Internet of Things

A new ransomware infection scares its victims by invoking the name of the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Cyber Security Division - and frightens users further by posting a webcam picture.

Spyware is a growing threat on Android phones, according to research by Kindsight Labs, a division of Alcatel-Lucent.

Spotting “bad” apps on Android is not always easy - with cybercriminals finding new tricks every month to fool phone and tablet users into downloading malware.

Millions of SIM cards in use today are vulnerable to hacking - allowing for attacks where SIM cards could be cloned remotely, or voicemail numbers could be changed, according to a German security researcher.

New “ransomware” attempts to terrify users into paying up by using the name of Britain’s SOCA crime unit - the Serious Organized Crime Agency, dealing with drugs, people smuggling, human trafficking, major gun crime, fraud and computer crime.

A $250 signal-boosting device for cellphone users can be hacked, two researchers claim - offering total access to phone calls, internet use and text messages on devices connected to the “femtocell”.

Browser security warnings can work to protect users from phishing and malware sites - but “warning fatigue” means important alerts over site security can be conmpletely ignored.

“Bug bounties” paid out for finding and reporting bugs and vulnerabilities are a cheap and effective way for companies to bolster their security, an independent study by UC Berkeley researchers has found.