Tag Archive for: Protecting

How Apple is Protecting iMessages Against Tomorrow’s Hackers

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A forthcoming iMessage update will protect your conversations from being cracked by quantum computers
(Photo : (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images))

A forthcoming iMessage update will protect your conversations from being cracked by ultra-powerful quantum computers. But those computers don’t even exist yet. 

In the next version of iOS 17, iMessage will receive its most significant security update ever. Named PQ3, this “post-quantum cryptographic protocol” is a set of security features designed to protect against attacks from the quantum computers of the future, which will make it trivial to crack existing encryption methods. This sounds like utter sci-fi, so why is Apple doing this now? What’s the point of protecting iMessage users from threats that have yet to exist and may not exist for a long time? That’s where things get interesting. 

“Quantum computing has generated a lot of excitement, not just because it sounds futuristic. It’s like having a super-powered computer that can crack digital locks we once thought were unbreakable,” says information security analyst and researcher Nathan Jacobs. “Imagine a lock that would take a regular computer a millennium to open; a quantum computer could potentially do it during a coffee break. That’s why the chatter about iMessage beefing up its security isn’t just tech hype-it’s addressing a genuine concern.”

Harvest Now, Decrypt Later

Imagine that you are a jewel thief and somehow managed to end up in the safety deposit vault of some fancy bank. You have access to all those boxes, but they’re locked with impossible-to-pick locks, and the boxes are currently indestructible. Do you walk away? Or do you grab all those safety deposit boxes and store them until they can be opened?

That’s the idea behind Harvest Now, Decrypt Later, a scenario where bad actors collect and store data today until quantum computers can easily extract it. This is a perfectly credible, affordable option, thanks to cheap storage. 

“Is quantum a looming threat? Not quite yet. But it’s like building a storm…

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Is government’s anti-disinformation unit protecting or persecuting citizens? – PublicTechnology

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Government claims the Counter Disinformation Unit – accused of effectively spying on its own citizens – has played a key role in tackling Kremlin narratives, and will be important in election preparations

“The CDU uses publicly available data, including material shared on social media platforms, to develop an understanding of disinformation narratives and trends. It does not, and has never, monitored individuals and all data is anonymised wherever possible.”

This is how the government summarises the work and methods of its Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU). The unit is based in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and, in its current form, was “stood up” in the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in spring 2020, with a remit to tackle false information about the pandemic circulating online.

Others have a different, and darker take on how the CDU goes about its business. Some of the fiercest recent criticism of the unit has come from close to the heart of government itself.

“To the best of our knowledge, the CDU undertakes its work in the absence of effective transparency, oversight, accountability mechanisms or due process,” said a letter sent last month to DSIT secretary Michelle Donelan by David Davis – the MP who formerly served as Brexit secretary and Conservative party chair.

As reported by the Telegraph, the missive, co-signed by Labour MP Bell-Ribeiro Addy and the Green party’s Caroline Lucas, added: “We call on you to suspend the CDU immediately and commission an independent review of its work, in order to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression and privacy are sufficiently protected.”

According to a report published earlier this year by the Daily Mail and campaign group Big Brother Watch, the MPs are just three among many citizens whose online posts have been flagged by government and military disinformation units – despite the posts, in some cases, containing no factual inaccuracies, but merely being critical of government policy.

The MPs’ concerns about the CDU’s lack of transparency, at least, seem difficult to refute. Government has repeatedly failed to provide basic operational…

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Live Webinar | Protecting Your Workloads from Modern Threats with VMware Ransomware RecoveryWebinar.

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Expert tips for protecting your tech devices against malware

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When a word begins with “mal,” you know it’s bad news. Malodorous. Maleficent. And one that’s woefully underused: malversation. (Look it up; it’s a good one.)

But the most dangerous to our tech lives? Malware. These insidious little programs crawl into our phones, laptops and any other smart device and wreak utter havoc. And unfortunately, it’s everywhere.

Oh yes, everywhere

It’s mostly just random sites spreading this stuff. For example, a malware app called CherryBlos just snuck past the Google Play store’s filters. It got the green light even though it can steal cryptocurrency wallet credentials.

Before you hit that “download now” button

Usually, you can trust the Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store, Amazon apps and all the other official sources. That said, it’s just plain smart to “trust but verify.” All of these are free and most only take minutes, if not seconds:

  1. Keep your devices updated. Don’t put off updating because it’s too inconvenient. These “annoying” updates often contain tighter and better security measures.
  2. Do your research. If an app looks good, Google it before you download it. A few minutes of research could save your phone, data and even your bank account.
  3. Scan the reviews. Tempting as these free or cheap apps are, the proof is in the pudding. Look for any signs of devices behaving strangely after downloading.
  4. Never blindly grant permissions. I get it. Our 2023 attention spans are very limited. Still, the time you take to read exactly what permissions you’re granting is time well spent. 
  5. No jailbreaking. Not only are you voiding any warranties and risking increased freezes and crashing — but you’re also agreeing to a decreased level of cybersecurity. 

You know what they say, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to phish and he’ll steal your bank password.”

Bonus: Must-have protection for all your devices

Antivirus is vital in the fight against malware. Always have a trusted antivirus program updated and running on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan with TotalAV for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com….

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