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Showing posts from March 17, 2019

Worried that Facebook Employees Know Your Password? Here are Some Pro Security Tips

Facebook allowed hundreds of millions of user passwords to be accessible to by its employees for years and Facebook violated fundamental computer-security practices. Now, cybersecurity company Sophos is offering advice on what people can do. News18.com Facebook has said it has fixed a security issue wherein millions of its users' passwords were stored in plain text and "readable" format for years and according to reports, were searchable by thousands of its employees. The report by KrebsOnSecurity claimed on Thursday that around 200-600 million Facebook users may have had their account passwords stored in plain text and searchable by over 20,000 Facebook employees. Federal prosecutors in the US are now also probing whether top executives of Facebook, already mired in data breaches, were aware of data harvesting by the British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. According to a report in The Guardian on Sunday, federal prosecutors' investigation claims t

Formal cyber security framework in smart cities a must: report

Need to establish a formal cyber security framework in smart cities with a well-defined policy and a structured security organisation with roles and responsibilities to reduce the cyber risks in the smart cities, according to FICCI-KPMG report. The report titled ‘Cyber security in smart cities’ mentioned that as smart cities seek technology centric smart solutions there is a need to realise that these solutions would have their own set of security limitations. Thus, smart cities might become attractive targets for large scale cyber security attacks. It further recommended that smart cities should carefully evaluate their third party suppliers, identify qualified partners, and invest in integrating security, privacy and trust across the ecosystem. “An effective smart city will optimise the transmission and utilisation of data to improve economic prospects and to enhance the quality of living. In this context, the value of data becomes immeasurable and the challenge is to ens

The Rise of an Era: IoT and Cybersecurity

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly gaining momentum in various industries, such as automotive, consumer electronics, education, sports, cosmetics, and healthcare sector, among others. The emergence of IoT is expected to be one of the major technological advancements of this era. IoT is a network of devices, which facilitates the exchange of data between devices, resulting in smart devices that provide users with real-time, interactive capabilities among various separate electronic entities. These smart devices can be home appliances, automobiles, or other electronic devices. Various organizations have been introducing IoT technology to consumer electronics and home appliances, resulting in the smart kitchen, which is gaining popularity among consumers. For instance, in 2016, Samsung Electronics introduced a smart refrigerator to its kitchen appliances product line. The Samsung Family Hub refrigerator is based on IoT and includes an LCD display of 21.5 inches in HD resolution. 

Cyber war is here, according to 87% of security professionals

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A study from Venafi has concluded that the world is in the midst of a cyber war, with 72% of respondents believing nation-states have right to ‘hack back’ cybercriminals The cyber war rages on, with no end in sight. War is described  as a ‘state of armed conflict between states, governments, societies and informal paramilitary groups, such as mercenaries, insurgents and militias. It is generally characterised by extreme violence, aggression, destruction and mortality, using regular or irregular military forces.’ But, in the internet age, this description no longer applies. Or, at the very least, is outdated. The  cyber war  has begun, and unlike other conflicts, it is being fought online (albeit with very real physical implications), with no clear enemy; and seemingly, a random selection of targets — any system vulnerable enough. Of course, there are nation state hackers who — under unofficial orders — target political enemies, for a variety of political and economic reasons.

Norsk Hydro cyber attack: What happened?

“Hydro subject to cyber-attack,” warned Oslo-headquartered Norsk Hydro ASA, one of the world’s biggest aluminum producers, on Tuesday. “Hydro has isolated all plants and operations and is switching to manual operations and procedures as far as possible. Hydro’s main priority is to continue to ensure safe operations and limit operational and financial impact. The problem has not led to any safety-related incidents,” the company  added . In the most recent update on the situation, published an hour ago, the company shared that it “has succeeded in detecting the root cause of the problems and is currently working to validate the plan and process to restart the company’s IT systems in a safe and sound manner.” Several of its plants suffered production challenges and temporary stoppage because of a lack of ability to connect to the production systems, but most operations are running, the company noted, “with some more manual operations than normal.” According to the company’s

