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    NordVPN maker’s new identity theft protection service will reimburse you

    d3sign/Getty Images The company behind NordVPN has created a new service called NordProtect that’s geared toward protecting users from identity theft. This new product includes features such as identity recovery and restoration, secure credit monitoring, 24/7 dark web monitoring, and cyber extortion protection. The identity recovery and restoration feature enables victims of identity theft to be […] More

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    This mysterious iPhone upgrade protects your data from thieves

    Lance Whitney/ZDNETApple has added a new security feature to the iPhone, apparently designed to thwart criminals. But it’s also been thwarting police.Introduced with iOS 18, the new feature automatically reboots an iPhone if it’s been asleep and in lock mode for an extended period of time. After a reboot, an iPhone becomes more difficult to crack since either the passcode or biometric verification is needed to unlock it. The apparent goal is to prevent a thief (or police officer) from trying to hack into your phone and potentially access your personal data.Also: Did your Apple Notes vanish from your iPhone? Here’s how to find themThe feature seems to have come to light based on the findings of law enforcement officials in Detroit, Michigan, as reported by 404 Media. Officers examining iPhones for forensic purposes discovered that the devices would mysteriously reboot themselves, making it more difficult to unlock and access them. Initially, the working theory was that the phones would reboot when disconnected from a cellular network for a period of time. However, the explanation is actually much simpler. Referring to the feature as an “inactivity reboot,” AppleInsider says that this reboot timer isn’t based on network connectivity or the phone’s charge. Rather, the reboot simply occurs after a specific length of time — around 96 hours. This timer is similar to the Mac’s hibernation mode, which puts the computer to sleep as a precaution in case the power goes out or the battery charge is depleted.Also: I changed 5 ChatGPT settings and instantly became more productive – here’s howSecurity experts have also weighed in, seemingly confirming the new capability.”We have identified code within iOS 18 and higher that is an inactivity timer,” said Christopher Vance, a forensic specialist at Magnet Forensics, as noted by AppleInsider. “This timer will cause devices in an AFU state to reboot to a BFU state after a set period of time, which we have also identified.” More

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    Cash App user have a few days left to claim up to a $2,500 settlement payout

    Cimmerian/Getty Images Over the past several years, Cash App has suffered two different data breaches — one in which a former employee downloaded user transaction reports and another in which an unauthorized person accessed user account data. A class action lawsuit alleges that Cash App was negligent in handling these breaches and didn’t properly address […] More

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    The best VPN routers of 2024

    When you’re looking for a new virtual private network (VPN) setup, you have a choice: you can install VPN software directly on the devices you want to protect, or you can install a VPN on your router.VPNs provide encrypted tunnels that protect online communications, making it more difficult to track you or steal your information. They also allow you to mask your IP address so that it appears as if you’re in a different location.Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested   Setting up a VPN environment via your router provides blanket coverage across devices connected to the router, including your smartphone, PC, and smart TV. This saves you the job of installing VPN software on each device, and the process can be far easier than you think — as long as you have compatible hardware.Some VPN providers even have routers with a VPN that is already installed and ready to go. In either case, opting for a VPN-ready router can be an excellent way to improve your home security and online privacy.What is the best VPN router right now?ZDNET has years of experience testing VPN solutions and hardware. Our team of experts has researched and performed hands-on testing for decades, and we strive to give you the best recommendations for VPNs and supporting routers based on this experience and customer feedback. Overall, our pick for the best VPN router is the ExpressVPN Aircove More

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    Your Android device is vulnerable to attack and Google’s fix is imminent

    Jack Wallen/ZDNETIf you follow the Android Security Bulletin, then you might have noticed a listing for the November security patch level that includes two critical vulnerabilities, which are:CVE-2024-43047CVE-2024-43093According to the bulletin, “There are indications that the following may be under limited, targeted exploitation.”Also: An anti-theft upgrade is coming to Android phones. Here’s how to see if you have it yetThe first of those vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-43047, is described as “memory corruption while maintaining memory maps of HLOS memory.” CVE-2024-43047 affects the Qualcomm Digital Signal Processor (DSP) service, which impacts several Qualcomm chipsets and can lead to memory corruption and enable attackers to escalate privileges and compromise affected devices. Qualcomm issued a patch for this vulnerability back in October, and it has been included in the November Android Security Update to provide wider distribution and remediation.The second CVE issue is 2024-43093, which is an escalation of privilege vulnerability that affects Android’s framework component in versions 12, 13, 14, and 15 and can lead to exposing a significant portion of Android to attack. More

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    Anthropic warns of AI catastrophe if governments don’t regulate in 18 months

    Matt Anderson Photography/Getty Images Only days away from the US presidential election, AI company Anthropic is advocating for its own regulation — before it’s too late.  On Thursday, the company, which stands out in the industry for its focus on safety, released recommendations for governments to implement “targeted regulation” alongside potentially worrying data on the rise […] More

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    Passkeys are more popular than ever. This research explains why

    Amazon Have you started adopting passkeys for more of your online accounts? If so, you’re far from alone. According to a new survey from the FIDO Alliance, passkey awareness and adoption have grown since being introduced two years ago. For its fourth annual Online Authentication Barometer, the FIDO Alliance commissioned Sapio Research to run an online […] More

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    Microsoft delays its troubled AI-powered Recall feature yet again

    Microsoft Microsoft has again put the brakes on its AI-infused Recall feature. Designed to take snapshots of your screen activities in Windows, the feature was supposed to reach Windows Insiders this October. However, according to a statement shared with the Verge and ZDNET, it won’t surface until December. “We are committed to delivering a secure […] More