Tag: data protection
511 articles
Meta Reverses Instagram Encryption Stance
Meta has backtracked on its plan to introduce end-to-end encryption for Instagram messages, leaving direct messages stored and transmitted in plaintext, giving the company access to user conversations. This move reverses years of promotion for enhanced messaging security.
Legacy Security Tools Hinder Data Protection Efforts
With data constantly moving across cloud and AI environments, traditional security tools are holding you back from truly protecting your data - it's time for a modern approach. A staggering 72% of security professionals agree that data security is more critical than ever, making an evolution in strategy urgent.
Ransomware Attacks Expose Backup Vulnerabilities
Ransomware attackers often destroy backup systems before encrypting data, rendering your recovery plan useless. This deliberate tactic follows a predictable sequence, allowing attackers to systematically dismantle your defenses and leave you with limited options.
UK Workers Sell Corporate Logins, Exposing Firms to Cybercrime
One in eight UK employees at large firms have sold or know someone who has sold corporate logins in the past year, a shocking trend that puts companies at risk of cybercrime. Alarming still, many justify this risky behaviour, with senior executives being more likely to think selling credentials is acceptable.
FTC Settlement Forces Kochava to Curb Location Data Sales
Big changes are coming for Kochava, a data broker that allegedly sold precise location data from hundreds of millions of smartphones without consent - under a proposed FTC settlement, they'll need to get explicit permission from consumers before sharing their sensitive info. This move could mark a major shift in how companies handle location data sales.
EU Advances Mandatory Online Age Verification Despite Security Risks
The European Commission's recent findings have revealed that Meta failed to protect minors, with a staggering 12% of European children under 13 reportedly accessing Facebook or Instagram, sparking concerns over online safety. This has led to a push for mandatory online age verification, despite security risks.
US Companies Face Record $3.45 Billion in Privacy Fines
US companies are facing a record-breaking $3.45 billion in privacy fines, a staggering amount that surpasses the total fines issued over the past five years combined, as regulators shift from education to full-scale enforcement. This surge in fines is driven by stronger state laws, coordinated interstate efforts, and increased scrutiny of AI and automation practices.
UK Data Watchdog Chief Steps Back Amid Workplace Probe
UK's top data watchdog, John Edwards, has temporarily stepped down from his role amid an independent workplace investigation, cooperating fully with the probe. He made the announcement via LinkedIn, confirming his voluntary leave of duties as head of the Information Commissioner's Office.
House Republicans Unveil National Data Privacy Bill
House Republicans have introduced the Secure Data Act, a groundbreaking national data privacy bill that puts Americans in control of their personal data and holds companies accountable for keeping it safe. The proposed law would give consumers the power to opt out of data collection for targeted ads, third-party sales, and automated decision-making.
Microsoft Disrupts ASP.NET Flaw Allowing SYSTEM Privilege Escalation
Microsoft has patched a critical ASP.NET Core vulnerability, CVE-2026-40372, that allowed unauthenticated attackers to forge authentication cookies and gain SYSTEM privileges on affected devices. This fix addresses a flaw in the ASP.NET Core Data Protection cryptographic APIs that could be exploited for privilege escalation.
Ransomware Attacks Expose Flaws in Business Backup Strategies
Having up-to-date backups is only half the battle - if your systems are down and doors are closed, are you truly protected? Backups safeguard your data, but it's Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) that keeps your business running smoothly during downtime.
NAKIVO Bolsters Backup Software with Enhanced Ransomware Defense
Say goodbye to data worries with NAKIVO Backup & Replication v11.2, the latest release that supercharges your backup software with lightning-fast operations, rock-solid reliability, and proactive ransomware defense. This game-changing update gives you an unbeatable shield against cyber threats and data loss.
Google Fortifies Ad Ecosystem, Cracks Down on 8.3B Policy-Violating Ads
Google is taking a giant leap in protecting user privacy and cracking down on fraud, having blocked over 8.3 billion ads and suspended 24.9 million accounts in a single year. This bold move is part of a broader effort to reshape how apps handle sensitive data, with a focus on transparency and security.
Google Chrome Fails to Thwart Browser Fingerprinting
If a browser claims to be safe but fails to block one of the easiest ways for advertisers to track you online, can it really be considered safe? Google Chrome, despite its reputation for security, surprisingly leaves users vulnerable to browser fingerprinting, a pervasive tracking method that can uniquely identify and follow you around the web.
Quantum Security Faces Three Looming Realities
As World Quantum Day dawns, security leaders are facing a pressing question: what three looming realities will redefine how organizations safeguard their data, assets, and missions? The answer will be crucial in determining where they focus their attention, budget, and talent in the years to come.
Sanders Probes AI Impact on Privacy
Senator Sanders just had a striking conversation with an AI named Claude about the impact of artificial intelligence on privacy - and his one-line verdict says it all: Claude is actually pretty good on the issues. This brief endorsement carries significant weight, sparking important discussions about the role of AI in shaping our future.
Shadow AI Emerges as Unseen Threat in Enterprise Security
As AI assistants and automation services increasingly seep into everyday use, employers are faced with a daunting question: are productivity gains worth the risk of losing control? Employees are quietly adopting unsanctioned AI tools, often blurring the lines between efficiency and security.
HHS Weighs HIPAA Security Rule Update Amid Compliance Cost Concerns
As the HHS Office for Civil Rights considers updating the HIPAA Security Rule, a pressing question remains: will the cost of compliance outweigh the risk of leaving protected health information vulnerable? The director bluntly puts it, the cost of inaction may outweigh compliance burdens.
Proton Unveils Meet, a Secure Video Conferencing Alternative
Say goodbye to compromising your privacy for seamless online meetings! Proton's new Meet platform is here to revolutionize video conferencing with end-to-end encryption, giving you the freedom to be yourself without worrying about surveillance or data exploitation.
Alarming Rise in Employee Data Breaches Hits Seven-Year High
Employee data breaches have reached a seven-year high, exposing a harsh reality: even the most basic security measures are being overlooked, putting sensitive employee information at risk. Can organizations protect their most valuable asset - their employees' personal data - from these preventable breaches?
VPN Adoption Soars Amid Alarming Surveillance Concerns
As online surveillance concerns reach an all-time high, people are racing to protect their digital lives - and VPN adoption is soaring as a result. Americans are leading the charge, turning to Virtual Private Networks to shield their online activities from prying eyes.
DoD Unveils Critical Privacy Training Rule to Bolster Contractor Security
The Department of Defense has proposed a new rule requiring government contractors to provide critical privacy training to their staff, taking a proactive stance to safeguard sensitive citizen information in an era of escalating cyber threats. This move marks a significant step forward in bolstering security and protecting personal data.
ICO Slams UK Scammers with Critical £100,000 Fine
The Information Commissioner's Office has hit Birmingham-based scammers TMAC with a £100,000 fine for making over 4.2 million unwanted calls to UK residents, a move aimed at putting a stop to the nuisance. But will this hefty penalty be enough to deter others from following in their footsteps?
UK government Exclusive cyber exemption sparks distrust
An exclusive cyber exemption—where ministers strip legal duties from public bodies but promise to keep security standards—asks a blunt question: can public trust rest on assurances after breaches at the Legal Aid Agency and Foreign Office? Critics say promises aren’t a substitute for enforceable accountability.