Are Facebook and Microsoft Giving the Government your PersonalInformation?

Microsoft, Facebook Make No Mention of Government Requests

Earlier on, Microsoft and Facebook had requested their users to input personal data and said that it was as per the direction of authorities of the US government. When asked later what matter the information was for, the companies only said that they are still unable to disclose what matter the information was for. Some say that it was to help the search of a missing child. However, many people are upset by the way the companies sidelined the users and did not make any mention of the reason for taking personal data from the users.

Why People Are Upset

Some information may have actually been needed for certain operations regarding national security. But the people of America feel that having been active participants in the matter, they deserve some reconciliation. They feel they should know how their acceptance of allowing their personal details being given to the government has helped. It is understandable that this may have been for a very good cause, however, some are unhappy at the breach of privacy without good reason so far.

Facebook and Microsoft’s Comments on the Matter

The companies mentioned on their corporate blogs that they have been swamped by thousands of queries and comments sent in by users. They also mentioned that they are allowed to give out any data which the government deems to be a matter of national security. This may even include FISA Orders or Directives, according to John Frank, the current deputy counsel at Microsoft.



 Please visit http://www.hyphenet.com/blog/ for more blog posts on the latest technology and IT security news.

References:

Facebook can now say more on user surveillance
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/06/15/facebook-can-now-say-more-on-user-surveillance/
Published June 15th, 2013

Facebook Microsoft Government Broader Surveillance Revelations
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/facebook-microsoft-government-broader-surveillance-revelations-article-1.1373545
Published June 15, 2013

Microsoft and Facebook Release Number of National
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/06/15/microsoft-and-facebook-release-number-of-national.aspx
Published June 15, 2013

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Image courtesy of [Free Digital Photos] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sony PS4 Remote Play

Remote Play with the PS4 and PSP Vita

At the reveal event for the new Sony PS4, it was mentioned a few times that the new update to Sony’s gaming console the PlayStation may be able to interact with its equivalent handheld device, the PSP Vita. The newest IP, Knack, was used by Mark Cerny, a famous video game industry figure, as a demo piece to show how the device need not be connected only to your television set. Remote Play is an option that has been available in many previous versions of the PlayStation, but had not been supported well. You may now experience a new generation of gaming where you have the option of gaming on your console while you are connected to the internet.

What’s Good and What’s Not

Live streaming theoretically allows you to use your handheld PSP while you are on the move, and yet be connected to your console at home. This is similar to the way Microsoft’s Nintendo Wii U’s new gamepad controller works. Sony is trying to bring forth this feature, as it is under-used today, and is trying to propagate the usage of this option in gaming consoles worldwide, not only restricted to their own appliances. If everything goes as expected, Remote Play could become a feasible option and may even go to become standard for any new releases related to gaming consoles or other hardware devices. The only place this option is not feasible, however, is the fact that some titles require the camera of the PS4 for the entire experience.


Please visit http://www.hyphenet.com/blog/ for more blog posts on the latest technology and IT security news.


References:

PS4 Gaming Requires Remote Play Compatibility
Published June 1st, 2013 - http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2013/06/01/ps4-games-require-vita-remote-play-compatib/1



PS4 Games Require Vita Remote Play
Published May 30th, 2013 - http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/30/ps-vita-remote-play-mandatory-for-all-ps4-games-3820266/



Sony Mandates Vita Remote Play
Published May 29th, 2013 - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-sony-mandates-vita-remote-play-for-ps4-games



Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet or “Like” us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest security threats.

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Malware on the Rise

Microsoft is clearly the industry leader in terms of operating system and it still has a firm hold over that position. In recent times, the company has had a quiet time in terms of security risks, especially after the introduction of  Windows 8. However, a new type of malware is being distributed for the Windows OS through German spam that affects the boot record of the infected computer. Also, this malware can also give the hacker control of the infected computer.

Distributed Via Attachment

Trend Micro was the company that was responsible for the detection of this new type of malware. The researchers who analyzed this malware said that it was attached to the German spam mail, and is code named BKDR_MATSNU.MCB. The mail will claim that the recipient has to pay some money to the sender, and all the relevant details have been attached to the mail. Trend micro researchers claimed that this method is very effective in influencing the recipients to open the attachment.

Ransomware Reaction

Once the malware is downloaded and installed on the victim’s computer, the data is collected and sent to the hacker who planted the malware. Once that is done, the malware is capable of erasing the boot record on the drive, erasing data, and also locks the screen of the computer. The victim is then asked to pay a certain sum of money if the screen has to be unlocked, the classic ransomware approach.

 

Links:

German Ransomware Threatens Victims, Disables PCs | Security ...

www.technewsdaily.com/18282-german-ransomware-disables-computers...‎

6 days ago – If you become a victim of the BKDR_MATSNU.MCB ransomware, getting it off of your system may not be as simple as running a virus scan.

