See, I told you that jailbreaking your handset could bring on a series of unwanted events your way. It looks like a security vulnerability has been exposed by a Dutch hacker. The hacker gained access to various jailbroken phones and then he sent picture messages demanding a €5 PayPal payment:

If you don’t pay, it’s fine by me, but remember, the way I got access to your iPhone can be used by thousands of others-they can send text messages from your number (like I did), use it to call or record your calls, and actually whatever they want, even use it for their hacking activities! I can assure you, I have no intention of harming you or whatever, but, some hackers do! It’s just my advice to secure your phone.

Luckily enough he did reveal the fix for the problem and it comes free of charge. Did you have any problems with your jailbroken iPhone?

via fileave

Tags: Apple, Dutch, hacker, iPhone, iPhone, jailbreak, security, unlock, Vulnerability

That’s right folks, if you happen to own an iPhone as we speak then your handset could be hijacked through a SMS security issue. The whole thing doesn’t stop there! Once you iPhone has been hijacked then all you’re other iPhones from your contact list will be hijacked too. And so on! You get the picture, don’t you? Every iPhone in the world could be hijacked at some point in the future.

What’s the flaw you ask? Well it looks like invisible SMS bursts will allow hackers to gain control over your phone. The security issue has been discovered about a month ago and it will be present at the Black Hat conference if you’re attending. Apple hasn’t issue any fix for now but we’re counting on a future solution for this security issue. In the mean time iPhones all over the world keep functioning so we shouldn’t feel threatened just yet.

via Forbes

Tags: Apple, Black Hat, hijacking, iPhone, Mobile News, Portable Devices, security, SMS

Apple has recently announced that the launch of Safari 4.0.2 which features a slew of security fixes making the already secure browser, even more secure.

The company says that the update is “recommended for all Safari users and improved the stability of the Nitro JavaScript engine and includes the latest compatibility and security fixes.” Furthermore, Apple hopes to address a “potential cross-site scripting attack” with 4.0.2:

“An issue in WebKit’s handling of the parent and top objects may result in a cross-site scripting attack when visiting a maliciously crafted website. This update addresses the issue through improved handling of parent and top objects”.

Head over to Apple’s Safari download page, here, to snag the update.

Read (Pocket-lint)

Tags: 4.0.2, Apple, bug fixes, Desktop PCs, Laptops, safari, security, Update, web browser

Rumors have begun circulating the internet that suggest the Palm Pre’s webOS will be getting updated to version 1.1 within the next 30 days.

Details are somewhat scarce but BGR reports the following features are rumored:

• IT-initiated remote wipe
• Required PIN
• PIN complexity (numeric or alphanumeric)
• Device wipe after a certain number of failed PIN attempts
• Auto-lock after X minutes of inactivity
• Improved digital certificates

Doesn’t sound too exciting? Yeah, well, that’s because it’s not as Palm is clearly focusing on making version 1.1 a security concious one. Let’s just hope that Palm hurries up and gets their App Catalog rolling because they have a lot of catching up to do.

Tags: 1.1, app catalog, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Palm, Palm Pre, security, Sprint, Update, webOS

Besides that overheating problem which can’t exactly be corrected right now, there’s another important issue with your iPhone. There’s a certain SMS vulnerability which puts your iPhone at risk. Apparently it’s possible to:

run software code on the phone that is sent by SMS over a mobile operator’s network in order to monitor the location of the phone using GPS, turn on the phone’s microphone to eavesdrop on conversations, or make the phone join a distributed denial of service attack or a botnet.

The flaw has been discovered by OS X security expert Charlie Miller and it was presented at the SyScan conference in Singapore. Apple is probably going to patch this security issue pretty soon and we’ll keep you updated.

via HotHardware

Tags: Apple, Charlie Miller, iPhone, OS X, security, SMS, software

Earlier today we notified you that T-Mobile had been hacked and customer data was taken from the provider’s network. Well, T-Mobile has again stepped in to elaborate on the situation calming customers down another notch:

The document in question has been determined to be a T-Mobile document though there is no customer information contained in the document. There is no evidence to indicate that the T-Mobile security system was hacked into nor any evidence of a breach.

Despite this rep saying the system wasn’t hacked or breached, the hackers still managed to get some data from the T-Mobile network so how exactly they got it we haven’t a clue.

Let’s see how this one unfolds.

