Information Technology

Max Buondonno/ZDNETLast month, researchers uncovered a security flaw that affected a “very large percentage” of Pixel phones. Google’s new update, rolling out today, fixes that vulnerability.Several weeks ago, online security firm iVerify published a blog detailing how the vast majority of Pixel phones shipped since 2017 contained software called showcase.apk. The software wasn’t intended for consumers but for Verizon store employees to show off Pixel phone features.Also: Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a weekThe issue was that showcase.apk has very high system privileges and can even execute code and install software remotely. In theory, someone with malicious intentions could access the Amazon Web Services domain that powers the software and place malware or spyware on an unsuspecting person’s phone.Since the app came pre-installed, users couldn’t remove it manually.  More

blackdovfx/Getty Images The United States has described efforts to improve bilateral relations with China as a work in progress amid calls from a Chinese official against any decoupling between the two economic giants.  The US has and will continue to advance its interests while believing that competition with China does not have to lead to […] More

Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images Governments will likely want to take a more cautionary path in adopting artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI (gen AI) as they are largely tasked with handling their population’s personal data. This must also include beefing up their cyberdefense as AI technology continues to evolve and that means it’s time to revisit […] More

zf L/Getty Images Are you suffering from slow internet speeds at home? Connectivity drops, bottlenecks, lagged content streaming and downloads, and slow speeds are all common problems with home internet services — and it may not be the fault of your internet service provider (ISP). True, the routers typically provided by ISPs are basic and […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?The Blink Mini 2 More

Yasin Baturhan Ergin/Anadolu via Getty Images It’s unfortunate that as technology improves, so do the threats. Bad actors are constantly on the hunt for new ways to exploit unintended or overlooked flaws. Google, recognizing this issue, has updated the reward structure for its Chrome Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) in an effort to incentivize “deeper security research.” The […] More

Sanga Park/Getty Images I’ve been using LibreOffice since it was called StarOffice (and then OpenOffice). LibreOffice<!–> is a cross-platform, full-suite office app available for Linux, MacOS, and Windows. It has one of the best UIs on the market, upholds standards, and offers many security and privacy features, including the option to digitally sign and/or password-protect documents, […] More

National Security AgencyThat pricey and precious smartphone you carry with you can be hit by a host of security threats, from phishing to malware to spyware. All it takes is one successful attack to clobber your phone and compromise your data and even steal your identity. So, how do you protect yourself?Also: 7 password rules to live by in 2024, according to security expertsIn a Mobile Device Best Practices report, the NSA serves up a variety of tips designed to thwart hackers and attackers from assaulting your mobile device. One method is as simple as turning your phone off and on.Spearphishing attacks can target your phone to install malware, while zero-click exploits are able to infect your device without any interaction on your part. The NSA’s advice? Power your phone off and then back on again at least once a week. This simple action can make it more difficult for hackers to steal information from your phone, though the agency cautions that this will not always prevent an attack. More