 

Compromised Japanese Sites Lead to ... - Threat Watch

www.trendmicro.eu/smartphone/content.php?m=TrendLabs...i...‎

Jun 5, 2013 – Like any backdoor, BKDR_MATSNU.MCB performs certain malicious commands, which include gathering machine-related information and ...

 

Backdoor.AndroidOS.Obad.a, an Advanced Android Malware Threatens Users

http://thedroidguy.com/2013/06/backdoor-androidos-obad-a-an-advanced-android-malware-threatens-users/

Jun 8, 2013 - A known computer security company revealed that there is an advanced Android malware..

 

Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet or “Like” us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest security threats.

 

Super Malware that Attacks Android Discovered

Android and security threats go almost hand in hand as new and imminent threats are discovered on almost a weekly basis in today’s market. However, there was no threat that could potentially uproot Google’s Android as one of the most popular mobile operating systems in the world. But all that is set to change now, as a new virus has been detected that is very advanced and attacks the Android operating system in a new and innovative way. Also, the code is a little hard to completely remove, and can potentially detract users from using Android in the future.

Deadly Characteristics of the Virus

When a security researcher performs an assessment of any malicious software, he or she considers the most dangerous traits of that malicious software. From that viewpoint, this is one of the most dangerous Android malware discovered. Firstly, the code is so complex that it looks almost like a code that is written for a Windows computer, or even more advanced. The code also uses obfuscation techniques to confuse the OS about its true nature, thus evading detection. But the most dangerous trait of this malware is that it has been programmed to resist attempts of uninstallation by the user.

Kaspersky Labs behind the Discovery

Kaspersky, a leading security products company, detected this malware in Android and said that is has the capability of single handedly bringing down the Android operating system. They also reported that this malware exploits vulnerabilities in the Android OS that were previously, quite literally unknown.

References:
Android super-malware discovered – Is Google's platform in peril ...

virusfreephone.com/.../android-super-malware-discovered-is-googles-pla...‎

View shared post

4 days ago – Android super-malware discovered – Is Google's platform in peril? ... Android Mobile Attacks Spreading Across The Globe, McAfee Finds ›.

Android super-malware discovered – Is Google's platform in ..

malware.rsspump.com/?...android-super-malware-discovered--is...‎

View shared post

4 days ago – Android super-malware discovered – Is Google's platform in peril? ... and anti- malware software in light of the recent malicious attacks across  ...

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More Digitally Signed Versions of OS X Spyware Found

The Mac has been one of the highly targeted operating systems for the online miscreants and it seems that the ‘KitM’ spyware has more versions than the online security firms had found. The KitM had caused a huge uproar in the Mac community due to its effect. Recently, researchers reported that they found the spyware from as long ago as 2012 December. This version was apparently targeting users who converse in the German language.

 

What is HackBack?

The KitM virus is known by a lot of other names, ‘Kumar in the Mac’ and ‘HackBack’ being the most prominent of the lot. According to the security threat researchers that unearthed this spyware, this is a typical backdoor program. The spyware has the capability of taking screen shots of the infected computer screen without authorization, and sends these shots to the command and control server. The command and control server, also known popularly as C&C, is controlled by the miscreant that planted the spyware.

Another dangerous activity that the KitM virus enables is the reverse shell opening. This shell will enable the hacker to control the infected computer from the C&C server. Commands can be executed, data can be stolen, and the range of activities that can be executed is virtually unlimited.

 

Signed with Apple ID

The most amazing property of the KitM spyware, detected in a human rights activist’s computer, was that it had a valid Apple employee ID as a digital signature. The ID corresponded to one Rajinder Kumar. This enables the spyware to actually bypass the security checks of many older versions of the Mac system.

 

Reference Links:

Researchers find more versions of digitally signed Mac OS X spyware
www.macworld.com/.../researchers-find-more-versions-of-digita...

by Lucian Constantin - in 98 Google+ circles

May 23, 2013 – Researchers find more versions of digitally signed Mac OS X spyware. Security researchers have identified multiple samples of the recently ...

 

Slyck.com • View topic - Researchers Find More Versions Of ...
www.slyck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=61458‎

May 23, 2013 - 1 post - 1 author

Security researchers have identified multiple samples of the recently discovered " KitM" spyware for Mac OS X, including one dating back to ...

 

Researchers find more versions of digitally signed Mac OS X spyware
www.phoenixlocalshops.com/researchers-find-more-versions-of-digitally...

May 23, 2013 – Security researchers have identified multiple samples of the recently discovered “ KitM” spyware for Mac OS X, including one dating back to ...

 

Researchers find more versions of digitally signed Mac OS X spyware
news.yahoo.com/researchers-more-versions-digitally-signed-mac-os-x-1...‎

May 23, 2013 – Researchers find more versions of digitally signed Mac OS X spyware ... of the recently discovered "KitM" spyware for Mac OS X, including one ... Dog Found Standing Guard Over a Tornado Victim Reunited With Her Owner ...


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