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Study: Serious Web Security Flaws Rampant on Embedded Devices

In-brief: three quarters of embedded systems that sport web interfaces tested by researchers at universities in Germany and France contained serious security vulnerabilities, according to a new study. The results raise more questions about the security of embedded devices including home routers and home surveillance cameras. 

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.

Security Holes in Power Analyzers More Bad News for Industry

In-brief: Software security holes in widely used industrial equipment known as “power quality analysers” (sp) could enable remote attackers to disrupt or corrupt operations at firms across industries, according to a report released by the firm Applied Risk. 

Apple Gatekeeper Bug Suggests Sleepy Approach To OS Security

In-brief: A security hole in Apple’s Gatekeeper security software could allow malicious programs to be run on OS X, including the latest release, El Capitan. The researcher who discovered it says that Apple has fallen well behind rival Microsoft in providing security for its operating system.

Update: Photo Bombed Retailers CVS and Costco Admit Customer Data Stolen

  In-brief: Pharmacy chain CVS and discount chain Costco acknowledged this week that a July security incident involving a third party firm that provides online photo processing and printing services resulted in the theft of some customer data. (Updated to add comment from Staples and CVS. PFR Sept. 16, 2015)