India’s fintech cos are growing but cybersecurity fails to make the mark

Out of 2035  Indian fintech  startups, only 58 focus on cybersecurity: India Fintech Report 2019. This is a big problem as India currently ranks 15th in a list of world’s least digitally secure countries.  Lack of awareness and scarcity of talent is a big reason for the absence of cybersecurity companies. Financial technology startups have been a major part of India’s startup growth story, especially after India’s crack down on cash during its demonetisation drive two years ago.  But among the 2,035 Indian fintech startups, only 58 work in regulatory technology (a segment of fintech dealing with compliance) and cybersecurity, according to the India Fintech 2019 report released at the recently concluded conclave Fintegrate Zone.  Some of the reasons behind the absence of startups dedicated to security is the lack of knowledge and resources, along with the required skills to work on the challenges of these sectors, according to the report.  India’s fintech story has been synonymous

Political parties should pay attention to cyber security of their campaigns

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The unprecedented speed of online communication, the relative ease of spreading misinformation and the growing sophistication of fake news has helped constitute a new global cyber landscape that few could have imagined a decade ago. C. Raja Mohan Foreign manipulation of elections is a major problem around the world. It is widely accepted that the current general elections would be India’s first polls to be shaped by the social media. As rival parties weaponise new digital tools in a rather charged political moment, the question of preserving the integrity of India’s elections has come right to the top. Foreign manipulation of elections is a major problem around the world. In the last few years there have been charges of external intervention in elections in countries as different as the US, Cambodia, Madagascar and Taiwan. Consider, for example, Indonesia, one of the world’s largest democracies. About 190 million people are set to elect the president, national parliament, pro

Grenade Blast Outside Russian Consulate In Greece: Police

Athens:  A grenade exploded early Friday outside the Russian consulate in Athens without hurting anyone, police said, an attack typical of domestic far-left groups. The area in the Athens suburb of Halandri was rapidly cordoned off and bomb specialists were dispatched, a police source said. Police said the grenade had exploded but caused no injuries as the consulate was closed at the time. The attack occurred at around 0200 GMT. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The Greek foreign ministry "unequivocally" condemned the attack, which it said had caused some damage outside the building. It added that Greek authorities "were taking all necessary steps to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice." It is believed that the grenade was lobbed by one or two persons on a motorbike. Police were probing possible links to a burnt motorbike found later in central Athens. The move is typical of domestic far-left outfits, who

Two Hindu Girls Kidnapped in Pak’s Sindh, Parents Stage Protests

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Two teenage Hindu girls from Pakistan were allegedly abducted from Ghotki in Sindh, on the eve of Holi, on Wednesday, 20 March. The girls – Reveena and Reena – are 16 and 14 years old, respectively.  The following day, on Thursday, 21 March, people from the Hindu community took to the street to protest against the Ghokti police’s refusal to file an FIR. Community leader Mukhi Shiv Menghwar told  The Express Tribune  that “it was not free will and the girls were, in fact, kidnapped and forcibly converted.” Also Read:  India Must ‘De-Hyphenate’ From Pakistan Like China Did From Taiwan However, Karachi's Central Police Office claimed that the two girls recorded a video in which they alleged that they left their home on their own and that they have embraced Islam "without any pressure," reported  Pakistan Today.  In 2016, the Sindh Assembly passed a law against forced conversions, a practice that was becoming common in the area.  While the Bill was contested by

