Cybersecurity & Privacy
Authy vs Google Authenticator for 2 factor authentication
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2136”] Picture by Harald Groven under creative commons license [/caption] It seems password theft is in the news every week and even average computer users are starting to learn about the benefits of 2 factor authentication. 2 factor authentication increasing your account security because it add to your password (something you know) with a second factor (something you have). The something you have is usually either an SMS message with a one-time authentication code to your primary phone on file or a special software that generates the same kind of code.
WIFI 3G enhancing Absolute Linkase Pro for iPhone 5s Review
We are a society that prides itself on always being connected and there is nothing more frustrating that having weak WIFI or 3G that causes intermittent connectivity flickering. I experience this most often when using hotel WIFI. Sometimes my room is just at the edge of the reception range and I have to walk around trying to find the best spot to get a signal. Absolute (link) developed its Linkase (for iPhone 5 and 5s) specifically to help you get a signal when you might otherwise not.
What should users do about heartbleed
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Image by Travelhack under creative commons license [/caption] Since this is a user oriented article I won't get into the technical details about what the heartbleed bug is but in simple terms it is a vulnerability in a very commonly used security protocol that could allow an attacker to "steal" 64 KB of server data (from memory) at a time. Current estimates peg the impact of this bug at about 500,000 sites or ~20 of secured SSL sites on the internet.
Telegram messenger isn't secure
I first wrote about Telegram Messenger February 25 (link). As soon as I published my article, readers started asking me "how secure Telegram Messenger really is". The answer is not that secure. But then again, Whatsapp isn't a super secret messenger either. Most users aren't transmitting state secrets so ultra protection really isn't really a requirements. But for those that are interested, Telegram Messenger's security is not verifiably secure. Personally, I would not rely on it if I wanted to share something confidential.
Apple reveals TouchID secrets in new document
In a new document published by Apple (link), we finally learn the details about bout TouchID functions and the exact process of the TouchID finger recognition system. Since the release of the iPhone 5s, we have seen a steady stream of information explaining TouchID and its security level. We know the scanned information is stored in a non-reversible fashion on a special "enclave" built into Apple's latest A7 chip. We know from experience that even the cable is authenticated with its paired TouchID sensor to prevent man-in-the-middle type attacks.
Two-step verification for Apple IDs finally lands in Canada
Early last year, many countries were able to use Apple's two-step verification feature for their Apple IDs. It seems today, without much fanfare, Apple released this feature for a bunch of new countries Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, & Spain. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/ff31035e56.jpg" alt=""> Go to my apple id (link) <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/0ea1a8ac3e.jpg" alt=""> You can enable this new feature (and you really should) by following these steps: 1 - Select “Manage your Apple ID” and sign in. 2 - Select “Password and Security.
Media reports SEA stole 1M Forbes accounts
The Syrian Electronic Army has now [reportedly] stollen 1 million user credentials from Forbes.com. Re/code (link) saw multiple tweets where the SEA took responsibility and published various screenshots as proof. Forbes has confirmed the compromise, they are recommending users change their password and they are implementing additional phishing controls (which is likely how they were compromised in the first place). #Forbes users table(1,071,963 user-email-password) was dumped successfully, Anyone want to buy it? pic.twitter.com/QniuVosvcM — SyrianElectronicArmy (@Official_SEA16) February 14, 2014 <img src="https://ekiledjian2.
How Target knows you are pregnant through data analytics
We read about the "horrors" of online tracking everyday. We hear about how our privacy is being invaded by "big bad data hungry" online companies and what they could be doing with all that data. Most consumers don't realize that they are handing over extremely personal information to retailers every time they do shopping. Retailers have jumped on the data analytics bandwagon and are collecting and analyzing this data in the hopes of determining what you want and when you want it.
Facebook knows when you're in love before everyone else
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Image by epSos.de under Creative Commons License [/caption] Facebook and Google are data companies. They use have some of the world's best data scientists analysis their user data looking for patterns. On Friday, Facebook announced (link) that they can predict when 2 users are about to change their relationship status to "in a relationship". 3 months before a couple updates their relationship status on Facebook to announced their undying love, there is a steady increase in the number of timeline posts shared amongst the 2 lovebirds.
How gym's can protect your locker
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1024”] Image by West Midlands Police under Creative Commons License [/caption] Like most of my readers, I am trying to live a healthier life by (trying) to eat better and going to the gym. Over the years, I have spoken to dozens of gym owners after some type of locker robbery and most have admitted now knowing what to do. I believe I have a good solution to this problem that I wanted to share. As the Chief Information Security Officer for a large multinational, my team is constantly searching for new mechanisms to protect our company assets.