SecurityThis week on the Checklist, we cover:
Deeper analysis of Covid-19 scam domainsBank whose letters set off alarm bellsPossible GDPR problem for Germany’s Apple Stores
Coronavirus scam sites: a taxonomy
For the past couple of months, we’ve covered stories related to Covid-19 scams and security threats. One thing we noted early on was a surge in domain name registration for new websites related to the pandemic. While many of these were completely legitimate, initial research indicated that an unusual number of these new domains were malicious.
In an effort to better understand the threat …
May 14, 2020 •
8 min read
BlogSecurity researchers have discovered a new family of malware, dubbed “Kaiji”, that targets Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Linux servers.
May 13, 2020 •
6 min read
SecurityThis week on the Checklist, we sit down with a special guest to talk about passwords — plus we’ll update you on Google’s efforts to build a safer smart home.
Passwords for humans
If you’ve listened to the Checklist before, you know that the importance of good passwords is a favorite theme of ours — because it’s such a fundamental aspect of digital security and privacy.
This week, we sat down to talk with Bart Busschots, creator of xkpasswd, a web-based tool that helps users generate strong, unique passwords that are actually easy …
May 7, 2020 •
16 min read
iOShis week, Google researchers announced that they had discovered multiple “zero-click” bugs in Apple’s image-processing framework. Such vulnerabilities could potentially be used to develop exploits…
May 1, 2020 •
6 min read
SecurityThis week, we’ll highlight some big decisions about mobile contact tracing from around the world — and we’ll also let you know what’s going on over at Apple (spoiler: get ready to update iOS).
April 30, 2020 •
7 min read
SecurityThis week, a special guest talks about the Apple/Google contact tracing tool (and the one proposed by France and Germany), plus we’ll share an important warning about a new text messaging scam.
April 27, 2020 •
12 min read
BlogThe term “fleeceware” was coined by the British security researchers who have been investigating it. It refers to apps that charge an excessive monthly subscription fee after a brief trial period has ended — even if a user has uninstalled the app from their device.
April 17, 2020 •
6 min read
AppleApple has just released the new iPhone SE after months of speculation and rumors, and will begin taking pre-orders for the compact and powerful new device on Friday, 17 April. The most affordable iPhone on the market, the iPhone SE starts at just $399 (USD) for an entry-level model.
In what follows, we’ll give you an overview of the iPhone SE’s major features, including the implications for security and privacy.
Size, storage, pricing, exterior
The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, making it almost identical to the iPhone 8 physically.
The base …
April 16, 2020 •
4 min read
SecurityThis week, Ken looks at the Apple/Google team-up on contact tracing, Apple’s use of Maps data to fight the spread of COVID-19, and a story about brand phishing that’s not coronavirus related. Mostly.
April 16, 2020 •
11 min read
AppleApple and Google have announced that they’re working together to create a Covid-19 contact tracing framework for mobile devices. In this piece, we’ll tell you what you need to know about this important new technology.
What is it?
The joint project is aimed at developing a Bluetooth-based contact tracing system that will alert iOS and Android users if they’ve come into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
When will it be available?
The system is being deployed in two stages. In May, Apple and Google plan to release APIs (Application Programming …
April 14, 2020 •
7 min read
BlogWith schools closed indefinitely, many of us are looking for ways to keep our kids engaged and occupied at home (without just plonking them down in front of the TV for hours at a time!).
April 13, 2020 •
5 min read
BlogThis week on the Checklist, we’ll share a new warning about coronavirus scams, update you on the state of Apple’s secure sign-in service, and debate the merits of our own advice!
April 9, 2020 •
7 min read