Kidnapped German journalist who gave birth in Syria speaks for first time

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Janina Findeisen was pregnant when she was kidnapped while reporting from Syria in October 2015 A German documentary maker who was kidnapped in Syria when she was seven months pregnant and gave birth to a son while being held hostage has spoken out about her ordeal for the first time. “I was fully aware that if it came to it they would cut my head off in front of a camera,” Janina Findeisen  told Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper . In her first interview since she was freed, Ms Findeisen told how she had travelled to Syria without a mobile phone or tracker in October 2015 in order to interview a former school friend who had joined the jihadist Al-Nusra Front, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. “I felt under pressure because of the pregnancy. I wanted to tell this story while I could still work and didn’t have to wait until after the birth,” she said. “I didn’t realise I was making the biggest mistake of my life.” Ms Findeisen had a guarantee of safe conduct from her former school

Yasin Malik’s Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front banned under anti-terror law

Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba aid the JKLF is actively involved in funding and actively supporting terrorism The Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) was banned by the Centre under anti-terror law on Friday. Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba said JKLF (Yasin faction) is declared an unlawful organization and said the ban is in continuation with the government’s move of zero tolerance against secessionist groups “JKLF has spearheaded the secessionist ideology in Jammu and Kashmir and poses a threat to the sovereignty of the country,” he said. JKLF has been banned under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Its chief Yasin Malik is under arrest and at present lodged in Jammu’s Kot Balwal jail. Rajiv Gauba said the JKLF is actively involved in funding and actively supporting terrorism. “It continues to be involved in activities prejudicial to the country,” he added. JKLF is the second organisation in Jammu and Kashmir which has been banned this

'This is not Jihad but Jahalat', Pleaded Villagers to LeT Terrorists Holding Boy Captive

Ali had been active in the area for long and was involved in the killing of a BSF personnel and others, including the death of a man whose throat was slit in front of his son. PTI Srinagar:  This is not "jihad" (armed crusade) but "jahalat" (benighted), a village elder pleaded to Pakistani terrorists in North Kashmir's Hajin area while asking them to release a 12-year-old boy who was held captive and subsequently killed on Thursday. Videos of the village elder of Mir Mohalla of Hajin surfaced on social media, showing him asking the two Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists, Ali alias Furkan and Hubaib, to release Atif Mir. The incident took place 33 km north of Srinagar where the terrorists had taken shelter in the boy's house at gunpoint, police officials said on Friday. The terrorists wanted to sexually abuse his sister but the family had helped her escape. This infuriated them and they started beating up the family members, including Atif and his old uncle Hame

New intelligence unit to assess threats to State security will be set up by the end of the year

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Varadkar says Ireland is as prepared as any other country for a terror attack. A NEW intelligence unit to assess threats to State will be set up by the end of the year, according to the Taoiseach, who said Ireland is “as prepared as any country can be” for a terror attack. Setting up the new Strategic Threat Analysis Centre was one the proposals made by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.  Last year, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan moved to immediately establish threat assessment body.  The new centre will co-ordinate security and intelligence at central government level. In light of the increase of terror attacks internationally, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “We have seen horrendous terrorist attacks occur across the water in Britain, France, America and now in New Zealand. You know, countries can only be so prepared for acts of appalling violence that are carried out by individuals or small groups. “But among the things we are doing for example

Counter terrorism probe after five Birmingham mosques attacked with sledgehammers overnight

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Five mosques in Birmingham had their windows smashed in with sledgehammers overnight on Thursday (SWNS) West Midlands Police has asked anyone with information on the attacks to come forward. A  counter-terrorism  investigation is under way after five Birmingham  mosques had their windows smashed with sledgehammers overnight. Officers were called at 2.32am on Thursday after reports of an attack on a mosque on Birchfield Road in  Birmingham , West Midlands Police said. Counter terrorism police have launched a probe into the attacks (SWNS) GV of Witton Islamic Centre in Birmingham was one of four mosques attacked with a sledghammer on March 21, 2019 (SWNS) Shortly after the incident, police were called to a second mosque attack on Slade Road in Erdington at 3.14am. Following the second report, patrols started in areas with mosques, before officers discovered further damage to a mosque on Witton Road, Aston and on Broadway, Perry Barr. Church hold