Read (ComputerWorld)

Tags: Cell Phones, hack, hackers, Mobile News, security, security breach, System, T-Mobile

Most people are concerned about the safety and security of their computer devices and luckily Kensington has come out with the MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock to help ensure your sensitive files are kept secure.

This little lock is not bulky like many other versions but is still strong and uses a disk-style keyed locking mechanism. You merely attach the lock to the security slot that most notebooks have. Included with the lock is a rubber tie that allows you to keep the cord tucked away when not in use. The MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin Notebook Lock retails for around $54.99.

Tags: Accessories, disk-style, keyed, MicroSaver DS Keyed Ultra-Thin, Notebook Lock, security

One can never be too careful with one’s private data so one might want to try out Fujitsu’s Secure USB Memory Device which is supposed to protect all that data.

Besides the regular USB memory the device has a built-in battery and a chip which are needed to automatically delete the data after a certain period of time or if someone steals and tries to use it on an unauthorized computer. Not bad for an USB drive. I know I could have used that a number of times. We don’t have all the pricing and availability dates but we’ll keep you in the loop.

via Akihabara News

Tags: Fujitsu, memory, Mobile News, Portable Devices, security, usb

Do we really need biometric security for our gadgets? Apple seems to have an idea of how to implement it to its iPhone and MacBook. According to the concept patent here the biometric tool will be hidden within the touchscreen of the iPhone or the trackpad of the laptop. The sensor will detect fingerprints, vein patterns or the shape of the year. Therefore the process is totally invisible and it also should be totally secure. Other features might include face recognition and even DNA recognition.

via Gizmodo

Tags: Apple, biometric technologies, iPhone, MacBook, Mobile News, patent, Portable Devices, security

The Laptop Cop doesn’t have a badge or a gun to get those sneaky bastards that stole your precious laptop. But Laptop Cop will track the your computer and it will let you to connect remotely. You can pinpoint the position with the geo-location feature. The application will use WiFi triangulation technology from Skyhook Wireless so you will be able to call actual cops to the rescue. If that’s not going to be an option simply delete those files which were meant for your eyes only. The application costs just $50 and it’s up for grabs. What do you think? Is it worth it?

via TechCrunch

Tags: application, Laptops, Laptops, Mobile Software, netbooks, security, software

I was wondering how long it’s going to take until computers will take over and, this, I think, is one of the signs. But now, all jokes aside, this is a smart thing, making credit card usage by thieves pretty hard. Every time you use your credit card it requires you to fill your pin and displays a security code.This is why using a stolen credit card online will become probably impossible. But I guess thieves will never stop at impossible will they?

We don’t know yet when the first ones will be released! So stay tuned to be the first one to fine out and get your own!

Tags: Credit Card, Mobile News, Portable Devices, security

The G1 is the hottest handset out there right now but it still has some problems. We’ve seen yesterday that POP3/IMAP mail doesn’t fully work and today we found out there’s a security flaw inside the web browser which could prove to be really harmful to your device.

A researcher, Charles A. Miller says the flaw could be exploited when a user goes to a malicious website. Malicious code can use the flaw to install software on the G1 which will do only bad things after. Google knows about this whole thing and it’s working on it. It’s been reported that there’s already a patch ready and T-Mobile G1 owners will get it OTA soon.

Tags: Android, G1, HTC, HTC, Mobile News, security, T-Mobile, T-Mobile

There are plenty of ways to protect data inside a flash drive, like using a special software, a password, or some kind of encryption method, but the most original idea is to use a lock.

On top of previously mentioned feature, it can also be used to lock other gadgets that have a USB interface, like a mouse, keyboard, memory card reader, etc. As long as the jack connector measures 4mm of thickness and 11.5mm in length, it is all good.

The locking combination consists of 3 numbers, and to reset the combo you just need to press a small button with a needle, that is, when the lock is open.
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Tags: Crazy Mobile, Portable Devices, protection, security, usb

This one goes to all those paranoid minds out there ready to create conspiracy theories out of everything. It looks like your friendly iPhone is kind of watching your every action. What it does is take a snapshot of the current screen and caches it every time you push the home button, but only for a few seconds. And since that’s the most important button, since its’ the only one, to be pushed, I’d say you end up pushing it quite a lot.

Is it dangerous for you? Hardly! You have probably more chances of ending up in a local black hole than having your most personal, yet dirty secrets revealed by a smart thief who manages to pull up those screenshots you took with your home button. I know I said it caches them for a few seconds but a mac-savvy mind will find them sooner or later. And I really doubt that a smart thief like that will steal your boring phone instead or phishing for something else.

