Week’s Latest Security News and Updates from Around the World

Here’s this week’s edition on some important and interesting news and updates on online security.

Yahoo Japan Hacked – Officials Warned Users to Change Passwords
After discovering a hacking attempt into its ID serves, Yahoo Japan has warned its users to change their passwords. According to the company, 22 million user ids might have gotten exposed to hackers during the security breach. Sensitive information like passwords, security questions, or any other private data, however, were not compromised. But to be on a safer side, users were strongly instructed to reset their passwords. A major problem that may arise from this security breach, as security officials believe, could be a large scale phishing attack or targeted malware attack using the email ids.

Email Hackers Provide Services to NYPD Detective
In another news that raises questions on law and enforcement itself, a detective from the New York City Police Department, has been apprehended on charges of illegally accessing private information of his fellow officers. The offender, Edwin Vargas, 42, is accused of using an email hacking service to commit the deed; reportedly, he shelled out a hefty amount of $4,050 as a fee for using the service. The detective is also alleged to have accessed the federal database, to gain private information on two officers.

Google Releases Chrome 27 for Faster and Safer Web Experience
Google has released a new version of Chrome (27.0.1453.93) that promises 5% faster performance. Also, this version is said to fix some major security vulnerabilities. Unlike the earlier version of the Google browser, this one presents no difficulty in getting installed on Ubuntu 13.04. Reportedly, Chrome 27 comes with fixes for as many as 14 High-rated security holes.

Lookout for PayPal Phishing Page
In latest security news about phishing scam, a fake PayPal page is doing the rounds on the Internet. Its URL is [www.121.gov.cn/app/p/index…]. If the page tricks the user into feeding in their PayPal credentials, then they get redirected to a page which asks for personal info, and credit card information including passwords, security questions, etc. Another URL of this phishing page is [www.camaramontesanto.mg.gov.br…].

Tweet But After Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is no alien term for major Internet and Software giants like Google, Amazon and Microsoft. And looks like, now it is not so even for Twitter. The popular microblogging service now requires users to go through the 2FA process. The company rolled out this feature to double the security layer for its users. After activating this feature (requires phone number), every time a user logs in to Twitter, they would receive a verification code through SMS, which would be required to access their profile. After the recent hacking fiesta that wrecked havoc on news organisations’ accounts, it is only mindful of Twitter to tighten up its security.

Soumya Patnaik