Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
NEVER HAS THE issue of security been thrown into sharper focus than in the last few months.
Problems like Heartbleed, the iCloud photo leaks, the Sony hacking scandal and millions of credit cards being compromised in the US has shone a light on security problems which can affect consumers.
Most recently, the discovery of a new vulnerability this week called FREAK has only added to these woes – and with smart devices like smart TVs, smartwatches and Internet of Things gadgets like Nest trying to break into the mainstream, the chances of more breaches happing is high.
That’s something that Bogdan Botezatu, who works as the senior threat analyst at Bitdefender, feels is an inevitability. Since there is no such thing as 100% secure, and since the likes of the cloud, wearables and smart items are still in the early stages, there will be vulnerabilities discovered and later exploited.
“We’re at version one [with smart devices] and version one is always prone to failure,” says Botezatu. ”We’re going to see a lot of incidents in this space from the early adaptors [and there's] going to be an incident so massive, it’s going to make everybody do better with their security.”
Until then, I don’t think that vendors are going to give too much thought on the security side… I’m looking forward to that mistake to happen sooner rather than later as it’s going to be less data exposed.”
While that might sound harsh, it’s necessary as we learn better from what happens instead of predicting potential problems. Yet this always inevitably happens when a high profile incident occurs, either involving a major company or celebrities like the iCloud photos leak late last year.
“The iCloud breach became so well known and so viral because it exposed a lot celebrities in their most intimate moments,” explains Botezatu. ”Look at credit cards. A million credit card details are being dumped every single day in some corner of the internet, it has become the usual stuff. Nobody pays attention to a number of credit card numbers being leaked out because it happens every day and there’s no high-profile target.”
And ultimately, it’s consumers’ data that’s at risk. While users are encouraged to adopt tighter security measures like two-factor authentication, this responsibility should fall more on the businesses themselves.
“I don’t think the security business should fall on the consumer,” says Botezatu ”I think companies should do whatever is necessary to make sure their data doesn’t leak out but again, we’re coming from a security business and I can frankly tell you that there’s no such thing as 100% security regardless of how good you are.”
At some point, they’re going to get breached and by that point, they have better have encryption in place or a quick notification mechanism to make sure the users’ data is safe [or] at least make sure the user knows they got breached.
Quinton O’Reilly is at the Mobile World Congress is Barcelona all this week. Follow all the goings-on at @TheJournalTech.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I can most sincerely help you in the attack of your precious credit card information. Please send me your credit card number,along with your 3 digit security code. Then I will create a fool-proof system to ensure you will never lose your details ever again.
Are you then Nigerian prince who said I was owed inheritance?
Wait, he said to me I inherited 15’000’000 monies?
He told me he wanted a hand to move money out of his country for a 50% share. He never did say why he picked me though…
Interesting, Avina. All comments about F just removed!
I hope no one ever learns my first name, that’s the only thing I personally care about keeping private.
You look like a “Peggy” or a “Nuala” is it one of them Mrs?
Is it boom.
This is absolutely gas, it’s the same thing every other week now, even google got done with their shoddy SHA1 encryption, fact is, it’s down to these institutions to protect their users, I can see consumer law suits coming out of some of these data breaches.
Blah, blah blah…… If you are afraid of the internet…..don’t use it….
Do people still use credit cards these days?
If you have a credit card then you are living beyond your means or being exploited in your job. Our plutocratic government also charges you €30 a year just to use the credit card and the bank probably charges you compound interest as opposed to simple interest rates.
Triple whammy!!!
Couldn’t operate without it. Use it for business everyday and pay in full every month. No charges form cc company at all.
Agreed Joe…plus u get points to cash as vouchers for different stores.
My ultimate fantasy is watching the the shopping channel with a credit card in one hand, eating chocolate with the other hand whilst making love to da woman in sauna in a fancy hotel….. if i every pay of the two credit cards i have il be fulfilling that fantasy……….
Give me your wallet, to show that you trust me.
Think it is safe to say that we can thank the anti-water charges movement for ensuring that Irish Water and the PPS numbers of every citizen living will not be the massive hacking incident.
There’s a lot to be said for the merits of LastPass. It seems more secure and is lauded as being more secure but if someone was to hack my LastPass they will get access to all my randomly generated passwords for every online account I have all at once.
Not a nice thought
“We are Legion !” …
don’t green thumb – click bait and all that !
There are people at present who can have access to servers, so internet traffic and mobile devices can already be hacked. What is new about that?
It’ll make *everyone rethink…
Been a geek for 20+ years and I won’t touch cloud storage or anything of that nature.
Hack and take money directly from any ATM Machine Vault with the use of ATM Programmed Card which runs in automatic mode. email (mrgonzalex@yahoo.com) or call and add on whatsaap …okay …+2348142958618… for how to get it and its cost.
………. EXPLANATION OF HOW THESE CARD WORKS……….
You just slot in these card into any ATM Machine and it will automatically bring up a MENU of 1st VAULT #1,000, 2nd VAULT #5,000, RE-PROGRAMMED, EXIT, CANCEL. Just click on either of the VAULTS, and it will take you to another SUB-MENU of ALL, OTHERS, EXIT, CANCEL. Just click on others and type in the amount you wish to withdraw from the ATM and you have it cashed instantly… Done.
***NOTE: DON’T EVER MAKE THE MISTAKE OF CLICKING THE “ALL” OPTION. BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE OUT ALL THE AMOUNT OF THE SELECTED VAULT. To get the card call +2348142958618 add on whatsapp.okay… or email (mrgonzalex@yahoo.com)…
have your say