security scanner that will apparently filter malware from the Market.

Google allows anyone to pay the $25 to become a developer, and start uploading apps to the Android Market. Unlike Apple, Google does not review apps by hand. … [Read More...]

Get your tinfoil hats on, folks. In the documentation released earlier this week by Microsoft on its upcoming Windows 8 Store, the software giant said that apps purchased from the App Store will come with a “kill switch.”  Redmond can use this to disable or remove the app from Windows 8 machines. Even if its intentions are good, users are likely to be suspicious of Microsoft on this one.

Microsoft claims it will use the capability in cases of security or, more troubling, if they are “required to do so for legal reasons.” This is a common capability on mobile … [Read More...]

With the Black Hat security conference going on right now, it’s the season for new hacks. Although, we didn’t really expect Google’s cloud-based Chrome OS to be a star this year. Google highlighted the increased security of Chrome OS when it was announced, but a team of security researchers has managed to use web tools to gain access to user data.

Matt Johanson and Kyle Osborn spent a few months looking at Chrome OS, eventually finding a flaw in the ScratchPad extension included on ever ChromeBook. ScratchPad is used to take notes and save them to the cloud. The exploit … [Read More...]

We’ve recommended Dropbox in so many features & how-to’s we’ve lost count. It’s an amazing service that just keeps getting better, but the company has found itself in hot water with the FTC over concerns of anti-competitive behavior related to its file encryption.

Wired has done an excellent deep dive on the full FTC complaint against Dropbox, however the main allegations stem from the way Dropbox says it handles your files, and what it actually does in reality. Many of these complaints have resulted in changes to its terms of service, but the FTC is investigating competitor’s allegations that the … [Read More...]

We’ve got mixed feelings about flash.

On the one hand, Adobe’s platform has caused us a lot of grief–keeping it installed and updated is a pain, and even then the sheer number of security holes caused by flash is cringeworthy. It can be a system hog, too, and don’t even get us started about how Flash single-handedly set UI design back 5 years.

But still, where would we be without Flash for free, addictive web games? There would be no Desktop TD, no Line Rider, and no Crush the Castle (and therefore no Angry Birds). So how can we waste … [Read More...]

The security screening procedure at the airport typically provides about as much enjoyment as a graduate-level macroeconomics lecture, so it was comforting to know I had one less hassle when I approached the conveyor belt at the TSA checkpoint the last time I flew: I didn’t have to remove my 15-inch MacBook from my backpack.

My notebook was stowed inside a Big Ben backpack, which is made by Victorinox Swiss Army, the same folks who make the knives, watches and other assorted travel gear. The Big Ben has a separate Security Fast Pass sleeve — basically, a laptop compartment inside … [Read More...]

A computer free of errors runs smoothly, with the probability of crashing dramatically lowered. However, over time and continuous use, it develops errors, especially after a number of run-ins with malicious software, like viruses and spy ware. The computer may end up having a corrupted Windows registry, which leads to the dreaded computer crash. By cleaning up the registry, you can protect your files and ultimately, your computer.

If you want to tighten security on your webcam enabled laptop/PC with a webcam, you should give Blink! by Luxand a try. Learn, in this guide, where to get Blink! and how to use it to both protect your PC and track unauthorized login attempts.

Download Blink!

Download Blink! here and install it on your PC.

Install Blink!

When you install Blink! you’ll need to configure your webcam. First select the camera … [Read More...]

If you have a Netbook or Laptop that you would like to use on a Public Wi-Fi hotspot, there are security precautions you need to take. Here we look at keeping your computer secure at public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Public Wi-Fi hotspots seem to be available in more locations than ever before. If you move between them a lot or are just getting started, following these security precautions can help keep your machine safe and secure. For this article we look at security steps in Windows 7, but most of these tips and suggestions will work in XP, Vista, and even … [Read More...]

Why Wipe Data Securely?

Whether you are preparing to reuse a hard disk for another operating system, clear off your junk shelves by passing along outdated drives to a friend or relative, donate an old PC to a charity or school, discard a too-small USB drive or flash memory card, or repurpose an SSD, you don’t want to leave any information on the storage device. With stories abounding of identity theft aided by information lifted from discarded storage devices, you want devices you no longer plan to use to have no usable information when they head out the door. … [Read More...]

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