Cryptography

This article delves into the critical yet often overlooked importance of cryptography in our digital lives. It discusses how platforms like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram differ in their use of encryption, the impact of government regulations on privacy, and the significant role cryptography played in the Panama Papers. The piece emphasizes the need for public understanding of cryptographic principles to protect digital privacy and security, offering resources for all skill levels to become more cryptography-savvy. The…

Digital Trends The premier sensors enabling Windows Hello fingerprint authentication are not as secure as manufacturers had hoped. Researchers have discovered security flaws in a number of fingerprint sensors used in several laptops that work with the Windows Hello authentication feature. Security researchers at Blackwing Intelligence have uncovered that laptops made by Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft can have their Windows Hello fingerprint authentication bypassed easily due to vulnerabilities in the sensors that can…

Photo: Samuel Corum (AP)Republican lawmakers have yelped about banning TikTok nationally over supposed national security threats for years now but the increasingly prescient policy issue finally gained bipartisan political support this year with the introduction of the RESTRICT Act by Sens. Mark Warner, a Democrat, and John Thune. The proposed legislation would give the Secretary of Commerce the ability to ban digital products or services from China, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela that involved…

When I contemplate the return of the crypto wars—attempts to block citizens’ use of encryption by officials who want unfettered spying powers—I look back with dread on the late Middle Ages. I wasn’t alive back then, but one feature of those times lingers in my consciousness. Starting around 1337 and all the way until 1453, England and France fought a series of bloody battles. The conflict went on so long it was immortalized by its centenarian length: We know it as the Hundred Years’ War.The crypto wars haven’t yet reached…

Image: Jay Fog (Shutterstock)Google is restricting some employees’ Internet access in a pilot program created to combat cyberattacks. An internal memo informed employees that 2,500 were selected to use internet-free desktop PCs during the pilot program, but the memo was revised to include the caveat that they have the option to opt out of the program while others can volunteer, CNBC reports.Teenage Cybercrime Gang LAPSUS$ Strikes AgainUnder the new program, participating employees won’t have direct access to the internet…

As hackers come up with new ways to attack, not even trustworthy names can be taken at face value. This time, a ransom-as-a-service (RaaS) attack is being used to impersonate a cybersecurity vendor called Sophos. The RaaS, referred to as SophosEncrypt, can take hold of your files — or even your whole PC — and requires payment to have them decrypted. Initially reported by MalwareHunterTeam on Twitter, the ransomware has now been acknowledged by Sophos. The initial thought was that this may have been a red team…

The Biden Administration is working alongside tech companies to put in place a cybersecuritycertification and labeling program on participating smart devices. Google, Amazon, Samsung, and Best Buy are among those who will be implementing labels on their devices to indicate they are less vulnerable to cyberattacks.Teenage Cybercrime Gang LAPSUS$ Strikes AgainThe Federal Communications Commission is filing a national trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which would inform and urge consumers to…

No one wants to fall victim to ransomware, but a new report from blockchain security firm Chainalysis claims that ransomware payments could be set for a record-breaking year, with criminals raking in close to half a billion dollars just seven months into 2023. According to the analysis, ransomware payments this year have totaled $449.1 million so far. That’s $175.8 million more than this time last year, suggesting that hackers have doubled down on this method of extracting money from unfortunate victims. Sora…

Apple has joined WhatsApp, Signal, and other messaging companies, by raising concerns that end-to-end encryption would be threatened if the United Kingdom passes the “Online Safety Bill.” The bill moved to Parliament for review, and if passed, it would give the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the technology and authority to scan messages for concerning content.How To Prep Your iPhone or iPad Before SellingThe UK originally proposed the “Online Safety Bill” to criminalize content on social media platforms including…

Quantum-resistant cryptography is the crucial aspect in safeguarding our digital future It is becoming clear that quantum-resistant cryptography is essential for protecting our digital future. The need for strong encryption techniques is more critical than ever as the world depends more and more on digital technology for communication, business, and data storage. For a long time, it has been believed that traditional encryption techniques like RSA and elliptic curve cryptography are safe against assaults from…