Operation Pawn Storm spyware and what you need to know

Operation Pawn Storm appears to be the latest in a type of attack that uses jailbreak or enterprise distribution certificates to transfer spyware onto iOS devices. That means, in order to be infected, you have to first remove Apple's built-in security protection by jailbreaking, or tapping to agree to the installation of an app from outside the App Store. In other words, for most people, most of the time, it's something to be informed about but absolutely nothing to be stressed or scared by. Operation Pawn Storm was first reported by TrendLabs:

We found two malicious iOS applications in Operation Pawn Storm. One is called XAgent (detected as IOS_XAGENT.A) and the other one uses the name of a legitimate iOS game, MadCap (detected as IOS_ XAGENT.B). After analysis, we concluded that both are applications related to SEDNIT.

Ars Technica explains:

Researchers believe that the targeted devices may have already been compromised before these malware agents were installed—perhaps by being connected to Windows PCs that had been targeted by the other components of Pawn Storm.

Operation Pawn Storm is reportedly targeted at European governments and journalists, if you think you're at higher risk, make sure you don't engage in activities that are risky: Avoid jailbreaking. If you jailbreak, don't download from untrusted repositories. Don't download pirated apps, or any apps at all from outside the App Store or your own, trusted, enterprise resources. Don't click on untrusted download links that come in via email or the web. If iOS warns you an untrusted app is attempting to transfer or install itself, deny it permission to do so.

Security professionals continue to investigate it and we'll update when and as they discover more. Apple has built excellent protection into iOS, however. So, absent direct user-intervention, either intentional like jailbreak or socially engineered through phishing, the vast majority of iPhone and iPad customers don't seem to have anything to worry about right now.

from iMore - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog http://ift.tt/1A2XH2l

via IFTTT

A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The (Awesome) Life Of A Ski Photographer

Photographing backcountry skiing isn't the easiest of jobs — mess up the shot, and you've got a lot of hiking to do again (not to mention the wasted powder). But it also has its benefits, like skiing endless laps of perfect snow.

Read more...

via Gizmodo http://ift.tt/1CFUFmy

What This Video Of Jordanian F-16s Striking ISIS Tells Us Is Alarming

Forget smart keys. With EyeLock’s ID tech, starting your car could be as simple as a look

New York firm EyeLock is developing technology that could allow drivers to start their cars using their eyes. By scanning the owner’s unique iris, EyeLock’s system could dramatically cut down on vehicle theft.

The post Forget smart keys. With EyeLock’s ID tech, starting your car could be as simple as a look appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1CFQTcS

via IFTTT

Google's adorable new Android ad tells us to be 'friends furever'

Google's latest Android ad is simply adorable. Called "Friends Furever," the spot is little more than a collection of cute videos showing animals working together, but it ends with a message: "Be together. Not the same."

That same motto runs at the end of its previous spot, highlighting that while the vast majority of devices run Android, there's plenty of room to make each phone and tablet your very own. It can also be read as a slight dig at Apple: after all, there's only one iOS.

Continue reading…

from The Verge - All Posts http://ift.tt/1A2LzOZ

via IFTTT

Sling TV gets sporty, adds 9 sports channels in new $5 bundle

Sling TV's new Sports Extra package is revealed, adding 9 new channels pulled from the ESPN family, along with options like SEC Network, and Univision Deportes.

The post Sling TV gets sporty, adds 9 sports channels in new $5 bundle appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1KtZKj6

via IFTTT

Sear, braise, poach, and sous vide on this mini induction cooktop

You don't need to install FirstBuild's Paragon. It's an induction cooktop you plug in, then you can use it to sous vide, poach, braise ... basically it does lots of fancy cooking techniques.

The post Sear, braise, poach, and sous vide on this mini induction cooktop appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1yUEwmZ

via IFTTT

How to reach every nook and cranny of your house with Wi-Fi

There are a number of ways to increase your Wi-Fi range and speed across the board, but if it's just one room, or one corner of one room, there are some steps you can take to identify and resolve that issue.

The post How to reach every nook and cranny of your house with Wi-Fi appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1DOAuzG

via IFTTT

These Are The RadioShack Stores That Are Closing

Corning's 'Project Phire' takes on sapphire with super scratch-resistant, durable displays

Though Apple's famously-rumored quest for sapphire screens didn't really pan out as predicted, it could soon have something equally scratch-resistant from Corning. The company announced today that it is working on a new type of glass for screens that is almost as scratch-resistant as sapphire, while retaining the durability of its Gorilla Glass.

The announcement came during an investor meeting today, and was reported originally by CNET :

"We told you last year that sapphire was great for scratch performance but didn't fare well when dropped," Clappin, president of Corning Glass Technologies, told the crowd at the event. "So, we created a product that offers the same superior damage resistance and drop performance of Gorilla Glass 4 with scratch resistance that approaches sapphire."

Corning is currently using the term "Project Phire" for the new glass, and plans to get it out to phone manufacturers sometime later this year.

The interesting question about Corning's new project is whether it will make it onto the next iteration of the iPhone. Gorilla Glass has been the go-to for screens on the iPhone since its inception, but things looked to be taking a turn when it was rumored that Apple would go with sapphire displays for its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Apple already uses sapphire glass to cover its TouchID sensor and camera on the iPhone, so the idea of a full-on sapphire screen seemed like the an obvious expansion of the material. However, that approach was ultimately abandoned when GT Advanced, the manufacturer responsible for production of the sapphire displays, wasn't able to meet production demands, and ultimately filed for bankruptcy.

We already know that the some models of the Apple Watch will feature a sapphire display. However, it will definitely be interesting to see if Apple flirts with sapphire yet again for the iPhone, or if Corning's Project Phire can sway the company back.

Source: CNET

from iMore - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog http://ift.tt/16BgK7Y

via IFTTT

Apple Watch coming this April: What you need to know about Apple's first smartwatch

The general consensus is that Apple will unveil its next iPad at its October 16 event.

















from CNET http://ift.tt/1tswIXL

via IFTTT

How to disable Gmail's automatic contact creation

Wondering who all those random contacts in your Gmail are? Learn how to stop them from being added.

















from CNET http://ift.tt/1EN90yn

via IFTTT

Now Boarding: Lots of sites sell flights. With its price predictions, Hopper sells reassurance

Hopper will tell you whether to book your flight now or wait. And with data from billions of flights on tap, it's not guessing.

The post Now Boarding: Lots of sites sell flights. With its price predictions, Hopper sells reassurance appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1EN3zzr

via IFTTT

Daily Roundup: Inventor of the PC, Left Shark imposters and more!

via Engadget RSS Feed http://ift.tt/16scAz8

iMore show 442: Photos for Mac beta!

A sneak peek at the Photos app

Apple's Photos app for Yosemite won't be available until spring, but we got a chance to check it out.





from CNET http://ift.tt/1zgUmr6

via IFTTT

Tesla really likes poaching employees from Apple, report says

via Tech http://ift.tt/1Kq0ANI

BattleBots Is Back After Ten Years, And It's Bound To Be Incredible

Oh hell yes: BattleBots is coming back to TV. This summer, homemade robots will battle to the death on television, just as Asimov intended. They'll be faster and stronger than ever before. Which makes sense, because the last time BattleBots was on television was over a decade ago. Imagine what they could do now.

Read more...

via Gizmodo http://ift.tt/1zYKUxV