Application and platform security
Applications and platform security is the basis of preventing vulnerabilities and attacks. Learn the latest about applications attacks, secure software development, patch management, OS security, virtualization, open source security, API security, web app and server security and more.
Top Stories
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Podcast
08 Oct 2024
Risk & Repeat: Is Microsoft security back on track?
Microsoft has made significant changes to its cybersecurity practices and policies under the Secure Future Initiative. Are they enough to right the ship? Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2024
High-severity Qualcomm zero-day vulnerability under attack
Qualcomm urges customers to patch the memory corruption vulnerability as Google researchers have observed targeted exploitation in the wild against the flaw. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2018
How a Blizzard DNS rebinding flaw put millions of gamers at risk
A Blizzard DNS rebinding flaw could have put users of its online PC games at risk of attack. Expert Michael Cobb explains how a DNS rebinding attack works and what to do about it. Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2018
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS promises more private web browsing
Cloudflare promises its new 1.1.1.1 DNS service is faster and enables better privacy for web browsing than competing offerings, but it's unclear how different its service will be. Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2018
Kaspersky KLara malware hunter now open source
Kaspersky's KLara tool has been made open source in an effort to help security professionals search related malware samples more easily and efficiently with distributed Yara rules. Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2018
OIG report on San Bernardino iPhone case criticizes FBI
A new government report claims poor communication was to blame for the FBI's court case being filed against Apple despite a San Bernardino iPhone unlock method being almost ready at the time. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Mar 2018
How are logic devices like WAGO PFC200 used by hackers?
The Department of Homeland Security warned of a vulnerability affecting WAGO PFC200 logic devices. Discover how this flaw enables threat actors with expert Judith Myerson. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2018
Windows Meltdown patches open up more severe issue
A security researcher discovered the recent Windows Meltdown patches may fix the Intel flaws, but also introduced a more severe vulnerability in some versions of Windows. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Mar 2018
Zyklon malware: What Microsoft Office flaws does it exploit?
Zyklon malware targets three previously patched Microsoft Office vulnerabilities. Learn how attackers can access passwords and cryptocurrency wallet data with expert Judith Myerson. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
TLS 1.3 update is finalized with encryption upgrade
The IETF approves the TLS 1.3 encryption protocol upgrade after four years and 28 versions; improvements include better security and performance, as well as middlebox support. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Mar 2018
Intel AMT flaw: How are corporate endpoints put at risk?
A recent flaw in Intel's Advanced Management Technology enables hackers to gain access to endpoint devices. Discover how this flaw can be mitigated with expert Judith Myerson. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2018
AMD patches for Ryzen chip flaws due 'in the coming weeks'
AMD patches are in the works for the Ryzen and EPYC chip flaws announced without the normal disclosure, but CTS Labs continues to stress the severity of the issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2018
SAP CSO Justin Somaini on using blockchain for security
Blockchain has generated both hype and skepticism, but SAP CSO Justin Somaini believes the technology has applications for security that can improve open source software. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2018
Firefox bug exposes passwords to brute force -- for nine years
A Firefox bug exposing the browser's master password to a simple brute force attack against inadequate SHA-1 hashing is still on the books after nearly nine years. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2018
Secure DevOps: Inside the five lifecycle phases
Secure DevOps and cloud computing are altering the design, build, deployment and operation of online systems. Learn more from Eric Johnson and Frank Kim of the SANS Institute. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Mar 2018
Addressing vulnerable web systems that are often overlooked
Web security vulnerability scanners often focus on large applications within the enterprise. However, there are plenty of overlooked web systems that contain hidden flaws. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Mar 2018
Internet Explorer bug: How does it expose address bar info?
A bug in Microsoft's Internet Explorer update exposes information that users enter into the browser's address bar. Learn more about the bug and URL tracking with Nick Lewis. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2018
Software security training: Perspectives on best practices
Software development training with an emphasis on secure coding can improve enterprise security postures. Steve Lipner of SafeCode discusses different ways to get the job done. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Mar 2018
How can improper certificate pinning be stopped by the Spinner tool?
Researchers developed a tool to help prevent improper certificate pinning that causes security issues. Expert Michael Cobb reviews the issue and the Spinner tool. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Mar 2018
How does a WPAD attack work and how can it be prevented?
