Security, Spoken

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Encrypted Chat Took Over. Let’s Encrypt Calls, Too Apr 24, 2017

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As end-to-end encrypted messaging apps have exploded in popularity, several well-known services have added encrypted calls as well. Why not, right? If it works for text-based chat, voice seems like a natural extension. If only it were that easy. Encrypting calls has plenty of value, keeping conversations strictly between the two parties. They can circumvent government wiretaps, or criminal snooping.

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North Korea’s Failed Rocket Test Eases Experts’ Worst-Case Scenario Fears Apr 21, 2017

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A tense weekend of brinksmanship between the United States and North Korea culminated in a failed missile test from the reclusive dictatorship. And while the busted launch does highlight the country’s long-term commitment to advancing its warfare capabilities, it also shouldn’t cause undo alarm. In fact, it was something close to routine.

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Sneaky Exploit Allows Phishing Attacks From Sites That Look Secure Apr 20, 2017

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Phishing attacks can make even crusading technovangelists paranoid. One wrong click can put you out a ton of cash, or cause a corporate breach. And they evolve constantly. Case in point: A cunning new exploit makes malicious phishing websites appear to have the sameURL asknown and trusted destinations. You knowby now to check your browser while visitinga site to besure it sportsthelittle green padlock indicatingTLS encryption.

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North Korea Probably Can’t Strike the US Yet—But It’s Still Plenty Scary Apr 19, 2017

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National security experts and North Korea watchers say the reclusive countrymay test a nuclear bomb on Saturday, the ‘Day of the Sun’ holiday that marks the birthday of national father Kim Il-sung. The Hermit Kingdom’s recent saber-rattling prompted the United States to dispatch the Vinson carrier group as a show of force, and President Trump has not ruled out a pre-emptive strike.

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Security News This Week: Nasty Microsoft Word ‘Booby Trap’ Loaded PCs With Malware Apr 18, 2017

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It feels like all weeks in security news are overstuffed lately, and this one's no exception. It started with a bang, or more of a blare, as all of Dallas's dozens of tornado sirens were hacked to sound off at once. And it ended with a boom, as the US dropped the Moab ('Mother of All Bombs,' colloquially), a 22,600 pound bomb, for the first time.

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That ‘Mother of All Bombs’ Was Just Waiting For the Right Target Apr 17, 2017

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When the US dropped a 22,600-pound bomb near suspected ISIS tunnels in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on Thursday, the blast from the explosion would have rushed into the furthest reaches of the mountain complex about a mile away. The GBU-43, known as Moab—short for Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or, colloquially, Mother of All Bombs—is the largest non-nuclear, non-penetrating bomb in the US arsenal. And until now, this mother had never been used outside of a testing facility.

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The Carter Page Surveillance Doesn’t Prove Anyone’s Conspiracy Theory Apr 14, 2017

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It’s easy for all sides to read too much into the news tat FBI reportedly obtained a warrant to surveil former Trump foreign policy adviser Carter Page. Those convinced of Trump’s Russia ties may see validation, and proof of a grander conspiracy. Others may see this lending credence to Trump’s allegations that the Obama administration ordered illegal, politically motivated surveillance in the heat of last years’s presidential campaign. In truth, it does neither.

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If You’re Somehow Still on Windows Vista, Upgrade Right Now Apr 13, 2017

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Windows Vista was not a popular Microsoft release. We can just say it. Launched in 2007 (after a few delays), it was the first Windows overhaul since the well-loved XP release in 2001. Six years is a long time to make people wait, no matter how great the replacement. And Vista, well, was not great. A decade later, Microsoft's finally pulling the plug on support tomorrow. Which means, if you're somehow stuck with Microsoft's least popular operating system, it's time to move on. Like, now.

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Tax Scams Are Absurdly Common. Here’s How to Protect Yourself Apr 12, 2017

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Filing and paying taxes can be frustrating enough without the looming threat of identity theft and refund fraud. But tax scams have become so prevalent, you’ve likely received a bogus call, text message, or email in the last few years. As painful as it is to add another item on the tax to-do list this year, working to protect yourself from cons and digital attacks could really save you money and time. The scams work a few ways.

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This Week’s Security News: Taser Bets Big on the Surveillance State Apr 11, 2017

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Well, we sent 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles smack into a Syrian airbase this week. But other stuff happened too! The week started off with some clever hack revelations, including a backdoor that Russians have used for two decades, and an ATM hack that just takes a drill hole and $15 worth of gear. And some particularly industrious hackers took over a Brazilian bank's entire online footprint for a few hours. Spies got their own cool new app that you can't play with.

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