mobile devices

GSMA Announces Security Guidelines to Support Growth of the Internet of Things

In-brief: New guidelines from a leading mobile industry trade group seek to set standards for securing deployments of Internet of Things device.

Update: Smart Toys Leak Info on Kids, Families

In-brief: research by the security firm Rapid7 has uncovered security flaws in new, interactive “smart toys” by Fisher Price and other toy makers that could divulge personal information related to children and their families. Editor’s note: this story was updated to include comments from Mark Stanislav of Rapid7. PFR Feb 2, 2016.

Flaw in Super Secret BlackPhone Underscores Third Party Risk

In-brief: Black Phone contains a security flaw that could enable a malicious actor to redirect phone calls or secretly send text messages from the device, according to a report from the firm SentinelOne. The culprit: vulnerable third party software.*

Firm Puzzled by Body Cams Infected with Malware

In-brief: a California company that makes wearable cameras that are used by law enforcement and the military said a report that it shipped cameras infected with the Conficker virus were “distressing,” but that it was unable to locate the malware on its devices or within its environment. 

Viewing Data From Smart TVs Used to Push Ads to All Your Screens

In-brief: Electronics maker Vizio is the latest smart television brand caught harvesting the viewing habits of its customers and selling the data to advertisers, highlighting legal loopholes that connected devices are exploiting.