WhatsApp Is Encrypted But It’s No iMessage WhatsApp just announced end-to-end encryption for their 1 billion + users. Their massive user base overshadow Apple’s own iMessage network on Apple’s own devices alone. It would also seem that they are taking a page out of Apple’s own playbook by offering end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp’s parent company, Facebook, is also… Read More »
Apple’s iPhone Encryption Security Battle is Canary in IoT Coal Mine
Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? With a little luck, we are. I know that sounds rather pessimistic but in light of the current FBI and Apple battle over encryption security, we are standing at a familiar crossroads. Last time, the U.S. avoided widespread security failure was the ill-proposed Clipper Chip… Read More »
Feds Want Front and Backdoors To Encryption In Every iPhone
When FBI director was first asked if he had any intentions to force Apple to unlock more than the single iPhone 5C in question, he answered “unlikely to be a trailblazer” for setting a precedent for other cases. But a week later when asked before a congressional panel under oath, he said the judgement on this single iPhone would… Read More »
Encryption is Perfect But iPhone Security is Not
I’m not writing this for the benefit of any criminals or would-be terrorists out there. There are many more law abiding citizens that value their 4th amendment and Bill of Rights right to privacy out there than there are spies, terrorists and criminals looking to exploit security flaws. Now that that disclaimer is out of the way,… Read More »
FBI Bobbing for Apple Customer Privacy
The other night, I was asked to give my brief comments on NBC regarding this security encryption legal fiasco that has pitted Apple against the FBI. I was only given a few seconds to comment so I wanted to elaborate more on some details here. Since this story is about technical security and privacy as much as… Read More »
These Are Your Must-Have Secure Mobile Messaging App Features
When you send a text or MMS from your phone the normal way, you can’t control what happens to the information once it leaves your device. Wireless carriers are required to save messages for a certain length of time to assist authorities in criminal investigations. The recipient can save the message indefinitely, or send… Read More »
How Easy Is It For Hackers To Jack The Tower?
Earlier this month the Government Accountability Office issued a 46-page report outlining security vulnerabilities in critical Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) systems. The report concerns the national airspace system (NAS) used to track and direct public and private aircraft. Many of these issues are common in all types of organizations, so look over the FAA’s list of… Read More »
‘Backoff’ Retail Malware Threat Even Worse than Expected
Just a few weeks ago the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning to retailers about Backoff, the point-of-sale malware responsible for the massive payment card security breach at Target during last year’s holiday season. The initial report indicated up to 600 retailers were affected, but on August 22nd the DHS issued another advisory that… Read More »