Google Project Zero discovered a WPAD attack that could target systems running Windows 10. Expert Michael Cobb explains how the attack works and how to bolster WPAD security. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2018
McAfee cloud security platform expands to Microsoft Azure
In its first move following the acquisition of cloud access security broker Skyhigh Networks, McAfee extended its cloud security platform to Microsoft Azure customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Mar 2018
Patch management programs: Who should run them?
Patch management is a crucial part of enterprise security defenses, but should security teams be in charge of it? Charles Kao explains how to make patching programs successful. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Mar 2018
How does Tizi spyware affect Android apps?
Android apps affected by Tizi spyware were found in the Google Play Store by Google's Play Protect team. Expert Michael Cobb reviews the threat and how it was fixed. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2018
Automated patch management and the challenges from IoT
From creating an inventory to scanning for IoT vulnerabilities, learn the key steps to take when it comes to automating patch management in your company. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Mar 2018
The Keeper browser extension flaw: How can users stay secure?
The Keeper browser extension had a vulnerability that highlighted security issues with password managers. Expert Michael Cobb looks at how to avoid security flaws in these tools. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Mar 2018
VMs per host: What are the risks of multiple connections?
While there are no set rules, there are some security recommendations when it comes to virtual machines running on one host. Learn the best practices with expert Matt Pascucci. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Mar 2018
Why the Bleichenbacher attack is still around
The Bleichenbacher attack got a new name after 20 years. Expert Michael Cobb reviews the ROBOT attack and discusses why it's still active this long after it emerged. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Feb 2018
How did OurMine hackers use DNS poisoning to attack WikiLeaks?
The OurMine hacking group recently used DNS poisoning to attack WikiLeaks and take over its web address. Learn how this attack was performed from expert Nick Lewis. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2018
Web vulnerability scanners: What you won't learn from vendors
Web security flaws are a serious issue that web vulnerability scanners can manage. Discover your best fit scanner as expert Kevin Beaver shares tips that vendors won't tell you. Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2018
Google discloses Microsoft Edge vulnerability without a patch
Google's Project Zero publicly published an Edge browser vulnerability after the 90-day disclosure deadline expired, and Microsoft has yet to patch the flaw. Continue Reading
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Answer
20 Feb 2018
GD library: How did it open the Junos OS to attacks?
The GD library used in the Junos operating system has opened Junos up to attacks. Nick Lewis explains how it happened and what it means for companies using open source software. Continue Reading
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Video
19 Feb 2018
Where does security fit into SDLC phases?
In each phase of the software development life cycle, there is an opportunity for infosec pros to add value. Learn more in this video with expert Adam Gordon. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Feb 2018
Antivirus tools: Are two programs better than one?
Antivirus software is crucial to your device's security. However, less is often more, especially when considering a secondary free antivirus program. Nick Lewis explains why. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2018
Intel bug bounty programs widened after Meltdown and Spectre
Intel's bug bounty program expanded its scope and rewards for bugs across all Intel products, and the company added a new program for side-channel flaws like Meltdown and Spectre. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Feb 2018
Embedded application security: Inside OWASP's best practices
OWASP released a draft of new guidelines for creating secure code within embedded software. Expert Judith Myerson discusses best practices, pitfalls to avoid and auditing tools. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2018
Microsoft: Windows Analytics can detect Meltdown and Spectre exposure
Microsoft says Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities are now being tracked by Windows Analytics, which shows users the update status for CPU microcode and OS patches. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2018
Critical Broadcom flaws discovered in Lenovo ThinkPads
Two critical flaws in Broadcom Wi-Fi chips disclosed last year were thought to affect only Apple and Android devices, but Lenovo now says ThinkPad models are vulnerable, too. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Feb 2018
How did a Microsoft Equation Editor flaw put systems at risk?
