WikiLeaks dump, CIA capabilities, your security and Best Buys assist FBI

Many things were revealed last week after the WikiLeaks dump.  Cybersecurity experts have been focusing on the "zero-day" vulnerabilities detailed in the documents.  These are holes in the code that can be used to infect a device with spyware/malware or to steal personal information.  The CIA has been criticized because they did not attempt to notify tech companies of the security flaws so they could be addressed but instead left Americans vulnerable to potential cyber criminals.

According to documents released in the dump, the CIA has the ability to hack into and control iPhone, Android and Samsung TVs.  It doesn't stop there, Skype, Wi-Fi networks and anti-virus programs can be manipulated as well.  If the CIA can hack these devices so can others.

The dump unveiled the agency's ability to hack into devices remotely and turn on cameras, microphones for tracking a person's location and messages.  The CIA along with intelligence services in the UK developed a hack targeting Samsung Smart TVs that enabled them to record surroundings while the TV appeared to be off.

In addition to the WikiLeaks dump, new federal court filings revealed a close relationship between the FBI and Best Buy’s Geek Squad.  The FBI was using Best Buy's Geek Squad to monitor and gather data on individuals.  Now I'm all for the capture of info that assists in getting child pornographers, criminals and other scumbags but I was still surprised to learn of the training and management of Geek Squad staff as FBI informants.


After CIA leaks, tech giants scramble to patch security flaws

Apple, Microsoft, and Google are analyzing leaked CIA documents to see if their products are affected, but security researchers say that most of the flaws have long been fixed.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/tech-giants-scramble-for-cia-hacking-fixes-most-flaws-patched/?loc=newsletter_large_thumb_featured&ftag=TRE17cfd61&bhid=2219791

FBI Used Best Buy’s Geek Squad To Increase Secret Public Surveillance

http://fortune.com/2017/03/12/rbi-best-buy-geek-squad/

http://www.ocweekly.com/news/fbi-used-best-buys-geek-squad-to-increase-secret-public-surveillance-7950030

The battle for online privacy:  What you need to know

https://www.cnet.com/news/online-privacy-what-you-need-to-know-faq/?ftag=CAD1acfa04&bhid=21042726186831923270015874178287


DFS-Driving Force Software Intel Generation 7 workstations

Microsoft Warns of Internet Explorer Zero-Day Bug, Dangers of XP

Microsoft Warns of Internet Explorer Zero-Day Bug, Dangers of XP

from PCMag.com:

Microsoft has released a security advisory that warns about remote code executions in various versions of Internet Explorer.
"This issue allows remote code execution if users visit a malicious website with an affected browser," Microsoft said. "This would typically occur by an attacker convincing someone to click a link in an email or instant message."

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2457206,00.asp

Government urges all users to switch to another Browser, Firefox or Chrome until IE Bug fixed

http://www.zdnet.com/governments-urge-internet-explorer-users-to-switch-browsers-until-fix-found-7000028869/?s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61



How Ditching Windows XP will make the Whole Internet Safer 

from link above, www.mashable.com

" — more than 27% of all computers worldwide still run the software — holdouts are inevitable.
That poses a growing danger not just to those PCs, but to any system coming into contact with them. With significant market share and no more official support, Windows XP will become a prime target for malware creators."

Alternate Browser links:

Firefox               http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/

Chrome             https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/?hl=en&brand=CHMI

Safari                 http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1531