All Entries Tagged With: "security"

Facebook Introduces New Ability to Logout Remotely

Palo Alto, California-based Facebook announced Thursday on its Facebook Security page the introduction of a new security/privacy feature that allows users to log out of their accounts remotely. The feature is currently rolling out to the more than 500 million users gradually. Therefore, it will take a few days before it becomes available to everyone.

The feature consists of a new “Account Activity” chart divided into two categories — “Most Recent Activity” and  “Also Active.” Most Recent Activity, as suggested by the name, shows the last device where a user logged in from. Also Active shows other devices where a users is logged in simultaneously. From there, a user can choose to “end activity” on any active session.

Apple Makes Mac OS X Security Update Available

Cupertino, California-based Apple has made available Security Update 2010-005 for various versions of Mac OS X, including Mac OS X Server 10.5, Mac OS X 10.5.8 , Mac OS X Server 10.6 , and Mac OS X 10.6.4. The purpose of the is to fix a critical PDF security vulnerability among others.

It’s currently unknown whether or not this PDF vulnerability is the same as the one found in iOS 4, which allowed JailbreakMe — a web-based jailbreaking tool — to easily jailbreak iOS devices, but could also let malicious individuals take control of a device remotely by embedding malware into PDF files.

Apple Updates QuickTime for Windows to Fix Security Vulnerability

Over the weekend, Cupertino, California-based Apple released version 7.6.7 of Quicktime for Windows in order to fix an existing security vulnerability within the player, which could allow malicious individuals to launch code execution attacks remotely.

The official Apple changelog describes the update as follows:

“A stack buffer overflow exists in QuickTime’s error logging. Viewing a maliciously crafted movie file may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

Research In Motion Points Out 4 Main Principles of Lawful Access to BlackBerry Data

Waterloo, Ontario-based Research In Motion issued yesterday yet another statement regarding its recent negotiations with Asian countries over access to BlackBerry data. More specifically, the announcement was made in response to a statement issued by the Indian government. In it, RIM highlights the four main principles that the governments the company is negotiating with must follow to lawfully gain access to BlackBerry data.

Research In Motion states that it’s cooperating with with governments as much as possible in “the spirit of supporting legal and national security requirements, while also preserving the lawful needs of citizens and corporations.” The company then goes on to point out the following four principles:

• 1. The carriers’ capabilities be limited to the strict context of lawful access and national security requirements as governed by the country’s judicial oversight and rules of law.
• 2. The carriers’ capabilities must be technology and vendor neutral, allowing no greater access to BlackBerry consumer services than the carriers and regulators already impose on RIM’s competitors and other similar communications technology companies.

iOS 3.2.2 For iPad Now Released

Image courtesy: Geeky-Gadgets

California-based Apple Inc. has today released a software update for the iPad tablet. Dubbed version 3.2.2 of iOS, the update promises fixes for several security holes, including a now-famous PDF vulnerability that allowed the “jailbreakme.com” web-based jailbreak tool to function properly.

That means that if you wish to jailbreak in the future, you ought to reconsider updating your device’s software. Unfortunately for us, Apple has not disclosed details with reference to other security hole plugged in iOS 3.2.2.

… and the developer’s will find another way to get your device jailbroken.

Apple Updates iOS to Version 4.0.2 to Patch PDF Security Hole

Cupertino, California-based Apple has just made available iOS 4.0.2 for iPhone to fix the PDF security vulnerability in Safari Mobile first discovered and exploited by the creators of JailbreakMe, a web-based iOS 4 jailbreaking tool. The company has also released iOS 3.2.2 for the iPad to patch the same security hole in the popular tablet.

Apple originally offered a security update just a few days ago. iPhone 4 owners can now begin saying goodbye to JailbreakMe. However, we are confident that the iPhone Dev Team will come up with a new tool soon for all of those who did not jailbreak their devices on time.

BlackBerry Internet Service 3.2 Release Notes Leaked

The release notes of the upcoming BlackBerry Internet Service [BIS] 3.2, which is said to be released soon, have been leaked by Polish site BBNews.pl [Google Translation]. Unfortunately, the update will not offer any major changes. However, BlackBerry smartphone users can expect to see the following new features:

• Google Calendar sync
• Improved security
• Automatic Login improvements
• User interface updates
• Improved Windows Live Hotmail  revalidation
• BlackBerry Protect integration for carrier administrators

The new BlackBerry Internet Service 3.2 is rumored to be released in October. However, we can’t pinpoint a specific release date at this time. We will be sure to keep our eyes and ears open for more information. In the meantime, let us know what you think of the new features.

Check out the complete changelog in the full post.

Indonesia Mulling BlackBerry Smartphone Ban

BlackBerry smartphones appear to have become somewhat of a controversy lately. Specially, in Southern Asia, where India, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabi have alredy banned or threatened to ban BlackBerry services. Now, Indonesia is said to be mulling a BlackBerry ban as well. “We don’t know whether data being sent through BlackBerrys can be intercepted or read by third parties outside the country,” said Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information spokesman Gatot Dewabroto.

All of the aforementioned countries have demanded that Waterloo, Ontario-based Research In Motion build local servers and to make data more accessible to government officials. Research In Motion has, of course, refused to comply with the absurd requests, which has led the above Asian nations to deem BlackBerry smartphones a threat to their national security.

Microsoft Patch Tuesday To Fix a Record 34 Vulnerabilities

It’s been a long-standing tradition that Microsoft releases a slew of patches on the second Tuesday of every month, and this month, the Redmond, Washington-based company will be setting a record with their “patch Tuesday” updates.

A total of 14 security bulletins (8 labeled as critical) will be released on Tuesday, August 10th, addressing a total of 34 vulnerabilities in various Microsoft software ranging from the operating system itself to Microsoft Office products.

The company hasn’t released this many updates in the past, but had previously broken their record in June 2010, with 10 bulletins released on the month’s patch Tuesday.