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Be Smart With Your vCard

September 19, 2015 — Leave a comment

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The WhatsApp Web application had a nice promotion and a relatively short virtual existence, before it has experienced a malware-related trouble. It seems that the invaluable vCard feature can be a source of great trouble for millions of users of this extremely popular app.

Why? Well, the hackers have found a way to install both malware and ransomware in a tiny vCard file. To make the things even worse for WhatsApp users these malicious visitors do not have to ask your permission, when it comes to installation in your device.

The good news is that WhatsApp team was prompt in its response, and you can rest assured that this security flaw is already being fixed. On the other side, our hats off to the busy little bees, who have located and identified this cyber-trouble. We sure hope, they will get something in return.

From what we know, WhatsApp has not been involved in bug bounty reward systems, so far. Yet, its new owner Facebook is always interested for security improvements, and notably very generous in this field. Therefore, the Check Point team could get a reward for its efforts. Right?

Snapchat Snaps Money

September 4, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Here is an intriguing, but also, almost an unexplainable thing with the tech startups. There is a mind blowing disproportion between their market value and their profit capacity. Snapchat is definitely among the most obvious examples in this field. This app has reinvented disproportion.

How? Well, for what is worth, the current estimated market value is somewhere around $20 billion. If we are not mistaken, the last time Facebook knocked at Snapchat’s door, we had an offer of almost nine or it was “only” six billion dollars? So, what is happening with the profit side?

Believe it or not, we are talking about only $3 million, not billion, just to make sure. It does not make any sense, does it? Who would pay $20 billion, for something that makes only $3 million a year? Well, you can rest assured that there is quite a long line of potential business bachelors.

Here is the last piece of the puzzle. It does not matter how much money you make as long as investors have a blind faith in your product or service. The Snapchat has more than $300 million in its bank account. So, they can certainly afford to turn down all takeover offers they do not like. Right?

The Return Of Wild Neutron

August 2, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Kaspersky Lab has issued the most serious warning in 2015. The notorious Wild Neutron is back on its malicious track. Among the potential targets are: France, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Palestine, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, UAE, Algeria and the USA.

In addition, we can expect from the following corporate entities to be among the primary goals for the Wild Neutron in the above mentioned countries: law and insurance firms, Bitcoin and investment companies, large IT companies, healthcare and real estate corporations.

So, the rest of use, so-called ordinary mortal users can relax, for a while. So, how they do it? Well, from what we know for sure, more or less, they heavily exploit the security flaw in the Adobe Flash Player. Could this be the reason for the cancellation of hospitality for this player among major IT players?

Well, it could be very easily. Mozilla, Facebook, Yahoo, and Twitter just had enough of Adobe Flash Player associated trouble. Can you eliminate the Wild Neutron, if you remove the Adobe Flash Player from your system? Well, this is undoubtedly a good question to ask. What do you think?

Facepersky

July 11, 2015 — Leave a comment

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We have just heard an intriguing news about the new cyber-security partnership. For what is worth, Facebook and Kaspersky are teaming up. What for? Why this sudden change for Faceboom? Before we even try to answer these questions, we have to say that this is a clear win-win.

Facebook has tried it all. You name some of the major security brands, Facebook has tried them all, already. However, it is more than obvious that they were not up to the Facebook’s security standards. That is why, Facebook has decided to turn a new leaf in this field.

From now on, as a Facebook user, you can rely on Kaspersky for your security concerns. The great thing is that Kaspersky Lab will assist you for free. Of course, if you want a more thorough analysis and detailed cleaning of your infected files, you will have to pay for it. Time to discuss a win-win scenario.

On the one side, Kaspersky just could not wish for a better way to advertise. On the other side, Facebook has solved an annoying problem with its users. You have a security trouble, then go on and bother Kaspersky for a change. Let us see how this one is going to work in the real cyber life.

You Like Familiar To Windows 10 Mobile

July 1, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Until we get it for real, we are going to hear so many intriguing things about the new Windows 10. It can do this or that. It will do this or that. Some of the things are great, and we cannot wait to get our fingers on them. On the other side, some just make us so worried. So, how about this one?

From now on, the front camera of your Lumia phone thanks to Windows 10 Mobile will come with the facial recognition system. The plan is to make your life much simpler for you. Your smartphone recognizes you, and you are good to go. No password is needed. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Now, let us examine some additional options. Who else is going to recognize you, besides your cyber pet called a smartphone? So, we are supposed to believe that nothing bad or unwanted is not going to happen. Seriously? What about the people around us? This camera is going to treat us nice.

Well, we are not convinced. Not, at all. Actually, the number and power of these facial recognition systems worry us deeply. What are we supposed to do about it? To wear sunglasses all the time? To hide away from our own smartphone? No, this is definitely a bad idea. Think about it again grandpa Microsoft.

