Robert Lemos

…articles and musings of a technology and science journalist

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Entries from March 2007

TJX theft tops 45.6 million card numbers

March 30th, 2007 · No Comments

In its annual filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the retail giant states that it will never be able to fully account for all the data stolen.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Cybercrime · Flaws and vulnerabilities · Security · SecurityFocus

Groups team to test secure-coding skill

March 28th, 2007 · No Comments

A coalition of security companies and organizations team to create assessment tests to certify programmers knowledge of secure-coding practices.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Flaws and vulnerabilities · Security · SecurityFocus · Software

Living with National Security Letters

March 23rd, 2007 · No Comments

If you read one thing today, make it this anonymous submission to the Washington Post from the president of a small Internet access company. The person, whose identity and claims the Washington Post confirmed, has taken the FBI to court for issuing a National Security Letter to him requesting information on a client.

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Tags: Blog · Government · Homeland Security · Privacy

Oracle sues rival for hacking, data theft

March 22nd, 2007 · No Comments

The database and enterprise software firm files a lawsuit against competitor SAP claiming that the German firm pilfered an enormous number of documents and software from Oracle’s customer-only support systems.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Cybercrime · Legal · Security · SecurityFocus · Software

Account pretexters plague Xbox Live

March 21st, 2007 · No Comments

An increasing number of players on Microsoft’s gaming system claim their accounts have been stolen by teams of cheaters looking for further advantage.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Consumer Tech · Cybercrime · Flaws and vulnerabilities · Security · SecurityFocus · Virtual worlds

Anti-spyware bill could mean tougher fines

March 16th, 2007 · No Comments

Supporters of the Spy Act, which heightens civil penalties against those responsible for programs that hijack PCs and collect data without adequate authorization, hope that the bill’s third time is a charm.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Cybercrime · Government · Security · SecurityFocus

State Might Make Pluto a Planet

March 9th, 2007 · No Comments

New Mexico’s legislature expands its jurisdiction, mulling whether to return the slighted celestial body to its planetary status every time it passes overhead.
Wired News

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Tags: Government · Solar system exploration · Space science · Wired News

Tor hack proposed to catch criminals

March 8th, 2007 · No Comments

A security researcher unveils a project that aims to identify sources on the pro-privacy network, but does the initiative help track down criminals or just hurt legitimate users?
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Flaws and vulnerabilities · Privacy · Research · Security · SecurityFocus

Stormy weather for malware defenses

March 5th, 2007 · No Comments

The misnamed Storm Worm, actually a Trojan horse, underscores the difficulties that evolving tactics pose for defenders. The second article in a two-part series.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Consumer Tech · Research · Security · SecurityFocus · Viruses and worms

Maynor reveals missing Apple flaws

March 1st, 2007 · No Comments

Security researcher David Maynor shows off the code for exploiting a vulnerability in the native Mac OS X wireless drivers revealed last summer as well as e-mails showing he notified Apple.
SecurityFocus

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Tags: Consumer Tech · Flaws and vulnerabilities · Legal · Security · SecurityFocus