Round-up of the latest security news updates

Millions of hackers target Israel after Gaza offensive
Israel undertook air-based attacks against the Gaza strip last week and as a result they were hit with more than 44 million hacking attempts. The targeted websites ranged from defense-related sites to several commercial websites. Cyberspace has fast transformed into a battlefield for international politics and the Middle East is at the heart of this revolution.

Google 4.2 scans apps from third-party sources before installation
Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) has been updated to scan Android apps for malicious apps irrespective of their installation source. This feature will work in addition with Google Bouncer that scans apps when they are uploaded on Google Play. Unfortunately, Android 4.2 is a fairly limited OS right now, especially in India.

High-speed networks are vulnerable to mobile jamming
Researchers at Virginia Tech claim that modern high-speed wireless networks are highly vulnerable to simple network jamming tools. LTE networks (a type of 4G technology) are most susceptible to such attacks which can be used by terrorist organizations to block communication channels.

Government agencies could soon spy over Skype and VoIP services
Skype and other VoIP services are a constant source of speculation regarding user privacy. A California based businessman has now obtained a patent for a legal intercept technology that could allow governments to tap into these services and record conversations and exchanges. While this could definitely aid law enforcement, one wonders how this could influence user privacy.

Rahul Thadani