A stack buffer overflow vulnerability in Microsoft Equation Editor may have put enterprises at risk of compromise. Expert Judith Myerson explains what went wrong. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
Apple's confidential iBoot source code leaked online
News roundup: Apple's highly protected iBoot source code was leaked online. Plus, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stops its Equifax breach investigation, and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Feb 2018
Dynamic application security testing, honeypots hunt malware
Stealth is an attacker's best friend, especially when it comes to sneaking malware past the firewall. Learn about some trusty tools that can stop malware in its tracks. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2018
Grammarly vulnerability exposed user documents
A Grammarly vulnerability in its browser extension authentication could have exposed users' sensitive documents if the popular spelling and grammar checker were left unpatched. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2018
How to manage application security risks and shortcomings
A lack of proper testing, communication and insight into best practices all contribute to application security shortcomings. Kevin Beaver explains how to manage the risks. Continue Reading
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Podcast
05 Feb 2018
Risk & Repeat: Meltdown and Spectre mitigation efforts stumble
In this week's Risk & Repeat podcast, SearchSecurity editors discuss the Meltdown and Spectre mitigations efforts and why they're struggling with bad updates and miscommunication. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Feb 2018
Katyusha Scanner: How does it work via a Telegram account?
The Katyusha Scanner is based on the open source penetration test scanner Arachni. However, it has been modified to work through Telegram accounts. Nick Lewis explains how it works. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2018
Google got faster pulling bad Android apps from Play Store
Google claims it is faster than ever at removing or rejecting bad Android apps from the Play Store before anyone has a chance to install the troublesome app. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Microsoft rushes Spectre patch to disable Intel's broken update
Microsoft was forced to release an out-of-band Spectre patch designed not to mitigate the vulnerability but to protect users from Intel's broken fix. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2018
Intel Spectre vulnerability memo raises questions of OEM disclosures
Intel first learned of the Spectre vulnerabilities on June 1, but a confidential document shows the chipmaker didn't inform OEM partners until almost six months later. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2018
How are middleboxes affecting the TLS 1.3 release date?
Despite fixing important security problems, the official TLS 1.3 release date keeps getting pushed back, in part due to failures in middlebox implementations. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
Gemalto Sentinel flaws could lead to ICS attacks
Security researchers found 14 vulnerabilities in Gemalto Sentinel hardware tokens, which could allow dangerous ICS attacks, including full-system takeover. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
Intel Meltdown patches pulled with little explanation
Intel claims it has determined why the Spectre and Meltdown patches caused issues on some chips. The vendor is working on a fix and suggests users don't patch for now. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Jan 2018
Public key pinning: Why is Google switching to a new approach?
After introducing HTTP Public Key Pinning to the internet two years ago, the upcoming Chrome will replace it with the Expect-CT header. Matt Pascucci explains the switch. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jan 2018
How HTTP security headers can defend enterprise systems
HTTP security headers that have the right configurations can be used as defense methods against cyberattacks. Expert Judith Myerson outlines how to use headers this way. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2018
Skygofree Android spyware is a powerful surveillance tool
A new Android spyware tool called Skygofree was described as one of the most powerful surveillance tools and can even capture encrypted messages from WhatsApp. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Jan 2018
Canvas fingerprinting: How does it compromise security?
Mozilla recently decided to pull the HTML canvas element from the Firefox browser. Learn from expert Matt Pascucci what this means for the security and privacy of users. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2018
Intel Meltdown patch causes issues with Broadwell and Haswell
Customers reported the firmware Intel Meltdown patch caused reboot issues on Broadwell and Haswell chipsets, leading to a patch review by Intel. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2018
Spectre patches highlight January 2018 Patch Tuesday
Microsoft's January 2018 Patch Tuesday brings Meltdown and Spectre patches to users, except those on AMD chipsets or those with incompatible antivirus. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2018
Mobile app risks: Five things enterprises should consider
Just like any other risk in the enterprise, mobile app risks need to be a top priority. Join Kevin Beaver as he explains the dangers that unsecure mobile apps pose. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Jan 2018
Unknown apps: How does Android Oreo control installation?
Android Oreo replaced the allow unknown sources setting with a new feature that enables users to selectively install unknown apps. Kevin Beaver explains what this change means. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Jan 2018
Android bootloader: How does it work and what is the risk?
Several vulnerabilities were recently discovered in Android bootloaders via the BootStomp tool. Kevin Beaver explains how they work and what risk these vulnerabilities present. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Jan 2018
How should undocumented features in software be addressed?
Kaspersky Lab recently discovered an undocumented feature in Microsoft Word. Expert Kevin Beaver explains the risks and what to do if you come across one of these software flaws. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jan 2018
IOHIDeous is a macOS zero-day for the new year
A newly discovered macOS zero-day flaw, called IOHIDeous, affects all versions of Apple's desktop operating system and can allow for full-system compromise. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Dec 2017
Can a decentralized open source community properly address security?
