Today’s Tech Sightings:

FILE – An illustration shows a 3D printed Android logo in front of code. (Reuters)

Android Pattern Lock Might Be Vulnerable to (Very Determined) Thieves

The chances of this happening are low, but if you are unlocking your Android smartphone with Pattern Lock in a public place and someone videotapes or watches the motions, then that hacker might be able to replicate the password and gain access to the device. The researchers who tested this scenario found that complicated password patterns were actually easier to hack.

Online Learning Improves When You Feel Like You Belong

A new study from Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows psychological intervention can significantly increase completion rates for students taking online courses in the developing world. The brief interventions include reading testimonials from students who completed the courses despite feeling that they did not belong.

DDoSing Evolves in Vacuum Left by IoT’s Absence of Security

Despite continuing to proliferate, Internet of Things (IoT) devices are still a cause for concern, particularly in instances where hijacked devices were used as botnets to launch Distributed Denial of service (DDoS) attacks on websites. Writer John Leyden says IoT botnets have boosted the strength and frequency of (DDoS) attacks, with more than 53 percent of service providers reporting more than 21 attacks per month.

More:

• China’s Great Firewall Just Got Stronger, and Is Now Keeping Out VPNs
• Tech Elites Prepare for Doomsday
• Virulent Android Malware Returns, Gets >2 Million Downloads on Google Play
• Severe Vulnerability in Cisco’s WebEx Extension for Chrome Leaves PCs Vulnerable
• Firefox 51 Arrives With Warning for HTTP Websites Collecting Passwords
• Cyber Criminals Develop Service to Protect Themselves From Scammers
• Apple Quashes Bugs in iOS, MacOS, Safari
• Chinese Phonemakers Rout Indian Brands on Their Own Turf
• Vivaldi CEO Urges Microsoft to Stop Anti-competitive Practices With Edge Browser
• iPhone Users Can Finally Send WhatsApp Messages Offline
• Pokemon GO Unleashed on Game-mad South Korea Six Months Late