Today’s Tech Sightings:
A Google carpet is seen at the entrance of the new headquarters of Google France before its official inauguration in Paris, France. (Reuters)
Serious App Permissions Flaw Will Not be Fixed Until Android O
Google’s Android operating system might get a lot of unwanted attention from hackers because of its popularity, but research from Check Point security firm points to deeper problems. Google Play’s app permission model grants apps downloaded from the store extensive access, putting users at risk of malware, ransomware and other threats. Google does not intend to address the issue until it releases its new Android O operating system.
Ransomware Remains Profitable as Victims Fall Prey to Attacks
New research from Barracuda networks found that 47 percent out of more than 1,000 respondents have been victimized by ransomware attacks. Among those attacked, 59 percent could not identify the source of the ransomware and 75 percent of those who found the source said it came via email.
Assistive Tech Gets Smart
Smart assistive technologies increasingly are coming to the aid of people with disabilities, from AI-enabled eyesight services to smart hearing aids and other connected devices. Writer Michelle Donahue looks at some of the new technologies that are opening a world of accessibility to the disabled.
More:
- Austrian Court Orders Facebook to Remove Hate Speech Postings Worldwide
- Cloudflare Changes Abuse Policy but Refuses to ‘Censor the Internet’
- Microsoft Rushes Emergency Fix for Critical Antivirus Bug
- Mac Users Installing Popular DVD Ripper Get Nasty Backdoor Instead
- How to Check for the Intel Active Management Exploit That Lets Hackers Control Your PC
- Chinese Startup Infervision Emerges From Stealth With AI Tool for Diagnosing Lung Cancer
- Google’s “Fuchsia” Smartphone OS Dumps Linux, Has Wild New UI
- Instagram Launches Mobile Web Sharing to Pursue Global Growth
- A Peek at the Startups Ready to Augment Your Reality