SearchSecurity talks with UC Berkeley Professor Steven Weber about the open source community, the security challenges facing it and the prospect of software liability. Continue Reading
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News
29 Dec 2017
Browser login managers allow tracking scripts to steal credentials
News roundup: Login managers enable the exposure of user credentials in over 1,000 websites. Plus, Mozilla patched a critical vulnerability in Thunderbird, and more. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Dec 2017
Antimalware software: How can Windows 10 disable it?
Kaspersky Lab recently accused Windows 10 of acting as an antivirus block to third-party antimalware software. Discover how your software is being blocked and how this can be fixed. Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2017
Flawed Keeper password manager preinstalled on Windows 10
Google Project Zero's Tavis Ormandy discovered a flaw in the Keeper password manager browser extension that could allow attackers to steal credentials. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Dec 2017
Zusy malware: Are your PowerPoint files at risk?
Several spam campaigns were discovered after a malicious PowerPoint file was exposed. Learn how Zusy malware is delivered upon hovering over hypertext and how files can be saved. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2017
Return of Bleichenbacher: ROBOT attack means trouble for TLS
A team of security researchers discovered many vendors' TLS implementations are vulnerable to the Bleichenbacher oracle attack, which was first discovered 19 years ago. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Dec 2017
How to manage HTTP response headers for IIS, Nginx and Apache
HTTP response header configuration files on servers need to be set up properly to secure sensitive data. Expert Judith Myerson outlines how to do this on different types of servers. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2017
Emergency Microsoft patch out for Malware Protection Engine
A critical vulnerability found in the Windows Malware Protection Engine required an emergency Microsoft patch, but one expert said Microsoft hasn't handled the announcement well. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Dec 2017
OWASP Top Ten: Surviving in the cyber wilderness
The latest version of the OWASP Top Ten web application risks is much like previous versions, and that's not a bad thing at all. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Dec 2017
How can Windows digital signature check be defeated?
A security researcher discovered that editing two registry keys can alter a Windows digital signature check. Matt Pascucci explains what that means for digital signatures. Continue Reading
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News
05 Dec 2017
Keyboard data leak exposes millions of personal records
A keyboard data leak by mobile developer Ai.type exposed millions of personal records through misconfigured MongoDB database settings. Continue Reading
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News
05 Dec 2017
Apple High Sierra patch undone by macOS update
Apple released a High Sierra patch to fix a serious macOS authentication vulnerability discovered last week, but users could accidentally undo the patch with a routine OS update. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Dec 2017
How does the GhostHook attack bypass Microsoft PatchGuard?
A technique known as the GhostHook attack can get around PatchGuard, but Microsoft hasn't patched the flaw. Expert Michael Cobb explains why, as well as how the attack works. Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2017
Serious macOS flaw in High Sierra allows attackers to log in as root
An Apple macOS flaw in High Sierra could allow an attacker to bypass any authentication dialog, including signing in to a system as a full root user. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Nov 2017
Thor's OS Xodus
In this excerpt from chapter one of Thor's OS Xodus, author Timothy "Thor" Mullen discusses OS X, privacy, and online safety. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2017
Security for applications: What tools and principles work?
Better app security requires both designing security in and protecting it from without. Learn how to work it from both angles and what tools you'll need for the job. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Nov 2017
How does the Stack Clash vulnerability target Unix-based OSes?
A privilege escalation vulnerability known as Stack Clash affects Unix-based OSes. Expert Michael Cobb explains the flaw and how to protect systems from being exploited. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Nov 2017
How to add HTTP security headers to various types of servers
Expert Judith Myerson outlines the different types of HTTP security headers and how to add them to different servers, including Apache, Ngnix and Microsoft IIS Manager. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2017
With continuous security, SecDevOps deconstructs CI/CD
Nothing is set in stone when an organization follows a DevOps methodology -- a DevOps security model pushes developers and ops to constantly retune, slow down and speed up. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2017
How security controls affect web security assessment results
Network security controls are a blessing and a curse as they help an organization's IT environment, yet hinder web security assessment results. Kevin Beaver explains how they work. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Nov 2017
HTTP Strict Transport Security: What are the security benefits?
