application security

Hack of Dallas Sirens Not the First or Last on Emergency Systems, Experts Warn

In-brief: The weekend hack of civil defense sirens in Dallas, Texas is similar to two incidents in Illinois in 2012. The underlying problem? Woeful security for emergency alerting and other civil defense systems in the U.S., according to security experts. 

Twitter Hack is latest to underscore Third Party App Risk

In-brief: security experts are warning about the threat posed by third-party applications that tap into prominent social media platforms like Twitter after accounts belonging to media organizations and prominent personalities were hacked and hijacked to display messages accusing Dutch and German officials of Nazi sympathies. 

TV Maker Vizio Settles with FTC Over Selling Viewer Data

In-brief: Smart TV maker VIZIO agreed to pay $2.2 million to the FTC and the State of New Jersey to settle charges that it collected the viewing history of some 11 million smart televisions without users’ consent. The settlement stems from a 2014 case and requires the company to “prominently disclose and obtain affirmative express consent” for data collection and sharing.

Google’s Android Things IoT Platform Promises Secure Update

In-brief: Google on Tuesday unveiled Android Things, a new Internet of Things platform based on its Android mobile operating system and earlier forays into the Internet of Things operating space.

Google Unveils OSS-Fuzz to test Open Source Software Security

In-brief: Google’s security team on Thursday announced the release of a new tool, OSS-Fuzz that it says will improve the security of the Internet by providing realtime, automated secruity testing of common open source components.