Security News

You might not want to check your bank account from your phone after all. Mobile apps from USAA, Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and TD Ameritrade have major security holes, reports research firm viaForensics and WSJ. The bugs center mainly around iPhone and Android versions of the apps, and could potentially allow a hacker to learn your username, password, and some financial information. In other words, this is bad. Full Story »

BRUSSELS - The European Union wants companies such as Google Inc. or Facebook Inc. to give people more control over how their online habits are tracked, requirements that could crimp Internet firms' ability to target advertising. Full Story »

Antivirus lab AV-Test.org evaluated almost 20 antivirus products under Windows 7 and under Windows XP SP2, with wildly different results. Windows 7 seems to make life easier for most antivirus tools. Full Story »

Microsoft's Kinect motion controller for Xbox 360 has been out in the wild for 24 hours and what a bumpy ride it's been so far. Before most stores had even opened their doors Wednesday morning there were reports that Kinect was having problems with its facial recognition technology. Later, Microsoft got a little testy when someone put a $2000 hacker's bounty on the device, worries about availability appear to be overblown, and Kinect was torn apart to reveal the $150 device's innards. Here's a look at Kinect's first 24 hours. Full Story »

A computer security researcher says he plans to release code Thursday that could be used to attack some versions of Google's Android phones over the Internet. Full Story »

It was only a matter of time before tinkerers had their way with the hackable Apple TV, with one hacker making a custom weather app. Now, someone else has come along and added Mac media center Plex to the set-top box. Full Story »

The European Commission on Thursday proposed a sweeping overhaul to its data protection laws, which would, among other things, require Internet companies to collect as little data as possible about it users and be more transparent about it processes. Full Story »

Malware slips in via many weak points. It can come via e-mail, drive-by downloads, or ill-advised clicking—perhaps on a misleading popup. Increasingly, it also comes via USB devices. Full Story »

Hackers might crack or steal your password, but can they type like you? Full Story »

BRUSSELS (AFP) - European computer guards battled Thursday against a simulated attempt by hackers to bring down critical Internet services in the first pan-continental test of cyber defences. Full Story »

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Tencent Holdings is planning to shut down access to its popular instant messaging platform for millions of users after a public spat with China's top antivirus software provider, Qihoo 360. Full Story »

SINGAPORE (AFP) - If you've just become the victim of identity thieves or computer hackers, it's time to call in someone like Ali Fazeli. Full Story »

Google has reached a settlement in the class-action suit over privacy issues relating to its Buzz social-networking program. Under terms of the settlement, the search giant will establish an $8.5 million Common Fund to support organizations focusing on Internet privacy policy or privacy education, in addition to covering lawyers' fees. Full Story »

Millions of Google Buzz users were contacted Tuesday by Google regarding a class-action lawsuit settlement stemming from an online privacy debate sparked by the search giant. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Google Inc., the top Web search provider, will allocate about $8.5 million to Internet privacy and policy organizations as part of a class action settlement involving its Buzz social hub. Full Story »

A federal court has ruled that the state of North Carolina cannot get records on what Amazon shoppers purchased, but more needs to be done to protect online privacy Full Story »

Google has notified users of a settlement reached concerning its Google Buzz service, which became a touchstone for the debate over online privacy. Full Story »

One of the many legal proceedings Google is involved in is drawing to an end. The company announced on Tuesday that it has been granted preliminary approval for a settlement in its Buzz lawsuit, potentially awarding $8.5 million to funds dedicated to promoting Internet privacy. But don’t go thinking Google is admitting any fault in this. Instead, the industry leader reaffirms its commitment to better educating its users about Buzz’s privacy options. Full Story »