To Serve, Protecte, And Hide, If Necessary

June 27, 2015 — Leave a comment

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One of the latest rumors has it that Facebook managed to get its hand on the former chief of the Yahoo security system. Alex Stamos is supposed to do exactly what in Facebook? The same job he was doing in Yahoo. Right? Is Facebook in trouble? Should we be worried about our cyber security on Facebook?

If you scratch a little bit deeper underneath the Facebook surface, you will realize that it still cares about its users. In a profitable way, of course. That is why, anything and anyone to make users uncomfortable is not welcome on this most popular social network in the world.

Here is the catch. The list of most unwanted guests includes our dear government among other notorious men in black. This means that we will be safe from all kinds of spying and tracking programs made in the NSA or the CIA. If that is really the case here, then our hats off to Facebook.

We have to admit that we are a little bit suspicious. Facebook and Google have quite a negative reputation as being extremely “government-friendly”. They just cannot say no to the government, can they? Let us just hope that Facebook hackers will lose their job, thanks to this man Alex Stamos .

You’re In The Army Buddy

June 9, 2015 — Leave a comment

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The Israeli army has new rules related to the proper use of social networks, while you are in the uniform. You are free to use Facebook and Twitter, including other similar media, but with the certain reasonable restrictions. Why all of this trouble with the armed social networks?

Well, you have probably heard that one reckless IS member had sent an invitation to US bombs with his reckless selfie. What you are going to do in your own free time is your thing. However, you should not jeopardize your unit’s position, including the complex and sensitive defense mechanism.

It is also worth mentioning that the same social networks can be used as a weapon. The Israeli army has one of the most sophisticated units for the cyber warfare in the world. That is why, we find a great deal of controversy in this specific do-or-not-do on social networks list.

We shall wait and see, how these newly imposed limitations are going to work for the cyber boys and girls in the Israeli army. Yet, there is some reason in it. You just cannot believe how many top military secrets we are ready to reveal so easily for a perfect selfie. Beware, because the enemy is watching.

Facebook vs EU

May 30, 2015 — Leave a comment

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First Google, and now Facebook has some tough times in Europe. Why? What you can do to the USers, you obviously cannot even think of repeating to the EUsers. The Belgian authorities are protecting their citizens, who have been followed without their knowledge nor approval.

On the other side, Facebook claims that its HQ in Ireland entitles it to a special position in relation to the EU regulations. Seriously? What is that supposed to mean? The last time we checked, Ireland was still an island much closer to Europe than the North American continent. Right?

Outside the US homefield there are not too many rain-me-money markets for the IT giants. We are talking about Europe and China. The catch is that if you want to make money there, you have to play by the rules, whether you like them or not. As simple and as complicated as that.

So, what is going to be the most probable outcome of this cyber-quarrel? Well, you do not have to be a rocket scientist, nor an EU-law-guru, to figure that one yourself, do you? Facebook is going to cry, but eventually it will have to comply. Europe is a too important market to play stubborn games. 

Scrapbook = Kidsbook

April 12, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Kids’ privacy is always in danger. The social networks are the notorious El Dorado for all kinds of children’s picture misuses. When it comes to this, Facebook is definitely not an exception. That is why Facebook has decided to do something about it, for real. Welcome to the new book – Scrapbook.

What is this book all about? Well, it is actually quite simple. Here, the parents can put their kids photo in one place. This option is open to all minors’ parents under 13. As you probably know, this age is a limit imposed for creating an independent Facebook account. So, what do we get in return?

Your kids’ photos get an invaluable extra privacy protection. The parents will have an easy task of deciding with whom and how to share these extremely sensitive pictures. Our hats off to Facebook for making it possible to have a book within a book. The invaluable extra layer of privacy protection.

We sure hope that the other social networks love their users’ children too. Save the children of social networks that is our next homework. We have to be dead serious about it. For what is worth, YouTube has already launched the special channel for kids only. We need more kids oriented social networks.

Book Of Faceless Rules

March 26, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Poor old Facebook, it has to add new rule pages all the time. This time, Facebook wants to deal with nudity and terrorism. In this way, Facebook has joined the anti-nudity-coalition. Google and Twitter have already made it perfectly clear that only artistic or medicine oriented nudity is the only acceptable nudity.

On the other hand, it is not a secret that the jihadists can be easily caught in the controversy trap. They are fighting all the evils of the Western society, while at the same time they cannot imagine a single day without the Internet. No Facebook or Twitter, no new recruits nor followers. As simple as that.

For what is worth, Facebook has decided to introduce a new strict policy, when it comes to promotion or glorification of terrorism. The Islamic State tried to launch its social network called the Book of Caliphate, but the Anonymous hacker group made sure it could not stay online for a single day.

Until the next time, and some next set of new rules. In the meantime, make sure you do not upload any of your naked pictures, including positive comments or even worse “likes” for the news about terrorist attacks. We sure hope that the number of rules will not exceed the number of users to aplly them.