In-brief: in the latest Security Ledger podcast, Editor in Chief Paul Roberts speaks with Lior Div of the firm Cybereason and Brian NeSmith of the firm Arctic Wolf about the growing sophistication of ransomware attacks and platforms and how scammers are targeting small businesses and non-profits.
ransomware
Updated: The CloudPets Incident is Everything That’s Wrong with Consumer Internet of Things
In-brief: the apparent leak of data on owners of CloudPets connected stuffed animals underscores lax security and privacy practices that are common among connected products firms. (Updated with comment from Troy Hunt. PFR 2/28/2017.)
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.
Security Ledger Live: Interview with Lance James of Flashpoint
In-brief: in our inaugural Security Ledger Live, we speak with Lance James, the Chief Scientist at the firm Flashpoint about ransomware, the care and feeding of security talent and the news of the week.
LG Smart TV Infected with Android Ransomware
In-brief: Just in time for the annual Consumer Electronics Show: news of an LG Smart TV infected with ransomware, raising the specter of widespread malware infections affecting both consumers and businesses.