michael kassner

Blog Post

Smartphone apps: They may be listening

April 19, 2011 6:39am PDT

Is your smartphone listening? It might. And, you may not even know it.

116 Latest comment by HAL 9000

Blog Post

Identity theft: Businesses are at risk

April 11, 2011 8:24am PDT

Identity theft: It's becoming increasingly hard to spot. Criminals are finding evermore creative ways to steal your good name. Here's one clue to watch out for.

26 Latest comment by green_man123

Blog Post

Fuzzy hashing helps researchers spot morphing malware

April 4, 2011 7:08am PDT

Anti-malware applications are dependent on malicious software remaining the same, code-wise. So the bad guys just keep changing it. Michael Kassner looks at a possible defense: fuzzy hashing.

32 Latest comment by JCitizen

Blog Post

Are you PCI DSS compliant? Make sure with PANscan

March 28, 2011 7:31am PDT

If your business accepts credit card payments, you need to make sure your payment application is PCI DSS compliant and that you're not storing unencrypted data. Michael Kassner points out one tool...

22 Latest comment by HAL 9000

Blog Post

Cybercrime tool: How write-prints can crack anonymous email senders

March 21, 2011 7:59am PDT

Cybercriminals often use anonymously-sent email to further their schemes, but new digital forensic methods may help identify senders so that they can be prosecuted in court.

41 Latest comment by Zwort

Blog Post

IPv6 blacklisting: Will it be harder to fight spammers?

March 15, 2011 6:39am PDT

The reason IPv6 is needed may cripple blacklisting. FUD or for real? Michael Kassner investigates the potential for harm that IPv6 could pose for fighting spam.

57 Latest comment by jsklein@...

Blog Post

Endpoint security: What makes it different from antivirus solutions

March 7, 2011 2:07pm PST

Big-time emphasis is being placed on endpoint security. Trouble is: Ask three people what it is and you get three different answers. Michael Kassner tried to get some consensus.

10 Latest comment by Michael Kassner

Blog Post

Brave new world: Asking hard questions about security, user rights, and trust

February 28, 2011 7:08am PST

Answers to technical questions should be cut and dried. Right? Michael Kassner throws out some challenging questions to gauge the opinions of TechRepublic members about security in an increasingly...

253 Latest comment by seanferd

Blog Post

TR Community scoreboard for Feb. 25, 2011 - Time-wasting tasks

February 25, 2011 5:40am PST

In this weekly recap, you'll get a quick look at the top discussions and members on the TechRepublic forums. You'll also learn about an upcoming weekly site update post by TechRepublic Product...

Blog Post

Students of IT security: Career advice from the masters

February 22, 2011 6:13am PST

Michael Kassner asks two security experts what it takes to become an IT security pro. Here are their opinions on education, certs, hands-on work, and all the preparation needed to become an expert...

9 Latest comment by Michael Kassner

Blog Post

Getting paid to break into things: How vulnerability assessors work at Argonne National Lab

February 14, 2011 11:30am PST

Let's face it. Deterrents such as "keep out" or "do not open" are powerful magnets to us techies. Now, imagine getting paid to ignore those warnings.

55 Latest comment by AnsuGisalas

Blog Post

What the experts think about the viability of an Internet kill switch

February 7, 2011 7:18am PST

Media coverage abounds over the so-called "Internet kill switch" and its potential for harm. Little of it mentions the opinion of experts. Michael Kassner went straight to the bill sponsors and to...

168 Latest comment by bboyd@...

Blog Post

Social networking sites: What information will they release about you?

January 31, 2011 12:02pm PST

Michael Kassner takes a closer look at the kinds of information released by social networking sites about members if requested by law enforcement. Concerned? Or is it just the price of online...

35 Latest comment by aeiyor@...

Blog Post

The DETER Project: Researching cyber security

January 24, 2011 1:48pm PST

Deter: To turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting. Find out how the aptly-named DETER Project is taking a bite out of cybercrime.

6 Latest comment by JCitizen

Blog Post

Identity Ecosystem: How the government is trying to stop online-payment fraud

January 18, 2011 6:42am PST

Accessing online services securely is not a given. The U.S. government wants public and private sector cooperation to see that it is. Is that even possible?

68 Latest comment by JCitizen

Blog Post

Should the U.S. draft cybersecurity experts?

January 11, 2011 5:00am PST

The United States has a shortage of workers skilled in IT security. Thus, we are unable to protect critical infrastructure from terrorist threats. FUD or real? What is the solution?

276 Latest comment by dayen@...

Blog Post

Is your network ready for VoIP?

January 4, 2011 6:00am PST

Switching to VoIP telephony systems is gaining momentum with consumers and businesses alike. If you are planning to make the leap, make sure your network is ready.

58 Latest comment by santeewelding

Blog Post

Secure coding guidelines: Are they the answer to buggy software?

January 3, 2011 12:41pm PST

People are using flawed software. And, the bad guys love it. A recently formed group called the Open Web Application Security Project is working to improve secure coding, but is it practical?

28 Latest comment by apotheon

Blog Post

Secunia PSI now has Auto Update

December 27, 2010 6:14am PST

Not keeping computer software up to date is a gamble that pays the bad guys. A new release from Secunia should help even the odds.

58 Latest comment by TobiF

Blog Post

Google Search warns about compromised websites

December 21, 2010 6:26am PST

In addition to the already existing warning "This site may harm your computer", Google has added a new warning "This site may be compromised" to search results. Learn what the difference is.

26 Latest comment by AnsuGisalas