Hacking

Hackers revive iPhones

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:57 -0400

You've got to hand it to Apple: their iPhone has certainly had an impact on the market. Of course, at least one part of that impact Apple probably could have done without. Customers have been truly steamed about the number of iPhones turned into non-functional (yet still sleek) bricks with the latest software update. Now, a group of hackers says that it has developed a method for un-bricking the iPhones. Their software, they say, will restore the phones to full functionality while maintaining the unlocked nature of the original hack. Another group is telling customers to wait--they say an "official" fix is on the way. Whether you have the patience to wait is up to you, but it's nice to know that you can nickname your iPhone Lazarus with the latest hack.

For more on the un-bricking technique:
- read the whole story at NetworkWorld

Update leads to 'iBricks'

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 06:59:57 -0400

You can't say that they didn't warn us. Apple said that unlocking hacks were likely to cause iPhones to stop working when system software updates were issued. Last week, an update was issued and, well, unlocked iPhones turned into "iBricks," useful only as very sleek paperweights. Owners were upset, hackers are (undoubtedly) very busy, and the rest of us will stay tuned for further developments.

For more on the iPhone software update:
- read the full story at DailyTechRag

How does the hacker economy work?

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

You know they're out there and they're after your data--and the data of your customers. But do you know precisely how the underground economy works to turn millions of records into billions of illicit dollars? Like any good industrial captains, the hackers have diversified, with money-making strategies that range from direct extortion to classic flim-flams and advertising click fraud. Understanding how they intend to turn your wireless network into their asset is a critical step in preserving the value of your organization's communications infrastructure.

Get a better understanding of the hacker economy:
- by reading the article at InformationWeek

Protect the mobile platforms

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

This week at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, Kaspersky Labs will introduce anti-virus protection for Windows Mobile and Symbian platforms. The protection software will include a signature database resident on the mobile device and both whitelist and blacklist capabilities for SMS. While smartphone users have not yet been overrun with malware, Kaspersky Labs CEO Eugene Kaspersky says that it's only a matter of time before lowering costs and rising capabilities meet to dramatically increase the number of smartphone users and their attractiveness to hackers.

For more on Kaspersky's mobile A/V protection:
- read the article at TechWorld.com

QUICKLINKS: SF may be home to the first muni-WiFi network; RIM sues Samsung for patent infringement; Much more...

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:01:35 -0500

San Francisco may be home to first municipal WiFi network. Article

BlackBerry maker sues Samsung for patent infringement. Article

Virgin Mobile boosts subscriber base to 4.6M. Article

Price tag holding back mobile device data adoption. Article

Vendors going for 'quad' play by adding mobility to services mix. Article

And Finally...The Top 5 hackers of 2006. Article

The lowdown on impending mobile device malware

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:01:36 -0400

It's been heralded as a future risk, but actual malware has begun hitting the mobile user environment, especially in Japan and Europe. There's still plenty of time to put some security in place and learn what you can about the hackers' strategies and current worm or virus approach. This article at CSO takes a good look at current mobile phone malware and the malicious intentions behind the hacking strategy. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:01:40 -0400

There were several encouraging news items this week about mobile devices and advancement on the open source technology front. Given Linux's stability and tougher security shell, open source could be the perfect panacea for what's plaguing wireless technologies today--inconsistent service and the impending security threat, as malware writers and hackers increasingly start to turn their attention towards mobile devices. As this NetworkWorld article details, Linux is slowly but surely making its way onto a stage that's currently dominated by vendors like Symbian and Microsoft. It's only going to gain a greater presence as more groups like Open Source Development Labs and Linux Phone Standards work together to build common specs for Linux-based mobile devices.

Editor's Corner

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 19:01:40 -0500

Well, the predictions we started hearing late last year--that the mobile environment would be the next battleground of attack by worm writers, hackers and virus makers--is actually bearing truth a lot sooner that most of us thought. In fact, when I read over analyst reports from a few months ago, they figured it would take a year or so; but this week brings the big headline that Trojans, specifically created to break through mobile networks and devices, are here. It's a bit scary given that many IT organizations still have their hands full educating desktop PC users to help the enterprise stay secure.

Now with nearly every mobile professional boasting a PDA or other handheld in their pocket or briefcase, that effort has to triple. Given many IT leaders are looking to start developing mobile applications, security is a greater focus even before deployment takes place. Write me and let me know if you're ready to put more attention on wireless security and any advice you may have for colleagues, and I'll be happy to share it here next week. - Judy

QUICKLINKS: Wireless network hits hurdles in SF; WLAN deployments up nearly 10% from two years ago; Much more...

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:00:50 -0500

Wireless network hits some hurdles in San Francisco. Article

WLAN deployments up nearly 10 percent from two years ago. Article

Hackers figure out how to control mobile phones. Article

U.K. city gears up for WiFi network. Article

Increased productivity not the only benefit with wireless technology. Article

A big new wireless network for Texas. Article

What Microsoft is doing to boost VoIP. Article

How to put good VoIP security in place

Sun, 30 Oct 2005 19:01:38 -0500

With new research reports indicating big VoIP adoption and other indicators noting that security certainly isn't perfect with VoIP, it's never too early to get good VoIP security practices in place. The first place to start is opening the hood of the networking infrastructure. Is it robust and strong enough to keep out vulnerabilities? Then it's time to patch and plug any holes that are found. After that, ensure that the hacker's top approach--social engineering--doesn't get play time. As VoIP networks allow caller ID to be bypassed, hackers can turn to the old call-in approach to gain data and information right from users.

For more insight on good VoIP security:
- read this article at Networking Pipeline

PLUS: A new VoIP risk assessment solution. Article

ALSO: Juniper's approach to stopping VoIP attacks. Article