Google's use of HTTP Strict Transport Security aims to improve web browsing security. Expert Judith Myerson explains how HSTS can make the internet more secure. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Nov 2017
How social engineering attacks have embraced online personas
Discover the extent to which attackers will go to plan social engineering attacks. Nick Lewis explains how the progression of threats is changing how we monitor social media. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Nov 2017
VMware AppDefense: How will it address endpoint security?
VMware announced AppDefense, its latest effort to help improve endpoint security. Matt Pascucci explains how AppDefense addresses applications in vSphere environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2017
Why threat models are crucial for secure software development
Threat modeling is an important component of the secure software development process. Steve Lipner of SafeCode explains how threat models benefit software security. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Nov 2017
Killer discovery: What does a new Intel kill switch mean for users?
Cybersecurity company Positive Technologies recently discovered an Intel kill switch in the vendor's Management Engine. Learn more about this kill switch with expert Matt Pascucci. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2017
Android KRACK flaw patched in latest security update
The latest security release from Google patched the Android KRACK vulnerability affecting Wi-Fi's WPA2 protocol, but update confusion leaves users unsure if they are safe. Continue Reading
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News
07 Nov 2017
Fake WhatsApp app downloaded 1 million times
A fake WhatsApp app bypassed Google's Play Store checks and was downloaded 1 million times, but one expert said Google's store is still the safest place to get apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2017
Windows XP patches: Did Microsoft make the right decision?
Microsoft had to make several tradeoffs when developing patches for Windows XP. Expert Nick Lewis explains what these tradeoffs were and how enterprises should respond. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2017
Google Play bug bounty hunts RCE vulnerabilities
A Google Play bug bounty program, run by Google and HackerOne, asks testers to hunt for remote code execution vulnerabilities in some of the top Android apps. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Oct 2017
How app libraries share user data, even without permission
A new study shows how app libraries can share data among apps, even without permission. Michael Cobb explains how library collusion works and what users can do about it. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Oct 2017
How did an ImageMagick vulnerability endanger Yahoo servers?
An ImageMagick vulnerability known as Yahoobleed could give hackers access to Yahoo servers. Expert Michael Cobb explains the flaw and how Yahoo handled the situation. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2017
Analyzing the flaws of Adobe's HTTP security headers
A recent patching issue with Flash drew attention to shortcomings with Adobe's HTTP security headers. Judith Myerson discusses the importance of HTTP header security. Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2017
Equifax website hack blamed on drive-by download attack
Security researchers find drive-by download attacks affecting both Equifax and TransUnion, but Equifax claims systems were not compromised in the website hack. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Oct 2017
How can hackers use subtitle files to control endpoint devices?
New media player vulnerabilities have been exposed that enable hackers to use subtitle files to control devices. Expert Judith Myerson explains how this happens. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2017
October 2017 Patch Tuesday includes Windows zero-day fix
The top priority for Microsoft's October 2017 Patch Tuesday goes to a Windows zero-day vulnerability, but IT should also beware of two publicly disclosed flaws. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Oct 2017
Foxit Reader vulnerabilities: What can be done to mitigate them?
Two critical, zero-day Foxit Reader vulnerabilities haven't been patched and pose a threat to enterprises. Judith Myerson explains the vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2017
Addressing web server vulnerabilities below the application layer
Web application security is crucial, but enterprises also need to look below that layer for weaknesses. Kevin Beaver explains how to look for common web server vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2017
Windows 10 patching could make older systems vulnerable
Microsoft's practice of automatic Windows 10 patching could be uncovering vulnerabilities in older systems that can be exploited by attackers, Google researchers said. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Oct 2017
Flash's end of life: How should security teams prepare?
Adobe Flash's end of life is coming, and it includes an incremental removal method, allotting security teams enough time to adjust. Matt Pascucci explains how changes can be made. Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2017
Yahoo data breach found to affect all 3 billion users
Newly uncovered information indicated that all 3 billion users were affected by the 2013 Yahoo data breach, but Oath claimed passwords and credit card info was safe. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2017
How the Docker REST API can be turned against enterprises
Security researchers discovered how threat actors can use the Docker REST API for remote code execution attacks. Michael Cobb explains this threat to Docker containers. Continue Reading