Tags: 3g iphone, Apple, Apple, Mobile News, Mobile Software, Other Brands, security, software

Verizon has won a $678.5 million contract over 10 years for their services of data and voice security service and disaster communications system for the Homeland Security. Wow that was a long phrase. AT&T came in second for the same thing and will receive a second place consolation prize worth $292 million.
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Tags: At&T, At&T, security, smartphones, Verizon, Verizon

New software is being developed to help locate stolen laptops. Laptop theft has slowly become more and more rampant across America, and is now a major problem for large corporations. Everyday, experts are trying to find a way to stop the thefts.

A company in Mumbai India, Micro technologies, have launched India’s first laptop tracking system to locate stolen laptops. They call this software, the Micro Lost Notebook Tracking System or LNTS. This software is embedded into your notebooks hard drive and it is tracked as soon as it is connected to the Internet.

When downloaded, the software automatically installs itself and connects to an embedded monitoring system the moment it logs on to the Internet while remaining hidden. The LNTS saves all the Internet data, which can only be accessed by the company’s technician.

Using the Windows Explorer platform, the LNTS software is available online in Elite and Premium for individuals, and ‘Corporate’ for corporate use starting from Rs.600 ($15).

(more…)

Tags: laptop, Mobile News, security, theft

New software is being developed to help locate stolen laptops. Laptop theft has slowly become more and more rampant across America, and is now a major problem for large corporations. Everyday, experts are trying to find a way to stop the thefts.

A company in Mumbai India, Micro technologies, have launched India’s first laptop tracking system to locate stolen laptops. They call this software, the Micro Lost Notebook Tracking System or LNTS. This software is embedded into your notebooks hard drive and it is tracked as soon as it is connected to the Internet.

When downloaded, the software automatically installs itself and connects to an embedded monitoring system the moment it logs on to the Internet while remaining hidden. The LNTS saves all the Internet data, which can only be accessed by the company’s technician.

Using the Windows Explorer platform, the LNTS software is available online in Elite and Premium for individuals, and ‘Corporate’ for corporate use starting from Rs.600 ($15).

(more…)

Tags: laptop, Laptops, security, theft

SanDisk announced a new 2-factor authentication technology stored in its Cruzer Enterprise line-up of USB Flash drives. The drive is managed by SanDisk’s CMC (Central Management and Control) server software, enabling IT departments to provision and monitor flash drives. The Cruzer drives also contain RSA SecurID software tokens for a two-phase authentication for remote/mobile network access.

The Cruzer drives offer additional security through the use of 256-bit AES encryption, as well as requiring users to create a complex password during the initial set-up. The flash drives are available in 1, 2, 4 and 8GB capacities with a claimed 24 MB/s read speed and write up to 20 MB/s.

via press release

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Tags: aes, encryption, flash drive, Portable Devices, rsa, securid, security, token, usb

Yep, just like in the movies. British company Virtuity, recently announced their new spy movie-like technology — Backstopp. Backstopp has the capability of monitoring the “heartbeat” of your laptop. Simply said, you set a zone where you put your precious laptop. The moment it gets moved from that space, the software automatically starts disintegrating sensitive data. Nifty. There’s also been some talks of putting a camera in to start snapping pics of the culprit. Just make sure your pet won’t get to your laptop, lest you want to be blaming an innocent playful little animal for a false alarm. Backstopp is available for US$20 per laptop per month.http://www.t3.com/news/self-destructing-laptop?=35291

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Tags: laptop, Laptops, security

Worried about sending off tape backups to secure locations with third party shipping companies? Fujifilm may have an answer. The Fujifilm Tape Tracker is a data management solution designed to improve security and shipping of data tape media. The tracker, designed to fit neatly inside a standard tape media case, combines GPS tracking technology and a corresponding web application that lets you track the shipment in real-time. The technology is patent pending, and will be on show at the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage and Analysis (SC07) in Reno, Nevada from November 10-16.

The GPS system easily fits in 1/2-inch data tape cartridge, and resembles a standard tape. You can then include it in a tape media case and monitor misplaced or stolen tapes using the web app. Called FujiFind, the app can track one or more data tape shipments simultaneously.

Currently in beta tests, the GPS tape drive will be available sometime in Q1 2008.

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Tags: data tape, fujifilm, GPS, GPS, security, shipping, tracking, web application