Google plans to upgrade two-factor authentication tool after high-profile hacks

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Google plans on upgrading its two-factor authentication tool with an improved, physical security measure aimed at protecting high-profile users from politically motivated cyberattacks, according to a report from Bloomberg. The new service, to be called Advanced Protection Program and potentially slated to launch next month, will trade out the standard authentication process for services like Gmail and Google Drive with physical USB security keys. The service would also restrict the types of third-party apps and services that could connect to a user’s Google account.

The changes are not likely to affect standard Google account owners, as Bloomberg reports that Google “plans to market the product to corporate executives, politicians and others with heightened security concerns.” Following the 2016 hack of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s Gmail account, which was the result of a phishing attack with links to the Russian government, Google began looking into measures that would improve security for users in possession of sensitive material and those in a position of political prominence. The new physical security keys, which will require users keep them plugged in to access the additional security controls, should make it more difficult to remotely gain control of someone’s Gmail or Google Drive account.

https://www.theverge.com

Read More

Mark Zuckerberg asks for forgiveness from ‘those I hurt this year’ in Yom Kippur message

Just days after the 2016 Presidential Election, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that it was “pretty crazy” to think that his company had influenced the election’s outcome in a meaningful way. He’s had an about-face on that line of thinking since then, and at the end of Yom Kippur, he’s publicly asked for forgiveness “for those I hurt this year,” and pledged to do better.

Facebook has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks following revelations that Russian companies bought ads and organized pro-Trump rallies during the 2016 presidential election, and after it was discovered that hate groups could advertise to users who liked specific anti-Semitic categories. In his post, Zuckerberg acknowledged that Facebook has had a divisive effect on the country, and that he’ll work to do better in the coming year.

But as TechCrunch points out, Facebook itself needs to do better to improve its efforts in combating the spread of false information and abuse that appears throughout its platform. It and other social media sites have often touted themselves as a neutral platforms for all ideas and beliefs, but underestimate how these ideals can be undermined, which led to tangible impacts in the real world. Zuckerberg may be sincere in his intentions, but the company he founded needs to follow through on them.

We’ve reached out to Facebook for additional comment, and will update this post if we hear back.

https://www.theverge.com/

Read More

Samsung updates the old Galaxy Tab A 9.7 directly to Android 7.1.1 Nougat

The Galaxy Tab A 9.7 is the only two-year-old Samsung device that's been updated to Android 7.1.1 Nougat. All other smartphones and/or tablets receive Android 7.0 Nougat updates and few are likely to get more Android OS updates.

We reported back in July that there's a high chance Samsung will provide Galaxy Tab A 9.7 owners with an Android Nougat update, but no ETA was available at that time. Well, it looks like Samsung has already kicked off the roll-out of the update in many European countries.

For the time being, Galaxy Tab A 9.7 users confirmed the Android 7.1.1 Nougat update is available in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, and Spain, but we can safely assume everyone will get it in the coming weeks.

Nougat is the last major Android OS update that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 will receive, and we're not sure there will be too many security updates pushed to the tablet starting next year.

Apparently, the update is pushed OTA (over the air), so make sure that your tablet has enough battery energy and storage before attempting to upgrade to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

source: SamMobile

Read More

LG K7i handset gets rid of mosquitoes

The back of the LG K7i includes Mosquito Away ultrasound waves

Today's smartphones have plenty of useful features. And the LG K7i has one capability that you don't normally see available from a smartphone. It actually gets rid of pesky mosquitos. Available exclusively in India, the LG K7i might carry a howitzer when it comes to killing bugs dead, but when it comes to its specs, the handset is a low-end model with a 5-inch screen and a resolution of 720 x 1280 (HD).

Powering this high-tech can of Raid is an unknown chipset carrying a quad-core CPU, clocked at 1.4GHz. 2GB of RAM is inside along with 16GB of expandable native storage. Those seeking additional storage can access the 256GB capacity microSD slot. The rear-facing camera weighs in at 8MP, while the 5MP front-facing shooter handles selfies and video chats. Keeping the lights on is a 2500mAh removable (!) battery. There is support for NFC and a 3.5mm headphone jack is on board. The LG K7i also supports dual SIM dual standby, and the unit measures 8.1mm thick. It also tips the scales at 138 grams. The phone is available in brown only, priced at 7,990 Rs. That works out to $121.38 USD at current exchange rates.

Thanks to a technology called Mosquito Away that was once found in LG Air Conditioners and Televisions, the LG K7i prevents you from getting all bitten up when the summer months come around. Mosquito Away is based on ultrasound waves that insects can't stand. It drives them away. Meanwhile, it is odorless and silent, and keeps your arms and legs from being the main dish at the next mosquito buffet.

source:  target="_blank">PhoneRadar

Read More