Today’s Tech Sightings:
This photo shows Dyn, a New Hampshire internet service company, in the old mill section of the city, Oct. 21, 2016 in Manchester, N.H. (AP)
Friday’s IoT-based DDoS Attack Has Security Experts Worried
Many experts believe cyberattacks that exploit Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices are just getting started. The massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that took down major websites last Friday reportedly exploited Internet-enabled webcams and digital recorders. Experts have been warning for some time that always-on, Internet connected IoT devices are not secure and can be hacked in minutes. The hackers who carried out the DDoS attack exploited manufacturer passwords on the webcams. A Chinese manufacturer who provided the exploited parts – Hangzhou Xiongmai – has issued a recall in the U.S. Beijing, however, is blaming users for not changing their passwords.
IoT, Mobile Tracking Devices for iPad, iPhone Riddled With Critical Flaws
Researchers from Internet security firm Rapid7 have uncovered a slew of critical security vulnerabilities in Internet of Things devices for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android mobile operating systems. The devices include TrackR Bravo, iTrack Easy and Nut tracker. Rapid7 says some devices store passwords without encryption in their apps and allow unauthenticated access to GPS data.
VR, AR Can Help Restore Sight
A professor of neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley, is working on a lower-cost solution to help people with low vision. Frank Werblin’s app – IrisVision – uses Samsung’s virtual reality headset to magnify whatever wearers are looking at. The aim is to help improve the way low-vision people see the world.
More:
- US Takes Aim at Cyberattacks From Connected Devices as Recalls Mount
- St. Jude Comes Under Fire for Security Risks of Heart Implants
- How Experts Traced the DNC Hack to Russian Spies
- Report: Android and iOS Apps Both Leak Private Data
- The Most Common Malware, Country by Country
- Wall Street Watchdogs Turn to AI to Catch Market Cheats
- The Future of Windows: Rumors of What Microsoft May Announce Wednesday
- Satya Nadella Admits Microsoft Missed Mobile Opportunity
- WhatsApp Is Rolling Out Video Calls on Android
- Sweden’s Highest Court Bans Drones With Cameras
