Fahmida Y. Rashid

The National Institute of Standards and Technology expanded its database of software flaws to help developers avoid introducing bugs into their code right from the start. The Software Assurance Metrics and Tool Evaluation (SAMATE) Reference Dataset contains examples of software issues that could leave applications vulnerable to attackers. Version 4.0 of SAMATE, released Nov. 22, […]

Twitter acquired Android security startup Whisper Systems, according to a Nov. 28 note on the Whisper Systems Website. Financial terms of Twitter’s first security-focused deal were not disclosed. This appears to be a talent acquisition, not a technology buy, as Whisper Systems consists of two employees, Moxie Marlinspike and Stuart Anderson, and none of its […]

The United Kingdom outlined plans to secure critical infrastructure and improve the country’s cyber-defenses to protect national security and citizens from multiple cyber-threats. The United Kingdom will create a new cyber-crime unit within the National Crime Agency to deploy cyber-specialists with skills and experience solving cyber-crimes to police departments across the country to assist with […]

Holiday shoppers planning to search for that perfect gift are gearing up for online deals on Monday after Thanksgiving. Security experts warned that scammers are also ramping up their efforts for the biggest online shopping day of the season. With close to $1 billion in online sales, last year’s Cyber Monday surpassed Black Friday as […]

After public reports on Nov. 18 of a network breach at a Springfield, Ill., water utility were “downplayed” by the Department of Homeland Security, an unknown hacker posted screenshots from a South Houston, Texas, water utility to illustrate the ease in which someone can compromise the industrial control systems in these facilities. The hacker, using […]

Security firm Bit9 on Nov. 21 released its “Dirty Dozen” list of insecure smartphones. The list focused on Android smartphones because approximately 56 percent of Android phones in the marketplace are running out-of-date and insecure versions of the mobile operating system, Harry Sverdlove, CTO of Bit9, told eWEEK. Smartphone manufacturers Samsung, HTC, Motorola and LG […]

With the holiday season ramping up, it’s not just online shoppers that have to be vigilant for cyber-threats. Enterprises and retailers have to be alert for scammers, cyber-criminals and hackers. High-profile distributed-denial-of-service attacks made headlines in 2011, and security vendors warned retailers could face similar attacks during the holiday shopping season. Online sales last year […]

Companies are exploring near-field communication technology to spur mobile payments using smartphones. While mainstream adoption is still years away, several recent announcements show that the idea is gaining traction despite lingering security concerns. Research in Motion partnered with Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica to roll out a pilot program that would allow employees to make electronic […]

Well Do Security Later This kind of thinking is very common during a merger or an acquisition or when the company is rushing out a new product. Since systems and networks are continuously evolving and getting more complicated, it is always difficult to retrofit security at a later date. Security should be considered from the […]

Shoppers heading to the stores for Black Friday shopping this week should be vigilant when using mobile devices as scammers and criminals will be gunning for them, security experts warned. Mobile appears to be king on this year’s Black Friday, traditionally the biggest holiday shopping day of the year. Many shoppers will use their mobile […]